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HISTORICAL  COLLECTIONS 

...OF... 

OHIO 

IN  TWO  VOLUMES. 


' AN  ENCYCLOPEDIA  OF  THE  STATE : 

HISTORY  BOTH  GENERAL  AND  LOCAL,  GEOGRAPHY  WITH  DESCRIPTIONS 
OP  ITS  COUNTIES,  CITIES  AND  VILLAGES,  ITS  AGRICULTURAL, 
MANUFACTURING,  MINING  AND  BUSINESS  DEVELOP- 
MENT, SKETCHES  OF  EMINENT  AND  INTEREST- 
ING CHARACTERS,  ETC.,  WITH  NOTES 
OF  A TOUR  OVER  IT  IN  1886. 


ILLUSTRATED  BY  ABOUT  TOO  ENGRAVINGS. 


Contrasting  the  Ohio  of  1846  with  1886-90.  ' 

E^om  Drawings  by  the  Author  in  1846  and  Photographs  Taken 
Solely  for  it  in  1886,  1887,  1888,  1889,  and  1890,  of 
Cities  and  Chief  Towns,  Public  Buildings, 

Historic  Localities,  Monuments, 

Curiosities,  Antiquities, 

Portraits,  Maps, 

ETC. 

THE  OHIO  CENTENNIfIL  EDITION. 


By  henry  , WE,  LL.  D. 

AUTHOR  “HISTORICAL  COLLECTIONS  CP  VIRGINIA’’  AND  OTHER  WORKS 


Volume  I. 


. PUBLISHED  BY  THE  STATE  OP  OHIO. 

C.  J.  KREHB[EL  & CO.,  PRINTERS  AND  BINDERS. 
Cincinnati,  Ohio. 


COPYRIGHT  1888  BY  HENRY  HOWE. 

1907 


Digitized  by  the  Internet  Archive^^^^l 
in  2017  with  funding  from 

University  of  Illinois  Urbana-Champaign  Alternates 


https://archive.org/details/historicalcollec01howe_1 


PREFACE. 


'/•/ 


[This  is  the  Preface  to  the  first  edition  issued  in  1847,  and 
printed  from  the  old  plates.] 


4 


Introductory  to  this  work,  we  state  some  facts  of  private  history. 

In  the  year  1831,  Mr.  John  W.  Barber,  of  Nev/  Haven,  Ct.,  pre- 
pared a work  upon  that  our  native  city,  which  combined  history,  biog- 
raphy and  description,  and  was  illustrated  by  engravings  connected 
with  its  rise,  progress  and  present  condition.  Its  success  suggested  to 
him  the  preparation  of  one,  on  a similar  plan,  relative  to  'the  State. 
For  this  object  he  travelled  through  it,  from  town  to  town,  collecting 
the  materials  and  taking  sketches.  After  two  years  of  industrious 
application  in  this,  and  in  writing  the  volume,  the  Historical  Col- 
lections of  Connecticut  was  issued,  a work  which,  like  its  successors, 
was  derived  from  a thousand  different  sources,  oral  and  published. 

As  in  the  ordinary  mode,  the  circulation  of  books  through  ^‘the 
trade,’^  is  so  slow  in  progress  and  limited  in  sale,  that  no  merely  local 
work,  however  meritorious,  involving  such  an  unusually  heavy  outlay 
of  time  and  expense  as  that,  will  pay  even  the  mechanical  labor,  it,  as 
well  as  its  successors,  was  circulated  by  travelling  agents  solely,  who 
thoroughly  canvassed  the  state,  until  it  found  its  way  into  thousands 
of  families  in  all  ranks  and  conditions, — in  the  retired  farm-house 
equally  Avith  the  more  accessible  city  mansions. 

That  book,  so  novel  in  Its  character,  was  received  with  great  favor, 
and  highly  commended  by  the  public  press  and  the  leading  minds 
of  the  state.  It  is  true,  it  did  not  aspire  to  high  literary  merit: — the 
dignified  style, — the  generalization  of  facts, — the  philosophical  deduc- 
tions of  regular  history  were  not  there.  On  the  contrary,  not  the 
least  of  its  merits  was  its  simplicity  of  style,  its  fullnes  of  detail,  in- 
troducing minor,  but  interesting  incidents,  the  other,  in  ‘fits  stately 
march,”  could  not  step  aside  to  notice,  and  in  avoiding  that  philosophy 
which  only  the  scholastic  can  comprehend.  It  seemed,  in  its  variety, 
to  have  something  adapted  to  all  ages,  classes  and  tastes,  and  the  un- 
learned reader,  if  he  did  not  stop  to  peruse  the  volume,  at  least,  in 
many  instances  could  derive  gratification  from  the  pictorial  represen- 
tation of  his  native  village, — of  perhaps  the  very  dwelling  in  which 
he  first  drew  breath,  and  around  which  entwined  early  and  cherished 
associations.  The  book,  therefore,  reached  more  minds,  and  has  been 
more  extensively  read,  than  any  regular  state  history  ever  issued ; thus 
adding  another  to  the  many  examples  often  seen,  of  the  productions 
of  industry  and  tact,  proving  of  a more  extended  utility  than  those 
emanating  from  profound  scholastic  acquirements. 

This  publication  became  the  pioneer  of  others  r a complete  list  of 
all,  with  the  dates  of  their  issue,  follows: 


1839. 

(( 

“ Massachusetts 

John  W.  Barher. 

1841. 

(( 

“ New  York; 

cc 

J.W.Barher  and  JI.Howa 

1843. 

a 

“ Pennsylvania  : 

(( 

Sherman  Bay. 

1844. 

« 

“ New  Jersey; 

(i 

J .W .Barher  and  H.Howe 

r‘ 

1845. 

a 

“ Virginia; 

C( 

Henry  Howe. 

1847. 

a 

‘‘  Ohio  : 

(( 

Henry  Howe. 

1 1 62406 

PRBPAOfc. 


( VIIHfVII'.l' 

/ ( t I 


^roiB  this  list  it  will  be  perceived  that  OHIO  makes  the  seventh  stais 
tvork  published  on  the  original  plan  of  Mr.  Barber,  all  of  which  thus  fai 
circulated,  were  alike  iavorably  received  in  the  states  to  which  each  respect- 
ively related. 

Early  in  January,  1846,  we,  with  some  previous  time  spent  in  preparation, 
commenced  our  tour  over  Ohio,  being  the  fourth  state  through  which  we 
have  travelled  for  such  an  object.  We  thus  passed  more  than  a year,  in  the 
course  of  which  we  were  in  seventy-nine  of  its  eighty-three  counties,  took 
sketches  of  objects  of  interest,  and  every  where  obtained  information  by  con- 
versation with  early  settlers  and  men  of  intelligence.  Beside  this,  we  have 
availed  ourselves  of  all  published  sources  of  information,  and  have  received 
about  four  hundred  manuscript  pages  in  communications  from  gentlemen  in 
all  parts  of  the  state. 

In  this  way,  we  are  enabled  to  present  a larger  and  more  varied  amount 
of  materials  respecting  Ohio,  than  was  ever  before  embodied  ; the  whole 
giving  a view  of  its  present  condition  and  prospects,  with  a history  of  its 
settlement,  and  incidents  illustrating  the  customs,  the  fortitude,  the  bravery, 
and  the  privations  of  its  early  settlers.  That  such  a work,  depicting  the 
rise  and  unexampled  progress  of  a powerful  state,  destined  to  a controlling 
ini^uence  over  the  well-being  of  the  whole  nation,  will  be  looked  upon  with 
interest,  we  believe ; and  furthermore  expect,  that  it  will  be  received  in  the 
generous  spirit  which  is  gratified  with  honest  endeavors  to  please,  rathei 
&an  in  the  captious  one,  that  is  dissatisfied  short  of  an  unattainable  perfection. 

Whoever  expects  to  find  the  volume  entirely  free  from  defects,  hts  but 
little  acquaintance  with  the  difficulties  ever  attendant  upon  procuring  such  m& 
terials.  In  all  of  the  many  historical  and  descriptive  works  whose  fidelity  wc 
have  had  occasion  to  test,  some  misstatements  were  found.  Although  we 
have  taken  the  best  available  means  to  insure  accuracy,  yet  from  a variety 
of  causes  unnecessary  here  to  specify,  some  errors  may  have  occurred.  If 
any  thing  materially  wrong  is  discovered,  any  one  will  confer  a favor  by  ad- 
dressing a letter  to  the  publishers,  and  it  shall  be  corrected 

Our  task  has  been  a pleasant  one.  As  we  successively  tsntered  the  va- 
rious  counties,  we  were  greeted  with  the  frank  welcome,  characteristic  of 
the  west.  And  an  evidence  of  interest  in  the  enterprize  has  been  variously 
shown,  not  the  least  of  which,  has  been  by  the  reception  of  a mass  of  valua- 
ble communications,  unprecedented  by  us  in  the  course  of  the  seven  years 
we  have  been  engaged  in  these  pursuits.  To  all  who  have  aided  us, — to 
(uur  correspondents  especially,  some  of  whom  have  spent  much  time  and  re- 
search,  we  feel  under  lasting  obligations,  and  are  enaoled  by  their  assistance 
to  present  to  the  public  a far  better  work,  than  could  otherwise  have  heei* 
produced.  H.  H. 


INTRODUCTION  TO  THE  CENTENNIAL  EDITION. 


A ONCE  aged  friend  of  mine,  now  no  longer  aged,  was  wont  to  refine  a very 
beautiful  life  with  golden  scraps  of  philosophy  that  seemed  to  fit  in  with  the 
varying  incidents  of  seeming  good  or  ill  that  he  or  his  friends  met  on  their  path- 
way. One  of  his  expressions  was : “ We  don’t  know  what  is  before  us.” 

When,  in  1847, 1 had  written  the  preface  on  the  preceding  pages  I could  little 
imagine  that  forty  years  later  I should  make  a second  tour  over  Ohio  and  put 
forth  a second  edition  Not  a human  being  in  any  land  that  I know  of  has  done 
a like  thing.  It  is  in  view  of  what  I have  been  enabled  to  do  for  a great  people 
I regard  myself  as  having  been  one  of  the  most  fortunate  of  men.  A spot  is 
now  reached  which  even  in  my  dreams  could  not  have  been  visioned,  and  I here 
rejoice  that  in  the  year  1839,  now  just  half  a century,  I turned  my  back  on 
Wall  Street,  with  its  golden  allurements,  where  I had  passed  more  than  a year, 
to  follow  an  occupation  that  was  congenial  with  my  loves  and  would  widely 
benefit  my  fellow-men.  “ He  that  hasteth  to  be  rich  shall  not  be  innocent,”  but 
he  that  labors  to  spread  knowledge  in  the  form  of  good  books  that  will  reach 
the  humblest  cabin  in  the  wilderness  will  feed  his  own  soul,  and  earth  and  sky 
be  a delight  in  his  eyes  all  his  days  through. 

When,  in  1846,  my  snow-white  companion.  Old  Pomp,  carried  me  his  willing 
burden  on  his  back  entirely  over  Ohio  it  was  a new  land  opening  to  the  sun. 
Its  habitations  were  largely  of  logs,  many  of  them  standing  in  the  margins  of 
deep  forests,  amid  the  girdled  monsters  that  reared  their  sombre  skeleton  forms 
over  a soil  for  the  first  time  brought  under  the  benign  influence  of  human  culti- 
vation. 

So  young  was  the  land  that  in  that  year  the  very  lawmakers,  84  out  of  107, 
were  born  strangers.  The  list  of  the  nativities  of  the  members  of  the  legisla- 
ture, which  I have  saved  from  that  day,  is  as  follows : Pennsylvania,  24 ; Ohio, 
23;  Virginia,  18;  New  York,  10;  all  the  New  England  States,  18,  of  whom  6 
were  from  Connecticut ; Maryland,  7 ; Europe,  6 ; Kentucky  1,  and  North  Caro- 
lina, 1.  Only  four  years  before  had  the  State  grown  its  first  governor  in  the  per- 
son of  Wilson  Shannon,  born  in  a log-cabin,  down  in  Belmont  county,  in  1802, 
and  to  be  soon  thereafter  a fatherless  infant,  for  George  Shannon,  whose  son  he 
was,  in  the  following  winter,  while  out  hunting,  got  lost  in  the  woods  in  a snow- 
storm, and,  going  around  in  a circle,  at  last  grew  sleepy,  fell  and  froze  to  death. 
The  present  governor,  J.  B.  Foraker,  that  very  year  of  my  tour,  was  born  in  a 
cabin  in  Highland  county,  July  5th,  the  day  after  the  American  flag  had  been 
thrown  out  joyously  to  the  breeze  while  booming  cannon  announced  the  seven- 
tieth anniversary  of  that  great  day  when  the  old  bell  proclaimed  liberty  and 
independence  throughout  the  land. 

The  very  State  Capitol,  as  is  shown  on  these  pages,  in  which  the  legislature 
assembled,  was  a crude  structure  that  scarce  any  Ohio  village  of  this  day  would 
rear  for  a school-house.  But  the  legislators  made  wise  laws,  and  on  the  night  of 


INTRODUCTION  TO  THE  CENTENNIAL  EDITION. 


their  adjournment  in  that  year,  after  having  been  absent  from  their  families  for 
months,  were  hilarious  as  so  many  school-boys,  and  to  my  astonished  eyes  from 
their  seats  some  of  the  more  frolicsome  were  pelting  each  other  with  paper  wads. 

In  September,  1847,  I published  my  book  in  Cincinnati  with  177  engravings, 
mainly  from  my  drawings.  Seven  years  of  my  young  life  had  been  given  to  the 
travel — very  much  of  it  pedestrian — over  four  States  of  the  Union,  and  making 
books  upon  them — New  York  and  New  Jersey  in  connection  with  Mr.  J.  W.  Bar- 
ber, and  Virginia  and  Ohio  alone.  For  thirty  years  Cincinnati  was  my  home. 
There  my  children  were  born  and  there  I devoted  myself  to  the  writing  and 
'publishing  of  books,  a very  secluded  citizen,  mingling  not  in  affairs  of  church 
nor  State,  still  paying  my  pew-rent  and  always  voting  on  election  days  a clean 
ticket.  In  my  life  a third  of  a million  of  my  books  have  gone  out  among  the 
people  and  done  good — gone  out  exclusively  in  the  hands  of  canvassers  number- 
ing in  the  aggregate  thousands  and  penetrating  every  State  in  the  Union. 

In  1878  I returned  to  my  native  city.  New  Haven,  and  the  proud,  stately  elms 
appeared  to  welcome  me,  there  in  that  charming  spot  where  even  the  very  bricks 
of  old  Yale  seem  to  ooze  knowledge.  In  September,  1885,  I resolved  to  again 
make  the  tour  of  Ohio  for  a new  edition.  The  romance  of  the  project  and  its 
difficulties  were  as  inspirations.  Since  1846  Ohio  had  more  than  doubled  in 
population,  while  its  advance  in  intelligence  and  resources  no  arithmetic  could 
measure. 

No  publisher  or  capitalist,  even  if  I had  desired,  which  I did  not,  had  the 
courage  to  unite  with  me — the  enterprise  was  too  risky,  involving  years  of  time 
and  many  thousands  of  expense,  its  success  depending  upon  the  uncertain  tenure 
of  the  life  of  a man  entering  his  seventieth  year.  Furthermore,  any  publisher 
would  have  looked  upon  my  enterprise  simply  from  the  money-making  point  of 
view.  I should  have  been  hampered  for  the  means  to  make  the  work  every  way 
worthy.  I could  brook  no  restrictions  and  would  not  give  the  people  of  this 
great  State  any  other  than  the  best  and  most  complete  results  of  my  efforts. 
The  book  must  be  brought  down  to  the  wonderfully  advanced  point  of  the  Ohio 
of  to-day.  I could  not  in  the  years  of  labor  required  supply  the  capital  to  do 
this,  but  my  health  was  and  is  perfect,  and  I have  a light  body  to  move.  I 
formed  my  plan.  First  I went  among  my  fellow-townsmen  of  means  for  a sub- 
scription loan  to  fairly  launch  me  upon  the  soil.  They  responded  nobly,  more 
than  glad  to  aid  me,  looking  upon  me  as  the  instrument  for  a public  good. 
Some  of  them  had  been  school-boys  with  me.  Together  we  had  conjugated  in 
the  old  Hopkins  Grammar  School : ‘‘Amo,  amas,  amat,”  “ I love,  thou  lovest,  he 
loves,”  and  this  was  a second  conjugation. 

In  the  meantime  Judge  Taft,  Gov.  Hoadley  and  ex-President  Hayes  had  written 
me  encouraging  words.  I had  known  the  three  from  their  early  lives.  The 
latter  invited  me  to  his  home  and  was  my  first  subscriber  in  the  State.  My  plan 
for  getting  over  Ohio  was  by  obtaining  advance-paying  subscribers.  And  so  good 
was  the  memory  of  the  old  book  and  so  strong  the  love  of  the  State  with  its 
leading  men  upon  whom  I called  that  it  worked  to  a charm.  My  tour  had 
something  of  the  character  of  an  ovation.  I was  continually  greeted  with  ex- 
pressions of  gratitude  from  men  of  mark  for  the  good  my  book  had  done  them 
in  their  young  lives  in  feeding  the  fires  of  patriotism  and  in  giving  them  an 
accurate  knowledge  of  their  noble  State.  It  had  been  the  greatest  factor  extant 
to  that  end,  and,  as  Mr.  R.  B.  Hayes,  who  has  had  no  less  than  ten  copies  in  the 
course  of  his  life,  once  wrote,  has  been  of  an  inestimable  benefit  to  the  people. 


INTRODUCTION  TO  THE  CENTENNIAL  EDITION.  ■ 


Sometimes  the  expressions  of  those  upon  whom  I called  were  too  strong  for 
my  humility.  One  old  gentleman  said  : “ What  I you  are  not  the  Henry  Howe 
who  wrote  our  Ohio  History  ? ” Yes.”  With  that  he  sprang  for  me,  grasped 
me  around  the  waist,  hugged  me,  lifted  me  off  my  feet  and  danced  around  the 
floor.  Short  of  stature,  but  strong  as  a bear,  there  was  no  resisting  his  hug. 
Speaking  of  it  afterward,  he  said  he  never  did  such  a thing  before — embracing  a 
man  I But  when  I told  him  who  I was  a crowd  of  memories  of  forty  years  came 
upon  him  and  he  was  enthused  beyond  control.  In  other  cases  old  gentlemen 
brought  in  their  children  to  introduce  to  me.  In  many  places  visited  I did  not 
offer  my  subscription  list.  Time  would  not  allow ; only  when  funds  were  short 
did  I pause  for  the  means  to  move.  Beside,  it  is  not  honorable  to  draw  upon 
the  resources  of  generous  spirits  beyond  absolute  necessity. 

Everywhere  I made  arrangements  with  local  photographers  and  took  them  to 
the  standpoints  I selected  for  views  to  be  taken.  These  were  for  new  engravings 
to  make  a pictorial  contrast  of  the  Ohio  of  1846  with  that  of  1886.  About  one 
hundred  were  seen. 

My  tour  finished,  in  March,  1887, 1 returned  my  family  to  Ohio — to  Columbus 
— for  a permanent  home,  where,  in  connection  with  my  son,  I am  now  publishing 
the  work,  and  will  endeavor  to  give  every  family  in  Ohio  an  opportunity  to 
obtain  it  through  township  canvassers.  In  no  other  possible  way  can  the 
people  be  reached  and  a fair  remuneration  given  for  the  extraordinary  labor  and 
expense. 

No  other  State  has  in  its  completeness  such  a work  as  this,  and  none  under 
the  same  extraordinary  circumstances  of  authorship.  The  introductory  articles 
are  written  by  the  best  capacity  in  the  State  upon  the  subjects  treated.  Sketches __ 
of  those  contributors  are  given  with  their  articles,  as  I wish  the  living  public  and 
that  unborn  to  know  about  the  gentlemen  who  have  thus  aided  me. 

And  as  for  my  own  part,  no  one  living  has  had  an  equal  and  like  experience, 
and  my  self-appointed  task  has  absorbed  the  best  of  which  I am  capable.  To 
call  it  a history  tells  but  a part  of  the  truth.  So  broad  its  scope  that,  to  speak 
figuratively,  it  is  the  State  itself  printed  and  bound,  ready  to  go  into  every  family 
in  the  State,  to  show  the  people  of  every  part  concerning  the  whole  collectively, 
and  each  part  in  succession,  and  in  all  the  varied  aspects  that  go  to  form  the 
great  Commonwealth  of  Ohio,  and  the  history  that  went  to  make  the  sons  of  Ohio 
the  strong  men  they  are,  ever  appearing  in  the  front  in  every  department  of 
activity  and  acquisition. 

Wherever  I have  introduced  living  characters  my  rule  has  been  to  admit  only 
such  as  the  public  at  large  should  know  of,  and  never  to  the  knowledge  of  those 
introduced  if  it  could  be  avoided.  None  have  been  allowed  to  pay  their  way 
into  this  book,  and,  where  portraits  have  been  engraved  for  it,  it  has  been  at  my 
expense.  Sketches  of  living  men  with  their  portraits  are  herein,  which  they  will 
never  learn  from  me  personally.  I have  adopted  this  course  to  make  the 
work  clean  throughout,  feeling  that  the  people  will  sustain  me  in  perfect 
uprightness. 

Throughout  are  occasionally  introduced  Travelling  Notes,  so  that  it  should 
combine  the  four  attractions  of  History,  Geography,  Biography,  and  Travels. 
The  observations  of  one  travelling  over  the  same  ground  after  a lapse  of  forty 
years  would  naturally  be  interesting.  This  feature  enables  me  to  make  it  more 
useful  and  instructive  to  the  young,  and  to  give  some  of  the  philosophy  that  has 
come  from  experience,  and  which  has  helped  to  brighten  and  make  glad  my  own 


INTRODUCTION  TO  THE  CENTENNIAL  EDITION, 

way  so  well  that,  though  the  rolling  years  have  at  last  whitened  my  locks,  within 
I still  feel  young,  move  with  agility,  and  love  the  world  the  better  the  longer  I 
live  in  it.  “ I love  the  world,”  wrote  old  Isaac  Walton ; “ it  is  my  Maker’s 
creature ; ” but  how  much  stronger  would  not  that  old  fisherman  love  it  were  he 
here  now.  Human  life  never  had  such  a full  cup  as  in  these  our  days  of  expand- 
ing knowledge  and  humanities. 

When  I began  this  work  I did  not  anticipate  bestowing  upon  it  so  much  time 
and  labor,  but  as  I progressed  my  ambition  enlarged,  and  so  I enlarged  the  plan. 
Throughout,  my  great  struggle  has  been  financial,  but  in  the  darkest  hour  when 
beside  this  burden  I was  brain-weary  from  incessant  work  and  diversities  re- 
quiring thought  and  the  turning  aside  for  investigation,  I had  full  faith  I should 
triumph.  Providence  would  not  allow  such  a work  for  such  a people  to  perish. 
From  the  citizens  of  the  State  I have  received,  with  a single  exception,  no  direct 
pecuniary  aid  other  than  by  advance  payments  of  subscriptions.  This  exception 
was  Mr.  Henry  C.  Noble,  of  Columbus,  who,  in  the  last  dark,  trying  moment, 
most  generously  came  to  my  rescue,  and  then  the  fog  lifted  that  had  gathered 
around  the  very  summit  of  final  success. 

Of  my  old  townsmen  in  New  Haven  who,  in  1885,  first  aided  me  for  a start, 
I am  more  especially  indebted  to  Profs.  Henry  W.  Farnam  and  Salisbury,  of 
Yale;  Henry  T.  Blake,  attorney-at-law;  Dr.  E.  H.  Bishop;  Charles  L.  English, 
ex-banker,  and  Dr.  Levi  Ives.  Of  the  twenty-seven  on  the  list  five  have  since 
finished  their  life-work  and  passed  away,  viz.,  Henry  C.  Kingsley,  Treasurer  of 
Yale ; Major  Lyman  Bissell,  U.  S.  A. ; Robert  Peck ; Thoihas  Trowbridge,  shipping 
merchant,  and  John  Beach,  attorney-at-law.  Prof.  S.  E.  Baldwin,  of  theYale  Law 
-School,  was  the  first  subscriber  anywhere  to  this  work. 

One  effect  of  my  work  will  be  to  increase  the  fraternal  sentiment  that  is  so 
marked  a characteristic  of  Ohio  men  wherever  their  lot  is  cast,  and  that  leads 
them  to  social  sympathy  and  mutual  help.  And  if  we  look  at  the  sources  of  this 
State  love  we  will  find  it  arises  from  the  fact  that,  Ohio  being  the  oldest  and 
strongest  of  the  new  States  of  the  Northwest,  by  its  organic  law  and  its  history  has 
so  thoroughly  illustrated  the  beneficence  and  power  of  that  great  idea  embodied 
in  the  single  word  Americanism. 

But  I must  here  close  with  the  observation  that  I have  passed  the  allotted  age 
of  human  life,  and,  although  in  sound  health,  cannot  expect  for  many  more  years 
to  witness  its  mysterious,  ever- varying  changes.  But  it  will  be  a just  satisfaction 
to  me  if,  in  my  declining  days,  I can  see  that  this  work  is  proving  of  the  same 
widespread  benefit  to  the  present  people  of  Ohio  as  did  that  of  my  young  life 
to  those  of  forty  years  ago. 

Henry  Howe. 

41  Third  Avenue^  Columbus,  0.,  January  1,  1889. 


CONTENTS 


VOL.  1. 


A 

PAGE. 


Abbott,  David,  Escape  of. 679 

Abolitionists,  Salem 449 

Academies  and  High  Schools  «...  143 

Agriculture  in  Ohio,  History  of 100 

Ammens,  Sketch  of  the 339 

Amusing  Incidents 277 

Ancient  Works,.. ..264,  285,  325,  470,  552,  586 
Andrews,  Lorin,  Ohio’s  First  Volunteer  253 

Andrews,  S.  J.,  Sketch  of. 511 

Animal  Intelligence.... 891 

Anthony,  Charles,  Notice  of. 404 

Anti-Slavery  Societies 280 

Appleseed,  Johnny 260 

* Arbor  Day  Celebration,  First  in  Ohio....  802 

Armstrongs,  Notice  of 609 

Arnett,  Rev.  Dr.,  Notice  of. 45 

Art  Museum  and  Art  Academy 707 

' Ash  Cave 931 

Ashtabula  Harbor 273 

Assault  on  Gen.  Jackson 607 

B 

Bachelor  Hermits,  The  Two 489 

Badger,  Rev  Joseph 279 

Bark  Cutters,  The 231 

Baldwin,  John,  Notice  of. 626 

Baum,  Martin 847 

Bears  and  Wolves 278, 317, 492,  552 

Beatty,  John,  Sketch  of. 581 

Beatty,  Gen.  John,  Sketch  of. 150 

Bebb,  Gov.  William,  Sketch  of. 349 

Beckett,  William,  Sketch  of. 350 

Beecher,  Hon.  Philemon,  Notice  of 598 

Beecher,  Rev.  Dr.  Lyman 824 

Beecher,  Catharine 824 

Beer  Gardens  and  Music 784 

Benedict,  Platt 945 

Bingham,  Hon.  John 889,  902 

Bishop,  Gov.  Richard  M 813 

Black  Hoof,  Sketch  of. 299 

Black  Watch,  A Veteran  of. 405 

Black  Swamp 903 

Blind  Institution  for  the 637 

Bloss,  G.  M.  D.,  Sketch  of. 422 

Bluejacket 908 

Blue  Jacket,  Sketch  of. 300 

Bockinghelas,  Notice  of. 550 

Bodily  Exercises 279 

Boone,  Daniel,  Anecdotes  of. 693 

Boquet,  Col.  Henry,  Sketch  of 476 

Boquet’s  Expedition 472 

Boulders 93 

Bowman,  Expedition  of. 694 

Boynton,  Gen.  H.  V 852 

Bradstreet’s  Expedition 565 

Bravery  of  Capt.  McClelland 878 

Breckinridge,  Reminiscences  of. 674 

Brilliant  Women 787 

Brown,  Gov.  Ethan  Allen 812 

Brown,  Hon.  Ezekiel,  Notice  of. 551 

Broadhead’s  Expedition 480 

Brough,  Gov.  John 615 

Buckeye  State,  Why  Ohio  is  Called.. 200 


PAGE. 


Buckeye  Songs 202 

Bullit,  Capt.,  Boldness  of. 693 

Burkhal ter,  Christian 847 

Burnet,  Judge  Jacob 816 

Burnet  Woods 795 

Bureau,  John  Peter  Romaine,  Notice  of  681 

“Buskirk’s  Battle” 963 

Byxbe,  Col.  Moses,  Sketch  of..,.,,.,...,..,  551 

c 

Campbell,  Col.  Lewis  D.,  Sketch  of. 349 

Canal,  Sandy  and  Beaver 359 

Captain,  A Sick 776 

Captina,  Battle  of. 307 

Captivity  and  Escape  of  Sam’l  Davis 953 

Capture  and  Escape  of  Dr.  John  Knight  882 

Carney,  Gov.  Thomas,  Notice  of. 558 

Carpenter,  Charles,  Notice  of 585 

Carroll,  Charles,  of  Carrolltpn,  Notice  of  359 

Cary,  Alice 835 

Cary,  Gen.  Samuel  F 838 

Cary  Homestead, 837 

Cary,  Phoebe 835 

Case,  Leonard,  Sketch  of. 513 

Cass,  Major,  Allusion  to 344 

Cascade  at  Clifton 724 

Catholics  of  St.  Martin’s  340 

Central  Insane  Asylum 630 

Chase,  Bishop  Philander 988 

Chase,  Hon.  Salmon  P.,  Boyhood  Pranks 

of. 613 

Chase,  Sec’y  Salmon  P 829 

Cheese  Industry  on  the  Western  Reserve  690 

Chillicothe,  Old 692 

Cholera,  The  Asiatic 761 

Cincinnati  a Literary  Centre 788 

Cincinnati  Chamber  of  Commerce 707 

Cincinnati  Clubs  and  Club  Life 800 

Cincinnati  Court  House  Riot  of  1884 806 

Cincinnati,  Early  Intellectual  Life  of...,  822 
Cincinnati,  Eminent  Citizens  of,  in  Cab- 
inet and  Field 772 

Cincinnati  Expositions 799 

Cincinnati  Incorporated 755 

Cincinnati  in  the  War  Times 765 

Cincinnati  in  1847 755 

Cincinnati  in  1888 781 

Cincinnati  Jail  Riot  of  1848 808 

Cincinnati  Newspapers  in  War  Times...  778 

Cincinnati,  Settlement  of. 747 

Cincinnati,  Siege  of. 772 

Cincinnati  Southern  Railway 794 

Cincinnati  Under  Martial  Law 773 

Cist,  Charles 831 

Cist,  Henry  M 832 

Cist,  Lewis  J 832 

Civil  War,  Ohio  in  the 150 

Clarke,  Robert 840 

Cleveland,  Its  Past  and  Present 503 

Cleveland,  Gen.  Moses,  Sketch  of 510 

Climate,  Ohio 87 

Climatic,  Changes 535 

Clinton,  Gov.  George,  Sketch  of. 423 

Coal  Trade  on  the  River,  The  Early 322 


CONTENTS. 


SH 

PAGE. 


Cockerill,  Col.  John  A.,  Notice  of.........  229 

Cofl&n,  Levi 826 

Coffin,  Catharine 827 

Coffinsberry,  Andrew., 870 

Cole,  Thomas ..972,  979 

Colleges  and  Universities........ 144 

College  Lands,  Settlement  of. 283 

“College  of  Teachers” 822 

Collier,  James 979 

Columbia  Pioneer  Celebration 808 

Columbia,  Settlement  of.  747 

Confederate  Conspiracy  at  Sandusky 572 

Contraband  Soldiers ........  780 

Cooke,  Bleutheros,  Sketch  of 574 

Cooke,  Jay,  Anecdote  of.... 582 

Coon-Skin  Library 288 

Copperas  Works. 973 

Coppock,  Edwin,  Last  Letter  of... 453 

Copus  Tragedy,  The 257 

Corwin,  Thomas,  Anecdotes  of 403 

Coshocton  Campaign 480 

Courts,  Primitive 700 

Cowles,  Edwin,  Sketch  of. 513 

Cowles,  Betsy  M.,  Sketch  of. 280 

Crawford,  Col.,  Notice  of. 483 

Cranberry  Marsh 486 

Crusaders  Among  the  Germans 785 

Custer’s  Birthplace 899 

Custer,  Gen.  Geo.  A 900 

Customs,  Early,  243,  260,  318,  343,  534, 

550,565,  589,  733 

Cumming,  Rev.  E.  H.,  Sketch  of 403 

Cyclone  at  Washington  Court-House...  604 
Cyclone,  the  Jamestown 724 

D 

Dahlgreen,  Madelaine  Vinton,  Sketch 

of. 681 

Darlington,  Gen.,  Notice  of. 229 

Darke,  Gen.  William,  Sketch  of. 529 

Dayton,  Riley,  The  Trapper  and  Hunter  664 

Deaf  and  Dumb  Asylum 636 

Defiance,  Fort,  Naming  of 545 

Delaware  Grape,  The 558 

Delaware  Tribe,  Sketch  of. 549 

Denver,  Gen.  James  W.,  Sketch  of 432 

Dennison,  Gov.  William,  Sketch  of. 653 

Deserters  Executed 343 

Deserted  Camp,  The 425 

Devenny,  Capt.  John,  Notice  of 238 

Dickey,  Hon.  Alfred  S.,  Notice  of. 602 

Doctor,  Ride  with  a 899 

Donalson,  Israel,  Captivity  of. 224 

Dorn,  Hon.  Henry,  Sketch  of. 119 

Dow,  Lorenzo,  Sketch  of. 412 

Downing,  Escape  of 225 

Drake,  Benjamin 822 

Drake,  Dr.  Daniel 821 

Drinking  Habits  of  Cincinnati  Pioneers  754 

Drouth,  The  Great 683 

Drouillard,  Joseph,  Notice  of. 681 

Dunkards,  Society  of..... 254 

Dunlap’s  Station  Attacked 750 

Drummed  Off  the  Island 574 

E 

Early  Acquaintance,  An 268 

Eckley,  Gen.  Ephraim  R.,  Notice  of. 362 

Eden  Park 795 

Edgerton,  Hon.  Alfred  P.,  Sketch  of 547 

Edison,  Thomas  Alva,  Sketch  of. 580 

Edgingtons,  Attack  on  the 227 

Educational  Progress  in  Ohio 137 


PAGE. 

Elevations  in  Ohio 60 

Ellison,  Andrew,  Captivity  of. 227 

Enos,  Dr.  Robert  K 939 

Erkenbrecher,  Andrew 848 

Escape  of  Eliza  Harris 827 

Evans,  Platt,  as  a Captain 771 

Ewing,  Thomas,  Autobiography  of 289 

Ewing,  Thomas,  and  Family,  Sketch  of  594 

F 

Factory  and  Workshop  Inspection......  208 

Factories,  Children  in 216 

Famous  Fifth  Ohio,  The 405 

Farmer,  A Ride  with  a 897 

Farrar,  Hon.  Wm.  M.,  Sketch  of 200 

Feeble-Minded  Youth,  Institution  for...  639 

Fee,  Mary  E.,  Notice  of 421 

Female,  Sharp-Shooting  of  a 527 

Flood,  The  Xenia 703 

Findlay,  Gen.  James 870 

Fins,  The 275 

Fire  Escapes 212 

Firelands 165  • 

First  Gas  Wells  at  Findlay 868 

First  Newspaper 754 

First  Settlements  in  Hamilton  Co 746 

First  Great  Northwestern  Confederacy..  471 
First  Anti-Slavery  Speech  in  U.  S.  Con- 
gress  416 

Fink,  Mike 322 

Fink,  Capt.  John,  Notice  of 322 

Foot,  John  A.,  and  the  Connecticut 

Legislature 524 

Force,  Gen.  M.  F.,  Sketch  of 570 

Ford,  Gov.  Seabury,  Sketch  of. 686 

Forks  of  the  Muskingum 481 

Fortieth  Ohio  Infantry 537 


Forts:  Amanda,  241 ; Barbee,  302 ; Defi- 
ance, 540;  Dillie’s,  306;  French 
Margarets,  282;  Gower,  283;  Green- 
ville, 530;  Hamilton,  342;  Harri- 
son, 393 ; Industry,  565  ; Jefferson, 
529;  Jennings,  303;  Junandat,  565; 
Recovery,  529 ; Winchester,  542 ; 


Sandusky 565 

Forrer,  Samuel,  Sketch  of. 121 

Fourierite,  Association,  A 420 

Four  Little  Maids... 268 

Four  Literary  Men ...  712 

Four  Votes,  The 939 

Foraker,  Gov.  J.  B 917 

Forts  (Findlay,  867),  (Finney,  859)-  (Hill, 

922),  McArthur,  876),  (Wash’ngton, 

751) 

Fortitude  of  a Boy 923 

Floating  Mills 810 

Frankensteins,  The,  Sketch  of. 404 

Freest  City  on  the  Globe 792 

French  Policy 255 

French  Traders,  255,  282,  564,  584,  585,  662 

French  Settle  Gallipolis 672 

Freshet  of  February,  1832 761 

Funeral  of  a Soldier 779 

Funks,  Fighting  Family  of. 603 

G 

Gallagher,  William  Davis,  Sketch  of 712 

Galloway,  Samuel,  Sketch  of 658 

Garden  of  Ohio 342 

Gas,  Natural 77 

Gas  Wells  of  Findlay 871 

Gawky  Officer,  The 780 

Geddes,  James,  Sketch  of. 120 


CONTENTS. 


21 


PAGE. 


Geography  and  Geology  of  Ohio 69 

Geological  Surveys,  State 62 

German  Colonies 305 

German  Element  in  Cincinnati 847 

Giddings,  Joshua  R.,  Anecdotes  of, 269 

Giddings,  Joshua  R.,  Sketch  of 271 

Giles,  John,  A Talk  with 899 

Girty  Brothers,  Notice  of 303 

Girty,  James,  An  Interview  with  909 

Girtys,  The 905 

Girty,  Simon 907 

“Globe  Factory,”  The 525 

Glacial  Man  in  Ohio 90 

Goodale,  Dr.  Lincoln,  Notice  of 649 

Goshorn,  Sir  A.  T 847 

Governors  of  Ohio  from  Cincinnati 812 

Grant,  U.  S.,  Chronology  of  Life 421 

Grant,  Jesse  R.,  Notice  of.  414 

Grant,  U.  S.,  Boyhood  of. 331 

Reminiscences  of  Parents  of. 334 

Analysis  of  Character  of. 335 

Grape  Culture  at  Martin’s  Ferry 326 

Graveyard,  Ancient 264,  470 

Great  Dam  at  Cincinnati  in  Ice  Age 740 

Great  Indian  Council 543 

Greatest  Floods  in  Ohio  River 804 

Greene,  Mrs.,  Captivity  of. 589 

Greenville  Treaties 532 

Greenwood,  Miles 820 

Grindstone  Consumption,  The 525 

Groesbeck,  Hon.  Wm.  S .*. 845 

Guthrie  Gray  Regiment 779 

H 

Hall,  Capt.  Chas.  F 840 

Hall,  Judge  James 823 

Halstead,  Murat,  Sketch  of 351 

Hamer,  Gen.  Thomas  Lyon,  Sketch  of..  331 

Hammond,  Charles,  Sketch  of 311 

Hard  Year,  The 922 

Hardin,  Col.  John 838 

Harper,  Hon.  Lecky 991 

Harris,  Col.  Leonard  A 851 

Harrison,  Pres.  William  Henry 813 

Harrison,  Pres.  Benjamin 815 

Harrison,  General,  Anecdote  of 362 

Harrison  Campaign  Meeting 374 

Harrison,  Gen.,  Interview  with  Tecum- 

seh 392 

Harrison,  Gen.  W.  H.,  Inimitable  Tact 

of 546 

Hardshell  Baptists 539 

Harpers,  Privations  of  the 266 

Hayden  Falls 659 

Hayden,  Peter 934 

Hayes,  ex-President  Rutherford  B., 


Heatheringtons,  The  322 

Hentz,  Mrs.  Caroline 823 

Hero,  Visit  to  the  Birthplace  of  a 897 

Hewitt,  Moses,  Captivity  and  Escape  of  284 

Hinkson,  Col.,  Notice  of 426 

Historic  Horn 947 

Hitchcock,  Judge  Peter,  Sketch  of. 687 

Hoadly,  Gov.  George 839 

Hocking  Valley  Coal  Mines 933 

Hoge,  Rev.  Dr.  James,  Sketch  of. 649 

Holmes  County  Rebellion 940 

Horse-Thieves  and  Counterfeiters 734 

House  That  Jack  Built 323 

Howells*  Reminiscences 967 

Howells,  William  Dean,  Sketch  of. 327 

Howells,  William  Dean,  Notice  of. 718 


PAGE. 


Howard,  J.  Quay,  Sketch  of. 184 

Hughes,  Rev.  Joseph  S.,  Notice  of  .......  552 

Hunt,  Josiah,  The  Indian  Fighter 698 

Hunter,  Capt.  Joseph,  Notice  of. 588 

Hunter,  Hocking  H.,  Notice  of. 598 

Huntington,  Gov.  Samuel,  Sketeh  of...  505 

Hurd,  Hon.  Frank  H 991 

Hutchins,  Capt.  Thomas,  Sketch  of. 479 

I 

Inclined  Planes 784 

Indian,  Pleasing  Feature  in  Character  of 

the 610 

Game  of  Ball 294 

Customs 297 

Murders 306 

Indians,  Delaware,  Notice  of 255,  548 

Indians,  Friendships  of. 942 

Indians  Tried  for  Murder 944 


Indian  Towns,  242,  255,  293,  387,  466,  532, 

542,  553,  578,  609,  662,  692 
Indian  Chiefs,  242,  299,  391,  476,  532,  543, 

549,  571,  603,  610,  664 


Industrial  Expositions 784 

Industrial  Home  for  Girls 558 

Industrial  Home  for  Boys 600 

Industrial  Home  for  Boys,  Visit  to 600 

Inscription  Rock 586 

Itinerant’s  Nest 891 

J. 

Jamieson,  Milton,  Notice  of 422 

Jerome,  John  Baptiste,  Notice  of. 255 

Jerks,  The 279 

Jewett,  Hon.  Hugh  J 979 

Jewett,  Judge  Thomas  L 979 

Johnny  Cake,  A Huge 278 

John,  Capt.,  Ferocity  of 603 

Johnson’s  Island 572 

Jurisdiction,  Early  Civil 122 

K. 

Kail,  Mrs.  Mary  E.,  Sketch  of. 364 

Karg  Gas  Well 873 

Kautz,  Gen.  August  V 849 

Keifer,  Gen.  J.  Warren,  Sketch  of 406 

Kelly,  Hon.  Alfred,  Sketch  of. 649 

Kelley’s  Island,  Grape  Culture  of 585 

Kelley,  Datus,  Notice  of. 585 

Kennan,  George 945 

Kenton,  Gen.  Simon,  Adventures  of. 377 

Anecdote  of 374 

Kenton,  Simon,  Conversion  of 879 

Kenyon  College 986 

Kilbourne,  Col.  James,  Sketch  of. 614 

Kilbourne,  John,  Sketch  of. 128 

Killbuck,  Notice  of. 549 

King,  Gen.  Edward 822 

Kinney,  Col.  Coates,  Sketch  of. 714 

Kingsburys,  Sufferings  of  the 263 

Kirkwood,  Capt.,  Cabin  of.  Attacked.... » 314 

Kirtland,  Jared  Potter,  Sketch  of  511 

Klauprecht,  Emil 848 

Knight,  Prof,  George  W,,  Sketch  of 137 

L. 

Lands,  Public,  of  Ohio 128-133 

Lane,  Judge  Ebenezer,  Sketch  of 577 

Large  Fruit  Trees 582 

Latham,  E.  P.,  Sketch  of. 687 

Laws,  The  Black 101,  45 

Leatherlips,  Execution  of 611 


22 


CONTENTS. 


PAGE. 

Leatherwood  God,  The 730 

Leavitt,  Judge  H.  H 978 

Lee,  Gen.  John  Calvin,  Notice  of. 558 

Lefifel,  James,  The  Inventor,  Sketch  of..  406 

Leggett,  Gen.  Mortimer,  Sketch  of. 687 

Lesson  in  Ornithology 971 

Lesquereux,  Prof.  Leo,  Sketch  of 656 

Liberty  Party,  The 830 

Life  Among  the  Indians  of  the  Maumee  661 

Life  in  the  Woods,  Our  Cabin,  or 315 

Literary  Symposium  on  Cincinnati 791 

Logan,  The  Mingo  Chief.  960 

Lombardy  poplars 321 

Longstreth,  Lorenzo,  Notice  of. 355 

Longworth,  Nicholas 817 

Looker,  Gov.  Othniel 812 

Lost  Child,  The 417 

Loyal  Legion,  Sketch  of,  and  Roll  of  Ohio 

Commandery 155 

Lubberland,  A Sort  of 969 

Lundy,  Benj.,  Sketch  of 311 

Lytle,  Gen.,  Notice  of 416 

Lytle,  Gen.  Wm.  H 834 

M. 

Mad  Ann  Bailey,  Heroine  of  Point  Pleas- 
ant  677 

“Makatewah,”  Poem 788 

Mann,  Horace,  Sketch  of. 723 

Mansfield,  E.  D.,  Sketch  of. 430 

Manufactures  of  Springfield,  Origin 

and  Growth  of 399 

Maple  Sugar  Industry 685 

Map,  First,  of  Ohio 614 

Margaret  Garner  Case 827 

Markbreit,  Leopold 849 

Marshes,  The  Great 880 

Martin’s  Mrs.  Story 958 

Mastodons,  Remains  of. 293,  484 

Mather,  D,r.  William 957 

Matthewsr  Justice  Stanley 845 

McArthu  , Gov.  Duncan,  Anecdote  of..  307 

McBride,  James,  Sketch  of. 356 

McCooks’  The  Fighting 366 

McDonald,  Senator  J.  E,  Notice  of. , 350 

McDonald,  James  A.  W 979 

McDow  ell,  Gen.  Irvin,  Sketch  of 647 

McFarland,  President,  Notice  of. 355 ‘ 

Mcllyaine,  Bishop  Charles  P 989 

McK*eever,  Abbie  C.,  Notice  of 422 

MacLean,  J.  P.,  Sketch  of 350 

Medary,  Samuel,  Notice  of 414 

Medill,  Gov.  William,  Sketch  of 598 

Mendenhall,  Prof.  T.  C 979 

Merrill,  Bishop  S.  M 979 

••  Miller,  Col.  John 979 

Milliken,  John  M.,  Sketch  of. 349 

Milliken,  Thomas,  Sketch  of 349 

Milliken,  Col.  Minor,  Sketch  of 357 

Miner  and  His  Mule  Partner,  The 322 

Mineral  Wealth  in  Southern  Ohio 958 

Mines  and  Mining  Resources  of  Ohio...  110 

Minter,  Capt.  John 552 

Missionaries 301,  467,  578,  584 

Mitchell,  Gen.  Ormsby  M 832 

Mob,  Bank 764 

Monstrous  Apple-Tree 545 

Moor,  Gen.  August 849 

Morehouse,  Gov.  A.  P.,  Notice  of. 558 

Morgan,  Gen.  G.  W 990 

Morgan’s  Raid 777 

Morgan,  Gen.  John,  Anecdote  of 360 

Morgan’s  Raid  Through  Ohio 453 


PAGE. 

Morris,  Sr.,  Thomas,  Sketch  of 414 

Moselle  Explosion 760 

Mt.  Pleasant 590 

Mud  Cottage  of  an  Emigrant 463 

Murder,  Execution  of  Indian  for 497 

Music  Hall  and  Exposition  Building 797 

Musical  Festivals 784 

Mutiny,  The  Black  Swamp 248 

“My  Native  Land,”  Poem 828 

N. 

Nash,  Judge  Simeon,  Sketch  of..  681 

Nast,  Dr.  Wilhelm 848 

Natural  Gas  Jubilee 874 

Natural  History,  A Bit  of 897 

Natural  Gas  Wells  of  Lancaster 592 

Nichols,  Col.  Geo.  Ward 844 

Niggering  Corn 243 

North  Bend  in  1846 860 

North  Bend,  Reminiscences  of 861 

North  Bend,  settlement  of 748 

Norwalk  Academy 945 

Noyes,  Gen.  Edward  F 841 

O. 

Ogontz,  The  Story  of. 571 

Ohio  in  New  York  Journalism 718 

Ohio,  General  Description  of 51 

Ohio  River  Flood 804 

Ohio  River,  Sources  of...... 804 

Ohio  State  Forestry  Association 802 

Ohio  Society  of  New  York 178 

Ohio,  Outline  History  of 33 

Ohio  Officers,  State  and  National 166 

Ohio  History  and  Historical  Men 184 

Ohio  River  Experiences 237 

Ohio  Flour,  The  First  Sent  East 584 

Ohio  Soldiers’  and  Sailors’  Orphans’ 

Home 707 

Ohio  Soldiers’  and  Sailors’  Orphans’ 

Home,  Notes  on 709 

Ohio  Soldiers’  and  Sailers’  Home 569 

Ohio  State  Fish  Hatchery 570 

Ohio  Wonderland  920 

Oil-Field  Largest  on  the  Globe 246 

Oil  Refineries 247 

O.  K.  Origin  of 377 

“Old  Guard,”  One  of  the 932 

Oldest  Methodist  Church  in  Ohio 411 

Ordinance  of  1787 217 

Orton,  Prof  Edward,  Sketch  of 59 

“Over  the  Rhine” 794 

P. 

Paddy’s  Run — 352 

Paleoliths 742 

Paper-Mill,  First  in  Ohio 436 

“Parting  Day,”  Poem 899 

Past  and  Present  of  Columbus 614 

Payne,  Sr.,  Henry  B.,  Sketch  of. 514 

Peculiar  Cartridges 775 

Pendleton,  Hon.  Geo.  H 844 

Penneyroyaldom 732 

Pensioner  of  the  Revolutionary  War 604 

Perils  of  the  Coal  Miner 966 

Perkins,  Joseph,  Sketch  of. 514 

Perry,  Hon.  Aaron  F 842 

Personal  Experiences  with  Cincinnati 

Home  Guards 773 

Peters,  Mrs.  Sarah 822 

Peters,  Hugh 828 

Petroleum ^7 

Petroleum  Nasby  Characters. 69i 


CONTENTS. 


23 


PAGE. 


Pettenger,  Wm 97^ 

Penitentiary,  Ohio 642 

Phenomenon,  Singular 231 

Philanthropist  Office,  Destruction  of....  762 

Piatt,  Jacob  WykofF 819 

Piatt,  John  H 818 

Pike,  Samuel  N 849 

Pillories,  Stocks  aud  Whipping  Posts...  752 

Pioneer  Art  in  Cincinnati 855 

Pioneer  Day  at  Kenton  884 

Pioneer  Engineers  of  Ohio 119 

Pioneer  Trials 266 

Pipe,  Capt 255 

Piqua,  Destruction  of. 387 

Plucky  Pioneer  Woman,  A. 527 

Plumb,  Senator  Preston  B.,  Notice  of...  558 
Poe,  Adam  and  Andrew,  The  Indian 

Fighters 436 

Poems : Alone  With  Night  and  the  Stars  236 

Centennial  Ode 715 

Crown  Our  Heroes 364 

Drift  Away 422 

Epitaph  of  Reuben  Miller 407 

Fifty  Years  Ago 713 

Hills  of  Ohio,  Song  with  Music 296 

Eament  for  the  Dead 433 

Marching  Song  of  Sherman’s  Army...  597 

Only 423 

Ohio 364 

Rain  on  the  Roof 717 

Song  of  Bucyrus 485 

The  Spotted  Fawn 714 

The  Lassie  Music 356 

Pompey’s  Pillar 723 

Pontiac,  Birth-place  of. 543 

Poor  Man’s  Railroad 318 

Popejoy,  Esq.,  Method  of  Dispensing 

Justice 602 

Powder-Mill  Explosion 702 

Powell,  Judge  Thomas  W.,  Notice  of.....  558 
Prehistoric  Monuments  of  Hamilton 

County 743 

Public  Spirit  of  Cincinnatians 781 

Pugh,  Hon.  Geo.  E 839 

Purcell,  Archbishop  John  B.,  Notice  of...  340 


R. 


Railway  Disaster,  Ashtabula 274 

Rankin,  Rev.  John,  Sketch  of, 338 

Read,  T.  Buchanan 850 

Read,  Prof.  M.  C.,  Sketch  of. 188 

Reemelin,  Karl  Gustave 848 

Reese,  Dr.  Freidrich 848 

Reese,  Wm.  J.,  Notice  of 598 

Reid,  White  law.  Sketch  of.. 718 

Reilly,  John 349 

Relic,  Ancient 264 

Reminiscences  of  Dr.  Watt  and  James 

Galloway 704 

Reserve,  Western..., 261,  565 

First  Landing  of  Sur- 
veyors on 261 

Missionary  in 279 

Settlement  of. 682 

Drouth  in 683 

Reynoids,  Jeremiah  N.,  Romantic  His- 
tory Of, 431 

River  Beacons.... 239 

“Road  t<  Hell”... 928 

Robinso^  Gen.  James 883 


PAGE. 


Rock  Bridge 930 

Rock  House 925 

Rockefeller,  John  D 517 

Rodter,  Heinrich 848 

Riot  of  1841 762 

Rosecrans,  Gen.  W.  S.,  Sketch  of. 558 

Rouse,  Mrs.  R.  E.  C.,  Sketch  of 515 

Rudolph,  Major,  Fate  and  Cruelty  of....  343 

Ruffner  Fight,  The 257 

Ruffner  Family,  Massacre  of. 257 

Ruggles,  Hon.  Almon,  Sketch  of 583 

Russell,  Addison  P.,  Sketch  of. 430 

f 

s. 

Sandstone  Industry  525 

Sanitary  Commission,  Ohio’s  Work  in..  188 

Scalping  of  Col.  Elliott 759 

Schools,  Graded,  Beginning  of. 142 

Scioto  Company 614,  668 

Scioto  Salt  Works 951 

Scotch-Irish,  The 237 

Seitz,  Enoch  Berry,  Sketch  of. 532 

Serpent  Mound,  The 233 

Shannon,  Gov.  Wilson,  Sketch  of 313 " 

Shaw,  Suffering  Bennie 971 

Shaylor,  Capt.,  Escape  of 529 

Sheep  Talk,  A Walk  and  a 892 

Sheep  Statistics 893 

Sheep  Raising,  Profits  of. 893 

Shellabarger,  Hon.  Samuel,  Notice  of...  404 
Sherman,  Senator  John,  Speech  on  Pot- 
tery Industry 460 

Sherman,  Judge  Charles,  Sketch  of.......  595 

Sherman,  Gen.  W.  T.,  Sketch  of...... 596 

Simpson,  Bishop 891,  901 

Sinton,  David 843 

Slave  Hunters  at  Rankins 339 

Slave  Rescue,  The  Ad.  White  Case 384 

Smith,  Solomon,  Sketch  of. 551 

Socialistic  Society,  A 582 

Society  of  Friends  at  Wapakonetta 301 

Soldier’s  Creed,  The 358 

Soldier’s  Widow,  The 711 

Spencer,  Platt  R.,  Sketch  of. 276 

Spencer,  Oliver  M 759,  810,  908 

Spiritualistic  Community,  A 420 

Spring  Grove  Cemetery 795 

Springs 487,  554,  558,  584,  722 

Squirrels,  A Grand  Hunt  for 658 

Stage-Coach  Talk 691 

Stage  Driver,  The  Old 885 

Stallo,  Judge  J.  B 849 

Stanbery,  Hon.  Henry,  Sketch  of. 652 

Notice  of 598 

Standing  Stone,  The 888 

Stanton,  Sec’y  Edwin  M 894,  976,  977 

Stanton  Family 972 

Starbuck,  Calvin  W 843 

State  Institutions  at  Columbus 629 

Starling,  Lyne,  Sketch  of. 649 

St.  Clair,  Gov.  Arthur,  Biography  of.....  311 
Steptoe,  Rev.  Stephen,  Experience  of...  607 
Stone,  Amasa,  Sketch  of. 517 


Stowe,  Mrs.  Harriet  Beecher 823,  824 

Stowe,  Prof.  Calvin  E„ 823 

Strawberry  Culture 324 

Strength,  Sources  of  Ohio’s 124 

Sullivant,  Lucas,  Sketch  of. 648 

Sullivant,  William,  Sketch  of. 648 

Sullivant,  Michael  L.,  Sketch  of. 649 

Sullivant,  Joseph,...,,. 649 

“Summer  Clouds,**  Poem 899 


24 


CONTENTS. 


PAGE. 


Swan,  Joseph  R.,  Sketch  of 655 

Swayne,  Chief  Justice,  Sketch  of. 655 

Sweatland,  Solomon,  Driven  Across 

Lake  Erie 264 

Swinonia 245 

Symmes  City  Laid  Out 749 

Symmes,  Judge  John  Cleves 850 

Symmes’  Hole 349 

Symmes,  Judge,  Notice  of 348 

Sycamores,  The  Twin 730 

T. 

Tablet,  The  Cincinnati 791 

Taft,  Judge  Alphouso 842 

Tailor  Justice,  The...  489 

Tappan,  Judge  Benj 971,  978 

Tarhe,  The  Crane 588 

Tecumseh 328,  374,  387,  391,  532 

Temperance  Crusade,  The  Women’s 428 

Territorial  Government,  Seat  of. 754 

Thoburn,  Bishop  J.  M.,  Sketch  of ...  313 

Thomas,  Capt.,  Death  of. 372 

Thrilling  Adventure  of  Mary  Robinson  410 
Thurman,  Judge  Allen  G.,  Sketch  of.....  656 

Tile  Drainage  in  Ohio 625 

Tobacco,  “White  Burley” 330 

Topography  of  Ohio 60 

Tornado  of  1887 882 

Tornadoes 374,  682 

Touching  Incident,  A 585 

Tourgee,  Albion  W.,  Sketch  of 280 

Townshend,  Prof.  N.  S.,  Sketch  of. 100 

Trees,  Famous 881 

Trimble,  Gov.  Allen 917 

Trimble,  Hon.  Wm.  4 917 

“Trollope’s  Folly” 794 

Trout  Streams 691 

Tupper,  Gen.  E.  W.,  Anecdote  of 680 

Turkey  Bottom 812 

Tuttle,  Hudson,  Notice  of. 583 

Tyler  Davidson  Fountain 795 

u. 

Underground  Railroad,  First  Station  on  338 

Underground  Railroad,  The 419 

Underground  Railroad,  President  of.....  826 

V. 

Vallandigham,  Clement  L.,  Biography  of  439 

Vallandigham  Campaign 445 

Van  Derveer,  Gen.  Ferdinand,  Sketch  of  350 

Vance,  Gov.  Joseph.  Sketch  of. 382 

Van  Tassel,  Rev.  Isaac,  Notice  of 664 

Vaughn,  John  C.,  Notice  of. 558 

Vaughn,  Prof.  Daniel 829 

Virginia  Military  Lands 223,  232 


Volunteers  to  Civil  War,  First  Company 

of 33g 

Von  Stein,  Albert 848 

Voorhees,  Senator  Daniel  W.,  Notice  of  350 

w. 

Wade,  Benj.  F.,  Sketch  of. 271 

Wade,  Jephtha  H.,  Sketch  of. 519 

Wagoners,  Attack  on 343 

Walk-In-The-Water,  First  Steamboat 

on  Lake  Erie 585 

Ward,  J.  Q.  A.,  Sketch  of 383 

Ward,  James  W 840 

Warder,  Dr.  John  A 840 

Warmus,  The 927 


Wayne,  “Mad  Anthony,”  Anecdotes  of..  225 

“Wayside  Spring,”  Poem 851 

Weitzel,  Gen.  Gottfried 849 

Welch,  Judge  J.,  Sketch  of. 287 

Weller,  Hon.  J.  B.,  Sketch  of. 349 

West,  Charles  W 845 

Wetzel,  Adventure  of  the  Indian  Hunter  758 

Wetzel,  Lewis 308 

Wet  Land 409 

Whingwy  Pooshies,  Grief  of. 543 

Whipping,  A Public 985 

Whiteeyes,  Capt.,  Death  of. 436 

White  Woman,  Mary  Harris,  The 468 

Whittridge,  Worthington,  Sketch  of.....  405 

Whittlesey’s  Reminiscences 932 

Whittlesey,  Col.  Charles,  Sketch  of 519 

Wickedest  Man  in  Ohio 428 

Wilberforce  University 721 

Willich,  Gen.  August,  Sketch  of. 303 

Wills’  Creek,  Whites  Attacked  near 726 

Wilcox,  Phineas  Bacon,  Sketch  of. 658 

Windom,  William,  Notice  of. 325 

Windom,  Sec’y  Wm 991 

Witch  Story 760 

Witch  Story,  A 414 

Wiwelipea,  Oratory  of. 299 

Women’s  Raid  at  Greenfield 923 

Women’s  Temperance  Crusade 914 

Woods,  John,  Sketch  of. 349 

Woodmansee,  James,  Sketch  of. 350 

Wormlee,  Dr.  T.  G.  and  Mrs.,  Sketch  of  657 
Wright,  Prof.  G.  Frederick,  Sketch  of..  90 

Y. 

Young,  Gov.  Thomas  L 812 

z. 

Zane’s  Trace 588,  681  728 

Zane,  Elizabeth,  Heroism  of. i 314 

Zeigler,  Major  David 847,  853 

Zoological  Gardens 795 


Cities,  Towns  and  Villages 


Vol.  I. 


A. 


PAGE. 


Aberdeen 841 

Ada 885 

Albany.  292 

Arcanum  ...» 638 

Archbold  668 

Ansonia 539 

Arcadia 874 

Ashland 251 

Ashley 563 

Ashtabula 272 

Athens 286 

Austin  burg 279 

Avondale  863 


B. 


Barnesville 

Batavia 

Beaver  Dam 

Bedford 

Bellaire 

Bentonville. 

Bellbrook 

Bellevue 

Benton  Ridge 

Berea 

Berlin 

Berlin  Heights  

Bethel 

Black  Creek  

Blanchester 

Bloomfield 

Bloomingburg 

Bluffton 

Bond  Hill 

Boston  

Bowerston 

Bridgeport 

Brilliant 

Brooklyn 

Buchtel 

Bucyrus 

c. 


324 

409 

251 

528 

320 

240 

724 

948 

874 

525 

941 

582 

414 

941 

434 

980 

608 

250 

866 

421 

902 

313 

980 

528 

292 

483 


Cadiz 888 

Cairo 251 

Cambridge 728 

Camp  Dennison 866 

Canal  Winchester  660 

Carbon  Hill 934 

Carrollton 360 

Carthage 865 

Castalia 584 

Cedarville 725 

Centreburg 992 

Chagrin  Falls 526 

Chambersburg 681 

Chardon 689 

Chester  Cross  Roads 692 

Chicago 949 

Cincinnati... 789 

Clarksville 435 

CleveSc 866 


PAGE. 

Cleveland 497 

Clifton 864 

Clifton 724 

Coalton 959 

College  Hill 865 

College  Corner 358 

Collinwood 528 

Columbiana 465 

Columbus 614 

Conneaut 263 

Coolville 292 

Coshocton 469 

Crestline 493 

Crown  City 681 


D. 


Danville... 
Deersville, 
Defiance... 
Delaware.. 
Delphos  ... 

Delta 

Deshler  ... 
Dunkirk... 


992 

902 

541 

553 

249 

667 

911 

886 


E. 


East  Cleveland.. 528 

East  Eiverpool 459 

East  Palestine..., 465 

Elida  251 

Elmwood 865 

Elliottsville 980 

Euon  407 

Euclid 528 


F. 


Fairfield 

Fayette 

Fayetteville 

Felicity 

Findlay 

Flushing 

Forest 

Franklinton  .... 
Fredericktown, 
Freeport 


725 

667 

341 

421 

867 

327 

886 

613 

991 

902 


Galena 

Gallon 

Gallipolis 

Gambier 

Geneva 

Georgetown 

Gettysburg 

Glendale 

Glenville 

Gore 

Greenfield  ...I 

Greenville 

Greenwich 


563 

488 

677 

992 

275 

330 

538 

865 

528 

934 

924 

530 

949 


26 


CONTENTS. 


H. 

PAGE. 

Hamilton  347 

Harlem  Springs 365 

Harrison 864 

Harrisville 903 

Hartwell 865 

Haydenville 934 

Hayesville  260 

Hicksville 547 

Higginsport 340 

Hillsborough 912 

Holgate 911 

Holraesville 941 

Home  City  866 

Hopedale 903 

Huntsburg 692 

Huron 584 

I. 

Independence 528 

Irondale 980 

Ivorydale  865 

J- 

Jackson 955 

Jamestown 724 

Jefferson 266 

Jeffersonville 608 

Jeromeville 255 

Jewett 902 

K. 

Kenton 878 

Killbuck 940 

Kingsville 270 

L. 

Lafayette 251 

Lancaster 591 

Laurelville 934 

Leesburgh 925 

Leesburg 363 

Leetonia 465 

Liberty  Centre 911 

Lima 242 

Linwood 866 

Lockland 865 

Locust  Grove 240 

Logan 928 

Loudonville 260 

Loveland 421 

Lynchburg 925 

M. 

Madisonville 865 

Manchester 230 

Martin’s  Ferry 325 

Martinsburg 992 

Martinsville 434 

McComb 874 

Mechanicsburg 384 

Mechanicstown 365 

Middlefield 692 

Middletown. 350 

Milan 577 

Milford 411 

Millersburg 937 

Millville.... 934 

Mingo  Junction 981 

Minster., 306 

Monroeville 949 


Morristown 327 

Moscow 421 

Mt.  Auburn  864 

Mt.  Blanchard 874 

Mt.  Healthy 865 

Mt.  Pleasant 980 

Mt.  Vernon 983 

Mt.  Victory 886 

Mt.  Washington 864 

Murray  City 934 

Mutual 386 

N. 

Napoleon 905 

Nashville 941 

Nelsonville 292 

Neville 421 

Newburgh 528 

New  Alexandria 980 

New  Athens 902 

New  Bremen  305 

New  Carlisle 407 

New  Harrisburg 365 

New  Lisbon 438 

New  London 949 

New  Paris 386 

New  Petersburg 925 

New  Richmond 418 

New  Vienna 434 

North  Bend 866 

North  Fairfield. 950 

North  Lewisburg.... 386 

Norwalko 942 

O. 

Oak  Hill 958 

Ohio  City 499 

Olm stead  Falls 528 

Osborn 725 

Ostrander 563 

Oxford.... 354 

P. 

Parkman 692 

Patriot 681 

Patterson 886 

Perrysville 260 

Point  Pleasant 420 

Polk 260 

Port  Williams 435 

Price’s  Hill ....  864 

R. 

Reading 865 

Richmond 980 

Ridgeway 886 

Ripley 336 

Rock  Creek 282 

Rome 240 

Roscoe 470 

Roundhead 886 

Russellville  341 

s. 

Sabina 434 

Salem 448 

Salineville 465 

Sandusky 567 

Sandy  Springs 240 

Savannah 260 


CONTENTS, 


27 


PAGE* 

Sdo 902 

Sinking  Springs 925 

Smithfield 980 

Somerville 359 

South  Bloomingville ; 934 

South  Charleston 407 

Spencerville 251 

Springfield 397 

Spring  Valley 725 

St.  Bernard 865 

St.  Clairsville 308 

St.  Mary’s 302 

Steubenville 964 

Sunbury 563 


T. 


Toronto 


980 


u. 


Union  City 539 

Urbana 372 

Utopia 420 


V. 


Van  Buren 874 

Vanivue 874 

Venice 584 

Vermillion 587 

Versailles 539 


W. 


PAGE. 

Wakeman..., 950 

Walker’s 465 

Wapakonetta 295 

Washington  C.  H 604 

Washington 730 

Washington ville 466 

Wauseon 613 

Wellston 957 

Wellsville  464 

West  Chester 359 

West  Cleveland 528 

Westerville 659 

Westminster 251 

Westwood 866 

West  Union 228 

Whitehouse 772 

Williamsburg  416 

Wilmington 425 

Winchester 240 

Winesburgh 941 

Woodstock 386 

Worthington  613 

Wyoming 865 


X. 


Xenia 


700 


Y. 


Yellow  Springs, 


722 


ILLUSTRATIONS. 


VOL.  I. 


Frontispiece. 

PAGE. 

Andrews,  Col.  lyorin,  Ohio’s  First  Vol- 


unteer   253 

Ancient  Map,  Sandusky 565 

Apple  Dale  Tile  Works 625 

Art  Buildings 766 

Ashland,  1846 252 

Ashland,  1888 252 

Ashtabula,  1846 272 

Ashtabula,  1887 272 

Ashtabula  Bridge 273 

Ashtabula  Harbor 273 

Ashtabula  Bridge,  Ruins  of. 274 

Athens  Asylum  for  the  Insane 288 

Bailey,  Mad  Ann,  Heroine  of  Point 

Pleasant 679 

Bailey,  Mad  Ann,  Cabin  of. 680 

Baptist  Church  at  Columbia 809 

Batavia,  1846  410 

Baum,  Martin,  Portrait  of. 846 

Beatty,  Gen,  John,  Portrait  of..., 150 

Beautiful  Beech  at  Athens 287 

Beecher,  Rev.  Dr.  Lyman 824 

Bellaire,  1887 321 

Benedict,  Platt 946 

Bingham,  Hon.  John. 890 

Blind  Asylum,  1846 632 

Blind  Asylum,  1888. 632 

Block  House  near  North  Bend 862 

Boquet’s  Council  with  the  Indians 477 

Boquet,  Surrender  of  Captives  to 477 

Bower  of  Lost  Child 417 

Brough,  Gov.  John,  Portrait  and  Auto- 
graph of 522 

Brush  Electric  Light  Company’s  Works  507 

Brush  Chas.  F 512 

Buckeye,  Leaf,  Nut,  Burr  and  Flower....  200 

Bucyrus,  1846 483 

Bucyrus,  1887 483 

Burnet,  Judge  Jacob 816 

Butler  County  Court-House,  Hamilton..  345 

Cadiz  in  1846..  890 

Cambridge,  1846 729 

Cambridge,  1887 729 

Cary  Sisters,  The 835 

Carrollton,  1846 361 

Carrollton,  1887 361 

Cascade  at  Clifton 725 

Catholic  church  after  the  cyclone 607 

Central  Insane  Asylum,  1846 631 

Central  Insane  Asylum,  1888 631 

Chagrin  Falls,  1846 527 

Champion  Mower  Shops 401 

Chardon,  1846 689 

Chardon,  1887 689 

Chase,  Bishop  Philander,  and  Wife 987 

Chase,  Chief-Justice  Salmon  P 975 

Cheese-Factory,  Interior  of. 690 

Cincinnati  Chamber  of  Commerce 738 

Cincinnati,  Fourth  Street  in  1858 769 

Cincinnati  in  1802 768 

Cincinnati  in  1810 768 


PAGR 


Cincinnati  in  1846 768 

Clark,  Gen.  George  Rogers,  Portrait  and 

Autograph  of. 402 

Cleaveland,  Gen.  Moses,  Portrait  of......  509 

Cleveland  Medical  College,  1846 499 

Cleveland,  Superior  Street,  1846 496 

Cockerill,  Col.  John  A.,  Portrait  of. 231 

Coffin,  Catherine.... 826 

Coffin,  Levi 826 

Columbus,  1846 616 

Columbus,  1887 615 

Couneaut  in  July,  1796 262 

Coppock,  Edwin,  Monument  of 450 

Copus  Family,  Monument  to  Memory  of  259 

Cowles,  Betsy  M.,  Portrait  of 281 

Cowles,  Edwin  M.,  Portrait  of..... 513 

Coshocton,  1846 469 

Coshocton,  1887 469 

Cottage  of  a German-Swiss  Emigrant...  463 

Crusading  Women  of  New  Vienna 429 

Cummings,  Rev.  E.  H.,  Portrait  of, 403 

Custer,  Gen.  Geo.  A.,  Portrait  of. 895 

Custer,  Gen.  Geo.  A.,  Birthplace 895 

Dam,  The  Great,  at  Cincinnati  in  the 

Ice  Age 741 

Dawes,  Colonel  E.  C.,  Portrait  of 155 

Deaf  and  Dumb  Asylum,  1846 631 

Deaf  and  Dumb  Asylum,  1888 631 

Decline  of  Day  on  the  Upper  Ohio...’ 462 

Defiance,  Fort 540 

Defiance,  1846 541 

Defiance,  1887 541 

Delano,  Sec’y,  Columbus 990 

Delaware,  1846 555 

Delaware,  1886.. 555 

Dennison,  Gov.  William,  Portrait  and 

Autograph  of. 522 

Dexter  Mausoleum,  Spring  Grove........  857 

Dorn,  Hon.  Henry,  Portrait  of. 208 

Dow,  Lorenzo,  Portrait  of. 413 

Drake,  Dr.  Daniel 821 

Early  Settlers  Pounding  Corn 244 

Edgerton,  Hon.  Alfred  P.,  Portrait  of....  547 

Edison,  Thomas  Alva,  Portrait  of 580 

Edison,  Thomas  Alva,  Birth-place  of.....  581 

Ewing  Mansion,  The 594 

Ewing,  Hon.  Thomas,  Portrait  and 

Autograph  of. ...  593 

Ewing,  Gen.  Thomas 178 

Farrar,  Hon.  William,  Portrait  of. 201 

Female  Seminary,  Steubenville 970 

Fern  Cliff 401 

Field  of  Derricks,  Lima 248 

Findlay,  Gen.  James 869 

Findlay  in  1846 869 

Findlay  in  1890 872 

First  Church  in  Cincinnati 753 

F'irst  Court-House  in  Greene  County....  695 

Foraker,  Gov.  J.  B 919 

Forks  of  the  Muskingum 468 


ILLUSTRATIONS. 


PAGE. 

Forrer,  Samuel,  Portrait  of 119 

Fort  Hill,  Map  of 921 

Frankenstein  Homestead,  The 404 

Franklin  County  Court-House 624 

French  Settlers  Cutting  Down  Trees.  ..  675 
Friends’  Yearly  Meeting-House,  Barnes- 
ville 325 

Galion,  1887 489 

Gallipolis,  1790 672 

Gallipolis,  1846 678 

Gallipolis,  1886 678 

Galloway  Chair,  The 706 

Garfield’s  Monument 506 

Geddes,  James,  Portrait  of 119 

Geneva,  1888  276 

Geological  Map  of  Ohio 65 

Georgetown,  1846 330 

Giddings,  Joshua  R.,  Portrait  and  Auto- 
graph of. 269 

Giddings,  Joshua  R.,  Law  Office  of. 270 

Giddings’  and  Wade’s  Monuments 269 

Girty’s  Island 906 

Glaciated  Area  of  Ohio,  Map  of. 91 

Glaciated  Area  ofNorth  America,  Map  of  92 
Glaciated  Area, Hamilton  County,Map  of  93 
Glaciated  Area  of  New  Jersey,  Map  of..  97 

Goshorn,  Sir  Alfred  T 847 

Grant  School-House,  Georgetown 332 

Grant  Homestead  and  Tannery 332 

Grant,  Birth-place  of. 420 

Grant,  U.  S.,  Portrait  and  Autograph  of  333 
Grant,  Jesse  R.,  Portrait  and  Autograph 

of 333 

Grant,  Mrs.  Hannah,  Portrait  and'Auto- 

graph  of 333 

“Gray  Old  Farm  House,”  The 838 

Greenville  in  1846 531 

Greenville  in  1886 531 

Greenwood,  Miles 821 

HaU,  Capt.  Chas.  F 841 

Halstead,  Murat,  Portrait  of. 353 

Halstead,  Murat,  Boyhood  Home  and 

Sycamore  Grove  at 353 

Hamer,  Gen.  Thomas  Lyon,  Portrait  of  331 

Hamilton,  1846 346 

Harrison,  Autograph  of  Pres.  W.  H 813 

Harrison,  Pres.  W.  H 811 

Harrison,  Benj 811 

Harrison,  Mrs.  William  Henry 813 

Hayden’s  Falls 628 

Hayes,  President,  Birth-place  of. 557 

Heatherington,  Jacob,  Portrait  of 323 

Highland  House 783 

Hillsboro  Court  House 915 

Hillsboro,  Business  Street  in 918 

Hillsboro,  Residence  Street  in 918 

Hitchcock,  Judge  Peter,  Homestead 687 

Hoadly,  Gov,  George 839 

Horn,  A Historic 947 

House  that  Jack  built 323 

Howard,  J.  Q.,  Portrait  of...... 184 

Howells,  William  Dean,  Portrait  of 327 

Howells  William  Dean,  Birth-place  of...  327 
Hunter,  Capt.  Robert,  Portrait  of. 155 

Imbecile  Youths,  Asylum  for 632 

Inclined  Plane,  Mt.  Auburn 783 

Inscription  Rock 576 

Jack,  the  Mule 323 

Xackson  in  1886 952 


29 

PAGE. 


Jefferson,  1846 267 

Johnson’s  Island  Prison 575 

Kail,  Mrs.  Mary  E.,  Portrait  of. 364 

Kelly,  Hon.  Allred,  Portrait  of. 649 

Keifer,  Gen.  J.  Warren,  Portrait  and 

Autograph  of.. 406 

Kennan,  George ; 946 

Kenton  Court  House  Square 877 

Kenton  in  1846 877 

Kenton,  Simon,  Portrait  of. 376 

Kenton,  Simon,  The  Grave  of. 376 

Kenyon  College  987 

Kinney,  Col.  Coates,  Portrait  of. 714 

Kirtland,  Dr.,  Portrait  of 510 

Knight,  Prof.  Geo.  W.,  Portrait  of. 137 

Lamp,  A Log-Cabin 884 

Lancaster,  1846 591 

Lancaster,  1886 591 

Lane  Seminary 757 

Latham,  E.  P.,  Portrait  of 688 

Latham,  E.  P , Specimen  of  Handwriting 

of. 688 

Lee,  Homer,  Portrait  and  Autograph  of  178 

Lewis  Div 915 

Lima,  1846 245 

Lima,  1887  245 

Logan  in  1 846 926 

Logan  in  1890..... 926 

Longworth,  Nicholas 818 

Longworth’s  Vineyard 857 

Loving  Dog  and  Horse 948 

Lundy.  Benjamin,  Portrait  of 312 

Lytle,  Gen.  Wm.  H 834 

Manchester  Landing 230 

Maple  Sugar,  Old-Time  Way  of  Making  685 

Martin’s  Ferry,  1887 326 

Matthews,  Judge  Stanley 845 

McBride,  James,  Portrait  of 356 

McCook,  Major  Daniel,  Portrait  of 366 

McCook,  Dr.  John,  Portrait  of. 366 

McCook,  Martha  L.,  Portrait  of. 367 

McCook,  Gen.  Robert  Latimer,  Portrait 

of 368 

McCook,  Brig.-Gen.  Daniel,  Portrait  of..  368 
McCook,  Charles  Morris,  Portrait  of.....  369 
McCook,  Brig.-Gen.  Anson  George,  Por- 
trait of. 370 

McCook,  Col.  John  James,  Portrait  of...  371 
McDowell,  Gen.  Irvin,  Birth-place  of.....  648 

Mcllvaine,  Bishop  Chas.  P 990 

McKeever,  Abbie  C.,  Portrait  of. 422 

Miami  University,  Oxford 354 

Middletown,  1846 351 

Middletown,  1887 351 

Milan,  1846 578 

Mill,  The  Old 919 

Millersburg  in  1846 938 

Millersburg  in  1890 938 

Millikin,  Col.  Minor,  Portrait  of. 357 

Miners’  Cottages 320 

Miners’  Tools 952 

Mitchell,  Gen.  O.  M 838 

Monnett  Hall 556 

Morgan,  Gen.  John,  Portrait  and  Auto- 
graph of 452 

Morgan,  Gen.  John,  Surrender  of 452 

Morgan,  Gen.  G.  W 991 

Morris,  Senator  Thomas,  Monument  of  415 

Mount  Pleasant 590 

Mt.  Vernon  in  1846 984 


80 


ILLUSTRATIONS. 


PAGE. 

Mt.  Vernon  in  1886 984 

Music  Hall  and  Exposition  Building 793 

Napoleon  in  1887 906 

New  Lisbon,  1846 438 

' New  Lisbon,  1886 439 

Norwalk  in  1846 943 

Norwalk  in  1886  943 

Noyes,  Gen.  E.  F 842 

Ohio  Boys’  Industrial  School 599 

Ohio  Normal  University 885 

Ohio  Penitentiary,Prisoners  Marching  in  631 

Ohio  Penitentiary,  1846 644 

Ohio  River  Beacon 235 

Ohio  State  University 621 

Ohio  University,  1846 286 

Ohio  Wesleyan  University 556 

Ohio,  Map  of. 8 

Old  Harrison  Mansion,  Ground  Plan 861 

Orton,  Prof.  Edward,  Portrait  of.... 59 

Our  Cabin,  or  Life  in  the  Woods 316 

Over  the  Rhine  Saloon 786 

Paleolith  from  Abbeville,  France 95 

Paleolith  from  Trenton,  New  Jersey 96 

Pendleton,  Hon.  Geo.  H 844 

Pennyroyal  Distillery,  A 732 

Perkins,  Joseph,  Portrait  of...., 514 

Perry’s  Den. 735 

Perry  Statute,  Monumental  Park,  Cleve- 
land.  505 

Peter,  Mrs.  Sarah 823 

Piatt,  John  H 818 

Piatt,  Jacob  Wyckoff. 819 

Poison  Crystals,  Forms  of. 657 

Pompey’s  Pillar 723 

Pottery,  Knowles,  Taylor  & Knowles, 

East  Liverpool — 460 

Purcell,  Archbishop,  Portrait  of. 341 

Purchase  of  the  Ohio  and  Scioto  Land 
Companies... 671 

Quarries  at  Berea 526 

Rankin,  Rev.  John,  Portrait  of. 838 

Read,  Prof.  M.  C.,  Protrait  of 188 

Read,  T.  Buchanan 851 

Reid,  Whitelaw,  Portrait  and  Autograph 

of 719 

Reid,  Whitelaw,  Birth-place  of. 719 

Residence  of  the  Late  President  Harri- 
son, North  Bend 862 

Ripley,  1846 337 

Robinson,  Gen.  James 883 

Rock  Bridge 931 

Rock  House  Cave 931 

Rocky  Gorge  of  Paint  Creek 921 

Rosecrans,  Gen.  W.  S.,  Portrait  and 

Autograph  of. 564 

Rossville,  View  from  Hamilton,  1846 346 

Rouse,  Mrs.,  Portrait  of. 515 

Roy,  Hon.  Andrew,  Portrait  of.  110 

Runyan,  Mrs 915 

Ruggles,  Hon.  Almon,  Portrait  of. 583 

Salem,  1846 449 

Salem,  1887 449 

Salem  Town  Hall,  Audience  Room 450 

Sandusky  Harbor,  1846  569 

Sandusky  Harbor,  1888 565 

Sausage  Man,  The 786 

Seal  of  Ohio.. 51 


PAGE 


Seitz,  Enoch  Berry,  Portrait  of. 533 

Serpent  Mound,  Diagram  of. 232 

Serpent  Mound,  The  Head  of 234 

Serpent  Mound  Park 222 

Serpent  Mound,  Skeleton  Found  in 222 

Sherman,  Gen.  W.  T.,  Portrait  and  Au- 
tograph of. 593 

Simpson,  Bishop  Matthew 890 

Singing  Before  a Saloon.  915 

Sinton,  David 844 

Soldiers*  and  Sailors’  Orphans’  Home...  720 
Soldiers’  and  Sailors’  Orphans’  Home, 

Sitting  Room 71  i 

Soldiers  Returning  from  the  War 782 

Solitary  Elm,  The 353 

Springfield,  1846 397 

Springer,  Reuben  R 843 

Spencer,  Platt,  R.,  Portrait  and  Auto- 
graph of. 277 

Squirrel  Hunters  Crossing  the  Pon- 
toons at  Cincinnati 782 

Stanton’s  Boyhood  Home 970 

Stanton,  Secretary  Edwin  M 975 

Steubenville  in  1846 965 

Steubenville  in  1886.. 965 

Stewart,  Mother 915 

Stowe,  Harriet  Beecher 824 

St.  Clair,  Gen.  Arthur,  Portrait  and  Au- 
tograph of 402 

St.  Clairsville,  1846 309 

St.  Xavier’s  College 757 

State  Capitol  of  Ohio 610 

Stanbery,  Hon.  Henry,  Portrait  of. 653 

Strata  along  the  Niagara  River 98 

Surveys  of  Public  Lands,  Map 134 

Suspension  Bridge 796 

Swayne,  Chief-Justice,  Portrait  of. 655 

Symmes,  Judge  J.  C.,  Autograph  of 348 

Symmes,  Judge  J.  C.,  Monument  to 

Memory  of. 348 

Symmes,  Judge  John  Cleves 813 

Taft,  Judge  Alphonso 842 

Tappan,  Judge  Benjamin 978 

Tecumseh,  Birthplace  of. 390 

Thurman,  Hon.  A.  G.,  Portrait  and 

Autograph  of. 564 

Tod,  Gov.  David,  Portrait  and  Auto- 
graph of. 522 

Tomb  of  the  Late  President  Harrison...  862 
Tourgee,  Judge  Albion  W.,  Portrait  of  280 

Townshend,  Dr.  N.  S.,  Portrait  of 100 

Transrhenane  Waiter 786 

Twin  Sycamores,  The 730 

Tyler  Davidson  Fountain. 793 

Urbana,  1846 375 

Urbana,  1886 ..  375 

Vallandigham,  Clement  L.,  Portrait  of  451 

Vallandigham,  Homestead 451 

Valley  of  the  Cuyahoga 495 

Viaduct,  Cleveland 495 

Wade,  Senator  Benj.  F.,  Portrait  and 

Autograph  of. 269 

Wapakonetta,  1887 295 

Ward,  J.  Q.  A.,  Portrait  of.... 383 

Warder,  Dr.  John  A 840 

Washington  C.  H.,  1846..... 605 

Washington  C.  H.,  1886 605 

Wauseon,  Central  View  in 662 


ILL  USTRA  TIONS, 


81 


PAGE. 

Wayne,  Gen.  Anthony,  Portrait  and 


Autograph  of. 402 

Weiner  Wurst  Man,  The 786 

Wellsville,  1846 464 

West  Union,  1846 229 

Wetzel’s  Springs 308 

White  Sulphur  Springs 559 

Whittlesey,  Col.  Charles,  Portiait  and 

Autograph  of. 521 

Whittlesey  Homestead 521 

Wilberforce  University 722 

Willich,  Gen.  August,  Portrait  of 303 


Willich,  Gen.,  Monument  to  Memory  of  303 


PAGE. 

Wilmington,  1846 424 

Wilmington,  1886 424 

Wittenberg  College 398 

Wood,  Gov.  Reuben 511 

Worthington  Female  Seminary,  1846.,..  612 
Wright,  Prof.  G.  Frederick,  Portrait  of  90 

Xenia,  1846 701 

Xenia,  1886 701 

Zeigler,  Major  David 846 

Zoological  Garden 783 


lotroductory  Articles 


FAGK 


Outline  History 83 

General  Description 

Frank  Henry  Howe,  51 
Geography  and  Geology 

Prof.  Edward  Orton,  59 

Glacial  Man 

Prof.  G.  Frederick  Wright,  90 
History  of  Agriculture 

Prof.  Norton  S.  Townshend,  100 
Mines  and  Mining  Resources 

Hon.  Andrew  Roy,  110 
Pioneer  Engineers 

Coe.  Chas.  Whitteesey,  119 
Civil  Jurisdiction 

Coe.  Chas.  Whitteesey,  122 
Sources  of  Ohio’s  Strength 

Coe.  Chas.  Whitteesey,  124 

Public  Lands 

John  Kiebourne,  128 


PAGE 


Public  Land  Surveys 

Coe.  Chas.  Whitteesey,  133 
Educational  Progress 

Prof.  G.  W.  Knight,  137 
Ohio  in  the  Civil  War 

Gen.  John  Beatty,  150 
Ohio  Commandery  of  the  Loyal  Legion  155 
Ohio  Officers,  State  and  National  166 

Ohio  Society  of  New  York  178 

A Glance  at  Ohio  History'  and  Historical 
Men  J.  Q.  Howard,  184 

Ohio’s  Work  in  the  United  States  Sani- 
tary Commission 

Prof.  M.  C.  Read,  188 
Ohio,  the  Buckeye  State 

Hon.  Wm.  M.  Farrar,  200 
Workshop  and  Factory  Inspection 

Frank  Henry  Howe,  208 

Ordinance  of  1787  217 


Couoties. 

(ADAMS  TO  KNOX.) 


PAGE 

Adams 223 

Allen 241 

Ashland 251 

Ashtabula 261 

Athens 282 

Auglaize 293 

Belmont 306 

Brown........  328 

Butler 342 

Carroll 359 

Champaign 372 

Clark 387 

Clermont 408 

Clinton 423 

Columbiana 436 

Coshocton 466 

Crawford 482 

Cuyahoga 494 

Darke 529 

Defiance 539 

Delaware 648 


PAGE 

Erie 564 

Fairfield 587 

Fayette 602 

Franklin 609 

Fulton — 661 

Gallia 668 

Geauga 682 

Greene 692 

Guernsey.. 726 

Hamilton 739 

Hancock  867 

Hardin 875 

Harrison 887 

Henry 903 

Highland 912 

Hocking 925 

Holmes 934 

Huron 941 

Jackson 950 

Jefferson 959 


Knox.... .«  981 


OHIO. 


OUTLINE  HISTORY. 

The  territory  now  comprised  within  the  limits  of  Ohio  was  formerly  a 
part  of  that  vast  region  claimed  by  France,  between  the  Alleghany  and 
the  Rocky  mountains,  first  known  by  the  general  name  of  Louisiana.  In 
1673,  Marquette,  a zealous  French  Missionary,  accompanied  with  Monsieur 
Joliet,  from  Quebec,  with  five  boatmen,  set  out  on  a mission  from 
Mackinac  to  the  unexplored  regions  lying  south  of  that  station.  They 
passed  down  the  lake  to  Green  Bay,  thence  from  Fox  River  crossed 
over  to  the  Wisconsin,  which  they  followed  down  to  its  junction  with  the 
Mississippi.  They  descended  this  mighty  stream  a thousand  miles  to  its 
confluence  with  the  Arkansas.  On  their  return  to  Canada,  they  did  not 
fail  to  urge,  in  strong  terms,  the  immediate  occupation  of  the  vast  and 
fertile  regions  watered  by  the  Mississippi  and  its  branches. 

On  the  7th  of  August,  1679,  M.  de  la  Salle,  the  French  commandant  of 
Fort  Frontenac,  on  Lake  Ontario,  launched,  upon  Lake  Erie,  the  Griffin, 
a bark  of  about  60  tons,  with  which  he  proceeded  through  the  Lakes  to 
the  Straits  of  Michillimackinac.  Leaving  his  bark  at  this  place,  he  pro- 
ceeded up  Lake  Michigan,  and  from  thence  to  the  south  west,  till  he 
arrived  at  Peoria  Lake,  in  Illinois.  At  this  place  he  erected  a fort,  and 
after  having  sent  Father  Lewis  Hennepin  on  an  exploring  expedition. 
La  Salle  returned  to  Canada.  In  1683,  La  Salle  went  to  France,  and,  by 
the  representations  which  he  made,  induced  the  French  Government  to 
fit  out  an  expedition  for  the  purpose  of  planting  a colony  at  the  mouth 
of  the  Mississippi.  This  expedition  failed.  La  Salle  being  murdered  by 
his  own  men. 

This  disaster  did  not  abate  the  ardor  of  the  French  in  their  great  plan 
of  obtaining  possession  of  the  vast  region  westward  of  the  English  colo- 
nies. A second  expedition  sailed  from  France,  under  the  command  of 
M.  D’Iberville.  This  officer  entered  the  mouth  of  the  Mississippi,  and 
explored  the  river  for  several  hundred  miles.  Permanent  establishments 
were  made  at  different  points;  and  from  this  time  the  French  colony  west 
of  the  Alleghanies  steadily  increased  in  numbers  and  strength.  Previous 
to  the  year  1725,  the  colony  had  been  divided  into  quarters,  each  having 
its  local  governor,  or  commandant,  and  judge,  but  all  subject  to  the 
superior  authority  of  the  council  general  of  Louisiana.  One  of  these 
quarters  was  established  north  west  of  the  Ohio. 

At  this  period  the  French  had  erected  forts  on  the  Mississippi,  on  the 
Illinois,  on  the  Maumee,  and  on  the  lakes.  Still,  however,  the  communi- 
cation with  Canada  was  through  Lake  Michigan.  Before  1750,  a French 

(33) 


34 


OUTLINE  HISTORY. 


post  had  been  fortified  at  the  mouth  of  the  Wabash,  and  a communication 
was  established  through  that  river  and  the  Maumee  with  Canada.  About 
the  same  time,  and  for  the  purpose  of  checking  the  progress  of  the  French, 
the  Ohio  Company  was  formed,  and  made  some  attempts  to  establish 
trading  houses  among  the  Indians.  The  French,  however,  established  a 
chain  of  fortifications  back  of  the  English  settlements,  and  thus,  in  a meas- 
ure, had  the  entire  control  of  the  great  Mississippi  valley.  The  English 
government  became  alarmed  at  the  encroachments  of  the  French,  and 
attempted  to  settle  boundaries  by  negotiations.  These  availed  nothing, 
and  both  parties  were  determined  to  settle  their  differences  by  the  force  of 
arms. 

The  claims  of  the  different  European  monarchs  to  large  portions  of  the 
western  continent  were  based  upon  the  first  discoveries  made  by  their 
subjects.  In  1609,  the  English  monarch  granted  to  the  London  Company, 
-all  the  territories  extending  along  the  coast  for  two  hundred  miles  north 
and  south  from  Point  Comfort,  and  “ ttp  into  the  land,  throughout  from  sea 
^^7  west  and  north-west.”  In  1662,  Charles  II.  granted  to  certain  set- 
tlers upon  the  Connecticut  all  the  territory  between  the  parallels  of  lati- 
tude which  include  the  present  State  of  Connecticut,  from  the  Atlantic  to 
the  Pacific  ocean.  The  claims  which  Massachusetts  advanced,  during  the 
revolution,  to  an  interest  in  the  western  lands,  were  founded  upon  a 
similar  charter,  granted  thirty  years  afterwards. 

When  the  king  of  France  had  dominions  in  North  America,  the  whole 
of  the  late  territory  of  the  United  States,  north-west  of  the  river  Ohio, 
was  included  in  the  province  of  Louisiana,  the  north  boundary  of  which, 
by  the  treaty  of  Utrecht,  concluded  between  France  and  England  in  1713, 
was  fixed  at  the  49th  parallel  of  latitude  north  of  the  Equator.  After  the 
conquest  of  the  French  possessions  in  North  America  by  Great  Britain, 
this  tract  was  ceded  by  France  to  Great  Britain,  by  the  treaty  of  Paris, 
in  1763. 

The  principal  ground  whereon  the  English  claimed  dominion  beyond 
the  Alleghanies  was,  that  the  Six  Nations  owned  the  Ohio  valley,  and  had 
placed  it  with  their  other  lands  under  the  protection  of  England.  Some 
of  the  western  lands  were  also  claimed  by  the  British  as  having  been 
actually  purchased,  at  Lancaster,  Penn.,  in  1744,  at  a treaty  between  the 
colonists  and  the  Six  Nations  at  that  place.  In  1748,  the  “Ohio  Com- 
pany,” for  the  purpose  of  securing  the  Indian  trade,  was  formed.  In 
1749,  it  appears  that  the  English  built  a trading  house  upon  the  Great 
Miami,  at  a spot  since  called  Loramie’s  Store.  In  1751,  Christopher  Gist, 
an  agent  of  the  Ohio  Company,  who  was  appointed  to  examine  the  west- 
ern lands,  made  a visit  to  the  Twigtwees,  who  lived  upon  the  Miami  river, 
about  one  hundred  miles  from  its  mouth. 

Early  in  1752,  the  French  having  heard  of  the  trading  house  on  the 
Miami,  sent  a party  of  soldiers  to  the  Twigtwees  and  demanded  the 
traders  as  intruders  upon  French  lands.  The  Twigtwees  refused  to  deliver 
up  their  friends.  The  French,  assisted  by  the  Ottawas  and  Chippewas, 
then  attacked  the  trading  house,  which  was  probably  a block  house,  and 
after  a severe  battle,  in  which  fourteen  of  the  natives  were  killed  and 
others  wounded,  took  and  destroyed  it,  carrying  away  the  traders  to 
Canada.  This  fort,  or  trading  house,  was  called,  by  the  English,  Pickawil- 
lany.  Such  was  the  first  British  settlement  in  the  Ohio  valley,  of  which 
we  have  any  record. 

After  Braddock’s  defeat,  in  1755,  the  Indians  pushed  their  excursions  as 
far  east  as  the  Blue  Ridge.  In  order  to  repel  them,  Major  Lewis,  in  Janu- 
ary, 1756,  was  sent  with  a party  of  troops  on  an  expedition  against  the 
Indian  towns  on  the  Ohio.  The  point  apparently  aimed  a^  was  the  upper 
Shawanese  town,  situated  on  the  Ohio,  three  miles  above  the  mouth  of 


OUTLINE  HISTORY. 


35 


the  Great  "Kanawha.  The  attempt  proved  a failure,  in  consequence,  it  is 
said,  of  the  swollen  state  of  the  streams,  and  the  treachery  of  the  guides. 
In  1764,  Gen.  Bradstreet,  having  dispersed  the  Indian  forces  besieging 
Detroit,  passed  into  the  Wyandot  country  by  way  of  Sandusky  Bay.  He 
ascended  the  bay  and  river  as  far  as  it  was  navigable  for  boats,  and  there 
made  a camp.  A treaty  of  peace  was  signed  by  the  Chiefs  and  head  men. 
The  Shawnees  of  the  Scioto  river,  and  the  Delawares  of  the  Muskingum, 
however,  still  continued  hostile.  Col.  Boquet,  in  1764,  with  a body  of 
troops,  marched  from  Fort  Pitt  into  the  heart  of  the  Ohio  country  on  the 
Muskingum  river.  This  expedition  was  conducted  with  great  prudence 
and  skill,  and  without  scarcely  any  loss  of  life,  as  treaty  of  peace  was 
effected  with  the  Indians,  who  restored  the  prisoners  they  had  captured 
from  the  white  settlements.  The  next  war  with  the  Indians  was  in 
1774,  generally  known  as  Lord  Dunmore’s.  In  the  summer  of  that  year, 
an  expedition,  under  Col.  M’Donald,  was  assembled  at  Wheeling,  marched 
kito  the  Muskingum  country  and  destroyed  the  Indian  town  of  Wapato- 
mica,  a few  miles  above  the  site  of  Zanesville.  In  the  fall,  the  Indians 
were  defeated  after  a hard  fought  battle  at  Point  Pleasant,  on  the  Virginia 
side  of  the  Ohio.  Shortly  after  this  event,  Lord*  Dunmore  made  peace 
with  the  Indians  at  Camp  Charlotte,  in  what  is  now  Pickaway  country. 

During  the  revolutionary  war,  most  of  the  western  Indians  were  more  or 
less  united  against  the  Americans.  In  the  fall  of  1778,  an  expedition 
against  Detroit  was  projected.  As  a preliminary  step,  it  was  resolved  that 
the  forces  in  the  west,  under  Gen,  MTntosh,  should  move  up  and  attack 
the  Sandusky  Indians.  Preliminary  to  this.  Fort  Laurens,  so  called  in 
honor  of  the  President  of  Congress,  was  built  upon  the  Tuscarawas,  a 
short  distance  below  the  site  of  Bolivar,  Tuscarawas  county.  The  expe- 
dition to  Detroit  was  abandoned  and  the  garrison  of  Fort  Laurens,  after 
suffering  much  from  the  Indians  and  from  famine,  were  recalled  in  August, 
1779.  ^ month  or  two  previous  to  the  evacuation  of  this  fort.  Col. 

Bowman  headed  an  expedition  against  the  Shawnees.  Their  village, 
Chillicothe,  three  miles  north  of  the  site  of  Xenia,  on  the  little  Miami,  was 
burnt.  The  warriors  showed  an  undaunted  front,  and  the  whites  were 
forced  to  retreat.  In  the  summer  of  1780,  an  expedition  directed  against 
the  Indian  towns,  in  the  forks  of  the  Muskingum,  moved  from  Wheeling 
under  Gen.  Broadhead.  This  expedition,  known  as  “ the  Coshocton  cam- 
paign,” was  unimportant  in  its  results.  In  the  same  summer,  Gen.  Clark 
led  a body  of  Kentuckians  against  the  Shawnees.  Chillicothe,  on  the 
Little  Miami,  was  burnt  on  their  approach,  but  at  Piqua,  their  town  on 
the  Mad  River,  six  miles  below  the  site  of  Springfield,  they  gave  battle  to 
the  whites  and  were  defeated.  In  September,  1782,  this  officer  led  a 
second  expedition  against  the  Shawanese.  Their  towns.  Upper  and 
Lower  Piqua,*  on  the  Miami,  within  what  is  now  Miami  county,  were 
destroyed,  together  with  the  store  of  a trader. 

There  were  other  expeditions  into  the  Indian  country  from  Kentucky, 
which,  although  of  later  date,  we  mention  in  this  connection.  In  1786, 
Col.  Logan  conducted  a successful  expedition  against  the  Mackachack 
towns,  on  the  head  waters  of  Mad  River,  in  what  is  now  Logan  county. 
Edwards,  in  1787,  led  an  expedition  to  the  head  waters  of  the  Big  Miami, 
and,  in  1788,  Todd  led  one  into  the  Scioto  valley.  There  were  also 
minor  expeditions,  at  various  times,  into  the  present  limits  of  Ohio. 

The  Moravian  missionaries,  prior  to  the  war  of  the  revolution,  had  a 
number  of  missionary  stations  within  the  limits  of  Ohio.  The  mission- 
aries, Heckewelder  and  Post,  were  on  the  Muskingum  as  early  as  1762. 
In  March,  1782,  a party  of  Americans,  under  Col.  Williamson,  murdered 
in  cold  blood,  ninety-four  of  the  defenceless  Moravian  Indians,  within  the 
present  limits  of  Tuscarawas  county.  In  the  June  following.  Col.  Craw- 


3^ 


OUTLINE  HISTORY. 


ford,  at  the  head  of  about  500  men,  was  defeated  by  the  Indians,  three 
miles  north  of  the  site  of  Upper  Sandusky,  in  Wyandot  county.  He 
was  taken  prisoner,  and  burnt  at  the  stake  with  horrible  tortures. 

By  an  act  of  the  Parliament  of  Great  Britain,  passed  in  1774,  the  whole 
of  the  late  north-western  Territory  was  annexed  to,  and  made  a part  of 
the  province  of  Quebec,  as  created  and  established  by  the  royal  proclama- 
tion of  the  7th  of  October,  1763.  But  nothing  therein  contained,  relative 
to  the  boundary  of  the  said  province  of  Quebec,  was  in  any  wise  to  affect 
the  boundaries  of  any  other  colony. 

The  colonies  having,  in  1776,  renounced  their  allegiance  to  the  British 
king,  and  assumed  rank  as  free,  sovereign  and  independent  States,  each 
State  claimed  the  right  of  soil  and  jurisdiction  over  the  district  of  country 
embraced  within  its  charter.  The  charters  of  several  of  the  States 
embraced  large  portions  of  western  unappropriated  lands.  Those  States 
which  had  no  such  charters,  insisted  that  these  lands  ought  to  be  appro- 
priated for  the  benefit  of  all  the  States,  according  to  their  population,  as 
the  title  to  them,  if  secured  at  all,  would  be  by  the  blood  and  treasure  of 
all  the  States.  Congress  repeatedly  urged  upon  those  States  owning 
western  unappropriated  lands,  to  make  liberal  cessions  of  them  for  the 
common  benefit  of  all. 

The  claim  of  the  English  monarch  to  the  late  north-western  Territory 
was  ceded  to  the  United  States,  by  the  treaty  of  peace,  signed  at  Paris, 
September  3,  1783.  The  provisional  articles  which  formed  the  basis  of 
that  treaty,  more  especially  as  related  to  the  boundary,  were  signed  at 
Paris,  November  30,  1782.  During  the  pendency  of  the  negotiation 
relative  to  these  preliminary  articles,  Mr.  Oswald,  the  British  commis- 
sioner, proposed  the  river  Ohio  as  the  western  boundary  of  the  United 
States,  and  but  for  the  indomitable  perseverance  of  the  revolutionary 
patriot,  John  Adams,  one  of  the  American  commissioners,  who  opposed  the 
proposition,  and  insisted  upon  the  Mississippi  as  the  boundary,  the  proba- 
bility is,  that  the  proposition  of  Mr.  Oswald  would  have  been  acceded  to 
by  the  United  States  commissioners. 

The  states  who  owned  western  unappropriated  lands,  with  a single 
exception,  redeemed  their  respective  pledges  by  ceding  them  to  the  United 
States.  The  State  of  Virginia,  in  March,  1784,  ceded  the  right  of  soil  and 
jurisdiction  to  the  district  of  country  embraced  in  her  charter,  situated  to 
the  north-west  of  the  river  Ohio.  In  September,  1786,  the  State  of  Con- 
necticut also  ceded  her  claim  of  soil  and  jurisdiction  to  the  district  of 
country  within  the  limits  of  her  charter,  situated  west  of  a line  beginning 
at  the  completion  of  the  forty-first  point  degree  of  north  latitude,  one 
hundred  and  twenty  miles  west  of  the  western  boundary  of  Pennsylvania  ; 
and  from  thence  by  a line  drawn  north  parallel  to,  and  one  hundred  and 
twenty  miles  west  of  said  line  of  Pennsylvania,  and  to  continue  north  until 
it  came  to  forty-two  degrees  and  two  minutes  north  latitude.  The  State 
of  Connecticut,  on  the  30th  of  May,  1800,  also  ceded  her  jurisdictional 
claims  to  all  that  territory  called  the  “ Western  Reserve  of  Connecticut.” 
The  states  of  New  York  and  Massachusetts  also  ceded  all  their  claims. 

The  above  were  not  the  only  claims  which  had  to  be  made  prior  to  the 
commencement  of  settlements  within  the  limits  of  Ohio.  Numerous  tribes 
of  Indian  savages,  by  viitue  of  prior  possession,  asserted  their  respective 
claims,  which  also  had  to  be  extinguished.  A treaty  for  this  purpose  was 
accordingly  made  at  Fort  Stanwix,  October  27,  1784,  with  the  Sachems 
and  warriors  of  the  Mohawks,  Onondagas,  Senecas,  Cayugas,  Oneidas,  and 
Tuscaroras;  by  the  third  article  of  which  treaty,  the  said  Six  Nations 
ceded  to  the  United  States  all  claims  to  the  country  west  of  a line  extend- 
ing along  the  west  boundary  of  Pennsylvania,  from  the  mouth  of  the 
Oyounayea  to  the  river  Ohio. 


OUTLINE  HISTORY. 


37 


A treaty  was  also  concluded  at  Fort  McIntosh,  January  2I,  1785,  with  the 
Wyandot,  Delaware,  Chippewa,  and  Ottawa  nations,  by  which  the  boundary 
line  between  the  Uniteci  States  and  the  Wyandot  and  Delaware  nations  was 
declared  to  begin  “ at  the  mouth  of  the  river  Cuyahoga,  and  to  extend  up  said 
river  to  the  Portage,  between  that  and  the  Tuscaroras  branch  of  the  Muskin- 
gum, thence  down  that  branch  to  the  crossing  place  above  Fort  Laurens,  then 
westerly  to  the  Portage  of  the  Big  Miami,  which  runs  into  the  Ohio,  at  the 
mouth  of  which  branch  the  fort  stood  which  was  taken  by  the  French,  in  1752  ; 
then  along  said  Portage  to  the  Great  Miami,  or  Omee  river,  and  down  the  south 
side  of  the  same  to  its  mouth ; then  along  the  south  shore  of  Lake  Erie  to  the 
mouth  of  the  Cuyahoga  river,  where  it  began.”  The  United  States  allotted  all 
the  lands  contained  within  said  lines  to  the  Wyandot  and  Delaware  nations,  to 
live  and  hunt  on,  and  to  such  of  the  Ottawa  nation  as  lived  thereon ; saving  and 
reserving  for  the  establishment  of  trading  posts,  six  miles  square  at  the  mouth 
of  the  Miami,  or  Omee  river,  and  the  same  at  the  Portage,  on  that  branch  of 
the  Big  Miami  which  runs  into  the  Ohio,  and  the  same  on  the  Lake  of  Sandusky 
where  the  fort  formerly  stood,  and  also  two  miles  square  on  each  side  of  the 
Lower  Rapids  of  Sandusky  river. 

The  Indian  title  to  a large  part  of  the  territory  within  the  limits  of  Ohio 
having  been  extinguished,  legislative  action  on  the  part  of  Congress  became 
necessary  before  settlements  were  commenced ; as  in  the  treaties  made  with  the 
Indians,  and  in  the  acts  of  Congress,  all  citizens  of  the  United  States  were  pro- 
hibited settling  on  the  lands  of  the  Indians,  as  well  as  on  those  of  the  United 
States.  Ordinances  were  accordingly  made  by  Congress  for  the  government 
of  the  Northwestern  Territory,  and  for  the  survey  and  sale  of  portions  of  lands 
to  which  the  Indian  title  had  been  extinguished. 

In  May,  1785,  Congress  passed  an  ordinance  for  ascertaining  the  mode  of 
disposing  of  these  lands.  Under  that  ordinance,  the  first  seven  ranges,  bounded 
on  the  east  by  Pennsylvania,  and  on  the  south  by  the  Ohio  river,  were  surveyed. 
Sales  of  parts  of  these  were  made  at  New  York,  in  1787,  the  avails  of  which 
amounted  to  1^72,974,  and  sales  of  other  parts  of  said  range  were  made  at  Pitts- 
burg and  Philadelphia,  in  1796.  The  avails  of  sales  made  at  the  former  place 
amounted  to  ;$43,446,  and  at  the  latter,  ;^5,I20.  A portion  of  these  lands  were 
located  under  United  States  military  land  warrants.  No  further  sales  were 
made  in  that  district  until  the  Land  Office  was  opened  at  Steubenville,  July  i, 
1801. 

On  the  27th  of  October,  1787,  a contract  in  writing  was  entered  into  between 
the  Board  of  Treasury  for  the  United  States  of  America,  of  the  one  part,  and 
Manassah  Cutler  and  Winthrop  Sargeant,  as  agents  for  the  directors  of  the 
New  England  Ohio  Company  of  associates,  of  the  other  part,  for  the  purchase 
of  the  tract  of  land  bounded  by  the  Ohio,  from  the  mouth  of  the  Scioto  to  the 
intersection  of  the  western  boundary  of  the  seventh  range  of  townships  then 
surveying ; thence  by  said  boundary  to  the  northern  boundary  of  the  tenth 
township  from  the  Ohio ; thence  by  a due  west  line  to  Scioto ; thence  by  the 
Scioto  to  the  beginning.  The  bounds  of  that  contract  were  afterwards  altered 
in  1792.  The  settlement  of  this  purchase  commenced  at  Marietta,  at  the  mouth 
of  the  Muskingum  river,  in  the  spring  of  1788,  and  was  the  first  settlement 
formed  within  the  limits  of  Ohio.  An  attempt  at  settlement  within  the  bounds 
of  Ohio  had  b®en  made  in  April,  1785,  at  the  mouth  of  the  Scioto,  on  the  site 
of  Portsmouth,  by  four  families  from  Redstone,  Pa. ; but  difficulties  with  the 
Indians  compelled  its  abandonment. 

In  October,  1787,  Congress  appointed  Gen.  Arthur  St.  Clair,  an  officer  of  the 
Revolution,  Governor ; Winthrop  Sargeant,  Secretary ; and  the  Hon.  Samuel 
Holden  Parsons,  James  Mitchell  Varnum,  yudges,  in,  and  over  the  Territory. 
The  territorial  government  was  organized,  and  sundry  laws  were  made,  or 
adopted,  by  the  Governor  and  Judges  Parsons  and  Varnum.  In  1788  John 


38 


OUTLINE  HISTORY. 


Cleves  Symmes  was  also  appointed  judge.  The  county  of  Washington,  having 
its  limits  extended  westward  to  the  Scioto,  and  northward  to  Lake  Erie,  em- 
bracing about  half  the  territory  within  the  present  limits  of  the  State,  was  estab- 
lished by  the  proclamation  of  the  Governor. 

On  the  15th  of  October,  1788,  John  Cleves  Symmes,  in  behalf  of  himself 
and  his  associates,  contracted  with  the  Board  of  Treasury  for  the  purchase  of 
a large  tract  of  land  situated  between  the  Great  and  Little  Miami  river,  and  the 
first  settlement  within  the  limits  of  that  purchase,  and  second  in  Ohio,  was  com- 
menced in  November  of  that  year,  at  Columbia,  at  the  mouth  of  the  Little 
Miami,  five  miles  above  the  site  of  Cincinnati. 

“ A short  time  after  the  settlement  at  Marietta  had  commenced,  an  association 
was  formed  under  the  name  of  the  Scioto  Land  Company.  A contract  was  made 
for  the  purchase  of  a part  of  the  lands  included  in  the  Ohio  Company's  pur- 
chases. Plats  and  descriptions  of  the  land  contracted  for,  were,  however,  made 
out,  and  Joel  Barlow  was  sent  as  an  agent  to  Europe  to  make  sales  of  the  lands 
for  the  benefit  of  the  company ; and  sales  were  effected  of  parts  thereof  to  com- 
panies and  individuals  in  France.  On  February  19,  1791,  two  hundred  and 
eighteen  of  these  purchasers  left  Havre  de  Grace,  in  France,  and  arrived  in  Al- 
exandria, D,  C.,  on  the  3d  of  May  following.  During  their  passage,  two  were 
added  to  their  number.  On  their  arrival,  they  were  told  that  the  Scioto  Com- 
pany owned  no  land.  The  agent  insisted  that  they  did,  and  promised  to  secure 
to  them  good  titles  thereto,  which  he  did,  at  Winchester,  Brownsville,  and 
Charleston  (now  Wellsburg.)  When  they  arrived  at  Marietta,  about  fifty  of 
them  landed.  The  rest  of  the  company  proceeded  to  Gallipolis,  which  was  laid 
out  about  that  time,  and  were  assured  by  the  agent  that  the  place  lay  within 
their  purchase.  Every  effort  to  secure  titles  to  the  lands  they  had  purchased 
having  failed,  an  application  was  made  to  Congress,  and  in  June,  1798,  a grant 
was  made  to  them  of  a tract  of  land  on  the  Ohio,  above  the  mouth  of  the  Scioto 
river,  which  is  called  the  ‘ French  Grant'  ” 

The  Legislature  of  Connecticut,  in  May,  1795,  appointed  a committee  to 
receive  proposals  and  make  sale  of  the  lands  she  had  reserved  in  Ohio.  This 
committee  sold  the  lands  to  sundry  citizens  of  Connecticut  and  other  States, 
and,  in  September  of  the  same  year,  executed  to  several  purchasers  deeds  of 
conveyance  therefor.  The  purchasers  proceeded  to  survey  into  townships  of 
five  miles  square  the  whole  of  said  tract  lying  east  of  the  Cuyahoga;  they 
made  divisions  thereof  according  to  their  respective  proportions,  and  com- 
menced settlements  in  many  of  the  townships,  and  there  were  actually  settled 
therein,  by  the  21st  of  March,  1800,  about  one  thousand  inhabitants.  A num- 
ber of  mills  had  been  built,  and  roads  cut  in  various  directions  to  the  extent  of 
about  700  miles. 

The  location  of  the  lands  appropriate  for  satisfying  military  land  bounty 
warrants  in  the  district  appropriated  for  that  purpose,  granted  for  services  in  the 
Revolutionary  war,  commenced  on  March  13,  1800;  and  the  location  of  the 
lands  granted  to  the  Canadian  and  Nova  Scotia  refugees  commenced  February 
13,  1802.  The  lands  east  of  the  Scioto,  south  of  the  military  bounty  lands, 
and  west  of  the  fifteenth  range  of  townships,  were  first  brought  into  market, 
and  offered  for  sale  by  the  United  States  on  the  first  Monday  of  May,  1801. 

The  State  of  Virginia,  at  an  early  period  of  the  Revolutionary  war,  raised 
two  description  of  troops.  State  and  Continental,  to  each  of  which  bounties  in 
land  were  promised.  The  lands  within  the  limits  of  her  charter,  situate  to  the 
northwest  of  Ohio  river,  were  withdrawn  from  appropriation  on  treasury  war- 
rants, and  the  lands  on  Cumberland  river,  and  between  the  Green  and  Tennes- 
see rivers  on  the  southeasterly  side  of  the  Ohio,  were  appropriated  for  these 
military  bounties.  Upon  the  recommendation  of  Congress,  Virginia  ceded  her 
lands  north  of  the  Ohio,  upon  certain  conditions ; one  of  which  was,  that  in 
case  the  lands  south  of  Ohio  should  be  insufficient  for  their  legal  bounties  to 


OUTLINE  HISTORY.  39 

their  troops,  the  deficiency  should  be  made  up  from  lands  north  of  the  Ohio, 
between  the  rivers  Scioto  and  Little  Miami. 

In  1783,  the  Legislature  of  Virginia  authorized  the  officers  of  their  respective 
lines  to  appoint  superintendents  to  regulate  the  survey  of  the  bounty  lands 
promised.  Richard  C.  Anderson  was  appointed  principal  surveyor  of  the  lands 
of  the  troops  of  the  continental  establishment.  An  office  for  the  reception  of 
locations  and  surveys  was  opened  at  Louisville,  Kentucky,  August  i,  1784,  and 
on  the  1st  of  August,  1787,  the  said  office  was  open  for  the  reception  of  surveys 
and  locations  on  the  north  side  of  the  Ohio. 

In  the  year  1789,  January  9th,  a treaty  was  made  at  Fort  Harmar,  between 
Governor  St.  Clair  and  the  Sachems  and  warriors  of  the  Wyandot,  Chippewa, 
Potawatomie,  and  Sac  nations,  in  which  the  treaty  at  Fort  McIntosh  was  re- 
newed and  confirmed.  It  did  not,  however,  produce  the  favorable  results  anti- 
cipated. The  Indians,  the  same  year,  assuming  a hostile  appearance,  were  seen 
hovering  round  the  infant  settlements  near  the  mouth  of  the  Muskingum  and 
between  the  Miamies,  and  nine  persons  were  killed  within  the  bounds  of 
Symmes’  purchase.  The  new  settlers  became  alarmed  and  erected  block-houses 
in  each  of  the  new  settlements.  In  June,  1789,  Major  Doughty,  with  140  men, 
from  Fort  Harmar,  commenced  the  building  of  Fort  Washington,  on  a spot  now 
within  the  present  limits  of  Cincinnati.  A few  months  afterwards,  Gen.  Har- 
mar arrived,  with  300  men,  and  took  command  of  the  fort. 

Negotiations  with  the  Indians  proving  unavailing,  Gen.  Harmar  was  directed 
' to  attack  their  towns.  In  pursuance  of  his  instructions  he  marched  from  Cin- 
cinnati, in  September,  1790,  with  1,300  men,  of  whom  less  than  one-fourth  were 
regulars.  When  near  the  Indian  villages,  on  the  Miami  of  the  lake  in  the 
vicinity  of  what  is  now  Fort  Wayne,  an  advanced  detachment  of  310,  consisting 
chiefly  of  militia,  fell  into  an  ambush  and  was  defeated  with  severe  loss.  Gen. 
Harmar,  however,  succeeded  in  burning  the  Indian  villages  and  in  destroying 
their  standing  corn,  and  having  effected  this  service,  the  army  commenced  its 
march  homeward.  They  had  not  proceeded  far  when  Harmar  received  intelli- 
gence that  the  Indians  had  returned  to  their  ruined  towns.  He  immediately 
detached  about  one-third  of  his  remaining  force,  under  the  command  of  CoL 
Hardin,  with  orders  to  bring  them  to  an  engagement.  He  succeeded  in  this 
early  the  next  morning ; the  Indians  fought  with  great  fury,  and  the  militia  and 
the  regulars  alike  behaved  with  gallantry.  More  than  one  hundred  of  the 
militia,  and  all  the  regulars  except  nine,  were  killed,  and  the  rest  were  driven 
back  to  the  main  body.  Dispirited  by  this  severe  misfortune,  Harmar  imme- 
diately marched  to  Cincinnati,  and  the  object  of  the  expedition  in  intimidating 
the  Indians  was  entirely  unsuccessful. 

As  the  Indians  continued  hostile,  a new  army,  superior  to  the  former,  was 
assembled  at  Cincinnati,  under  the  command  of  Gov.  St.  Clair.  The  regular 
force  amounted  to  2,300  men ; the  militia  numbered  about  600.  With  this 
army,  St.  Clair  commenced  his  march  towards  the  Indian  towns  on  the  Maumee. 
Two  forts,  Hamilton  and  Jefferson,  were  established  and  garrisoned  on  the  route, 
about  forty  miles  from  each  other.  Misfortune  attended  the  expedition  almost 
from  its  commencement.  Soon  after  leaving  Fort  Jefferson,  a considerable 
party  of  the  militia  deserted  in  a body.  The  first  regiment,  under  Major 
Hamtramck,  was  ordered  to  pursue  them  and  to  secure  the  advancing  convoys 
of  provisions,  which  it  was  feared  they  designed  to  plunder.  Thus  weakened 
by  desertion,  and  division,  St.  Clair  approached  the  Indian  villages.  On  the 
3d  of  November,  1791,  when  at  what  is  now  the  line  of  Darke  and  Mercer 
counties,  he  halted,  intending  to  throw  up  some  slight  fortification  for  the  pro- 
tection of  baggage,  and  to  await  the  return  of  the  absent  regiment.  On  the 
following  morning,  however,  about  half  an  hour  before  sunrise,  the  American 
army  was  attacked  with  great  fury,  as  there  is  good  reason  to  believe,  by  the 
whole  disposable  force  of  the  northwest  tribes.  The  Americans  were  totally 


OUTLINE  HISTORY. 


defeated.  Gen.  Butler  and  upwards  of  six  hundred  men  were  killed.  Indian 
outrages  of  every  kind  were  now  multiplied,  and  emigration  was  almost  entirely 
suspended. 

President  Washington  now  urged  forward  the  vigorous  prosecution  of  the 
war  for  the  protection  of  the  Northwest  Territory;  but  various  obstacles  re- 
tarded the  enlistment  and  organization  of  a new  army.  In  the  spring  of  1794 
the  American  army  assembled  at  Greenville,  in  Darke  county,  under  the  com- 
mand of  Gen.  Anthony  Wayne,  a bold,  energetic  and  experienced  officer  of  the 
Revolution.  His  force  consisted  of  about  two  thousand  regular  troops,  and 
fifteen  hundred  mounted  volunteers  from  Kentucky.  The  Indians  had  collected 
their  whole  force,  amounting  to  about  two  thousand  men,  near  a British  fort, 
erected  since  the  treaty  of  1783,  in  violation  of  its  obligations,  at  the  foot  of 
the  rapids  of  the  Maumee.  On  the  20th  of  August,  1794,  Gen.  Wayne  en- 
countered the  enemy,  and  after  a short  and  deadly  conflict,  the  Indians  fled  in 
the  greatest  confusion,  and  were  pursued  under  the  guns  of  the  British  fort. 
After  destroying  all  the  houses  and  corn-fields  above  and  below  the  British 
fort,  on  the  Maumee,  the  victorious  army  returned  to  the  mouth  of  Au  Glaize, 
where  Wayne  erected  Fort  Defiance.  Previous  to  this  action,  various  fruitless 
attempts  had  been  made  to  bring  the  Indians  to  peace.  Some  of  the  messen- 
gers sent  among  the  Indians  for  that  object  were  murdered. 

The  victory  of  Wayne  did  not  at  first  reduce  the  savages  to  submission. 
Their  country  was  laid  waste,  and  forts  were  erected  in  the  heart  of  their  ter- 
ritory before  they  could  be  entirely  subdued.  At  length,  however,  theybecame 
thoroughly  convinced  of  their  inability  to  resist  the  American  arms  and  sued 
for  peace.  A grand  council  was  held  at  Greenville,  where  eleven  of  the  most 
powerful  northwestern  tribes  were  represented,  to  whom  Gen.  Wayne  dictated 
the  terms  of  pacification.  The  boundary  established  by  the  treaty  at  Fort 
McIntosh  was  confirmed  and  extended  westward  from  Loramie’s  to  Fort  Re- 
covery, and  thence  southwest  to  the  mouth  of  the  Kentucky  river.  The  Indians 
agreed  to  acknowledge  the  United  States  as  their  sole  protector,  and  never  to 
sell  their  lands  to  any  other  power.  Upon  these  and  other  conditions,  the 
United  States  received  the  Indian  nations  into  their  protection.  A large  quan- 
tity of  goods  was  delivered  to  them  on  the  spot,  and  perpetual  annuities,  pay- 
able in  merchandise,  etc.,  were  promised  to  each  tribe  who  became  a party  to 
the  treaty. 

While  the  war  with  the  Indians  continued,  of  course  but  little  progress  was 
made  in  the  settlement  in  the  west.  The  next  county  that  was  established  after 
that  of  Washington,  in  1788,  was  Hamilton,  erected  in  1790.  Its  bounds  in- 
cluded the  country  between  the  Miamies,  extending  northward  from  the  Ohio 
river  to  a Ime  drawn  due  east  from  the  Standing  Stone  forks  of  the  Great 
Miami.  The  name  of  the  settlement  opposite  the  Licking  was,  at  this  time, 
called  Cincinnati. 

At  this  period  there  was  no  fixed  seat  of  government.  The  laws  were 
passed  whenever  they  seemed  to  be  needed,  and  promulgated  at  any  place 
where  the  territorial  legislators  happened  to  be  assembled.  In  1789  the  first 
Congress  passed  an  act  recognizing  the  binding  force  of  the  ordinance  of  1787, 
and  adapting  its  provisions  to  the  federal  constitution.  At  this  period,  the 
judges  appointed  by  the  national  executive  constituted  the  supreme  court  of 
the  territory.  Inferior  to  this  court  were  the  county  court,  courts  of  common 
pleas,  and  the  general  quarter  sessions  of  the  peace.  Single  judges  of  the 
common  pleas,  and  single  justices  of  the  quarter  sessions  were  also  clothed 
with  certain  civil  and  criminal  powers  to  be  exercised  out  of  court. 

In  1795  the  governor  an  I judges  undertook  to  revise  the  territorial  laws, 
and  to  establish  a system  of  statutory  jurisprudence,  by  adoptions  from  the 
laws  of  the  original  States,  in  conformity  to  the  ordinance.  For  this  purpose 
they  assembled  in  Cincinnati  in  June  and  continued  in  session  until  th^  latter 


OUTLINE  HISTORY, 


part  of  August  The  general  court  was  fixed  at  Cincinnati  and  Marietta; 
other  courts  were  established,  and  laws  and  regulations  were  adopted  for 
various  purposes. 

The  population  of  the  territory  now  continued  to  increase  and  extend.  From 
Marietta,  settlers  spread  into  the  adjoining  country.  The  Virginia  military 
reservation  drew  a considerable  number  of  revolutionary  veterans,  and  others, 
from  that  State.  The  region  between  the  Miamies,  from  the  Ohio  far  up 
toward  the  sources  of  Mad  river,  became  chequered  with  farms,  and  abounded 
in  indications  of  the  presence  of  an  active  and  prosperous  population.  The 
neighborhood  of  Detroit  became  populous,  and  Connecticut,  by  grants  of  land 
within  the  tract,  reserved  in  her  deed  of  cession,  induced  many  of  her  hardy 
citizens  to  seek  a home  on  the  borders  of  Lake  Erie.  In  1796  Wayne  county 
was  established,  including  all  the  northwestern  part  of  Ohio,  a large  tract  in 
the  northeastern  part  of  Indiana,  and  the  whole  territory  of  Michigan.  In 
July,  1797,  Adams  county  was  erected,  comprehending  a large  tract  lying  on 
both  sides  of  the  Scioto,  and  extending  northward  to  Wayne.  Other  counties 
were  afterwards  formed  out  of  those  already  established.  Before  the  end  of 
the  year  1798  the  Northwest  Territory  contained  a population  of  five  thousand 
free  male  inhabitants,  of  full  age,  and  eight  organized  counties. 

The  people  were  now  entitled,  under  the  ordinance  of  1787,  to  a change  in 
their  form  of  government.  That  instrument  provided  that  whenever  there  were 
five  thousand  free  males,  of  full  age,  in  the  territory,  the  people  should  be  au- 
thorized to  elect  representatives  to  a territorial  legislature.  These,  when  chosen, 
were  to  nominate  ten  freeholders  of  500,acres,  of  whom  the  president  was  to 
appoint  five,  who  were  to  constitute  the  legislative  council.  Representatives 
were  to  serve  two,  and  councilmen  five  years.  The  first  meeting  of  the  terri- 
torial legislature  was  appointed  on  the  i6th  of  September,  1799,  but  it  was  not 
till  the  24th  of  the  same  month  that  the  two  houses  were  organized  for  busi- 
ness ; at  which  time  they  were  addressed  by  Gov.  St.  Clair.  An  act  was  passed 
to  confirm  and  give  force  to  those  laws  enacted  by  the  governor  and  judges, 
whose  validity  had  been  doubted.  This  act,  as  well  as  every  other  which 
originated  in  the  council,  was  prepared  and  brought  forward  by  Jacob  Burnet, 
afterwards  a distinguished  judge  and  senator,  to  whose  labors,  at  this  session, 
the  territory  was  indebted  for  some  of  its  most  beneficial  laws.  The  whole 
number  of  acts  passed  and  approved  by  the  governor  was  thirty-seven.  Wil- 
liam H.  Harrison,  then  secretary  of  the  Territory,  was  elected  as  delegate  to 
Congress,  having  eleven  of  twenty-one  votes. 

Within  a few  months  after  the  close  of  this  session,  Connecticut  ceded  to  the 
United  States  her  claim  of  jurisdiction  over  the  northeastern  part  of  the  ter- 
ritory; upon  which  the  president  conveyed,  by  patent,  the  fee  of  the  soil  to  the 
governor  of  the  State,  for  the  use  of  grantees  and  purchasers  claiming  under 
her.  This  tract,  in  the  summer  of  the  same  year,  was  erected  into  a new  county 
by  the  name  of  Trumbull.  The  same  congress  which  made  a final  arrangement 
with  Connecticut,  passed  an  act  dividing  the  Northwestern  Territory  into  two 
governments,  by  a line  drawn  from  the  mouth  of  the  Kentucky  to  Fort  Re- 
covery,, and  thence  northward  to  the  territorial  line.  East  of  this  line,  the 
government,  already  established,  was  continued ; while  west  of  it  another,  sub- 
stantially similar,  was  established.  This  act  fixed  the  seat  of  the  eastern  gov- 
ernment at  Chillicothe;  subject,  however,  to  be  removed  at  the  pleasure  of  the 
legislature. 

On  the  30th  of  April,  1802,  Congress  passed  an  act  authorizing  the  call  of 
a convention  to  form  a State  constitution.  This  convention  assembled  at  Chil- 
licothe, November  ist,  and  on  the  29th  of  the  same  month  a constitution  of 
State  government  was  ratified  and  signed  by  the  members  of  the  convention. 
It  was  never  referred  to  the  people  for  their  approbation,  but  became  the  fun- 
damental law  of  the  State  by  the  act  of  the  convention  alone ; and,  by  this  act, 
Ohio  became  one  of  the  States  of  the  Federal  Union, 


4* 


OUTLINE  HISTORY, 


Besides  framing  the  constitution,  the  convention  had  another  duty  to  per- 
form. The  act  of  Congress,  providing  for  the  admission  of  the  new  State  into 
the  Union,  offered  certain  propositions  to  the  people.  These  were,  first,  that 
section  sixteen  in  each  township,  or,  where  that  section  had  been  disposed  of, 
other  contiguous  and  equivalent  lands,  should  be  granted  to  the  inhabitants  for 
the  use  of  schools  ; second,  that  thirty-eight  sections  of  land,  where  salt-springs 
had  been  found,  of  which  one  township  was  situated  on  the  Scioto,  one  section 
on  the  Muskingum,  and  one  section  in  the  United  States  u'ilitary  tract,  should 
be  granted  to  the  State,  never,  however,  to  be  sold  or  leased  for  a longer  term 
than  ten  years ; and  third,  that  one-twentieth  of  the  proceeds  of  public  lands 
sold  within  the  State,  should  be  applied  to  the  construction  of  roads  from  the 
Atlantic,  to  and  through  the  same.  These  propositions  were  offered  on  the 
condition  that  the  convention  should  provide,  by  ordinance,  that  all  lands  sold 
by  the  United  States  after  the  30th  day  of  June,  1802,  should  be  exempt 
from  taxation,  by  the  State,  for  five  years  after  sale. 

The  ordinance  of  1785  had  already  provided  for  the  appropriation  of  section 
sixteen  to  the  support  of  schools  in  every  township  sold  by  the  United  States ; 
and  this  appropriation  thus  became  a condition  of  the  sale  and  settlement  of 
the  western  country.  It  was  a consideration  offered  to  induce  purchases  of 
public  lands,  at  a time  when  the  treasury  was  well-nigh  empty,  and  this  source 
of  revenue  was  much  relied  upon.  It  extended  to  every  township  of  land 
within  the  territory,  except  those  in  the  Virginia  military  reservation,  and 
wherever  the  reserved  section  had  been  disposed  of,  after  the  passage  of  the 
ordinance.  Congress  was  bound  to  make  other  equivalent  provision  for  the 
same  object.  The  reservation  of  section  sixteen,  therefore,  could  not,  in  1802, 
be  properly  made  the  object  of  a new  bargain  between  the  United  States  and 
the  State  ; and  many  thought  that  the  salt  reservations  and  the  twentieth  of 
the  proceeds  of  the  public  lands  were  very  inadequate  equivalents  for  the  pro- 
posed surrender  of  the  right  to  tax.  The  convention,  however,  determined  to 
accept  the  propositions  of  Congress,  on  their  being  so  far  enlarged  and  modified 
as  to  vest  in  the  State,  for  the  use  of  schools,  section  sixteen  in  each  township 
sold  by  the  United  States,  and  three  other  tracts  of  land,  equal  in  quantity, 
respectively,  to  one  thirty-sixth  of  the  Virginia  reservation,  of  the  United  States 
military  tract,  and  of  the  Connecticut  reserve,  and  to  give  three  per  centum  of 
the  proceeds  of  the  public  lands  sold  within  the  State,  to  be  applied  under  the 
direction  of  the  legislature,  to  roads  in  Ohio.  Congress  assented  to  the  pro- 
posed modifications,  and  thus  completed  the  compact. 

The  first  General  Assembly  under  the  State  constitution  met  at  Chillicothe, 
March  i,  1803.  The  legislature  enacted  such  laws  as  were  deemed  necessary 
for  the  new  order  of  things,  and  created  eight  new  counties,  namely : Gallia, 
Scioto,  Franklin,  Columbiana,  Butler,  Warren,  Greene  and  Montgomery.  The 
first  State  officers  elected  by  the  assembly  were  as  follows,  viz. : Michael  Bald- 
win, Speaker  of  the  House  of  Representatives;  Nathaniel  Massie,  Speaker  of 
the  Senate  ; William  Creighton,  Jr.,  Secretary  of  State;  Col.  Thomas  Gibson, 
Auditor;  William  McFarland,  Treasurer ; Return  J.  Meigs,  Jr.,  Samuel  Hun- 
tington and  William  Sprigg,  Judges  of  the  Supreme  Court;  Francis  Djjnlavy, 
Wyllys  Silliman  and  Calvin  Pease,  Judges  of  the  District  Courts. 

The  second  General  Assembly  convened  in  December,  1803.  At  this  ses- 
sion, the  militia  law  was  thoroughly  revised  and  a law  was  passed  to  enable 
aliens  to  enjoy  the  same  proprietary  rights  in  Ohio  as  native  citizens.  At  this 
session,  also,  the  revenue  system  of  the  State  was  simplified  and  improved. 
Acts  were  passed  providing  for  the  incorporation  of  townships,  and  for  the 
establishment  of  boards  of  commissioners  of  counties. 

In  1805,  by  a treaty  with  the  Indians  at  Fort  Industry  (site  of  Toledo),  the 
United  States  acquired,  for  the  use  of  the  grantees  of  Connecticut,  all  that  part 
of  the  western  reserve  which  lies  west  of  the  Cuyahoga.  By  subsequent  trea- 


OUTLINE  HISTORY. 


43 


ties,  all  the  country  watered  by  the  Maumee  and  the  Sandusky  have  been 
acquired,  and  the  Indian  title  to  lands  in  Ohio  extinguished,* 

In  the  course  of  the  year  1805  the  conspiracy  of  Aaron  Burr  began  to 
agitate  the  western  country.  The  precise  scope  of  the  conspiracy  does  not 
distinctly  appear.  “ The  immediate  object,  probably,  was  to  seize  on  New  Or- 
leans and  invade  Mexico.  The  ulterior  purpose  may  have  been  to  detach  the 
West  from  the  American  Union.  In  December,  1806,  in  consequence  of  a con- 
fidential message  from  the  Governor,  founded  on  the  representations  of  an  agent 
of  the  general  Government  deputed  to  watch  the  motions  of  Burr,  the  legisla- 
ture passed  an  act  authorizing  the  arrest  of  persons  engaged  in  an  unlawful  j 
enterprise,  and  the  seizure  of  their  goods.  Under  this  act,  ten  boats,  with  a 
considerable  quantity  of  arms,  ammunition  and  provisions,  belonging  to  Burr’s 
expedition,  were  seized.  This  was  a fatal  blow  to  the  project.” 

The  Indians,  who  since  the  treaty  at  Greenville  had  been  at  peace,  about  the 
year  1810  began  to  commit  aggressions  upon  the  inhabitants  of  the  West.' 
The  celebrated  Tecumseh  was  conspicuously  active  in  his  efforts  to  unite  the 
native  tribes  against  the  Americans,  and  to  arrest  the  farther  extension  of  the 
settlements.  His  proceedings,  and  those  of  his  brother,  ” the  Prophet,”  soon 
made  it  evident  that  the  West  was  about  to  suffer  the  calamities  of  another 
Indian  war,  and  it  was  resolved  to  anticipate  their  movements.  In  1811  Gen. 
Harrison,  then  Governor  of  Indiana  Territory,  marched  against  the  town  of  the 
” Prophet,”  upon  the  Wabash.  The  battle  of  Tippecanoe  ensued,  in  what  is 
now  Cass  county,  Indiana,  in  which  the  Indians  were  totally  defeated.  This 
year  was  also  distinguished  by  an  occurrence  of  immense  importance  to  the 
whole  West.  This  was  the  voyage,  from  Pittsburg  to  New  Orleans,  of  the  first 
steamboat  ever  launched  upon  the  western  waters. 

In  June,  1812,  the  United  States  declared  war  against  Great  Britain.  Of 
this  war  the  West  was  a principal  theatre.  Defeat,  disaster  and  disgrace  marked 
its  opening  scenes ; but  the  latter  events  of  the  contest  were  a series  ot  splendid 
achievements.  Croghan’s  gallant  defence  of  Fort  Stephenson ; Perry’s  victory 
upon  Lake  Erie;  the  total  defeat,  by  Harrison,  of  the  allied  British  and  sav- 
ages, under  Proctor  and  Tecumseh,  on  the  Thames ; and  the  great  closing 
triumph  of  Jackson  at  New  Orleans,  reflected  the  most  brilliant  lustre  upon  the 
American  arms.  In  every  vicissitude  of  this  contest,  the  conduct  of  Ohio  was 
eminently  patriotic  and  honorable.  When  the  necessities  of  the  national  Gov- 
ernment compelled  Congress  to  resort  to  a direct  tax,  Ohio,  for  successive 
years,  cheerfully  assumed  and  promptly  paid  her  quota  out  of  her  State  treasury. 
Her  sons  volunteered  with  alacrity  their  services  in  the  field ; and  no  troops 
more  patiently  endured  hardship  or  performed  better  service.^  Hardly  a battle 
was  fought  in  the  Northwest  in  which  some  of  these  brave  citizen  soldiers  did 
not  seal  their  devotion  to  their  country  with  their  blood. 

In  1816  the  seat  of  the  State  Government  was  removed  to  Columbus,  the 
proprietors  of  the  town  having,  pursuant  to  an  agreement  entered  into,  in  good 
faith,  erected  the  State-house  and  other  public  buildings  for  the  accommodation 
of  the  legislature  and  the  officers  of  State. 

“In  January,  1817,  the  first  resolution  relating  to  a canal  connecting  the 
Ohio  river  with  Lake  Erie  was  introduced  into  the  legislature.  In  1819  the 


* Indian  Treaties. — The  Western  Reserve  tract  west  of  the  Cuyahoga  river  was  secured  by  a 
treaty  formed  at  Fort  Industry  (Toledo)  in  1805.  The  lands  west  of  Huron  and  Richland  counties 
and  north  of  the  Indian  boundary  line  [that  is,  the  Greenville  treaty  line,  that  treaty  being  the  one 
made  by  Gen.  Wayne  in  August,  1795]  to  the  western  limits  of  Ohio,  were  purchased  by  the  United 
States  in  1818  by  a treaty  made  at  St.  Mary’s,  Lewis  Cass  and  Duncan  McArthur,  commissioners. 
The  lands  so  ceded  were  called  the  “ New  Purchase.”  By  the  terms  of  this  treaty  certain  tracts  or 
reservations  were  made  within  the  purchased  tract  to  the  Wyandots,  Delawares,  Senecas,  etc.  These 
reservations  were  subsequently  ceded  to  the  United  States;  the  last  by  the  Wyandots  in  1842,  they 
then  being  the  only  Indians  remaining  in  the  State.  The  next  year  they  removed  to  Kansas,  and 
numbered  at  that  time  about  700  souls. 


44 


OUTLINE  history: 


subject  was  again  agitated.  In  1820,  on  recommendation  of  Gov,  Brown,  an 
act  was  passed  providing  for  the  appointment  of  three  canal  commissioners, 
who  were  to  employ  a competent  engineer  and  assistants,  for  the  purpose  of 
surveying  the  route  of  the  canal.  The  action  of  the  commissioners,  however, 
was  made  to  depend  on  the  acceptance  of  Congress  of  a proposition  on  behalf 
of  the  State  for  a donation  and  sale  of  public  lands  lying  upon  and  near  the 
route  of  the  proposed  canal.  In  consequence  of  this  restriction  nothing  was 
accomplished  for  two  years.  In  1822  the  subject  was  referred  to  a committee 
of  the  House  of  Representatives.  This  committee  recommended  the  employ- 
ment of  an  engineer,  and  submitted  various  estimates  and  observations  to  illustrate 
the  importance  and  feasibility  of  the  work.  Under  this  act  James  Geddes,  of 
New  York,  an  experienced  and  skilful  engineer,  was  employed  to  make  the 
necessary  examinations  and  surveys.  Finally,  after  all  the  routes  had  been 
surveyed,  and  estimates  made  of  the  expense  had  been  laid  before  the  legisla- 
ture at  several  sessions,  an  act  was  passed  in  February,  1825,  ‘ To  provide  for 
the  internal  improvement  of  the  State  by  navigable  canals,’  and  thereupon  the 
State  embarked  in  good  earnest  in  the  prosecution  of  the  great  work  of  in- 
ternal improvement.” 

The  construction  of  the  canals  gave  new  life  to  the  progress  of  the  State. 
Firstly,  the  work  of  their  building  supplied  funds  to  the  settlers  along  their 
lines  and  then  opened  a market  for  the  product  of  agriculture.  These  in  many 
sections  had  previously  next  to  no  cash  value,  and  this,  with  the  large  amount 
of  sickness  incident  to  opening  up  a wilderness,  had  occasioned  the  settle- 
ments to  languish. 

The  total  canal  m.ileage  in  the  State  is  now  788  miles,  and  the  reservoirs 
cover  an  area  of  32,100  acres,  or  over  fifty  square  miles.  The  total  cost  was 
about  sixteen  millions  of  dollars. 

Railroads  soon  followed.  The  first  railroad  west  of  New  York  State  was  the 
” Erie  & Kalamazoo,”  which  led  from  Toledo,  Ohio,  to  Adrian,  Michigan.  It 
was  opened  with  horse-power  in  the  fall  of  1836.  A locomotive  was  put  on 
in  the  following  July,  1837,  the  first  used  in  the  West.  The  next  railroad  in 
Ohio  was  the  Mad  River  & Lake  Erie,  which  was  incorporated  in  1832,  with  a 
prospective  route  from  Dayton  via  Springfield  to  Sandusky.  Construction 
was  begun  in  1835,  and  in  1839  ^ portion  opened  sixteen  miles  from  Sandusky 
to  Bellvue,  and  the  second  locomotive  in  Ohio  was  used  there.  Ten  years  later, 
in  1 848,  this  road,  in  connection  with  the  Little  Miami  Railway,  which  was  built 
from  Cincinnati  to  Springfield,  formed  the  first  through  line  across  the  State. 
The  second  through  line  from  the  lake  to  the  Ohio  was  opened  in  1851  under 
the  name  of  the  Cleveland,  Columbus,  Cincinnati  & Little  Miami  Railroad. 
The  next  year  chronicled  the  opening  of  a third  line  from  Cleveland  to  Pitts- 
burg. The  railroads  of  Ohio  had  in  1887  developed  to  9,849  miles  of  track,  on 
which,  with  equipment,  had  been  expended  nearly  500  millions  of  dollars. 

In  1835  the  long  dispute  between  Ohio  and  Michigan  in  relation  to  the 
boundary  line  between  them  culminated  in  what  was  termed  the  “ Toledo 
War.”  Both  States  assembled  their  troops,  but  before  any  opening  of  hostili- 
ties occurred  peace  commissioners  from  the  President  arrived  on  the  ground, 
and  the  next  year  Congress  decided  in  favor  of  Ohio,  Michigan  receiving  as 
compensation  for  the*  relinquishment  of  her  claims  the  large  peninsula  bounded 
by  the  three  great  lakes  and  so  rich  in  mineral  wealth. 

In  the  decade  between  1830  and  1840  Ohio  made  surprising  progress,  owing 
largely  to  the  development  of  her  canal  system.  Her  increase  of  population 
was  68  per  cent.,  and  she  had  become  the  third  State  of  the  Union  with  1,519,- 
467  inhabitants.  Cincinnati,  her  chief  city,  had  a population  of  46,338;  Co- 
lumbus, 6,048  ; Cleveland,  6,071,  and  Dayton  6,067,  which  were  the  three  next 
in  order. 

Her  manufacturing  and  commercial  interests  had  received  through  that  of 


OUTLINE  HISTORY,  45 

her  agriculture  a vigorous  start,  and  her  mining  began.  The  number  of  men 
employed  was  620. 

In  1840  occurred  the  famous  “Hard  Cider  and  Log  Cabin  Campaign/' 
which  resulted  in  the  election  of  General  William  Henry  Harrison  to  the 
Presidency  by  the  Whig  party  and  of  Thomas  Corwin  as  Governor  by  a ma- 
jority of  16,000  over  Wilson  Shannon.  Two  years  later  Corwin  was  defeated 
by  Shannon,  who  thus  became  the  first  Governor  born  on  the  soil. 

For  the  war  with  Mexico,  declared  in  1846,  Ohio  supplied  four  regiments  of 
volunteers  and  a company  over,  in  all  5,536  men,  more  than  any  other  Northern 
State,  of  whom  57  were  killed  and  wounded.  One  of  the  regiments,  the 
Second,  was  commanded  by  Col.  Geo.  W.  Morgan,  of  Mt.  Vernon,  later  a 
brigadier-general  in  the  war  of  the  rebellion. 

In  this  same  year,  1846,  bituminous  coal  was  introduced  into  Ohio  as  a fur- 
nace fuel  at  Lowellville,  in  Mahoning  county,  an  event  of  prime  importance  to 
the  development  of  the  iron  industry  of  the  State  and  country.  Its  first  suc- 
cess was  the  year  before  in  an  adjoining  county  in  Pennsylvania. 

At  this  period  the  slavery  question  assumed  such  importance  as  to  soon 
revolutionize  the  politics  of  the  State.  In  the  session  of  1848-9  the  legisla- 
ture was  nearly  equally  divided  between  the  Whigs  and  Democrats,  with  two 
Free  Soilers,  namely,  Messrs.  N.  S.  Townshend,  of  Lorain  county,  and  John 
P'.  Morse,  of  Lake  county,  holding  the  balance  of  power.  The  repeal  of  the 
Black  Laws,*  which  had  long  marred  the  statute  books  of  Ohio,  and  their 
choice  for  a United  States  Senator,  were  the  primary  objects  with  the  Free 
Soilers.  Beside  the  election  of  a Senator,  two  judges  were  to  be  elected  to 
the  Supreme  Bench.  Mr.  Morse  made  overtures  to  the  Whigs,  but  there  were 
some  few  from  the  southern  counties  who  opposed  the  repeal  of  the  laws  and 
to  Joshua  R.  Giddings,  his  choice  for  Senator,  and  hence  he  failed.  Mr. 
Townshend  was  successful  with  the  Democrats.  They  united  with  the  Free 
Soilers,  the  Black  Laws  were  repealed  (in  which  vote  most  of  the  Whigs 
joined),  Salmon  P.  Chase,  the  personal  choice  of  Mr.  Townshend,  was  elected 
to  the  Senate,  and  two  Democratic  judges  to  the  Supreme  Bench. 

This  legislation  provided  schools  for  colored  children.  They  were,  however, 
in  a certain  sense  Black  Laws,  inasmuch  as  a distinction  was  thereby  shown 
between  the  races.  This  distinction  was  not  entirely  obliterated  until  the  session 
of  1886-7,  when  they  were  repealed  through  the  eloquent  efforts  of  Benjamin 
W.  Arnett,  D.  D.,  member-elect  from  Greene  county.  He  was  the  first  colored 
man  in  the  United  States  to  represent  a constituency  where  the  majority  were 
white  and  the  first  to  be  foreman  of  a jury  where  all  the  other  members  were 
white. 

On  May  6,  1850,  the  second  constitutional  convention,  consisting  of  108 
members,  met  at  Columbus  to  revise  and  change  the  old  constitution  and  adapt 
it  to  the  changed  condition  of  the  commonwealth.  It  was  in  actual  session  in 
all  about  four  and  a half  months.  The  adjournment  was  March  10,  1851. 
The  constitution  was  ratified  by  a majority  of  16,288.  William  Medill,  its 
president,  was  elected  the  first  Governor  under  it. 

On  July  13,  1855,  Free  Soilers,  Whigs,  Democrats  and  Americans,  opposed 
to  the  extension  of  slavery,  met  at  the  Town  Street  Methodist  Church  in  Co- 
lumbus and  held  the  first  Republican  State  Convention. 

They  elected  John  Sherman  chairman  and  announced  in  their  platform  that 
they  would  “ resist  the  spread  of  slavery  under  whatever  shape  or  color  it  may 
be  attempted.  They  nominated  Salmon  P.  Chase  as  their  Governor.  The 
Whig  party  was  from  thenceforth  no  more.  Mr.  Chase  was  elected  by  a ma- 


* For  an  account  of  the  “Black  L?ws,”  see  sketch  of  Mr.  Townshend  preliminary  to  his  article  on 
the  “History  of  Agriculture  in  Unio,”  page  loo. 


46 


OUTLINE  HISTORY. 


jority  of  15,651.  His  opposing  Democratic  candidate  was  Gov.  Medill.  Ex* 
Governor  Trimble,  the  candidate  of  the  American,  or  Know  Nothing  party,  re- 
ceived 24,276  votes.  In  1857  Mr.  Chase  was  again  re-elected  Governor  by 
1,503  majority  over  Henry  B.  Payne,  the  Democratic  candidate. 

The  great  measure  of  Mr.  Chase’s  administration  was  his  suggestion  to  the 
legislature  to  organize  the  militia.  It  seems  as  though  his  vision  was  pro- 
phetic of  coming  events.  In  1858  a grand  review  was  held  of  the  newly-or- 
ganized military  forces  at  Dayton,  and  rules  and  regulations  governing  military 
drills  were  printed  and  scattered  among  the  militia,  thereby  creating  a martial 
and  patriotic  spirit  which  afterwards  burst  out  with  almost  uncontrollable  en- 
thusiasm. 

“ Slowly  the  nation  was  approaching  the  crisis  of  its  history,  and  Mr.  Chase 
marched  abreast  of  all  events  that  led  to  it.  In  October,  1859,  John  Brown 
made  his  famous  invasion  of  Virginia,  and  immediately  after  Gov.  Henry  A. 
Wise  wrote  to  Gov.  Chase,  notifying  him  that  Virginia  would  pursue  abolition 
bands  even  into  sister  States  to  punish  them.  Mr.  Chase  dignifiedly  replied 
that  Ohio  would  obey  the  constitution  and  laws  of  the  United  States  and  dis- 
countenance unlawful  acts,  but  under  no  circumstances  could  the  military  of 
other  States  invade  Ohio  territory.  This  was  his  last  official  declaration  as 
Governor.  In  January,  i860,  his  term  closed,  and  he  was  a month  later  elected 
United  States  Senator.”* 

William  Dennison,  the  first  of  “ the  War  Governors,”  succeeded  Mr.  Chase, 
being  elected  over  Judge  Rufus  P.  Ranney,  his  Democratic  competitor,  by  a 
majority  of  13,331  votes.  The  legislature  was  in  session  when  the  news  was 
received  of  the  fall  of  Sumter  and  sent  a thrill  through  that  body.  In  the 
midst  of  the  excitement  the  shrill  tones  of  a woman’s  voice  resounded  from 
the  gallery:  “Thank  God!  It  is  the  death  of  slavery.”  They  were  the 
screaming  tones  of  Abbie  Kelly  P'oster,  who  for  years  had  been  noted  as  an 
anti-slavery  lecturer  of  the  most  fiery  denunciatory  type. 

Ohio’s  response  to  the  proclamation  of  President  Lincoln,  calling  for  75,000 
of  the  militia  of  the  several  States,  was  immediate.  From  all  parts  of  the 
State  came  proffers  of  services  from  tens  of  thousands,  and  on  the  19th  of 
April,  only  four  days  after  the  issuance  of  the  call,  the  First  and  Second  Regi- 
ments of  Ohio  Volunteers  had  been  organized  at  Columbus  and  were  on  their 
way  to  Washington.  The  legislature  simultaneously  voted  an  appropriation 
of  a million  dollars  for  war  purposes. 

Senator  Garfield  also  offered  a bill,  which  was  passed,  “ to  define  and  punish 
treason  against  the  State.”  In  his  report  Mr.  Garfield  said : “ It  is  high  time 
for  Ohio  to  enact  a law  to  meet  treachery  when  it  shall  take  the  form  of  an  overt 
act ; to  provide  when  her  soldiers  shall  go  forth  to  maintain  the  Union  there 
shall  be  no  treacherous  fire  in  the  rear.”  His  bill  was  passed  in  consequence 
of  the  efforts  of  the  Hon.  C.  L.  Vallandigham,  who  was  in  Columbus,  and, 
believing  that  the  Union  could  not  be  sustained  by  force  of  arms,  was  vainly 
endeavoring  to  stem  the  patriotic  fervor  which  led  the  Democratic  members  of 
the  Assembly  equally  with  the  Republican  to  maintain  the  Government. 

Governor  Dennison  was  soon  enveloped  “ in  a whirlpool  of  events ; but  he 
proved  himself  equal  to  the  emergency.”  Having  contributed  to  the  safety  of 
Washington  by  the  despatching  thither  of  two  regiments,  his  next  attention 
was  given  to  the  southern  border,  along  which  for  436  miles  Ohio  was  bounded 
by  the  slave  States  Virginia  and  Kentucky,  and  liable  to  invasion.  The  atti- 
tude of  Virginia  was  most  alarming.  Her  western  mountains  were  a natural 
fortification  admitting  of  perfect  defence  and  behind  which  Richmond  and  the 


*From  “A  History  of  Ohio,”  inclusive  of  Biographical  Sketches  01  me  Governors  and  the  Ordinance 
of  1787,  by  Daniel  J.  Ryan,  Secretary  of  State.  An  excellent  little  compend.  A.  H.  Smythe,  pub- 
lisher, Columbus,  1888,  i:<!mo.  Price  $1.00, 


OUTLINE  HISTORY. 


47 


whole  South  was  secure  and  from  whence  they  could  make  incursions  into  the 
free  States.  Less  than  eighty  miles  of  free  territory  bordered  Ohio  on  the  east. 
The  West  Virginians  who  were  loyal  called  for  aid.  The  Ohio  militia  in  pay 
of  the  State  were  pushed  into  West  Virginia,  gained  the  first  victories  of  the 
war,  and  drove  out  the  rebel  troops.  This  being  after  the  continued  disasters 
at  the  East,  electrified  the  nation.  Thus  was  West  Virginia  the  gift  of  Ohio, 
through  her  State  militia,  to  the  nation  at  the  outset  of  the  war.”  Gov.  Den- 
nison had  ere  this  written,  “ Ohio  must  lead  throughout  the  war,”  and  she  did. 
Geo.  B.  McClellan,  who  had  general  command  in  West  Virginia,  through  a 
prestige  obtained  by  the  celerity  of  action  and  promptness  of  his  subordinates, 
mainly  Gen.  Wm.  S.  Rosecrans,  was  soon  called  to  the  head  of  the  Army  of 
the  Potomac  and  Gov.  Dennison  to  the  Cabinet  of  the  nation. 

In  i86i  David  Tod,  the  second  “ War  Governor,”  was  elected  by  55,000 
majority  over  Hugh  J.  Jewett,  the  nominee  of  the  anti-war,  or  regular  Demo- 
cratic party  of  the  State.  The  legislature  was  overwhelmingly  Union  Re- 
publican. 

In  September,  1862,  occurred  an  event  spoken  of  as  the  “Siege  of  Cincin- 
nati.” Gen’s.  Kirby  Smith  and  John  Morgan,  with  united  forces,  entered 
Kentucky,  with  the  Ohio  border  as  the  objective  point.  Cincinnati  was  de- 
fenceless as  they  approached  toward  it,  when  Gov.  Tod  called  for  volunteers 
from  citizens,  who,  under  the  general  name  of  “ squirrel-hunters,”  for  many 
brought  their  shotguns,  flocked  to  the  number  of  thousands  from  all  parts  of 
the  State  to  the  defence  of  their  great  and  patriotic  city.  Major-Gen.  Lewis 
Wallace  was  put  in  command.  He  proclaimed  martial  law  over  the  three 
cities  of  Cincinnati,  Covington,  and  Newport,  and  fortifications  were  thrown  up 
on  the  Kentucky  hills,  on  all  the  avenues  of  approach  to  the  city,  and  full 
preparations  made  to  meet  the  foe.  The  “squirrel-hunters,”  Home  Guards  of 
Cincinnati,  with  some  newly-formed  regiments,  crossed  the  Ohio  on  a pontoon, 
marched  out  four  miles,  and  there  awaited  for  four  days  the  attack  of  the 
enemy.  There  was  some  slight  skirmishing  of  pickets,  when  the  enemy,  seeing 
the  strength  of  force  arrayed  against  them,  withdrew. 

The  next  year,  1863,  Mr.  Vallandigham  continuing  to  influence  public 
sentiment  in  Ohio  by  the  eloquent  and  fearless  presentation  of  his  peace  views, 
tending  to  the  aid  and  comfort  of  those  in  arms  against  the  Union,  was  seized, 
tried  by  court-martial,  and  found  guilty  of  disobedience  of  military  orders,  and 
sentenced  to  imprisonment  during  the  war.  Mr.  Lincoln  changed  this  sentence 
to  transportation  to  his  friends  within  the  lines  of  the  Southern  Confederacy. 
He  passed  through  these  rapidly,  and  reaching  Wilmington,  North  Carolina, 
June  17,  where,  taking  a blockade-runner,  he  reached  Canada,  and  established 
himself  at  Windsor,  opposite  Detroit,  communicated  with  his  friends  in  Ohio, 
and  awaited  events. 

This  summer  was  made  further  notable  by  the  raid  of  Gen.  John  Morgan 
through  Ohio.  With  only  about  2,000  horsemen  he  entered  it  on  the  Indiana 
border,  passed  within  fourteen  miles  of  Cincinnati,  went  through  the  entire 
southern  part  of  Ohio,  and,  although  over  .50,000  men,  mostly  citizens,  were  in 
pursuit,  he  escaped  capture  until  within  a few  miles  of  a crossing-place  on  the 
Ohio,  in  its  southeasternmost  county,  on  the  Pennsylvania  line.  The  object  of 
this  audacious  raid  was  to  distract  attention  from  the  movements  of  the  Con- 
federates in  Kentucky  and  Tennessee,  and  it  accomplished  it. 

On  the  17th  of  June  this  year  the  Union  Republican  Convention  met  at 
Columbus,  and  nominated  John  Brough,  an  old-line  Democrat,  for  Governor, 
he  being  of  great  popularity,  and  of  such  extraordinary  executive  ability  as 
well  as  oratorical  powers  as  to  be  thought  more  likely  to  carry  the  State  than 
Mr.  Tod,  its  then  executive. 

The  peace  party  nominated  Mr.  Vallandigham.  His  banishment  had  aroused 
so  much  sympathy  for  him — the  “ exiled  hero  ” — that  ^hey  were  constrained 


4^5 


OUTLINE  HISTORY. 


to  nominate  him.  And  there  on  the  border  he  counselled  with  his  adherents, 
watched  and  directed  the  canvass.  As  it  drew  towards  its  close,  when  the 
speeches  had  all  been  made,  and  the  issues  fairly  laid  before  the  people,  a few 
hours  remained  ere  the  depositing  of  the  ballots,  when  a feeling  of  deep 
solemnity  pervaded  the  entire  commonwealth.  The  eyes  of  the  whole  nation 
were  upon  Ohio ; on  her  hung  the  death  or  salvation  of  the  Union.  If  Ohio 
should  prove  recreant  all  was  lost 

Ohio  was  true;  she  always  is.  John  C.  Brough  was  elected  Governor  by 
the  unprecedented  majority  of  101,099  votes.  Of  this  the  home  majority  was 
(61,920,  and  the  soldiers’  majority  39,179.  Out  of  43,755  soldier  votes  only 
2,288  were  given  for  Vallandigham.  In  multitudes  of  cases  the  sons  in  the 
army  voted  one  way,  while  the  fathers  at  home  on  their  farms,  secure  from 
war’s  alarms,  voted  the  other.  The  soldier’s  vote  was  a signal  illustration  of 
the  noble  principle  that  those  who  mostly  do  sacrifice  for  a righteous  cause 
mostly  do  love  it. 

Of  the  citizens  who  remained  at  home  over  180,000  signified  their  preference 
for  Vallandigham.  Many  sincerely  regarded  him  as  the  subject  of  oppression  ; 
they  were  patriotic,  but  despairing  of  success,  and  tired,  sick  at  heart,  of  what 
seemed  an  idle  effusion  of  blood  and  prolongation  of  suffering  and  misery.  Still 
others  there  were,  probably  but  a trifling  number,  who,  in  the  malignancy  of  an 
evil  nature,  desired  to  see  the  triumph  of  the  “ slave  power,”  that  there  might 
remain  a class  lower  than  themselves  to  tread  and  spit  upon,  a spirit  that  was 
illustrated  by  the  riots  at  this  era  in  New  York,  where  an  orphan  asylum  for 
colored  children  was  given  to  the  flames  and  black  men  shot  dead  in  cold 
blood  for  no  offence  but  the  offence  of  color. 

Mr.  Brough,  the  last  of  Ohio’s  War  Governors,  was  the  man  for  the  most 
trying  crisis.  From  the  opposition  to  the  war,  Mr.  Lincoln  was  fearful  that 
another  draft  upon  the  people  would  result  in  failure,  and  more  troops  were 
imperative.  Seeing  this.  Gov.  Brough  called  a convention  of  the  Governors 
of  Indiana,  Illinois,  Iowa,  and  Wisconsin,  which,  with  himself  representing  Ohio, 
met  in  convention,  and  on  April  21,  1864,  notified  Mr.  Lincoln  that  they  could 
furnish  him  with  85,000  men  for  100  days,  without  a dollar  of  bounty  or  a 
single  draft.  These  were  .citizen  volunteers,  largely  men  advanced  in  years  and 
with  families,  and  holding  responsible  positions,  the  object  of  their  brief  services 
being  mainly  to  garrison  the  forts,  and  thus  relieve  the  veteran  soldiers  to 
reinforce  Grant  in  Virginia,  and  enable  him  by  weight  of  numbers  of  disciplined 
men  to  crush  the  rebellion.  Of  these  Ohio  supplied  nearly  half  of  the  required 
number — over  30,000  men — National  Guards,  as  they  were  called.  The 
measure  was  most  effective  and  their  services  most  timely.  It  was  a splendid 
contribution  of  the  loyal  West  to  the  cause  of  the  Union.  Mr.  Brough  declined 
a renomination,  and  died  in  office. 

The  arms  of  Ohio’s  sons  in  the  field  were  sustained  by  the  work  of  Ohio’s 
daughters  at  home.  As  Ohio’s  soldiers  were  the  first  to  gain  victories,  so  the 
women  of  Ohio  were  the  first  to  organize  aid  societies.  In  five  days  after  the 
fall  of  Sumter  the  ladies  of  the  “ Soldiers’  Aid  Society  of  Northern  Ohio  ” 
organized  at  Cleveland,  which  eventually  distributed  food  and  clothing  to  the 
amount  of  a million  of  dollars.  A similar  organization  was  started  in  Cincin- 
nati, which  was  alike  successful,  and  every  church  and  Sunday-school  in  the 
State  became  tributary  channels  through  which  flowed  gifts  to  sustain  the 
soldiers  in  front.  When  the  war  closed  more  than  one-half  of  her  able-bodied 
men  had  taken  up  arms  for  the  Union,  and  she  had  shown  herself  to  have  been 
the  most  efficient  of  all  the  States,  supplying,  as  she  had,  the  most  successful 
generals  and  the  largest  number  of  able  men  in  the  Cabinet  of  the  President 
and  in  the  councils  of  the  nation. 

This  was  but  a natural  outcome  of  the  early  history  further  detailed  in  these 


OUTLINE  HIStOkV, 


49 


pages,  and  the  quality  of  the  varied  people  of  Anglo-Saxon  blood,  who  from 
the  fringe  of  the  Atlantic  slope,  from  Virginia  to  New  England,  a hundred 
years  ago  first  began  to  emigrate  to  its  soil,  dedicated  while  yet  a wilderness 
to  freedom.  Unlike  the  emigrant  to  the  prairie  States  farther  West,  starting 
earlier,  they  had  greater  difficulties  to  encounter  from  the  savage  and  the 
wilderness.  They  grew  strong  by  felling  its  vast  forests  and  opening  them  to 
cultivation,  and  seeing  progress  year  by  year  as  they  overcame  obstacle  after 
obstacle,  until  an  entire  race  of  men  were  born  upon  the  soil,  who,  educated 
by  continued  success,  were  filled  with  the  sentiment  of  invincibility  that  will 
put  a people  that  possess  it  everywhere  to  the  front — make  them  born  leaders. 

Ohio  to-day  is  in  the  very  heart  of  the  nation ; and,  being  on  its  great  high- 
way, over  which  its  commerce  and  travel  flow,  and  where  its  people  must 
mingle  for  an  interchange  and  broadening  of  ideas,  she  must  infallibly  be  national 
and  broad  in  her  policy  and  character.  Her  soil  is  of  the  richest,  and  there  is 
no  preponderating  industry  to  give  to  her  citizens  a one-sided  development 
Agriculture,  manufactures,  mining,  and  commerce,  the  four  great  pursuits  of 
man,  she  has  in  remarkable  equipoise.  To  this  should  be  added  prominence 
in  education. 

The  unusually  large  numbers  of  small  colleges,  cheap  and  accessible  every- 
where, have  given  multitudes  the  prime  requisite  of  the  higher  education,  that 
is,  mental  discipline,  and  the  uses  of  the  instruments  of  knowledge.  These, 
with  natural  capacity,  will  ever  enable  their  possessors  to  attain  to  the  very 
summits.  In  instructors  in  learning  she  has  produced  a host,  and  to-day,  in 
the  department  of  religion,  she  shows  an  unsurpassed  spirit  of  Christian  enter- 
prise and  self-sacrifice,  leading  all  the  States  in  the  number  of  missionaries  to 
heathen  lands. 

The  noble  history  of  the  State,  the  heroic  character  of  her  sons  and  daugh- 
ters so  signally  shown  therein,  the  many  eminent  leaders  she  has  produced  in 
every  department,  remain  an  imperishable  inspiration  to  the  young  now  born 
upon  her  soil  to  further  advance  the  commonwealth  in  everything  that  will  in'* 
ure  to  her  moral  and  material  grandeur 


A GENERAL  DESCRIPTION  OF  OHIO. 

By  Frank  Henry  Howe. 


Note. — In  compiling  this  article  the  writer  has  drawn  from  the  following  sources  of  information; 
“ Topographical  and  Historical  Sketch  of  Ohio,”  Whittlesey;  “Ohio  Archaeological  and  Historical 
Quarterly,”  Wol.  I;  “Geography  and  Geology  of  Ohio,”  Orton;  “History  of  Ohio,”  Ryan;  “Ohia 
A Sketch  of  Industrial  Progress,”  Short;  “Ohio,  A Century’s  Growth,”  Graham;  “United  States 
Census,  1880 ; ” “ Ohio  Statistics,  1887.” 


Primitive  Races. — Evidences  of  the  existence 
of  man  in  Ohio  previous  to  the  glacial  period 
have  been  found,  and  evidences  of  a civiliza- 
tion in  Ohio  after  the  glacial  period  are 
abundant.  The  works  of  that  race  of  people 
popularly  called  “ the  Mound-builders,”  con- 
sisting of  earthworks,  such  as  mounds,  forts, 
effigies,  etc.,  are  said  to  number  more  than 
ten  thousand  in  Ohio,  and  are  more  numer- 
ous in  this  State  than  in  any  other  equal  area 
in  the  world.  The  most  important  of  these 
are  the  Serpent  Mound,  in  Adams  county, 
which  in  its  convolutions  is  more  than  a 
thousand  feet  in  length  ; Fort  Ancient,  in 
Warren  county,  length  of  surrounding  en- 
bankment  about  five  miles  and  estimated  to 
contain  628,800  cubic  yards  of  material ; Fort  Hill,  in  Highland  county,  enclos- 
ing an  area  of  thirty-five  acres;  Graded  Way,  in  Pike  county;  fortifications  at 
Newark,  covering  over  1000  acres.  The  largest  mound  in  the  State,  at  Miamis- 
burg,  is  sixty-eight  feet  in  height  and  800  feet  in  circumference  at  the  base. 

In  the  mounds  are  found  portions  of  human  skeletons,  frequently  partly  con- 
sumed by  fire,  with  ornaments  of  shells,  bone,  stone,  mica  and  copper.  Along 
the  water-shed  in  the  central  part  of  the  State  the  works  are  not  as  numerous  as 
in  other  parts  and  indicate  that  this  was  neutral  ground  between  two  tribes  or 
races.  The  works  in  the  northern  part  of  the  State,  which  extend  eastward  along 
Lake  Ontario,  by  their  character  indicate  a more  warlike  people  than  those  in  the 
southern  part,  whose  w’orks  are  largely  altars,  effigies,  pyramids,  etc.,  sacred  in 
character  and  indicating  a more  numerous  and  industrious  people. 

A marked  difference  exists  in  the  shape  of  the  skulls  found  in  these  mounds. 
Those  in  the  north  are  generally  low  and  long,  while  in  the  south  they  are  mostly 
high  and  short,  which  furnishes  additional  evidence  that  there  were  two  different 
tribes  or  races.  The  latest  conclusion  in  regard  to  these  Mound-builders  is  that  the 
northern,  or  long-headed,  conquered  the  southern,  or  short-headed,  people ; that 
the  two  intermingled,  the  result  of  the  amalgamation  being  the  North  American 
Indian.  The  Indians,  however,  have  no  knowledge  of  the  origin  of  the  mounds 
and  earthworks  and  no  traditions  in  support  of  this  theory.  The  principal  In- 
dian tribes  of  Ohio  were  the  Delawares,  Shawanese,  Miamis,  Wyandots,or  Hurons, 
Ottawas,  Senecas  and  Mingoes.  It  has  been  estimated  that  their  entire  popula- 
tion at  the  beginning  of  the  Revolutionary  war  was  only  about  6,000,  which  was 
about  one  Indian  to  every  seven  square  miles. 

Historical. — The  first  explorations  by  Europeans  in  what  is  now  Ohio  were 
made  by  the  French,  La  Salle’s  discoveries  dating  from  1667.  Its  territory  was 
in  dispute  between  the  French  and  English  until  by  the  treaty  of  1763  the  French 

(51) 


52 


DESCRIPTION  OF  OHIO. 


assigned  the  “ Great  West  ” to  the  English.  In  the  spring  of  1779  George  Rogers 
Clark,  in  behalf  of  Virginia,  wrested  control  of  the  region  afterwards  known  as 
the  Northwest  Territory  from  the  English  by  the  defeat  and  unconditional  sur- 
render of  Gov.  Hamilton  at  Fort  Vincennes. 

By  the  treaty  of  1788  Great  Britain  relinquished  her  right  and  interest  in  the 
Northwest  Territory,  and  the  United  States  assumed  control,  acknowledging  the 
claim  made  by  Virginia  to  3,709,848  acres,  near  the  rapids  of  Ohio,  and  a similar 
claim  by  Connecticut  to  3,666,621  acres,  near  Lake  Erie,  which  became  known  as 
the  “ Western  Reserve.”  These  claims  were  admitted  as  to  ownership,  but  in  no 
way  as  to  jurisdiction.  In  1787  Congress  passed  the  ordinance  creating  the 
Northwest  Territory,  the  first  commonwealth  in  the  world  whose  organic  law 
recognized  every  man  as  free  and  equal.  The  first  permanent  settlement  made 
under  the  ordinance  was  at  Marietta,  in  1788,  hy  officers  of  the  Revolutionary 
army.  Gen.  Arthur  St.  Clair  was  appointed  by  Congress  the  first  Governor  of 
the  Northwest  Territory.  The  early  years  of  the  Northwest  Territory  were  har- 
assed by  Indian  warfare  until,  in  1794,  when  Gen.  Anthon}^  Wayne,  at  the  “ Bat- 
tle of  Fallen  Timbers,”  defeated  them  with  terrible  loss.  The  first  territorial 
Legislature  was  organized  in  1797  and  chose  Wm.  Henry  Harrison  delegate  to 
Congress.  In  1800  Congress  divided  the  Northwest  Territory  into  two  govern- 
ments, the  seat  of  the  eastern  government  being  fixed  at  Chillicothe.  November 
29,  1802,  a constitution  of  State  government  was  ratified  and  signed  by  the  mem- 
bers of  a convention  authorized  by  act  of  Congress.  February  19,  1803,  the  con- 
stitution was  approved  by  Congress  and  Ohio  recognized  as  a State,  the  seven- 
teenth in  order  of  admission.  Edward  Tiffin  was  elected  the  first  Governor 
of  Ohio. 

The  seat  of  government  was  at  Chillicothe  until  1810,  in  Zanesville  till  1812,  and 
again  in  Chillicothe  till  1816,  when  Columbus  was  made  the  permanent  capital. 

Geographical. — Ohio  is  bounded  on  the  north  by  Lake  Erie  and  the  State  of 
Michigan,  on  the  east  by  Pennsylvania  and  West  Virginia,  on  the  south  by  the 
Ohio  river,  which  separates  it  from  West  Virginia  and  Kentucky,  and  on  the 
west  by  Indiana.  It  is  situated  between  38°  27'  and  41°  57'  north  latitude,  and 
80°  34'  and  80°  49'  west  longitude.  Its  greatest  length  from  north  to  south  is 
about  210  miles,  and  the  extreme  width  from  east  to  west  about  225  miles.  The 
area  of  Ohio  is  40,760  square  miles.  In  1886  the  number  of  acres  cultivated  was 
9,705,735;  in  pasture,  6,180,875;  woodland,  4,854,473;  lying  waste,  604,699. 

The  Ohio  river  extends  along  half  of  its  east  front  and  the  whole  of  the  south- 
ern boundary,  bordering  the  State  for  a distance  of  436  miles.  The  lake  shore 
of  the  State  is  230  miles,  giving  a total  navigable  front  of  666  miles.  The  sur- 
face of  the  State  is  that  of  an  undulating  plateau,  with  an  average  elevation  of 
about  200  feet  above  Lake  Erie,  which  is  565  feet  above  the  sea-level.  The 
highest  elevation,  1550  feet  above  mean  tide,  is  near  Bellefontaine,  Logan  count}^ 
the  lowest  land  at  the  mouth  of  the  Great  Miami,  a little  less  than  440  feet  above 
tide.  The  main  water-shed  extends  across  the  State  from  its  northeastern  corner 
to  about  the  middle  of  its  western  boundary,  dividing  the  State  into  two  unequal 
slopes,  of  which  the  northern,  much  the  smaller,  drains  into  Lake  Erie,  and  the 
southern  sends  its  waters  through  the  Ohio  into  the  Gulf  of  Mexico. 

The  northern  part  of  the  State  gently  slopes  to  Lake  Erie ; the  central  part  is 
nearly  a level  plain,  and  the  southern  part  uneven  and  hilly,  caused  by  the 
excavative  power  of  the  streams  fiowing  into  the  Ohio.  The  larger  part  of  the 
State  was  originally  well  covered  with  timber. 

The  Ohio  River  is  formed  by  the  confluence  of  the  Allegheny  and  Monongahela 
rivers  at  Pittsburg,  in  the  western  part  of  Pennsylvania.  Its  entire  length  to  the 
Mississippi,  following  its  meanderings,  is  about  950  miles,  while  an  air-line  from 
Pittsburg  to  Cairo  would  only  measure  about  615  miles.  Through  a large  part  of  its 
course  it  flows  in  an  excavated  trough  from  400  to  600  feet  below  the  adjacent  hills. 
Its  average  descent  is  less  than  five  inches  to  the  mile.  Its  current  ranges  from 
two  to  five  miles  an  hour,  according  to  the  season  of  the  year.  The  average  be- 
tween high  and  low  water  (times  of  freshets  or  droughts)  is  generally  about  sixty 
feet.  At  its  lowest  stage  the  river  is  fordable  in  several  places  between  Cincin- 
nati and  Pittsburg.  The  river  has  many  islands,  some  of  which  are  valuable  for 
their  fertility  and  very  picturesque,  while  others,  known  as  tow-heads,^  are  sandv. 


DESCRIPTION  OF  OHIO.  53 

The  streams  flowing  south  into  the  Ohio  are  the  Muskingum,  Scioto,  Hocking 
and  Little  and  Great  Miamis. 

The  Miiskingum  is  formed  by  the  confluence  of  the  Tuscarawas  and  Walhond- 
ing  rivers,  which  rise  in  the  northern  part  of  the  State  and  unite  at  Coshocton. 
From  this  point  it  flows  in  a southeasterly  direction,  about  110  miles  through  a 
beautiful,  fertile  and  populous  region  to  the  Ohio  at  Marietta,  where  it  is  about 
225  yards  in  width.  It  is  navigated  by  steamboats  as  far  up  as  Dresden,  ninety- 
five  miles  from  Marietta. 

The  Scioto  is  a beautiful  river,  one  of  the  largest  streams  which  intersect  the 
State.  It  rises  in  Hardin  county  and  flows  southeasterly  to  Columbus.  There 
it  receives  its  principal  affluent,  the  Olentangy,  after  which  its  direction  is 
southerly,  till  it  enters  the  Ohio  at  Portsmouth.  The  Ohio  and  Erie  canal  fol- 
lows its  valley  for  a distance  of  ninety  miles.  Its  tributaries  are,  besides  the 
Olentangy,  or  Whetstone  river,  the  Darby,  Walnut  and  Paint  creeks. 

The  Great  Miami  river  rises  in  Hardin  county,  near  the  head-waters  of  the 
Bcioto,  and  runs  southwesterly,  passing  Troy,  Dayton  and  Hamilton.  It  is  a 
beautiful  and  rapid  stream,  flowing  through  a highly  productive  and  populous 
valley  in  which  limestone  and  hard  timber  are  abundant.  It  is  about  150  miles 
in  length  and  empties  into  the  Ohio  at  the  southwestern  corner  of  the  State. 

The  chief  rivers  of  the  northern  slope  are  the  Maumee,  Sandusky,  Huron  and 
Cuyahoga,  all  emptying  into  Lake  Erie,  and  all  but  the  first  being  entirely  within 
the  limits  of  the  State. 

The  Maumee  rises  in  Indiana,  but  runs  for  about  eighty  miles  in  Ohio,  and  is 
navigable  as  far  as  Perrysburg,  a distance  of  eighteen  miles. 

The  other  three  rivers  have  rapid  courses  and  afford  a large  amount  of  valu- 
able water-power. 

Lakes. — A remarkable  feature  of  Ohio  is  the  almost  entire  absence  of  lakes  or 
ponds.  A very  few  small  ones  are  only  found  in  the  northern  part  of  the  State. 
Lake  Erie,  which  forms  the  northern  boundary  of  Ohio,  next  to  Ontario,  is  the 
lowest  in  mean  elevation  of  the  series  of  great  North  American  lakes.  It  is  290 
miles  in  length  and  57  miles  in  width  at  the  widest  part.  There  are  no  islands 
except  in  the  west  end  and  very  few  bays.  Its  greatest  depth  is  off  Long  Point, 
312  ieet.  The  shores  are  principally  drift  clay  or  hard  pan,  upon  which  the  waves 
are  continually  encroaching.  At  Cleveland,  from  the  first  survey  in  1796  to  1842, 
the  encroachment  was  218  feet  along  the  entire  city  front.  The  coast  is  low, 
seldom  rising  above  fifty  feet  at  the  water’s  edge. 

Lake  Erie,  like  the  other  great  American  lakes,  has  a variable  surface,  rising  and 
falling  with  the  seasons,  like  great  rivers,  called  the  “ annual  fluctuation,”  and  a 
,'eneral  one,  embracing  a series  of  years  due  to  meteorological  causes,  known  as 
the  “ secular  fluctuation.” 

Its  lowest  known  level  was  in  February,  1819,  rising  more  or  less  each  year, 
until  June,  1838,  in  the  extreme  to  six  feet  eight  inches.  Reducing  each  year  to 
an  average  the  difference  between  1819  and  1838  was  five  feet  two  inches,  and 
the  average  annual  rise  and  fall,  obtained  by  the  mean  of  twelve  years,  one  foot 
one  and  one-half  inches. 

There  are  several  important  harbors  and  ports  in  Ohio,  among  which  are 
Cleveland,  Toledo,  Sandusky,  Port  Clinton,  Fairport  and  Ashtabula.  Valuable 
improvements  have  been  made  in  some  of  these  harbors  at  tlie  expense  of  the 
general  government.  By  means  of  the  Welland  canal,  in  Canada,  vessels  not 
exceeding  130  feet  in  measurement  of  keel,  26  feet  beam,  and  10  feet  draught, 
can  pass  to  and  fro  between  Lake  Erie  and  the  Altantic  Ocean.  The  first  steam- 
boat was  launched  upon  Lake  Erie  in  1818. 

The  Climate  of  Ohio  is  one  of  extremes.  Between  the  average  summer  and 
winter  temperatures  there  is  a difference  of  at  least  40°  Fahrenheit.  In  a central 
east  and  west  belt  the  average  winter  temperature  is  73°.  Southern  Ohio  has  a 
mean  annual  temperature  of  54°,  and  Northern  Ohio  of  49°.  Notwithstanding 
sudden  and  severe  changes,  the  climate  is  proved  by  every  test  to  be  excellently 
adapted  to  both  vegetable  and  animal  life.  The  rainfall  is  generous  and  admir- 
ably distributed.  The  average  total  precipitation  of  Southern  Ohio  is  forty-six 
inches  ; of  Northern  Ohio,  thirty-two  inches;  of  a large  belt  in  the  centre  of  the 
State  occupying  nearly  one-half  of  its  entire  surface,  forty  inches. 


54 


DESCRIPTION  OF  OHIO, 


Natural  Resources.-^The  southern  slopes  of  the  water-shed  are  very  fertile, 
specially  adapted  for  grain,  the  bottom  lands  of  the  rivers  growing  prolific  crops 
of  corn ; the  northern  slopes  are  superior  for  grazing  and  dairy  products,  partic- 
ularly on  the  “ Western  Reserve,”  long  famous  for  the  latter.  The  uplands 
produce  large  crops  of  wheat.  Fruit  culture  is  a profitable  industry,  especially 
on  the  shores  and  islands  of  the  western  part  of  Lake  Erie,  where  grape  growing 
and  wine  making  have  assumed  large  proportions.  Berry  culture  has  been  a 
source  of  much  profit  in  the  southern  and  southeastern  parts  of  the  State.  The 
eastern  and  southeastern  parts  of  Ohio  contain  about  12,000  square  miles  of  coal° 
producing  strata.  In  most  of  the  coal  regions  iron  ore  and  fire  clay  are  mined  to 
a greater  or  less  extent  and  support  extensive  furnaces  and  manufactories. 
Petroleum  and  natural  gas  are  abundant  and  widely  distributed.  Other  mineral 
productions  are  cement  rock,  gypsum,  peat,  salt,  marl,  lime  and  building  stone. 
The  sandstone  quarries  are  among  the  best  in  the  United  States. 

The  Population  in  Ohio  in  1790  was  3,000;  in  1800,  45,365;  1810,  230,760; 
1820,581  295;  1830,  937,903;  1840,  1,519,467;  1850,1,980,329;  1860,2,339,511; 
1870,  2,665,260;  1880,  3,198,062;  of  which  were  male,  1,613,936;  female,  1,584,- 
126 ; native,  2,803,119  ; foreign,  394,943 ; white,  3,117,920 ; colored,  79,900 ; Chinese, 
109;  Indians,  130. 

Nativities  of  the  People. — Of  the  population  in  1880,  2,361,437  were  born  in  Ohio  ; 
in  Pennsylvania,  138,163;  Virginia,  51,647;  West  Virginia,  12,812;  New  York, 
64,138;  Maryland,  20,091;  Massachusetts,  10,854;  Michigan,  11,403;  Indiana, 
27,202;  Illinois,  10,013;  Kentucky,  32,492;  New  Jersey,  10,487;  Connecticut, 
9,003  ; Vermont,  7,064.  Of  the  foreign  population  there  were  born  in  the  Ger- 
man Empire,  192,597;  Austria,  1,681;  Bohemia,  6,232;  British  America,  16,- 
146;  England,  41,555;  Ireland,  78,927 ; Scotland,  8,946 ; Wales,  13,763;  France, 
60,131;  Switzerland,  11,989 ; Holland,  2,455;  Hungary,  1,477 ; Italy,  1,064; 
Poland,  2,039;  Sweden,  1,186. 

Emigration  from  Ohio. — Born  in  Ohio,  resident  in  Indiana,  186,391 ; in  Illinois, 
136,884;  Iowa,  120,495;  Kansas,  93,396;  Missouri,  78,938;  Michigan,  77,053; 
Nebraska,  31,800;  West  Virginia,  27,535;  Pennsylvania,  27,502;  Kentucky, 
27,115;  Mhsconsin,  20,512;  California,  17,759;  Minnesota,  15,560;  Colorado, 
11,759;  New  York,  11,599;  Texas,  7,949;  Oregon,  6,201;  Arkansas,  5,254; 
Tennessee,  5,035. 

Population  of  Cities  of  more  than  10,000  inhabitants  (census  of  1880)  : Akron, 
16,512;  Canton,  12,258;  Chillicothe,  10,938;  Cincinnati,  255,139;  Cleveland, 
160,146 ; Columbus,  51,647 ; Dayton,  38,678 ; Hamilton,  12,122 ; Portsmouth, 
11,321 ; Sandusky,  15,838  ; Springfield,  20,730 ; Steubenville,  12,093 ; Toledo, 
50,137  ; Youngstown,  15,435  ; Zanesville,  18,113. 

Counties  (which  number  88)  and  County  Seats. — Adams,  West  Union.  Allen, 
Lima.  Ashland,  Ashland.  Ashtabula,  Jefferson.  Athens,  Athens.  Auglaize,  Wa~ 
pakoneta.  Belmont,  St.  Clairsvilk.  Brown,  Georgetown.  Butler,  Hamilton.  Car- 
roll,  Carrollton.  Champaign,  Urbana.  Clarke,  Springfield.  Clermont,  Batavia. 
Clinton,  Wilmington.  Columbiana,  New  Lisbon.  Coshocton,  Coshocton.  Craw- 
ford, Bucyrus.  Cuyahoga,  Cleveland.  Darke,  Greenville.  Defiance,  Defiance. 
Delaware,  Delaware.  Erie,  Sandusky.  Fairfield,  Lancaster.  Fayetfe,  Washington 
C.  H.  Franklin,  Columbus.  Fulton,  Wauseon.  Gallia,  Gallipolis.  Geauga, 
Chardon.  Greene,  Xenia.  Guernsey,  Cambridge.  Hamilton,  Cincinnati.  Han- 
cock, Findlay.  Hardin,  Kenton.  Harrison,  Cadiz.  Henry,  Napoleon.  High- 
land, Hillsboro.  Hocking,  Logan.  Holmes,  Miller sburg.  Huron,  Norwalk. 
Jackson,  Jackson.  Jefferson,  Steubenville.  Knox,  Mt.  Vernon.  Lake,  Painesville. 
Lawrence,  Ironton.  Licking,  Newark.  Logan,  Belief ontaine.  Lorain,  Elyria. 
Lucas,  Toledo.  Madison,  London.  Mahoning,  Youngstown.  Marion,  Marion. 
Medina,  Medina.  Meigs,  Pomeroy.  Mercer,  Gelina.  Miami,  Troy.  Monroe, 
Woodsfield.  Montgomery,  Morgsua,  Me Connellsville.  Morrow ^ Mt.  Gilead. 

Muskingum,  Zanesville.  Noble,  Caldwell.  Ottawa,  Port  Clinton.  Paulding, 
Paulding.  Perry,  New  Lexington.  Pickaway,  Circleville.  Pike,  Waverly.  Port- 
age, Ravenna.  Preble,  Eaton.  Putnam,  Ottawa.  Richland,  Mansfield.  Ross, 
Chillicothe.  Sandusky,  Fremont.  Scioto,  Portmiouth.  Seneca,  Tiffin.  Shelby, 
Sidney.  Stark,  Canton.  Summit,  Akron.  Trumbull,  Warren.  Tuscarawas,  New 
Philadelphia.  Union,  Marysville.  Van  Wert,  Van  Wert.  Vinton,  McArthur, 


DESCRIPTION  OF  OHIO 


55 

Warren,  Lebanon.  Washington,  Marietta.  Wayne,  Wooster.  Williams,  Bryan. 
Wood,  Bowling  Green.  Wyandot,  Upper  Sandusky. 

Principal  Places. — Columbus,  capital,  site  of  prominent  State  institutions,  large 
carriage  and  other  manufactures,  important  railroad  and  centre  of  great  coal- 
mining interests.  Cincinnati,  largest  city  in  the  State,  noted  for  public  spirit 
and  public  institutions,  great  commercial  and  manufacturing  centre.  Cleveland, 
second  largest  city,  most  important  of  the  lake  ports,  notable  for  commerce  and 
manufactures,  specially  iron  and  petroleum.  Akron,  seat  of  flour  and  woollen 
mills,  paint  and  sewer-pipe  manufactures.  Toledo,  commercial,  manufacturing 
and  railroad  interests.  Sandusky,  largest  flsh-market  in  the  world,  wine-making, 
lime  and  lumber  interests.  Dayton,  manufacturing  centre,  agricultural  imple- 
ments, paper  machinery  and  cars.  Hamilton,  manufacturing  city,  machinery, 
steam-engines,  paper,  etc.  Springfield,  seat  of  largest  agricultural  implement 
manufactures  in  the  world,  centre  of  productive  wheat-growing  region.  Newark, 
prosperous  mining  centre  and  manufacturing  city.  Mansfield,  centre  of  agricul- 
tural region,  agricultural  implement  and  other  manufactures.  Chillicothe,  first 
seat  of  government  of  Ohio,  centre  of  rich  agricultural  region,  railroad  repair- 
shops.  Bellaire,  emporium  of  farming  and  mining  region,  and  especially  nail 
and  glass  manufacturing.  Canton,  large  agricultural  implement,  and  iron  man- 
ufactures, centre  of  rich  wheat  region.  Xenia,  twine  and  cordage  manufactures 
and  gunpowder  mart.  Findlay,  manufacturing,  natural  gas  and  oil  interests. 
Lima,  petroleum  and  natural  gas  interests.  Zanesville,  manufacturing  and  espe- 
cially fire-clay  products,  mining  centre.  Youngstown,  mining  and  iron  manu- 
facturing. Ashtabula,  growing  iron  and  coal-shipping  interests.  East  Liverpool, 
centre  of  great  clay  goods  manufacturing  region,  next  to  Trenton,  N.  J.,  the 
greatest  in  the  United  States,  producing  one-third  of  all  the  clay  goods,  fronton, 
centre  of  mining  and  a great  iron  manufacturing  region.  Portsmouth,  an  old 
manufacturing  town.  Steubenville,  mining  centre,  glass,  iron  and  fire-clay 
manufactures. 

Commerce. — There  are  four  ports  of  entry  in  Ohio,  Cincinnati,  Toledo,  Sandusky 
and  Cleveland.  The  total  imports  for  the  year  ending  June,  1886,  were  $2,531,903, 
and  the  exports  were  $1,363,968.  In  this  aggregate  no  exports  are  credited  to 
Cincinnati,  the  bulk  of  the  amount  having  been  from  Toledo,  one  of  the  leading 
lake  grain-shipping  ports.  The  entrances  at  the  three  lake  ports  for  the  year 
ending  June,  1886,  were  834  vessels,  of  137,171  tonnage;  and  the  clearances  were 
945  vessels  of  180,027  tonnage.  The  number  of  vessels  registered,  enrolled  and 
licensed  was  257,  of  102,416  tonnage. 

In  1880,  Ohio  had  24,529,226  acres,  valuation  $1,127,497,353,  devoted  to  agri- 
culture. Of  the  population  297,495  people  were  engaged  in  farming  pursuits. 
The  number  of  farms  was  247,189 ; the  average  value  of  cleared  land  per  acre 
$47.53;  and  the  value  of  forest  land  $41.37. 

Staple  crops  for  1885,  U.  S.  Dept.  Agriculture ; 


Classes. 

Acres. 

Bushels. 

Value. 

Corn 

111,865,000 

$35,796,800 

Wheat 

20,593,000 

' 18,739,630 

Oats 

37,470,000 

10,116,900 

Rye 

389,000 

233,600 

Barley 

832,000 

557,408 

Buckwheat 

182,000 

118,255 

Potatoes 

12,453,000 

4,856,524 

Classes. 

Acres. 

Tons. 

Value. 

Hay 

2,748,900 

$31,447,416 

Tobacco 

33,667,000  lbs. 

2,127,306 

Other  statistics  drawn  from  the  Ohio  State  Reports  for  1887  give  average  wage 
of  farm  hands,  per  month,  with  board,  $15.75;  without  board,  per  month,  $21.35; 


56 


DESCRIPTION  OF  OHIO, 


without  board,  per  day,  $1.05.  Broom  corn,  1,809,349  lbs. : flax,  137,112  bushels, 
seed,  1,951,406  lbs.,  flax  fibre;  milk,  15,399,265  gals.;  butter,  54,466,355  lbs.; 

sorghum,  467,772  gals.;  honey,  2,113,479  lbs.;  eggs, 
dozen;  grapes,  26,649,211  lbs.;  wine,  680,620  gals.;  sweet  potatoes, 
apples,  23,609,037 ; peaches,  834,962;  pears,  144,145;  cherries, 
255,487;  plums,  135,709  bushels;  wool,  19,702,329  lbs. ; number  of  horses  owned 
725,814;  cattle,  1,637,130;  sheep,  4,277,463;  hogs,  1,595,373;  mules,  24,378. 

Railroads. — For  the  year  1887  total  track  mileage  of  railroads  reported  to  the 
Ohio  Commissioner  of  Railroads  was  18,358,  of  which  9,849  miles  are  within  the 
State.  The  amount  of  capital  stock  paid  in  was  $512,344,549,  of  which  $44,642,- 
612  was  owned  by  16,389  stockholders  resident  in  Ohio.  Total  stock  and  debt 
of  the  entire  line  was  $1,105,625,469,  of  which  the  proportion  for  Ohio  was  $557,- 
845,232.  Cost  of  road  and  equipment  of  entire  line,  $1,007,145,278 ; proportion  for 
Ohio,  $471,763,561.  The  entire  line  had  3,769  locomotives,  130,061  cars,  of  which 
126,205  were  freight,  1,597  passenger,  and  612  express  or  baggage  cars.  The  en- 
tire line  transported  34,372,926  passengers,  at  an  average  cost  per  passenger 
of  2.179  cents  per  mile,  and  85,739,801  tons  of  freight,  at  an  average  cost  per  ton 
of  .707  cents  per  mile.  The  net  earnings  of  the  entire  line  were  $18,795,072; 
operating  expenses,  $75,275,891 ; interest  paid  on  funded  and  unfunded  debt,  $15,- 
188,403;  dividends  paid,  $6,481,398. 

In  1887  there  was  in  Ohio  49,008  miles  of  telegraph  wire;  1,019  telegraph 
offices  with  1,158  employees.  [Electric  light  and  motor  and  telephone  wires  not 
included.] 

Canals. — “ The  Miami  and  Erie  system,  being  the  main  canal,  from  Cincinnati 
to  Toledo,  250  miles,  the  canal  from  the  junction  to  the  State  line  18  miles  and 
the  Sidney  feeder  14  miles,  making  in  all  a total  of  282  miles ; the  Ohio  Canal, 
extending  from  Portsmouth  to  Cleveland,  a distance  of  309  miles,  together  with 
25  miles  of  feeders,  or  a total  of  334  miles ; the  Hocking  canal,  56  miles  long, 
and  the  Walhonding,  25  miles ; the  Muskingum  Improvement,  extending  from 
Dresden  to  Marietta,  a distance  of  91  miles,  is  now  under  the  control  of  the  Gen- 
eral Government.  So  exclusive  of  the  latter  there  is  a total  canal  mileage  of  697 
miles  owned  by  the  State  of  Ohio.  The  reservoirs  are : Grand  Reservoir  in 
Mercer  County,  covering  17,000  acres;  the  Lewistown  in  Logan  County,  7,200 
acres;  the  Lorain  in  Shelby  County,  1,800  acres;  Six  Mile  in  Paulding  County, 
2,500  acres ; Licking  in  Licking  County,  3,600  acres ; and  the  Sippo  in  Stark 
County,  600  acres,  making  a total  in  reservoirs  of  32,100  acres.  The  Paulding 
Reservoir  has  lately  been  abandoned.  The  different  canals  with  their  reservoirs 
were  built  at  a total  cost  of  $15,967,650.” 

Political. — State,  congressional  and  presidential  elections  take  place  on  the  first 
Tuesday  after  the  first  Monday  in  November.  The  number  of  electoral  votes  is 
23.  The  Legislature  consists  of  33  Senators  and  108  Representatives,  both  classes 
elected  for  two  years.  The  sessions  are  biennial,  convening  on  the  first  Monday 
in  January,  without  limit  of  time,  but  adjourned  sessions  practically  make  them 
annual.  All  the  elective  officers  are  chosen  for  two  years,  except  the  Auditor, 
whose  term  is  four  years,  Commissioner  of  Common  Schools,  Board  of  Public 
Works,  Clerk  of  the  Supreme  Court,  whose  terms  are  three  years,  and  Judges  of 
the  Supreme  Court,  whose  terms  are  five  years.  The  number  of  voters  826,577, 
of  which  613,485  are  native  whites,  191,386  foreign  whites  and  21,706  colored. 
(Census  of  1880.)  All  males  twenty-one  years  of  age,  native  or  naturalized,  are 
entitled  to  vote,  provided  they  have  resided  one  year  in  the  State,  thirty  days  in 
the  county,  and  twenty  days  in  the  township  or  ward  and  have  been  registered 
before  the  day  of  election.  Salary  of  the  Governor  $8,000  per  year.  The  legal 
rate  of  interest  is  6 per  cent. ; by  contract  8 per  cent. 

Finances. — The  amount  of  funded  State  debt  Nov.  15,  1887,  was  $3,341,665. 
This  sum  consists  of  a loan  of  $600,000,  bearing  4 per  cent,  interest,  payable  July 
1,  1888;  ten  loans  of  $250,000  each,  one  payable  each  year  from  July  1,  1889,  to 
July  1,  1898,  bearing  3 per  cent,  interest,  and  one  loan  of  $240,000,  payable  July 
1,  1899,  also  bearing  3 per  cent,  interest,  and  canal  loan  without  interest  of  $1,665. 

Irreducible  State  debt  (trust  funds),  $4,526,716. 

The  receipts,  disbursements  and  balances  for  1887  were  as  follows : 


DESCRIPTION  OF  OHIO, 


57 


Funds. 

Balances  in  the 

Treasury,  Nov. 

16,  1886. 

1 

Receipts  during 

the  fiscal  year. 

Total  receipts, 

including  bal- 

ances. 

Disbursements 

during  the  fiscal 

year. 

Balances  in  the 

Treasury,  Nov. 

15,  1887. 

General  Revenue, 

$272,794.73 

*2,853,379.57 

*3,126,174.30 

$3,060,810.21 

$65,364.09 

Sinking, 

96,136.92 

1,527,953.09 

1,624,190.01 

1,521,895.93 

102,294.08 

State  Com.  Sch’l, 

87,189.59 

1,674,535.87 

1,761,725.46 

1,707,104.90 

54,620.56 

Totals, 

4,456,221.24 

*6,055,868.53 

*6,512,089.77 

6,289,811.04 

222,278.73 

The  amount  of  taxable  property  assessed  in  1887,  was,  real  estate  in  cities, 
towns  and  villages,  $464,681,331 ; real  estate  not  in  cities,  towns  and  villages, 
$720,329,294  ; chattel  property,  $520,172,094.  The  rate  of  State  tax  was  29  cents 
on  $100.  In  addition  to  the  State  tax  there  was  levied  in  1887,  county  taxes, 
$8,372,519;  township,  $1,099,963;  school,  $7,682,120;  city,  town  and  village, 
$7,606,025;  special,  $1,144,338.  The  debts  of  counties  in  1887  were  $6,892,745; 
cities  of  the  first  and  second  class,  $43,193,963  ; incorporated  villages,  $1,743,722; 
townships,  $557,883  ; special  school  districts,  $2,455,330.  The  number  of  banks 
in  1887  was  429  with  a capital  of  $46,568,211  of  which  211  were  national  banks 
with  a capital  of  $31,542,003. 

Colleges  and  Universities. 


Institution. 

Location. 

President. 

Founded. 

Adelbert  College,  Western  Reserve  Univ. 

Cleveland  

Carroll  Cutler 

1826 

Antioch  College 

Yellow  Springs 

Daniel  A.  Long 

1852 

Baldwin  University 

Berea 

William  Kepler 

1856 

Belmont  College 

College  Hill 

P.  V.  N.  Myers 

1846 

Beverly  College  

Beverly 

L.  C.  Crippen 

1842 

Buchtel  College 

Akron 

0.  Cone 

1870 

Calvin  Collesre 

Brooklyn  Village 

H.  .T.  Ruetenik 

1873 

Capital  Universitv 

Columbus 

M.  Loy 

1850 

Denison  University 

Granville 

Galusha  Anderson 

1831 

Franklin  College 

New  Athens 

J.  G.  Black 

1825 

German  Wallace  College 

Berea 

William  Nast 

1864 

Harlem  Springs  College 

Harlem  Springs 

.John  R.  Steeves 

1858 

Hebrew  Union  Colles^e 

Cincinnati 

Isaac  M.  Wise 

1873 

Heidelberg  College 

Tiffin 

George  W.  Willard 

1850 

Hiram  College 

Hiram 

G.  H.  Laugblin 

1867 

Hopedale  Normal  College 

Hopedale 

W.  G.  Garvey 

1852 

Kenyon  College 

Garnbier 

William  B.  Bodine 

1824 

Marietta  College 

Marietta 

John  Eaton  

1835 

Miami  University 

Oxford 

Robert  W.  McFarland 

1809 

Mount  Union  College 

Mount  Union 

0.  N.  Hartshorn 

1846 

Muskingum  College 

New  Concord 

F.  M.  Spencer 

1837 

National  Normal  University 

Lebanon 

Alfred  Holbrook 

1855 

Oberlin  College 

Oberlin 

James  H.  Fairchild 

1833 

Ohio  State  University 

Columbus 

William  H.  Scott 

1870 

Ohio  University 

Athens 

Charles  W.  Super 

1804 

Ohio  Wesleyan  University 

Delaware 

Charles  H.  Payne 

1842 

Otterbein  University 

Westerville 

H.  A.  Thompson 

1847 

Rio  Grande  College.. 

Rio  Grande 

A.  A.  Moulton 

1876 

Saint  Joseph  College 

Cincinnati 

James  Rogers 

1873 

Saint  Xavier  College 

Cincinnati 

F.dward  A.  Higgins 

1831 

Scio  College 

Scio 

E.  J.  Marsh 

1866 

The  University  of  Wooster 

Wooster 

Sylvester  F.  Scovel 

1868 

University  of  Cincinnati 

Cincinnati 

.Ta.cob  D.  Cox 

1870 

Urbana  University 

Urbana  

Frank  Sewa,ll 

1850 

Wilberforee  University 

Wilberforee 

S T Mitchell 

1856 

Wilmington  College 

Wilminc^ton  

James  B.  Unthank 

1870 

Wittenberg  College 

Springfield 

S.  A.  Ort 

1845 

Educational. — In  1887  there  were  12,589  school-houses  in  the  State,  valued  at 

*This  amount  includes  $80,000.00  advance  draft  drawn  on  the  taxes  collected  for  the  fiscal 
year  1888. 


DESCRIPTION  OF  OHIO. 


5^ 

$29,287,749.  Of  1,102,701  children  of  school  age  767,030  were  enrolled  in  the 
schools.  There  were  24,687  teachers  employed,  and  an  income  for  support  of 
schools  of  $14,031,692 ; expenditures,  $9,909,813,  of  which  $6,252,518  was  paid 
to  teachers.  School  age  from  6 to  21  years.  Ohio  has  three  State  Colleges,  Ohio 
State,  Miami  and  Ohio  Universities.  The  number  of  volumes  in  libraries  in 

1886  was  991,086. 

The  number  of  students  in  colleges  and  universities  in  1887  was  1,613  males 
and  765  females  ; instructors,  265.  Total  number  of  graduates,  6,317  males  and 
1,821  females.  Value  of  all  property,  including  endowments,  $6,998,592.  In 

1887  there  were  also  in  Ohio  81  academies,  normal,  preparatory  and  other  schools, 
with  5,635  male,  3,516  female  students  and  579  instructors. 

Manufactures. — The  State  Reports  of  1887  gave  Ohio  6,513  industrial  establish' 
ments,  employing  187,925  men  and  29,281  women.  Amount  of  capital  invested, 
$196,113,670.  Value  of  products,  $344,245,690. 

The  leading  branches,  as  given  by  the  United  States  census  of  1880,  are : 


Classes. 


Capital. 


Wages  paid. 


Value  of 
Material. 


Value  of 
Product. 


Agricultural  implements. 

Boots  and  shoes 

Brick  and  tile 

Carriages  and  wagons 

Clothing,  men’s 

Flour,  etc 

Foundry,  machine  shops. 

Furniture 

Iron  and  steel 

Leather,  tanned 

Liquors,  distilled 

Liquors,  malt 

Lumber 

Paper 

Slaughtering,  etc 


$16,111,576 

2,285,927 

2,723,528 

4,234,481 

8,651,094 

12.328,847 

12;770,649 

4,417,076 

25,141,294 

2,022,990 

4,813,135 

8,178,545 

7,944,412 

4,804,247 

5,487,682 


$2,981,065 

1,826,524 

1,114,133 

2,610,268 

4,136,382 

1,221,494 

5,105,596 

2,080,243 

8,265,070 

373,595 

406,197 

1,184,125 

1,708,300 

839,231 

633,044 


$7,243,326 

3,684,621 

1,185,794 

5,416,656 

12,043,020 

34,157,024 

8,407,972 

2,694,602 

23,997,915 

3,247,592 

4,533,049 

5,110,587 

8,896,106 

3,024,068 

17,173,446 


$15,479,825 

7,055,003 

3^,481,291 

10,043,404 

20,008,398 

38,950,264 

18,242,325 

6,865,027 

34,918,360 

4,357,273 

6,692,736 

9,125,014 

13,864,460 

5,108,194 

19,231,297 


Mining. — Ohio  ranks  second  to  Pennsylvania  only  in  the  production  of  bi- 
tuminous coal.  The  number  of  coal  mines  worked  in  Ohio  in  1887  was  729,  em- 
ploying 22,237  inen.  The  total  yield  was  10,301,708  tons.  The  total  amount  of 
iron  ore  mined  in  1887  was  377,465  tons ; fire-clay,  366,476  tons.  During  the  year 
1885  there  was  produced  of  salt  530,000  barrels,  about  300,000  barrels  of  cement, 
18,000  tons  of  mineral  fertilizers,  $500,000  worth  of  grindstones  and  1,116,375  tons 
of  limestone. 

Relative  Rank. — Ohio  ranks  first  in  value  of  quarry  products,  value  of  farm 
lands,  manufacture  of  agricultural  implements,  glycerine,  number  of  brick  and 
tile  factories,  number  of  churches,  in  receipts  for  school  purposes. 

Second.  In  iron  and  steel  manufactures,  petroleum,  natural  gas,  number  of 
farms,  tons  of  freight  carried  by  railroads,  miles  of  railroad  track,  butter  and 
cheese  establishments,  bituminous  coal  mined,  expenditures  for  school  purposes, 
number  of  school  teachers  and  average  daily  attendance  of  children  at  school. 

Third.  In  sheep,  salt,  wheat,  population,  in  number  of  tanned  leather  and 
sawn  lumber  establishments,  value  of  railroads  and  number  of  cars  in  use,  capi- 
tal employed  in  railroads,  number  of  dwellings,  persons  engaged  in  agriculture 
and  in  the  professions,  value  of  church  property. 

Fourth.  Tobacco  raised,  value  of  live  stock,  number  of  persons  engaged  in 
manufactures,  total  value  of  real  estate,  value  of  farm  implements  in  use,  print- 
ing and  publishing. 

Fifth.  Number  of  milch  cows,  swine,  horses,  cattle,  hay,  barley,  corn,  oats. 

Area. — Ohio  ranks  the  twenty-fourth  State  in  area. 


THE  GEOGRAPHY  AND  GEOLOGY  OF  OHIO. 

By  EDWARD  ORTON,  State  Geologist, 

Edward  Orton,  LL.  D.,  was  born  at  De- 
posit, Delaware  county,  New  York,  March  9, 

1829.  His  parents  were  Rev.  Samuel  G. 

Orton,  D.  D.,  and  Clara  Gregory  Orton.  The 
Ortons  are  first  known  in  New  England  about 
1640,  the  name  appearing  in  this  year  in  the 
records  of  Charlestown,  Massachusetts. 

Thomas  Orton  came  to  Windsor,  Connecti- 
cut, in  1641  or  1642.  From  Windsor  certain 
members  of  the  family  emigrated  in  the  year 
1700  or  thereabouts  to  the  new  settlements  of 
Litchfield,  which  was  then  on  the  edge  of  the 
wilderness.  There  were  thus  two  branches  of 
the  family — one  at  Windsor  and  one  at  Litch- 
field. The  Litchfield  Ortons  lived  for  more 
than  a century  on  what  was  known  as  Orton 
Hill,  South  Farms.  They  were  well  repre- 
sented in  the  Revolutionary  war,  but  beyond 
this  do  not  appear  to  have  taken  prominent 
part  in  public  life.  They  seem  to  have  been 
a quiet,  home-loving,  fairly  thrifty  stock,  pos- 
sessed of  a good  deal  of  family  affection  and 
interest. 

Miles  Orton,  the  father  of  the  Rev.  Samuel 
G.  Orton,  was  a soldier  in  the  war  of  1812  and 
died  soon  after  the  war. 

Samuel  G.  Orton  was  born  at  Litchfield  and 
was  brought  up  on  a farm  until  20  years  old, 
when,  under  the  ministry  of  Dr.  Lyman 
Beecher,  he  was  encouraged  to  seek  a liberal 
education.  He  was  obliged  to  support  him- 
self by  his  own  labor  both  while  preparing  for 
college  and  during  his  entire  course.  He 
graduated  at  Hamilton  College  in  1822  and  studied  theology  in  New  Haven.  He  was  an  honored 
minister  in  the  Presbyterian  Church  for  nearly  50  years;  most  of  which  time  he  spent  in  Western  New 
York. 

Edward  Orton  passed  his  boyhood  in  his  father’s  country  home  at  Ripley,  Chautauqua  county,  New 
York.  He  acquired  here  a knowledge  of  and  life-long  interest  in  country  life,  often  working  among 
the  neighboring  farmers  for  weeks  and  even  months  at  a time.  He  was  fitted  for  college  mainly  by  his 
father,  but  spent  one  year  in  Westfield  Academy  and  another  in  Fredonia  Academy.  He  entered 
Hamilton  College,  the  college  where  his  father  had  graduated,  as  a sophomore  in  1845  and  graduated 
in  1848.  He  taught  after  graduation  for  a year  in  the  academy  of  Erie,  Penna.  He  entered  Lane 
Theological  Seminary,  Cincinnati,  in  1849,  and  was  under  Dr.  Lyman  Beecher’s  instruction.  He 
withdrew  from  the  seminary  on  account  of  a temporary  failure  of  his  eyes,  butafter  a year  or  two  spent 
on  the  farm  and  in  travel  he  resumed  the  work  of  teaching,  becoming  a member  of  the  faculty  of  the 
Delaware  Institute,  Franklin,  Delaware  county,  N.  Y.  In  college  his  chief  interest  had  been  in 
literary  and  classical  studies,  but  in  the  institute  he  was  set  to  teaching  the  natural  sciences  and  a latent 
taste  for  these  studies  was  soon  developed.  He  pursued  the  studies  of  chemistry  and  the  natural  history 
branches  with  special  interest,  and  to  prepare  himself  better  for  teaching  them  took  a six  months’ 
course  in  the  Lawrence  Scientific  School  of  Harvard  University,  in  1852,  studying  under  Horsford  and 
Cooke  and  Gray.  Finding  that  his  theological  creed  was  giving  way  under  his  later  studies  he  sought 
to  avert  the  change  by  more  thorough  investigation  in  this  department,  and  entered  Andover  Seminary  to 
attend  for  a year  Prof.  Park’s  lectures  on  theology.  The  experiment  was  successful  to  the  extent  of  arrest- 
ing the  change  in  his  views,  but  after  a few  years  the  process  was  resumed  and  ended  in  the  replace- 
ment of  the  Calvinistic  creed  in  which  he  had  been  brought  up  by  the  shorter  statements  of  Unitarianism. 
In  1856  he  was  called  to  the  chair  of  natural  science  in  the  State  Normal  School  of  New  York,  at  Albany. 
He  held  this  position  for  several  years,  resigning  it  to  take  charge  of  Chester  Academy,  Orange  county, 
N.  Y.  After  spending  six  years  in  this  position  he  was  called  in  1865  to  Antioch  College,  Yellow 
Springs,  Ohio.  He  was  first  made  principal  of  the  preparatory  department,  then  professor  of  natural 
history,  and  finally  in  1872  president  of  the  institution.  This  last  position  he  held  but  for  one  year,  resign- 
ing it  in  1873  to  accept  the  ])residency  of  the  Ohio  Agricultural  and  Mechanical  College,  now  the  State 
University,  at  Columbus.  He  was  also  made  professor  of  geology  in  this  institution  at  the  same  time. 
He  held  the  presidency  for  eight  years  and  retained  the  professorship  of  geology  after  resigning  the 
former  place. 

During  his  residence  in  Yellow  Springs  the  State  geological  survey  was  organized  under  Newberry. 
Prof.  Orton  became  in  1869  a member  of  the  geological  corps,  being  appointed  thereto  by  Governor 

I59) 


6o 


THE  GEOGRAPHY  AND  GEOLOGY  OF  OHIO. 


R.  B.  Hayes.  He  was  reappointed  by  Governor  Noyes,  and  after  Newberry’s  withdrawal  from  the 
field  was  appointed  State  geologist  by  Governor  Foster  and  at  a still  later  day  by  Governor  Hoadly. 
This  latter  position  he  has  held  in  conjunction  with  the  professorship  of  geology  in  the  State  University. 

He  was  married  in  1855  to  Mary  M.  Jennings  of  Franklin,  N.  Y.,  who  died  in  1873.  In  1875  he  was 
married  to  Anna  Davenport  Torrey  of  Millbury,  Mass. 

In  addition  to  his  geological  work  proper  Prof.  Orton  has  taken  an  active  interest  in  the  applica-  ^ 
tions  of  geology  to  agriculture  and  sanitary  science  and  especially  to  the  questions  of  water  supply  and 
sewerage  of  the  towns  of  Ohio. 


A. 

GEOGRAPHY  OF  OHIO. 

' The  boundaries  of  Ohio,  as  fixed  in  the 
enabling  act  by  which,  in  1802,  it  was  ^ad- 
mitted into  the  Union,  were  as  follows : on 
the  east  the  Pennsylvania  line  ; on  the  south 
the  Ohio  river  to  the  mouth  of  the  Great 
Miami  river ; on  the  west  a due  north  line 
from  the  mouth  of  the  Great  Miami ; on  the 
north  an  east  and  west  line  drawn  through 
the  southerly  extreme  of  Lake  xMichigan, 
running  east  after  intersecting  the  meridian 
that  makes  the  western  boundary  of  the  State 
until  it  intersects  Lake  Erie  or  the  territorial 
line,  and  thence,  with  the  same,  through 
Lake  Erie  to  the  Pennsylvania  line. 

The  eastern,  southern  and  western  boun- 
daries remain  unchanged ; the  northern 
boundary  has  been  slightly  modified.^  As 
finally  established  by  Congress  in  1836  it  con- 
sists of  a direct  line,  or  in  other  words  of  the 
arc  of  a great  circle  instead  of  a parallel  of 
latitude,  from  the  southern  extremity  of  Lake 
Michigan  to  the  most  northerly  cape  of  the 
Maumee  Bay  and  thence  northeast  to  the 
boundary  line  between  the  United  States  and 
Canada,  and  along  this  boundary  to  its  inter- 
section with  the  western  boundary  of  Penn- 
sylvania. 

The  change  here  indicated  was  provided 
for  in  the  enabling  act  above  referred  to,  and 
also  in  the  constitution  of  Ohio  which  was 
established  in  1802,  but  the  cause  that  led  to 
making  it  in  1836  was  a dispute  that  had 
arisen  between  the  State  of  Ohio  and  the 
Territory  of  Michigan  as  to  jurisdiction  along 
this  border.  The  dispute  assumed  the  char- 
acter of  a war  of  small  proportions  and  of 
short  duration  during  the  administration  of 
Governor  Lucas,  of  Ohio,  an  account  of 
which  is  given  elsewhere  in  this  work. 

The  territory  of  the  State  can  be  further 
defined  as  included  between  38°  27^  and  41° 
57^  north  latitude,  and  between  80°  34'  and 
84°  49'  west  longitude  (“American  Clyclo- 
paedia,”  article  Ohio).  The  longest  north 
and  south  line  that  can  be  drawn  in  the  State 
is  about  210  miles  ; the  longest  east  and  west 
line  is  about  225  miles.  The  area  of  Ohio, 
according  to  the  most  recent  computations,  is 
40,760  square  miles  (Compendium,  10th  Cen- 
sus, 11. , 1413). 

Physical  Features. 

The  surface  of  the  State  is  an  undulating 
plain,  the  highest  elevation  of  which  thus  far 
measured  is  found  at  a point  in  Logan 
county,  three  and  a half  miles  northeast  of 
Bellefontaine,  and  which  is  locally  known  as 
Hogue’s  hill.  The  elevation  of  this  highest 


land  in  Ohio  is  1,550  feet  above  mean  tide, 
counting  Lake  Erie  573  feet  above  mean  tide. 
The  lowest  land  in  the  State  is  found  at  its 
southwestern  corner  at  the  intersection  of  the 
valleys  of  the  Ohio  and  the  Great  Miami 
rivers.  Low  water  mark  at  this  point  is  a 
little  less  than  440  feet  above  tide.  The 
highest  and  the  lowest  elevations  of  the  State 
are  thus  seen  to  be  only  1,100  feet  apart,  but 
small  as  is  this  range  the  figures  used  in  stat- 
ing it  unless  qualified  would  be  misleading. 
In  reality  the  areas  less  than  550  feet  above 
tide  or  more  than  1,300  feet  above  are 
insignificant.  Practically  the  range  of  the 
State  is  reduced  to  about  750  feet.  The 
elevations  of  a few  places,  variously  dis- 
tributed through  the  State,  are  given  below. 
The  authorities  for  these  figures  are  quite 
unequal  in  value,  but  they  are  the  best  we 
have  : 

Feet  above  tide. 


Allen  county,  near  We.st minster 1,032 

Ashland  county,  Polk 1,241 

Ashtabula  county,  Andover 1,191 

Auglaize  county,  Bitler’s 1,084 

Belmont  county,  Jacobsburg 1,330 

Butler  county,  northeast  corner  of  Oxford 

township 1,033 

Carroll  county,  summit  near  Carrollton 1,153 

Champaign  county,  Mingo 1,238 

Clarke  county.  South  Charleston 1,126 

Clinton  county,  summit  near  New  Vienna. ..1,169 

Columbiana  county.  Round  Knob 1,417 

Columbiana  county,  Salem,  highest  point 1,334 

Crawford  county,  summit  near  Crestline 1,177 

Cuyahoga  county,  Royalton 1,272 

Darke  county,  Hollansburg 1,150 

Delaware  county.  Peerless 1,179 

Geauga  county,  Claridon 1,366 

Greene  county,  Jamestown 1,071 

Hardin  county.  Silver  creek,  summit 1,118 

Harrison  county,  Cadiz,  court-house 1,270 

Highland  county,  Stultz’s  mountain 1,325 

Holmes  county,  Millersburg,  hills  near 1,235 

Jefferson  county,  Bloomfield,  hills  near 1,434 

Knox  county.  Mount  Liberty 1,215 

Lake  county.  Little  mountain  1,248 

Licking  county,  Jacktown,  hill  near 1,235 

Logan  county,  Hogue’s  hill,  near  Bellefon- 
taine  1,540 

Mahoning  county,  Damascus 1,188 

Marion  county,  Caledonia 1,066 

Medina  county,  Wadsworth 1,349 

Monroe  county,  Jerusalem 1,300 

Morrow  county,  Bloomfield,  cemetery 1,149 

Perry  county,  Somerset 1,159 

Pike  county.  Font  Hill 1,285 

Portage  county.  Limestone  Ridge 1,248 

Preble  county,  Eldorado 1,178 

Richland  county,  highest  hills 1,475 

Stark  county,  Wilrnot,  hill  near 1,261 

Summit  county.  Silver  creek 1,392 

Trumbull  county,  Mesopotamia 1,172 

Tuscarawas  county,  ML  Tabor 1,348 

Wayne  county,  summits,  northwest  part 1,275 


It  is  scarcely  necessary  to  add  that  in  almost 


THE  GEOGRAPHY  AND  GEOLOGY  OF  OHIO. 


6r 


every  one  of  the  counties  named  above  the 
highest  land  of  the  State  is  or  has  been  claimed 
by  residents  of  these  counties.  The  figures 
given  in  this  table  show  the  highest  recorded 
elevations,  but  not  necessarily  the  highest 
elevations.  They  can,  however,  be  made  to 
indicate  by  proper  combination  the  highest- 
lying  districts  of  the  State. 

The  largest  connected  areas  of  high  land 
extend  from  east  to  west  across  the  central 
and  northern  central  districts.  In  some 
limited  regions  of  Central  Ohio,  especially 
along  the  ridge  of  high  land  just  referred  to, 
and  also  in  a few  thousand  square  miles  of 
Northwestern  Ohio,  the  natural  drainage  is 
somewhat  sluggish,  and,  while  the  land  is 
covered  with  its  original  forest  growth,  it  in- 
clines to  swampy  conditions ; but  when  the 
forests  are  cleared  away  and  the  water  courses 
are  open  most  of  it  becomes  arable  and  all  of 
it  can  be  made  so  without  excessive  outlay  by 
means  of  open  ditches. 

The  chief  feature  in  the  topography  of 
Ohio  is  the  main  watershed  which  extends 
across  the  State  from  its  northeastern  corner 
to  about  the  middle  of  its  western  boundary. 
It  divides  the  surface  of  the  State  into  two 
unequal  slopes,  the  northern,  which  is  much 
the  smaller,  sending  its  waters  into  Lake 
Erie  and  the  Grulf  of  St.  Lawrence,  while  the 
drainage  of  the  other  is  directed  to  the  G-ulf 
of  Mexico  by  the  Ohio  river.  The  average 
height  of  the  watershed  is  about  1,100  feet 
above  tide,  but  it  is  cut  by  three  principal 
gaps,  viz.,  those  of  the  Tuscarawas,  Scioto 
and  Maumee  rivers  respectively.  The  eleva- 
tion is  reduced  in  these  gaps  to  about  950 
feet.  They  have  been  occupied  by  canals 
and  railways  for  a number  of  years. 

The  watershed  depends  on  two  different 
lines  of  geological  formation  in  different  por- 
tions of  the  State,  to  the  eastward  on  bedded 
rocks  which  rise  in  a low  arch  along  the  line 
that  the  watershed  follows,  and  to  the  west- 
ward by  enormous  accumulations  of  glacial 
drift  the  maximum  thickness  of  which  is  more 
than  500  feet. 

Ohio  owes  but  very  little ‘of  the  relief  of  its 
surface  to  folds  of  the  rocks  which  underlie 
it.  There  are  no  pronounced  anticlines  or 
synclines  in  its  structure.  When  successively 
lifted  from  the  sea  beneath  which  they  were 
formed  its  several  strata  were  approximately 
horizontal  and  also  of  approximately  the  same 
elevation.  The  present  relief  of  the  State  is 
mainly  due  to  erosive  agencies.  The  original 
])lain  has  been  carved  and  dissected  into  com- 
plicated patterns  during  the  protracted  ages 
in  which  it  has  been  worn  away  by  rains  and 
rivulets  and  rivers.  Comparatively  little  of 
it  now  remains.  In  each  river  system  there 
is  one  main  furrow  that  is  deepened  and 
widened  as  it  advances,  and  tributary  to  the 
main  furrow  are  countless  narrower  and  shal- 
lower valleys  which  in  turn  are  fed  by  a like 
system  of  smaller  troughs.  Most  of  the 
streams  have  their  main  valleys  directed 
through  their  entire  extent  to  either  the  north 
or  the  south,  adapting  themselves  thus  to  the 
two  main  slopes  of  the  State,  but  occasionally 


a considerable  stream  will  for  a score  or  more 
miles  undertake  to  make  its  way  against  the 
general  slope.  A sluggish  fiow  necessarily 
characterizes  such  streams.  Examples  are 
found  in  Wills  creek,  a tributary  of  the 
Muskingum,  and  in  Connotton  creek,  which 
flows  into  the  Tuscarawas  river. 

Fragments  of  the  old  plain  still  remain  in 
the  isolated  “ hills  ” or  table-lands  that  bound 
the  valleys  and  which,  though  often  separated 
by  intervals  of  miles,  still  answer  to  each 
other  with  perfect  correspondence  of  altitude 
and  stratification.  They  often  occur  in  nar- 
row and  isolated  serpentine  ridges  between 
the  streams.  These  high  lands  rise  to  a 
maximum  height  of  600  feet  above  the  rivers 
in  the  main  valleys.  Strictly  speaking,  there 
are  no  hills  in  Ohio,  to  say  nothing  of  moun- 
tains, and  there  never  have  been  any.  The 
relief,  as  has  been  shown,  results  from  val- 
leys carved  out  of  the  original  plain. 

The  glacial  drift  has  had  much  to  do  in 
establishing  the  present  topography,  but  its 
influence  can  be  better  stated  at  a later  point 
in  this  review. 

B. 

GEOLOGY  OF  OHIO. 

The  geology  of  Ohio,  though  free  from  the 
obscurity  and  complications  that  are  often 
met  with  in  disturbed  and  mountainous  re- 
gions, is  still  replete  with  scientific  and 
economic  interest.  It  has  occupied  the  at- 
tention of  students  of  this  science  for  more 
than  half  a century,  and  during  this  time 
there  have  been  a number  of  able  men  who 
have  devoted  many  years  of  their  lives  to 
working  out  its  problems.  The  State  has 
also  made  large  expenditures  in  carrying  on 
geological  investigations  and  in  publishing 
the  results  of  the  same.  It  is  still  engaged 
in  the  work. 

Previous  to  1836,  not  much  was  known  in 
regard  to  the  age  and  order  of  the  rock  for- 
mations of  the  State.  In  fact,  the  science 
of  geology  was  then  but  little  advanced  in  any 
part  of  the  country.  Hon.  Benjamin  Tappan 
published  a few  notes  pertaining  to  the  coal 
fields  of  Ohio,  in  Silliman  s Journal  (after- 
wards the  American  Journal  of  Science  and 
Arts),  between*  1820  and  1830,  and  Caleb 
Atwater  included  in  his  archaeological  re- 
searches some  geological  observations.  It 
was,  however,  to  Dr.  S.  P.  Hildreth,  of 
Marietta,  that  we  owe  the  first  extended  and 
connected  accounts  of  the  geology  of  any  por- 
tions of  our  territory.  His  notes  upon  the 
salines  or  salt  springs  of  the  State  and  of  the 
Ohio  valley  are  full  of  interesting  observa- 
tions, but  the  account  begun  by  him  in  the 
American  Journal  of  Science  and  Arts  in 
1836  entitled  ‘'Observations  on  the  Bitumi- 
nous Coal  Deposits  of  the  valley  of  the  Ohio, 
and  the  accompanying  rock  strata,  with  notices 
of  the  fossil  organic  remains  and  the  relics 
of  vegetable  and  animal  bodies,  illustrated 
by  a geological  map,  by  numerous  drawings 
of  plants  and  shells  and  by  views  of  interest- 
ing scenery,”  is  decidedly  the  most  compre- 
hensive and  important  statement  that  had 


THE  GEOGRAPHY  AND  GEOLOGY  OF  OHIO. 


b2 

been  made  up  to  this  time  upon  the  geology 
of  any  part  of  the  State.  ^ The  descriptions 
and  figures  of  fossils  in  this  paper  were  made 
by  Samuel  George  Morton,  M.  D.,  of  Phila- 
delphia. 

Tt  was  in  this  year  also  that  the  first  steps 
were  taken  by  the  legislature  to  determine 
the  geological  structure  and  resources  of  the 
State.  A resolution  was  passed  on  the  14th 
day  of  March,  1836,  providing  for  the  ap- 
pointment of  a committee  to  report  to  the 
next  legislature  the  best  method  of  obtaining 
a complete  geological  survey  of  the  State  and 
the  probable  cost  of  the  same.  The  com- 
mittee consisted  of  Dr.  S.  P.  Hildreth,  chair- 
man, Professors  John  Locke  and  J.  H.  Rid- 
dell and  Mr.  I.  A.  Lapham,  all  of  whom  were 
recognized  as  among  the  foremost  students  of 
geological  science  in  the  State. 

The  report  of  this  committee  was  promptly 
made  and,  in  accordance  with  its  recom- 
mendations, a survey  of  the  State  was  forth- 
with ordered  (March  27,  1837).  The  first 
geological  corps  was  organized  as  follows  : 

Prof.  W.  W.  Mather,  Etafe  Geologist 

Dr.  S.  P.  Hildreth. 

Dr.  John  Locke. 

Prof.  J.  P.  Kirtland. 

Col.  J.  W.  Foster. 

Col.  Chas.  Whittlesley. 

Prof  C.  Briggs,  Jr. 

The  work  of  this  survey  was  brought  to  an 
abrupt  termination  at  the  end  of  the  second 
year  of  field  work,  the  principal  cause  of  dis- 
continuance being  the  embarrassed  condition 
of  the  State  treasury,  which  in  turn  was  owing 
to  the  financial  panic  of  1837.  Though  the 
duration  of  this  survey  was  short,  its  results 
were  of  very  great  importance  and  value.  A 
solid  foundation  had  been  laid  on  which  ob- 
servations could  be  intelligently  carried  on  in 
every  portion  of  the  State.  Several  of  the 
members  of  the  old  corps,  and  prominent 
among  them.  Col.  Charles  Whittlesley,  main- 
tained not  only  their  interest,  but  their  field 
work  as  well,  though  in  a fragmentary  and 
disconnected  way,  and  from  year  to  year  work 
was  done  which  could  finally  be  utilized  in  a 
more  thorough  study  of  the  subject.  We 
owe  very  much  to  the  members  of  this  corps 
for  their  contributions  to  our  knowledge  of 
Ohio  geology. 

The  second  survey  was  ordered  by  the  legis- 
lature in  1869,  and  there  was  fortunately 
placed  at  the  head  of  it  Professor  J.  S. 
Newberry,  LL.  D.,  widely  recognized  as  the 
ablest  geologist  that  Ohio  has  yet  produced. 
Dr.  Newberry  brought  to  his  task  the  results 
of  niany  years  of  study  of  the  structure  of 
Ohio  and  also  a wide  experience  in  other 
fields.  To  his  sagacity  in  interpreting  both 
the  stratigraphical  and  paleontological  record 
of  the  State,  science  is  under  great  obliga- 
tions. The  assistant  geologists  appointed 
with  Dr.  Newberry  were  Prof.  E.  B.  An- 
drews, Prof.  Edward  Orton  and  Mr.  J.  H. 
Klippart  Prof  T.  G.  Wormley  was  ap- 
pointed chemist  of  the  survey.  Active  work 


on  the  survey  was  discontinued  at  the  end  of 
five  years  from  the  date  of  beginning,  but  the 
publication  of  results  was  kept  up  for  a much 
longer  time.  In  fact,  some  of  the  results  of 
Dr.  Newberry’s  work  are  yet  unpublished. 
Two  reports  of  progress,  1869  and  1870, 
and  four  volumes  of  Geology  are  the  pub- 
lished results  of  this  survey.  Two  of  these 
volumes  are  double,  the  second  parts  being 
devoted  to  paleontology  (Vols.  I.  and  11. ). 

In  1881  the  survey  was  again  revived, 
under  the  direction  of  Prof.  Edward  Orton, 
with  special  reference  to  the  completion  of 
the  work  in  economic  geology.  Two  volumes, 
viz.,  vols.  V.  and  VI.,  have  been  already 
issued  in  this  series.  Prof  N.  W.  Lord  was 
appointed  chemist  to  the  survey  under  the 
reorganization,  and  has  done  all  of  the  work 
in  this  important  department. 

I.  Geological  Scale. 

A brief  review  of  the  scale  and  structure 
of  the  State  will  here  be  given,  but  before  it 
is  entered  upon,  a few  fundamental  facts  per- 
taining to  the  subject  will  be  stated.^ 

1.  So  far  as  its  exposed  rock  series  is  con- 
cerned, Ohio  is  built  throughout  its  whole 
extent  of  stratified  deposits  or,  in  other 
words,  of  beds  of  clay,  sand  and  limestone,  in 
all  their  various  gradations,  that  were  de- 
posited or  that  grew  in  water.  There  are  in 
the  Ohio  series  no  igneous  nor  metamorphic 
rocks  whatever ; that  is,  no  rocks  that  have 
assumed  their  present  form  and  condition 
from  a molten  state  or  that,  subsequent  to 
their  original  formation,  have  been  trans- 
formed by  heat.  The  only  qualification  which 
this  statement  needs  pertains  to  the  beds  of 
drift  by  which  a lar^e  portion  of  the  State  is 
covered.  These  drift  beds  contain  bowlders 
in  large  amount,  derived  from  the  igneous 
and  metamorphic  rocks  that  are  found  around 
the  shores  o-f  Lakes  Superior  and  Huron,  but 
these  bowlders  are  recognized  by  all,  even  by 
the  least  observant,  as  foreign  to  the  Ohio 
scale.  They  are  familiarly  known  as  “lost 
rocks  ” or  “ erratics.  ’ ’ 

If  we  should  descend  deep  enough  below 
the  surface  we  should  exhaust  these  stratified 
deposits  and  come  to  the  granite  foundations 
of  the  continent  which  constitute  the  surface 
rocks  in  parts  of  Canada,  New  England  and 
the  West,  but  the  drill  has  never  yet  hewed 
its  way  down  to  these  firm  and  massive  beds 
within  our  boundaries. 

The  rocks  that  constitute  the  present  sur- 
face of  Ohio  were  all  formed  in  water,  and 
none  of  them  have  been  modified  and  masked 
by  the  action  of  high  temperatures.  They 
remain  in  substantially  the  same  condition  in 
which  they  were  formed. 

2.  With  the  exception  of  the  coal  seams 
and  a few  beds  associated  with  them  and  of 
the  drift  deposits,  all  the  formations  of  Ohio 
grew  in  the  sea.  There  are  no  lake  or  river 
deposits  among  them,  but  by  countless  and 
infallible  signs  they  testify  to  a marine  origin. 
The  remnants  of  life  which  they  contain, 
often  in  the  greatest  abundance,  are  decisive 
as  to  this  point. 


THE  GEOGRAPHY  AND  GEOLOGY  OF  OHIO. 


63 


3.  The  sea  in  which  or  around  which  they 
grew  was  the  former  extension  of  the  Gulf 
of  Mexico.  When  the  rocks  of  Ohio  were 
in  process  of  formation,  the  warm  waters  and 
genial  climate  of  the  Gulf  extended  without 
interru  lotion  to  the  borders  of  the  great  lakes. 
All  of  these  rocks  had  their  origin  under  such 
conditions. 

4.  The  rocks  of  Ohio  constitute  an  orderly 
series.  They  occur  in  widespread  sheets,  the 
lowermost  of  which  are  co-extensive  with  the 
limits  of  the  State.  As  we  ascend  in  the 
scale,  the  strata  constantly  occupy  smaller 
areas,  but  the  last  series  of  deposits,  viz. , those 
of  the  Carboniferous  period,  are  still  found  to 
cover  at  least  one-fourth  of  the  entire  area  of 
the  State.  Some  of  these  formations  can  be 
followed  into  and  across  adjacent  States,  in 
apparently  unbroken  continuity. 

The  edges  of  the  successive  deposits  in  the 
Ohio  series  are  exposed  in  innumerable  natural 
"sections,  so  that  their  true  order  can  gener- 
ally be  determined  with  certainty  and  ease. 

5.  For  the  accumulation  and  growth  of  this 
great  series  of  deposits,  vast  periods  of  time 
are  required.  Many  millions  of  years  must 
be  used  in  any  rational  explanation  of  their 
origin  and  history.  All  of  the  stages  of  this 
history  have  practically  unlimited  amounts  of 
past  time  upon  which  to  draw.  They  have 
all  gone  forward  on  so  large  a scale,  so  far  as 
time  is  concerned,  that  the  few  thousand 
years  of  human  history  would  not  make  an 
appreciable  factor  in  any  of  them.  In  other 
words,  five  thousand  years  or  ten  thousand 
years  make  too  small  a period  to  be  counted 
in  the  formation  of  coal,  for  example,  or  in 
the  accumulation  of  petroleum,  or  in  the 
shaping  of  the  surface  of  the  State  through 
the  agencies  of  erosion. 

The  geological  scale  of  the  State  is  repre- 
sented in  the  accompanying  diagram  (page  6). 
The  order  of  the  series  is,  of  course,  fixed  and 
definite,  but  the  thickness  assigned  to  the 
several  elements  depends  upon  the  location 
at  which  the  section  is  taken.  The  aggregate 
thickness  of  the  entire  series  will  reach  5,000 
feet,  if  the  maximum  of  each  stratum  is 
taken  into  the  account,  but  if  the  average 
measurements  are  used,  the  thickness  does 
not  exceed  3,500  feet.  The  principal  ele- 
ments of  the  scale,  which  extends  from  the 
Lower  Silurian  to  the  upper  Carboniferous  or 
possibly  the  Permian,  inclusive,  are  given 
below,  and  the  geological  map  appended 
shows  how  the  surface  of  the  State  is  dis- 
tributed among  the  principal  formations.  A 
brief  review  of  these  leading  elements  will  be 
given  at  this  point. 

1.  The  Trenton  Limestone. 

The  Trenton  limestone  is  one  of  the  most 
important  of  the  older  formations  of  the 
continent.  It  is  the  first  widespread  lime- 
stone of  the  general  scale.  It  extends  from 
New  England  to  the  Rocky  mountains,  and 
from  the  islands  north  of  Hudson’s  b^ly  to 
the  southern  extremity  of  the  Allegheny 
mountains  in  Alabama  and  Tennessee. 


Throughout  this  vast  region  it  is  found  ex- 
posed in  innumerable  outcrops.  It  gives  rise 
as  it  decays  to  limestone  soils  which  are  some 
times  of  re-piarkable  fertility,  as,  for  example, 
those  of  the  famous  Blue  Grass  region  of 
Central  Kentucky,  which  are  derived  from 
it.  It  is  v/orked  for  building  stone  in  hun- 
dred of  quarries,  and  it  is  also  burned  into 
lime  and  broken  into  road  metal  on  a large 
scale  throughout  the  regions  where  it  occurs. 
But  widespread  as  are  its  exposures  in  out-^ 
crop,  it  has  a still  wider  extension  under' 
cover.  It  is  known  to  make  the  floor  of 
entire  States  in  which  it  does  not  reach  the 
surface  at  a single  point. 

It  takes  its  name  from  a picturesque  and 
well-known  locality  in  Trenton  township, 
Oneida  county.  New  York.  The  West 
Canada  creek  makes  a rapid  descent  in  this 
township  from  the  Adirondack  uplands  to 
the  Mohawk  valley,  falling  300  feet  in  two 
miles  by  a series  of  cascades.  These  cascades 
have  long  been  known  as  Trenton  Falls,  and 
the  limestone  which  forms  them  was  appro- 
priately named  by  the  New  York  geologists 
the  Trenton  limestone.  The  formation,  as 
seen  at  the  original  locality,  is  found  to  be  a 
dark-blue,  almost  black  limestone,  lying  in 
quite  massive  and  even  beds,  which  are  often 
separated  by  layers  of  black  shale.  Both 
limestone  and  shale  contain  excellently  pre- 
served fossils  of  Lower  Silurian  age.  By 
means  of  these  fossils,  and  also  by  its  strati- 
graphical  order,  the  limestone  is  followed 
with  perfect  distinctness  from  Trenton  Falls 
to  every  point  of  the  compass.  It  is  changed 
to  some  extent,  in  color  and  composition,  as  it 
is  traced  in  different  directions,  but  there  is 
seldom  a question  possible  as  to  its  identity. 
The  Trenton  limestone  forms  several  of  the 
largest  islands  in  whole  or  in  part  in  the 
northern  portion  of  Lake  Huron,  as  the 
Manitoulin  islands  and  Drummond’s  island. 
It  dips  from  this  region  to  the  southward, 
but  it  is  found  rising  again  in  outcrop  in  the 
valley  of  the  Kentucky  river.  Its  presence 
underneath  the  entire  States  of  Ohio  and 
Michigan,  and  especially  under  Western 
Ohio,  has  always  been  inferred,  since  the 
geology  of  these  States  was  first  worked  out. 
But  it  is  only  recently  that  it  has  come  to  be 
clearly  recognized  as  one  of  the  surface  forma- 
tions of  Ohio. 

The  lowest  rocks  in  the  State  series  have 
long  been  known  to  be  exposed  in  the  Point 
Pleasant  quarries  of  Clermont  county.  It  is 
upon  the  outcrop  of  these  rocks  that  the 
humble  dwelling  stands  in  which  Ulysses  S. 
Grant  first  saw  the  light.  The  claim  that 
these  beds  in  reality  belong  to  and  represent 
the  Trenton  limestone  of  Kentucky  was  first 
made  by  S.  A.  Miller,  Esq.,  of  Cincinnati, 
and  the  same  view  was  afterward  supported 
by  the  late  Win.  M.  Linney  of  the  Kentucky 
Geological  Survey,  but  the  demonstration  of 
the  fact  comes  in  an  unexpected  way.  In  the 
extensive  underground  explorations  that  have 
been  going  forward  in  Northern  Ohio  for  the 
last  few  years,  the  Trenton  limestone  has 
been  unmistakably  identified  as  the  firm 


VERTICAL  SECTICN 
□F  THE  RCCKS  CF  CHIC, 


SYSTEM 


18 


SERIES. 


GLACIAL  DRIFT 
0— 55o 


UPPER  BARREN  COAL  MEASURES 


UPPER  PRODUCTIVE  COAL  MEASURES 


LOWER  BARREN  COAL  MEASURES 


LOWER  PRODUCTIVE  COAL  MEASURES 


CONGLOMERATE  SERIES 

SUBCARBONIFEROUS  LIMESTONE  fSHALE 

" HE  LOGAN  GROUP  ^SANDSTONE 


WAVERLY 

5oo-8oo 


[conglomerate 


no  CUYAHOGA  SHALE 

lie  BEREA  SHALE 
IIB  BEREA  GRIT 
IIA  BEDFORD  SHALE 


300 


-200 


600 


250 


250 


- 200 


z . 

X 

UJ 

o 


OHIO  SHALE 
3oo-26oo 


IOC  CLEVELAND  SHALE 


HAMILTON  SHALE 
DEVONIAN  LIMESTONES 


IOb  ERIE  SHALE 
lOA  HURON  SHALE 


Eil?^  • 300 


25—75 


V~T 


kI 

Soc 

0.3 

3d 

CO 


LOWER  HELDERBERG  LIMESTONE 
60-600 


NIAGARA  Series^ 
CLINTON  Series 
MEDINA  SHALE-S 


So  HILLSBORO  SANDSTONE 
6C  GUELPH  LIMESTONE 

6b  NIAGARA  LIMESTONE 
6A  NIAGARA  SHALE.  DAYTON  LIME. 


~rF~ 


I ..  I 


- 300 


200 


'25-1 


HUDSON  RIVER  SERIES 

600H060 


UTICA  SHALES 
0-300 

TRENTON  LIMESTONE 


(64) 


THE  STROBRIDCE  UTH.CO.ClNCINNAll. 


600 


- 300 


(65) 


J 


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library"  ^ 
UNIVERSITY  OF  ILLINOIS 
URBANA 


lie:-' 


THE  GEOGRAPHY  ANh  GEOLOGY  OF  OHIO. 


67 


limestone  that  is  found  at  a depth  of  1,000 
to  2,000  feet  below  the  surface,  invariably 
covered  with  about  300  feet  of  black  shale, 
containing  the  most  characteristic  fossils  of 
the  Utica  shale.  As  this  limestone  has  been 
followed  southward,  it  has  been  found  steadily 
rising,  coming  gradually  nearer  to  the  surface, 
and  the  rate  has  been  found  to  be  such  from 
the  nearest  determination  that  it  would  cor- 
respond very  well  with  the  formation  that 
crops  out  in  the  Ohio  valley  at  Point 
Pleasant. 

As  seen  there  the  Trenton  limestone  is  a 
light  or  grayish-blue  limestone,  quite  crystal- 
line in  structure,  massive  in  its  bedding^  and 
fossiliferous.  Its  general  composition  is  as 
follows : 

Carbonate  of  lime,  ^ 75  to  85  % 

Carbonate  of  magnesia,  1 to  5 % 

Alumina  and  oxide  of  iron,  2 to  ^ % 

Insoluble  residue,  10  to  15  % 

It  is  not,  in  this  phase,  a porous  rock. 

The  most  surprising  discovery  ever  made 
in  Ohio  geology  comes  from  this  formation. 
In  1 884  it  was  found  to  be  at  Findlay  a source 
of  high  pressure  gas  and  later  a great  reposi- 
tory of  petroleum.  These  discoveries  have 
made  the  name  of  the  Trenton  limestone  a 
household  word  throughout  Ohio,  Indiana 
and  Michigan.  These  discoveries  will  be 
briefly  described  on  a subsequent  page. 

2.  The  Utica  Shale. 

The  immediate  cover  of  the  Trenton  lime- 
stone is  a w^ll-known  stratum  of  black  shale 
300  feet  in  thickness,  which,  from  its  abun- 
dant outcrops  in  the  vicinity  of  Utica,  re- 
ceived from  the  New  York  geologists  the 
name  of  Utica  shale. 

This  stratum  has  been  proved  to  be  very 
persistent  and  widespread.  It  is  sparingly 
fossiliferous,  but  several  of  the  forms  that  it 
contains  are  characteristic,  that  is,  the}^  have 
thus  far  been  found  in  no  other  stratum. 
The  flrst  of  the  deep  wefls  that  was  drilled  in 
1 884  in  Findlay  revealed,  at  a depth  of  800 
feet,  a stratum  of  black  shale  containing  the 
most  characteristic  fo.ssil  of  the  Utica  shale, 
viz.,  Leptoholm  insignis,  Hall,  and  it  was 
thus  ])ositively  identified  with  the  last-named 
fonnation.  This  bed  of  shale  has  the  normal 
thickness  of  the  Utica  shale  in  New  York, 
viz.,  300  feet,  and  with  the  other  elements 
involved,  it  extended  and  continued  the  New 
York  series  into  Northern  Ohio  in  a most 
unexpected  and,  at  the  same  time,  in  a most 
satisfactory  way. 

The  Utica  shale,  thus  discovered  and  de- 
fined, is  a constant  element  in  the  deep  wells 
of  Northwestern  Ohio.  Its  upper  boundary 
is  not  always  distinct,  as  the  Hudson  river 
shale  that  overlies  it  sometimes  graduates 
into  it  in  color  and  appearance,;  but  as  a rule 
the  driller,  without  any  geological  pre])osses- 
sions  whatever,  will  divide  the  well  section  in 
his  record  so  as  to  show  about  300  feet  of 
black  shale  at  the  bottom  of  the  column  or 
immediately  overlying  the  Trenton  lime- 


stone. This  stratum  holds  its  own  as  far  as 
the  southern  central  counties.  In  the  wells 
of  Springfield,  Urbana  and  Picjua  it  is  found 
in  undiminished  thickness,  but  apparently 
somewhat  more  calcareous  in  composition. 
From  these  points  southward  the  black  shale 
thins  rapidly.  ^ It  is  apparently  replaced  by 
dark -colored  limestone  bands  known  as  pep- 
per and  salt  rock  by  the  driller. 

From  these  and  similar  facts  it  appears 
that  the  Utica  shale  is  much  reduced  and 
altered  as  it  approaches  the  Ohio  valley,  and 
is  finally  lost  by  overlap  of  the  Hudson  river 
shale  in  this  portion  oi  tne  fetate  ana  to  the 
southward. 

3.  The  Hudson  River  Group. 

The  very  important  and  interesting  series 
now  to  be  described  appears  in  all  the  pre- 
vious reports  of  the  geological  survey  under 
another  name,  viz.,  the  Cincinnati  group.  It 
is  unnecessary  to  review  here  the  long  dis- 
cussions pertaining  to  the  age  of  this  series, 
or  the  grounds  on  which  the  changes  in  the 
name  by  which  it  is  known  have  been  based. 
The  return  to  the  older  name  here  proposed 
is  necessitated  by  the  discoveries  recently 
made  in  our  underground  geology,  to  which 
reference  has  already  been  made. 

The  Hudson  river  group  in  Southwestern 
Ohio  consists  of  alternating  beds  of  limestone 
and  shale,  the  latter  of  which  is  commonly 
known  as  blue  clay.  The  proportion  of  lime 
and  shale  vary  greatly  in  different  parts  of 
the  series.  The  largest  percentage  of  shale 
occurs  in  the  250  feet  of  the  series  that  begin 
50  or  75  feet  above  low  water  at  Cincinnati. 
The  entire  thickness  of  the  series  in  South- 
western Ohio  i.s  about  750  feet.  The  divi- 
sion of  the  series  into  lower  and  upper  is 
natural  and  serviceable.  The  lower  is  known 
as  the  Cincinnati  division  and  the  upper  as 
the  Lebanon  division.  The  Cincinnati  divi- 
sion has  a thickness  of  425  to  450  feet,  and 
the  Lebanon  division  a thickness  of  about 
300  feet.  The  divisions  are  separated  on 
both  paleontological  and  stratigraphical 
grounds.  Both  divisions  abound  in  ex- 
quisitely preserved  fossils  of  Lower  Silurian 
time  ; and  in  fact  the  hills  of  Cincinnati  and 
its  vicinity  have  become  classical  grounds  to 
the  geologists  on  this  account. 

As  the  series  takes  cover  to  the  northward 
and  eastward  it  retains  for  a time  the  same 
characteristics  already  described,  but  as  it  is 
followed  farther  it  rapidly  becomes  less  cal- 
careous. The  limestone  courses  are  thinner 
and  fewer,  and  the  entire  series  comes  to  be 
counted  shale. 

The  Hudson  river  group  occupies  in  its 
outcrop  about  4,000  square  miles  in  South- 
western Ohio,  but  it  is  doubtless  coextensive 
with  the  limits  of  the  State.  The  shales  of 
the  series  contain  in  outcrop  large  quantities 
of  i)hosphates  and  alkalies,  and  the  soils  to 
which  they  give  rise  are  proverbial  for  their 
fertility. 

The  presence  of  these  fine-grained  and  im- 
pervious shales  in  so  many  se])arate  beds 
forbids  the  descent  of  water  through  the 


68 


THE  GEOGRAPHY  AND  GEOLOGY  OF  OHIO. 


formation.  In  its  outcrop  the  formation  has 
no  water  supply,  and,  as  found  by  the  driller, 
it  is  always  dry.  It  gives  rise  to  frequent 
“ blowers”  or  short-lived  accumulations  of 
high-pressure  gas  when  struck  by  the  drill, 
as  has  been  found  in  the  experience  in  many 
towns  of  Western  Ohio  within  the  last  two 
years,  and  it  also  yields  considerable 
amounts  of  low-pressure  shale  gas  which 
proves  fairly  durable, 

4.  The  Medina  Shale. 

A stratum  of  non-fossiliferous  shale,  often 
red  or  yellow  in  color  and  having  a thickness 
of  ten  to  forty  feet,  directly  overlies  the 
uppermost  beds  of  the  Hudson  river  group 
at  many  points  in  Southwestern  Ohio.  The 
occurrence  of  50  to  150  feet  of  red  shale  in 
most  of  the  recent  deep  borings  in  North- 
western Ohio  at  exactly  the  place  in  the  gen- 
eral column  where  the  Medina  should  be,  and 
BO  much  nearer  to  the  known  outcrops  of  the 
formation  that  its  continuity  with  these  was 
hardly  to  be  questioned,  this  fact,  taken  in 
connection  with  the  occurrence  of  like  beds  of 
red  shale  holding  the  same  relative  position 
in  several  deep  borings  in  the  central  portions 
of  the  State,  serves  to  give  warrant  for  count- 
ing the  Medina  epoch  duly  represented  in  the 
outcropping  strata  of  Southwestern  Ohio.  It 
occurs  here  only  in  included  sections,  its  thin 
and  easily  eroded  beds  never  being  found  as 
surface  formations  for  extensive  areas.  There 
is  good  reason  to  believe  that  the  Medina 
formation  is  coextensive  with  the  limits  of 
the  State,  except  in  the  regions  from  which 
it  has  already  been  removed. 

5.  The  Clinton  Limestone. 

The  Clinton  group  of  New  York  appears 
as  a surface  formation  in  Ohio  only  in  ^he 
area  already  named.  It  forms  a fringe  or 
margin  of  the  Cincinnati  group  through  eight 
or  ten  counties,  rising  above  the  soft  and 
easily  eroded  rocks  of  this  series,  and  of  the 
previously  named  Medina  shale,  in  a conspicu- 
ous terrace.  It  is  everywhere  a well-charac- 
terized limestone  stratum.  It  is  highly 
crystalline  in  structure,  and  is  susceptible  of 
a good  polish.  In  some  localities  it  is  known 
as  a marble.  A considerable  part  of  it,  and 
especially  the  upper  beds,  are  almost  wholly 
made  up  of  crinoidal  fragments.  In  thick- 
ness it  ranges  between  ten  and  fifty  feet.  Its 
prevailing  colors  are  white,  pink,  red,  yellow, 
ray  and  blue.  At  a few  points  it  is  replaced 
y the  hematite  ore  that  is  elsewhere  so  char- 
acteristic of  the  formation.  The  ore  in  Ohio 
is  generally  too  lean  and  uncertain  to  possess 
economic  value,  but  it  was  once  worked  for  a 
short  time  and  in  a very  small  way  in  a 
furnace  near  Wilmington,  Clinton  county. 

The  limestone  contains  a notable  quantity 
of  indigenous  petroleum  throughout  most  of 
its  outcrop,  but  no  very  valuable  accumula- 
tions of  oil  or  gas  have  been  found  in  it  thus 
far.  It  is  the  source  of  the  low-pressure 
gas  of  Fremont  (upper  vein),  and  also  of 
the  gas  at  Lancaster  from  1,962  feet  below 
the  surface,  and  at  Newark  from  2,100  leet 


below  the  surface.  In  fact,  a small  but 
fairly  persistent  flow  is  maintained  from  this 
horizon  in  several  of  the  gas-producing  dis- 
tricts of  Northern  Ohio.  In  a single  instance 
in  Wood  county  it  is  proving  itself  an  oil 
rock.  A well  near  Trombley,  drilled  to  this 
horizon,  has  been  flowing  twenty  to  thirty 
barrels  of  oil  for  a number  of  months,  the 
oil  being  referable  to  this  formation. 

In  outcrop  the  stratum  is  quite  porous  a? 
a rule,  and  the  water  that  falls  upon  its  un 
covered  portions  sinks  rapidly  through  thensi 
to  the  underlying  shale  (Medina),  by  which 
it  is  turned  out  in  a well-marked  line  of 
springs. 

In  composition,  the  limestone,  in  its  out- 
crops in  Southern  Ohio,  is  fairly  constant. 
All  of  its  most  characteristic  portions  con- 
tain eighty  to  eighty-five.-  per  cent,  of  car- 
bonate of  lime,  and  ten  to  fifteen  per  cent,  of 
carbonate  of  magnesia.  At  a few  points, 
however,  it  is  found  as  the  purest  carbonate 
of  lime  in  the  State.  Under  cover,  to  the 
northward,  it  is  much  more  magnesian  in 
composition,  being  indistinguishable  from  the 
Niagara.  It  also  becomes  shaly  and  change- 
able in  character  at  many  points.  As  it  be- 
comes shaly  the  thickness  is  much  increased. 

It  is  everywhere  uneven  in  its  bedding,  be- 
ing in  striking  contrast  in  this  respect  with 
the  formations  below  it  and  also  above  it. 
The  beds  are  all  lenticular  in  shape,  and 
they  extend  but  a few,  feet  in  any  direction. 
They  seldom  rise  to  one  foot  in  thickness. 

The  uneven  bedding,  the  crystalline  and 
crinoidal  characters,  the  high  colors,  and  par- 
ticularly the  red  bands  and  the  chemical 
composition,  combine  to  make*  the  Clinton 
limestone  an  exceedingly  well-marked  stratum 
throughout  Southwestern  Ohio,  and  from  the 
hints  yielded  by  the  drill  in  Northwestern 
Ohio,  it  seems  to  have  something  of  the  same 
character  there,  especially  so  far  as  color  is 
concerned.  It  becomes  more  shaly  and  much 
thicker  to  the  eastward.  It  carries  bands  of 
red  shale  almost  universally  throughout  the 
northern  central  and  central  parts  of  the 
State. 

The  limestone  is  directly  followed  at  a 
number  of  points  in  the  territory  occupied 
by  it  by  a stratum  of  very  fine-grained,  blu- 
ish-white clay,  containing  many  fqssils  dis- 
tributed through  it,  the  fossils  being  crystal- 
line and  apparently  pure  carbonate  of  lime. 
A similar  bed  of  white  clay  is  reported  at 
the  same  horizon,  by  the  drillers  in  Northern 
Ohio,  and  the  drillings  show  the  presence  of 
fossils  of  the  same  characters.  This  clay 
seam  can  be  designated  the  Clinton  clay,  but 
it  merges  in  and  is  indistinguishable  from  the 
lowest  element  in  the  next  group.  The 
Clinton,  in  its  outcrops,  is  entirely  confined 
to  Southern  Ohio. 

6.  The  Niagara  Group. 

The  Clinton  limestone  is  followed  in  ^- 
cending  order  by  the  Niagara  group,  a series 
of  shales  and  limestones  that  has  consider- 
able thickness  in  its  outcrops  and  that  occu- 
pies about  3,000  square  miles  of  territory 


THE  GEOGRAPHY  AND  GEOLOGY  OF  OHIO. 


69 


I'n  Ohio.  The  lowest  member  is  the  Niagara 
shale,  a mass  of  light-colored  clays,  with 
many  thin  calcareous  bands.  It  has  a thick- 
ness of  1 00  feet  in  Adams  county,  but  it  is 
reduced  rapidly  as  it  is  followed  northward, 
and  in  Clarke  and  Montgomery  counties  it  is 
not  more  than  ten  or  fifteen  feet  thick. 
Still  further  to  the  northward,  as^  appears 
from  the  records  of  recent  drillings,  the 
shale  sometimes  disappears  entirely,  but  in 
the  great  majority  of  wells,  especially  in 
Hancock  and  Wood  counties,  it  is  a constant 
element,  ranging  from  five  to  thirty  feet. 
Wells  are  often  cased  in  this  shale,  but  a 
risk  is  always  taken  in  doing  so. 

In  Montgomery,  Miami  and  Greene  coun- 
ties the  shale  contains  in  places  a very  valu- 
able building-stone,  which  is  widely  known  as 
the  Dayton  stone.  It  is  a highly  crystalline, 
compact  and  strong  stone,  lying  in  even  beds 
of  various  thickness,  and  is  in  every  way 
adapted  to  the  highest  architectural  uses.  It 
carries  about  ninety-two  per  cent,  of  carbon- 
ate of  lime.  The  Niagara  shale  is,  as  a rule, 
quite  poor  in  fossils.  It  is  apparently  desti- 
tute of  them  in  many  of  its  exposures. 

The  limestone  that  succeeds  the  shale  is 
an  even-bedded,  blue  or  drab,  magnesian 
stone,  well  adapted  at^  many  points  to  quar- 
rying purposes.  It  is  known  in  Ohio  by 
various  local  names,  derived  from  the  points 
where  it  is  worked.  There  are  several  sub- 
divisions of  it  that  are  unequally  developed 
in  different  portions  of  the  State.  Like  the 
shale  below  it,  this  member  is  thickest  in 
Southern  Ohio.  It  cannot  be  recognized  as 
a distinct  element  in  the  northern  part  of  the 
State,  either  in  outcrop  or  in  drillings.  It 
may  be  that  its  horizon  is  not  reached  in  any 
natural  exposures  of  the  formation  in  this 
part  of  the  State. 

The  uppermost  division  of  the  formation 
is  the  Guelph  limestone,  which  differs  very 
noticeably  in  several  points  from  the  Niagara 
limestone  proper.  It  obtains  its  name  from 
a locality  in  Canada,  where  it  was  first  stud 
led  and  described.  It  has  a maximum  thick- 
ness in  Southern  Ohio  of  200  feet.  It  differs 
from  the  underlying  limestone  in  structure, 
composition,  and  fossils.  It  is  either  massive 
or  very  thin-bedded,  rarely  furnishing  a build- 
ing stone.  It  is  porous  to  an  unusual  extent. 
It  is  generally  very  light  in  color,  and  is 
everywhere  in  the  State  nearly  a typical 
dolomite  in  composition.  It  yields  lime  of 
great  excellence  for  the  mason’s  use. 

Unlike  the  previously  named  divisions  of 
the  Niagara,  the  Guelph  limestone  is  as  well 
developed  in  Northern  as  in  Southern  Ohio 
in  all  respects.  Not  more  than  forty  feet  are 
found  in  its  outcrops  here,  but  the  drill  has 
shown  several  times  this  amount  of  Niagara 
limestone,  without  giving  us  all  of  the  data 
needed  for  referring  the  beds  traversed  to 
their  proper  subdivision^.  What  facts  there 
are  seem  to  point  to  the  Guelph  as  the  main 
element  in  this  underground  development  of 
the  formation  in  this  portion  of  the  State. 

The  Hillsboro  sandstone  is  the  last  element 
m the  Niaiiara  group.  It  is  found  in  but 


few  localities,  and  its  reference  to  the  Niagui  a 
series  in  its  entirety  is  not  beyond  (question. 
In  Highland  county  it  has  a thickness  of 
thirty  feet  in  several  sections.  It  is  composed 
of  very  pure,  even-grained,  sharp  silicious 
sand.  Other  deposits  of  precisely  the  same 
character  are  found  in  the  two  next  higher 
limestones  of  the  scale  at  several  points  in  ' 
the  State. 

The  Hillsboro  sandstone  is  sometimes  built 
up  above  all  the  beds  of  the  upper  Niagara 
limestone,  but  again,  it  is,  at  times,  inter- 
stratified  with  the  beds  of  the  Guelph  divis- 
ion. In  the  latter  case  it  is  itself  fossiliferous, 
but  when  found  alone  it  seems  destitute  of 
all  traces  of  life.  These  sandstones  in  the 
limestone  formations  suggest  in  their  pecu- 
liarities a common  origin.  They  consist  of 
unworn  and  nearly  perfect  crystals,  in  con- 
siderable part. 

The  Salina  group  has  appeared  in  all  the 
recent  sections  of  the  rocks  of  the  State,  but 
in  the  light  of  facts  obtained  within  the  latest 
explorations,  it  can  no  longer  be  counted  a 
distinct  or  recognizable  element  in  the  Ohio 
scale. 

7.  The  Lower  Helderberg  or  Vv'ater- 
LiME  Formation. 

The  interval  that  exists  between  the  Ni- 
agara and  the  Devonian  limestones  is  occupied 
in  Ohio  by  a very  important  formation.  It 
is  filled  with  a series  of  beds,  which  are  in 
part,  at  least,  the  equivalents  of  the  Water  - 
lime  of  New  York. 

The  name  is  unhappily  chosen.  Strictly 
applicable  to  only  an  insignificant  fraction  of 
the  beds  of  this  series  in  New  York,  we  are 
still  obliged  to  apply  the  designation  Water- 
lime,  with  its  misleading  suggestions,  to  all 
deposits  of  the  same  age  throughout  the 
country. 

Though  the  last  to  be  recognized  of  our 
several  limestone  formations,  the  Waterlime 
occupies  a larger  area  in  Ohio  than  any 
other,  its  principal  developments  being  found 
in  the  drift-covered  plains  of  the  northwestern 
quarter  of  the  State.  It  has  also  a much 
greater  thickness  than  any  other  limestone, 
its_  full  measure  being  at  least  600  feet,  or 
twice  the  greatest  thickness  of  the  Niagara 
limestone. 

It  can  be  described  as,  in  the  main,  a 
strong,  compact,  magnesian  limestone,  poor 
in  fossils,  and  often  altogether  destitute  of 
them  for  considerable  areas,  microscopic 
forms  being  excepted.  It  is,  for  the  most 
part,  drab  or  brown  in  color  ; but  occasionally 
it  becomes  very  light-colored,  and  again  it  is 
often  dark  blue.  It  is  brecciated  throughout 
much  of  its  extent,  the  beds  seeming  to  have 
been  broken  into  sometimes  small  and  some- 
times large  angular  fragments  after  their 
hardening,  and  then  to  have  been  re-cemented 
without  further  disturbance.  In  addition  to 
this,  it  contains  an  immense  amount  of  true 
conglomerate,  the  pebbles,  many  of  which 
are  bowlders  rather  than  pebbles,  being  all 
derived  from  the  rocks  of  the  same  general 
age.  The  surface  of  many  successive  layer? 


70 


THF.  GEOGRAPHY  AND  GEOLOGY  OF  OHIO. 


at  numerous  points  are  covered  with  sun- 
cracks,  thus  furnishing  proof  of  having  been 
formed  in  shallow  water  near  the  edge  of  the 
sea.  In  such  localities  the  beds  are  usually 
quite  thin,  and  are  also  impure  in  composi- 
tion. In  these  respects  it  suggests  the  con- 
ditions of  the  Onondaga  salt  group  of  New 
Fork.  These  features  are  very  characteristic 
ones.  A rude  concretional  structure  is  also 
quite  distinctive  of  the  beds  of  this  age.  The 
Waterlime  in  Ohio  everywhere  contains  pe- 
troleum in  small  quantity,  which  is  shown 
by  the  odor  of  freshly  broken  surfaces.  No 
noteworthy  accumulations  of  oil  or  gas  have 
thus  far  been  found  within  it.  At  some 
points  it  carries  considerable  asphalt,  distrib- 
uted through  the  rock  in  shot-like  grains,  or 
in  sheets  and  films.  Thin  streaks  of  car- 
bonaceous matter  traversing  the  rock  parallel 
to  its  bed-planes  are  one  of  the  constant 
marks  of  the  stratum  in  Ohio.  It  is  gener- 
ally thin  and  even  in  its  bedding ; but  in 
some  localities  it  contains  massive  beds.  At 
some  points  it  is  remarkable  for  its  evenness, 
and  great  value  is  given  to  the  formation  on 
this  account,  when  combined  with  other  qual- 
ities already  named.  It  is  frequently  a nearly 
pure  dolomite  in  composition,  and  accord- 
ingly it  yields  magnesian  lime  of  high  quality 
and  is  extensively  burned  in  the  State,  rival- 
ing in  this  respect  the  Guelph  beds  of  the 
Niagara. 

In  Southern  Ohio  it  has  a maximum  thick- 
ness of  100  feet,  and  here  it  reaches  its  high- 
est quality  in  all  respects  ; but  in  Central  and 
Northern  Ohio  it  attains  the  great  thickness 
previously  reported.  There  also  it  contains 
several  distinct  types  of  limestone  rock.  A 
considerable  part  of  it  is  very  tough,  strong, 
dark-blue  limestone,  while  other  portions  are 
white,  porous,  and  soft. 

Its  fossils  are  referable,  in  type  at  least,  to 
the  age  of  the  Waterlime,  as  already  sta  ted. 
The  most  characteristic  forms  are  the  crusta- 
cean named  Eurypterus,  which  was  found  by 
Newberry  on  the  islands  of  Lake  Erie,  and 
which  has  not  been  reported  elsewhere  in  the 
State  ; and  the  bivalve  crustacean  Leperditia. 
There  are  points  in  the  State,  however,  where 
the  stratum  contains  a considerable  fauna, 
and  perhaps  ground  may  be  found  for  remov- 
ing some  of  the  higher  beds  that  are  now  in- 
cluded in  it  into  a distinct  division,  viz,,  the 
Shaly  limestone  of  the  Lower  Helderberg 
series.  Greenfield,  Highland  county,  and 
Lima  may  be  named  as  localities  near  which 
especially  fossiliferous  phases  of  the  W ater- 
iime  can  be  found. 

The  Sylvania  Sandstone. 

A remarkable  series  of  deposits  of  ex- 
tremely pure  glass  sand  has  long  been  known 
in  L/Ucas  and  Wood  counties  of  Northern 
Ohio.  The  best  known  beds  are  those  of 
Sylvania  and  Monclova,  northwest  and 
southwest  of  Toledo. 

The  Sylvania  sandstone  has  been  hitherto 
referred  to  the  Oriskany  period,  but  a careful 
study  of  the  section  in  which  it  is  included 
renders  this  reference  inadmissible.  Its 


position  is  about  150  feet  below  the  Upper 
Helderberg  limestone  or  somewhat  above  the 
middle  line  of  the  Lower  Helderberg  division. 

8.  The  Upper  Helderberg  Limestones. 

All  of  the  limestone  of  Devonian  age  in 
Ohio  has  been  generally  referred  to  the  Cor- 
niferous  limestone  of  New  York,  but  on  some 
accounts  the  more  comprehensive  term  used 
above  is  counted  preferable.  A two-fold  di- 
vision of  the  series  is  possible  and  proper 
in  Ohio,  the  division  being  based  on  both 
lithology  and  fossils.  The  divisions  are  known 
as  the  lower  and  upper,  respectively,  or  as  the 
Columbus  and  Delaware  limestones.  The 
upper  division  is  sometimes  called  the  San- 
dusky limestone.  The  maximum  thickness 
of  the  entire  series  in  Ohio  is  seventy-five  to 
one  hundred  feet. 

In  chemical  composition,  the  Corniferous 
limestone  is  easily  distinguishable  from  all  that 
underlie  it.  It  is  never  a true  dolomite  in 
composition,  as  the  Waterlime  and  Niagara 
limestones  almost  always  are.  The  composi- 
tion of  the  typical,  heavy-bedded  lower  Cor- 
niferous may  be  taken  as  seventy  per  cent, 
carbonate  of  lime  and  twenty-five  per  cent, 
carbonate  of  magnesia.  The  higher  beds  of 
the  Columbus  stone  regularly  yield  ninety-one 
to  ninety-five  per  cent,  carbonate  of  lime. 
The  upper  division,  or  the  Delaware  stone,  is 
much  less  pure  in  Central  Ohio  than  the  lower, 
a notable  percentage  of  iron  and  alumina,  as 
well  as  silica,  generally  being  contained  in  it. 
It  is,  therefore,  seldom  or  never  burned  into 
lime.  In  Northern  Ohio,  on  the  contrary,  it 
is  often  found  very  strong  and  pure  lime- 
stone. 

Both  divisions,  but  particularly  the  lowei 
one,  carry  occasional  courses  of  chert,  that 
detract  from  the  value  of  the  beds  in  which 
they  occur.  The  chert  is  found  in  nodules 
which  are  easily  detached  from  the  limestone 
for  the  most  part.  In  .some  conditions  in 
which  the  chert  occurs,  fossils  are  found  in  it 
in  a remarkably  good  state  of  preservation. 

Throughout  the  entire  formation  Devonian 
fossils  abound  in  great  variety  and  in  great 
numbers.  They  are  often  found  in  an  excel- 
lent state  of  preservation.  The  oldest  verte- 
brate remains  of  the  Ohio  rocks  are  found  in 
the  Corniferous  limestone,  a fact  which  gives 
especial  interest  to  it.  The  uppermost  bed 
of  the  lower  or  Columbus  division  is,  in  many 
places,  a genuine  “ bone  bed  ; ” the  teeth  and 
plates  and  spines  of  ancient  fishes,^  largely  of 
the  nearly  extinct  family  of  ganoids,  consti- 
tuting a considerable  portion  of  the  substance 
of  the  rock.  Corals  of  various  types  are  also 
especially  abundant  and  interesting  in  this 
limestone.  In  fact,  the  formation  is  the  mo.st 
prolific  in  life  of  any  in  the  Ohio  scale. 

With  this  formation  the  great  limestones 
of  Ohio  were  completed.  While  they  are 
built  into  the  foundations  of  almost  the  entire 
State,  they  constitute  the  surface  rocks  only 
in  its  western  half  The  Upper  Silurian  and 
Devonian  limestones  of  our  scale,  which  were 
formerly  known  as  the  Cliff  limestone,  have 
an  aggregate  thickness  of  750  to  1,150  feet 


THE  GEOGRAPHY  AND  GEOLOGY  OF  OHIO. 


71 


wbece  found  under  cover,  and  though  differ- 
ences exist  among  them  by  which,  as  has 
already  been  shown,  they  can  be  divided  into 
four  or  more  main  divisions,  there  is  still  no 
reason  to  believe  that  any  marked  chan^ 
occurred  in  the  character  of  the  seas  during 
the  protracted  periods  in  which  they  were 
growing.  The  life  which  these  seas  contained 
was  slowly  changing  from  age  to  age,  so  that 
we  can  recognize  three  or  more  distinct  faunas 
or  assemblages  of  animal  life  in  them.  Dif- 
ferences are  also  indicated  in  the  several  strata 
as  to  the  depth  of  the  water  in  which  they 
were  formed,  and  as  to  the  conditions  under 
which  the  sedimentary  matter  that  enters  into 
them  was  supplied,  but  no  marked  physical 
break  occurs  in  the  long  history.  No  part 
of  the  entire  series  indicates  more  genial  con- 
ditions of  growth  than  those  which  the  De- 
vonian limestone,  the  latest  in  order  of  them 
all,  shows.  It  is  the  purest  limestone  of 
Ohio.  Foot  after  foot  of  the  formation  con- 
sists almost  exclusively  of  the  beautifully  pre- 
served fragments  of  the  life  of  these  ancient 
seas.  In  particular  the  corals  and  crinoids 
that  make  a large  element  in  many  of  its  beds 
could  only  have  grown  in  shallow  but  clear 
water  of  tropical  warmth. 

The  change  from  the  calcareous  beds  of  this 
age  to  the  next  succeeding  formation  is  very 
abrupt  and  well  marked,  as  much  so,  indeed, 
as  any  change  in  the  Ohio  scale. 

10.  The  Ohio  Shale. 

(Cleveland  Shale,  Erie  Shale,  Huron  Shale.) 

A stratum  of  shale,  several  hundred  feet 
in  thickness,  mainly  black  or  dark -brown  in 
color,  containing,  especially  in  its  lower  por- 
tions, a great  number  of  large  and  remarkably 
symmetrical  calcareous  and  ferruginous  con- 
cretions, and  stretching  entirely  across  the 
State  from  the  Ohio  valley  to  the  shores  of 
Lake  Erie,  with  an  outcrop  ranging  in  breadth 
between  ten  and  twenty  miles,  has  been  one 
of  the  most  conspicuous  and  well-known 
features  of  Ohio  geology  since  this  subject 
first  began  to  be  studied.  It  separates  the 
great  limestone  series  already  described,  which 
constitutes  the  floor  of  all  of  Western  Ohio, 
from  the  Berea  grit,  which  is  the  first  sand- 
stone to  be  reached  in  ascending  the  geologi- 
cal scale  of  the  State. 

This  great  series  of  shales  was  formerly 
divided  into  three  divisions,  as  indicated 
above,  but  a larger  knowledge  of  the  system 
makes  it  apparent  that  no  definite  boundaries 
can  be  drawn  through  the  formation  at  large. 
The  lower  part  is  chiefly  black,  the  middle 
contains  many  light  colored  bands  and  the 
upper  beds  again  are  often  dark,  but  the  sec- 
tions obtained  from  top  to  bottom  in  the 
drilling  of  deep  wells  at  various  points  in  the 
State  show  alternations  of  dark  and  light 
colored  bands  not  once  but  scores  of  times. 
The  three-fold  division  formerly  made  is  not 
only  unsupported,  but  is  misleading  and  ob- 
jectionable. The  terms  are  used  to  cover 
different  phases  of  one  and  the  same  forma- 
tion. 


The  mineral  basis  of  all  these  shales, 
whether  black,  brown,  blue,  gray  or  red,  is 
essentially  one  and  the  same  thing,  viz.,  a 
fine-grained  clay,  derived  from  the  waste  of 
distant  land.  As  supplied  to  the  sea  basin  it 
was  originally  blue  or  gray,  but  a small  per- 
centage of  peroxide  of  iron  goes  a great  way 
in  coloring  such  deposits  red,  and  in  like 
manner,  organic  matter  in  comparatively 
small  amount  gives  them  a dark  or  black 
color.  The  organic  matter  that  colors  these 
shales  was  probably  derived  in  large  part,  as 
Newberry  has  suggested,  from  .the  products 
of  growth  and  decay  of  sea-weeds  by  which 
these  seas  were  covered,  like  the  Sargasso 
seas  of  our  own  day. 

These  organic  matters  seem  to  have  ac- 
cumulated along  the  shores  and  in  shallow 
water  in  greater  quantity  than  in  the  deeper 
seas.  Hence,  if  the  section  of  these  shale 
deposits  is  taken  near  the  old  shore-lines,  or 
where  shallow  water  occurred,  a larger  pro- 
portion is  black  than  if  the  more  central 
areas  are  examined.  The  only  land  of  Ohio 
at  this  time  was  to  be  found  in  and  along  the 
Cincinnati  axis,  a low  fold  that  had  entered 
the  State  from  the  southward  at  the  close  of 
Lower  Silurian  time,  and  that  had  been 
slowly  extending  itself  northwards  through 
the  succeeding  ages.  Southwestern  Ohio  was 
already  above  water,  a low  island  in  the 
ancient  gulf  But  the  shales  on  their  western 
outcrop,  where  they  are  largely  black,  are  ex- 
actly equivalent  in  age  to  the  alternating  beds 
of  black  and  blue  shale,  the  latter  bein^  in 
large  excess,  that  were  forming  at  this  time 
in  the  central  parts  of  the  basin,  viz. , in 
Eastern  Ohio.  The  color  of  the  shales  is,  in 
this  view,  an  accident,  and  cannot  be  safely 
used  as  a ground  of  division.^  The  entire 
shale  formation  that  we  are  considering  seems 
to  have  been  laid  down  without  physical  break 
or  interruption.  It  must  have  required  an 
immensely  long  period  for  its  accumulation. 
This  is  shown  not  only  by  the  fineness  and 
uniformity  of  the  materials  which  compose  it, 
and  which  could  not  have  been  rapidly  sup- 
plied, and  by  the  great  thickness  of  the  for- 
mation in  Eastern  ()hio,  but  also  by  the  geo- 
logical equivalents  of  the  shale  in  the  general 
column  which  furnish  even  more  convincing 
proof  as  to  its  long  continued  growth.  The 
Ohio  shale,  as  Newberry  has  shown,  is  cer- 
tainly the  equivalent  in  the  general  scale  of 
the  Genesee  slate,  the  Portage  group  and  the 
Chemung  group,  the  last  named  being  itself 
a formation  of  great  thickness  and  extent. 
In  other  words,  the  shales  of  our  column 
bridge  the  interval  between  the  Haniilton 
proper  and  the  Catskill  group,  and  in  the 
judgment  of  some  geologists,  a wider  interval 
even  than  that  named  above.  As  Newberry 
was  the  first  to  show,  the  oil  sands  of  Penn- 
sylvania are  banks  of  pebble  rock  that  are 
buried  in  the  eastern  extension  of  the  Ohio 
shale,  but  which  make  no  sign  within  our 
own  limits. 

The  shales  are,  for  the  most  part,  poor  in 
fossils,  except  in  those  of  microscopic  size 
but  among  the  few  that  they  contain  are  the 


72 


THE  GEOGRAPHY  AND  GEOLOGY  OF  OHIO, 


post  striking  and  remarkable  not  only  of  the 
scale  of  Ohio,  but  of  all  Devonian  time  as 
well.  Reference  is  here  made  to  the  great 
fishes  which  have  been  described  by  Newberry 
and  which  constitute  so  interesting  a chapter 
of  geological  history.  Some  of  thern  belong 
to  the  basal  beds  of  the  shale  formation,  and 
others  near  the  summit.  The  first  were  found 
at  the  centres  of  the  great  concretions  already 
named  as  characteristic  of  the  formation. 
These  fossils  are  interesting  both  on  account 
of  their  enormous  size  and  of  their  peculiar 
combination  pf  points  of  structure  that  are 
widely  separated  now. 

Brief  mention  must  be  made  of  the  vege- 
table fossils  of  the  shales. 

Fossil  wood,  derived  from  ancient  pine  trees 
of  the  genus  Dadoxylon,  is  quite  common  in 
the  lower  beds  (Huron).  The  wood  is  silici- 
fied  and  the  original  structure  is  admirably 
preserved.  This  wood  is  sometimes  found, 
like  the  fish  remains  already  noted,  at  the 
hearts  of  the  concretions,  but  occasionally 
large  sized  blocks  are  found  free  in  the  shale. 
On  account  of  its  enduring  nature  it  is  often 
found  in  those  beds  of  glacial  drift  that  have 
been  derived  largely  from  the  destruction  of 
the  shales. 

Strap-shaped  leaves,  presumably  of  sea- 
weeds, are  occasionally  • found  upon  the  sur- 
faces of  the  shale  layers.  Sometimes  they 
form  thin  layers  of  bright  coal  which  deceive 
the  ignorant.  Fossil  rushes,  of  the  genus 
Calamites,  are  also  occasionally  met  with. 

But  the  forms  already  named  are  of  small 
account,  so  far  as  quantity  is  concerned,  when 
compared  with  certain  microscopic  fossils  that 
are,  with  little  doubt,  of  vegetable  origin, 
and  which  are  accumulated  in  large  amount 
throughout  the  black  beds  of  the  entire  shale 
formation,  composing,  sometimes,  a notable 
percentage  of  the  substance  of  the  rock,  and 
apparently  giving  origin,  to  an  important  ex- 
tent, to  the  bituminous  character  of  the 
beds. 

The  leading  forms  of  these  microscopic 
fossils  are  translucent,  resinous  discs,  ranging 
in  long  diameter  from  one-thirtieth  to  one- 
two-hundredth  of  an  inch.  Several  varieties 
have  already  been  noted,  depending  on  the 
size,  particular  shape  and  surface  markings 
of  these  bodies.  The  facts  pertaining  to  them 
have  of  late  been  more  widely  published,  and 
the  attention  of  geologists  in  various  parts  of 
the  world  has  been  called  to  these  and  similar 
forms,  and  thus  there  is  the  promise  of  a 
speedy  enlargement  of  our  knowledge  in  re- 
gard to  them.  Sir  William  Daw^son  now  con- 
siders the  common  forms  to  be  the  macrospores 
of  rhizocarps  allied  to  Salvhda  of  the  present 
day.  The  sporocarps  containing  these  ma- 
crospores in  place  have  recently  been  dis- 
covered. This  identification  would  refer  these 
bodies  to  floating  vegetation  on  the  surface 
of  the  seas  in  which  the  shales  were  formed, 
and  is  thus  directly  in  line  with  the  sagacious 
interpretation  of  Newberry,  who  many  years 
ago  attributed  the  origin  of  these  black  shales 
to  Sargasso  seas. 

This  shale  is  the  undoubted  source  of  most 


of  the  natural  gas  and  petroleum  of  North- 
eastern Ohio.  It  is  the  prohahle  source,  under 
cover,  of  a considerable  part  of  these  highly 
valued  substances  in  Western  Pennsylvania. 
It  gives  rise  to  “surface  indications  ” of  gas 
and  oil  throughout  the  whole  extent  of  its 
outcrops  and  thus  very  often  misleads  ex- 
plorers, since  the  indications  do  not  stand  in 
any  case  for  large  accumulations  of  either 
substance.  The  most  that  is  to  be  expected 
of  gas-wells  in  this  formation  is  a domestic 
supply.  A single  well  will  furnish  gas  enough 
for  the  heat  and  light  of  one  or  more  families 
and  often  the  supply  will  be  maintained  for 
many  years.  In  the  parts  of  the  State  where 
the  shales  make  the  surface  rocks,  it  will  no 
doubt  be  found  possible  to  secure  from  them 
valuable  additions  to  our  stores  of  light  and 
heat  for  a long  while  to  come.  A farm  in 
such  territory  will  come  to  be  valued  on  this 
account  in  something  of  the  same  way  that  it 
would  be  if  it  carried  a seam  of  coal. 

11.  The  Waverly  Group. 

The  important  mass  of  sediments  of  Sub- 
carboniferous  age,  which  is  known  in  Ohio 
and  in  some  adjoining  States  as  the  Waverly 
group,  comes  next  in  the  column.  The  name 
Waverly  was  given  to  these  strata  by  the 
geologists  of  the  first  survey,  from  the  fact 
thatat  Waverly,  in  the  Scioto  valley,  excellent 
sandstone  quarries  were  opened  in  then?;  ^he 
products  of  which  were  quite  widely  distrib- 
uted throughout  Central  and  Southern  Ohio, 
as  far  back  as  fifty  years  ago.  Associated 
with  the  sandstone  at  this  locality,  and  every- 
where throughout  the  district,  were  several 
other  strata  that  were  always  counted  as 
members  of  the  group  by  the  geologists  who 
gave  the  name.  In  fact,  the  boundaries  were 
made  definite  and  easily  applicable.  The 
Waverly  group  extended,  by  its  definition 
and  by  unbroken  usage  in  our  early  geology, 
from  the  top  of  the  great  black  shale  (Cleve- 
land shale),  to  the  Coal  Measure  conglom- 
erate. This  latter  element  was,  in  a part  of 
the  field,  confused  with  the  Waverly  con- 
glomerate, afterwards  recognized  and  defined 
by  Andrews,  until  a recent  date,  it  is  true, 
but  the  intent  of  the  geologists  is  apparent, 
and  many  of  their  sections  were  complete  and 
accurate.  If  the  term  Waverly  is  to  be  re- 
tained in  qur  classification,  and  it  bids  fair  to 
be,  every  interest  will  be  served  by  recogniz- 
ing and  retaining  the  original  boundaries. 

11a.  The  Bedford  Shale. 

This  stratum,  which  makes  the  base  of  the 
Waverly  series,  consists  of  forty  to  sixty  feet, 
in  the  main  composed  of  red  or  blue  shales, 
but  which  sometimes  contain  fine-grained 
sandstone  courses.  The  latter  are  in  ])laces 
valuable.  They  are  represented  by  the  Inde- 
pendence bluestone  of  Northern  Ohio.  The 
shales  are  mainly  destitute  of  fossils,  aside 
from  the  burrows  of  sea  worms  which  are 
found  on  the  surfaces  of  most  of  the  layers 
and  often  with  great  sharpness  of  outline. 
All  the  layers  are  likely  to  be  ripple-marked, 
the  sculpturings  of  this  sort  being  very  sym- 


THE  GEOGRAPHY  AND  GEOLOGY  OF  OHIO. 


73 


metrical  and  continuous  for  layer  after  layer 
through  many  feet  of  the  formation. 

11^.  The  Berea  Grit. 

We  have  reached  in  our  review  the  Berea 
grit,  the  second  element  of  the  Waverly  series, 
and  not  only  the  most  important  member  of 
the  series,  but  by  far  the  most  important 
single  stratum  in  the  entire  geological  column 
of  Ohio.  Its  economic  value  above  ground 
is  great,  but  it  is  greater  below.  In  its  out- 
crops it  is  a source  of  the  finest  building  stone 
and  the  best  grindstone  grit  of  the  country, 
and  when  it  dips  beneath  the  surface  it  be- 
comes the  repository  of  invaluable  supplies 
of  petroleum,  gas,  and  salt-water.  Its  per- 
sistence as  a stratum  is  phenomenal.  Seldom 
reaching  a thickness  of  fifty  feet,  its  proved 
area  in  Ohio,  above  ground  and  below,  is 
scarcely  less  than  15,000  square  miles,  and 
beyond  the  boundaries  of  Ohio  it  extends 
with  continuity  and  strength  unbroken  into 
at  least  four  other  adjacent  States.^  As  a 
guide  to  the  interpretation  of  our  series,  and 
especially  as  a guide  in  our  subterranean 
geology,  it  is  invaluable. 

The  stratum  was  named  by  Newberry  from 
the  village  of  Berea,  Cuyahoga  county,  where 
the  largest  and  most  important  quarries  of 
the  formation  are  located.  The  name  is  the 
most  appropriate  that  could  have  been  se- 
lected for  this  stratum,  and  inasmuch  as  it 
has  priority  in  all  fields,  it  ought  to  be  made 
to  supersede  all  others. 

The  Berea  grit,  as  seen  in  outcrop,  is  a 
sandstone  of  medium  grain  in  Northern  Ohio, 
and  of  fine  grain  from  the  centre  of  the  State 
southward.  In  Northern  Ohio  it  contains 
one  pebbly  horizon  over  a considerable  area, 
but  the  seam  is  thin  and  the  pebbles  are 
small.  The  stratum  is  sometimes  false- 
bedded  and  sometimes  remarkably  even  in 
its  bedding-i^lanes.  Its  main  beds,  or  sheets, 
have  a maximum  thickness  of  six  feet,  but 
this  is  an  unusual  rneasure  and  is  seldom 
reached.  It  ranges  in  thickness  from  5 to 
170  feet,  and  it  very  rarely  fails  altogether 
from  the  sections  in  which  it  is  due. 

Like  the  Bedford  shale  below  it,  it  stands 
for  an  old  shore-line,  many  of  its  surfaces 
being  ripple-marked,  and  worm -burrows 
abounding  in  its  substance. 

It  is  poor  in  fossils,  but  not  entirely  desti- 
tute of  them.  It  grows  finer  grained  and 
more  impure  as  it  is  followed  southward.  In 
Southern  Ohio  it  is  known  as  the  Waverly 
quarry-stone. 

The  Berea  grit  is  the  lowest  or  main  oil- 
sand  of  the  Mackburg  field.  It  is  also  the 
gas-rock  of  Wellsburg,  and  that  part  of  the 
Ohio  valley,  and  is  without  doubt  one  of  the 
main  oil-  and  gas-rocks  of  Western  Pennsyl- 
vania. 

11c.  The  Berea  Shale. 

A bed  of  dark  or  black  shale,  fifteen  to 
fifty  feet  thick,  makes  the  constant  and  im- 
mediate cover  of  the  Berea  grit  throughout 
its  entire  extent  in  Ohio.  The  shale  is  highly 
fossiliferous,  and  is  rich  in  bituminous  mat- 


ter, the  amount  sometimes  reaching  twenty 
per  cent.  It  is  a source  of  petroleum  on  a 
small  scale,  as  is  shown  by  the  fact  that  in 
Southern  Ohio  an  important  ledge  of  sand- 
stone that  belongs  just  above  it  is  often  found 
saturated  with  a tar-like  oil  derived  from  this 
source.  It  was  first  recognized  by  Andrews, 
who  described  it  under  the  name  of  the  Wa- 
verly black  shale.  It  constitutes  an  invalu- 
able guide  in  our  subterranean  geology. 

\\d.  The  Cuyahoga  Shale. 

This  formation  consists  of  light-colored, 
argillaceous  shales,  which  are  often  replaced 
with  single  courses  of  fine-grained  sandstone, 
blue  in  color,  and  in  Southern  Ohio  weather- 
ing to  2i  brownish-yellow.  As  a constant 
characteristic,  there  aro  found  through  the 
shales  flattened  nodules  of  impure  iron  ore, 
concretionary  in  origin,  and  often  having 
white  calcareous  centres. 

In  thickness  it  ranges  from  150  to  400  feet. 
It  is  one  of  the  most  homogeneous  and  per- 
sistent formations  in  the  column  of  the  State 
throughout  most  of  its  extent.  Everywhere 
through  the  State  there  is  found  at  or  near 
the  base  of  this  division  a number  of  courses 
of  fine-grained  stone.  These  courses  are 
sometimes  separated  from  each  other  by  beds 
of  shale,  or  they  may^^  be  compacted  into  a 
single  stratum.  The  individual  courses  also 
vary  greatly  in  thickness,  and  in  color  and 
general  characters.  Throughout  Southern 
Ohio,  and  particularly  in  Boss,  Pike,  and 
Scioto  counties,  the  stratum  yields  freestone. 
It  is  best  known  from  its  outcrops  on  the 
Ohio  river  at  Buena  Vista,  where  it  has  long 
been  very  extensively  worked  for  Cincinnati 
and  other  river  markets.  The  Buena  Vista 
stone,  at  its  best,  is  one  of  the  finest  building 
stones  of  the  country.  The  same  horizon 
yields  excellent  stone  near  Portsmouth,  Lucas- 
ville,  and  Waverly.  It  is  known  as  the 
Waverly  brown  stone  at  the  latter  point. 

Northward,  through  the  State,  stone  of 
more  or  less  value  is  found  in  _ the  bottom 
courses  of  the  Cuyahoga,  but  in  Trumbull 
county,  near  Warren,  the  horizon  acquires 
extreme  importance  as  the  source  of  the  finest 
natural  flagging  that  is  found  in  our  markets. 

It  would  have  been  well  if  the  thirty  or 
forty  feet  containing  these  courses  had  been 
cut  off  from  the  Cuyahoga  shale,  in  which 
case  the  division  thus  formed  would  have 
been  appropriately  named  the  Buena  Vista 
stone. 

lie.  The  Logan  Group. 

(The  Olive  Shales  of  Read.  The  Logan  Sandstone 

of  Andrews.  The  Waverly  Conglomerate  of 

Andrews.) 

The  divisions  of  the  Waverly  series  in 
Northern  Ohio  happened  to  be  made  at  a 
point  where  the  section  is  abnormal  and  in- 
complete. By  atrophy  or  by  overlap,  the 
upper  member  of  the  series  is  wanting  in  the 
Cuyahoga  valley,  or  is  at  least  very  inade- 
quately represented  there.  The  missing  mem- 
ber is,  in  volume,  second  only  to  the  Cuyahoga 
shale,  among  the  divisions  of  the  Waverly. 


74 


THE  GEOGRAPHY  AND  GEOLOGY  OF  OHIO. 


It  is  much  richer  in  the  fossils  of  the  Subcar- 
boniferous  than^  any  of  the  other  members. 
In  composition  it  is  varied  and  striking,  one 
of  its  elements  being  a massive  conglomerate 
not  less  than  200  feet  in  its  largest  sections, 
which  extends  in  unbroken  outcrop  through 
at  least  a dozen  counties  of  Ohio.  No  good 
reason  can  be  found  for  dividing  the  Waverly 
series  at  all  if  a member  like  this  is  to  be  left 
without  a name,  or  is  to  be  merged  with  an 
unlike  and  incongruous  division  from  which 
it  is  as  sharply^  differentiated  as  any  one 
stratum  of  Ohio  is  from  any  other.  . 

The  real,  though  not  the  formal,  separation 
of  this  group  from  the  underlying  shale  is 
due  to  the  late  Prof.  E.  B.  Andrews,  and 
constitutes  one  of  his  most  important  con- 
tributions to  our  knowledge  of  Ohio  geology. 
He  was  the  first  to  show  that  the  great  con- 
glomerate of  Hocking,  Fairfield,  and  Licking 
counties  is  Subcarbqniferous  in  age,  and  he 
further  called  attention  to  a highly  fossilifer- 
ous,  fine-grained  sandstone  overlying  the  con- 
glomerate, to  which  he  gave  the  name  of 
Logan  sandstone,  from  its  occurrence  at 
Logan,  Hocking  county.  Up  to  this  time  this 
conglomerate  had  been  universally  counted 
as  the  Coal  Measure  conglomerate.  Read 
made  known  the  existence  of  a heavy  body 
of  shale,  which  he  called  Olive  shales,  over- 
lying  the  conglomerate,  and  replacing  the 
Logan  sandstone  in  Knox,  Holmes,  and 
Richland  counties. 

As  both  conglomerate  and  sandstone  have 
their  typical  outcrops  at  Logan,  no  better 
name  can  be  found  for  the  formation  which 
must  include  conglomerate,  sandstone,  and 
shale,  than  that  here  adopted,  viz.,  Logan 
group. 

The  maximum  thickness  of  the  Logan 
group  is  not  less  than  400  feet.  Its  average 
thickness  is  perhaps  200  feet. 

A typical  or  representative  section  of  this 
group  is  scarcely  possible,  but  the  most  char- 
acteristic and  persistent  part  of  the  series  is 
the  conglomerate  that  is  found  at  the  bottom. 
At  all  events,  coarse  rock,  if  not  always  tech- 
nically conglomerate,  is  generally  found  here. 
Pebbles  do  not  make  a conspicuous  part  of 
the  rock  when  it  takes  a conglomeritic  phase 
in  all  cases.  The  most  characteristic  feature 
of  the  pebbles  is  their  small  and  uniform 
size.  The  larger  pebbles  are  generally  flat. 

Its  best  developments  are  in  Hocking,  Fair- 
field,  Ross,  Vinton,  Licking,  Knox,  and 
Wayne  counties,  which  constitute  the  north- 
western arc  of  the  sea-boundary  of  Ohio  in 
Subcarboniferous  time.  South  of  Ross  county 
it  loses  most  of  its  pebbles,  and  south  of  the 
Ohio  it  becomes  the  knobstone  of  Kentucky. 
In  Northeastern  Ohio  the  Logan  group  is  also 
destitute  of  pebbles,  and  perhaps  the  con- 
glomerate element  proper  does  not  appear 
here  at  all. 

Diverse  as  these  elements  are,  they  are 
blended  and  interlocked  in  the  Logan  group, 
leaving  it  in  stratigraphy  and  fossils  a well- 
defined  and  easily  followed  series  throughout 
all  parts  of  the  territory  in  which  it  is  due, 
except  in  possibly  a small  area  in  Northern 


Ohio,  as  already  noted,  and  even  here  there 
is  no  difficulty  in  recognizing  the  presence  of 
this  series.  The  several  elements  are,  how- 
ever, of  smaller  volume  than  elsewhere. 

Under  cover,  ^ throughout  Southeastern 
Ohio,  the  series  is  in  the  highest  degree  per- 
sistent and  regular  ; much  more  uniform,  in- 
deed, than  in  its  outcrops.  It  consists  of  200 
feet  or  more  of  prevailingly  coarse  rock, 
almost  everywhere  pebbly  in  spots,  but  inter- 
rupted with  sheets  of  shale,  yeHow'sh  and 
reddish  colors  being  the  c^racteiisiic  ones. 
It  has  considerable  interest  in  connection  with 
gas,  oil,  and  salt-water  in  Ohio,  being  the 
reservoir  of  the  brines  of  the  Hocking  and 
Muskingum  valleys,  and  furnishing  in  the 
latter  large  supplies  of  gas  in  the  early  days 
of  salt  manufacture  in  the  State. 

12.  The  Subcarboniferous  Limestone. 

This  element  is  of  comparatively  small  ac- 
count as  a surface  formation  in  Ohio,  but  it 
gathers  strength  to  the  southeastward  of  its 
outcrops,  and  is  shown  in  many  well  records 
as  a stratum  fifty  or  more  feet  in  thickness. 
It  was  recognized  as  a member  of  our  geo- 
logical column  by  the  geologists  of  the  first 
survey,  but  Andrews  was  the  first  to  assign 
it  to  its  proper  place  and  to  show  its  true 
equivalence.  He  named  it  the  Maxville 
limestone,  from  a locality  in  southwestern 
Perry  county. 

The  limestone,  in  its  best  development,  is 
a fairly  pure,  very  fine-grained,  sparingly 
fossiliferous  rock.  It  breaks  with  a con- 
choidal  fracture.  In  fineness  and  homogeneity 
of  grain  it  approaches  lithographic  stone,  and 
has  been  tested  in  the  small  way  for  this 
special  use.  It  is  seldom  even  and  regular 
in  its  bedding.  Its  color  is  light-drab  or 
brown,  and  often  it  is  a beautiful  building 
stone,  though  somewhat  expensive  to  work. 
The  fity-clay  found  at  this  horizon  in  Southern 
Ohio  is  one  of  the  most  valuable  deposits  of 
this  sort  in  our  entire  scale.  The  limestone 
is  found  in  outcrop  in  Scioto,  Jackson,  Hock- 
ing, Perry,  and  Muskingum  counties.  It  is 
reported  in  the  well  records  of  Steubenville, 
Brilliant,  Macksburg,  and  at  several  other 
points  in  the  Ohio  valley. 

13-17.  The  Conglomerate  and  the 
Coal  Measures. 

These  two  divisions  can  be  properly  consid- 
ered under  one  head,  inasmuch  as  they  have 
common  sources  of  value.  Their  aggregate 
thickness  is  not  less  than  1,500  feet,  and  they 
cover  more  than  10,000  miles  of  the  surface 
of  Ohio.  The  beds  of  coal,  iron  ore,  fire- 
clay, limestone,  and  cement  rock  that  they 
contain  render  insignificant  the  contributions 
made  by  all  other  formations  to  the  mineral 
wealth  of  the  State.  In  the  combined  sec- 
tion of  the  conglomerate  and  lower  coal 
measures,  which  contains  from  500  to  800 
feet  of  strata,  the  following  named  coal  seams 
are  found ; 

Upper  Freeport 

Lower  Freeport. 


THE  GEOGRAPHY  AND  GEOLOGY  OF  OHIO. 


75 


Jpper  (Middle)  Kittanning, 

Lower  Kittanning, 

Upper  Clarion, 

Lower  Clarion, 

Upper  Mercer, 

Lower  Mercer, 

Quakertown, 

Sharon. 

A few  sporadic  seams  are  omitted  from  the 
list. 

All  of  these  seams  belong  to  the  bituminous 
division.  Thus  far  they  are  chiefly  worked 
in  level-free  mines  and  very  little  coal  is  taken 
from  seams  less  than  three  feet  in  thickness. 
The  average  thickness  in  the  important  fields 
is  five  feet  and  the  maximum  (a  small  area 
of  a single  district)  is  thirteen  feet.  All  of 
the  seams  enumerated  are  worked,  but  they 
have  very  unequal  values.  The  Middle 
Kittanning  seam  is  by  far  the  first.  It  is 
known  as  the  Nelsonville  coal,  the  Hocking 
Valley  coal,  the  Sheridan  coal,  the  Coshocton 
coal,  the  Osnaburg  coal,  etc.  The  Upper 
Freeport  seam  ranks  next  in  value.  It  is 
mined  at  Salineville,  Dell  Roy,  Cambridge 
and  in  the  Sunday  Creek  and  Monday  Creek 
valleys  on  a large  scale. 

In  proportion  to  its  area  the  Sharon  coal  is 
the  most  valuable  of  the  entire  series.  It  is 
the  standard  for  comparison  of  all  the  open- 
burning coals  of  the  Allegheny  coal-field. 
Both  this  seam  and  the  Middle  Kittanning 
seam  are  used  in  the  raw  state  for  the  manu- 
facture of  iron,  a fact  which  sufficiently 
attests  their  purity  and  general  excellence. 

In  the  remaining  divisions  of  the  coal 
measures  there  are  ten  or  more  seams  that 
are  sometimes  of  workable  thickness,  but 
with  one  notable  exception  they  are  less 
steady  and  reliable  than  those  of  the  lower 
measures.  The  exception  is  the  Pittsburg 
coal,  which  is,  all  things  considered,  the  most 
important  seam  of  the  entire  coal-field  to  which 
it  belongs.  It  is  especially  valued  for  the 
manufacture  of  gas  and  the  production  of 
steam.  Its  northern  outcrop  passes  through 
nine  counties  with  an  approximate  length  of 
175  miles,  the  sinuosities  not  being  counted. 
The  area  commonly  assigned  to  it  in  Ohio 
exceeds  3,000  square  miles,  but  the  seam  has 
been  proved  for  only  a small  part  of  the  area 
claimed.  Ohio  is  deficient  in  coking  coals 
of  the  highest  quality.  Its  best  coals  are 
open-burning. 

Ohio  ranks  second  in  the  production  of 
bituminous  coal  in  the  United  States  at  the 
present  time,  being  inferior  to  Pennsylvania 
alone  in  this  respect.  The  output  for  1887  is 
given  by  the  State  mineinspector  as  10,301,708 
tons  of  2,000  pounds. 

The  coal  measures  of  Ohio  are  important 
sources  of  iron  ore  and  fire-clay  as  well  as  of 
coal,  as  is  true  of  coal  measures  generally. 

Iron  ore  is  mined  in  the  Ohio  coal-fields  at 
a dozen  or  more  horizons,  but  there  are  three 
or  four  that  monopolize  most  of  the  interest 
and  importance.  The  ferriferous  limestone 
ore  of  the  Hanging  Rock  district  is  a thin 
but  valuable  seam.  The  iron  manufactured 


from  it  has  unusual  strength  and  excellence 
and  is  applied  to  the  highest  uses,  such  as 
the  manufacture  of  car-wheels  and  machine- 
castings.  The  ore  seam  does  not  average 
more  than  twelve  inches  in  thickness.  The 
thickest  beds  of  ore  in  the  State  are  the 
blackband  deposits  of  Tuscarawas,  Stark  and 
Carroll  counties.  A maximum  of  twenty 
feet  is  here  attained.  Blackband  of  good 
quality  and  in  large  amounts  is  also  found  in 
a number  of  other  counties.  The  block  ores 
of  the  Mercer  horizon  rank  next  in  value 
among  the  sources  of  iron  in  the  State.  The 
total  amount  mined  annually  exceeds  500,000 
tons. 

In  iron  and  steel  manufacture  and  working 
Ohio  ranks  second  only  to  Pennsylvania,  the 
value  of  the  annual  production  being  counted 
$35,000,000. 

The  clays  of  the  coal  measures  are  the 
basis  of  a large  and  rapidly  growing  manu- 
facture of  fire-brick,  stoneware,  earthenware, 
sewer  pipes,  fire-proofing,  paving  blocks  and 
paving  brick.  In  all  these  manufactures 
Ohio  stands  far  in  advance  of  any  other 
State. 

The  salt  manufacture  of  the  State  has  b§en 
large,  but  is  now  a depressed  and  decaying 
industry.  The  annual  yield  is  now  less  than 
500,000  barrels.  In  connection  with  its  salt 
production  Ohio  furnishes  a notable  percent- 
age of  all  the  bromine  made  in  the  world. 
The  figures  have  been  as  high  as  50  per  cent. 
The  brine  of  the  Tuscarawas  valley  is  richer 
in  bromine  than  any  other  known  in  the 
world.  It  yields  about  three-fourths  of  a 
pound  of  bromine  to  every  barrel  of  salt. 

In  the  total  value  of  its  quarry  products 
Ohio  ranks  easily  first  among  the  States  of 
the  Union.  The  census  of  1880  credits  the 
State  with  an  annual  value  of  more  than 
$2,500,000  in  this  division.  The  output  of 
Ohio  quarries  is  rapidly  increasing.  Its  sand- 
stones, especially  the  products  of  the  great 
stratum  already  described  as  the  Berea  Grit, 
hold  the  first  place  among  the  building  stones 
of  this  class  in  the  country  at  large.  In 
durability,  strength,  attractive  colors  and  in 
general  adaptation  to  architectural  efi’ects 
they  leave  little  to  be  desired.  Red  sand- 
stones, both  dark  and  light,  that  are  suscepti- 
ble of  excellent  use  in  the  ornamental  way, 
are  also  abundant  in  the  Subcarboniferous 
deposits  of  our  scale.  The  grindstone  grits 
of  the  State,  taken  from  the  several  horizons 
already  named,  furnish  by  far  the  largest 
contribution  to  this  important  use  that  is 
made  by  any  single  State. 

The  petroleum  and  gas  that  our  rocks  con- 
tain and  upon  which  such  extreme  value  is 
coming  to  be  placed  will  be  discussed  at  better 
advantage  on  a subsequent  page. 

18.  The  Glacial  Drift. 

Over  the  various  bedded  rocks  of  at  least 
two-thirds  of  Ohio  are  spread  in  varying 
thickness  the  deposits  of  the  drift,  the  most 
characteristic  and  important  of  which  is  the 
bowlder  clay.  This  frequently  contains  in 
its  lower  portions  large  accumulations  ot 


7^ 


THE  GEOGRAPHY  AND  GEOLOGY  OF  OHIO. 


vegetable  matter,  the  remains  of  coniferous 
forests  that  occupied  the  countr}^  before  the 
advent  of  the  drift,  or  at  some  interglacial 
stage  of  its  duration.  Peat  bogs  are  some- 
times found  buried  in  like  manner  in  or  under 
the  bowlder  clay.  The  deposits  of  latest 
age  in  this  great  series  consist  of  stratified 
clays,  sands  and . gravels.  The  maximum 
thickness  of  drift  beds  that  has  thus  far  been 
found  in  the  State  is  530  feet.  This  meas- 
urement was  obtained  from  Saint  Paris, 
Champaign  county.  Depths  of  300  and  400 
feet  are  no  longer  unusual.  The  average 
thickness  of  these  accumulations  in  North- 
western Ohio  exceeds  100  feet.  They  exer- 
cise a controlling  influence  upon  the  relief, 
drainage,  soils  and  water  supply  of  the  regions 
which  they  occupy.  They  have  filled  the 
valleys  of  earlier  drainage  systems  and  in 
many  cases  have  obliterated  all  traces  of 
their  existence,  thus  restoring  to  large  por- 
tions of  the  State  the  uniformly  level  sur- 
face which  prevailed  in  them  when  they 
were  first  elevated  above  the  waters  of  the 
ocean 

The  bowlder  clay  or  till  is  filled  with 
bowlders  of  northern  origin,  derived  from 
the  highlands  of  Canada  and  intervening  dis- 
tricts. Some  of  them  contain  2,000  cubic 
feet  above  ground.  They  can  in  many  cases 
be  referred  to  particular  localities  and  some- 
times to  particular  ledges  from  a score  of 
miles  to  400  miles  distant. 

The  stratified  drift  contains  vast  accumula- 
tions of  sand,  gravel  and  clay,  all  of  great 
economic  value.  Brick  clays  of  good  quality 
are  everywhere  accessible.  These  stratified 
beds  constitute  a natural  filter  for  surface 
water  to  a great  extent.  The  rainfall  de- 
scends slowly  through  them  until  the  im- 
pervious bowlder  clay  is  reached.  The  depth 
of  the  surface  of  this  last  named  deposit,  in 
large  areas  of  the  State,  determines  the 
depth  of  the  ordinary  wells  of  these  areas. 
Sometimes,  however,  a water  supply  is  de- 
rived from  seams  of  sand  and  gravel  within 
the  bowlder  clay  or  immediately  below  it. 
Such  a supply  is  to  quite  an  extent  protected 
from  surface  impurities. 

The  terminal  moraine  that  marks  the 
boundary  of  the  glacial  deposits  is  fairly  dis- 
tinct throughout  the  State.  Soils  and  vegeta- 
tion unite^  to  emphasize  it,  as  well  as  special 
accumulations.  It  passes  through  the  coun- 
ties of  Columbiana,  Stark,  Wayne,  Rich- 
land, Holmes,  Licking,  Fairfield,  Ross, 
Highland,  Adams  and  Brown,  crossing  the 
Ohio  river  into  Kentucky  from  the  latter 
county  but  returning  to  the  north  side  of  the 
river  again  in  Southeastern  Indiana.  As  a 
result  of  this  temporary  obstruction  of  this 
great  water  way  it  has  been  pointed  out  that 
the  waters  of  the  Ohio  must  have  been 
dammed  back  so  as  to  form  a large  lake,  in- 
cluding the  valley  proper  and  its  tributaries 
as  far  at  least  as  Pittsburg.  The  barrier 
appears  to  have  given  way  in  such  a manner 
as  to  reduce  once  and  again  the  level  of  the 
intercepted  waters  abruptly.  Such  a mode 
of  retreat,  at  least,  would  explain  the  succes- 


sive terraces  that  border  the  main  streams  at 
the  present  time. 

II.  Gteological  Structure. 

The  geological  scale  of  the  State  has  now 
been  briefly  treated.  An  equally  brief 
account  must  be  added  of  its  structure.  Bj^ 
this  term  is  meant  the  present  arrangement 
or  disposition  of  the  strata  as  effected  by  all 
the  movements  of  the  earth’s  crust  in  which 
they  have  had  a part,  and  by  which  they  may 
have  been  bent  into  arches  or  troughs  or  left 
in  terrace-like  monoclines. 

The  geological  structure  of  Ohio  is  as 
simple  as  that  of  almost  any  other  40,000 
square  miles  of  the  earth’s  surface.  All  of 
its  strata  except  a small  portion  of  the  coal 
measures  were  deposited  in  the  waters  of  an 
ancient  arm  of  the  sea,  of  which  the  present 
Gulf  of  Mexico  is  the  dwarfed  and  diminished 
remnant  and  representative.  Its  most  fossil- 
iferous  limestones,  as  the  Corniferous,  for  ex- 
ample, stand  for  clear  waters  of  tropical 
warmth.  Its  conglomerates  and  sandstones 
required  strong  currents  for  their  transporta- 
tion from  distant  shores.  Its  shales  must 
have  been  deposited  in  seas  of  at  least  moder- 
ate depth,  large  areas  of  which,  as  well  as  all 
of  the  shores,  were  covered  with  sargasso-like 
masses  of  sea-weed. 

These  strata  seem  to  have  been  deposited 
on  a fairly  regular  and  level  floor,  and  they 
have  never  been  subjected  to  very  great  dis- 
turbance ; that  is,  they  have  nowhere  been 
raised  into  mountains  nor  depressed  into 
deep  valleys,  but  still  they  have  been  warped 
and  distorted  to  some  extent  in  the  course 
of  their  long  history. 

The  Cincinnati  Anticlinal. 

As  soon  as  the  geology  of  the  Mississippi 
valley  began  to  be  studied,  it  became  appa- 
rent that  there  had  been  in  early  time  an  ex- 
tensive uplift  of  the  older  rocks  in  the  central 
parts  of  Tennessee  and  Kentucky  and  in 
Southwestern  Ohio,  which  had  exerted  a 
profound  influence  on  all  the  subsequent 
growth  of  the  regions  traversed  by  and 
adjacent  thereto.  This  uplift  has  received 
several  designations,  but  the  name  given  to 
it  by  Newberry,  viz. , the  Cincinnati  anticlinal^ 
will  here  be  adopted,  inasmuch  as  this  geolo- 
gist has  furnished  by  far  the  most  careful 
and  connected  account  that  has  yet  been 
given  of  it. 

It  is  to  be  recognized,  however,  that  this 
structural  feature  has  in  it  little  or  nothing 
of  the  character  of  an  anticlinal  or  arch,  as 
these  terms  are  commonly  understood.  There 
is  no  roof- shaped  arrangement  of  the  strata 
whatever,  but  they  are  spread  out  in  a nearly 
level  tract,  100  miles  or  more  in  breadth. 
The  slopes  within  the  tract  are  very  light, 
and  are  quite  uniform  in  direction,  and  the 
boundaries  of  the  tract  are  well  defined,  as  a 
rule. 

The  Trenton  limestone,  as  has  already 
been  shown,  makes  the  floor  of  Western 
Ohio.  By  means  of  the  deep  drilling  that 
is  now  in  progress  throughout  this  part  of 


THE  GEOGRAPHY  AND  GEOLOGY  OF  OHIO. 


77 


the  State  we  have  obtained  soundings  to  this 
limestone  floor  so  extensive  that  we  are 
already  able  to  restore  approximately  its 
topography. 

This  underground  disposition  of  the  Tren- 
ton limestone  becomes  very  significant  in 
connection  with  the  Cincinnati  uplift.  In 
fact,  it  is  the  Cincinnati  uplift ; and  the 
study  of  the  facts  pertaining  to  it  will  be 
found  to  throw  more  light  on  this  earliest 
and  most  important  structural  feature  of  the 
State  than  can  be  obtained  from  any  and 
from  all  other  sources.  The  results  are 
altogether  unexpected. 

It  appears  that  in  Lower  Silurian  time  a 
low  fold,  extending  in  a general  northeast 
direction,  entered  Ohio  from  the  southward 
and  continued  its  advance  across  the  State 
during  immense  periods  of  time.  It  has 
heretofore  been  believed  that  the  fold  as  it 
extended  across  the  State  held  its  original 
northeasterly  direction,  but  it  now  becomes 
evident  that  in  its  earlier  stages  in  Ohio  it 
advanced  to  the  northwest  instead,  extending 
into  Northern  Central  Indiana,  so  far  as  its 
main  body  was  concerned.  From^  this  point 
an  off-shoot  of  smaller  area  was  directed  into 
Ohio,  the  boundaries  of  which  are  found  to 
be  very  irregular,  and  in  connection  with 
which  some  surprising  facts  in  Ohio  geology 
have  come  to  light.  With  these  same  facts 
extraordinary  economic  interest  has  been 
found  to  be  associated. 

The  easterly  or  southeasterly  dip  of  the 
rocks  that  begins  at  the  margin  of  the  tract, 
now  described  as  the  Cincinnati  axis,  con- 
tinues through  the  subsequent  history  of  the 
State,  and  constitutes  the  most  important 
hysical  feature  of  its  geology.  All  of  the 
ubcarboniferous  and  Coal  Measure  strata,  in 
particular,  are  affected  by  it.  The  southerly 
element  of  it  gradually  increases  as  we  pass 
to  Northeastern  Ohio,  and  it  is  probable  that 
the  dip  becomes  due  south  at  some  points  in 
this  portion  of  the  State.  Beyond  the  limits 
of  Ohio,  in  Pennsylvania  and  West  Virginia, 
the  corresponding  strata  descend  sharply 
toward  the  westward.  These  facts  considered 
together  mark  out  the  limits  of  the  arm  of 
the  sea  in  which,  and  around  which,  the 
northern  extension  of  the  Appalachian  coal- 
field was  built  up,  the  Cincinnati  axis  form- 
ing its  western  boundary.  These  uniform 
and  continuous  southeasterly  dips  can  be  ex- 
plained by  the  steady  growth  of  the  land  to 
the  westward,  after  the  fashion  already  de- 
scribed. The  dip  is  at  right  angles  to  the 
constantly  advancing  border  of  the  sea.  It 
seldom  exceeds  thirty  feet  to  the  mile,  or  but 
little  more  than  half  of  one  degree,  in  the 
large  way,  but  it  is  alternately  sharpened  and 
reduced,  so  that  for  short  distances  a much 
greater  fall,  or  much  less,  may  be  found. 

The  facts  of  our  present  topography  seem 
to  point  to  an  original  equality  of  elevation 
of  those  portions  of  the  State  that  were  suc- 
cessively brought  under  this  uplifting  force. 
The  western  outliers  of  all  of  the  formations 
are,  at  the  present  time  at  least,  at  approxi- 
mately the  same  elevation  above  the  sea. 


The  statements  already  made  as  to  the  ex 
ceeding  regularity  of  the  geological  structure 
of  Ohio  need  no  qualification,  but  this  regu- 
larity of  the  State,  as  a whole,  is  not  incon- 
sistent with  the  existence  of  a few  minor 
folds  and  arches,  distributed  especially 
through  the  eastern  half  of  our  territory. 

In  the  southeastern  quarter  are  a few  anti- 
clinal arches,  all  of  which,  however,  are  very 
gentle  and  low,  and  none  of  which  can  be 
traced  for  many  miles  in  the  direction  in 
wLich  they  extend.  ^ They  involve  all  of  the 
strata  that  belong  in  the  district  in  which 
they  are  found.  A modification  of  the  arch 
resulting  in  a terrace-like  arrangement  of  the 
strata  is  one  of  the  most  important*  phases 
of  the  structure  in  this  portion  of  the  State. 
Among  the  arches,  all  of  which  are  veryi 
feeble,  the  Fredericktown  and  Cadiz  arches, 
which  are  probably  one  and  the  same,  may  be 
named,  and  also  the  Cambridge  anticline. 
The  Macksburg  oil  field  affords  an  excellent 
example  of  the  terrace  structure. 

To  sum  up  the  statements  now  made,  we 
know  but  comparatively  few  arches  in  Ohio, 
and  these  few  are  moderate  in  slope  and 
small  in  height.  Fuller  knowledge  of  our 
geology  will  doubtless  give  us  a larger  number 
of  these  low  folds,  but  there  is  little  proba- 
bility that  any  sharp  and  well-defined  anti- 
clinals  have  altogether  escaped  notice.  Those 
that  remain  to  be  discovered  wfill  agree  with 
those  already  known,  in  breaking  up  the 
monotony  of  our  series  by  the  suspension  or 
occasional  reversal  of  the  prevailing  dip  and 
in  requiring  close  and  accurate  measurements 
for  their  detection. 

By  untrained  observers,  the  water-sheds  of 
our  drainage  channels  are  often  mistaken  for 
anticlinals.  If  anticlinals  traverse  the  series 
where  these  identifications  are  made,  they 
may  well  serve  to  divide  the  drainage  systems 
from  each  other,  but  such  ‘ ' divides  ’ ’ do  not 
by  any  means  require  these  structural  acci- 
dents as  the  conditions  on  which  they  depend. 
Anticlinals  must  be  demonstrated,  not  in- 
ferred. 

There  are  but  few  districts  known  in  Ohio 
in  which  disturbances  are  to  be  found  that 
fairly  deserve  the  name  of  faults.  In  the 
northeast  corner  of  Adams  county,  and  in 
adjacent  territory,  there  are  a number  of 
square  miles  throughout  which  the  strata 
are  really  dislocated.  The  Berea  grit  is  founo 
in  contact  with  the  Niagara  shale  in  some  in- 
stances. The  throw  of  such  faults  must  be  at 
least  400  feet.  Faults  of  this  character  in 
Ohio  geolcrgy  are  as  unusual  and  unexpected 
as  trap  dykes  in  Northern  Kentucky,  the  lat- 
ter of  which  have  been  recently  reported  by 
Crandall. 

III.  Petroleum  and  Natural 
Gas. 

These  subjects,  and  especially  the  latter, 
have  recently  acquired  such  widespread  in- 
terest and  importance  in  the  country  that  a 
separate  section  will  here  be  given  to  their 
consideration. 

The  introduction  of  natural  gas  on  the 


THE  GEOGRAPHY  AND  GEOLOGY  OF  OHIO. 


78 

large  scale  is  of  comparatively  recent  date. 
It  was  begun  in  Pittsburg  and  in  the  region 
around  it  a dozen  years  since,  but  it  is  only 
within  the  last  six  years  that  it  has  made 
a deep  impression  upon  the  country  at  large. 

The  cheapness  of  the  new  fuel,  the  economy 
resulting  from  several  different  factors  in  its 
use,  the  improvement  of  product  in  a number 
of  lines  of  manufacture,  all  combine  to  give  a 
decided  advantage  to  the  centres  that  have 
been  fortunate  enough  to  secure  it,  and  to 
make  competition  seem  almost  hopeless  to 
the  towns  that  are  without  it. 

In  consequence,  an  earnest  and  eager  search 
for  natyral  gas  has  been  begun  throughout 
entire  States,  and  vast  amounts  of  money  have 
been  used  in  carrying  forward  these  explora 
tions.  Next  to  Western  Pennsylvania  North- 
western Ohio  has  scored  the  most  signal  suc- 
cess and,  following  the  experience  of  Ohio, 
Eastern  Indiana  has  also  found  one  of  the 
most  valuable  fields  of  the  country. 

The  production  of  petroleum  and  gas  in 
Ohio  will  be  briefly  described  in  this  section, 
but,  preceding  this  description,  a few  state- 
ments will  be  made  as  to  the  theories  of 
origin  and  accumulation  of  these  substances 
which  seem  best  supported. 

Origin  of  Petroleum  and  G-as. 

It  is  not  necessary  to  consider  the  origin 
of  natural  gas  and  petroleum  separately. 
They  have  a common  history.  They  are  pro- 
duced from  the  same  sources,  accumulated 
by  similar  agencies,  and  stored  in  the  same 
reservoirs.  In  order  of  formation,  petroleum 
is  probably  first.  It  is  the  more  complex  in 
composition  and  thus  nearer  to  the  organic 
world  from  which  it  is  derived.  Gas  is  the 
same  substance  on  the  downward  road  to  the 
simplicity  of  inorganic  compounds.  No  pro- 
cess is  known  by  which  gas  is  built  up  into 
oil,  but  the  breaking  up  of  petroleum  into 
gaseous  products  is  seen  to  be  constantly  go- 
ing forward  in  nature,  and  it  is  also  effected 
in  the  large  way  artificially. 

Petroleum  never  exists  free  from  gas,  but 
it  is  sometimes  asserted  that  gas  is  found  that 
has  no  connection  with  petroleum.  ^ This 
claim  is  probably  a mistaken  one,  and  if  the 
flryest  gas  could  be  followed  throughout  its 
underground  reservoirs,  it  is  altogether  prob- 
able that  accumulations  of  oil  would  be 
found  along  the  line  in  every  case.  There  is 
no  horizon  known  that  produces  either  sub- 
stance to  the  entire  exclusion  of  the  other. 

As  already  implied,  petroleum,  and  gas  are 
derived  from  the  organic  world.  Both  vege- 
table and  animal  substances  have  contributed 
to  the  supplies,  and  these  separate  sources 
give  different  characters  to  their  products,  as 
will  be  presently  shown.  There  are  certain 
other  theories  in  regard  to  the  origin  of  petro- 
leum, it  is  true,  which  have  been  advanced 
by  eminent  chemists,  but  which  do  not  match 
at  all  well  with  the  geological  facts  involved. 
These  last-named  theories  refer  petroleum  to 
peculiar  decompositions  and  recompositions, 
chiefly  of  water  and  carbonic  acid,  which  are 
supposed  to  be  carried  on  at  considerable 


depths  in  the  earth,  where  these  substances 
are  brought  into  contact  with  metallic  iron 
or  with  the  metallic  bases  of  the  alkalies  at 
high  temperatures.  Never  were  more  arti- 
ficial or  unverifiable  theories  presented  for 
the  explanation  of  natural  phenomena,  and 
it  is  surprising  that  they  should  have  obtained 
any  currency  whatever.  Something  might 
be  said  for  them,  perhaps,  if  we  had  no  other 
possible  way  of  accounting  for  the  facts  to 
which  they  refer,  but  when  they  are  compared 
with  the  theories  of  organic  origin  they  have 
no  standing-ground.  The  truth  is,  we  are 
constantly  manufacturing  from  animal  and 
vegetable  substances  in  the  large  way,  both 
gas  and  oil  that  are  fairly  comparable  in  both 
chemical  and  physical  characteristics,  with 
the  natural  products.  Further,  we  find  vege- 
table substances  passing  by  natural  processes 
into  petroleum  and  allied  compounds,  so  that 
there  is  no  need  whatever  to  invent  a strained 
and  fantastic  theory  based  on  remote  chemi- 
cal possibilities,  in  order  to  cover  the  ground. 
These  chemical  theories  teach  that  the  pro- 
cess of  oil  and  gas  formation  is  a continuous 
one,  and  no  reason  is  apparent  why  stocks 
may  not  be  maintained  from  such  a source 
even  when  they  are  drawn  upon.  Perhaps  it 
is  this  feature  that  has  recommended  these 
theories  more  than  any  other.  Any  doctrine 
that  gives  us  unwasting  supplies  of  force  is 
•sure  to  be  popular  as  long  as  it  can  find  the 
semblance  of  justification,  as  witness  the  hold 
that  the  claims  for  perpetual  motion  have  on 
the  public  mind. 

The  petroleum  and  gas  of  shales  and  sand- 
stones are  in  the  main  derived  from  vegeta- 
ble matter,  and  as  the  principal  stocks  are 
found  in  sandstones,  vegetable  matter  may 
be  said  to  be  the  chief  source.  The  oil  and 
gas  of  limestones  are  presumably  derived 
from  animal  matter,  inasmuch  as  the  lime- 
stones themselves  are  known  to  be,  in  the 
main,  a product  of  animal  life. 

The  vegetation  principally  employed  in 
this  production  is  of  the  lower  kinds,  sea- 
weeds and  other  allied  groups  being  al- 
together the  most  conspicuous  elements. 
The  animal  life  represented  in  limestone  oil 
and  gas  is  also  of  the  lower  groups.  Plants 
may  have  been  associated  also  with  animal 
matter  in  the  formation  of  limestone  oil,  to 
some  extent. 

How  WAS  Petroleum  Formed? 

To  the  question,  IIoxo  ivere  these  bodies 
formed  out  of  organic  matter  f there  are 
various  answers. 

They  are  most  commonly  referred  to  the 
agency  of  distillation.  Destructive  distilla- 
tion consists  in  the  decomposition  of  animal 
or  vegetable  substances  at  high  temperatures 
in  the  absence  of  air.  Gaseous  and  semi- 
liquid iiroducts  are  evolved,  and  a coke  or 
carbon  residue  remains  behind.  The  “ high 
temperatures”  In  the  definition  given  above 
must  be  understood  to  cover  a considerable 
range,  the  lower  limit  of  which  may  not  ex- 
ceed 400  or  500  degrees  F. 

Petroleum  and  gas  on  the  large  scale  are 


^IHE  GEOGRAPHY  AND  GEOLOGY  OE  OHIO. 


79 


not  the  products  of  destructive  distillation. 
If  shales,  sandstones,  or  limestones  holding 
large  quantities  of  organic  matter,  as  they 
often  do,  and  buried  at  a considerable  depth, 
should  be  subj-.cted  to  volcanic  heat  in  any 
way,  there  is  no  reason  to  doubt  that  petro- 
leum and  gas  would  result  from  this  action. 
Without  question,  there  are  such  cases  in  vol- 
canic districts,  but  the  regions  of  great  petro- 
leum production  are  remarkably  free  from 
all  igneous  intrusions,  and  from  all  signs 
of  excessive  or  abnormal  temperatures. 
All  claims  for  an  igneous  origin  of  these 
substances  are  emphatically  negatived  by 
the  condition  of  the  rocks  that  contain 
them. 

There  is  a statement  of  the  distillation 
theory  that  has  attained  quite  wide  accept- 
ance, which  needs  to  be  mentioned  here.  It 
is  to  the  elFect  that  these  substances,  oil  and 
gas,  have  resulted  from  what  is  called  ‘ ‘ spon- 
taneous distillation  at  low  temperatures,  ’ ’ and, 
by  low  temperatures,  ordinary  temperatures 
are  meant.  It  does  not,  however,  appear  on 
what  facts  in  nature  or  upon  what  artificial 
rocesses  this  claim  is  based.  Destructive 
istillatipn  is  the  only  process  known  to 
science  under  the  name  of  distillation,  which 
can  account  for  the  origin  of  oil  or  gas,  and 
this  does  not  go  on  at  ordinary  or  low  tempera- 
tures. A process  that  goes  on  at  ordinary 
temperatures  is  certainly  not  destructive  dis- 
tillation. It  maybe  chemical  decomposition, 
but  this  process  has  a name  and  place  of  its 
own,  and  does  not  need  to  be  masked  under 
a new  and  misleading  designation,  such  as 
spontaneous  distillation.  No  help  can  come 
to  us,  therefore,  from  the  adoption  of  the 
spontaneous  distillation  theory. 

It  seems  more  probable  that  these  sub- 
stances result  from  the  primary  chemical  de- 
composition of  organic  substances  buried 
with  the  forming  rocks,  and  that  they  are 
retained  as  petroleum  in  the  rocks  from  the 
date  of  their  formation.  It  is  true  that  our 
knowledge  of  these  processes  is  inadequate, 
but  there  are  many  facts  on  record  that  go  to 
show  that  petroleum  formation  is  not  a lost 
art  of  nature,  but  that  the  work  still  goes  on 
under  favorable  conditions.  It  is  very  likely 
true  that,  as  in  coal  formation,  the  conditions 
most  favorable  for  large  production  no 
longer  occur,  but  enough  remains  to  show  the 
steps  by  which  the  work  is  done. 

The  “spontaneous  distillation  ” theory  has 
probably  some  apparent  support  in  the  fact 
that  must  be  mentioned  here,  viz. : that  where 
petroleum  is  stored  in  a rock,  gas  may  be 
constantly  escaping  from  it,  constituting,  in 
part,  the  surface  indications  that  we  hear  so 
much  of  in  oil  fields.  The  Ohio  shale,  for 
example,  is  a formation  that  yields  along  its 
outcrops  oil  and  gas  almost  everywhere,  but 
r.c  recent  origin  is  needed  for  either.  The 
oil  may  be  part  of  a primitive  store,  slowly 
escaping  to  the  day,  and  the  gas  may  be  con- 
stantly derived  from  the  partial  breaking  up 
of  the  oil  that  is  held  in  the  shales.  The 
tem  “ spontaneous  distillation  ” might,  with 
a little  latitude,  be  applied  to  this  last-named 


stage,  but  it  has  nothing  to  do  with  the  origin 
of  either  substance. 

While  our  knowledge  of  the  formation  of 
petroleum  is  still  incomplete  and  inadequate, 
the  following  statements  in  regard  to  it  are 
offered  as  embodying  the  most  probable 
view ; 

1.  Petroleum  is  derived  from  vegetable 
and  animal  substances  that  were  deposited  in 
or  associated  with  the  forming  rocks. 

2.  Petroleum  is  not  in  any  sense  a product 
of  destructive  distillation,  but  is  the  result  oj 
a peculiar  chemical  decomposition  by  whic' 
the  organic  matter  passes  at  once  into  this  qi 
allied  products.  It  is  the  result  of  the  pri- 
mary decomposition  of  organic  matter. 

3.  The  organic  matter  still  contained  in  the 
rocks  can  be  converted  into  gas  and  oil  by 
destructive  distillation,  but,  so  far  as  we  know, 
in  no  other  way.  It  is  not  capable  of  fur- 
nishing any  new  supply  of  petroleum  under 
normal  conditions. 

4.  Petroleum  is,  in  the  main,  contem- 
poraneous with  the  rocks  that  contain  it.  It 
was  formed  at  or  about  the  time  that  these 
strata  were  deposited. 

The  Distribution  op  Petroleum  and 
GtAS. 

Contrary  to  a commonly  received  opinion, 
petroleum  and  gas  are  very  widely  distributed 
and  very  abundant  substances.  The  drill  can 
scarcely  descend  for  even  a few  hundred  feet 
at  any  point  in  Ohio,  without  showing  the 
presence  of  one  or  both  of  them.  The  rocks 
of  the  State  series  can  be  roughly  divided 
into  three  great  groups — limestones,  sand- 
stones and  shales.  Petroleum  is  found 
abundantly  in  each  of  these  groups.  The 
percentage  is  small,  but  the  aggregate  is 
large.  It  is  equally,  or  at  least  generally 
diffused  throughout  certain  strata,  while  in 
others  it  is  confined  to  particular  portions  or 
beds.  An  example  of  the  first  case  is  found 
in  the  Ohio  shale.  The  Ohio  Shale,  Cleve- 
land— Erie — Huron,  of  earlier  reports,  con- 
sists of  a series  of  homogeneous,  fine-grained 
deposits,  black,  blue  and  gray  in  color,  300 
feet  thick  on  their  western  outcrop  in  Central 
Ohio,  but  more  than  1,800  feet  thick  under 
cover  in  Eastern  Ohio.  This  entire  forma- 
tion is  petroliferous,  as  is  proved  by  an  ex- 
amination of  drillings  that  represent  the 
whole  section.  The  black  bands  are  prob- 
ably most  heavily  charged.  The  chemist 
of  the  survey,  ProfeLsor  N.  W.  Lord,  finds 
two-tenths  of  one  per  cent,  of  petroleum,  as 
such.,  present  in  these  bands,  and  is  certain 
from  the  nature  of  the  processes  that  he  was 
obliged  to  employ  that  the  entire  amount  is 
not  reported.  But,  estimating  the  percent- 
age to  be  but  one-tenth  of  one  per  cent,  in 
place  of  two-tenths,  and  calculating  the  thick- 
ness of  the  shale  at  its  minimum,  viz.,  300 
feet,  we  find  the  total  stock  of  petroleum 
held  in  the  shale  to  be  1,560,000  bbls.  to  the 
square  mile,  or  nearly  twice  as  large  amount 
as  has  ever  been  obtained  from  any  square 
mile  of  the  Pennsylvania  fields. 

Of  the  limestones  of  the  State  the  Water 


So 


THE  GEOGRAPHY  AND  GEOLOGY  OF  OHIO. 


lime,  or  Lower  Helderberg  limestone,  is  prob- 
ably the  most  heavily  and  persistently  charged 
with  petroleum.  Drillings  taken  from  this 
stratum,  at  a depth  of  400  to  500  feet  below 
the  surface  in  the  trial-well  lately  sunk  at 
Columbus,  are  found  by  Professor  Lord  to 
have  the  same  amount  of  free  petroleum  that 
the  black  shale  contains,  viz.,  two-tenths  of 
one  per  cent.  The  limestone  also  has  the 
same  thickness  that  is  assigned  to  the  shale 
on  its  outcrop,  viz.,  300  feet.  The  figures, 
therefore,  duplicated  those  already  given. 
The  total  amount  of  oil  from  these  two 
sources  exceeds  3,000,000  bbls.  to  the  square 
mile. 

All  the  other  great  limestones  of  our  series 
carry  petroleum,  at  least  in  certain  beds. 
The  Clinton  limestone  is  often  an  oil-bearing 
rock,  and  the  show  of  its  outcrop  has  led  to 
the  sinking  of  a number  of  wells  in  search  of 
oil,  in  past  years.  The  Niagara  limestone  is 
highly  bituminous  in  places.  Asphaltic 
grains,  films  and  masses  constitute  as  much 
as  4 or  5 per  cent,  of  its  substance  at  several 
points  in  the  State.  The  Corniferous  lime- 
stone is  also  distinctly  bituminous  in  some  of 
its  beds.  The  limestones  of  the  Cincinnati 
group  also  carry  a determinable  amount  of 
petroleum. 

As  for  sandstones,  all  know  that  it  is  in 
them  that  the  main  stocks  of  petroleum  have 
thus  far  been  found,  but  there  is  good  reason 
to  believe  that  these  stocks  are  not  native  in 
the  sandstones,  but  have  been  acquired  by 
them  subsequent  to  their  formation.  This 
point  will  be  considered  further,  under  an- 
other head. 

Modes  of  Accumulation  of  Petroleum 

AND  GtAS. 

In  the  accumulation  of  petroleum,  two 
stages  are  to  be  noted,  viz.  : a primary  and 
a secondary  stage.  The  first  is  concerned 
with  the  retention  of  petroleum  in  the  rocks, 
and  might  have  been  with  equal  propriety 
treated  under  the  preceding  head.  The 
second  stage  is  concerned  with  the  origin  and 
maintenance  of  the  great  stocks  of  oil  and 
high-pressure  gas,  in  which  all  the  value  at- 
tached to  these  substances  lies.  Both  are 
connected  with  the  composition  of  the  rock 
series  in  which  oil  and  gas  are  found,  and  the 
latter  is  also  greatly  affected  by  the  arrange- 
ment and  inclinations  of  the  rock  masses,  or, 
in  other  words,  by  their  structure. 

The  primary  accumulation  of  petroleum,  or 
its  retention  in  the  rocks  in  a diffused  or 
distributed  state,  seems  to  be  connected  with 
the  composition  of  the  series  to  a great  degree. 
The  great  shale  formation  of  Devonian  and 
Subcarboniferous  ages  that  separates  the 
Berea  grit  from  the  Devonian  limestone,  the 
western  edge  of  which  shale  formation  out- 
cropping in  Central  Ohio  is  know  as  the  Ohio 
shale  (Cleveland,  Erie,  Huron),  is  unmis- 
takably the  source  of  the  greatest  accumula- 
tions of  oil  and  gas,  so  far  found,  in  the 
country.  It  holds  thus  far,  as  decided,  a 
superiority  to  all  other  sources,  as  the  Ap- 
palachian coal-field  does  to  all  other  sources 


of  fossil  fuel.  The  accumulation  of  petroieum 
in  this  great  shale  formation  is  no  accident. 
It  depends  on  two  factors,  viz.  : the  abun- 
dance of  vegetable  matter  associated  with  the 
shales  in  their  formation,  which  is  attested 
by  the  large  amount  still  included  in  them, 
and  upon  the  affinity  of  clay  for  oil.  The 
last-named  point  is  an  important  one.  Clay 
has  a strong  affinity  for  oil  of  all  sorts,  and 
absorbs  it  and  unites  with, it  whenever  the 
two  substances  are  brought  into  contact. 
Professor  Joseph  Leidy  made  the  interesting 
observation  a number  of  years  since,  that  the 
bed  of  the  Schuylkill  river  in  Philadelphia, 
below  the_  gas  works,  was  covered  with  an 
accumulation  of  the  oily  matters  that  are 
always  formed  in  the  process  of  gas-making. 
As  these  substances  are  lighter  than  water 
and  float  upon  its  surface  naturally,  it  was  at 
first  sight  hard  to  understand  how  they  could 
have  been  carried  to  the  river  bed,  but  it  was 
soon  learned  that  the  clay  of  the  river  water 
absorbed  the  oils  as  they  were  floating  along, 
and  finally  sank  with  them  to  the  river  floor. 
In  a similar  way  we  may  suppose  the  primary 
accumulation  of  petroleum  in  the  shales  to 
^have  been  in  part  accomplished.  The  oil  set 
free  by  vegetable  decomposition  around  the 
shores  or  beneath  the  waters  of  a sargasso 
sea,  would  be  arrested  by  the  fine-grained 
clay  that  was  floating  in  the  water,  and  would 
have  sunk  with  it  to  the  sea  floor,  forming 
this  homogeneous  shale  formation  that  we 
are  now  considering.  Sand  would  have  no 
such  collecting  power. 

The  distriWtion  of  petroleum  through 
limestone  is  not  as  easily  explained,  but  it 
may  be  in  part  dependent  on  the  presence  of 
the  same  element,  viz.,  clay.  In  almost  all 
limestones  there  is  a percentage  of  clay  pres- 
ent, and  frequently  it  rises  to  a conspicuous 
amount.  Oil  is, held  in  both  magneskn  lime- 
stones and  in  true  limestones  in  Ohio.  The 
magnesian  limestones  are  largely  in  excess  in 
the  series  of  the  State,  and  it  so  happens 
that  all  of  the  most  petroliferous  strata  are 
magnesian  in  composition,  but  this  fact  is 
probably  without  significance  in  this  connec- 
tion. 

Petroleum  distributed  through  shales  or 
limestones  in  the  low  percentages  already 
named,  although  the  total  amount  held  may 
be  large,  is  of  no  economic  value.  Like  other 
forms  of  mineral  wealth,  it  must  be  concen- 
trated by  some  natural  agencies  before  it  can 
become  serviceable  in  any  way.  This  brings 
us  to  consider  the  secondary  accumulation  of 
petroleum  already  referred  to,  by  means  of 
which  all  the  great  stocks  have  been  formed 
and  maintained.  This  constitutes  one  of  the 
most  important  subjects  in  the  entire  history 
of  petroleum.  The  sources  of  oil  and  gas  are 
very  widespread,  as  has  already  been  shown, 
but  the  concentrated  supplies  are  few  and  far 
between.  To  learn  the  horizons  and  locations 
of  these  supplies  is  the  condition  of  most  suc- 
cessful operations  in  the  production  of  oil  and 
gas,  and  it  is  in  this  field  that  the  most  im- 
portant practical  applications  of  geology  to 
these  subjects  are  to  be  found. 


THE  GEOGRAPHY  AND  GEOLOGY  OF  OHIO. 


8i 


Oil  Groups. 

As  the  experience  of  the  last  thirty  years 
has  abundantly  shown,  an  oil  or  gas  series 
always  consists  of  two  elements,  viz. , a porous 
rock,  or  reservoir,  overlain  by  a close  and  fine- 
grained impervious  rock  or  cover.  A third 
element  must  always  be  added  to  make  out 
the  logical  series,  viz.,  an  underlying  or  asso- 
ciated source  of  oil  and  gas.^  It  is  obvious 
that  the  last-named  element  is  first  in  order 
and  in  importance,  but  for  reasons  already 
given  in  part,  and  for  others  that  are  not 
hard  to  find,  practically  we  have  less  to  do 
with  it  than  with  the  two  former  elements. 
It  will  be  borne  in  mind  that  the  sources  of 
petroleum  are  well-nigh  universal,  and  also 
that  they  have  no  economic  value,  and  are 
therefore  seldom  penetrated  by  the  drill. 
The  search  generally  terminates  in  the  reser- 
voir. The  great  sources  of  the  Ohio  scale  are, 
as  already  implied,  shales  and  limestones, 
both  more  or  less  bituminous.  These  sources 
have  done  their  work  wherever  large  accumu- 
lation is  found,  and  where  no  accumulations 
exist  the  petroleum  occurs,  as  already  shown, 
in  large  but  valueless  stocks  distributed 
through  the  body  of  the  strata. 

The  Reservoir. 

The  reservoirs  must  be  porous  rocks.  In 
all  of  the  experience  in  the  great  fields  of 
Pennsylvania  and  New  York,  the  rocks  in 
which  the  large  stocks  of  oil  and  gas  were 
found  were,  without  exception,  sandstones  or 
conglomerates.  To  them  the  driller  early 
gave  the  name  of  “ oil- sands,”  and  this  name 
is  in  universal  use.  The  grain  and  thickness 
of  these  sandstones  are  found  to  be  important 
factors  in  their  production.  Other  things 
being  equal,  the  coarser  the  grain  and  the 
thicker  the  stratum,  the  greater  is  its  produc- 
tion found  to  be.  Mr.  J.  R Carll,  of  the 
Pennsylvania  Geological  Survey,  our  highest 
authority  in  regard  to  petroleum  production, 
has  shown  that  an  oil-sand  can  hold  one-tenth 
of  its  bulk  of  oil,  and  he  believes  that  it  may 
contain  under  pressure  as  much  as  one-eighth 
of  its  bulk.  This  would  give  U inches  of  oil 
to  every  foot  of  the  oil-sand. 

Taking  the  most  productive  portions  of  the 
latter  in  the  Venango  field  to  be  fifteen  feet, 
we  find  in  that  district  a possible  capacity  of 
9,600,000  barrels  per  square  mile,  an  amount, 
it  is  needless  to  say,  vastly  in  excess  of  any 
production  ever  known. — ‘ ' Second  Penns3d- 
vania  Survey,  Oil  Regions,”  III.,  pp.  252- 
53. 

The  driller  places  great  reliance  on  the  oil- 
sand,  and  learns  to  draw  conclusions  and 
make  forecasts  from  its  character  more  than 
from  any  other  single  element  that  he  en- 
counters. 

Within  the  last  few  years  we  have  found 
in  Ohio  a reservoir  of  high-pressure  gas  and 
large  oil-wells,  in  a rock  of  altogether  differ- 
ent character  from  the  oil-rocks  already  de- 
scribed. The  new  oil-  and  gas-rock  of  North- 
western Ohio  is  a magnesian  limestone  or 
dolomite,  of  a good  degree  of  purity.  It  is 


as  porous,  apparently,  as  the  sandstones  and 
conglomerates  of  the  Pennsylvania  series, 
this  character  being  due  in  the  limestone  to 
the  imperfect  interlocking  of  the  dolomite 
crystals.  The  dolomite  constitutes  but  a 
small  portion  of  the  Trenton  limestone  in 
which  it  is  found.  The  normal  character  of 
this  great  sheet  is  that  of  a true  carbonate  of 
lime,  but  it  appears  that,  in  a limited  terri- 
tory, the  upper  portions  of  the  stratum  have 
been  transformed  into  dolomite.  The  trans- 
formation seldom  extends  more  than  a score 
or  two  of  feet  below  the  surface,  and  is  often 
confined  to  five  or  ten  feet.  Sometimes  a 
cap  of  true  limestone,  five  or  ten  feet  in  thick- 
ness, overlies  the  dolomite,  and  sometimes 
the  latter  occurs  in  two  or  more  sheets,  sepa- 
rated from  each  other  by  the  normal  rock. 
The  Trenton  limestone  is  not  itself  a porous 
or  reservoir  rock  in  any  sense  of  the  word. 
It  is  only  these  replaced  beds  that  have  this 
character. 

Besides  sandstones  and  limestones,  shales 
also  serve  to  a small  extent  as  receptacles  of 
accumulated  oil  and  gas  in  Ohio.  The  char- 
acter of  the  containing  rock  in  these  cases  is 
not  well  known.  Generally,  the  gas  is  of 
light  pressure,  but  it  is  a fairly  persistent 
supply  that  is  found  in  these  rocks.  The 
belt  of  shales  along  the  shore  of  Lake  Erie 
gives  the  examples  of  this  sort  of  accumula- 
tion and  supply.  These  shales,  where  pro- 
ductive of  gas,  are  found  to  consist  of  hard 
and  light-colored  bands,  interstratified  with 
dark  bands,  the  gas  appearing  to  be  found 
when  the  harder  bands  are  penetrated.  The 
production  of  oil  from  these  sources  is  always 
small,  but,  as  already  stated,  fair  amounts  of 
gas  are  sometimes  derived  from  them. 

Petroleum  and  gas  are  not  the  only  sub- 
stances that  are  found  in  these  reservoirs. 
Salt-water  is  almost  an  invariable  accompani- 
ment of  both.  The  oil-rocks  are  salt-rocks  as 
well,  in  some  parts  of  their  extent.  The  dis- 
tribution of  these  three  substances  in  the 
same  stratum  is  connected  with  facts  of 
structure,  as  will  presently  be  shown.  These 
reservoirs  have  been  described  as  porous  of 
necessity.  The  porosity  insures  a large 
amount  of  lateral  permeability,  a fact  of  great 
importance  in  the  distribution  of  these  sub- 
stances. The  reservoir  is  often  common  for 
large  areas.  All  the  wells  in  a field  may  find 
the  same  pressure  of  gas  or  oil,  even  though 
their  production  may  be  very  unequal. 

The  Cover. 

Inasmuch  as  the  three  elements — source, 
reservoir,  and  cover — are  all  indispensable,  it 
is  not  necessary  to  compare  their  relative  im- 
portance. It  is,  however,  true  that  the  first 
and  second  conditions  of  accumulation  are 
met  more  frequently  than  the  third.  The 
cover  of  every  productive  oil-rock  is  a large 
body  of  fine-grained,  impervious  clay  shale — 
the  finer  and  more  nearly  impervious  the 
better.  Whenever  such  a body  of  shale  is 
found  in  the  Ohio  scale,  the  rock  directly 
underlying,  if  a sandstone  or  limestone,  is 


82 


THE  GEOGRAPHY  AND  GEOLOGY  OF  OHIO. 


found  to  contain,  in  some  portions,  accumu- 
lations of  gas  and  oil.  The  stocks  may  be  too 
small  to  be  valuable,  but  the  presence  of  the 
shale  cover  seems  to  insure  some  concentra- 
tion in  these  situations.  There  are  three 
points  in  the  Ohio  series  of  rocks  where  such 
shale  covers  occur,  viz.,  at  the  surface  of  the 
Trenton  limestone,  where  800  to  1,000  feet 
of  shales  and  intercalated  beds  of  limestone 
of  the  Medina,  Hudson  river,  and  Utica 
epochs  are  found,  at  the  surface  of  the  Cor- 
niferous  limestone,  which  is  covered  by  300 
to  1,800  feet  of  the  Ohio  shale,  and  at  the 
surface  of  the  Ber.ea  grit,  which  is  overlain 
by  the  best  cover  of  the  entire  series,  viz., 
the  close-grained  and  nearly  homogeneous 
Cuyahoga  shale,  300  to  500  feet  in  thickness. 
Two  of  these,  the  first  and  the  last,  constitute 
the  two  main  horizons  of  oil  and  gas  in  Ohio. 
The  third  is  not  notably  productive  thus  far 
in  Ohio,  but  it  is  the  source  of  a small  supply 
in  other  States. 

The  composition  of  an  oil-producing  series 
is  thus  seen  to  be  essential  to  its  functions. 
The  order  already  pointed  out  cannot  be  de- 
parted from,'  but  there  must  always  be  (1)  an 
impervious  cover ; (2)  a porous  reservoir ; 
and  underneath  the  reservoir,  the  source  is  to 
be  found. 

Structure  as  Affecting  Oil  and  Gas 
Accumulation. 

But  this  order  of  arrangement  is  not  enough 
in  itself  to  insure  any  large  concentration  of 
oil  or  gas  at  any  particular  place.  One  other 
factor  must  be  introduced,  viz.,  structure. 
The  strata  which  constitute  the  geological 
scale  of  the  State  nowhere  lie,  for  any  consid- 
erable extent,  in  horizontal  planes.  They 
are  all  more  or  less  inclined.  Sometimes 
they  are  bent  into  low  folds  or  arches,  and 
sometimes,  though  very  rarely,  there  are 
abrupt  descents  and  fractures.  As  a rule  the 
dip,  or  angle  of  inclination  to  the  horizon,  of 
Ohio  rocks  is  very  small.  It  is  better  ex- 
pressed as  a fall  of  so  many  feet  to  the  mile, 
than  by  angular  measurements,  which  very 
seldom  rise  to  one  degree.  Both  the  rate 
and  the  direction  of  the  descent  are  uniform 
over  large  areas.  The  average  dip  for  impor- 
tant portions  of  the  State  is  between  twenty 
and  thirty  feet;  the  direction  depends,  of 
course,  upon  the  part  of  the  State  which  is  to 
be  considered. 

The  movements  of  the  strata  here  referred 
.0  have  exerted  a very  important  influence  on 
he  concentration  of  oil  and  gas  in  the  reser- 
oirs  already  described.  If  one  of  these  sand- 
stone strata,  filled  with  salt-water,  oil,  and 
gas,  and  freely  permeable  laterally  and  hori- 
zontally for  even  miles  at  a time,  were  to  be 
thrown  into  a system  of  low  folds,  what  effect 
would  this  movement  have  upon  the  contents 
of  the  stratum  ? Would  not  a separation  of 
gas,  oil,^  and  water  be  sure  to  follow,  the  gas 
finding  its  way  to  the  summits  of  the  arches, 
and  the  salt-water  sinking  to  the  bottoms  of 
the  troughs?  Such  a result  would  be  in- 
evitable under  the  conditions  assumed. 

The  summits  of  the  folds  are  called  anti- 


clinals,  and  the  troughs  synclinals.  The 
lines  of  direction  of  the  anticlinals  are  called 
their  axes.  The  influence  of  these  facts  of 
structure  on  gas  and  oil  accumulation  has 
been  long  recognized,  or  at  least  asserted,  but 
there  is  not  full  agreement  as  to  the  part  that 
it  plays  in  the  great  fields  among  the  geolo- 
gists who  have  given  most  study  to  the  sub- 
jects. 

The  facts  that  have  come  to  light  in  the 
recent  investigations  of  these  subjects  in 
Ohio  seem  to  show  the  paramount  influence 
of  structure  upon  oil  and  gas  accumulation. 
In  the  old  fields,  and  in  the  new  alike,  irregu- 
larities of  dip,  involving  change  of  direction, 
suspension,  or  unusual  increase,  have  been 
found  connected  with  the  large  production 
of  both  oil  and  gas  in  every  instance  where 
careful  examination  has  been  made.  The 
composition  of  the  series  involved  is  identical 
for  many  thousand  square  miles,  but  so  long 
as  uniformity  of  dip  is  maintained,  there  is 
no  valuable  accumulation.  As  soon,  how- 
ever, as  this  uniformity  is  broken  in  upon, 
the  valuable  stocks  of  gas  and  oil  come  to 
light. 

The  “belt  lines,”  in  which  the  practical 
oil-well  driller  and  operator  of  the  main  field 
puts  so  much  confidence,  so  far  as  they  stand 
for  facts  in  nature,  are  probably  structural 
lines.  ^ A map  of  the  various  centres  of  petro- 
leum in  the  old  field  shows  that  they  all  ex- 
tend in  the  northeasterly  course  which  the 
main  structural  features  of  this  part  of  the 
continent  follow.  The  driller  believes  fortune 
to  lie  in  the  45°  or  22l  line  which  leads  out  in 
a northeast  or  southwest  direction  from  each 
centre  of  production.  Experience  justifies, 
to  a certain  extent,  his  confidence.  The  pro- 
ductive gas  territory  upon  which  Pittsburg 
now  depends  is  limited  to  the  summits  of  a 
few  well-marked  anticlinals,  which  all  have  a 
northeasterly  trend.  In  regard  to  the  latter, 
uestion  can  scarcely  be  raised.  ^ The  pre- 
ominant  influence  of  structure  is  obvious. 
It  seems  probable  that  a careful  enough  system 
of  measurements  will  show  like  lines  of  modi- 
fied dip  to  traverse  the  great  oil  fields  of 
Pennsylvania  and  New  York. 

The  occurrence  of  gas  and  oil  in  almost  all 
rocks  that  have  a heavy  shale  cover  would 
seem  to  result  from  exchanges  affected 
by  gravity.  The  oil  is  associated  with  salt- 
water in  the  stratum  that  contains  it.  There 
would  be  a constant  tendency  for  the  oil  to 
reach  a higher  level  at  the  expense  of  the 
water.  It  ascends  through  all  the  substance 
of  the  rock  until  it  reaches  the  impervious 
roof,  where  it  is  gradually  concentrated.  On 
the  same  principle,  the  separation  of  the  gas 
from  the  oil  is  effected. 

Some  of  the  points  that  have  been  made 
under  this  head  may  be  briefly  restated,  as 
follows  : 

1.  Clay  is  largely  connected  with  the  pri- 
mary accumulation  of  petroleum.  The  natural 
affinity  that  it  has  for  substances  of  this  class 
would  lead  to  its  combination  with  them 
wherever  found.  The  great  shale  formation 
of  Eastern  Ohio,  New  York  and  Pennsyl- 


THb  GEOGRAPHY  AND  GEOLOGY  OF  OHIO. 


«3 


vania  is  the  main  source  of  the  petroleum 
and  gas  of  these  regions.  Clay  does  its  work 
in  this  regard  by  reason  of  its  chemical  con- 
stitution. 

2.  As  clay  is  the  main  agent  in  the  primary 
accumulation  of  petroleum,  sand  takes  a sim- 
ilar place  in  its  secondary  accumulation,  or  its 
(Concentration  in  valuable  stocks.  It  does  this 
)y  virtue  of  its  physical  character.  A sand- 
stone is  a porous  rock.  Such  sandstones  as 
ire  found  overlying  or  imbedded  in  the  great 
shale  formation  are  sure  to  become  recepta- 
des  of  oil. 

3.  Clay  has  another  office  in  this  connection 
to  perform,  and  this  office  is  dependent  on 
its  physical  character.  The  sandstone  stratum 
last  described  would  become  a receptacle  of  oil 
in  any  case,  but  if  roofed  with  a sufficient 
thickness  of  clay  shale  by  which  its  contents 
could  be  sealed  and  preserved,  it  would  be- 
came a reservoir  of  oil  or  gas.  All  of  the 
stocks  of  the  old  fields  are  held  in  sandstone 
or  conglomerate  reservoirs. 

4.  Limestone  has  been  found,  more  clearly 
in  Ohio,  perhaps,  than  elsewhere,  to  replace 
sandstone  in  oil  accumulation.  All  the  phe- 
nomena of  high-pressure  stocks  of  oil  and 
gas  have  recently  been  found  in  the  Trenton 
limestone  of  Northern  Ohio,  but  the  pres- 
ence and  office  of  the  shale  cover  are  seen  to 
be  the  same  here  as  in  the  other  fields.  The 
term  limestone  in  this  connection  is  used  with 
due  care  and  precision.  It  is  limestone,  not 
“oil-sand”  in  the  limestone,  that  contains 
Findlay  gas  and  Lima  oil.  Pure  magnesian 
limestone  is  the  driller’s  “oil-sand”  in  these 
fields. 

5.  Widely  diffused  as  are  oil  and  gas  in  the 
paleozoic  rocks  of  Ohio  and  adjacent  States, 
so  wide  that  the  distribution  of  them  may, 
without  error,  be  styled  universal,  and  widely 
extended  as  are  the  series  of  rocks  that  afford 
in  their  composition  and  relations  the  proper 
conditions  for  storage,  it  is  still  seen  that  their 
accumulation  in  profitable  quantity  depends 
on  what  might  be  called  geological  accidents. 
It  is  only  or  mainly  along  lines  of  structural 
disturbance  that  the  great  stocks  are  found. 

The  Rock  Pressure  op  GtAS. 

The  facts  pertaining  to  the  closed  pressure 
of  great  gas-wells  are  among  the  most  striking 
in  the  whole  range  of  mining  enterprise.  To 
be  appreciated,  a high-pressure  gas-well  must 
be  seen  and  heard.  The  gas  issues  from  it 
with  a velocity  twice  as  great  as  that  of  a 
!rullet  when  it  leaves  a rifle.  Sets  of  drilling- 
tools,  nearly  100  feet  long,  and  weighing 
2,000  pounds,  are  lifted  out  of  a well  1,000 
or  1,500  feet  deep  and  thrown  high  into  the 
air.  The  noise  with  which  the  gas  escapes  is 
literally  deafening,  exposure  to  it  often  re- 
sulting in  partial  loss  of  hearing  on  the  part 
of  those  engaged  about  the  well. 

What  is  it  that  originates  this  indescribable 
force  ? 

One  answer  is,  that  the  rock-pressure  is 
derived  from  the  expansive  nature  of  the 
gas.  Solid  or  liquid  materials  in  the  reser- 
voir are  supposed  to  De  converted  into  gas  as 


water  is  converted  into  steam.  The  resulting 
as  occupies  many  times  more  space  than  the 
odies  from  which  it  was  derived,  and  in 
seeking  to  obtain  this  space  it  exerts  the 
pressure  which  we  note. 

This  view  has,  no  doubt,  elements  of  truth 
in  it,  even  though  it  fails  to  furnish  a full  ex- 
planation. For  the  pressure  of  shale-gas,  it 
may  be  that  no  other  force  is  required.  But 
the  theory  is  incapable  of  verification,  and  we 
are  not  able  to  advance  a great  ways  beyond 
the  statement  of  it.  Some  objections  to  it 
will  also  appear  in  connection  with  facts  that 
are  presently  to  be  stated. 

The  second  explanation  that  is  offered  is, 
without  doubt,  more  generally  accepted  than 
any  other  by  those  who  have  begun  to  think 
upon  the  question  at  all. 

This  theory  is  to  the  effect  that  the  weight 
of  the  superincumbent  rocks  is  the  cause  of 
the  high  pressure  of  gas  in  the  reservoirs. 
In  other  words,  the  term  rock-pressure  is  con- 
sidered to  be  descriptive  of  a cause  as  well  as 
of  a fact.  That  a column  of  rock,  1 ,000  or 
1,500  feet  deep,  has  great  weight,  is  obvious. 

It  is  assumed  that  this  weight,  whatever  it  is, 
is  available  in  driving  accumulations  of  gas 
out  of  rocks  that  contain  them,  whenever 
communication  is  opened  between  the  deeply- 
buried  reservoir  and  the  surface. 

Is  this  assumption  valid  ? Can  the  weight 
of  the  overlying  rock  work  in  this  way  ? 

Not  unless  there  is  freedom  of  motion  on 
the  part  of  the  constituents  of  the  rock,  or, 
in  other  words,  unless  the  rock  has  lost  its 
cohesion  and  is  in  a crushed  state.  If  the 
rock  retains  its  solidity,  it  can  exert  no  more 
ressure  on  the  gas  that  is  held  in  the  spaces 
etween  its  grains  than  the  walls  of  a cavern 
would  exert  on  a stream  of  water  flowing 
through  it.  Professor  Lesley  has  discussed 
this  theory  with  more  elaboration  and  detail 
than  any  other  geologist,  and  has  shown  its 
entirely  untenable  character.  (Annual  Re- 
port Penna.  Survey,  1885.) 

The  claim  that  the  Berea  grit  or  the  Trenton 
limestone,  where  they  are,  respectively,  oil  or 
gas-rocks,  exists  in  a crushed  or  comminuted 
state,  is  negatived  by  every  fact  that  we  can 
obtain  that  bears  upon  the  subject.  The  claim 
is  a preposterous  one,  but  without  this  condi- 
tion the  theory  fails. 

The  third  theory  advanced  to  account  for 
the  rock-pressure  of  gas  stands  on  a different  . 
basis  from  those  already  named.  It  appeals 
to  water-pressure  in  the  oil  and  gas-rock,  as 
the  cause  of  the  flow  of  both  these  substances, 
and  in  this  reference,  it  directs  us  to  princi- 
ciples  and  facts  of  familiar  experience  and 
every-day  use.  Every  one  is  acquainted  with 
the  phenomena  and  explanation  of  artesian 
wells.  By  this  theory  gas  and  oil  wells  are 
made  artesian  in  their  flow.  In  the  porous 
rock  that  contains  them  there  is  always,  out- 
side of  the  productive  fields,  a body  of  water, 
and,  in  almost  every  instance,  salt-water.  Tips 
water  occupies  the  rock  as  it  rises  to-day  in  its 
nearest  outcrops.  Communicating  there  with 
surface  water  or  with  rainfall,  a head  of  press- 
ure is  given  to  the  gas  and  oil  that  are  held 


84 


THE  GEOGRAPHY  AND  GEOLOGY  OE  OHIO. 


in  the  traps  formed  by  the  an'ticlinals  or  ter- 
races into  which  the  stratum  had  been  thrown. 
The  amount  of  pressure  would  thus  depend  on 
the  height  to  which  the  water  column  is 
raised,  in  case  continuous  porosity  of  the 
stratum  can  be  assumed.  Defects  in  regard 
to  porosity  would  abate  from  the  total  press- 
ure on  the  oil  or  gas. 

This,  in  short,  is  the  third  and  last  of  the 
explanations  offered  of  the  rock-pressure  of 
natural  gas.  ^ There  seems  little  reason  to 
doubt  that  it  is  along  this  line  that  the  true 
explanation  is  to  be  found,  though  it  is  too 
early  to  claim  that  a full  account  can  now  be 
given  of  all  the  facts  involved. 

One  of  the  significant  elements  in  the  case 
is  the  salt-water  that  surrounds  every  oil  and 
gas-field.  When  the  drill  descends  into  this 
outside  territory,  salt-water  promptly  rises  in 
"he  well  to  the  surface,  or  to  a given  depth 
below  the  surface.  Sometimes,  indeed,  it 
Dverflows.  Why  does  the  salt-water  rise  ? 

What  other  cause  can  be  suggested  than 
pressure  from  behind?  The  rise  must  be 
artesian.  But  just  beyond  the  salt-water,  on 
a slightly  higher  level  of  the  rock,  lies  the 
oil  pool.  When  that  is  reached  by  the  drill, 
the  oil  flows  out  from  the  well.  Will  not  the 
same  cause  that  we  found  in  active  and  un- 
mistakable operation  in  the  adjacent  salt- 
water territory  explain  the  flow  of  the  oil 
from  the  second  well  ? Is  not  this  also  ar- 
tesian ? 

In  like  manner,  the  pressure  of  the  gas 
that  is  confined  within  the  highest  levels 
of  the  same  porous  rock  can  be  explained, 
and  thus  one  familiar  cause  that  is  demon- 
strably present  in  the  field  is  made  to  account 
for  the  varied  phenomena  presented. 

With  the  exhaustion  of  a gas-field  or  oil- 
field, these  substances  are  followed  up  and 
replaced  by  salt-water.  This  is  the  common 
fate  of  gas  and  oil  wells,  the  death  to  which 
they  all  seem  to  be  appointed. 

Certain  obvious  inferences  follow  the  ac- 
ceptance of  this  explanation : 

1.  The  supplies  of  gas  and  oil  are  seen  to 
be  definitely  limited  by  this  theory  of  rock 
pressure.  If  a salt-water  column  is  the  pro- 
pelling force,  it  is  idle  to  speculate  on  con- 
stantly renewed  supplies . The  water  advances 
as  the  gas  or  oil  is  withdrawn,  and  the  closing 
stage  of  the  oil-rock  is,  as  already  pointed 
out,  a salt-water  rock. 

^ 2.  Other  things  being  equal,  the  rock-press- 

ure will  be  greatest  in  the  deepest  wells. 
The  deeper  the  well,  the  longer  the  water 
column. 

3.  Other  things  being  equal,  the  rock- 
pressure  will  be  greatest  in  districts  the  gas 
or  oil-rock  of  which  rises  highest  above  the 
sea  in  its  outcrops.  The  760  lbs.  of  rcck- 
pressure  in  Pennsylvania  gas  wells,  as  con- 
trasted with  the  400  lbs,  pressure  of  Findlay 
wells,  can  be  accounted  for  on  this  principle. 

4.  The  rock-pressure  of  gas  may  be  con- 
tinued with  unabated  force  until  the  end  of 
production  is  at  hand.  Maintenance  of  pres- 
sure is  no  proof  of  renewal  of  supply.  The 
last  thousand  feet  will  come  out  of  a gas- 


holder with  as  much  force  as  the  first  thou 
sand  feet. 

5.  Where  both  oil  and  gas  are  found  in  a 
single  field,  the  first  sign  of  approaching 
failure  will  be  the  invasion  of  the  gas-rock  by 
oil,  or  of  the  oil-rock  by  salt-water. 

Sources  of  Gtas  and  Oil  in  the  Ohio 
Scale. 

There  are  known  at  the  present  time  four 
utilizable  sources  of  gas  and  oil  among  the 
strata  that  underlie  Ohio.  They  are  as  fol 
lows,  named  in  descending  order  : 

1 . The  Berea  grit  in  Eastern  Ohio. 

2.  The  Ohio  shale  in  Northern  and  Central 
Ohio. 

3.  The  Clinton  limestone  in  Sandusky, 
Wood,  Hancock  and  Fairfield  counties. 

4.  The  Trenton  limestone  in  Northwestern 
Ohio. 

The  Berea  grit  yields  high-pressure  gas  and 
large  stocks  of  oil  under  favorable  circum- 
stances, but  these  circumstances  do  not  often 
recur.  This  stratum  is  doing  but  very  little 
in  suppl3dng  to  the  people  of  the  State  either 
gas_  or  oil  at  the  present  time.  Outside  of 
Ohio  in  W estern  Pennsylvania  it  is  found  to 
be  one  of  the  most  important  repositories  of 
this  stored  power  that  has  been  discovered  in 
that  highly  favored  territory. 

The  Ohio  shale  as  a source  of  gas  has 
already  been  briefly  characterized  in  the 
accountof  this  formation  givenon  aprevious 
page.  It  yields  low-pressure  Igas  ill  small 
amount  at  many  places,  but  can  never  be 
made  a source  of  large  supply. 

The  two  formations  next  to  be  named  have 
special  interest  for  us  from  the  fact  that  their 
petroliferous  character  on  the  large  scale  was 
first  demonstrated  in  Ohio.  The  first -of 
them,  indeed,  has  never  been  found  to  be  an 
oil  or  gas  rock  elsewhere.  It  has  not  yet 
been  proved  to  be  a reservoir  of  any  great 

value  in  Ohio,  but  moderate  supplies  of  gas 
have  been  for  some  time  derived  from  it  in 
Fremont  and  in  adjacent  territory  of  North- 
ern Ohio.  In  Lancaster,  however,  in  South- 
ern Ohio,  the  largest  promise  of  the  rock  has 
recently  been  found.  ^ W^^^®  drilled  to  the 
Clinton  limestone,  which  is  reached  at  a depth 
of  2,000  feet,  have  yielded  as  much  as 
1,000,000  cubic  feet  a day  when  first  struck. 
The  initial  rock-pressure  is  high,  viz.,  700 
pounds  to  the  square  inch.  It  is  too  early  to 
draw  safe  conclusions  as  to  the  value  of  this 
discovery.  All  turns  on  the  life  of  the  wells. 
On  account  of  their  depth  the  drilling  and 
casing  are  expensive.  A well  cannot  be  com 
pleted  for  less  than  $3,500  to  $4,000.  Tlu 
facts  at  present  in  hand  seem  to  betoken  a 
short  duration  for  the  supply.  A ^ large 
amount  of  money  is  sure  to  be  spent  in  the 
new  field  that  the  experience  of  Lancastei 
has  brought  to  light. 

It  remains  to  describe  in  few  words  the  re- 
markable discovery  of  gas  and  oil  in  the 
Trenton  limestone  that  was  made  at  Findlay 
in  November,  1884. 

The  entire  history  of  the  discovery  and  ex- 
ploitation of  petroleum  in  this  country  has 


THE  GEOGRAPHY  AND  GEOLOGY  OF  OHIO.  8^ 


been  full  of  surprises,  both  to  the  practical 
men  engaged  in  the  work  and  to  the  geolo- 

ists  who  have  studied  the  facts  as  they  have 

een  brought  to  light,  but  no  previous  chap- 
ter of  the  history  has  proved  as  strange 
and  well-nigh  incredible  as  the  discovery 
and  development  which  are  now  to  be  de- 
scribed. 

No  fact  in  this  line  could  be  more  unex- 
pected than  that  any  notable  supplies  of 
petroleum  or  gas  should  be  furnished  by  the 
Trenton  limestone,  which  is  widely  known  as 
a massive,  compact  and  fossiliferous  lime- 
stone of  Lower  Silurian  age  and  of  wide  ex- 
tent, constituting  in  fact  one  of  the  great 
foundations  of  the  continent.  But  when  re- 
quired to  believe  that  certain  phases  of  this 
Trenton  limestone  make  one  of  the  great  oil- 
rocks  of  our  geological  scale,  one  which  pro- 
duces from  single  wells  5,000  barrels  of  oil, 
or  15,000,000  cubic  feet  of  inflammable  gas 
in  a day,  it  is  hard  to  prevent  our  surprise 
from  passing  into  incredulity. 

Surface  indications  of  a sulphuretted  and 
inflammable  gas,  escaping  from  the  rocky 
floor  of  the  village  of  Findlay,  have  been 
known  since  the  country  was  first  settled. 
The  gas  had,  in  fact,  been  utilized  in  a small 
way,  viz.,  in  lighting  a single  residence  for 
more  than  forty  years,  but  in  1884  the  influ- 
ence of  Pittsburg  had  made  itself  felt 
through  much  of  Ohio  and  drilling  was 
begun  here.  At  a depth  of  1,100  feet  a re- 
spectable flow  of  gas  was  secured.  The  suc- 
cess of  this  well  was  the  first  step  in  by  far 
the  most  remarkable  development  that  has 
ever  taken  place  in  the  geology  of  Ohio. 

It  was  more  than  a year  before  a gas 

well  was  discovered  in  Findlay,  but  the  Karg 
well,  which  was  completed  in  January,  1886, 
fully  deserves  this  name.  Its  daily  yield 
when  first  opened  was  not  less  than 
14,000,000  cubic  feet. 

The  discovery  of  oil  followed  that  of  gas 
T)y  a short  interval,  but  the  prolific  character 
of  the  new  rock  was  not  established  till  the 
latter  half  of  1886. 

The  rapid  extension  of  productive  territory 
and  its  equally  rapid  limitations,  the  develop- 
ment of  several  distinct  centres,  as  Bowling 
Green,  Lima  and  St.  Mary’s,  the  great  specu- 
lative excitement  that  broke  out  when  the 
good  fortune  of  the  new  gas-field  began  to  be 
appreciated  by  manufacturers  and  investors, 
and  the  .wonderful  developments  that  have 
since  taken  place  in  the  line  of  manufactur- 
ing industries,  cannot  be  even  touched  upon 
in  this  connection.  The  salient  points  in  the 
geology  of  the  new  fields  are  brought  out  in 
the  summary  that  follows.  The  discovery 
comes  from  an  unexpected  quarter,  viz. , from 
the  “black  swamp”  of  old  time  of  North- 
western Ohio.  Under  its  broad  and  level 
expanses  a few  hundred  square  miles  have 
been  found  distributed  through  portions  of 
five  counties,  within  which  are  contained 
fountains  of  oil  and  reservoirs  of  gas  of 
infinitely  more  value  than  any  like  accumula- 
tions hitherto  discovered  in  the  State,  and 
fully  deserving  a place  among  the  most 


valued  repositories  of  these  substances  in  any 
quarter  of  the  world. 

The  leading  facts  pertaining  to  the  field 
can  be  summarized  as  follows  : 

1.  In  fourteen  of  the  northwestern  counties 
of  Ohio  (and  like  conditions  prevail  in  con- 
tiguous territory  in  Indiana),  the  upper  beds 
of  the  Trenton  limestone,  which  lie  from 
1,000  to  2,000  feet  below  the  surface,  have  a 
chemical  composition  different  from  that 
which  generally  characterizes  this  great 
stratum.  They  are  here  found  as  dolomite 
or  magnesian  limestone  instead  of  being,  as 
usual,  true  carbonate  of  lime.  Their  per- 
centage of  lime,  in  other  words,  ranges  be- 
tween 50  and  60  per  cent,  instead  of  between 
80  and  90  per  cent.,  as  in  the  formation  at 
large.  These  doloniites  of  Northwestern 
Ohio  are  mainly  quite  free  from  silicious 
impurities.  The  dolomitic  composition  seems 
to  have  resulted  from  an  alteration  of  a true 
limestone.  At  least  the  occasional  masses  of 
true  limestones  charged  with  fossils,  that  are 
found  on  the  horizon  of  and  surrounded  by 
the  dolomite,  are  best  explained  on  this  sup- 
position. In  the  change  which  has  been 
endured,  the  fossils  which  the  original 
limestones  contained  appear  to  have  been  for 
the  most  part  discharged  or  rendered  obscure, 
as  is  usual  in  this  metamorphosis.  The 
crystalline  character  of  the  dolomite  is  often 
very  marked,  and  there  results  from  it  a 
peculiarly  open  or  porous  structure.  Its 
storage  capacity  is  much  greater  than  that 
of  ordinary  oil  sandstones  and  conglomerates, 
so  far  at  least  as  pores  visible  to  the  unaided 
eye  are  concerned.  The  change  usually  ex- 
tends for  ten  to  thirty  feet  below  the  surface 
of  the  formation.  In  some  cases,  however, 
sheets  of  porous  dolomite  are  found  as  low  as 
fifty  feet  and  very  rarely  as  low  as  100  feet 
below  the  surface. 

The  area  occupied  by  this  dolomitic  phase 
of  the  Trenton  limestone  in  Ohio  has  already 
been  indicated.  The  eastern  and  the  south- 
ern boundaries  pass  through  Lucas,  Wood, 
Hancock,  Allen,  Auglaize  and  Mercer  coun- 
ties. It  is  possible  that  the  line  crosses  some 
parts  of  Ottawa,  Wyandot  and  Hardin  coun- 
ties. 

There  is  good  reason  to  believe  that  this 
phase  extends  far  to  the  northward  and  west- 
ward, outside  of  the  State  limits  to  which  it 
has  here  been  traced.  We  know  that  the 
Trenton  limestonp  is  a dolomite  when  it  pitches 
rapidly  down  from  the  northern  boundary  of 
Ohio  to  make  the  low-lying  floor  of  the 
Michigan  coal  basin,  and  we  also  know  that 
it  is  a dolomite  when  it  rises  from  under  that 
basin  as  a surface  rock  of  the  northern  penin- 
sula. In  like  manner  it  is  a dolomite  when 
it  leaves  the  western  boundary  of  the  State 
under  deep  cover,  and  it  is  a dolomite  when 
it  reaches  the  surface  once  more  in  the  Galena 
district  of  Illinois  and  Wisconsin. 

South  of  the  line  laid  down  in  Ohio  there 
has  not  thus  far  been  found  a trace  of  the 
porous  dolomite  on  which  the  oil  of  Lima 
and  the  gas  of  Findlay  depend.  The  change 
is  seen  to  be  taking  place  in  Shelby  and 


THE  GEOGRAPHY  AND  GEOLOGY  OF  OHIO, 


S6 

Logan  counties,  but  beyond  them  the  Tren- 
ton limestone  is  invariably  found  with  a per- 
centage of  more  than  75  per  cent,  of  car- 
bonate of  lime,  and  rarely  with  less  than  10 

{)er  cent,  of  silicious  impurities.  It  is  this 
ast  element,  with  but  little  doubt,  that  has 
resisted  the  dolomitization  of  the  stratum 
throughout  the  southwestern  quarter  of  the 
State  and  in  all  contiguous  territory. 

To  the  eastward  of  the  line  laid  down  in 
Northern  Ohio,  a less  definite  boundary  is  to 
be  looked  for.  It  is  certain  that  small  areas 
of  porous  dolomite  are  found  beyond  the  line 
here  recognized  as  the  termination  of  the 
Findlay  phase  of  the  Trenton  limestone. 

Within  the  limits  named,  the  limestone  of 
course  has  a considerable  variety  of  grain 
and  texture,  but  all  of  the  analyses  obtained 
show  the  stratum  to  be  in  the  main  a dolomite. 
As  already  stated  there  are  occasional  patches 
vr  islands  of  true  limestone  in  this  sea  of 
dolomite. 

2.  A porous  rock,  buried  1,000  to  2,000 
feet  below  the  surface  of  Northwestern  Ohio, 
will  not  be  found  empty.  Nature  abhors  a 
vacuum.  ^ With  what  will  its  pores  be  filled  ? 
Mainly  with  salt-water  of  peculiar  composi- 
tion, possibly  representing  the  brine  of  the 
ancient  seas  in  which  the  limestone  was  laid 
down.  Ninety-nine-hundredths,  or  perhaps 
nine  hundred  and  ninety-nine-thousandths 
of  the  limestone  will  be  thus  occupied.  The 
remaining  hundredth  or  thousandth  will  be 
filled  with  the  petroleum  and  gas  which  have, 
in  the  long  course  of  the  ages  that  have 
passed,  been  gathered  from  a wide  and  gen- 
eral distribution  through  the  water  into  cer- 
tain favored  portions  of  the  great  limestone 
sheet. 

3.  This  salt-water  will  be  held  under  arte- 
sian pressure.  The  porous  limestone  con- 
taining it  rises  to-day  in  Michigan  and 
Illinois,  communicating  there  with  surface 
waters.  The  pressure  of  this  head  of  water 
will  be  felt  through  every  portion  of  the 
porous  rock,  and  when  the  stratum  is  pierced 
by  the  drill  in  the  areas  that  are  thus  occu- 
pied, the  salt-water  will  rise  with  more  or 
less  promptness,  depending  on  the  varying 
degrees  of  porosity  in  the  rock.  The  height 
to  which  the  water  will  rise  will  seem  to  vary 
in  wells,  by  reason  of  the  different  elevations 
of  the  locations  at  which  they  are  drilled,  but 
with  reference  to  sea-level  the  water  columns 
will  be  found  to  closely  agree. 

The  same  artesian  pressure  accounts  for 
the  force  with  which  oil  and  gas  escape  when 
their  limited  reservoirs  in  the  porous  rock  are 
tapped  by  the  drill.  _ 

4.  The  accumulations  of  oil  and  gas  in  the 
porous  rock  depends  altogether  upon  the 
attraction  of  gravitation.  The  lighter  por- 
tions of  the  contents  of  the  porous  rock,  viz. , 
oil  and  gas,  are  forced  by  gravitation  into  the 
highest  levels  that  are  open  to  them.  Every- 
thing turns  on  the  relief  of  the  Trenton  lime- 
stone. The  gas  and  oil  are  gathered  in  the 
arches  of  the  limestone,  if  such  they  are.  In 
default  of  arches  the  high-lying  terraces  are 
made  to  serve  the  same  purpose,  but  the  one 


indispensable  element  and  condition  of  all 
accumulation  is  relief  A uniform  and 
monotonous  descent  of  the  strata  is  fatal  to 
accumulation  of  oil  and  gas  where  everything 
else  is  favorable.  The  sharper  the  boundaries 
of  the  relief,  the  more  efficient  does  it  be- 
come. Absolute  elevation  is  not  essential ; 
all  that  is  required  is  a change  of  level  in  the 
porous  rock.  Each  division  of  the  field  has 
its  own  dead  line  or  salt-water  line.  Salt- 
water reigns  universal  in  the  Findlay  field  500 
feet  below  sea-level,  except  where  some  minor 
local  wrinkle  may  give  a small  and  short- 
lived accumulation  of  oil  or  gas.  In  the 
Lima  field  the  salt-water  line  has  risen  to  400 
feet  below  tide  ; in  the  St.  Mary’s  field  to  300 
feet  below  tide,  and  in  the  Indiana  field  to 
100  feet  below  tide.  These  figures  stand  in 
every  case  for  the  lower  limit  of  production, 
with  the  possible  minor  exceptions  already 
noted.  The  rock-pressure  of  the  gas  de- 
creases to  the  westward  in  proportion  to  this 
decreasing  head  of  water-pressure. 

The  large  accumulations  are  derived  from 
the  large  terraces.  The  Findlay  terrace,  foi 
example,  consists  of  a very  flat-lying  tract, 
ten  or  twelve  miles  across  in  an  east  and  west 
line,  from  which  the  connected  areas  of  the 
Trenton  limestone  slope  on  every  side,  and  to 
which,  therefore,  they  are  necessarily  tribu- 
tary. The  gas  terrace  of  Indiana  is,  by  far, 
the  largest  of  these  several  subdivisions  of 
the  field.  The  minor  elevations  of  Oak 
Harbor,  Tiffin  and  Bryan,  for  example,  give 
rise  to  the  local  supplies  of  gas  or  oil  in  these 
districts  respectively. 

In  conclusion,  it  is  only  necessary  to  repeat 
that  natural  gas  is  in  all  eases  stored  power,, 
that  there  are  no  agencies  in  nature  that  are 
renewing  the  stocks  which  the  rocks  contain 
as  rapidly  as  high  pressure  wells  exhaust 
them,  and  that  therefore  economy  should  be 
observed  from  the  outset  in  the  use  of  this 
highly-valued  source  of  heat  and  light.  It  is 
notstrange  that,  when  the  surprising  discovery 
is  first  made  in  any  field,  a most  lavish  use 
or  rather  a wanton  waste  of  the  gas  is  likely 
to  prevail.  It  is  hard  to  realize  that  such 
floods  as  rush  forth  can  ever  fail,  but  it  is  un- 
doubtedly true  that  every  foot  of  gas  with- 
drawn brings  nearer  the  inevitable  exhaustion 
of  the  reservoir. 

lY. 

Soils  and  Forests. 

The  division  of  the  State  into  a drift-covered 
and  driftless  region  coincides  as  previously 
intimated  with  the  most  important  division 
of  the  soils.  Beyond  the  line  of  the  terminal 
moraine,  these  are  native,  or,  in  other  words, 
they  are  derived  from  the  rocks  that  underlie 
them  or  that  rise  above  them  in  the  bounda- 
ries of  the  valleys  and  uplands.  They  conse- 
quently share  the  varying  constitution  of 
these  rocks,  and  are  characterized  by  consid- 
erable inequality  and  by  abrupt  changes.  All 
are  fairly  productive,  and  some,  especially 
tliose  derived  from  the  abundant  and  easily 
soluble  limestones  of  the  Upper  Coal  Meas- 
ures, are  not  surpassed  in  fertility  by  any 


THE  GEOGRAPHY  AND  GEOLOGY  OF  OHIO 


soils  of  the  State.  Large  tracts  of  these  ex- 
cellent native  soils  are  found  in  Jefferson, 
Belmont,  Harrison,  Monroe,  Noble,  Guernsey 
and  Morgan  counties.  Wool  of  the  finest 
staple  in  the  country  has  long  been  produced 
on  the  hills  of  this  general  region.  * 

Among  the  thinner  and  less  productive 
soils  which  occupy  but  a small  area  are  those 
derived  from  the  Devonian  shales.  They 
are,  however,  well  adapted  to  forest  and  fruit 
production.  The  chestnut  and  the  chestnut 
oak,  both  valuable  timber  trees,  are  partial 
to  them,  and  vineyards  and  orchards  thrive 
well  upon  them.  The  north  sides  of  the  hills 
throughout  this  part  of  the  State  invariably 
show  stronger  soils  than  the  southern  sides, 
and  a better  class  of  forest  growths.  The 
locust,  the  walnut  and  hickory  characterize 
the  former. 

The  native  soils  of  the  Waverly  group  and 
of  the  Lower  Coal  Measures  agree  in  general 
characters.  They  are  especially  adapted  to 
forest  growth,  reaching  the  highest  standard 
in  the  quality  of  the  timber  produced.  When 
these  lands  are  brought  under  the  exhaustive 
tillage  that  has  mainly  prevailed  in  Ohio  thus 
far,  they  do  not  hold  out  well,  but  the  farmer 
who  raises  cattle  and  sheep,  keeps  to  a rota- 
tion between  grass  and  small  grains,  purchases 
a ton  or  two  of  artificial  fertilizers  each  year, 
and  does  not  neglect  his  orchard  or  small 
fruits,  can  do  well  upon  them.  The  cheap 
lands  of  Ohio  are  found  in  this  belt. 

The  other  great  division  of  the  soils  of 
Ohio,  viz.,  the  drift  soils,  are  by  far  the  most 
important,  alike  from  their  greater  area  and 
their  intrinsic  excellence.  Formed  by  the  com- 
mingling of  the  glacial  waste  of  all  the  forma- 
tions to  the  north  of  them,  over  which  the 
ice  has  passed,  they  always  possess  consider- 
able variety  of  composition,  but  still  in  many 
cases  they  are  strongly  colored  by  the  forma- 
tion underneath  them.  Whenever  a stratum 
of  uniibrm  composition  has  a broad  outcrop 
across  the  line  of  glacial  advance,  the  drift 
beds  that  cover  its  southern  portions  will  be 
found  to  have  been  derived  in  large  part  from 
the  formation  itself,  and  will  thus  resemble 
native  or  sedentary  soils.  Western  Ohio  is 
underlaid  with  Silurian  limestones  and  the 
drift  is  consequently  limestone  drift.  The 
soil  is  so  thoroughly  that  of  limestone  land 
that  tobacco,  a crop  which  rarely  leaves 
native  limestone  soils,  at  least  in  the  Missis- 
sippi valley,  is  grown  successfully  in  several 
counties  of  Western  Ohio,  100  miles  or  more 
north  of  the  terminal  moraine. 

The  native  forests  of  the  drift  regions 
were,  without  exception,  hard  wood  forests, 
the  leading  species  being  oaks,  maples, 
hickories,  the  walnut,  beech  and  elm.  The 
walnut,  sugar-maple  and  white  hickory  and 
to  quite  an  extent  the  burr  oak,  are  limited 
to  warm,  well-drained  land,  and  largely  to 
limestone  land.  The  upland  clays  have  one 
characteristic  and  all  important  forest  tree, 
viz.,  the  white  oak.  It  occupies  vastly  larger 
areas  than  any  other  single  species.  It  stands 
for  good  land,  though  not  the  quickest  or 
most  generous,  but  intelligent  farming  can 


always  be  made  successful  on  white-oak  land. 
Under-draining  is  almost  always  in  order,  if 
not  necessary,  on  this  division  of  our  soils. 

The  regions  of  sluggish  drainage,  already 
referred  to,  are  occupied  in  their  native  state 
by  the  red-maple,  the  elm  and  by  several 
varieties  of  oaks,  among  which  the  swamp 
Spanish  oak  is  prominent.  This  noble  forest 
growth  of  Ohio  is  rapidly  disappearing.  The 
vandal-like  waste  of  earlier  days  is  being 
checked  to  some  degree,  but  there  is  still  a 
large  amount  of  timber,  in  the  growth  of 
which  centuries  have  been  consumed,  an- 
nually lost. 

It  is  doubtless  true  that  a large  proportion 
of  the  best  lands  of  Ohio  are  too  well  adapted 
to  tillage  to  justify  their  permanent  occupa- 
tion by  forests,  but  there  is  another  section, 
viz. , the  thin  native  soils  of  Southern  Central 
Ohio,  that  are  really  answering  the  best  pur- 
pose to  which  they  can  be  put  when  covered 
with  native  forests.  The  interests  of  this 

{)art  of  the  State  would  be  greatly  served  if 
arge  areas  could^  be  permanently  devoted  to 
this  use.  The  time  will  soon  come  in  Ohio 
when  forest  planting  will  be  begun,  and  here 
the  beginnings  will  unquestionably  be  made. 

The  character  of  the  land  when  its  occupa- 
tion by  civilization  was  begun  in  the  last  cen- 
tury was  easily  read  by  the  character  of  its 
forest  growths.  The  judgments  of  the  first 
explorers  in  regard  to  the  several  districts 
were  right  in  every  respect  but  one.  They 
could  not  do  full  justice  to  the  swampy 
regions  of  that  early  day,  but  their  first  and 
second  class  lands  fall  into  the  same  classifi- 
cations at  the  present  time.  In  the  interest- 
ing and  instructive  narrative  of  Col.  James 
Smith’s  captivity  among  the  Indians,  we  find 
excellent  examples  of  this  discriminating 
judgment  in  regard  to  the  soils  of  Ohio  as 
they  appeared  in  1755.  The  “first  class” 
land  of  that  narrative  was  the  land  occupied 
by  the  sugar-tree  and  walnut,  and  it  holds 
exactly  the  same  place  to-day.  The  “second 
class’’^  land  was  the  white-oak  forests  of 
our  high-lying  drift-covered  districts.  The 
“third  class”  lands  were  the  elm  and  red 
maple  swamps  that  occupied  the  divides  be- 
tween different  river  systems.  By  proper 
drainage,  many  of  these  last-named  tracts 
have  recently  been  turned  into  the  garden 
soils  of  Ohio,  but,  for  such  a result,  it  was 
necessary  to  wait  until  a century  of  civilized 
occupation  of  the  country  had  passed. 

These  facts  show  in  clear  light  that  the 
character  of  the  soil  depends  upon  the  geo- 
logical and  geographical  conditions  under 
which  it  exists  and  from  which  it  has  been 
derived. 

C. 

THE  CLIMATE  OF  OHIO. 

From  its  geographical  situation  the  dimate 
of  Ohio  is  necessarily  one  of  extremes.  The 
surface  of  the  State  is  swept  alternately  by 
southwest  return  trades  and  northwest  polar 
winds,  and  the  alternations  succeed  each  other 
in  quick  returning  cycles.  There  is  scarcely 
a week  in  the  year  that  does  not  give  exam* 


88 


THE  GEOGRAPHY  AND  GEOLOGY  OF  OHIO. 


pies  of  both  currents.  All  other  winds  that 
blow  here  are  tributary  to  one  or  other  of 
these  great  movements.  The  return  trades 
or  southwest  winds  are  cyclonic  in  their  char- 
acter ; the  northwest  winds  constitute  the 
anti-cyclone.  The  former  depress  the  mer- 
cury in  the  barometer  and  raise  it  in  the 
thermometer ; the  latter  reverse  these  re- 
sults. The  rains  of  the  State  are  brought  in 
by  southwest  winds  ; the  few  cases  in  which 
notable  precipitation  is  derived  from  currents 
moving  in  any  other  direction  than  from  the 
southwest  really  make  no  exception  to  the 
general  statement,  for  in  all  such  instances 
the  rain  falls  in  front  of  a cyclone  which  is 
advancing  from  the  Gulf  of  Mexico.  The 

retracted  northeast  storms  that  visit  the 

tate  at  long  intervals  and  the  short  south- 
east storms  that  occur  still  less  frequently  are 
in  all  cases  parts  of  greater  cyclonic  move- 
ments of  the  air  that  originate  in  the  south- 
west and  sweep  out  to  the  ocean  over  the  in- 
tervening regions. 

Between  the  average  summer  and  winter 
temperatures  of  the  State  there  is  a difference 
of  at  least  40°  Fahrenheit.  A central  east 
and  west  belt  of  the  State  is  bounded  by  the 
isotherms  of  51°  and  52°,  the  average  winter 
temperature  being  30°  and  the  average  sum- 
mer temperature  being  73°.  Southern  Ohio 
has  a mean  annual  temperature  of  54°  and 
Northern  Ohio  of  49°. 

The  annual  range  is  not  less  than  100°  ; the 
maximum  range  is  at  least  130°  ; the  extreme 
heat  of  summer  reaching  100°  in  the  shade, 
while  the  “cold  waves  ” of  winter  sometimes 
depress  the  mercury  to  30°  below  zero. 
Extreme  changes  are  liable  to  occur  in  the 
course'  of  a few  hours,  especially  in  winter 
when  the  return  trades  are  overborne  in  a 
conflict,  short,  sharp  and  decisive,  with  the 
northwest  currents.  In  such  cases  the  tem- 
perature sometimes  falls  60°  in  24  hours, 
while  changes  of  20°  or  30°  in  a day  are  not 
at  all  unusual. 

The  winters  of  Ohio  are  very  changeable. 
Snow  seldom  remains  thirty  days  at  a time 
over  the  State,  but  an  ice  crop  rarely  fails  in 
Northern  Ohio,  and  not  oftener  than  once  in 
three  or  four  years  in  other  parts  of  the  State. 
In  the  southern  counties  cattle,  sheep  and 
horses  often  thrive^  on  pasture  grounds 
through  the  entire  winter. 

In  spite  of  these  sudden  and  severe  changes 
the  climate  of  Ohio  is  proved  by  every  test 
to  be  excellently  adapted  to  both  vegetable 
and  animal  life.  In  the  case  of  man  and 
of  the  domestic  animals  as  well,  it  certainly 
favors  symmetrical  development  and  a high 
degree  of  vigor.  There  are  for  example  no 
finer  herds  of  neat  stock  or  sheep  than  those 
which  are  reared  here. 

The  forests  of  the  State  have  been  already 
described  in  brief  terms.  The  cultivated  pro- 
ducts of  Ohio  include  almost  every  crop  that 
the  latitude  allows.  In  addition  to  maize, 
which  nowhere  displays  more  vigor  or  makes 
more  generous  returns,  the  smaller  grains  all 
attain  a good  degree  of  perfection.  The 
ordinary  fruits  of  orchard  and  garden  are 


produced  in  unmeasured  abundance,  being 
limited  only  or  mainly  by  the  insect  enemies 
which  we  have  allowed  to  despoil  us  of  some  of 
our  most  valued  supplies.  Melons  of  excel- 
lent quality  are  raised  in  almost  every  county 
of  the  State.  The  peach,  alone  of  the  fruits 
that  are  generally  cultivated,  is  uncertain ; 
there  is  rarely,  however,  a complete  failure 
on  the  uplands  of  Southern  Ohio. 

The  vast  body  of  water  in  Lake  Erie  affects 
in  a very  favorable  way  the  climate  of  the 
northern  margin  of  the  State.  The  belt  im- 
mediately adjoining  the  lake  is  famous  for 
the  fruits  that  it  produces.  Extensive 
orchards  and  vineyards,  planted  along  the 
shores  and  on  the  islands  adjacent,  have 
proved  very  successful.  The  Catawba  wine 
here  grown  ranks  first  among  the  native 
wines  of  Eastern  North  America. 

The  rainfall  of  the  State  is  generous  and 
admirably  distributed.  There  is  not  a month 
in  the  year  in  which  an  average  of  more  than 
two  inches  is  not  due  upon  every  acre  of  the 
surface  of  Ohio. 

The  average  total  precipitation  of  South- 
ern Ohio  is  forty-six  inches  ; of  Northern 
Ohio,  thirty-two  inches ; of  a large  belt  in 
the  centre  of  the  State,  occupying  nearly  one- 
half  of  its  entire  surface,  forty  inches.  The 
tables  of  distribution  show  ten  to  twelve  inches 
in  spring,  ten  to  fourteen  inches  in  summer, 
eight  to  ten  inches  in  autumn  and  seven  to 
ten  inches  in  winter.  The  annual  range  of 
the  rainfall  is,  however, _ considerable.  In 
some  years  and  in  some  districts  there  is,  of 
course,  an  insufficient  supply,  and  in  some 
years  again  there  is  a troublesome  excess,  but 
disastrous  droughts  on  the  large  scale  are 
unknown,  and  disastrous  floods  have  hitherto 
been  rare.  They  are  possible  only  in  very 
small  portions  of  the  State  in  any  case.  There 
is  reason  to  believe,  however,  that  the  dis- 
posal of  the  rainfall  has  been  so  affected  by 
our  past  interference  with  the  natural  condi- 
tions that  we  must  for  the  future  yield  to  the 
great  rivers  larger  flood  plains  than  were 
found  necessary  in  the  first  hundred  years  of 
our  occupancy  of  their  valleys.  Such^  a par- 
tial relinquishment  of  what  have  hitherto 
been  the  most  valuable  lands  of  the  State, 
not  only  for  agriculture,  but  also  for  town 
sites  and  consequently  for  manufactures  and 
commerce,  will  involve  immense  sacrifices, 
but  it  is  hard  to  see  how  greater  losses  can  be 
avoided  without  making  quite  radical  changes 
in  this  matter. 

In  February,  1883,  and  again  in  February, 
1884,  the  Ohio  river  attained  a height  unpre- 
cedented in  ite  former  recorded  histop^  In 
the  first  year  Fee  water  rose  to  a height  of 
sixty-six  feet  four  inches  above  the  channel- 
bar  at  Cincinnati,  and  in  the  latter  to  a height 
of  seventy-one  feet  and  three-fourths  of  an 
inch  above  the  bar.  The  last  rise  was  nearly 
seven  feet  in  excess  of  the  highest  mark  re- 
corded previous  to  1883.  These  great  floods 
covered  the  sites  of  large  and  prosperous 
towns,  swept  away  hundreds  of  dwellings, 
and  inflicted  deplorable  losses  on  the  residents 
of  the  great  valley. 


THE  GEOGRAPHY  AND  GEOLOGY  OF  OHIO. 


Are  floods  like  these  liable  to  recur  at  short 
intervals  in  the  future  ? The  conditions  under 
which  both  occurred  were  unusual . Consid- 
erable bodies  of  snow  lying  on  frozen  ground 
were  swept  away  by  warm  rains  before  the 
ground  was  thawed  enough  to  absorb  and 
store  the  water.  These  were  the  immediate 
causes  of  the  disastrous  overflows  in  both 
instances,  and  it  may  well  be  urged  that  just 
such  conjunctures  are  scarcely  likely  to  recur 
for  scores  of  ye.ars  to  come.  But  it  is  still 
true  that  we  have  been  busy  for^  a hundred 
years  in  cutting  down  forests,  in  draining 
swamps,  in  clearing  and  straightening  the 
channels  of  minor  streams,  and  finally,  in 
underdraining  our  lands  with  thousands  of 
miles  of  tile ; in  other  words,  in  facilitating 
by  every  means  in  our  power  the  prompt  re- 
moval of  storm-water  from  the  land  to  the 
nearest  water-courses.  Each  and  all  of  these 
operations  tend  directly  and  powerfully  to 
produce  just  such  fioods  as  have  been  de- 
scribed, and  it  cannot  be  otherwise  than  that 
under  their  combined  operations  our  rivers 
will  shrink  during  summer  droughts  to  smaller 
and  still  smaller  volumes,  and,  under  falling 
rain  and  melting  snow,  will  swell  to  more 
threatening  floods  than  we  have  hitherto 
known.  The  changes  that  we  have  made  and 
are  still  carrying  forward  in  the  disposal  of 
storm-water  renders  this  result  inevitable,  and 
to  the  new  conditions  we  must  adjust  our- 
selves as  best  we  can. 

Another  division  of  the  same  subject  is  the ' 
increasing  contamination  of  our  rivers  in  their 
low-water  stages.  This  contamination  results 
from  the  base  use  to  which  we  put  these 
streams,  great  and  small,  in  making  them  the 
sole  receptacle  of  all  the  sewage  and  manu- 
facturing waste  that  are  removed  from  cities 


89 

and  towns.  The  amount  of  these  impure 
additions  is  constantly  increasing,  the  rate  of 
increase  being  in  fact  much  greater  than  the 
rate  of  growth  of  the  towns.  The  necessity 
of  removing  these  harmful  products  from  the 
places  where  they  take  their  origin  is  coming 
to  be  more  generally  recognized,  and  sewer- 
age systems  are  being  established  in  towns 
that  have  heretofore  done  without  them.  It 
thus  happens  that,  as  the  amount  of  water  in 
the  rivers  grows  less  during  summer  droughts 
from  the  causes  already  enumerated,  the  pol- 
luted additions  to  the  water  are  growing  not 
only  relatively  but  absolutely  larger.  ^ When, 
now,  we  consider  that  these  same  rivers  are 
the  main,  if  not  the  only,  sources  of  water 
supply  for  the  towns  located  in  their  valleys, 
the  gravity  of  the  situation  becomes  apparent. 
It  is  easy  to  see  that  the  double  duty  which 
we  have  imposed  upon  the  rjvers  of  supply- 
ing us  with  water  and  of  carrying  away  the 
hateful  and  dangerous  products  of  waste, 
cannot  long  be  maintained.  There  is  no 
question,  however,  as  to  which  function  is  to 
be  made  the  permanent  one.  The  rivers 
cannot  possibly  be  replaced  as  sources  of 
water-supply,  while  on  the  other  hand,  it  is 
not  only  possible  but  abundantly  practicable 
to  filter  and  disinfect  the  cewage,  and,  as  a 
result  of  such  correction,  to  return  only  pure 
water  to  the  rivers.  During  the  first  century 
of  Ohio  history  not  a single  town  has  under- 
taken to  meet  this  urgent  demand  of  sanitary 
science,  but  the  signs  are  multiplying  that 
before  the  first  quarter  of  the  new  century 
goes  by  the  redemption  of  the  rivers  of  Ohio 
from  the  pollution  which  the  civilized  occu- 
pation of  the  State  has  brought  upon  them 
and  their  restoration  to  their  original  purity, 
will  be  at  least  well  begun. 


GLACIAL  MAN  IN  OHIO. 

By  prof.  G.  FREDERICK  WRIGHT,  D,  D.,  LL.  D. 

George  Frederick  Wright  was  born  at 
Whitehall,  N.  Y.,  January  22,  1838 ; graduated 
at  Oberlin  College,  1859,  and  Theological 
Seminary,  Oberlin,  O.,  1862;  was  in  the  Sev- 
enth Ohio  Volunteer  Infantry  five  months  of 
I860;  became  pastor  at  Bakersfield,  Vt.,  1862; 
at  Andover,  Mass.,  1872;  Professor  of  New 
Testament  Language  and  Literature  in  Oberlin 
Theological  Seminary,  1881 ; was  assistant 
geologist  on  Pennsylvania  survey,  1881,  and 
United  States  survey  since  1884.  He  is  the 
author  of  “ The  Logic  of  Christian  Evidences,” 

Andover,  1880,  4th  ed.  1883 ; “ Studies  in 
Science  and  Religion,”  1882;  “The  Relation 
of  Death  to  Probation,”  Boston,  1882,  2d  ed. 

1883 ; “ The  Glacial  Boundary  in  Ohio,  In- 
diana and  Kentucky,”  Cleveland,  1884;  “The 
Divine  Authority  of  the  Bible,”  Boston,  1884; 
is  an  editor  of  the  Bibliotheca  Sacra* 

The  earliest  chapter  in  the  history 
of  man  in  Ohio  begins  with  the  close 
of  the  glacial  period  in  the  Missis- 
sippi valley.  To  understand  this 
history  it  is  necessary  to  devote  a 
little  time  to  the  study  of  the  glacial 
period.  Nor  will  this  be  uninterest- 
ing to  the  thoughtful  and  observing 
citizens  of  the  State,  for  the  subject 
is  one  which  is  not  far  off,  but  near  at  hand.  As  will  be  seen  by  a glance  at  the 
accompanying  map,  all  but  the  southeastern  portion  of  the  State  is  glaciated, 
that  is,  it  is  covered  with  the  peculiar  deposits  and  marks  which  show  to  the  ob- 
servant eye  that  the  country  was  at  one  time  deeply  covered  with  a moving  sheet 
of  ice.  These  marks  are  open  to  the  inspection  of  any  one  who  will  read  as  he 
runs.  The  tracks  of  a glacier  can  as  readily  be  recognized  as  those  of  a horse 
or  an  elephant. 

The  glacier  which  in  a far  distant  period  invaded  Ohio  can  be  tracked  by  three 
signs  : (1)  Scratches  on  the  bed  rock ; ^2)  “ Till ; ” (3)  Boulders.  Taking  these 
in  their  order,  we  notice  (1)  that  scratches  on  the  bed  rock  in  such  a level  region 
as  Ohio  could  not  be  produced  by  any  other  means  than  glacial  ice,  and  that  a 
glacier  is  entirely  competent  to  produce  them.  When  water  runs  over  a rocky 
bed  it  ordinarily  wears  it  off  unevenly.  A rocky  surface  is  hardly  ever  of  uniform 
hardness  throughout,  so  that,  as  gravel-stones  and  pebbles  are  pushed  over  it  by 
running  water,  they  wear  down  the  soft  parts  faster  than  the  hard  parts,  and  an 
uneven  surface  is  produced.  This  follows  from  the  fluidity  of  water,  and  any 
one  can  verify  the  statement  by  observing  the  bed  of  a shallow  stream  in  dry 
weather.  But  ice  is  so  nearly  a solid  that  it  holds  with  a firm  grasp  the  sand, 
gravel  and  larger  rocky  fragments  which  happen  to  be  frozen  into  its  bottom 
layer  and  shoves  them  along  as  a mechanic  shoves  a plane  over  a board  or  a 
graving  tool  over  a surface  of  stone  or  metal.  Thus  the  movement  of  a glacier 
produces  on  the  surface  of  the  rocks  over  which  it  moves  a countless  number  of 


G.  FREDERICK  WRIGHT, 


*The  biography  is  taken  from  the  “ Encyclopjedia  of  Living  Divines  and  Christian  Workers”  (Sup- 
plement to  Schaflf-Herzog,  “ Encyclopsedia  of  Religious  Knowledge  ”). 

(90) 


GLACIAL  MAN  IN  OHIO. 


9« 

parallel  lines  of  a size  corresponding  to  that  of  the  rocky  fragment  shoved  along 
underneath  it.  A boulder  shoved  along  underneath  a glacier  may  plow  a furrow, 
while  fine  sand  would  make  but  the  most  minute  lines,  but  all  in  nearly  the  same 
direction.  In  short,  the  bottom  of  a glacier  is  a mighty  rasp,  or  rather  a com- 


Map  Showing  Southern  Boundary  of  Glaciated  Area  of  Ohio. 


The  dotted  portion  shows  the  glaciated  area.  The  accompanying  list  of  counties  is  numbered  to 
correspond  with  those  in  the  plate: 


1. 

Williams. 

19.  Clermont. 

37.  Union. 

55.  Fail-field. 

72.  Lake. 

2. 

Defiance. 

20.  Lucas. 

38.  Delaware 

56.  Perry. 

73,  Geauga. 

3. 

Paulding. 

21.  Wood. 

39.  Madison. 

57.  Hocking. 

74.  Portage. 

4. 

Van  Wert. 

22.  Hancock. 

40.  Franklin. 

58.  Vinton. 

75.  Stark. 

5. 

Mercer. 

23.  Hardin. 

41,  Fayette. 

59.  Jackson. 

76.  Tuscarawas. 

6. 

Darke. 

24.  Logan. 

42.  Pickaway. 

60.  Lawrence. 

77,  Guernsey. 

7. 

Preble. 

25.  Champaign. 

43.  Ross. 

61.  Cuyahoga. 

78.  Noble. 

8. 

Butler. 

26.  Clarke. 

44.  Highland. 

62.  JNledina. 

79.  Ashtabula. 

9. 

Hamilton. 

27.  Greene. 

45.  Pike. 

63.  Summit. 

80.  Trumbull. 

10. 

Fulton. 

28.  Clinton. 

46.  Adams. 

64.  Wayne. 

81.  Mahoning. 

11. 

Henry. 

29.  Brown.  * 

47.  Scioto. 

65.  Holmes. 

82.  Columbiana. 

12. 

Putnam. 

30.  Ottawa. 

48.  Erie. 

66.  Coshocton. 

83.  Carroll. 

13. 

Allen. 

31.  Sandusky. 

49.  Huron. 

67.  Muskingum. 

84.  Harrison. 

14.  Auglaize. 

32.  Seneca. 

50.  Lorain. 

68.  Morgan. 

85.  Jefferson. 

15. 

Shelby. 

33.  Wyandot. 

51.  Richland. 

69.  Athens. 

86.  Belmont. 

16. 

Miami. 

34,  Crawford. 

52.  Ashland. 

70.  Meigs. 

87.  Monroe. 

17.  Montgomery. 

18.  Warren. 

35.  Marion. 

36.  Morrow. 

53.  Knox. 

54.  Licking. 

71.  Gallia. 

88.  Washington. 

bination  of  a plough,  a rasp,  a sand-paper  and  a pumice-stone,  ploughing,  scrap- 
ing, scratching  and  polishing  the  surface  all  at  the  same  time. 

Now  these  phenomena,  so  characteristic  of  the  areas  just  in  front  of  a receding 
glacier,  are  very  abundant  in  certain  portions  of  Ohio.  The  most  celebrated 
locality  in  the  State,  and  perhaps  in  the  world,  is  to  be  found  in  the  islands  near 
Sandusky.  These  islands  consist  of  a hard  limestone  rock,  which  stands  th« 


92 


GLACIAL  MAN  IN  OHIO, 


weather  well,  so  that  the  glacial  marks  upon  them  are  better  preserved  than  in 
some  other  localities,  and  the  ice-movement  over  them  was  longer  continued  and 
more  powerful  than  in  some  other  places.  On  Kelley’s  Island  may  be  seen  fur- 
rows several  inches  and  sometimes  two  feet  deep,  running  for  many  rods  in  one 
direction.  Whole  acres  when  freshly  uncovered  are  seen  to  be  fluted  by  the 
parallel  lines  of  these  furrows,  the  whole  surface  being  polished  and  scoured  by 
the  finer  material  shoved  along  in  company  with  the  larger  fragments.  The 
direction  of  these  furrows  and  scratches  is  mainly  a little  south  of  west,  or  nearly 
that  of  the  longest  diameter  of  the  lake  itself,  showing  that  for  a time  the  ice 
moved  in  that  direction. 

But  the  greater  part  of  Ohio  is  several  hundred  feet  higher  than  Take  Erie, 
and  yet  similar  glacial  scratches  are  to  be  found  all  over  the  higher  land  to  some 
distance  south  of  the  water-shed,  and  in  the  western  part  of  the  state  clear  down 
to  the  Ohio  River.  On  this  higher  land  the  direction  of  the  scratches  is  south  and 


This  plate  (taken  from  the  author’s  “Studies  in  Science  and  Religion’’)  shows  a portion 
of  the  glaciated  area  of  North  America.  AA  represents  the  boundary  of  the  glaciated 
area.  The  continuous  line  is  from  actual  survey  in  1881.  BB  marks  special  glacial  accumu- 
lations. CC  represents  Lake  Agassiz, a temporary  body  of  water  formed  by  the  damming 
up  by  ice  of  the  streams  flowing  into  Hudson’s  Bay,  the  outlet  being,  meanwhile,  through 
the  Minnesota.  D is  a driftless  region,  which  ice  surrounded  without  covering.  The 
arrows  indicate  the  direction  of  glacial  scratches.  The  kames  of  New  England,  and  the 
terraces  upon  the  western  rivers  are  imperfectly  shown  upon  so  small  a map. 

southeast,  showing  that  there  was  an  ice  movement  during  the  height  of  the 
glacial  period  which  entirely  disregarded  the  depression  of  Lake  Erie. 

The  most  southern  points  where  these  scratches  are  found  in  the  State  are 
in  Butler  and  Highland  counties.  In  Highland  county  they  are  abundant 
near  Lexington  and  in  Butler  county  near  Woodsdale.  Many  of  the  counties 
in  the  northwestern  part  of  the  State  are  so  deeply  covered  with  soil  that  the 
scratched  surfaces  of  their  rocks  are  seldom  seen.  The  northeastern  counties 
are  more  thinly  covered,  or  have  more  projecting  ledges  of  rocks,  so  that  glacial 
grooving  and, .scratches  are  more  easily  found  and  have  been  more  frequently 
observed  there, 

(2)  The  “till”  of  which  we  have  spoken  consists  of  the  loose  soil  which  in 
the  glaciated  region  covers  the  bed  rock.  In  places  this  is  of  great  depth,  and 
everywhere  it  has  a peculiar  composition.  Outside  of  the  glaciated  region  the 
soil  is  formed  by  the  gradual  disintegration  or  rotting  of  the  rocks  from  their 
surface  downwards,  so  that,  except  along  streams,  there  is  then  no  soil  but  such 


GLACIAL  MAN  IN  OHIO. 


9^ 


as  is  derived  from  the  rocks  of  the  immediate  vicinity.  In  a limestone  region 
the  soil  will  have  all  come  from  the  dissolution  of  limestone,  in  a sandstone  re- 
gion from  the  disintegration  of  sandstone,  and  in  a slatestone  region  from  the 
weathering  of  that  rock.  But  over  a glaciated  region  the  soil  will  be  found  to  be 
composed  of  a variety  of  elements  derived  from  various  places  in  the  direction 
from  which  the  ice  movement  came.  Thus  in  Stark,  Holmes,  Knox,  Licking  and 
Fairfield  counties  the  soil  will  be  found  to  be  composed  of  a mixture  of  granitic 
fragments  which  have  been  brought  all  the  way  from  Canada,  limestone  dug  out 
from  the  bed  of  Lake  Erie,  shale  gathered  from  the  counties  to  the  north  and 
west,  and  sandstone  ground  up  from  the  immediate  vicinity.  And  these  materials 
are  not  in  separate  layers,  as  when  deposited  by  water,  but  are  as  thoroughly 
mixed  as  mortar  in  a hod. 


The  only  way  in  which 
materials  could  be  thus 
collected  in  such  situa- 
tions and  thus  thor- 
oughly mixed  is  by  ice 
action.  The  ice  of  the 
glacial  period  as  it  moved 
over  the  rough  surfaces 
to  the  north  ground  off 
the  prominences  and 
filled  up  the  gorges  and 
hollows,  and  we  have  in 
this  unstratified  mix- 
ture, denominated  “ till,” 
what  Professor  Newbery 
called  the  grist  of  the 
glacier.  The  extent  of 
this  deposit  in  Ohio  is 
enormous.  In  St.  Paris, 
Champaign  county,  the 
till  was  penetrated  more 
than  500  feet  without 
finding  the  bed  rock. 
This  was  doubtless  in 
the  filled-up  gorge  of  a 
pre-glacial  watercourse, 
of  which  there  are  a 
great  many  in  the  State. 
But  the  average  depth 
of  the  till  over  the  gla- 
ciated part  of  the  State, 
as  shown  by  the  facts 
Professor  Orton  has 
gathered  from  the  wells 
recently  bored  for  gas, 
IS  nearly  100  feet. 

(3.)  The  boulders, most 
characteristic  of  the  gla- 
ciated region  of  Ohio,  are  granitic.  These  are  variously  known  in  different  locali- 
ties as  boulders,  hard  heads  and  “ nigger  heads,”  and  have  all  been  brought  from 
a great  distance,  and  so  are  common,  not  only  to  the  glaciated  region  of  Ohio, 
but  to  the  whole  glaciated  region  of  the  States  east  and  west  of  it.  The  granitic 
mountains  from  which  these  boulders  must  have  been  derived  run  from  the 
northern  part  of  New  York,  where  they  constitute  the  Adirondacks,  through 
Canada  to  the  northern  shore  of  Lake  Huron  and  extend  westward  along  the 
south  shore  of  Lake  Superior,  containing  the  celebrated  mining  districts  of  that 
region.  Boulders  from  this  range  of  mountains  are  scattered  all  over  the  re- 
gion which  was  glaciated.  They  are  found  in  great  abundance  in  the  hills  of 
Northwestern  Pennsylvania,  and  everywhere  down  to  the  glacial  line  as  marked 


Map  of  the  Eastern  Portion  of  Hamilton  County,  Ohio 

The  space  covered  by  horizontal  lines  is  occupied  by  preglaciaV 
valleys,  tilled  to  a height  of  100  to  200  feet  above  the  Ohio  river 
with  moditied  drift.  The  unlined  portion  consists  of  the  tableland 
from  200  to  500  feet  above  the  river. 


94 


glacial  man  in  OHIO. 


in  the  accompanying  map  of  Ohio.  One  near  Lancaster  is  eighteen  feet  lonp, 
and  about  twelve  feet  wide  and  six  feet  out  of  ground.  This  must  have  been 
brought  500  miles.  Many  boulders  from  the  northern  region  were  also  found 
in  Boone  county,  Kentucky.  One  of  these  was  of  a well-known  variety  of  rock 
containing  pebbles  of  red  jasper,  found  in  place  only  to  the  north  of  Lake 
Huron  and  about  the  outlet  of  Lake  Superior,  and  must  have  been  carried  on 
the  ice  six  hundred  miles  to  be  left  in  its  present  position.  Boulders  also  con- 
taining copper  from  the  Lake  Superior  region  have  been  found  in  Central  and 
Southern  Ohio. 

If  the  reader  doubts  the  possibility  of  such  an  extensive  ice  movement  and 
asks.  How  can  these  things  be  ? it  will  be  profitable  for  him  to  take  a trip  to 
some  region  where  glaciers  are  now  in  operation.  The  Alps  in  Europe  have 
heretofore  furnished  the  favorite  field  for  glacial  study.  But  it  was  my  privilege, 
in  the  summer  of  1886,  to  spend  a month  beside  the  Muir  glacier  in  Alaska, 
which  comes  dowm  to  the  sea-level  and  is  as  large  as  all  the  glaciers  of  the  Alps 
put  together.  Here  was  an  ice  stream  two  miles  wide  and  more  than  a thousand 
feet  deep,  moving  into  the  head  of  the  inlet  somewhat  as  cooled  lava  or  cold  mo- 
lasses would  move  and  sending  off  great  fragments  to  float  away  as  icebergs. 
This  ice  originates  in  the  snows  that  fall  over  the  mountainous  region  to  the 
north,  and  which,  being  too  abundant  to  melt  away,  from  year  to  year  would  pile 
up  to  inconceivable  heights  were  it  not  for  the  capacity  of  movement  which  we 
find  ice  to  possess.  On  and  about  this  Muir  glacier  I have  seen  in  operation  all 
the  processes  by  which  a glacier  makes  those  tracks  which  we  have  found  to  exist 
so  abundantly  in  our  own  State.  Miles  back  from  the  front,  and  miles  away 
from  any  land,  I have  seen  boulders  on  the  surface  of  the  ice  as  large  as  a fron- 
tiersman’s cabin  surrounded  by  innumerable  boulders  of  smaller  dimensions,  all 
slowly  travelling  towards  the  front,  there  to  be  left  upon  the  surface  of  the  ground 
as  the  ice  gradually  melted  away  from  underneath  them.  From  the  mountain 
peaks  I could  see  more  than  a thousand  square  miles  of  territory  which  was 
completely  covered  by  this  single  glacier.  Were  we  to  go  to  Greenland  we  should 
find  a continent  of  more  than  400,000  square  miles  almost  completely  covered  by 
a similar  moving  mass  of  ice. 

One  of  the  necessary  accompaniments  of  the  ice  age  was  the  production  of 
great  floods  at  its  close.  As  there  are  spring  freshets  now  on  the  breaking  up  of 
winter,  when  the  accumulated  snow  melts  away  and  the  ice  forms  gorges  in  the 
swollen  streams,  so  there  must  have  been  gigantic  floods  and  ice  gorges  when  the 
glacial  period  drew  to  a close.  All  the  streams  flowing  out  from  the  front  of  it 
towards  the  south  must  have  had  an  enormous  volume  of  water,  far  beyond  any- 
thing now  witnessed.  Nor  is  this  mere  speculation.  I am  familiar  with  all  the 
streams  flowing  south  from  the  glacial  limit  between  the  Atlantic  ocean  and  the 
Mississippi  river,  and  can  testify  that  without  exception  such  streams  still  bear 
the  marks  of  that  glacial  flood.  What  are  called  the  terraces  of  the  terrace  epoch 
in  geology  are  the  results  of  them.  These  streams  have,  in  addition  to  the  present 
flood-plains,  a line  of  terraces  on  each  side  which  are  from  fifty  to  one  hundred 
feet  higher  than  the  water  now  ever  rises.  The  material  of  these  terraces  consists 
of  coarse  gravel-stones  and  pebbles  of  considerable  size,  showing  by  their  size 
the  strength  of  the  current  which  rolled  them  along.  A noticeable  thing  about 
these  gravel-stones  and  pebbles  is  that  many  granitic  fragments  are  found  among 
them,  showing  that  they  must  have  been  deposited  during  the  glacial  period, 
for  the  streams  have  no  access  to  granitic  rock  except  as  the  ice  of  the  glacial 
period  has  brought  it  within  reach.  The  connection  of  these  terraces  with  the 
glacial  period  is  further  proved  by  the  fact  that  those  streams  which  rise  outside 
of  the  glaciated  region, — such,  for  example,  as  the  Schuylkill  in  Pennsylvania  and 
the  various  small  streams  in  Southeastern  Ohio,  do  not  have  these  terraces,  and 
others  which  barely  rise  in  the  glaciated  region,  but  do  not  have  much  of  their 
drainage  basin  there, — have  correspondingly  small  terraces  and  fewer  granitic 
fragments.  Such  are  the  Hocking  river  and  Salt  creek  in  Hocking  county  and 
Brush  creek  in  Adams  county. 

Any  one  living  in  the  vicinity  of  any  of  the  following  streams  can  see  for  him- 
self the  terraces  of  which  we  are  speaking,  especially  if  he  observes  the  valleys 
near  where  they  emerge  from  the  glaciated  region ; for  the  material  whici’#  the 


GLACIAL  MAN  IN  OHIO. 


93 

water  could  push  along  was  most  abundant  there.  As  one  gets  farther  and 
farther  awayTromthe  old  ice  margin  the  material  composing  the  terraces  becomes 
smaller,  because  more  waterworn,  and  the  terraces  diminish  in  size.  Favor- 
able places  in  which  to  observe  these  glacial  terraces  are  as  follows  : Little 
Beaver  creek,  Big  Sandy  creek,  near  Bayard,  in  Columbiana  county ; the  Nimi- 
shillen,belowCanton,andthe  Tuscarawas  below  Navarre,  in  Stark  county;  Sugar 
creek,  near  Deardoff ’s  Mills,  in  Tuscarawas  county  ; the  Killbuck,  below  Millers- 
burg,  in  Holmes  county  ; the  Mohican,  near  Gann,  and  Vernon  river,  near  Mill- 
wood,  in  Knox  county;  the  Licking  river,  below  Newark,  in  Licking  county; 
Rush  creek,  near  Rushville,  and  the  Hocking  river,  near  Lancaster,  in  Fairfield 

county;  Salt  creek,  near 
Adelphi,in  Hocking  county; 
the  Scioto  river,  throughout 
its  course,  and  Paint  creek, 
near  Bainbridge,  in  Ross 
county;  and  both  the 
Miami  rivers  throughout 
their  course.  The  Ohio 
river  is  also  lined  by  these 
glacial  terraces,  which  are 
from  fifty  to  a hundred  feet 
above  present  high-water 
mark.  On  the  Ohio  there 
are  special  enlargements  of 
these  terraces,  where  the 
tributaries  enter  it  from  the 
north,  which  come  from  the 
glaciated  region  as  laid 
down  on  the  map.  This  en- 
largement is  noticeable  be- 
low the  mouth  of  the  Mus^ 
kingum  in  the  angles  of  the 
river  valley  below  Parkers- 
burg, and  in  the  vicinity 
of  Portsmouth  near  the 
mouth  of  the  Scioto,  and  at 
Cincinnati  below  the  mouth 
of  the  Little  Miami,  and  at 
Lawrenceburg,  Indiana, 
below  the  mouth  of  the 
Great  Miami.  Below  the 
mouth  of  the  Muskingum 
the  terrace  is  100  feet  above 
the  flood  plain  of  the  river, 
and  the  highest  part  of  the 
terrace  on  which  old  Cin- 
cinnati is  built  about  the 
same  height.  Nearly  all 
the  cities  along  the  Ohio  are 
built  on  this  glacial  terrace. 

The  most  interesting  thing  about  these  terraces,  and  what  makes  it  proper  for 
me  in  this  connection  to  write  thus  fully  about  them,  is  that  the  earliest  traces 
ot  man  in  the  world  are  found  in  them.  The  accompanying  cuts  show  two  im- 
plements which  were  found  in  terraces  such  as  I have  been  describing.  The  first 
was  found  at  Abbeville,  France,  in  such  a terrace  on  the  river  Somme  as  those 
which  occur  in  the  valleys  of  Ohio.  It  was  found  in  gravel  that  had  never  been 
disturbed,  and  so  must  have  lain  there  ever  since  the  glacial  period,  by  whose 
floods  it  was  buried,  closed. 

The  second  implement  was  found  a few  years  ago,by  Dr.  Abbott  in  a similar 
gravel  terrace,  on  which  the  city  of  Trenton,  New  Jersey,  is  built.  This  terrace 
was  deposited  by  the  Delaware  river  when  it  was  swollen  by  glacial  floods. 


The  palasolith  here  shown  is  natural  size  and  is  No. 
3,034  of  the  Mortillet  collection,  from  Abbeville,  France. 
The  geological  conditions  under  which  this  was  found  are 
very  similar  to  those  of  tho  palseolith  from  Trenton  N. 
J.,  and  to  those  at  Madisonville  and  Loveland,  Ohio. 


9t) 


GLACIAL  MAN  IN  ^ OHIO. 


In  my  original  “Report  upon  the  Glacial  Boundary  of  Ohio,  Indiana  and 
Kentucky,”  I remarked  that  since  man  was  in  New  Jersey  before  the  close  of 
the  glacial  period,  it  is  also  probable  that  he  was  on  the  banks  of  the  Ohio  at  the 
same  early  period;  and  I asked  that  the  extensive  gravel  terraces  in  the  southern 
part  of  the  State  be  carefully  scanned  by  archaeologists,  adding  that  when 
observers  became  familiar  with  the  forms  of  these  rude  implements  they  would 
doubtless  find  them  in  abundance.  As  to  the  abundance,  this  prophecy  has  not 
been  altogether  fulfilled.  But  enough  has  been  already  discovered  in  Ohio  to 
show  that  man  was  here  at  that 
early  time  when  the  ice  of  the 
glacial  period  lingered  on  the 
south  side  of  the  water  partings 
between  the  lake  and  the  OJiio 
river.  Both  at  Loveland  and  at 
Madisonville,  in  the  valley  of  the 
Little  Miami,  Dr.  C.  L-  Metz,  of 
the  latter  place,  has  found  this 
ancient  type  of  implements  sev- 
eral feet  below  the  surface  of  the 
glacial  terraces  bordering  that 
stream.  The  one  at  Madisonville 
was  found  about  eight  feet  below 
the  surface,  where  the  soil  had 
not  been  disturbed,  and  it  was  in 
shape  and  appearance  almost  ex- 
actly like  one  of  those  found  by 
Dr.  Abbott  in  Trenton,  N.  J. 

These  are  enough  to  establish  the 
fact  that  men,  whose  habits  of  life 
were  much  like  the  Eskimos,  al- 
ready followed  up  the  retreating 
ice  of  the  great  glacial  period 
when  its  front  was  in  the  latitude 
of  Trenton  and  Cincinnati,  as 
they  now  do  when  it  has  retreated 
to  Greenland.  Very  likely  the 
Eskim.os  are  the  descendants  of 
that  early  race  in  Ohio. 

In  addition  to  the  other  con- 
ditions which  were  similar,  it  is 
found  that  the  animals  which 
roamed  over  this  region  were 
much  like  those  which  now  are 
found  in  the  far  north.  Bones  of 
the  walrus  and  the  musk  ox  and 
the  mastodon  have  been  found  in 
the  vicinity  of  these  implements 
of  early  man  in  New  Jersey,  and 
those  of  the  mastodon  were  dug 
from  the  same  gravel-pit  in  Love- 
land from  which  the  imple- 
ment found  in  that  place  was 
taken. 

Having  been  able  thus  to  associate  our  ancestors  with  the  closing  scenes 
of  the  glacial  period,  new  interest  at  once  attaches  itself  to  glacial  studies,  and 
especially  to  glacial  chronology.  For  if  we  can  tell  how  long  it  is  since  the 
ice  of  the  glacial  period  withdrew  from  the  northern  slope  of  the  Ohio  basin, 
we  have  done  much  towards  settling  the  date  of  man’s  appearance  here.  How 
then  shall  we  determine  the  date  of  the  close  of  the  glacial  period  ? This  we 
cannot  hope  to  do  with  great  accuracy,  but  we  can  do  something  even  here  in 
Ohio  towards  the  solution  of  that  most  interesting  problem  of  man’s  antiquity. 


This  palaeolith  is  shortened  one  inch  in  the 
cut  and  is  proportionately  narrow,  the  original 
being  5 6-8  inches  long  and  8 1-8  wide.  This  is 
No.  1 9,723,  in  Dr.  Abbott’s  collection  from  Trenton , 
N.  J.  The  Mortillet  and  Trenton  collections  are 
both  in  the  Archaeological  Museum,  in  Cam- 
bridge, Mass.,  where  these  specimens  can  at  any 
time  be  seen. 


GLACIAL  MAN  IN  OHIO. 


97 


(1.)  In  the  first  place  many  streams  are  so  situated  that  we  can  measure  the 
work  they  have  done  since  the  glacial  period,  and  also  can  form  some  idea  of  the 
rate  at  which  they  are  at  work.  The  gorge  in  Niagara  river  below  the  falls  has 
long  been  a favorite  place  from  which  to  get  these  measurements.  This  gorge  is 
only  about  seven  miles  long — that  being  the  distance  from  Queenston  to  the 
Falls.  The  gorge  is  throughout  in  limestone  strata  of  pretty  uniform  hardness, 
and  represents  the  work  done  by  the  river  at  that  point  since  the  glacial  period. 
This  we  know  from  several  signs.  Before  the  glacial  period  Lake  Erie  did  not 
exist.  In  the  long  geological  periods  which  had  elapsed  before  the  glacial  age,  a 

channel  had  been  worn 
I pi:  'S'n]|p|  clear  back  from  Lake  On- 
' ' ' ’ tario  to  Lake  Erie,  as  will 

be  the  case  with  the  pres- 
ent river  if  only  time 
enough  is  given  it.  In 
short.  Lake  Erie  is  only 
a glacial  mill-pond.  The 
old  outlet  was  filled  up 
by  the  glacial  deposits 
which  we  have  described 
so  that  the  water  had  to 
seek  a new  outlet,  which 
happened  to  be  along  the 
course  of  the  present 
Niagara  river.  Confirma- 
tory evidence  of  this  is 
found  at  Cleveland  and 
for  many  miles  up  the 
valley  of  the  Cuyahoga 
river,  as  well  as  in  many 
other  streams  of  Northern 
Ohio.  In  boring  for  oil  in 
the  bed  of  the  Cuyahoga 
a few  years  ago,  it  was 
found  that  the  old  rocky 
bottom  is  200  feet  below 
the  present  bottom  of  the 
river.  This  means  that 
at  one  time  Lake  Erie  was 
200  feet  lower  than  now. 
But  the  lake  is  for  the 
most  part  less  than  200 
feet  deep,  so  that  if  there 
were  an  outlet,  as  there 
must  have  been,  at  that 
lower  level,  the  lake  itself 
must  have  disappeared, 
and  there  was  only  a 
stream  with  a broad,  fer- 
tile valley  Y>^here  the  lake 
is  now.  Thus  we  prove 
that  the  Niagara  gorge 
represents  the  work  of  erosion  done  by  the  river  since  the  glacial  period.  The 
next  problem  is  to  ascertain  how  fast  the  river  is  wearing  back  the  gorge. 

That  the  gorge  is  receding  is  evident  from  the  occasional  reports  heard  of  por- 
tions of  the  shelving  rocks  falling  beneath  the  weight  of  water  constantly  pour- 
ing over  them.  If  a continual  dropping  wear  a stone,  what  must  not  such  a 
torrent  of  water  do?  From  measurements  made  between  forty  and  fifty  years 
ago  and  others  repeated  within  the  last  few  years,  it  has  been  ascertained  that  the 
falls  are  receding.  The  recent  surveys  of  the  government  show  that  during  the 
last  forty-five  years  very  nearly  six  acres  of  rock  surface  have  broken  off  from 


This  plate  (taken  from  “Studies  in  Science  and  Eeligion”) 
shows,  in  addition  to  the  glaciated  area  of  New  Jersey,  the  glacial 
terraces  of  gravel  along  the  Lehigh  and  Delaware  rivers,  and 
also  the  delta-terrace  at  Trenton,  from  which  Dr.  C.  C.  Abbott 
has  taken  palaeolithic  implements. 


g9 


GLACIAL  MAN  IN  OHIO. 


the  verge  of  the  falls,  making  an  average  annual  recession  of  about  ^wo  and 
a half  feet  per  year  for  the  last  forty-five  years.  Making  allowances  for  portions 
of  the  work  which  had  been  done  before  the  glacial  period  by  smaller  stream  in 
the  same  channel,  and  for  some  other  facts  which  there  is  not  time  here  to  men- 
tion, Mr.  G.  K.  Gilbert,  of  the  United  States  Geological  Survey,  concludes  that 
the  falls  of  Niagara  cannot  be  more  than  7,000  years  old.  This  brings  the  glacial 
period  much  nearer  than  was  formerly  supposed. 

But  there  are  many  things  in  our  own  State  which  go  to  confirm  this  calcula- 
tion. The  citizens  of  Ohio  have  not  to  go  out  of  their  own  boundaries  to  find 
facts  helping  to  solve  the  question  of  man’s  antiquity.  Nearly  all  the  rivers 
emptying  into  Lake  Erie  have  somewhere  in  their  courses  cataracts  which  can 
serve  as  chronometers  of  the  glacial  period.  In  the  most  of  these  cases  it  is  pos- 
sible to  ascertain  what  part  of  the  channel  is  pre-glacial  and  what  post-glacial, 
and  to  form  some  estimate  of  the  rate  of  recession.  This  can  be  done  on  the 
Chagrin,  the  Cuyahoga,  Rocky,  and  Black  rivers,  and  probably  on  some  others. 
Let  the  3mung  students  of  the  State  attack  these  problems  before  going  abroad 
for  great  fields  of  discovery. 


In  the  central  and  southern  part  of  the  State  the  problems  are  equally  inter- 
esting. Since  the  glacial  period  the  streams  have  been  constantly  at  work 
enlarging  their  channels.  How  much  have  they  enlarged  them,  and  what  is  the 
rate  of  enlargement?  These  are  definite  problems  appealing  for  solution  on 
nearly  all  the  tributaries  of  Ohio.  Professor  Hicks,  of  Granville  College,  set  a 
good  example  in  this  line  of  investigation  a few  years  ago.  Raccoon  creek,  in 
Licking  county,  is  bordered  by  terraces  throughout  its  course.  These  are  whaj; 
w'e  have  described  as  glacial  terraces,  and  are  about  fifty  feet  above  the  present 
flood  plain  of  the  stream.  It  is  evident  that  at  the  close  of  the  glacial  period 
the  valley  was  filled  up  to  that  level  with  pebbles  and  gravel,  and  that  since  that 
period  the  stream  has  been  at  work  enlarging  its  channel  until  now  it 
has  removed  gravel  to  the  amount  that  would  fill  the  valley  up  to  the  level  of 
these  terraces  and  across  the  whole  space.  Multiply  this  height,  fifty  feet,  by  the 
breadth  from  which  the  material  has  been  removed,  and  that  by  the  length  of 
the  stream,  and  make  allowance  for  the  diminution  of  the  valley  as  the  head- 
waters are  approached,  and  you  will  have  the  cubical  contents  of  the  material 


GLACIAL  MAN  IN  OHIO. 


99 


removed  by  the  stream  since  it  began  its  work  at  the  close  of  the  glacial  period. 
Tliis  is  the  dividend.  Then  find  out  how  much  mud  and  sand  the  stream  is  car- 
rying out : this  will  be  your  divisor.  It  cannot  be  far  from  10,000  years  old. 
The  result  in  the  case  of  Raccoon  Creek  was  not  materially  different  from  the 
calculations  concerning  Niagara  Falls.  I have  made  a similar  calculation  con- 
cerning the  age  of  Plum  Creek  in  Oberlin,  and  the  result  is  likewiae  to  show  that 
the  glacial  period  cannot  have  been  so  long  ago  as  was  formerly  supposed.  If 
the  glacial  period  closed  much  more  than  8,000  or  10,000  years  ago  in  Northern 
Ohio,  the  valleys  of  the  post-glacial  streams  would  be  much  larger  than  they 
really  are.  Again  I say  let  the  young  investigators  of  the  State  attack  the  chro- 
nological problems  offered  by  the  streams  in  their  own  vicinity  before  sighing  for 
other  realms  of  science  to  conquer. 

In  conclusion,  then,  we  may  say  it  is  not  so  startling  a statement  as  it  once  was 
to  speak  of  man  as  belonging  to  the  glacial  period.  And  with  the  recent  discoveries 
of  Dr.  Metz,  we  may  begin  to  speak  of  our  own  State  as  one  of  the  earliest  por- 
tions of  the  globe  to  become  inhabited.  Ages  before  the  mound  builders  erected 
their  complicated  and  stately  structures  in  the  valleys  of  the  Licking,  the  Scioto, 
the  Miami  and  the  Ohio,  man  in  a more  primitive  state  had  hunted  and  fished 
with  rude  implements  in  some  portions  at  least  of  the  southern  part  of  the  State. 

To  have  lived  in  such  a time,  and  to  have  successfully  overcome  the  hardships 
of  that  climate  and  the  fierceness  of  the  animal  life,  must  have  called  for  an 
amount  of  physical  energy  and  practical  skill  which  few  of  this  generation  possess. 

Let  us  not  therefore  speak  of  such  a people  as  inferior.  They  must,  therefore, 
have  had  all  the  native  powers  of  humanity  fully  developed,  and  are  worthy 
ancestors  of  succeeding  races. 


The  recent  discoveries  of  Dr.  Metz,  above  alluded  to  by  Prof.  Wright,  are 
described  in  full  by  an  article  communicated  to  me  which  will  be  found  on  page 
20,  Vol.  II.,  of  this  work;  also  on  page  18,  Yol.  II.,  some  valuable  facts  from 
Wright’s  ^Mce  Age  in  North  America,”  with  a map  of  Lake  Ohio,  formed  by  a 
glacial  dam  at  Cincinnati.  This  lake  extended  up  the  valley  to  beyond  Pittsburgh, 
and  occupied  an  area  of  20,000  square  miles,  equal  to  half  that  of  Ohio.  ‘ 

Under  the  head  of  ‘^Palaeolithic  Man  in  Ohio,”  Yol.  III.,  page  365,  is  an 
article  detailing  a discovery  of  Mr.  W.  C.  Mills,  made  in  October,  1889,  in  the 
Tuscarawas  Valley,  identical  with  those  of  Dr.  Metz  in  the  Little  Miami  Valley. 
—H.H. 


HISTORY  OF  AGRICULTURE  IN  OHIO. 

By  NORTON  S.  TOWNSHEND,  M.  D., 

Professor  of  Agriculture  and  Veterinary  Science  in  the  Ohio  State  University 

Norton  Strange  Townshend  was  born 
at  Clay  Coaton,  Northamptonshire,  England, 

December  25,  1815.  His  parents  came  to  Ohio 
and  settled  upon  a farm  in  Avon,  Lorain 
county,  in  1830.  Busy  with  farm  work,  he 
found  no  time  to  attend  school,  but  in  leisure 
hours  made  good  use  of  his  father’s  small 
library. 

He  early  took  an  active  part  in  the  temper- 
ance and  anti-slavery  reforms,  and  for  some 
time  was  superintendent  of  a Sundoy-school 
in  his  neighborhood.  In  1836  he  taught 
the  district  school,  and  in  1837  commenced  the 
study  of  medicine  with  Dr.  R.  L.  Howard,  of 
Elyria.  The  winter  of  the  same  year  was 
spent  in  attending  medical  lectures  at  Cincin- 
nati Medical  College.  Returning  to  Elyria  he 
applied  himself  to  medical  studies  with  Dr. 

Howard  and  to  Latin,  Greek  and  French  with 
other  teachers.  In  the  winter  of  1839  he  was 
a student  at  the  College  of  Physicians  and 
Surgeons  of  New  York,  spending  what  time 
he  could  command  as  voluntary  assistant  in 
the  chemical  laboratory  of  Professor  John 
Torry.  In  March,  1840,  he  received  the  de- 
gree of  M.  D.  from  the  University  of  the  State 
of  New  York,  of  which  the  College  of  Physi- 
cians and  Surgeons  was  then  a department. 

Proposing  to  spend  a year  or  more  in  a visit  to 
European  hospitals,  the  Temperance  Society 
of  the  College  of  Physicians  and  Surgeons, 

New  York,  requested  him  to  carry  the  greeting 
of  that  body  to  similar  societies  on  the  other 
side  of  the  Atlantic.  This  afforded  him  an  opportunity  to  make  the  acquaintance  of  many  well-known 
temperance  men. 

The  Anti-slavery  Society  of  the  State  of  Ohio  also  made  him  their  delegate  to  the  World’s  Anti- 
slavery  Convention  of  June,  1840,  in  London, Eng.  This  enabled  him  to  see  and  hear  distinguished  anti- 
slavery  men  from  different  countries.  He  then  visited  Paris  and  remained  through  the  summer  and 
autumn,  seeing  practice  in  the  hospitals  and  taking  private  lessons  in  operative  surgery,  auscultation, 
etc.  The  next  winter  was  passed  in  Edinburgh  and  the  spring  in  Dublin. 

In  1841  he  returned  to  Ohio  and  commenced  the  practice  of  medicine,  first  in  Avon  and  afterwards 
in  Elyria.  In  1848  he  was  elected  to  the  Legislature  by  the  anti-slavery  men  of  Lorain  county  and 
took  an  active  part  in  securing  the  repeal  of  the  Black  Laius  of  Ohio  and  in  the  election  of  S.  P.  Chase 
to  the  United  States  Senate. 

The  Black  Laws  of  Ohio  covered  three  points.  1.  The  settlement  of  black  or  mulatto  persons  in 
Ohio  was  prohibited  unless  they  could  show  a certificate  of  their  freedom  and  obtain  two  freeholders 
to  give  security  for  their  good  behavior  and  maintenance  in  the  event  of  their  becoming  a public 
charge.  Unless  this  certificate  of  freedom  was  duly  recorded  and  produced  it  was  a penal  ojfence  to 
give  employment  to  a black  or  mulatto.  ' 

2.  They  were  excluded  from  the  common  schools. 

3.  No  black  or  mulatto  could  be  sworn  or  allowed  to  testify  in  any  court  in  any  case  where  a white 
person  was  concerned. 

In  1850  Dr.  Townshend  was  elected  a member  of  the  Constitutional  Convention  and  in  the  same  year 
to  the  Thirty-second  Congress. 

In  1853  he  was  elected  to  the  Ohio  Senate,  where  he  presented  a memorial  for  the  establishment  of 
a State  Institution  for  the  Training  of  Imbeciles.  At  tbe  next  session  this  measure  was  carried,  and 
Dr.  Townshend  was  appointed  one  of  three  trustees  to  carry  the  law  into  effect,  a position  he  held  by 
subsequent  appointment  for  twenty-one  years.  While  in  political  life  he  had  relinquished  the  practice 
of  medicine  and  with  his  family  returned  to  the  farm  in  Avon.  Being  deeply  impressed  with  the 
value  of  some  scientific  training  for  young  farmers,  in  1854  he  united  with  Professors  James  H.  Fair- 
child  and  James  Dascomb,  of  Oberlin,  and  Dr.  John  S.  Newberry,  of  Cleveland,  in  an  attempt  to 
establish  an  Agricultural  College.  Winter  coui-ses  of  lectures  were  given  on  the  branches  of  science 
most  intimately  related  to  agriculture  for  three  successive  winters,  twice  at  Oberlin  and  once  at 
Cleveland. 

(lOO) 


NORTON  S.  TOWNSHEND. 


HISTORY  OF  AGRICULTURE  IN  OHIO. 


lOl 


This  effort,  perhaps,  had  the  effect  of  exciting  public  attention  to  the  importance  of  special  educa- 
tion for  the  young  farmer.  In  1858  Dr.  Townsheud  was  chosen  a member  of  the  State  Board  ot 
Agriculture,  and  so  continued  for  six  years.  lie  also  served  in  the  same  capacity  in  1868-69.  Early 
in  1863  he  received  the  appointment  of  Medical  Inspector  in  the  United  States  Army,  with  the  rank 
of  Lieutenant-Colonel,  in  which  capacity  he  served  to  the  end  of  the  war. 

In  1867  he  was  appointed  one  of  the  committee  to  examine  the  wool  aj)praisers’  department  of  the 
New  York  and  Boston  custom  houses  to  ascertain  how  correctly  imi)orted  wools  were  classified,  etc., 
etc.  The  report  of  this  committee  aided  in  securing  the  wool  tariff  of  the  same  year.  In  1869  he  was 
chosen  Professor  of  Agriculture  in  the  Iowa  Agricultural  College.  In  1870  the  law  having  passed  to 
establish  an  Agricultural  and  Mechanical  College  in  Ohio,  he  was  appointed  one  of  the  trustees 
charged  with  the  duty  of  carrying  the  law  into  effect.  In  1873  he  resigned  the  place  of  trustee  and 
was  immediately  appointed  Professor  of  Agriculture,  which  then  included  Botany  and  Veterinary 
Medicines. 

During  the  college  vacation  in  1884  he  visited  the  agricultural,  veterinary  schools  and  botanic  gar- 
dens of  Great  Britain  and  Ireland,  and  attended  the  English  National  Fair  at  Shrewsbury,  that  of 
Scotland  at  Edinburgh  and  of  Ireland  at  Dublin.  Dr.  Townshend  is  at  present  the  Professor  of  Agri- 
culture in  what  was  previously  the  Ohio  Agricultural  and  Mechanical  College,  now  the  Ohio  State 
University. 

The  agriculture  of  a country  is  dependent, -not  only  upon  its  soil  and  climate, 
but  also  on  the  character  of  the  people  and  their  institutions.  In  1787  the  Con- 
tinental Congress  made  an  ordinance  for  the  government  of  the  Northwestern 
Territory  which  prohibited  the  introduction  of  slavery,  and  thus  exerted  a con- 
trolling influence,  not  only  upon  the  agriculture  of  the  Northwest,  but  also  upon 
the  future  of  its  entire  material  and  social  progress.  This  practically  secured  for 
the  States  soon  to  be  formed  an  industrious,  intelligent  and  thrifty  population. 

State  Claims. — Virginia,  New  York,  Connecticut  and  Massachusetts  made  claims 
based  on  charters  granted  by  kings  of  England  to  portions  of  the  territory  north- 
west of  the  Ohio.  After  much  controversy  it  was  proposed  by  Congress  that 
these  States  should  relinquish  their  claims  in  favor  of  the  United  States,  and  that 
the  land  should  be  sold  for  the  benefit  of  the  United  States  Treasury,  and  should 
be  formed  into  hew  States  to  be  admitted  into  the  Union  when  their  population 
warranted.  This  plan  was  adopted,  except  that  Virginia  res^ved  a tract  of  more 
than  3,000,000  acres  between  the  Scioto  and  Little  Miami  rivers  for  the  benefit 
of  the  soldiers  from  that  State  who  had  served  in  the  war  of  the  Revolution. 
This  tract  was  known  as  the  Virginia  Military  district.  Connecticut  also  made  a 
reservation  of  a tract  in  the  northeast  part  of  the  territory,  running  west  120 
miles  from  the  Pennsylvania  line  and  containing  3,800,000  acres.  This  was 
known  as  the  Connecticut  Western  Reserve  and  was  intended  to  compensate  her 
soldiers  for  service  in  the  Revolutionar}^  war.  Five  hundred  thousand  acres 
from  the  west  part  of  the  Reserve,  afterwards  known  as  the  Fire  Lands,  was  given 
as  compensation  to  her  citizens  who  had  sustained  the  loss  of  property  by  fire 
during  that  war.  The  whole  of  the  Western  Reserve  was  surveyed  into  town- 
ships of  five  miles  square.  These  townships  were  divided  into  sections  of  a mile 
square  and  further  subdivided  into  quarter  sections. 

Ohio  Company. — The  formation  in  Massachusetts  of  the  Ohio  Company  and 
their  establishment  at  Marietta  (so  named  in  honor  of  Marie  Antoinette,  Queen 
of  France)  on  the  company’s  purchase  of  1,500,000  acres,  marks  an  epoch  in 
Western  history.  General  Rufus  Putnam  and  associates  left  their  New  England 
homes,  and  at  Pittsburg  procured  a boat  which  they  called  the  “ Mayflower  ” and 
floated  down  the  Ohio  and  landed  where  Marietta  now  stands  on  the  7th  of  April, 
1788.  On  the  15th  of  July  following  a Territorial  government  was  established, 
General  Arthur  St.  Clair  having  been  appointed  governor. 

Land  Laws. — From  this  time  extensive  sales  and  grants  of  Ohio  lands  were 
made  by  Congress.  A change  was  afterwards  made  in  the  United  States  land 
laws  by  which  sales  had  been  restricted  to  not  less  than  a mile  square,  or  640 
acres.  This  was  changed  to  quarter-sections  of  160  acres,  and  sold  at  $2  an 
acre,  with  a credit  of  five  years.  The  beneficial  effect  of  the  change  may  be 
estimated  from  the  fact  that  in  1800,  the  year  in  which  the  law  was  modified,  the 
entire  Northwest  had  a population  of  only  45,000,  while  in  ten  years  from  that 
time  Ohio  alone  reported  a population  of  240,000. 

Forests. — At  the  time  of  the  first  settlement  of  the  Ohio  Territory  almost  the 
whole  region  was  covered  a dense  forest.  This  forest  consisted  of  oak,  elm, 
ash,  beech,  maple,  hickory,  chestnut,  butternut,  black  walnut,  wild  cherry,  syca- 
more, tulip-tree,  basswood,  locust,  sweet-gum,  poplar,  willow,  mulberry,  cucum- 


102 


HISTORY  OF  AGRICULTURE  IN  OHIO. 


ber,  box-elder,  buckeye,  etc.  The  native  fruits  were  the  cranberry,  which  grew 
in  marshes,  huckleberry,  blackberry,  pawpaw,  persimmon,  plum,  wild  grapes, 
and  cherries,  etc.  Chestnuts,  black  walnuts,  hickory  nuts  and  butternuts  were 
abundant,  while  beechnuts  and  acorns  supplied  the  food  upon  which  hogs  fat- 
tened. 

Wild  Animals  were  numerous.  Deer  supplied  many  of  the  early  settlers  with 
meat.  Bears,  wolves,  foxes,  raccoons,  woodchucks,  opossums,  skunks  and  squir- 
rels were,  some  of  them,  too  common.  Wild  turkeys,  geese  and  ducks,  partridges, 
quails  and  pigeons  were  abundant.  Eagles  and  turkey-buzzards  were  frequent 
visitors."^  Owls  and  hawks  were  more  common  and  the  latter  very  troublesome 
among  the  farmers’  cliickens. 

Hunting  was  one  of  the  active  employments  of  the  early  settlers,  either  for  the 
purpose  of  obtaining  supplies  of  venison  and  other  game,  or  for  the  destruction 
of  troublesome  animals,  a bounty  from  county  treasuries  being  paid  for  wolf 
scalps.  Occasionally  drives  or  general  hunts  were  organized.  Hunters  sur- 
rounded a township  or  other  tract  and  moved  in  line  toward  some  designated 
point.  Deer  and  other  animals  were  surrounded;  many  deer  were  sometimes 
killed  and  numbers  of  more  mischievous  animals  were  occasionally  destroyed. 
In  the  afternoon  of  the  1st  of  May,  1830,  the  writer,  with  two  companions,  walked 
from  Cleveland  some  eighteen  miles  on  the  State  road  leading  westward.  The 
place  of  destination  was  not  reached  until  late  in  the  evening,  when  conversation 
had  become  difficult  from  the  incessant  howling  of  wolves.  It  is  not  a little 
remarkable  that  a gray  wolf  should  have  been  killed  in  the  west  part  of  Cuya- 
hoga county  on  the  30th  of  April  of  the  present  year.  For  many  years  raccoons 
were  specially  troublesome  in  the  ripening  corn,  and  consequently  the  necessity 
of  cooning  was  everywhere  recognized.  Active  boys,  with  dogs,  would  visit  the 
cornfields  at  night  when  the  green  corn  attracted  the  raccoons,  which  were  some- 
times caught  in  the  field,  but  oftener  by  cutting  trees  in  the  vicinity  upon  which 
they  had  taken  refuge. 

Fishing. — In  the  spring  fishing  was  a common  resource  for  the  settlers,  especially 
in  the  vicinity  of  Lake  Erie.  When  the  fish  started  up  the  rivers  at  spawning 
time  various  devices  were  employed  to  capture  them.  Seines  were  most  successful, 
but  a simpler  method  was  more  common.  The  fisherman  at  night,  with  a lighted 
torch  made  of  hickory  bark  in  one  hand  and  a fish-spear  in  the  other,  waded 
knee-deep  or  more  into  the  stream ; then,  as  fish  attracted  by  the  light  came 
near,  they  were  struck  with  the  spear  and  thrown  out  of  the  water  or  otherwise 
secured.  Pike,  pickerel,  catfish,  sturgeon,  muscalunge  and  mullet,  as  many  as 
the  fisherman  could  carry  home,  were  sometimes  caught.  Some  were  used  fresh, 
but  more  were  salted  and  kept  for  future  supply. 

Work. — In  the  early  settlement  of  the  State  a formidable  amount  of  work  con- 
fronted the  pioneer — building  of  houses  and  barns,  of  schools  and  meeting- 
houses, the  making  of  roads,  bridging  of  streams,  clearing  and  fencing  the  land. 
Then  came  planting  or  sowing,  cultivation  and  harvesting  of  crops  and  the  con- 
stant care  of  his  animals.  The  first  buildings  were  of  logs  a foot  or  more  in 
diameter.  These  were  cut  of  suitable  length  and  brought  together,  then  neigh- 
bors were  invited  to  the  raising.  One  axeman  went  to  each  of  the  four  corners 
to  notch  and  fit  the  logs  as  others  rolled  them  up.  In  some  cases  larger  logs  split 
in  halves  were  used.  These  could  be  placed  with  the  split  sides  inward  so  as  to 
make  a tolerably  smooth  and  perpendicular  wall.  The  log  school-houses  and 
meeting-houses  were  built  in  the  same  manner,  though,  as  in  the  case  of  dwelling- 
houses,  the  logs  were  sometimes  squared  before  being  put  up.  The  structure  was 
then  called  a block-house.  Log-houses  were  covered  with  long  split  oak  shingles 
held  in  place  by  smaJl  logs  or  poles  so  that  no  nails  were  required.  Floors  and 
doors  were  made  from  logs  split  into  fiat  pieces  and  hewn  smooth.  When  saw- 
mills had  been  introduced  and  lumber  could  be  obtained  for  door-frames,  doors, 
window-frames,  etc.,  houses  could  be  much  more  neatly  finished.  After  lumber 
became  plentiful  frame  buildings  superseded  those  of  logs.  More  recently  brick 
and  stone  have  come  into  general  use.  . 

Road-making  was  at  first  very  simple.  A surveyor^  or  some  other  person  sup- 
posed to  know  the  proposed  route,  blazed  the  trees  in  the  line  ; this  was  sufficient 
to  mark  the  course,  then  the  track  of  sufficient  width  was  underbrushed,  and  the 


HISTORY  OF  AGRICULTURE  IN  OHIO. 


103 


dead  logs  cut,  and  rolled  or  drawn  aside.  When  the  amount  of  travel  made  it 
necessary  the  timber  from  the  whole  breadth  of  the  route  was  cut  and  removed. 
Upon  low,  wet  places  logways  were  made  by  placing  logs  of  equal  size  closely 
together,  and  sometimes  a light  covering  of  earth  was  placed  over  the  logs  so  that 
vehicles  could  pass  over  smoothly.  Small  bridges,  where  timbers  of  extra  length 
were  not  required,  were  easily  made,  but  across  streams  not  passable  by  an  easily 
made  bridge  or  ford  ferries  were  established.  If  a person  or  team  needed  to  cross 
a stream,  the  ferryman  with  his  boat  took  them  over  ; if  they  came  to  the  river 
from  the  side  opposite  to  that  on  which  the  ferryman  lived,  they  found  near  the 
road  a tin  horn  tied  to  a tree ; this  they  blew,  until  the  ferryman  brought  over 
the  boat. 

Clearing. — For  clearing  away  the  forest,  the  chopping  was  usually  done  in  the 
winter  months.  First  the  underbrush  was  cut  and  piled,  the  logs  already  down 
were  cut  into  lengths,  which  permitted  them  to  be  drawn  together ; occasionally 
these  dead  logs  were  burned  into  pieces  by  small  fires  kept  up  until  the  logs  were 
burned  through.  The  timber  suitable  for  rails  was  next  cut  down  and  into 
suitable dengths,  and  drawn  to  the  lines  where  fences  were  to  be  built;  the  bal- 
ance of  the  timber  was  then  cut  down,  and  chopped  into  convenient  lengths  for 
logging.  When  the  brushwood  and  timber  upon  a tract. was  all  cut  it  was  left 
through  the  summer,  and  called  a summer-fallow,  the  timber  in  the  meantime 
becoming  dry.  In  the  fall  the  brush-heaps  were  burned,  then  the  logs  were 
drawn  together  by  oxen,  and  rolled  into  log-heaps  and  burned.  Next  the  rail- 
cuts  were  split  into  rails,  and  the  worm-fence  built,  after  which  came  the  wheat- 
sowing. In  some  sections,  or  upon  some  farms,  the  timber  was  not  all  cut  down, 
many  of  the  larger  trees  being  notched  around  or  girdled,  so  that  they  died.  This 
process  of  deadening  the  large  trees  was  a great  saving  of  labor  in  the  first  instance; 
but  as  dead  limbs  and  trees  were  liable  to  fall,  and  perhaps  do  mischief,  it  was 
not  generally  approved. 

Ashes — Sugar. — The  first  valuable  product  which  the  settler  obtained  from  his 
land  was  the  ashes  which  remained  after  the  timber  was  burnt.  These  were  care- 
fully gathered  and  leached ; the  lye  was  then  boiled  into  black  salts,  which  were 
marketable  at  the  country  stores.  In  many  towns  asheries  were  established,  which 
bought  the  ashes  or  black  salts,  and  converted  them  into  pot-  or  pearl-ash  for 
Eastern  markets.  Another  product  of  the  forest  also'required  the  farmers’  atten- 
tion : with  the  first  warm  days  of  spring  the  sap  of  the  maple-trees  was  started. 
The  hard  maples  were  tapped,  and  in  some  localities  even  the  soft  maples ; the 
sap  was  collected  in  troughs  made  by  the  axe,  and  boiled  to  the  consistency  of 
syrup,  or  carried  a step  further,  until  crystallization  was  secured.  Maple-sugar 
making  saved  the  early  settlers  from  what  would  have  involved  a large  ex- 
penditure. 

Teams. — The  team-work  necessary  in  clearing,  and  for  farm-work  in  the  new 
country,  was  chiefly  done  by  oxen.  The  employment  of  oxen  appeared  to  secure 
many  advantages ; the  first  cost  was  less  than  for  horses,  oxen  are  more  easily 
kept,  the  yoke  with  which  they  were  worked  could  be  made  by  any  handy  farmer, 
and  was  therefore  much  less  expensive  than  the  harness  necessary  for  horses. 
The  log-chains  used  wkh  oxen  were  well  adapted  for  work  among  timber,  and 
when  broken  could  easily  be  mended  by  the  country  blacksmith ; and  if  any 
accident  befell  the  ox,  and  he  became  unfit  for  work,  this  probabl}^  did  not  pre- 
vent his  being  fattened  and  turned  into  beef.  In  general,  steers  were  easily 
trained.  Sometimes  they  were  worked  with  those  already  broken,  but,  whatever 
plan  was  adopted,  they  soon  learned  to  make  themselves  useful.  Before  the 
introduction  of  improved  breeds  of  cattle  all  working  oxen  w^ere  of  what  was 
called  native  stock;  after  the  introduction  of  Devons  into  some  parts  of  the  State, 
these  were  found  to  be  greatly  superior  for  work.  In  addition  to  their  uniform 
beautiful  red  color  and  handsome  horns,  the  Devons  proved  more  active  and  more 
easily  taught  than  other  breeds.  Since  the  introduction  of  the  mower,  reaper, 
and  other  forms  of  farm  machinery,  the  quicker-stepping  horse  has  been  found 
more  desirable  for  team- work,  not  only  upon  the  road  but  also  on  the  farm. 

Wheat. — After  clearing  and  fencing,  wheat  was  sown  broadcast  among  the 
stumps  with  a rude  harrow  called  a drag;  it  was  scratched  under  the  surface. 
For  many 'years  the  wheat  when  ripe  was  cut  with  a sickle;  in  some  parts  of  the 


HISTORY  OF  AGRICULTURE  IN  OHIO. 


ro4 

State  the  grain-cradle  was  introduced  as  early  as  1830,  or  perhaps  earlier,  and 
this  gradually  superseded  the  older  implement.  After  being  cut,  the  wheat  was 
allowed  to  stand  some  days  in  shock,  in  order  to  dry  before  it  was  hauled  to  the 
barn  or  stack.  It  was  usually  thrashed  with  the  flail,  though  the  more  expe- 
ditious method  of  treading  out  the  grain  by  horses  was  sometimes  employed. 
After  thrashing  the  wheat  was  separated  from  the  chaff  by  throwing  them  up 
before  the  wind  ; or  a fan,  with  a revolving  frame,  to  which  pieces  of  canvas  were 
attached,  was  used  to  raise  the  wind  ; finally,  the  fanning-mill  came  into  use  some 
(years  before  the  horse-power  thrashing-machine.  We  may  now  be  thankful  for 
'more  expeditious  methods,  for  the  United  States  census  for  1880  reports  the 
Vheat  crop  of  Ohio  at  49,790,475  bushels;  only  the  State  of  Illinois  produced 
more. 

Grass. — In  the  spring,  as  early  as  April,  or  perhaps  earlier,  it  was  customary  to 
sow  grass-seed  and  clover  among  the  growing  wheat.  At  the  time  of  harvest 
there  was  but  little  grass  to  be  seen,  but  when  no  longer  shaded  it  made  rapid 
growth,  and  a pasture  or  meadow  was  soon  established.  For  many  years  the 
grass  crop  was  cut  by  the  scythe,  and  tedded,  or  spread  from  the  swath  with  a 
fork.  When  dry,  it  was  gathered  together  with  a hand-rake,  and  hauled  to  the 
barn  or  stack  upon  a cart  drawn  by  oxen.  Mowing  with  a scythe  required  skill 
as  well  as  strength,  and  hence  to  be  a good  mower  was  an  object  of  ambition 
among  young  farmers.  It  must  nowadays  appear  strange  to  good  old  mowers,  who 
still  remain  among  us,  to  see  a half-grown  boy  or  a sprightly  girl  jump  upon  a 
mowing-machine,  and  with  a pair  of  horses  cut  as  much  grass  in  an  hour  as  the 
best  mower  could  aforetime  cut  in  a whole  day. 

Com. — On  land  newly  cleared  and  fenced  early  in  May  corn  planting  com- 
menced. A bag  to  hold  the  seed-corn  was  suspended  by  tape  or  string  around 
the  waist  of  the  planter.  The  corn  was  usually  planted  dry,  though  sometimes 
it  was  soaked  to  insure  more  speedy  germination.  The  implement  used  in  plant- 
ing was  a heavy,  sharp  hoe ; this  would  raise  the  rooty  or  leafy  soil,  and  allow 
the  corn  to  be  thrown  under : what  had  been  raised  could  then  be  pressed  down 
with  the  back  of  the  hoe  or  with  the  foot ; or  an  old  axe  was  used  to  make  a hole, 
into  which  the  corn  was  dropped.  When  the  corn  was  a few  inches  high  the 
w’eeds  were  cleared  away  wdth  the  hoe,  and  the  soil  stirred  about  the  hill.  On 
lands  that  had  been  cleared  a few  years  and  the  roots  decayed,  the  plow,  drawn 
, by  oxen,  was  used  between  the  rows  of  growing  corn,  the  oxen  wearing  baskets 
on  their  muzzles  to  prevent  them  from  cropping  off  the  corn ; the  cultivator  had 
not  then  made  its  appearance.  The  corn,  when  ripe,  was  husked  standing,  or  it 
was  cut  and  shocked,  and  the  husking  left  until  the  farmer  had  leisure.  If  one 
became  sick,  and  fell  behind  in  his  work,  the  neighbors  would  give  him  the  benefit 
of  a husking-bee;  ten  or  a dozen,  or  possibly  twenty  of  them,  would  come  to- 
gether, and  give  a half-day’s,  or  perhaps  a whole  day’s  work.  Yellow  dent  or 
gourd-seed  corn  was  preferred  for  feeding,  but  in  the  northern  part  of  the  State 
white- flint  corn  was  raised  for  many  years,  because  it  found  such  ready  market 
at  higher  price  with  the  Hudson’s  Bay  Fur  Company,  by  whom  it  was  hulled, 
and  supplied  to  their  trappers.  The  corn  crop  of  Ohio  has  largely  increased 
during  the  century.  The  United  States  census  for  1880  reports  the  corn  crop  of 
the  State  at  119,940,000,  or  within  a fraction  of  one  hundred  and  twenty  millions 
of  bushels. 

Farm  Implements. — For  many  years  after  tillage  commenced  in  Ohio  the  plow 
with  wooden  mould-board  was  in  use,  the  landside,  share  and  point  being  of  iron 
and  steel.  The  cast-iron  plow  of  Jethro  Wood  appeared  about  1820,  but  did  not 
immediately  come  into  general  use.  The  next  improvement  consisted  in  chill- 
ing and  hardening  the  cutting  parts.  Then  plows  of  well-tempered  steel  came 
into  use,  and  finally  the  sulky  plow,  on  which  the  plowman  rides  comfortably 
while  the  work  is  done.  Tlie  pioneer  harrow  was  made  from  the  crotch  of  a tree. 
It  usually  had  four  teeth  on  each  side  and  one  in  front.  This  was  called  a drag. 
It  was  a very  convenient  implement  for  covering  grain  among  stumps  and  roots. 
After  a time  the  double  Scotch  harrow  and  then  the  Geddes  Harrow  came  into 
use.  Finally  the  Acme  was  reached.  The  wheat  drill  for  seeding  had  long  been 
used  in  other  countries  and  was  introduced  into  Ohio  as  soon  as  the  stumps  and 
roots  were  out  of  the  way.  At  the  State  Fair,  held  in  Cleveland  in  1852,  grain 


HISTORY  OF  AGRICULTURE  IN  OHIO. 


105 


drills,  corn  planters,  broadcast  wheat  sowers,  corn  shellers  for  horse  and  hand 
power,  corn  and  cob  crushers  and  one  and  two-horse  cultivators  were  on  exhibi- 
tion, The  cultivator  for  use  among  corn  and  the  revolving  horse-rake  were 
patented  in  1824,  McCormick’s  reaper  in  1831  and  Hussey’s  mower  in  1833.  At 
a State  trial  for  reapers  and  mowers,  held  in  Springfield  in  1852,  twelve  different 
reapers  and  mowers  competed  for  the  prize.  Later  came  the  reaper  and  binder, 
the  hay  loader  and  stacker  and  the  steam  thrasher  and  cleaner.  These  imple- 
ments have  so  changed  the  character  of  harvest  work  as  to  make  it  possible  to 
increase  almost  indefinitely  the  amount  of  cereals  raised.  Flax  was  at  one  time 
an  important  crop  in  Ohio.  It  was  sown,  cleaned,  pulled,  rotted,  broken, 
swingled,  hatcheled,  spun  and  woven  in  the  home  and  made  into  linen  for  the 
household  and  into  summer  garments  for  men  and  boys.  In  1869  Ohio  })roduced 
nearly  80,000,000  pounds  of  flax  fibre  and  had  ninety  flax  mills  in  operation. 
In  1870  the  tariff  on  gunny  cloth  grown  in  the  East  Indies  was  removed  and  as 
a result  every  flax  mill  in  Ohio  was  stopped  and  the  amount  of  flax  fibre  reduced 
in  1886  to  less  than  2,000,000  pounds. 

Improvement  of  Stock. — In  1834  the  Ohio  Importing  Company  was  organized  in 
Ross  county  by  Mr.  Felix  Renick  and  others.  Agents  of  this  company  visited 
England  and  brought  to  Ohio  many  first-class  Shorthorns.  Previous  to  this  Mr. 
Patton  had  brought  into  the  State  the  descendants  of  cattle  of  a previous  importa- 
tion made  into  Maryland.  Since  that  time  many  importations  have  been  made. 
Devons,  Shorthorns,  Herefords,  Ayreshires,  Red  Polled,  Alderneys,  Jerseys, 
Guernseys,  Polled  Angus  and  Holsteins  are  now  all  seen  at  the  State  and  County 
Fairs.  For  a time  in  the  early  history  of  the  State  there  existed  a serious  hin- 
drance to  the  improvement  of  Ohio’s  cattle  in  the  prevalence  of  a Htal  disease, 
known  as  bloody  murrain.  Gradually  this  has  become  less  and  less  troublesome, 
until  at  the  present  time  it  is  scarcely  known. 

Dairying. — For  many  years  dairying  in  Ohio  has  been  one  of  the  leading  in- 
dustries. In  the  winter  of  1851-2  the  Ohio  Dairymen’s  Association  was  formed. 
In  1861  the  statistics  of  cheese  production  were  first  collected.  In  1886  the 
amount  of  factory  cheese  made  in  the  State  exceeded  16,500,000  pounds,  and  that 
of  farm  dairies  was  nearly  3,000,000  pounds.  The  change  in  the  style  and  pur- 
pose of  Ohio  cattle  will  be  observed.  At  first  those  were  preferred  that  were  best 
adapted  for  labor,  then  those  that  were  specially  fitted  for  beef,  and  more  recently 
tnose  which  are  best  suited  for  the  dairy. 

Sheep  had  early  been  brought  to  this  country  and  raised  both  for  wool  and 
mutton.  The  first  importation  of  Spanish  Merinoes  into  the  United  States  was 
made  by  General  Humphreys  near  the  beginning  of  the  present  centur3^  Some 
descendants  of  that  importation  were  brought  to  Ohio  by  Mr.  Atwood.  Messrs. 
Wells  and  Dickinson  also  brought  valuable  sheep  to  the  State.  Merinoes, 
Saxons,  Silesians,  French  Merinoes,  and  the  long-wooled  and  mutton  sheep  of 
England,  Lincolns,  Coteswolds  and  Leicesters,  also  Sussex,  Ham])shire  and 
Shropshire  Downs  have  all  been  exhibited  at  State  Fairs.  Sheep  in  Ohio  were 
more  numerous  a few  years  since,  but  the  change  made  in  the  tariff  upon  for- 
eign wools  in  1883  has  considerably  reduced  their  number. 

Swine. — A great  change  has  been  made  in  the  swine  of  the  State.  At  first  the 
hog  that  could  make  a good  living  upon  what  fell  from  the  trees  of  the  forest  and 
could  most  successfully  escape  from  bears  and  wolves,  in  accordance  with  the 
law  of  the  “ survival  of  the  fittest,”  was  the  most  likely  to  increase.  Under  the 
influences  tc  which  swine  were  subjected  for  the  first  quarter  or  half  a century  it 
is  not  surprising  that  the  common  hog  of  Ohio  was  known  as  a “ rail  splitter.” 
Tn  tlie  latter  part  of  the  century  Berkshires,  Chester  Whites,  Irish  Graziers, 
Chinas,  Neapolitans,  Essexs  and  Suffolks  have  been  introduced,  until  to-day  what 
is  sometimes  called  the  Butler  county  hog,  or  Poland  China,  may  be  said  to  com- 
'bine  the  excellencies  of  all. 

Horses,  though  less  used  than  formerly  for  distant  travel,  are  coming  more  and 
more  into  use  on  the  farm.  In  the  early  part  of  the  century  the  only  recognized 
way  of  improving  the  quality  of  this  serviceable  animal  was  by  the  importation 
and  use  of  thoroughbred  stallions.  Such  animals  were  introduced  into  nearly 
every  county  of  the  State  and  many  beautiful  horses  for  light  draft  was  the  re- 
sult. At  State  Fairs  the  classification  has  usually  been : Thoroughbreds,  Road' 


HISTORY  OF  AGRICULTURE  IN  OHIO. 


to6 

sters,  of  which  class  Morgans  were  a conspicuous  example,  General  Purpose  and 
Draft  Horses.  This  was  thought  more  convenient  than  classification  by  breeds, 
such  as  Clydesdale,  Cleveland  Bay,  Norman,  Percheron,  etc.,  all  of  which,  how- 
ever, are  seen  at  our  fairs. 

Fruit — From  several  quarters  the  fruits  of  Ohio  have  been  improved.  The 
first  settlers  at  Marietta  had  among  their  number  men  interested  in  fruit  culture. 
On  the  Western  Reserve  Dr.  Kirtland  early  imported  fine  varieties  of  fruit  from 
New  Jersey.  The  improvements  he  himself  made  in  cherries  were  of  still  greater 
importance.  At  Cincinnati  Nicholas  Longworth  had  established  a vineyard  upon 
Bald  Hill  as  early  as  1833,  and  succeeded  in  introducing  fine  varieties  of  grapes. 
Gradually  it  was  seen  that  the  climate  of  the  southern  shore  of  Lake  Erie  and 
the  adjacent  islands  was  better  adapted  to  grape  culture  than  portions  of  the 
State  more  inland.  The  important  work  accomplished  for  the  improvement  of 
the  fruit  of  the  Northwest  by  the  gentlemen  named  and  by  Dr.  John  A.  Warder, 
N.  Ohmer,  Geo.  W.  Campbell  and  their  associates  of  the  Ohio  Bornological  So- 
ciety, which  was  organized  in  1852,  and  of  its  legitimate  successor,  the  State 
Horticultural  Society,  since  1867  cannot  be  estimated. 

Transportation. — For  many  years  the  principal  means  of  communication  be- 
tween Ohio  and  the  Eastern  States  was  by  pack-horses.  As  roads  improved 
Pennsylvania  wagons,  drawn  by  four  or  six  heavy  horses,  were  seen.  Such  was 
the  difficulty  of  travel  that  in  1806  Congress  ordered  the  construction  of  a national 
road  from  Cumberland  Gap  to  the  Ohio  river,  and  from  thence  to  the  western 
boundary  of  the  State.  This  road  was  finished  to  the  Ohio  in  1825  and  com- 
pleted to  the  Indiana  line  in  1834.  The  first  steamboat  left  Pittsburg  for  New 
Orleans  in  1811.  An  event  which  greatly  affected  the  prosperity  of  the  North- 
western States  was  the  opening  of  the  Erie  Canal  through  the  State  of  New  York 
in  1825.  In  1824  wdieat  was  sold  in  Ohio  for  thirty-five  cents  a bushel,  and  corn 
for  ten  cents.  Soon  after  the  completion  of  the  Erie  Canal  the  prices  of  these 
grains  went  up  fifty  per  cent.  In  1825  the  Ohio  Canal  was  begun  and  finished 
in  1830.  Railroads  were  begun  in  Ohio  in  1835  and  the  first  completed  in  1848. 
The  influence  of  these  improved  facilities  for  transportation  may  be  seen  in  the 
fact  that  in  1838  sixteen  pounds  of  butter  were  required  for  the  purchase  of  one 
pound  of  tea,  now  two  pounds  are  adequate ; then  four  pounds  of  butter  would 
prepay  one  letter  to  the  seaboard,  now'  the  same  amount  would  pay  the  postage 
on  forty  letters.  The  price  of  farm  produce  advanced  fifty  per  cent,  on  the  com- 
pletion of  the  canals.  The  railroads  appear  to  have  doubled  the  price  of  flour, 
trebled  the  price  of  pork  and  quadrupled  the  price  of  corn. 

Underdraining  has  for  some  years  past  occupied  the  attention  of  Ohio  farmers, 
but  only  for  a few  years  has  its  importance  become  generally  understood.  It  has, 
however,  been  practiced  to  a limited  extent  for  a long  period.  In  the  summer  of 
1830  the  writer  of  this  paper  advised  and  superintended  the  construction  of 
drains  upon  the  farm  of  a neighbor  in  Lorain  county  for  the  double  purpose  of 
making  useful  a piece  of  very  wet  land  and  to  collect  spring  water  and  make  it 
available  for  stock.  A year  later  the  writer,  with  similar  objects  in  view,  put  in 
a drain  upon  land  which  he  now  owns,  and  the  drain  then  made  is  running  well 
at  present.  Horse-shoe  tiles  were  at  first  made  by  hand,  but  before  1850  tile 
machines  had  come  into  use.  In  consequence  of  clearing  off  the  forests  and  the 
surface  drainage  necessary  for  crops  many  of  the  smaller  streams  and  springs 
have  ceased  to  flow  in  the  summer  months.  This  has  compelled  many  farmers 
to  pump  water  from  wells  for  the  use  of  stock.  Well  water  has  an  advantage 
over  surface  water  in  its  more  uniform  temperature.  To  make  the  w^ater  of  deep 
wells  available  for  stock,  pumping  by  wind-mills  has  become  very  common  since 
about  1870,  when  the  first  self-adjusting  wind-mill  was  exhibited  at  the  Ohio 
State  Fair. 

Soiling  and  Ensilage  are  among  comparatively  modern  improvements.  The  ex- 
tent of  the  dairy  interest  in  Ohio  and  the  necessity  of  obtaining  milk  at 
all  seasons  to  supply  the  needs  of  an  increasing  population  had  led  to  the  prac- 
tice of  cutting  succulent  green  crops  to  feed  to  animals  in  their  stalls  when  the 
pasture  is  insufficient.  Growing  rye,  oats,  peas  and  vetches,  clover,  lucern, 
young  corn,  Hungarian  and  other  millets  have  been  employed.  To  secure  more 
juicy  fodder  in  winter  a method  of  preserving  these  and  other  green  crops  has 


HISTORY  OF  AGRICULTURF  IN  OHIO,  loy 

been  adopted,  numerous  silos  have  been  built  and  many  dairymen  are  enthusi- 
astic in  regard  to  the  value  of  ensilage. 

Animal  Diseases. — One  of  the  great  improvements  made  in  Ohio  agriculture  is 
due  to  the  efforts  of  a number  of  well-educated  veterinarians  and  the  consequent 
better  knowledge  and  treatment  of  animal  diseases.  It  is  doubtless  true  that  a 
still  larger  supply  of  intelligent  veterinarians  is  desirable  and  that  a better 
knowledge  of  the  nature  and  causes  of  disease  by  stock-owners  is  requisite,  inas- 
much as  this  is  essential  to  securing  the  proper  sanitary  management  of  stock. 
Although  in  the  past  the  State  has  been  backward  in  this  particular,  there  is 
reason  to  expect  more  rapid  advance  in  the  future. 

Agricultural  Papers. — Among  the  agencies  which  have  contributed  to  the  prog- 
ress of  agriculture  in  Ohio  it  is  but  just  to  place  agricultural  periodicals  in  the 
foremost  rank.  The  first  of  these  known  to  the  writer  was  the  Western  Tiller^ 
published  in  Cincinnati  in  1826;  The  FarmePs  Review^  also  in  Cincinnati,  1831 ; 
The  Ohio  Farmer^  by  S.  Medary,  at  Batavia  in  1833 ; The  Ohio  Cultivator.,  by  M.  B. 
Batcham,  in  Columbus  in  1845;  Western  Farmer  and  Gardener,  Cincinnati,  1840; 
Western  Horticultural  Review,  at  Cincinnati,  by  Dr.  John  A.  Warder  ; The  Ohio 
Farmer.,  at  Cleveland  ; Farm  and  Fireside,  at  Springfield  ; Farmer's  Home,  at  Day- 
ton  ; American  Grange  Bidletin,  at  Cincinnati. 

County  and  State  Societies. — As  early  as  1828  County  Agricultural  Societies  were 
organized  in  a few  counties  of  the  State.  These  societies  doubtless  did  good  if 
only  by  getting  men  awake  to  see  the  dawn  approaching.  In  1846  the  General 
Assembly  passed  a law  for  the  encouragement  of  agriculture,  which  provided  for 
tlie  establishment  of  a State  Board  of  Agriculture  and  made  it  the  duty  of  the 
Board  to  report  annually  to  the  Legislature  a detailed  account  of  their  proceed- 
ings, with  a statement  of  the  condition  and  needs  of  the  agriculture  of  the  State. 
It  was  also  made  the  duty  of  the  Board  to  hold  an  agricultural  convention  annually 
in  Columbus,  at  which  all  the  counties  of  the  State  were  to  be  represented.  This 
act  and  one  of  the  next  year  provided  for  a permanent  agricultural  fund  and  gave 
a great  stimulus  to  the  formation  of  County  Agricultural  Societies.  Since  that 
time  scarcely  a county  in  the  State  has  been  without  such  an  organization.  In 
1846  the  Board  met  and  organized  by  the  choice  of  a President  and  Secretary 
and  subsequently  made  their  first  report. 

The  First  State  Fair  was  held  at  Cincinnati  on  the  11th,  12th,  13th  of  September, 
At  this  fair  Shorthorn  and  Hereford  cattle  were  exhibited,  and  Leicester, 
South  Down,  Merino  and  Saxon  sheep.  Although  the  first  State  Fair  was  very 
different  from  the  fairs  of  later  date,  it  nevertheless  made  it  easy  to  see  something 
of  the  educational  value  of  such  exhibitions.  Among  other  valuable  labors 
inaugurated  by  the  Board  were  many  important  investigations.  Competent  com- 
mittees were  appointed  to  examine  and  report  to  the  Board  upon  such  subjects 
as  Texas  Fever,  Hog  Cholera,  Potato  Rot,  Hessian  Fly,  Wheat  Midge  and  a mul- 
titude of  others  equally  interesting.  Essays  upon  almost  every  agricultural  topic 
were  secured.  Any  person  who  has  preserved  a complete  set  of  the  Agricultural 
Reports  will  find  in  them  a comprehensive  and  valuable  cyclopedia  of  information. 
In  these  annual  reports  were  directions  for  the  profitable  nfanagement  of  county 
societies  and  also  of  farmers’  clubs.  Such  instruction  has  saved  many  organiza- 
tions from  the  more  tedious  process  of  learning  only  by  experience.  Several 
State  associations,  each  devoted  to  some  special  interest,  have  heartily  co-operated 
with  the  State  Board  and  held  their  annual  meetings  near  the  time  of  the  Agri- 
cultural Convention  for  the  mutual  convenience  of  their  members.  Such  are  the 
State  Horticultural  Society,  the  Wool-Growers  and  Dairymen’s  Associations, 
various  associations  of  Cattle-men,  Swine  Breeders,  Bee  Keepers,  Tile  Makers, 
Forestry  Bureau,  etc.,  each  representing  a special  field,  but  working  together  for 
the  general  good. 

Ohio  Agricultural  College. — Scarcely  any  subject  has  excited  more  interest  in 
Ohio  than  that  of  agricultural  education.  Mr.  Allen  Trimble,  first  President  of 
the  Ohio  State  Board  of  Agriculture,  in  his  Annual  Report  to  the  General  Assembly 
in  1848,  recommended  the  immediate  establishment  of  an  Agricultural  College 
in  Ohio,  in  which  young  farmers  should  obtain  not  only  a literary  and  scientific 
but  an  agricultural  education  thoroughly  practical.  In  1854  the  Ohio  Agricultural 
College  was  established.  James  H.  Fairchild,  James  Dascomb,  John  S.  Newberry 


io8 


HISTORY  OF  AGRICULTURE  IN  OHIO. 


and  N.  S.  Townshend  arranged  to  give  annually  at  Oberlin  winter  courses  of  lec- 
tures to  young  farmers  upon  branches  of  science  most  intimately  related  to  agri- 
culture, wz.,  geology,  chemistry,  botany,  comparative  anatomy,  physiology,  me- 
chanics, book-keeping  and  meteorology,  etc.  These  lectures  were  given  for 
three  winters  in  succession,  twice  at  Oberlin  and  once  at  Cleveland.  An  effort 
was  then  made  to  interest  the  Ohio  State  Board  of  Agriculture  and  the  General 
Assembly  in  the  enterprise.  The  State  Board  appointed  a committee  of  their 
number  upon  the  subject;  this  committee  made  a favorable  report,  and  the  Board 
then  asked  the  Legislature  for  a sum  sufficient  to  pay  the  expenses  of  the  college 
at  Cleveland  and  make  its  instruction  free  to  all.  This  request  was  not  granted, 
and  soon  after  the  first  Ohio  Agricultural  College  W'as  closed. 

Farmers’  College. — Pleasant  Hill  Academy  was  opened  by  Freeman  G.  Cary  in 
1833  and  prospered  for  a dozen  years  or  more.  Mr.  Cary  then  proposed  to  change 
the  name  of  the  academy  to  Farmers’  College  and  to  adapt  the  course  of  study 
specially  to  the  education  of  young  farmers.  A fund  was  raised  by  the  sale  of 
shares,  a suitable  farm  was  purchased,  commodious  buildings  erected  and  a large 
attendance  of  pupils  secured.  Mr.  Trimble,  in  his  second  report  to  the  General 
Assembly,  as  President  of  the  State  Board  of  Agriculture,  refers  to  Farmers’ 
College  and  expresses  the  hope  that  the  example  found  in  this  institution  will  be 
followed  in  other  parts  of  the  State.  In  his  third  annual  report  Mr.  Trimble 
corrects  the  statements  made  in  the  former  report  in  regard  to  Farmers’  College; 
he  had  learned  that  the  agricultural  department  contemplated  was  not  yet  estab- 
lislied.  In  September,  1856,  that  department,  under  three  appropriate  professor- 
ships, went  into  operation.  Mr.  Cary  had  earnestly  endeavored  to  impress  upon 
the  farmers  of  Ohio  the  necessity  of  special  agricultural  education,  and  had  made 
great  efforts  to  supply  the  need.  The  Ohio  Agricultural  College  had  opened  at 
Oberlin  in  1854  and  therefore  has  an  earlier  date. 

Land  Grant  and  Ohio  State  University. — In  1862  Congress  passed  an  act  donating 
lands  to  the  several  States  and  Territories  which  may  provide  colleges  for  instruc- 
tion in  agriculture  and  the  mechanic  arts.  The  Ohio  State  Board  of  Agriculture 
promptly  sought  to  secure  for  the  State  of  Ohio  the  benefits  of  the  donation. 
Notwithstanding  the  efforts  of  the  Board  and  many  other  citizens  the  Ohio 
Agricultural  and  Mechanical  College  was  not  put  in  operation  until  September, 
1873.  In  1870  the  law  was  passed  to  establish  such  a college,  a Board  of  Trustees 
was  appointed,  a farm  purchased,  buildings  erected,  a faculty  chosen  aud  the 
following  departments  established : 

1.  Agriculture. 

2.  Mechanic  Arts. 

3.  Mathematics  and  Physics. 

4.  General  and  Applied  Chemistry. 

5.  Geology,  Mining  and  Metallurgy. 

6.  Zoology  and  Veterinary  Science. 

7.  Botany,  Vegetable  Physiology  and  Horticulture. 

8.  English  Language  and  Literature. 

9.  Modern  and  Ancient  Languages. 

10.  Political  Economy  and  Civil  Polity. 

In  May,  1878,  the  General  Assembly  changed  the  name  of  the  Ohio  Agricult- 
ural and  Mechanical  College  to  Ohio  State  University,  probably  thinking  that  the 
latter  name  better  expressed  the  character  of  an  institution  having  so  many 
departments.  The  University  has  been  in  successful  operation  for  fifteen  years. 
Its  first  class  of  six  graduated  in  1878;  the  class  which  graduated  in  1886  num- 
bered twenty-five.  The  teaching  force  and  means  for  practical  illustration  are 
steadil}^  increasing.  New  departments  have  been  added — Civil,  Mechanical  and 
Mining  Engineering,  Agricultural  Chemistry,  Veterinary  ^ledicine  and  Surgery, 
Pharmacy,  etc.  Two  courses  of  study  have  been  arranged  for  young  farmers : 
the  first  occupies  four  years  and  secures  a degree ; the  second,  or  short  agricultural 
course,  is  completed  in  two  years. 

A Geological  Survey  of  Ohio  was  ordered  by  the  General  Assembly  in  1836  and 
some  preliminary  surveys  were  made  and  reports  published.  The  Legislature  of 
1838  failed  to  make  an  appropriation  for  the  continuance  of  the  work.  In  March, 
1869,  a law  was  passed  providing  for  a complete  geological,  agricultural  and 


HISTORY  OF  AGRICULTURE  IN  OHIO. 


lo^ 


mineralogical  survey  of  each  and  every  county  of  the  State.  In  pursuance  of 
this  law  surveys  have  been  made.  Six  volumes  of  reports,  in  addition  to  two 
volumes  specially  devoted  to  Paleontology,  have  already  been  published.  These 
reports  have  been  of  great  service  and  have  given  great  satisfaction. 

The  Grange,  or  Order  of  Patrons  of  Husbandry,  from  its  beginning  had  a most 
happy  influence  upon  the  families  which  have  enjoyed  its  benefits.  It  has  dem- 
onstrated to  farmers  the  good  results  of  organization  and  co-operation.  A long 
way  in  advance  of  many  other  associations,  the  Grange  admits  women  to  equal 
membership  and  promotes  the  best  interests  of  families  by  enlisting  fathers, 
mothers  and  children  in  the  same  pursuits  and  enjoyments.  The  Ohio  State 
Grange  was  organized  in  1872.  The  National  Grange,  which  was  in  existence 
some  five  or  six  years  earlier,  declares  its  purpose  to  be  : “ To  develop  a better  and 
higher  manhood  and  womanhood  among  ourselves,  to  enhance  the  comforts  and 
attractions  of  our  homes  and  strengthen  our  attachments  to  our  pursuits,  to 
foster  mutual  understanding  and  co-operation,  to  maintain  inviolate  our  laws, 
and  to  emulate  each  other  in  labor  to  hasten  the  good  time  coming,”  etc. 

Institutes. — In  the  winter  of  1880  and  1881  Farmers’  Institutes  were  held  in  some 
twenty-five  or  more  different  counties  of  the  State.  Every  succeeding  year  the 
number  of  institutes  and  the  interest  in  them  has  increased.  Each  institute 
usually  continues  for  two  days.  The  time  is  occupied  by  addresses  and  papers 
on  topics  related  to  agriculture  and  with  questions  and  discussions  upon  subjects 
of  special  interest.  The  institutes  were  generally  held  under  the  management 
of  the  County  Agricultural  Societies.  The  Ohio  State  Board  of  Agriculture  and 
the  Ohio  State  University  shared  the  labor  when  desired  to  do  so.  The  effect  of 
these  meetings  of  farmers  has  been  highly  beneficial  in  very  many  respects. 

The  Ohio  Experiment  Station  was  established  by  tlie  Legislature  in  April,  1882, 
and  placed  in  charge  of  a Board  of  Control.  The  first  annual  report  was  made 
by  the  Director,  W.  R.  Lazenby,  in  December  of  the  same  year.  Since  that  time 
successive  annual  reports  and  occasional  bulletins  have  been  published  and  dis- 
tributed. The  investigations  reported  relate  to  grain-raising,  stock-farming,  dairy 
husbandry,  fruit  and  vegetable  culture  and  forestry.  Appropriations  made  by 
the  State  were  limited  and  the  work  of  the  station  was  to  the  same  extent 
restricted.  In  March,  1887,  Congress  made  liberal  appropriations  for  experiment 
stations,  which,  however,  were  not  available  until  March,  1888.  The  congressional 
allowance  puts  new  life  into  the  work  and  inspires  the  hope  that  a period  of  rapid 
progress  has  been  inaugurated.  The  Ohio  Experiment  Station  is  located  upon 
the  farm  of  the  Ohio  State  University.  This  close  association,  it  is  believed,  will 
prove  beneficial  to  both  institutions. 


THE  MINES  AND  MINING  RESOURCES  OF  OHIO, 

By  ANDREW  ROY,  Late  State  Inspector  of  Mines. 

Andrew  Roy  was  born  in  Lanarkshire, 

Scotland,  in  1834.  He  attended  school  until 
he  was  eight  years  of  age  and  then  went  to 
work  in  the  coal  mines.  When  he  was  sixteen 
his  father  and  family  moved  to  America  and 
settled  in  the  coal  regions  of  Maryland.  Young 
Roy  remained  with  his  parents  a few  years  and 
then  went  west,  working  in  the  mines  of  a num- 
ber of  Western  States.  In  1860,  together  with 
a friend,  he  was  digging  coal  in  Arkansas. 

The  booming  of  the  rebel  cannon  before  Fort 
Sumter  shook  the  woods  of  that  half-savage 
State.  Roy  saw  the  gathering  clouds  of  civil 
war  and  did  not  hesitate  a moment.  He  threw 
down  his  tools,  hastened  east  and  joined  a 
Pennsylvania  comfiany  of  volunteers.  He 
served  under  McClellan  in  the  bloody  battles 
before  Richmond,  was  shot  through  the  body  at 
Gaines’  Hill  and  was  left  as  dead  by  theVetreat- 
ing  Federals.  The  rebels,  however,  found  him 
yet  alive  and  sent  him  back  to  Libby  Prison. 

In  a few  months  he  was  paroled,  returned 
home,  had  a surgical  operation  performed  on 
his  wound  and  recovered.  He  married  Janet 
Watson  in  1864,  and  a few  years  later  moved  to 
Ohio.  After  the  dreadful  Avondale  disaster 
Mr.  Roy  was  sent  by  the  miners  to  Columbus 
to  urge  upon  the  legislature  the  necessity  of 
mining  laws  for  Ohio.  Governor  Hayes  ap- 
pointed him  to  serve  with  two  others  on  a com- 
mission to  investigate  the  condition  of  the 
mines  and  report  the  same  to  the  legislature. 

The  result  of  the  report  was  the  passage  of  mining  laws.  Governor  Allen  appointed  Roy  mine  inspec- 
tor for  four  years,  and  Governor  Foster  did  the  same.  In  1884  Mr.  Roy  retired  from  the  office,  enjoy- 
ing the  respect  of  the  miners  of  the  State.  During  the  time  he  held  the  inspector’s  office  he  gained 
a considerable  reputation  as  a geologist.  His  efforts  on  behalf  of  the  miners  were  unceasing,  and  he 
has  been  called  the  father  of  mining  laws  in  Ohio.  He  is  the  author  of  several  books  on  coal-mining 
and  frequently  contributes  articles  to  the  noted  mining  journals  of  the  country.  At  present  (1888)  he 
resides  at  Glen  Roy,  a mining  village  in  Jackson  county,  Ohio. 

The  Ohio  coal-field  is  part  of  the  great  Appalachian  coal-belt  which  extends 
from  Pennsylvania  to  Georgia  and  which  runs  through  portions  of  nine  different 
States,  namely : Pennsylvania,  Maryland,  West  Virginia,  Virginia,  Kentucky, 
Ohio,  Tennessee,  Alabama  and  Georgia.  The  State  of  Ohio  contains  about  12,000 
square  miles  of  coal-producing  strata,  the  line  of  outcrop  extending  through  the 
counties  of  Trumbull,  Geauga,  Portage,  Summit,  Medina,  Wayne,  Holmes,  Co- 
shocton, Licking,  Perry,  Hocking,  Vinton,  Jackson,  and  Scioto.  Outliers  of  coal 
strata  are  found  in  several  counties  west  and  north  of  this  line,  but  they  contain 
little  coal  of  any  value. 

The  coal  measures  of  the  State,  as  well  as  all  the  rocks  of  the  geological  scale, 
dip  to  the  east  at  an  average  rate  of  twenty  feet  to  the  mile.  Hence  the  eastern 
margin  of  the  coal  strata  in  the  high  laiid  bordering  the  Ohio  river  in  the  counties 
of  Belmont,  Monroe,  Washington  and  Meigs,  attains  a thickness  of  l,4Gi7  lo  1,600 
feet. 

These  strata  are  separated  into  three  divisions  by  our  geologists  and  are  known 
as  the  “ lower  measures,”  the  “ barren  measures,”  and  the  “ upper  measures.” 
The  lower  measures  are  about  550  feet  thick,  the  barren  measures  450  to  600  feet 
thick,  and  the  upper  measures  about  600  feet  thick. 

In  the  lower  measures  there  are  twelve,  to  fourteen  different  beds  of  coal  which, 

(no) 


ANDREW  ROY. 


THE  MINES  AND  MINING  RESOURCES  OR  0*{r^  ,,, 

in  some  portions  of  the  coal-field,  rise  to  minable  height,  and  also  many  thm  veinft 
of  no  immediate  commercial  value.  Besides  the  workable  beds  of  coal  th^Tp 
are  numerous  seams  of  iron  ore,  fire-clay,  limestone,  building  stone  of  great 
extent  and  value. 

In  the  barren  measures  there  are  no  seams  of  coal  of  minable  height  that  are 
worked,  and  but  one  seam  that  may  be  regarded  as  a workable  vein. 

The  upper  measures  hold  nine  different  beds  which  rise  to  three  feet  and 
upward,  the  thickest,  most  extensive,  and  by  far  the  most  valuable  of  the  series 
being  the  lower  bed  of  the  series  known  as  the  Pittsburg  vein. 

In  the  lower  measures  the  lowest  coal,  known  as  No.  I in  Dr.  Newberry’s 
nomenclature,  is  extensively  mined  in  the  counties  of  Jackson,  Stark,  Summit, 
Mahoning  and  Trumbull.  In  the  two  last-named  counties  this  coal  is  now  well- 
nigh  exhausted.  It  is  known  in  market  as  the  Briar-Hill  coal,  and  enjoys  a wide 
reputation  as  one  of  the  best  dry-burning  or  furnace  coals  in  the  United  States. 

The  vein,  as  mined,  ranges  from  two  to  five  feet  in  thickness,  and  is  met  in 
troughs  or  basins  which  are  separated  from  each  other  by  extensive  intervals  of 
barren  ground.  Hence,  while  the  greater  portions  of  the  townships  of  Brookfield, 
Vienna,  Liberty  and  Hubbard,  in  Trumbull  county,  and  nearly  all  of  the  town- 
ships of  Mahoning  county,  in  the  Mahoning  valley,  are  underlaid  with  coal- 
bearing strata,  not  one  acre  in  fifty  holds  the  coal  where  it  is  due.  Similar  con- 
ditions exist  in  Stark  and  other  counties  in  the  Tuscarawas  valley  as  well  as  in 
Jackson  county. 

The  sw^amps  or  basins  in  which  this  coal  reposes  are  long,  narrow  and  serpen- 
tine, and  seem  to  have  been  formed  by  erosive  agencies  before  the  coal  flora  grew. 
The  rocks  underlying  the  coal  are  spread  out  in  level  sheets  with  the  normal  dip 
to  the, east,  while  the  coal  itself  pitches  and  waves  sometimes  at  an  angle  of 
twenty-five  degrees.  It  grows  gradually  thinner  as  it  rises  out  of  the  swamp 
until,  on  the  edge  of  the  basin,  it  disappears  as  a feather-edge. 

The  other  beds  of  the  lower  measures  which  are  in  most  active  development 
are  the  Wellston  coal  of  Jackson  county  and  the  Nelsonville  or  great-vein  coal 
of  the  Hocking  valley. 

The  Wellston  coal  lies  about  100  feet  above  the  lower,  or  coal  No.  1,  and  is  a 
seam  of  great  purity  and  value.  It  is  three  to  four  feet  thick,  a homogeneous 
mass,  of  an  open  burning  character,  and  is  used  for  smelting  iron  in  a raw  state 
in  the  blast  furnaces  of  Jackson  county.  The  greater  portion  of  the  output  of 
the  mines,  however,  is  shipped  west  and  north  to  the  vast  coalless  regions,  and  is 
used  for  household  purposes  and  for  generating  steam. 

The  Nelsonville  or  great-vein  coal  is  more  extensively  mined  than  any  seam 
of  the  series.  It  is  the  thickest  coal  in  the  State,  rising  at  niany  places  in  the 
Hocking  valley  to  ten  feet  or  more,  and  in  the  great  majority  of  the  mines  of  the 
Hocking  region  the  coal  is  never  less  than  five  and  a half  feet  thick.  The  bed  is 
met  in  three  divisions,  known  as  the  lower  bench,  the  middle  bench,  and  the 
upper  bench,  these  benches  being  separated  by  two  bands  of  shale.  The  lower 
bench  is  about  twenty-two  inches  thick,  the  middle  bench  about  two  feet  thick, 
and  the  upper  bench  from  two  feet  to  six  feet,  according  to  the  height  of  vein. 
Where  the  seam  rises  to  nine,  ten  and  eleven  feet,  the  unusual  height  is  due  to 
the  union  of  two  seams,  a rider  of  the  main  seam,  two  to  three  feet  thick,  coming 
down  upon  the  main  seam. 

There  are  a dozen  districts  in  the  State  in  which  coal  is  extensively  worked  from 
some  one  or  other  of  the  lower  beds  of  the  State  series.  These  are  the  Mahoning 
valley  region,  the  Tuscaraw^as  valley  region,  the  Salineville  region,  the  Coshocton 
region,  the  Dell  Roy  or  Sherrodsville  region,  the  Cambridge  region,  the  Jackson 
region,  the  Ironton  region,  the  Nelsonville  or  Hocking  valley  region,  the  Steu* 
benville  region,  the  Zanesville  region,  and  the  Dennison  region. 

Only  one  seam  is  extensively  mined  in  the  upper  measures:  the  Pittsburg 
seam,  which  is  the  coal  worked  at  and  around  Bellaire  and  at  and  near  Pomeroy, 
both  regions  being  on  the  Ohio  river.  On  Wheeling  creek,  a few  miles  east  of 
Bellaire,  as  well  as  at  several  points  along  the  line  of  the  Baltimore  and  Ohio 
railroad,  the  Pittsburg  vein  is  also  quite  extensively  worked,  but  these  districts 
may  properly  be  included  in  the  Bellaire  region.  The  coal  is  opened  by  drifts, 
shafts,  and  slopes,  according  to  the  prevailing  conditions  of  a district  Where 


THt.  MNAS  AND  MINING  RESOURCES  OF  OHIO. 

the  vein  is  level  free  it  is  won  by  drift  mining;  but  where  it  lies  Under  cover  at 
all  points  it  is  reached  by  shafts  or  slopes.  Slopes  are  not  suited  to  mine  coal  at 
depths  exceeding  100  feet,  and  shaft  mining  is  the  favorite  method. 

None  of  the  shaft  mines  of  the  State  exceed  300  feet  of  perpendicular  depth,  and 
the  majority  of  shaft  mines  are  less  than  125  feet  deep.  An  opinion  prevails 
among  mining  geologists  that  the  lower  coals,  which  are  due  on  the  Ohio  river 
at  Bellaire  and  Pomeroy  1,000  feet  below  the  surface,  do  not  exist  there,  and  such 
practical  facts  as  we  have  on  hand — the  result  of  boring  for  salt,  oil,  and  gas — ^ 
seem  to  encourage  that  view.  There  are  extensive  wastes  or  areas  of  barren 
ground  in  all  the  regions  of  the  State,  and  it  is  never  safe  to  count  with  absolute 
certainty  on  the  presence  of  a seam  of  coal  at  any  point  of  the  coal-field  until  it 
has  been  found  by  prospecting  on  the  hillside  or  struck  by  the  driller’s  chisel  in 
boring.  These  barren  areas  are  due  to  a number  of  causes,  such  as  water-spaces 
in  the  old  coal-marsh,  water-currents  flowing  over  the  coal  vegetation  while  the 
peat  bogs  of  the  carboniferous  age  were  undergoing  decomposition,  and  mineral- 
ization, etc.,  etc.  The  seams  are  also  liable  to  thicken  up  and  to  dwarf  down  to 
a mere  trace,  when  followed  from  one  county  to  another. 

There  are  several  varieties  of  coal  in  the  Ohio  coal-field,  such  as  open-burning, 
or  furnace  coal,  cementing  or  coking  coal,  and  cannel  coal.  The  first  of  these 
varieties  is  often  used  as  it  comes  from  the  mine  for  smelting  iron ; while  the 
cementing  variety  has  to  be  converted  into  coke  before  it  is  fitted  for  the  manu- 
facture of  iron,  for  it  melts  and  runs  together  in  the  act  of  combustion,  forming  a 
hollow  fire,  and  hanging  in  the  furnace.  Cannel  coal  is  smooth  and  hard,  and 
breaks  with  a conchoidal  fracture.  This  variety  contains  more  gas  than  the 
ordinary  free-burning  and  coking  kinds.  It  burns  with  a bright  flame, 'and  the 
gas  manufactured  from  it  possesses  high  illuminating  power.  Cannel  frequently 
changes  to  the  ordinary  bituminous  variety,  and  vice  versa. 

The  development  of  the  coal  trade  of  the  State  has  been  very  remarkable. 
Some  of  the  pioneer  miners  still  survive.  Mr.  Henry  Newberry,  father  of  Dr. 
John  S.  Newberry,  the  eminent  geologist,  was  one  of  the  pioneer  miners  of 
Eastern  Ohio,  and  made  the  first  shipments  to  Cleveland  in  the  year  1828,  for  the 
purpose  of  supplying  the  lake  steamboats.  A few  years  ago  the  writer,  in  pub- 
lishing this  fact  in  his  annual  report  as  State  Inspector  of  Mines,  received  the 
following  letter  from  H.  V.  Bronson,  of  Peninsula,  who  took  the  first  boat-load  to 
Cleveland : 

“Peninsula,  Summit  County,  Ohio,  April  8,  1878. 

“Andrew  Boy,  Esq.  : 

“NA.*  Not  long  since  I saw  in  the  papers  that  in  your  annual  report  as  State  Inspector  of 
Mines  you  stated  that  the  first  coal  shipped  to  Cleveland  was  in  the  year  1828,  and  by  the  late 
Mr.  Henry  Newberfy,  of  Cuyahoga  Falls,  father  of  Prof.  Newberry,  of  Cleveland.  I took 
that  coal  to  Cleveland  for  Mr.  Newberry,  it  being  fifty  years  ago  since  it  was  done.  I was 
then  in  the  seventeenth  year  of  my  age,  and  have  resided  in  this  place  ever  since  1824.  There 
were  three  of  us  boys  on  the  boat.  One  of  them  was  about  a year  my  junior,  and  now  resides 
in  one  of  the  townships  of  Cuyahoga  county,  and  became  a successful  inventor  and  business 
man.  The  other  was  then  in  his  twelfth  year,  and  is  now  a lawyer,  with  a lucrative  practice, 
in  a beautiful  growing  city  in  an  adjoining  State.  On  the  first  of  January  last  I made  a New 
Year’s  call  on  Prof  Newberry  at  his  home  in  Cleveland.  A few  years  ago  I presented  Prof. 
Newberry  with  a lump  of  the  coal  taken  from  one  of  the  boat-loads  of  that  coal.  As  this 
whole  transaction  is  somewhat  remarkable,  I have  taken  the  liberty  to  write  you  about  it, 
especially  as  we  three  boatmen  are  natives  of  Cuyahoga  county. 

“Very  respectfully, 

“H.  V.  Bronson.” 

The  late  President  Garfield  was  a canal  boatman  from  the  mines  of  Governor 
David  Tod,  of  Briar  Hill,  near  Youngstown,  to  Cleveland,  when  he  was  a boy 
of  fifteen  years  of  age;  and  an  accident  which  occurred  to  Garfield  while  on 
a canal-boat,  by  which  he  was  nearly  drowned,  determined  in  some  degree 
his  future  career.  He  fell  into  the  canal  and  could  not  swim,  and  was  saved,  as 
he  believed,  by  providential  interference.  He  resolved  to  become  a scholar, 
believing  that  God  had  destined  him  for  some  great  purpose  in  life. 

The  mines  of  the  Mahoning  valley  region  were  first  opened  by  Governor  David 
Tod,  in  the  year  1845,  at  Briar  Hill,  and  such  was  the  superior  quality  of  the 
coal  that  the  coal  of  the  Mahoning  and  Shenango  valley  was  ever  after  known 


>,r*»A  XJiVES  AND  MINING  RESOURCES  OF  OHIO.  rrt 

:n  knarket  as  Briar  Hill  coal.  At  Mineral  Ridge,  a few  miles  from  Briar  Hill, 
the  coal-seam  is  split  in  two,  the  intercalated  material  consisting  of  a seam  of 
black  band  iron  ore,  from  four  to  fourteen  inches  in  thickness.  This  ore  is  mined 
in  connection  with  the  coal,  and  is  used  in  the  blast-furnaces  of  the  region  with 
the  hematite  ores  of  the  Lake  Superior  region,  producing  a very  superior  grade 
of  iron,  known  in  market  as  American  Scotch  pig. 

The  seams  of  coal  and  iron  ore  of  the  Hocking  valley  region  were  noted  by  the 
first  white  men  who  visited  this  country.  A map  of  the  Western  country  now  in 
the  possession  of  Judge  P.  H.  Ewing,  of  Lancaster,  Fairfield  county,  published! 
in  the  year  1788,  notes  a number  of  sections  of  coal  and  iron-ore  beds. 

The  development  of  the  great  coal  region  of  the  Hocking  valley  was  due  to  the 
construction  of  the  Hocking  valley  branch  of  the  Ohio  canal.  Among  the 
pioneer  mine  operators  of  this  region  was  the  elder  Thomas  Ewing,  afterwards 
United  States  Senator  from  Ohio,  and  a member  of  President  Lincoln’s  cabinet. 
His  mines  were  located  at  Chauncy,  at  Nelsonville.  The  best  market  for  coal  at 
that  time  was  the  old  Neil  House,  in  Columbus.  Thomas  Ewing,  and  his  asso- 
ciates in  business,  Samuel  F.  Vinton,  Nicholas  Biddle,  and  Elihu  Chauncy,  also 
mined  salt  in  the  Hocking  valley,  the  first  salt-well  of  the  region  being  sunk  in 
the  year  1831  by  Resolved  Fuller,  the  water  yielding  ten  per  cent,  of  salt. 

The  Ohio  and  Mississippi  rivers  are  the  greatest  and  cheapest  coal  carriers  in 
the  world,  and  the  vast  coal-trade  development  of  these  famous  streams  dates  back 
fifty  years.  The  cost  of  shipping  coal  from  Pittsburg  to  Louisville  is  only  one 
and  three-quarter  cents  per  bushel,  or  forty-three  and  three-quarter  cents  per  ton, 
the  distance  being  upward  of  600  miles.  From  Louisville  to  New  Orleans,  a dis- 
tance of  1,400  miles,  the  freight  on  coal  is  two  cents  per  bushel,  or  fifty  cents  per 
ton,  and  this  includes  the  return  of  the  empty  barges.  The  lowest  freights 
charged  by  railroads  is  one  cent  per  mile. 

In  the  year  1818  a merchant  of  Cincinnati  made  an  estimate  for.  the  benefit  of 
Samuel  Wyllis  Pomeroy,  who  owned  the  coal-lands  on  which  the  mines  of 
Pomeroy  are  now  opened,  of  the  amount  of  coal  then  used  on  the  Ohio  river 
between  Pomeroy  and  the  falls  of  the  Ohio. 

“ I am  able,”  wrote  the  merchant  to  Mr.  Pomeroy,  “ to  communicate  the  follow- 
ing information: 


Cincinnati  steam-mill  consumes  annually, 

12,000  bushels. 

“ iron-foundry  “ “ 

20,000 

(( 

“ Manufacturing  Co.  “ 

5,000 

u 

“ Sugar  Manufacturing  Co.  “ 

2,000 

u 

Steam  Saw-mill  Co.  “ 

5,000 

(i 

In  Maysville,  used  or  sold. 

30,000 

u 

“ Louisville,  “ “ “ 

30,000 

“ Dean  steam-mill,  100  miles  below  Cincinnati, 

12,000 

<( 

Total, 

116,000 

(( 

One  of  the  noted  pioneer  miners  of  the  Ohio  river  is  Jacob  Heatherington  of 
Bellaire.  Mr.  Heatherington  is  a practical  miner  of  English  birth  who  came  to 
Bellaire  more  than  half  a century  ago.  He  purchased  a mule  which  was  named 
Jack,  and  leased  three  acres  of  coal-land  fronting  the  Ohio  river.  Jack  did  ser- 
vice as  a mining  mule  for  thirty  years,  during  which  time  Mr.  Heatherington 
prospered  in  business.  When  the  faithful  mule  was  no  longer  able  to  work  his 
master  turned  him  out  to  pasture  and  with  great  solicitude  watched  over  his  de« 
dining  years.  When  poor  Jack  fell  and  was  too  old  and  infirm  to  rise  he  was 
gently  raised  to  his  feet  by  loving  hands,  and  when  death  came  at  last  the  faith- 
ful animal  was  buried  with  great  ceremonies.  Mr.  Heatherington  lives  in  a fine 
mansion  on  the  Ohio  river,  and  upon  the  keystone  of  the  arch  over  the  hall  dooi 
has  been  carved  the  head  of  the  faithful  mule. 

While  Governor  David  Tod  was  the  pioneer  miner  of  the  Mahoning  valley,  the 
great  coal  king  of  that  region  is  Chauncey  Andrews.  The  lucrative  nature  of  the 
coal  business  of  the  Mahoning  valley  owing  to  the  superior  quality  of  the  coal 
and  its  proximity  to  Lake  Erie  attracted  tlie  attention  of  Mr.  Andrews.  As  the 


/ 

tT4  THE  MINES  AND  MINING  RESOURCES  OF  OHIO. 

coal  is  at  all  points  in  this  region  below  water  level  and  is  found  in  basins  or  pots 
of  limited  area  it  has  to  be  located  by  boring.  Mr.  Andrews  was  unsuccessful  for 
several  years,  spending  many  thousand  dollars  and  bringing  himself  to  the  verge 
of  financial  ruin.  But  he  continued  prospecting  until  success  rewarded  his  per^ 
severing  efforts,  and  he  is  now  one  of  the  greatest  coal  miners  in  the  State,  being 
owner  besides  of  blast  furnaces,  rolling-mills  and  railroads  which  he  has  built  by 
his  determined  perseverance  and  business  successes.  The  extraordinary  prosperity 
of  Youngstown  is  due  to  Chauncey  Andrews  more  than  to  all  other  causes  com- 
bined. 

The  space  allotted  to  this  article  is  too  brief  to  include  a sketch  of  the  develop- 
ment of  the  coal  trade,  and  of  the  men  who  were  the  pioneer  miners  of  the  State. 
Such  a sketch,  however,  could  not  fail  to  be  of  great  interest  to  the  people  of 
Ohio,  for  coal  is  the  power  upon  which  the  future  wealth  and  prosperity  of  the 
people  will  largely  depend. 

The  manner  of  mining  is  the  same  in  every  mining  district.  Where  the  coai 
is  level  free  it  is  follow’ed  into  the  hill  sides,  and  the  workings  are  opened  up  by 
driving  galleries  eight  feet  wide  on  the  face  slips  of  the  coal,  which  run  in  a 
northerly  direction.  At  intervals  of  150  to  200  yards  branch  galleries  are  opened 
of  the  same  width  as  the  main  ones,  and  the  rooms  or  chambers  from  which  the 
coal  is  chiefly  mined  are  opened  out  from  the  side  or  branch  entries.  The  rooms 
are  driven  forward  eight  to  ten  yards  wide  for  eighty  to  one  hundred  yards, 
pillars  or  columns  of  coal  being  left  between  the  rooms  for  the  support  of  the 
superincumbent  strata. 

Where  the  coal  is  won  by  shaft  mining  the  same  system  of  working  out  the 
coal  obtains  as  where  the  seam  is  level  free,  but  larger  columns  of  coal  are  left 
to  keep  in  place  the  overlying  rocks  in  deep  shafts  than  in  shallow  ones  or  in 
drifts  or  level  free  openings.  Some  seams  of  coal  are  more  tender  than  others 
and  larger  pillars  are  required  in  consequence.  Such  seams  of  soft  coal  are  less 
able  to  resist  the  overlying  pressure  than  those  of  a firm  and  compact  character. 
Asa  general  rule  mining  operators  aim  to  take  out  about  66  per  cent,  of  coal  in 
working  forward,  and  after  the  workings  have,  been  advanced  to  the  boundary  of 
the  plant  the  pillar  coal  is  attacked  in  the  far  end  of  the  excavation,  and  as  much 
of  the  pillar  coal  mined  as  can  be  recovered.  When  an  area  of  several  acres  has 
been  all  worked  away  the  roof  falls  to  the  floor,  and  while  the  rocks  are  breaKing 
the  whole  of  the  overlying  strata  appears  to  be  giving  way,  but  the  miners  con- 
tinue at  their  posts  until  the  crash  finally  occurs,  when  they  retreat  undismayed 
under  the  protection  of  the  unmined  pillars.  The  pillars  bordering  the  last  fall 
are  next  attacked  and  worked  out  until  another  crash  comes  on,  and  this  method 
is  repeated  until  the  workmen  reach  the  bottom  of  the  shaft  or  the  mouth  of  the 
drift.  If  the  seam  of  coal  is  five  or  six  feet  thick  and  the  overlying  strata  not  more 
than  150  to  200  feet,  great  chasms  are  frequently  made  on  the  surface  of  the  earth 
directly  over  the  places  where  the  coal  has  been  mined  out.  Houses  and  parts 
of  villages  are  sometimes  involved  in  the  subsidence. 

A system  of  working  coal  prevails  in  some  of  the  mining  regions  of  Illinois  and 
Kansas,  of  working  all  the  coal  out  as  the  miners  advance  with  the  excavations. 
This  plan  is  known  as  the  long  wall  systemj^and  is  only  practiced  in  seams  of 
four  feet  or  less  in  thickness.  Where  bands  of  shale  or  fire  clay  are  met  fn  the 
coal  and  have  to  be  sorted  out  and  thrown  aside  in  the  mine,  they  are  an  advan- 
tage in  long  wall  working,  as  they  assist  in  the  construction  of  the  pack  walls, 
which  require  to  be  built  where  the  miners  are  at  work.  WTiile  long  wall  min- 
ing has  many  warm  advocates  among  practical  miners  in  Ohio  this  system  has 
never  obtained  a permanent  foothold  in  the  State.  Several  of  our  coal  seams  are 
well  adapted  to  long  wall  working. 

In  excavating  the  coal  a groove  or  undercut  is  made  in  the  bottom  of  the  bed 
three  to  six  feet  in  depth,  along  the  width  of  the  room.  A hole  is  then  bored  in 
the  coal  with  a drill  having  a bit  about  two  inches  wide.  A charge  of  poivder  is 
inserted  in  the  hole  proportioned  to  the  necessity  of  the  case,  when  the  powder 
is  tightly  tamped  and  the  blast  set  off.  The  miner  generally  loads  all  the  coal  in 
the  car  as  he  breaks  it  down  in  his  room,  and  after  it  is  raised  to  the  surface  it  is 
formed  into  lump,  nut  and  slack  as  it  passes  over  the  screens  into  the  railroad 
cars  at  the  pit  mouth,  the  lump  coal  falling  into  one  car,  the  nut  coal  into  anothei 


THE  MINES  AND  MINING  RESOURCES  OF  OHIO.  iti; 

and  the  slack  into  still  another,  and  thus  assorted  the  various  grades  are  shipped 
to  market. 

The  capacity  or  output  of  the  mines  of  the  State  varies  greatly.  Thick  coals  are 
capable  of  a greater  daily  output  than  thin  seams,  and  as  a general  rule  drift 
mines  possess  greater  advantages  for  loading  coal  rapidly  than  shaft  openings. 
In  many  of  the  mines  of  the  great  vein  region  of  the  Hocking  valley  the  capacity 
is  equal  to  1,200  to  1,500  tons  per  day.  In  shaft  mines  600  to  700  tons  daily  is 
regarded  as  a good  output. 

The  first  ton  of  coal  in  a shaft  mine  100  feet  in  depth  and  having  a daily 
capacity  of  600  tons  frequently  costs  the  mining  adventurer  upwards  of  $20,000, 
£fnd  cases  are  on  record  where  owing  to  the  extraordinary  amount  of  water  in 
sinking,  $100,000  have  been  expended  before  coal  was  reached.  Drift  mines,  as 
they  require  no  machinery  for  pumping  water  and  raising  coal,  cost  less  than 
half  the  amount  required  in  shaft  mining. 

Water  is,  however,  an  expensive  item  in  drift  mines  opened  on  the  dip  of  the 
coal,  and  underground  hauling  under  such  conditions  is  unusually  costly,  par- 
ticularly if  horses  or  mules  are  used.  Many  mining  companies  use  machinery 
instead  of  horse-power,  and  this  is  always  true  economy. 

Two  plans  obtain  where  machinery  is  used,  namely,  by  small  mine  locomotives 
and  by  wire  ropes  operated  by  a stationary  engine  located  outside  or  at  the  bottom 
of  the  mine.  Locomotives  are  objectionable  owing  to  the  smoke  they  make, 
though  under  the  management  of  a skilled  mining  engineer  who  is  master  of  the 
art  of  mine  ventilation,  the  smoke  from  a mine  locomotive  can  be  made  quite 
harmless. 

Three  gases  are  met  in  coal  mines  which  make  ventilation  a paramount  con- 
sideration. ' These  gases  are  known  among  miners  as  fire  damp,  black  damp  and 
white  damp.  Fire  damp  is  the  light  carburetted  hydrogen  of  chemistry,  and 
when  mixed  with  certain  proportions  of  atmospheric  air  explodes  with  great 
force  and  violence,  producing  the  most  dreadful  consequences.  Black  damp  is 
carbonic  acid,  and  white  damp  is  carbonic  oxide  gas^  They  are  formed  by 
blasting,  by  the  breathing  of  men  and  animals,  and  they  escape  from  the  coal 
and  its  associate  strata.  Fire  damp  is  seldom  met  in  alarming  quantities  in  drift 
or  shallow  shaft  mines,  and  as  our  mines  in  Ohio  are  all  less  than  three  hundred 
feet  below  the  surface,  few  explosions  of  a very  destructive  nature  have  yet 
occurred  in  the  State.  Black  damp  is  the  chief  annoyance  in  Ohio  mines. 

There  is  an  excitement  in  coal  mining  as  there  is  in  ever}^  branch  of  mining 
the  useful  and  precious  metals.  Few  men  who  go  into  the  coal  business  ever  turn 
their  backs  upon  it  afterwards.  And,  indeed,  there  are  few  failures  in  coal  min- 
ing enterprises,  while  nearly  every  adventurer  grows  rich  in  time. 

Until  the  year  1874  there  was  no  attempt  made  to  collect  the  statistics  of  the 
coal  production  of  the  State.  In  that  year  the  General  Assembly  created  the 
office  of  State  Inspector  of  Mines,  and  the  inspector  published  in  his  annual  re- 
ports from  the  best  data  obtainable  a statement  of  the  aggregate  annual  output, 
beginning  with  the  year  1872.  For  several  years  after  the  enactment  of  the  law 
creating  the  Department  of  Mines  operators  were  unwilling  to  furnish  the  mine 
inspector  with  a statement  of  the  output,  and  as  the  law  did  not  require  this  to 
be  done,  the  statistics  were  generally  estimates  based  on  the  returns  made  to  the 
mine  inspector  by  such  companies  as  chose  to  report  the  product  of  their  mines. 
In  1884,  however,  the  law  was  so  amended  as  to  require  all  the  mining  firms  in  the 
State  to  report  the  product  of  coal,  iron  ore  and  limestone,  and  the  annual  output 
of  these  minerals  is  now  more  accurate  and  valuable  than  formerly. 

Annual  Coal  Production  of  Ohio  from  1872  to  1886. 


Years.  Tons.  Years.  Tons. 

1872  5,315,294  1880  . . ...  . . 7,000,000 

1873  4,550,028  1881  . . . . ...  8,225,000 

1874  3,267,585  1882  9,450,000 

1875  4,864,259  1883  . .......  8,229,429 

1876  3,500,000  1884  7,650,062 

1877  5,250,000  1885  7,816,179 

1878  5,500,000  1886  8,435,211 

1879  6,000,000  1887  ...  10,301,708 


iTf  THE  MINES  AND  MINING  RESOURCES  OF 

Coal  Production  by  Counties  for  1885  and  1886. 


WIO. 


Counties. 

Tonnage  for  1886. 

Total  |l886. 

1 

Total  1885. 

Lump. 

Nut. 

Perry 

1,346,131 

261,535 

1,607,666 

1,259,592 

Athens  

766,411 

132,635 

89$,046 

823,139 

Jackson 

717,516 

139,224 

856,740 

791,608 

Hocking 

637,224 

104,347 

741,571 

656,441 

Stark 

519,992 

73,430 

593,422 

391,418 

Belmont 

462,252 

111,527 

573,779 

744,446 

Guernsey 

349,503 

84,297 

433,800 

297,267 

Columbiana 

268,465 

67,598 

336,063 

462,733 

Mahoning 

251,515 

61,525 

313,040 

275,944 

Jefferson 

242,051 

33,615 

275,666 

271,329 

Tuscarawas  

212,362 

55,304 

267,666 

• 285,545 

Medina 

223,747 

28,664 

252,411 

152,721 

Carroll 

184,095 

32,535 

216,630. 

150,695 

Meigs 

165,627 

26,636 

192,263 

234,765 

Trumbull 

162,331 

26,200 

188,531 

264,517 

Lawrence 

139,173 

27,760 

166,933  , 

145,916 

Wayne 

99,174 

9,883 

109,057 

81,507 

Muskingum 

85,011 

11,590 

96,601 

86,846 

Summit  

70,221 

12,004 

82,225 

145,134 

Portage 

61,273 

9,066 

70,339 

77,071 

Vinton 

49.392 

10,621 

60,013 

77,127 

Coshocton 

43,361 

9,573 

52,934 

99,609 

Gallia 

14,862 

2,562 

17,424 

16,383 

Holmes 

10,491 

2,179 

12,670 

11,459 

Harrison 

5,132 

377 

5,509 

• • • • 

Washington 

4,000 

1,500 

5,500 

5,000 

Morgan 

4,370 

. • • * 

4,370 

5,536 

Noble  

3,342 

3,342 

Scioto 

None  repo’d 

* 2,'446 

Totals 

7,099,024 

1,336,187 

8,435,211 

7,816,179 

The  following  table  gives  a summary,  in  a condensed  form,  of  the  tonnage, 
time  worked,  employes  and  casualties  in  each  county  in  1887.* 


Table  of  Tonnage,  Time  Worked,  Number  of  Men,  etc.,  in  Each  County  in  1887. 


Counties. 

Tonnage. 

Number  of 
Mines. 

Average  weeks 
worked. 

Number  of 
Miners. 

Outside  Em- 
ployes. 

Accidents. 

Fatalities. 

Athens  

1,083,543 

44 

35 

2,080 

318 

2 

6 

Belmont 

. 721,767 

54 

43 

1,092 

241 

6 

3 

Columbiana 

516,057 

57 

44 

872 

185 

1 

1 

Coshocton 

124,791 

20 

•47 

219 

33 

1 

Carroll . 

293,328 

27 

44 

533 

87 

5 

Guernsey 

553,613 

15 

31 

795 

104 

5 

1 

Gallia  . 

15,365 

2 

40 

30 

3 

Holmes 

10,526 

12 

40 

31 

6 

Harrison 

4,032 

7- 

16 

1 

1 

Hocking 

853,063 

17 

* 3i 

1,389 

253 

2 

3 

Jackson 

1,135,605 

64 

35 

2,213 

291 

5 

3 

J efferson 

293,875 

20 

40 

495 

94 

3 

* . 

* Mine  Inspector’s  report. 


-THE  MINES  AND  MINING  RESOURCES  OF  OHIO.  nr 


Table  of  Tonnage,  Time  Worked,  Number  of  Men,  etc.,  in  Each  County  in 

1 887 — Continued. 


Counties. 

Tonnage. 

Number  of  , 

Mines. 

Average  weeks 

worked. 

1 

Number  of 

Miners. 

Outside  Em- 

ployes. 

Accidents. 



Fatalities. 

Lawrence 

143,559 

22 

42 

306 

52 

] 

2 

Meigs . 

185,205 

15 

28 

495 

118 

1 

Muskingum 

171,928 

73 

38 

385 

91 

2 

Mahoning 

272,349 

31 

43 

642 

98 

3 

i 

Medina 

225,487 

9 

41 

550 

61 

3 

Morgan  (estimated)  . . . . 

4,100 

10 

2 

Noble 

6,300 

i 

8 

4 

Perry 

1,870,841 

70 

34 

3,008 

633 

7 

5 

Portage 

65,163 

3 

34 

138 

35 

Summit 

95,815 

11 

38 

156 

28 

3 

Stark  . . 

784,164 

57 

35 

1,561 

253 

17 

6 

Tuscarawas 

506,466 

47 

37 

852 

149 

3 

2 

Trumbull 

167,989 

26 

33 

533 

96 

4 

Vinton 

89,727 

19 

44 

200 

51 

1 

Wayne 

105,150 

5 

36 

261 

71' 

1 

i 

Washington 

1,880 

1 

I 

2 

Totals  

10,301,708 

729 

913 

18,877 

3,360 

75 

36 

The  beds  of  iron-ore  associated  with  the  coal-seams  of  the  Coal  Measures  are 
known  by  the  general  name  of  black-band  ore,  limestone  ore,  block  ore,  kidney 
ore,  etc.  Black-band  is  a dark  gray,  bituminous  shale  with  reddish  streaks  run- 
ning through  it.  It  is  met  in  pacing  quantities  in  only  two  horizons  in  the  State; 
namely,  that  of  the  lower  coal  of  the  series,  as  has  been  already  stated,  and  over 
coal  No.  7.  In  its  best  development  in  the  mines  of  the  Mahoning  valley  it  yields 
a ton  of  ore  to  a ton  of  coal,  but  one  ton  of  ore  to  three  tons  of  coal  will  be  the 
general  average,  and  it  is  present  in  only  a few  mines  of  the  valley. 

In  the  Tuscarawas  valley,  near  Canal  Dover  and  Port  Washington,  the  black- 
band  capping  coal  No.  7 is  met  in  basins  of  limited  area.  In  the  centre  of  these 
basins  the  ore  is  sometimes  met  ten  to  twelve  feet  in  thickness,  but  it  soon  dwarfs 
to  a few  inches  and  disappears  entirely.  Black-band  has  been  met  on  other  hori- 
zons of  the  lower  Coal  Measures,  but  never  of  such  quality  as  to  justify  mining. 

The  limestone  ores,  as  calcareous' and  argillaceous  carbonates  and  hydro-perox- 
ides or  linonites,  are  very  abundant  and  have  been  mined  for  fifty  years  in  the 
Hanging  Eock  regions  of  Ohio  and  Kentucky.  They  were  the  base  of  the  char- 
coal iron  industries  of  this  famous  iron  region — an  industry  which,  owing  to  the 
growing  scarcity  of  timber,  is  fast  disappearing  forever.  The  limestone  ores 
derive  their  name  from  being  associated  with  a thick  and  extensive  deposit  of 
gray  limestone  which  is  spread  over  a greater  portion  of  the  counties  of  Lawrence, 
Scioto,  Jackson  and  Vinton,  in  Ohio,  and  the  counties  of  Greenup,  Boyd  and 
Carter,  in  Kentucky.  The  iron  made  from  this  ore  has  always  held  a front  rank 
in  market,  the  cold-blast  iron  being  particularly  prized  for  the  manufacture  of 
ordnance,  car  wheels  and  other  castings  requiring  tough  iron. 

In  the  manufacture  of  charcoal  iron  the  linonite  ore  was  preferred,  and  as  this 
ore  appeared  as  an  outcrop  it  was  mined  by  stripping  the  overlying  cover.  The 
counties  constituting  the  Hanging  Rock  iron  region  on  both  sides  of  the  Ohio 
river,  along  the  horizon  of  the  gray  limestone  ore,  have  been  worked  over  in 
every  hill  and  the  ore  stripped  to  a depth  of  eight  to  twelve  feet,  forming  a line 
of  many  miles  of  terrace  work.  Since  the  decline  of  the  charcoal  iron  industry 
the  miners  have  penetrated  boldly  under  cover  and  worked  away  the  ore  as  coal 
is  mined  underground.  The  linonites  when  followed  under  cover  change  to  car- 
bonates, and  become  less  valuable  in  consequence.  There  are  six  to  eight  distinct 
ore  horizons  in  the  Hanging  Rock  region,  but  none  of  these  deposits  bear  com- 


THE  MINES  AND  MINING  RESOURCES  OF  OHIO. 

parison  with  the  gray  limestone  ore  both  as  regards  quality  of  mineral  and  thick- 
ness of  vein. 

The  ores  of  value  in  the  horizons  of  the  Hanging  Rock  region  are  known  as  the 
big  red  block,  the  sand  block  and  the  little  red  block.  These  deposits  lie  lower 
in  the  geological  scale  than  the  limestone  ore,  and  are  obtained  by  stripping. 
The  big  red  block  sometimes  rises  to  eighteen  inches  in  thickness,  but  it  is  gen- 
erally met  in  beds  of  six  inches  or  less.  The  sand  block  ore  is  also  less  than  six 
inches  thick,  and  is  inferior  to  the  big  or  little  red  blocks  in  quality,  containing 
less  iron  and  more  silica.  The  little  red  block  is  not  more  than  four  inches  thick 
on  an  average.  These  ores  are  mined  in  connection  with  the  limestone  ore  wher- 
ever they  are  met  in  paying  quality  and  quantity.  They  are  too  thin  as  a general 
rule  to  follow  under  cover.  Occasionally  other  seams  are  met  and  mined,  and  a 
deposit  known  as  the  Boggs,  which  rises  to  three  and  four  feet  in  thickness,  but 
occurs  as  a local  deposit,  is  recovered  by  drift  mining. 

In  most  of  the  coal  regions  of  the  State  iron  ore  is  mined  to  a greater  or  less 
extent,  the  deposits  of  the  Hanging  Rock  region  reappearing  as  equivalent  strata 
on  the  same  geological  horizons  in  every  part  of  the  coal-field.  The  ores  have 
local  names,  as  the  coals  have  local  names.  Nowhere  is  exclusive  reliance  placed 
in  the  native  ores  of  the  State  in  the  manufacture  of  stone  coal  iron,  the  Lake 
Superior  and  Iron  Mountain  ores  of  the  specular  and  hematite  varieties  forming 
an  important  mixture  at  every  blast-furnace, -while  in  several  of  the  iron  producing 
districts  foreign  ores  are  used  exclusively.  We  have  no  hematite  ore  in  the  Coal 
Measures  of  Ohio,  although  our  linonites,  which  are  simply  argillaceous  carbo- 
nates oxydized  by  the  action  of  the  atmosphere,  bear  some  resemblance  to  hema- 
tite ore.  Black  band  and  clay  band  ores  are  the  main  product  of  the  Coal  Meas- 
ures. The  following  is  the  output  of  ore  for  the  year  1887,  as  copied  from  the 
last  annual  report  of  the  inspector  of  mining. 


Amount  of  Iron  Ore  Mined  in  1887. 


% 

Counties. 

Tons  of 
Black  Band. 

Tons  of 
Clay  Band. 

Lawrence 

147,479 

Vinton 

37,920 

Jackson 

36,362 

Tuscarawas 

61,595 

Perry 

*27,71  i 

Mahoning 

21,630 

Trumbull 

4,740 

• • • * 

Columbiana 

7,800 

Scioto 

14,784 

Hocking  

9,118 

Gallia 

•8,326 

Total  tons 

87,965 

289,500 

JAMES  GEDDES. 


SAMUEL  FORRER. 


PIONEER  ENGINEERS  OF  OHIO. 

BY  COL.  CHARLES  WHITTLESEY. 


[Of  the  many  who  contributed  a paper  to  the  first  edition  of  this  work,  Col.  Whittlesey  was  the  only 
one  living  to  contribute  to  the  second  edition  and  this  is  the  paper.  He  has  not,  we  profoundly  regret  to 
have  to  say,  lived  to  see  it  in  print.  For  a notice  of  its  very  eminent  author  the  reader  is  referred  to 
Cuyahoga  county.] 

When  Governor  Ethan  Allen  Brown  became  an  ardent  advocate  for  navigable 
canals  in  Ohio,  he  did  not  meet  with  the  opposition  which  DeWitt  Clinton  en- 
countered in  New  York.  The  leading  men  of  this  State,  whether  from  Episcopal 
Virginia,  Scotch-Irish  New  Jersey,  Quaker  Pennsylvania  or  Puritan  New  England, 
were  endowed  with  broad  views  of  public  policy.  Many  had  seen  military  ser- 
vice from  the  old  French  war,  through  that  of  the  Revolution,  the  Indian  wars 
and  that  of  1812. 

They  foresaw  the  destiny  of  Ohio  in  case  her  affairs  were  administered  judi- 
ciously. 

Men  who  were  not  appalled  by  the  scalping  knife,  or  its  directing  power.  Great 
Britain,  were  equal  to  an  encounter  with  the  wilderness  after  peace  was  secured. 

The  hope  and  courage  of  our  citizens,  with  a rich  soil  and  a genial  climate, 
constituted  the  resources  of  the  State. 

In  response  to  Gov.  Brown’s  earnest  recommendation,  the  legislature  appointed 
a committee  to  consider  a plan  for  internal  navigation  in  January,  1819.  Early 
in  1820  a call  was  made  for  information  from  all  sources  on  that  subject.  On  the 
21st  of  January,  1822,  a joint  resolution  was  passed,  appointing  a canal  board, 
which  consisted  of  Alfred  Kelley,  Benjamin  Tappan,  Thomas  Worthington,  Isaac 
Menor,  Jeremiah  Morrow  and  Ethan  Allen  Brown,  with  power  to  cause  surveys 
to  be  made  for  the  improvement  of  the  Falls  of  the  Ohio  at  Louisville ; and  to 
examine  four  routes  for  a canal  or  canals  from  Lake  Erie  to  the  Ohio.  Six  thou- 
sand dollars  was  appropriated  for  that  purpose. 

Prior  to  1778,  Capt.  Thomas  Hutchins,  of  the  Provincial  army  and  the  inventor 
of  the  American  System  of  Land  Survey , had  made  a survey  of  the  Falls,  which  re- 

(”9) 


120 


PIONEER  ENGINEERS  OE  OHIO. 


/ 

suited  in  a map  and  report  of  a plan  to  facilitate  the  progress  o/  fiat-boats  and 
their  freight.  i 

Neither  instruments  nor  engineers  could  be  procured  by  the  commissioners  to 
survey  the  rapids  of  the  Ohio,  and  nothing  was  done  by  them  in  that  direction, 
James  Geddes,  one  of  the  engineers  of  the  Erie  canal  in  New  York,  was  employed 
as  chief  engineer  in  Ohio,  and  Isaac  Jerome  was  appointed  assistant.  Only  one 
leveling  instrument  could  be  obtained.  One  or  more  of  the  commissioners  were 
generally  in  the  field  with  the  engineers.  Several  matters  appear  in  the  first  re- 
port in  the  winter  of  1822-23  well  worthy  of  the  attention  of  the  present  genera- 
tion. They  were  not  promised  and  did  not  receive  pay  for  their  services.  Their 
personal  expenses  for  1822  amounted  to  one  hundred  and  seventy-six  dollars  and  forty- 
nine  cents. 

During  the  season  over  800  miles  of  canal  routes  had  been  surveyed  with  one 
instrument  at  a cost,  including  services,  of  two  thousand  four  hundred  and  twenty- 
six  dollars  and  ten  cents. 

Such  were  the  characters  to  whom  were  committed  this  great  project  to  build 
up  a growing  State.  They  had  been  directed  to  survey  routes  from  Sandusky  to 
the  Ohio  river;  from  the  Maumee  river  to  the  Ohio  river;  from  Lake  Erie  to  the 
Ohio  river  by  the  Black  and  Muskingum  rivers ; also  by  the  sources  of  the  Cuya- 
hoga, and  from  Lake  Erie  by  the  sources  of  the  Grand  and  Mahoning  rivers. 

In  December,  1822,  a full  and  able  report  was  made  by  Chief  Engineer  Geddes 
and  by  the  commissioners,  including  estimates  on  all  the  routes.  What  is 
especially  remarkable,  the  final  construction  came  within  the  estimates. 

To  comprehend  the  task  imposed  upon  the  engineers  and  commissioners,  the 
wilderness  condition  of  the  State  in  1822  must  be  realized.  All  the  routes  were 
along  the  valleys  of  streams,  with  only  here  and  there  a log-cabin,  whose  inmates 
were  shivering  with  malarial  fever.  These  valle3^s  were  the  most  densely  wooded 
parts,  obstructed  by  swamps,  bayous  and  flooded  lands,  which  would  now'  be 
regarded  as  impassable. 

Between  1822  and  1829,  Isaac  Jerome,  Seymour  Kiff,  John  Jones,  John  Brown, 
Peter  Lutz,  Robert  Anderson,  Dyer  Minor  and  William  Latimer,  of  the  engineers, 
died  from  their  exposures  and  the  diseases  of  the  country.  Chain-men,  axe-men 
and  rod-men  suffered  in  fully  as  great  proportion. 

Among  the  engineers  who  survived  was  David  S.  Bates  (chief-engineer  after 
Judge  Geddes),  Alexander  Bourne,  John  Bates,  William  R.  Hopkins,  Joseph 
Ridgeway,  Jr.,  Thomas  I.  Matthews,  Samuel  Forrer,  Francis  S.  Cleveland,  James 
M.  Bucklang,  Isaac  N.  Hurd,  Charles  E.  Lynch,  Philip  N.  White,  James  H. 
Mitchell  and  John  S.  Beardsley,  assistants. 

During  the  construction  of  the  canal,  from  1825-35,  many  other  engineers  of 
reputation  became  resident  engineers,  among  whom  were  Sebried  Dodge,  John 
W.  Erwin,  who  still  survives,  James  H.  McBride,  Leonder  Ransom,  Richard 
Howe  and  Sylvester  Medbury. 

JAMES  GEDDES. 

In  the  published  histories  of  Onondaga  county.  New  York,  Judge  Geddes  occu- 
pies a conspicuous  place. 

He  was  born  near  Carlisle,  Pennsylvania,  July  22,  1763,  of  poor  Scottish  pa- 
rents. After  working  on  the  farm  and  teaching  school  until  he  was  of  age,  he 
made  a journey  to  Kentucky,  intending  to  settle  there,  but  was  too  much  dis- 
gusted with  slavery  to  become  a resident.  In  1793  he  prepared  to  manufacture 
salt  at  Onondaga  lake,  at  a place  since  known  as  Geddis,  there  being  then  no 
Syracuse.  After  much  deliberation,  the  Indians  refused  his  presents  and  he 
departed,  leaving  the  goods  in  their  hands.  They  solved  the  difficulty  by  adopt- 
ing him  as  a white  brother,  and  the  salt  business  went  on.  He  was  a self-made 
surveyor  and'civil  engineer,  and  engaged  upon  the  survey  and  construction  of  the 
Erie  canal.  After  his  service  in  Ohio  and  the  completion  of  the  Erie  canal,  he 
was  employed  by  the  United  States  on  the  Chesapeake  and  Ohio  canal  until 
1828. 

In  that  year  he  was  requested  to  survey  a canal  route  from  the  Tennessee  to 
the  Altamaha,  but  declined  in  order  to  engage  upon  the  Pennsylvania  canals.  In 


PIONEER  ENGINEERS  OE  OHIO. 


f2f 

person  he  was  rather  short  and  robust,  but  very  active  and  capable  of  great  endur- 
ance. His  disposition  was  genial,  his  manner  cordial,  inclined  to  be  communi- 
cative. 

Mr.  George  B.  Merwin,  of  Rockport,  Cuyahoga  county,  remembers  Judge  Geddes 
principally  as  a lover  of  buttermilk.  Mr.  Merwin,  when  a boy,  was  furnished 
with  a pony  and  jug  to  scour  the  country  up  the  valley  to  supplv  the  surveying 
party  with  this  drink,  which  does  not  intoxicate. 

SAMUEL  FORRER. 

No  engineer  in  Ohio  spent  as  many  years  in  the  service  of  the  State  as  did  Mr. 
Forrer.  He  came  from  Pennsylvania  in  1818  and  in  1819  was  deputy  surveyor 
of  Hamilton  county,  O.  In  1820,  Mr.  William  Steele,  a very  enterprising  citizen 
of  Cincinnati,  O.,  employed  Mr.  Forrer  at  his  own  expense  to  ascertain  the  eleva- 
tion of  the  Sandusky  and  Scioto  summit,  above  Lake  Erie.  His  report  was  sent 
to  the  Legislature  by  Gov.  Brown.  This  was  the  favorite  route,  the  shortest,  low- 
est summit  and  passed  through  a very  rich  country. 

The  great  question  was  a supply  of  water.  It  would  have  been  located  and,  in 
fact,  was  in  part,  when  in  the  fall  and  summer  of  1823  it  was  found  by  Judge  D. 
S.  Bates  to  be  wholly  inadequate. 

Of  twenty-three  engineers  and  assistants,  eight  died  of  local  diseases  within  six 
years. 

Mr.  Forrer  was  the  only  one  able  to  keep  the  field  permanently,  and  use  the 
instruments  in  1823.  When  Judge  Bates  needed  their  only  level,  Mr.  Forrer 
invented  and  constructed  one  that  would  now  be  a curiosity  among  engineers. 
He  named  it  the  “Pioneer.”  It  was  in  form  of  a round  bar  of  wrought  iron, 
with  a cross  like  a capital  T.  The  top  of  the  letter  was  a flat  bar  welded  at  right 
angles,  to  which  a telescope  was  made  fast  by  solder,  on  which  was  a spirit  level. 
There  was  a projection  drawn  out  from  the  cross-bar  at  right  angles  to  it,  which 
rested  upon  a circular  plate  of  the  tripod.  By  means  of  thumb-screws  and  rever- 
sals, the  round  bar  acting  as  a pendulum,  a rude  horizontal  plane  was  obtained, 
which  w'as  of  value  at  short  range. 

Mr.  Forrer  was  not  quite  medium  height  but  well  formed  and  very  active.  He 
was  a cheerful  and  pleasant  companion.  Judge  Bates  and  the  canal  commis- 
sioners relied  upon  his  skill  under  their  instructions  to  test  the  water  question  in 
1823.  Pie  ran  a line  for  a feeder  from  the  Sandusky  summit  westerly  and  north 
of  the  water-shed,  taking  up  the  waters  of  the  Auglaize  and  heads  of  the  Miami. 
Even  with  the  addition  the  supply  was  inadequate.  Until  his  death  in  1873, 
Mr.  Forrer  was  nearly  all  the  time  in  the  employ  of  the  State  as  engineer,  canal 
commissioner  or  member  of  the  Board  of  Public  Works. 

He  was  not  only  popular  but  scrupulously  honest  and  industrious.  His  life- 
long friends  regarded  his  death  as  a personal  loss,  greater  than  that  of  a faithful 
public  officer.  He  was  too  unobtrusive  to  make  personal  enemies,  not  neglecting 
his  duties,  as  a citizen  zealous  but  just. 

He  died  at  Dayton,  Ohio,  at  10  a.  m.,  March  25,  1874,  from  the  exhaustion  of 
his  physical  powers,  without  pain.  Like  his  life  he  passed  away  in  peace  at  the 
age  of  eighty,  his  mind  clear  and  conscious  of  the  approaching  end. 


EARLY  CIVIL  JURISDICTION. 

SOUTH  SHORE  OF  LAKE  ERIE. 

BY  COL.  CHARLES  WHITTLESEY. 

While  the  French  occupied  the  south  shore  of  Lake  Erie,  there  was  not  the 
semblance  of  courts  or  magistrates  for  the  trial  of  civil  or  criminal  issues.  This 
occupation  ended  in  1760,  but  it  is  an  open  historical  question  when  it  began. 
La  Salle  was  in  the  Ohio  country  from  1669  to  1671  or  1672;  though  if  he  estab- 
lished posts,  the  records  of  his  occupation  are  lost.  There  are,  on  the  Western 
Reserve,  quite  a number  of  ancient  axe  marks  on  the  trees,  over  which  the  growth 
of  woody  layers  correspond  to  those  dates  ; and  which  appear  to  me  to  have  been 
made  by  parties  of  his  expedition.  The  French  had  posts  at  Erie,  Pa.,  on  the 
Cuyahoga,  on  Sandusky  Bay  and  on  the  Maumee  and  Great  Miami  rivers  as 
early  as  l749  and  1752,  and  probably  earlier  at  some  points  in  Ohio  and  Penn- 
sylvania. In  1748  the  English  colonists  from  Pennsylvania  had  a trading  post 
at  Sandusky  Bay,  from  which  they  were  driven  by  the  French. 

Pennsylvania  had,  however,  no  civil  authority  west  of  her  boundary,  which  is 
described  as  being  five  degrees  of  longitude  west  from  the  Delaware  river.  The 
colony  of  Virginia  had  claims  under  various  charters  and  descriptions  to  a part 
of  Pennsylvania,  and  all  the  territory  west  and  northwest  as  far  as  a supposed 
ocean  called  the  South  sea.  Immediately  after  the  peace  of  1763  with  the  French, 
the  Province  of  Canada  was  extended  by  act  of  Parliament,  southerly  to  the  Alle- 
ghany and  Ohio  rivers.  Great  Britain  promised  the  Indian  tribes  that  the  whites 
should  not  settle  north  of  the  Ohio  river.  So  far  as  I am  now  aware,  the  first 
civil  organization  under  the  authority  of  Virginia  covering  the  Western  Reserve 
was  that  of  Botetourt  county,  erected  in  1769  with  the  county-seat  at  Fincastle,  on 
the  head  waters  of  the  James  river,  between  the  Blue  Ridge  and  the  Alleghanies. 
But  before  this,  there  must  have  been  a Virginia  county  covering  the  forks  of  the 
Ohio  and  extending  probably  to  Lake  Erie;  for  the  troops  captured  at  the  Forks 
(now  Pittsburg)  by  the  French,  in  1749,  were  Virginia  militia  under  Ensign 
Ward.  It  is  probable  that  he  was  or  supposed  himself  to  be  within  the  county 
of  Augusta.  Settlers  from  that  colony  located  on  the  Monongahela  and  Yough- 
iogheny.  In  1776  three  counties  were  erected  on  those  waters,  some  parts  of 
which  possibly  included  a part  or  all  of  the  Reserve. 

These  covered  a part  of  Westmoreland  county.  Pa.,  which  was  settled  from  Vir- 
ginia. This  conflict  of  authority  brought  on  a miniature  civil  war,  which  was 
soon  overshadowed  by  the  war  of  the  RTevolution,  in  which  both  Virginians  and 
Pennsylvanians  heartily  joined.  In  1778,  soon  after  the  conquest  of  the  British 
forts  on  the  Mississippi  and  the  Wabash,  by  Gen.  George  Rogers  Clark,  Virginia 
erected  the  county  of  Illinois,  with  the  count3^-seat  at  Kaskaskia.  It  embraced 
the  south  shore  of  Lake  Erie,  Detroit,  Mackinaw,  Green  Bay  and  Prairie  Duchien, 
but  for  practical  purposes,  only  Kaskaskia,  Cahokia  and  St.  Vincent,  or  Vin- 
cennes. The  British  held  possession  of  the  Ohio  country  and  all  the  lakes.  For 
the  English  forts  on  both  shores  of  the  lakes,  there  was  no  county  or  civil  organ- 
ization during  the  Revolutionary  war.  The  government  of  this  almost  unlimited 
region  was  exclusively  military,  of  which  Detroit  was  the  central  post.  British 
soldiers  and  officers  were  at  all  the  trading  posts  in  Ohio,  exercising  arbitrary 
authority  over  the  Indians  and  the  white  traders,  including  the  Moravian  settle* 
ments  on  the  Tuscarawas  and  the  Cuyahoga. 

After  the  treaty  of  peace  in  1783,  the  same  state  of  affairs  continued,  until,  by 
(122) 


EARLY  CIVIL  JURISDICTION. 


123 


successive  campaigns  against  the  Indians,  the  United  States  drove  them  off  by 
military  force.  All  the  lives  lost,  the  forts  built,  and  the  expeditions  made  in  the 
northwest,  from  1785  to  1794,  were  a continuation  of  the  war  of  the  Revolution 
against  England.  Even  after  the  second  treaty  in  1795,  she  built  Fort  Miami,  on 
the  Maumee,  within  the  State  of  Ohio.  The  result  of  the  battle  of  the  Rapids  of 
the  Maumee,  in  August,  1794,  put  a stop  to  her  overt  acts  against  us  for  a time; 
but  it  was  not  until  after  the  war  of  1812  that  she  abandoned  the  project  of 
recovering  the  American  colonies.  While  in  her  possession  until  1799,  there 
were  at  the  posts  on  the  lakes,  justices  of  the  peace,  or  stipendiary  magistrates, 
exercising  some  civil  authority,  but  none  of  them  resided  on  the  south  shore  of 
this  lake. 

This  subject  of  early  civil  jurisdiction  is  a very  obscure  one,  owing  to  indefinite 
geographical  boundaries.  I have  received  the-assistance  of  Judge  Campbell,  of 
Detroit;  of  Silas  Farmer,  the  historian  of  Detroit  City ; and  of  Mr.  H.  C.  Gilman, 
of  the  Detroit  Library,  in  the  effort  to  trace  out  the  extent  of  the  Canadian  dis- 
tricts and  counties  with  their  courts  from  1760  to  1796.  Their  replies  agree  that 
it  is  difficult  to  follow  the  progress  of  civil  law  on  the  peninsula  of  Upper  Canada, 
westward  to  the  Detroit  river  and  around  the  lakes.  In  1778  Lord  Dorchester, 
Governor-General  of  Canada,  divided  Upper  Canada  into  four  districts  for  civil 
purposes,  one  of  which  included  Detroit  and  the  posts  on  the  upper  lakes.  Early 
in  1792  the  Upper  Canadian  parliament  authorized  Governor  Simcoe  to  lay  off 
nineteen  counties  to  embrace  that  province.  It  is  presumed  that  the  county  of 
Essex,  on  the  east  bank  of  Detroit  river,  included  the  country  on  the  west  and 
south  around  the  head  of  Lake  Erie,  but  of  this  the  information  is  not  conclusive. 
Some  form  of  British  civil  authority  existed  at  their  forts  and  settlements  until 
Detroit  was  given  up  and  all  its  dependencies  in  1796.  When  Governor  St. 
Clair  erected  the  county  of  Washington  in  Ohio,  in  1788,  it  embraced  the  West- 
ern Reserve  east  of  the  Cuyahoga.  West  of  this  river  and  the  Tuscarawas  was 
then  held  by  the  Indians  and  the  British. 

The  State  of  Connecticut  claimed  jurisdiction  over  the  Reserve,  but  made  no 
movement  towards  the  erection  of  counties.  When  she  sold  to  the  Land  Com- 
pany, in  1795,  both  parties  imagined  that  the  deed  of  Connecticut  conveyed 
powers  of  civil  government  to  the  company,  and  that  the  grantees  might  organize 
a new  State.  As  the  United  States  objected  to  this  mode  of  setting  up  States,  this 
region  was,  in  practice,  without  any  magistrates,  courts,  or  other  organized  civil 
authority,  until  that  question  was  settled,  in  1800.  Immediately  after  the  British 
had  retired,  in  1796,  Governor  St.  Clair  erected  the  count}^  of  Wayne,  with  Detroit 
as  the  county-seat.  It  included  that  part  of  the  Reserve  west  of  the  Cuyahoga, 
extending  south  to  Wayne’s  treaty  line,  west  to  the  waters  of  Lake  Michigan  and 
its  tributaries,  and  north  to  the  territorial  line.  Its  boundaries  are  not  very 
precise,  but  it  clearly  embraced  about  one-third  of  the  present  State  of  Ohio.  The 
question  of  jurisdiction  when  Wayne  county  was  erected  in  1796  remained 
open  as  it  had  under  the  county  of  Washington.  In  1797  the  county  of 
Jefferson  was  established,  embracing  all  of  the  Reserve  east  of  the  Cuya- 
hoga. When  Trumbull  county  was  erected,  in  1800,  it  embraced  the  entire 
Western  Reserve,  with  magistrates  and  courts  having  full  legal  authority  under 
the  temtorial  government.  Before  this,  although  no  deeds  could  be  executed 
here,  those  executed  elsewhere  were,  in  some  cases,  recorded  at  Marietta,  the 
county-seat  of  Washington  county.  Some  divines  had  ventured  to  solemnize 
marriages  before  1800  by  virtue  of  their  ministerial  office.  During  the  first  four 
years  of  the  settlement  of  the  Reserve  there  was  no  law,  the  force  of  which  was 
acknowledged  here;  but  the  law-abiding  spirit  of  New  England  among  the  early 
settlers  was  such  that  peace  and  order  generally  prevailed.  By  the  organization 
of  Geauga  county,  March  1,  1806,  what  is  now  Cuyahoga  county,  east  of  the  river, 
belonged  to  Geauga  until  1809,  when  this  county  was  organized. 


I 


THE  STATE  OF  OHIO-SOURCES  OF  HER  STRENGTH. 

A paper  read  at  the  annual  meeting  of  the  Western  Reserve  and  Northern  Ohio 
Historical  Society^  November,  1881,  by  its  President, 

COL.  CHARLES  WHITTLESEY. 

Not  long  before  the  President  left  Mentor  for  Washington,  he  is  reported  to 
have  said  to  a New  York  politician  that  Ohio  had  about  all  the  honors  to  which 
she  is  entitled.  The  response  was  “ that  she  had  about  all  the  other  States  could 
stand.”  This  sentiment  appears  to  be  a general  one,  not  in  an  offensive  sense, 
but  as  a widespread  opinion,  honestly  entertained.  Whitelaw  Reid,  in  a recent 
address  at  Xenia,  Ohio,  showed  conclusively  from  the  blue  books,  that  as  to  the 
number  of  citizens  from  this  State  who  have  held  Federal  offices,  the}^  are  not  in 
excess  of  her  share,  and  are  not  proportionally  equal  to  those  from  Massachusetts 
and  Virginia.  If  it  be  a fact  that  our  representative  men  have  attained  a leading 
influence  in  national  affairs,  it  cannot  be  because  of  numbers  alone,  and  it  should 
be  remembered  that  they  have  been  raised  to  place  and  power,  principally  by  the 
suffrages  of  the  whole  people.  If  their  influence  at  the  Capital  is  overshadowing, 
and  it  is  exercised  for  the  good  of  the  nation,  there  should  not  be,  and  probably 
is  not  any  feeling  of  jealousy. 

If  our  representative  men  are  prominent,  it  may  be  a source  of  honorable  State 
pride ; for  while  great  men  do  not  make  a great  people,  they  are  signs  of  a solid 
constituency.  Native  genius  is  about  equally  distributed  in  all  nations,  even  in 
barbarous  ones  ; but  it  goes  to  waste  wherever  the  surroundings  are  not  propitious. 
Intellectual  strength,  without  cultivation,  is  as  likely  to  be  a curse  as  a blessing. 
If  it  has  cultivation  and  good  moral  qualities,  it  cannot  even  then  become  prom- 
inent without  great  occasions ; and  in  republican  communities,  without  the  back- 
ing of  a people  equal  to  the  emergency.  Leaders  are  not  the  real  power,  only  its 
exponents.  Storm  signals  are  not  the  storm,  they  are  only  indications.  History 
clearly  shows  that  in  free  or  partly  free  communities,  great  men  rise  no  higher 
than  the  forces  behind  them.  It  also  informs  us  that  those  nations  which  have 
been  the  most  powerful,  have  become  so  by  a mixture  of  races.  Cross-breeding, 
by  a law  of  nature  fortifies  the  stock  physically,  on  which  mental  development 
greatly  depends. 

Why  the  mingling  of  certain  races,  like  the  Teutonic  and  the  Celtic,  produces 
an  improved  stock,  while  the  same  process  between  Caucasian  and  Negro  or  the 
North  American  Indian  results  in  depreciation  and  decay,  is  one  of  those  numer- 
ous mysteries,  as  yet  unfathomed  by  man.  Also,  why  the  greatest  unmixed 
races,  such  as  Mongolian,  Tartar,  Japanese,  Chinese,  Hindoo,  Arab  and  Heorew, 
soon  reach  the  limits  of  their  improvement.  A portion  of  the  Aryan  family  mi- 
grated northwestwardl}^  mingling  with  the  Caucasian,  reaching  Europe  by  the 
north  of  the  Black  sea.  They  acquired  strength  as  they  spread  out  on  the  waters 
of  the  Danube,  the  Elbe  and  the  Rhine,  becoming  powerful  and  even  dominant 
under  the  general  name  of  Goths,  having  a language  from  which  the  Saxon  and 
English  were  derived.  This  might  be  attributable  to  the  medium  climate  between 
the  Baltic  and  the  Mediterranean,  if  other  people  had  not  enjoyed  aa  temperate 
climes,  and  had  not  gone  on  increasing,  either  in  mental,  phyrdcal  or  political 
power.  When  the  Celtic  and  Scandinavian  people  had  pushed  forward  to  the 
Western  sea,  and  met  in  the  British  Islands,  they  w^ere  for  a long  time  unable  to 
go  farther,  and  thus  had  the  best  of  opportunities  to  coalesce.  The  Atlantic  was 
Hnally  overcome,  and  their  propensity  to  migrate  was  gratified  by  crossing  the 
(124J 


OHJO—SOURCES  OF  HER  STRENGTH. 


125 


sea  to  North  America.  This  great  stream  of  humanity  kept  the  line  of  a temper- 
ate climate,  the  central  channel  of  which,  as  it  crossed  the  continent,  occupied  the 
State  of  Ohio. 

In  King  John’s  time,  an  English  people  existed  who  exhibited  their  power 
through  the  barons  at  Runymede.  Cromwell  was  endowed  with  a mental  capac- 
ity equal  to  the  greatest  of  men ; but  he  would  not  have  appeared  in  history  if 
there  had  not  been  a constituency  of  Roundheads,  full  of  strength,  determined 
upon  the  overthrow  of  a licentious  king  and  his  nobility.  The  English  stock 
here  proved  its  capabilities  on  a larger  scale  than  in  the  days  of  King  John. 
Washington  would  not  have  been  known  in  history  if  the  people  of  the  American 
colonies  had  not  been  stalwarts  in  every  sense,  who  selected  him  as  their  repre- 
sentative. In  these  colonies  the  process  of  cross-breeding  among  races  had  then 
been  carried  further  than  in  England,  and  is  now  a prime  factor  in  the  strength 
of  the  United  States. 

I propose  to  apply  the  same  rule  to  the  first  settlers  of  Ohio,  and  to  show  that 
if  she  now  holds  a high  place  in  this  nation,  it  is  not  an  accident,  but  can  be 
traced  to  manifest  natural  causes,  and  those  not  alone  climate,  soil  and  geograph-^ 
ical  position. 

There  were  five  centres  of  settlement  in  Ohio  by  people  of  somewhat  different 
stock;  four  of  them  by  people  whose  social  training  was  more  diverse  than  their 
stock.  Beginning  at  the  southwest,  the  Symmes’  Purchase,  between  the  Great 
and  Little  Miami  rivers,  was  settled  principally  from  New  Jersey,  with  Cincin- 
nati as  the  centre.  Next,  on  the  east,  between  the  Little  Miami  and  the  Scioto 
rivers,  lay  the  Virginia  Military  District,  reserved  by  that  State  to  satisfy  the 
bounty  land  warrants,  issued  to  her  troops  in  the  war  of  the  Revolution.  It  was 
like  a projection  of  Virginia  (except  as  to  slavery),  which  then  included  Ken- 
tucky, across  the  Ohio  river  to  the  centre  of  the  new  State.  Chillicothe  was  the 
principal  town  of  this  tract.  The  pioneers  came  on  through  the  passes  of  the 
Blue  Ridge,  their  ancestors  being  principally  English  and  Episcopal,  but  claim- 
ing without  much  historical  show,  a leaven  of  Norman  and  Cavalier.  With 
Marietta  as  a centre,  the  Ohio  Company  was  recruited  from  Massachusetts  and 
other  New  England  States.  In  colonial  times,  their  ancestors  also  came  from 
England,  but  of  opponents  to  the  Church  of  England,  in  search  of  religious  free- 
dom. One  hundred  and  fifty  years  had  wrought  great  differences  between  them 
and  the  Virginians.  Next,  west  of  the  Pennsylvania  line,  lies  the  “ seven  ranges  ” 
of  towmships,  extending  north  of  the  Ohio  to  the  completion  of  the  fortieth  paral- 
lel of  latitude,  being  the  first  of  the  surveys  and  sales  of  the  public  land  of  the 
United  States.  Most  of  the  early  settlers  here  came  over  the  Alleghenies  from 
the  State  of  Pennsylvania  ; some  of  Quaker  stock,  introduced  by  William  Penn; 
and  more  of  German  origin,  in  later  days.  . North  of  them  to  Lake  Erie  lay  the 
Western  Reserve,  owned  and  settled  by  inhabitants  of  Connecticut,  with  Cleve- 
land as  the  prospective  capital  of  a new  State,  to  be  called  “ New  Connecticut.” 
This  tract  extended  west  from  Pennsylvania  one  hundred  and  twenty  miles. 
West  of  the  seven  ranges  to  the  Scioto,  and  south  of  Wayne’s  treaty  line,  is  the 
United  States  Military  Reservation,  where  the  first  inhabitants  were  from  all  the 
States,  and  held  bounty  warrants  issued  under  the  resolution  of  1776.  They  were 
not  homogeneous  enough  to  give  this  tract  any  social  peculiarity.  The  north- 
western part  of  the  State  was,  until  the  war  of  1812,  a wilderness  occupied  by 
Indians. 

The  New  Jersey  people  brought  a tincture  of  Swedish  and  Hollander  blood, 
mingled  with  the  English.  Those  from  Pennsylvania  had  a slight  mixture  of 
Irish,  Scotch  and  Scotch-Irish.  The  settlers  of  new  communities  leave  their  im- 
press upon  the  locality  long  after  tliey  are  gone.  In  Ohio  these  five  centres  were 
quite  isolated,  on  account  of  broad  intermediate  spaces  of  dense  unsettled  forests, 
through  which,  if  there  were  roads  or  trails,  they  were  nearly  impracticable. 
They  all  had  occupation  enough  to  secure  the  bread  of  life,  clear  away  the  trees 
around  their  cabins,  and  defend  themselves  against  their  red  enemies.  Though 
of  one  American  family,  their  environment  delayed  their  full  social  fusion  at  least 
one  generation.  Their  differences  were  principally  those  of  education,  and  includ- 
ing their  religious  cultus,  were  so  thoroughly  inbred  that  they  stood  in  the 
relation  of  different  races,  but  without  animosity.  A large  part  of  them  had 


126 


OHIO— SOURCES  OF  HER  STRENGTH. 


taken  part  in  the  war  of  the  Revolution,  or  they  would  have  been  lacking  in 
courage  to  plant  themselves  on  a frontier  that  was  virtually  in  a state  of  war  until 
the  peace  of  1815.  The  expeditions  of  Harinar  in  1790,  St.  Clair  in  1791  and 
Wayne  in  1792-94  embraced  many  of  them  as  volunteers.  Full  one  thousand 
whites  and  more  Indians  were  killed  on  Ohio  soil  before  peace  was  assured. 
Nearly  every  man  had  a rifle  and  its  accoutrements,  with  which  he  could  bring 
down  a squirrel  or  turkey  from  the  tallest  tree,  and  a deer,  a bear  or  an  Indian 
at  sixty  rods.  They  had  not  felt  the  weakening  effect  of  idleness  or  luxury. 
Their  food  was  coarse,  but  solid  and  abundant.  In  spite  of  the  malaria  of  new 
countries,  the  number  of  robust,  active  men  fit  for  military  duty  was  proportion- 
lally  large.  As  hunters  of  wild  animals  or  wild  men,  they  were  the  full  equals  of 
the  latter  in  endurance  and  the  art  of  success.  They  were  fully  capable  of  defend- 
ing themselves.  The  dishonorable  surrender  at  Detroit,  August  16, 1812,  became 
known  on  the  Western  Reserve,  where  the  settlements  were  wholly  unguarded, 
between  the  20th  and  22d;  probably  at  Washington  not  before  the  25th  or  26th. 
General  Wadsworth,  commanding  the  Fourth  Division  of  the  State  Militia, 
ordered  the  Third  Brigade  (General  Perkins)  to  rendezvous  at  Cleveland.  On  the 
23d,  the  men  of  the  Lake  counties  were  on  their  way,  each  with  his  rifle,  well- 
, filled  powder-horn,  bullet-pouch  and  butcher-knife,  in  squads  or  companies,  on 
foot  or  mounted  ; and  on  the  26th,  one  battalion  moved  westward.  By  the  5th 
of  September,  before  any  orders  from  Washington  reached  them,  a post  was 
established  on  the  Huron  river,  near  Milan,  in  Huron  county.  Nothing  but  these 
improvised  troops  lay  between  General  Brock’s  army  at  Detroit  and  the  settled 
portions  of  the  State.  The  frontier  line  of  settlements  at  that  time  turned  south, 
away  from  Lake  Erie  at  Huron,  passing  by  Mansfield  and  Delaware  to  Urbana, 
in  Champaign  county. 

The  war  of  1812  brought  nearly  all  our  able-bodied  men  into  the  field,  which 
had  the  effect  to  hasten  a closer  relationship  between  the  settlements.  In  1810, 
there  were  230,760  inhabitants  in  Ohio.  The  vote  for  Governor  in  1812  was 
19,752.  Probably  the  enrolled  militia  was  larger  than  the  vote.  It  is  estimated 
that  for  different  terms  of  service  20,000  were  in  the  field.  War  has  many  com- 
pensations for  its  many  evils,  especially  a war  of  defense  or  for  a principle  in 
which  the  people  are  substantially  unanimous.  Few  citizens  volunteer  for  mili- 
tary service  and  go  creditably  through  a campaign,  its  exposures  and  dangers, 
whose  character  is  not  strengthened.  They  acquire  sturdiness,  self-respect  and 
courage.  These  qualities  in  individuals  affect  the  aggregate  stamina  of  commu- 
nities and  of  states.  The  volunteers  in  1812-14,  with  a variety' of  thought,  man- 
ners and  dress,  engaged  in  the  common  cause  of  public  defense,  coalesced  in  a 
social  sense,  which  led  to  a better  understanding  and  to  intermarriages.  At  that 
time  very  few  native-born  citizens  were  of  an  age  to  participate  in  public  affairs. 
Tiffin,  the  first  governor,  was  a native  of  England.  Senator,  and  then  Governor 
Worthington  was  born  in  Virginia.  Return  Jonathan  Meigs,  Jr.,  senator,  gover- 
nor and  postmaster-general,  in  Connecticut;  Jeremiah  Morrow,  sole  member  of 
Congress  from  1803  to  1813,  then  senator  and  governor,  in  Pennsylvania;  General 
Harrison,  afterwards  president  of  the  United  States,  in  Virginia;  General 
McArthur  in  New  York  ; and  General  Cass  in  New  Hampshire.  Nearly  all  the 
generals  of  the  war  of  the  Rebellion  in  command  of  Ohio  troops  were  natives. 

When  the  State  had  recovered  from  the  sacrifices  of  the  war  of  1812,  the  native 
element  showed  itself  in  public  affairs.  The  Legislature,  reflecting  the  character 
of  its  constituents,  took  high  ground  in  favor  of  free  schools,  canals,  roads  and 
official  integrity.  To  this  day  no  disgraceful  scandal  or  corruption  has  been  fas- 
tened upon  it,  or  the  executive  of  the  State.  Two  generations  succeeded,  their 
blood  more  completely  mingled,  their  habits  more  thoroughly  assimilated,  their 
intelligence  increased,  public  communication  improved,  and  in  1861  wealth  had 
not  made  the  people  effeminate.  Such  are  the  processes  which,  by  long  and 
steady  operation  in  one  direction,  brought  into  existence  the  constituency  which 
rose  up  to  sustain  the  Federal  government.  Three  hundred  thousand  men  were 
found  capable  of  filling  all  positions,  high  and  low,  especially  that  of  efficient 
soldiers  in  the  ranks.  Foi  commanders,  they  had  Gilmore,  Cox,  Stanley,  Steed- 
man,  Sill,  Hazen,  McCook,  Rosecrans,  McDowell,  McPherson,  Sheridan,  Sherman 
and  Grant,  all  raised,  and  except  three,  born  on  Ohio  soil,  and  educated  at  West 


OHIO— SOURCES  OF  HER  STRENGTH 


127 


r- 


V Point.  Was  it  fortuitous?  I think  I perceive  sufficient  causes  working  toward 
this  result,  not  for  one  generation,  or  for  a century,  but  reaching  back  to  the  Eng- 
lish people  of  two  or  three  centuries  since.  Nations,  races  and  families  decay,  and 
it  is  possible  it  may  be  so  here;  but  wherever  the  broad  political  foundations  laid 
in  Ohio  are  taken  as  a pattern,  and  there  is  a general  mixture  of  educated  Anglo- 
Saxon  stocks,  the  period  of  decline  will  be  far  in  the  distance. 

On  the  4th  of  March,  1881,  three  men  of  fine  presence  advanced  on  the  platform 
at  the  east  portico  of  the  Federal  capitol.  On  their  right  is  a solid,  square-built 
man  of  an  impressive  appearance,  the  Chief- Justice  of  the  United  States  [Morrison 
R.  Waite].  On  his  left  stood  a tall,  well-rounded,  large,  self-possessed  personage, 
with  a head  large  even  in  proportion  to  the  body  who  is  President  of  the  United 
States  [James  A.  Garfield].  At  his  left  hand  was  an  equally  tall,  robust  and 
graceful  gentleman,  the  retiring  president  [Rutherford  B.  Hayes].  Near  by  was 
a tall,  not  especially  graceful  figure,  with  the  eye  of  an  eagle,  who  is  the  general 
commanding  the  army  [William  Tecumseh  Sherman].  A short,  square,  active 
officer,  the  Marshal  Ney  of  America,  is  there  as  lieutenant-general  [Philip  Sheri- 
dan]. Another  tall,  slender,  self-poised  man,  of  not  ungraceful  presence,  was  the 
focus  of  many  thousands  of  eyes.  He  had  carried  the  finances  of  the  nation  in 
his  mind  and  in  his  heart,  four  years  as  secretary  of  the  treasury,  the  peer  of 
Hamilton  and  Chase  [John  Sherman].  Of  these  six,  five  were  natives  of  Ohio, 
and  the  other  a life-long  resident.  Did  this  group  of  national  characters  from 
one  State  stand  there  by  accident?  Was  it  not  the  result  of  a long  train  of  agen- 
cies, which,  by  force  of  natural  selection,  brought  them  to  the  front  on  that 
occasion  ? 


THE  PUBLIC  LANDS  OF  OHIO. 

BY  JOHN  KILBOURNE. 


John  Kilbottrne  was  born  in  Berlin,  Connecticut,  August  7,  1787,  graduated  at  Vermont  Uni* 
versity,  and  emigrating  West  was  occupied  for  several  years  as  Principal  of  Worthington  College, 
Franklin  county,  of  whicli  his  uncle,  James  Kilbourne,  the  famed  surveyor  and  founder  of  the  Scioto 
Company,  was  the  president  trustee.  Subsequently  he  removed  to  Columbus  and  engaged  in  authorship 
and  book  selling  and  publishing,  and  there  died  March  12,  1831,  aged  forty-four  years.  He  published 
a “Gazetteer  of  Vermont,”  a “Gazetteer  of  Ohio,”  a map  of  Ohio,  a volume  of  “ Public  Documents 
Concerning  the  Ohio  Canals,”  and  a “ School  Geography.” 

The  article  upon  “ The  Public  Lands  of  Ohio,”  which  here  follows  slightly  abridged  from  the 
original,  is  from  his  “Ohio  Gazetteer,”  the  first  edition  of  which  appeared  in  1816.  It  went  through 
several  editions  and  was  a work  of  gieat  merit  and  utility.  This  article  on  the  lands  was  carefully 
written,  and  having  been  copied  into  the  first  edition  of  the  “ Ohio  Historical  Collections,”  was  highly 
valued  by  many  of  its  readers.  We  are  glad  to  reproduce  it  here  with  this  preliminary  notice  of  the 
author. 


In  most  of  the  States  and  Territories  lying  west  of  the  Allegheny  mountains, 
the  United  States,  collectively  as  a nation,  owned,  or  did  own,  the  soil  of  the 
country,  after  the  extinguishment  of  the  aboriginal  Indian  title.  This  vast 
national  domain  comprises  several  hundreds  of  millions  of  acres ; which  is  a 
bountiful  fund,  upon  which  the  general  government  can  draw  for , centuries,  to 
supply,  at  a low  price,  all  its  citizens  with  a freehold  estate. 

When  Ohio  was  admitted  into  the  Federal  Union  as  an  independent  State,  one 
of  the  terms  of  admission  was,  that  the  fee-simple  to  all  the  lands  within  its 
limits,  excepting  those  previously  granted  or  sold,  should  vest  in  the  United 
States.  Different  portions  of  them  have,  at  diverse  periods,  been  granted  or  sold 
to  various  individuals,  companies  and  bodies  politic. 

The  following  are  the  names  by  which  the  principal  bodies  of  the  lands  are 
designated,  on  account  of  these  different  forms  of  transfer,  viz. : 

1.  Congress  Lands.  8.  Symmes’  Purchase.  15.  Maumee  Road  Lands. 


2.  U.  S.  Military.  9.  Refugee  Tract.  16.  School  do. 

3.  Virginia  Military.  10.  French  Grant.  17.  College  do. 

4.  Western  Reserve.  11.  Dohrman’s  Grant.  18.  Ministerial  do. 

5.  Fire-Lands.  12.  Zane’s  do.  19.  Moravian  do. 


6.  Ohio  Co.’s  Purchase.  13.  Canal  Lands.  20.  Salt  Sections. 

7.  Donation  Tract.  14.  Turnpike  Lands. 

Congress  Lands  are  so  called  because  they  are  sold  to  purchasers  by  the  imme- 
diate officers  of  the  general  government,  conformably  to  such  laws  as  are,  or  may 
be,  from  time  to  time,  enacted  by  Congress.  They  are  all  regularly  surveyed  into 
townships  of  six  miles  square  each,  under  authority,  and  at  the  expense  of  the 
National  government. 


All  Congress  lands,  excepting 
Marietta  and  a part  of  Steuben- 
ville district,  are  numbered  as 
follows : 


VII  ranges,  Ohio  Company’s 
purchase,  and  Symmes’  pur- 
chase, are  numbered  as  here 
exhibited : 


6 

5 

4 

3 

2 

1 

36 

30 

24 

18  1 12 

6 

7 

1 

8 

1 

9 

10 

11 

12 

35 

29 

23 

17  11 

5 

18 

17 

16 

15 

14 

13 

34 

28 

22 

16  ! 10 

i 

4 

19 

20 

21 

22 

23 

24 

33 

27 

21 

15  9 

3 

30 

29 

28 

27 

26 

25 

32 

2G 

20 

14  i 8 

1 

2 

31 

32 

33 

34 

35 

36 

I 31 

25 

19 

13  ' 7 

1 

( 128) 


THE  PUBLIC  LANDS  OF  OHIO. 


129 


The  townships  are  again  subdivided  into  sections  of  one  mile  sqriare,  each 
containing  640  acres,  by  lines  running  parallel  wdth  the  township  and  range  lines. 
The  sections  are  numbered  in  two  different  modes,  as  exhibited  in  the  preceding 
Igures  or  diagrams. 

In  addition  to  the  foregoing  division,  the  sections  are  again  subdivided  into  four 
equal  parts,  called  the  northeast  quarter  section,  southeast  quarter  section,  etc. 
And  again,  by  a law  of  Congress,  which  went  into  effect  in  July,  1820,  these  quarter 
sections  are  also  divided  by  a north  and  south  line  into  two  equal  parts,  called 
the  east  half  quarter  section.  No.  and  west  half  quarter  section,  No.  , which 
contain  eighty  acres  each.  The  minimum  price  has  been  reduced  by  the  same 
law  from  $2.00  to  $1.25  per  acre,  cash  down. 

In  establishing  the  township  and  sectional  corners,  a post  is  first  planted  at  the 
point  of  intersection ; then  on  the  tree  nearest  the  post,  and  standing  within  the 
section  intended  to  be  designated,  is  numbered  with  the  marking  iron,  the  range, 
township  and  number  of  the  section,  thus : 


R21 
T 4 
S 30t 


R 21t 
T 3 
S 1 


R 20 
T 4 
fS  31 

The  quarter  corners  are  marked  1-4  south,  merely. 

fR  20 
T 3 
S 6 


Section  No.  16,  of  every  township,  is  perpetually  reserved  for  the  use  of  schools 
and  leased  or  sold  out,  for  the  benefit  of  schools,  under  the  State  government. 
All  the  others  may  be  taken  up  either  in  sections,  fractions,  halves,  quarters,  or 
half  quarters. 

For  the  purpose  of  selling  out  these  lands,  they  are  divided  into  eight  several 
land  districts,  called  after  the  names  of  the  towns  in  which  the  land  offices  are 
kept,  viz. : Wooster,  Steubenville,  Zanesville,  Marietta,  Chillicothe,  etc.,  etc. 

The  seven  ranges  of  townships  are  a portion  of  the  Congress  lands,  so  called, 
being  the  first  ranges  of  public  lands  ever  surveyed  by  the  general  government 
west  of  the  Ohio  river.  They  are  bounded  on  the  north  by  a line  drawn  due  west 
from  the  Pennsylvania  State  line,  where  it  crosses  the  Ohio  river,  to  the  United 
States  Military  lands,  forty-two  miles ; thence  south  to  the  Ohio  river,  at  the 
southeast  corner  of  Marietta  township,  thence  up  the  river  to  the  place  of  begin- 
ning. 

Connecticut  Western  Reserve,  oftentimes  called  New  Connecticut,  is  situated  in 
the  northeast  quarter  of  the  State,  between  Lake  Erie  on  the  north,  Pennsylvania 
east,  the  parallel  of  the  forty-first  degree  of  north  latitude  south,  and  Sandusky 
and  Seneca  counties  on  the  west.  It  extends  120  miles  from  east  to  west,  and 
upon  an  average  fifty  from  north  to  south  : although,  upon  the  Pennsylvania  line, 
it  is  sixty-eight  miles  broad,  from  north  to  south.  The  area  is  about  3,800,000 
acres.  It  is  surveyed  into  townships  of  five  miles  square  each.  A body  of  half  a 
million  acres  is,  however,  stricken  off  from  the  west  end  of  the  tract,  as  a dona- 
tion, by  the  State  of  Connecticut,  to  certain  sufferers  by  fire,  in  the  revolutionary 
war. 

The  manner  by  which  Connecticut  became  possessed  of  the  land  in  question 
was  the  following:  King  Charles  II.,  of  England,  pursuing  the  example  of  his 
brother  kings,  of  granting  distant  and  foreign  regions  to  his  subjects  granted  to 
the  then  colony  of  Connecticut,  in  1662,  a charter  right  to  all  lands  included 
within  certain  specific  bounds.  But  as  the  geographical  knowledge  of  Europeans' 
concerning  America  was  then  very  limited  and  confused,  patents  for  lands  often 
interfered  with  each  other,  and  many  of  them,  even  by  their  express  terms,  ex- 
tended to  the  Pacific  ocean,  or  South  sea,  as  it  was  then  called.  Among  the  rest, 
that  for  Connecticut  embraced  all  lands  contained  between  the  forty-first  and 
forty-second  parallels  of  north  latitude,  and  from  Providence  plantations  on  the 
east,  to  the  Pacific  ocean  west,  with  the  exception  of  New  York  and  Pennsylvania 
colonies;  and,  indeed,  pretensions  to  these  were  not  finally  relinquished  without 
considerable  altercation.  And  after  the  United  States  became  an  independent 
nation,  these  interfering  claims  occasioned  much  collision  of  sentiment  between 


130 


THE  PUBLIC  LANDS  OF  OHIO. 


them  and  the  State  of  Connecticut,  which  was  finally  compromised  by  the  United 
States  relinquishing  all  their  claims  upon,  and  guaranteeing  to  Connecticut  the 
exclusive  right  of  soil  to  the  3,800,000  acres  now  described.  The  United  States, 
however,  by  the  terms  of  compromise,  reserved  to  themselves  the  right  of  juris- 
diction. They  then  united  this  tract  to  the  Territory,  now  State  of  Ohio. 

Fire-Lands^  a tract  of  country  so  called,  of  about  781  square  miles,  or  500,000 
acres,  in  the  western  part  of  New  Connecticut.  The  name  originated  from  the 
circumstance  of  the  State  of  Connecticut  having  granted  these  lands  in  1792,  as  a 
donation  to  certain  sufferers  by  fire,  occasioned  by  the  English  during  our  revo- 
lutionary war,  particularly  at  New  London,  Fairfield  and  Norwalk.  These  lands 
include  the  five  westernmost  ranges  of  the  Western  Reserve  townships.  Lake 
Erie  and  Sandusky  bay  project  so  far  southerly  as  to  leave  but  the  space  of  six 
tiers  and  some  fractions  of  townships  between  them  and  the  forty-first  parallel 
of  latitude,  or  a tract  of  about  thirty  by  twenty-seven  miles  in  extent. 

This  tract  is  surveyed  into  townships  of  about  five  miles  square 
each ; and  these  townships  are  then  subdivided  into  four  quarters ; 
and  these  quarter  townships  are  numbered  as  in  the  accompanying 
figure,  the  top  being  considered  north.  And  for  individual  conven- 
ience these  are  again  subdivided,  by  private  surveys,  into  lots  from 
fifty  to  five  hundred  acres  each,  to  suit  individual  purchasers. 

United  States  Military  Lands  are  so  called  from  the  circumstances  of  their  hav- 
ing been  appropriated,  by  an  act  of  Congress  of  the  1st  of  June,  1796,  to  satisfy 
certain  claims  of  the  officers  and  soldiers  of  the  revolutionary  war.  The  tract 
of  country  embracing  these  lands  is  bounded  as  follows  : beginning  at  the  north- 
west corner  of  the  original  VII  ranges  of  townships,  thence  south  50  miles,  thence 
west  to  the  Scioto  river,  thence  up  said  river  to  the  Greenville  treaty  line,  thence 
northeasterly  with  said  line  to  old  Fort  Laurens,  on  the  Tuscarawas  river,  thence 
due  east  to  the  place  of  beginning  ; including  a tract  of  about  4,000  square  miles, 
or  2,560,000  acres  of  land.  It  is,  of  course,  bounded  north  by  the  Greenville 
treaty  line,  east  by  the  “ VII  ranges  of  townships,”  south  by  the  Congress  and 
Refugee  lands,  and  west  by  the  Scioto  river. 

These  lands  are  surveyed  into  townships  of  five  miles  square.  These  town- 
ships were  then  again,  originally,  surveyed  into  quarter  townships  of  two  and  a 
half  miles  square,  containing  4,000  acres  each  ; and  subsequently  some  of  these 
quarter  townships  were  subdivided  into  forty  lots  of  100  acres  each,  for  the  accom- 
modation of  those  soldiers  holding  warrants  for  only  100  acres  each.  And  again 
after  the  time  originally  assigned  for  the  location  of  these  warrants  had  expired, 
certain  quarter  townships,  which  had  not  then  been  located,  were  divided  into 
sections  of  one  mile  squ-are  each,  and  sold  by  the  general  government  like  the  main 
body  of  Congress  lands. 

The  quarter  townships  are  numbered  as  exhibited  in  the  accom- 
panying figure,  the  top  being  considered  north.  The  place  of  each 
township  is  ascertained  by  numbers  and  ranges,  the  same  as  Congress 
lands  ; the_  ranges  being  numbered  from  east  to  west,  and  the  num- 
bers from  south  to  north. 

Virginia  Military  Lands  are  a body  of  land  lying  between  the  Scioto  and 
Little  Miami  rivers,  and  bounded  upon  the  Ohio  river  on  the  south.  The  State 
of  Virginia,  from  the  indefinite  and  vague  terms  of  expression  in  its  original 
colonial  charter  of  territory  from  James  I.,  king  of  England,  in  the  year  1609, 
claimed  all  the  continent  west  of  the  Ohio  river,  and  of  the  north  and  south 
breadth  of  Virginia.  But  finally,  among  several  other  compromises  of  conflict- 
ing claims  which  were  made,  subsequently  to  the  attainment  of  our  national  inde- 
pendence, Virginia  agreed  to  relinquish  all  her  claims  to  lands  northwest  of  the 
Ohio  river,  in  favor  of  the  general  government,  upon  condition  of  the  lands,  now 
described,  being  guaranteed  to  her.  The  State  of  Virginia  then  appropriated  this 
body  of  land  to  satisfy  the  claims  of  her  State  troops  employed  in  the  continental 
line  during  the  revolutionary  war. 

This  district  is  not  surveyed  into  townships  or  any  regular  form ; but  any 
individual  holding  a Virginia  military  land  warrant  may  locate  it  wherever  he 
chooses  within  the  district,  and  in  such  shape  as  he  pleases  wherever  the  land 
shall  not  previously  have  been  located.  In  consequence  of  this  deficiency  of 


THE  PUBLIC  LANDS  OF  OHIO. 


131 

regular  original  surveys,  and  the  irregularities  with  which  the  several  locations 
have  been  made,  and  the  consequent  interference  and  encroachment  of  some  loca- 
tions upon  others,  more  than  double  the  litigation  has  probably  arisen  between 
the  holders  of  adverse  titles,  in  this  district,  than  there  has  in  any  other  part  of  the 
State  of  equal  extent. 

Ohio  Cowpany^s  Purchase  is  a body  of  land  containing  about  1,500,000  acres ; 
including,  however,  the  donation  tract,  school  lands,  etc.,  lying  along  the  Ohio 
river;  and  including  Meigs,  nearly  all  of  Athens,  and  a considerable  part  of 
Washington  and  Gallia  counties.  This  tract  was  purchased  of  the  general  gov- 
ernment in  the  year  1787,  by  Manasseh  Cutler  and  Winthrop  Sargeant,  from  the 
neighborhood  of  Salem,  in  Massachusetts,  agents  for  the  “ Ohio  Company,”  so 
called,  which  had  been  then  formed  in  Massachusetts  for  the  purpose  of  a settle- 
ment in  the  Ohio  country.  Only  964,285  acres  were  ultimately  paid  for,  and 
of  course  patented.  This  body  of  land  was  then  apportioned  out  into  817  shares 
of  1,173  acres  each,  and  a town  lot  of  one-third  of  an  acre  to  each  share.  These 
shares  were  made  up  to  each  proprietor  in  tracts,  one  of  640  acres,  one  of  262,  one 
of  160,  one  of  100,  one  of  8,  and  another  of  3 acres,  besides  the  before-mentioned 
town  lot. 

Besides  every  section  16,  set  apart,  as  elsewhere,  for  the  support  of  schools, 
every  section  29  is  appropriated  for  the  support  of  religious  institutions.  In 
addition  to  which  were  also  granted  two  six  miles  square  townships  for  the  use 
of  a college. 

But  unfortunately  for  the  Ohio  Company,  owing  to  their  want  of  topographical 
knowledge  of  the  country,  the  body  of  land  selected  by  them,  with  some  partial 
exceptions,  is  the  most  hilly  and  sterile  of  any  tract  of  similar  extent  in  the 
State. 

Donation  Tract  is  a body  of  100,000  acres  set  off  in  the  northern  limits  of  the 
Ohio  Company’s  tract,  and  granted  to  them  by  Congress,  provided  they  should 
obtain  one  actual  settler  upon  each  hundred  acres  thereof  within  five  years  from 
the  date  of  the  grant;  and  that  so  much  of  the  100,000  acres  aforesaid,  as  should 
not  thus  be  taken  up,  shall  revert  to  the  general  government. 

This  tract  may,  in  some  respects,  be  considered  a part  of  the  Ohio  Company’s 
purchase.  It  is  situated  in  the  northern  limits  of  Washington  county.  It  lies 
in  an  oblong  shape,  extending  nearly  17  miles  from  east  to  west,  and  about  7^ 
from  north  to  south. 

Symmes’  PurchasCy  a tract  of  311,682  acres  of  land,  in  the  southwestern  quarter 
of  the  State,  between  the  Great  and  Little  Miami  rivers.  It  borders  on  the  Ohio 
river  a distance  of  27  miles,  and  extends  so  far  back  from  the  latter  between  the 
two  Miamis  as  to  include  the  quantity  of  land  just  mentioned.  It  was  patented 
to  John  Cleves  Symmes,  in  1794,  for  67  cents  an  acre.  Every  16th  section,  or 
square  mile,  in  each  township,  was  reserved  by  Congress  for  the  use  of  schools, 
and  sections  29  for  the  support  of  religious  institutions,  besides  15  acres  around 
Fort  Washington,  in  Cincinnati.  This  tract  of  country  is  now  one  of  the  most 
valuable  in  the  State. 

Refugee  Tracf  a body  of  100,000  acres  of  land  granted  by  Congress  to  certain 
individuals  who  left  the  British  provinces  during  the  revolutionary  war,  and  es- 
poused the  cause  of  freedom.  It  is  a narrow  strip  of  country  4^  miles  broad  from 
north  to  south,  and  extends  eastwardly  from  the  Scioto  river  48  miles.  It  has  the 
United  States  XX  ranges  of  military  or  army  lands  north,  and  XXII  ranges  of 
Congress  lands  south.  In  the  western  borders  of  this  tract  is  situated  the  town 
of  Columbus. 

French  Grants  a tract  of  24,000  acres  of  land  bordering  upon  the  Ohio  river,  in 
the  southeastern  quarter  of  Scioto  county.  It  was  granted  by  Congress,  in  March, 
1795,  to  a number  of  French  families,  who  lost  their  lands  at  Gallipolis  by  invalid 
titles.  Twelve  hundred  acres,  additional,  w'ere  afterwards  granted,  adjoining 
the  above-mentioned  tract  at  its  low^er  end,  toward  the  mouth  of  Little  Scioto  river. 

Dohrman’s  Grant  is  one  six  mile  square  township,  of  23,040  acres,  granted  to 
Arnold  Henry  Dohrman,  formerly  a wealthy  Portuguese  merchant  in  Lisbon,  for 
and  in  consideration  of  his  having,  during  the  revolutionary  war,  given  shelter 
and  aid  to  the  American  cruisers  and  vessels  of  war.  It  is  located  in  the  south- 
eastern part  of  Tuscarawas  county. 


) 


?32  THE  PUBLIC  LANES  OP  OHIO. 

Moravian  Lands  are  three  several  tracts  of  4,000  acres  each,  originally  granted 
by  the  old  Continental  Congress,  July,  1787,  and  confirmed,  by  the  act  of  Con- 
gress of  1st  June,  1796,  to  the  Moravian  brethren  at  Bethlehem,  in  Pennsylvania, 
in  trust  and  for  the  use  of  the  Christianized  Indians  living  thereon.  They  are 
laid  out  in  nearly  square  forms,  on  the  Muskingum  river,  in  what  is  now  Tusca- 
rawas county.  They  are  called  by  the  names  of  the  Shoenbrun,  Gnadenhutten 
and  Salem  tracts. 

Zauri’s  Tracts  are  three  several  tracts  of  one  mile  square  each — one  on  tlie 
Muskingum,  which  includes  the  town  of  Zanesville — one  at  the  cross  of  the 
Hocking  river,  on  which  the  town  of  Lancaster  is  laid  out — and  the  third,  on  the 
left  bank  of  the  Scioto  river,  opposite  Chillicothe.  They  were  granted  by  Con- 
gress to  one  Ebenezer  Zane,  in  May,  1796,  on  condition  that  he  should  open  a 
road  through  them  from  Wheeling,  in  Virginia,  to  Maysville,  in  Kentucky. 

There  are  also  three  other  tracts,  of  one  mile  square  each,  granted  to  Isaac 
Zane,  in  the  year  1802,  in  consideration  of  his  having  been  taken  prisoner  by  the 
Indians,  when  a boy,  during  the  revolutionary  war,  and  living  with  them  most 
of  his  life ; and  having,  during  that  time,  performed  many  acts  of  kindness  and 
beneficence  toward  the  American  people.  These  tracts  are  situated  in  Champaign 
county,  on  King’s  creek,  from  three  to  five  miles  northwest  from  Urbana. 

The  Maumee  Road  Lands  are  a body  of  lands  averaging  two  miles  wide,  lying 
along  one  mile  on  each  side  of  the  road  from  the  Maumee  river  at  Perrysburg  to 
the  western  limits  of  the  Western  Reserve,  a distance  of  about  46  miles;  and 
comprising  nearly  60,000  acres.  They  were  originally  granted  by  the  Indian 
owners,  at  the  treaty  of  Brownstown  in  1808,  to  enable  the  United  States  to  make 
a road  on  the  line  just  mentioned.  The  general  government  never  moved  in  the 
business  until  February,  1823,  when  Congress  passed  an  act  making  over  the 
aforesaid  land  to  the  State  of  Ohio ; provided  she  would,  within  four  years  there- 
after, make  and  keep  in  repair  a good  road  throughout  the  aforesaid  route  of  46 
miles.  This  road  the  State  government  has  already  made;  and  obtained  posses- 
sion and  sold  most  of  the  land. 

Turnpike  lands  are  forty-nine  sections,  amounting  to  31,360  acres,  situated  along 
the  western  side  of  the  Columbus  and  Sandusky  turnpike,  in  the  eastern  parts  of 
Seneca,  Crawford,  and  Marion  counties.  They  were  originally  granted  by  an  act 
of  Congress  on  the  3d  of  March,  1827,  and  more  specifically  by  a supplementary 
act  the  year  following.  The  considerations  for  which  these  lands  were  granted 
were,  that  the  mail  stages  and  all  troops  and  property  of  the  United  States  which 
should  ever  be  moved  and  transported  along  this  road  shall  pass  free  from  toll. 

The  Ohio  Canal  lands  are  lands  granted  by  Congress  to  the  State  of  Ohio  to  aid 
in  constructing  her  extensive  canals.  These  lands  comprise  over  1,000,000  of 
acres,  a large  proportion  of  which  is  now  (1847)  in  market. 

School  Lands. — By  compact  between  the  United  States  and  the  State  of  Ohio, 
when  the  latter  was  admitted  into  the  Union,  it  was  stipulated,  for  and  in  con- 
sideration that  the  State  of  Ohio  should  mever  tax  the  Congress  lands  until  after 
they  should  have  been  sold  five  years ; and  in  consideration  that  the  public  lands 
would  thereby  more  readily  sell,  that  the  one-thirty-sixth  part  of  all  the  territory 
included  within  the  limits  of  the  State  should  be  set  apart  for  the  support  of 
common  schools  therein.  And,  for  the  purpose  of  getting  at  lands  which  should 
in  point  of  quality  of  soil  be  on  an  average  with  the  whole  land  in  the  country, 
they  decreed  that  it  should  be  selected  by  lot,  in  small  tracts  each,  to  wit:  that 
it  should  consist  of  section  16,  let  that  section  be  good  or  bad,  in  every  township 
of  Congress  lands;  also  in  the  Ohio  Company,  and  in  Symmes’  purchases;  all  of 
which  townships  are  composed  of  thirty-six  sections  each;  and  for  the  United 
States  military  lands  and  Connecticut  Reserve,  a number  of  quarter  townships, 
two  and  one-half  miles  square  each  (being  the  smallest  public  surveys  therein 
then  made),  should  be  selected  by  the  Secretary  of  the  Treasury,  in  different 
places  throughout  the  United  States  military  tract,  equivalent  in  quantity  to  the 
one-thirty-sixth  part  of  those  two  tracts  respectively.  And  for  the  Virginia  mili- 
tary tract.  Congress  enacted  that  a quantity  of  land  equal  to  the  one-thirty-sixth 
part  of  the  estimated  quantity  of  land  contained  therein  should  be  selected  by 
lot,  in  what  was  fhen  called  the  “ New  Purchase,”  in  quarter  township  tracts  of 
three  miles  square  each.  Most  of  these  selections  were  accordingly  made ; but, 


THE  PUBLIC  LANDS  OF  OHIO. 


33 


in  some  instances,  by  the  carelessness  of  the  officers  conducting  the  sales,  or  from 
some  other  cause,  a few  sections  16  have  been  sold ; in  which  case  Congress, 
when  applied  to,  has  generally  granted  other  lands  in  lieu  thereof;  as,  for 
instance,  no  section  16  was  reserved  in  Montgomery  township,  in  which  Colum- 
bus is  situated ; and  Congress  afterwards  granted  therefor  section  21  in  the  town- 
ship cornering  thereon  to  the  southeast. 

College  townships  are  three  six  miles  square  townships  granted  by  Congress ; two 
of  them  to  the  Ohio  Company  for  the  use  of  a college  to  be  established  within 
their  purchase,  and  one  for  the  use  of  the  inhabitants  of  Symmes’  purchase. 

Ministerial  Lands. — In  both  the  Ohio  Company  and  in  Symmes’  purchase  every 
section  29  (equal  to  one-thirty-sixth  part  of  every  township)  is  reserved  as  a per- 
manent fund  for  the  support  of  a settled  minister.  As  the  purchasers  of  these  two 
tracts  came  from  parts  of  the  Union  where  it  was  customary  and  deemed  neces- 
sary to  have  a regular  settled  clergyman  in  every  town,  they  therefore  stipulated 
in  their  original  purchase  that  a permanent  fund  in  land  should  thus  be  set  apart 
for  this  purchase.  In  no  other  part  of  the  State,  other  than  in  these  two  pur- 
chases, are  any  lands  set  apart  for  this  object. 

Salt  Sections. — Near  the  centre  of  what  is  now  (1847)  Jackson  county  Congress 
originally  reserved  from  sale  thirty-six  sections,  or  one  six  mile  square  township, 
around  and  including  what  was  called  the  Scioto  salt-licks;  also  one-quarter  of 
a five  mile  square  township  in  what  is  now  Delaware  county ; in  all,  forty-two 
and  a quarter  sections,  or  27,040  acres.  By  an  act  of  Congress  of  the  28th  of 
December,  1824,  the  legislature  of  Ohio  was  authorized  to  sell  these  lands,  and  to 
apply  the  proceeds  thereof  to  such  literary  purposes  as  said  legislature  may  think 
proper ; but  to  no  other  purpose  whatever. 


To  the  foregoing  article  of  Kilbourne  we  append  Tract  No.  61  of  the  Western 
Reserve  and  Northern  Ohio  Historical  Society,”  by  the  late  Col.  Charlej' 
Whittlesey,  and  entitled  • 


SURVEYS  OF  THE  PUBLIC  LANDS  IN  OHIO. 

The  surveys  of  the  government  lands  were  commenced  in  July,  1786,  under 
the  management  of  Thomas  Hutchins,  the  geographer  of  the  United  States. 
There  were  surveyors  appointed — one  from  each  State ; but  only  nine  entered 
upon  the  work  in  1786.  Among  them  were  Anselm  Tupper,  Joseph  Buell,  and 
John  Matthews.  Rufus  Putnam  was  appointed  from  Massachusetts,  but  was 
then  engaged  in  surveys  in  what  is  now  the  State  of  Maine. 

The  geographer  planted  his  Jacobstaff  on  the  Pennsylvania  line  at  the  north 
bank  of  the  Ohio  river.  Having  been  one  of  the  Pennsylvania  commissioners  on 
the  western  boundary  in  1784,'*'  he  was  familiar  with  the  country  from  the  Ohio 
river  to  Lake  Erie.  He  ran  a line  west  over  the  hills  of  Columbiana  and  Carroll 
counties  in  person,  now  known  as  the  “ Geographer’s  Line,”  a distance  of  forty- 
two  miles.  At  each  mile  a post  was  set  and  on  each  side  witness-trees  were 
marked.  Every  six  miles  was  a town  corner.  From  these  corners  surveyors 
ran  the  meridian  or  range  lines  south  to  the  Ohio,  and  the  east  and  west  town 
lines. 

Hutchins  began  the  numbers  of  the  sections,  or  No.  1 at  the  southeast  corner 
of  :the  township,  thence  north  to  the  northeast  corner.  The  next  tier  began  with 
No.  7 on  the  south  line,  and  so  on,  terminating  with  No.  36  at  the  northwest 
corner.  This  system  of  numbering  was  followed  in  the  survey  of  the  Ohio  Com- 


* The  best  astronomical  and  mathematical  talent  of  the  colonies  was  employed  on  the  western  boundary 
of  Pennsylvania,  which  had  long  been  contested  by  Virginia.  It  was  fixed  by  a transit  sighting  from 
hill  to  hill,  the  timber  cut  away,  so  that  the  instrument  could  be  reversed  and  thus  cover  three  stations, 
often  several  miles  apart.  As  the  monuments  put  up  by  the  surveyors  were  nearly  all  of  wood,  there 
were  few  of  them  visible  in  1796,  when  the  surveyors  of  the  Western  Reserve  began  their  work.  The 
vista  cut  through  the  woods  on  the  summit  of  the  hills  to  open  the  Pennsylvania  line  had  nearly 
disappeared  when  the  country  was  cleared  for  settlement.  On  this  survey,  when  the  Ohio  river  was 
reached  the  Virginia  commissioners  retired,  because  that  State  had  ceded  the  country  north  of  the 
Ohio. 


134 


THE  PUBLIC  LANDS  OF  OHIO. 


pany’s  purchase  and  in  the  Symmes  purchase.  It  was  changed  to  the  present 
system  by  the  act  of  1799,  without  any  apparent  reason.  The  towns  in  the  seven 
ranges  were,  by  law,  numbered  from  the  Ohio  river  northward,  and  the  ranges 
from  the  Pennsylvania  line  westward.  In  the  history  of  land  surveys  this  is  the 
first  application  of  the  rectangular  system  of  lots  in  squares  of  one  mile,  with 
meridian  lines,  and  corner  posts  at  each  mile,  where  the  number  of  the  section^ 
town,  and  range  was  put  on  the  witness-trees  in  letters  and  figures.  It  should  be 
regarded  as  one  of  the  great  American  inventions,  and  the  credit  of  it  is  due  to 
Hutchins,  who  conceived  it  in  1764  when  he  was  a captain  in  the  Sixtieth  Royal- 
American  regiment,  and  engineer  to  the  expedition  under  Col.  Henry  Bouquet  to 
the  Forks  of  the  Muskingum,  in  what  is  now  Coshocton  county.  It  formed  a 
part  of  his  plan  for  military  colonies  north  of  the  Ohio,  as  a protection  against 


Indians.  The  law  of  1785  embraced  most  of  the  details  of  the  new  system.  It 
was  afterwards  adopted  by  the  State  of  Massachusetts  in  the  surveys  of  her  timber 
lands  in  the  province  of  Maine,  and  by  the  purchasers  of  her  lands  within  the 
State  of  New  York,  also  by  the  managers  of  the  Holland  purchase  in  Western 
New  York  and  the  State  of  Connecticut  on  the  Western  Reserve. 

Although  the  Indian  tribes  had  ceded  Southern  Ohio  to  the  United  States, 
they  were  bitterly  opposed  to  its  survey  and  settlement  by  white  people.  They 
were  so  hostile  that  troops  were  detailed  from  Fort  Harmar  for  the  protection  of 
surveyors.  The  geographer’s  line  ended  on  the  heights  south  of  Sandyville,  in 
Stark  county,  about  three  miles  east  of  Bolivar.  In  September,  1786,  Major 
Doughty,  of  Colonel  Harmar’s  Battalion,  advised  them  that  he  could  not  guar- 
antee their  safety.  The  subdivision  of  very  few  townships  was  completed  that 
year.  In  1787  the  work  was  pushed  more  rapidly.  The  west  line  of  the  seven 


THE  PUBLIC  LANDS  OF  OHIO. 


135 


ranges,  as  they  have  ever  since  been  designated,  was  continued  southward  to  the 
Ohio  river,  a few  miles  above  Marietta,  being  about  fourteen  (14)  towns  or  eighty- 
four  miles  in  length. 

The  meridian  lines  of  the  seven  ranges  diverged  to  the  right,  or  to  the  west,  as 
they  were  extended  southerly.  The  magnetic  variation  was  seldom  corrected. 
The  country  was  rough,  and  revengeful  savages  lurked  in  the  surrounding  forest. 
The  work  of  these  brave  men  should  not  be  closely  criticised,  even  where  there 
are  some  irregularities. 

The  variation  of  the  needle  in  1786  must  have  been  about  (2)  two  degrees  east, 
decreasing  about  (2'  30")  two  and  one-half  minutes  yearly.  If  the  magnetic 
meridian  was  followed,  the  result  would  be  a deviation  from  the  true  meridian, 
and  going  south  would  be  to  the  west,  and  the  departure  would  be  sixteen  chains^ 
eighty  links  for  each  township.  No  account  was  then  taken  of  the  divergence  of 
meridians,  which  in  working  southward  amounted  in  a degree  of  sixty-nine  and 
one-half  miles  to  about  eight  chains.  Not  less  than  an  entire  section  was  offered 
for  sale,  and  the  priee  was  two  dollars  per  acre.  Supplies  were  brought  to  the 
lines  from  Fort  Steuben  (now  Steubenville)  through  the  woods  on  pack  horses. 
By  the  act  of  May  18,  1796,  the  tract  north  of  the  geographer’s  line  to  the 
Western  Reserve  was  directed  to  be  surveyed,  but  it  was  not  until  1810  that  the 
sections  were  closed  up  to  that  line. 

A discussion  having  arisen  between  the  Connecticut  Land  Company  and  the 
Federal  Government,  as  to  the  location  of  the  forty-first  parallel  of  latitude, 
Surveyor-General  Professor  Mansfield  was  directed  to  examine  the  line,  in  that 
year,  who  advised  that  it  be  not  disturbed. 

After  the  death  of  Geographer  Hutchins,  in  April,  1789,  the  entire  management 
of  the  surveys  devolved  upon  the  Board  of  the  Treasury,  until  the  Constitution 
of  1787  went  into  operation,  and  for  some  years  after.  Before  the  Constitution 
there  was  no  Federal  executive,  or  cabinet,  and  executive  business  was  transacted 
by  committees,  or  boards  filled  by  members  of  Congress,  subject  to  the  direction 
of  Congress.  Legislation  was  a very  simple  matter.  A convention  of  delegates 
from  the  several  States,  in  such  numbers  as  they  chose  to  select  and  to  pay,  each 
State  having  one  vote,  constituted  the  supreme  power.  Their  legislative  acts 
took  the  form  of  resolutions  and  ordinances,  which  were  final.  As  early  as 
August,  1776,  it  was  resolved  to  give  bounties  in  land,  to  soldiers  and  officers  in 
the  war  of  liberation.  A tract  was  directed  to  be  surveyed  for  this  purpose  in 
Ohio,  in  1796.  It  is  still  known  as  the  '"'Military  bounty  lands, lying  next  west 
of  the  seven  ranges,  fifty  miles  down  the  line  to  the  south,  bounded  north  by  the 
treaty  line  of  1795,  and  extending  west  to  the  Scioto  river.  Its  southwest  corner 
is  near  Columbus.  For  this  tract  the  surveyors  were  able  to  bring  supplies  up 
the  Muskingum  and  the  Scioto  rivers  in  boats.  In  the  bounty  lands  the  townships 
were  directed  to  be  five  miles  square,  with  subdivisions  into  quarters,  containing 
4,000  acres.  The  allotment  of  the  quarter  towns  was  left  to  the  owners. 

It  was  not  until  1799  that  the  surveys  were  again  placed  in  charge  of  a special 
officer,  with  the  title  of  surveyor-general. 

General  Rufus  Putnam,  of  Marietta,  was  appointed  to  the  place,  which  he  held 
until  the  State  of  Ohio  was  admitted  into  the  Union.  Putnam  was  a self-taught 
mathematician,  surveyor  and  engineer,  on  whom  Washington  relied  for  the  con- 
struction of  the  lines  investing  the  city  of  Boston  in  1775-1776.  He  compre- 
hended at  once  the  rectangular  system  of  surveys,  and  so  did  the  surveyors  of 
the  New  England  States.  He  served  until  the  State  of  Ohio  was  organized  in 
1803  and  was  succeeded  by  Jared  Mansfield,  of  the  United  States  Military  En- 
gineers. Both  these  gentlemen  were  for  their  times  accomplished  mathematicians 
and  engineers. 

The  sale  of  lands  in  the  seven  ranges  was  so  slow,  that  there  was  for  several 
years  no  necessity  for  additional  surveys.  At  two  dollars  per  acre,  and  in  tracts 
of  not  less  than  a section  of  640  acres,  the  western  emigrant  could  do  better  in 
other  parts  of  Ohio  and  in  Kentucky.  The  purchasers  of  the  Symmes’  purchase 
paid  for  the  entire  tract  sixty-seven  cents  per  acre.  On  the  Reserve  the  State  of 
Connectieut  offered  her  lands  at  fifty  cents. 

In  the  Virginia  military  reservation,  the  whole  was  available  in  State  warrants 
that  were  very  cheap.  The  Ohio  Company  paid  principally  in  continental  cer- 
tificates. 


136 


THE  PUBLIC  LANDS  OF  OHIO. 


After  1796  the  military  bounty  land  came  in  competition,  which  could  be  had 
in  tracts  of  4,000  acres  for  bounty  certificates,  issued  under  the  resolutions  of  1776 
and  1780.  In  1795  the  Western  Reserve  was  sold  in  a body  at  about  forty  cents 
per  acre.  These  large  blocks  covered  full  half  of  the  State  of  Ohio. 

By  the  act  of  May  18,  1796,  additional  surveys  were  provided  for.  First:  In 
the  district  between  the  Ohio  Company  and  the  Scioto  river.  Here  it  was  found 
that  a correctional  meridian  was  necessary,  because  of  the  excess  in  the  sections, 
abutting  on  the  west  line  of  the  company  at  range  fifteen.*  The  correction  was 
made  by  establishing  a true  meridian  between  ranges  seventeen  and  eighteen  with 
sections  of  an  exact  mile  square.  Between  the  Ohio  river  and  Hampden,  in 
Vinton  county,  the  correction  north  and  south  amounted  to  a mile.  The  errors 
from  the  variation  of  the  needle  were  such  that  quarter  sections  abutting  on  the 
true  meridian  on  the  east,  were  nearly  as  large  as  full  sections  on  the  west. 

There  are  also  discrepancies  on  the  north  line  of  the  Ohio  Company,  especially 
between  Hocking  and  Perry  counties.  On  the  south  side  the  sections  overrun  in 
some  instances  twenty  acres.  On  the  north,  the  government  surveys  are  some- 
times short  25  to  28  acres.  On  the  county  maps  in  the  Symmes’  purchase,  the 
section  lines  present  a singular  appearance.  Their  east  and  west  boundaries  are 
the  most  irregular,  especially  in  the  later  surveys.  This  difference  is  due  not  so 
much  to  the  compass  as  the  chain,  and  the  allowance  for  rough  ground.  Land 
was  of  so  little  value  that  very  little  care  was  given  to  the  accuracy  of  surveys. 

Secondly : By  the  same  act,  seven  ranges  were  to  be  surveyed  on  the  Ohio  river, 
next  west  of  the  first  meridian,  now  in  Indiana ; also  in  the  country  between  this 
meridian  and  the  great  Miami.  In  both  tracts,  the  towns  were  numbered  from 
the  river  northward.  Quarter  posts  were  required  at  each  half  mile,  and  the  land 
was  offered  in  half  sections,  to  be  divided  by  the  purchaser,  the  price  remaining 
at  two  dollars  per  acre. 

It  was  not  until  after  the  war  of  1812-15,  and  the  conquest  of  the  Indian  ter- 
ritory north  of  Wayne’s  treaty  line,  that  surveys  were  ordered  in  the  northwest 
quarter  of  Ohio.  For  this-  tract  a base  line  was  run  on  or  near  the  forty-first 
parallel  of  latitude,  corresponding  to  the  south  line  of  the  Reserve.  The  ranges 
were  numbered  east  from  the  first  meridian,  being  the  west  line  of  Ohio,  and  the 
towns  numbered  north  and  south  from  the  base.  It  is  seventeen  ranges  east  to 
the  west  line  of  the  Reserve,  and  from  the  Pennsylvania  line  twenty-one  ranges 
west,  making  the  breadth  of  the  State  about  228  miles. 

From  1779  to  1785  parties  holding  Virginia  State  land  warrants  located  them 
on  the  north  side  of  the  Ohio.  This  was  done  against  the  law  of  Virginia  and 
her  cession  of  1784.  The  valley  of  the  Hocking  river  was  occupied  as  far  as 
Logan  when,  in  the  fall  of  1785,  the  claimants  were  removed  by  the  United  States 
troops.  Probably  these  claims  had  been  surveyed.  In  the  Virginia  military 
tract  the  private  surveys  were  so  loose  as  to  be  entirely  useless  for  geographical 
purposes.  In  order  to  fix  the  Little  Miami  river  on  the  official  maps,  an  east  and 
west  line  was  run  from  near  Chillicothe  through  the  reservation,  connecting  the 
United  States  surveys  from  the  Scioto  river  to  the  Little  Miami.  According  to 
the  present  practice  there  are  corrective  lines  and  guide  meridians  within  thirty 
to  fifty  miles  of  each  other.  The  towns  and  sections  are  thus  made  nearly  equal 
by  these  frequent  checks  upon  errors  of  chaining,  of  the  variation  of  the  needle, 
and  the  convergence  of  meridians.  It  was  not  until  1804  that  sales  were  made 
in  quarter  sections,  and  it  was  1820  before  the  price  was  fixed  at  $1.25  per  acre, 
which  could  be  located  in  half  or  quarter  sections  as  it  has  been  ever  since. 


'*  See  line  A A of  plan. 


HISTORY  OF  EDUCATIONAL  PROGRESS  IN  OHIO, 

By  George  W.  Knight,  Ph.  D., 

Professor  of  History  and  Political  Science  in  Ohio  State  University. 

George  Wells  Knight  was  born  June  25, 

1858,  at  Ann  Arbor,  Michigan,  of  New  York  and 
New  England  parentage,  and  through  his  mother 
is  a lineal  descendant  of  William  Bradford,  second 
Governor  of  the  Plymouth  colony.  He  was  edu- 
cated in  the  public  schools  of  Ann  Arbor,  being 
graduated  from  the  high  school  in  1874,  and  at  the 
University  of  Michigan,  from  which  he  was 
graduated  in  1878  in  the  classical  course.  After 
studying  law  for  a year  at  the  university  he  was 
for  two  years  principal  of  the  high  school  at  Lan- 
sing, Michigan.  He  was  married  in  January, 

1882,  to  Marietta  A.  Barnes,  of  Lansing,  a gradu- 
ate of  Vassar  College.  Having  had  from  his  youth 
a special  fondness  for  history  and  political  science 
he  returned  to  Ann  Arbor  and  continued  his 
studies  in  those  lines  at  the  university,  receiving 
the  degree  of  Doctor  of  Philosophy  in  1884.  After 
teaching  history  for  a year  in  Ann  Arbor  he  was 
elected  professor  of  history  and  English  literature 
in  the  Ohio  State  University  at  Columbus,  and  in 
1887,  by  a rearrangement  of  the  teaching  force, 
became  professor  of  history  and  political  science 
in  the  same  institution.  In  1885  he  published 
through  the  American  Historical  Association  a 
work  on  “ The  History  and  Management  of  Land 
Grants  for  Education  in  the  Northwest  Territory.” 

In  1887  he  was  made  managing  editor  of  the 
Ohio  ArchcBO logical  and  Historical  Quarterly,  the 
oflScial  publication  of  the  State  Historical  So- 
ciety. 

COMMON  SCHOOL  ENDOWMENT  AND  TAXATION. 

In  few  regions  into  which  civilization  has  advanced  have  the  educational  be- 
ginnings been  made  before  settlements  were  planted  and  the  children  actually 
needed  school  facilities.  The  history  of  education,  or  of  the  provisions  for  it,  in 
Ohio  commenced,  however,  before  there  was  an  American  settlement  northwest 
of  the  Ohio  river  or  any  wave  of  migration  was  rolling  towards  the  wilderness 
between  the  great  lakes  and  “ the  beautiful  river.” 

In  an  ordinance  passed  by  Congress  in  1785  for  the  survey  and  sale  of  the 
western  lands,  it  was  provided  that  section  sixteen,  or  one  thirty-sixth,  of  every 
township  included  under  the  ordinance  should  be  reserved  from  sale  for  the 
maintenance  of  public  schools  within  the  township.  This  reservation  was  made 
not  because  Congress  especially  desired  to  foster  education  at  public  expense,  but 
rather  as  an  inducement  to  migration  and  the  purchase  of  land  by  settlers.  In 
1787  the  famous  ordinance  for  the  government  of  the  Northwest  Territory  de- 
clared that  “ schools  and  the  means  of  education  shall  forever  be  encouraged,” 
thus  pledging  both  the  general  government  and  the  future  States  to  provide  in 
some  manner  for  public  schools.  In  the  same  year,  in  the  contract  between  the 
Board  of  Treasury  and  the  Ohio  Company,  it  was  specified  that  one  section  in 
each  township  of  the  purchase  should  be  reserved  for  common  schools  and  “ not 
more  than  two  complete  townships  ” should  be  “ given  perpetually  for  the  pur- 
poses of  an  university.”  A little  later,  by  the  contract  for  the  Symmes  purchase 
along  the  Little  Miami,  one  township,  in  addition  to  the  usual  school  sections, 

(137) 


GEO.  W.  KNIGHT. 


EDUCATIONAL  PROGRESS  IN  OHIO. 


138 

was  set  aside  for  the  benefit  of  “ an  academy  and  other  public  schools  and  sem- 
inaries of  learning.” 

Two  things  should  be  noted  in  this  connection  : First,  the  foregoing  provisions 
were  all  made  before  any  settlement  was  planted  within  the  territory  to  which 
they  applied ; second,  whatever  the  original  intention  of  Congress  may  have 
been,  these  grants  established,  once  for  all,  the  idea  that  it  is  the  duty  of  the 
American  State  to  provide  schools  for  its  children  and  that  it  is  the  part  of  wis- 
dom for  Congress,  both  as  a land-owner  and  a governing  body,  to  take  measures 
which  shall  ensure  the  establishment  and  assist  in  the  maintenance  by  the  States 
of  public  schools  and  colleges. 

As  these  lands  were  at  first  merely  reserved  from  sale  and  settlement,  no  steps 
were  taken  by  the  territorial  Legislature  to  apply  them  to  the  intended  purpose. 
When  Ohio  became  a State  the  school  lands  already  reserved  were  granted  to  the 
State  to  be  disposed  of  by  the  Legislature.  Provision  was  also  made  whereby  in 
the  Western  Reserve,  the  United  States  and  the  Virginia  Military  Districts,  not 
included  in  the  earlier  legislation,  one  thirty-sixth  of  the  land  should  be  de- 
voted to  schools.  This  act  terminated  the  direct  relations  of  the  United  States 
to  the  schools  of  Ohio  and  left  in  the  hands  of  the  Legislature  a splendid  school 
endowment  of  704,000  acres  of  land. 

The  Constitution  of  1802,  repeating  the  famous  educational  clause  of  the  or- 
dinance of  1787,  made  it  the  duty  of  the  Legislature  to  carry  out  its  intent.  It 
also  provided  that  all  schools,  academies  and  colleges  founded  upon  or  supported 
by  revenues  from  the  land-grants  should  be  open  “ for  the  reception  of  scholars, 
students  and  teachers  of  every  grade  without  any  distinction  or  preference  what- 
ever.” The  Constitution  of  1851  was  far  more  specific  and  shows  by  its  provisions 
that  there  had  grown  up  by  that  time  a positive  demand  for  public  schools.  In  plain 
terms  it  declares  the  duty  of  the  General  Assembly  to  provide  by  taxation  or  other- 
wise “ a thorough  and  efficient  system  of  common  schools  throughout  the  State.” 

Such  have  been  the  organic  provisions  and  constitutional  obligations  assumed 
by  the  people  of  Ohio  in  regard  to  public  education.  What  has  the  State  done 
in  fulfilling  these  duties?  As  Ohio  was  the  first  State  coming  into  possession  of 
an  extensive  land  endowment  for  education,  she  had  no  precedents  to  follow  and 
could  look  to  no  older  State  for  ideas  concerning  its  management.  Only  the  in- 
come arising  from  the  proceeds  of  the  lands  could  be  expended.  The  fund  itself 
must  remain  intact  forever.  The  policy  of  leasing  the  lands  was  first  adopted, 
and  all  laws  on  the  subject  until  1827  provided  for  leases  of  various  periods  and 
terms,  the  rents  “to  be  impartially  applied  to  the  education  of  the  youths”  in 
the  several  townships.  The  character  of  the  leases,  the  low  appraisals  of  the 
lands  and  the  terms  of  payment  authorized  show  conclusively  that  during  the 
greater  part  of  this  time  the  interests  of  the  lessees  were  more  carefully  guarded 
by  the  Legislature  than  were  those  of  the  schools.  Several  special  legislative 
committees  were  appointed  between  1820  and  1825  to  investigate  abuses  in  the 
management  of  the  school  lands,  and  as  a result  the  policy  of  leasing  was 
abandoned  and  provision  made  for  selling  the  lands  and  investing  the  proceeds. 
It  was  expected  that  by  this  change  the  school  fund  would  be  benefited  and  the 
income  increased.  The  statute-books  and  executive  reports  from  this  time  con- 
tain a curious  mixture  of  wise  and  unwise  suggestion  and  legislation  and  many 
complicated  transactions  concerning  this  trust  fund.  Without  stopping  to  re- 
count these  measures,  not  all  of  them  creditable  to  the  wisdom  and  honor  of  the 
General  Assembly,  it  may  be  said  that  nearly  all  of  the  school  lands  have  long 
since  been  sold,  and  that  those  unsold  are  under  perpetual  lease  at  an  extremely 
low  rental.  As  fast  as  the  lands  were  sold  the  proceeds  were  paid  into  the  State 
treasury,  and  the  State  has  pledged  itself  to  pay  six  per  cent,  interest  thereon 
forever,  the  interest  being  annually  distributed  among  the  various  townships  and 
districts  for  school  purposes.  As  a matter  of  fact  the  fund  itself  has  been  bor- 
rowed and  spent  by  the  State  and  the  annual  interest  is  raised  by  taxation.  The 
fund  thus  exists  only  on  the  books  of  the  State  and  merely  constitutes  a legal 
and  moral  obligation  on  the  part  of  the  people  to  tax  themselves  a certain  amount 
annually  for  school  purposes.  That  this  disposition  of  the  fund  was  never  con- 
templated when  the  grant  was  made  cannot  be  questioned.  Of  the  original  grant 
of  704^488  acres  about  665,000  acres  have  been  sold,  producing  a fund  of  $3,829,- 


EDUCATIONAL  PROGRESS  IN  OHIO. 


139 


551.06,  which  yielded  ar?  income  in  1887  of  $229,392.90,  to  which  should  be  added 
the  rents  of  the  unsold  lands,  making  a total  income  from  the  Congressional  land- 
grant  of  about  $240,000. 

In  the  course  of  a careful  study  of  this  subject  a few  years  since  the  writer  of 
the  present  sketch  reached  the  following  conclusions : 

“ That  the  possibilities  of  the  grant  have  not  been  realized  is  acknowledged 
and  regretted  by  all.  The  great  underlying  cause  was  one  by  no  means  peculiar 
to  Ohicr  or  to  the  times — the  failure  to  appreciate  the  responsibility  imposed  upon 
the  State  in  guarding  this  immense  trust.  It  seems  undeniable  that  many  of 
her  lands  were  forced  into  market  in  advance  of  any  call  for  their  sale.  So  long 
as  the  State  was  the  guardian  of  the  property  it  ought  not  to  have  sanctioned 
proceedings  which  sold  land  for  five,  ten  or  twenty  per  cent,  of  what  might  have 
been  realized. 

“ Yet,  even  though  much  has  been  wasted,  the  grants  have  been  instrumental, 
in  a degree  that  cannot  be  estimated  in  mere  dollars  and  cents,  in  promoting  the 
cause  of  education.  Perhaps  the  greatest  benefit  rendered  by  the  funds  has  been 
in  fostering  among  the  people  a desire  for  good  schools.  The  funds  have  made 
practicable  a system  of  education  which  without  them  it  would  have  been  im- 
possible to  establish.” 

For  many  years  both  before  and  after  the  land  grant  began  to  produce  any  in- 
come, whatever  schools  were  in  existence  in  Ohio  were  sustained  wholly  or  prin- 
cipally by  private  subscription,  and  by  rate  bills  paid  by  those  whose  children 
attended  the  schools.  These  were  hardly  public  schools  and  certainly  not  free 
schools  since,  like  academies  or  denominational  colleges,  they  were  open’ only  to 
those  who  could  afford  to  pay  for  the  tuition. 

In  1821  the  first  law  was  passed  that  authorized  the  levying  of  a tax  for  the 
support  of  schools.  By  this  law  authority  was  given  for  the  division  of  townships 
into  school  districts,  and  for  the  election  of  district  school  committees,  who  might 
erect  school-houses  and  lay  a school  tax  not  greater  than  one-half  the  State  and 
county  tax.  While  this  law  committed  the  State  to  the  idea  of  taxation  for  the 
support  of  schools  it  was  a permission,  not  a compulsory  law,  and  was  not  de- 
signed to  make  “ free  public  schools ; ” for  the  proceeds  of  the  tax  were  to  be  used 
only  for  buying  land,  erecting  buildings,  and  making  up  the  deficiency  that  may 
accrue  by  the  schooling  of  children  whose  parents  or  guardians  are  unable  to  pay 
for  the  same.”  The  day  of  free  schools  had  not  yet  arrived.  But  the  idea  of  local 
taxation  for  the  maintenance  of  schools  has  developed  from  1821  to  the  present, 
and  in  1887  the  local  taxes  in  Ohio  for  school  purposes  aggregated  $7,445,399.02. 

In  1838  a State  Common  School  Fund  of  $200,000  was  established,  made  up  from 
various  sources.  This  sum  was  to  be  annually  raised  and  distributed  among  the 
various  school  districts,  in  addition  to  the  income  from  the  lands  and  to  the  local 
taxes  for  schools.  This  law  marks  the  beginning  of  general  State  taxation  for 
school  purposes.  In  1842  this  fund  was  reduced  to  $150,000,  in  1851  raised  to 
$300,000  per  annum,  and  in  1853  abolished. 

In  1825  a law  was  passed  levying  in  every  county  a uniform  tax  of  one-half 
mill  on  the  dollar  for  school  purposes.  This,  too,  was  in  addition  to  the  local 
township  and  district  taxes.  The  rate  of  this  levy  was  modified  at  various  times 
until  1853,  when  the  whole  system  of  general  taxation  for  school  purposes  was 
revised.  The  township  and  district  taxes  were  left  unchanged,  but  all  other  laws 
providing  revenue  for  schools  by  taxation  were  repealed,  and  in  their  place  “ for 
the  purpose  of  affording  the  advantages  of  a jree  education  to  all  the  youth  of 
this  State”  a “State  Common  School  Fund”  was  established  consisting  of  the  pro- 
ceeds of  a tax  of  two  mills  upon  the  dollar  on  all  taxable  property.  These  pro- 
ceeds were  to  be  annually  distributed  to  each  county  “ in  proportion  to  the 
enumeration  of  scholars.”  This  tax  has  since  1871  consisted  of  one  mill  on  the 
dollar,  but  the  valuation  of  taxable  property  has  so  increased  that  the  proceeds 
have  not  diminished.  In  1887  the  fund  from  this  source  amounted  to 
$1,678,561.12. 

Since  1827  fines  for  many  petty  offences  have,  when  collected,  been  paid  over 
to  the  township  treasury  for  the  use  of  common  schools.  In  1887  these  and 
certain  local  license  fees  devoted  to  the  same  purpose  aggregated  $372,685.62. 

The  following  table  shows  the  growth  of  the  educational  system  of  the  State 


140 


EDUCATIONAL  PROGRESS  IN  OHIO, 


during  the  last  thirty  years.  Complete  figures  for  earlier  years  are  not  ac- 
cessible. 


Ohio. 

1857. 

1867. 

1877. 

1887. 

Number  of  School-houses  . 

9,795. 

11,353. 

11,916. 

12,'589. 

Income  from  land  grants  . . 

Common  School  Fund  (State 

Tax) 

Fines,  licenses,  etc 

Sale  of  bonds 

Local  (township  and  district) 
Taxes 

$137,533  21 

1,070,767  72 
96,086  57 

530,353  19 

$221,800  10 

1,409,403  50 
208,660  92 

3,019,055  72 

$233,660  62 

1,528,278  86 
215,382  10 
328,609  52 

5,569,972  96 

$242,636  76 

1,678,561  12 
372,685  62 
494,011  12 

7,445,399  02 

Total  income  (excluding  bal- 
ances from  previous  year) . 

$1,834,740  69 

$4,858,920  24 

$7,875,904  06 

$10,233,293  64 

Total  youth  between  6 and  2 1 
Average  fund  per  capita  . . 

838,037 
$2  19 

995,250 
$4  88 

1,025,635 
$7  68 

1,102,721 
$9  28 

Total  children  enrolled  in 

Schools 

Average  fund  per  child  en- 
rolled   

603,347 

$3  04 

704,767 

$6  89 

722,240 

$10  90 

767,030 

$13  34 

THE  BEGINNING  OF  THE  SCHOOLS. 

Few  records  of  the  primitive  schools  of  Ohio  have  been  preserved.  Nearly 
everything  else  of  interest,  and  much  that  is  not,  of  the  doings  of  the  pioneers 
have  been  faithfully  recorded  in  various  places,  while  little  has  been  said  of  the 
schools. 

Ohio  was  made  up  of  settlers  from  various  parts  of  the  East.  They  generally 
came  in  groups  and  located  in  groups,  and  the  educational  and  religious  character 
of  each  of  these  groups  or  villages  depended  mainl}^  upon  the  previous  training 
and  habits  of  the  pioneers.  As  this  training  had  differed  in  different  ones  of  the 
old  States  so  the  educational  development  of  the  settlements  in  Ohio  differed 
widely,  and  these  differences  have  not  even  to-day  entirely  disappeared.  In  set- 
tlements planted  by  New  Englanders  schools  almost  immediately  sprang  up,  while 
in  those  made  by  pioneers  from  some  of  the  central  and  southern  States  education 
received  far  less  attention  at  the  outset. 

The  records  of  the  Ohio  Company  show  that  on  March  5, 1788,  a resolution  was 
adopted  by  the  directors  to  employ  “ for  the  education  of  the  youth  and  the  pro- 
motion of  public  worship  among  the  first  settlers,”  an  instructor  eminent  for 
literary  accomplishments  and  the  virtue  of  his  character,  who  shall  also  superin- 
tend the  first  scholastic  institutions  and  direct  the  manner  of  instruction.”  Under 
this  resolution  Rev.  Daniel  Story  was  employed,  and  began  his  services  as  preacher 
and  teacher  at  Marietta  in  the  spring  of  1789.  In  July,  1790,  the  directors  appro- 
priated $150  for  the  support  of  schools  at  Marietta,  Belpre,  and  Waterford. 
Again  in  1791  money  was  appropriated  by  the  Ohio  Company  to  assist  in  main- 
taining schools  in  the  same  places  and  “ to  engage  teachers  of  such  a character  as 
shall  be  approved  by  the  directors.” 

Hildreth  says  that  “notwithstanding  the  poverty  and  privations  of  the  inhab- 
itants of  the  garrison,  schools  were  kept  up  for  the  instruction  of  their  children 
in  reading,  writing,  and  arithmetic  nearly  all  the  time  during  the  Indian  war.” 


EDUCATIONAL  ' PROGRESS  IN  OHIO. 


f4# 

'T'ne  funds  were  provided  partly  by  the  Ohio  Company  and  partly  from  the  lank 
pockets  of  the  settlers.  Among  the  early  teachers  at  Marietta  were  Jonathan 
Baldwin^  Mr.  Curtis,  and  Dr.  Jabez  True.  In  Campus  Martius,  a school  was  kept 
“in  the  winter  of  1789,  in  the  northwest  block-house,  by  Anselm  Tupper,  and 
every  winter  after  by  different  teachers.”  Among  them  was  Benjamin  Slocomb. 

At  Belpre,  one  of  the  first  things  done  was  to  provide  for  teaching  the  children 
reading,  writing,  and  arithmetic.  Bathsheba  Rouse,  in  the  summer  of  1789,  and 
for  several  subsequent  summers,  taught  in  Belpre.  She  was  the  first  woman,  and 
probably  the  first  person,  who  taught  a school  of  white  children  in  Ohio.  In  the 
winters  a man  was  hired  to  teach  the  school.  Among  the  first  teachers  at  Belpre 
were  Daniel  Mayo  and  Jonathan  Baldwin,  the  former  a Harvard  graduate,  the 
latter  “ a liberally  educated  man.”  These  schools  like  those  at  Marietta  were 
supported  chiefly  by  the  contributions  of  the  settlers. 

In  1793  and  thereafter  schools,  especially  in  winter,  were  “kept”  in  Waterford. 
In  1792,  at  Columbia,  the  first  settlement  in  Hamilton  county,  a few  miles  above 
the  present  site  of  Cincinnati,  a school  was  opened  by  Francis  Dunlevy.  Burnet 
tells  of  a frame  school-house,  on  the  north  side  of  Fourth  street  in  Cincinnati,  as 
occupied,  though  unfinished,  in  1794  or  1795.  In  the  Western  Reserve  the  first 
permanent  settlement  was  made  in  1796  and  schools  were  probably  started  very 
soon,  though  the  writer  can  find  no  record  of  any  prior  to  1802,  when  one  was 
opened  in  Harpersfield.  Among  its  first  teachers  were  Abraham  Tappan  and 
Elizabeth  Harper.  In  Athens,  where  the  first  pioneer  built  his  cabin  in  1797,  a 
school  was  started  in  1801  with  John  Goldthwaite  as  teacher.  The  school  build- 
ing was  of  logs  and  was  used  for  many  years.  Walker  relates  the  following  inci- 
dent of  Henry  Bartlett,  the  second  teacher  of  this  school.  “ On  one  occasion, 
when  the  scholars  undertook,  according  to  a custom  then  prevalent,  to  bar  the 
master  out,  and  had  made  all  very  fast,  Mr.  Bartlett  procured  a roll  of  brimstone 
from  the  nearest  house,  climbed  to  the  top  of  the  school-house  and  dropped  the 
brimstone  down  the  open  chimney  into  the  fire ; then,  placing  something  over 
the  chimne}^,  he  soon  smoked  the  hoys  into  an  unconditional  surrender.” 

The  foregoing  cases  serve  to  show  that  in  most  of  the  communities  a school 
followed  close  upon  the  beginning  of  the  settlement.  The  pioneers  in  general 
lived  up  to  the  full  spirit  of  the  famous  ordinance,  not  simply  because  it  was 
law,  but  because  they  knew  the  benefits  of  schools  and  desired  their  children  to 
enjoy  them. 

These  scliools  were  not  public  schools  in  any  true  sense,  and  not  free  schools 
in  any  sense.  The  land  grants  were  not  yet  available  and  school  taxes  were  un- 
known. The  teacher  made  an  agreement  to  “ keep  school  ” a certain  length  of 
time,  and  those  who  sent  children  agreed  to  pay  from  one  to  three  dollars  for 
each  child  sent.  The  school  was  in  reality  a private  school.  The  building  in 
which  a pioneer  school  was  conducted,  if  a separate  building  was  used,  was  ex- 
tremely simple  and  uncomfortable.  It  was  generally  from  fifteen  to  eighteen  feet 
wide  and  twenty-four  to  twenty-eight  feet  long,  and  the  eaves  were  about  ten  feet 
from  the  ground.  Built  of  logs,  its  architecture  was  similar  to  that  of  the  log- 
cabin  of  that  day  even  to  the  “ latch-string.”  The  floor  was  of  earth  or  of  pun- 
cheons or  smooth  slabs.  In  the  more  elegant  buildings  the  inside  walls  were 
covered  with  boards,  but  the  more  common  coating  was  clay  mortar.  The  fur- 
niture consisted  principally  of  rude  benches  without  backs  made  by  splitting 
logs  lengthwise  into  halves  and  mounting  them,  flat  side  up,  on  four  legs  or  pins 
driven  into  the  ground.  Desks  similarly  though  less  clumsily  made  were  some- 
times furnished  to  the  “ big  boys  and  girls.”  The  room,  or  at  least  one  end  of  it. 
was  heated  from  an  immense  fireplace.  There  was  no  blackboard,  no  apparatus 
of  even  the  rudest  description  to  assist  the  teacher  in  expounding  the  lessons. 

Reading,  spelling,  writing  and  arithmetic  constituted  the  course  of  study,  and 
in  some  districts  as  late  as  1825  a rule  was  in  force  prohibiting  the  teaching  of 
any  other  branches.  Text-books  were  few.  Murray’s  “Reader,”  Dillworth’s  or 
Webster’s  “Speller,”  Pike’s  “Arithmetic”  and  the  “Columbian  Orator”  were  the 
usual  outfit  of  the  teacher,  and  each  of  the  pupils  generally  had  one  or  more  of 
the  books  in  the  list.  Reading  and  spelling  were  the  great  tests  of  learning,  and 
io  have  mastered  arithmetic  was  to  kavv^  “acquired  ao  oducaiiovi,”  at  least  in  lim 
•^^aller  districts. 


EDUCATIONAL  PROGRESS  AV  OHIO, 


While  all  honor  should  be  paid  to  those  who  maintained  and  those  who 
attended  these  schools,  and  all  credit  given  for  the  results  achieved,  it  has  been 
truly  said  that  “ schools  worthy  of  remembrance  between  1802  and  1820  were 
known  only  in  the  most  enterprising  towns.  The  mass  of  the  people  had  privi- 
leges in  such  ‘ common  ’ institutions  as  might  be  expected  among  communities 
in  which  school-teachers  were  tolerated  but  were  neither  examined  for  qualifica- 
tion nor  encouraged  for  merit.” 

In  1821  the  law  was  passed,  already  referred  to  as  the  first  one  authorizing 
taxation  for  the  support  of  schools.  This  law  was,  however,  simply  permissive, 
and  not  until  1825  was  any  law  adopted  requiring  the  levying  of  taxes  for  school 
purposes,  and  providing  for  the  appointment  of  school  examiners.  With  these 
laws  the  schools  began  to  improve.  Still,  in  1837,  twelve  years  later,  there  were 
few  public  schools  in  Ohio.  Fortunately  in  the  latter  year  provision  was  made 
for  a state  superintendent  of  schools,  and  Hon.  Samuel  Lewis  was  appointed  to 
the  office.  His  three  years  of  service  produced  an  immediate  and  permanent 
effect  upon  the  schools.  In  1838,  as  a result  of  his  suggestions,  a law  was  framed 
that  placed  the  schools  of  Ohio  on  a sure  footing.  It  provided  for  a uniform 
system  of  schools,  with  county  superintendents  and  township  inspectors,  and  the 
state  superintendent  at  the  head  to  enforce  the  law  and  look  after  the  general 
interests  of  the  schools.  Other  laws  were  adopted  in  later  years  that  supple- 
mented and  amplified  this,  and  made  possible  the  present  efficient  schools. 

In  1825  began  the  system  of  examining  teachers  before  they  were  employed, 
but  as  lato  as  1838  the  law  only  required  that  they  should  be  examined  in  read- 
ing, writing  and  arithmetic.  These  requirements  have  been  raised  from  time  to 
time  by  the  addition  of  other  subjects,  but  while  the  great  majority  of  the  teach- 
ers in  the  State  to-day  are  thoroughly  competent,  the  requirements  and  the 
methods  of  examination  still  permit  many  poorly-equipped  teachers  to  practice 
upon  the  boys  and  girls  in  the  rural  districts. 

In  1845  the  first  teachers’  institute  was  held  and  in  1848  a law  was  passed  pro- 
viding for  the  appropriation  of  money  in  each  county  for  the  purpose  of  having 
such  institutes  conducted.  They  are  now  held  annually  in  most  of  the  counties 
and  are  a great  help  to  the  teachers  and  hence  to  the  schools.  A long  and  per- 
sistent attempt,  beginning  in  1817,  has  been  made  to  have  the  State  establish 
one  or  more  normal  schools  for  the  training  of  teachers.  For  various  reasons  all 
attempts  have  thus  far  failed,  though  nearly  if  not  quite  every  other  State  in  the 
Union  has  found  such  schools  not  merely  helpful  but  necessary  to  the  proper 
equipment  of  teachers  for  the  public  schools.  There  are  in  the  State  several  pri- 
vate normal  schools  which  seek  to  give  training  to  teachers.  The  majority  of 
them  are  in  reality  academies  affording  a general  academic  education  and  paying 
more  or  less  subordinate  attention  to  the  normal  department. 

In  Decemberj  1847,  was  organized  the  State  Teachers’  Association,  which  has 
held  annual  meetings  from  then  to  the  present  time.  While  a purely  voluntary 
association  of  teachers,  it  has  in  many  ways  been  infiuential  in  improving  the 
tone  of  education  in  Ohio  and  in  bringing  about  wise  school  legislation.  Among 
its  officers  and  members  have  been  enrolled  the  best-known  names  in  Ohio  educa- 
tional circles. 

, GRADED  SCHOOLS. 

In  the  early  schools  of  Ohio,  as  of  every  other  State,  all  the  pupils  sat  and 
recited  in  one  room  and  to  a single  teacher,  and  any  systematic  gradation  or 
classification  was  impossible  even  if  proposed.  The  chief  impediment  was  the 
lack  of  suitable  and  sufficient  school-buildings.  Where  two  or  more  schools 
existed  within  a village  or  city  the  pupils  were  divided  geographically,  not  by 
grades,  among  the  several  schools.  Pupils  of  all  ages  and  degrees  of  advance- 
ment sat  in  the  same  room.  The  first  systematic  gradation  and  classification  of 
pupils  in  Ohio  was  in  Cincinnati,  between  1836  and  1840,  by  virtue  of  a special 
law,  dividing  the  city  into  districts  and  providing  for  a building  in  each  district. 
In  each  building  the  pupils  were  separated  into  two  grades,  studying  different 
subjects  and  grades  of  work.  This  was  followed  in  a few  years  by  the  establish - 
mont  of  Centra)  'Scbo<4 . Ip  Cleveland  the  first  free  school  was  estab- 

lisiied  ill  i.834,  and  in  1840  tne  scnoois  were  graded.  Portsmouth,  Day  tun 


EDUCAT/ONAL  PROGRESS  IN  OHIO. 


Columbus,  Maumee,  Perrysburg  and  Zanesville  soon,  by  special  acts  of  the  Legis- 
lature, organized  graded  schools.  In  each  of  these  places  provision  was  made  for 
from  two  to  four  grades  of  pupils ; but,  except  in  Cincinnati,  no  definite  course 
of  study,  such  as  exists  everywhere  to-day,  was  adopted  for  any  of  the  grades 
until  about  1850. 

No  sketch  of  the  educational  progress  of  Ohio  would  be  worthy  of  notice  that 
did  not  describe  the  Akron  law,  which  when  extended  to  the  whole  State  estab- 
lished the  present  system  of  free  graded  schools.  The  Akron  law,  passed  in  1847, 
organized  the  town  of  Akron  into  a single  district  and  provided  for  the  election 
of  one  board  of  six  directors,  who  should  have  full  control  over  all  the  schools 
in  the  town.  It  authorized  the  board  to  establish  a number  of  primary  schools  . 
and  one  central  grammar  school;  to  fix  the  terms  of  transfer  from  one  to 
another;  to  make  and  enforce  all  necessary  rules;  to  employ  and  pay  teachers; 
to  purchase  apparatus ; to  determine  and  certify  annually  to  the  town  council 
the  amount  of  money  necessary  for  school  purposes  ; to  provide  for  the  examina- 
tion of  teachers.  In  1848  the  provisions  of  this  law  were  extended  to  other 
incorporated  towns  and  cities.  In  1849  a general  law  was  passed  enabling  any 
town  of  two  hundred  inhabitants  to  organize  as  under  the  Akron  law ; this  last 
law  provided  for  the  establishment  of  “an  adequate  number”  of  primary  schools 
“ conveniently  located ; ” a school  or  schools  of  higher  grade  or  grades ; for  the 
jree  admission  of  all  white  children ; and  that  the  schools  'nimi  be  kept  open  not 
less  than  thirty-six  weeks  in  each  yea'r. 

Thus  was  the  State  provided  with  a system  of  free  graded  schools,  under  which 
there  should  be  uniformity  in  grading  and  unity  in  management.  “ By  the  close 
of  the  year  1855,”  says  Superintendent  R.  W.  Stevenson,  “ the  free  graded  system 
was  permanently  established,  met  with  hearty  approval,  and  received  high  com- 
mendation and  support  from  an  influential  class  of  citizens  who  had  been  the 
enemies  of  any  system  of  popular  education  supported  at  the  expense  of  the 
State  and  by  local  taxation.” 

ACADEMIES  AND  HIGH  SCHOOLS. 

Public  high  schools  were  not  known  in  Ohio  before  the  middle  of  the  century. 
Long  before  that,  however,  many  private  academies  had  been  founded  to  furnish 
an  education  superior  to  that  given  by  the  district  school.  The  few  colleges 
founded  in  the  first  half  of  the  century  also  maintained  preparatory  schools, 
which,  doing  work  similar  to  that  of  the  academy,  bridged  over  the  chasm 
between  the  ungraded  school  and  the  college  proper. 

The  Constitution  of  1802  provided  for  the  establishment  of  academies  and  col- 
leges by  corporations  of  individuals,  and  from  that  time  until  1838  public  senti- 
ment appears  to  have  crystallized  into  the  idea  that  private  seminaries  were  the 
proper  and  only  necessary  means  for  attaining  an  education  higher  than  that  of 
the  common  school.  There  was  apparently  felt  no  public  obligation  to  afford 
educational  facilities,  beyond  instruction  in  reading,  writing  and  arithmetic,  and, 
later,  grammar  and  geography. 

Accordingly  in  many  places  academies  were  started,  either  as  private  enter- 
prises or  under  the  general  sanction  and  control  of  religious  sects.  In  these 
academies,  many  of  which  did  excellent  work  and  furnished  superior  advantages 
for  those  days,  most  of  the  men  who  for  the  past  generation  have  been  promi- 
nent in  Ohio  either  finished  their  “schooling”  or  obtained  their  preparation  for 
college.  With  the  rise  of  the  public  high  school  most  of  these  academies  closed 
their  doors,  though  a few  broadened  their  courses  of  study  and  entered  upon 
collegiate  instruction.  The  history  of  these  academies  and  an  account  of  the 
good  done  by  them  is  one  of  the  most  interesting  as  well  as  the  most  neglected 
chapters  of  Ohio’s  educational  growth.  Without  them  and  without  the  influence 
of  the  graduates  they  sent  out,  the  establishment  of  a State  system  of  education 
would  have  been  long  delayed. 

According  to  the  best  accounts  Burton  Academy,  incorporated  in  1803,  was  the 
pioneer  among  these  institutions.  Close  upon  it  followed  the  Dayton  Academy, 
which  enjoyed  a useful  and  prosperous  career  until  the  establishment  of  the 
high  school  in  that  city.  In  Cincinnati  Kinmont’s  Academy,  Madison  Institute. 


EDUCATIONAL  PROGRESS  IN  OHIO. 


Locke’s  Academy,  Pickets’  Young  Ladies’  Academy  and  others  flourished.  At 
Chillicothe,  Salem,  Springfield,  Gallipolis,  Circleville,  Steubenville,  Columbus, 
Norwalk  and  other  places  successful  academies  were  maintained.  Few  of  them 
are  to-day  in  existence,  though  about  two  hundred  are  known  to  have  been 
founded  within  the  State.  In  the  latest  report  of  the  State  Commissioner  of 
Schools  but  fourteen  academies  are  listed,  and  of  these  two  are  connected  with 
colleges  as  preparatory  schools.  Thus  thoroughly  has  the  public  high  school 
supplanted  the  private  academy. 

From  an  early  date  in  the  history  of  the  State  tlie  governors  were  far  in 
advance  of  public  sentiment  on  educational  matters.  Some  of  them  recom- 
mended the  seminaries  to  a more  hearty  popular  support,  while  others  with  a 
truer  conception  of  the  duty  of  the  State  advocated  the  establishment  of  high 
schools,  in  which  instruction  should  be  free,  in  place  of  or  in  addition  to  these  pri- 
vate seminaries  which  w^ere  obliged  to  charge  large  tuition  fees  in  order  to  maintain 
themselves.  It  was  not  until  the  years  from  1845  to  1850,  however,  that  the  first 
high  schools  were  opened  in  Cincinnati  and  Columbus.  The  experiment  was  so 
immediately  successful  that  such  schools  became,  in  the  language  of  a close 
observer,  “ a recognized  necessity  to  the  existence  of  the  common  school  sys- 
tem.” Even  before  1845  a few  “higher”  schools  had  been  started  in  smaller 
places,  under  authority  implied  in  the  law  of  1838.  Among  these,  and  probably 
the  first  high  school  in  the  State,  was  one  at  Maumee,  started  in  1843-4. 

To-day  a high  school,  supported  by  public  funds  as  a part  of  the  common 
school  system,  is  to  be  found  in  nearly  every  town  and  village  in  the  State. 
While  many  children  are  unwisely  withdrawn  from  school  by  their  parents  just 
when  they  are  ready  to  take  up  this  broadening  high-school  work,  still  a large 
percentage  of  the  youth  of  Ohio  avail  themselves  of  the  advantages  ofiered. 
Late  reports  of  the  educational  department  of  the  State  show  the  existence  of 
about  three  hundred  high  schools,  and  the  number  is  yearly  increasing. 

COLLEGES  AND  UNIVERSITIES. 

Ohio  is  pre-eminently  a community  of  many  colleges,  the  reports  showing  that 
it  possesses  more  institutions  claiming  the  title  of  college  or  university  than  are 
contained  within  any  other  State  of  the  Union.  While  abundant  opportunities 
for  obtaining  a higher  education  are  thus  afforded,  there  is  little  doubt  that  this 
almost  abnormal  prolificness  has  been  at  the  expense  of  strength  and  high  de- 
velopment of  many  of  the  colleges.  A sketch,  first  of  the  colleges  supported  by 
national  endowment  and  State  aid,  and  then  of  the  older  of  the  private  and  de- 
nominational colleges  follows. 

Ohio  University. — The  Ohio  Company,  in  its  contract  with  the  government, 
obtained  a gift  of  two  townships  for  the  endowment  of  a university,  “to  be  applied 
to  the  intended  object  by  the  Legislature  of  the  State.”  The  townships  of  Alex- 
ander and  Athens,  in  Athens  county,  were  selected  for  that  purpose.  In  1802 
the  Territorial  Legislature  chartered  the  American  Western  University^  located  it 
in  the  town  of  Athens  and  gave  it  the  two  townships.  No  steps  were  taken  dur- 
ing the  territorial  days  to  organize  the  university,  and  in  1804  the  charter  was 
repealed  and  provision  made  for  the  establishment  of  Ohio  University  at  Athens. 
The  lands  were  appraised  and  many  of  them  immediately  leased  on  ninety-year 
leases.  A revaluation  was  to  be  made  once  in  about  every  thirty  years,  and  a 
rental  of  six  per  cent,  of  each  valuation  was  to  be  paid  annually.  The  next  year 
the  law  was  modified  in  some  parts,  but  the  revaluation  clause  was  not  touched. 
When  the  time  for  the  first  revaluation  came  the  Legislature  was  prevailed  upon 
hy  a strenuous  lobby  of  the  lessees  to  declare  that  the  intention  had  been  to 
repeal  the  revaluation  clause.  As  a consequence  of  this  unfortunately  legal 
action  of  the  General  Assembly,  two  townships  of  land  are  to-day  under  perpetual 
lease  at  an  average  rental  of  about  ten  cents  an  acre,  the  total  income  from 
rents  amounting  to  about  $4,500  per  year.  The  annual  income  of  Michigan 
University  from  a grant  of  the  same  size  and  kind  is  over  $38,000. 

The  university  was  opened  for  students  in  1809  and  the  first  class  was  grad- 
uated in  1815,  consisting  of  Thomas  Ewing  and  John  Hunter.  These  men  bore 
the  first  collegiate  degrees  ever  conferred  in  the  Northwest  Territory.  In  1822  a 


EDUCATIONAL  PROGRESS  IN  OHIO, 


u<; 

full  faculty  was  organized,  consisting  of  five  men.  At  the  outset  the  old  time 
classical  course  was  the  only  one  laid  down,  with  a preparatory  department  or 
academy  to  fit  students  to  enter  the  freshman  class.  Within  recent  years  a sci- 
entific course  (a  course  without  Greek  or  Latin)  and  a normal  course  have  been 
added.  The  latter  is,  so  far  as  known,  the  only  provision  ever  made  by  the  State 
for  training  teachers.  The  university  has  once  been  obliged  to  close  its  doors  for 
a few  years  on  account  of  financial  embarrassment,  but  now  seems  destined  to 
continue  its  long  and  honorable  career  of  usefulness.  It  is  a State  University  in 
that  its  trustees  are  appointed  by  the  Governor,  and  its  scanty  income  is  occa-' 
sionally  increased  by  all-too-slender  appropriations  from  the  State  treasury.  ' 

Miami  University. — Under  the  contract  between  John  Cleves  Symmes  and 
Congress  one  township  of  land  was  donated  by  the  latter  for  “ an  academy  and 
other  public  schools  and  seminaries  of  learning.”  Knowing  that  but  one  insti- 
tution of  learning  at  the  most  could  be  maintained  by  the  income  from  a single 
township,  the  Legislature  chartered  Miami  University  in  1809  and  made  it  the 
beneficiary  of  the  grant.  The  same  unwise  policy,  as  in  the  case  of  Ohio  Uni- 
versity, was  adopted  in  disposing  of  the  lands,  and  the  institution  has  received 
an  annual  income  of  but  $5,600  from  the  grant.  The  college  was  located  at 
Oxford,  Butler  county,  and  was  opened  for  students  in  1824.  While  it  has 
always  been  crippled  by  lack  of  funds  and  has  twice  been  obliged  to  suspend  for 
periods  of  ten  or  twelve  years,  its  influence  has  been  great  and  its  history  notable. 
Taking  into  account  its  size  and  its  misfortunes,  “ few  institutions  have  done  better 
work  or  sent  forth  so  large  a proportion  of  graduates  who  have  become  eminent 
in  the  various  walks  of  life.”  Probably,  however,  no  other  college  in  America 
has  ever  been  obliged  to  print  in  any  of  its  catalogues  a notice  similar  to  the  fol- 
lowing: “Tuition  and  room-rent  must  invariably  be  paid  in  advance  and  no 
deduction  or  drawback  is  allowed ; and  if  not  paid  by  the  student  it  is  charged 
to  the  faculty,  who  are  made  responsible  to  the  Board  for  it.”  Like  Ohio  Uni- 
versity, it  is  a semi-State  institution,  its  trustees  being  selected  by  the  Governor, 
and  its  starving  treasury  receives  occasional  pittances  from  the  State.  The  Uni- 
versity was  reopened  in  1885  after  a lapse  of  twelve  years,  and  whether  it  will 
once  more  regain  the  position  it  once  held  among  Ohio’s  colleges  is  a question 
not  yet  easily  answered. 

Ohio  State  University. — In  1862  a grant  of  lands  was  made  by  Congress  to 
each  of  the  States  and  Territories  for  “ the  endowment,  support  and  maintenance 
of  at  least  one  college  where  the  leading  object  shall  be,  without  excluding  other 
scientific  and  classical  studies,  and  including  military  tactics,  to  teach  such 
branches  of  learning  as  are  related  to  agriculture  and  the  mechanic  arts,  in  such 
manner  as  the  Legislatures  of  the  States  may  respectively  prescribe.”  Under 
this  act  Ohio  received  land  scrip  for  630,000  acreSo  An  institution,  first  known 
as  Ohio  Agricultural  and  Mechanical  College,  and  later  as  Ohio  State  University, 
was  chartered  by  the  Legislature  and  received  the  scrip  as  an  endowment,  sub- 
ject to  the  conditions  imposed  hy  Congress.  This  scrip  was  sold  at  an  extremely 
low  price,  like  the  previous  college  land  endowments  in  Ohio,  and  produced  a 
fund  now  something  more  than  a half  million  of  dollars,  from  which  the  univer- 
sity receives  an  annual  income  of  six  per  cent  The  university  was  located  at 
Columbus  upon  a fine  farm  of  three  hundred  acres,  upon  which  substantial 
buildings  were  soon  erected.  The  site  was  purchased  and  the  first  buildings 
erected  and  equipped  by  a gift  of  $300,000  from  the  county  of  Franklin  and  city 
of  Columbus.  The  college,  now  within  the  city  limits  of  Columbus,  was  opened 
for  students  in  1873  and  the  first  class  was  graduated  in  1878.  In  accordance 
with  the  terms  of  the  land  grant  the  chief  attention  is  given  to  instruction  in 
agricultural,  mechanical  and  technical  branches,  but  full  collegiate  courses  are 
given,  and  pursued  by  many  students,  in  classical  and  literary  lines  of  work. 
For  the  last  few  years  the  General  Assembly  has  annually  appropriated  moderate 
sums  for  carrying  on  the  work  so  well  begun. 

The  three  foregoing  universities  are  State  institutions,  amenable  to  State  con- 
trol and  obtaining  their  support  from  the  land  endowment  of  the  general  govern- 
ment and  from  State  appropriations.  Ohio  differs  from  most  States  in  having 
three  higher  institutions  which  are  in  reality  a part  of  the  public  educational 
system  of  the  State.  Whether  the  interests  of  education  are  best  conserved  by 


14^ 


EDUCATIONAL  PROGRESS  IN  OHIO. 


the  maintenance  of  three  institutions,  or  whether  a union  of  the  three  into  one 
stronger  than  either  to-day,  or  a fusion  or  co-operation  of  the  three  under  one 
general'management  would  be  wiser,  are  questions  that  have  been  discussed  for 
some  years.  In  any  case  the  sentiment  of  the  State  has  definitely  crystallized 
into  the  idea  that  the  State  ought  to  provide  at  public  expense  for  the  higher 
education  of  its  citizens  by  maintaining  one  or  more  public  colleges. 

There  are  also  many  denominational  or  private  colleges  within  the  State,  some 
of  them  strong  and  prosperous,  and  all  of  them  doing  to  the  extent  of  their  ability 
the  work  of  higher  education.  The  limits  of  this  sketch  will  not  permit  a de- 
scription of  all,  but  the  more  prominent  of  those  founded  before  1850  may  be 
briefly  mentioned. 

Kenyon  College. — Through  the  efforts  of  Bishop  Philander  Chase,  Kenyon 
College  was  established  in  1824,  at  Gambier,  as  a college  and  theological  seminary, 
under  the  control  of  the  Protestant  Episcopal  Church.  The  lands  were  purchased 
and  the  buildings  erected  with  funds  raised  in  this  country  and  in  England.  The 
town — which  is  to-day  one  of  the  most  beautiful  college  sites  in  America — the 
college,  and  the  principal  edifices  are  named  respectively  after  three  English 
noblemen.  The  college  was  soon  opened  with  a strong  faculty  and  a goodly 
number  of  students.  Financial  troubles  beset  the  college,  however,  and  the  next 
fifteen  years  found  an  emissary  of  the  institution  almost  constantly  in  the  East 
or  in  Europe  seeking  aid  for  the  starving  college.  In  1841  the  college  and  the 
theological  seminary  were  separated  so  far  as  their  faculties  were  concerned.  The 
college  has  done  excellent  work,  and  has  afforded  good  facilities  for  the  pursuit 
of  the  old-time  classical  course.  It  drew  many  of  its  students  from  the  South, 
and  hence  suffered  severely  upon  the  outbreak  of  the  rebellion.  Though  not 
large  in  membership,  it  has  always  had  a fine  body  of  students,  and  has  main- 
tained a good  reputation.  In  1886-87  its  corps  of  instructors  numbered  nine,  and 
there  were  fifty-five  students  in  the  collegiate  department. 

Western  Reserve  University. — This  institution,  now  better  known  as  Adel- 
bert  College,  was  chartered  in  1826,  and  opened  for  students  in  the  same  year  at 
Hudson,  Summit  (then  Portage)  county,  in  the  Connecticut  Western  Reserve.  It 
was  designed  by  the  education-loving  settlers  of  the  Westeni  Reserve  to  be  an 
independent  college,  free  from  ecclesiastical  control,  but  from  the  outset  and  until 
the  removal  of  the  college  to  Cleveland  the  members  of  the  board  of  trustees  were 
all  ministers  or  members  of  the  Presbyterian  or  Congregational  churches,  and  its 
general  policy  has  been  affected  by  this  fact.  The  objects  of  the  college  were  “to 
educate  pious  young  men  as  pastors  for  our  destitute  churches,”  “ to  preserve  the 
present  literary  and  religious  character  of  the  State,”  and  “ to  prepare  competent 
men  to  fill  the  cabinet,  the  bench,  the  bar,  and  the  pulpit.”  Drawing  most  of  its 
students  from  the  Reserve,  the  college  soon  entered  upon  a prosperous  career  in 
both  the  theological  and  collegiate  departments  and  in  its  preparatory  school. 
In  1859,  however,  the  theological  department  was  closed,  and  definitely  aban- 
doned. The  institution  has  been  sustained  entirely  by  donations  and  students^ 
fees.  In  1881  a magnificent  bequest  was  made  to  the  collegiate  department,  suffi 
cient  to  erect  new  and  elegant  buildings  and  to  increase  largely  its  endowment 
fund,  on  condition  that  the  collegiate  department  should  be  transferred  to  Cleve^ 
land,  and  called  Adelbert  College  of  Western  Reserve  University.  The  conditions 
were  accepted,  and  the  removal  made  upon  the  completion  of  the  new  buildings. 
The  preparatory  school  is  still  maintained  at  Hudson,  and  a medical  department 
has  been  united  to  the  University  at  Cleveland.  Like  the  greater  number  of  Ohio 
colleges,  this  institution  was  for  some  time  open  to  students  of  either  sex,  but  in 
1888  the  trustees  decided  that  hereafter  women  should  not  be  admitted.  The 
attendance  in  1886-87  was  seventy  eight,  when  there  were  ten  members  of  the 
faculty. 

Dennison  University. — This  institution,  located  at  Granville,  Licking  county, 
was  chartered  in  1832  as  the  Granville  Literary  and  Theological  Institution ; in 
1856  it  assumed  its  present  name,  in  commemoration  of  a gift  from  William 
Dennison,  of  Adamsville,  Ohio.  Its  board  of  trustees  constitute  a close  corporation, 
under  the  control  of  the  Baptist  denomination,  and  all  of  its  trustees  must  belong 
to  that  church.  The  college  itself  is  unsectarian  in  its  teachings,  the  theological 
department  having  been  given  up  some  years  ago.  The  classical  and  scientific 


EDUCATIONAL  PROGRESS  IN  OHIO, 


courses  are  offered  to  students,  the  former — as  in  most  colleges  originally  literary 
alone — having  the  better  equipment.  In  1886-87  there  were  eleven  instructors 
and  eighty  students. 

Oberlin  College, — This  was  chartered  in  1834  as  the  Oberlin  Collegiate 
Institute,  at  Oberlin,  Lorain  county,  and  in  1850  assumed  its  present  name.  The 
institution  is  under  the  direction  of  the  Congregational  Church,  and  a theological 
seminary  was  early  established  as  a part  of  the  college.  The  board  of  trustees  is 
a close  corporation.  From  the  outset,  but  especially  in  later  years,  the  college 
has  assumed  a prominent  place  among  Ohio  colleges,  indeed,  among  American 
colleges.  Both  sexes  have  always  been  admitted  to  its  classes,  and — for  some  time 
alone  among  colleges — it  almost  from  its  foundation  admitted  colored  students. 
As  it  was  the  pioneer  in  that  regard,  its  name  was  soon  widespread,  and  it  became 
a strong  promoter  of  anti-slavery  principles.  It  has  from  time  to  time  extended 
its  range,  and  to-day  sustains  theological,  collegiate,  musical,  art,  and  preparator}; 
departments.  In  its  collegiate  department  in  1886-87  were  enrolled  400  students 
under  a faculty  of  eighteen  members. 

Marietta  College. — The  Marietta  Collegiate  Institute,  located  at  Marietta,  was 
chartered  in  1832.  This  charter,  however,  gave  the  institution  no  authority  to 
confer  degrees,  and  was  defective  in  other  particulars.  A new  charter  free  from 
these  defects  was  accordingly  obtained  in  1835,  from  which  year  the  existence  of 
Marietta  College  dates.  The  college  was  founded  by  some  of  the  men,  or  their 
immediate  descendants,  who  were  instrumental  in  obtaining  the  grant  of  two 
townships  for  an  university  in  the  Ohio  Company’s  purchase.  Just  why  they 
did  not  lend  their  energies  solely  towards  building  up  the  institution  (Ohio  Uni- 
versity, at  Athens)  founded  on  that  land-grant  it  is  difficult  after  this  lapse  of 
time  to  determine,  unless  it  be  that  the  growth  and  development  of  that  institu- 
tion did  not  accord  with  the  ideas  brought  to  Marietta  from  New  England.  The 
following,  believed  to  be  from  the  pen  of  the  late  President  I.  W.  Andrews,  par- 
tially explains  the  matter:  “After  spending  forty  years  or  more  in  removing  the 
forest,  they  (the  settlers  of  Marietta)  could  no  longer  postpone  the  establishment 
of  an  institution  of  learning,  embodying  those  principles  and  methods  which  had 
made  the  old  colleges  of  New  England  so  efficient  and  prosperous.  There  was  a 
deep  conviction  on  the  part  of  many  of  the  most  intelligent  men  in  Southeastern 
Ohio  that  a literary  institution  of  high  order  was  essential  to  the  educational  and 
religious  interests  of  a large  region,  of  which  Marietta  was  the  centre.”  The 
board  of  trustees  has  always  been  a close  corporation,  but  there  are  no  restrictions 
as  to  religious  belief  of  the  members.  As  a fact,  the  majority  of  the  trustees  have 
usually  been  members  of  the  Presbyterian  or  Congregational  churches.  The  col- 
lege has  been  unsectarian  in  its  teachings,  but  distinctly  Christian  in  both  theory 
and  practice.  It  has  been  a remarkably  successful,  though  never  a large  institu- 
tion ; and  the  proportion  of  graduates  to  freshmen  has  probably  been  larger  than 
that  of  any  other  Ohio  college.  Pleasantly  located  and  comfortably  equipped  for 
classical  and  literary  study,  it  has  closely  resembled  in  its  staid  dignity  the  older 
New  England  colleges.  In  1887  its  collegiate  students  numbered  eighty-seven, 
its  instructors  ten. 

Ohio  Wesleyan  University. — This  institution,  located  at  Delaware,  under  the 
control  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  was  chartered  in  1842.  The  alumni 
and  four  Conferences  of  the  church  are  each  represented  by  five  members  in  the 
board  of  twenty-five  trustees.  The  endowment  of  the  institution  has  been  con- 
tributed chiefly  in  small  amounts  by  adherents  of  the  church.  The  college  has 
advanced  in  its  requirements  and  increased  in  attendance  until  it  is  one  of  the 
largest  colleges  in  the  State.  With  the  possible  exception  of  Oberlin  College,  the 
Ohio  Wesleyan  University  has  been  more  thoroughly  permeated  with  religious 
sentiment  and  zeal  than  any  other  of  the  Ohio  colleges.  The  majority  of  its  stu- 
dents belong  to  families  adhering  to  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  and  it  has 
sent  out  a large  body  of  graduates.  In  1886  there  were  336  collegiate  students 
and  twenty-five  instructors. 

Wittenberg  College. — This  college  is  located  at  Springfield,  Clark  county, 
and  was  chartered  in  1845.  It  is  under  the  control  of  the  General  Synod  of  the 
Evangelical  Lutheran  Church,  and  its  trustees  are  chosen  by  various  local  Synods 
of  that  denomination.  The  institution  was  founded  to  meet  the  religious  and 


EDUCATIONAL  PROGRESS  IN  OHIO. 


t 

I 

educational  wants  of  the  Lutheran  denomination  in  that  vicinity.  A theological 
department  has  always  been  a prominent  part  of  the  college.  The  institution 
has  never  been  large,  but,  with  a moderate  endowment  and  comfortable  buildings 
and  equipment,  it  has  always  prospered.  In  1886  it  had  sixty-five  students  in 
the  collegiate  department  and  eleven  instructors. 

Otterbein  University. — This  institution,  located  at  Westerville,  Franklin 
county,  was  chartered  in  1849,  under  the  auspices  of  the  United  Brethren  in  Christ, 
and  received  its  name  from  the  founder  of  that  church.  Like  Wittenberg  College, 
and  many  others  in  the  West,  it  was  established  to  meet  the  educational  needs 
of  a religious  denomination,  and  has  drawn  its  financial  support  almost  solely 
from  them.  It  has  always  ranked  among  the  smaller  colleges  of  the  State,  and 
has  not  always  been  liberally  supported  by  the  church.  It  was  uniortunate  in 
losing  its  main  building,  including  the  library  and  much  apparatus,  by  fire  in 
1870.  A new  building  was  soon  erected,  and  the  institution  has  continued  its 
career,  its  pathway  often  beset  with  the  rocks  of  financial  embarrassment  that  are 
encountered  by  most  small  denominational  colleges.  In  1886  there  were  seven 
instructors  and  fifty  students  in  the  collegiate  department. 

Many  other  colleges  exist  in  Ohio,  some  of  them  strong  and  prosperous,  and 
several  professional  institutions  have  been  established,  while  the  number  of  com- 
mercial and  business  “ colleges  ” is  very  large.  The  foregoing  are,  however,  the 
leading  colleges  or  universities,  properly  so  called,  founded  before  the  middle  of 
the  present  century,  and  the  limits  of  this  sketch  permit  mention  only  of  the 
names  and  a few  statistics  concerning  the  others.  The  figures  given  below,  as 
well  as  those  that  have  preceded,  are  based  mainly  upon  the  official  report  of  the 
State  Commissioner  of  Schools. 


Name. 

Location. 

Date 
of  • 

Charter. 

Religious 

Denomination. 

No.  of 
Instructors 
1886-87. 

No.  of 
Students 
Collegiate 
Dep’tment 
1886-87. 

Buchtel  College 

Akron 

1870 

Universalist 

11 

79 

Ashland  College 

Ashland 

1878 

Brethren  ^ 

4 

Baldwin  University 

Berea 

1856 

Meth.  Episcopal 

12 

45 

German  Wallace  College 

Berea 

1864 

Meth.  I^iscopal 

5 

44 

St.  Joseph’s  College 

Cincinnati 

1873 

Rom'an  Catholic 

11 

200 

St.  Xavier’s  College 

Cincinnati 

1846 

Roman  Catholic 

10 

44 

University  of  Cincinnati 

Cincinnati 

1870 

Non-Sectarian 

14 

118 

Belmont  College 

College  Hill 

1846 

Non-Sectarian 

e 

21 

Capital  University 

Columbus 

1850 

Evangel.  Lutheran 

8 

76 

Findlay  College 

Findlay 

1882 

10 

169 

Hiram  College 

Hiram 

1867 

Disciples 

8 

34 

Mt.  Union  College 

Mt.  Union 

1858 

Non-Sectarian 

12 

115 

Franklin  College 

New  Athens 

1825 

5 

22 

Muskingum  College 

New  Concord 

1837 

United  Presbyteri’n 

4 

56 

Rio  Grande  College 

Rio  Grande 

1875 

Free  Will  Baptist 

5 

11 

Scio  College 

Scio 

1866 

Meth.  Episcopal 

5 

125 

Heidelberg  College 

Tiffin 

1850 

Reformed 

8 

85 

Urbana  University 

Urbana 

1850 

New  Church 

4 

25 

Wilberforce  University 

Wilberforce 

1863 

African  Meth.  Epis. 

6 

23 

University  of  Wooster 

Wooster 

1866 

Presbyterian 

18 

226 

Antioch  College 

Yellow  Sp’ngs 

1852 

Non-Sectarian 

8 

36 

In  conclusion,  we  may  quote  the  words  of  Prof.  E.  B.  Andrews,  uttered  after  a 
careful  study  and  discriminating  praise  of  the  good  results  accomplished  by  many 
of  the  Ohio  colleges : “ It  is  unfortunate  that  there  are  in  Ohio  so  many  colleges 
of  denominational  origin,  when,  with  a broader  view  of  the  subject  of  higher 
learning,  combinations  could  have  been  effected  which,  without  any  sacrifice  of 
religious  influence,  would  have  given  us  institutions  of  greater  strength  and  dig- 


EDUCATIONAL  PROGRESS  IN  OHIO. 


149 


nity,  and  of  ampler  facilities  for  affording  a broad  and  generous  culture 

This  entire  misconception  of  the  true  function  of  the  college  has  led  to  such  a 
multiplication  of  colleges  in  Ohio  that  all  are  hindered  and  many  are  dwarfed.” 

Authorities  consulted  in  preparing  this  sketch  : Hildreth’s  “ Pioneer  History Walker’s 
“History  of  Athens  County;”  American  Journal  of  Education ; Knight’s  “Land  Grants  for 
Education  in  the  Northwest  Territory;”  “A  History  of  Education  in  the  State  of  Ohio” 
(Columbus,  1876);  “Historical  Sketches  of  Higher  Educational  Institutions  in  Ohio”  (1876); 
Ohio  School  Commissioners’  Reports ; Reports  of  United  States  Commissioner  of  Educa- 
tion ; Ohio  Executive  Documents ; Ohio  Laws. 

In  addition  to  the  foregoing,  and  with  a view  to  supply  what  seems  to  be  an 
inadvertent  omission,  we  subjoin  the  following  statement  in  reference  to  the 
efficiency  and  progress  of  educational  legislation  in  Ohio.  We  allude  to  the 
“Act  to  provide  for  the  reorganization,  supervision,  and  maintenance  of  Com- 
mon Schools,  passed  March  14,  1853.” 

Prior  to  the  passage  of  this  act  the  common  schools  had  become  inefficient  in 
their  character,  and  the  laws  so  often  amended  as  to  render  them  incapable  of 
being  understood,  or  receiving  a consistent  judicial  construction.  It  was  for 
this  reason  that  the  first  General  Assembly,  under  the  new  constitution  of  1851, 
revised  the  school  laws  and  passed  the  reorganizing  act  of  March  14,  1853. 
This  act  introduced  radical  changes  in  the  school  system — changes  which  have 
given  the  common  schools  a deservedly  high  character  for  their  excellence. 
The  provisions  of  the  act,  with  slight  amendments,  remained  in  force  for  twenty 
years,  when  most  of  its  provisions  were  embraced  in  the  codification  of  the 
school  laws  in  1873,  and  are  still  operative. 

It  will  be  readily  seen  by  a reference  to  James  W.  Taylor’s  “ History  of  the 
Ohio  School  System,”  published  in  1857,  that  Harvey  Rice,  the  Senator  from 
Cuyahoga,  and  chairman  of  the  standing  committee  on  schools,  was  the  author 
of  the  bill,  now  known  as  the  Act  of  March  14,  1853.  Soon  after  the  act  came 
in  force,  and  generally  throughout  the  State  since  that  time,  he  has  been  called 
the  “ father  of  the  Ohio  School  System,”  an  honor  to  which  his  devotion  to  the 
^ welfare  of  public  schools  justly  entitles  him.  We  take  the  following  reference 
to  Mr.  Rice  and  his  educational  labors  from  the  “ History  of  Education  in  the 
State  of  Ohio  ” — a centennial  volume — published  by  authority  of  the  General 
Assembly  in  1876. 

“ The  school  law  passed  by  the  General  Assembly,  March  14, 1853,  was  chiefly 
prepared  by  the  Hon.  Harvey  Rice,  of  Cleveland,  a member  of  the  Ohio  Senate 
and  chairman  of  the  committee  on  common  schools.  Mr.  Rice  was  born  in 
Massachusetts,  June  11,  1800,  and  graduated  at  Williams  College.  He  came  to 
Ohio  in  1824,  and  settled  in  (Cleveland.  For  a short  time  he  engaged  in  teaching 
while  preparing  for  the  practice  of  law,  upon  which  he  soon  entered.  Mr. 
Rice’s  abilities  and  worth  were  soon  recognized  by  his  fellow-townsmen,  who 
manifested  their  appreciation  by  electing  him  to  various  important  offices  in 
the  county,  and  to  a seat  in  the  lower  House  of  the  General  Assembly. 

“ In  1851  Mr.  Rice  was  elected  to  the  Senate.  The  session  which  followed  was 
a very  important  one.  Ohio  had  outgrown  her  old  constitution,  and  this  was 
the  first  meeting  of  her  Legislature  under  the  provisions  of  the  new.  It  was 
evident  to  all,  who  had  watched  the  growing  educational  needs  of  the  State, 
that  the  school  system  needed  a thorough  revision.  Since  the  passage  of  the 
act  of  1838  the  population  of  the  State  had  more  than  doubled,  and  its  re- 
sources had  increased  in  a still  greater  ratio.  Mr.  Rice  addressed  himself  to  the 
work  of  procuring  the  passage  of  an  act  for  the  reorganization  of  the  common 
schools,  and  providing  for  their  supervision.  The  bill  passed  the  Senate  with 
but  two  negative  votes.  He  had  previously  taken  a prominent  part  in  the  pas- 
sage of  an  act  providing  for  the  establishment  of  two  asylums  for  lunatics,  and 
he  now  advocated  the  establishment  of  a State  Reform  Farm  School,  at  that 
time  a novel  idea.  A few  years  saw  it  in  successful  operation. 

“Mr.  Rice  still  lives  in  Cleveland.  He  has  lived  to  see  the  State  of  his  adop- 
tion enjoy  the  fruits  of  his  labors,  and  to  see  her  in  his  own  words  ‘ lead  the 
column  in  the  cause  of  popular  education  and  human  rights.’  His  active  life  as 
a politician  and  public-spirited  citizen  has  not  prevented  the  cultivation  of  his 
taste  for  literature.  He  is  well  known  as  a graceful  writer  both  in  prose  and  verse.” 


OHIO  IN  THE  CIVIL  WAR 


BY  GEN.  JOHN  BEATTY. 


General  John  Beatty  was  born  near  Sandusky, 

Ohio,  December  16,  1828.  His  education  was  obtained  at 
the  district  school  of  a pioneer  settlement.  His  grand- 
father, John  Beatty,  was  an  anti-slavery  man  of  the 
James  G.  Birney  school ; from  him  the  present  John 
imbibed  in  boyhood  his  first  political  tenets,  and  to  these 
he  has  adhered  somewhat  obstinately  ever  since.  In  1852 
he  supported  John  P,  Hale  for  the  presidency.  In  1856 
he  cast  his  vote  for  John  C.  Fremont.  In  1860  he  was  the 
Kepublican  presidential  elector  for  the  district  which 
sent  John  Sherman  to  Congress.  When  the  war  broke 
out  in  1861,  he  was  the  first  to  put  his  name  to  an  enlist- 
ment roll  in  Morrow  county.  He  was  elected  to  the  cap- 
taincy of  his  company,  subsequently  made  lieutenant- 
colonel,  then  colonel  of  the  Third  Ohio  Volunteer 
Infantry,  and  in  1862  advanced  to  the  position  of  briga- 
dier-general of  volunteers.  He  was  with  McClellan  and 
Rosecrans  in  West  Virginia,  summer  and  fall  1861;  with 
General  O.  M.  Mitchel  in  his  dash  through  Southern 
Kentucky,  Middle  Tennessee  and  Northern  Alabama  in 
the  spring  of  1862.  Returning  with  General  Buell  to  the 
Ohio  river,  he  joined  in  the  pursuit  of  Bragg,  and  on 
October  8, 1862,  fought  at  the  head  of  his  regiment  in  the 
battle  of  Perryville,  Kentucky.  In  the  December  follow- 
ing he  was  assigned  to  the  command  of  a brigade  of  Rous- 
seau’s division,  and  led  it  through  the  four  days’  battle 
of  Stone  River,  closing  on  the  night  of  January  3,  1863, 
with  an  assault  on  the  enemy’s  barricade,  on  the  left  of  the  Murfreesboro’  turnpike,  which  he  carried 
at  the  point  of  the  bayonet.  He  was  with  Rosecrans  on  the  Tullahoma  campaign,  and  after  the  enemy 
evacuated  their  stronghold,  overtook  them  at  Elk  river,  drove  their  rear  guard  from  the  heights 
beyond,  and  led  the  column  which  pursued  them  to  the  summit  of  the  Cumberland.  While  the  army 
rested  at  Winchester,  Tennessee,  he  was  president  of  a board  to  examine  applicants  for  commissions  in 
colored  regiments,  and  continued  in  this  service  until  the  urmy  crossed  the  Tennessee  river  and  entered 
on  the  Chattanooga  campaign.  In  this  advance  into  Georgia  his  brigade  had  the  honor  of  being  the 
first  of  Thomas’  corps  to  cross  Lookout  mountain.  He  was  with  Branuan  and  Negley  in  the  affair  at 
Dug  Gap,  and  took  part  in  the  two  days’  fighting  at  Chickamauga,  September,  1863,  and  in  the  affair 
at  Rossville.  At  the  re-organization  of  the  Army  of  the  Cumberland  he  was  assigned  to  the  command 
of  the  second  brigade  of  Davis’  division  Thomas’  corps,  but  was  with  Sherman  at  the  battle  of  Mission 
Ridge;  and  when  the  rebel  line  broke  he  led  the  column  in  pursuit  of  the  retreating  enemy,  overtook 
his  rear  guard  near  Graysville,  where  a short  but  sharp  encounter  occurred,  in  which  Gen.  George 
Many,  commanding  the  opposing  force,  was  wounded,  and  his  troops  compelled  to  retire  in  disorder. 
Subsequently  he  accompanied  Sherman  in  the  expedition  to  Knoxville  for  the  relief  of  Burnside,  and 
the  close  of  this  campaign  ended  his  military  service. 

Gen.  Beatty  was  elected  to  the  Fortieth  Congress  from  the  Eighth  Ohio  district,  and  re-elected  to  the 
Forty-first  and  Forty-second  Congresses,  serving  first  as  member  of  the  Committee  on  Invalid  Pensions, 
then  as  Chairman  of  the  Committee  on  Public  Buildings  and  Grounds,  and  finally  as  Chairman  of 
Committee  on  Public  Printing. 

In  1884  he  was  one  of  the  Republican  electors-at-large,  and  in  1886-7  a member  of  the  Board  of 
State  Charities.  He  has  since  1873  been  engaged  in  the  business  of  banking  at  Columbus,  Ohio. 


JOHN  BEATTY. 


It  would  be  impossible  to  make  an  exact  estimate  of  the  number  of  men  who 
entered  the  National  army  from  Ohio  during  the  war  for  the  preservation  of  the 
Union.  Those  embraced  in  regimental  and  company  organizations  of  the  State 
can,  of  course,  be  enumerated,  and,  with  some  degree  of  accuracy,  followed  to 
the  time  of  their  death,  discharge,  or  final  muster  out;  but  these  organizations 
did  not  by  any  means  include  all  the  patriotic  citiz'.ns  of  Oliio  who  left  peaceful 
homes  to  incur  the  risks  of  battle  for  tlie  mairoenance  of  national  authority. 
Five  regiments  credited  to  West  Virginia  were  made  up  in  large  part  of  Ohio 
men  ; the  same  may  be  said  of  two  regiments  credited  to  Kentucky;  also  of  the 
Fifty-fourth  and  Fifty-fifth  Massachusetts  Colored  Infantry,  and  of  two  regi- 
ments of  United  States  colored  troops.  In  addition  to  those  enrolled  in  regi- 
(150) 


OHIO  IN  THE  CIVIL  WAR. 


ments  credited  to  other  States,  thousands  entered  the  gun-boat  service,  of  whom 
O.bi.o  has  no  record,  while  other  thousands  enlisted  in  the  regular  army. 

*'■  From  the  best  prepared  statistics  of  the  Provost  Marshal-General  and  Adju- 
tant-General of  the  U.  S.  A.  and  the  Adjutant-General  of  Ohio,  excluding  re- 
enlistments, ‘ squirrel-hunters  ’ and  militia,  and  including  a low  estimate  for 
regular  enlistments  in  the  army  and  navy  not  credited  to  Ohio,  it  is  found  that 
Ohio  furnished  of  her  citizens  340,000  men  of  all  arms  of  the  service  for  war; 
reduced  to  a department  standard,  they  represent  240,000  three-years  soldiers.”* 

The  State  contributed  in  organized  regiments : 


26  regiments  of  infantry 
43  regiments  of  infantry 

2 regiments  of  infantry 

27  regiments  of  infantry 
117  regiments  of  infantry 

13  regiments  of  cavalry 

3 regiments  of  artillery 


for  three  months, 
for  100  days, 
for  six  months, 
for  one  year, 
for  three  years, 
for  three  years, 
for  three  years. 


To  these  should  be  added  twenty-six  independent  batteries  of  artillery,  and 
five  independent  companies  of  cavalry. 

6,536  Ohio  soldiers  were  killed  outright  in  battle. 

4,674  were  mortally  wounded  and  subsequently  died  in  hospital. 

13,354  died  of  disease  contracted  in  the  service. 

Tn  brief,  84  Ohio  soldiers  out  of  every  1,000  enlisted  men  lost  their  lives  in  the 
war  of  the  rebellion. 

“The  total  losses  in  battle  of  all  kinds  in  both  the  American  and  British 
armies  in  the  seven  years’  war  of  the  Revolution,  excluding  only  the  captured  at 
Saratoga  and  Yorktown,  is  21,526.  This  number  falls  4,000  below  Ohio’s  dead- 

list  alone  during  the' late  war The  loss  of  Ohio  officers  is  known  to 

have  reached  872,  nearly  ten  per  cent,  of  the  grand  total  of  officers.” f 

In  the  two  hundred  and  thirty-one  regiments,  twenty-six  independent  batteries 
of  artillery,  and  five  independent  companies  of  cavalry  which  entered  the  field 
from  Ohio,  there  Were  but  8,750  drafted  men ; all  other  members  of  the  organiza- 
tions referred  to  being  volunteers.  It  should  be  observed,  however,  that  the 
patriotic  impulses  of  many  who  volunteered  during  the  later  years  of  the  war 
were  to  some  extent  stimulated  by  the  offer  and  payment  of  liberal  bounties. 
This  fact,  without  being  permitted  to  detract  at  all  from  the  credit  of  the  soldier 
who  accepted  the  money,  should  be  remembered  to  the  honor  of  the  loyal  citizen 
who  paid  it  cheerfully  and  promptly. 

No  army  ever  had  a more  abundant  and  sympathetic  support  than  that 
accorded  by  the  loyal  men  and  w'omen  of  the  North,  who  carried  forward  with 
intense  energy  the  ordinary  business  of  civil  life,  while  sons,  brothers  and  hus- 
bands were  in  the  field.  Indeed,  when  we  consider  that  more  than  one-half  of 
the  adult  male  population  of  Ohio  was  in  the  army,  and  that  probably  one-half 
of  those  who  remained  at  home  were  unfitted  by  age  or  physical  infirmity  for 
military  service,  and  that  very  many  others  were  held  to  their  farms  and  offices 
by  business  obligations,  which  could  not  be  honorably  disregarded,  or  family 
ties  it  would  have  been  cruelty  to  sund<^r,  we  shall  be  at  some  loss  to  determine 
whether  those  who  by  their  industry  and  liberality  made  it  possible  for  an  army 
to  live,  are  entitled  to  less  or  more  credit  from  the  country  than  those  who  fought 
its  battles  and  won  its  victories.  To  the  young  there  is  nothing  more  attractive 
than  war  and  nothing  more  precious  than  martial  honors.  It  must  occur,  there- 
fore, that  the  brother  who  remains  at  home  to  provide  for  the  wants  of  the  house- 
hold, and  attend  to  interests  which  cannot  be  wholly  abandoned,  often  makes  a 
greater  sacrifice  of  inclination  and  exhibits  a more  unselfish  devotion  to  duty 
than  the  one  who  dons  a uniform,  and  with  music,  banners  and  loud  hurrahs 
marches  to  the  front. 

It  would  be  very  difficult  in  any  work,  and  wholly  impracticable  in  this,  to 
mention  by  name  the  private  soldiers  of  Ohio  who  rendered  faithful  service  to 


* Address  Gen.  J.  Warren  Keifer,  at  Ne  o**rk,  1878. 

t Gen.  J.  Warren  Keifer, 


OHIO  IN  THE  CIVIL  WAR. 


152 

the  country,  or  to  make  special  reference  to  those  even  who  were  killed  in  battk 
and  interred  in  hurriedly-made  graves  on  the  fields  where  they  fought.  There 
are  none  so  obtuse,  however,  as  not  to  know  that  in  patriotism  and  courage,  and 
frequently  in  education,  wealth  and  natural  capacity,  the  private  soldier  of  the 
Union  army  was  the  full  equal  of  those  under  whom  he  served,  and  to  whose 
orders  he  gave  prompt  and  unquestioning  obedience.  In  war,  as  in  politics,  all 
.cannot  be  leaders,  and  often  in  both  spheres  the  selfish  and  incompetent  push 
clamorously  to  the  front,  while  men  of  superior  merit  stand  modestly  back,  con- 
tent to  accept  any  place  in  a good  work  to  which  accident  may  assign  them. 

While  those  who  bore  the  brunt  and  burden  of  the  conflict  are,  as  has  been 
suggested,  too  numerous  to  receive  special  recognition,  many  of  them  may  find 
pleasure  in  reviewing  the  list  of  Ohio  generals  whom  their  patience,  skill  and 
courage  helped  to  render  more  or  less  conspicuous  in  the  history  of  the  war : 


Generals  : 

Ulysses  S.  Grant  was  born  at  Point  Pleas- 
ant, Ohio,  April  27, 1822.* 

William  T.  Sherman,  born  Lancaster,  Feb- 
ruary 8,  1820.* 

Philip  H.  Sheridan,  Somerset,  March  6, 
1831.* 

Major-  Generals  : 

Don  Carlos  Buell,  born  Lowell,  March  23, 
1818.* 

George  Crook,  Montgomery  county,  Sep- 
tember 8,  1828.* 

George  A.  Custer,  Harrison  county,  De- 
cember 5,  1839.* 

Quincy  A.  Gillmore,  Lorain  county,  Feb- 
ruary 28,  1825.* 

James  A.  Garfield,  Cuyahoga  county,  No- 
vember 19,  1831. 

James  B.  McPherson,  Clyde,  November 
14,  1828.* 

Irvin  McDowell,  Columbus,  Oct.  15, 1818.* 
Alex.  McD.  McCook,  Columbiana  county, 
April  22,  1831.* 

William  S.  Rosecrans,  Delaware  county, 
September  6,  1819.* 

David  S.  Stanley,  Wayne  county,  June  1, 
1828.* 

Robert  C.  Schenck,  Warren  county,  Octo- 
ber 4,  .1809. 

Wager  Swayne,  Columbus,  1835. 

Godfrey  Weitzel,  Cincinnati,  Nov.  1, 1835.* 

Major-Generals  Resident  in  Ohio  hut  Born 
Elsewhere : 

Jacob  D.  Cox,  born  in  New  York,  October 
27,  1828. 

William  B.  Hazen,  Vermont,  September 
27,  1830.* 

Mortimer  D.  Leggett,  New  York,  April 
19,  1831. 

George  B.  McClellan,  Pennsylvania,  De- 
cember 3,  1826.* 

0.  M.  Mitchel,  Kentucky,  August  28, 
1810.* 

James  B.  Steedman,  Pennsylvania,  July  30, 

Brigadier- Generals  of  Ohio  Birth:  those 
having  brevet  rank  of  Major-General 
marked  with  f. 

William  T.  H.  Brooks,  born  New  Lisbon, 
January  28,  1821.* 


William  W.  Burns,  Coshocton,  September 
3,  1825.* 

t Henry  B.  Banning,  Knox  county,  Novem- 
ber 10,  1834. 

C.  P.  Buckingham,  Zanesville,  March  14, 
1808.* 

John  Beatty,  Sandusky,  December  16, 1 828. 
Joel  A.  Dewey,  Ashtabula,  September  20, 
1840.  . 

t Thomas  H.  Ewing,  Lancaster,  August  7, 
1829. 

fHugh  B.  Ewing,  Lancaster,  October  31, 
1826. 

James  W.  Forsyth,  1835.* 
t Robert  S.  Granger,  Zanesville,  May  24, 
1816.* 

t Kenner  Garrard,  Cincinnati,  1830.* 
t Charles  GriflSn,  Licking  county,  1827.* 
t Rutherford  B.  Hayes,  Delaware,  October 
14,  1822. 

fJ.  Warren  Keifer,  Clark  county,  Jan- 
uary 30,  1836. 

William  H.  Lytle,  Cincinnati,  November 
2,'  1826. 

John  S.  Mason,  Steubenville,  August  21, 
1824.* 

Robert  L.  McCook,  New  Lisbon,  Decem- 
ber 28,  1827. 

Daniel  McCook,  Carrollton,  July  22,  1834. 
John  G.  Mitchell,  Piqua,  November  6, 
1838.^ 

Nathaniel  C.  McLean,  Warren  county, 
February  2,  1815. 

t Emerson  Opdycke,  Tiumbull  county, 
January  7,  1830. 

Benjamin  F.  Potts,  Carroll  county,  Jan- 
uary 29,  1836. 

A.  Sanders  Piatt,  Cincinnati,  May  2,  1821. 
t James  S.  Robinson,  Mansfield,  October 
11,  1828. 

fBen.  P.  Runkle,  West  Liberty,  Septem- 
ber 3,  1836. 

J.  W.  Reilly,  Akron,  May  21,  1828. 
William  Sooy  Smith,  Pickaway  county, 
July  22,  1830.* 

Joshua  Sill,  Chillicothe,  December  6, 1831.* 
John  P.  Slough,  Cincinnati,  1829. 
Ferdinand  Van  DeVeer,  Butler  county, 
February  27,  1823. 

t Charles  R.  Woods,  Licking  county.* 


♦Graduates  of  West  Point. 


OHIO  IN  HHE  CIVIL  WAR. 


153 


fWilliard  Warner,  Granville,  September 
4,  1826. 

7 William  B.  Woods,  Licking  county. 

I Charles  C.  Walcutt,  Columbus,  February 
12,  1838. 

M.  S.  Wade,  Cincinnati,  December 2, 1802. 

Brigadier-  Generals  Resident  in  Ohio  hut 

Born  Elsewhere:  those  having  brevet  rank 

of  Major-General  marked  f. 

Jacob  Ammen,  born  in  Virginia,  January 
7,  1808.* 

t Samuel  Beatty,  Pennsylvania,  September 
16,  1820. 

fB.  W.  Brice,  A^irginia,  1809.* 

Ralph  P.  Buckland,  Massachusetts,  Jan- 
uary 20,  1812. 

H.  B.  Carrington,  Connecticut,  March  2, 
1824. 


George  P.  Este,  New  Hampshire,  April 
30,  1830. 

t Manning  F.  Force,  Washington,  D.  C., 
December  17,  1824. 

t John  W.  Fuller,  England,  July,  1827. 

t Charles  W.  Hill,  Vermont. 

t August  V.  Kautz,  Germany,  January  5, 
1828. 

George  W.  Morgan,  Pennsylvania. 

William  H.  Powell,  South  Wales,  May  10, 
1825. 

E.  P.  Scammon,  Maine,  December  27, 
1816.* 

Thomas  Kilby  Smith,  Massachusetts,  1821. 

t John  W.  Sprague,  New  York,  April  4, 
1827. 

fErastusB.  Tyler,  New  York. 

I John  C.  Tibball,  Virginia.* 

TAugustWillich,  Prussia,  1810. 


General  Eli  Long,  for  a time  Colonel  4th  Ohio  Cavalry ; General  S.  S.  Carroll, 
for  a time  Colonel  8th  Ohio  Infantry ; and  General  Charles  G.  Harker,  first 
Colonel  of  the  65th  Ohio  Infantry,  are  not  included  in  the  above  list,  for  the 
reason  that  they  were  officers  of  the  regular  army,  and  neither  by  birth  nor  resi- 
dence Ohio  men. 

It  would  hardly  be  safe  for  a reader  in  search  of  truth  to  assume  that  rank  at 
all  times,  or  even  generally,  indicated  the  relative  merit  of  officers  in  the  volun- 
teer service.  Brevet  rank  conferred  neither  additional  pay  nor  authority,  and 
near  the  close  of  the  war  the  government  was  prodigal  of  gifts  which  cost  it 
nothing,  and  of  such  gifts  gave  freely  to  all  for  whom  they  were  asked.  On  the 
other  hand  it  would  be  a mistake  to  conclude  that  some  of  those  brevetted  were 
not  justly  entitled  to  greater  honors  and  compensation  than  many  whose  rank 
was  higher  and  commands  larger.  It  is  but  natural  for  governors  to  provide  well 
for  those  nearest  to  them  officially  and  otherwise,  for  senators  and  representa- 
tives to  be  partial  to  their  own  kinsfolk  and  following,  and  for  victorious  generals 
to  think  first  of  their  intimate  personal  friends.  Still  the  honors  were  probably 
as  fairly  awarded  as  those  in  civil  life.  Accident,  opportunity,  family  and  social 
influence,  when  favorable,  are  important  helps  in  war,  as  well  as  in  love,  politics 
and  business. 

It  will  be  observed  that  the  graduates  of  West  Point  kept  well  to  the  front 
during  the  war.  They  were  educated  for  this  purpose,  and  the  government  exer- 
cised its  authority  wisely  when  it  sustained  them  even  under  circumstances  which 
would  have  been  deemed  sufficient  to  retire  a volunteer  officer  in  disgrace.  It 
may  be  truthfully  said,  also,  that  the  officers  of  the  regular  army,  with  few  ex- 
ceptions, sustained  each  other  loyally,  and  never  permitted  even  a straggling 
honor  to  escape  which  could  by  hook  or  crook  be  gathered  in  for  the  glorification 
of  their  Alma  Mater. 

The  officers  of  Ohio  birth  whose  names  are  given  above,  were,  with  but  few 
exceptions,  born  during  the  first  thirty  years  of  the  present  century,  when  Ohio 
was  simply  a vast  wilderness  with  here  and  there  a clearing  and  a cabin.  Many 
were  farmers’  sons,  who  received  the  rudiments  of  an  education  in  the  log-school 
houses  of  pioneer  settlements  during  the  winter  months,  and  in  summer  assisted 
their  fathers  in  the  rough  work  of  converting  heavily  timbered  lands  into  produc- 
tive fields.  The  habits  of  frugality  and  industry  then  attained  undoubtedly 
contributed  much  to  their  subsequent  success. 

In  enumerating  the  Ohio  Generals  I have  followed  the  course  pursued  by  White- 
law  Reid  in  his  “ Ohio  in  the  War,”  but  it  must  be  admitted  that  in  doing  so  a door 
is  left  wide  open  for  adverse  criticism.  If  Grant  should  be  credited  to  Ohio  be- 
cause he  was  born  in  the  State,  then  Generals  Halbert  E.  Paine,  of  Wisconsin, 
Ben  Harrison,  of  Indiana,  Robert  B.  Mitchell,  of  Kansas,  and  others,  should  also 
be  credited  to  Ohio ; while  McClellan,  O.  M.  Mitchell,  Hazen,  and  others  should 


* Graduates  of  West  Point. 


OHIO  IN  THE  CIVIL  WAR. 


be  credited  to  the  place  of  their  birth  rather  than  to  that  of  their  residence.  It 
is  apparent,  therefore,  that  the  claim  usually  made  by  Ohio  goes  too  far  or  not 
far  enough,  and  that  a wiser  adjustment  of  the  whole  matter  could  be  attained  by 
pooling  the  honors  of  the  war  with  other  loyal  States  and  simply  boasting  that 
those  who  won  them  were  American  citizens. 

No  fair  estimate  of  the  magnitude  of  Ohio’s  contribution  to  the  war,  however, 
can  be  obtained  without  taking  into  consideration  the  services  of  eight  men  in 
civil  life  who  did  more,  probably,  to  insure  the  success  of  the  Union  cause  tiian 
any  eight  of  the  Generals  whom  the  State  sent  to  the  field. 

Edwin  M.  Stanton,  born  at  Steubenville,  Dec.  19, 1814,  Attorney -General  United 
States,  1860,  and  Secretary  of  War  from  January,  1862,  to  August,  1867. 

Salmon  P.  Chase,  born  in  New  Hampshire,  January  13,  1808,  United  States 
Senator  from  Ohio,  Governor  of  Ohio,  and  from  March,  1861,  to  1864,  Secretary 
of  the  Treasury. 

John  Sherman,  born  at  Lancaster,  May  10,  1823,  United  States  Senator  from 
Ohio,  and  member  of  the  Finance  Committee  of  the  Senate. 

Benjamin  F.  Wade,  born  in  Massachusetts,  October  27, 1800,  United  States  Sen- 
ator from  Ohio,  and  Chairman  of  the  Senate  Committee  on  the  conduct  of  the 
war. 

William  Dennison,  born  at  Cincinnati,  November  23,  1815,  Governor  of  Ohio 
from  January,  1860,  to  January,  1862. 

David  Tod,  born  at  Youngstown,  February  21,  1805,  Governor  of  Ohio  from 
January,  1862,  to  January,  1864. 

John  Brough,  born  at  Marietta,  September  17,  1811,  Governor  of  Ohio  from 
January,  1864,  to  the  close  of  the  war. 

Jay  Cooke,  born  at  Sandusky,  August  10,  1821,  Special  Agent  United  States 
Treasury  Department  for  the  negotiation  of  bonds. 

The  population  of  Ohio  probably  represented  more  nearly  than  that  of  any 
other  State,  the  people  of  all  the  older  sections  of  the  Union.  Settlers  from  New 
England  and  New  York  predominated  in  the  Western  Reserve.  Pennsylvania 
had  peopled  the  eastern  counties ; Virginia  and  Kentucky  the  southern  and  south- 
western ; and  so  we  find  that  Grant’s  father  and  Rosecrans’s  came  from  Pennsyl- 
vania ; Sherman’s  and  Tod’s  from  Connecticut;  McPherson’s  and  Garfield’s  from 
New"  York  ; McDowell’s,  Kentucky;  Dennison’s,  New  Jersey  ; Gillmore’s,  Massa- 
chusetts; Stanton’s,  North  Carolina;  while  Chase  was  born  in  New  Hampshire, 
and  Ammen,  Brice,  and  Tibball  were  natives  of  Virginia. 

It  was  thus  on  Ohio  soil  that  the  people  North  and  South  first  met  and  frater- 
nized, and  by  their  united  and  harmonious  efforts  transformed,  within  less  than 
half  a century,  an  unbroken  wilderness  into  a rich  and  powerful  State. 


ROLL  OF  MEMBERS  OF  THE  OHIO  COMMANDERY 

MILITARY  ORDER  OF  THE 

LOYAL  LEGION  OF  THE  UNITED  STATES. 

With  an  Introductory  Sketch  Giving  the  History  and  Patriotic  Objects  of  the  Order, 


Brev.-Lieut.-Col.  E.  C.  DAWES,  U.  S.  V.,  Capt.  ROBERT  HUNTER,  U.  S.  V., 

Commander  Ohio  Commandery,  Recorder  Ohio  Commandery. 

The  Military  Order  of  the  Loyal  Legion  is  an  association  of  officers  and 
honorably  discharged  officers  of  the  army,  navy,  and  marine  corps  of  the  United 
States,  regular  and  volunteer,  who  took  part  in  the  suppression  of  the  rebellion. 
It  was  organized  in  Philadelphia  in  1865.  The  Order  acknowledges  as  its  funda- 
mental principles:  (1st)  a belief  and  trust  in  Almighty  God;  (2d)  true  allegiance 
to  the  United  States  of  America.  Its  objects  are  to  cherish  the  memories  of  the 
war  waged  for  the  unity  of  the  Republic,  to  strengthen  the  ties  of  fellowship 
formed  by  companionship  in  arms,  to  advance  the  best  interests  of  its  members, 
to  extend  assistance  to  families  of  deceased  members  when  required,  to  foster  the 
cultivation  of  military  and  naval  science,  and  to  enforce  allegiance  to  the  general 
government. 

The  Order  is  organized  into  State  Commanderies,  of  which  there  are  now  seven- 
teen, with  a total  membership  of  over  5,000.  There  is  also  a National  Com- 
mandery-in-Chief,  composed  of  the  Commanders,  ex-Commanders,  Vice-Com- 
manders, ex-Vice-Commanders,  Recorders,  and  ex-Recorders  of  the  different 
Commanderies.  The  Commandery-in-Chief  is  the  supreme  judicial  and  executive 
body.  It  meets  once  a year.  It  was  instituted  21st  October,  1885.  Previous  to 
this  time  the  Pennsylvania  Commandery  acted  as  Commandery-in-Chief. 

Gen.  Winfield  S.  Hancock  was  the  first  Commander-in-Chief.  Upon  his  death 
Gen.  Philip  H.  Sheridan  succeeded  him.  Col.  John  P.  Nicholson  is  Reccrder- 

(155) 


ITS®  ROLL  OF  MEMBERS  OF  THE  OHIO  COMMANDERY 


in-Chief.  The  headquarters  are  at  Philadelphia,  Pa.  A congress  composed  of 
the  Commander-in-Chief,  Recorder-in-Chief,  and  three  delegates  from  each  Com? 
mandery  assembles  once  every  four  years.  All  legislative  powers,  not  reserved 
by  the  Constitution  to  the  State  Commanderies,  are  vested  in  it.  The  Order  is 
not  sectarian  and  is  not  political,  nor  is  it  secret.  Its  members  are  known  as 
Companions,  and  are  of  three  classes.  The  first  class  is  composed  of  commis- 
sioned officers  and  honorably  discharged  commissioned  officers  of  the  United 
States  army,  navy,  or  marine  corps,  regular  or  volunteer,  who  were  actually 
engaged  in  the  suppression  of  the  rebellion.  Also,  the  eldest,  direct,  male,  lineal 
descendants,  or  male  heirs  in  collateral  branches,  of  officers  who  died  prior  to 
31st  December,  18.85,  who  at  the  time  of  death  were  eligible. 

To  the  second  class  are  eligible  the  eldest  sons,  twenty-one  years  of  age,  of 
living,  original  members.  Upon  the  death  of  those  through  whom  they  derive 
membership.  Companions  of  the  second  class  become  Companions  of  the  first 
class. 

A third  class  is  composed  of  civilians  who  were  distinguished  for  conspicuous 
loyalty  to  the  government  during  the  Rebellion. 

The  diploma  of  membership  and  insignia  of  the  Order  may  be  conferred,  by  a 
vote  of  a congress  of  the  Order,  after  nomination  by  the  Commandery-in-Chief, 
upon  any  gentleman  who  served  during  the  war  of  the  Rebellion  on  staff*  duty 
without  commission. 

Those  so  chosen  are  known  as  Members-at-Large,  and  are  recognized  as  first- 
class  Companions  of  the  State  Commandery  they  affiliate  with. 

This  distinguished  honor  has  been  conferred  upon  two  members  of  the  Ohio 
Commandery : the  late  Col.  John  H.  Devereaux,  of  Cleveland,  who  during  the 
war  was  Superintendent  of  Military  railroads  in  Virginia,  and  Maj.  William  D. 
Bickham,  of  Dayton,  who  served  on  the  staff*  of  Gen.  W.  S.  Rosecrans. 

The  Insignia  of  the  Order  is  a badge  pendant  by  a link  and  a ring  of  gold  from 
a tricolored  ribbon.  The  badge  is  a cross  of  eight  points  gold  and  enamel,  with 
jays  forming  a star.  In  the  centre  on  the  obverse  side  is  a circle  with  the  national 
eagle  displayed,  and  around  it  the  motto.  Lex  regit  arma  tuenter.  On  the  reverse 
side  are  crossed  sabres,  surmounted  by  a fasces,  on  which  is  the  Phrygian  cap ; 
around  it  an  arch  of  thirteen  stars  and  a wreath  of  laurel ; in  the  circle  about  it 
the  legend : “ M.  O.  Loyal  Legion,  U.  S.,  MDCCCLXV.” 

The  Commandery  of  Ohio  was  instituted  7th  February,  1883.  Its  headquarters 
are  at  Nos.  57  and  59  Fourth  street,  Cincinnati,  where  it  has  neat  and  commo- 
dious rooms  for  its  office,  library,  and  meetings.  It  holds  seven  regular  meetings 
each  year.  At  each  meeting — except  the  annual  election  in  May — a paper  is 
read  by  some  one  of  the  members,  giving  his  personal  recollections  of  some  cam- 
paign or  battle  in  which  he  was  a participant.  Two  volumes,  of  600  pages  each, 
of  these  papers  have  already  been  published  by  the  Commanderv.  and  it  is 
intended  to  publish  one  annually. 


OFFICERS  OHIO  COMMANDERY,  1889-1890. 

Commander — Brev.  Lieut.-Col.  E.  C.  Dawes,  U.  S.  V. 

Senior  Vice-Commander — Brev.  Maj. -Gen.  J.  Warren  Keifer,  U.  S.  V, 

Junior  Vice-Commander — Brev.  Col.  Cornelius  Cadle,  Jr.,  U.  S.  V. 

Recorder — Capt.  Robert  Hunter,  U.  S.  V. 

Registrar — Capt.  James  C.  Michie,  U.  S.  V. 

Treasurer — Brev.  Maj.  F.  B.  James,  U.  S.  V. 

Chancellor— Capt.  William  E.  Crane,  U.  S.  V. 

Chaplain — Capt.  George  A.  Thayer,  U.  S.  V. 

Council— Maj.  W.  H.  Chamberlin,  U.  S.  V. ; Brev.  Brig.-Gen.  R.  W.  Healy,  U.  S.  V. ; Brev.  Maj. 
W.  R.  Lowe,  U.  S.  A. ; Brev.  Maj.  William  R.  McCoraas,  U.  S.  V. ; Lieut.-Col.  George  M.  Finch, 

J.  S.  V. 

MEMBERS  OF  OHIO  COMMANDERY,  JUNE,  1889. 


Abbott,  E.  A.,  Capt.  23d  O.  V.  I.,  Cleveland,  O. 
Abbott,  H.  R.,  1st  Lieut.  180th  O.  V.  I.  {Trans- 
ferred to  Mich.) 

Abbott,  N.  B.,  1st  Lieut.  20th  Conn.  V.,  Colum- 
bus, O. 


Abert,  J.  W.,  Maj.  U.  S.  Engineers,  Brev.  Lieut.- 
Col.  U.  S.  A.,  Newport,  Ky. 

Adae,  C.  A.  G.,  Capt.  4th  O.  V.  C.,  Cincinnati,  O. 
Alexander,  I.  N.,  Lieut.-Col.  46th  O.  V.  I.,  Van 
Wert.  O. 


OF  THE  LOYAL  LEGION  OF  THE  UNITED  STATES.  157 


Ammou,  J.  H.,  Lieut.-Col.  16th  N.  Y.  Heavy 
Art.  {Transferred  to  Mass.) 

Anderson,  Ed.,  Chaplain  37th  111.  V.  T.,  Col.  12th 
Ind.  V.  Cav.  {Transferred  to  N.  Y.) 

Anderson,  L.,  Capt.  and  Brev.  Lieut.-Col.  5th 
Inf.,  Col.  8th  Reg.  C.  V.,  Cincinnati,  O. 

Ashmun,  G.  C.,  2d  Lieut.  7th  Ind.  Troop  O.  V.  C., 
Cleveland,  O. 

Austin,  D.  R.,  1st  Lieut.  100th  O.  V.  I.,  Toledo,  O. 

Ayers,  S.  C.,  1st  Lieut,  and  Assist.-Surgeon  U.  S. 
V.,  Brev.  Capt.  U.  S.  V.,  Cincinnati,  O. 

Babbitt,  A.  T.,  2d  Lieut.  93d  O.V.  I.  {Deceased.) 

Babbitt,  H.  S.,  1st  Lieut,  and  R.  Q.  M.,  31st  O. 
V.  I.,  Dorchester,  Mass. 

Bacon,  G.  M.,  Capt.  24th  O.  V.  I.  {Deceased.) 

Bacon,  H.  M.,  Chaplain  63d  Ind.  V.  I.,  Toledo,  O. 

Baer,  Louis,  1st  Lieut.  2d  O.  H.  A.,  Washington 
C.  H.,  O. 

Bailey,  C.  D.,  Lieut.-Col.  9th  Ky.  V.  I.,  Cincin- 
nati, O. 

Baker,  C.  C.,  1st  Lieut.  6th  O.  V.  C.,  New  Lis- 
bon, O. 

Baldwin,  A.  P.,  Capt.  6th  Ohio  Batt.  Light  Art., 
Akron,  O. 

Baldwin,  J.  G.,  Capt.  2d  O.  V.  I.,  Warren,  O. 

Baldwin,  W.  H.,  Lieut.-Col.  83d  O V.  I.,  Brev. 
Brig.-Gen.  U.  S.  V.,  Cincinnati,  O. 

Ball,  E.  H.,  1st  Lieut.  53d  O.  V.  I.,  Portsmouth,  O. 

Barber,  G.  M.,  Lieut.-Col.  197th  O.  V.  I.,  Brev. 
Brig.  Gen.  U.  S.  V.,  Cleveland,  O. 

Bard,  S.  W.,  2d  Lieut.  2d  Mo.  Cav.,  Capt.  Bard’s 
Ind.  O.  V.  C.,  Cincinnati,  O. 

Barker,  Jas.  G.,  Capt.  36th  O.  V.  I.,  Marietta,  O. 

Barnett,  James,  Col.  1st  O.  L.  Art.,  Brev.  Maj.- 
Gen.  U.  S.  V.,  Cleveland,  O. 

Barnitz,  Albert,  Maj.  2d  O.  V.  C,,  Capt.  7th  U.  S. 
Cav.,  Brev.  Col.  U.  S.  A.  {retired)^  Cleveland,  O. 

Bates,  Caleb,  Maj.  and  A.  D.  C.  {Deceased.) 

Bates,  C.  S.,  1st  Lieut.  13th  O.  V.  I.,  Cleve- 
land, O. 

Bates,  J.  H..  Brig.-Gen.  U.  S.  V.,  Cincinnati,  O. 

Beatty,  John,  Brig.-Gen.  U.  S.  V.,  Colum- 
bus, O. 

Beatty,  W.  G.,  Maj.  174th  O.  V.  I.,  Carding- 
ton,  0. 

Bell,  John  B.,  Maj.  15th  Mich.  V.  I.,  Brev.  Lieut.- 
Col.  U.  S.  V.,  Toledo,  O. 

Bell,  John  N.,  Capt.  25th  Iowa  V.  I.,  Day- 
ton,  O. 

Bell,  Wm.  H.,  Maj.  and  A.  Q.  M.  U.  S.  A.,  Den- 
ver, Colo. 

Bentley,  R.  H.,  Lieut.-Col.  12th  O.  V.  C.,  and 
Brev.  Brig.-Gen.  U.  S.  V.,  Mansfield,  O. 

Berlin,  Carl,  1st  Lieut.  1st  N.  Y.  Light  Art.,  Brev. 
Maj.  U.  S.  V.,  Soldiers’  Home,  Dayton,  O. 

Bickham,  Wm.  D.,  Maj.  and  Aid-de-Camp  on  staff 
of  Gen.  Rosecrans,  Dayton,  O. 

Bigelow,  H.  W.,  Capt.  14th  O.  V.  I.,  Toledo,  O. 

Billow,  Geo.,  Capt.  107th  O.  V.  I.,  Akron,  O. 

Bingham,  Wm.  {Third  Class),  Cleveland,  O. 

Bishop,  J.  C.,  1st  Lieut.  1st  Vet.  W.  Va.  Vol. 
Inf.,  Middleport,  O. 

Blaek,  Thos.  S.,  Capt.  122d  O.  V.  I.,  Zanes- 
ville, O. 

Blair,  J.  M.,  Capt.  2d  Ky.  Vol.  Inf.,  Cincin- 
nati, O. 

Bliven,  C.  E.,  Capt.  Brev.  Maj.  U.  S.  V.  {Trans- 
ferred to  III.) 


Bockee,  J.  S.,  Capt.  114th  N.  Y.  Vols.,  Brev. 

Lieut.-Col.  U.  S.  V.,  Louisville,  Ky. 

Bond,  F.  S.,  Maj.  and  A.  D.  C.  U.  S.  V.,  New 
York  City,  N.  Y. 

Bond,  L.  H.,  1st  Lieut.  88th  O.  V.  I.,  Brev.  Maj. 
U.  S.  V.,  Cincinnati,  O. 

Bonnell,  D.  V.,  1st  Lieut.  93d  O.  V.  I.,  Middle- 
town,  O. 

Bonsall,  W.  H.,  2d  Lieut.  1st  O.  V.  Heavy  Art., 
Los  Angeles,  Cal. 

Booth,  Chas.  A.,  Capt.  and  A.  Q.  M.  U.  S.  A.,  and 
Brev.  Lieut.-Col.  U.  S.  V.,  Los  Angeles,  Cal. 
Botsford,  J.  L.,  Capt.  and  A.  A.  G.,  Brev.  Maj. 

U.  S.  V.,  Youngstown,  O. 

Boyd,  C.  W.,  Capt.  34th  O.  V.  I.,  Levana,  O. 
Brachman,  W.  E.,  Capt.  47th  O.  V.  I.,  Cincin- 
nati, O. 

Brand,  T.  T.,  Capt.  18th  U.  S.  I.,  Brev.  Maj.  XT. 

S.  A.  {retired),  Urbana,  O. 

Brasher,  L.  B.,  1st  Lieut,  and  R.  Q.  M.,  54th  Ky. 

Mounted  Inf.,  Meeker,  Colo. 

Brinkerhoff,  R.,  Col.  and  Brev.  Brig.-Gen.  U.  S. 

V. ,  Mansfield,  O. 

Brooks,  M.  L.,  Jr.,  1st  Lieut,  and  Assist.-Surgeon 
93d  O.  V.  I.,  Cleveland,  O.  , 

Brown,  A.  M.,  Assist.-Surgeon  22d  O.  V.  I.,  Maj. 

Acting  Staff-Surgeon  U.  S.  V.,  Cincinnati,  O. 
Brown,  E.  F.,  Col.  128th  N.  Y.  V.  I.,  Day. 
ton,  O. 

Brown,  Fayette,  Maj.  and  Paymaster  U.  S.  A., 
Cleveland,  O. 

Brown,  F.  W.,  2d  Lieut.  1st  U.  S.  Colored  Cav., 
Cincinnati,  O. 

Brown^  H.  H.  {Second  Class),  Cleveland,  O. 
Brown,  J.  Morris,  Surgeon  Maj.  U.  S.  A.  {Trans- 
ferred to  Neb.) 

Brown,  J.  Mason,  Maj.  10th  Ky.  Vol.  Cav.,  Col. 

45th  Ky.  Mounted  Inf.,  Louisville,  Ky. 

Brown,  M.  G.,  1st  Lieut,  and  R.  Q.  M.,  111th  O. 
V.  I.,  Cleveland,  O. 

Brundage,  A.  H.,  Maj. -Surgeon  32d  O.  V.  I., 
Xenia,  O. 

Buchwalter,  E.  L.,  Capt.  53d  U.  S.  C.  I.,  Spring- 
field,  O. 

Buck,  A.  E.,  Lieut.-Col.  51st  U.  S.  C.  I.,  Brev. 

Col.  U.  S.  V.,  Atlanta,  Ga. 

Buckland,  H.  S.  {Second  Class),  Fremont,  O. 
Buckland,  R.  P.,  Brig.-Gen.,  Brev.  Maj.-Gen.  U. 
S.  V.,  Fremont,  O. 

Burbank,  C.  S.  {First  Class  by  Inh.),  Capt.  10th 
Inf.,  Fort  Lyon,  Colo. 

Burnet,  R.  W.  {Third  Class),  Cincinnati,  O. 
Burns,  J.  M.,  1st  Lieut.  17th  U.  S.  Inf.,  Fort  D. 
A.  Russell,  Wyo. 

Burrows,  J.  B.,  Capt.  14th  O.  Batt.  Light  Art., 
Painesville,  O. 

Burrows,  J.  S.  {Second  Class),  Painesville,  O. 
Burrows,  W.  S.,  2d  Lieut.  1st  N.  Y.  Vet.  Vol. 
Cav.,  Cleveland,  O. 

Burt,  Andrew  S.,  Lieut.-Col.  8th  U.  S.  Inf., 
Fort  Washakie,  Wyo. 

Burt,  M.  W.,  Maj.  22d  Mass.  V.  I.,  Brev.  Col.  U. 
S.  V.,  Cleveland,  O. 

Burton,  A.  B.,  1st  Lieut.  O.  Batt.  Light  Art., 
Brev.  Maj.  U.  S.  V.,  Cincinnati,  O. 

Bush,  T.  J.,  Capt.  24th  Ky.  V.  I.,  Lexington,  Ky. 

Cable,  C.  A.,  Capt.  18th  O.  V.  I.,  Nelsonville,  O. 
Cadle,  C.,  Jr.,  Lieut.-Col.  and  A.  A.  G.  17th  A.  C. 
Brev.  Col.  U.  S.  V.,  Cincinnati,  O. 


158  ROLL  OF  MEMBERS  OF  THE  OHIO  COMMANDERY 


Campbell,  John,  Capt.  70th  O.  V.  I.  {Trans- 
ferred to  £>.  C.) 

Carnahan,  J.  R.,  Capt.  86th  Ind.  Vol.  Inf.  ( Trans- 
ferred to  Ind.) 

Carrick,  A.  L.,  Maj. -Surgeon  2d  E.  Tenn.  V.  Cav., 
Cincinnati,  O. 

Casement,  J.  S.,  Col.  103d  O.  V.  I.,  and  Brev. 
Brig.-Gen.  U.  S.  V.,  Painesville,  O. 

Cavett,  G.  W.,  1st  Lieut.  53d  O.  V.  I.,  Cincin- 
nati, O. 

Chamberlain,  H.  S.,  1st  Lieut.  2d  O.  V.  C.,  Capt. 
and  A.  Q.  M.  U.  S.  V.,  Chattanooga,  Tenn. 

Chamberlin,  J.  W.,  Capt.  123d  O.  V.  I.,  Brev. 
Maj.  U.  S.  V.,  Tiffin,  O. 

Chamberlin,  W.  H.,  Maj.  81st  O.  V.  I.,  Cincin- 
nati, O. 

Chamberlin,  W.  P.,  1st  Lieut.  23d  O.  V.  I.,  Knox- 
ville, Tenn. 

Chance,  J.  C.,  Capt.  13th  U.  S.  I.,  David’s  Isl- 
and, N.  Y. 

Chance,  J.,  1st  Lieut.  17th  U.  S.  I.  {Deceased.) 

Chandler,  D.  J.,  2d  Lieut.  17th  Me.  Vol.  Inf., 
Chattanooga,  Tenn. 

Chapman,  J.  H.,  Capt.  5th  Conn.  Vol.  Inf.,  Capt. 
Vet.  Res.  Corps,  Soldiers’  Home,  Dayton,  O. 

Chase,  D.  H.,  Capt.  9th  Ind.  Vol.  Inf.,  Capt.  17th 
U.  S.  I.  {Transferred  to  Ind.) 

Cherry,  E.  V.,  1st  Lieut.  63d  O.  V.  I.,  Cincin- 
nati, O. 

Chester,  F.  S.,  Capt.  2d  Conn.  Vol.  Inf.,  Cuyahoga 
Falls,  O. 

Childe,  C.  B.,  Capt.  8th  Vt.  Vol.  Inf.,  Wyom- 
ing, O. 

Childe,  J.  B.  {Second  Class),  Wyoming,  O. 

Chisman,  Homer,  1st  Lieut.  7th  Ind.  Vol.  Inf., 

■ Ludlow,  Ky. 

Churchill,  M.,  Col.  27th  O.  V.  I.,  Brev.  Brig.- 
Gen.  U.  S.  V.,  Zanesville,  O. 

Cist,  H.  M.,  Maj.  and  A.  A.  G.,  Brev.  Brig.-Gen. 
U.  S.  V.,  Cincinnati,  O. 

Clark,  D.  M.,  1st  Lieut.  83d  111.  Vol.  Inf., 

- Elyria,  O. 

Clarke,  J.  S.,  Maj.  8th  Ky.  Vol.  Inf.,  Lexing- 
ton, Ky. 

Clarke,  R.  W.,  Capt.  120th  N.  Y.  V.  I.,  Toledo,  O. 

Clarke,  W.  C.,  1st  Lieut,  and  Reg.  Com.  2d  111. 
Cav.,  Lithopolis,  O. 

Coates,  B.  F.,  Col.  91st  O.  V.  I.,  Brev.  Brig.-Gen. 
U.  S.  V.,  Mineral  Springs,  O. 

Cochran,  N.  D.  {Second  Class),  Toledo,  O. 

Cochran,  R.  H.,  1st  Lieut.  15th  O.  V.  I.,  To- 
ledo, O. 

Cochran,  T.  J.,  1st  Lieut.  77th  O.  V.  I.,  San 
Francisco,  Cal. 

Cockerill,  J.  A.  {First  Class  by  Ink.),  New  York 
City,  N.  Y. 

Coe,  E.  S.,  Lieut.-Col.  196th  O.  V.  I.,  Cleve- 
land, O. 

Coleman,  Horace,  Maj.-Surgeon  147th  O.  V.  I., 
Troy,  O. 

Collamore,  G.  A.,  Maj.-Surgeon  100th  O.  V.  I., 
Toledo,  O. 

Collins,  C.  L.  {First  Class  by  Ink.),  2d  Lieut.  24th 
Inf.,  Fort  Bayard,  N.  M. 

Comly,  Clifton,  Maj.  Ordnance  Dept.  U.  S.  A. 
{Transferred  to  Ind.) 

Comly,  J.  M.,  Col.  23d  O.  V.  I.,  Brev.  Brig.-GeJl. 
U.  S.  V.  {Deceased.) 

Comstock.  D.  W.,  Capt.  121st  Ind.  Vol.  Inf. 
( Transferred  to  Ind.) 


Conger,  A.  L.,  1st  Lieut.  115th  O.  V.  I.,  Ak- 
ron, O. 

Conger,  K.  B.  {Second  Class),  Akron,  O. 

Conner,  P.  S.,  Assist.-Surgeon,  Brev.  Maj.  U.  S. 
A.,  Cincinnati,  O. 

Conrad,  J.,  Col.  U.  S.  A.  {Retired.)  ( Transferred 
to  D.  C.) 

Cooke,  H.  P.,  Capt.  and  A.  A.  G.  U.  S.  V.,  Cin- 
cinnati, O.  ( 

Cooke,  W.  W.,  Capt.  182d  O.  V.  I.,  Toledo,  O. 

Coon,  John,  Maj.  and  Paymaster  U.  S.  A.,  Cleve- 
land, O. 

Cope,  Alexis,  Capt.  15th  O.  V.  I.,  Columbus,  O. 

Corbin,  D.  T.,  Capt.  3d  Vt.  Vol.  Inf.,  Capt.  Vet. 
Res.  Corps,  Brev.  Maj.  U.  S.  V.  {Transferred 
to  111.) 

Corbin,  H.  C.,  Maj.  and  A.  A.  G.,  U.  S.  A.,  Brev. 
Brig.-Gen.  tl.  S.  V.,  Chicago,  111. 

Coverdale,  R.  T.,  Capt.  48th  O.  V.  I-,  Capt.  and 
A.  Q.  M.  U.  S.  V.,  Cincinnati,  6. 

Cowan,  A.,  Capt.  1st  N.  Y.  Ind.  Batt.  Light  Art., 
Brev.  Lieut.-Col.  U.  S.  V.,  Louisville,  Ky. 

Cowen,  B.  R.,  Maj.  and  Paymaster  U.  S.  A., 
Brev.  Brig.-Gen.  U.  S.  V.,  Cincinnati,  O. 

Cox,  J.  D.,  Maj. -Gen.  U.  S.  V.,  Cincinnati,  O. 

Cox,  J.  D.,  Jr.  {Second  Class),  Cleveland,  O. 

Cox,  Theo.,  Lieut.-Col.,  Brev.  Col.  and  A.  A.  G. 
23d  A.  C.,  Cincinnati,  O. 

Crane,  W.  E.,  Capt.  4th  O.  V.  C.,  Cincinnati,  O. 

Crawford,  G.  S.,  Capt.  49th  O.  V.  I.,  Cincin- 
nati, O. 

Crawford,  James,  Capt.  9l8t  O.  V.  I.,  West 
Union,  O. 

Crook,  Geo.,  Maj.-Gen.  U.  S.  A.,  Chicago,  111. 

Cross,  F.  G.,  1st  Lieut.  84th  Ind.  V.  I.,  Cincin- 
nati, O. 

Crouse,  G.  W.  {Third  Class),  Akron,  O. 

Crowell,  J.,  Capt.  and  A.  A.  G.  U.  S.  V.  {De- 
ceased.) 

Crumit,  C.  K.,  Capt.  53d  O.  V.  I.,  Jackson,  O. 

Cullen,  Robt.,  Capt.  74th  O.  V.  I.,  Cincinnati,  O. 

Cumback,  Wm.,  Maj.  and  Paymaster  U.  S.  A. 
{Transferred  to  Ind.) 

Currie,  G.  E.,  Lieut.-Col.  1st  Inf.  Miss.  Marine 
Reg.,  Dayton,  Ky. 

Cushing,  H.  K.,  Maj.-Surgeon  7th  O.  V.  I.,  Cleve- 
land, O. 

Cushing,  W.  E.  {Second  Class),  Cleveland,  O. 

Cutler,  Carroll,  1st  Lieut.  85th  O.  V.  k..  Clove- 
land,  O. 

Davies,  S.  W.,  Capt.  1st  O.  V.  I.,  Dayton,  O. 

Dawes,  E.  C.,  Maj.  53d  O.  V.  I.,  Brev.  Lieut.-Col. 
U.  S.  V.,  Cincinnati,  O. 

Dawes,  R.  R.,  Lieut.-Col.  6th  Wis.  V.  I.,  Brev. 
Brig.-Gen.  U.  S.  V.,  Marietta,  O. 

Day,  J.  B.,  Maj.  6th  U.  S.  Colored  Cav.,  San 
Antonio,  Texas. 

Dayton,  L.  M.,  Col.  U.  S.  A.,  Cincinnati,  O. 

De  Bus,  Henry,  Capt.  1st  U.  S.  Colored  Cav. 
{Deceased.) 

De  Gress,  J.  C.,  Capt.  9th  U.  S.  Cav.,  Brev.  Lieut.- 
Col.  {Retired),  Washington,  D.  C. 

Dennis,  C.  P.,  Ist  Lieut.  47th  O.  V.  I.,  Ports- 
mouth, O. 

Devereux,  J.  H.,  Col,  and  Vol.  Aid  by  appoint- 
ment. {Deceased.) 

De  Witt.  Calvin,  Maj.-Surgeon  U.  S.  A.,  Beaver 
Falls,  Pa. 


OF  THE  LOYAL  LEGION  OF  THE  UNITED  STATES.  159 


De  Wolfe,  James,  2d  Lieut.  96th  O.  V.  I.,  Colum- 
bus,  O. 

Dickerson,  W.  P.  {First  Class  by  Ink.),  New- 
port, Ky. 

Donnellan,  J.  W.,  Lieut.-Gol.  27th  U.  S.  C.  T., 
Laramie,  Wyo. 

Doolittle,  C.  C.,  Brig,  and  Brev.  Maj.-Gen.  U.  S. 
V.,  Toledo,  O. 

Dowling,  P.  H.,  Capt.  111th  O.  V.  I.,  To- 
ledo, O. 

Du  Barry,  H.  B.,  1st  Lieut.  88th  Ind.V.  I.,  Pitts- 
burg, Pa. 

Dudley,  E.  S.,  1st  Lieut.  2d  U.  S.  Art.  {Trans- 
ferred to  Neb.) 

Edgerton,  R.  A.,  Ist  Lieut.  72d  O.  V.  I.,  Little 
Rock,  Ark. 

Edwards,  Wm.  ( Third  Class),  Cleveland,  O. 

Ekin,  Jas.  A.,  Col.  and  Brev.  Brig.-Gen.  U.  S. 

A.  {retired),  Louisville,  Ky. 

Ellison,  H.  C.,  1st  Lieut,  and  Adj.  115th  O.  V.  I., 
Cleveland,  O. 

Elwell,  J.  J.,  Lieut.-Col.  and  A.  Q.  M.,  Brev. 

Brig.-Gen.  U.  S.  V.,  Cleveland,  O. 

Emerson,  H.  D.  {Second  Class),  Cincinnati,  O. 
Emerson,  Lowe,  1st  Lieut,  and  Q.  M.  15th  N.  J. 
V.  I.,  Cincinnati,  O. 

Enochs,  W.  H.,  Col.  1st  Vet.  W.  Va.  Vol.  Inf., 
Brev.  Brig.-Gen.  U.  S.  V.,  Ironton,  O. 

Evans,  N.  W.,  Capt.  173d  O.  V.  I.,  Ports- 
mouth,  O. 

Everts,  O.,  Maj.-Surgeon  20th  Ind.  V.  I.,  College 
Hill,  Cincinnati,  O. 

Ewing,  E.  E.,  1st  Lieut.  91st  O.  V.  I.,  Ports- 
mouth, O. 

Ewing,  M.  B.,  Lieut.-Col.  2d  O.  H.  A.,  Cincin- . 
nati,  O. 

Faulkner,  J.  K.,  Col.  7th  Ky.  Vol.  Cav.,  Louis- 
ville, Ky. 

-Fechet,  E.  O.,  2d  Lieut.  2d  U.  S.  Art.  {Trans- 
ferred to  Mich.) 

Fee,  F.  W.,  1st  Lieut,  and  R.  Q.  M.  1st  Ky.  V. 
I.,  Cincinnati,  O. 

Felton,  Wra.,  Capt.  90th  O.  V.  I.,  Brev.  Maj.  U. 
S.  V.,  Columbus,  O. 

Fenner,  A.  C.,  Capt.  63d  O.  V.  I.,  Dayton,  O. 
Ferrell,  T.  F.,  1st  Lieut.  18th  O.  V.  I.,  Cincin- 
nati, O. 

Finch,  C.  M.,  Maj.-Surgeon  9th  O.  V.  C.,  Ports- 
mouth, O. 

-Finch,  G.  M.,  Capt.  2d  O.  V.  I.,  Lieut.-Col.  137th 
O.  V.  I.,  Cincinnati,  O. 

Flemming,  R.  H.,  Capt.  77th  O.  V.  I.,  Lud- 
low, Ky. 

Foley,  J.  L.,  Maj.  10th  Ky.  Vol.  Cav.,  Cincin- 
nati, O. 

Foley,  J.  W.,  Capt.  181st  O.  V.  I.,  Cincinnati,  O. 
■"Foote,  A.  R.,  2d  Lieut.  21st  Mich.  V.  I.,  Cincin- 
nati, O.  ^ 

Foraker,  J.  B.,  1st  Lieut.  89th  O.  V.  I.,  Brev. 

Capt.  U.  S.  V.,  Columbus,  O. 

Forbes,  S.  F.,  Maj.-Surgeon  67th  O.  V.  I., 
Toledo,  O. 

Force,  M.  F.,  Brig,  and  Brev.  Maj.-Gen.  U.  S.  V., 
Sandusky,  O. 

Ford,  Collin,  Maj.  and  Brev.  Col.  100th  U.  S.  C. 
I.,  Cincinnati,  O. 

Ford,  D.  T.  {First  Class  by  Inh.),  Youngs- 
town, O. 

Foster,  R.  S.,  Brig,  and  Brev.  Maj.-Gen.  U.  S.  V. 
( Transferred  to  Jnd.) 


Fountain,  S.  W.,  Capt.  8th  U S.  Cav.,  Fort 
Keogh,  Mont. 

Fowler,  H.  P.,  2d  Lieut.  1st  Mass.  Heavy  Art., 
Toledo,  O. 

Fox,  Geo.  B.,  Maj.  75th  O.  V.  I.,  Wyoming,  O. 
Fraunfelter,  E.,  Capt.  114th  O.  V.  I.,  Akron,  O. 
Frazee,  J.  W.,  Maj.  and  Brev.  Col.  119th  U.  S. 

C.  T.,  Cincinnati,  O. 

Frazer,  A.  S.,  1st  Lieut.  34th  O.  V.  I.,  Xenia,  O. 
Freeman,  H.  B.,  Capt.  7th  U.  S.  I.,  Brev.  Maj.  U. 

S.  A.,  Camp  Pilot  Butte,  Wyo. 

Friesner,  W.  S.,  Lieut.-Col.  58th  O.  V.  I., 
Logan,  O. 

Fuller,  J.  W.,  Brig,  and  Brev.  Maj.-Gen.  U.  S.  V., 
Toledo,  O. 

Fuller,  W.  G.,  Capt.  and  A.  Q.  M.,  Brev.  Lieut.- 
Col.  U.  S.  V.,  Gallipolis,  O. 

• 

Gahagan,  A.  J.,  1st  Lieut,  and  A.  Q.  M.  IstTenn. 

Cav.,  Chattanooga,  Tenn. 

Galligher,  M.,  1st  Lieut.  16th  Pa.  Vol.  Inf., 
Urbana,  O. 

Gano,  J.  W.,  1st  Lieut.  75th  O.  V.  I.,  Cincin- 
nati,  O. 

Garfield,  H.  A.  {First  Class  by  Inh.),  Cleve- 
land, O. 

Garrard,  Jeptha,  Col.  1st  U.  S.  Colored  Cav., 
Brev.  Brig.-Gen.  U.  S.  V.,  Cincinnati,  O. 
Garretson,  Geo.  A.,  2d  Lieut.  4th  U.  S.  Art., 
Cleveland,  O. 

Gaul,  Jos.  L.,  1st  Lieut.  5th  O.  V.  I.,  Cincin- 
nati, O. 

Gibson,  W.  H.,  Col.  49th  O.  V.  I.,  Brev.  Brig.- 
Gen.  U.  S.  V.,  Tifiin,  O. 

Gillett,  S.  P.,  Lieut.-Commander  U.  S.  N.,  Evans- 
ville, Ind. 

Gilruth,  I.  N.,  Lieut.-Col.  27th  O.  V.  I.,  Yazoo 
City,  Miss. 

Godfrey,  E.  S.,  Capt.  7th  U.  S.  Cav.,  Leaven- 
worth, Kansas. 

Godwin,  E.  A.,  Capt.  8th  U.  S.  Cav.,  Fort 
Meade,  Dakota. 

Goodloe,  Wm.  C.,  Capt.  and  A.  A.  G.  U.  S.  V., 
Lexington,  Ky. 

Goodnow,  E.  W.,  1st  Lieut.  4th  Mass.  Vol.  Cav., 
Toledo,  O. 

Goodrich,  B.  F.,  1st  Lieut,  and  Assist.-Surgeon 
35th  N.  Y.  Vols.  {Deceased.) 

Goodspeed,  J.  M.,  1st  Lieut.  75th  O.  V.  I., 
Athens,  O. 

Goodspeed,  W.  F.,  Maj.  1st  Reg.  Ohio  Lt.  Art., 
Columbus,  O. 

Goodwillie,  Thos.,  1st  Lieut,  and  Adj.  150th  O. 
V.  I.,  Cleveland,  O. 

Goodwin,  E.  M.,  Acting  Assist.-Surgeon  U.  S.  N., 
Toledo,  O. 

Gothschall,  O.  M.,  1st  Lieut.  93d  O.  V.  I.,  Day- 
ton,  O. 

Granger,  M.  M.,  Lieut.-Col.  122d  O.  V.  I.,  Brev. 

Col.  U.  S.  V.,  Zanesville,  O. 

Greenleaf,  C.  R.,  Maj.-Surgeon  U.  S.  A.,  Wash- 
ington, D.  C. 

Greeno,  C.  L.,  Maj.  7th  Pa.  V.  I.,  Brev.  Lieut.- 
Col.  U.  S.  V.,  Cincinnati,  O. 

Grosvenor,  C.  H.,  Col.  18th  O.  V.  I.,  Brev.  Brig.- 
Gen.  U.  S.  V.,  Athens,  O. 

Guenther,  F.  L.,  Major  2d  U.  S.  Art.,  Brev. 
Col.  U.  S.  A.,  Fort  Trumbull,  New  London, 
Conn. 

Guthrie,  J.  V.,  Maj.  19th  lU.  V.  I.,  Cincin- 
nati, Q. 


i6o  ROLL  OF  member:^  OF  THE  OHIO  COMMANDERY 


Hager,  J.  B.,  Capt.  12th  Ind.  Vol.  Inf.,  Capt.  14th 
U.  S.  I.  {Deceased.) 

Hale,  Clayton,  Capt.  16th  U.  S.  I.,  Brev.  Lieut.- 
Col.  U.  S,  A.,  Fort  Douglas,  Salt  Lake  City, 
Utah. 

Hall,  J.  C.,  Capt.  55th  Mass.  V.  I.,  Brev.  Maj.  U. 
S.  V.,  Cincinnati,  O. 

Hamilton,  J.  K.,  Capt.  113th  O.  V.  I.,  To- 
ledo, O. 

Hamilton,  W.  D.,  Col.  9th  O.  V.  C.,  Brev.  Brig.- 
Gen.  U.  S.  V.,  Athens,  O. 

Hanna,  H.  M.,  Paymaster  U.  S.  N.,  Cleve- 
land, O. 

Harris,  Ira,  Lieut.-Commander  U.  S.  N.  (TVans- 
J erred  to  111.) 

Harris,  L.  A.,  Col.  2d  O.  V.  I.,  Col.  137th  O.  V. 
I.,  Cincinnati,  O. 

Harris,  Wm.  H.,  Capt.  and  Brev.  Lieut.-Col.  U. 
S.  A.,  Cleveland,  O. 

Harrison,  Benjamin,  Col.  70th  Ind.  V.  I.,  Brev. 

Brig.-Gen.  U.  S.  V.,  Washington,  D.  C. 

Harter,  Geo.  D.,  1st  Lieut.  115th  O.  V.  I.,  Can- 
ton, O. 

Hastings,  Russell,  Lieut.-Col.  23d  O.  V.  I.,  Brev. 

Brig.-Gen.  U.  S.  V.,  Hamilton,  Bermuda  Is. 
Hawkins,  M.  L.,  1st  Lieut.  36th  O.  V.  I.,  Cincin- 
nati, O. 

Hawthorn,  L.  E.,  Capt.  and  Brev.  Maj.  U.  S.  V., 
Newport,  Ky. 

Hay,  C.  E.,  1st  Lieut.  3d  U.  S.  Cav.,  Brev.  Capt. 

U.  S.  A.  {Resigned),  Springfield,  111. 

Hay,  John,  Maj.  and  A.  A.  G.,  Brev.  Col.  U.  S. 

V. ,  Washington,  D.  C. 

Hayes,  Birchard  {Second  Class),  Toledo,  O. 

Hayes,  Edward,  Lieut.-Col.  29th  O.  V.  I.,  Wash- 
ington, D.  C. 

Hayes,  Rutherford  B.,  Brev.  Maj.-Gen.  U.  S. 
V.,  Fremont,  O. 

Hayes,  R.  P.  {First  Class  by  Ink.),  Fremont,  O. 

Hayes,  Webb  C.  {First  Class  by  Inh.),  Cleve- 
land, O. 

Haynes,  W.  E.,  Lieut.-Col.  10th  O.  V.  C.,  Fre- 
mont, O. 

Hazen,  W.  B.,  Brig.-Gen.  U.  S.  A.,  Maj.-Gen.  U. 
S.  V.  {Deceased.) 

Head,  Geo.  E.,  Maj.  3d  U.  S.  Inf.,  Fort  Meade, 
South  Dakota. 

Healy,  R.  W.,  Col.  58th  111.  V.  I.,  Brev.  Brig.- 
Gen.  U.  S.  V.,  Cincinnati,  O. 

Hearn,  J.  A.,  Capt.  16th  U.  S.  Inf.,  Brev.  Maj.  U. 

S.  A.  {Retired),  Newport,  Ky. 

Heath,  T.  T.,  Col.  5th  O.  V.  C.,  Brev.  Brig.-Gen. 

U.  S.  V.,  Cincinnati,  O. 

Heistand,  H.  O.  S.  {First  Class  by  Inh.),  1st  Lieut. 

11th  U.  S.  Inf.,  Fort  Ontario,  Oswego,  N.  Y. 
Hernden,  G.  B.,  1st  Lieut,  and  Adj.  44th  N.  Y. 

V.  I.,  Cleveland,  O. 

Herrick,  H.  J.,  Maj.-Surgeon  17th  O.  V.  I., 
Cleveland,  O. 

. Herrick,  J.  F.,  Lieut.-Col.  12th  O.  V.  C.,  Cleve- 
land, O. 

Herron,  Wm.  C.,  Acting  Ensign  U.  S.  N.,  Cincin- 
nati, O. 

Hickenlooper,  A.,  Lieut.-Col.  IT.  S.  V.,  Brev. 

Brig.-Gen.  U.  S.  V.,  Cincinnati,  O. 

Hilt,  Jos.  L.,  Capt.  12th  O.  V.  I.,  Middle- 
town,  O. 

Himes,  I.  N.,  Maj.-Surgeon  73d  O.  V.  I.,  Cleve- 
land, O. 

Hipp,  Chas.,  Maj.  37th  O.  V.  L,  St.  Mary’s,  O. 


Hitchcock,  P.  M.,  1st  Lieut,  and  R.  Q.  M.  20tb 
O.  V.  I.,  Cleveland,  O. 

Hobson,  E.  H.,  Brig.-Gen.  U.  S.  V.,  Greensburgh, 
Ky. 

Hodge,  Noah,  1st  Lieut,  and  Adj.  52d  U.  S.  Ct 
Inf.,  San  Diego,  Cal. 

Hoeltge,  Augustus,  Assist.-Surgeon  47th  O.  V.  I., 
Cincinnati,  O. 

Hoffman,  Lewis,  Capt.  4th  Ind.  Ohio  Batt.  Lt. 
Art.,  Cincinnati,  O. 

Holter,  M.  J.  W.,  Lieut.-Col.  195th  O.  V.  I.,  Brev. 
Brig.-Gen.  U.  S.  Y.,  Batavia,  O. 

Hood,  R.  N.,  Capt.  2d  Tenn.  Vol.  Cav.,  Knox- 
ville, Tenn. 

Horr,  J.  F.,  1st  Lieut.  2d  O.  V.  I.,  Key  West, 
Fla. 

Hosea,  L.  M.,  Capt.  and  Brev.  Maj.  16th  U.  S.  I., 
Cincinnati,  O. 

Houghton,  F.  H.,  2d  Lieut.  17th  Ohio  Batt.  Lt. 
Art.,  Columbus,  O. 

House,  L.  D.,  Capt.  108th  U.  S.  C.  I.,  Amelia,  O. 

Howard,  W.  C.,  2d  Lieut.  17th  Ohio  Batt.  {Trans- 
f erred  to  Minn.) 

Howe,  Geo.  W.,  1st  Lieut.  1st  Ohio  Vol.  Art., 
Cleveland,  O. 

Hunt,  C.  B.,  Lieut.-Col.  2d  Mo.  Vol.  Cav.,  Cin- 
cinnati, O. 

Hunter,  Robert,  Capt.  74th  O.  V.  I.,  Cincin- 
nati, O. 

Hurd,  E.  O.,  Capt.  39th  O.  V.  I.,  Cincinnati,  O. 

Hutchins,  H.  A.,  Maj.  and  Paymaster  U.  S.  A., 
Brev.  Lieut.-Col.  U.  S.  V.,  New  York  City, 

N.  Y. 

Hutchins,  John  {Third  Class),  Cleveland,  O. 

Hutchins,  John  C.,  1st  Lieut.  2d  O.  V.  C.,  Cleve- 
land, O. 

Ingersoll,  Jos.,  Capt.  76th  111.  Vol.  Inf.,  Cleve- 
land, O. 

Innes,  Robert  S.,  1st  Lieut.  R.  Q.  M.,  1st  Reg, 
Mich.  Engineers,  Kenton,  O. 

Isham,  A.  B.,  1st  Lieut.  7th  Mich.  Vol.  Cav.,  Cin- 
cinnati, O. 

Isom,  John  F.,  Capt.  25th  111,  Vol.  Inf.,  Cleve- 
land, O. 

Jackson,  J.  R.,  Capt.  69th  Ind.  Vol.  Inf.  {Trans- 
ferred to  Ind.) 

Jacobs,  Wm.  C.,  Maj.-Surgeon  81st  O.  V.  I., 
Akron,  O. 

James,  F.  B.,  Capt.  52d  O.  V.  I.,  Brev.  Maj.  U.  S. 
V.,  Cincinnati,  O. 

Jenkins,  C.  C.,  1st  Lieut.  115th  U.  S.  C.  Inf., 
Toledo,  O. 

Jewett,  L.  M.,  Capt.  61st  O.  V.  I.,  Brev.  Maj.  U. 
S.  V.,  Athens,  O. 

Johnson,  R.  M.,  Col.  100th  Ind.  Vol.  Inf.,  La 
Vegas,  N.  M. 

Johnson,  W.  C.,  2d  Lieut.  42d  U.  S.  C.  I.,  Cin- 
cinnati, O.  • 

Johnston,  J.  R.,  2d  Lieut.  25th  Ohio  Batt.  Lt. 
Art.,  Canfield,  O. 

Jones,  F.  J.,  Capt.  and  Brev.  Maj.  U.  S.  V.,  Cin- 
cinnati, O. 

Jones,  Geo.  E.,  Acting  Assist.-Surgeon  U.  S.  N., 
Cincinnati,  O. 

Jones,  J.  K.,  2d  Lieut.  24th  O.  V.  I.,  Columbus,  O. 

Jones,  Toland,  Lieut.-Col.  113th  O.  V.  I.,  Lon- 
don, O. 

Jones,  Wells  S.,  Col.  53d  O.  V.  I.,  Brev.  Brig.- 
Gen.  U.  S.  V.,  Waverly,  O. 


V 


OF  THE  LOYAL  LEGION.  OF  THE  UNITED  STATES.  i6i 


Kauffman,  A.  B.,  Capt.  8th  U.  S.  Cav.,  Fort 
Buford,  Dakota. 

Keifer,  J.  Warren,  Col.  110th  O.  V.  I.,  Brev. 
Maj.-Gen.  U.  S.  V.,  Springfield,  O. 

Kell,  W.  H.,  1st  Lieut.  22d  U.  S.  Inf.,  Fort  Keogh, 
Montana. 

Keller,  T.  G.,  Capt.  66th  O.  V.  I.,  Urbana,  O. 

Kellogg,  A.  G.,  Commander  U.  S.  N.  {Trans- 
ferred to  D.  C.) 

Kellogg,  C.  W.,  Capt.  29th  O.  V.  I.  ( Transferred 
to  Mass.) 

Kelly,  R.  M.,  Col.  4th  Ky.  Vol.  Inf.,  Louisville, 
Ky. 

Kelly,  S.  B.,  2d  Lieut.  10th  Ky.  Vol.  Cav.,  Hart- 
well, O. 

Kemper,  And.  C.,  Capt.  and  A.  A.  G.  U.  S.  V., 
Cincinnati,  O. 

Kemper,  G.  W.  H.,  Assist.-Surgeon  17th  Ind.  V. 
I.  {Transferred  to  Ind.)  ' 

Kendall,  F.  A.,  Capt.  25th  U.  S.  Inf.  {Retired), 
Cleveland,  O. 

Kennedy,  R.  P.,  Col.  196th  O.  V.  I.,  Brev.  Brig.- 
Gen.  U.  S.  V.,  Bellefontaine,  O. 

Kilbourne,  Jas.,  Capt.  95th  O.  V.  I.,  Brev.  Col. 
U.  S.  V.,  Columbus,  O. 

Kilpatrick,  R.  L.,  Col.  U.  S.  A.  {Retired),  Spring- 
field,  O. 

Kimball,  W.  C.,  Capt.  and  Cora,  of  Sub.  U.S.  V., 
Tiffin,  O. 

Kirby,  T.  H.,  1st  Lieut.  36th  Ind.  V.  I.  {Trans- 
ferred to  Ind.) 

Kirk,  E.  B.,  Maj.  Quartermaster  U.  S.  A.,  Jeffer- 
sonville, Ind. 

Kirkup,  Robert,  Lieut.-Col.  5th  O.  V.  I.,  Cincin- 
nati, O. 

Knapp,  A.  A.,  Capt.  40th  O.  V.  I.  {Transferred 
to  Ind.) 

Knefler,  Frederick,  Col.  77th  Ind.  V.  I.,  Brev. 
Brig.-Gen.  U.  S.  V.  {Transferred  to  Ind.) 

Kuhn,  W.  E.,  Capt.  47tlMll.  Vol.  Inf.,  Capt.  and 
A.  A.  G.  U.  S.  V.,  Cincinnati,  O. 

Lafferty,  N.  B.,  Assist.-Surgeon  1st  Ohio  Heavy 
Art.,  Hillsboro,  O. 

Laird,  Geo.  F.,  Capt.  4th  O.  V.  I.,  Kingston,  N.  M. 

La  Motte,  C.  E.,  Brev.  Brig.-Gen.  U.  S.  V. 
{Deceased.) 

Lane,  H.  M.  {Second  Class),  Cincinnati,  O. 

Lane,  P.  P.,  Col.  11th  O.  V.  I.,  Cincinnati,  O. 

Landram,  J.  J.,  Lieut.-Col.  18th  Ky.  V.  I.,  War- 
saw, Ky. 

Landram,  W.  J.,  Col.  19th  Ky.  V.  I.,  Brev.  Brig.- 
Gen.  U.  S.  V.,  Lancaster,  Ky. 

lieggett,  L.  L.  {Second  Class),  Cleveland,  O. 

Leggett,  M.  D.,  Maj.-Gen.  U.  S.  V.,  Cleveland,  O. 

Lewis,  E.  R.,  Capt.  21st  Mass.  V.  I.  {Trans- 
ferred to  Ind.) 

Lewis,  G.  W.,  2d  Lieut.  111th  O.  V.  I.,  Cleve- 
land, O, 

Lewis,  J.  R.,  Maj.  44th  U.  S.  I.,  Col.  U.  S.  A. 
{Retired),  Atlanta,  Ga. 

Lewis,  J.  V.  H.,  Capt.  and  A.  Q.  M.  U.  S.  V., 
Boston,  Mass. 

Lewis,  R.  H.,  1st  Lieut.  1st  Del.  Ind.  Batt.  Heavy 
Art.  {Transferred  to  III.) 

Lindsay,  C.  D.,  1st  Lieut.  67th  O.  V.  I.,  Toledo,  O. 

Lindsey,  B.  N.,  Capt.  98th  O.  V.  I.,  Steuben- 
ville, O. 

Little,  G.  W.,  1st  Lieut,  and  R.  Q.  M.  60th  O.  V. 
I.,  Cleveland,  O. 


Lloyd,  H.  P.,  Capt.  22d  N.  Y.  V.  C.,  Brev.  Maj. 
U.  S.  V.,  Cincinnati,  O. 

Locke,  J.  M.,  Capt.  14th  U.  S.  I.,  Brev.  Lieut.- 
Col.  TJ.  S.  A.  {Resigned),  Cincinnati,  O. 

Longstreth,  T.,  Capt.  183d  O.  V.  I.,  Columbus,  O. 

Lostutter,  David,  Jr.,  Capt.  7th  Ind.  V.  I.  ( Trans- 
ferred to  Ind.) 

Lovell,  E.  H.  {First  Class  by  Inh.),  Cincin- 
nati, O. 

Loving,  Starling,  Maj.-Surgeon  6th  O.  V.  I., 
Columbus,  O. 

Lowe,  W.  R.,  Capt.  19th  U.  S.  I.,  Brev.  Maj.  U. 
S.  A.,  Newport,  Ky. 

Luckey,  J.  B.,  Capt.  3d  O.  V.  C.,  Elmore,  O. 

Lukens,  E.  J.,  1st  Lieut.  2d  0.  V.  C.,  Cincin- 
nati, O. 

Lybrand,  A.,  Capt.  73d  O.  V.  I.,  Delaware,  O. 

Lybrand,  R.  G.,  Capt.  192d  O.  V.  I.,  Dela- 
ware, O. 

Lynch,  Frank,  Lieut.-Col.  27th  O.  V.  I.  {De- 
ceased.) 

Macauley,  Daniel,  Col.  11th  Ind.  V.  L,  Brev. 
Brig.-Gen.  U.  S.  V.,  Findlay,  O. 

Madeira,  J.  D.,  Capt.  73d  O.  V.  I.,  Chillicothe,  O. 

Madigan,  M.  F.,  1st  Lieut.  27th  O.  V.  I.,  Cleve- 
land, O. 

Mansfield,  I.  F.,  1st  Lieut.  105th  O.  V.  I.,  Beaver, 
Pa. 

Markbreit,  L.,  Capt.  28th  O.  V.  I.,  Cincin- 
nati, O. 

Marshall,  Wm.  S.,  Maj.  5th  Iowa  Vol.  Inf.,  Chat- 
tanooga, Tenn. 

Marvin,  David  L.  {Second  Class),  Columbus,  O. 

Marvin,  U.  L.,  Capt.  5th  U.  S.  C.  T.,  Brev.  Mai. 
U.  S.  V.,  Akron,  O. 

Mason,  F.  H.,  Capt.  12th  O.  V.  C.,  Frankfort, 
Germany. 

Mathews,  W.  S.,  Capt.  60th  O.  V.  I.  {Deceased.) 

Mattox,  A.  H.,  1st  Lieut.  17th  Ohio  Batt.  Light 
Art.,  Cincinnati,  O. 

Meade,  A.  N.,  Capt.  128th  O.  V.  I.,  Cleveland,  O. 

Merrill,  W.  E.,  Lieut.-Col.  1st  U.  S.  Vet.  Vol. 
Engineers,  Lieut.-Col.  Corps  of  Engineers, 
Brev.  Col.  U.  S.  A.,  Cincinnati,  O. 

Meyer,  E.  S.,  Capt.  and  Brev.  Lieut.-Col.  U.  S.  A., 
Brev.  Brig.-Gen.  U.  S.  V.,  Cleveland,  O. 

Michie,  J.  C.,  Capt.  1st  U.  S.  Vet.  Inf.,  Coving- 
ton, Ky. 

Miller,  F.  C.,  2d  Lieut.  1st  O.  V.  Light  Art.,  New- 
port, Ky. 

Miller,  S.  J.  F.,  Acting  Assist.-Surgeon  U.  S.  A., 
National  Home,  Togus,  Me. 

Milward,  H.  K.,  Lieut.-Col.  18th  Ky.  V.  I.,  Brev. 
Col.  U.  S.  V.,  Lexington,  Ky. 

Mitchell,  John,  1st  Lieut.  32d  O.  V.  I.,  Nor- 
walk, O. 

Mitchell,  John  B.,  1st  Lieut.  83d  O.  V.  I.,  Cin- 
cinnati, O. 

Mitchell,  John  G.,  Col.  113th  O.  V.  I.,  Brev.  Maj.- 
Gen.  U.  S.  V.,  Columbus,  O. 

Mitchell,  John  T.,  Lieut.-Col.  66th  O.  V.  I., 
Urbana,  O. 

Molyneaux,  J.  B.,  Capt.  7th  O.  V.  I.,  Cleve- 
land, O. 

Molyneaux,  W.  V.  {Second  Class),  Cleveland,  O. 

Monfort,  E.  R.,  Capt.  75th  O.  V.  I.,  Cincin- 
nati, O. 

Monteith,  Geo.,  Capt.  4th  Mich.  V.  I.,  A.  A.  G.  tJ. 
S.  V.,  Brev.  Maj.  U.  S.  V.,  Cincinnati,  O. 


i62  roll  of  members  OF  THE  OHIO  COMMANDERY 


Moore,  F.  W.,  1st  Lieut.  19th  U.  S.  I.,  Col.  83d 
O.  V.  I.,  Brev.  Brig.-Gen.  U.  S.  V.,  Cincin- 
nati, O. 

Moore,  W.  A.,  Capt.  7th  Rhode  Island  V.  I., 
Canton,  Ohio. 

Morey,  H.  L.,  Capt.  75th  O.  V.  I.,  Hamilton,  O. 
Morgan,  W.  J.,  Capt.  41st  O.  V.  I.,  Cleveland,  O. 
Morrison,  Walter,  Capt.  9th  O.  V.  C.,  Colum- 
bus, O. 

Mosler,  Max,  2d  Lieut.  -lOSth  O.  V.  I.,  Cincin- 
nati, O. 

Munday,  W.  H.,  1st  Lieut,  and  Adj.  23d  Ky.  V. 
I.,  Louisville,  Ky. 

Munson,  G.  D.,  Lieut.-Col.  78th  O.  V.  I.,  Brev. 

Col.  U.  S.  V.,  Zanesville,  O. 

Murdock,  James  E.  {Third  Class),  Cincinnati,  O. 
Murphy,  Daniel,  2d  Lieut.  27th  U.  S.  C.  T., 
Lynchburg,  O. 

Myers,  L.  D.,  Capt.  and  A.  Q.  M.  U.  S.  V., 
Columbus,  O. 

McAllister,  A.,  Capt.  10th  U.  S.  Colored  Heavy 
Art.,  Brev.  Lieut.-Col.  U.  S.  V.,  Cleveland,  O. 
McCallay,  E.  L.,  1st  Lieut,  and  Adj.  27th  U.  S. 

C.  T.,  late  1st  Lieut.  U.  S.  A.,  Middletown,  O. 
McClung,  D.  W.,  Capt.  and  A.  Q.  M.  U.  S.  V., 

Cincinnati,  O. 

McClure,  Chas.,  Brev.  Col.  U.  S.  V.,  Maj.  and 
Paymaster  U.  S.  A.,  Sioux  City,  Iowa. 
McClymonds,  J.  W.,  1st  Lieut.  104th  O.  V.  L, 
Massillon,  O. 

McComas,  W.  R.,  Capt.  83d  O.  V.  I.,  Brev.  Maj. 
U.  S.  V.,  Cincinnati,  O. 

McConnell,  Ezra,  1st  Lieut.  30th  O.  V.  I.,  Flush- 
ing, O. 

McConnell,  Thomas,  Capt.  66th  O.  V.  I.,  Brev. 

Maj.  U.  S.  V.,  Urbana,  O. 

McCook,  A.  McD.,  Col.  6th  U.  S.  I.,  Brev.  Maj.- 
Gen.  U.  S.  A.,  Fort  Leavenworth,  Kansas. 
McCormick,  A.  W.,  Capt.  77th  O.  V.  I.,  Brev. 

Lieut.-Col.  U.  S.  V.,  Cincinnati,  O. 

McCormick,  F.  R.  {Second  Class),  Washington, 

D.  C. 

McCormick,  I.  H.,  Capt.  148th  O.  V.  I.,  Rays,  O. 
McCown,  A.  F.,  Maj.  13th  W.  Va.  Vol.  Inf., 
Point  Pleasant,  W.  Va. 

McCoy,  Milton,  Capt.  2d  O.  V.  I.,  National  Mil. a 
Home,  O. 

McCullough,  S.  M.,  1st  Lieut.  5th  W.  Va.  V.  I., 
Washington,  D.  C. 

McCurdy,  John,  Maj.-Surgeon  11th  O.  V.  I., 
Youngstown,  O. 

McDonald,  I.  H.,  2d  Lieut.  9th  U.  S.  C.  {Resigned), 
Urbana,  0. 

McDowell,  H.  C.,  Capt.  and  A.  A.  G.  U.  S.  V., 
Lexington,  Ky. 

McGinnis,  G.  F.,  Brig.-Gen.  U.  S.  V.  {Trans- 
ferred to  Ind.) 

McGinniss,  J.  T.,  Capt.  13th  U.  S.  I.,  Brev.  Maj. 
U.  S.  A.  {Retired),  Olney,  111. 

McGrath,  John  {Second  Class),  Cincinnati,  O. 
Mcllwaine,  D.  B.,  Capt.  14th  W.  Va.  V.  I.,  New 
York  City,  N.  Y. 

McKinley,  Wm.,  Jr.,  Capt.  23d  O.  V.  I.,  Brev. 
Maj.  U.  S.  V.,  Washington,  D.  C. 

McMillen,  W.  L.,  Col.  95th  O.  V.  I.,  Brev.  Maj.- 
Gen.  U.  S.  V.,  New  Orleans,  La. 

McMillin,  E.,  2d  Lieut.  2d  W.  Va.  Cav.,  Colum- 
bus, O. 


McNaught,  J.  S.,  Capt.  20th  U.  S.  Inf.,  Madi< 
son,  Wis. 

Nash,  Sumner,  1st  Lieut.  115th  O.  V.  I.,  Ak- 
ron, O. 

Neff,  C.  A.  {Second  Class),  Cleveland.  O. 

Neff,  E.  W.  S.,  2d  Lieut.  1st  Ohio  Heavy  Art., 
Cleveland,  O. 

Neff,  G.  W.,  Col.  88th  O.  V.  I.,  Brev.  Brig.-Gen. 
U.  S.  V.,  Cincinnati,  O. 

Neil,  H.  M.,  Capt.  22d  Ohio  Batt.  Light  Art., 
Columbus,  O. 

Neil,  John  B.,  Maj.  46th  O.  V.  I.,  Columbus,  O. 
Neil,  Moses  H.,  Maj.  1st  O.  V.  C.,  Columbus,  O. 
Neil,  Wm.  {Second  Class),  Columbus,  O. 

Nesbitt,  W.  B.,  1st  Lieut.  12th  O.  V.  I.,  Lieut.- 
Col.  176th  O.  V.  I.,  1st  Lieut.  25th  U.  S.  Inf., 
Xenia,  O. 

Neubert,  H.  G.,  Capt.  14th  O.  V.  I.,  Toledo,  O. 
Newton,  Chas.  H.,  1st  Lieut.  2d  Ohio  Heavy  Art., 
Marietta,  O. 

Nichols,  G.  W.,  Capt.  and  A.  A.  D.  C.,  Brev. 

Lieut.-Col.  U.  S.  A.  {Deceased.) 

Noble,  C.  H.,  Capt.  16th  U.  S.  I.,  Fort  Duchesne, 
Utah. 

Norton,  H.  D.,  Capt.  32d  Mass.  V.  I.,  Brev.  Maj. 

U.  S.  V.,  Washington,  D.  C. 

Noyes,  E.  F.,  Col.  39th  O.  V.  I.,  Brev.  Brig.-Gen. 
U.  S.  V.,  Cincinnati,  O. 

Offley,  R.  H.,  Lieut.-Col.  U.  S.  A.,  Fort  Da  Rus- 
sell, Wyo. 

Oglevee,  J.  F.,  1st  Lieut.  98th  O.  V.  I.,  Colum- 
bus, O. 

Osborn,  Hartwell,  Capt.  55th  O.  V.  I.,  Chicago, 

Osborn,  T.  H.,  Capt.  4th  O.  V.  C.,  Cincinnati,  O. 
Ostrander,  James  S.,  1st  Lieut.  18th  U.  S.  Inf. 

{Resigned.)  {Transferred  to  Ind.) 

Otis,  Elmer,  Col.  8th  U.  S.  Cav.,  Fort  Meade, 
South  Dakota. 

Overturf,  J.  W.,  1st  Lieut.  91st  O.  V.  I.,  Brev. 
Maj.  U.  S.  V.,  Portsmouth,  O. 

Park,  Horace,  Col.  43d  O.  V.  I.,  Columbus,  O. 
Parker,  W.  S.,  Maj.-Surgeon  192d  O.  V.  I., 
Piqua,  O. 

Parrott,  E.  A.,  Col.  1st  O.  V.  I.,  Dayton,  O. 
Parrott,  H.  E.,  1st  Lieut.  86th  O.  V.  I.,  Dayton,  O. 
Partridge,  C.  A.,  1st  Lieut.  48th  O.  V.  I.,  Cincin- 
nati, O. 

Partridge,  W.  T.  {Second  Class),  Cincinnati,  O. 
Patton,  A.  G.,  Lieut.-Col.  1st  N.  Y.  Mounted 
Rifle  Vol.,  Columbus,  O. 

Patterson,  E.  L.,  Capt.  79th  O.  V.  I.,  Cleveland,  O. 
Patterson,  J.  E.,  Assist.-Surgeon  118th  O.  V.  I., 
Glendale,  O. 

Payne,  E.  B.,  Lieut.-Col.  37th  111.  V.  V.  I.,  Brev. 

Brig.-Gen.  U.  S.  V.,  Cleveland,  O. 

Payne,  W.  S.,  Capt.  2d  La.  V.  I.,  Fostoria,  O. 
Pease,  W.  B.,  Capt.  9th  U.  S.  I.  {Retired),  New 
Haven,  Conn. 

Peck,  B.  B.,  1st  Lieut,  and  Adj.  27th  Mass.  V.  I. 
{Transferred  to  Ind.) 

Peck,  W.  H.  H.,  Capt.  5th  Vt.  V.  I.,  Capt.  19th 
Vet.  Res.  Inf.,  Cleveland,  O. 

Peelle,  S.  J.,  2d  Lieut.  57th  Ind.  V.  I.  {Trans- 
ferred to  Ind.) 

Penney,  C.  G.,  Capt.  6th  U.  S.  Inf.  {Transferred 
to  111.) 


OF  THE  LOYAL  LEGION  OF  THE  UNITED  STATES.  163 


Perkins,  G.  T.,  Lieut.-Col.  105th  O.  V.  I.,  Brev. 
Col.  U.  S.  V.,  Akron,  O. 

Perkins,  S,,  Jr.,  Capt.  and  A.  Q,  M.  U.  S.  V., 
Sharon,  Pa. 

Perry,  Oran,  Lieut.-Col.  69th  Ind.  V.  I.  {Trans- 
ferred to  Ind.) 

Pettit,  J.  S.  {Second  Class),  1st  Lieut.  1st  U.  S.  I., 
West  Point,  N.  Y. 

Pettit,  Stacey,  1st  Lieut.  104th  O.  V.  I.,  New 
Lisbon,  O. 

Phillips,  R.  E.,  Lieut.-Col.  59th  U.  S.  C.  T., 
Marietta,  O. 

Pickands,  James,  Col.  124th  O.  V.  I.,  Cleve- 
land, O. 

Pierce,  Calvin,  1st  Lieut.  42d  O.  V.  I.,  Youngs- 
town, O. 

Pierson,  H.  W.  {Third  Class),  {Deceased.) 

Pierson,  J.  Lacy,  Maj.  2d  N.  J,  Vol.  Cav.,  Paines- 
ville,  O. 

Platt,  J.  D.,  Lieut.-Col.  10th  O.  V,  C.,  Day- 
ton,  O. 

Pollard,  J.  K.,  2d  Lieut.  182d  O.  V.  I.,  West 
Union,  O. 

Potter,  J.  B.,  Surgeon  30th  O.  V.  I.  {Deceased.) 

Potter,  J.  M.,  1st  Lieut.  117th  U.  S.  C.  I.,  Cincin- 
nati, O. 

Potts,  I.  B.,  Capt.  95th  O.  V.  I.,  Columbus,  O. 

Powell,  Eugene,  Col.  193d  O.  V.  I.,  Brev.  Brig.- 
Gen.  U.  S.  V.,  Delaware,  O. 

Price,  E.  H.,  Capt.  11th  O.  V.  I.,  Chattanooga, 
Tenn. 

Prindle,  J.  A.,  Capt.  7th  Vt.  V.  I.,  Cleveland,  O. 

Putnam,  Douglas,  Lieut.-Col.  92d  O.  V.  I.,  Ash- 
land, Ky. 

Quinn,  Timothy,  Lieut.-Col.  7th  N.  Y.  Vol.  Cav., 
Washington,  D.  C. 

Rannells,  W.  J.,  Capt.  75th  O.  V.  I.,  McArthur,  O. 

Ranney,  H.  C.,  Capt.  A.  A.  G.  U.  S.  V.,  Cleve- 
land, O. 

Raper,  J.  T.,  1st  Lieut,  and  Adj.  26th  O.  V.  I., 
Chillicothe,  O. 

Rathbone,  E.  G.  {First  Class  hy  Inh.),  Hamil- 
ton, O. 

Ratliff,  R.  W.,  Col.  12th  0.  V.  C.,  Brig.-Gen.  U. 
S.  V.  {Deceased.) 

Raynolds,  J.  M.  {First  Class  hy  Inh.),  La  Vegas, 

N.  M. 

Raynor,  W.  H.,  Col.  56th  O.  V.  L,  Brev.  Brig.- 
Gen.  U.  S.  V.,  Toledo,  O. 

Reaney,  T.  A.,  Maj. -Surgeon  122d  O.  V.  I.,  Cin- 
cinnati, O. 

Reese,  H.  B.,  Maj.  and  Paymaster  U.  S.  A.,  Lan- 
caster, O. 

Rees,  Jonathan,  Capt.  27th  O.  V.  I.,  Newark,  O. 

Relley,  W.  W.,  Capt.  30th  O.  V.  C.,  Portsmouth,  0. 

Reynolds,  J.  K.,  1st  Lieut.  6th  O.  V.  I.,  Cincin- 
nati, O. 

Rice,  A.  V.,  Col.  57th  O.  V.  I.,  Brig.-Gen.  U.  S. 
V.,  Ottawa,  O. 

Rice,  Owen,  Capt.  153d  Pa.  V.  I.,  Chicago,  111. 

Richards,  Channing,  Capt.  22d  O.  V.  I.,  Cincin- 
nati, O. 

Ricks,  A.  J.,  1st  Lieut.  104th  O.  V.  I.,  Cleve- 
land, O. 

Riebsame,  C.,  Capt.  116th  111.  Vol.  Inf.  {Trans- 
ferred to  III.) 

Rifenberick,  R.  P.,  Capt.  4th  O.  V.  C.,  Middle- 
town,  O. 


Riley,  C.  T.,  1st  Lieut,  and  R.  Q.  M.  71st  O.  V.  I., 
Troy,  O. 

Roberts,  C.  S.,  Capt.  17th  U.  S.  I.,  Chicago,  111. 
Roberts,  J.  D.,  1st  Lieut,  and  Adj.  53d  O.  V.  I., 
Chattanooga,  Tenn. 

Robertson,  R.  S.,  1st  Lieut.  93d  N.  Y.  V.  I.,  Brev. 

Capt.  U.  S.  V.  {IVansf erred  to  Ind.) 

Robinson,  James  S.,  Brig.-Gen  and  Brev.  Maj.- 
Gen.  U.  S.  V.,  Kenton,  O. 

Robinson,  A.  R.,  Capt.  39th  O.  V.  I.,  Pleasant 
Ridge,  O. 

Rochester,  M.,  Lieut.-Col.  and  A.  A.  G.  U.  S.  V., 
Cincinnati,  O. 

Rodgers,  J.  H.,  Maj.-Surgeon  104th  0.  V.  I., 
Springfield,  6. 

Roots,  L.  H.,  Capt.  and  Brev.  Lieut.-Col.  U.  S. 

V.  ( Transferred  to  3Io.) 

Rose,  J.  T.  {First  Class  hy  Inh.),  Syracuse,  N.  Y. 
Rose,  T.  E.,  Col.  77th  Pa.  V.  I.,  Brev.  Brig.-Gen. 
U.  S.  V.,  Capt.  16th  U.  S.  I.,  Brev.  Lieut.-Col. 

U.  S.  A.,  Fort  Duchesne,  Utah. 

Ruhm,  John,  1st  Lieut.  15th  U.  S.  Colored  Inf., 
Nashville,  Tenn. 

Rule,  Wm.,  1st  Lieut,  and  Adj.  6th  Tenn.  V.  I., 
Knoxville,  Tenn. 

Russell,  James  M.,  1st  Lieut,  and  Adj.  118th  O. 

V.  I.,  Urbana,  O. 

Sanderson,  F.  M.,  Capt.  21st  Mass.  V.  I.,  Cleve- 
land, O. 

Sanderson,  T.  W.,  Col.  10th  0.  V.  I.,  Brev.  Brig.- 
Gen.  U.  S.  V.,  Youngstown,  O. 

Sargent,  H.  Q.,  Capt.  12th  N.  H.  Vol.  Inf.,  Cleve- 
land, O. 

Scarlett,  J.  A.,  Ensign  U.  S.  N.,  Cincinnati,  O. 
Schenck  S.  C.  {First  Class  hy  Inh.),  Washington 
C.  H.,  O. 

Schwarz,  G.  W.,  Capt.  2d  Pa.  Vol.  Cav.,  Cincin- 
nati, O. 

Scofield,  Levi  T.,  Capt.  103d  O.  V.  I.  and  Top. 

Engineer  23d  A.  C.,  Cleveland,  O. 

Scovill,  E.  A.,  Lieut.-Col.  128th  O.  V.  I.,  Cleve- 
land, O. 

Scovill,  E.  T.  {Second  Class),  Cleveland,  O. 
Scranton,  E.  E.,  Capt.  65th  O.  V.  I.,  Alliance,  O. 
Sechler,  T.  M.,  1st  Lieut.  2d  Ohio  Heavy  Art., 
Moline,  111. 

Seibert,  Albert,  Capt.  183d  O.  V.  I.,  Cincin- 
nati, O. 

Seward,  L.  D.  {First  Class  hy  Inh.),  Akron,  O. 
Shanks,  T.  P.,  1st  Lieut.  9th  Ky.  Vol.  Cav., 
Louisville,  Ky. 

Shattuc,  W.  B.,  1st  Lieut.  2d  O.  V.  C.,  Cincin- 
nati, O. 

Shaw,  Wm.  L.,  Capt.  11th  O.  V.  I.,  Brev.  Maj- 
U.  S.  V.,  Winchester,  O. 

Shellenberger,  J.  K.,  1st  Lieut.  64th  O.  V.  I., 
Humboldt,  Iowa. 

Sherman,  H.  S.,  1st  Lieut,  and  Adj.  120th  O.  V. 
I.,  Cleveland,  O. 

Sherman,  Wm.  T.,  Gen.  U.  S.  A.  {Retired),  New 
York  City,  N.  Y. 

Shields,  J.  C.,  Capt.  19th  Ohio  Batt.  Light  Art., 
Cleveland,  O. 

Shively,  J.  W.,  Surgeon  U.  S.  N.,  Kent,  O. 
Siebert,  John,  Capt.  13th  O.  V.  I.,  Columbus,  O. 
Skinner,  B.  M.,  Maj.  9th  W.  Va.  V.  I.,  Pome- 
roy, O. 

Smith,  A.  J.,  Capt.  4th  N.  Y.  Heavy  Art,  Brev. 
Maj.  U.  S.  V.,  Cleveland,  O. 


1 64  ROLL  OF  MEMBERS  OF  THE  OHIO  COMMANDERY 


Smith,  Brewer,  Capt.  65th  O.  V.  I.,  Brev.  Mai.  U. 

S.  V.,  Crown  Hill,  W.  Va. 

Smith,  C.  H.,  Maj.  27th  O.  V.  I.,  Cleveland,  O. 
Smith,  Orland,  Col.  73d  O.  V.  I.,  Brev.  Brig.- 
Gen.  U.  S.  V.,  Cincinnati,  O. 

Smith,  O.  M.,  1st  Lieut.  22d  U.  S.  I.  {Trans- 
ferred to  Ind.) 

Smith,  S.  B.,  Capt.  93d  O.  V.  I.,  Ludlow  Falls,  O. 
Smith,  Wm.,  Capt.  2d  O.  V.  C.  {Deceased.) 
Smith,  W.  H.  H.,  1st  Lieut.  21st  Ohio  Light  Art., 
Toledo,  O. 

Smith,  W.  J.,  Col.  6th  Tenn.  V.  C.,  Brev.  Brig.* 
Gen.  U.  S.  V.,  Memphis,  Tenn. 

Smith,  W.  O.,  Maj.  7th  Ky.  V.  C.,  Cincinnati,  O. 
Spaeth,  H.  P.,  1st  Lieut.  9th  O.  V.  I.,  Aurora,  Ind. 
Speed,  G.  K.,  Capt.  4th  Ky.  V.  C.  {Deceased.) 
Speed,  James,  {Third  Class.)  {Deceased.) 

Speed,  James  B.,  1st  Lieut,  and  Adj.  27th  Ky.  V. 
I.,  Louisville,  Ky. 

Speed,  Thomas,  1st  Lieut,  and  Adj.  12th  Ky.  V. 
I.,  Louisville,  Ky. 

Stafford,  S.  R.,  Capt.  15th  U.  S.  I.,  Fort  Randall, 
Dakota. 

Stambaugh,  D.  B.,  Capt.  105th  O.  V.  I.,  Youngs- 
town, O. 

Stanley,  D.  S.,  Brig.-Gen.  and  Brev.  Maj.-Gen. 

U.  S.  A.,  San  Antonio,  Texas. 

Starkey,  R.  A.  Capt.  53d  O.  V.  I.,  Springfield,  O. 
Starr,  Wm.  C.,  Lieut.-Col.  9th  Va.  V.  I.  {Trans- 
ferred to  Ind.) 

Steele,  H.  K.,  Maj  .-Surgeon  44th  O.  V.  I.,  Day- 
ton,  0. 

Sterling,  J.  T.,  Lieut.-Col.  103d  O.  V.  I.,  Brev. 

Col.  U.  S.  V.  t Transferred  to  Mich.) 
Stevenson,  B.  F.,  Maj.-Surgeon  22d  Ky.  V.  I., 
Covington,  Ky. 

Steward,  L.  T.  {Second  Class).  {Transferred  to 
III.) 

Steward,  T.  L.,  1st  Lieut.  11th  O.  V.  I.,  Day- 
ton,  O. 

Stewart,  Geo.  F.  {Second  Class),  Cincinnati,  O. 
Stewart,  J.  E.,  Capt.  167th  O.  V.  I.,  Brev.  Col.  U. 
S.  V.  {Deceased.) 

Stewart,  J.  R.,  Capt.  17th  Ind.  V.  I.,  Cincin- 
nati, O. 

Stoms,  II.  G.,  Capt.  39th  O.  V.  I.,  Cincinnati,  O. 
Stone,  B.  F.,  Capt.  73d  O.  V.  I.,  Chillicothe,  O. 
Storer,  J.  B.,  Capt.  29th  O.  V.  I.,  Akron,  O. 
Strickland,  D.  W.,  Lieut.-Col.  48th  N.  Y.  V.  I. 
{Trayisf erred  to  Colo.) 

Strong,  E.  E.,  1st  Lieut.  16th  Conn.  V.  I.,  Cleve- 
land, O. 

Strong,  H.  C.,  1st  Lieut,  and  R.  Q.  M.  128th  O. 

V.  1.,  Newark,  O. 

Stroup,  L.  K.,  Capt.  91st  O.  V.  I.,  New  Hamp- 
shire, 0. 

Stubbins,  B.  A.,  Surgeon  14th  Vet.  Ky.  Vol.  Inf., 
New  Lexington,  O. 

Stuckey,  J.  D.  {First  Class  by  Inh.),  Washing- 
ton C.  H.,  O. 

Sullivant,  L.  S.,  Maj.  113th  O.  V.  I.,  Columbus,  O. 
Swaine,  P.  T.,  Col.  22d  U.  S.  I.,  Fort  Keogh, 
Montana. 

Swing,  P.  F.,  Capt.  9th  O.  V.  C.,  Cincinnati,  O. 

Taber,  Benj.  C.,  1st  Lieut,  and  R.  Q.  M.  55th  O. 
V.  I.,  Norwalk,  O. 

Tafel,  Gustav,  Lieut.-Col.  106th  O.  V.  I.,  Cincin- 
nati, O. 


Taylor,  John,  2d  Lieut.  70th  O.  V.  I.,  West 
Union,  O. 

Taylor,  J.  G.,  Capt.  71st  O.  V.  I.,  Capt.  and 
A.  D.  C.  U.  S.  V.,  Cincinnati,  O. 

Taylor,  John  N.,  2d  Lieut.  143d  O.  V.  I.,  East 
Liverpool,  O. 

Taylor,  V.  C.,  1st  Lieut.  84th  O.  V.  I.,  Cleve- 
land, O. 

Temple,  H.  F.,  Capt.  21st  Ky.  Vol.  Inf.,  Chat- 
tanooga, Tenn. 

Thayer,  Geo.  A.,  Capt.  2d  Mass.  V.  I.,  Cincin- 
nati, O. 

Thomas,  D.  W.,  Capt.  29th  O.  V.  I.,  Akron,  O. 

Thomas,  Samuel,  Col.  64th  U.  S.  C.  I.,  Brev. 
Brig.-Gen.  U.  S.  V.,  New  York  City,  N.  Y. 

Thompson,  A.  C.,  Capt.  105th  Pa.  Vol.  Inf., 
Portsmouth,  O. 

Thompson,  J.  T.  {First  Class  by  Ink.),  2d  Lieut. 
U.  S.  Art.,  Fort  Monroe,  Va.  - 

Thrall,  W.  R.,  Maj.-Surgeon  27th  O.  V.  I., 
Cincinnati,  O. 

Thrift,  R.  W.,  Maj.-Surgeon  49th  O.  V.  I., 
Lima,  O. 

Thruston,  G.  P.,  Brev.  Brig.-Gen.  U.  S.  V.,  Nash- 
ville, Tenn. 

Thurstin,  W.  S.,  Capt.  111th  O.  V.  I.,  Toledo,  O. 

Tillman,  Wm.,  Maj.  and  Paymaster,  Brev.  Lieut.- 
Col.  U.  S.  A.,  Louisville,  Ky. 

Tillotson,  E.,  1st  Lieut.  27th  U.  I.,  Urba- 
na,  O. 

Toad,  S.  A.,  1st  Lieut.  44th  O.  V.  1st  Lieut. 
8th  O.  V.  C.,  Springfield,  O. 

Townsend,  Amos,  1st  Lieut.  1st  Ohio  Batt.  Light 
Art.,  Cleveland,  O. 

Townsend,  E.  F.,  Lieut.-Col.  11th  U.  S.  I.,  Fort 
Yates,  Dakota. 

Trush,  Jacob,  Acting  Staff-Surgeon  U.  S.  A., 
Cincinnati,  O. 

Tullidge,  F.  G.,  Capt.  57th  Ind.  V.  I.,  Cincin- 
nati, O. 

Turley,  J.  A.,  Col.  91st  O.  V.  I.,  Brev.  Brig.-Gen. 
U.  S.  V.,  Portsmouth,  O. 

Turner,  T.  M.,  1st  Lieut.  36th  O.  V.  I.,  Brev. 
Maj.  U.  S.  V.,  Hartwell,  O. 

Tyler,  F.  E.,  Capt.  74th  N.  Y.  V.  I.,  Brev.  Lieut.- 
Col.  U.  S.  V.,  Chattanooga,  Tenn. 

Vance,  A.  F.,  Jr.,  Maj.  and  Paymaster  U.  S.  V., 
Urbana,  O. 

Vance,  J.  L.,  Lieut.-Col.  4th  W.  Va.  V.  I.,  Gal- 
lipolis,  O. 

Vance,  Wilson,  1st  Lieut.  14th  U.  S.  C.  T.,  Brev. 
Capt.  U.  S.  V.,  Findlay,  O. 

Vandegrift,  G.  A.,  1st  Lieut.  2d  O.  V.  I.,  Maj. 
137th  O.  V.  I.,  Cincinnati,  O. 

Van  Deman,  J.  H.,  Capt.  66th  O.  V.  I.,  Assist- 
Surgeon  10th  O.  V.  I.,  Chattanooga,  Tenn. 

Van  Derveer,  Ferd.,  Brig.Gen.  U.  S.  V.,  Hamil- 
ton, O. 

Van  Dyke,  A.  M.,  Capt.  and  A.  A.  G.  U.  S.  V., 
Brev.  Maj.  U.  S.  V.,  Wyoming,  O. 

Van  Voast,  James,  Col.  9th  U.  S.  Inf.  {Retired), 
Cincinnati,  O. 

Voris,  A.  C.,  Col.  67th  O.  V.  I.,  Brev.  Maj.-Gen. ' 
U.  S.  V.,  Akron,  O. 

Waite,  Norman,  Maj.  189th  O.  V.  I.,  Toledo,  O. 

Waite,  Richard,  Capt.  84th  O.  V.  I.,  Toledo,  O. 

Wagoner,  A.,  2d  Lieut.  6th  O.  V.  C.,  Akron,  O. 

Walcutt,  C.  C.,  Brev.  Maj.-Gen.  U.  S.  V.,  Lieut' 
Col.  10th  U.  S.  C.,  Columbus,  O. 


OF  THE  LOYAL  LEGION  OF  THE  UNITED  STATES.  165 


(Valcutt,  C.  C.,  Jr.  {Second  Class),  2d  Lieut.  8th 
U.  S,  C.,  Fort  Buford,  Dakota. 

Walden,  W.  A.,  Capt.  36th  O.  V.  I.,  Columbus,  O. 

Walker,  W.  T.  {Third  Class),  Toledo,  O. 

Wallace,  F.  S.,  Maj.  82d  O.  V.  I.,  Cincinnati,  O. 

Wallace,  Lew,  Maj. -Gen.  U.  S.  V.  {Transferred 
to  Ind.) 

Wallace,  W.,  Capt.  105th  O.  V.  I.p  Warren,  O. 

Ward,  J.  H.,  Lieut.-Col.  27th  Ky.  V.  I.,  Louis- 
ville, Ky. 

Warner,  Willard,  Col.  180th  O.  V.  I.,  Brev.  Maj.- 
Gen.  U.  S.  V.,  Tecumseh,  Ala. 

Warnock,  W.  R.  Maj.  95th  O.  V.  I.,  Brev.  Lieut.- 
Col.  U.  S.  V.,  Urbana,  O. 

Warwick,  N.  R.,  2d  Lieut.  91st  O.  V.  I.,  Cincin- 
nati, O. 

Warwick,  W.  W.  {Second  Class),  Cincinnati,  O. 

Wasson,  A.  M.  L.,  3d  Assist.-Engineer  U.  S.  N., 
Cincinnati,  O. 

Watson,  C.  T.,  Capt.  and  A.  Q.  M.,  Brev.  Maj. 
U.  S.  V.,  Atlanta,  Ga. 

Weber,  Daniel,  Col.  39th  O.  V.  I.,  Cincinnati,  O. 

Webster,  E.  F.,  1st  Lieut.  25th  Ohio  Batt.  Light 
Art.,  Wellington,  O. 

Wedemeyer,  W.  G.,  Capt.  16th  U.  S.  I.,  Fort 
Duchesne,  Utah. 

Wehrle,  J.  C.,  Capt.  76th  O.  V.  I.,  Brev.  Lieut.- 
Col.  U.  S.  V.,  Newark,  O. 

Weist,  J.  R.,  Maj.-Surgeon  1st  U.  S.  C.  T. 
{Transferred  to  Ind.) 

Welch,  G.  P.,  1st  Lieut,  and  Adj.  10th  Vt.  V.  I., 
Cleveland,  O. 

Welch,  J.  M.,  Maj.  18th  O.  V.  I.,  Athens,  O. 

Werner,  F.  J.,  1st  Lieut.  106th  O.  V.  I.,  Cincin- 
nati, O, 

Wheeler^  X.,  Capt.  129th  O.  V.  I.,  Chattanooga, 
Tenn. 

Whitbeck,  H.  N.,  Lieut.-Col.  65th  O.  V.  I.,  Brev. 
Brig.-Gen.  U.  S.  V.,  Cleveland,  O. 

White,  Ambrose  {First  Class  by  Ink.),  Cincin- 
nati, O. 

White,  W.  J.,  Capt.  4th  U.  S.  Colored  Heavy 
Art.,  Brev.  Maj.  U.  S.  V.,  Dayton,  O. 

Whitfield,  S.  A.,  Lieut.-Col.  123d  U.  S.  C.  I., 
Washington,  D.  C. 

Whittlesey,  R.  D.,  1st  Lieut.  1st  O.  V.  Art., 
Toledo,  O. 

Wiehl,  F.  F.,  2d  Lieut.  78th  Pa.  V.  I.,  Chat- 
tanooga, Tenn. 

Wight,  E.  B.,  Maj.  24th  Mich.  V.  I.,  Cleveland,  O. 

Wilcox,  A.  M.,  Cap.  and  Com.  U.  S.  V.,  Brev. 
Maj.  U.  S.  V.  {Transferred  to  3Io.) 

Wilder,  John  T.,  Col.  17th  Ind.  V.  I.,  Brev.  Brig.- 
Gen.  U.  S.  V.,  Johnson  City,  Tenn. 

Wilkinson,  F.  M.,  Capt.  68th  Ind.  V.  I.,  Zanes- 
ville, O. 

Willard,  E.  B,,  2d  Lieut.  91st  O.  V.  I.,  Hanging 
Rock,  O. 

Williams,  A.  J.,  2d  Lieut.  7th  O.  V.  I.,  Cleve- 
land, O. 

Williams,  E.  Cort,  Acting  Ensign  U.  S.  N.,  Cin- 
cinnati, O. 

Williams,  E.  P.,  Capt.  and  Com.  of  Sub.  U.  S.  V., 
Fort  Wayne,  Ind. 

Williams,  E.  S.,  Capt.  71st  O.  V.  I.,  Troy,  O. 


Williams,  II.  M.,  1st  Lieut.  11th  Ind.  Batt.  Light 
Art.,  Fort  Wayne,  Ind. 

Williams,  W.  II.,  Maj.  42d  O.  V.  I,,  Welling- 
ton,  O. 

Williams,  W.  S.,  Capt.  3d  Ind,  Ohio  Batt.  Light 
Art.,  Canton,  O. 

Williams,  W.  W.,  Pay  Director  U.  S.  N.,  San 
Francisco,  Cal. 

Wills,  A.  W.,  Capt.  and  A,  Q.  M.,  Brev.  Lieut.- 
Col.  U.  S.  V.,  Nashville,  Tenn. 

Willson,  W.  H.,  Surgeon  179th  O.  V.  I.,  A.  A. 
Surgeon  U.  S.  N.,  Greenfield,  O. 

Wilshire,  J.  W.,  Capt.  45th  O.  V.  I,,  Cinti.,  O. 

Wilson,  Albert,  Maj.-Surgeon  113th  O.  V.  I., 
Sidney,  O. 

Wilson,  Chas.  L,,  Maj.-Surgeon  75th  O.  V.  I. 
{Transferred  to  Ind.) 

Wilson,  C.  P.,  Maj.-Surgeon  138th  O.  V.  I.,  Cin- 
cinnati, O. 

Wilson,  G.  W.,  1st  Lieut,  and  Adj.  54th  O.  V.  I. 
Hamilton,  O. 

Wilson,  Harrison,  Col.  20th  O.  V.  I.,  Sidney,  O. 

Wilson,  R.  B.,  1st  Lieut.  194th  O.  V.  I.,  Cincin- 
nati, O. 

Wilson,  Robert,  Capt.  12th  O.  V.  I.,  Middle- 
town,  O. 

Wilson,  W.  C.,  Col.  135th  Ind.  V.  I.  {Trans- 
ferred to  Ind.) 

Wilson,  W.  M.,  Capt.  122d  O.  V.  I.,  Xenia,  O. 

Wiltsee,  W.  P.,  Captain  Benton  Cadets,  Cincin- 
nati, O. 

Wise,  John,  1st  Lieut.  12th  O.  V.  I.,  LouiS' 
ville,  O. 

Witcher,  John  S.,  Maj.  and  Paymaster  U.  S.  A., 
Brev.  Brig.-Gen.  U.  S.  V.,  Newport,  Ky. 

Wolcott,  J.  L.,  2d  Lieut.  67th  O.  V.  I.,  Toledo,  O. 

Wolfley,  Lewis,  Maj.  3d  Ky.  Vol.  Cav.,  Tucson, 
Arizona. 

Wood,  C.  O.,  Lieut.-Col.  8th  California  Inf., 
Brev.  Col.  U.  S.  V.,  Capt.  9th  U.  S.  I.  {Re- 
signed), Akron,  O. 

Wood,  E.  Morgan,  Capt.  15th  U.  S.  I.  {Resigned)^ 
Dayton,  O. 

Wood,  Geo.  H.  {Second  Class),  Dayton,  O. 

Wood,  Thos.  J.,  Maj  .-Gen.  U.  S.  A.  {Retired)^ 
Dayton,  O. 

Woodbridge,  Robert  {Second  Class),  Youngs- 
town, O. 

Woodbridge,  T.,  Surgeon  128th  O.  V.  I.,  Youngs 
town,  O. 

Woodrutf,  C.  A.,  Capt.  2d  U.  S.  Art.,  Brev.  Lieut.- 
Col.  U.  S.  A.,  Fort  Leavenworth,  Kansas. 

Woodruff,  T.  M.,  1st  Lieut.  5th  U.  S.  I.,  Fort 
Bufort,  Dakota. 

Worthington,  Thomas,  1st  Lieut.  106th  O.  V.  L, 
National  Mil.  Home,  O. 

Worts,  George,  2d  Lieut.  67th  O.  V.  I.,  Toledo,  O. 

Wright,  Geo.  B.,  Col.  106th  O.  V.  I.,  Colum- 
bus, O. 

Wright,  J.  T.  {Second  Class),  Indianapolis,  Ind, 

Yeoman,  S.  N.,  Lieut.-Col.  90th  O.  V.  I.,  Wash, 
ington  C.  H.,  O. 

Young,  Chas.  L.,  Brev.  Lieut.-Col.  N.  Y.  Vols., 
Brig.-Gen.  U.  S.  V.,  Toledo,  O. 

Youtsey,  T.  B.,  1st  Lieut.  37th  Ky.  V.  L,  New- 
port, Ky. 


OHIO  OFFICERS-STATE  AND  NATIONAL 


STATE  OFFICIALS  FROM  1788  TO  1888. 

GOVERNORS  OF  OHIO. 

TERM,  TWO  YEARS. 

Arthur  St.  Clair  [1],  1788-1802.  Charles  W.  Byrd  [2],  Hamilton  County,  1802-3.  Edward 
Tiffin  [3],  Ross,  1803-7.  Thomas  Kirker  [4],  Adams,  1807-8.  Samuel  Huntington,  Trumbull, 
1808-10.  Return  Jonathan  Meigs  [5],  Washington,  1810-14.  Othniel  Looker  p],  Hamilton,  1814i 
Thomas  Worthington  Ross,  1814-18.  Ethan  Allen  Brown  [6],  Hamilton,  1818-22.  Allen  Trim- 
ble p],  Highland,  1822,  Jeremiah  Morrow,  Warren,  1822-6.  Allen  Trimble,  Highland,  1826-30. 
Duncan  McArthur,  Ross,  1830-32.  Robert  Lucas,  Pike,  1832-6.  Joseph  Vance,  Champaign, 
1836-8.  Wilson  Shannon,  Belmont,  1838-40.  Thomas  Corwin,  Warren,  1840-2.  Wilson 
Shannon  [7],  Belmont,  1842-4.  Thomas  W.  Bartley  p],  Richland,  1844.  Mordecai  Bartley, 
Richland,  1844-6.  William  Bebb,  Butler,  1846-9.  Seabury  Ford  [8],  Geauga,  1849-50.  Reuben 
Wood  [9],  Cuyahoga,  1850-3.  William  Medill  [10],  Fairfield,  1853-6.  Salmon  P.  Chase,  Ham- 
ilton, 1856-60.  William  Dennison,  Franklin,  186(>-2.  David  Tod,  Mahoning,  1862-4.  John 
Brough  [11],  Cuyahoga,  1864-5.  Charles  Anderson  [f],  Montgomery,  1865-6.  Jacob  D.  Cox, 
Trumbull,  1866-8.  Rutherford  B.  Hayes,  Hamilton,  1868-72.  Edward  F.  Noyes,  Hamilton, 
1872-4.  William  Allen,  Ross,  1874-6.  Rutherford  B.  Hayes  [12],  Sandusky,  1876-7.  Thomas 
L.  Young  [f],  Hamilton,  1877-8.  Richard  M.  Bishop,  Hamilton,  1878-80.  Charles  Foster, 
Seneca,  1880-4.  George  Hoadly,  Hamilton,  1884-6.  Joseph  B.  Foraker,  Hamilton,  1886-90. 

[1]  Arthur  St.  Clair,  of  Pennsylvania,  was  Governor  of  the  Northwest  Territory,  of  which  Ohio  was  a part,  from  July  13, 

1788,  when  the  first  civil  government  was  established  in  the  Territory,  until  about  the  close  of  the  year  1802,  when  lie  was 
removed  by  the  President.  • 

[2]  Secretary  of  the  Territory,  and  was  Acting  Governor  of  the  Territory  after  the  removal  of  Governor  St.  Clair. 

[3]  Resigned  March  3,  1807,  to  accept  the  office  of  United  States  Senator. 

[4J  Return  Jonathan  Meigs  was  elected  Governor  on  the  second  Tuesday  of  October,  1807,  over  Nathaniel  Massie,  who 
contested  the  election  of  Meigs  on  the  ground  “that  he  had  not  been  a resident  of  this  State  for  four  years  next  preceding 
tlie  election  as  required  by  the  Constitution,”  and  the  General  Assembly,  in  joint  convention,  decided  that  lie  was  not 
eligible.  The  office  was  not  given  to  Massie,  nor  does  it  appear  from  the  records  that  he  claimed  it,  but  Thomas  Kirker, 
Acting  Governor,  continued  to  discharge  the  duties  of  the  office  until  December  12,  1808,  when  Samuel  Huntington  was 
inaugurated,  he  having  been  elected  on  the  second  Tuesday  of  October  in  that  year. 

!5'  Resigned  March  25, 1814,  to  accept  the  office  of  Postmaster-General  of  the  United  States. 

6'  Resigned  January  4,  1822,  to  accept  the  office  of  United  States  Senator. 

7 Resigned  April  13, 1844,  to  accept  the  office  of  Minister  to  Mexico. 

8]  The  result  of  the  election  in  1848  was  not  finally  determined  in  joint  convention  of  the  two  houses  of  tne  General 
Assembly  until  January  19,  1849,  and  the  inauguration  did  not  take  place  until  the  22d  of  that  month. 

9]  Resigned  July  15,  1853,  to  accept  the  office  of  Consul  to  Valparaiso. 

10]  Elected  in  October,  1853,  for  the  regular  term,  to  commence  on  the  second  Monday  in  January,  1854. 

11]  Died  August  29,  1865. 

’12]  Resigned  March  2, 1877,  to  accept  the  office  of  President  of  the  United  States. 

*1  Acting  Governor.  Succeeded  to  office,  being  the  Speaker  of  the  Senate. 

_tj  Acting  Governor.  Succeeded  to  office,  being  the  Lieutenant-Governor. 

LIEUTENANT-GOVERNORS. 

UNDER  THE  NEW  CONSTITUTION  OF  1851.  TERM,  TWO  YEARS. 

William  Medill,  1852-4.  James  Myers,  1854-6.  Thomas  Ford,  1856-8.  Martin  Welker, 
1858-60.  Robert  C.  Kirk,  1860-2.  Benjamin  Stanton,  1862-4.  Charles  Anderson,  1864-6. 
Andrew  G.  McBurney,  1866-8.  John  C.  Lee,  1868-72.  Jacob  Mueller,  1872-4.  Alphonso 
Hart,  1874-6.  Thomas  L.  Young  [1],  1876-7.  H.  W.  Curtiss  [2],  1877-8.  Jabez  W.  Fitch, 
1878-80.  Andrew  Hickenlooper,  1880-2.  R.  G.  Richards,  1882^.  John  G.  Warwick,  1884-6. 
Robert  P.  Kennedy  [3],  1886-7  Silas  A.  Conrad,  1887-8.  William  C.  Lyons,  1888-90. 

il  j Became  Governor,  vice  Rutherford  B.  Hayes,  who  resigned  March  2,  1877,  to  become  President  of  the  United  States. 
2]  Acting  Lieutenant-Governor,  vice  Thomas  L.  Young. 

[3]  Resigned  to  take  a seat  in  Congress. 

[4]  Acting  Lieutenant-Governor,  vice  Robert  P.  Kennedy. 

MEMBERS  OF  THE  CONVENTION, 

WHO  FORMED  THE  FIRST  STATE  CONSTITUTION,  ADOPTED  IN  CONVENTION  AT  CHILLICOTHE, 

NOVEMBER  29,  1802. 

Edward  Tiffin,  President  and  representative  from  the  county  of  Ross. 

Adams  County. — Joseph  Darlinton,  Israel  Donalson  and  Thomas  Kirker. 

Belmont  County. — James  Caldwell  and  Elijah  Woods. 

Clermont  County. — Philip  Gatch  and  James  Sargent. 

Fairfield  County. — Henry  Abrams  and  Emanuel  Carpenter. 

Hamilton  County. — John  W.  Browne,  Charles  Willing  Byrd,  Francis  Dunlavy,  William  Goforth, 
John  Kitchel,  Jeremiah  Morrow,  John  Paul,  John  Riley,  John  Smith  and  John  Wilson. 

(1 66) 


OHIO  OFFICER^—STATE  AND  NATIONAL.  167 


Jefferson  County. — Eudolph  Bair,  George  Humphrey,  John  Milligan,  Nathan  Updegraflf  and  Bez- 
aleel  Wells, 

Boss  County. — Michael  Baldwin,  James  Grubb,  Nathaniel  Massie  and  T.  Worthington. 

Trumbull  County. — David  Abbott  and  Samuel  Huntington. 

Washtngton  County. — Ephraim  Cutler,  Benjamin  Ives  Gillman,  John  Mclntire  and  Eufus  Putnam, 
Thomas  Scott,  secretary  of  the  convention. 


MEMBERS  OF  THE  CONVENTION, 

WHO  FORMED  THE  SECOND  STATE  CONSTITUTION,  ADOPTED  IN  CONVENTION  AT  CINCINNATI, 

MARCH  10,  1851. 

S.  J.  Andrews,  Cuyahoga  County.  Ed.  Archbold,  Monroe.  Wm.  Barbee,  Miami.  Joseph 
Barnett,  Montgomery.  David  Barnett,  Preble.  Wm.  S.  Bates,  Jefferson.  Alden  J.  Bennett, 
Tuscarawas,  John  H.  Blair,  Brown.  Jacob  Blickensderfer,  Tuscarawas.  A.  G.  Brown, 
Athens.  Van  Brown,  Carroll.  R,  W.  Cahill,  Crawford.  L.  Case,  Licking.  F.  Case,  Hock- 
ing. David  Chambers,  Muskingum.  John  Chaney.  Horace  D.  Clark,  Lorain.  Wesley  Clay- 
pool,  Ross,  George  Collings,  Adams.  Friend  Cook,  Portage.  Otway  Curry,  Union.  Wm. 
P.  Cutler,  Washington.  G.  Volney  Dorsey,  Miami.  Thos.  W.  Ewart,  Washington.  John 
Ewing,  Hancock.  Jos.  M.  Farr,  Huron.  L.  Firestone,  Wayne.  Elias  Florence,  Pickaway. 
Robert  Forbes,  Mahoning.  H.  N.  Gillet,  Lawrence.  John  Graham,  Franklin.  H.  C,  Gray, 
Lake.  Henry  H.  Gregg.  Jacob  J.  Greene,  Defiance.  John  L.  Greene,  Ross.  W.  S.  Groes- 
beck,  Hamilton.  C.  S,  Hamilton,  Union.  D.  D.  T.  Hard,  Jackson.  A.  Harlan,  Greene. 
W.  Hawkins,  Morgan.  Jas.  P.  Henderson,  Richland.  Reuben  Hitchcock,  Cuyahoga.  Peter 
Hitchcock,  Geauga.  G.  W.  Holmes,  Hamilton.  Geo.  B.  Holt,  Montgomery.  John  J.  Hoot- 
man,  Ashland.  V,  B.  Horton,  Meigs.  S.  Humphreville,  Medina.  John  H.  Hunt,  Lucas. 
B.  B,  Hunter,  Ashtabula.  John  Johnson,  Coshocton.  J.  Dan  Jones,  Hamilton.  Wm.  Ken- 
non,  Hamilton.  Jas.  B.  King,  Butler.  S.  J.  G.  Kirkwood,  Richland.  Thomas  J.  Larsh,  Pre- 
ble. Wm.  Lawrence,  Guernsey.  John  Larwell,  Wayne.  Robert  Leech,  Guernsey.  D.  P. 
Leadbetter,  Holmes.  Jas.  Loudon,  Brown.  John  Lidey,  Perry.  H.  S.  Marion,  Licking. 
Samson  Mason,  Clark.  Wm.  Medill,  Fairfield.  Matthew  H.  Mitchell,  Knox.  Samuel  Moor- 
head, Harrison.  Isaiah  Morris,  Clinton.  Chas.  McCloud,  Madison.  J.  McCormick,  Adams. 
Simeon  Nash,  Gallia.  S.  F.  Norris,  Clermont.  C.  J.  Orton,  Sandusky.  Wm.  S.  C.  Otis,  Sum- 
mit. Thomas  Patterson,  Highland.  Daniel  Peck,  Belmont.  Jacob  Perkins,  Trumbull. 
Samuel  Quigley,  Columbiana.  Rufus  P.  Ranney,  Trumbull.  Chas.  Reemelin,  Hamilton. 
Adam  N.  Riddle,  Hamilton.  D.  A.  Robertson,  Fairfield.  Ed.  C.  Roll,  Hamilton.  Wm.  Saw- 
yer, Auglaize.  Sabirt  Scott.  John  Sellers,  Knox.  John  A.  Smith,  Highland.  George  J. 
Smith,  Warren.  Benj.  P.  Smith,  Wyandot.  Henry  Stanberry,  Franklin.  Benj.  Stanton,  Lo- 
san.  * Albert  V.  Stebbens,  Henry.  Richard  Stillwell,  Muskingum.  E.  T.  Stickney,  Seneca. 
Harmon  Stidger,  Shelby.  James  Struble,  Hamilton.  J.  R.  Swan,  Franklin.  L.  Swift,  Sum- 
mit. Joseph  Thompson,  Stark.  Jas.  W.  Taylor,  Erie.  H.  Thompson,  Stark.  N,  S.  Towns- 
hend,  Lorain.  Elijah  Vance,  Butler.  Joseph  Vance,  Champaign.  W.  M.  Warren,  Delaware. 
Thos.  A.  Way,  Monroe.  J.  Milton  Williams,  Warren.  Elzey  Wilson.  E.  B.  Woodbury, 
Ashtabula.  Jas.  T.  Worthington,  Ross. 

SUPREME  JUDGES. 

JUDGES  UNDER  THE  TERRITORIAL  GOVERNMENT,  APPOINTED  UNDER  THE  ORDINANCE  OF 

CONGRESS. 

James  M.  Varnum.  Samuel  H.  Parsons.  John  Armstrong.  John  -C.  Symmes.  William 
Barton  George  Turner.  Rufus  Putnam.  Joseph  Gillman.  Return  J.  Meigs. 

JUDGES  OF  THE  SUPREME  COURT  OP  OHIO  UNDER  THi;  CONSTITUTION  OF  1802. 

Samuel  Huntington,  Cuyahoga  County.  William  Sprigg,  Jefferson.  Daniel  Symmes,  Hamil- 
ton. Thomas  Morris,  Clermont.  Ethan  Allen  Brown,  Hamilton.  John  McLean,  Warren. 
Jacob  Burnet,  Hamilton.  Peter  Hitchcock,  Geauga.  Elijah  Hayward,  Hamilton.  Henry 
Brush,  Ross.  John  C.  Wright,  Jefferson.  Ebenezer  Lane,  Huron.  Matthew  Birchard,  Trum-' 

bull.  Edward  Avery,  Wayne.  William  B.  Caldwell,  Hamilton.  Return  Jonathan  Meigs, 
Washington.  Georgo  Tod,  Trumbull.  Thomas  Scott,  Ross.  William  W.  Irwin,  Fairfield. 
Calvin  Pease,  Trumbull.  Jessup  N.  Couch,  Hamilton.  Charles  R.  Sherman,  Fairfield.  Gus- 
tavus  Swan,  Franklin.  John  M.  Goodenow,  Jefferson.  Reuben  Wood,  Cuyahoga.  Joshua 
Collett,  Warren.  Frederick  Grimke,  Ross.  Nathaniel  C.  Read,  Hamilton.  Rufus  P.  Spalding, 
Summit.  Rufus  P.  Ranney,  Trumbull. 

JUDGES  OF  THE  SUPREME  COURT  OF  OHIO  UNDER  THE  CONSTITUTION  OF  1851. 

Thomas  W.  Bartley,  Richland  County.  Allen  G.  Thurman,  Ross.  William  B.  Caldwell, 
Hamilton.  William  Kennon,  Belmont.  Jacob  Brinkerhoff,  Richland.  Ozias  Brown,  Marion. 
Milton  Sutliff,  Trumbull.  William  Y.  Gholson,  Hamilton.  Hocking  H.  Hunter,  Fairfield. 
Luther  Day,  Portage.  George  W.  Mcllvaine,  Tuscarawas.  Walter  F.  Stone,  Erie.  William 
J.  Gilmore,  Preble.  John  W.  Okey,  Franklin.  Nicholas  Longworth,  Hamilton.  Wm.  H. 
Upson,  Summit.  Selwyn  N.  Owen,  Williams.  William  T.  Spear.  Trumbull.  Thaddeus  A. 
Minshall,  Ross.  John  A.  Corwin,  Champaign.  Rufus  P.  Ranney,  Trumbull.  Robert  B.  War- 
den, Franklin.  Joseph  R.  Swan,  Franklin.  Chas.  C.  Converse,  Muskingum.  Josiah  Scott, 
Butler.  William  ,V.  Peck,  Scioto.  Horace  Wilder,  Ashtabula.  William  White,  Clarke. 
John  Welsh,  Athens.  William  H.  West,  Logan.  George  Rex,  Wayne.  W.  W.  Boynton,  Lor- 
ain. Wm.  W.  Johnson,  Lawrence.  John  H.  Doyle,  Lucas.  Martin  D.  Follett,  Washington. 
Gibson  Atherton,  Licking.  Marshall  J.  Williams,  Fayette.  Franklin  J.  Dickman,  Cuyahoga. 


i68 


OHIO  OFFICERS—STATE  AND  NATIONAL. 

SUPREME  COURT  COMMISSION. 

APPOINTED  IN  1876,  CONCLUDED  ITS  LABOES  IN  1879. 


Josiah  Scott,  Crawford  County.  D.  Thew  Wright,  Hamilton.  Thos.  Q.  Ashburn  [1],  Clermont, 
W.  W.  Johnson,  Lawrence.  Luther  Day  [2],  Portage. 

Ill  Appointed  in  place  of  Henry  C.  Whitman,  from  Hamilton  County,  who  resigned  in  March,  1876. 

[2]  Appointed  in  place  of  Kichard  A.  Harrison,  from  Franklin  County,  who  resigned  in  January,  1876. 


APPOINTED  IN  1883,  CONCLUDED  ITS  LABORS  IN  1885. 

Moses  M.  Granger,  Muskingum  County.  Franklin  J.  Dickman,  Cuyahoga.  John  McCauley. 
Seneca.  George  K.  Nash,  Franklin.  Charles  D.  Martin,  Fairfield. 

CLERKS  OF  SUPREME  COURT. 

TERM,  THREE  YEARS. 

Rodney  Foos,  1866-75.  Arnold  Green,  1875-8.  Richard  J.  Fanning,  1878-81.  Dwight 
Crowell,  1881-4.  J.  W.  Cruikshank,  1884-7.  Urban  H.  Hester,  1887-90. 


SECRETARIES  OF  STATE. 

From  1802  to  1850  the  secretaries  were  elected  for  three  years  by  joint  ballot  of  the  Senate  and  House 
of  Representatives.  Since  1850  the  elections  have  been  by  the  people  for  terms  of  two  years  each. 

Winthrop  Sargent  [*•],  1788-98.  Wm.  H.  Harrison  p],  1798-9.  Charles  Willing  Byrd  [*], 
1799-1803.  Wni.  Creighton,  Jr.,  1803-8.  Jeremiah  McLene,  1808-31.  Moses  H.  Kirby,  1831-5. 
B.  Hinkson,  1835-6.  Carter  B.  Harlan,  1836-40.  William  Trevitt,  1840-1.  John  Sloane, 
1841-4.  Samuel  Galloway,  1844-50.  . Henry  W.  King,  1850-2.  William  Trevitt,  1852-6. 

James  H.  Baker,  1856-8.  Addison  P.  Russell,  1858-62.  Benjamin  R.  Cowen,  1862.  Wilson  S. 
Kennon,  1862-3.  Wm.  W.  Armstrong,  1863-5.  Win.  H.  Smith,  1865-8.  John  Russell,  1868-9. 
Isaac  R.  Sherwood,  1869-73.  Allen  T.  Wikofi*,  1873-5.  William  Bell,  Jr.,  1875-7.  Milton 
Barnes,  1877-81.  Charles  Townsend,  1881-3.  James  W.  Newman,  1883-5.  James  S.  Robin- 
son, 1885-9. 

[*1  Secretary  of  the  Northwest  Territory. 


TREASURERS  OF  STATE. 

UNTIL  THE  ADOPTION  OF  THE  NEW  CONSTITUTION  IN  1851.  TERM,  THREE  YEARS;  AFTERWARD, 

TWO  YEARS. 

John  Armstrong  Jl],  1792-1803.  William  McFarland,  1803-16.  Hiram  M.  Curry  [2],  1816-20. 
Samuel  Sullivan,  1820-3.  Henry  Brown,  1823-35.  Joseph  Whitehill,  1835-47.  Albert  A. 
Bliss  (Elyria),  1847-52.  John  G.  Breslin,  1852-6.  W.  H.  Gibson  [3],  1856-7.  A.  P.  Stone, 
1857-62.  G.  V.  Dorsey,  1862-5.  W.  Hooper,  1865-6.  S.  S.  Warner,  1866-72.  Isaac  Welsh  [4], 
1872-5.  Leroy  W.  Welsh,  1875-6.  John  M.  Millikin,  1876-8.  Anthony  Howells,  1878-80. 
Joseph  Turney,  1880-4.  Peter  Brady,  1884-6.  John  C.  Brown,  1886-90. 

1]  Treasurer  of  the  Northwest  Territory. 

'2'  Resigned  February,  1820. 

3 Resigned  June,  1857. 

4]  Died  November  29,  1875,  during  official  term. 


COMPTROLLERS  OF  THE  TREASURY. 

THE  OFFICE  WAS  ABOLISHED  IN  JANUARY,  1877.  TERM,  THREE  YEARS. 

W.  B.  Thrall,  1859-62.  Joseph  H.  Riley,  1862-5.  Moses  R.  Brailey,  1865-71.  William  T. 
Wilson,  1871-7. 

AUDITORS  OF  STATE. 

UNTIL  THE  ADOPTION  OF  THE  NEW  CONSTITUTION  IN  1851.  TERM,  THREE  YEARS ; AFTERWARD, 

FOUR  YEARS. 

Thomas  Gibson,  1803-8.  Benjamin  Hough,  1808-15.  Ralph  Osborn,  1815-33.  John  A. 
Bryan,  1833-9.  John  Brough,  1839-45.  John  Woods,  1845-52.  William  D.  Morgan,  1852-6. 
Francis  M.  Wright,  1856-60.  Robert  W.  Taylor,  1860-3.  Oviatt  Cole,  1863^.  James  H.  God- 
man,  1864-72.  James  Williams,  1872-80.  John  F.  Oglevee,  1880-4.  Emil  Kiesewetter,  1884-8. 
Ebenezer  W.  Poe,  1888-92. 

ATTORNEYS-GENERAL. 

TERM,  TWO  YEARS. 

Henry  Stanbery,  1846-51.  Joseph  McCormick,  1851-5.  George  E.  Pugh,  1852-4.  George  W. 
McCook,  1854-6.  Francis  D.  Kimball,  1856.  C.  P.  Wolcott,  1856-61.  James  Murray,  1861-3. 
L.  R.  Critchfield,  1863-5.  William  P.  Richardson,  1865.  Chauncey  N.  Olds,  1865-6.  William 
H.  West,  1866-7().  Francis  B.  Pond,  1870-4.  John  Little,  1874-8.  Isaiah  Pillars,  1878-80. 
George  K.  Nash,  1880-4  James  Lawrence,  1884-6.  Jacob  A.  Kohler,  1886-8.  David  K.  Wat- 
son, 1888-90. 


OHIO  OFFICERS— STATE  AND  NATIONAL, 


169 


ADJUTANT-GENERALS. 

Cornelius  R.  Sedan,  1803.  Samuel  Finley,  1803-7.  David  Ziegler,  1807.  Thomas  Worthing- 
ton, 1807-9.  Joseph  Kerr,  1809-10.  Isaac  Van  Horn,  1810-19.  William  Daugherty,  1819-28. 
Samuel  C.  Andrews,  1828-37.  William  Daugherty,  1837-9.  Jacob  Medary,  Jr.,  1839-41.  Ed- 
ward H.  Gumming,  1841-5.  Thomas  W.  H.  Mosely,  1845-51.  J.  W.  Wilson,  1851-57.  H.  B. 
Carrington,  1857-61.  C.  P.  Buckingham,  1861-2.  Charles  W.  Hill,  1862-4.  Ben.  R.  Cowen, 
1864-8.  Ed.  F.  Schneider,  1868-9.  William  A.  Knapp,  1869-74.  James  O.  Amos,  1874-6! 
A.  T.  Wikoff,  1876-7.  Charles  W.  Karr,  1877-8.  Luther  M.  Meily,  1878-80.  William  H. 
Gibson,  1880-1.  S.  B.  Smith,  1881-4.  E.  B.  Finley,  1884-6.  H.  A.  Axline,  1886-90. 

SCHOOL  COMMISSIONERS. 

TERM,  THREE  YEARS. 

Samuel  Lewis,  [1]  1837-40.  Hiram  H.  Barney,  1854-57.  Anson  Smythe,  1857-63.  C.  W.  H. 
Cathcart,  1863.  Emerson  E.  White,  1863-66.  John  A.  Norris,  1866-9.  William  D.  Henkle, 
1869-71.  Thomas  W.  Harvey,  1871-5.  Charles  S.  Smart,  1875-8.  J.  J.  Burns,  1878-81. 
D.  F.  DeWolf,  1881-4.  Leroy  D.  Brown,  1884-7.  Eli  T.  Tappan,  1887-90. 

[1]  From  1840  to  1854  the  Secretaries  of  State  were  the  ex-officio  School  Commissioners. 

MEMBERS  OF  THE  BOARD  OF  PUBLIC  WORKS. 

TERM,  THREE  YEARS. 

Alexander  McConnell,  1836-8.  John  Harris,  1836-8.  R.  Dickinson,  1836-45.  T.  G.  Bates, 
1836-42.  William  Wall,  1836-8.  Leander  Ransom,  1836-45.  William  Rayen,  1839-40. 
William  Spencer,  1842-5.  O.  Follett,  1845-9.  J.  Blickensderfer,  Jr.,  1845-52.  Samuel  Forrer, 
.1845-52.  E.  S.  Hamlin,  1849-52.  A.  P.  Miller,  1852-55.  George  W.  Manypenny,  1852-53. 
James  B.  Steedman,  1852-6.  Wayne  Griswold,  1853-7.  J.  Blickensderfer,  Jr.,  1854-8.  A.  G. 
Conover,  1856-60.  John  Waddle,  1857-60.  R.  L.  Backus,  1858-61.  John  L.  Martin,  1859-62. 
John  B.  Gregory,  1860-3.  Levi  Sargent,  1861-4.  John  F.  Torrence,  1862-5.  James  Gamble, 
1863-4.  James  Moore,  1864-71.  John  M.  Barrere,  1864-70.  Philip  D.  Herzing,  1865-77. 
Richard  R.  Porter,  1870-76.  Stephen  R.  Hosmer,  1872-5.  Martin  Schilder,  1875-81.  Peter 
Thatcher,  1876-9.  J.  C.  Evans,  1877-80.  George  Paul,  1879-85.  James  Fullington,  1880-3. 

Stephen  R.  Hosmer.  1881-84.  Leo  Weltz,  1883-4.  Henry  Weible,  1883-6.  John  P.  Martin, 
1884-7.  C.  A.  Flickinger,  1885-91.  Wells  S.  Jones,  1886-9.  William  H.  Hahn,  1887-90. 


COMMISSIONERS  OF  RAILROADS  AND  TELEGRAPHS. 

TERM,  TWO  YEARS. 

George  B.  Wright,  [1]  1867-71.  Richard  D.  Harrison,  [2]  1871-2.  Orlow  L.  Wolcott,  1872-4. 
John  G.  Thompson,  [3]  1874-76.  Lincoln  G.  Delano,  1876-8.  William  Bell,  Jr.,  1878-80.  J.  S. 
Robinson,  [4]  1880-1.  Hylas  Sabine,  1881-3.  Hylas  Sabine,  1883-5,  Henry  Apthorp,  1885-7. 
William  S.  Capeller,  1887-9. 

1]  Resigned  October,  1871. 

;2]  Died  April.  1872. 

3]  Resigned  December,  1875. 

4)  Resigned  February,  1881. 


SUPERVISORS  OF  PUBLIC  PRINTING. 

TERM,  TWO  YEARS. 

L.  L.  Rice,  1860-4.  William  O.  Blake,  1864.  W.  H.  Foster,  1864-7.  L.  L.  Rice,  1867-75. 
Charles  B.  Flood,  1875-7.  William  W.  Bond,  1877-9.  William  J.  Elliott,  1879-81.  J.  K. 
Brown,  1881-3.  J.  K.  Brown,  1883-5.  W.  C.  A.  De  la  Court,  1885-7.  Leo  Hirsch,  1887-9. 


SUPERINTENDENTS  OF  INSURANCE. 

TERM,  THREE  YEARS. 

William  F.  Church,  1872-5.  William  D.  Hill,  1875-8.  Joseph  F.  Wright,  187S-81.  Charles 
H.  Moore,  1881-4.  Henry  J.  Reinmund,  1884-7.  Samuel  E.  Kemp,  1887-90. 


COMMISSIONERS  OF  LABOR  STATISTICS. 

TERM,  TWO  YEARS. 

H.  J.  Walls,  1877-81.  Henry  Luskey,  1881-5.  Larkin  McHugh,  1885-7.  Alonzo  D.  Fas- 
sett,  1887-9. 

INSPECTORS  OF  MINES. 

TERM,  FOUR  YEARS. 

Andrew  Roy,  1874-8.  James  D.  Posten,  1878-9.  David  Owens,  1879-80.  Andrew  Roy, 
1880-4.  Thomas  B.  Bancroft,  1884-  8.  R.  M.  Hazel  tine,  1888-92. 

INSPECTOR  OF  WORKSHOPS  AND  FACTORIES. 

TERM,  FOUR  YEARS. 

Henry  Dorn,  1885-9- 


170 


OHIO  OFFICERS— STATE  AND  NATIONAL, 


DAIRY  AND  FOOD  COMMISSIONERS. 

TERM,  TWO  YEARS. 

S.  H.  Hurst,  1886-7.  F.  A.  Derthick,  1887-8.  F.  A.  Derthick,  1888-90. 


STATE  LIBRARIANS. 

THE  STATE  LIBRARY  WAS  ESTABLISHED  IN  1817,  WITH  ABOUT  500  VOLUMES.  NOW  IT  CONTAINS 

OVER  55,000  VOLUMES. 

John  L.  Harper,  1817-8.  John  Mcllvain,  1818-20.  David  S.  Brodrick,  1820-4.  Zachariah 
Mills,  1824-42.  Thomas  Kennedy,  1842-5.  John  Greiner,  1845-51.  Elijah  Hayward,  1851-4. 
James  W.  Taylor,  1854-6.  William  T.  Coggeshall,  1856-62.  S.  G.  Harbaugh,  1862-74.  Walter 
C.  Hood,  1874-5.  H.  H.  Robinson,  1875-7.  R.  M.  Stimson,  1877-9.  H.  V.  Kerr,  1879-81. 
Joseph  Geiger,  1881-3.  Howard  L.  Conard,  1883-5.  H.  W.  Pierson,  1885-6.  Frank  B.  Loomis, 
1886-7.  John  M.  Doane,  1887-90. 


LAW  LIBRARIANS. 

James  H.  Beebe,  1867-80.  Frank  N.  Beebe,  1880-89. 


SIXTY-EIGHTH  GENERAL  ASSEMBLY. 

SENATORS. 


Dist. 

Names. 

Politics. 

County. 

Post-oflSce  address. 

Occupation. 

31st 

Adams,  Perry  M. 

D 

Seneca 

Tiffin 

Attorney-at-Law. 

26th 

Alexander,  J.  Park 

R 

Summit 

Akron 

Manufacturer. 

5th 

Barrett,  Isaac  M. 

R 

Greene 

Spring  Valley 

Merchant  Milling. 

28th 

Braddock,  John  S. 

D 

Knox 

Mt.  Vernon 

Real  Estate. 

1st 

Brown,  Harmon  W. 

R 

Hamilton 

Cincinnati,  Stahi  “C’' 

1 Ticket  AgentUnion 
( Passenger  Station. 

33d 

Carlin,  William  L. 

R 

Hancock 

Findlay 

Real  Estate. 

7 th 

Cole,  Amos  B. 

R 

Scioto 

Portsmouth 

Farmer. 

2;id 

Coulter,  Thomas  B. 

R 

JelFerson 

Steubenville 

A tto  r ney-a  t-Law. 

3d 

Crook,  Walter 

R 

Montgomery 

Tadmor 

Farmer. 

11th 

Cowgill,  Thomas  A. 

R 

Champaign 

Kennard 

“ 

13th 

Cutler,  James 

R 

Union 

Rich  wood 

Banker. 

14th 

Davis,  Theodore  F. 

R 

Washington 

Marietta 

Editor. 

19th 

Dorr,  Anthony  I. 

D 

Noble 

Berne 

Physician. 

24th 

Ford,  George  H. 

R 

Geauga 

Burton 

Banker. 

33d 

Geyser,  William 

R 

Fulton 

Swanton 

Merchant. 

20th 

Glover,  George  W. 

R 

Harrison 

Cadiz 

ii 

15th 

HufFman,  Joseph  G. 

D 

Perry 

New  Lexington 

Attorney-at-Law. 

29th 

Kerr,  Winfield  S. 

R 

Richland 

Mansfield 

<(  « 

4th 

Lindsey,  Frank  L. 

D 

Brown 

Georgetown  • 

(<  « 

6th 

Massie,  David  M. 

R 

Ross 

Chillicothe 

a it 

1st 

Mack,  Henry 

R 

Hamilton 

Cincinnati 

Merchant. 

32d 

Mehaffey,  Robert 

D 

Allen 

Herring 

Banker. 

25th 

Morison,  David 

R 

Cuyahoga 

Cleveland 

Real  Estate. 

18th 

Mortley,  David  H. 

D 

Coshocton 

Coshocton 

Retired  Merchant 

8th 

Rannells,  William  J. 

R 

Vinton 

McArthur 

Attorney-at-Law. 

2d 

Rathbone,  Estes  G. 

R 

Butler 

Hamilton 

Ranker. 

1st 

Richardson,  James  C. 

R 

Hamilton 

Glendale 

Paper  Manufacturer. 

12th 

Robertson,  Andrew  J. 

D 

Shelby 

Sidney 

Marble  Dealer. 

i6th  Sinnett,  Edwin 

D 

Licking 

Granville 

Physician. 

1st  Stueve,  Henry 

R 

Hamilton 

Cincinnati 

Lime  and  Cement  D’r. 

23d  Stull,  John  M. 

R 

Trumbull 

Warren 

Attorney-at-Law. 

21st 

Snyder,  Thomas  C. 

R 

Stark 

Canton 

Manufacturer. 

25th 

Taylor,  Vincent  A. 

R 

Cuyahoga 

Bedford 

9th 

Townsend,  Charles 

R 

Athens 

Athens 

Attorney-at-Law. 

10th 

Wallace,  William  T. 

D 

Franklin 

Columbus 

It  ft 

30th 

Zimmermann,  Joseph 

D 

Sandusky 

Fremont 

Editor. 

REPRESENTATIVES. 


County. 

Names. 

Politics. 

Post-office  address. 

Occupation. 

Adams 

Joseph  W.  Shinn 

D 

West  Union 

County  Auditor. 

Allen 

William  E.  Watkins 

R 

Delphos 

Farmer. 

Ashland 

John  T.  McCray 

D 

Ashland 

Attorney-at-Law. 

Ashtabula 

Elbert  L.  Lampson 

R 

.Tefferson 

Editor. 

OHIO  OFFICERS—STATE  AND  NATIONAL, 

REPRESENTATIVES.— 


I7I 


County. 

Names. 

Politics. 

Post-office  address. 

Occupation. 

Athens 

Emmitt  Tompkins 

R 

Athens 

Attorney-at-Law. 

Auglaize 

Melville  D.  Shaw 

D 

Wapakoneta 

X (( 

Belmont 

Christian  L.  Pootman 

R 

Bellaire 

Editor. 

ii 

Alex.  T.  McKelvey 

R 

St.  Clairsville 

Farmer. 

Brown 

William  W.  Pennell 

D 

Eastwood 

School  Teacher. 

Butler 

Frank.  R.  Vinnedge 

D 

Hamilton 

Farmer. 

Carroll 

John  H.  Fimple 

R 

Carrollton 

Attorney-at-Law. 

Champaign 

Samuel  M.  Taylor 

R 

Urbana 

Clarke 

George  C.  Rawlins 

R 

Springfield 

« (( 

Clermont 

Elkany  B.  Holmes 

R 

Williamsburg 

Merchant. 

Clinton 

Wilford  C.  Hudson 

R 

Blanchester 

Farmer. 

Columbiana 

William  T.  Cope 

R 

Salineville 

Banker. 

John  Y.  Williams 

R 

Clarkson 

Farmer. 

Coshocton 

Jesse  B.  Forbes 

D 

Coshocton 

Attorney-at-Law. 

Crawford 

Philip  Schuler 

D 

Galion 

Real  Estate. 

Cuyahoga 

John  J.  Stranahan 

R 

Chagrin  Falls 

Editor. 

Edward  J.  Kennedy 

R 

Berea 

Real  Estate. 

U 

John  P.  Haley 

R 

Cleveland 

Polisher. 

ii 

Evan  H.  Davis 

R 

ii 

Puddler. 

ii 

Jere  A.  Brown 

R 

ii 

Mechanic. 

William  T.  Clark 

R 

ii 

Attorney-at-Law. 

Darke 

Andrew  C.  Robeson 

D 

Greenville 

« u 

Defiance  & Paulding 

John  L.  Geyer 

D 

Paulding 

Surveyor. 

Delaware 

John  S.  Gill 

D 

Delaware 

Attorney-at-Law. 

Erie  . 

Fred.  Ohlemacher 

D 

Sandusky  City 

Manufacturer. 

Fairfield 

Thomas  H.  Dill 

D 

Lithopolis 

Farmer. 

Fayette 

D.  I.  Worthington 

R 

Washington  C.  H. 

Attorney-at-Law. 

Franklin 

Lot  L.  Smith 

D 

Columbus 

« « 

ii 

John  B.  Lawlor 

D 

ii 

Printer. 

Fulton 

Estell  H.  Rorick 

R 

Fayette 

Physician. 

Gallia 

Jehu  Eakins 

R 

Patriot 

Geauga  and  Lake 

Hosmer  G.  Tryon 

R 

Willoughby 

Farmer. 

Greene 

Andrew  Jackson 

R 

Cedarville 

Lumber  Merchant. 

Guernsey 

William  E.  Boden 

D 

Cambridge 

Manufacturer. 

Hamilton 

Charles  Bird 

R 

Cincinnati 

Attorney-at-Law. 

ii 

Charles  L.  Doran 

R 

Journalist. 

ii 

Byron  S.  Wydman 

R 

ii 

Holder. 

ii 

Walter  Hartpence 

R 

Harrison 

Editor. 

ii 

John  C.  Hart 

R 

Cincinnati 

Attorney-at-Law. 

ii 

William  Copeland 

R 

Market  Master. 

ii 

Oliver  Outcalt 

R 

ii 

Printer. 

ii 

Frederick  Pfiester 

R 

ii 

Superintendent  Asso. 

ii 

Frederick  Klensch 

R 

ii 

Grocer. 

Hancock 

Henry  Brown 

D 

Findlay 

Attorney-at-Law. 

Hardin 

Michael  F.  Eggerman 

D 

Ada 

Teacher. 

Harrison 

Jasper  N.  Lantz 

R 

Moo  refield 

Farmer. 

Henry 

Dennis  D.  Donovan 

D 

Deshler 

Gen’l  Business  Man. 

Highland 

Jonah  Britton 

R 

Willettsville 

Farmer. 

Hocking 

Carl  H.  Buerhaus 

D 

Logan 

Attorney-at-Law. 

Holmes 

Thomas  Armor 

D 

Millersburg 

Farmer. 

Huron 

Lewis  C.  Laylin 

R 

Norwalk 

Attorney-at-Law. 

Jackson 

Benjamin  F.  Kitchen 

R 

Jackson 

Physician. 

Jefferson 

Charles  W.  Clancey 

R 

Smithfield 

Knox 

Frank  V.  Owen 

R 

Fredericktown 

Attorney-at-Law. 

Lake  and  Geauga 

Hosmer  G.  Tryon 

R 

Willoughby 

Farmer. 

Lawrence 

Alfred  Robinson 

R 

Arabia 

Physician. 

Licking 

Samuel  L.  Blue 

D 

Homer 

Merchant. 

Logan 

William  W.  Beatty 

R 

Huntsville 

A tto  r n ey-at-Law. 

Lorain 

William  A.  Braman 

R 

Elyria 

Real  Estate. 

Lucas 

Charles  P.  Griffin 

R 

Toledo 

ii 

James  C.  Messer 

R 

East  Toledo 

Farmer. 

Madison 

Daniel  Boyd 

R 

Plain  City 

“ 

Mahoning 

Lemuel  C.  Ohl 

R 

Mineral  Ridge 

“ and  Teacher. 

Marion 

Boston  G.  Young 

D 

Marion 

Attorney-at-Law. 

Medina 

Thomas  Palmer 

R 

Chippewa 

Farmer. 

Meigs 

Walter  W.  Merrick 

R 

Pomeroy 

Attorney-at-Law. 

Mercer 

Charles  M.  LeBlond. 

D 

Celina 

((  <( 

Miami 

Noah  H.  Albaugh 

R 

Tadmor 

Nurseryman. 

Monroe 

James  H.  Hamilton 

D 

Calais 

Teacher. 

Montgomery 

Wickliffe  Belville 

D 

Dayton 

A ttorn  ey-at-Law. 

« 

Martin  Eidemiller 

D 

Vandalia 

Farmer. 

“ 

Wilson  S.  Harper 

R 

Trotwood 

Physician. 

Morgan 

Leroy  S.  Holcomb 

R 

Pennsville 

Morrow 

George  Kreis 

D 

Cardington 

Merchant. 

172 


OHIO  OFFICERS—STATE  AND  NATIONAL. 

BEPKESENTATI VES— 


County. 

Names. 

Politics, 

Post-office  address. 

Muskingum 

Daniel  H.  Gaumer 

D 

Zanesville 

John  C.  McGregor 

D 

<( 

Noble 

Capell  L.  Weems 

R 

Caldwell 

Ottawa 

William  E.  Bense 

D 

Port  Clinton 

Paulding  & Defiance 

John  L.  Geyer 

D 

Paulding 

Perry 

Nial  R.  Hysell 

D 

Corning 

Pickaway 

ThaddeusE.  Cromley 

D 

Ashville 

Pike 

John  W.  Barger 

R 

Waverlj 

Portage 

Friend  Whittlesey 

R 

Atwater 

Preble 

Andrew  L.  Harris 

R 

Eaton 

Putnam 

Amos  Boehmer 

D 

Fort  Jennings 

Richland 

James  E.  Howard 

D 

Bellville 

Ross 

William  H,  Reed 

D 

Chillicothe 

Sandusky 

James  Hunt 

D 

Fremont 

Scioto 

Joseph  P.  Coates 

R 

Portsmouth 

Seneca 

Elisha  B.  Hubbard 

D 

Tiffin 

Shelby 

Jackomyer  C.  Counts 

D 

Sidney 

Stark 

John  E.  Monnot 

D 

Canton 

George  W.  Wilhelm 

R 

Justus 

Summit 

Henry  C.  Sanford 

R 

Akron 

Trumbull 

Mark  Ames 

R 

Newton  Falls 

“ 

Thomas  H.  Stewart 

R 

Church  Hill 

Tuscarawas 

Francis  Ankney 

D 

New  Philadelphia 

Union 

John  H.  Shearer  1 

R 

Marysville 

Van  Wert 

Levi  Meredith  ; 

D 

Van  Wert 

Vinton 

Stephen  W.  Monahan  i 

D 

Hamden  Junction 

Warren 

William  T.  Whitacre 

R 

Morrow 

Washington 

John  Strecker  1 

R 

Marietta 

Wayne 

John  W.  Baughman  j 

D 

Wooster 

Williams 

Robert  Ogle 

R 

Montpelier 

Wood 

George  B.  Spencer 

R 

Weston. 

Wyandot 

Matthias  A.  Smalley 

D 

Carey. 

Occupation. 


Editor. 

Teacher  and  Farmer. 
Attorney-at-Law. 
Real  Estate  & Loans 
Surveyor. 

Miner. 

Farmer. 

a 

Attorney-at-Law. 

<(  (( 

Farmer. 

Lumber  Merchant. 
Attorney-at-Law. 

(t  (i 

Druggist. 

Laborer. 

Attor  n ey-at-Law. 
Merchant. 
Attorney-at-Law. 
Merchant. 

Physician. 

Farmer. 

Editor. 

Mercha^it. 

Physician. 

Farmer. 

Manufacturer. 

Attorney-at-Law. 

Farmer. 

Physician. 

Real  Estate. 


OFFICERS  BY  APPOINTMENT. 


Office. 

Name. 

Residence. 

Term  of  office. 

Years. 

Expires. 

Adjutant-General 

Henry  A.  Axline 

Zanesville 

Two 

1 2d  Monday  in  Jan, 

Assistant  Adjutant- General 

William  S,  Wickham 

Norwalk 

U 

j 1890. 

Commissioner  of  Labor  Statistics 

Alonzo  D.  Fassett 

Youngstown 

U 

February  16,  1889. 

Comm’r  of  Railroads  & Telegraphs 

Win.  S.  Cappeller 

Cincinnati 

il 

March  12,  1889. 

Dairy  and  Food  Commissioner 

F.  A.  Derthick 

Mantua 

n 

May,  1888. 

Engineer  of  Public  Works 

Samuel  Bachtell 

Columbus 

May  22,  1888. 

Law  Librarian 

Frank  N.  Beebe 

“ 

Three 

September  27,  1889. 

Inspector  of  Mines 

Thomas  B.  Bancroft 

Gallipolis 

Four 

April  30,  1888. 

Inspector  of  Oils 

Louis  Smithnight 

Cleveland 

Two 

May  14,  1888. 

Inspector  of  Workshops 

Henry  Dorn 

“ 

Four 

April  29,  1889. 

Meteorological  Bureau 

George  H.  Twiss 

Columbus 

Three 

Not  specified. 

Superintendent  of  Insurance 

Samuel  E.  Kemp 

Dayton 

June  3,  1890. 

Not  specified. 

State  Geologist 

Edward  Orton 

Columbus 

Two 

State  Librarian 

John  M.  Doane 

Cleveland 

April  18,  1889. 

Supervisor  of  Public  Printing 
Secretarv  of  Board  of  State  Charities 

L.  Hirsch 

Albert  G.  Byers 

Columbus 

<< 

April  14,  1889. 

Secretary  State  Board  of  Agriculture  iL.  N.  Bonham 

Oxford 

One 

January  11, 1888. 

OHIO  OFFICERS— STATE  AND  NATIONAL. 


173 


OFFICERS  OF  UNITED  STATES  GOVERNMENT  FROM  OHIO. 


SUPREME  COURT  JUSTICES  OF  THE  UNITED  STATES  FROM  OHIO-CHIEF-JUSTICES 

AND  ASSOCIATES, 

John  McLean,  [1]  1829-61 ; born  1785,  died  1861.  Noah  H,  Swayne,  [2]  1862-81 ; born  1805, 
died  1884.  Salmon  P.  Chase,  [1]  1864-73;  born  1808,  died  1873.  Morrison  R.  Waite,  [1] 
1874-87;  born  1816,  died  1887.  William  B.  Woods,  1880-87 ; born  1824,  died  1887.  Stanley 
Matthews,  1881. 

[1]  Chief-Justices. 

[2]  Kesigned. 

SPEAKER  OF  THE  HOUSE  OF  REPRESENTATIVES. 

J.  Warren  Keifer,  47th  Congress;  December  5,  1881,  to  March  4,  1883;  born  1836. 

UNITED  STATES  PRESIDENTS  FROM  OHIO. 

William  Henry  Harrison,  1841 ; born  1773,  died  1841.  Ulysses  S.  Grant,  1869-77 ; born  1822, 
died  1885.  Rutherford  B.  Hayes,  1877-81  ; born  1822.  James  A.  Garfield,  1881 ; born  1831, 
died  1881.  Benj.  R.  Harrison,  1889-93 ; born  Aug.  20th,  1833,  at  North  Bend,  O. 

UNITED  STATES  CABINET  OFFICERS  FROM  OHIO. 

Thomas  Ewing,  Secretarj  of  Treasury.  Appointed  March  5,  1841,  by  William  H.  Harrison;  April  6.. 
1841,  by  John  Tyler. 

Thomas  Corwin,  Secretary  of  Treasury.  Appointed  July  23,  1850,  by  Millard  Fillmore. 

Salmon  P.  Chase,  Secretary  of  Treasury.  Appointed  March  7,  1861,  by  Abraham  Lincoln. 

John  Sherman,  Secretary  of  Treasury.  Appointed  March  8,  1877,  by  Rutherford  B.  Hayes. 

Ulysses  S.  Grant,  ad  interim  Secretary  of  War.  Appointed  August  12,  1867. 

William  T.  Sherman,  Secretary  of  War.  Appointed  September  9,  1869,  by  Ulysses  S.  Grant. 

Alphonso  Taft,  Secretary  of  War.  Appointed  March  8,  1876,  by  Ulysses  S.  Grant. 

Thomas  Ewing,  Secretary  of  Interior.  Appointed  March  8,  1849,  by  Zachary  Taylor. 

Jacob  D.  Cox,  Secretary  of  Interior.  Appointed  March  5,  1869,  by  Ulysses  S.  Grant. 

Columbus  Delano,  Secretary  of  Interior.  Appointed  November  1,  1870,  by  Ulysses  S.  Grant;  March 
• 4,  1873,  by  Ulysses  S.  Grant. 

Return  J.  Meigs,  Jr.,  Postmaster-General.  Appointed  March  17, 1814,  by  James  Madison;  March  4, 
1817,  by  James  Monroe  ; March  5,  1821,  by  Janies  Monroe. 

John  McLean,  Postmaster-General.  Appointed  June  26,  1823,  by  James  Monroe;  March  4,  1821,  by 
John  Q.  Adams. 

William  Dennison,  Postmaster-General.  Appointed  September  24, 1864,  by  Abraham  Lincoln  ; March 
4,  1865,  by  Abraham  Lincoln;  April  15,  1865,  by  Andrew  Johnson. 

Henry  Stanbery,  Attorney-General.  Appointed  July  23,  1866,  by  Andrew  Johnson. 

Alphonso  Taft,  Attorney-General.  Appointed  May  26,  1876,  by  Ulysses  S.  Grant. 

William  Windom,  [1]  Secretary  of  Treasury.  Appointed  March  4, 1881,  by  James  A.  Garfield ; October 
20,  1881,  by  Chester  A.  Arthur. 

Edwin  M.  Stanton,  Attorney-General.  Appointed  December  20,  1860,  by  James  Buchanan;  Secretary 
of  War,  January  15,  1862,  by  Abraham  Lincoln ; March  4,  1865,  by  Abraham  Lincoln ; April  15, 
1865,  by  Andrew  Johnson. 

Charles  Foster,  Sec’y  of  Treasury,  appointed  Jan.,  1891 ; Frank  Hatton,  P.  M.  General,  Oct.,  1884  ; 
Jeremiah  M.  Rusk,  Sec’y  of  Agriculture,  March,  1889;  Wm.  H.  H.  Miller,  Attorney-General, 
March,  1889  ; Jno.  W.  Noble,  Sec’y  Interior,  March,  1889. 


DATES  OF  THE  NUMBERS  OF  THE  UNITED  STATES  CONGRESSES. 


1st.— 1789-1791. 
2d.— 1791-1793. 
3d.— 1793-1795. 
4th.— 1795-1797. 
5th.— 1797-1799. 
6th.— 1799-1801. 
7th.— 1801-1803. 
8th.— 1803-1805. 
9th.— 1805-1807. 
10th.— 1807-1809. 
11th.— 1809-1811. 
12th.— 1811-1813. 
13th.— 1813-1815. 


14th.— 1815-1817. 
15th.— 1817-1819. 
16th.— 1819-1821. 
17th.— 1821-1823. 
18th.— 1823-1825. 
19th.— 1825-1827. 
20th.— 1827-1829. 
21st.— 1829-1831. 
22d.— 1831-1833. 
23d.— 1833-1835. 
24th.— 1835-1837. 
25th.— 1837-1839. 
26th.— 1839-1841. 


27th.— 1841-1843. 
28th.— 1843-1845. 
29th.- 184'5-1847. 
30th.— 1847-1849. 
31st.— 1849-1851. 
32d.— 1851-1853. 
33d.— 1853-1855. 
34th.— 1855-1857. 
35th.— 1857-1859. 
36th.— 1859-1861. 

37  th.— 1861-1863. 
38th.— 1863-1865. 
51st  and  52d  Congress. 


39th.— 1865-1867. 
40th.— 1867-1869. 
41st.— 1869-1871. 
42d.— 1871-1873. 
43d.— 1873-1875. 
44th.— 1875-1877. 
45th.— 1877-1879. 
46th.— 1879-1881. 
47th.— 1881-1883. 
48th.— 1883-1885. 
49th.— 1885-1887. 
50th.— 1887-1889. 
See  Addenda,  Vol.  III. 


OHIO  DELEGATES  TO  THE  UNITED  STATES  CONGRESS. 

William  H.  Harrison,  Hamilton  co.,  6 Cong.  Paul  Fearing,  Washington  co.,  7 Cong. 
William  McMillan,  Hamilton  co.,  6 Cong. 


UNITED  STATES  SENATORS  FROM  OHIO. 


Thomas  Worthington,  [3]  Ross  county,  8,  9,  11  to 
13  Congress. 

John  Smith,  [1]  Hamilton  co.,  8 to  10  Cong. 
Edward  Tiffin,  Ross  co.,  10,  11  Cong. 

Return  J.  Meigs,  [2]  Washington  co.,  10,  11  Cong. 


Alexander  Cam})bell,  Brown  co.,  11,  12  Cong. 
Stanley  Griswold,  Cuyahoga  co.,  11  Cong. 
Jeremiah  Morrow,  Warren  co.,  13  to  15  Cong. 
Joseph  Kerr,  [4]  Ross  co.,  13  Cong. 

Benjamin  Ruggles,  Belmont  co.,  14  to  22  Cong. 


174 


OHIO  OFFICERS— STATE  AND  NATIONAL. 


Salmon  P.  Chase,  [11]  Hamilton  co.,  31  to  33,  37 
Cong. 

Benjamin  F.  Wade,  Ashtabula  co,,  32  to  40  Cong. 
George  E.  Pugh,  Hamilton  co,,  34  to  36  Cong. 
John  Sherman,  [12]  Richland  co.,  37  to  45,  47  to  50 
Cong. 

Allen  G.  Thurman,  Franklin  co.,  41  to  46  Cong. 
Stanley  Matthews,  [13]  Hamilton  co.,  45  Cong. 
George  H.  Pendleton,  Hamilton  co,,  46  to  48  Cong. 
Henry  B.  Payne,  Cuyahoga  co.,  49,  50  Cong. 


Wm.  A.  Trimble,  [5]  Highland  co.,  16,  17  Cong. 

Ethan  A.  Brown,  [6]  Hamilton  co.,  17,  18  Cong. 

William  H.  Harrison,  [7]  Hamilton  co.,  19,  20 
Cong. 

Jacob  Burnet,  [8]  Hamilton  co.,  20,  21  Cong. 

Tlios.  Ewing,  [9]  Fairfield  co.,  22  to  24,  31  Cong. 

'I'homas  Morris,  Clermont  co.,  23  to  25  Cong. 

William  Allen,  Ross  co.,  25  to  30  Cong. 

Benjamin  Tappan,  Jefferson  co.,  26  to  28  Cong. 

Thomas  Corwin,  [10]  Warren  co.,  29  to  31  Cong, 
l]  Resigned. 

2J  Vice  Smith,  resigned. 

3]  Resigned  December  8,  1810,  to  accept  oflBce  of  Governor  of  Ohio. 

41  Vice  Worthington,  resigned. 

Died  in  1822  fi  om  the  effects  of  a vi'ound  received  in  the  battle  at  Fort  Erie,  in  the  war  of  1812. 

_6J  Vice  Trimble,  deceased. 

Resigned  in  1828  to  accept  appointment  of  Minister  to  Colombia. 

Vice  Harrison,  resigned. 

Vice  Corwin,  deceased. 

10]  Died  in  1849,  prior  to  the  convening  of  the  31st  Congress,  to  which  he  was  elected. 

11  Resigned  to  accept  appointment  of  Secretary  of  the  United  States  Treasury. 

12]  Vice  Chase,  "esigned.  Resigned  in  1877  to  accept  appointment  of  Secretary  of  tiie  United  States  Treasury.  James 
A.'Garfield  was  elected  Senator  by  the  64th  Assembly  on  the  14th  of  January,  1880.  He  declined  the  office  on  the  18th 
of  January,  1881,  having  in  the  meantime  been  nominated  to  the  Presidency  of  the  United  States  by  the  Republican  party, 
and  John  Sherman  was  elected  Senator  in  his  place. 

[13]  Vice  John  Sherman,  resigned. 


MEMBERS  OF  U.  S.  HOUSE  OF  REPRESENTATIVES  FROM  OHIO. 


Alexander,  John,  Greene  county,  13,  14  Congress. 
Allen,  William,  Ross  co.,  23  Cong. 

Alexander,  James,  Jr.,  Belmont  co.,  25  Cong. 
Allen,  Jno.  W.,  Cuyahoga  co.,  25,  26  Cong. 
Andrews,  Sherlock  J.,  Cuyahoga  co.,  27  Cong. 
Allen,  William,  Darke  co.,  36,  37  Cong. 

Ashley,  James  M.,  Lucas  co.,  36  to  40  Cong. 
Ambler,  Jacob  A.,  Columbiana  co.,  41,  42  Cong. 
Atherton,  Gibson,  Licking,  46,  47  Cong. 
Anderson,  C.  M.,  Darke  co.,  49  Cong. 

Beall,  Rezin,  Wayne  co.,  13  Cong. 

Barber,  Levi,  Washington  co.,  15,  17  Cong. 
Beecher,  Philemon,  Fairfield  co.,  15  to  16,  18  to 
20  Cong. 

Brush,  Henry,  Ross  co.,  16  Cong. 

Bartley,  Mordecai,  Richland  co.,  18  to  21  Cong. 
Bell,  James  M.,  Guernsey  co.,  23  Cong. 

Bond,  William  Key,  Ross  co.,  24  to  26  Cong. 
Brinkerhoff,  Jacob,  Richland  co.,  28,  29  Cong. 
Brinkerhoff,  Henry  R.,  Huron  co.,  28  Cong. 

Bell,  John,  Sandusky  co.,  31  Cong. 

Bell,  Hiram,  Darke  co.,  32  Cong. 

Barrere,  Nelson,  Adams  co.,  32  Cong. 

Busby,  George  H.,  Marion  co.,  32  Cong. 

Ball,  Edward,  Muskingum  co.,  33,  34  Cong. 

Bliss,  George,  Portage  co.,  33  Cong. 

Bliss,  Philemon,  Lorain  co.,  34,  35  Cong. 
Bingham,  John  A.,  Harrison  co.,  34  to  37,  39  to 
42  Cong. 

Blake,  Harrison  G.,  Medina  co.,  36,  37  Cong. 
Bliss,  George,  Wayne  co.,  38  Cong. 

Buckland,  Ralph  P.,  Sandusky  co.,  39,  40  Cong. 
Bundy,  Hezekiah  S.,  Jackson  co.,  39,  43  Cong. 
Beatty,  John,  Morrow  co.,  40  to  42  Cong. 

Banning,  Henry  B.,  Hamilton  co.,  43  to  45  Cong. 
Berry,  John,  Wyandot  co.,  43  Cong. 

Butterworth,  Benj.,  Hamilton  co.,  46  to  50  Cong. 
Brown,  Charles  E.,  Hamilton  co.,  49,  50  Cong. 
Boothman,  M.  M.,  Williams  co.,  50  Cong. 

Creighton,  William,  Jr.,  Ross  co.,  13,  14  Cong. 
Caldwell,  James,  Belrnotit  co.,  13,  14  Cong. 
Clendenen,  David,  Trumbull  co.,  13,  14  Cong„ 
Cam})bell,  John  W.,  Adams  co.,  15  to  19  Cong, 
Chambers,  David,  Muskingum  co.,  17  Cong. 
Creighton,  Wra.,  Jr.,  Pickaway  co.,  20  to  22  Cong. 
Crane,  Jos.  H.,  Montgomery  co.,  21  to  24  Cong. 
Corwin,  Thomas,  Warren  co.,  22  to  26,  36,  37  Cong. 
Cook,  Eleutheros,  Huron  co.,  22  Cong. 

Chaney,  John,  Fairfield  co.,  23  to  25  Cong. 

Coffin,  Charles  D.,  Columbiana  co.,  25  Cong. 
Cowen,  Benjamin  S.,  Belmont  co.,  27  Cong. 
Cunningham,  Francis  A.,  Preble  co.,  29  Cong. 
Cummins,  John  D.,  Tuscarawas  co.,  29,  30  Cong. 


Canby,  Richard  S.,  Logan  co.,  30  Cong. 

Crowell,  John,  Trumbull  co.,  30,  31  Cong. 
Campbell,  Lewis  D.,  Butler  co.,  31  to  35,  42  Cong 
Corwin,  Moses  B.,  Champaign  co.,  31,  33  Cong. 
Cable,  Joseph,  Carroll  co.,  31,  32  Cong. 

Cartter,  David  K.,  Stark  co.,  31,  32  Cong. 
Cockerill,  Joseph  R.,  Adams  co.,  35  Cong. 

Cox,  Samuel  S.,  Franklin  co.,  35  to  38  Cong. 
Carey,  John,  Wyandot  co.,  36  Cong. 

Cutler,  William  P.,  Washington  co.,  37  Cong.  • 
Cary,  Samuel  F.,  Hamilton  co.,  40  Cong. 

Clarke,  Reader  W.,  Clermont  co.,  40  Cong. 
Cowen,  Jacob  P.,  Ashland  co.,  44  Cong. 

Cox,  Jacob  D.,  Lupas  co.,  45  Cong. 

Converse,  George  L.,  Franklin  co.,  46  to  48  Cong. 
Campbell,  J.  E.,  Butler  co.,  49,  50  Cong. 

Cooper,  William  C.,  Knox  co.,  49,  50  Cong. 
Crouse,  George  W.,  Summit  co.,  50  Cong. 

Davenport,  John,  Belmont  co.,  20  Cong. 

Duncan,  Alexander,  Hamilton  co.,  25  to  28  Cong. 
Doane,  William,  Clermont  co.,  26,  27  Cong. 

Dean,  Ezra,  Wayne  co.,  27,  28  Cong. 

Delano,  Columbus,  Knox  co.,  29,  39  Cong. 
Duncan,  Daniel,  Licking  co.,  30  Cong. 

Dickinson,  Rudolphus,  Sandusky  co.,  30, 31  Cong 
Disney,  David  T.,  Hamilton  co.,  31  to  33  Cong. 
Day,  Timothy  C.,  Hamilton  co.,  34  Cong. 
Dickinson,  Edward  F.,  Sandusky  co.,  41  Cong. 
Dodds,  Ozro  J.,  Hamilton  co.,  42  Cong. 

Danford,  Lorenzo,  Belmont  co.,  43  to  45  Cong. 
Dickey,  Henry  L.,  Highland  co.,  45,  46  Cong. 
Dawes,  Rufus  R.,  Washington  co.,  47  Cong. 

Edwards,  John  S.,  Trumbull  co.,  13  Cong. 
Edwards,  Thomas  O.,  Fairfield  co.,  30  Cong. 
Evans,  Nathan,  Guernsey  co.,  30,  31  Cong. 
Ellison,  Andrew,  Brown  co.,  33  Cong. 

Emrie,  Jonas  R.,  Highland  co.,  34  Cong. 
Edgerton,  Sidney,  Summit  co.,  36,  37  Cong. 
Eckley,  Ephraim  R.,  Carroll  co.,  38  to  40  Cong. 
Eggleston,  Benjamin,  Hamilton  co.,  39,  40  Cong. 
Edgerton,  Alfred  P.,  Defiance  co.,  32,  33  Cong. 
Ewing,  Thomas,  Fairfield  co.,  45,  46  Cong. 
Ellsbury,  W.  W.,  Brown  co.,  49  Cong. 

Findlay,  James,  Hamilton  co.,  19  to  22  Cong. 
Florence,  Elias,  Pickaway  co.,  28  Cong. 

Faran,  James  J.,  Hamilton  co.,  29,  30  Cong. 
Fries,  George,  Columbiana  co.,  29,  30  Cong. 
Fisher,  David,  Clinton  co.,  30  Cong. 

Finck,  William  E.,  Perry  co.,  38,  39  Cong. 

Foster,  Charles,  Seneca  co.,  42  to  45  Cong. 

Finley,  Ebenezer  B.,  Crawford  co.,  45,  46  Cong. 


OHIO  OFFICERS—STATE  AND  NATIONAL.  175 


Follett,  John  F.,  Hamilton  co.,  48  Cong. 

Foran,  Martin  A.,  Cuyahoga  co,,  48  to  50  Cong. 

Gazlay,  James  W.,  Hamilton  co.,  18  Cong. 
Goodenovv,  John  M.,  Jefferson  co.,  21  Cong. 
Goode,  Patrick  G.,  Shelby  co.,  25  to  27  Cong. 
Giddings,  Joshua  P.,  Ashtabula  co.,  25  to  35  Cong. 
Gaylord,  James  M,,  Morgan  co.,  32  Cong. 
Galloway,  Samuel,  Franklin  co.,  34  Cong. 
Groesbeck,  William  S.,  Hamilton  co.,  35  Cong. 
Gurley,  John  A.,  Hamilton  co.,  36,  37  Cong. 
Garfield,  James  A.,  Portage  co.,  38  to  46  Cong. 
Gunckel,  Lewis  B.,  Montgomery  co.,  43  Cong. 
Gardner,  Mills,  Fayette  co.,  45  C<mg. 

Geddes,  George  W.,  Richland  co.,  46  to  49  Cong. 
Green,  Frederick  W.,  Seneca  co,,  32,  33  Cong, 
Grosvenor,  C.  H.,  Athens  co.,  49,  50  Cong. 

Harrison,  William  H.,  Hamilton  co.,  15,  16  Cong. 
Harrison,  John  Scott,  Hamilton  co.,  33,  34  Cong. 
Herrick,  Samuel,  Muskingum  co.,  15,  16  Cong. 
Hitchcock,  Peter,  Geauga  co.,  15  Cong. 

Hamer,  Thomas  L.,  Brown  co.,  23  to  25,  30  Cong. 
Howell,  Elias,  Licking  co.,  24  Cong. 

Harper,  Alexander,  Muskingum  co.,  25  Cong. 
Hunter,  William  H.,  Huron  co.,  25  Cong. 
Hastings,  John,  Columbiana  co.,  26,  27  Cong. 
Harper,  Alexander  J.,  Jr.,  Muskingum  co.,  28,  29, 
32  Cong. 

Hamlin,  Edward  S.,  Lorain  co.,  28  Cong. 

Hunter,  William  F., 'Monroe  co.,  31,  32  Cong. 
Hoagland,  Moses,  Holmes  co.,  31  Cong. 

Harlan,  Aaron,  Greene  co.,  33  to  35  Cong. 

Horton,  Valentine  B.,  Meigs  co.,  34,  35,  37  Cong. 
Hall,  Lawrence  W.,  Crawford  co.,  35  Cong. 
Howard,  William,  Clermont  co.,  36  Cong. 
Helmick,  William,  Tuscarawas  co.,  36  Cong. 
Hutchins,  John,  Trumbull  co.,  36,  37  Coug. 
Harrison,  Richard  A.,  Madison  co.,  37  Cong. 
Hutchins,  Wells  A.,  Scioto  co.,  38  Cong. 

Hayes,  Rutherford  B.,  Hamilton  co.,  39,  40  Cong. 
Hubbell,  James  R.,  Delaware  co.,  39  Cong. 
Hamilton,  Cornelius  S.,  Union  co.,  40  Cong. 
Hoag,  Truman  H.,  Lucas  co.,  41  Cong. 

Hurd,  Frank  H.,  Lucas  co.,  44,  46,  48  Cong. 

Hill,  William  D.,  Defiance  co.,  46,  48,  49  Cong. 
Hart,  Alphonso,  Highland  co.,  48  Cong. 

Irwin,  William  W.,  Fairfield  co.,  21,  22  Cong. 

Jennings,  David,  Belmont  co.,  19  Cong. 

Jones,  Benjamin,  Wayne  co.,  23,  24  Cong. 
Johnson,  Perley  B.,  Morgan  co.,  28  Cong. 
Johnson,  John,  Coshocton  co.,  32  Cong. 

Johnson,  Harvey  H.,  Ashland  co.,  33  Cong. 
Johnson,  William,  Richland  co.,  38  Cong. 

Jewett,  Hugh  J.,  Franklin  co.,  43  Cong. 

Jones,  John  S.,  Delaware  co.,  45  Cong. 

Jordan,  Isaac  M.,  Hamilton  co.,  48  Cong. 

Kilbourne,  James,  Franklin  co.,  13,  14  Cong. 
Kennon,  William,  Belmont  co.,21,  22,  24  Cong. 
Kennon,  William,  Jr.,  Belmont  co.,  30  Cong. 
Kilgore,  Daniel,  Harrison  co.,  23  to  25  Cong. 
Keifer,  J.  Warren,  Clarke  co.,  45  to  48  Cong. 
Kennedy,  Robert  P.,  Logan  co.,  50  Cong. 

Leavitt,  Humphrey  H.,  Jeflferson  co.,  21  to  23 
Cong. 

Lytle,  Robert  T.,  Hamilton  co.,  23  Cong. 
Leadbetter,  Daniel  P.,  Holmes  co.,  25,  26  Cong. 
Loomis,  Andrew  W.,  Columbiana  co.,  25  Cong. 
Lahm,  Samuel,  Starke  co.,  30  Cong. 

Lindsley,  William  D.,  Erie  co.,  33  Cong. 
Lawrence,  William,  Guernsey  co.,  35  Cong. 

Leiter,  Benjamin  F.,  Stark  co.,  35  Cong. 

Long,  Alexander,  Hamilton  co.,  38  Cong. 

Le  Blond,  Francis  C.,  Mercer  co.,  38,  39  Cong. 
Lawrence,  Wm.,  Logan  co.,  39  to  41,  43,  44  Cong. 
Lamison,  Charles  N.,  Allen  co.,  42,  43  Cong. 


Le  Fevre,  Benjamin,  Shelby  co.,  46  to  48,  49  Cong. 
Leedom,  John  P.,  Adams  co.,  47  Cong. 

Little,  John,  Greene  co.,  49  Cong. 

McLean,  John,  Warren  co.,  13,  14  Cong. 
McArthur,  Duncan,  Ross  co.,  13,  18  Cong. 
McLean,  William,  Miami  co.,  18  to  20  Cong. 
McLene,  Jeremiah,  Franklin  co.,  23,  24  Cong. 
McDowell,  Joseph  J.,  Highland  co.,  28,  29  Cong. 
McCauslin,  William,  Jefferson  co.,  28  Cong. 
McKinney,  John  F.,  Miami  co.,  38,  42  Cong. 
McMahon,  John  A.,  Montgomery  co.,  44  to  46 
Cong. 

McKinley,  William,  Jr.,  Stark  co.,  45  to  50  Cong. 
McClure,  Addison  S.,  Wayne  co.,  47  Cong. 
McCormick,  John  W.,  Gallia  co.,  48  Cong. 
Morrow,  Jeremiah,  Warren  co.,  8 to  10,  12,  26,  27 
Cong. 

Muhlenburg,  Francis,  Pickaway  co.,  20  Cong. 
Mitchell,  Robert,  Muskingum  co.,  23  Cong. 
Mason,  Samson,  Clarke  co.,  24  to  27  Cong. 

Morris,  Calvary,  Athens  co.,  25  to  27  Cong. 
Medill,  William,  Fairfield  co.,  26,  27  Cong. 
Mathiot,  Joshua,  Licking  co.,  27  Cong. 

Mathews,  James,  Coshocton  co.,  27,  28  Cong. 
Moore,  Heman  A.,  Franklin  co.,  28  Cong. 

Morris,  Joseph,  Monroe  co.,  28,  29  Cong. 

Morris,  Jonathan  D.,  Clermont  co.,  30,  31  Cong. 
Miller,  John  K.,  Knox  co.,  30,  31  Cong. 

Maynard,  Robert,  Miami  co.,  48  Cong. 

Mott,  Richard,  Lucas  co.,  34,  35  Cong. 

Moore,  Oscar  F.,  Scioto  co.,  34  Cong. 

Miller,  Joseph,  Ross  co.,  35  Cong. 

Martin,  Charles  D.,  Fairfield  co.,  36  Cong. 

Morris,  James  R.,  Monroe  co.,  37,  38  Cong. 
Mungen,  William,  Hancock  co.,  40,  41  Cong. 
Morgan,  George  W.,  Knox  co.,  40  to  42  Cong. 
Moore,  Eliakim  H.,  Athens  co.,  41  Cong. 

Monroe,  James,  Lorain  co.,  42  to  46  Cong. 

Morey,  Henry  L.,  Butler  co.,  47,  48  Cong. 

Newton,  Eben,  Mahoning  co.,  32  Cong. 

Nichols,  Matthias  H.,  Allen  co.,  33  to  35  Cong. 
Noble,  Warren  P.,  Seneca  co.,  37,  38  Cong. 
Nugen,  Robert  H.,  Tuscarawas  co.,  37  Cong. 
Neal,  Lawrence  T.,  Ross  co.,  43,  44  Cong. 

Neal,  Henry  S.,  Lawrence  co.,  45  to  47  Cong. 

Olds,  Edson  B.,  Pickaway  co.,  31  to  33  Cong. 
O’Neill,  John,  Muskingum  co.,  38  Cong. 
Outhwaite,  J.  H.,  Franklin  co.,  49,  50  Cong. 

Patterson,  John,  Belmont  co.,  18  Cong. 

Patterson,  William,  Richland  co.,  23,  24  Cong. 
Parisn,  Isaac,  Guernsey  co.,  26  Cong. 

Pendleton,  Nathaniel  G.,  Hamilton  co.,  27  Cong. 
Pendleton,  Geo.  H.,  Hamilton  co.,  35  to  38  Cong. 
Potter,  Emery  D.,  Lucas  co.,  28  to  31  Cong. 
Perrill,  Augustus  L.,  Pickaway  co.,  29  Cong. 
Parrish,  Isaac,  Morgan  co.,  29  Cong. 

Plants,  Tobias  A.,  Meigs  co.,  39,  40  Cong. 

Peck,  Erasmus  D.,  Wood  co.,  41,  42  Cong. 

Perry,  Aaron  F.,  Hamilton  co.,  42  Cong. 

Parsons,  Richard  C.,  Cuyahoga  co.,  43  Cong. 
Poppleton,  Early  F.,  Delaware  co.,  44  Cong. 
Payne,  Henry  B.,  Cuyahoga  co.,  44  Cong. 

Page,  David  R.,  Summit  co.,  48  Cong. 

Pugsley,  Jacob  J.,  Highland  co.,  50  Cong. 

Ross,  Thomas  R.,  Warren  co.,  16  to  18  Cong. 
Russell,  William,  Adams  co.,  20  Cong. 

Russell,  William,  Scioto  co.,  21,  22,  27  Cong. 
Root,  Joseph  M.,  Huron  co.,  29,  30  Cong. 

Root,  Joseph  M.,  Erie  co.,  31  Cong. 

Ritchey,  Thomas,  Perry  co.,  30,  33  Cong. 

Riddle,  Albert  G.,  Cuyahoga  co.,  37  Cong. 
Robinson,  James  W.,  Union  co.,  43  Cong. 

Rice,  Americus  V.,  Putnam  co.,  44,  45  Cong. 
Ritchie,  James  M.,  Lucas  co.,  47  Cong. 

Robinson,  James  S.,  Hardin  co.,  47,  48  Cong. 


1/6 


OHIO  OFFICERS^ STATE  AND  NATIONAL. 


Bice,  John  B.,  Sandusky  co.,  47  Cong. 

Romeis,  John,  Lucas  co.,  49,  50  Cong. 

Ridgway,  Joseph,  Franklin  co.,  25,  27  Cong. 

Shannon,  Thomas,  Belmont  co.,  19  Cong. 

Shields,  James,  Butler  co.,  21  Cong. 

Stanberry,  William,  Licking  co.,  21,  22  Cong. 
Spangler,  David,  Coshocton  co.,  23,  24  Cong. 
Sloane,  Jonathan,  Portage  co.,  23,  24  Cong. 
Storer,  Bellamy,  Hamilton  co.,  24  Cong. 

Shepler,  Matthias,  Stark  co.,  25  Cong. 
Swearengen,  Henry,  Jefferson,  25,  26  Cong. 
Sweeney,  George,  Crawford  co.,  26,  27  Cong. 
Starkweather,  David  A.,  Stark  co.,  26,  29  Cong. 
Stokeley,  Samuel,  Jefferson  co.,  27  Cong. 
Schenck,  Robert  C.,  Montgomery  co.,  28  to  31,  38 
to  41  Cong. 

St.  John,  Henry,  Seneca  co.,  28,  29  Cong. 

Stone,  Alfred  P.,  Franklin  co.,  28  Cong. 

Sawyer,  William,  Mercer  co.,  29,  30  Cong. 
Sweetzer,  Charles,  Delaware  co.,  31,  32  Cong. 
Stanton,  Benjamin,  Logan  co.,  32,  34  to  36  Cong. 
Sapp,  William  R.,  Knox  co.,  33,  34  Cong. 
Shannon,  Wilson,  Belmont  co.,  33  Cong. 

Stuart,  Andrew,  Jefferson  co.,  33  Cong. 

Sherman,  John,  Richland  co.,  34  to  37  Cong. 
Shellabarger,  Samuel,  Clarke  co.,  37,  39,  40,  42 
Cong. 

Spalding,  Rufus  P.,  Cuyahoga  co.,  38  to  40  Cong. 
Strader,  Peter  W.,  Hamilton  co.,  41  Cong. 
Stevenson,  Job  E.,  Hamilton  co.,  41,  42  Cong. 
Smith,  John  A.,  Highland  co.,  41,  42  Cong. 
Sprague,  William  P.,  Morgan  co.,  42,  43  Cong. 
Sayler,  Milton,  Hamilton  co.,  43  to  45  Cong. 
Smith,  John  Q.,  Clinton  co.,  43  Cong. 

Sherwood,  Isaac  R.,  Williams  co.,  43  Cong. 
Southard,  Milton  I.,  Muskingum  co.,  43  to  45 
Cong. 

Savage,  John  S.,  Clinton  co.,  44  Cong. 

Schultz,  Emanuel,  Montgomery  co.,  47  Cong. 
Seney,  George  E.,  Seneca  co.,  48  to  50  Cong. 
Sloan,  John,  Wayne  co.*  16  to  20  Cong. 

Thompson,  John,  Columbiana  co.,  19,  21  to  24 
Cong. 

Taylor,  Jonathan,  Licking  co.,  26  Cong. 

Taylor,  John  L.,  Ross  co.,  30  to  33  Cong. 

Taylor,  Ezra  B.,  Trumbull  co.,  47  to  50  Cong. 
Taylor,  Joseph  T.,  Guernsey  co.,  48,  50  Cong.  ' 
Taylor,  Isaac  H.,  Carroll  co.,  49  Cong. 


Tilden,  Daniel  R.,  Portage  co.,  28,  29  Cong. 
Thurman,  Allen  G.,  Ross  co.,  29  Cong. 
Townshend,  Norton  S.,  Lorain  co.,  32  Cong. 
Townsend,  Amos,  Cuyahoga  co.,  45  to  47  Cong. 
Tompkins,  Cydnor  B.,  Morgan  co.,  35,  36  Cong. 
Trimble,  Carey  A.,  Ross  co.,  36,  37  Cong. 
Theaker,  Thomas  C.,  Belmont  co.,  36  Cong. 
Thompson,  A.  C.,  Scioto  co.,  49,  50  Cong. 

Upson,  William  H.,  Summit  co.,  41,  42  Cong. 
Updegraff,  Jonathan  T.,  Jefferson  co.,  46,  47  Cong. 

Vance,  Joseph^  Champaign  co.,  17  to  23,  28,  29 
Cong. 

Vinton,  Samuel  F.,  Gallia  co.,  18  to  24,  28  to  31 
Cong. 

Van  Meter,  John  I.,  Pike  co.,  28  Cong. 
Vallandigham,  Clement  L.,  Butler  co.,  35  to  37 
Cong. 

Van  Trump,  Philadelph,  Fairfield  co.,  40  to  42 
Cong. 

Vance,  John  L.,  Gallia  co.,  44  Cong. 

Van  Vorhes,  Nelson  H.,  Athens  co.,  44,  45  Cong. 

Wright,  John  C.,  Jefferson  co.,  17  to  20  Cong. 
Wilson,  William,  Licking  co.,  18  to  20  Cong. 
Whittlesey,  Elisha,  Trumbull  co.,  18  to  25  Cong. 
Woods,  John,  Butler  co.,  19,  20  Cong. 

Webster,  Taylor,  Butler  co.,  23  to  25  Cong. 
Weller,  John  B.,  Butler  co.,  26  to  28  Cong. 

Wood,  Amos  E.,  Sandusky  co.,  31  Cong. 
Whittlesey,  William  A.,  Washington  co.,  31  Cong. 
Welch,  John,  Athens  co.,  32  Cong. 

Wade,  Edward,  Cuyahoga  co.,  33  to  36  Cong. 
Watson,  Cooper  K.,  Seneca  co.,  34  Cong. 

White,  Chilton  A.,  Brown  co.,  37,  38  Cong. 
Worcester,  Samuel  T.,  Huron  co.,  37  Cong. 
Welker,  Martin,  Wayne  co.,  39  to  41  Cong. 
Wilson,  John  T.,  Adams  co.,  40  to  42  Cong. 
Winans,  James  J.,  Greene  co.,  41  Cong. 
Woodworth,  Laurin  D.,  Mahoning  co.,  43,  44  Cong. 
Walling,  Ansel  T.,  Pickaway  co.,  44  Cong. 
Warner,  A.  J.,  Washington  co.,  46,  48,  49  Cong. 
Wilkins,  Beriah,  Tuscarawas  co.,  48  to  50  Cong. 
Williams,  E.  S.,  Miami  co.,  50  Cong. 

Wickham,  Charles  P.,  Huron  co.,  50  Cong. 

Young,  Thomas  L.,  Hamilton  co.,  46,  47  Cong. 
Yoder,  S.  S.,  Allen  co.,  50  Cong. 


Duncan  McArthur  resigned  April  5,  1813. 

John  S.  Edwards  resigned  April,  1813. 

Kezin  Beall  resigned  August  18,  1814. 

John  McLean  resigned  in  1816  to  accept  office  of  Judge  of  the  Supreme  Court  of  Ohio. 

John  C.  Wright  resigned  from  the  17th  Congress. 

David  Jennings  resigned  in  1826. 

William  Creighton,  Jr.,  resigned  December  14,  1814.  He  also  resigned  in  1828,  after  second  election,  to  accept  the 
appointment  of  Judge  of  the  United  States  District  Court,  but  was  not  confirmed  by  the  United  States  Senate 
John  M.  Goodenow  resigned  April  14,  1830. 

Robert  T.  Lytle  resigned  October  16,  1834,  and  re-elected  November  8,  1834.' 

Humphrey  H.  Leavitt  resigned  .Inly  10,  1834,  to  accept  office  of  Judge  of  the  United  States  District  Court  of  Ohio. 

Elisha  Whittlesey  resigned  in  1838. 

Andrew  W.  Loomis  resigned  in  1837. 

Daniel  Kilgore  resigned  in  1838. 

Thomas  Corwin  resigned  from  26th  Congress  to  accept  office  of  Governor  of  Ohio.  He  also  resigned  from  the  37th  Con- 
gress to  accept  the  appointment  of  Minister  to  Mexico. 

Joshua  R.  Giddings  resigned  in  1842  ; re-elected  April  26, 1842. 

Heman  A.  Moore  died  in  1844. 

Henry  R.  Brinkerhoflf  died  in  1844. 

Gen.  Thomas  L.  Hamer  died  in  Mexico  prior  to  the  convening  of  the  30th  Congress,  to  which  he  w'as  elected,  being 
at  that  time  in  the  military  service  of  the  United  Shites. 

Kodolphus  Dickinson  resigned  from  the  31st  Congress  to  accept  office  of  Secretary  of  the  United  States  Treasury. 

Amos  E.  Wood  died  in  1850. 

Seat  of  Lewis  D.  Campbell  in  the  35th  Congress  was  given  to  Clement  L.  Vallandigham  on  contest. 

John  Sherman  resigned  from  35th  Congress  to  accept  office  of  United  States  Senator. 

Rutherford  B.  Hayes  resigned  in  1867  to  accept  office  of  Governor  of  Ohio. 

Cornelius  S.  Hamilton  died  December  22, 1867. 

Truman  H.  Hoag  died  in  1870. 

Aaron  F.  Perry  resigned  in  1872. 

James  A.  Garfield  was  elected  Senator  by  the  64th  General  Assembly  on  the  14th  day  of  January,  1880.  He  declined  the 
office  on  the  18th  day  of  January,  1881,  having  in  the  meantime  been  nominated  to  the  Presidency  of  the  United  States  bf 
the  Republican  party,  and  John  Sherman  was  elected  Senator  in  his  place. 


THE  OHIO  SOCIETY  OF  NEW  YORK. 

Ohio  has  borne  to  the  States  of  the  i^arther  West  a similar  relation  to  that  of 
Virginia  to  the  West  and  Southwest,  inasmuch  as  she  has  been  a great  source  of 
emigration.  Ohio  people  and  their  children  largely  occupy  the  land  as  it  stretches 
on  towards  the  setting  sun,  and  wherever  they  go  illustrate  an  extraordinary  af- 
fection for  their  mother  State  such  as  is  shown  by  the  emigrants  from  none  other. 
They  do  this  by  the  formation  of  Ohio  Societies.  Even  in  California  the  sons 
of  Ohio,  as  they  look  out  on  the  Pacific,  have  not  forgotten  to  form  an  Ohio  So- 
ciety. In  Kansas  there  is  an  association  of  ex-Ohio  soldiers  that  numbers  10,000 
on  its  muster  rolls.  But  the  most  singular  fact,  as  showing  the  tendency  of  the 
sons  of  Ohio  to  keep  alive  their  youthful  memories,  is  that  in  the  metropolis  of 
the  nation  they  should  be  the  very  first  to  form  a State  Society. 

The  formation  of  societies  among  citizens  of  different  parts  of  the  country  and 
of  foreign  countries  residing  in  New  York  city  is,  however,  by  no  means  a novel 
idea.  The  New  England  Society  was  organized  some  eighty  years  ago,  the  object 
being  to  commemorate  the  landing  of  the  pilgrims,  to  promote  friendship,  charity 
and  mutual  assistance  and  for  literary  purposes.  St.  Andrew’s  Society,  which  is 
composed  of  Scotchmen  and  the  sons  of  Scotchmen  who  reside  in  New  York, 
was  established  in  1756.  The  Southern  Society,  composed  of  former  residents 
of  the  twelve  Southern  States ; the  Holland  Society,  the  Liederkranz,  the  Arion, 
St.  Patrick  and  the  Canadian  Society  are  all  similar  organizations,  but  the  Ohio 
Society  of  New  York  is  the  pioneer  State  Society  of  the  metropolis.  The  follow- 
ing interesting  history  and  information  is  extracted  from  the  first  annual  report 
of  Secretary  Homer  Lee,  presented  to  the  society  November  29,  1888 : 

The  first  step  of  which  any  record  can  be  found  toward  establishing  an  Ohio 
Society  was  a call  printed  in  the  Boston  papers  on  the  25th  day  of  January,  1788, 
not  quite  101  years  ago,  when  eleven  delegates  met  at  the  Bunch  of  Grapes 
tavern  in  Boston  and  organized  by  electing  Gen.  Rufus  Putnam  president  and 
Winthrop  Sargent  secretary.  This  was  undoubtedly  the  first  Ohio  Society.  It 
was  called  the  “ Ohio  Company  of  Associates,”  and  was  intended  to  promote  emi- 
gration to  Ohio  and  to  develop  that  portion  of  the  national  domain  then  a part 
of  the  State  of  Virginia. 

The  next  step  taken  was  at  the  outbreak  of  the  civil  war,  when  there  was 
formed  in  the  parlors  of  one  of  Ohio’s  fair  daughters  residing  on  Murray  Hill, 
New  York  city,  a Society  composed  mainly  of  Ohio  ladies  and  gentlemen,  which 
held  weekly  meetings,  and  which  was  afterwards  known  throughout  the  land  as 
the  “ Sanitary  Fair.” 

The  object  was  to  send  supplies,  clothing,  medicines,  etc.,  to  the  soldiers  at  the 
front.  A handsome  silk  and  satin  banner  was  made  at  a cost  of  some  $500,  upon 
which  was  a beautiful  and  embroidered  coat  of-arms  of  the  State  of  Ohio,  to  be  pre- 
sented to  the  bravest  Ohio  regiment.  As  might  have  been  expected,  there  was  much 
rivalry  for  the  possession  of  this  prize,  as  glowing  descriptions  of  the  beautiful 
souvenir  were  given  by  the  newspapers  of  that  time.  The  commanding  officers 
were  appealed  to,  but  could  not  be  prevailed  upon  to  decide  the  question,  because, 
as  one  officer  put  it,  ‘‘  it  could  not  easily  be  decided  which  was  the  bravest  where 
all  the  regiments  by  their  valor  and  heroism  had  covered  themselves  with  glory.” 
At  the  close  of  the  war  the  Seventh  Ohio  Volunteer  Infantry  of  Cleveland  secured 
the  prize. 

This,  however,  was  not  carried  further,  but  several  members  of  our  Society  were 
among  the  number,  as  follows : William  L.  Strong,  Augustus  D.  Juilliard,  Theron 
R.  Butler,  Albert  W.  Green,  Thomas  Reed,  Joel  Reed,  A.  Jennings,  D.  M.  Porter, 
Samuel  Hawk,  Frank  Work  and  Clinton  Work. 

(*77) 


(178' 


3ectetpvv  of  the  Ohio  Soeiety  of  Kew  York.  President  of  the  Ohio  Society  of  New  York. 


THE  OHIO  SOCIETY  OF  NEW  YORK. 


179 


The  Ohio  Soldier’s  Aid  Society  was  formed  about  the  same  time  at  the  Fifth 
Avenue  Hotel,  of  which  Theroii  R.  Butler  was  elected  president  and  John  R.  Cecil 
treasurer.  Comniittees  were  appointed  to  assist  all  the  sick  and  wounded  soldiers 
belonging  to  Ohio  regiments  from  the  Army  of  the  Potomac  that  could  be  found 
in  the  hospitals  of  New  York  and  vicinity.  Hundreds  of  disabled  Ohio  soldiers 
were  sent  home  transportation  free.  Over  $15,000  were  expended  in  this  good 
w’ork. 

Upon  the  occasion  of  the  funeral  of  the  late  Hon.  Salmon  P.  Chase,  in  1877, 
the  subject  again  came  up  and  was  warmly  discussed  by  a large  number  of 
Ohioans  who  were  residents  of  New  York  at  that  time,  but  no  decisive  steps  were 
taken.  Several  of  the  gentlemen  who  were  most  active  are  also  members  of  the 
Ohio  Society.  Among  them  were  Henry  L.  Burnett,  Whitelaw  Reid,  S.  S.  Cox, 
Algernon  S.  Sullivan  and  others. 

Some  of  the  younger  Ohioans  in  New  York  again  endeavored  to  form  an  Ohio 
Society  in  the  winter  of  1874.  Several  meetings  were  held  at  the  Hotel  St.  Ger- 
main, Broadway  and  Twenty-second  street,  where  they  endeavored  to  put  the 
“Buckeye  Club  ” on  its  feet.  This,  also,  was  but  a glimmer.  Several  of  those 
are  likewise  among  the  present  members  of  the  Society,  viz. : Wm.  M.  Hoffer, 
Giles  N.  Hewlett,  Henry  C.  Ehlers  and  Homer  Lee. 

Still  another  and  last  attempt  w'as  the  one  out  of  which  the  present  Society 
sprang.  It  was  rewarded  with  better  success,  however,  for  when  a paper  was  cir- 
culated in  this  city,  in  1885,  to  Aee  whether  a dozen  “ Buckeyes  ” could  be 
united  on  this  matter,  it  was  found  that  over  thirty  responded,  and  with  such 
spirit  and  enthusiasm  that  there  was  no  longer  any  doubt  that  the  time  had  at 
last  arrived  for  organization. 

This  paper,  which  is  the  nucleus  of  the  Ohio  Society,  has  among  its  signers 
representatives  of  all  the  former  attempts  (except  General  Putnam’s),  and  is  as 
follows : 

“New  York,  October  ItK  1885. 

“We,  the  undersigned,  hereby  agree  to  unite  with  each  other  to  form  an  Asso- 
ciation to  be  known  as  ‘The  Ohio  Association  in  New  York,’  and  to  that  end 
will  meet  at  any  place  designated,  for  the  purpose  of  completing  such  organization 
upon  notice  given  to  us  whenever  twelve  persons  shall  have  signed  this  agree- 
ment. There  is  to  be  no  expense  incurred  until  the  organization  is  completed 
and  assented  to  by  each  member. 

“ C.  W.  Moulton,  Joseph  Pool,  Thomas  Ewing,  Homer  Lee,  Samuel  Thomas, 
Wm.  Perry  Fogg,  Milton  Sayler,  Mahlon  Chance,  L.  M.  Schwan,  Jay  0. 
Moss,  M.  i.  Southard,  Anton  G.  McCook,  W.  M.  Safford,  Calvin  S.  Brice, 
J.  W.  Harmon,  J.  Q.  Howard,  David  F.  Harbaugh,  Wm.  L.  Strong, 
Hugh  J.  Jewett,  Warren  Higley,  Cyrus  Butler,  Carson  Lake,  A.  J.  C. 
Foye,  Henry  L.  Burnett  and  Wallace  C.  Andrews.” 

Notice  was  sent  to  the  subscribers  of  the  above  paper  to  meet  at  the  offices  of 
Ewing  & Southard,  155  Broadway,  on  the  18th  of  November,  1885.  A majority 
of  the  signers  being  present,  Gen.  Thomas  Ewing  was  elected  president,  pro  iem., 
and  David  E.  Harbaugh,  secretary,  pro  tern.  The  following  committee  of  ten  on 
permanent  organization  was  appointed : C.  W.  Moulton,  Wm.  Perry  Fogg,  Cyrus 
Butler,  J.  Q.  Howard,  Mahlon  Chance,  M.  I.  Southard,  David  F.  Harbaugh,  ^bar- 
ren Higley,  Calvin  S.  Brice,  Joseph  Pool. 

On  the  20th  of  the  same  month  another  meeting  was  held  at  the  same  place, 
and  this  committee  was  enlarged  by  the  addition  of  the  following  names:  Carson 
Lake,  Homer  Lee,  J.  W.  Harmon,  making  a total  of  thirteen  members. 

At  this  meeting  the  committee  on  permanent  organization  presented  a draft  of 
a proposed  constitution  and  bydaws  for  the  Society,  copies  of  which  were  printed 
and  distributed  among  the  former  residents  of  Ohio  living  in  New  York  and  vi- 
cinity, to  see  whether  the  desirable  names  could  be  obtained.  This  call  was  re- 
sponded to  quickly  by  over  125  “ Buckeyes.”  A meeting  was  called  promptly  by 
the  president  pro  ^em.,  at  the  Fifth  Avenue  Hotel,  on  the  evening  of  the  13th  of 
January,  1886,  at  which  over  one  hundred  gentlemen  were  present. 

This  w'as  the  first  gathering  of  note,  and  all  present  w^ere  elated  at  the  interest 
shown.  Tb^^  Ohio  Society  of  New  York  was  permanently  organized  at  this  meet- 


i8o 


THE  OHIO  SOCIETY  OF  NEW  YORK. 


ing.  An  election  was  held  and  the  following  persons  were  chosen  to  be  officers 
of  the  society:  President,  Thomas  Ewing;  Vice-Presidents,  Whitelaw  Reid, 
Wager  Swayne,  Wm.  L.  Strong,  Hugh  J.  Jewett,  Algernon  S.  Sullivan  ; Secretary 
Homer  Lee;  Recording  Secretary,  Carson  Lake;  Treasurer,  William  Perry  Fogg. 
A Governing  Committee  was  also  appointed,  as  follows : Henry  L.  Burnett,  chair- 
man ; Calvin  S.  Brice,  Andrew  J.  C.  Foye,  A.  D.  Juilliard,  George  Follett,  Stephen 
B.  Elkins,  Jerome  D.  Gillett,  C.  W.  Moulton,  Joseph  Pool. 

The  president  and  the  five  vice-presidents  were  appointed  a committee  to  frame 
a constitution  and  code  of  by-laws  for  the  government  of  the  society. 

Being  without  permanent  quarters,  the  society  accepted  invitations  from 
various  hotels  whose  proprietors  were  Ohioans.  The  first  regular  monthly  meet- 
ing was  held  on  the  1st  of  February  at  the  Windsor  Hotel. 

The  committee  appointed  presented  a draft  of  constitution  and  by-laws,  which 
was  unanimously  adopted. 

On  the  26th  of  February  a special  meeting  was  held  at  the  Gilsey  House,  when 
the  subject  of  procuring  club  rooms  was  first  acted  upon.  It  was  decided  to 
lease  the  floor  at  236  Fifth  Avenue,  which  was  promptly  done.  On  the  8th  of 
March,  1886,  the  second  monthly  meeting  was  held  at  the  Grand  Central  Hotel, 
wlien  a Committee  on  History  and  Art  was  appointed  by  the  president,  as  fol- 
lows: J.  Q.  Howard,  Cyrus  Butler,  Wm.  Henry  Smith,  C.  H.  Applegate,  A.  J. 
Rickoff,  J.  Q.  A.  Ward,  J.  H.  Beard. 

A Committee  on  Entertainment  was  also  appointed,  as  follows : Thomas 
Ewing,  W.  C.  Andrews,  R.  C.  Kimball,  Wm.  L.  Strong,  Homer  Lee,  W.  L.  Brown, 
Bernard  Peters,  Carson  Lake,  Henry  L.  Burnett,  C.  W.  Moulton. 

At  about  this  time  a discussion  took  place  as  to  the  date  upon  which  Ohio  was 
admitted  as  a State  into  the  Federal  Union,  with  a view  of  celebrating  the  anni- 
versary with  a banquet.  It  was  developed  that  there  are  no  less  than  seven  dif- 
ferent dates  given  by  historians  for  the  auspicious  event,  as  follows  : April  28,  1802, 
April  30,  1802,  June  30,  1802,  November  29,  1802,  February  19,  1803,  March  1, 
1803,  and  March  3,  1803. 

The  April  meeting  was  held  on*  the  6th  day  of  that  month  at  the  Murray  Hill 
Hotel.  A satisfactory  date  as  to  Ohio’s  admission  could  not  be  determined  upon. 
A banquet  was  voted,  however,  and  May  7th  was  fixed  upon  as  the  date ; not  be- 
cause that  date  had  anything  to  do  with  Ohio’s  natal  day,  but  as  the  most  con- 
venient one  upon  which  Delmonico’s  banqueting  hall  could  be  secured. 

There  was  inclement  weather  on  the  evening  of  the  banquet,  but  out  of  the  two 
hundred  and  twenty-two  seats  subscribed  for,  two  hundred  and  twenty  members 
and  guests  were  seated.  The  banquet  was  attended  by  many  eminent  sons  of 
Ohio  from  Washington  and  elsewhere.  It  was  a gratifying  success  and  a fore- 
runner of  further  pleasant  reunions.  The  banqueters  lingered  until  a late  hour. 
Few  such  enthusiastic  gatherings  have  ever  graced  Delmonico’s  board. 

The  June  and  July  meetings  were  devoted  to  routine  business,  and  it  was  de- 
cided to  omit  the  August  meeting.  At  the  June  meeting,  however,  the  first  of  a 
series  of  papers  was  read  by  Mr.  J.  Q.  Howard,  subject,  “An  Outline  of  Ohio 
History.”  At  the  September  meeting  Mr.  J.  Q.  Mitchell  favored  the  society  in  a 
like  manner,  the  subject  being  “ The  Second  Settlement  of  Marietta.”  At  the 
October  meeting  Mr.  James  Beard  delivered  an  extemporaneous  address  on  Hiram 
Powers,  the  sculptor,  replete  with  interesting  reminiscences.  At  the  November 
meeting  Mr.  Warren  Higley  read  a paper  on  “ The  Second  Settlement  of  Ohio  at 
Cincinnati.” 

At  the  end  of  the  first  year  of  its  existence  the  society  had  nearly  three  hun- 
dred members  on  its  roll.  The  following  extract  from  the  second  annual  report 
of  Secretary  Lee  gives  some  very  interesting  facts  in  regard  to  the  members  of 
the  society  and  their  occupation.  It  is  a record  of  great  interests  under  the  con- 
trol of  Ohio  men,  and  is  a roll  of  honor  to  which  the  citizens  of  the  State  as  well 
as  the  members  of  the  society  can  point  witli  laudable  pride. 

The  membership  of  the  society  numbers  303,  of  whom  237  are  active  members 
and  66  non-resident  members. 

The  above  are  made  up  as  follows:  Merchants,  113;  physicians,  9;  attorneys- 
at-law,  24;  railways,  9;  insurance,  7 ; bankers,  29;  real  estate,  3;  hotel  proprie- 
tors, 6 ; press,  26 ; clergymen,  2;  artists,  11 ; miscellaneous,  16,  and  public  life,  15. 


THE  OHIO  SOCIETY  OF  NEW  YORK. 


ibi 

Among  the  latter  is  the  Vice-President  of  the  United  States,  the  Chief-Justice  of 
the  United  States  Supreme  Court,  the  Governor  of  Ohio  and  two  ex-Governors, 
the  Secretary  of  State  and  one  ex-Secretary,  several  United  States  Senators  and 
Members  of  Congress  from  Ohio  and  other  States  with  which  they  have  since  be- 
come identified. 

Four  of  our  members  are  presidents  of  New  York  City  National  Banks. 

The  Western  Union  Telegraph  and  the  Metropolitan  Telephone  Companies  are 
both  managed  and  legally  advised  by  other  members  of  the  society. 

The  New  York  Steam  Heating  Company  and  th  Standard  Gas  Light  Company, 
both  of  which  occasionally  take  possession  of  our  streets,  are  Ohio  institutions. 

The  new  aqueduct  is  not  only  being  engineered  by  Buckeyes,  but  is  also  financed 
largely  by  Ohio  men. 

The  Standard  Oil  Company,  which  has  representatives  in  every  town  between 
the  Atlantic  and  the  Pacific,  the  Lakes  and  the  Gulf,  also  came  here  from  Ohio 
and  is  largely  identified  in  our  society. 

The  Windsor,  Murray  Hill,  Grand  Central  and  the  Ashland  are  among  the 
hostelries  controlled  by  Buckeyes. 

The  Associated  Press  is  managed  by  one  of  our  members ; the  New  York 
Tribune.,  the  World,  the  News,  the  Daily  Graphic  and  the  Brooklyn  Times  are  con- 
trolled by  others. 

The  Erie,  the  East  Tennessee,  Virginia  and  Georgia,  the  Housatonic,  Lake  Erie 
and  Western,  New  York  and  New  England,  Richmond  Terminal,  Memphis  and 
Charleston  and  nine  other  railways  are  represented  here  by  their  directors  and 
managers  in  this  society. 

The  inventors  of  the  two  principal  electric  lighting  systems  of  the  United 
States,  Edison  and  Brush,  are  Ohio  men. 

Rooms  of  the  Society,  236  Fifth  Ave.,  Between  Twenty-seventh  and  Twenty-eighth  Sts. 

OFFICERS  FOR  1888. 

President — Thomas  Ewing. 

Vice-Presidents — Whitelaw  Reid,  George  Hoadly,  Wager  Swayne,  Charles  W.  Moulton,  Algernon  8. 
Sullivan. 

Secretary — Homer  Lee. 

Recording  Secretary — William  Ford  Upson. 

Treasurer — William  Perry  Fogg. 

Trustees — Henry  L.  Burnett,  Andrew  J.  C.  Foye,  George  Follett,  Joseph  Pool,  John  Dickson,  W.  H. 

Eckert,  Chas.  T.  Wing,  Henry  K.  Enos,  L,  C.  Hopkins. 

Governing  Committee  (the  President,  Recording  Secretary,  and  Treasurer,  Members  ex-officio) — Henry 
L.  Burnett,  Andrew  J.  C.  Foye,  Geo.  Follett,  Joseph  Pool,  John  Dickson,  W.  H.  Eckert,  Chas.  T. 
Wing,  Henry  K.  Enos,  L.  C.  Hopkins. 

LIST  OF  ACTIVE  MEMBERS  WITH  THE  FORMER  HOME  OF  EACH  IN  OHIO  TO 

JULY,  1888. 

Abbey,  Henry  E.,  Akron.  Andrews,  W.  C.,  Youngstown.  Applegate,  C.  H.,  Highland  Co. 
Armstrong,  Geo.  E.,  Cleveland.  Armstrong,  P.  B.,  Cincinnati.  Ashley,  James  M.,  Toledo.  At- 
kinson, W.  H.,  Cleveland.  Archbold,  John  D.,  Leesburg.  Adams,  Henry  H.,  Cleveland. 

Bartlett,  Geo.  S.,  Mt.  Gilead.  Beard,  D.  C.,  Painesville.  Beard,  Henry,  Painesville.  Beard, 
W.  H.,  Painesville.  Beasley,  A.  W.,  Ripley.  Belt,  Washington,  St.  Louisville.  Bidwell,  F. 
H.,  Toledo.  Bonnet,  J.  N.,  Zanesville.  Bostwick,  J.  A.,  Cleveland.  Brainard,  Frank,  Salem. 
Brainard,  W.  H.,  Salem.  Brewster,  S.  D.,  Madison.  Brice,  Calvin  S.,  Lima.  Brown,  Walston  H., 
Cincinnati.  Brown,  W.  L.,  Youngstown.  Bruch,  C.  P.,  Canton.  Brundrett,  H.  B.,  Cincinna,ti. 
Bryant,  Stanley  A.,  Mt.  Vernon.  Buckingham,  G.,  McConnellsville.  Burnett,  Henry  L.,  Cin- 
cinnati. Busbey,  Hamilton,  Clark  Co.  Butler,  Cyrus,  Norwalk.  Butler,  Richard,  Norwalk. 
Buckingham,  C.  L.,  Berlin  Heights.  Bostwick,  W.  W.,  Cincinnati.  Bosworth,  T.  B.,  Marietta. 
Bodman,  E.  C.,  Toledo.  Baker,  W.  D.,  Cleveland.  Bonnet,  S.  Frank  F.,  Zanesville.  Brock- 
way, H.  H.,  Cleveland.  Bosworth,  F.  H.,  Marietta.  Bunnell,  J.  H.,  Massillon.  Bliss,  C.  F ., 
Wooster.  Bruch,  E.  B.,  Canton.  Baker,  W.  H.,  Cleveland. 

Chance,  Mahlon,  Fremont.  Chandler,  J.  M.,  Mansfield.  Clark,  Heman,  Portage  Co.  Cor- 
wine,  R.  M.,  Cincinnati.  Corwine,  Quinton,  Cincinnati.  Crall,  L.  H.,  Cincinnati.  Critten,  T. 
D.,  Piqua.  Cox,  S.  S.,  Columbus.  Caldwell,  W.  H.,  Cincinnati.  Corwine,  John,  Cincinnati. 
Converse,  J.  Stedman,  Urbana. 

Dickson,  John,  Cincinnati.  Donaldson,  Andrew,  Cincinnati.  Doren,  D.,  Wooster.  Doyle, 
George,  Steubenville.  DeMilt,  H.  R.,  West  Jefferson.  Dunn,  W.  S.,  Fletcher.  Doyle,  Alexan- 
der, Steubenville.  Dunham,  S.  T.,  Cleveland.  Dorsey,  Stephen  W.,  Oberlin. 

Eckert,  Thomas  T.,  Wooster.  Eckert,  T.  T.,  Jr.,  Wooster.  Eckert,  W.  H.,  Wooster.  Edger- 
ton,  D.  M.,  Mansfield.  Elkins,  Stephen  B.,  Perry  Co.  Ellis,  John  W.,  Cincinnati.  Enos,^  H. 
K.,  Millersburgh,  Holmes  Co.  Este,  W.  M.,  Cincinnati.  Ewing,  Thomas,  Lancaster.  Essick, 
S.  V.,  Alliance. 

Fove.  Andrew  J.  C.,  Mt.  Gilead.  Fleischmann,  Max,  Cincinnati.  Fogg,  Wm.  Perry,  Cleveland. 


i82 


THE  OHIO  SOCIETY  OF  NEW  YORK. 


Follett,  Austin  W.,  Granville.  F^ollett,  George,  Johnstown.  Foy^,  Frank  M.,  Mt.  Gilead. 
Fi'ench,  Hamlin  Q.,  Delaware.  Fackler,  Geo.  W.  S.,  Cincinnati.  Foote,  Edward  B.,  Euclid. 

Gillett,  M.  G.,  Upper  Sandusky.  Gillett,  Francis  M.,  Upper  Sandusky.  Gillett,  Jerome  D., 
Upper  Sandusky.  Gillett,  Morillo  H.,  Upper  Sandusky.  Glassford,  Henry  A.,  Cincinnati. 
Goddard,  Calvin,  Cleveland.  Gorham,  A.  S.,  Cleveland.  Granger,  John  T.,  Zanesville.  Green, 
Albert  W.,  North  Bloomfield.  Green,  Edwin  M.,  North  Bloomfield.  Grojean,  J.  H.,  Canton. 
Guiteau,  Jolm  M.,  Marietta.  Gard,  Anson  A.,  Treraont  City.  Gunnison,  Austin,  Cincinnati. 

Hain,  Isaiah,  Circleville.  Hall,  P.  D.,  Akron.  Hammond,  D.  S.,  Delaware.  Harbaugh, 
David  F.,  Cleveland.  Harman,  Geo.  V.,  Canal  Dover.  Harman,  Granville  VV.,  Canal  Dover. 
Harman,  John  W.,  Canal  Dover.  Hawk,  Wm.  S.,  Canton.  Heaton,  Wm.  W.,  Salem.  Hewson, 
J.  H.,  Cincinnati.  Higley,  Warren,  Cincinnati.  Hine,  C.  C.,  Massillon.  Hoffer,  Wm.  M.,  Mans- 
field. Hopkins,  L,  C.,  Cincinnati.  Howard,  James  Q.,  Columbus.  Howlett,  Giles  N.,  Mans- 
field. Hoyt,  Colgate,  Cleveland.  Handy,  Parker,  Cleveland.  Halstead,  Marshall,  Cincinnati. 
Hoagland,  C.  N.,  Miami  Co.  Hoadly,  George,  Cincinnati.  Hobbs,  H.  H.,  Cincionati.  Hollo- 

way, J.  F.,  Cleveland.  Hibbard,  George  B.,  Ironton.  Hazlett,  Wm.  Converse,  Zanesville. 

Irvine,  James,  Toledo.  Iragard,  Julius,  Wooster. 

Jennings,  P.  S.,  Cleveland.  Jeffords,  John  E.,  Columbus.  Jewett,  Hugh  J.,  Zanesville.  Juil- 

liard,  A.  D.,  Bucyrus.  Jacobs,  A.  L.,  Lima.  Johnson,  Edgar  M.,  Cincinnati.  Johnston,  J.  W., 
Zanesville. 

Kimball,  R.  C.,  Canton.  King,  Thomas  S.,  New  Philadelphia.  Kuisely,  Wm..  Tuscarawas 
Co.  Kingsbury,  F.  H.,  Columbus. 

Lahm,  Frank  M.,  Mansfield.  Lake,  Carson,  Akron.  Lauer,  E.,  Cincinnati.  Leavitt,  John 

B. ,  Cincinnati.  Lee,  Homer,  Mansfield.  Loveland,  F.  C.,  Wellington.  Linn,  Fred.  D.,  Mt. 
Gilead.  Le  Fevre,  Ben,  Maplewood. 

Mayo,  Wallace,  Akron.  McCook,  Anson  G.,  Steubenville.  McCracken,  W.  V.,  Bucyrus. 
McFall,  Gaylord,  Mansfield.  MeGill,  Geo.  W.,  Lancaster.  Merser,  Isaac  P.,  Marlboro’.  Mil- 

ler, J.  W.,  Springfield.  Mitchell,  John  Q.,  Mt.  Vernon.  Monett,  Henry,  Columbus.  Moore, 
Cary  W.,  Zanesville.  Moore,  L.  B.,  Mt.  Gilead.  Moss,  J.  O.,  Sandusky.  Moulton,  John  Sher- 
man, Cincinnati.  Munson,  Wm.  S.,  Cincinnati.  Morgan,  Henry  M.,  Mt.  Vernon.  Morgan, 
Rollin  M.,  Mt.  Vernon.  Milmine,  George,  Toledo.  Morgan,  David,  Wilmington.  Morse, 
Horace  J.,  Norwalk.  McNally,  J.  Flack,  Springfield.  Moore,  Robert,  Cincinnati.  Milmine, 
Chas.  E.,  Toledo. 

Newton,  Ensign,  Canfield.  Nye,  Theodore  S.,  Marietta. 

Oldham,  J.  L.,  Springfield. 

Palmer,  Lowell  M.,  Chester.  Peet,  Wm.  C.,  London,  O.  Peters,  Bernard,  Marietta.  Phillipp, 
M.  B.,  Cincinnati.  Peixotto,  B.  F.,  Cleveland.  Pool,  Harwood  R.,  Elyria.  Prentiss,  F.  J., 
Cleveland.  Prentiss,  F.  C.,  Cleveland.  Pritchard,  Daniel,  Cleveland.  Packard,  S.  S.,  Cincin- 
nati. Pease,  Geo.  L.,  Painesville.  Peet,  Chas.  B.,  London,  O.  Peixotto,  Geo.  D.  M.,  Cleveland. 
Pool,  Joseph,  Cleveland.  Peixotto,  M.  P.,  Cleveland.  Parker,  S.  Webber,  Chagrin  Falls. 

Reid,  Whitelaw,  Cincinnati.  Rickoff,  A.  J.,  Cleveland.  RickSecker,  Theodore,  Canal  Dover. 
Rodarmor,  John  F.,  Ironton.  Rogers,  Wm.  A.,  Springfield. 

Sadler,  J.  F.,  Lucas  Co.  Safford,  W.  M.,  Cleveland.  Schooley,  John  C.,  Cincinnati.  Schwan, 
Louis  M.,  Cleveland.  Scott,  Geo.,  Canton.  Shillito,  Wallace,  Cincinnati.  Shoppell,  R.  W., 
Columbus.  Shotwell,  Theodore,  Cincinnati.  Smith,  John  A.,  Carey.  Smith,  Wm.  Henry,  Cin- 
cinnati. Southard,  Milton  I.,  Zanesville.  Sprague,  Chas.,  Wooster.  Stout,  John  W.,  Wooster. 
Strong,  W.  L.,  Mansfield.  Struble,  I.  J.,  Chesterviile.  Swayne,  Wager,  Columbus.  Spooner, 
Chas.  W.,  Cincinnati.  Smith,  Richard,  Jr.,  Cincinnati.  Sisson,  H.  H.,  Marietta.  Sterling, 
Theodore  W.,  Cleveland.  Stebbins,  W.  R.,  Monroeville.  Shayne,  C.  C.,  Cincinnati.  Short,  John 

C. ,  Clarksville.  Shunk,  Albert,  Mansfield.  Sterling,  Willis  B.,  Cleveland.  Schaffer,  Onesi- 

mus  P.,  Youngstown.  Smith,  Wm.  Sooy,  Athens.  Simpson,  C,  S.,  Cincinnati. 

Terrell,  H.  L.,  Cleveland.  Thomas,  Samuel,  Columbus.  Thomson,  F.  A.,  Cincinnati.  Thyng, 
Chas.  H.,  Cleveland.  Tidball,  W.  L.,  Mansfield.  Tunison,  Joseph  S.,  Cincinnati.  Taft,  Henry 
W.,  Cincinnati.  Tuttle,  Franklin,  Portage  Co.  Tangeman,  Geo.  P.,  Hamilton.  Taggart,  W. 
Rush,  Salem. 

Upson,  Wm.  Ford,  Akron. 

Vaillant,  Geo.  H.,  Cleveland.  Vance,  Wilson,  Findlay.  Van  Brimmer,  Joshua,  Delaware. 
Waggoner,  Ralph  H.,  Toledo.  Ward,  J.  Q.  A.,  Urbana.  Whitehead,  John,  Worthington. 
Wing,  Frank  E.,  Gambier.  Wright,  M.  B.,  Cincinnati.  Work,  Frank,  Columbus.  Wright,  H. 
A.,  Cleveland.  Wheeler,  F.  H.,  Cleveland. 

Zachos,  J.  C.,  Cincinnati.  Zinn,  Chas.  H.,  Sidney. 

LIST  OF  NON-RESIDENT  MEMBERS  TO  JULY,  1888,  WITH  THE  ADDRESS  OF  EACH. 

Allison,  Wm.  B.,  U.  S.  Senate.  Arms,  C.  D.,  Youngstown,  O.  Anderson,  W.  P.,  Cincinnati,  O. 

Alger,  Russell  A.,  Detroit,  Mich.  Alms,  William,  54  Worth  street,  N.  Y. 

Barber,  A.  L.,  Washington,  D.  C.  Bonnell,  H.  O.,  Youngstown,  O.  Bonnell,  W.  S.,  Youngs- 
town, O.  Beardslee,  John  B.,  328  Broadway,  N.  Y.  Byrne,  John,  Mills  Building,  N.  Y. 

Card,  Henry  P.,  Cleveland,  O.  Cooper,  John  S.,  Chicago.  Cooper,  Wm.  C.,  Mt.  Vernon,  O. 
Conger,  A.  L.,  Akron,  O.  Corning,  Warren  H.,  Cleveland,  O. 

Dale,  T.  D.,  Marietta,  O.  Dawes,  E.  C.,  Cincinnati,  O.  Dayton,  L.  M.,  Cincinnati.  Donald- 
son, Thomas,  Philadelphia,  Pa.  Drake,  F.  B.,  Toledo,  0. 

Eaton,  John,  Marietta,  O. 

Fairbanks,  Chas.  W.,  Indianapolis,  Ind.  Foster,  Charles, 'Fostoria,  O.  Fordyce,  S.  W.,  St. 
Louis,  Mo. 

Gritfith,  G.  F.,  Dayton,  O.  Goodrich,  B.  F.,  Akron,  O. 

Hibben,  J.  H.,  335  Broadway,  N.  Y.  Hayes,  R.  B.,  Fremont,  O.  Hinkle,  A.  H.,  Cincinnati,  O. 
Hale,  Harvey  W.,  326  Broadway,  N.  Y. 

Jewett,  W.  K.,  Bridgei>ort,  Conn.  Jones,  J.  P.,  U.  S.  Senate. 

Kohler,  J.  A.,  Akron,  O.  Kimball,  W.  C.,  35  Warren  street,  N.  Y. 

Loi^,  J.  A.,  Akron,  O.  Loud,  Enos  B.,  Paris,  France.  Lynch,  Wm.  A.,  Cleveland,  O. 
McFadden,  F,  T.,  Cincinnati,  O.  Matthews,  Stanley,  Washington,  D.  C.  McBride,  John  H., 


THE  OHIO  SOCIETY  OF  NEW  YORK. 


Cleveland,  O.  Means,  Wm.,  Cincinnati,  O.  McGettigan,  John  E.,  Indianapolis,  Ind.  Mattox, 
A.  H.,  Cincinnati,  O.  Morrison,  Walter,  Columbus,  O.  McGillin,  E.  M.,  Cleveland,  O.  Marble, 
G.  L.,  Toledo,  O. 

Neil,  John  G.,  Detroit,  Mich. 

Post,  Chas.  A.,  Cleveland,  O.  Payne,  Henry  B.,  U.  S.  Senate.  Plumb,  P.  B.,  U.  S.  Senate. 
Perdue,  E.  H.,  Cleveland,  O.  Parsons,  S.  H.,  Ashtabula,  O.  Powell,  J.  H.,  657  Broadway,  N.  Y. 

Reinmund,  H.  J.,  Lancaster,  O.  Robison,  David,  Jr.,  Toledo,  O. 

Shotwell,  Wm.  W.,  Minneapolis,  Minn.  Sherman,  John,  U.  S.  Senate.  Smith,  Orland,  Cincin* 
nati,  O.  Scott,  Frank  J.,  Toledo,  O.  Stettinius,  John  L.,  Cincinnati.  Shayne,  John  T., 
Chicago,  111. 

Townsend,  Amos,  Cleveland,  0.  Tod,  George,  Youngstown,  O.  Tod,  John,  Cleveland,  O. 

Upson,  Wm.  H.,  Akron,  O. 

Wick,  Caleb  B.,  Youngstown,  O.  Wick,  Henry  K.,  Youngstown,  O.  Wolf,  Simon,  Washing- 
ton, D.  C.  Woodward,  J.  H.,  San  Francisco,  Cal.  ■ 

IN  MEMORIAM. 

Died  in  1886. — Mr.  William  Hunter,  Mr.  J.  Monroe  Brown. 

Died  in  1887. — General  W.  B.  Hazen,  Mr.  Henry  De  Buss,  Mr.  George  Emerson,  Mr.  J.  M.  Edwards, 
Hon.  Algernon  S.  Sullivan,  Gen.  Thomas  Kilby  Smith. 

Died  in  1888. — Col.  Charles  W.  Moulton,  Chief-Justice  Morrison  R.  Waite,  Col.  Chas.  T.  Wing, 


A GLANCE  AT  OHIO  HISTORY  AND  HISTORICAL  MEN. 

BY  JAMES  Q.  HOWARD. 

James  Quay  Howard  is  a native  of  Newark, 

Licking  county,  Ohio.  His  mother  was  the  daughter 
of  Judge  Quigley,  of  Pennsylvania.  His  father, 

Deacon  George  W.  Howard,  was  a soldier  in  the  war 
of  1812  and  his  grandfather  an  officer  in  the  war  of 
the  Revolution.  James  Q.  Howard  was  fitted  for 
college  at  Granville  and  was  graduated  at  Marietta 
College  with  honors.  In  1859  he  delivered  the  Mas- 
ter’s Oration  and  received  the  second  degree.  He 
was  admitted  to  the  bar  at  Columbus,  having  studied 
law  with  Hon.  Samuel  Galloway. 

In  1860,  at  the  request  of  Follett,  Foster  & Co.,  the 
publishers  of  the  “Lincoln  and  Douglas  Debates,”  he 
wrote  a brief  “ Life  of  Abraham  Lincoln,”  which  was 
translated  into  German.  On  September  6,  1861,  he 
was  appointed  by  Mr.  Lincoln  United  States  Consul 
at  St.  John,  New  Brunswick.  The  Chesapeake  piracy 
case,  the  Calais  bank  raid,  bringing  about  the  cap- 
ture of  blockade-runners  and  enforcing  Stanton’s 
passport  orders,  conspired  to  render  the  duties  of  con- 
sul at  this  great  shipbuilding  port  on  the  Bay  of 
Fundy  as  responsible  as.  those  of  any  like  officer  in 
the  service.  The  authorities  at  Calais,  Maine,  gave 
Consul  Howard  credit  for  having  saved  the  town 
from  destruction  by  fire.  A dozen  blockade-runners 
were  captured  through  information  which  he  fur- 
nished. He  received  the  frequent  thanks  of  Secretary  Seward  for  “ zeal  and  activity  ” and  his  com- 
mendation for  “ fidelity  and  ability.”  - 

On  returning  home  in  1867  Mr.  Howard  purchased  an  interest  in  the  Ohio  State  Journal,  and,  while 
an  editorial  writer  on  that  paper,  his  articles  on  finance  were  commended  widely  and  copied  by  the 
New  York  press.  While  writing  for  the  reviews  and  magazines,  his  address  before  the  Alumni  of 
Marietta  College,  in  1871,  was  characterized  by  Charles  Sumner  as  “admirable,  practical,  useful.” 

In  1876  he  was  selected  by  the  immediate  friends  of  Governor  Hayes  to  write  the  authorized  life  of 
the  Republican  candidate  for  the  Presidency,  published  by  Robert  Clark  & Co.,  of  Cincinnati.  He 
was  soon  after  placed  on  the  editorial  force  of  the  New  York  Times,  where  he  wrote  all  the  articles  on 
the  important  subject  of  counting  the  electoral  vote. 

In  1877  he  was  appointed  to  a position  in  the  New  York  Custom  House,  and  in  the  following  year 
was  nominated  and  confirmed  as  an  assistant  appraiser  of  merchandise.  In  1880  he  was  deemed  most 
worthy  of  promotion  to  the  responsible  office  of  Chief  Appraiser,  one  of  the  two  national  offices  of 
largest  discretionary  power,  outside  of  the  Cabinet.  It  is  through  the  work  of  the  appraiser’s  depart- 
ment at  New  York  that  the  government  is  supplied  with  the  bulk  of  its  revenue.  Mr.  Howard  has 
held  important  office  under  five  presidents  of  the  United  States,  and  passed  the  United  States  Senate 
three  times  by  a unanimous  vote.  His  present  home  is  on  the  border  of  Central  Park,  New  York  city. 
The  paper  which  follows  was  originally  delivered  before  the  Ohio  Society  of  New  York. 


JAMES  Q.  HOWARD. 


I PURPOSE  to  present  the  briefest  possible  outline  of  that  Ohio  field  of  biogra- 
phy and  history  which  it  would  be  both  pleasant  and  profitable,  for  all  Ohioans 
especially,  to  explore.  That  Territorial  and  State  history  relates  to  historical 
events  and  historical  men.  Some  of  these  far-reaching  events  worthiest  of  our 
particular  study  are:  the  first  permanent  settlement  at  Marietta  in  the  spring  of 
1788;  the  second  settlement  at  Columbia  near  the  site  of  Cincinnati,  in  the 
autumn  of  the  same  year;  the  establishment  of  a Territorial  government  with 
Gen.  Arthur  St.  Clair  as  the  first  and  only  duly  commissioned  Territorial  Gov- 
ernor ; the  formation  of  the  first  four  counties  in  the  Territory,  with  the  noble 
Revolutionary  names  of  Washington,  Hamilton,  Wayne  and  Adams;  the  disas- 
trous defeat  of  Gen.  Harmar  by  the  Indians,  in  June,  1790;  the  more  disastrous 
defeat  of  Gov.  St.  Clair,  November  4,  1791,  in  that  western  Ohio  county  since 
appropriately  called  Darke;  the  inspiring  victory  of  Gen.  Anthony  Wayne,  in 
August,  1794;  the  enactment  and  enforcement  of  much-needed  laws  by  the  Gov- 
ernor and  Territorial  Judges;  the  assembling  of  the  first  Territorial  Legislature 


OHIO  HISTORY  AND  HISTORICAL  MEN. 


185 


on  September  24,  1799 ; the  ceding  by  Connecticut  of  her  claims  to  that  territory 
called  the  Western  Reserve  of  Connecticut,  on  May  30,  1801 ; the  formation  of 
the  first  State  Constitution  at  Chillicothe,  in  November,  1802 ; the  first  general 
election  under  that  constitution,  in  January,  1803 ; the  transition  from  a Terri- 
torial to  a State  government,  in  February  and  March,  1803 ; the  Burr  conspiracy, 
with  the  State’s  vigorous  action  in  suppressing  it,  in  1806  ; the  gallant  defence  of 
Fort  Stephenson  and  Perry’s  splendid  victory  on  Lake  Erie  during  the  War  of 
1812 ; the  establishment  of  the  permanent  seat  of  government  at  Columbus,  in 
1816 ; the  beginning  of  the  construction  of  the  great  canals  of  the  State,  at  New- 
ark, in  the  fitting  presence  of  Governors  Jeremiah  Morrow,  DeWitt  Clinton  and 
Hon.  Thomas  Ewing,  July  4,  1825;  the  building  of  the  first  and  the  other  great 
lines  of  that  network  of  railroads  which  has  done  more  than  any  single  agency 
to  advance  the  material  interests  of  the  State ; the  creation  of  those  noble  insti- 
tutions of  charity,  benevolence  and  learning  and  of  that  system  of  public  schools 
which  have  so  honored  the  State  in  all  succeeding  years ; Ohio’s  preparation  for 
and  part  in  the  War  for  the  Union ; her  action  with  respect  to  the  latest  and  best 
amendments  to  the  national  Constitution ; her  courageous  course  in  the  prolonged 
contests  for  a sound  currency  with  coin  resumption,  and  her  firm  maintenance, 
untarnished,  of  the  State’s  and  the  nation’s  credit  and  faith. 

Turning  from  events,  some  of  which  can  be  treated  in  essays,  others  only  in 
volumes,  to  the  meritorious  men  identified  with  Ohio’s  history — men  whom  we 
all  ought  to  know  more  about,  much  more  than  the  libraries  can  teach  us — we 
cannot  omit  from  the  briefest  historical  list.  General  Rufus  Putnam  and  Dr. 
Manasseh  Cutler,  so  worthy  to  be  enrolled  among  the  founders  of  States ; Gen. 
Arthur  St.  Clair,  who  passed  from  the  Presidency  of  the  American  Congress  to 
the  Governorship  of  the  Northwest  Territory,  remaining  our  Territory’s  executive 
chief,  through  alternate  successes  and  defeats,  for  fourteen  years ; Gen.  Samuel 
H.  Parsons,  Gen.  James  M.  Varnum  and  John  Cleves  Symmes,  the  able  and  emi- 
nent Territorial  Judges;  Dr.  Edward  Tiffin,  president  of  the  convention  which 
framed  the  first  constitution  of  the  State,  and  first  governor  of  Ohio  under  that 
constitution ; Return  Jonathan  Meigs,  the  first  cabinet  officer  that  Ohio  furnished 
the  republic,  whose  grave  is  one  of  the  objects  of  historic  interest  in  old  Marietta ; 
Judge  Jacob  Burnet,  the  Western  Lycurgus,  who  helped  to  give  our  confused 
mass  of  laws  consistency  and  adaptation;  honest  old  Jeremiah  Morrow,  the  last 
and  best  of  the  governors  of  the  pioneer  race  : faithful  Peter  Hitchcock,  for 
twenty  years  in  the  Legislature  and  in  Congress,  and  for  twenty-five  Chief- Justice 
of  the  State ; William  Henry  Harrison,  the  pure  patriot  of  highest  virtue,  whose 
political  triumph  of  1840  was  not  greater  than  his  earlier  triumphs  over  our 
Indian  foes;  Justice  John  McLean,  who  combined  the  manners  and  graces  of 
the  old  school  of  jurists  with  the  learning  of  the  new ; Samuel  F.  Vinton,  the 
able  and  dignified  Whi^  leader,  who  preferred  his  dignity  to  his  existence  in 
office;  Charles  Hammond,  among  the  strongest  of  the  members  of  the  American 
bar;  the  brilliant  and  eloquent  Thomas  L.  Hamer,  who  sent  Grant  to  West 
Point ; Judge  Bellamy  Storer,  alike  popular  on  the  bench  and  on  the  stump ; 
Hocking  Hunter,  every  inch  and  in  everv  fibre  a lawyer,  and  Henry  Stanbery, 
that  perfect  type  of  courtly  gentleman. 

Especially  should  we  of  this  generation  learn  more  about  the  two  most  dis- 
tinctively representative  historical  men  of  Ohio,  Thomas  Ewing  and  Thomas 
Corwin,  the  one  the  embodiment  of  all  the  robust  strength,  physical  and  mental, 
of  the  great  Northwest,  declared  to  be  at  the  period  of  his  death  the  ablest  law- 
yer in  the  United  States;  the  other,  in  the  concurrent  judgment  of  all  who  have 
felt  the  spell  of  his  matchless  eloquence,  the  greatest  natural  orator  and  most 
marvelous  wit,  mimic  and  master  of  the  passions  of  men  that  the  continent  has 
yet  known. 

Passing  from  these  two  extraordinary  men,  who  taught  the  great  men  of  the 
later  period  how  to  become  great,  but  not  forgetting,  in  passing,  the  high-minded 
and  massive-minded  Chase,  the  slavery-hating  Joshua  R.  Giddings,  bluff*  Ben 
Wade,  burly,  brainy  John  Brough,  and  the  strong  but  gentle  David  Tod,  we 
reach  that  race  of  native  historic  men  whose  lives  touch  ours,  we  might  almost 
say  whose  lives  preserved  ours : Grant,  the  peer  of  Marlborough,  Von  Moltke, 
Wellington  and  Napoleon,  the  modern  world’s  first  soldiers;  Stanton, the  creator 


OHIO  HISTORY  AND  HISTORICAL  MEN. 


1 86 

of  armies  and  mighty  forger  of  the  Thunderbolts  of  war;  Sheridan,  who  turned 
retreats  and  defeats  into  advances  and  victories,  and  rode  with  the  swiftness  of 
the  wind  to  fame;  Sherman,  the  only  soldier  or  statesman  in  our  history  who 
refused  the  honor  of  the  Presidency  when  it  was  thrice  within  his  reach;  Hayes, 
who  called  around  him  as  able  a cabinet  as  the  nation  has  had  and  whose  admin- 
istration of  the  government  was  so  acceptable  to  the  people  that  they  voted  for 
another  politically  like  it;  Garfield,  the  most  learned  and  scholarly  president, 
not  excepting  John  Quincy  Adams,  who  has  filled  the  executive  chair,  the  pathos 
of  whose  death  touched  all  hearts  in  all  lands ; and  the  tenderly-loved  McPher- 
son, whose  untimely  death  alone  cut  him  off  from  equality  with  the  greatest. 

And  in  what  more  fitting  connection  can  we  refer  to  those  two  peerless  living 
Ohio  statesmen,  similar  in  name  and  fame,  Sherman  and  Thurman,  the  one 
greatest  as  a financier,  the  other  as  a lawyer,  both  of  highest  distinction  in  the 
making  and  in  the  administration  of  law,  and  each  gratefully  honored  for  his 
noble  public  services  by  the  discriminating,  everywhere? 

Conspicuous  for  their  eminent  abilities  as  are  Rufus  P.  Ranney,  William  S. 
Groesbeck,  Samuel  Shellabarger,  John  A.  Bingham,  George  H.  Pendleton,  Thomas 
Ewing,  H.  Jo  Jewett,  Aaron  F.  Perry,  Jacob  D.  Cox,  Joseph  B.  Foraker,  Win.  Mc- 
Kinley, Chief-Justice  Waite  and  Associate  Justices  Woods  and  Matthews,  among 
Ohioans,  we  must  not  forget  in  our  biographical  studies  other  useful- or  brilliant 
men  still  living  or  who  have  passed  away,  leaving  honored  names  worthy  of  long 
remembrance  within  and  beyond  the  limits  of  their  own  State.  It  will  not,  I 
trust,  seem  invidious  to  call  to  mind  Elisha  Whittlesey,  Joseph  R.  Swan,  Alfred 
Kelly,  George  E.  Pugh,  William  Allen,  James  G.  Birney,  Samuel  Lewis,  William 
Dennison,  Samuel  Galloway,  R.  P.  Spaulding,  Valentine  B.  Horton,  Doctors 
Delamater,  Kirtland  and  Mussey  and  General  J.  H.  Devereux,  or  such  public- 
spirited  benefactors  as  Dr.  Daniel  Drake,  William  Woodward,  Reuben  Springer, 
Leonard  Case,  Lyne  Starling,  John  Mills,  Douglas  Putnam,  Jay  Cooke,  Nicholas 
Longworth,  J,  R.  Buchtel,  David  Sinton  and  William  Probasco. 

Such  born  jurists  and  gentlemen  as  Justice  Noah  H Swa3me  and  Judges 
Leavitt,  Nash  and  Gholson  are  everywhere  held  in  honor,  as  will  also  long  be  re- 
vered the  names  of  those  eminent  scholars  and  divines.  Dr.  Lyman  Beecher, 
Bishop  Philander  Chase,  Bishops  Mcllvaine,  Simpson,  Ames,  Bishop  Edward 
Thomson,  Dr.  Henry  Smith  and  Presidents  Finney  of  Oberlin  and  Andrews  of 
Marietta. 

There  are  other  Ohio  names  that  are  too  prominently  connected  with  the  his- 
tory of  the  nation  to  be  overlooked,  among  which  are  those  of  Generals  McClel- 
lan., Rosecrans,  McDowell,  Buell,  Custer,  Crook,  Hazen,  Quincy  A.  Gillmore, 
Schenck,  Steadman,  Swayne,  Walcutt  and  the  McCooks;  the  great  inventor,  Edi- 
son; the  Arctic  explorer.  Dr.  Hall;  the  Siberian  traveller,  George  Kennan;  the 
astronomer.  Prof.  0.  M.  Mitchell ; the  geologists,  Newberry,  Orton  and  Wright, 
and  the  Director-General  of  our  National  Centennial  Exhibition,  Sir  A.  T. 
Goshorn. 

What  are  Ohio’s  most  honored  names  in  literature,  intelPgent  readers  of  course 
know  all  about;  and  while  her  sons  may  have  accomplished  less,  perhaps,  in 
that  field  than  in  VN^ar,  politics  or  art,  one  can  safely  say  that  Artemus  Ward  and 
Petroleum  V.  Nasby  compare  favorably  with  the  first  humorists  of  the  nation ; 
William  D.  Howells  and  Albion  W.  Tourgee  with  the  foremost  novelists  of  their 
day,  while  Charles  Hammond,  Samuel  Medary,  E.  D.  Mansfield,  Washington 
McLean,  Henry  Read,  Fred  Hassaurek,  Joseph  Medill,  Richard  Smith,  Murat 
Halstead,  Donn  Piatt,  Samuel  Read,  Edwin  Cowles,  J.  A.  MacGahan,  William 
Henry  Smith  and  the  present  editors  of  the  Nm  York  Tribune^  the  JSew  York  World 
and  the  Cincinnati  Enquirer  have  yielded  or  are  now  yielding  as  large  a measure 
of  influence  as  has  fallen  to  the  lot  of  any  American  journalists.  Buchanan 
Read,  Francis  W.  Gage,  William  D.  Gallagher,  Alice  and  Phoebe  Cary,  William 
H.  Lytle,  John  James  Piatt,  Manning  F.  Force,  Henry  Howe,  S.  P.  Hildreth  and 
John  Hay  have  done  nobly  all  that  they  have  attempted  to  do  at  all,  and  John 
James,  and  Mrs.  S.  M.  B.  Piatt,  Edith  Thomas  and  Mrs.  Kate  Sherwood  are 
making  poetry  and  fame  just  as  fast  as  the  muses  will  permit. 

And  while  it  would  take  many  essays  to  show  what  Ohioans  have  accomplished 
in  art,  none  can  afford  to  be  ignorant  of  the  lives  and  works  of  the  world-famous 


OHIO  HISTORY  AND  HISTORICAL  MEN. 


187 


Thomas  Cole  and  Hiram  Powers,  or  of  the  achievements  of  America’s  first  ani- 
mal painters,  James  H.  and  William  H.  Beard,  or  of  the  noble  works  which  adorn 
so  many  of  our  parks  and  cities  of  this  country’s  greatest  sculptor,  Quincy  Ward, 
whose  Indian  Hunter,”  “ Shakespeare,”  “ Washington  ” and  “ Equestrian 
Thomas  ” will  live  a thousand  years  after  all  that  now  has  life  shall  have 
perished. 

I close  this'appeal  for  the  study  of  our  State’s  history  by  reminding  all  that 
Ohio  can  lay  full  or  partial  claim  to  four  Presidents  of  the  United  States,  Harri- 
son, Grant,  Hayes  and  Garfield;  to  one  Vice-President,  by  birth,  Hendricks; 
and  one  Speaker  of  the  House,  Keifer;  to  two  Chief- Justices,  Chase  and  Waite, 
and  four  Associate  Justices,  McLean,  Swayne,  Matthews  and  Woods;  to  one  Sec- 
retary of  State,  through  fourteen  years’  residence,  Lewis  Cass  ; to  five  Secretaries 
of  the  Treasury,  Ewing,  Corwin,  Chase,  Sherman  and  Windom  ; three  Secretaries 
of  War,  McLean,  Stanton  and  Taft;  to  three  Secretaries  of  the  Interior,  Ewing, 
Cox  and  Delano ; to  two  Attorneys-General,  Stanbery  and  Taft,  and  to  three 
Postmasters-General,  Meigs,  McLean  and  Dennison. 

If  all  these  men  have  not-done  enough  to  command  your  interest  and  studious 
attention,  set  to  work,  gentlemen  of  the  Ohio  Society,  and  do  something  to  honor 
the  Buckeye  State  yourselves ! 


THE  WORK  OF  OHIO  IN  THE  U.  S.  SANITARY 
COMMISSION  IN  THE  CIVIL  WAR. 

By  M.  C.  read. 

Matthew  Canfield  Eead  was  born  in  Wil- 
liamsfield,  Ashtabula  county,  Ohio,  August  21, 

1823,  of  New  England  parents,  who  were  among 
the  early  pioneers.  In  those  days  of  few  books  a 
circulating  library  of  standard  works  gave  him  in 
bis  early  boyhood  a taste  for  solid  reading,  and  a 
copy  of  Goldsmith’s  “Animated  Nature,”  which 
at  the  age  of  ten  years  he  had  read  and  re-read 
till  it  was  substantially  memorized,  exerted  an 
important  influence  upon  his  subsequent  studies; 
when  twelve  years  of  age  his  parents  removed  to 
Mecca,  Trumbull  county,  where  he  remained 
working  upon  the  farm  and  attending  district 
school  until  eighteen  years  of  age,  when  he  com- 
menced preparations  for  college  at  Western  Re- 
serve Seminary,  in  Farmington,  Trumbull  county, 
which  was  completed  at  Grand  River  Institute, 
in  Austinburgh,  Ashtabula  county.  He  entered 
tbe  Freshman  class  of  Western  Reserve  College, 

Hudson,  in  1844,  and  graduated  in  1848,  subse- 
quently receiving  the  degree  of  A.  Mf  from  his 
Alma  Mater. 

The  early  bias  given  by  “ Goldsmith’s  Animated 
Nature”  led  him  to  devote  much  time  during  his 
preparatory  and  college  course  to  the  study  of  the 
natural  sciences,  and  most  of  his  leisure  during 
this  time  was  occupied  in  acquiring  a knowledge 
of  the  fauna  and  flora,  and  the  geology  of  the 
neighborhood.  His  vacations  were  given  almost 
wholly  to  these  studies,  to  which  very  little  time  . MATTHEW  C.  READ, 

was  given  in  the  prescribed  course  of  study.  The 
knowledge  thus  obtained  in  hours  which  ordi- 
narily go  to  waste  with  the  college  student,  was  fully  as  valuable  to  him  in  after  life  as  the  regular 
college  course.  After  graduation  he  taught  school  in  Columbus  and  in  Gustavus,  Ohio,  and  read  law 
with  Chappee  & Woodbury,  of  Jefferson,  Ashtabula  county. 

He  was  married  August,  1851,  to  Orissa  E.  Andrew's,  youngest  daughter  of  William  Andrews,  Esq., 
of  Homer,  N.  Y.,  and  soon  after  was  called  to  Hudson  to  edit  The  Family  Visitor^  published  by  Saw- 
yer, Ingersoll  & Co.,  and  which  was  started  by  Profs.  Kirtland  and  St.  John,  with  the  design  of  fur- 
nishing a family,  scientific,  and  literary  paper  of  a high  order,  containing  nothing  of  the  obnoxious 
matter  found  in  many  papers.  During  one  year  while  editing  this  paper  he  had  sole  charge  of  the 
preparatory  department  of  the  Western  Reserve  College.  After  he  had  edited  the  paper  for  a little 
over  two  years  its  publication  was  suspended  because  of  the  financial  failure  of  the  publishers. 

He  then  commenced  the  practice  of  his  profession  as  attorney  in  Summit  county,  and  had  acquired  a 
lucrative  practice  w'hen  the  war  of  the  Rebellion  commenced.  Soon  after  the  organization  of  the  United 
States  Sanitary  Commission  he  was  appointed  a general  relief  agent  in  that  organization  by  Prof. 
Newberry,  who  was  in  charge  of  the  Western  department,  and  continued  in  the  service  of  the  Com- 
mission till  the  close  of  the  war.  A severe  sunstroke  after  the  battle  of  Pittsburgh  Landing  and  sub- 
sequent exposure  so  impaired  his  health  that  he  was  never  able  to  return  to  full  practice  in  his 
profession.  He  served  for  a time  as  deputy-collector  of  internal  revenue,  and  upon  the  organization 
of  the  geological  survey  of  Ohio  was  appointed  assistant  geologist,  and  contributed  largely  to  the  final 
report.  He  has  since  done  a large  amount  of  work  in  the  examination  of  mining  property  in  the  States 
and  Territories  and  the  Dominion  of  Canada,  and  contributed  many  articles  to  the  scientific  journals 
on  ornithology,  entomology,  archaeology,  geology,  forestry,  etc.  He  had  charge  of  the  archaeological 
exhibits  of  Ohio  at  the  Centennial  Exposition  in  Philadelphia,  and  the  Centennial  Exposition  at  New 
Orleans.  Quite  a full  report  made  by  him  of  the  latter  has  recently  been  published  by  the  Historical 
Society  of  Cleveland.  For  several  years  before  the  removal  of  .the  Western  Reserve  College  to  Cleve- 
land he  held  the  position  in  that  institution  of  Lecturer  on  Zoology  and  Practical  Geology. 

He  still  maintains  his  position  at  the  bar,  doing  as  much  work  as  his  health  will  permit,  dividing  his 
time  between  the  practice  of  law  and  scientific  studies  and  pursuits. 

The  history  of  Oliio’s  services  in  the  war  of  the  Rebellion  would  be  incomplete 
without  a sketch  of  its  work  in  the  United  States  Sanitary  Commission. 

(i88) 


OHIO'S  WORK  IN  U S.  SANITARY  COMMISSION. 


i8g 


This  was  an  organization  proposed  by  some  of  the  best  medical  men  of  the 
country,  and  at  their  request  authorized  by  the  general  government.  Its  primary 
object  was  the  systematic  inspection  of  camps  and  hospitals,  for  the  purpose  of 
aiding  the  medical  department  of  the  army  in  the  adoption  of  such  sanitary 
measures  as  would  best  preserve  the  health  of  the  army  and  promote  the  recovery 
of  the  sick  and  wounded. 

The  part  that  Ohio  took  in  this  work  assumed  more  prominence  than  that  of 
any  other  of  the  Western  States.  This  is  to  be  attributed  largely  to  the  fact  that 
the  secretary  selected  to  take  charge  of  the  Western  department  was  a citizen  of 
the  State,  and  to  his  exceptional  qualifications  for  the  work. 

Prof.  John  S.  Newberry,  now  of  the  Sc*hool  of  Mines  of  Columbia  College,  in 
New  York,  and  then  in  the  government  service  at  Washington,  was  appointed  a 
member  of  the  Sanitary  Commission,  June  13,  1861.  He  immediately  resigned 
his  position  at  Washington,  returned  to  Ohio,  and  entered  with  characteristic 
earnestness  and  zeal  upon  his  new  work  of  extending  the  organization  of  the 
Commission  over  the  valley  of  the  Mississippi.  He  established  branches  of  the 
Commission  at  Cleveland,  Columbus,  and  Cincinnati,  as  well  as  others  at  Buffalo, 
Detroit,  Pittsburg,  Chicago,  Louisville,  etc.,  and  gave  such  unity  and  efficiency  to 
the  Commission’s  work  that  he  was  appointed  secretary  of  the  Western  depart- 
ment, an  office  which  he  held  with  honor  to  himself  and  the  Commission  till  the 
end  of  the  war.  In  the  meantime,  the  patriotic  revival  that  was  carrying  the  best 
young  and  middle-aged  men  into  the  army  was  sweeping  into  its  current  almost 
all  the  women  of  the  North,  who  were  organizing  “ Soldiers’  Aid  Societies  ” in 
all  the  cities,  villages,  and  hamlets  of  the  loyal  States,  for  the  purpose  of  prepar- 
ing and  collecting  necessities,  comforts,  and  luxuries  for  the  soldiers  in  camp  and 
hospital.  There  was  an  urgent  necessity  of  a general  organization,  which  could 
gather  all  these  rivulets  and  streams  into  one  channel,  and  provide  for  their  sys- 
tematic and  economical  disposition.  This  work  naturally  devolved  upon  the 
Sanitary  Commission — authorized  by  the  government,  national  in  its  purposes, 
regardless  of  State  lines,  and  solicitous  only  for  the  comfort  and  health  of  the 
entire  army,  and  for  its  success  in  the  struggle. 

With  the  natural  desire  in  each  locality  to  collect  and  forward  supplies  to  the 
soldiers  enlisted  in  that  locality,  and  of  the  officers  of  each  State  to  make  special 
provision  for  its  own  soldiers,  it  was  a difficult  task  to  educate  the  people  into 
the  idea  that  the  soldiers  of  each  regiment  and  of  each  State  could  be  best  cared 
for  by  systematic  provision  for  the  whole  army.  This  result  was  substantially 
accomplished  through  the  skilful  management  of  the  secretary,  aided  by  the 
unselfish  patriotism  of  the  managers  of  the  local  societies,  so  that  the  transporta- 
tion and  distribution  of  these  stores  was  mainly,  and  especially  in  Ohio,  intrusted 
to  this  Commission.  Very  rapidly  an  organization  was  perfected,  some  of  the 
best  and  most  experienced  physicians  selected,  who  were  commissioned  and  dis- 
patched to  their  work.  Among  the  first  of  these  were  Dr.  A.  N.  Read,  Dr.  W.  M. 
Prentice,  and  Dr.  C.  D.  Griswold,  all  of  Ohio,  who  immediately  entered  upon  their 
duties — followed  the  army  into  the  field,  inspecting  camps  and-hospitals,  looking 
after  the  distribution  of  stores,  and  when  battles  occurred  assisting  in  the  care  of 
the  wounded. 

Other  inspectors  from  Ohio  were  Drs.  Henry  Parker,  of  Lorain  county,  M.  M. 
Seymour,  of  Paiuesville,  T.  G.  Cleveland,  at  first  surgeon  of  the  Forty-first  O.W. 
I.,  and  R.  C.  Hopkins,  of  Cleveland.  These  all  labored  with  a zeal  and  intelligent 
devotion  to  their  duties  which  commanded  the  highest  encomiums  of  the  medical 
and  general  officers  of  the  army.  Their  work  was  of  a delicate  nature,  requiring 
much  tact  and  skill,  and  was  of  the  greatest  importance.  The  medical  and  gen- 
eral officers  had  a very  inadequate  estimate  of  the  importance  of  sanitary  precau- 
tions for  the  preservation  of  the  health  of  the  men,  and  at  the  beginning  the 
deaths  from  preventable  diseases  were  many  times  in  excess  of  those  resulting 
from  casualties  in  battle. 

These  medical  inspectors,  representing  the  best  medical  skill  of  the  State,  with 
their  associates  from  other  States,  supplied  with  suggestive  circulars  prepared  by 
the  best  medical  men  of  the  nation,  furnished  very  material  aid  to  the  officers  of 
the  army  in  securing  the  adoption  of  sanitary  precautions  for  the  prevention  of 
sickness,  that  resulted  in  saving  the  lives  of  many  thousands  of  soldiers.  No 


TQO  OHIO'S  WORK  IN  U.  S.  SANITARY  COMMISSION. 


statistics  can  be  compiled  which  will  measure  the  value  of  this  work,  but  those 
who  watched  its  progress  can  to  some  extent  appreciate  it,  and  long  before  the 
close  of  the  war  it  secured  the  adoption  of  the  best  sanitary  measures  that  wer^ 
ever  adopted  in  any  army. 

While  the  Commission  was  primarily  organized  for  this  sanitary  work  other 
important  duty  was  rapidly  crowded  upon  it.  The  women  of  the  entire  North 
were  working  for  the  soldiers,  and  societies  were  established  in  every  city,  with 
local  societies  auxiliary  to  them  in  every  village  and  township.  This  was  par- 
ticularly true  in  Ohio.  Cincinnati,  Cleveland,  and  Columbus  organized  branches 
of  the  United  States  Sanitary  Commission,  and  secured  the  greater  part  of  the 
contributions  of  the  local  societies,  assorting,  re-packing,  and  marking  them,  and 
entrusting  their  distribution  to  the  Commission. 

The  Branch  at  Cincinnati  organized  with  the  following  members : 

Cincinnati — R.  W.  Burnett,  Charles  F.  Wilstach,  James  M.  Johnson,  Joshua 
H.  Bates,  C.  C.  Comegys,  M.  D.,  Edward  Mead,  M.  D.,  Samuel  L’Hommedieu, 
M.  D.,  Rev.  E.  T.  Collins,  A.  Aub,  O.  M.  Mitchell,  E.  G.  Robbins,  J.  B.  Stallo,  Larz 
Anderson,  Micajah  Bailey,  E.  S.  Brooks,  Charles  E.  Cist,  David  Judkins,  M.  D., 
W.  H.  Mussey,  M.  D.,  Rev,  W.  A.  Sniveley,  Henry  Pearce,  Thomas  G.  Odiorne, 
Mark  E.  Reeves,  B.  P.  Baker,  Robert  Hosea,  George  Hoadly,  S.  J.  Broadwell,  A. 
G.  Burt,  Charles  R.  Fosdick,  John  Davis,  M.  D.,  George  Mendenhall,  M.  D.,  Rev. 
M.  L.  P.  Thompson,  George  K.  Shoenberger,  Bellamy  Storer,  W.  W.  Scarborough, 
Thomas  C.  Shipley,  F.  C.  Briggs.  Dayton — B.  W.  Steel,  J.  D.  Phillips,  James 
McDaniel.  President,  R.  W.  Burnett ; Vice-President,  George  Hoadly ; Recording 
Secretary,  B.  P.  Baker ; Corresponding  Secretary,  Charles  R.  Fosdick ; Treasurer, 
Henry  Pearce. 

This  branch  sent  out  inspectors  and  relief  agents  into  all  parts  of  the  Missis- 
sippi valley  occupied  by  the  Union  army,  who  kept  its  officers  thoroughly  in- 
formed as  to  the  wants  of  the  soldiers,  and  the  manner  in  which  its  contributions 
were  distributed.  In  addition  to  the  large  amount  of  stores  contributed  the 
society  raised  in  money  $330,769.53,  of  which  $235,406.62  w^ere  the  net  avails  of 
“The  Great  Western  Sanitary  Fair”  held  at  Cincinnati  in  the  month  of  Decem- 
ber, 1863.  The  most  of  this  large  fund  was  used  in  the  purchase  of  supplies  of 
the  best  quality,  which  were  sent  to  all  parts  of  the  army  as  the  wants  of  the  sick 
and  wounded  required.  The  United  States  Sanitary  Commission  contributed  to 
this  branch  $15,000. 

The  success  of  the  fair  of  1863  was  at  the  time  unprecedented.  At  the  head 
of  the  roll  of  managers  was  the  name  of  General  Rosecrans,  and  nearly  all  the 
prominent  ladies,  business  men  and  merchant  princes  of  the  city  combined  their 
efforts  to  make  it  a success. 

This  branch  established  and  maintained  at  Cincinnati  a “ Soldiers’  Home  ” at 
an  expense  of  $64,131.86,  in  which  it  furnished  lodgings  to  45,400  and  meals  to 
the  number  of  656,704. 

The  Cleveland  Branch  of  the  Soldiers'  Aid  Society  of  Northern  Ohio  was  organized  on 
the  20th  day  of  April,  1861,  five  days  after  the  first  call  by  President  Lincoln  for 
volunteers  to  put  down  the  rebellion.  It  was  organized  by  the  appointment  of 
the  following  officers : President,  Mrs.  B.  Rouse  ; Vice-Presidents,  Mrs.  John 
Shelley  and  Mrs.  Win.  Melhinch  ; Secretary,  Miss  Mary  Clark  Bray  ton  ; Treasurer, 
Miss  Ellen  F.  Terry. 

Two  hundred  and  seventy-nine  of  the  Cleveland  ladies  enrolled  themselves  as 
members  of  the  society,  and  without  constitution  or  by-laws,  with  only  the  verbal 
pledge  of  the  payment  of  a monthly  fee,  and  to  work  while  the  war  should  last, 
they  furnished  an  illustrious  example  of  the  patriotism,  as  well  as  the  efficiency 
of  Ohio  women.  The  officers  of  the  society  gave  their  whole  time  to  the  work 
until  the  close  of  the  war,  asking  and  receiving  no  salaries  and  drawing  nothing 
from  the  treasury  for  travelling  or  other  expenses,  even  when  absent  on  tlie  neces- 
sary business  of  the  society.  They  secured  the  active  and  cordial  support  of  525 
auxiliary  societies,  the  members  of  most  of  them  meeting  weekly  to  work  for  the 
soldier.  And  the  influence  of  that  work  is  not  to  be  measured  by  the  articles 
prepared  or  the  gifts  contributed. 

Every  such  local  society  was  a school  of  patriotism : it  made  patriotism  the 
fashion ; everywhere  the  wives  and  daughters  of  the  most  bitter  opponents  of  the 


OHiaS  WORK  IN  U S,  SANITARY  COMMISSION  191 


war  were  drawn  into  these  societies,  caught  the  dominant  spirit,  and  carried  its 
influence  into  their  homes.  These  societies  gave  a moral  support  to  the  soldier 
in  the  field,  and  were  worth  more  than  thousands  of  bayonets  in  preserving  peace 
at  home.  The  names  of  the  women  engaged  in  the  work  of  this  central  society 
and  its  500  auxiliaries  who  deserve  prominent  mention  would  fill  many  pages 
of  this  volume,  and  it  would  be  unjust  to  the  others  to  record  the  names  of  a part 
of  them ; but  all  will  concur  in  giving  the  first  place  to  good  Mrs.  Rouse,  the 
president  of  the  society,  who  in  feeble  health  and  with  a devotion  that  only  a 
mother  can  exhibit  gave  her  whole  time  to  the  work;  a model  example  of 
womanly  Christian  patriotism.  Her  recent  death  at  a ripe  old  age  has  emphasized 
her  worth. 

In  June  a number  of  the  most  patriotic  and  influential  citizens  of  Cleveland 
were  appointed  associate  members  of  the  United  States  Sanitary  Commission,  and 
in  October  of  the  same  year  they  united  to  organize  a branch  commission  for  the 
accomplishment  of  the  same  objects  that  engaged  the  attention  of  the  branches 
elsewhere,  and  to  lend  to  the  already  flourishing  Soldiers’  Aid  Society  whatever 
aid  might  be  necessary  in  the  execution  of  its  work.  The  gentlemen  who  joined 
in  this  movement  are  as  follows : 

T.  P.  Handy,  Joseph  Perkins,  William  Bingham,  M.  C.  Younglove,  Still- 
man Witt,  Benjamin  Rouse,  Dr.  E.  Cushing,  A.  Stone,  Jr.,  E.  S.  Flint,  Dr.  A. 

' Maynard. 

The  first  duty  which  suggested  itself  to  them  was  to  provide  a military  hospital 
for  Northern  Ohio,  which  should  receive  the  sick  of  the  regiments  quartered  at 
Cleveland  for  whom  no  other  asylum  had  been  opened.  By  application  to  the 
Secretary  of  the  Treasury  a part  of  the  marine  hospital  at  Cleveland  was  placed 
at  their  command.  This  was  fitted  up  by  the  co-operation  of  the  ladies  of  the 
Aid  Society,  and  continued  to  meet  the  wants  of  the  class  it  was  intended  to  accom- 
modate until  the  building  of  the  Cleveland  Soldiers’  Home  removed  the  necessity 
for  its  continuance  (see  Dr.  Newberry’s  report  on  the  Sanitary  Commission  in  the 
valley  of  the  Mississippi).  These  gentlemen  co-operated  heartily  with  trie  ladies 
in  their  work  and  contributed  largely  to  its  success.  In  addition  to  those  whose 
names  are  given  above  Dr.  Newberry  makes  special  mention  of  Mr.  L.  M.  Hubby, 
president  of  the  C.  C.  & C.  R.  R.  Co.,  and  Mr.  H.  M.  Chapin,  who  w'ere  especially 
active  and  efficient. 

The  general  work  of  this  society  is  admirably  and  concisely  stated  in  the  fol- 
lowing extract  from  the  final  report  of  its  officers : 

The  foregoing  pages  are  a brief  sketch  of  the  work  that  loyalty  prompted  one 
small  district  to  do  for  the  soldiers.  They  are  submitted  in  the  hope  it  may  not 
be  uninteresting  to  trace  the  history  of  a society  which  was  the  first  permanently 
organized,  one  of  the  first  to  enter  the  field,  and  the  last  to  leave  it ; which  began 
with  a capital  of  two  gold  dollars  and  closed  with  a cash  statement  of  more  than 
$170,000 ; which  grew  from  a neighborhood  sewing  circle  to  become  the  repre- 
sentative of  525  branch  organizations  in  disbursing  hospital  stores  valued  at 
nearly  $1,000,000 ; which  built  and  supported  a Soldiers’  Home  and  conducted  a 
special  relief  system  and  an  employment  agency  from  which  60,000  Union  soldiers 
and  their  families  received  aid  and  comfort,  and  a claim  agency  which  gratuitously 
collected  war  claims  aggregating  $300,000  at  a. saving  to  the  claimants  of  over 
$17,000. 

The  ladies  close  their  report  with  the  following  words : 

All  who  had  a part  in  the  beneficent  work  in  which  it  was  woman’s  peculiar 
privilege  to  serve  her  country  must  feel  abundantly  rewarded  in  having  been 
able  to  do  something  for  those  who  gave  health,  manly  strength,  worldly 
prospects,  ties  of  home,  and  even  life  itself  in  the  more  perilous  service  in  the 
field. 

As  already  sweet  flowers  and  tender  plants  creep  over  and  half  conceal  the 
battle  foot-prints,  but  lately  left  on  many  a field  and  hillside  of  our  land,  so  sweet 
charities  and  tender  memories  come  to  envelop  the  gaunt  figures,  and  veil  the 
grim  visages  of  war,  that  must  forever  stand  a central  object  upon  the  canvas 
that  protrays  the  history  of  these  memorable  years. 

A single  instance  may  be  added  illustrating  the  efficiency  and  devotion  of 
these  noble  workers  in  the  Soldiers’  Home  est^lished  at  the  railroad  station  in 


192  OHIO'S  WORK  IN  U.  S,  SANITARY  COMMISSION 


Cleveland.  On  the  29th  of  July,  1864,  telegrams  announced  that  a full  brigade 
of  hungry  soldiers  would  reach  the  Home  that  night;  special  preparations  were 
immediately  made  for  their  comfort,  and  when  after  long  hours  of  weary  waiting 
the  train  steamed  into  the  depot  bringing  the  Thirty-seventh  and  Thirty-eighth 
Wisconsin  and  the  Twenty-seventh  Michigan,  1,350  men,  a sumptuous  repast 
was  awaiting  them,  which  would  have  been  a credit  to  any  of  the  hotels  of  the 
city.  In  the  memory  of  these  men  and  of  the  many  thousands  of  others  who 
were  thus  provided  for,  the  good  works  of  these  Cleveland  women  are  permanentlv 
enshrined. 

The  Columbus  Branch  was  organized  in  October,  1861,  with  the  following 
members : 

Governor  Wm.  Dennison,  F.  C.  Sessions,  J.  B.  Thompson,  M.  D.,  S.  M.  Smith, 
M.  D.,  P.  Ambos,  Robert  Neil,  Rev.  Dr.  Fitzgerald,  W.  M.  Awl,  M.  D.,  T.  J, 
Wormley,  M.  D.,  S.  Lovering,  M.  D.,  J.  H.  Riley,  Rev.  Joseph  M.  Trimble,  D.  D., 
Hon.  John  W.  Andrews,  Joseph  Sullivant,  Francis  Carter,  M.  D.,  Francis  Collins. 
Officers:  President,  W.  M.  Awl,  M.  D. ; Vice-President,  J.  B.  Thompson,  M.  D. ; 
Secretary,  F,  C.  Sessions;  Treasurer,  T.  J.  Wormley,  M.  D. 

Five  thousand  dollars  was  appropriated  to  this  branch  by  the  United  States 
Sanitary  Commission,  and  several  thousand  dollars  was  subsequently  contributed 
to  aid  in  the  equipment  and  maintenance  of  the  Soldiers’  Home.  In  co-operation 
with  this  branch  a Ladies’  Aid  Society  was  organized  embracing  most  of  the 
patriotic  wmmen  of  the  city,  with  Mrs.  W.  E.  Ide  as  the  first  president  and  Mrs. 
George  W.  Heyl  the  first  secretary.  The  records  of  the  amount  of  contributions 
of  this  branch  are  not  accessible,  but  they  found  their  way  to  nearly  every  battle- 
field and  hospital  in  the  Mississippi  valley.  Mr.  Sessions  was  early  in  the  field 
as  a volunteer  in  the  care  of  the  sick  and  wounded,  and  continued  his  labors  to 
the  close  of  the  war. 

Dr.  Smith  was  subsequent!}^  surgeon-general  of  the  State,  and  from  the  begin- 
ning to  the  close  of  the  w’ar  was  an  indefatigable  and  judicious  worker.  The 
location  of  this  branch  gave  it  an  unusual  amount  of  local  work,  which  was 
always  efficiently  and  faithfully  done.  Here  as  well  as  elsewhere  in  the  State 
the  names  of  those  deserving  special  mention  cannot  be  given  without  the  appro- 
priation of  more  space  than  can  be  given  to  this  sketch. 

By  the  work  of  local  societies,  the  aid  of  sanitary  fairs,  and  the  labor  of  solicit- 
ing agents,  a corps  of  whom  were  organized  and  put  in  the  field  by  Dr.  Newberry, 
the  supplies  came  in  in  continuous  streams  and  the  Commission  received  in  the 
aggregate  $807,335.03  in  money  and  stores  for  distribution  of  the  estimated  value 
of  $5,123,376.  At  first  there  was  a natural  tendency  in  each  locality  to  provide 
for  regiments  organized  in  the  locality,  and  then  to  attempt  in  each  State  to  pro- 
vide for  the  soldiers  of  that  State ; some  continuing  this  attempt  to  the  close  of 
the  war.  But  it  was  soon  seen  by  those  in  the  field  that  the  readiest  way  to  pro- 
vide for  an}^  particular  regiment  was  by  a united  attempt  to  provide  for  all.  Ohio 
was  quick  to  learn  this  fact,  and  the  broad  patriotism  of  its  people  was  shown  by 
an  almost  universal  disregard  of  localities  and  State  lines,  and  by  devoting  all 
their  energies  to  the  relief  of  the  Union  soldier  wherever  found.  Its  contributions 
to  this  end  largely  exceeded  those  of  any  other  State  in  the  Mississippi  valley,  a 
fact  in  which  every  citizen  may  take  laudable  pride. 

After  the  field  work  was  well  organized  Dr.  Newberry  established  his  head- 
quarters at  Louisville,  as  the  most  favorable  point  for  superintending  the  opera- 
tions of  the  Sanitary  Commission  in  the  Mississippi  valley.  He  selected  Charles 
S.  Sill  of  Cuyahoga  Falls  as  treasurer  and  H.  S.  Holbrook  of  the  same  place  to 
organize  and  manage  a hospital  directory,  which  grew  into  a bureau  of  information 
for  all  having  friends  in  the  army.  The  local  agents  of  the  Commission  after  every 
battle  obtained  promptly  lists  of  the  killed  and  wounded,  and  daily  reports  from 
all  the  hospitals,  showing  admissions,  discharges,  deaths  and  transfers  to  other 
hospitals,  which  were  all  copied  into  the  local  registers  of  the  Commission.  Then 
the  originals  were  forwarded  to  Mr.  Holbrook,  who  embodied  the  facts  into  his 
records  in  such  a manner  that  he  could  promptly  give  the  location  and  hospital 
history  of  every  patient  and  the  date  and  place  of  every  death  in  the  western 
army  so  far  as  was  known.  Frequently  and  especially  after  every  battle  parties 
who  failed  to  hear  from  their  friends  in  the  army,  becoming  anxious  about  their 


OHiaS  WORK  IN  U S.  SANITARY  COMMISSION  193 


safety,  would  send  to  this  bureau  for  information,  and  sometimes  these  inquiries 
by  letter  and  telegram  would  number  hundreds  in  a day.  If  in  the  hospital  or 
on  the  list  of  killed  a reference  to  the  records  would  furnish  full  information ; if 
not  the  inquiry  was  forwarded  to  the  agent  of  the  post  where  the  regiment  was 
stationed.  The  records  there  were  searched  and  if  they  afforded  no  information 
the  regiment  was  immediately  visited,  the  companions  of  the  missing  man  found 
and  questioned,  and  in  a large  majority  of  cases  the  desired  information  obtained. 
Under  Mr.  Holbrook’s  excellent  management  this  work  was  so  perfected  that 
these  records  were  largely  used  by  the  officers  of  the  army  in  locating  or  deter- 
mining the  fate  of  missing  men.  The  number  of  names  on  Mr.  Holbrook’s 
records  was  799,317 ; the  number  of  deaths  recorded  81,621,  and  the  number  of 
inquiries  received  and  answered  24,005.  Mr.  Holbrook  with  the  persevering 
industry  of  a man  and  the  overflowing  sympathy  of  a woman  was  admirably 
adapted  to  this  work,  but  it  wore  him  out  faster  than  service  in  the  field,  and 
though  able  to  keep  his  post  till  the  close  of  the  war,  its  close  found  him  so  pros- 
trated and  exhausted  that  his  health  was  never  perfectly  restored. 

The  personnel  of  the  central  office  at  Louisville  was  as  follows : 

Secretary  Western  Department  Sanitary  Commission,  Dr.  J.  S.  Newberry; 
assistant  secretary,  Robert  T.  Thorne ; chief  clerk,  Dr.  N.  E.  Soule ; cashier,  C.  S. 
Sill ; superintendent  hospital  directory,  H.  S.  Holbrook ; superintendent  ware- 
houses, W.  S.  Hanford ; editor  Sanitary  Reporter,  Dr.  G.  L.  Andrew ; hospital 
visitor,  Rev.  F.  H.  Bushnell;  superintendent  hospital  trains.  Dr.  J.  P.  Barnum ; 
superintendent  hospital  and  supply  steamer,  H.  W.  Fogle;  claim  agent,  H.  H. 
Burkholder.  Of  these  officers  Drs.  Newberry  and  Soule  and  Messrs.  Sill,  Hol- 
brook, Hanford,  Fogle  and  Burkholder  were  from  Ohio. 

Free  transportation  over  freight  and  express  lines  was  generously  given  for  the 
stores  of  the  Commission,  and  the  free  use  of  private  and  military  telegraph  lines 
to  all  its  agents  who  had  depots  of  stores  at  every  important  post,  and  whose 
agents  with  supplies  were  present  on  nearly  every  battle-field.  It  established 
feeding  stations  and  Soldiers’  Homes  so  as  to  supply  all  the  wants  of  the  soldiers 
discharged  at  the  most  southern  point  reached  by  the  army  until  he  reached  his 
home,  in  which  also  the  friends  of  the  soldier  found  ample  accommodations.  As 
an  illustration  of  the  extent  and  the  benefits  of  these  Homes  one  instance  may 
be  given : A woman  from  Central  New  York  made  her  way  to  Chattanooga, 
Tenn.,  to  visit  her  sick  husband,  but  reached  the  place  too  late  to  see  him  alive. 
Her  money  was  exhausted,  for  she  expected  to  obtain  from  her  husband  means 
for  her  return.  A childless  widow  who  had  given  her  all  to  the  country  she 
could  not  bear  to  leave  the  remains  of  her  husband  on  her  return  home.  An 
appeal  was  made  by  the  agent  of  the  Commission  to  the  military  undertaker  who 
had  a lucrative  business  at  that  post,  who  readily  consented  to  embalm  the  body 
and  furnish  a burial  case  without  charge,  and  the  express  company  forwarded  it 
to  its  destination  without  charge.  The  agent  furnished  her  with  free  transporta- 
tion over  the  military  roads  to  Louisville,  and  open  letters  to  the  superintendents 
of  the  Homes  and  to  the  railroad  conductors  stating  the  facts  of  her  case  and 
soliciting  their  interest  in  her  behalf.  At  the  Homes  in  Nashville,  Louisville, 
Cincinnati,  Cleveland  and  Buffalo  she  obtained  meals,  and  lunches  to  take  into 
the  cars ; the  conductors  passed  her  free  over  their  roads,  and  she  reached  Syra- 
cuse, N.  Y.,  with  the  body  of  her  husband  and  without  any  expense. 

An  important  work  new  in  military  history  was  inaugurated,  and  made  a 
marked  success  by  the  Ohio  men  in  the  Commission.  When  the  Army  of  the  • 
Cumberland  had  raised  the  siege  of  Chattanooga,  and  in  the  winter  of  1864  was 
preparing  for  a vigorous,  aggressive  campaign,  it  was  evident  the  army  was  likely 
to  suffer  severely  during  the  coming  summer  for  the  want  of  vegetable  food.  It 
could  not  be  brought  to  so  distant  a point  from  the  Northern  States,  and  no 
dependence  could  be  placed  upon  the  adjacent  country  for  a supply.  Scurvy 
had  prevailed  to  an  alarming  degree  in  this  army  during  the  previous  summer 
when  stationed  at  Murfreesboro,  much  nearer  the  base  of  supplies.  An  experi- 
ment had  there  been  made  in  gardening,  under  the  management  of  Mr.  Harriman, 
a gardener  detailed  from  the  One-hundred-and-first  O.  V.  I.  in  1863,  which  was 
so  far  successful  as  to  warrant,  in  the  opinion  of  the  agent  at  Cliattanooga,  a more 
extensive  effort  in  1864,  and  commensurate  with  the  increased  necessities  of  the 


194  OHiaS  WORK  IN  U.  S.  SANITARY  COMMISSION. 


army.  He  immediately  conferred  with  the  medical  director  of  the  army,  Dr. 
Perrin,  and  proposed  with  his  co-operation  and  the  approval  of  the  commanding 
general,  to  establish  a sanitary  garden  of  sufficient  extent  to  provide  for  all  the 
probable  wants  of  the  sick  and  wounded. 

Tlie  proposition  was  heartily  welcomed  as  a probable  solution  of  what  had 
been  regarded  as  an  insolvable  problem.  He  immediately  approved  a proposi- 
tion prepared  by  the  agent  for  submission  to  Gen.  Thomas,  proposing  that  if  the 
general  would  authorize  the  Commission  to  take  possession  of  abandoned  lands 
suitable  for  cultivation,  would  provide  for  the  protection  of  the  garden,  and 
furnish  horses  and  necessary  details  of  men,  the  Commission  would  provide  a 
good  market-garden,  tools,  seeds,  and  appliances  for  the  work,  and  would  under- 
take to  supply  all  the  hospitals  at  Chattanooga  and  the  neighboring  posts  with 
all  the  vegetables  needed,  distributing  the  surplus  to  convalescent  camps  and 
regiments. 

The  general  at  once  issued  the  necessary  orders  for  carrying  on  the  work ; a 
body  of  land  between  Citico  creek  and  the  Tennessee  river  was  selected,  a detail 
put  to  work  building  a fence,  so  as  to  include  within  it  and  the  two  streams 
something  over  150  acres,  and  a requisition  forwarded  to  Dr.  Newberry  for  seeds 
and  tools.  When  these  arrived  application  was  made  for  horses,  and  it  was 
learned  that  there  were  none  at  the  post  that  could  be  spared  for  the  work.  An 
advertisement  was  inserted  in  the  Chattanooga  papers  for  the  purchase  of  horses 
and  mules,  but  none  were  offered.  Then  authority  was  obtained  to  impress  from 
the  country.  The  agent  scoured  the  neighboring  territory  for  some  twenty  miles 
on  all  sides  of  Chattanooga  without  finding  anything  to  impress. 

Returning  somewhat  discouraged  from  his  last  trip,  he  stumbled  upon  a corral 
of  sick  and  disabled  horses,  and  the  difficulty  was  at  once  overcome.  An  order 
was  secured  directing  the  quartermaster  to  turn  over  fifty  of  these  horses  selected 
by  the  Commission  and  as  many  harnesses.  There  was  no  difficulty  in  finding 
horses  unfit  for  military  duty  which  would  do  fairly  good  work  before  the  plow 
or  liarrow.  They  were  put  promptly  at  work.  But  during  these  delays  the 
season  had  so  far  advanced  that  more  tools  were  needed  than  were  sent  from 
Louisville.  To  meet  this  want  some  were  impressed  from  the  country  and  others 
made  to  order  by  the  quartermaster;  and  soon  the  fifty  horses  and  nearly  a hun- 
dred men  were  actively  employed  under  the  supervision  of  Mr.  Thomas  Wills, 
of  Summit  county,  who  was  sent  by  Dr.  Newberry  as  head  gardener.  The  work 
was  pushed  with  energy  during  the  whole  season,  much  of  the  ground  being 
made  to  yield  two  and  three  crops,  all  the  articles  raised  in  an  ordinary  market- 
garden  being  cultivated.  It  happened  that  wagons  were  employed  distributing 
the  products  to  the  hospitals  on  the  day  that  the  first  of  the  wounded  from  the 
Atlanta  campaign  arrived,  and  from  that  time  till  the  close  of  the  season  the 
supply  was  much  in  excess  of  all  the  wants  of  the  hospitals,  the  large  surplus 
being  distributed  to  convalescent  camps  and  regiments.  As  the  season  advanced 
the  details  of  men  fit  for  duty  in  the  field  were  revoked,  and  details  made  from 
the  convalescent  camps.  These  men,  placed  in  good  quarters,  abundantly  sup- 
])lied  with  vegetables,  and  moderately  worked,  were  restored  to  health  much 
faster  than  those  left  in  the  camps.  The  men  were  so  well  pleased  with  their 
})Osition  and  their  work  that  the  prospect  of  a revoking  of  their  detail  for  any 
insubordination  secured  strict  discipline.  At  the  close  of  the  season  voluntary 
testimonials  were  furnished  by  all  the  surgeons  in  charge  of  the  hospitals  of  the 
great  value  of  the  work,  and  that  it'  had  been  the  means  of  saving  the  lives  of 
thousands.  The  details  for  a guard  and  for  work  constituted  as  efficient  part 
)f  the  garrison  of  the  post  as  if  left  within  the  camps,  and  there  was  with  them 
ctii  almost  entire  exemption  from  sickness.  The  horses  from  the  sick  corrals,  well 
fed  and  cared  for,  rapidly  recovered,  and  the  whole  practical  cost  was  the  price 
of  seeds  and  tools,  and  the  salary  of  the  gardener.  The  fact  was  demonstrated 
that,  at  a military  post,  when  a garrison  is  to  be  maintained  through  the  summer, 
an  abundance  of  vegetable  food  can  be  raised  by  the  garrison  without  any  impair- 
ment of  its  efficiency  and  at  a very  trifling  cost. 

At  the  urgent  request  of  all  the  surgeons  of  the  post  the  general  ordered  a con- 
tinuance of  the  work  during  the  following  year. 

The  whole  work  of  the  Commission  was  a novelty  in  military  operations.  Its 


OHIO'S  WORK  IN  U S.  SANITARY  COMMISSION,  i95 


agents  were  everywhere — in  hospitals,  in  camps,  and  on  the  battle-fields — co- 
operating with  the  medical  officers  in  the  care  of  the  sick  and  wounded,  and  in 
precautions  for  preserving  the  health  of  the  men  ; and  the  voluntary  testimonials 
of  the  officers,  surgeons,  and  privates  to  the  value  of  their  work  would  fill  a 
volume.  What  is  reproachfully  called  “ red  tape  ” in  the  army  is  system,  method, 
a careful  scrutiny  of  expenditures,  without  which  the  richest  nation  would  be 
bankrupted  by  a short  war;  its  hardships  in  individual  cases  are  mitigated  and 
almost  entirely  removed  by  such  a voluntary  association  as  the  Sanitary  Com- 
mission, with  its  agents  in  all  parts  of  the  army,  harmoniously  working  with  the 
medical  officers,  and  provided  with  supplies  of  all  kinds  for  the  relief  of  the 
soldiers,  which  can  be  promptly  distributed  without  formal  requisitions,  simply 
on  the  request  of  the  surgeon  and  attendants,  or  wherever  a needy  soldier  is  found 
by  the  agents.  They  supplement  the  government  supplies,  and  are  a provision 
for  every  emergency  when  the  government  stores  are  not  available  or  cannot  be 
obtained  in  time. 

This  is  a brief  and  imperfect  sketch  of  the  work  of  the  United  States  Sanitary 
Commission  in  the  Mississippi  valley,  in  which  the  citizens  of  Ohio  took  so  hon- 
orable and  important  a part. 

First  in  the  list  of  workers  stands  the  name  of  Prof.  John  S.  Newberry,  who  had 
general  charge  of  the  Western  department.  The  entire  work  of  organization  and 
general  superintendence  was  his,  the  selection  of  all  agents,  and  the  determination 
of  all  their  duties  and  salaries. 

Before  the  war  he  had  a national  reputation  as  a geologist  and  palieontologist, 
and  at  its  close  returned  to  his  favorite  studies.  He  was  appointed  chief  geolo- 
gist for  Ohio,  and,  with  the  aid  of  his  assistants,  prepared  a report  upon  the 
geology  of  the  State,  alike  creditable  to  him  and  to  his  assistants  and  to  the 
State. 

He  was,  while  engaged  in  this  work,  elected  as  Professor  of  Geology  and  Palae- 
ontology in  the  School  of  Mines  of  Columbia  College,  New  York,  a position  which 
he  now  occupies.  His  scientific  labors  have  given  him  not  only  an  American  but 
also  an  European  reputation  as  one  of  the  most  prominent  scientists  of  the  age. 
The  following  extract  from  a recent  number  of  an  influential  English  periodical 
Bhows  the  estimation  in  which  he  is  held  in  that  country: 

‘‘A  large  circle  of  admirers,  both  English  and  American,  will  see  with  pleasure 
that  the  Murchirson  medal  of  the  Geological  Society  is  to  be  conferred  this  year 
on  Dr.  J.  S.  Newberry,  of  New  York,  the  well-known  professor  of  Columbia  Col- 
lege. Dr.  Newberry,  however,  has  been  in  his  time  active,  and  indeed  distin- 
guished in  other  matters  besides  geology.  ‘ I remember,’  writes  a correspondent, 
‘ meeting  him  by  chance  in  Nashville  in  November,  1863,  when  he  was  at  the  head 
of  the  Western  department  of  the  Sanitary  Commission,  an  immense  organization, 
whose  business  it  was  to  dispense  for  the  benefit  of  the  soldiers  of  the  Republic 
great  quantities  of  stores,  consisting  mainly  pf  medicines,  clothing,  and  comforts 
of  all  sorts  subscribed  by  enthusiastic  citizens  of  the  Northern  States.  Dr.  New- 
berry took  me  down  with  him  from  Nashville  to  the  then  seat  of  war  on  the 
boundary  of  Georgia,  and  I can  ])ear  witness  to  the  workmanlike  manner  in  which 
he  administered  his  department,  and  the  devotion  with  which  he  was  regarded 
by  all  of  his  assistants.’  ” 

Dr.  Newberry’s  office  assistants  were  Charles  Sill,  of  Cuyahoga  Falls,  treasurer; 
H.  S.  Holbrook,  of  Cuyahoga  Falls,  in  charge  of  the  hospital  directory ; H.  M. 
Fogle,  clerk,  and  W.  S.  Hansford,  in  charge  of  transportation,  both  also  of  Cuya- 
hoga Falls  ; others  were  employed  from  time  to  time  as  clerks,  but  these  remained 
in  his  office  till  the  close  of  the  war.  Mr.  Sill  and  Mr.  Fogle  are  now  deceased. 
Mr.  Holbrook  retired  from  his  work  greatly  debilitated,  and  never  recovered  his 
health. 

Of  the  medical  inspectors.  Dr.  A.  N.  Read,  of  Norwalk,  leaving  a lucrative 
practice,  entered  the  service  in  Kentucky  when  our  army  first  crossed  into  that 
State,  was  almost  the  sole  representative  of  the  Commission  at  the  battle  of 
Perrysville,  followed  the  army  to  Nashville  and  Pittsburg  Ijanding,  and  after- 
wards returned  to  Nashville,  and  made  that  his  headquarters  as  chief  inspector 
and  general  manager  of  the  work  of  the  Commission  in  the  Army  of  the  Cumber- 
land. He  followed  the  army  to  Chattanooga,  worked  assiduously  in  care  of  the 


ig6  OHIO'S  WORK  IN  U.  S.  SANITARY  COMMISSION. 


wounded  in  the  battle  of  Chickamauga  until,  prostrated  with  sickness,  he  was 
compelled  to  return  home  with  his  son,  who  was  severely  wounded  in  that  battle, 
to  recruit  his  health  by  rest.  He  soon  returned  to  his  headquarters  at  Nashville, 
and  gave  his  general  superintendence  to  the  work,  proceeding  to  the  front  at  the 
commencement  of  the  Atlanta  campaign,  and  accompanying  the  army  to  Atlanta. 
His  work  during  all  that  campaign  was  severe  and  exhausting,  and  returning  to 
Nashville,  he  continued  his  labors  to  the  close  of  the  war,  when  he  returned  home 
so  prostrated  by  exposure  and  fatigue  that  his  health  has  never  since  been  fully 
restored.  He  received  many  voluntary  testimonials  from  the  officers  of  the  army 
for  the  fidelity,  skill,  and  tact  with  which  he  discharged  the  duties  of  his 
position. 

Dr.  M.  M.  Prentice,  an  eminent  physician  of  Cleveland,  commenced  his  work 
as  medical  inspector  early  in  the  war,  and  followed  it  with  such  a self-sacrificing 
fidelity  that  his  health  and  strength  failed  him,  and  he  died  at  his  post  while  the 
issue  of  the  war  was  uncertain. 

Henry  Parker,  of  Lorain  county,  and  M.  M.  Seymour,  of  Painesville,  eminent 
physicians,  abandoned  their  practice  and  assumed  the  duties  of  medical  in- 
spectors, which  they  discharged  with  eminent  success  till  the  close  of  the  war. 

Dr.  T.  G.  Cleveland,  previously  surgeon  of  the  Forty-first  Ohio  regiment, 
entered  the  ser  vice  of  the  Commission  as  medical  inspector  in  1861,  and  continued 
his  work  with  marked  ability  till  the  close  of  the  war. 

Dr.  R.  C.  Hopkins,  of  Cleveland,  entered  the  service  as  medical  officer  of  the 
relief  steamer  “Lancaster,”  chartered  by  Dr.  Newberry  for  the  transport  of  stores 
and  the  sick  and  wounded,  and  afterwards  took  charge  of  the  work  of  the  Com- 
mission at  Memphis.  His  wife  accompanied  him  until  he  was  prostrated  by 
overwork  and  on  his  way  home  died  at  Evansville,  Ind.,  January  26,  1863.  Mrs. 
Hopkins  sought  relief  from  her  affliction  by  a return  to  the  work  and  continued 
it  at  Nashville  until  her  services  were  no  longer  needed. 

Prof.  H.  N.  Hosford  of  Hudson,  Rev.  N.  P.  Bailey  of  Painesville,  Rev.  J.  E. 
Wilson  of  Ravenna  and  Mr.  George  G.  Carter  of  Cleveland,  who  was  then  a stu- 
dent of  theology,  labored  efficiently  and  faithfully  as  hospital  visitors.  Their 
duties  were  to  visit  daily  the  hospitals  of  the  posts  at  which  they  were  stationed, 
promote  the  general  comfort  of  the  patients,  write  their  letters,  furnish  them 
reading,  administer  religious  consolation  to  the  dying  and  transmit  their  last 
messages  to  their  friends.  Many  in  their  dying  hours  blessed  them  for  their 
timely  Christian  labors  and  many  who  recovered  will  remember  with  gratitude 
their  faithful  and  unselfish  work. 

F.  R.  Crary,  of  Northern  Ohio,  early  entered  the  service  as  storekeeper  and  gen- 
eral relief  agent;  followed  the  Army  of  the  Cumberland  to  Chattanooga  and  was 
one  of  the  field  relief  corps  during  the  Atlanta  campaign.  Energy,  faithfulness 
and  enthusiastic  devotion  characterized  his  work. 

William  Cowdery,  then  of  Hudson,  now  of  Mecca,  Trumbull  county,  rendered 
faithful  and  valuable  work  at  Chattanooga  for  about  a year. 

Alfred  H.  Sill  was  sent  to  Chattanooga  by  Dr.  Newberry  after  the  battle  of 
Chickamauga.  The  rebels  occupied  the  left  bank  of  the  Tennessee  river  and 
their  sharpshooters  made  it  impracticable  to  us^  the  short  road  from  Bridgeport 
to  Chattanooga  for  the  transportation  of  supplies,  and  a mountain  road,  difficult 
and  some  sixty  miles  long,  was  the  best  practicable  route.  Sanitary  stores  in 
wagons  attached  to  the  army  trains  were  sometimes  pillaged  by  teamsters  and 
train  hands.  Mr.  Sill  came  at  the  request  of  the  general  agent  at  Chattanooga 
for  an  energetic  man,  courageous  and  faithful,  who  would  act  as  special  guard  of 
the  Sanitary  train,  could  sleep  in  the  woods  with  a blanket  for  his  bed,  keep  the 
train  under  his  direct  observation  till  it  reached  Chattanooga,  and  shoot  down  if 
necessary  any  man  who  attempted  to  plunder  it.  This  work  he  continued  with- 
out complaint,  riding  backward  and  forward  over  this  long,  dreary  and  dangerous 
route,  until  the  opening  of  transportation  by  rail  and  river  after  the  battle  of 
Chattanooga. 

M.  C.  Read,  an  attorney  of  Hudson,  Ohio,  left  a lucrative  practice  in  February, 
1862,  and  joined  his  brother.  Dr.  A.  N.  Read,  in  the  work  at  Nashville;  worked 
there  for  a short  time  and  accompanied  his  brother  to  Pittsburg  Landing,  when 
he  was  assigned  to  duty  at  Hamburgh  Landing,  a few  miles  further  up  the  river. 


OHIO'S  WORK  IN  U.  S.  SANITARY  COMMISSION,  197 


Here,  while  superintending  the  removal  of  stores,  from  tlie  landing  to  the  rooms 
of  the  Commission,  lie  was  prostrated  by  a sunstroke  and  compelled  to  return 
home.  A few  weeks  in  the  Lake  Su})erior  region  so  far  restored  his  health  that 
he  was  able  to  return  to  Nashville,  and  was  put  in  charge  of  the  work  at  Mur- 
freesboro; thence  he  followed  General  Rosecrans’  army  to  Bridgeport  and 
finally  reached  Chattanooga  in  company  with  General  Rosecrans  and  his  staff. 
Here  he  remained  in  charge  of  the  work  at  this  post  until  after  Lee’s  surrender. 
He  then  returned  home  and  rode  over  Ohio  and  West  Virginia,  selecting  in  all 
the  principal  cities  Sanitary  Commission  Claim  Agents,  who  were  commissioned 
to  collect  claims  and  secure  pensions  for  all  soldiers  applying  to  them,  without 
charge  to  the  soldier.  This  closed  his  work,  except  a short  return  to  Chattanooga, 
to  close  out  some  unfinished  business  there.  The  effects  of  the  sunstroke  and 
subsequent  labor  and  exposure  have  ever  since  seriously  interfered  with  his  pro- 
fessional work. 

Jeremiah  R.  Brown,  of  Hudson,  a brother  of  the  famous  John  Brown,  entered 
the  service  early  in  the  war,  and  very  appropriately  was  put  in  charge  of  the 
work  in  Kansas,  where  he  labored  with  distinguished  zeal  and  ability,  assisted 
by  his  daughter  Fanny  Brown,  until  the  work  of  the  Commission  was  closed. 

Thomas  Wills,  then  of  Cuyahoga  Falls,  was  sent  to  Chattanooga  in  the  spring 
of  1864  as  superintendent  of  the  Sanitary  garden.  This  position  he  held  until 
the  end  of  the  summer  of  1865,  and  the  remarkable  success  of  the  garden  was 
largely  due  to  his  skill  and  fidelity. 

Dr.  George  L.  Starr,  of  Hudson,  after  completion  of  his  medical  studies,  entered 
the  service  of  the  Commission  at  Knoxville,  Tenn.,  and  did  good  work  for  about 
four  months  investigating  the  wants  of  posts  accessible  from  that  point  and  sup- 
])lying  them  from  the  storehouse  in  that  city.  He  afterwards  practised  his  pro- 
fession in  Youngstown  and  is  now  in  successful  practice  in  Hudson. 

Rev.  T.  Y.  Gardiner,  of  Cleveland,  was  also  engaged  for  some  time  in  the  work 
at  Knoxville  as  general  agent,  doing  excellent  service  and  accompanying  General 
Stoneman  on  his  raid  to  care  for  the  sick  and  wounded.  He  has  since  been  a 
successful  preacher  in  the  Congregational  Church. 

Charles  Seymour,  son  of  Prof.  N.  P.  Seymour  of  Western  Reserve  College,  was 
engaged  in  the  work  at  Knoxville;  was  in  all  things  efficient  and  faithful.  He 
became  so  much  attached  to  the  place  that  he  remained  in  Knoxville  after  the 
close  of  the  war  as  a real  estate  agent,  has  secured  a wide  influence  in  the  neighbor- 
ing country,  and  has  made  his  business  profitable  to  himself  and  his  employers. 

Captain  Isaac  Brayton,  of  Ravenna,  early  entered  the  service  of  the  Commis- 
sion, followed  the  Army  of  the  Cumberland  to  Murfreesboro,  was  for  a time  in 
charge  of  that  post,  until  transferred  to  Nashville  as  superintendent  of  the  Soldiers’ 
Home  established  there.  This  position  he  filled  with  great  ability  until  the  Home 
was  no  longer  needed. 

Colonel  Charles  Whittlesey,  of  Cleveland,  well  known  in  scientific  circles,  did 
efficient  service  as  special  relief  agent  in  all  parts  of  the  West,  employed  espe- 
cially in  the  emergencies  following  important  battles. 

Dr.  R.  Brundret,  of  Dayton,  remained  in  the  service  during  most  of  the  war 
and  mainly  in  the  Army  of  the  Cumberland.  He  was  one  of  the  most  valuable 
workers,  doing  everything  well  and  at  the  right  time. 

Rev.  0.  Kennedy,  Chaplain  of  the  One-hundred-and-first  0.  V.  I.,  came  by  acci- 
dent into  the  employ  of  the  Commission.  After  the  battle  of  Chickamauga,  while 
the  fate  of  the  army  in  Chattanooga  was  uncertain  and  all  trains  moving  toward 
that  place  were  ordered  back,  he  fell  in  with  a train  of  sanitary  stores  destined  for 
Chattanooga,  but  turned  back  with  the  Government  trains.  He  took  charge  of  ii, 
conducted  it  to  a place  of  safety,  distributed  a part  of  the  stores  to  the  needy  and 
carried  the  rest  safely  to  Chattanooga.  Tliis  experience  gave  him  a love  for  the 
work  and  commended  him  to  the  agents  of  the  Commission.  He  obtained  leave 
of  absence  from  his  regiment  and  entered  with  energy  upon  the  Commission 
work.  The  military  authorities  were  transferring  the  sick  and  wounded  as  fast 
as  possible  to  the  rear,  where  supplies  for  their  comfort  could  be  more  easily 
obtained ; but  it  was  over  sixty  miles  of  difficult  mountain  road,  on  which  no 
supplies  could  be  obtained.  The  Commission  immediaiely  sent  tents,  cooking 
utensils  and  supplies  for  a feeding-station  in  the  mountains  and  arranged  with 


198  OHIO’S  WORK  IN  U.  S.  SANITARY  COMMISSION. 


the  medical  director  for  notice  to  be  sent  by  the  Courier  line  of  the  time  of  start- 
ing of  each  train  and  the  number  of  sick  and  wounded  in  it,  so  that  a warm 
meal  could  be  in  readiness  for  them  on  their  arrival.  Mr.  Kennedy,  with  a few 
assistants,  took  charge  of  this  solitary  station  in  the  mountains,  liable  constantly 
to  be  raided  by  bushwhackers,  and  from  that  time  until  after  the  siege  of  Chat- 
tanooga was  raised,  provided  all  the  sick  and  wound  who  crossed  the  moun- 
tains with  an  ample  meal,  no  matter  at  what  hoar  of  the  day  or  night  they 
reached  the  station.  Also,  many  a belated  or  hungry  officer  and  soldier  returning 
to  the  army  has  had  reason  to  bless  this  lodge  in  the  wilderness.  After  the  open- 
ing of  the  river  and  railroad  he  established  feeding-stations  at  Kelley’s  Ferry  and 
Bridgeport,  and  for  the  most  of  the  time  was  in  charge  of  one  of  them.  If  a 
benediction  is  bestowed  for  the  giving  of  a cup  of  cold  water  to  the  thirsty,  cer- 
tainly he  shall  not  lose  his  reward. 

John  H.  Millikan,  of  Kirtland,  and  a brother-in-law  of  Mr.  Howe,  so  long  the 
efficient  superintendent  of  the  Reform  Farm,  and  for  some  time  one  of  the  elder 
brothers  in  that  institution,  served  the  Commission  long  and  faithfully,  until  he 
died  at  his  ])ost  in  Knoxville  in  1864.  Nor  should  Mr.  Place,  whose  first  name 
is  not  now  recalled,  a private  of  the  One-hundred-and-fifth  0.  V.  I.,  be  forgotten. 
When  his  regiment  reached  Murfreesboro  he  was  detailed  for  work  with  the 
Commission  at  that  point,  and  was  so  faithful  and  efficient  that  his  detail  was 
continued  and  only  revoked  at  Chattanooga  that  he  might  join  his  regiment  to 
muster  out  of  the  service. 

Dr.  H.  A.  Warriner  w'as  a professor  in  Antioch  College,  Yellow  Springs,  Ohio, 
when  he  entered  the  service  of  the  Commission,  discharging  varied  duties  with 
the  highest  degree  of  ability  and  industry.  After  the  capture  of  Vicksburg  he 
was  for  a time  General  Superintendent  of  the  work  at  that  post  and  until  he  be- 
came the  editor  of  the  Sanitary  Reporter,  published  at  Louisville,  Ky.,  which  was 
the  official  ])aper  of  the  Western  Department  of  the  Commission,  and  executed 
a potent  influence  in  promoting  its  efficiency.  After  the  close  of  the  war  he 
undertook  the  task  of  collating  the  records  of  all  the  posts  of  the  Western  Depart- 
ment and  the  preparation  of  an  official  history  of  its  w’ork.  With  characteristic 
devotion  he  applied  himself  to  this  task  until  physical  and  mental  prostration 
compelled  him  to  abandon  it,  and,  exhausted  and  worn  out  by  the  work  for  the 
Commission,  he  died  in  the  prime  of  manhood. 

Dr.  N.  E.  Soule  was  a teacher  in  Cincinnati  when  the  war  commenced,  and 
soon  after  its  commencement  entered  the  service  of  the  Commission.  He  was 
made  chief  clerk  in  the  central  office  of  the  Commission  at  Louisville,  where 
during  the  entire  war  he  rendered  most  efficient  assistance  to  the  secretary  and 
the  heads  of  the  different  departments  of  the  Commission’s  work,  and  by  his 
ripe  scholarship  and  genial  manners  won  the  respect  and  affection  of  all  his 
associates. 

Rev.  G.  C.  Carter  of  Cleveland,  in  addition  to  his  duties  as  hospital  visitor, 
already  mentioned,  rendered  important  service  as  general  relief  agent. 

In  the  spring  of  1863  a Free  Claim  Agency  was  opened  by  the  Sanitary  Com- 
mission at  Louisville  and  soon  began  to  demonstrate  its  usefulness  by  becoming 
the  medium  of  communication  with  the  government  for  white  and  colored 
soldiers  Avho  were  both  poor  and  ignorant  and  who,  with  the  widows  and  orphans 
of  deceased  soldiers,  constituted  as  worthy  objects  of  charity  as  the  Sanitary 
Commission  at  any  time  took  under  its  care.  This  agency  was  placed  in  charge 
of  Mr.  H.  H.  Burkholder,  previously  a resident  of  Yellow  Springs,  Ohio,  and  it 
continued  with  increased  usefulness  till  the  autumn  of  1865,  when  the  organiza- 
tion of  the  Western  Department  of  the  Sanitary  Commission  was  broken  up  and 
the  care  of  the  office  was  assumed  by  the  Kentucky  branch.  Mr.  Burkholder’s 
good  work  was  prolonged  beyond  the  close  of  the  war,  and  in  his  report  made 
July  1,  1867,  he  had  received  1575  claims,  of  which  660  had  been  allowed  and 
$99,765.89  paid  over  to  the  claimants.  Soon  after  a terrible  tragedy  ended  at  once 
the  life  and  good  work  of  Mr.  Burkholder.  Returning  from  Cincinnati  with  his 
young  wife  their  steamer  was  burned  and  both  were  lost. 

The  various  aid  societies  and  branches  of  the  Commission  sent  many  delegates 
to  work  with  the  agents  of  the  Commission,  whose  services  were  of  great  value, 
but  a list  of  their  names  cannot  be  here  given,  as  it  has  been  found  impossible  in 


OHIO'S  WORK  IN  U.  S.  SANITARY  COMMISSION.  199 


all  cases  to  distinguish  between  the  workers  from  Ohio  and  other  Western  States. 
The  papers  and  records  of  the  Western  department  are  practically  inaccessible, 
being  stored  in  New  York.  If  they  were  collected  and  published  the  evidence 
of  the  magnitude  and  importance  of  the  work  would  surprise  even  those  who 
took  the  most  prominent  part  in  it,  who,  like  the  soldiers  of  a single  regiment  in 
a great  battle,  could  see  but  little  except  that  in  which  they  were  engaged. 

It  will  be  seen  by  this  sketch  that  Ohio  furnished  much  more  than  her  share-, 
of  workers  in  the  Commission.  Of  these  many  gave  up  their  lives  in  the  work^ 
and  of  the  residue  quite  as  large  a number  returned  to  their  homes  with,  health 
permanently  broken,  or  greatly  impaired,  as  from  the  rank  and  file  of  the  army. 
Many  of  them  if  in  the  regular  service  would  secure  pensions  from  the  govern- 
ment, but  no  provision  has  been  made  for  this  and  not  one  has  asked  any 
pecuniary  compensation  for  the  loss  of  health  resulting  from  his  exposure  and 
labors. 

If,  as  is  probable,  the  names  of  regular  employees  of  the  Commission  who  were 
citizens  of  Ohio  are  omitted  from  this  sketch,  prepared  by  one  of  their  co-workers, 
it  is  hoped  that  the  omission  will  be  pardoned,  as  reliance  has  to  be  placed 
mainly  upon  memory,  and  the  dominant  spirit  of  all  the  workers  was  to  ignore 
State  lines,  so  that  in  many  cases  the  memory  recalls  the  work  that  each  did  and 
not  the  State  from  which  he  came. 

Those  who  may  be  interested  in  investigating  further  the  part  taken  by  Ohio 
in  the  great  work  of  the  Sanitary  Commission  will  find  much  more  than  we  have 
space  for  in  this  brief  sketch  in  the  final  report  of  Dr.  Newberry,  which  forms  a 
handsome  volume  of  543  pages,  8vo.,  entitled  “The  United  States  Sanitary  Com- 
mission in  the  Valley  of  the  Mississippi,”  published  by  Fairbanks  & Benedict, 
Cleveland,  in  1871,  and  which  has  been  of  invaluable  use  in  the  preparation  of 
this  sketch. 


Prof.  J.  S.  Newbery  requests  the  publishers  to  give  at  the  end  of  this  article 
the  following  testimonial  of  his  sense  of  the  eminent  services  of  its  author  in  the 
work  of  the  Sanitary  Commission.  This  we  are  pleased  to  do,  from  the  convic- 
tion that  it  is  fully  deserved. 

“Among  the  thousands  of  devoted  men  and  women  who  gave  their  time,  their 
strength  and  their  hearts  to  the  work  of  the  Sanitary  Commission,  and  who  by 
their  contributions  and  ministrations  to  the  army  in  the  field,  and  by  inspiring 
and  maintaining  the  patriotism  of  the  people  at  home,  hastened  and  perhaps  se- 
cured the  final  triumph,  none  rendered  to  the  cause  of  humanity  and  liberty 
more  faithful  and  efficient  service  than  my  friend  and  co-laborer,  Mr.  M.  C. 
Read. 

“ On  the  roll  of  honor  left  by  them  to  the  gratitude  of  posterity  in  the  list  of 
those  who  by  achievement  and  sacrifice  ‘ deserved  well  of  their  country,’  his  name 
should  have  a prominent  place.  “ J.  S.  Newbery.” 


The  Ohio  Buckeye. 


WHY  IS  OHIO  CALLED  THE  BUCKEYE  STATE? 

By  william  M.  FARRAR. 

William  M.  Farrar  was  born  September  3, 

1824,  in  Washington  county,  Pennsylvania,  of 
Welsh-English  and  Scotch-Irish  ancestry.  After 
completing  the  usual  course  of  education  he  read 
law  and  was  admitted  to  practice  at  Washington  in 
1848,  and  soon  after  removed  to  Ohio,  settling  at 
Cambridge,  in  Guernsey  county,  w'here  he  has 
since  resided,  and  was  elected  the  first  clerk  of  the 
courts  under  the  constitution  of  1850,  and  re-elected 
in  1854.  Upon  the  breaking  out  of  the  war  in 
1861  he,  in  connection  with  Major  Samuel  C. 

Brown  (who  was  killed  at  Chickamauga),  recruited 
what  afterwards  became  Company  H of  the  Sixty- 
fifth  Regiment,  O.  V.  I.,  and  also  a part  of  the  well- 
known  Sherman  Brigade,  a military  organization 
that  rendered  distinguished  services  during  the 
war,  of  which  General  C.  G.  Marker,  who  fell  in  the 
assault  on  Kennesaw,  was  the  first  commander. 

Captain  Farrar  also  served  as  aide-de-camp  to 
General  Garfield,  and  was  present  with  that  officer 
at  the  conference  held  at  General  Rosecrans’  head- 
uarters  at  the  widow  Glenn  house  on  the  night  of 
eptember  19,  1863,  when  the  plan  of  battle  for 
next  day  was  determined,  and  was  employed  until 
long  past  midnight  in  preparing  written  orders  for 
the  several  corps  and  division  commanders,  and  on 
the  next  day  (Sunday  forenoon)  was  an  eyewitness 
of  the  fatal  mishap  that  broke  the  Union  line  and 
swept  the  right  wing  of  the  army  from  the  field. 

He  has  since  resided  at  Cambridge,  where  he  has 
filled  various  public  offices,  and  from  1884  to 
1887  represented  Guernsey  county  in  the  General 
Assembly. 

The  name  Buckeye  as  applied  to  the  State  of  Ohio  is  an  accepted  sobriquet, 
so  well  recognized  and  so  generally  understood  throughout  the  United  States, 
that  its  use  requires  no  explanation,  although  the  origin  of  the  term  and  its 
significance  are  not  without  question,  and  therefore  become  proper  subjects  of 
consideration  during  this  centennial  year. 

The  usual  and  most  commonly  accepted  solution  is,  that  it  originates  from  the 
buckeye  tree  which  is  indigenous  to  the  State  of  Ohio  and  is  not  found  elsewhere. 
This,  however,  is  not  altogether  correct,  as  it  is  also  found  both  in  Kentucky  and 
Indiana,  and  in  some  few  localities  in  Western  Virginia,  and  perhaps  elsewhere. 
But  while  such  is  the  fact,  its  natural  locality  appears  to  be  in  the  State  of  Ohio, 
and  its  native  soil  in  the  rich  valleys  of  the  Muskingum,  Hocking,  Scioto,  Miamis 
and  Ohio,  where  in  the  early  settlement  of  the  State  it  was  found  growing  in  great 
abundance,  and  because  of  the  luxuriance  of  its  foliage,  the  richly  colored  dyes 
of  its  fruit,  and  its  ready  adaptation  to  the  wants  and  convenience  of  the  pioneers 
it  was  highly  prized  by  them  for  many  useful  purposes. 

It  was  also  well  known  to  and  much  prized  by  the  Indians  from  whose  rude 
language  comes  its  name  “ Hetuck,”  meaning  the  eye  of  the  buck,  because  of  the 
striking  resemblance  in  color  and  shape  between  the  brown  nut  and  the  eye  of 
tliat  animal,  the  peculiar  spot  upon  the  one  corresponding  to  the  iris  in  the  other. 
In  its  application,  however,  we  have  reversed  the  term  and  call  the  person  or 
thing  to  which  it  is  applied  a buckeye. 

In  a very  interesting  after  dinner  speech  made  by  Dr.  Daniel  Drake,  the  eminent 
botanist  and  historian  of  the  Ohio  valley,  at  a banquet  given  at  the  city  of  Cin- 
cinnati on  the  occasion  of  the  forty-fourth  anniversary  of  the  State,  the  buckeye 
was  very  ably  discussed,  its  botanical  classification  given,  its  peculiar  charac- 
teristics and  distinctive  jiroperties  referred  to,  and  the  opinion  expressed  that  the 


WILLIAM  M.  FARRAR. 


202 


OHIO,  THE  BUCKEYE  STATE. 


name  was  at  first  applied  as  a nickname  or  term  of  derision,  but  has  since  been 
raised  into  a title  of  honor. 

This  conclusion  does  not  seem  to  be  altogether  warranted,  for  the  name  is  not 
only  of  Indian  origin  as  stated,  but  the  first  application  of  it  ever  made  to  a white 
man  was  made  by  the  Indians  themselves,  and  intended  by  them  as  an  expres- 
sion of  their  highest  sense  of  admiration. 

S.  P.  Hildreth,  the  pioneer  historian  of  Marietta,  to  whom  we  are  indebted  for 
so  many  interesting  events  relating  to  the  settlement  at  the  mouth  of  the  Musk- 
ingum, tells  us  that  upon  the  opening  of  the  first  court  in  the  Northwest  Terri- 
tory, to  wit  on  the  2d  day  of  September,  1788,  a procession  was  formed  at  the 
point  where  most  of  the  settlers  resided,  and  marched  up  a path  that  had  been 
cut  and  cleared  through  the  forest  to  Campus  Martius  Hall,  in  the  following 
order : 

1st.  The  high  sheriff  with  drawn  sword. 

2d.  The  citizens. 

3d.  Officers  of  the  garrison  at  Fort  Harmar. 

4th.  Members  of  the  bar. 

5th.  Supreme  judges. 

6th.  The  governor  and  clergymen. 

7th.  The  newly  appointed  judges  of  the  Court  of  Common  Pleas,  General  Rufus 
Putnam  and  Benjamin  Tupper. 

There  the  whole  countermarched,  and  the  judges,  Putnam  and  Tupper,  took 
their  seats ; the  clergyman,  Rev.  Dr.  Cutler,  invoked  the  divine  blessing,  and  the 
sheriff,  Col.  Ebenezer  Sproat,  proclaimed  with  his  solemn  0 yes  ! that  a court  is 
opened  for  the  administration  of  even-handed  justice,  to  the  poor  as  well  as  to  the 
rich,  to  the  guilty  and  the  innocent,  without  respect  of  persons,  none  to  be  pun- 
ished without  a trial  by  their  peers,  and  then  in  pursuance  of  law ; and  that 
although  this  scene  was  exhibited  thus  early  in  the  settlement  of  the  State  few 
ever  equalled  it  in  the  dignity  and  exalted  character  of  the  actors ; and  that 
among  the  spectators  who  witnessed  the  ceremony  and  were  deeply  impressed  by 
its  solemnity  and  seeming  significance  was  a large  body  of  Indians  collected  from 
some  of  the  most  powerful  tribes  of  the  northwest,  for  the  purpose  of  making  a 
treaty  with  the  whites.  Always  fond  of  ceremony  among  themselves  they  wit- 
nessed the  parade  of  which  they  little  suspected  the  import  with  the  greatest  in- 
terest, and  were  especially  impressed  with  the  high  sheriff  who  led  the  procession 
with  drawn  sword  ; we  are  told  that  he  was  over  six  feet  in  height,  well  propor- 
tioned and  of  commanding  presence,  and  that  his  fine  physical  proportions  and 
dignified  bearing  excited  their  highest  admiration,  which  they  expressed  by  the 
word  “ Hetuck,”  or  in  their  language  “ big  buckeye.”  It  was  not  spoken  in 
derision,  but  was  the  expression  of  their  greatest  admiration,  and  was  afterwards 
often  jocularly  applied  to  Colonel  Sproat,  and  became  a sort  of  nickname  by 
which  he  was  familiarly  known  among  his  associates.  That  was  certainly  its  first 
known  application  to  an  individual  in  the  sense  now  used,  but  there  is  no  evi- 
dence that  the  name  continued  to  be  so  used  and  applied  from  that  time  forward, 
or  that  it  became  a fixed  and  accepted  sobriquet  of  the  State  and  people  until 
more  than  half  a century  afterwards ; during  all  of  which  time  the  buckeye  con- 
tinued to  be  an  object  of  more  or  less  interest,  and  as  immigration  made  its  way 
across  the  State,  and  the  settlements  extended  into  the  rich  valleys  where  it  was 
found  by  travellers  and  explorers,  and  was  by  them  carried  back  to  the  east  and 
shown  as  a rare  curiosity  from  what  was  then  known  as  the  ‘‘  far  west,”  possess- 
ing certain  medicinal  properties  for  which  it  was  highly  prized.  But  the  name 
never  became  fully  crystallized  until  1840,  when  in  the  crucible  of  what  is  known 
as  the  “ bitterest,  longest  and  most  extraordinary  political  contest  ever  waged  in 
the  United  States,”  the  name  Buckeye  became  a fixed  sobriquet  of  the  State  of 
Ohio  and  its  people,  known  and  understood  wherever  either  is  spoken  of,  and 
likely  to  continue  as  long  as  either  shall  be  remembered  or  the  English  language 
endures. 

The  manner  in  which  this  was  brought  about  is  one  of  the  singular  events  of 
that  political  epoch. 

General  William  Henry  Harrison  having  become  the  candidate  of  his  party  for 
President,  an  opposition  newspaper  said  “ that  he  was  better  fitted  to  sit  in  a log- 


OHIO,  THE  BUCKEYE  STATE. 


203 

cabin  and  drink  hard  cider,  than  rule  in  the  White  House.”  Tlie  remark  was  at 
once  taken  up  by  his  friends  and  became  a party  slogan  of  that  ever  memorable 
canvass.  Harrison  became  the  log-cabin  candidate,  and  was  pictured  as  sitting 
by  the  door  of  a rude  log- cabin  through  which  could  be  seen  a barrel  of  hard 
cider,  while  the  walls  were  hung  with  coon-skins  and  decorated  with  strings  of 
buckeyes. 

Political  excitement  spread  with  wonderful  rapidity ; there  was  music  in  the 
air,  and  on  the  22d  of  February,  1840,  a State  convention  was  held  at  the  city  of 
Columbus  to  nominate  a candidate  for  governor.  That  was  before  the  day  of 
railroads,  yet  from  most  of  the  counties  of  the  State  large  delegations  in  wagons 
and  on  horseback  made  their  way  to  the  capital  to  participate  in  the  convention. 
Among  the  many  curious  devices  resorted  to  to  give  expression  to  the  ideas 
embodied  in  the  canvass  there  appeared  in  the  procession  a veritable  log-cabin, 
from  Union  county,  built  of  buckeye  logs,  upon  a wagon  and  drawn  in  the  pro- 
cession by  horses,  while  from  the  roof  and  inside  of  the  cabin  was  sung  this  song : 

“ Oh  where,  tell  me  where 

Was  your  buckeye  cabin  made  ? 

’Twas  built  among  the  merry  boys 
Who  wield  the  plough  and  spade, 

Where  the  log-cabins  stand. 

In  the  bonnie  buckeye  shade,  ’ ’ 

“ Oh  what,  tell  me  what,  is  to  be  your  cabin’s  fate? 

We’ll  wheel  it  to  the  capital  and  place  it  there  elate. 

For  a token  and  a sign  of  the  bonnie  Buckeye  State.  ’ ’ 

From  that  time  forward  the  buckeye  became  an  important  factor  in  the  car. 
vass ; cabins  were  multiplied  and  drawn  in  processions  at  all  the  leading  meeting? 
The  name  was  applied  to  General  Harrison  as 

“ Hurrah  for  the  father  of  the  Great  West, 

For  the  Buckeye  who  follows  the  plough.  ’ ’ 


The  name  was  also  applied  to  Mr.  Corwin,  the  candidate  for  governor,  as — 

‘ ‘ Tom  Corwin  is  a Buckeye  boy. 

Who  stands  not  for  the  pay.  ’ ’ 


And  generally  as 

“ Come  all  ye  jolly  Buckeye  boys. 

And  listen  to  my  song. 

..... 

See  what  a host  of  lumber, 

And  buckeye  poles  are  here — 

And  Buckeye  boys  without  number. 

Aloft  the  logs  to  rear.  ’ ’ 

But  the  buckeye  was  not  only  thus  woven  into  song  and  sung  and  shouted 
from  every  log-cabin,  but  it  became  a popular  emblem  of  the  party  and  an  article 
of  commerce  more  especially  along  the  Old  National  Road  over  which  the  public 
travel  of  the  country  was  carried  at  that  day  in  stage  coaches,  and  men  are  yet 
living  who,  in  1840,  resided  at  Zanesville  and  can  remember  seeing  crowds  of 
men  and  boys  going  to  the  woods  in  the  morning  and  returning  later  in  the  day 
carrying  great  bundles*  of  buckeye  sticks  to  be  converted  into  canes  and  sold  to 
travellers,  or  sent  to  adjoining  States  to  be  used  for  campaign  purposes. 

At  a mass  meeting  held  in  Western  Pennsylvania  in  1840  delegations  were 
organized  by  townships,  and  at  a preliminary  meeting  held  to  appoint  officers  to 
marshal  the  procession  and  make  other  necessary  arrangements,  it  was  resolved 
that  each  officer  so  appointed  should  provide  himself  with  a buckeye  cane  as  a 


204 


OHIO,  THE  BUCKEYE  STATE. 


badge  of  authority,  and  thereupon  committees  were  sent  to  Ohio  to  procure  a 
supply  of  canes  for  the  occasion,  witli  what  success  can  be  judged  from  the  fact 
that  wliile  a procession  extending  over  two  miles  in  length  and  numbering  more 
than  1,500  people,  halted  on  one  of  the  Chartiers  creek  hills  until  the  one  in  front 
moved  out  of  its  way,  an  inventory  taken  showed  the  number  of  buckeye  canes 
carried  in  the  delegation  to  be  1,432,  and  in  addition  over  100  strings  of  buckeye 
beads  were  worn  by  a crew  of  young  ladies  dressed  in  white,  who  rode  in  an 
immense  canoe,  and  carried  banners  representing  the  several  States  of  the 
Union. 

These  may  seem  to  be  rather  trivial  affairs  to  be  referred  to  on  such  an  occasion 
as  the  present,  but  they  serve  to  show  the  extent  of  the  sentiment  that  prevailed 
at  the  time,  and  the  molding  process  going  on,  so  that  when  the  long  and  heated 
canvass  finally  closed  with  a sweeping  victory  the  crystallization  was  complete, 
and  the  name  “ Buckeye  ” was  irrevocably  fixed  upon  the  State  and  people  of 
Ohio,  and  continues  to  the  present  day  one  of  the  most  popular  and  familiar 
sobriquets  in  use. 

So  early  as  1841,  the  president  of  an  Eastern  college  established  for  the  educa- 
tion of  young  women,  showing  a friend  over  the  establishment  said : “ There  is  a 
young  lady  from  New  York,  that  one  is  from  Virginia,  and  this,”  pointing  to 
another,  “ is  one  of  our  new  Buckeye  girls.”  A few  years  later,  the  Hon.  S.  S. 
Cox,  a native  Buckeye,  and  then  a resident  of  Ohio,  made  a tour  of  Europe,  and 
wrote  home  a series  of  bright  and  interesting  letters  over  the  nom  de  plume  of  “ A 
Buckeye  Abroad,”  which  were  extensively  read,  and  helped  still  further  to  fix 
the  name  and  give  it  character.  The  Bucke^m  State  has  now  a population  of 
more  than  3,000,000  live  Buckeyes,  Buckeye  coal  and  mining  companies,  Bucke}^ 
manufactories  of  every  kind  and  description.  Buckeye  reapers  and  mowers. 
Buckeye  stock,  farms,  houses,  hotels,  furnaces,  rolling-mills,  gas-  and  oil-wells, 
fairs,  conventions,  etc.,  and  on  to-morrow  we  propose  to  celebrate  a Buckeye 
centennial. 


To  the  foregoing  valuable  article  of  Mr.  Farrar  we  here  append  entire  tne 
speech  of  Dr.  Drake  to  which  he  alludes : 

“ But  why  are  the  natives  of  our  valley  called  Buckeyes,  and  to  whom  are  they 
indebted  for  the  epithet?  Mr.  President,  the  memory  that  can  travel  a few  years 
into  the  last  century,  and  it  only,  can  supply  the  answer.  As  the  buckeye  has  a 
soft  wood,  and  is  peculiar  to  the  valley  of  the  Ohio,  later  emigrants  to  both  banks 
of  the  river  thought  it  a fit  emblem  for  the  native  children,  whom  they  found 
untaught  and  awkward,  amusing  themselves  in  the  shade  of  its  luxuriant  foliage, 
or  admiring  the  beautiful  dyes  of  its  ripening  nuts,  and  Buckeye  was,  therefore, 
at  first,  a nickname — a term  of  derision.  Those  very  children  have,  however, 
raised  it  into  a title  of  honor ! They  can  have  no  higher  eulogy. 

The  tree  which  you  have  toasted,  Mr.  President,  has  the  distinction  of  being 
one  of  a family  of  plants,  but  a few  species  of  which  exist  on  the  earth.  They 
constitute  the  genus  ^sculus  of  the  botanist,  which  belongs  to  the  class  Heptan- 
dria.  Now  the  latter,  a Greek  phrase,  signifies  seven  men;  and  there  happens  to 
be  exactly  seven  species  of  the  genus — thus  they  constitute  the  seven  wise  men 
of  the  woods;  in  proof  of  which,  I ma}"  mention  that  there  is  not  another  family 
on  the  whole  earth  that  possesses  these  talismanic  attributes  of  wisdom.  But 
this  is  not  all.  Of  the  seven  species  our  emblem-tree  was  discovered  last — it  is 
the  youngest  of  the  family,  the  seventh  son!  and  who  does  not  know  the  manifold 
virtues  of  a seventh  son  ! 

Neither  Europe  nor  Africa  has  a single  native  species  of  ^sculus  and  Asia  but 
one.  This  is  the  ^sculus  Hippocastimum,  or  horse-chestnut.  Nearly  300  years 
since,  a minister  from  one  of  the  courts  of  Western  Europe  to  that  of  Russia 
found  this  tree  growing  in  Moscow,  whither  it  had  been  brought  from  Siberia. 
He  was  struck  with  its  beauty,  and  naturalized  it  in  his  own  countr}".  It  spread 
with  astonishing  rapidity  over  that  part  of  the  continent,  and  crossing  the 
channel,  became  one  of  the  favorite  shade-trees  of  our  English  ancestors. 

Such  is  the  power  of  the  buckeye  wand  ; and  its  influence  has  not  been  limited 
to  the  West.  We  may  fearlessly  assert  that  it  has  been  felt  over  the  whole  of  our 
common  country.  Till  the  time  when  the  buckeye  tree  was  discovered,  slow, 


OHIO,  THE  BUCKEYE  STATE, 


205 


indeed,  had  been  the  progress  of  society  in  the  new  world.  With  the  exception 
of  the  Revolution,  but  little  had  been  achieved  and  but  little  was  in  prospect. 
Since  that  era  society  has  been  progressive,  higher  destinies  have  been  unfolded, 
and  a reactive  Buckeye  influence,  perceptible  to  all  acute  observers,  must  assist 
in  elevating  our  beloved  country  among  the  nations  of  the  earth. 

From  the  very  beginning  of  emigration  it  has  been  a friend  to  the  ‘new-comers.’ 
Delighting  in  the  richest  soils,  they  soon  learned  to  take  counsel  from  it  in  the 
selection  of  their  lands ; and  it  never  yet  proved  faithless  to  any  one  who  confided 
in  it. 

When  the  first  ‘ log-cabin’  was  to  be  hastily  put  up,  the  softness  and  lightness 
of  its  wood  made  it  precious : for  in  those  times  laborers  were  few  and  axes  once 
broken  in  hard  timber  could  not  be  repaired.  It  was,  moreover,  of  all  the  trees 
of  the  forest,  that  which  best  arrested  the  rifle-bullets  of  the  Indian. 

When  the  infant  Buckeyes  came  forth,  to  render  these  solitary  cabins  vocal, 
and  make  them  instinct  with  life,  cradles  were  necessary,  and  they  could  not  be 
so  easily  dug  out  of  any  other  tree.  Thousands  of  men  and  women,  who  are 
now  active  and  respectable  performers  on  the  great  theatre  of  Western  society, 
were  once  rocked  in  Buckeye  troughs. 

Every  native  of  the  valley  of  the  Ohio  should  feel  proud  of  the  appellation, 
which,  from  the  infancy  of  our  settlements,  has  been  conferred  upon  him;  for 
the  Buckeye  has  many  qualities  which  may  be  regarded  as  typical  of  a noble 
character. 

It  is  not  merely  a native  of  the  West,  but  peculiar  to  it;  has  received  from 
the  botanists  the  specific  name  of  Ohioensis,  from  its  abundance  in  our  beau- 
tiful valley ; and  is  the  only  tree  of  our  whole  forest  that  does  not  grow  else- 
where. What  other  tree  could  be  so  fit  an  emblem  of  our  native  population? 

In  those  early  days,  when  a boundless  and  lofty  wilderness  overshadowed 
every  habitation,  to  destroy  the  trees  and  make  way  for  the  growth  of  corn 
was  the  great  object — hie  labor,  hie  opus  erat.  Now,  the  lands  where  the  buckeye 
abounded  were,  from  the  special  softness  of  its  wood,  the  easiest  of  all  others  to 
‘clear,’ and  in  this  way  it  afforded  valuable  though  negative  assistance  to  the 
‘ first  settlers.’ 

Foreign  sugar  was  then  unknown  in  these  regions,  and  our  reliance  for  this 
article,  as  for  many  others,  was  on  the  abounding  woods.  In  reference  to  this 
sweet  and  indispensable  acquisition,  the  buckeye  lent  us  positive  aid;  for  it 
was  not  only  the  best  wood  of  the  forest  for  troughs,  but  everywhere  grew 
side  by  side  with  the  graceful  and  delicious  sugar  maple. 

In  the  period  of  trying  deprivation,  to  what  quarter  did  the  ‘ first  settlers  ’ turn 
their  inquiring  and  anxious  eyes  ? The  buckeye — yes,  gentlemen,  to  the  buckeye 
tree,  and  it  proved  a friend  indeed,  because,  in  the  simple  and  expressive  language 
of  tiiose  early  times,  it  was  ‘a  friend  in  need.’  Hats  were  manufactured  of  its 
fibres — the  tray  for  the  delicious  ‘ pone  ’ and  ‘ Johnny-cake,’  the  venison  trencher, 
the  noggin,  the  spoon,  and  the  huge  white  family  bowl  for  mush  and  milk,  were 
carved  from  its  willhig  trunk  ; and  the  finest  ‘ boughten  ’ vessels  could  not  have 
imparted  a more  delicious  flavor  or  left  an  impression  so  enduring.  He  who  has 
ever  been  concerned  in  the  petty  brawls,  the  frolic  and  fun  of  a family  of  young 
Buckeyes  around  the  great  wooden  bowl,  overflowing  with  the  ‘ milk  of  human 
kindness,’  will  carry  the  sweet  remembrance  to  the  grave. 

In  all  our  woods  there  is  not  a tree  so  hard  to  kill  as  the  buckeye.  The  deepest 
‘girdling  ’ does  not  ‘ deaden  it,’  and  even  after  it  is  cut  down  and  worked  up  into 
the  side  of  a cabin  it  will  send  out  young  branches,  denoting  to  all  the  world 
that  Buckeyes  are  not  easily  conquered,  and  could  with  difficulty  be  destroyed. 

The  buckeye  has  generally  been  condemned  as  unfit  for  fuel,  but  its  very 
incombustibility  has  been  found  an  advantage,  for  no  tree  of  the  forest  is  equally 
valuable  for  ‘ backlogs,’  which  are  the  sine  qua  non  of  every  good  cabin  fire.  Thus 
treated,  it  may  be  finally,  though  slowly,  burnt;  when  another  of  its  virtues 
immediately  appears,  as  no  other  tree  of  our  woods  affords  so  great  a quantity  of 
alkali ; thus  there  is  piquancy  in  its  very  ashes ! 

The  bark  of  our  emblem-plant  has  some  striking  properties.  Under  a proper 
method  of  preparation  and  use,  it  is  said  to  be  very  efficacious  in  the  cure  of 
ague  and  fever,  but  unskillfully  employed,  it  proves  a violent  emetic;  which 


206 


OHIO,  THE  BUCKEYE  STATE. 


vnay  indicate  that  he  who  tampers  with  a Buckeye  will  not  do  it  with  impunity. 
The  fruit  of  the  buckeye  offers  much  to  interest  us.  The  capsule  or  covering 
of  the  nut  is  beset  with  sharp  prickles,  which,  incautiously  grasped,  will  soon 
compel  the  aggressor  to  let  go  his  hold.  The  nut  is  undeniably  the  most  beautiful 
of  all  which  our  teeming  woods  bring  forth ; and  in  many  parts  of  the  country 
is  made  subservient  to  the  military  education  of  our  sons  who,  assembling  in 
the  ‘ muster-field  ’ (where  their  fathers  and  elder  brothers  are  learning  to  be 
militiamen),  divide  themselves  into  armies,  and  pelt  each  other  with  buckeye 
balls  ; a military  exercise  at  least  as  instructive  as  that  which  their  seniors  perform 
Iwith  buckeye  sticks.  The  inner  covering  of  the  nut  is  highly  astringent.  Its 
^substance,  when  grated  down,  is  soapy,  and  has  been  used  to  cleanse  fine  fabrics 
in  the  absence  of  good  soap.  When  the  powder  is  washed  a large  quantity  of 
starch  is  obtained,  which  might,  if  tim^s  of  scarcity  could  arise  in  a land  so  fertile 
as  the  native  soil  of  this  tree,  be  used  for  food.  The  water  employed  for  this 
purpose  holds  in  solution  an  active  medicinal  agent,  which,  unwarily  swallowed, 
proves  a poison ; thus  again  admonishing  those  who  would  attempt  to  ‘ use  up  ’ 
a Buckeye,  that  they  may  repent  of  their  rashness. 

Who  has  not  looked  with  admiration  on  the  foliage  of  the  buckeye  in  early 
spring,  while  the  more  sluggish  tenants  of  the  forest  remain  torpid  in  their  winter 
quarters?  and  what  tree  in  all  our  wild  woods  bears  a flower  which  can  be 
compared  with  that  of  our  favorite?  We  may  fearlessly  challenge  for  it  the 
closest  comparison.  Its  early  putting  forth,  and  the'beauty  of  its  leaves  and 
blossoms,  are  appropriate  types  of  our  native  population,  whose  rapid  and  beautiful 
development  will  not  be  denied  by  those  whom  I now  address,  nor  disproved  by 
a reference  to  their  character ; while  the  remarkable  fact  that  almost  every  attempt 
to  transplant  it  into  our  streets  has  been  a failure,  shows  that  it  will  die  in 
captivity,  a guaranty  that  those  who  bear  its  name  can  never  be  enslaved. 

Finally,  the  buckeye  derives  its  name  from  the  resemblance  of  its  nut  to  the 
eye  of  the  buck,  the  finest  organ  of  our  noblest  wild  animal ; while  the  name 
itself  is  compounded  of  a Welsh  and  a Saxon  word,  belonging  therefore  to  the 
oldest  portions  of  our  vernacular  tongue,  and  connecting  us  with  the  piimitive 
stocks,  of  which  our  fathers  were  but  scions  planted 'in  the  new  world.” 

Ohio  Buckeye,  or  American  Horse  Chestnut. 

[From  “ The  North  Americau  Sylva ; ” by  F.  Andrew  Michaux.  Paris  : printed  by  C.  D’Hautel,  1819.] 

Pavia  Ohioensis.  P.  Foliis  quinatis,  insequaliter  dentatis;  jioribus  subjlavis;  fruct- 

ibus  muricatis. 

“ This  species  of  horse  chestnut,  which  is  mentioned  by  no  author  that  has 
hitherto  treated  of  the  trees  and  plants  of  North  America,  is  unknown  in  the 
Atlantic  parts  of  the  United  States.  I have  found  it  only  beyond  the  mountains, 
and  particularly  on  the  banks  of  the  Ohio  for  an  interval  of  about  100  miles, 
between  Pittsburg  and  Marietta,  where  it  is  extremely  common.  It  is  called 
‘ buckeye  ’ by  the  inhabitants,  but  as  this  name  has  been  given  to  the  pavia  lutea, 
I have  denominated  it  ‘ Ohio  buckeye  ’ because  it  is  most  abundant  on  the  banks 
of  this  river,  and  have  prefixed  the  synonym  of  ‘American  horse  chestnut’ 
because  it  proved  to  be  a proper  horse  chestnut  by  its  fruit,  which  is  prickly  like 
that  of  the  Asiatic  species  instead  of  that  of  the  pavias. 

The  ordinary  stature  of  the  American  horse  chestnut  is  ten  or  twelve  feet,  but 
it  sometimes  equals  thirty  or  thirty-five  feet  in  height  and  twelve  or  fifteen  inches 
in  diameter.  The  leaves  are  palmated  and  consist  of  five  leaflets  parting  from  a 
common  centre,  unequal  in  size,  oval-acuminate  and  irregularly  toothed.  The 
entire  length  of  the  leaf  is  nine  or  ten  inches  and  its  breadth  six  or  eight  inches. 

The  bloom  of  this  tree  is  brilliant.  Its  flowers  appear  early  in  the  spring  and 
are  collected  in  numerous  white  bunches.  The  fruit  is  of  the  same  color  with 
that  of  the  common  horse  chestnut  and  of  the  large  buckeye,  and  of  about  half 
the  size.  It  is  contained  in  fleshy,  prickly  capsules,  and  is  ripe  in  the  beginning 
of  autumn. 

On  the  trunk  of  the  largest  trees  the  bark  is  blackish  and  the  cellular  integ- 
ument is  impregnated  with  a venomous  and  disagreeable  odor.  The  wood  is 
white,  soft  and  wholly  useless. 


OHIO,  THE  BUCKEYE  STATE. 


207 


The  value  of  the  Ohio  buckeye,  or  American  horse  chestnut,  consists  chiefly 
in  the  beauty  of  its  flowers,  which,  with  its  rapid  vegetation  and  hardy  endurance 
of  cold,  will  bring  it  into  request  both  in  Europe  and  America  as  an  ornamental 
tree.” 


Michaux  says  he  found  the  large  buckeye,  or  pavm  \utea,  in  its  greatest  pro- 
fusion and  expansion  in  the  mountains  of  the  Carolinas  and  Georgia.  He  first 
met  with  it  on  the  Allegheny  mountains  in  Virginia,  near  latitude  39°.  It  there 
towers  to  the  height  of  sixty  or  seventy  feet,  with  a diameter  of  three  or  four 
feet,  and  is  considered  as  a certain  proof  of  the  richness  of  the  land.  “ The 
wood,”  he  says,  from  its  softness  and  want  of  durability,  can  subserve  no  useful 
purpose.  Even  in  beauty  this  species  is  inferior  to  the  common  horse  chestnut, 
and  can  never  supplant  that  magnificent  tree.”  The  engraving  in  this  article  is 
copied  from  that  in  the  superb  work  of  Michaux. 


INSPECTION  OF  WORKSHOPS  AND  FACTORIES 

OF  OHIO: 

Prepared  by  Frank  Henry  Howe  from  the  Reports  of 

HENRY  DORN,  CHIEF  INSPECTOR  FOR  THE  STATE, 

ILLUSTRATING  HIS  PECULIAR  AND  EFFECTIVE  SYSTEM. 


Henry  Dorn  was  born  in  Frankfort-on-the-Main,  Germany,  Feb.  16,  1843,  where  he  attended  the 
public  school  from  the  age  of  six  to  fourteen  years. 

He  learned  the  trade  of  machinist,  serving  as  an  ap- 
picntice  from  1857  to  1862.  During  his  apprenticeship 
he  attended  the  night  college  in  his  native  city  and 
S')on  became,  from  natural  aptitude  and  close  applica- 
tion to  his  studies,  an  accomplished  draughtsman. 

After  the  completion  of  his  apprenticeship  Mr.  Dorn 
went  to  Paris,  France,  where  he  obtained  employment 
in  the  shops  of  the  Northern  Railroad  Company.  He 
also  worked  in  other  shops  on  stationary  engines,  tools, 
telegraphic  instruments,  and  in  other  branches  of 
mechanism,  as  well  as  in  the  drawing-rooms  of  differ- 
ent firms  and  companies  by  whom  he  was  employed. 

He  attended  college  in  that  city,  thereby  more  readily 
acquiring  a knowledge  of  the  French  language.  Mr. 

Dorn  now  speaks  with  fluency  and  accuracy  German, 

French  and  English. 

In  1869  Mr.  Dorn  left  Paris  and  came  to  America, 
landing  in  Philadelphia,  where  he  soon  ])rocured  em- 
ployment as  a mechanical  engineer.  Here,  on  the  12th 
of  September,  1871,  he  was  married  to  Miss  Emily 
Dorn  (though  of  the  same  name,  no  relation),  by  whom 
he  has  had  four  children.  Shortly  after  his  marriage 
he  removed  to  Cleveland,  where  he  continued  to  reside 
until  1884.  While  in  that  city  he  was  employed  by 
the  Lake  Shore  and  Michigan  Southern  Railroad  Com- 
pany for  over  six  years.  He  left  the  employ  of  this 
company  to  accept  the  position  of  superintendent  of  the 
iron  work  of  the  Cleveland  viaduct,  one  of  the  finest 
structures  of  the  kind  in  the  world.  He  was  subse- 
quently employed  by  the  civil  engineer  of  Cleveland 
to  superintend  the  laying  of  the  block  pavement  on 
some  of  the  streets  of  that  city. 

In  1880  Mr.  Dorn  was  employed  in  the  erection  of  the  building  and  in  putting  up  the  machinery 
of  the  H.  P.  Wire  Nail  Company,  the  largest  factory  of  the  kind  in  the  United  States.  Just  as  the 
structure  was  about  completed,  in  1881,  through  the  carelessness  or  ignorance  of  the  general  manager 
of  the  company,  Mr.  Dorn  met  with  an  accident  resulting  in  an  injury  to  his  spine,  from  which  he  has 
never  fully  recovered,  his  right  side  remaining  in  a partially  paralyzed  condition  for  nearly  three 
years. 

On  the  11th  of  April,  1884,  Gov.  Hoadly  tendered  Mr.  Dorn  the  position  of  insj)ector  of  workshops 
and  factories,  under  the  law  which  had  just  passed  the  Legislature  creating  that  office.  He  accepted 
the  position  and  immediately  entered  upon  the  discharge  of  its  duties.  In  this  position  he  has  shown 
exceptional  qualifications  and  been  of  incalculable  benefit  to  those  for  whose  protection  in  health  and 
limb  the  office  was  created.  His  first  annual  report  to  the  governor  showed  the  importance  of  the 
office,  and  the  legislature  very  wisely  provided  him  with  three  assistants.  His  ability  as  a mechanical 
engineer  and  his  careful  and  systematic  management  of  the  office  have  placed  it  in  the  front  rank  of 
offices  of  that  character  in  the  United  States. 

Taking  a deep  interest  in  the  subject  of  factory  inspection  generally,  Mr.  Dorn  made  an  appeal  to 
all  officers  of  that  kind  in  the  United  States,  and  by  untiring  efforts  succeeded  in  getting  together  the 
first  national  convention  of  factory  inspectors  ever  held  in  this  country.  It  was  held  in  Philadelphia, 
Pa.,  on  June  8 and  9,  1887,  and  Mr.  Dorn  had  the  honor  of  being  the  first  presiding  officer  of  the  con- 
vention, and  before  the  close  of  the  session  was  unanimously  elected  permanent  secretary  and 
treasurer. 

The  second  convention  was  held  in  the  city  of  Boston,  Mass.,  on  August  8,  9 and  10,  1888^  and  Mr. 
Dorn  was  unanimously  re-elected  for  a second  time. 


HENRY  DORN. 


WORKSHOPS  AND  FACTORIES. 


209 


On  April  4,  1884,  an  act  was  passed  by  the  Legislature  of  Ohio  for  the  inspec- 
tion of  workshops  and  factories.  This  was  the  third  legislative  act  on  the  part 
of  any  State  in  the  Union  for  such  a purpose.  Section  2,873a  of  that  act  reads 
as  follows : 

“ The  governor  of  the  State  shall  appoint  a suitable  person,  to  be  known  as  the 
inspector  of  the  sanitary  condition,  comfort  and  safety  of  shops  and  factories, 
who  shall  be  a competent  and  practical  mechanic  in  practice,  whose  duty  it  shall 
be  to  visit  all  factories  or  shops  where  ten  or  more  persons  are  employed,  and  to 
carefully  inspect  the  sanitary  condition  of  the  same,  to  examine  the  system  of 
sewerage  in  connection  with  said  shops  and  factories,  the  situation  and  condition 
of  water-closets  or  urinals  in  and  about  such  shops  and  factories,  and  also  the 
system  of  heating,  lighting  and  ventilating  all  rooms  in  such  factories  and  shops 
where  persons  are  employed  at  daily  labor,  and  also  as  to  the  means  of  exit  from 
such  places  in  case  of  fire  and  other  disaster,  and  also  all  belting,  shafting,  gear- 
ing, elevators,  drums  and  machinery  of  every  kind  and  description  in  and  about 
such  factories  and  shops,  and  see  that  the  same  are  not  located  so  as  to  be  dan- 
gerous to  employees  when  engaged  in  their  ordinary  duties,  and  that  the  same,  f-o 
far  as  practicable,  are  securely  guarded,  and  that  every  vat,  pan,  or  structure 
filled  with  molten  metal  or  hot  liquid  shall  be  surrounded  with  proper  safeguards 
for  preventing  accident  or  injury  to  those  employed  at  or  near  them.” 

In  pursuance  of  the  provisions  of  this  act,  on  April  11,  1884,  Mr.  Henry  Dorn, 
of  Cleveland,  Ohio,  was  appointed  inspector,  at  a salary  of  $1,500  per  year  and 
$600  allowance  for  travelling  expenses.  Three  days  later  he  took  the  oath  of 
office  and  entered  upon  the  discharge  of  its  duties  at  his  office  in  Cleveland. 
Owing  to  the  inadequate  appropriation  of  funds,  but  a comparatively  small  part 
of  the  20,000  or  more  workshops  and  factories  throughout  the  State  could  be 
visited.  The  zeal  of  Mr.  Dorn  caused  him  to  be  as  energetic  and  economical  as 
possible  in  order  to  accomplish  the  most  good  with  the  means  at  his  command. 

The  success  of  the  entire  system  of  the  department  is  no  doubt  largely  due  to 
his  energy  and  perseverance.  His  being  a practical  engineer,  draughtsman  and 
machinist  and  possessing  the  knowledge  necessary  for  imparting  information  in 
relation  to  improvements  on  machinery,  its  preservation,  protection,  etc.,  espe- 
cially adapts  him  to  the  highly  responsible  duties  of  his  office.  In  his  first  re- 
port, covering  only  the  last  six  months  of  the  year  1884,  he  says : 

“ I began  my  inspection  in  the  city  of  Cleveland,  Cuyahoga  county,  but  finding 
it  impossible  to  make  a proper  inspection  of  all  the  shops  and  factories  in  the 
cit}^  of  Cleveland  first,  without  entirely  neglecting  other  parts  of  the  State,  I 
confined  my  inspection  to  the  leading  establishments,  and  to  such  less  prominent 
places  as  my  attention  was  called  to  by  persons  employed  therein. 

Out  of  nearly  300  establishments  in  the  city  of  Cleveland  I inspected  173  from 
April  16th  to  June  16th,  out  of  which  I found  only  twenty-seven  complying 
with  the  requirements  of  the  law  creating  the  office  of  State  Inspector  of  Shops 
and  Factories.  I ordered  important  changes  in  forty-one  establishments  and 
minor  changes  were  ordered  in  most  of  the  others. 

On  the  17th  of  June  I started  on  an  inspection  tour  and  stopped  first  in  Crest- 
line, Crawford  county,  where  I inspected  two  establishments,  ordering  minor 
changes  in  one. 

From  Crestline  I went  to  Gabon,  Crawford  county,  where  I inspected  five 
establishments,  ordering  minor  changes  in  one  and  very  important  changes  in 
another. 

From  Gabon  I went  to  Delaware,  Delaware  county,  w'here  I inspected  six 
establishments,  two  of  which  were  complying  with  the  requirements  of  the  law 
creating  this  office,  and  minor  changes  were  ordered  in  three  establishments. 

From  Delaware  I went  direct  to  Columbus,  Franklin  county,  where  my  first 
duty  was  to  notify  all  establishments  in  that  city  of  my  coming.  I found  that 
there  were  nearly'  200  establishments  to  be  visited,  and  out  of  this  number  I 
visited  seventy-five  from  June  23d  to  July  15th,  out  of  which  I found  only  ten 
that  were  being  operated  in  accordance  with  the  law  creating  this  office.  I 
ordered  important  changes  in  thirteen  establishments  and  minor  changes  in 
most  of  the  others. 

During  the  same  time  I visited  also  Logan,  Hocking  county,  where  I inspected 


^10 


WORKSHOPS  AND  FACTO  RIBS. 


seven  establishments,  out  of  which  I found  only  one  not  amenable  to  the  law. 
Minor  changes  were  ordered  in  lour  and  very  important  changes  in  two  establish- 
ments. 

On  July  16th  I left  Columbus  and  went  to  Cincinnati,  Hamilton  county,  where 
I found  a great  field  of  labor.  An  investigation  disclosed  the  fact  that  Cincin- 
nati had  over  1,000  manufacturing  establishments  to  be  visited,  which  would, 
if  properly  inspected,  take  the  inspector  over  a year,  as  most  of  the  buildings 
are  from  five  to  seven  and  even  more  stories  high.  The  most  careful  work  was 
required  here,  as  sanitary  conditions,  safety  and  comfort  and  every  provision 
of  the  law,  were  found  to  present  a strong  claim  to  attention. 

I visited,  in  the  city  of  Cincinnati,  one  hundred  and  seventy-five  (175)  of  the 
lep.ding  establishments,  and  such  others  as  my  attention  was  called  to,  from  time 
to  time,  by  persons  employed  in  such  shops  and  factories. 

I started  out  in  the  same  manner,  as  I did  in  other  cities,  by  notifying  all 
manufacturers  and  owners  of  shops  and  factories,  nearly  1,300  in  number,  of  my 
coming.  Out  of  the  175  establishments  visited,  from  July  17  to  October  11,  I 
found  only  eleven  being  operated  in  accordance  wfith  the  law  creating  this  office. 
I ordered  important  changes  in  sixty  establishments,  and  minor  changes  were 
ordered  in  most  of  the  others. 

During  the  time  I stayed  in  Cincinnati  I made  occasional  trips  to  the  other 
cities  and  revisited  shops  and  factories  where  I ordered  changes  with  satisfactory 
results.  I found  many  shops  in  Cleveland  which  complied  with  my  requests  in 
regard  to  important  changes,  also  a number  in  Columbus  and  Logan. 

Receiving  a letter  from  Akron,  Summit  county,  calling  my  attention  to  the 
shops  and  factories  of  that  city,  I started  on  October  21  from  Cleveland  to  Akron, 
where  I found  nearly  fifty  (50)  establishments  to  be  visited,  and,  after  notifying 
all  owners  of  shops  and  factories,  I inspected  forty-five  of  them  from  October 
21  to  31.  . 

It  is  a pleasure  to  state  that,  generally  speaking,  I found  the  establishments  in 
Akron  in  better  condition  and  nearer  the  requirements  of  the  law  than  any  that 
I have  visited. 

Out  of  the  forty-five  establishments  I inspected  I found  twenty-five  working  in 
accordance  to  law  creating  the  office  of  Inspector  of  Shops  and  Factories. 

Minor  changes  were  ordered  in  nine  establishments  and  very  important 
changes  in  eleven.  Nearly  all  of  the  latter  changes  were  in  sewer  pipe  factories 
and  potteries. 

In  these  establishments  the  greatest  danger  I found  was  in  the  mills  where  the 
clay  is  ground.  These  mills  are  started  or  stopped  by  means  of  a cone  or  fric- 
tion pulley,  and  I found  the  most  of  these  pulleys  were  not  given  lift  enough  or 
clearance  enough  to  make  them  safe,  as  it  will  sometimes  happen  that  these  mills 
will  start  up  of  themselves,  either  through  dirt  falling  between  the  two  fric- 
tion pulleys,  or  through  the  starting  lever  slipping  from  the  bolt,  which  I found 
in  many  instances  very  poorly  secured.  Most  of  the  levers  were  only  provided 
with  a common  iron  rod,  with  an  eye  in  the  end,  which  eye  was  carelessly 
hooked  on  to  a common  bolt  or  spike,  which  was  driven  in  the  wall,  whereas 
those  eyes  should,  by  all  means,  be  properly  provided  with  hooks  securely  fast- 
ened  in  the  wall,  so  that  the  jarring  of  the  mill  cannot  unhook  the  iron  rods  and 
thereby  start  the  mill  up  suddenly,  endangering  the  lives  of  persons  engaged  in 
shoveling  clay  out  of  the  mills.  Several  accidents  of  that  kind  happened  in 
Akron,  one  man  being  killed  and  others  had  their  legs  broken  and  were  badly 
maimed. 


Emery  Polishing  Wheels. 

I found  in  polishing  establishments,  stove  foundries  and  other  shops  and  fac- 
tories where  emery  wheels  are  used  continually  that  those  wheels,  in  a good 
many  instances,  were  too  high-speeded,  which  is  very  dangerous  and  often  re- 
sults in  their  bursting  and  consequently  in  the  killing  or  serious  injury  of  some- 
body. I herewith  present  a table  for  speeding  solid  emery  wheels  of  different 
diameters : 


WORKSHOPS  AND  FACTORIES.  211 

Diameter  of  Wheels  in  Inches. 


4 

5 

6 

7 

8 

9 

lOi 

12 

14 

16 

18 

20 

22 

24 

26 

Number  of  Revolutions  per  Minute. 

4,500 

3,700 

3,200  1 
1 

2,700 

2,400 

2,100 

1,800 

1,600 

1,350 

1,200 

1,050 

950 

900 

850  1 
1 

750 

Wheels  which  are  speeded  higher  than  is  shown  in  the  above  table  are  dan- 
gerous to  the  operator. 

Another  danger  which  arises  from  emery  wheels  of  all  descriptions  is  that 
most  of  them  are  not  provided  with  exhaust  fans,  and  the  persons  working  at  them 
are  compelled  to  inhale  the  poisonous  dust,  which  will  settle  on  the  lungs,  and 
in  most  cases  consumption  will  be  the  result.  Providing  emery  wheels  with  ex- 
haust fans  is  not  only  beneficial  to  the  person  operating  such  wheels,  but  also  to 
the  owners  of  establishments  where  such  wheels  are  used. 

An  exhaust  fan  will  absorb  every  bit  of  emery  dust  which  escapes  from  the 
wheel,  and  therefore  all  other  machinery  in  such  establishments,  especially  shaft- 
ing, will  be  freed  from  emery  dust,  and  consequently  last  three  times  as  long. 
The  saving  of  shafting  and  boxes  alone  will  pay  the  cost  of  the  use  of  an  ex- 
haust fan,  and  still  many  proprietors  of  such  establishments  are  totally  blind  to 
these  facts. 

Buzz-Saws. 

Another  important  matter  is  the  use  of  buzz-saws  in  planing-mills  and  other 
establishments.  They  are,  in  fact,  the  most  dangerous  tool  in  use,  and  although 
persons  operating  them  know  their  danger,  in  tlie  course  of  time  they  become 
careless.  Therefore  a protection  is  absolutely  necessary,  and  this  also  can  be 
done  at  a small  expense,  and  to  the  advantage  of  both  operator  and  owner,  by 
putting  a guard  or  hood  over  the  buzz-saw,  which  will  not  in  the  least  interfere 
with  the  work  of  the  sawyer,  but,  on  the  contrary,  will  enable  him  to  turn  out 
more  work  in  less  time,  while  protecting  his  life  and  limbs. 

By  investigating  the  facts  about  accidents  I found  through  the  reports  of  some 
accident  insurance  companies  that  there  are  on  an  average  from  fifty  to  fifty- 
three  persons  killed  or  injured  daily  in  the  United  States  alone  through  accidents 
occurring  by  operating  buzz-saws. 

Fly-Wheels. 

Another  prolific  source  of  danger  is  the  non-protection  of  fly-wheels  on  sta- 
tionary engines,  which  can  easily  be  done  by  putting  an  iron  or  wooden  railing 
or  casing  around  the  fly-wheel. 

The  eccentric  of  an  engine  is  generally  located  between  the  bed-plate  of  the 
engine  and  the  fly-wheel,  and  the  engineer  is,  therefore,  compelled  to  go  close  to  the 
same  to  oil  either  the  eccentric  or  other  parts  of  his  engine,  and  many  accidents 
take  place  through  neglect  in  not  fencing  in  the  fly-wheel  properly. 

One  accident  occurred  to  an  employee  in  Cincinnati  which  resulted  in  his  death. 
The  deceased,  endeavoring  to  ascertain  the  time  of  day  from  a clock  hanging  on 
the  wall  near  the  engine,  in  some  unexplained  manner  passed  too  near  the  fly- 
wheel, was  caught  by  the  wheel  and  held  fast,  and,  being  whirled  around  at  a 
great  velocity,  was  almost  instantly  killed.  Hundreds  of  similar  accidents  occur 
every  year  and  many  valuable  lives  are  lost. 

Now,  all  such  accidents  can  be  prevented  by  a small  outlay  of  money,  which 
will,  at  all  events,  be  less  expensive  than  contesting  suits  for  damages  in  court. 
I have  and  shall  in  the  future  enforce  the  law  in  regard  to  these  matters  to  the 
letter. 

Elevators. 

Another  danger  I Ijave  discovered — and  it  is  one  that  I meet  everywhere — the 
very  unsafe  condition  of  elevators. 


212 


WORKSHOPS  AND  FACTORIES, 


In  many  places  elevator  wells,  or  shafts,  are  not  properly  and  in  many  cases 
not  at  all  protected.  On  all  floors  doors  open  either  directly  into  the  shafts  or 
have  no  protection  or  safeguards,  and  the  lives  of  persons  working  at  their 
ordinary  avocations  are  endangered. 

All  these  places  should  be  protected  by  automatic  doors  or  safeguards,  so  set 
that  they  will  raise  and  lower  v/hen  the  elevator  is  at  the  floor.  I have  not  5^et 
gone  further  than  to  suggest  that  all  elevators  be  provided  with  automatic  doors, 
but  wherever  the  necessity  for  protection  exists  have  insisted  upon  an  adequate 
safeguard  being  provided. 

Fire-Escapes. 

Nothing  in  the  course  of  my  inspection  has  more  strongly  impressed  me  than 
the  necessity  of  requiring  all  shops  and  factories  of  a greater  elevation  than  two 
stories  to  be  provided  with  a safe  and  efficient  system  of  fire-escapes.  The  duty 
of  supplying  safeguards  against  casualties  always  likely  to  occur  in  the  event  of 
conflagrations  in  crowded  shops  and  factories  is  so  obvious  and  imperative  that 
there  can  be  no  difference  of  opinion  respecting  it.  It  is  of  that  class  of  self-as- 
sertive obligations  which  admit  of  no  controversy,  the  only  question  being  as  to 
the  best  method  of  adequately  meeting  it.  Nevertheless  it  is  a fact,  amply 
demonstrated  in  the  observation  I have  had,  that  very  many  owners  and  pro- 
prietors of  shops  and  factories  are  wholly  indifferent  to  this  important  duty,  and 
1 have  found  some  so  utterly  destitute  of  all  concern  for  the  safety  of  employees 
as  to  refuse  to  provide  proper  escapes  when  their  attention  was  called  to  the  ne- 
cessity for  such  provision.  It  is  somewhat  difficult  to  speak  with  calmness  of 
men  whose  overweening  selfishness  has  excluded  from  their  natures  every  spark 
of  consideration  for  their  fellow-beings,  who,  while  liberally  insuring  their  prop- 
erty against  fire,  so  that  in  case  of  such  a visitation — a danger  always  imminent 
— their  pockets  shall  not  suffer,  will  not  expend  a dollar  for  the  security  of  the 
lives  of  those  by  whose  labor  they  profit,  and  it  is  but  simple  justice  that  this 
class  be  compelled,  by  the  mandate  of  inflexible  law,  to  perform  a duty  which 
men  of  ordinary  humane  instincts  accede  to  without  a question.  The  frequent 
occurrence  of  fires  which  have  their  most  serious  result  in  the  loss  of  human 
lives  furnishes  fearful  warnings  that  should  not  be  heedlessly  dismissed  from  at- 
tention, and  I submit  that  the  business  of  legislation  can  have  few  worthier  ob- 
jects than  that  of  diminishing,  so  far  as  may  be,  the  possibility  of  such 
calamities. 

In  Cincinnati  many  of  the  buildings  used  for  shops  and  factories  are  from  five 
to  nine  ctories  high,  and  generally  the  first  tliree  or  four  floors  of  the  building 
are  used  as  storerooms,  the  employes  occupying  the  upper  floors,  escape  from 
which  would  in  most  cases  be  extremely  difficult  in  the  event  of  a rapidly  spread- 
ing fire,  and  loss  of  life  or  serious  bodily  injury  almost  inevitable.  Most  of  the 
buildings  are  improperly  constructed  with  reference  to  means  of  egress,  the 
ingenuity  of  the  architects  having  apparently  been  exerted  to  secure  the  greatest 
possible  economy  of  space  in  the  matter  of  stairways.  Some  of  these  buildings 
are  provided  with  but  a single  stairway,  and  where  there  are  two  or  more -they 
are  generally  located  so  near  together  that  a fire  which  would  render  any  of  them 
useless  as  an  avenue  of  escape  would  be  very  likely  to  do  so  with  all.  In  many 
cases,  also,  these  stairways  are  located  near  elevators,  which  are  most  potent  aids 
to  the  rapid  progress  of  fire.  While  it  is  not  the  province  of  the  State  to  require 
that  these  faults  and  defects  in  the  construction  of  buildings  shall  be  remedied, 
it  is  unquestionably  within  the  rightful  powers  of  the  State  to  demand  that  the 
security  which  the  builders  have  failed  to  provide  shall  be  supplied  in  some  other 
way,  and  a thorough  system  of  fire-esca})es  is  the  only  other  practicable  method. 
The  use  of  straight  ladders,  as  a substitute  for  some  improved  fire-escape,  on 
buildings  over  two  stories  high,  should  not  be  allowed,  since  the}"  are  worse  than 
useless  as  a means  of  escape.  Not  one  in  twenty  who  should  attempt  to  reach 
the  ground  in  this  way  would  get  there  in  safety.  They  might  escape  the  fire 
only  to  find  death  or  permanent  injuries  from  being  j^recipitated  to  the  earth 
below. 

The  great  pertinency  of  these  remarks  was  brought  forcibly  to  the  notice  of  the 
people  of  the  State  by  two  horrible  casualties  which  occurred  in  Cincinnati  during 


WORKSHOPS  AND  FACTORIES, 


213 


the  spring  of  1885 : one  the  burning  of  Dreman  & Co.’s  rag- factory,  by  which 
nine  lives  were  lost,  the  other  the  burning  of  tlie  building  on  West  Sixth  street, 
occupied  by  the  Parisian  Dyeing  and  Scouring  Company  and  the  Sullivan  steam- 
printing establishment,  by  which  sixteen  lives  were  sacrificed,  and  several  persons 
seriously  wounded,  if  not  maimed  for  life.  In  both  these  holocausts  most  if  not 
all  of  the  lives  lost  could  have  been  saved  had  the  buildings  been  provided  with 
properly  constructed  fire-escapes. 

In  my  judgment  the  most  secure  and  effective  plan  is  that  of  a balcony  on  each 
story,  with  incline  ladders  extending  from  one  another  between  the  windows. 
Persons  descending  on  ladders  thus  placed  avoid  the  flames  that  issue  from  the 
windows,  are  in  no  danger  of  falling,  and  by  the  exercise  of  the  simplest  care  in 
their  movements  may  make  their  escape  unscathed.  I found  Cincinnati  to  be  a 
great  field  of  labor,  and  during  the  necessarily  short  time  that  I was  there  I 
ordered  the  erection  of  about  fifty  fire-escapes  on  shops  and  factories.  In  most 
cases  these  orders  were  complied  with,  but  in  several  instances  the  agents  for 
buildings  refused  to  pay  any  attention  to  the  demand  of  the  Inspector  that  fire- 
escapes  should  be  supplied. 

The  law  relating  to  this  matter  would  seem  to  be  sufficiently  explicit  in  its 
requirements,  and  the  penalties  for  violation  ample  to  insure  a universal  compli- 
ance with  it,  but  such  is  very  far  from  being  the  fact. 

In  1887  Chief-Inspector  Dorn  invented  a fire-escape  which  has  been  pronounced 
by  all  experts  to  be  the  simplest  and  most  practicable  invention  of  the  kind 
extant.  It  consists  of  a rectangular  enclosure  of  brick,  built  from  the  foundations 
to  the  roof,  and  within  the  exterior  walls  of  the  building.  This  enclosure  or  well 
contains  the  stairways,  access  to  which  is  had  from  balconies  constructed  on  the 
outside  of  the  building  at  the  level  of  each  floor.  The  balconies  communicate  by 
a door  with  each  floor  of  the  main  building  and  by  another  door  with  the 
enclosure  ( ontaining  the  stairwa^^s.  By  means  of  this  arrangement  the  occupants 
of  each  floor  can  immediately  pass  out  of  the  building  on  the  same  floor,  and 
along  the  balcony  to  the  stairway  which,  being  entirely  cut  off  from  the  interior 
of  the  entire  building,  would  be  perfectly  free  from  flame  or  smoke,  even  if  the 
whole  building  should  be  on  fire. 

This  escape  evidently  obviates  a serious  objection  to  all  others,  viz.,  the  fear 
people  have  of  descending  them,  especially  from  very  high  buildings.  This 
invention,  the  result  of  Mr.  Dorn’s  ingenuity,  has  not  been  patented,  owing  to  the 
humane  desire  of  its  inventor  to  make  its  adoption  as  universal  and  free  from 
expense  as  possible.” 

On  the  subject  of  “ child  labor  ” Mr.  Dorn  says : 

“The  subject  of  child  labor  has  engaged  the  earnest  attention  of  publicists  and 
pliilanthropists  for  generations,  and  in  the  general  progress  of  ameliorating  influ- 
ences and  agencies  this  matter  has  received  a share  of  consideration.  That  it  has 
not  obtained  that  full  measure  of  regard  which  its  great  importance  merits  will 
not  be  seriously  questioned  by  any  one  whose  experience  or  observation  give  him 
authority  to  speak. 

Legislation  has  bravely  sought  to  baffle  the  cupidity  and  selfishness  of  those 
who  would  profit  by  the  labor  of  children,  but  its  success  has  been  only  partial 
and  irregular,  and  throughout  this  enlightened  nation  thousands  of  children  of 
tender  years  are  now  laboring  ten  and  twelve  hours  a day  in  shops  and  factories, 
the  great  majority  of  whom  should  be  acquainted  with  no  severer  tasks  than  those 
of  the  school  and  the  home. 

Ohio,  I regret  to  say,  has  her  full  share  of  guilt  in  this  matter,  the  statute 
relating  to  the  employment  of  children  under  sixteen  years  of  age  being  freely  and 
persistently  violated,  for  the  obvious  reason  that  no  adequate  means  are  provided 
for  its  enforcement. 

In  visiting  the  different  shops  and  factories  in  the  regular  course  of  my  duties 
I made  it  a part  of  my  inquiries  to  ascertain  the  extent  to  which  children  were 
employed,  and  in  many  places  I found  children  of  nine  or  ten  years  of  age  per- 
forming labor  that  should  give  employment  to  adults,  or  at  least  to  minors  who 
have  passed  the  period  of  childhood,  and  might  properly  be  expected  to  earn 
their  own  livelihood.  In  the  cigar-factories  of  Cincinnati  I found  a great  num- 
ber of  children  employed,  the  demand  for  this  class  of  workers  being  at  that  time 


214 


WORKSHOPS  AND  FACTORIES. 


probably  exceptionally  large,  owing  to  the  strike  of  the  cigar-makers.  I also 
found  many  young  children  in  chair-factories  in  different  parts  of  the  State,  where 
they  worked  at  polishing  and  painting  chair-frames  and  making  cane-seats. 
They  were  also  found  in  printing-offices,  nickel-plating  works,  paper-box-fac- 
tories, match -factories,  etc. 

While  it  is  true  that  much  of  the  work  required  of  children  thus  employed  is 
not  of  a severely  exacting  nature,  yet  it  must  be  maintained  that  the  practice  of 
subjecting  young  children  to  a daily  round  of  labor  for  which  they  receive  a 
mere  pittance  in  the  form  of  wages  is  a wrong  alike  to  the  children  and  to  the 
State,  and  wholly  antagonistic  to  the  enlightened  and  liberal  sentiment  of  this 
age. 

The  tens  of  thousands  of  children  throughout  the  country  who  are  in  this  way 
deprived  of  the  opportunity  to  obtain  as  much  of  an  education  as  would  enable 
them,  when  grown  to  adult  age,  to  understand  the  obligations  of  citizenship,  is  a 
dark  blot  upon  our  character  as  a people,  for  which  our  advanced  civilization  and 
wonderful  material  progress  do  not  atone.  It  is  true  that  ample  provision  is 
made  for  securing  to  every  child  in  the  State  at  least  an  elementary  education, 
but  the  State  is  still  derelict  if  it  fails  to  compel  those  in  whose  behalf  such  pro- 
vision is  made  to  take  full  advantage  of  it.  Now  it  is  sufficient  to  declare,  in  the 
form  of  a statute,  that  this  must  be  done.  Laws  do  not  enforce  themselves. 
There  must  be  an  active,  energetic,  and  vigilant  executive  force  behind  them, 
fully  armed  with  the  power  to  put  them  into  effect. 

There  is  hardly  any  limit  to  what  may  be  said  upon  this  subject,  but  the 
object  in  referring  to  it  here  is  simply  to  bring  it  to  the  thought  and  attention  of 
the  legislative  power,  and  not  to  give  to  it  elaborate  discussion.  Such  discussion, 
indeed,  it  cannot  need  with  intelligent  men,  who  intuitively  understand  that  the 
intellectual  and  moral  training  of  the  youth  of  the  commonwealth  is  of  far  greater 
importance  to  its  future  welfare  than  can  be  any  consideration  relating  to  its 
merely  material  affairs.  But  the  policy  of  controlling  and  restricting  child  labor 
finds  approval  as  well  upon  economic  as  upon  moral  grounds.  There  is  no  gain 
to  the  general  welfare  from  this  class  of  ill-remunerated  toil.  Its  products  are 
not  materially,  if  at  all,  cheapened  to  the  consumer.  The  profit  is  reaped  by 
the  employers,  and  it  is  the  heartless  cupidity  of  this  class,  incidentally  aided 
by  the  improvidence  of  parents,  that  is  responsible  for  the  extensive  prevalence 
of  child  labor.  To  successfully  combat  this  sordid  instinct  there  is  required 
something  more  aggressive  than  a simple  statutory  declaration  of  hostility.  As 
previously  observed,  there  must  be  a zealous  and  vigilant  executive  force,  amply 
supported  behind  the  declaration.” 

• During  the  first  six  months  after  the  enactment  of  the  law  for  the  inspection 
of  workshops  and  factories  Mr.  Dorn  visited  487  establishments,  with  a working 
capacity  of  45,511  males  and  4,808  females.  Letters  from  many  of  the  leading 
manufacturers  and  business  men  of  the  State  were  received,  congratulating  him 
on  the  success  of  his  efforts,  and  expressing  their  approbation  of  his  recommenda- 
tions, and  asking  for  a vigorous  prosecution  of  the  good  work  and  the  rigid 
enforcement  of  the  law. 

The  work  performed  by  Mr.  Dorn  was  remarkable  in  its  extent  and  efficiency, 
, and  it  was  only  by  his  perfect  system  of  conducting  the  affairs  of  his  office  that  so 
much  was  accomplished.  The  appropriation  was  so  small  in  consideration  of  the 
work  necessary  for  the  enforcement  of  the  law  as  to  almost  defeat  its  own  object, 
and  in  closing  his  first  report  Mr.  Dorn  called  the  attention  of  the  Legislature  to 
the  necessity  of  an  increased  appropriation,  as  follows : 

“ To  carry  on  the  office  so  as  to  do  justice  to  all  interests  there  should  be  at 
least  three  deputy -inspectors  appointed.  One  inspector  cannot  do  the  work  a» 
thoroughly  and  satisfactorily  as  it  should  be  done. 

An  appropriation  should  also  be  made  by  the  General  Assembly  to  create  a 
contingent  fund  outside  of  the  travelling  expenses. 

So  far  the  Inspector  has  had  to  use  a portion  of  his  own  salary  for  defraying 
necessary  expenses,  such  as  postage,  telegran?.^,  express  charges,  and  many  other 
items  too  numerous  to  mention. 

The  Inspector  would  also  recommend  the  striking  out  of  the  word  “ ten  ” in 
section  2873a,  where  it  says,  “ whose  duty  it  shall  be  to  visit  all  factories  and 


WORKSHOPS  AND  FACTORIES. 


2X1 

shops  where  ten  or  more  persons  are  employed,”  and  insert  the  word  “five.”  I 
have  found  many  shops  where  fewer  than  ten  persons  were  employed  which 
needed  many  changes,  but  the  Inspector  had  no  power  to  require  them  to  be 
made. 

The  allowance  of  $600  a year  for  travelling  expenses  is  insufficient.  The  In- 
spector has,  while  exercising  the  greatest  economy  in  expenditures,  used  from 
April  16  to  November  15  $469.23,  leaving  but  $130.77  of  the  allowance  in  hand, 
a sum  hardly  sufficient  to  pay  travelling  expenses  to  the  close  of  the  year  ending 
December  31,  1884. 

The  Inspector  also  deems  this  the  proper  place  in  which  to  state  that,  owing  to 
no  appropriation  having  been  made  for  office  purposes,  he  has  been  compelled  to 
establish  an  office  in  his  own  home,  where  the  business  has  been  necessarily  carried 
on  at  some  disadvantage.  The  Inspector  should  have  an  office  located  with  refer- 
ence to  the  class  of  persons  with  whom  he  has  official  relations,  so  that  he  can  be 
at  all  times  easily  accessible.” 

In  pursuance  of  the  recommendations  in  Inspector  Dorn’s  first  report  an 
amendment  to  the  act  creating  the  office  was  passed  April  25, 1885.  The  amend- 
ment made  provision  for  the  inspection  of  all  workshops  and  factories,  the  act  of 
1884  providing  only  for  the  inspection  of  those  employing  ten  or  more  persons. 
It  also  gave  the  chief-inspector  power  to  appoint  three  assistant  inspectors,  each 
at  a salary  of  $1,000  per  year  and  $500  for  travelling  expenses ; continuing  the 
salary  of  the  chief-inspector  at  $1,500  annually,  with  $600  additional  as  a con- 
tingent fund  for  office  and  other  incidental  expenses.  Provision  was  also  made 
for  a room  in  the  State-house  for  the  transaction  of  the  business  of  the  office. 
With  1>hese  increased  facilities  the  work  of  inspection  was  very  much  extended 
and  the  efficiency  of  the  office  greatly  increased. 

In  1886  the  efficiency  of  the  office  was  still  further  increased  by  a small 
appropriation  for  clerical  hire ; previous  to  this  all  the  clerical  work  of  the  office 
had  been  performed  by  the  chief-inspector. 

During  the  year  1877  the  number  of  shops  and  factories  visited  was  3,581, 
being  an  increase  of  474  over  the  previous  year. 

Again,  from  a later  report,  we  quote  Mr.  Dorn’s  language : 

“ When  the  great  number  of  establishments*  in  the  State  engaged  in  the  various 
branches  of  industry — over  20,000  in  1880,  according  to  the  federal  census  of  that 
year — using  every  conceivable  kind  of  machinery,  employing  hundreds  of 
thousands  of  people,  of  all  ages  and  conditions,  from  the  delicate  child  of  eight 
or  nine  years  to  the  gray-haired  man  and  woman,  some  little  idea  may  be  formed 
of  the  interests  involved  and  the  importance  to  the  State  of  a complete  and  satis- 
factory inspection  of  these  numerous  generators  of  disease  and  death  as  well  as 
of  wealth.  The  magnitude  of  the  duties  devolving  upon  the  chief-inspector  and 
his  assistants  can  readily  be  seen,  and  to  enable  them  to  accomplish  the  purposes 
for  which  they  were  appointed  they  require,  and  should  receive,  the  hearty  sup- 
port of  every  intelligent  citizen  of  the  State. 

The  importance,  if  not  the  necessity,  of  a thorough  inspection  of  all  places 
where  people  are  employed  at  labor,  no  matter  what  the  character  of  the  work, 
must  be  apparent  to  every  person  who  has  given  the  subject  the  least  considera- 
tion. On  the  thoroughness  of  such  inspection  depends,  in  a great  measure,  the 
safety  of  tens  of  thousands  of  our  population,  men,  women,  and  children.  And 
who  will  claim  that  there  is  anything  more  deserving  the  careful  attention  of  the 
General  Assembly  than  the  lives  and  health  of  the  people  on  whom  the  State 
depends  for  its  wealth  and  prosperity?  This  subject  transcends  in  importance 
all  other  matters  coming  before  the  Legislature,  with  the  possible  exception  of 
that  of  education. 

Not  only  Ohio,  but  most  of  the  other  States,  as  well  as  the  general  government 
have  provided,  by  the  creation  of  commissions  and  the  expenditure  of  large  sums 
of  money  for  the  protection  of  domestic  animals  from  contagious  and  other  dis- 
eases, and  from  brutal  treatment  by  their  owners  and  others  having  them  in 
charge.  No  one  objects  to  this ; but,  on  the  contrary,  it  is  continually  urged 
that  the  State  does  not  do  as  much  in  this  behalf  as  it  should.  Figures  of  por- 
tentous magnitude  are  given,  showing  the  immense  value  of  our  live-stock,  and, 
therefore,  the  obligation  of  the  State  to  make  every  effort  to  protect  this  interest 


2i6 


. WORKSHOPS  AND  FACTORIES. 


This  protection  is  asked  mainly  in  the  interest  of  owners,  a purely  dollar-and- 
cent  view  of  the  question.  The  urgency  for  legislative  action  in  any  particular 
case  seems  to  be  proportioned  to  the  monetary  value  of  the  interest  involved. 
And  no  one  questions  the  propriety  of  such  legislation.  The  fruits  of  their  toil 
should  be  secured  to  the  toilers  as  far  as  they  can  be  by  the  State  without  inter- 
fering with  individual  freedom  of  action,  or  attempting  to  lessen  individual  re- 
sponsibility. In  some  cases,  as  in  the  one  under  consideration,  individual, 
isolated  action  is  of  no  avail  to  stay  the  ravages  of  disease,  especially  if  of  a 
contagious  character,  and  the  State  is  called  upon  to  interpose  its  power,  not  for 
the  especial  benefit  of  a single  individual  or  of  a class,  but  in  the  interest  of  all. 
It  was  for  such  purposes  the  State  government  was  established,  that  society  itself 
was  organized. 

If  legislation  for  such  a purpose  is  entitled  to  the  indorsement  of  our  people, 
who  will  question  the  propriety  of  all  legislation  necessary  to  protect  human 
beings — to  protect  the  lives,  the  limbs,  the  health  of  those  who  wield  the  indus- 
trial power  of  the  State,  and  from  whose  ranks,  in  a few  years,  will  come  those 
who  will  administer  the  political  affairs  of  the  State,  and,  to  a great  extent,  give 
tone  to  our  moral  and  social  fabric?  Intelligence  and  moral  worth  are  not 
developed  and  propagated  in  poorly  ventilated  workshops,  nor  are  the  better 
instincts  of  man  assisted  by  maimed  and  mutilated  limbs. 

Owing  to  circumstances  which  it  would  be  out  of  place  to  discuss  here,  many 
children  of  tender  years,  instead  of  attending  school  and  acquiring  the  knowledge 
necessary  to  fit  them  for  future  usefulness,  are  forced  into  workshops  and  fac- 
tories to  assist  their  parents  in  supporting  the  family.  They  are  incapable  of 
forming  correct  opinions  as  to  the  sanitary  conditions  of  the  places  in  which  they 
are  employed,  of  the  safety  of  the  buildings,  or  of  the  dangerous  character  of  the 
machinery  by  which  they  are  surrounded.  If  a bullock  or  a horse  is  considered 
worthy  of  the  protecting  care  of  the  law-making  power  of  the  State,  cerfainly  the 
tender  child,  endowed  with  reason,  immature  and  undeveloped  as  yet,  can  lay 
claim  to  a part  of  the  attention  of  those  whom  the  people  have  entrusted  with  the 
management  of  the  government.  These  children  will,  in  a few  years,  constitute 
a large  portion  of  the  political  power  of  the  State,  and  their  future  characters  and 
worth  to  society  depend  largely  upon  their  happiness  or  unhappiness,  upon  their 
sound  bodies  and  sound  minds,  their  healthy  or  diseased  constitutions,  in  their 
youth.  The  more  they  are  poisoned  by  the  impure  atmosphere  that  too  often 
fills  workshops  from  cellar  to  garret,  or  are  mangled  by  insecure  machinery,  the 
less  likely  they  will  be  to  possess  either  the  ability  or  the  inclination  to  perform 
the  more  important  duties  devolving  upon  them  as  men  and  women  in  such 
manner  as  will  secure  their  own  welfare  as  well  as  that  of  their  fellow-beings. 
These  undeniable  truths  should  be  well  pondered  by  every  one  who  has  the 
welfare  of  his  fellow-creatures  at  heart.  To  make  the  superstructure  durable  the 
foundation  must  be  sound  and  free  from  defects  of  any  kind.” 


f 


ORDINANCE  OF  1787. 

[The  Confederate  Congress,  July  13,  1787.] 

An  Ordinance  for  the  government  of  the  territory  of  the  United  States  northwest  of  the 

river  Ohio. 

Section  1.  Be  it  ordained  by  the  United  States  in  Congress  assembled^  That  the 
said  territory,  for  the  purpose  of  temporary  government,  be  one  district,  subject, 
however,  to  be  divided  into  two  districts,  as  future  circumstances  may,  in  the 
opinion  of  Congress,  make  it  expedient. 

Sec.  2.  Be  it  ordained  by  the  authority  aforesaid,  That  the  estates  both  of 
resident  and  non-resident  proprietors  in  tlie  said  territory,  dying  intestate,  shall 
descend  to,  and  be  distributed  among,  their  children  and  the  descendants  of  a 
deceased  child  in  equal  parts,  the  descendants  of  a deceased  child  or  grandchild 
to  take  the  share  of  their  deceased  parent  in  equal  parts  among  them  ; and 
where  there  shall  be  no  children  or  descendants,  then  in  equal  parts  to  the  next 
of  kin  in  equal  degree;  and  among  collaterals,  the  children  of  a deceased  brother 
or  sister  of  the  intestate  shall  have,  in  equal  parts  among  them,  their  deceased 
parent’s  share;  and  there  shall,  in  no  case,  be  a distinction  between  kindred  of 
the  whole  and  half  blood ; saving  in  all  cases  to  the  widow  of  the  intestate,  her 
third  part  of  the  real  estate  for  life,  and  one-third  part  of  the  personal  estate ; 
and  this  law  relative  to  descents  and  dower,  shall  remain  in  full  force  until 
altered  by  the  legislature  of  the  district.  And  until  the  governor  and  judges 
shall  adopt  laws  as  hereinafter  mentioned,  estates  in  the  said  territory  may  be 
devised  or  bequeathed  by  wills  in  writing,  signed  and  sealed  by  him  or  her  in 
whom  the  estate  may  be,  (being  of  full  age),  and  attested  by  three  witnesses;  and 
real  estates  may  be  conveyed  by  lease  and  release,  or  bargain  and  sale,  signed, 
sealed,  and  delivered  by  the  person,  being  of  full  age,  in  whom  the  estate  may 
be,  and  attested  by  two  witnesses,  provided  such  wills  be  duly  proved,  and  such 
conveyances  be  acknowledged,  or  the  execution  thereof  duly  proved,  and  be  re- 
corded within  one  year  after  proper  magistrates,  courts,  and  registers,  shall  be 
appointed  for  that  purpose;  and  personal  property  may  be  transferred  by  de- 
livery, saving,  however  to  the  French  and  Canadian  inhabitants,  and  other 
settlers  of  the  Kaskaskies,  Saint  Vincents,  and  the  neighboring  villages,  who  have 
heretofore  professed  themselves  citizens  of  Virginia,  their  laws  and  customs  now 
in  force  among  them,  relative  to  the  descent  and  conveyance  of  property. 

Sec.  3.  Be  it  ordained  by  the  authority  aforesaid,  That  there  shall  be  appointed, 
from  time  to  time,  by  Congress,  a governor,  whose  commission  shall  continue  in 
force  for  the  term  of  three  years,  unless  sooner  revoked  by  Congress;  he  shall 
reside  in  the  district,  and  have  a freehold  estate  therein,  in  one  thousand  acres  of 
land,  while  in  the  exercise  of  his  office. 

Sec.  4.  There  shall  he  appointed  from  time  to  time,  by  Congress,  a secre- 
tary, whose  commission  shall  continue  in  force  for  four  years,  unless  sooner 
revoked ; he  shall  reside  in  the  district,  and  have  a freehold  estate  therein,  in  five 
hundred  acres  of  land,  while  in  the  exercise  of  his  office.  It  shall  be  his  duty 
to  keep  and  preserve  the  acts  and  laws  passed  by  the  legislature,  and  the  public 
records  of  the  district,  and  the  proceedings  of  the  governor  in  his  executive  de- 
partment, and  transmit  authentic  copies  of  such  acts  and  proceedings  every  six 
months  to  the  Secretary  of  Congress.  There  shall  also  be  appointed  a court,  to 
consist  of  three  judges,  any  two  of  whom  to  form  a court,  who  shall  have  a 


2I8 


ORDINANCE  OF  1787. 


common-law  jurisdiction,  and  reside  in  the  district,  and  have  each  therein  a free- 
hold estate,  in  five  hundred  acres  of  land,  while  in  the  exercise  of  their  offices ; 
and  their  commissions  shall  continue  in  force  during  good  behavior. 

Sec.  5.  The  governor  and  judges,  or  a majority  of  them,  shall  adopt  and 
publish  in  the  district  such  laws  of  the  original  States,  criminal  and  civil,  as  may 
be  necessary,  and  best  suited  to  the  circumstances  of  the  district,  and  report 
them  to  Congress  from  time  to  time,  which  laws  shall  be  in  force  in  the  district 
until  the  organization  of  the  general  assembly  therein,  unless  disapproved  of  by 
Congress ; but  afterwards  the  legislature  shall  have  authority  to  alter  them  as 
they  shall  think  fit. 

Sec.  6.  The  governor,  for  the  time  being,  shall  be  commander-in-chief  of  the 
Militia,  appoint  and  commission  all  officers  in  the  same  below  the  rank  of  general 
■)fficers  ; all  general  officers  shall  be  appointed  and  commissioned  by  Congress. 

Sec.  7.  Previous  to  the  organization  of  the  general  assembly  the  governor 
ball  appoint  such  magistrates,  and  other  civil  officers,  in  each  county  or  town- 
ihip,  as  he  shall  find  necessary  for  the  preservation  of  the  peace  and  good  order 
n the  same.  After  the  general  assembly  shall  be  organized  the  powers  and 
iuties  of  magistrates  and  other  civil  officers  shall  be  regulated  and  defined  by 
be  said  assembly ; but  all  magistrates  and  other  civil  officers,  not  herein  other- 
vise  directed,  shall,  during  the  continuance  of  this  temporary  government,  be 
appointed  by  the  governor. 

Sec.  8.  For  the  prevention  of  crimes  and  injuries,  the  laws  to  be  adopted 
or  made  shall  have  force  in  all  parts  of  the  district,  and  for  the  execution  of  pro- 
cess, criminal  and  civil,  the  governor  shall  make  proper  divisions  thereof ; and 
he  shall  proceed,  from  time  to  time,  as  circumstances  may  require,  to  lay  out  the 
parts  of  the  district  in  which  the  Indian  titles  shall  have  been  extinguished,  into 
counties  and  townships,  subject,  however,  to  such  alterations  as  may  thereafter 
be  made  by  the  legislature. 

Sec.  9.  So  soon  as  there  shall  be  five  thousand  free  male  inhabitants,  of 
full  age,  in  the  district,  upon  giving  proof  thereof  to  the  governor,  they  shall  re- 
ceive authority,  with  time  and  place,  to  elect  representatives  from  their  counties 
or  townships,  to  represent  them  in  the  general  assembly : Provided^  That  for 
every  five  hundred  free  male  inhabitants  there  shall  be  one  representative,  and 
so  on,  progressively,  with  the  number  of  free  male  inhabitants,  shall  the  right  of 
representation  increase,  until  the  number  of  representatives  shall  amount  to 
twenty-five ; after  which  the  number  and  proportion  of  representatives  shall  be 
regulated  by  the  legislature ; Provided,  That  no  person  be  eligible  or  qualified 
to  act  as  a representative,  unless  he  shall  have  been  a citizen  of  one  of  the  United 
States  three  years,  and  be  a resident  in  the  district,  or  unless  he  shall  have  re- 
sided in  the  district  three  years ; and,  in  either  case,  shall  likewise  hold  in  his 
own  right,  in  fee-simple,  two  hundred  acres  of  land  within  the  same : Provided 
^Iso,  That  a freehold  in  fifty  acres  of  land  in  the  district,  having  been  a citizen 
of  one  of  the  States,  and  being  resident  in  the  district,  or  the  like  freehold  and 
two  years’  residence  in  the  district,  shall  be  necessary  to  Qualify  a man  as  an 
elector  of  a representative. 

Sec.  10.  The  representatives  thus  elected  shall  serve  for  the  term  of  two 
fears  ; and  in  case  of  the  death  of  a representative,  or  removal  from  office,  the 
governor  shall  issue  a writ  to  the  county  or  township,  for  which  he  was  a 
member,  to  elect  another  in  his  stead,  to  serve  for  the  residue  of  the  term. 

Sec.  11.  The  general  assembly,  or  legislature,  shall  consist  of  the  governor, 
legislative  council,  and  a house  of  representatives.  The  legislative  council  shall 
consist  of  five  members,  to  continue  in  office  five  years,  unless  sooner  removed 
by  Congress ; any  three  of  whom  to  be  a quorum  ; and  the  members  of  the 
council  shall  be  nominated  and  appointed  in  the  following  manner,  to  wit:  As 
soon  as  representatives  shall  be  elected  the  governor  shall  appoint  a time  and 
place  for  them  to  meet  together,  and  when  met  they  shall  nominate  ten  persons, 
resident  in  the  district,  and  each  possessed  of  a freehold  in  five  hundred  acres  of 
land,  and  return  their  names  to  Congress,  five  of  whom  Congress  shall  appoint 
and  commission  to  serve  as  aforesaid ; and  whenever  a vacancy  shall  happen  in 
the  council,  by  death  or  removal  from  office,  the  house  of  representatives  shall 
nominate  two  persons,  qualified  as  aforesaid,  for  each  vacancy,  and  return  their 


ORDINANCE  OF  1787. 


219 


names  to  Congress,  one  of  whom  Congress  shall  appoint  and  commission  for  the 
residue  of  the  term  ; and  every  five  years,  four  months  at  least  before  the  expira- 
tion of  the  time  of  service  of  the  members  of  the  council,  the  said  house  shall 
nominate  ten  persons,  qualified  as  aforesaid,  and  return  their  names  to  Congress, 
five  of  whom  Congress  shall  appoint  and  commission  to  serve  as  members  of  the 
council  five  years,  unless  sooner  removed.  And  the  governor,  legislative  council, 
and  house  of  representatives  shall  have  authority  to  make  laws  in  all'  cases  for 
the  good  government  of  the  district,  not  repugnant  to  the  principles  and  articles 
in  this  ordinance  established  and  declared.  And  all  bills,  having  passed  by  a 
majority  in  the  house,  and  by  a majority  in  the  council,  shall  be  referred  to  the 
governor  for  his  assent;  but  no  bill,  or  legislative  act  whatever,  shall  be  of  any 
force  without  his  assent.  The  governor  shall  have  power  to  convene,  prorogue, 
and  dissolve  the  general  assembly  when,  in  his  opinion,  it  shall  be  expedient. 

Sec.  12.  The  governor,  judges,  legislative  council,  secretary,  and  such  other 
officers  as  Congress  shall  appoint  in  the  district,  shall  take  an  oath  or  affirmation 
of  fidelit}^  and  of  office ; the  governor  before  the  President  of  Congress,  and  all 
other  officers  before  the  governor.  As  soon  as  a legislature  shall  be  formed  in 
the  district,  the  council  and  house  assembled,  in  one  room,  shall  have  authority, 
by  joint  ballot,  to  elect  a delegate  to  Congress,  who  shall  have  a seat  in  Congress, 
with  a right  of  debating,  but  not  of  voting,  during  this  temporary  government. 

Sec.  13.  And  for  extending  the  fundamental  principles  of  civil  and  religious 
liberty,  which  form  the  basis  whereon  these  republics,  their  laws  and  constitu- 
tions, are  erected;  to  fix  and  establish  those  principles  as  the  basis  of  all  laws, 
constitutions,  and  governments,  which  forever  hereafter  shall  be  formed  in  the 
said  territory ; to  provide,  also,  for  the  establishment  of  States,  and  permanent 
government  therein,  and  for  their  admission  to  a share  in  the  Federal  councils  on 
an  equal  footing  with  the  original  States,  at  as  early  periods  as  may  be  consistent 
with  the  general  interest : 

Sec.  14.  It  is  hereby  ordained  and  declared,  by  the  authority  aforesaid,  that 
the  following  articles  shall  be  considered  as  articles  of  compact,  between  the 
original  States  and  the  people  and  States  in  the  said  territory,  and  forever  remain 
unalterable,  unless  by  common  consent,  to  wit : 

ARTICLE  I. 

No  person,  demeaning  himself  in  a peaceable  and  orderly  manner,  shall  ever 
be  molested  on  account  of  his  mode  of  worship,  or  religious  sentiments,  in  the 
said  territory. 

ARTICLE  II. 

The  inhabitants  of  the  said  territory  shall  always  be  entitled  to  the  benefits  of 
the  writs  of  habeas  corpus^  and  of  the  trial  by  jury ; of  a proportionate  repre- 
sentation of  the  people  in  the  legislature,  and  of  judicial  proceedings  according 
to  the  course  of  the  common  law.  All  persons  shall  be  bailable,  unless  for 
capital  offences,  where  the  proof  shall  be  evident,  or  the  presumption  great.  All 
fines  shall  be  moderate;  and  no  cruel  or  unusual  punishments  shall  be  inflicted. 
No  man  shall  be  deprived  of  his  liberty  or  property,  but  by  the  judgment  of  his 
peers,  or  the  law  of  the  land,  and  should  the  public  exigencies  make  it  necessary, 
for  the  common  preservation,  to  take  any  person’s  property,  or  to  demand  his 
particular  services,  full  compensation  shall  be  made  for  the  same.  And,  in  the^ 
just  preservation  of  rights  and  property,  it  is  understood  and  declared,  that  no 
law  ought  ever  to  be  made  or  have  force  in  the  said  territory,  that  shall,  in  any 
manner  whatever,  interfere  with  or  affect  private  contracts,  or  engagements,  bona 
fide,  and  without  fraud  previously  formed. 

ARTICLE  III. 

Religion,  morality,  and  knowledge  being  necessary  to  good  government  and  the 
happiness  of  mankind,  schools  and  the  means  of  education  shall  forever  be 
encouraged.  The  utmost  good  faith  shall  always  be  observed  towards  the 
Indians ; their  lands  and  property  shall  never  be  taken  from  them  without  their 
consent ; and  in  their  property,  rights,  and  liberty  they  never  shall  be  invaded 
or  disturbed,  unless  in  just  and  lawful  wars  authorized  by  Congress;  but  laws 


220 


ORDINANCE  OF  1787. 


founded  in  justice  and  humanity  shall,  from  time  to  time,  be  made,  for  prevent- 
ing wrongs  being  done  to  them,  and  for  preserving  peace  and  friendship  with 
them. 

ARTICLE  IV. 

The  said  territory,  and  the  States  which  may  be  formed  therein,  shall  forever 
remain  a part  of  tins  confederacy  of  the  United  States  of  America,  subject  to  the 
Articles  of  Confederation,  and  to  such  alterations  therein  as  shall  be  constitu- 
tionally made  ; and  to  all  the  acts  and  ordinances  of  the  United  States  in  Congress 
assembled,  conformable  thereto.  The  inhabitants  and  settlers  in  the  said  territory 
shall  be  subject  to  pay  a part  of  the  Federal  debts,  contracted,  or  to  be  contracted, 
and  a proportional  part  of  the  expenses  of  government  to  be  apportioned  on 
them  by  Congress,  according  to  the  same  common  rule  and  measure  by  which 
apportionments  thereof  shall  be  made  on  the  other  States ; and  the  taxes  for 
paying  their  proportion  shall  be  laid  and  levied  by  the  authority  and  direction 
of  the  legislatures  of  the  districts,  or  districts,  or  new  States,  as  in  the  original 
States,  within  the  time  agreed  upon  by  the  United  States  in  Congress  assembled. 
The  legislatures  of  those  districts,  or  new  States,  shall  never  interfere  with  the 
primary  disposal  of  the  soil  by  the  United  States  in  Congress  assembled,  nor  with 
any  regulations  Congress  may  find  necessary  for  securing  the  title  in  such  soil  to 
the  bona-fide  purchasers.  No  tax  shall  be  imposed  on  lands  the  property  of  the 
United  States ; and  in  no  case  shall  non-resident  proprietors  be  taxed  higher  than 
residents.  The  navigable  waters  leading  into  the  Mississippi  and  Saint  Lawrence, 
and  the  carrying  places  between  the  same,  shall  be  common  highways,  and  for- 
ever free,  as  well  to  the  inhabitants  of  the  said  territory  as  to  the  citizens  of  the 
United  States,  and  those  of  any  other  States  that  may  be  admitted  into  the  con- 
federacy, without  any  tax,  impost,  or  duty  therefor. 

ARTICLE  V. 

There  shall  be  formed  in  the  said  territory  not  less  than  three  nor  more  than 
five  States;  and  the  boundaries  of  the  States,  as  soon  as  Virginia  shall  alter  her 
act  of  cession  and  consent  to  the  same,  shall  become  fixed  and  established  as 
follows,  to  wit:  The  western  State, in  the  said  territory,  shall  be  bounded  by  the 
Mississippi,  the  Ohio,  and  the  Wabash  Rivers  ; a direct  line  drawn  from  the 
Wabash  and  Post  Vincents,  due  north,  to  the  territorial  line  between  the  United 
States  and  Canada;  and  by  the  said  territorial  line  to  the  Lake  of  the  Woods 
and  Mississippi.  The  middle  State  shall  be  bounded  by  the  said  direct  line,  the 
Wabash  from  Post  Vincents  to  the  Ohio,  by  the  Ohio,  by  a direct  line  drawn  due 
north  from  the  mouth  of  the  Great  Miami  to  the  said  territorial  line,  and  by  the 
said  territorial  line.  The  eastern  State  shall  be  bounded  by  the  last-mentioned 
direct  line,  the  Ohio,  the  Penns3dvania,  and  the  said  territorial  line : Provided^ 
hoioever,  And  it  is  further  understood  and  declared,  that  the  boundaries  of  these 
three  States  shall  be  subject  so  far  to  be  altered,  that,  if  Congress  shall  hereafter 
find  it  expedient,  they  shall  have  authority  to  form  one  or  two  States  in  that 
part  of  the  said  territory  which  lies  north  of  an  east  and  west  line  drawn  through 
the  southerly  bend  or  extreme  of  Lake  Michigan.  And  whenever  any  of  the 
said  States  shall  have  sixty  thousand  free  inhabitants  therein,  such  State  shall 
be  admitted,  by  its  delegates,  into  the  Congress  of  the  United  States,  on  an  equal 
footing  with  the  original  States,  in  all  respects  whatever;  and  shall  be  at  liberty 
to  form  a permanent  constitution  and  State  government:  Provided^  The  constitu- 
tion and  government,  so  to  be  formed,  shall  be  republican,  and  in  conformity  to 
the  principles  contained  in  these  articles,  and,  so  far  as  it  can  be  consistent  with 
the  general  interest  of  the  confederacy,  such  admission  shall  be  allowed  at  an 
earlier  period,  and  when  there  may  be  a less  number  of  free  inhabitants  in  the 
State  than  sixty  thousand. 


ARTICLE  VI. 

There  shall  be  neither  slavery  nor  involuntary  servitude  in  the  said  territory, 
otherwise  than  in  the  punishment  of  crimes,  whereof  the  party  shall  have  been 
duly  convicted:  Provided  always^  That  any  person  escaping  into  the  same,  from 


ORDINANCE  OF  1787. 


221 


whom  labor  or  service  is  lawfully  claimed  in  any  one  of  the  original  States,  such 
fugitive  may  be  lawfully  reclaimed,  and  conveyed  to  the  person  claiming  his  or 
her  labor  or  service  as  aforesaid. 

Be  it  ordained  by  the  authority  aforesaid,  That  the  resolutions  of  the  23d  of 
April,  1784,  relative  to  the  subject  of  this  ordinance,  be,  and  the  same  are  hereby, 
repealed,  and  declared  null  and  void. 

Done  by  the  United  States,  in  Congress  assembled,  the  13th  day  of  July,  in 
year  of  our  Lord  1787,  and  of  their  sovereignty  and  independence  the  twelfth. 


<3 


John  Cone  Kimball,  Photo.,  Peabody  Museum. 

Serpent  Mound  Park. 

[The  skeleton  was  found  three  feet  below  the  surface  of  the  mound.  The  bones  below  the  femora 
were  removed  before  the  rest  of  the  skeleton  was  uncovered.] 


John  Cone  Kimball,  Photo.,  Peabody  Museum 

Serpent  :Mound  Park. 

Showing  three  full  folds  of  the  Serpent  from  the  neck  to  the  central  portion  of  the  body.] 


COUNTIES 


ADAMS. 


Adams  County  lies  on  the  Ohio  River  fifty  miles  east  of  Cincinnati  and 
one  hundred  south  of  Columbus.  It  derives  its  name  from  John  Adams, 
second  President  of  the  United  States.  It  was  formed  July  lo,  1797,  by 
proclamation  of  Governor  St.  Clair  being  then  one  of  the  four  counties  into 
which  the  North-west  Territory  was  divided.  The  three  others  previously 
formed  were  Washington,  July  27,  1788;  Hamilton,  Jan.  2,  1790;  and 
Wayne,  1796.  The  land  is  generally  hilly  and  broken.  Many  of  its  first 
settlers  were  from  Virginia,  Kentucky,  and  North  Ireland.  It  has  625 
square  miles.  In  1885  the  acres  cultivated  were  85,873  ; woodland,  84,598; 
lying  waste,  11,123.  Productions:  corn,  bushels  94,223;  oats,  105,645; 
wheat,  88,533,  and  tobacco  1,600,976,  being  the  eighth  county  in  amount  in 
the  State.  School  census  1886,8750;  teachers,  176.  It  has  28  miles  of 
railroad. 


Townships  and  Census, 

1840 

1880 

1840 

1880 

Bratton 

1053 

Monroe 

828 

1400 

Franklin 

1358 

1541 

Oliver 

1064 

Green 

1081 

1886 

Scott 

916 

1192 

Jefferson 

938 

3444 

Sprigg 

1984 

2652 

Liberty 

1096 

1355 

Tiffin 

1533 

2212 

Manchester 

1493 

Wayne 

858 

1125 

Meigs 

1071 

2124 

Winchester 

1 1 12 

1464 

The  population  in  1820  was  10,406;  in  1840,  13,271  ; in  i860,  20,309  and 
in  1880,  24,005  of  whom  212  were  employed  in  manufactures,  and  20,516 
were  Ohio  born. 

The  first  settlement  within  1>he  Virginia  military  tract,  and  the  only  one 
between  the  Scioto  and  Little  Miami  until  after  the  treaty  of  Greenville, 
in  1795,  was  made  in  this  county,  at  Manchester,  by  the  then  Col.,  later, 
Gen.  Nathaniel  Massie.  McDonald,  in  his  unpretending,  but  excellent 
little  volume,  says : 


Manchester  Settled. — Massie,  in  the  win- 
ter of  the  year  1790,  determined  to  make  a 
settlement  in  it,  that  he  might  be  in  the 
midst  of  his  surveying  operations  and  secure 
his  party  from  danger  and  exposure.  In  or- 
der to  effect  this  he  gave  general  notice  in 
Kentucky  of  his  intention,  and  offered  each 
of  the  first  twenty-five  families,  as  a dona- 
tion, one  in-lot,  one  out-lot,  and  one  hundred 


acres  of  land,  provided  they  would  settle  in  a 
town  he  intended  to  lay  off  at  his  settlement. 
His  proffered  terms  were  soon  closed  in  with, 
and  upwards  of  thirty  families  joined  him. 
After  various  consultations  with  his  friends, 
the  bottom  on  the  Ohio  River,  opposite  the 
lower  of  the  Three  Islands,  was  selected  as 
the  most  eligible  spot.  Here  he  fixed  his 
station,  and  laid  off  into  lots  a town,  now 


(223) 


224 


ADAMS  COUNTY. 


called  Manchester,  at  this  time  a small 
place,  about  twelve  miles  above  Maysville 
(formerly  Limestone),  Kentucky.  This  lit- 
tle confederacy,  with  Massie  at  the  helm 
(who  was  the  soul  of  it),  went  to  work  with 
spirit.  Cabins  were  raised  and  by  the  mid- 
dle of  March,  1791,  the  whole  town  was  en- 
closed with  strong  pickets  firmly  fixed  in 
the  ground  with  block  houses  at  each  angle 
for  defence. 

Thus  was  the  first  settlement  in  the  Vir- 
ginia military  district  and  the  fourth  settle- 
ment in  the  bounds  of  the  State  of  Ohio  ef- 
fected. Although  this  settlement  was  com- 
menced in  the  hottest  Indian  war  it  suf- 
fered less  from  depredation,  and  even  inter- 
ruptions from  the  Indians,  than  any  settle- 
ment previously  made  on  the  Ohio  River. 
This  was  no  doubt  owing  to  the  watch- 
ful band  of  brave  spirits  who  guarded 
the  place — men  who  were  reared  in  the 
midst  of  danger  and  inured  to  perils,  and  as 
watcl)ful  as  hawks.  Here  were  the  Beasleys, 
the  Stouts,  the  Washburns,  the  Ledoms,  the 


Edgingtons,  the  Denings,  the  Ellisons,  the 
Utts,  the  McKenzies,  the  Wades,  and  others, 
who  were  equal  to  the  Indians  in  all  the  arts 
and  stratagems  of  border  war. 

As  soon  as  Massie  had  completely  pre- 
pared his  station  for  defence,  the  whole  pop- 
ulation went  to  work  and  cleared  the  lower 
of  the  Three  Islands,  and  planted  it  in  corn. 
The  island  was  very  rich,  and  produced 
heavy  crops.  The  woods  with  a little  indus- 
try, supplied  a choice  variety  of  game.  Deer, 
elk,  buffalo,  bears,  and  turkeys,  were  abun- 
dant, while  the  river  furnished  a variety  of 
excellent  fish.  The  wants  of  the  inhabitants, 
under  these  circumstances,  were  few  and 
easily  gratified. 

When  this  station  was  made,  the  nearest 
neighbors  north-west  of  the  Ohio  were  the 
inhabitants  at  Columbia,  a settlement  below 
the  mouth  of  the  Little  Miami,  five  miles 
above  Cincinnati;  and  at  Gallipolis,  a French 
settlement  near  the  mouth  of  the  Great  Ken 
hawa. 


The  station  being  established,  Massie  continued  to  make  locations  and 
surveys.  Great  precautions  were  necessary  to  avoid  the  Indians,  and  even 
these  did  not  always  avail,  as  is  shown  by  the  following  incidents,  the  first 
of  which  we  copy  from  the  American  Pioneer. 

ISRAEL  DONALSON’S  NARRATIVE  OF  HIS  CAPTIVITY. 


I am  not  sure  whether  it  was  the  last 
of  March  or  first  of  April  I came  to  the  ter- 
ritory to  reside;  but  on  the  night  of  the  21st 
of  April,  1791,  Mr  Massie  and  myself  were 
sleeping  together  on  our  blankets  (for  beds 
we  had  none),  on  the  loft  of  our  cabin,  to  get 
out  of  the  way  of  the  fleas  and  gnats.  Soon 
after  lying  down  I began  dreaming  of  Indi- 
ans, and  continued  to  do  so  through  the 
night.  Some  time  in  the  night,  however, 
whether  Mr.  Massie  ’waked  of  himself,  or 
whether  I wakened  him,  I cannot  now  say, 
but  I observed  to  him  I did  not  know  what 
was  to  be  the  consequence,  for  I had 
dreamed  more  about  Indians  that  night  than 
in  all  the  time  I had  been  in  the  western 
country  before.  As  is  common,  he  made 
light  of  it,  and  we  dropped  again  to  sleep. 
He  asked  me  next  morning  if  I would  go 
with  him  up  the  river,  about  four  or  five 
miles  to  make  a survey,  and  that  William 
Lytle,  who  was  then  at  the  fort,  was  going 
along.  We  were  both  young  surveyors,  and 
were  glad  of  the  opportunity  to  practice. 

TaJceti  Captive. — Accordingly  we  three, 
and  a James  Tittle,  from  Kentucky,  who  was 
about  buying  the  land,  got  on  board  of  a 
canoe,  and  were  a long  time  going  up,  the 
river  being  very  high  at  the  time.  We  com- 
menced at  the  mouth  of  a creek,  which  from 
that  day  has  been  called  Donalson  creek. 
We  meandered  up  the  river ; Mr.  Massie 
had  the  compass,  Mr.  Lytle  and  myself  car- 
ried the  chain.  We  had  progressed  perhaps 
one  hundred  and  forty,  or  one  hundred  and 
fifty  poles,  when  our  chain  broke  or  parted. 


but  with  the  aid  of  the  tomahawk  we  soon 
repaired  it.  We  were  then  close  to  a large 
mound,  and  were  standing  in  a triangle,  and 
Lytle  and  myself  were  amusing  ourselves 
pointing  out  to  Tittle  the  great  convenience 
he  would  have  by  building  his  house  on  that 
mound,  when  the  one  standing  with  his  face 
up  the  river,  spoke  and  said,  “ Boys,  there  are 
Indians.  ” “ No,”  repiled  the  other,  “ they 
are  Frenchmen.”  By  this  time  I had  caught 
a glimpse  of  them  ; I said  they  were  Indians, 
I begged  them  to  fire.  I had  no  gun,  and 
from  the  advantage  we  had,  did  not  think  of 
running  until  they  started.  The  Indians 
were  in  two  small  bark  canoes,  and  were 
close  into  shore  and  discovered  us  just  at 
the  instant  we  saw  them ; and  before  I 
started  to  run  I saw  one  jump  on  shore. 
We  took  out  through  the  bottom,  and  before 
getting  to  the  hill,  came  to  a spring  branch. 
I was  in  the  rear,  and  as  I went  to  jump, 
something  caught  my  foot,  and  I fell  on  the 
opposite  side.  They  were  then  so  close,  I 
saw  there  was  no  chance  of  escape,  and  did 
not  offer  to  rise.  Three  warriors  first  came 
up,  presented  their  guns  all  ready  to  fire,  but 
as  I made  no  resistance  they  took  them 
down,  and  one  of  them  gave  me  his  hand  to 
help  me  up.  At  this  time  Mr.  Lytle  was 
about  a chain’s  length  before  me,  and  threw 
away  his  hat ; one  of  the  Indians  went  for- 
ward and  picked  it  up.  They  then  took  me 
back  to  the  bank  of  the  river,  and  set  me 
down  while  they  put  up  their  stuff,  and  pre- 
-pared  for  a march.  While  sitting  on  the 
bp  ilk  of  the  river,  I could  see  the  men  walk- 


ADAMS  COUNTY, 


225 


ing  about  the  block-house  on  the  Kentucky 
shore,  but  they  heard  nothing  of  it. 

Evening  Camp.—Th&y  went  on  rapidly  that 
evening  and  camped  I think  on  the  waters  of 
Eagle  creek;  started  next  morning  early,  it 
raining  hard,  and  one  of  them  seeing  my 
hat  was  somewhat  convenient  to  keep  off  the 
rain  came  up  and  took  it  off  my  head  and 
put  it  on  his  own.  By  this  time  I had  dis- 
covered some  friendship  in  a very  lusty  In- 
dian, I think  the  one  that  first  came  up  to 
me  ; I made  signs  to  him  that  one  had  taken 
my  hat ; he  went  and  took  it  off  the  other  In- 
dian’s head  and  placed  it  again  on  rnine,  but 
hai  not  gone  far  before  they  took  it  again. 

I complained  as  before,  but  my  friend  shook 
his  head,  took  down  and  opened  his  budget, 
and  took  out  a sort  of  blanket  cap,  and  put  it 
on  my  head.  We  went  on  ; it  still  rained 
hard  and  the  waters  were  very  much  swollen, 
and  when  my  friend  discovered  that  I was 
timorous,  he  would  lock  his*  arm  in  mine 
and  lead  me  through,  and  frequently  in  open 
woods  when  1 would  get  tired  I would  do 
the  same  thing  with  him  and  walk  for  miles. 
They  did  not  make  me  carry  anything  until 
Sunday  or  Monday.  They  got  into  a thicket 
of  game  and  killed,  I think,  two  bears  and 
some  deer ; they  then  halted  and  jerked  their 
meat,  eat  a large  portion,  peeled  some  bark, 
made  a kind  of  box,  filled  it,  and  put  it  on 
me  to  carry.  I soon  got  tired  of  it  and  threw 
it  down  ; they  raised  a great  laugh,  examined 
my  back,  applied  some  bear’s  oil  to  it  and 
then  put  on  the  box  again.  I went  on  some 
distance  and  threw  it  down  again;  my  friend 
then  took  it  up,  threw  it  over  his  head  and 
carried  it.  It  weighed,  I thought,  at  least 
fifty  pounds. 

While  resting  one  day,  one  of  the  Indians 
broke  up  little  sticks  and  laid  them  up  in  the 
form  of  a fence,  then  took  out  a grain  of 
corn,  as  carefully  wrapped  up  as  people 
used  to  wrap  up  guineas  in  olden  times  ; 
this  they  planted  and  called  out  squaw,  sig- 
nifying to  me  that  that  would  be  my  em- 
ployment with  the  squaws.  But,  notwith- 
standing my  situation  at  the  time,  I thought 
they  would  not  eat  much  corn  of  my  raising. 
On  Tuesday,  as  we  were  traveling  along, 
there  came  to  us  a white  man  and  an  Indian 
on  horseback ; they  had  a long  talk,  and 
when  they  rode  off,  the  Indians  I was  with 
seemed  considerably  alarmed  ; they  immedi- 
ately formed  in  Indian  file,  placed  me  in  the 
center  and  shook  a war  club  over  my  head, 
and  showed  me  by  these  gestures  that  if  I 
attempted  to  run  away  they  would  kill  me. 

The  Shawanee  Camp. — We  soon  after  ar- 
rived at  the  Shawanee  camp,  where  we  con- 
tinued until  late  in  the  afternoon  of  the  next 
day.  During  our  stay  there  they  trained  my 
hair  to  their  own  fashion,  put  a jewel  of  tin 
in  my  nose,  etc.,  etc.  The  Indians  met  with 
great  formality  when  we  came  to  the  camp 
which  was  very  spacious.  One  side  was 
entirely  cleared  out  for  -our  use,  and  the 
party  I was  with  passed  the  camp  to  my  great 
mortification,  I thinking  they  were  going 


on  ; but  on  getting  to  the  further  end  they 
wheeled  short  round,  came  into  the  camp, 
sat  down — not  a whisper.  In  a few  minutes 
two  of  the  oldest  got  up,  went  round,  shook 
hands,  came  and  sat  down  again  ; then  the 
Shawanees  rising  simultaneously  came  and 
shook  hands  with  them.  A few  of  the  first 
took  me  by  the  hand,  but  one  refused,  and 
I did  not  offer  them  my  hand  again  not  con- 
sidering it  any  great  honor.  Soon  after  a 
kettle  of  bears’  oil,  and  some  craclins  were 
set  before  us,  and  we  began  eating,  they  first 
chewing  the  meat,  then  dipping  it  into  the 
bears’  oil,  which  I tried  to  be  excused  from, 
but  they  compelled  me  to  it,  which  tried  my 
stomach,  although  by  this  time  hunger  had 
compelled  me  to  eat  many  a dirty  morsel. 
Early  in  the  afternoon  an  Indian  came  to 
the  camp  and  was  met  by  his  party  just 
outside,  when  they  formed  a circle  and  he 
spoke,  I thought,  near  an  hour,  and  so  pro- 
found was  the  silence  that  had  they  been  on' 
a board  floor  I thought  the  fall  of  a pin 
might  have  been  heard.  I rightly  judged  of 
the  disaster,  for  the  day  before  I was  taken 
I was  at  Limestone,  and  was  solicited  to 
join  a party  that  was  goifig  down  to  the 
mouth  of  Snag  creek  where  some  Indian 
canoes  where  discovered  hid  in  the  willows. 
The  party  went  and  divided,  some  came  over 
to  the  Indian  shore  and  some  remained  in 
Kentucky,  and  they  succeeded  in  killing 
nearly  the  whole  party. 

Two  White  Men. — There  was  at  this 
camp  two  white  men  ; one  of  them  could 
swear  in  English,  but  very  imperfectly,  hav- 
ing I suppose  been  taken  young ; the  other, 
who  could  speak  good  English,  told  me  he 
was  from  South  Carolina.  He  then  told  me 
different  names  which  I have  forgotten,  ex- 
cept that  of  Ward  ; asked  if  I knew  the 
Wards  that  lived  near  Washington, Kentucky. 
I told  him  I did,  and  wanted  him  to  leave 
the  Indians  and  go  to  his  brother’s,  and  take 
me  with  him.  He  told  me  he  preferred  stay- 
ing with  the  Indians,  that  he  might  nab  the 
whites.  He  ^nd  I had  a great  deal  of  chat, 
and  disagreed  in  ^almost  everything.  He 
told  me  they  had*  taken  a prisoner  by  the 
name  of  Towns,  that  had  lived  near  Wash- 
ington, Kentucky,  and  that  he  had  attempted 
to  run  away,  and  they  killed  him.  But  the 
truth  was,  they  had  taken  Timothy  Downing 
the  day  before  I was  taken,  in  the  neighbor- 
hood of  Blue  Licks,  and  had  got  within  four 
or  five  miles  of  that  camp,  and  night  coming 
on,  and  it  being  very  rainy,  they  concluded  to 
camp. 

There  were  but  two  Indians,  an  old  chief 
and  his  son ; Downing  watched  his  op- 
portunity, got  hold  of  a squaw-axe  and 
gave  the  fatal  blow.  His  object  was  to 
bring  the  young  Indian  in  a prisoner;  he 
said  he  had  been  so  kind  to  him  he  could 
not  think  of  killing  him.  But  the  instant  he 
struck  his  father,  the  young  man  sprung  up- 
on his  back  and  confined  him  so  that  it  was 
with  difficulty  he  extricated  himself  from  his 
grasp.  Downing  made  then  for  his  horse. 


226 


ADAMS  COUNTY. 


and  the  Indian  for  the  camp.  The  horse  he 
caught  and  mounted ; but  not  being  a woods- 
man, struck  the  Ohio  a little  below  Scioto, 
just  as  a boat  was  passing.  They  would 
not  land  for  him  until  he  rode  several  miles 
and  convinced  them  that  he  was  no  decoy, 
and  so  close  was  the  pursuit,  that  the  boat 
had  only  gained  the  stream  when  the  enemy 
appeared  on  the  shore.  He  had  severely 
wounded  the  young  Indian  in  the  scuffle,  but 
did  not  know  it  until  I told  him.  Bat  to  re- 
curn  to  my  own  narrative  : two  of  the  party, 
viz.,  my  friend  and  another  Indian,  turned 
back  from  this  camp  to  do  other  mischief, 
and  never  before  had  I parted  with  a friend 
with  the  same  regret.  We  left  the  Shawanee 
camp  about  the  middle  of  the  afternoon,  they 
under  great  excitement.  What  detained 
them  I know  not,  for  they  had  a number  of 
their  horses  up  and  their  packs  on  from 
early  in  the  morning.  I think  they  had  at 
least  one  hundred  of  the  best  horses  that  at 
that  time  Kentucky  could  afford.  They  cal- 
culated on  being  pursued  and  they  were 
right,  for  the  next  day,  viz.,  the  28th  of 
April,  Major  Kenton  with  about  ninety  men 
was  at  the  camp  before  the  fires  were  ex- 
tinguished ; and  I have  always  viewed  it  as 
a providential  circumstance  that  the  enemy 
had  departed,  as  a defeat  on  the  part  of  the 
Kentuckians  would  have  been  inevitable.  I 
never  could  get  the  Indians  in  a position  to 
ascertain  their  precise  number,  but  concluded 
there  were  sixty  or  upward,  as  sprightly 
looking  men  as  I ever  saw  together,  and 
well  equipped  as  they  could  wish  for.  The 
Major  himself  agreed  with  me  that  it  was  a 
happy  circumstance  that  they  were  gone. 

Escapes.  — We  traveled  that  evening  I 
thought  seven  miles  and  encamped  in  the 
edge  of  a prairie,  the  water  a short  distance 
off.  Our  supper  that  night  consisted  of  a 
raccoon  roasted  undressed.  After  this  meal 
I became  thirsty,  and  an  old  warrior  to 
whom  my  friend  had  given  me  in  charge, 
directed  another  to  go  with  me  to  the  water, 
which  made  him  angry ; he  struck  me,  and 
my  nose  bled.  I had  a great  mind  to  return 
the  stroke,  but  did  not.  I then  determined, 
be  the  result  what  it  might,  that  I would  go 
no  farther  with  them.  They  tied  me  and 
laid  me  down  as  usual,  one  of  them  lying 
on  the  rope  on  each  side  of  me  ; they  went 
to  sleep,  and  I to  work  gnawing  and  picking 
the  rope  (made  of  bark)  to  pieces,  but  did 
not  get  loose  until  day  was  breaking.  I 
crawled  off  on  my  hands  and  feet  until  I got 
into  the  edge  of  the  prairie,  and  sat  down 
on  a tussock  to  put  on  my  moccasins,  and 
had  put  on  one  and  was  preparing  to  put  on 
the  other,  when  they  raised  the  yell  and 
took  the  back  track,  and  I believe  they  made 
as  much  noise  as  twenty  white  men-could 
do.  Had  they  been  still  they  might  have 
heard  me,  as  I was  not  more  than  two 
chains’  length  from  them  at  the  time.  But 
I started  and  ran,  carrying  one  moccasin  in 
my  hand  ; and  in  order  to  evade  them,  chose 
the  poorest  ridges  I could  find  ; and  when 


coming  to  tree-logs  lying  crosswise,  would 
run  along  one  and  then  along  the  other.  I 
continued  on  that  way  until  about  ten 
o’clock,  then  ascending  a very  poor  ridge, 
crept  in  between  two  logs,  and  being  very- 
weary  soon  dropped  to  sleep  and  did  not 
waken  until  the  sun  was  almost  down ; I 
traveled  on  a short  distance  further  and 
took  lodging  for  the  night  in  a hollow  tree. 

I think  it  was  on  Saturday  that  I got  to  the 
Miami.  I collected  some  logs,  made  a raft 
by  peeling  bark  and  tying  them  together ; 
but  I soon  found  that  too  tedious  and  aban- 
doned it.  I found  a turkey’s  nest  with  two 
eggs  in  it,  each  one  having  a double  yolk ; 
they  made  two  delicious  meals  for  different 
days. 

Arrives  at  Fort  Washington. — I followed 
down  the  Miami,  until  I struck  Harmar’s 
trace,  made  the  previous  fall,  and  continued 
on  it  until  I came  to  Fort  Washington,  now 
Cincinnati.  I t^ink  it  was  on  the  Sabbath,  the 
first  day  of  May ; I caught  a horse,  tied  a 
piece  of  bark  around  his  under  jaw  on 
which  there  was  a large  tumor  like  a w-art. 
The  bark  rubbed  that,  and  he  became  rest- 
less and  threw  me,  not  hurting  me  much 
however ; I caught  him  again,  and  he  again 
threw  me,  hurting  me  badly.  How  long  I 
lay  insensible  I don’t  know ; but  w-hen  I 
revived  he  was  a considerable  distance  from 
me.  I then  traveled  on  very  slow,  my  feet 
entirely  bare  and  full  of  thorns  and  briers. 
On  Wednesday,  the  day  that  I got  in,  I was 
so  far  gone  that  I thought  it  entirely  useless 
to  make  any  further  exertion,  not  knowing 
what  distance  I was  from  the  river  ; and  1 
took  my  station  at  the  root  of  a tree,  but 
soon  got  into  a state  of  sleeping,  and  either 
dreamt,  or  thought,  that  I should  not  be  loi- 
tering away  my  time,  that  I should  get  in  that 
day ; of  wfflich,  on  reflection,  I had  not  the 
most  distant  idea.  However,  the  impression 
was  so  strong  that  I got  up  and  walked  on 
some  distance.  I then  took  my  station  again 
as  before,  and  the  same  thoughts  occupied 
my  mind.  I got  up  and  w^alked  on.  I had 
not  traveled  far  before  I thought  I could  see 
an  opening  for  the  river ; and  getting  a little 
further  on,  I heard  the  sound  of  a bell.  I 
then  started  and  ran,  (at  a slow  speed  un- 
doubtedly) ; a little  further  on  I began  to 
perceive  that  I was  coming  to  the  river  hill ; 
and  having  got  about  half  way  down,  I 
heard  the  sound  of  an  axe,  which  was  the 
sweetest  music  I had  heard  for  many  a day. 
It  was  in  the  extreme  out-lot ; when  I got 
to  the  lot  I crawled  over  the  fence  with  diffi- 
culty, it  being  very  high. 

William  Woodward.  — I approached  the 
person  very  cautiously  till  within  about  a 
chain’s  length  undiscovered  ; I then  stopped 
and  spoke ; the  person  I spoke  to  was  Mr. 
William  Woodward,  the  founder  of  the 
Woodward  High  School.  Mr.  Woodward 
looked  up,  hastily  ^cast  his  eyes  round,  and 
saw  that  I had  no  deadly  weapon  ; he  then 
spoke.  “ In  the  name  of  God,”  said  he, 
“ who  are  you  ? ” 1 told  him  I had  been  a 


ADAMS  COUNTY. 


227 


prisoner  and  had  made  my  escape  from  the 
Indians.  After  a few  more  questions  he 
told  me  to  come  to  him.  I did  so.  Seeing 
my  situation,  his  fears  soon  subsided  ; he 
told  me  to  sit  down  on  a log  and  he  would 
go  and  catch  a horse  he  had  in  the  lot  and 
take  me  in.  He  caught  his  horse,  set  me 
upon  him,  but  kept  the  bridle  in  his  own  hand. 
When  we  got  into  the  road,  people  began  to 
inquire  of  Mr.  Woodward,  “ Who  is  he — an 
Indian  } ” I was  not  surprised  nor  offended 
at  the  inquiries,  for  I was  still  in  Indian  uni- 
form, bare  headed,  my  hair  cut  off  close,  ex- 

McDonald  gives  in  his  Sketches  the 
at  Manchester: 

Ellison's  Captivity. — In  the  spring  of  the 
year  1793,  the  settlers  at  Manchester  com- 
menced clearing  the  out-lots  of  the  town  ; 
and  while  so  engaged,  an  incident  of  much 
interest  and  excitement  occurred.  Mr.  An- 
drew Ellison,  one  of  the  settlers,  cleared  a 
lot  immediately  adjoining  the  fort.  He  had 
completed  the  cutting  of  the  timber,  rolled 
the  logs  together  and  set  them  on  fire.  The 
next  morning,  a short  time  before  daybreak, 
Mr.  Ellison  opened  one  of  the  gates  of  the 
fort  and  went  out  to  throw  his  logs  to- 
gether. By  the  time  hg  had  finished  this 
job,  a number  of  the  heaps  blazed  up 
brightly,  and  as  he  was  passing  from  one  to 
the  other,  he  observed,  by  the  light  of  the 
fires,  three  men  walking  briskly  towards 
him.  This  did  not  alarm  him  in  the  least, 
although,  he  said,  they  were  dark  skinned 
fellows  ; yet  he  concluded  they  were  the 
Wades,  whose  complexions  were  very  dark, 
going  early  to  hunt.  He  continued  to  right 
his  log-heaps,  until  one  of  the  fellows  seized 
him  by  the  arms,  and  called  out  in  broken 
English,  “ How  do  } how  do  1"  He  instantly 
looked  in  their  faces,  and  to  his  surprise  and 
horror,  found  himself  in  the  clutches  of  three 
Indians.  To  resist  was  useless.  He  there 
fore  submitted  to  his  fate,  without  any  resist- 
ance or  an  attempt  to  escape. 

The  Indians  quickly  moved  off  with  him  in 
the  direction  of  Paint  creek.  When  break- 
fast was  ready,  Mrs.  Ellison  sent  one  of  her 
children  to  ask  their  father  home ; but  he 
could  not  be  found  at  the  log-heaps.  His 
absence  created  no  immediate  alarm,  as  it 
was  thought  he  might  have  started  to  hunt 
after  the  completion  of  his  work.  Dinner- 
time arrived,  and  Ellison  not  returning,  the 
family  became  uneasy,  and  began  to  sus- 
pect some  accident  had  happened  to  him. 
His  gun-rack  was  examined,  and  there  hung 
his  rifle  and  his  pouch  in  their  usual  place. 
Massie  raised  a party  and  made  a circuit 
around  the  place  and  found,  after  some 
search,  the  trails  of  four  men  one  of  whom 
had  on  shoes ; and  as  Ellison  had  shoes  on, 
the  truth  that  the  Indians  had  made  him  a 
prisoner  was  unfolded.  As  it  was  almost 
night  at  the  time  the  trail  was  discovered, 
the  party  returned  to  their  station.  Next 
morning  early,  preparations  were  made  by 


cept  the  scalp  and  loretop,  which  they  had 
put  up  in  a piece  of  tin,  with  a bunch  of 
turkey  feathers,  which  I could  not  undo. 
They  had  also  stripped  off  the  feathers  of 
about  two  turkeys  and  hung  them  to  the 
hair  of  the  scalp ; these  I had  taken  off  the 
day  I left  them.  Mr.  Woodward  took  me 
to  his  house,  where  every  kindness  was 
shown  me.  They  soon  gave  me  other  cloth- 
ing ; coming  from  different  persons,  they 
did  not  fit  me  very  neatly  ; but  there  could 
not  be  a pair  of  shoes  got  in  the  place  that  I 
could  get  on,  my  feet  were  so  much  swollen. 

following  incidents  of  Indian  history 

Massie  and  his  party  to  pursue  the  Indians. 
In  doing  this  they  found  great  difficulty,  as 
it  was  so  early  in  the  spring  that  the  vegeta- 
tion was  not  of  sufficient  growth  to  show 
plainly  the  trail  of  the  Indians,  who  took  the 
precaution  to  keep  on  hard  and  high  land, 
where  their  feet  could  make  little  or  no  im- 
pression. Massie  and  his  party,  however, 
were  as  unerring  as  a pack  of  well-trained 
hounds,  and  followed  the  trail  to  Paint 
creek,  when  they  found  the  Indians  gained 
so  fast  on  them  that  pursuit  was  vain. 
They  therefore  abandoned  it  and  returned 
to  the  station. 

The  Indians  took  their  prisoner  to  Upper 
Sandusky  and  compelled  him  to  run  the 
gauntlet.  As  Ellison  was  a large  man  and 
not  very  active,  he  received  a severe  flogging 
as  he  passed  along  the  line.  From  this 
place  he  was  taken  to  Lower  Sandusky  and 
was  again  compelled  to  run  the  gauntlet, 
and  was  then  taken  to  Detroit,  where  he  was 
generously  ransomed  by  a British  officer  for 
one  hundred  dollars.  He  was  shortly  after- 
wards sent  by  his  friend  the  officer  to  Mon- 
treal, from  whence  he  returned  home  before 
the  close  of  the  summer  of  the  same  year. 

Attack  upon  the  Edgingtons. — Another 
incident  connected  with  the  station  at  Man- 
chester occurred  shortly  after  this  time. 
John  Edgington,  Asahel  Edgington,  and 
another  man,  started  out  on  a hunting 
expedition  towards  Brush  creek.  They 
camped  out  six  miles  in  a north-east  direc- 
tion from  where  West  Union  now  stands, 
and  near  where  Treber’s  tavern  is  now  situ- 
ated, on  the  road  from  Chillicothe  to  Mays- 
ville.  The  Edgingtons  had  good  success  in 
hunting  having  killed  a number  of  deer  and 
bears.  Of  the  deer  killed,  they  saved  the 
skins  and  hams  alone.  The  bears,  they 
fleeced ; that  is,  they  cut  off  all  the  meat 
which  adhered  to  the  hide  without  skinning, 
and  left  the  bones  as  a skeleton.  They  hung 
up  the  proceeds  of  their  hunt  on  a scaffold, 
out  of  the  reach  of  the  wolves  and  other  wild 
animals,  and  returned  home  for  pack  horses. 
No  one  returned  to  the  camp  with  the  two 
Edgingtons.  As  it  was  late  in  December, 
no  one  apprehended  danger,  as  the  winter 
season  was  usually  a time  of  repose  from 
Indian  incursions.  When  the  Edgingtons 


228 


ADAMS  COUNTY. 


arrived  at  their  old  hunting  camp,  they 
alighted  from  their  horses  and  were  prepar- 
ing to  strike  a fire,  when  a platoon  of  In- 
dians fired  upon  them  at  the  distance  of  not 
more  than  twenty  paces.  Asahel  Edgington 
fell  to  rise  no  more.  John  was  more  fortu- 
nate. The  sharp  crack  of  the  rifles,  and  the 
horrid  yells  of  the  Indians,  as  they  leaped 
from  their  place  of  ambush,  frightened  the 
horses,  who  took  the  track  towards  home  at 
full  speed.  John  Edgington  was  very  ac- 
tive on  foot,  and  now  an  occasion  offered 
which  required  his  utmost  speed.  The  mo- 
ment the  Indians  leaped  from  their  hiding- 
place  they  threw  down  their  guns  and  took 
after  him.  They  pursued  him  screaming 
and  yelling  in  the  most  horrid  manner. 
Edgington  did  not  run  a booty  race.  For 
about  a mile  the  Indians  stepped  in  his 
tracks  almost  before  the  bending  grass 


could  rise.  The  uplifted  tomahawk  was 
frequently  so  near  his  head  that  he  thought 
he  felt  its  edge.  Every  effort  was  made  to 
save  his  life,  and  every  exertion  of  the  In- 
dians was  made  to  arrest  him  in  his  flight. 
Edgington,  who  had  the  greatest  stake  in 
the  race,  at  length  began  to  gain  on  his  pur- 
suers, and  after  a long  race  he  distanced 
them,  made  his  escape,  and  safely  reached 
home.  This  truly  was  a most  fearful  and 
well  contested  race.  The  big  Shawanee 
chief.  Captain  John,  who  headed  the  Indians 
on  this  occasion,  after  peace  was  made  and 
Chillicothe  settled,  frequently  told  the  writer 
of  this  sketch  of  the  race.  Captain  John 
said  that  “ the  white  man  who  ran  away 
was  a smart  fellow  ; ” that  the  “ white  man 
run  and  I run  ; he  run  and  run,  at  last  the 
white  man  run  clear  off  from  me.” 


The  first  court  in  this  county  was  held  in  Manchester.  Winthrop  Sar- 
gent, the  secretary  of  the  territory,  acting  in  the  absence  of  the  governor, 
appointed  commissioners,  who  located  the  county  seat  at  an  out-of-the- 
way  place,  a few  miles  above  the  mouth  of  Brush  creek,  which  they  called 
Adamsville.  The  locality  was  soon  named,  in  derision.  Scant.  At  the 
next  session  of  the  court  its  members  became  divided,  and  part  sat  in 
Manchester  and  part  at  Adamsville.  The  governor,  on  his  return  to  the 
territory,  finding  the  people  in  great  confusion,  and  much  bickering 
between  them,  removed  the  seat  of  justice  to  the  mouth  of  Brush  creek, 
where  the  first  court  was  held  in  1798.  Here  a town  was  laid  out  by 
Noble  Grimes,  under  the  name  of  Washington.  A large  log  court-house 
was  built,  with  a jail  in  the  lower  story,* and  the  governor  appointed  two 
more  of  the  Scant  party  judges,  which  gave  them  a majority.  In  1800, 
Charles  Willing  Byrd,  secretary  of  the  territory,  in  the  absence  of  the  gov- 
ernor, appointed  two  more  of  the  Manchester  party  judges,  which  balanced 
the  parties,  and  the  contest  was  maintained  until  West  Union  became  the 
county  seat.  Joseph  Darlinton  and  Israel  Donalson,  were  among  the 
first  judges  of  the  Common  Pleas.  In  1847  on  the  publication  of  the  first 
edition  of  this  work  both  of  these  gentlemen  were  living  in  the  countyq 
Gen.  Darlinton  being  at  the  time  clerk  of  the  court,  an  office  he  had 
held  since  1803.  They  were  also  members  of  the  convention  for  forming 
the  first  Constitution  of  Ohio,  only  three  others  of  that  body  being  then 
living. 

West  Union  in  1846. — The  annexed  view  shows  on  the  left  the  jail 
and  market  and  in  the  center  the  Court  House  and  county  offices.  These 
last  stand  in  a pleasant  area  shaded  by  locusts.  The  Court  House  is  a 
substantial  stone  building  and  bears  good  testimony  to  the  skill  of  the 
builder,  ex-Gov.  Metcalfe  of  Kentucky,  who  commencing  life  a mason, 
acquired  the  sobriquet  of  “ Stone  Hammer.”  The  first  court  house  was 
of  logs.  West  Union  contains  four  churches,  one  Associated  Reformed, 
one  Presbyterian,  one  Methodist,  one  Baptist  ; two  newspapers,  a cla.s- 
sical  school,  and  nine  mercantile  stores.  It  had  in  1820  a population  of 
406;  in  1840,462.  (Old  edition.) 

West  Union  is  on  a high  ridge  on  the  old  Maysville  and  Zanesville 
turnpike,  about  ten  miles  from  the  Ohio  at  Manchester  and  one  hundred 
and  six  from  Columbus.  It  is  nine  hundred  and  ten  feet  above  sea  level, 
four  hundred  and  ten  above  Lake  Erie  and  four  hundred  and  seventy-eight 
above  the  Ohio  at  Cincinnati.  It  is  the  only  county  seat  in  Ohio  not  on 
the  line  of  a railroad.  County  officers  in  1887:  Probate  Judge,  Tsaac  N. 


ADAMS  COUNTY. 


229 


Tolle  ; Clerk  of  Court,  William  R.  Mahaffey ; Sheriff,  W.  P.  Newman  ; 
Prosecuting  Attorney,  Philip  Handrehan  ; Auditor,  J.  W.  Jones ; Treas- 
urer, W.  B.  Brown;  Recorder,  Leonard  Young;  Surveyor,. A.  V.  Hutson; 
Coroner,  George  W.  Osborn  ; Commissioners,  J.  R.  Zile,  Thomas  J.  Shelton, 
James  H.  Crissman. 

The  name  of  West  Union  was  given  to  it  by  Hon.  Thos.  Kirker,  one  of 
the  commissioners  who  laid  it  put  in  1804,  and  one  of  its  earliest  settlers. 
In  1880  its  population  was  626 ; in  1886  school  census,  317.  It  has  one 
bank,  that  of  Grimes  & Co. ; and  three  newspapers,  viz.,  Neiv  Era,  Repub- 
lican, Mrs.  Hannah  L.  Irwin,  editor;  People  s Defender,  Democratic,  Joseph 
W.  Eylar,  editor,  and  Scion,  Republican,  Samuel  Burwell,  editor.  It  has 
also  a Children’s  Home  with  forty-one  children.  The  buildings  are  large 
and  the  appointments  excellent.  > 


Drawn  by  Henry  Howe  in  1846. 

THE  COUNTY  BUILDINGS,  WEST  UNION. 

In  reply  to  an  inquiry,  Hon.  J.  L.  Coryell  of  West  Union  has  sent  us  a 
communication  giving  brief  mention  of  valued  characters  identified  with  the 
history  of  Adams  County.  Such  an  one  upon  every  county  in  the  State 
would  be  a benefit  serving  to  bind  the  people  of  the  commonwealth  in 
closer  fraternal  bonds  through  the  greater  mutual  knowledge  thus  obtained, 
and  minister  to  a laudable  pride  in  the  possession  of  the  laws  and  institu- 
tion that  could  give  the  highest  wealth  of  character.  He  was  prompted 
to  thus  aid  us  through  his  memory  of  the  old  edition,  a copy  of  which  he 
earned  when  a youth  by  chopping  wood  at  twenty-five  cents  a day.  Thus 
writes  the  Judge. 

“ Adams  is  an  old  and  pretty  good  county  and  has  an  excellent  history. 
She  has  had  many  good  men,  denizens,  citizens  and  residents,  native  and  to 
the  manor  born.  Among  the  former  were  Gov.  Thomas  Kirker,  John 
Patterson,  marshal  of  Ohio  about  1840,  John  W.  Campbell,  congressman, 
and  U.  S.  Judge.  Col.  J.  R.  Cockerill  who  died  in  1875  succeeded  Gen. 
J.  Darlinton  as  clerk  of  court.  Darlinton  was  a good  and  useful  man. 
Cockerill  was  one  time  member  of  Congress,  Colonel  of  70th  O.  V.  I.,  a 
highly  valued  citizen.  He  was  the  father  of  Col.  John  A.  Cockerill  who 
was  born  near  the  Serpent  Mound:  at  about  fifteen  years  of  age  was  a 
drummer  boy  at  Shiloh.  He  afterwards  edited  papers  in  Adams  and  Butler 
counties  and  was  managing  editor  of  the  Cincinnati  Enquirer  ; later  traveler 
and  correspondent  in  the  far  East,  Turkey,  etc.;  then  edited  the  Post  Dis- 
patch of  St.  Louis;  now  is  the  managing  editor  of  the  New  York  World, 
a brilliant  young  man.  • Joseph  McCormick,  a native  of  this  county,  was 


ADAMS  COUNTY. 


Attorney-General  of  Ohio  about  1850.  General  A.  T.  Wikoff  of  Columbus,  Presi- 
dent Cleveland  & Marietta  R.  R.,  is  a native  of  this  county ; John  P.  Leedam, 
formerly  clerk  of  our  courts,  then  member  of  Congress  and  now  Sergeant- 
at-arms  of  House  of  Representatives,  is  a citizen  of  this  town.  J.  H.  Roth- 
neck,  a native  of  this  county,  is  now  a Supreme  Judge  in  Iowa.  David 
Sinton  of  Cincinnati,  so  noted  for  his  benefactions,  was  reared  in  this  town 
where  his  parents  died.  Dr.  Thomas  Williamson,  forty  years  a missionary 
to  the  Dakota  Indians,  was  reared  and  educated  in  this  county.” 

Manchester,  one  of  the  oldest  settlements  in  the  State,  is  on  the  Ohio, 
sixty  miles  east  south-east  of  Cincinnati,  twelve  miles  above  Maysville,  Ky. 
and  at  the  foot  of  the  Three  Islands.  It  was  widely  known  early  in  this 
century  to  the  traveling  public,  being  a point  of  transshipment  on  the  great 
stage  route  east  from  Lexington  to  Maysville  and  from  here  through 
Chillicothe,  Zanesville,  Wheeling,  etc.  Up  to  1846  it  was  an  insignificant 
place  having  at  that  time  not  exceeding  fifty  dwellings.  It  is  now  the 
largest  town  in  the  county.  It  has  churches,  two  Methodist  and  one 
Presbyterian.  Newspaper,  Signal,  Independent,  J.  A.  Perry,  editor. 
Banks,  Farmer’s,  W.  L.  Vance,  president,  L.  Pierce,  cashier  ; Manchester, 
R.  H.  Ellison,  president,  C.  C.  W.  Naylor,  cashier. 


Edward  R.  Gregory,  Photo.,  Manchester,  1887. 

THE  LOWER  OF  THE  THREE  ISLANDS  AND  LANDING,  MANCHESTER. 

Industries  and  Employees. — Manchester  Planing  Mill  Co.,  twenty-eight 
hands;  L.  W.  Trenary,  Lumber,  twelve  hands;  S.  P.  Lucker  & Co., 
Carriages,  eight  hands;  Manchester  Rolling  Mills,  six  hands;  Weaver  & 
Bradford,  fruit  jugs,  etc.,  five  hands.  State  Report  1887.  Population  in 
1880,  1455  ; school  census  in  1886,  643. 

Manchester  was  the  fourth  point  permanently  settled  in  the  State  which 
has  developed  into  a town,  the  other  three  being  Marietta,  Gallipolis  and 
Cincinnati,  the  last  named  originally  called  Losantiville. 

Those  who  have  seen  only  the  rivers  of  the  East,  as  the  Hudson,  Dela- 
ware, Connecticut,  etc.,  can  have  no  adequate  idea  of  the  topograph- 
ical features  of  the  Ohio.  Those  streams  come  up  within  a few  feet  of  the 
meadow  lands  or  hills  wherever  they  bound  them.  Not  so  the  Ohio. 
This  stream  occupies  an  excavated  trough,  where  in  places  the  bounding 
hills  rise  above  the  water  500  and  600  feet. 


ADAMS  COUNTY, 


231 


The  river  is  highly  picturesque  from  its  graceful  windings,  softly  wooded 
hills  and  forest  clad  islands.  In  but  few  places  is  it  more  pleasant  than  at 
Manchester. 

The  islands  in  the  river  are  all  very  low.  They  were  originally  formed  on 
sand-bars  where  floating  trees  lodged  in  seasons  of  freshets  and  made  a nucleus 
for  the  gathering  of  the  soil  which  is  of  the  richest.  In  the  June  freshet  they 
are  overflown,  when  with  their  wealth  of  foliage  they  seem  as  huge  masses  of 
greenery  reposing  on  the  bosom  of  the  water. 

Those  born  upon  the  Ohio  never  lose  their  interest  in  the  beautiful  stream ; 
and  few  things  are  more  pleasant  for  the  people  who  dwell  along  its  shores 
than  in  the  quiet  of  a summer’s  evening  when  their  day’s  work  is  done,  to  sit 
before  their  doors  and  look  down  upon  the  ever-flowing  waters.  Everything  is 
calm  and  restful : varied  often  by  the  slow  measured  puff  of  an  approaching 
steamer,  heard,  may  be,  for  miles  away,  long  before  she  is  seen,  or  if  after  dark, 
before  her  light  suddenly  bursts  in  view  as  she  rounds  a bend. 

Up  to  within  a few  years  the  barren  hills  in  this  and  some  other  river  coun- 
ties remained  in  places  the  property  of  the  general  Government  They  afforded, 
however,  a fine  range  for  the  cattle  and  hogs  of  the  scattered  inhabitants  and 
no  small  quantity  of  lumber,  such  as  staves,  hoop  poles  and  tan  bark,  which 
were  taken  from  the  public  lands.  Dr.  John  Locke,  one  of  Ohio’s  earliest 
geologists,  from  whose  report  made  about  the  year  1840  these  facts  are  derived, 
thus  describes  the  peculiar  people  who  dwelt  in  the  wilderness. 


The  Bark  Cutters. — There  is  a vagrant 
class  who  are  supported  by  this  kind  of  busi- 
ness. Thej’^  erect  a cabin  towards  the  head 
of  some  ravine,^  collect  the  chestnut-oak 
bark  from  the  neighboring  hill-tops,  drag  it 
on  sleds  to  points  accessible  by  wagons, 


where  they  sell  it  for  perhaps  $2  per  cord 
to  the  wagoner.  The  last  sells  it  at  the 
river  to  the  flat  boat  shipper,  at  $6  per  cord, 
and  he  again  to  the  consumer  at  Cincinnati, 
for  $11.  Besides  this  common  trespass, 
the  squatter  helps  himself  out  by  hunting 


COL.  JOHN  A.  COCKERILL, 
Managing  Editor  “New  York  World.” 


2%2 


ADAMS  COUNTY. 


deer  and  coons,  and,  it  is  said,  occasionally 
by  taking  a sheep  or  a hog,  the  loss  of  which 
may  very  reasonably  be  charged  to  the 
wolves.  The  poor  families  of  the  bark  cut- 
ters often  exhibit  the  very  picture  of  improvi- 
dence. There  begins  to  be  a fear  among 
the  inhabitants  that  speculators  may  be 
tempted  to  purchase  up  these  waste  lands 


and  deprive  them  of  their  present  “range” 
and  lumber.  The  speculator  must  still  be 
a non-resident,  and  could  hardly  protect 
his  purchase.  The  inhabitants  have  a hard, 
rough  region  to  deal  with  and  need  all  of 
the  advantages  which  their  mountain  tract 
can  afford. 


Mr.  Coryell,  from  whom  we  have  elsewhere  quoted,  has  given  us  these 
facts  illustrating  the  changed  condition  of  this  once  wilderness. 

“In  1871  Congress  gave  all  vacant  land  in  Virginia  military  district  to 
Ohio,  and  her  legislature  at  once  gave  them  to  the  Ohio  State  University. 
Her  trustees  had  them  hunted  up,  surveyed  and  sold  out,  and  they  are  all 


E.  G.  Squier  and  E.  H.  Davis,  Surveyors. 
PL.\N  OF  THE  SERPENT  MOUND. 


now  on  the  tax  duplicate,  and  one  half  our  tobacco,  for  which  this  county 
has  become  somewhat  noted,  is  produced  east  of  Brush  creek.  Tan  bark% 
hoop  poles  and  boat  gunnels  are  no  longer  a business.  Portable  saw  mills 
have  peregrinated  every  valley  and  ravine,  and  very  much  of  the  timber 
(and  there  was  none  finer)  has  been  converted  into  lumber  for  home  con- 
sumption and  shipment  to  Cincinnati  via  river  and  railroad.  Ten  years 
ago  Jefferson  township,  east  of  Brush  creek,  polled  500  votes,  to-day  1000, 
brought  about  by  sale  of  cheap  lands  and  immigration  from  the  tobacco 
counties  of  Brown  and  Clermont  and  also  Kentucky.” 


ADAMS  COUNTY. 


233 


THE  SERPENT  MOUND. 

Probably  the  most  important  earthwork  in  the  West  is  The  Serpent  Mound. 
It  is  on  Brush  creek  in  Franklin  township,  about  six  miles  north  of  Peebles 
Station  on  the  C.  & E.  Railroad,  twenty-one  miles  from  West  Union,  the  county 
seat,  thirty-one  miles  from  the  Ohio  at  Manchester,  and  five  miles  south  of 
Sinking  Springs,  in  Highland  County.  The  engraving  annexed  is  from  the 
work  of  Squier  and  Davis  on  the  “Ancient  Monuments  of  the  Mississippi  Val- 
ley,” who  thus  made  this  work  known  to  the  world  by  their  survey  in  1849. 
Their  plan  annexed  is  in  general  correct,  but  the  oval  is  drawn  too  large  in 
proportion  to  the  head ; and  the  edge  of  the  cliff  is  some  distance  from  the  oval. 
The  appendages  on  each  side  of  the  head  do  not  exist.  They  have  been  shown 
by  Prof.  Putnam  to  be  accidentally  connected  with  the  serpent.  The  mound 
was  erected  doubtless  for  worship,  and  appended  to  their  description  of  it  they 
make  this  statement : 

“ The  serpent,  separate,  or  in  combination  with  the  circle,  egg,  or  globe,  has 
been  a predominant  symbol  among  many  primitive  nations.  It  prevailed  in 
Egypt,  Greece  and  Assyria,  and  entered  widely  into  the  superstitions  of  the 
Celts,  the  Hindoos  and  the  Chinese.  It  even  penetrated  into  America,  and  was 
conspicuous  in  the  mythology  of  the  ancient  Mexicans,  among  whom  its  sig- 
nificance does  not  seem  to  have  differed  materially  from  that  which  it  possessed 
in  the  Old  World.  The  fact  that  the  ancient  Celts,  and  perhaps  other  nations 
of  the  old  continent,  erected  sacred  structures  in  the  form  of  the  serpent,  is  one 
of  high  interest.  Of  this  description  was  the  great  temple  of  Abury,  in  Eng- 
land— in  many  respects  the  most  imposing  ancient  monument  of  the  British 
islands.  It  is  impossible  in  this  connection  to  trace  the  analogies  which  the 
Ohio  structure  exhibits  to  the  serpent  temples  of  England,  or  to  point  out  the 
extent  to  which  the  symbol  was  applied  in  America — an  investigation  fraught 
with  the  greatest  interest  both  in  respect  to  the  light  which  it  reflects  upon  the 
primitive  superstitions  of  remotely-separated  people,  and  especially  upon  the 
origin  of  the  American  race.” 

Public  attention  has  recently  been  attracted  to  this  work  through  the  exer- 
tions of  Professor  F.  W.  Putnam,  of  the  Peabody  Museum  of  Cambridge,  Mass., 
who  by  the  aid  of  some  Boston  ladies  in  the  spring  of  1887  secured  by  sub- 
scription about  $6,000  for  its  purchase  and  protection,  as  it  was  fast  going  to 
destruction.  The  purchase  includes  about  seventy  acres  of  land  with  the 
mound,  the  title  vesting  in  the  museum  attached  to  Harvard  University.  This 
he  has  laid  out  in  a beautiful  park  to  be  free  to  the  public,  and  with  the  name 
“ The  Serpent  Mound  Park.”  It  is  in  a wild  and  picturesque  country  and  must 
eventually  be  a favorite  place  of  public  resort.  The  Professor,  who  is  an  accom- 
plished archaeologist,  regards  this  as  one  of  the  most  remarkable  structures  of 
its  kind  in  the  world.  His  description  of  the  work  is  as  follows : 

“ The  head  of  the  serpent  rests  on  a rocky  platform  which  presents  a pre- 
cipitous face  to  the  west,  towards  the  creek,  of  about  100  feet  in  height.  The 
jaws  of  the  serpent’s  mouth  are  widely  extended  in  the  act  of  trying  to  swallow 
an  egg,  represented  by  an  oval  enclosure  about  12 1 feet  long  and  60  feet  wide. 
This  enclosure  consists  of  a ridge  of  earth  about  five  feet  high,  and  from 
eighteen  to  twenty  feet  broad.  The  body  of  the  serpent  winds  gracefully  back 
toward  higher  land,  making  four  large  folds  before  reaching  the  tail.  The  tail 
tapers  gracefully  and  is  twisted  up  in  three  complete  and  close  coils.  The 
height  of  the  body  of  the  serpent  is  four  to  five  feet,  and  its  greatest  width  is 
thirty  feet  across  the  neck.  The  whole  length  of  the  mound  from  the  end  of 
the  egg  on  the  precipice  to  the  last  coil  of  the  tail  is  upwards  of  1,300  feet. 

The  Serpent  Mound  is  not  in  a conspicuous  place,  but  in  a situation 
which  seems  rather  to  have  been  chosen  for  the  privacies  of  -sacred  rites. 
The  rising  land  towards  the  tail  and  back  for  a hundred  rods  afforded 
ample  space  for  large  gatherings.  The  view  across  the  creek  from  the  preci- 


234 


ADAMS  COUNTY, 


pice  near  the  head,  and  indeed  from  the  whole  area,  is  beautiful  and  impres- 
sive, but  not  very  extensive.  To  the  south,  however,  peaks  may  be  seen 
ten  or  fifteen  miles  away  which  overlook  the  Ohio  River  and  Kentucky  hills, 
while  at  a slightly  less  distance  to  the  north,  in  Pike  and  Highland  counties, 
are  visible  several  of  the  highest  points  in  the  State.  Among  these  is  Fort 
Hill,  eight  miles  north  in  Brush  creek  township  on  the  extreme*  eastern 
edge  of  Highland  County.  Fort  Hill  is  one  of  the  best  preserved  and  most 
interesting  ancient  enclosures  in  the  State.  It  is  estimated  that  in  the 
limits  of  Ohio  alone  are  10,000  ancient  mounds  and  from  1500  to  2000 
enclosures.  The  importance  of  the  study  of  the  subject,  the  present 
method  of  procedure  and  the  general  progress  are  thus  dwelt  upon  in  a 
lecture  delivered  by  Prof.  Putnam,  Oct.  25,  1887,  before  the  Western 
Reserve  Historical  Society. 

The  proper  study  of  history  begins  with  the  earliest  monuments  of 
man’s  occupancy  of  the  earth.  From  study  of  ancient  implements,  burial- 
places,  village  sites,  roads,  enclosures  and  monuments  we  are  able  to  get 
as  vivid  and  correct  a conception — all  but  the  names — of  pre-historic  times 
as  of  what  is  called  the  historic  period. 

The  study  of  archaeology  is  now  assuming  new  importance  from  the 
improved  methods  of  procedure.  P'ormerly  it  was  considered  sufficient  to 
arrange  archaeological  ornaments  and  implements  according  to  size  and 
perfection  of  workmanship  and  call  it  a collection.  But  now  extended 


/.  C.  Foulk,  Photo.  Hillsboro. 
HEAD  of  the  SERPENT  MOUND. 


is  the  principal  thing, 
said  to  have  been  ex- 
were  dug  through  them 
the  contents  thus  en- 
inspected.  Now  it  is 
the  exploration  of  a 
off  with  the  greatest  care 
earth  examined  and 
graphed.  The  skeletons 
with  great  care,  being 
and  then  moistened  so 
usually  the  bones  can  be 
The  record  of  the  ex- 
works  where  imple- 
skeletons  are  found  is 
the  possession  of  the 


and  minute  comparison 
Formerly  mounds  were 
plored  when  trenches 
in  two  directions  and 
countered,  removed  and 
considered  essential  to 
mound  that  it  be  sliced 
and  every  shovelful  of 
every  section  photo- 
are  now  also  examined 
first  gently  uncovered 
as  to  harden  them,  when 
moved  without  fracture, 
cavation  of  the  earth- 
ments,  ornaments  and 
more  important  than 
objects  themselves. 

Although  an  immense  field  still  remains  to  be  explored,  we  have  gone 
far  enough  to  show  in  a general  way,  that  southern  Ohio  was  the  meeting- 
place  of  two  diverse  races  of  people.  Colonel  Whittlesey’s  sagacious  gen- 
eralizations concerning  the  advance  of  a more  civilized  race  from  the 
south  as  far  as  southern  Ohio,  and  their  final  expulsion  by  more  warlike 
tribes  from  the  lake  region,  are  fully  confirmed  by  recent  investigations. 
The  Indians  of  Mexico  and  South  America  belong  to  what  is  called  a 
“ short-headed  ” race,  i.e.,  the  width  of  their  skulls  being  more  than  three- 
fourths  of  their  length,  whereas  the  northern  Indians  are  all  “ long 
headed.” 

Now  out  of  about  1400  skulls  found  in  the  vicinity  of  Madisonville  near 
Cincinnati,  more  than  1200  clearly  belonged  to  a short -headed  race,  thus 
connecting  them  with  southern  tribes.  Going  further  back  it  seems  proba- 
ble that  the  southern  tribes*  reached  America  across  the  Pacific  from 
southern  Asia,  while  the  northern  tribes  came  via  Alaska  from  northern 
Asia. 

A description  of  Fort  Hill  alluded  to  above  will  be  found  under  the  head 
of  Highland  County,  and  that  of  the  Alligator  Mound  under  that  of  Licking 
County.  This  last  named  has  been  classed  with  the  Serpent  Mound,  it 
liaving  evidently  been  erected  like  that  for  purposes  of  worship. 


ADAMS  COUNTY. 


235 


TRAVELING  NOTES. 

As  Adam  was  the  first  to  lead  in  the  line 
of  humanity,  so  it  seems  proper  for  Adams 
to  lead,  at  least  alphabetically,  in  the  line  of 
Ohio  counties ; yet  it  was  about  the  last 
visited  by  me  on  this  tour. 

A few  days  before  Christmas  I was  in 
Kenton.  Two  or  three  points  on  the  Ohio 
were  to  be  visited  and  then  my  travels  would 
be  over.  Would  I live  to  finish.^  Ah! 
that  was  a pressing  question.  As  the  end 
drew  near  I confess  I was  a little  anxious. 
Some  had  predicted  I would  never  get 
through.  “ Too  old."  It  is  pleasant  to  be 


is  being  petted  by  the  hotel  clerk  ; it  is  good 
to  see  everywhere  young  life  asserting  its 
power,  pulling  on  the  heart  strings  ; in  its 
weakness  lies  its  strength.  Within  it  is 
warm,  without,  intensely  cold  ; the  landscape 
snow  clad.  Day  is  breaking  beautifully  and 
the  moon  and  stars  in  silence  look  down 
upon  our  world  in  its  white  shroud.  I go 
out  upon  the  porch  and  enjoy  the  calm  loveli- 
ness of  the  morning  coming  on  in  silence 
and  purity. 

All  of  life  does  not  consist  in  the  getting 
of  money  ; with  my  eyes  I possess  the  stars, 
while  the  cold,  pure  air  seems  as  a perfect 
elixir.  Still  there  must  always  be  some- 


OHIO  RIVER  BEACON. 


encouraged ; a higher  pleasure  often  comes 
from  opposition ; it  enhances  victory. 

Old  age  ! that  is  a folly.  Live  young,  and 
you  will  die  young.  Learn  to  laugh  Time 
out  of  his  arithmetic ; amuse  him  with  some 
new  game  of  marbles.  Then  on  some  fine 
summer’s  day  you  will  be  taking  a quiet 
nap,  and  when  you  awake  maybe  find  your- 
self clothed  in  the  pure  white  garments  of 
eternal  youth. 

Tuesday  Mor^i,  Dec.  21.— It  is  now  six 
o’clock.  Am  in  the  office  of  the  St.  Nicho- 
las Hotel  at  Kenton.  A dozen  commercial 
travelers  sit  around,  mutually  strangers. 
They  sit  sleepy  in  chairs,  having  just  come 
off  a train  : its  locomotive  hard  by  is  hissing 
steam  in  the  cold  morning  air.  A hunting 
dog  lies  by  the  stove  and  the  landlord’s  five- 
year-old  daughter,  wearing  a checked  apron. 


thing  to  mar  the  acme  of  enjoyment  and 
this  is  mine,  the  wish  that  cannot  be  grati- 
fied, that  I for  the  time  being  was  trans- 
formed into  some  huge  giant,  so  as  to  offer 
a greater  lung  capacity  for  the  penetration 
of  the  exhilarating  air  and  a greater  body 
surface  for  it  to  envelop  and  hold  me  in  its 
invigorating  embrace ; a desire  also  for 
greater  penetration  of  vision,  to  take  in  the 
stars  beyond  the  stars  I see.  Thus  must  it 
ever  be — on,  on  and  on,  life  beyond  life,  eter- 
nity, God  ! “ Canst  thou  by  searching  find 

out  God  } ” To  find  him,  to  learn  him  fully, 
requires  all  knowledge  ; with  all  knowledge 
must  come  all  power.  This  can  never  be, 
so  the  mystery  of  the  ages  must  continue 
the  mystery  of  the  eternities  ; still  on,  on, 
stars  beyond  stars  ! 

It  's  at  night  when  in  solitude,  far  from 


236 


ADAMS  COUNTY. 


home  and  friends,  that  as  one  looks  up  to 
the  starry  dome  the  soul  responds  most 
fully  to  the  sublimity  of  creation.  Then  the 
stars  seem  as  brothers  speaking,  and  say, 
“We  too,  O human  soul,  are  filled  with  the 
all  filling  sublimity  and  the  eternal  vastness. 
We  each  see  stars  beyond  stars  ; there  is  no 
limit.  We  know  not  whence  we  came,  but 
we  do  know  that  we  are  created  by  the  Eter- 
nal Incomprehensible  Spirit  and  cast  into 
illimitable  space  so  that  each  of  us  rolls  on 
in  an  appointed  orbit.  We  alike  with  thee 
feel  His  presence  and  worship  Him  who 
seems  to  say,  ‘ Do  your  work,  shine  on, 
shine  on,  let  your  light  illumine  the  hearts  of 
men  that  they  may  be  lifted  in  one  eternal 
song  of  gladness.’  ” 

It  was  years  ago  when,  far  from  home  and 
friends  and  alone  with  night  and  solitude  I 
endeavored  in  verse  to  describe  the  scene 
around  me,  and  to  express  the  thoughts  that 
filled  me  with  the  all  pervading  sense  of  the 
Divine. 

ALONE  WITH  NIGHT  AND  THE  STARS. 

AN  OLD  man’s  soliloquy. 

Musing  under  the  leaf-clad  porch 
He  sat  in  the  soft  evening  air, 

Where  zephyrs  fragrant  fanned  his  brow. 
And  tossed  the  snow  locks  of  his  hair. 

He  thus  discoursed  unto  himself  within. 
As  though  spirit  and  soul  were  two : 

Of  Nature,  the  great  open  book  ; 

Of  Mystery,  the  old  and  yet  ever  new. 

“ Alone  with  night  and  the  stars  I 
My  soul  is  enraptured  and  free  ; 

Looks  up  to  the  deep  above. 

Where  the  hosts  are  beaming  on  me. 

“ Alone  with  night  and  the  stars  ! — 

Like  specters  stand  trees  on  the  hill. 

While  insects  flash  their  evening  lamps 
And  piteous  cries  the  whip-poor-will. 

“ Alone  with  night  and  the  stars  ! — 

The  lake  its  bosom  lays  bare 

And  softly  it  quivers  and  heaves 
Little  stars  as  if  cradled  there. 

“Ye  stars  ! Oh  beauteous  thine  eyes  ! 

Ye  stud  the  black  dome  of  night. 

Thine  eloquence  greater  than  words 
The  silvery  speech  of  thy  light. 

“ Ye  smiled  o’er  the  cot  of  my  youth. 

My  slumbers  watched  sweetly  above  ; 

And  now  I am  stricken,  waxed  old, 

I am  thrilled  in  the  light  of  thy  love. 

“ Old  I am,  and  yet  I hope  young. 

Light  and  love  have  followed  my  days  : 

Eternal  youth  remains  to  the  soul 
Responsive  to  the  good  always. 


“ Alone  with  night  and  the  stars  ! 

It  seems  as  if  every  hill,  every  tree 

Was  thinking,  silently  thinking. 

We  are  thine,  O God,  belong  to  Thee. 

“And  striking  the  chords  of  my  soul, 

F rom  the  farm-house  over  the  lea 

I hear  them  singing,  sweetly  singing, 

‘ Nearer,  my  God,  nearer  to  Thee.’  ” 

When  morn  broke  over  the  hills 
Celestial  where  no  storm  ever  mars 

The  mortal  to  youth  had  arisen, 

Immortal  with  God  and  the  stars. 

Wednesday  Morn,  Dec.  22. — Am  in  the 
Sheridan  Hotel,  Ironton,  where  that  long 
water  ribbon  called  the  Ohio  finds  for  the 
people  of  the  State  its  southernmost  bend, 
and  seems  to  say  “ Here  shalt  thou  come 
and  no  farther;  beyond  thy  statutes  are 
of  no  avail.” 

Bcllefontaine. — Ironton  is  220  miles  from 
Kenton  by  my  route:  I left  Kenton  after 
breakfast,  stopped  two  hours  at  Bellefon- 
taine  and  one  at  Columbus.  I entered  Belle- 
fontaine  by  the  train  from  the  north  as  I did 
forty  years  ago ; but  how  different  my  en- 
trance. Then  it  was  late  in  the  fall  or  early 
winter ; I had  sketched  the  grave  of  Simon 
Kenton  a few  miles  north,  when  night  over- 
took me  : it  became  intensely  dark,  I was  on 
the  back  of  old  Pomp,  and  in  some  anxiety  as 
I could  see  nothing  except  a faint  glimmer 
from  the  road  moistened  by  the  rain ; a 
sense  of  relief  came  when  the  straggling 
lights  of  Bellefontaine  burst  in  view.  In  the 
morning  I awoke  to  find  this  place  with  a 
beautiful  name,  little  more  than  a collection 
of  log  cabins  grouped  around  the  Court 
House  square.  I was  surprised  yesterday  to 
find  it  such  a handsome  little  city. 

Old  Soldiers. — There  in  his  office  in  one 
of  the  fine  buildings  that  had  supplanted  the 
crude  structures  of  the  old  time,  I called  up- 
on a young  man  of  whose  history  I had  heard 
in  my  New  Haven  home  ; for  he  was  a 
youth  in  Yale  when  Sumter  fell.  Then  he 
gave  his  books  a toss  into  a corner  and  fol- 
lowing the  flag  made  a record.  He  is  now 
the  Lieut. -Governor  of  the  State,  Robert  Ken- 
nedy. He  is  strongly  made ; a picture  of 
physical  health.  He  is  of  medium  stature, 
yet  every  man  who  from  love  of  country  has 
breasted  the  bullets  of  her  foes  will  stand  in 
my  eyes  half  a foot  taller  than  other  men. 
In  this  tour  I have  met  many  such  and  no 
matter  how  humble  their  position,  I feel 
everywhere  like  taking  them  by  the  hand  ; 
for  they  seem  as  men  glorified.  My  memory 
carries  me  back  to  the  meeting  in  my  youth 
with  soldiers  of  the  American  Revolution, 
venerable  men  who  had  come  down  from 
a former  generation,  and  th*e  people  every- 
where honored  them  ; they  too  were  as  men 
glorified. 

Women  of  the  Scioto  Valley. — It  was  near 
evening  when  I arrived  at  Columbus  ; wffiere 
I walked  the  streets  for  an  hour  finding  them 


ADAMS  COUNTY. 


237 


thronged  with  people  engaged  in  their  Christ- 
mas shopping.  On  resuming  my  seat  in  the 
cars  to  continue  south,  I found  them  filled 
with  women  living  down  the  Scioto  Valley, 
some  ten,  some  fifty  miles  away,  returning 
to  their  homes  with  packages  of  happiness. 
Two  or  three  of  them  were  blondes,  young 
ladies  of  tasteful  attire  and  refined  beauty. 
This  famed  valley  is  of  wonderful  fertility, 
equal  in  places  probably  to  the  delta  of  the 
Ganges  where  a square  mile  feeds  a thou- 
sand. Almost  armies  perished  here  in  this 
valley  by  malaria  before  it  was  fairly  sub- 
dued, and  could  produce  such  exquisite 
fancifully  attired  creatures  as  these.  Their 
grandmothers  were  obliged  to  dress  in 
homespun,  dose  with  quinine,  and  listen  to 
the  nightly  howls  of  wolves  around  their 
cabins ; but  these  graceful  femininities 
can  pore  over  Harper  s Bazaar,  indulge 
in  ice-cream  and  go  entranced  over  airs 
from  the  operas. 

By  ten  o’clock  the  Christmas  shoppers  had 
been  distributed  through  the  valley  and  I 
was  almost  alone  when  my  attention 
was  attracted  by  a young  man  near  me,  of 
twenty-two,  so  he  told  me.  He  said  he  had 
been  a farm  laborer  in  Michigan,  and  was  go- 
ing into  Virginia  to  begin  life  among  stran- 
gers ; going  forth  into  the  world  to  seek 
his  fortune.  He  evidently  knew  nothing  of 
that  country  and  it  seemed  to  me  as  though 
he  was  under  some  Utopian  hallucination. 
His  face  was  of  singular  beauty.  A tall, 
conical  Canadian  black  cap  set  it  off  to  ad- 
vantage ; his  complexion  was  dark,  his  teeth 
like  pearls,  features  delicate  and  eyes  radi- 
ant. Then  his  smile  was  so  sweet  and  his 
expression  so  innocent  and  guileless  that  he 
quite  won  my  heart  in  sympathy  for  his  fu- 
ture. There  was  some  mystery  there.  I 
could  not  reconcile  his  story  of  being  a farm 
laborer  with  such  refinement. 

Wed.  Dec.  22.  5 p.  M. — As  I sat  this 
morning  in  a photograph  gallery  in  I ronton, 
the  photographer  exclaimed  “ There’s  the 
Bostonia — that’s  her  whistle.”  “Where  is 
she  bound  ? ” “ Down  the  river.”  In  a 

twinkling  I decided  to  go  in  her  and  now 
just  at  candle  light  I’m  on  the  Ohio,  sixty 
miles  below  Ironton.  In  this  sudden  decis- 
ion to  leave  I fear  I greatly  disappointed 
Editor  E.  S.  Wilson  of  the  Register,  who, 
having  read  my  books  in  boyhood,  had 
greeted  my  advent  with  warmth  and  ex- 
pected to  have  a day  with  me. 

The  Scotch  Irish. — At  Ironton  I had  a 
brief  interview  with  a patriarch  now  verging 
on  his  8oth  year.  Mr.  John  Campbell,  long 
identified  with  the  development  of  the  iron 
industry  of  this  locality.  In  my  entire  tour 
I had  scarcely  met  with  another  of  such  grand 
patriarchial  presence  : of  great  stature  and 
singular  benignancy  of  expression,  he  made 
me  think  of  George  Washington ; this  was 
increased  when  he  told  me  he  was  from  Vir- 
ginia. He  is  from  that  strong  Scotch  Irish 
Presbyterian  stock  that  gave  to  our  country 
such  men  as  Andrew  Jackson,  John  C.  Cal- 


houn, the  Alexanders  of  Princeton,  Felix 
Houston  of  Texas,  Horace  Greeley,  the 
McDowells,  etc.  Stonewall  Jackson  was 
one  of  them,  and  his  famous  brigade  was 
largely  composed  .of  Scotch  Irish,  whose 
ancestors  drifted  down  from  Pennsylvania 
about  1 50  years  ago  and  settled  in  the  beau- 
tiful Shenandoah  Valley  about  Augusta  and 
Staunton.  They  were  never  to  any  extent, 
more  than  they  could  well  help,  a slave- 
holding people  ; indeed  they  have  been  noted 
for  their  love  of  civil  and  religious  liberty. 
While  in  the  American  Revolution  the 
Episcopalians  of  eastern  Virginia  largely  de- 
serted their  homes,  as  numerous  ruins  of 
Episcopal  churches  there  to-day  attest,  and 
followed  King  George,  these  “ hard-headed 
blue  Presbyterians,”  as  one  of  their  own  writ- 
ers called  them,  from  the  loins  of  the  old 
Scotch  Covenanters,  were  a strong  reliance 
of  Washington  ; 

On  the  Ohio. — How  cheap  traveling  is  by 
river.  I go,  say  100  miles  by  water,  and  pay 
$2. 00  and  they  feed  me  as  well  as  move  me ; 
a general  custom  on  the  Ohio  and  Missis- 
sippi river  boats.  This  is  a large  comfort- 
able boat,  and  I’m  given  ice-cream  for  both 
dinner  and  supper,  and  for  drink  any  amount 
of  Ohio  river  water,  now  filled  with  broken 
ice,  a remarkably  soft,  palatable  beverage. 

Persons  inexperienced  in  traveling  on  the 
western  rivers  often  see  the  expression, 
“ wharf  boat  ” and  it  puzzles  them.  Owing 
to  the  continual  changes  in  the  level  of  west- 
ern rivers,  in  seasons  of  extreme  flood  ris- 
ing fifty  and  more  feet,  permanent  wharves 
for  the  receipt  of  freight  and  passengers  are 
impossible.  So  flat  bottomed  scows  floored 
and  roofed,  called  wharf  boats  are  used. 
The  steamboats  are  moored  alongside  and 
the  passengers  go  on  the  wharf  boat  on  a 
plank,  cross  it  and  then  on  other  planks  reach 
land.  The  river  passes  between  the  steam- 
boat and  wharf-boat  with  frightful  velocity. 
The  instance  is  hardly  known  of  a passen- 
ger falling  between  the  two,  no  matter  how 
good  a swimmer  he  was,  escaping  death  ; he 
is  drawn  under  the  wharf  boat ; many  have 
thus  been  drowned.  At  night  light  is  shed 
over  the  scene  by  a huge  lump  of  burning 
coal  taken  from  the  furnace  and  suspended 
from  a wire  basket : if  this  does  not  give 
sufficient  light  a handful  of  powdered  resin 
is  thrown  on  it. 

The  scene  at  a landing  on  a dark  night 
is  picturesque.  The  passengers  crowding 
ashore,  the  confusing  yells  of  the  porters  on 
the  wharf-boats,  the  hustling  to  and  fro  of  the 
deck  hands,  while  the  dancing  flames  from 
the  burning  coal  blowing  in  the  wind  throws  a 
lurid,  changing  light  over  the  spot,  rendering 
the  enveloping  darkness  beyond  still  more  awe 
inspiring.  This  with  the  thought  that  a fall 
overboard  is  death  makes  an  unpleasant  im- 
pression. Hence  as  it  is  excessively  dark 
and  I cannot  see  well  after  night  I dread  the 
landing;  for  a single  foot  slip  may  be  fatal. 

When  the  Ohio  some  forty  years  ago  was 
the  main  artery  for  traffic  and  passengers. 


ADAMS  COUNTY. 


238 

these  river  towns  were  greatly  prosperous  ; 
the  river  was  the  continuous  subject  of  con- 
versation. When  neighbor  met  neighbor  the 
question  would  be  “ How’s  the  river  ? ” 
“ Good  stage  of  water,  eh  } ” Even  their 
very  slang  came  from  it.  In  expressing  con- 
tempt for  another  they  would  say,  “ Oh  he’s  a 
nobody — nothing  but  a little  stern  wheel 
affair  ; don’t  draw  over  six  inches.” 

The  Old  Tiuie  Traveling  upon  the  great 
rivers  of  the  West,  the  Ohio  and  Mississippi, 
was  unlike  anything  of  our  day.  All  classes 
were  brought  in  close  social  contact  often 
for  days  and  sometimes  for  weeks  together, 
and  it  was  an  excellent  school  in  which  to 
observe  character.  It  was  as  a pilot  on  the 
Mississippi  . that  Mark  Twain  took  some 
early  lessons  in  the  gospel  of  humor  which 
he  has  since  been  preaching  with  such  tell- 
ing effect.  And  I think  the  people  like  it 
for  I have  ever  observed  that  when  a good 
text  is  selected  from  that  gospel,  and  a good 
preacher  talks  from  it,  saints  and  sinners 
arm  in  arm,  alike  rush  in  great  waves,  fill  the 
pews,  overflow  the  aisles,  bubble  up  and 
foam  through  the  galleries,  and  none  drop 
asleep  no  matter  how  lengthy  the  discourse. 
So  Love  and  Humor  with  their  compajnions. 
Good  Will  and  Cheerfulness,  serene  and 
white  robed,  take  us  gently  by  the  hand  and 
lead  us  over  the  rough  places  to  the  ever 
smiling  valleys  and  to  the  eternal  fountains. 

On  the  steamboats  up  the  river,  on  their 
way  to  Washington  and  Congress,  went  the 
great  political  lights  of  the  South  and  West — 
Henry  Clay,  Andrew  Jackson,  Tom  Benton, 
Gen.  Harrison,  Tom  Corwin,  Yell  of  Arkan- 
sas, Poindexter  of  Mississippi,  and  Col. 
Crockett  of  Tennessee,  the  hero  of  the 
Alamo,  whose  great  legacy  was  a single 
sentence  — “ Be  sure  you  are  right  and  then 
go  ahead.”  Arrived  at  Wheeling  the  pas- 
sengers were  packed  in  stage  coaches  for 
a ride  of  two  or  three  days  more  on  the 
National  road  over  the  mountains;  — 
packed  a dozen  inside,  eight  facing  each 
other  and  knees  more  or  less  interlocking. 
At  that  period  the  country  east  was  cob- 
webbed  with  stage  roads.  The  traveling 
public,  men,  women  and  children,  were 
crammed  into  stages  and  sent  tentering  in 
all  directions  up  and  down  the  hillsides  and 
through  the  valleys,  the  stages  stopping  every 
ten  miles  at  wayside  taverns  to  change 
horses,  when  the  passengers  often  largely 
patronized  the  bar.  Nowand  then  an  upset 
from  a hilarious  driver  made  a sad  business 
of  it.  The  fares  in  the  northern  States  were 
usually  six  cents,  and  in  the  southern  States 
ten  cents  a mile. 

Steamboat  Racing. — In  that  day  on  the 
steamers  scenes  of  dissipation  were  common. 
Every  boat  had  its  bar,  liquors  were  cheap 
and  gambling  was  largely  carried  on,  knots 
gathering  around  little  tables  and  money 
sometimes  openly  and  unblushingly  dis- 
played, as  I saw  when  I first  knew  the  river, 
now  nearly  half  a century  ago.  Steamboat 
racing  was  at  one  time  largely  indulged  in 


and  strange  as  it  may  appear,  when  a race 
was  closely  contested,  the  passengers  would 
often  become  so  excited  as  to  overcome 
their  beginning  timidity  and  urge  the  cap- 
tain to  put  on  more  steam ; then  even  the 
women  would  sometimes  scream  and  clap 
their  hands  as  they  passed  a rival  boat.  An 
explosion  W'as  a quick  elevating  process. 
The  racing  “brag  boat,”  “ Moselle,’’  which 
exploded  at  Cincinnati,  April  26,  1 838,  hurled 
over  two  hundred  passengers  into  eternity. 
For  a few  moments  the  air  w'as  filled  with 
human  bodies  and  broken  timber  to  fall  in 
a shower  into  the  river  and  on  the  shore 
near  by. 

The  captain  of  one  of  those  large  passen- 
ger boats  was  a personage  of  importance, 
the  lord  of  a traveling  domain.  His  will 
was  law.  And  when  he  carried  some  nota- 
ble characters  such  as  Henry  Clay  or  Andrew 
Jackson,  his  pride  in  his  position  one  can 
well  imagine.  Thorough  men  of  the  world, 
some  of  them  were  gentlemen  in  the  best 
sense,  whose  great  ambition  was  to  well 
serve  the  floating  populations  under  their 
care. 

Experience  of  an  Old  Thite  River  Man. — 
A fine  specimen  of  the  old  time  river  men  is 
Capt.  John  F.  Devenny  whom  I met  at 
Steubenville  on  this  tour.  He  has  known 
the  river  from  early  in  this  century.  In  con- 
versation he  gave  me  some  of  his  experi- 
ences. 

He  was  born  in  1810  in  Westmoreland 
Co.,  Pa.,  near  the  mouth  of  the  Youghi- 
ogheny,  pronounced  there  by  the  people  for 
short,  “ Yough.”  In  1 81 5 his  father  removed 
with  his  family  to  Steubenville  which  since 
has  been  the  captain’s  residence.  Steuben- 
ville was  the  first  considerable  manufacturing 
point  in  south-eastern  Ohio,  and  his  father 
put  up  there  the  machinery  for  a large 
woolen  factory,  a paper  mill,  and  a grist 
mill.  In  1829,  at  the  age  of  19,  Mr.  Devenny 
was  an  engineer  on  a river  boat;  in  1835, 
commanded  a boat  which  ran  from  Pittsburg 
to  St.  Louis  and  New  Orleans.  In  the  war 
he  was  captain  of  a transport  engaged  in 
the  Vicksburg  campaign.  “ In  the  early 
days  of  boating,”  said  he,  “ drinking  and 
gambling  were  almost  universal.  I found 
in  my  first  experiences  I was  being  drawn 
into  the  vortex  ; the  fondness  for  drink  and 
the  passion  for  gaming  were  getting  a hold 
upon  me.  I stopped  short  off  and  was 
saved.  A large  part  of  the  young  men  who 
went  on  the  river  died  drunkards.  Of  those 
who  went  with  me  on  the  first  boat,  the 
‘ Ruhamah,’  I am  the  sole  survivor.  On  my 
-own  boat  I never  allowed  gambling.  I have 
outlived  two  generations  of  river  men  who 
have  perished  mainly  from  intemperance. 
I ascribe  my  long  life  to  my  refraining  from 
such  habits  and  the  longevity  of  my  family.” 
His  father  lived  to  the  age  of  96,  and  the 
captain  himself,  a large,  fine-looking  gentle- 
man, seems  at  seventy-six  as  one  in  his 
prime. 

An  Amusing  Incidcfit  occurred  when  he 


ADAMS  COUNTY. 


239 


was  in  command  of  the  “ North  Carolina  ” 
running  from  Pittsburg  to  New  Orleans.  He 
started  out  from  a port  with  another  boat 
which  had  wooden  chimneys.  She  had  lost 
her  chimneys  by  their  striking  against  some 
trees,  and  being  in  haste  had  constructed 
these  for  temporary  use ; boxes  of  plank  they 
were,  fastened  together.  “ I laughed  at  the 
sight  of  them,”  said  Devenny,  “when  the 
captain  replied  I would  find  it  no  laughing 
matter:  he  should  beat  me  into  New  Or- 
leans. We  moved  along  in  company  when 
after  a few  hours  we  discovered  his  chimneys 
were  on  fire.  There  was  great  excitement 
on  his  boat.  He  called  up  his  crew  and  we 
saw  them  tumble  them  overboard.  We 
were  greatly  amused  at  the  sight,  laughing 
heartily.  I thought  it  was  all  up  with 
them.  But  they  had  an  extra  set,  had  them 
up  in  a twinkling  and  got  into  New  Orleans 
first. 

Prevenimg  Explosions.  — Captain  De- 
venny has  long  held  the  position  of  govern- 
ment inspector  of  steamboats.  He  ascribes 
explosions  as  generally  if  not  always  occur- 
ring from  the  water  getting  low  in  a boiler, 
and  then  when  fresh  water  is  let  in  upon  the 
bare  metal  thus  superheated  its  sudden 
conversion  into  steam  rends  the  boiler.  This 
is  now  guarded  against  by  boring  holes  in 
the  parts  of  the  boiler  that  would  first  be- 
come exposed  to  the  heat  in  case  of  a di- 
minution of  water ; which  holes  are  plugged 
with  block  tin.  At  the  temperature  of  442° 
the  block  tin  melts  the  holes  open,  and  the 
steam  escaping  gives  warning,  whereupon 
the  engineer  opens  the  furnace  door  and  the 
fire  goes  down.  The  plugs  are  externally 
hollow  brass  screws,  the  center  tin.  They 
are  put  in  from  the  inside  of  the  boiler  into 
which  the  workman  crawls  for  their  inser- 
tion. 

River  Beacons. — In  former  times  there 
were  no  beacons  or  lights  on  the  western 
rivers.  “ There  were  places  then  on  the 
Mississippi,”  said  Devenny,  “ where  we  had 
to  lie  by  all  night.  Sometimes  we  had  to 
send  a skiff  across  the  river  to  build  a bon- 
fire as  a guide  to  the  channel.  This  was 
constantly  changing  from  year  to  year.” 

In  going  down  the  Ohio  my  attention  was 
arrested  by  the  new  feature  introduced  by 
the  Government,  of  beacons  erected  on  the 
banks,  which  greatly  lessens  the  dangers  of 
navigation.  These  are  petroleum  lamps 
commonly  set  upon  posts  and  shaded  by 
small  roofs  as  is  shown  in  the  picture.  A 
small  steamer,  the  “ Lily,”  plies  on  the  Ohio 
between  Cairo  and  Pittsburg,  supplies  oil, 
pays  the  keepers,  puts  up  new  lights  where 
wanted  and  changes  the  old  ones,  which  is 
often  required  from  the  changes  of  the 
channel. 

The  lights  are  placed  on  the  channel  side 
of  the  river,  where  the  water  is  deep.  Some- 
times three  or  four  beacons  are  put  up  on  a 
single  farm.  The  steamers  steer  from  light 
to  light. 

The  farmers  on  the  river  largely  consign 


the  duty  of  attending  to  the  lights  to  their 
wives  and  daughters  who  thus  earn  “ pin 
money,”  some  few  dimes  daily  for  each 
lamp.  And  the  reflection  is  certainly  inter- 
esting that  along  on  these  rivers,  sweeping 
the  margins  of  many  states  in  the  aggre- 
gate, are  hundreds  of  worthy  thrifty  females 
daily  ascending  ladders  and  attending  to  the 
lamps  ; and  among  them  all  I venture  to 
say  no  five  foolish  virgins  could  be  found  so 
long  as  Uncle  Sam  with  smiling  visage 
stands  ready  with  his  huge  cans  to  pour 
out  the  oil. 

The  Ascetision  of  Ladders  must  be  classed 
as  among  the  accomplishments  of  the  softer 
sex.  In  Vienna  and  other  continental  cities 
females  carry  the  hod,  and  with  us  that  high 
class,  the  library  women,  are  continually  go- 
ing up  ladders  while  Providence  seems  to 
have  a watch  over  the  delicate  fragile  crea- 
tures in  this  peril.  Alarmed  at  the  sight  of 
an  ascension  in  the  Mercantile  Library  of 
Cincinnati  for  a book  she  had  wanted,  a 
lady  in  terror  tones  exclaimed,  “ Don’t  go 
up  there  for  me.  I’m  afraid  you  will  fall.” 
“ Humph,”  gruffly  retorted  a voice  at  her 
side,  that  of  her  other  half,  “ that  is  what 
she  is  put  here  for,  to  go  up  ladders  ! ” 

In  this  connection  it  is  interesting  to  men- 
tion that  the  statistics  of  a public  library  in 
Manchester,  England,  showed  that  the 
average  life  of  a library  book  was  eighty 
readings,  when  the  book  would  be  useless 
from  torn  and  missing  leaves  and  general 
shackling  condition.  Where  such  a book 
was  on  a top  shelf  its  procurement  and  re- 
turn would  require  160  ladder  ascensions  ere 
it  could  be  classed  as  defunct  literature. 

Thursday  Morn,  Dec.  23, — Well,  here  I 
am  safe  in  Manchester.  The  boat  porter 
took  a lantern  and  holding  me  by  the  hand 
I got  ashore  with  perfect  ease  ; a flood  of 
light  being  thrown  on  the  plank.  The  por- 
ter of  the  McDade  Hotel,  a colored  lad, 
took  me  in  charge.  He  also  had  a lantern 
and  taking  my  hand  we  floundered  through 
the  mud  up  the  river  bank,  my  rubber  san- 
dals getting  boot  jacked  off  by  the  way. 

After  leaving  my  “ grip  ” at  the  hotel 
which  faced  the  river,  the  boy  taking  a lan- 
tern went  with  me  to  make  a call  ; but  the 
party  was  not  at  home.  It  is  bad  to  get 
about  in  many  of  these  places  at  night. 
The  walks  are  so  ugly  with  so  many  sudden 
“step  up’s”-  and  “go  downs,”  that  it  is 
dangerous  for  a stranger  to  move  about 
without  a lantern  or  a pilot. 

I gave  the  boy  a good  sized  coin  for  going 
with  me.  He  could  hardly  believe  his  eyes. 
“What”  said  he,  “all  this.?”  “Yes.”  I 
then  sent  him  out  for  cigars.  When  he  re- 
turned I asked,  “ How  old  are  you  ? ” 
“ Nineteen.”  “Be  a good  boy,”  I rejoined, 
“ and  you  will  have  plenty  of  friends.” 
“ Yes,  I try  to  be.  I don’t  drink,  nor  use 
tobacco,  nor  swear.”  Thinks  I,  “ that  boy 
is  almost  a saint ! ” 

This  is  one  of  the  oldest  places  in  the 
State.  The  tavern  is  evidently  very  old 


240 


ADAMS  COUNTY. 


the  room  I was  in,  a small  dingy  spot.  In 
ancient  days  of  free^  liquor  it  had  been  a bar- 
room, doubtless  a loitering  place  for  the  scum 
of  the  river  and  village. 

I took  out  my  note-book  and  made  some 
notes  while  the^  old  clock  ticked  away  faith- 
fully, not  skipping  a single  second.  My  only 
companion,  indeed  the  only  person  I had  seen 
about  the  premises,  the  boy,  tipped  his  chair 
against  the  wall  and  dropping  asleep  snored 
in  unison  with  the  clock  ticks.  Soon  my 
iiotes  were  finished.  I gave  him  a gentle 
touch,  and  then  felt  as  though  I had^  a saint 
in  black  to  light  me  to  bed.  All  of  life  does 
not  consist  in  keeping  awake.  Then  how 
sweet  is  sleep  when  without  a thought  or  care 
of  trouble  one  can  sink  into  oblivion  while  the 
grand  procession  of  the  stars  passes  over  him. 

Blest  sleep  which  beguiles  with  visions  of  far 
isles. 

So  calm  and  so  peaceful  heart  can  wish  for 
no  more. 

With  cool,  leafy  shades,  and  green  sunny 
glades. 

And  low  murmuring  waters  laving  the 
shore. 

Somnus^  King  of  Sleep ^ “gentlest  of  the 
gods,  tranquillizer  of  mind  and  soother  of 
careworn  hearts:”  his  subjects  all  welcome 
him,  and  nod  at  his  coming. 

“We  are  all  nodding,  nid  nod  nodding. 

We  are  all  nodding  at  our  house  at  home.” 

Few  of  them  have  their  pride  touched  as  he 
passes  by,  and  so  get  mad  and  grumble,  say- 
ing, “ He  would  not  speak  to  me.” 

The  Best  Sleep  in  History. — As  long  as  the 
world  has  stood,  Somnus  has  pursued  his  vo- 
cation with  an  industry  worthy  of  all  praise. 
But  the  greatest  of  his  feats,  for  which  we 
are  the  most  grateful,  was  in  the  first  exercise 
of  his  power.  Way  back  in  the  ages  it  was, 
when  he  put  the  first  man  asleep  in  a garden 
and  during  that  sleep  a rib  was  taken  from 
him,  and  when  he  awoke  there  lay  by  his  side 
amid  the  fragrance  of  the  flowers  a beautiful 
creature.  The  doves  cooed  from  among  the 
roses  and  the  fiat  went  forth  that  thereafter 


man  should  not  live  alone.  Thus  was  mar- 
riage instituted  with  flowers  and  love  songs, 
while  the  bending  leaves,  its  witnesses,  whis- 
pered of  the  great  event,  and  moved  by  the 
unseen  spirits,  the  zephyrs,  they  danced  in 
joy  : it  was  the  original  wedding  dance,  that 
in  Eden  : the  dance  of  the  leaves. 

But  ah  ! there  was  a sad  omission  to  that 
union : no  preliminary  courtship,  none  of 
those  blissful  walks  by  moonlight  in  the 
dreamy  poetic  hours,  to  throw  a halo  of  ro- 
mance over  love’s  young  dream,  and  which 
gives  to  many  a joyous  couple  in  their  serene 
old  age  their  most  delicious  sacred  retrospect. 
Still  the  moon  must  later  have  put  in  her  ap- 
earance,  smiling  and  happy  as  she  played 
o-peep  from  behind  the  soft,  fleecy  clouds, 
and  blessed  them,  as  she  ever  does  us  all. 

The  Blessing  of  the  Moon. — We  may  all 
worship  and  love  the  moon,  so  beautiful  and 
so  chaste.  Silent  and  solemn  are  her  minis- 
trations. Her  soft  light  drops  down  from  on 
high — reflects  from  the  bosom  of  many  waters, 
bathes  the  mountain  sides,  relieves  the  gloom 
of  the  forest  with  ribbons  of  silver,  lies  over 
the  fields  and  habitations  of  man,  touches 
with  the  tips  of  her  fingers  the  clustering 
vines  of  the  trellis,  and  entering  the  chamber 
window  spreads  her  angel  light  over  the  pure 
white  couch  where  youth  and  innocence  are 
sleeping.  And  the  heart  of  man  wells  up  in 
calm  seraphic  joy.  He  feels  it^  is  the  power 
of  God  and  he  says:  “Great  is  the  gift  of 
human  life  that  it  is  made  receptive  of  such 
hallowed,  chaste  beauty.”  It  is  the  common 
blessing,  alike  to  the  lofty  and  the  lowly — the 
blessing  of  the  beauty  of  the  moon. 

‘ But  i return  from  my  allegorical  poetical 
excursion  to  the  McBade,  the  home  of  my 
young  friend  the  black  boy.  Son  of  Night. 

At  daylight  I was  awakened  by  music.  It 
was  a monotone,  especially  grateful  as  I was 
so  nicely  nestled.  ^ The  music  was  the  sound 
of  a steady  pouring  down  rain  on  the  roof 
over  me ; but  far  above  the  first  beams  of  the 
rising  sun  were  striking  upon  the  rolling 
mists,  lighting  them  up  as  an  aerial  ocean  of 
golden  ^ory : a vast  and  awful^  solitude  of 
ethereal  beauty.  Great  is  Creation ! and  the 
wonder  is  that  it  can  be,  and  our  lives  with  so 
little  of  real  evil. 


Winchester  is  on  the  line  of  the  railroad  in  the  northwest  corner  of  the 
county,  thirteen  miles  from  West  Union.  It  has  one  newspaper,  The  Signal^ 
Rufus  T.  Baird,  editor ; the  Winchester  Bank,  George  Baird,  president,  James 
S.  Cressman,  vice-president,  L.  J.  Fenton,  cashier;  and  one  Baptist,  one  Pres- 
byterian, and  one  Methodist  Episcopal  church ; population  in  1880,  550;  school 
census,  1886,  196;  do.  at  Rome  (fifteen  miles  southeast  of  West  Union),  160; 
at  Bentonville  (five  miles  southwest  of  West  Union),  142 ; Locust  Grove  99, 
and  Sandy  Springs  56. 


ALLEJSr. 

Allen  County  was  formed  April  1,  1820,  from  Indian  Territory,  and  named 
in  honor  of  a Col.  Allen,  of  the  war  of  1812  ; it  was  temporarily  attached  to 
Mercer  county  for  judicial  purposes.  The  southern  part  has  many  Germans.  A 
large  part  of  the  original  settlers  were  of  Pennsylvania  origin.  The  western  half 
of  the  county  is  flat,  and  presents  the  common  features  of  the  Black  Swamp. 
The  eastern  part  is  gently  rolling,  and  in  the  southeastern  part  are  gravelly  ridges 
and  knolls.  The  Dividing  Bidge  ’’  is  occupied  by  handsome,  well-drained  farms, 
which  is  in  marked  contrast  with  much  of  the  surrounding  country,  which  is  still 
in  the  primeval  forest  condition.  Its  area  is  440  square  miles.  In  1885  the 
acres  cultivated  were  119,175;  in  pasture,  29,598;  in  woodland,  53,395;  pro- 
duced in  wheat,  460,669  bushels;  in  corn,  1,157,149;  wool,  103,654  pounds. 
School  census,  1886,  11,823;  teachers,  178  ; and  118  miles  of  railroad. 


Townships  and  Census. 

1840. 

1880. 

Townships  and  Census. 

1840. 

1880. 

Amanda, 

Auglaize, 

282 

1,456 

Ottawa, 

7,669 

1,344 

1,512 

1,749 

Perry, 

923 

1,465 

Bath, 

1,532 

Richland, 

3,372 

German, 

856 

1,589 

Shawnee, 

756 

1,241 

Jackson, 

1,176 

1,893 

4,488 

2,182 

Spencer, 

Sugar  Creek, 

1,646 

Marion, 

Monroe, 

672 

1,032 

The  population  in  1830  was  578  ; 1850,  12,116  ; 1860,  19,185  ; 1880,  31,314, 
of  whom  25,625  were  Ohio  born,  3 were  Chinese,  and  4 Indians. 

The  initial  point  in  the  occupancy  of  the  county  by  the  whites  was  the  building 
of  a fort  on  the  west  bank  of  the  Auglaize  in  September,  1812,  by  Col.  Poague, 
of  Gen.  Harrison’s  army,  which  he  named  in  honor  of  his  wife  Fort  Amanda.  A 
ship-yard  was  founded  there  the  next  year,  and  a number  of  scows  built  by  the 
soldiers  for  navigation  on  the  Lower  Miami,  as  well  as  for  the  navigation  of  the 
Auglaize,  which  last  may  be  termed  one  of  the  historical  streams  of  Ohio,  as  it 
was  early  visited  by  the  French,  and  in  its  neighborhood  were  the  villages  of  the 
<iost  noted  Indian  chiefs ; it  was  also  on  the  route  of  Harmer’s,  Wayne’s,  and 
Harrison’s  armies.  To-day  it  is  but  a somewhat  diminutive  river,  owing  to  the 
drainage  of  the  country  by  canals  and  ditches,  and  the  clearing  ofl*  of  the  forests ; 
in  the  past  it  was  a navigable  stream,  capable  of  floating  heavily  laden  flat-boats 
and  scows. 

The  fort  was  a quadrangle,  with  pickets  eleven  feet  high,  and  a block-house  at 
each  of  the  four  corners.  The  storehouse  was  in  the  centre.  A national  cemetery 
was  established  here,  where  are  seventy-five  mounds,  the  graves  of  soldiers  of  the 
war  of  1812. 

Among  the  first  white  men  who  lived  at  this  point  was  a Frenchman,  Francis 
Deuchoquette.  He  was  interpreter  to  the  Indians.  It  was  said  he  was  present  at 
the  burning  of  Crawford,  and  interfered  to  save  that  unfortunate  man.  He  was 
greatly  e<=iteemed  by  the  early  settlers  for  his  kindly  disposition.  In  1817  came 
Andrew  Russell,  Peter  Diltz,  and  William  Van  Ausdall ; and  in  1820  numerous 
others. 

Russell  opened  on  the  Auglaize  the  first  farm  probably  in  the  county,  and  there 
was  born  the  first  white  child,  a girl,  who  became  Mrs.  Charles  C.  Marshall,  of 

(241) 


ALLEN  COUNTY./ 

Delphos.  She  was  familiarly  called  the  Daughter  of  Allen  county/’  She  died 
in  1871. 

From  an  address  by  T.  E.  Cunningham,  delivered  before  the  Pioneer  Associa- 
tion, at  Lima,  September  22,  1871,  we  derive  the  following  additional  items  upon 
the  early  settlers  of  the  county  : 

Samuel  McClure,  now  living,  at  the  age  of  seventy-eight  years,  settled  on  Hog 
creek,  five  miles  northeast  of  where  Lima  now  stands,  in  the  month  of  November, 
1825,  forty-six  years  ago.  He  has  remained  on  the  farm  where  he  then  built  a 
cabin  ever  since.  The  nearest  white  neighbors  he  knew  of  were  two  families 
named  Leeper  and  Kidd,  living  one  mile  below  where  Roundhead  now  is,  about 
twenty  miles  to  the  nearest  known  neighbor.  On  that  farm,  in  the  year  1826,  was 
born  Moses  McClure,  the  first  white  child  born  on  the  waters  of  Hog  creek.  Mr. 
McClure’s  first  neighbor  was  Joseph  Ward,  a brother  of  Gen.  John  Ward.  He" 
helped  cut  the  road  when  McClure  came,  and  afterwards  brought  his  family,  and 
put  them  into  McClure’s  cabin,  while  he  built  one  for  himself  on  the  tract  where 
he  afterwards  erected  what  was  known  as  Ward’s  mill.  The  next  family  was 
that  of  Joseph  Walton.  They  came  in  March,  1826. 

Shawneetown,  an  Indian  village,  was  situated  eight  miles  below  the  McClure 
settlement,  at  the  mouth  of  Hog  creek.  A portion  of  the  village  was  on  the 
old  Ezekiel  Hoover  farm  and  a portion  on  the  Breese  farm.  Mr.  McClure  and 
his  little  neighborhood  soon  became  acquainted,  and  upon  good  terms  with  their 
red  neighbors.  He  says  Hai-Aitch-Tah,  the  war-chief,  had  he  been  civilized, 
would  have  been  a man  of  mark  in  any  community.  Quilna  was  the  great  busi- 
ness man  of  the  tribe  here.  Soon  after  the  McClure  settlement  was  made  they 
heard  from  the  Indians  at  Shawneetown  that  the  United  States  government  had 
erected  a mill  at  Wapakoneta.  The  settlers  had  no  road  to  the  mill,  but  Quilna 
assisted  them  to  open  one.  He  surveyed  the  line  of  their  road  without  compass, 
designating  it  by  his  own  knowledge  of  the  different  points  and  the  Indian  method 
of  reaching  them. 

There  are  many  of  the  children  of  the  early  settlers  to  whom  the  name  of 
Quilna  is  a household  word.  To  his  business  qualities  were  added  great  kindness 
of  heart,  and  a thorough  regard  for  the  white  people.  No  sacrifice  of  his  personal 
ease  was  too  much  if  by  any  effort  he  could  benefit  his  new  neighbors. 

In  the  month  of  June,  1826,  Morgan  Lippincott,  Joseph  Wood,  and  Benjamin 
Dolph,  while  out  hunting,  found  the  McClure  settlement.  To  his  great  surprise, 
Mr.  McClure  learned  that  he  had  been  for  months  living  within  a few  miles  of 
another  white  settlement  located  on  Sugar  creek.  He  learned  from  the  hunters 
there  were  five  families  : Christopher  Wood,  ^lorgan  Lippincott,  Samuel  Jacobs, 
Joseph  Wood,  and  Samuel  Purdy.  It  is  his  belief  that  Christopher  Wood  settled 
on  Sugar  creek  as  early  as  1824,  on  what  is  known  as  the  Miller  farm.  In  the 
spring  of  1831,  John  Ridenour,  now  living,  at  the  age  of  eighty-nine,  with  his 
family — Jacob  Ridenour,  then  a young  married  man,  and  David  Ridenour, 
bachelor — removed  from  Perry  county,  and  settled  one  mile  south  of  Lima,  on  the 
lands  the  families  of  that  name  have  occupied  ever  since.” 

Lima  was  surveyed  in  1831  by  Capt.  James  W.  Riley.  Christopher  Wood 
was  one  of  the  commissioners  appointed  to  locate  the  county-seat,  and  was  on  the 
board  to  plat  the  village  and  superintend  the  sale  of  lots.  Both  of  these  were 
remarkable  men.  Wood  was  born  in  Kentucky  in  1769,  Avas  an  Indian  scout,  ami 
engaged  in  all  the  border  campaigns,  inclusive  of  the  war  of  1812.  Riley  Avas  the 
first  settler  in  Van  Wert  county.  He  Avas  a native  of  MiddletoAvn,  Connecticut. 
Early  in  life,  Avhile  in  command  of  a vessel,  he  Avas  shipAvrecked  on  the  coast  of 
Africa,  and  fell  into  the  hands  of  the  Arabs ; his  history  of  his  adventures  reads 
like  a romance.  For  a fuller  account  of  him  see  Van  Wert  county. 

Lima  Avas  named  by  Hon.  Patrick  G.  Goode.  In  August,  1831,  a public  sale 
of  the  lots  took  place.  A few  months  later  came  John  P.  Mitchell,  Absalom 
SroAvj,  John  P.  Cole,  Dr.  William  Cunningham,  John  Brewster,  David  Tracy, 


ALLEN  COUNTY. 


243 


John  Mark,  and  John  Bashore,  all  with  families,  except  Brewster,  who  was  a 
bachelor.  Absalom  Brown  was  the  first  white  citizen,  and  his  daughter,  Marion 
Mitchell  Brown,  the  first  white  child  born  here. 

Three  years  later,  the  picture  Lima  presented  is  thus  given  in  the  cheery 
reminiscences  of  Robert  Bowers  : 


My  father  brought  me  to  Lima  in  the  fall 
of  1834.  I was  then  a boy  of  twelve  years 
of  age,  and  as  green  as  the  forest  leaves  in 
June — a rare  specimen  to  transplant  on  new 
and  untried  soil,  where  there  was  nothing  to 
develop  the  mind  but  the  study  of  forest 
leaves,  the  music  of  the  bull-frog  and  the 
howl  of  the  wolf.  The  boys  and  girls  were  their 
own  instructors,  and  the  spelling  schools  that 
were  held  by  appointment  and  imposed  upon 
our  fathers  by  turns,  were  our  highest 
academical  accomplishments,  and  unfortu- 
nately for  myself  I never  even  graduated  at 
them.  Lima  was  then  a town  of  very  few 
souls.  I knew  eveiw  man,  woman  and  child 
in  the  settlement,  and  could  count  them  all 
without  much  figuring.  No  newspaper  office, 
no  outlet  or  inlet  either  by  rail  or  earth. 
In  the  spring  we  travelled  below,  in  the  sum- 
mer we  travelled  on  top.  Our  roads  were 
trails  and  section  lines.  ^ Emigrants  were  con- 
stantly changing  the  trails  seeking  better  and 
dryer  land  for  their  footing  and  wheeling. 
Yet  under  all  our  disadvantages  we  were 
happy,  and  always  ready  to  lend  a helping 
hand  and  render  assistance  wherever  it  was 
needed.  The  latchstring  was  always  out  and 
often  the  last  pint  of  meal  was  divided,  re- 
gardless where  the  next  would  come  from. 
The  nearest  mills  were  at  settlements  in  ad- 
joining counties,  and  the  labor  of  going 
thither  through  the  wilderness  and  the  delays 
on  their  arrival  in  getting  their  grain  ground, 
so  great  that  they  had  recourse  to  hand-mills, 
hominy  blocks  and  corn-crackers ; so  the 
labor  was  largely  performed  within  the  family 
circle.  [A  very  pleasing  picture  of  this  is  given 


in  the  reminiscences  of  Mr.  Bowers ; he  says  :] 
The  horse  and  hand  miller,  the  tin  grater 
were  always  reliable  and  in  constant  use  as  a 
means  of  preparing  our  breadstuff.  I was 
my  father’s  miller,  just  the  age  to  perform 
the  task.  My  daily  labor  was  to  gather  corn 
and  dry  it  in  a kiln,  after  which  I took  it  on 
a grater  made  from  an  old  copper  kettle  or 
tin  bucket,  and  after  supper  made  meal  for 
the  johnny-cake  for  breakfast ; after  breakfast 
I made  meal  for  the  pone  for  dinner  ; after 
dinner  I made  meal  for  the  mush  for  supper. 
And  now  let  me  paint  you  a picture  of  our 
domestic  life  and  an  interior  view  of  my 
father’s  house.  The  names  I give  below;  a 
great  many  will  recognize  the  picture  only  too 
well  drawn,  and  think  of  the  days  of  over 
forty  years  ago.  Our  house  was  a cabin  con- 
taining a parlor,  kitchen  and  dining-room. 
Connected  was  a shoe  shop,  also  a broom 
and  repair  shop.  To  save  fuel  and  light  and 
have  everything  handy,  we  had  the  whole 
thing  in  one  room,  which  brought  us  all  to- 
gether so  we  could  oversee  each  other  better. 
After  supper  each  one  knew  his  place.  In 
our  house  there  were  four  mechanics.  I was 
a shoemaker  and  corn-grater.  My  father 
could  make  a sledge,  and  the  other  two  boys 
could  strip  broom  corn.  My  sisters  spun 
yarn  and  mother  knit  and  made  garments. 
Imagine  you  see  us  all  at  work  ; sister  Mar- 
garet sings  a song,  father  makes  chips  and 
mother  pokes  up  the  fire  ; Isaac  spins  a yarn, 
John  laughs  at  him,  and  thus  our  evenings 
are  spent  in  our  wild  home,  for  we  were  all 
simple,  honest  people,  and  feared  no  harm 
from  our  neighbors. 


The  want  of  mills  is  everywhere  a great  deprivation  in  a new  country ; varied 
have  been  the  devices  for  overcoming  it.  The  engraving  annexed  shows  a sub- 
stitute for  a mill  that  was  used,  in  the  early  settling  of  Western  New  York,  and 
probably  to’ some  extent  in  Ohio.  It  consists  of  a stump  hollowed  out  by  fire  as 
a mortar,  with  a log  attached  to  the  end  of  a young  sapling  bent  over  to  act  as  a 
pestle.  The  process  was  slow  and  tedious,  it  being  a day’s  work  to  convert  a 
bushel  of  corn  into  samp. 

The  early  settlers  in  Western  New  York  when  they  owned  a few  slaves,  which 
some  of  them  did,  employed  them  in  this  drudgery,  hence  the  process  was  vulgarly 
termed  niggering  corn.”  People  of  humanity  in  our  time  would  not  be  guilty 
of  using  such  an  expression  as  this.  No  one  thing  shows  the  general  moral  advance 
of  the  American  people  more  strongly  than  their  treatment  of;  and  increased  con- 
sideration for,  the  humbler  classes  among  them. 

Lima,  the  county-seat,  is  on  the  Ottawa  river,  203  feet  above  Lake  Erie,  95 
miles  west-northwe.st  of  Columbus,  and  on  five  railways  r the  P.  Ft.  W.  & C.  ; 
D.  & M. ; L.  E.  & W. ; C.  A.,  and  C.  L.  & N.  W.  County  officers  in 
1888 : Probate  Judge,  John  F.  Lindemann ; Clerk  of  Court,  Eugene  C. 
McKenzie;  Sheriff,  Moses  P.  Hoagland  ; Prosecuting  Attorney,  Isaac  S.  Motter; 
Auditors,  William  D.  Poling,  Cyrus  D.  Crites  j Treasurer,  Jacob  B.  Sunderland; 


244 


/ 

ALLEN  county/ 

Recorder,  George  Monroe ; Surveyor,  James  PiUars ; Coroner,  John  C.  Coiivery ; 
Commissioners,  John  Akerman,  Abraham  Oider,  Alexander  Shenk.  News- 
papers : Gazette,  Republican,  C.  Parmenter,  editor ; Democrat,  Democratic,  Mr. 
Timmonds,  editor;  Republican,  Republican,  daily  and  weekly.  Long,  Winder  & 
Porter,  publishers ; Times,  daily  and  weekly,  O.  B.  Selfridge,  Jr. ; Courier,  Ger- 
man, Democratic.  Churches : two  Methodist  Episcopal,  one  Colored  Methodist 
Episcopal,  one  Presbyterian,  one  Old  School  Presbyterian,  one  Mission  Presbyterian, 
one  Baptist,  one  Colored  Baptist,  one  German  Catholic,  one  Evangelical  Lutheran, 
two  Lutheran,  one  German  Reformed  Lutheran,  one  Episcopalian,  one  United 
Brethren,  one  Christian,  one  Reformed  English.  Banks : City,  T.  T.  Mitchell, 
president,  E.  B.  Mitchell,  cashier ; First  National,  S.  A.  Baxter,  president,  C.  M. 
Hughes,  Jr.,  cashier;  Lima  National,  B.  C.  Faurot,  president,  F.  L.  Langdon, 
cashier;  Merchants’,  R.  MehalFey,  president,  R.  W.  Thrift,  Jr.,  cashier. 

Manufactur'es  and  Employees. — The  Lima  Engine  Manufacturing  Company,  6 
hands ; Sinclair  & Morrison,  well-drilling  tools,  10 ; W.  Schultheis,’  leather,  23 ; 
E.  F.  Dunan,  builders’  wood-work,  8 ; C.  H.  & D.  R.  R.  shops,  railroad 
repairs,  154;  Lima  Machine  Works,  locomotives,  150;  the  Cass  Manufacturing 
Company,  handles,  sucker-rods,  etc.,  10 ; E.  W.  Cook,  job  machinery,  37 ; the 


Early  Settlers  Founding  Corn. 


Lima  Paper-Mills,  straw-board  and  egg-cases,  128  ; Enterprise  Cracker  Company, 
crackers,  10;  Woolsey  & Co.,  bent  wood- work,  etc.,  78;  Castle  & Muller, 
drilling  and  fishing  tools,  8 ; Lafayette  Car-Works,  railroad  cars  and  repairs,  300 ; 
L.  E.  and  W.  R.  R.  Company,  locomotive  repairs,  103;  Dr.  S.  A.  Baxter,  boxes 
and  staves,  8. — State  Report  1887.  Population  in  1860,  2,354;  in  1880,  7,567 ; 
school  census  1886,  3,345.  Estimated  population  in  1888,  18,000. 

Lima  has  several  fine  business  blocks.  The  court-house  is  one  of  the  most 
imposing  in  Ohio ; it  covers  half  an  acre,  and  was  erected,  with  the  stone  jail 
adjacent,  at  a cost  of  $350,000 ; it  is  constructed  of  Berea  stone,  ornamented  with 
red  granite  columns.  It  is  160  feet  in  height,  and  has  a tower  and  clock.  Its 
interior  finished  in  granite,  and  with  encaustic  tiled  floors,  is  furnished  in  the  finest 
cherry,  and  is  adorned  with  statuary.  It  is  the  large  structure  with  a tower 
shown  in  the  street  view. 

The  Faurot  Opera  Block,  finished  in  1882,  contains  not  only  an  opera-house 
(which  is  said  to  have  only  one  equal  to  it  in  the  State)  and  a fine  music-hall,  but 
also  eight  large  business  rooms,  numerous  offices,  a dining-hall,  and  the  Lima 
National  bank,  facing  upon  Main  and  High  streets,  and  remarked  for  its  beauty. 

Annexed  is  a view  of  Lima,  drawn  by  us  in  1846,  when  the  jilace  was  but  a 


ALLEN  COUNTY. 


245 


small  village.  It  was  taken  near  the  then  residence  of  Col.  James  Cunningham,  on 
the  Wapakoneta  road.  The  stream  shown  in  the  view  is  the  Ottawa  river,  often 
called  Hog  river — a name  derived  from  the  following  circumstance  : McKee,  the 


Drawn  hy  Henry  Hoioe  in  1846. 

View  of  Lima  from  the  Wapakoneta  Road. 

British  Indian  agent,  who  resided  at  the  Machachac  towns,  on  Mad  river,  during 
the  incursion  of  Gen.  Logan  in  1786,  was  obliged  to  flee  with  his  effects.  He  had 
his  swine  driven  on  to  the  borders  of  this  stream  ; the  Indians  thereafter  called  it 


J.  W.  Mock,  Photo.,  Lima,  1887. 

Street  View  in  Lima. 

Koshlco  sepe,  which  signifies  Hog  river.  The  eccentric  Count  Coffenbury,  in  his 
poem,  ^^The  Forest  Rangers,’’  terms  it  Swinonia.  A sketch  of  the  count  is  given 
elsewhere  in  this  work,  with  extracts  from  his  amusing  poetry. 

Although  a substantial  and  growing  manufacturing  city,  it  was  not  until  May, 


246  ALLEN  COUNTY. 

1885,  that  it  was  discovered  that  Lima  was  in  the  largest  oil-field  known  on  the 
globe,  not  even  excepting  the  famous  Russian  oil-fields.  Its  discovery  was  a 
matter  of  accident,  the  history  of  which,  and  the  position  of  Lima  a year  later 
consequent  upon  it,  has  thus  been  given. 

It  was  while  boring  for  gas  at  his  paper-mill  that  Mr.  B.  C.  Faurot  found  oil 
at  a depth  of  1,251  feet,  and  though  Eastern  speculators  pronounced  the  product 
Avorthless,  they  soon  leased  land.  In  the  following  August  (1885)  a citizens’ 
conqiany  was  formed  and  a well  was  put  down,  which  yielded  about  sixty  barrels 
per  diem.  When  the  manufactories  began  to  use  the  oil  for  fuel  it  brought  the 
low  price  of  forty  cents  a barrel.  The  work  began  in  earnest  in  February,  1886, 
when  the  Mandeville  company,  from  Olean,  N.  Y.,  leased  land  known  as  the  Shade 
farm,  at  the  suburbs  of  the  city,  and  opened  wells  which  made  200  barrels  a day. 
When  refined,  the  oil  proved  to  be  an  article  of  excellent  quality.  Other  wells 
Avere  soon  sunk,  and  some  of  them  were  found  to  yield  some  600  barrels  daily.  A 
refinery  was  built ; the  work  moved  on  rapidly,  and  in  less  than  one  year  there 
Avas  an  increase  of  at  least  1,500  more  inhabitants.  There  are  now  about  116  oil- 
Avells,  Avith  a floAv  of  about  5,000  barrels  a day  from  125  or  more  Avells.  A firm 
has  for  some  time  been  manufacturing  rigs.  Drilling  is  going  on,  and  another 
refinery  is  about  to  be  erected,  Avith  a capacity  of  2,500  barrels  per  day.  An 
average  of  thirty-five  Avells  is  developed  each  month.  The  Standard  Oil  Com- 
pany is  noAv  erecting  a refinery.” 

By  May,  1887,  there  Avere  seventy  AA^ellsJn  the  city  of  Lima,  and  in  the  entire 
Lima  field  over  300.  What  is  termed  the  Lima  oil-field  extends  soutliAvest  about 
twenty-five  miles,  through  Wapakoneta  and  St.  Mary’s,  in  Auglaize  county,  into 
Mercer  county,  just  south  of  Celina.  The  entire  profitable  oil  territory  of  North- 
Avestern  Ohio  is  much  larger.  It  covers  all  of  Allen  and  Hancock  counties,  the 
south  part  of  Wood,  and  parts  of  Seneca,  Wyandot,  Hardin,  Putnam,  Auglaize, 
and  Mercer  counties.  The  general  position  of  Lima  at  this  period  (May,  1887) 
Avas  thus  defined  by  President  Baxter,  of  the  Board  of  Trade : 

The  enterprise  and  dash  of  our  people  is  inherited ; it  came  to  us  from  our 
fathers  Avho  are.  dead  and  gone.  We  are  reaping  the  benefits  of  their  labors  and 
sacrifices.  We  haA^e  a magnificent  agricultural  country,  as  fine  railroad  facilities 
as  any  city  in  the  country.  For  thirty  years  Ave  have  had  a substantial,  healthy 
groAvth,  Avith  scarcely  a single  backset.  We  have  the  general  shops  of  the  Cincin- 
nati, Hamilton  and  Dayton,  and  Lake  Erie  and  Western  railroads ; a machine- 
Avorks,  Avith  a specialty  that  brings  orders  from  all  parts  of  the  globe ; a straAv- 
board  and  egg-case  concern,  Avith  facilities  that  cannot  be  excelled  on  earth ; a 
contract  car-shops,  that  employ  more  men  than  the  combined  industries  of  our 
neighboring  toAvn  of  Findlay;  tAvo  Avagon  and  carriage  material  manufacturers, 
that  manage  to  disturb  the  markets  of  the  country  by  the  cheapness  of  tlieir 
products.  The  toAvn  is  filled  AAuth  little  concerns  of  all  kinds  in  the  manufacturing 
line,  and  last  night  a single  bank  in  the  city  paid  1,800  checks  to  skilled  labor 
employed  in  the  various  industries.  In  addition  to  AAdiat  AA^e  have  had  heretofore, 
the  past  year  has  developed  here  the  largest  oil-field  in  area  in  the  Avorld,  and  of 
Avhich  Lima  is  the  nucleus.  AFithin  ten  months  probably  $5,000,000  of  capital 
has  been  brought  in,  and  the  future  of  Lima  as  the  head-centre  of  the  oil  distribu- 
tion is  fixed  and  assured  by  the  action  of  the  Standard  Oil  Company  in  building 
here  the  largest  and  most  complete  refinery  in  their  entire  system.  Tavo  other 
pij)e-lines  and  a refinery,  operated  by  gritty  young  felloAvs,  are  also  in  operation, 
and  more  coming.  AVc  haA^e  500  oil-A\'ells  in  operation,  Avith  a daily  production 
of  20,000  barrels,  and  there  isiilready  stored,  AAnthin  a radius  of  a few  miles,  prob- 
ably 1,000,000  barrels  of  oil,  Avith  the  oil  business  as  yet  only  in  its  toddling 
infancy,  the  de\Tlopcd  territory  being  capable  of  sustaining  fifty-fold  more  Avells  and 
operated  Avith  much  greater  economy.  The  possibilities  of  the  oil  business  are 
simply  beyond  comprehension  to  the  ordinary  mind,  and  those  actiA^ely  engaged  in 
the  production,  handling,  and  purchase  seem  the  most  muddled  of  all.  These  are 


ALLEN  COUNTY. 


24; 


the  things  that  bring  the  solid  wealth  to  our  coffers.  To  spend  it  we  have,  to  begin 
with,  a daisy  town.  We  have  a system  of  public-schools  that  are  as  near  perfec- 
tion as  can  be  made,  and,  by  the  way,  we  have  scrupulously  kept  the  schools  out 
of  politics  and  religion.  Every  denomination  of  church  is  represented.  We  go  to 
the  handsomest  little  opera-house  in  the  West.  For  a nickel  we  can  ride  two 
miles  on  a splendidly  equipped  electrical  street-railroad.  For  light  we  can  use 
electricity  or  gas,  each  the  very  perfection  of  their  kind;  and  for  thirst  and  clean- 
liness a system  of  water-works  has  been  provided  that,  although  it  broke  our  hearts 
and  exhausted  our  purses  to  build  them,  more  than  compensate  for  all  they  cost. 
As  to  natural  gas,  we  already  have  enough  to  set  the  ordinary  village  crazy.’’ 

From  a circular  issued  in  Lima  early  in  the  year  1888  we  extract  some  interest- 
ing details  relating  to  the  oil  refineries : 

In  the  development  of  the  oil  industry, 
the  new  concerns  that  have  grown  up  within 
the  past  two  years  are  too  numerous  co  men- 
tion. Among  the  heaviest  producers  of  crude 
oil  may  be  mentioned  the  Ohio  Oil  Company, 
with  a capital  of  one  million  dollars.  They 
are  producing  over  4,000  barrels  daily,  and  when 
a fair  price  is  obtained  for  ‘‘Lima  Crude,” 
have  the  territory  and  facilities  for  increasing 
their  production  fourfold.  Schofield,  Sher- 
mer  & Teagle,  oil  refiners  of  Cleveland,  have 
about  fifty  producing  wells,  with  fifteen  miles 
of  pipe  line,  and  a tankage  capacity  of  150,- 
000  barrels.  They  have  employed  in  this  field 
somewhere  near  $200,000.  The  Buckeye  Pipe 
Line  Company  have  some  250  miles  of  pipe 
line, about  1 70  large  iron  tanks  of  36,000  barrels 
capacity  each,  and  employ  in  the  neighbor- 
hood of  $3,000,000  in  taking  care  of  the 

Eroduct  of  the  field.  The  Excelsior  Pipe 
line  has  something  over  thirty  miles  of  pipe, 
with  a tankage  capacity  of  about  100,000  bar- 
rels, and  employ  $100,000  in  taking  care  of 
the  crude  product.  The  Eagle  Consolidated 


Refinery  has  a capacity  of  1,000  barrels  of 
refined  oil  daily.  They  own  sixty  tank  cars, 
have  fourteen  acres  of  land  upon  which  their 
works  are  located,  and  a capital  of  $100,000 
is  invested.  The  Solar  Refinery  has  1 21  acres 
of  land  upon  which  their  works  are  located 
and  employ  a capital  of  half  a million  dollars. 
Their  capacity  is  5,000  barrels  daily.  The 
Solar  is  probably  the  largest  refinery  in  the 
country,  and  additions  are  being  made  con- 
stantly to  the  works.  During  the  past  year 
and  a half  more  than  a million  dollars  har 
been  used  in  the  erection  of  new  busines? 
buildings,  manufacturing  establishments  and 
dwelling-houses,  and  the  present  year  prom- 
ises still  greater  investments  in  building  en- 
terprises. Real  estate  in  Lima  and  through- 
out the  county  has  always  been  held  at  very 
moderate  values.  The  county  is  one  of  the 
finest  agricultural  districts  in  the  State,  wheat, 
corn  and  oats  being  the  staple  products,  and 
there  is  hardly  an  acre  in  the  county  that  is 
not  capable  of  cultivation. 


The  great  enterprise  of  piping  oil  from  the  Lima  fields  to  Chicago  manufactur- 
ing establishments  is  now,  in  this  the  year  1888,  being  undertaken  by  the  Standard 
Oil  Company,  who  practically  control  all  the  oil  territory  around  Lima.  The  total 
length  of  pipe  will  be  about  210  miles,  and  the  entire  investment  aggregate  over 
$2,000,000. 

The  view  of  the  derricks  was  taken  from  a bridge,  the  successor  of  the  covered 
bridge  over  the  Ottawa  shown  in  the  old  view  of  Lima,  and  looking  easterly. 
The  oil-wells,  with  their  derricks,  are  a marked  feature  of  this  entire  region. 
Nowhere  are  they  so  plentiful  as  around  the  town.  Experience  soon  showed  they 
were  often  too  close  for  profit,  sometimes  not  over  an  acre  apart,  when  the  flow 
proved  too  weak  • one  well  in  ten  acres  was  found  near  enough.  The  life  of  a well 
on  the  Bradford,  Pennsylvania,  oil-field  is  usually  about  ten  years ; how  long  in 
that  of  Lima  remains  to  be  tested,  A single  steam-engine  in  places  answers  for 
the  pumping  of  several  wells,  the  power  being  transmitted  from  well  to  well  by 
cables  and  shafting.  The  wells  are  named  from  the  original  proprietors  of  the 
land.  To  illustrate,  one  is  named  Shade  well.  No.  11,”  it  being  the  eleventh 
Avell  on  the  land  of  Mr.  Nelson  Shade.  The  cost  of  drilling  for  wells  varies  from 
sixty-five  cents  to  $1.50  a foot.  The  oil  is  struck  at  from  1,250  to  1,500  feet. 

Another  marked  feature  of  the  oil  region  is  the  tanks  for  the  storage  of  the  oil, 
which  vary  in  capacity  from  250  to  3,500  barrels.  They  resemble  huge  tubs,  are 
covered  on  top  with  boards,  and  housed  or  shedded  over.  The  tanks  are  some- 
times struck  by  lightning;  in  a single  storm  in  October,  1885,  several  were  thus 


248  ALLEN  COUNTY. 

destroyed.  Very  little  else  was  destroyed  but  the  tanks.  No  flames  of  conse- 
quence were  seen,  but  immense  volumes  of  smoke  poured  forth,  which  seemed  as  a 
protection,  acting  as  an  impenetrable  curtain  to  outside  objects. 

The  Black  Swamp  tract,  in  which  this  county  partially  lies,  has  been  the  scene 
of  much  unwritten  history  in  the  early  settlement  of  the  country.  Father  Finley 
— a sketch  of  whom  is  elsewhere  given  in  this  work — has  preserved  a pleasant 
anecdote  connected  with  the  war  of  1812  in  his  sketch  of  the*  life  of  an  eminent 
Methodist  minister,  Kev.  William  H.  Kaper.  At  the  time  he  was  a lad  of  nine- 
teen, and  volunteered  in  the  company  of  Capt.  Stephen  Smith,  of  Clermont 
county,  which  marched  to  the  frontier.  From  his  brightness,  notwithstanding  his 
youth,  he  was  chosen  sergeant. 


J.  W.  Mock^  Photo.,  Lima. 
Field  of  Derricks,  Lima. 


THE  BLACK  SWAMP  MUTINY. 

A day  or  two  before  the  battle  of  the 
Thames,  Raper’s  company  was  told  to  march 
up  the  lake  some  fifteen  miles  to  prevent  the 
landing  of  the  British  from  their  vessels,  and 
the  engagement  took  place  during  their  ab- 
sence. Thic  circumstance  rendered  it  neces- 
sary for  his  company,  which  was  now  the 
strongest,  to  be  put  in  charge  of  the  pris- 
oners taken  by  Commodore  Perry  and  Gen. 
Harrison,  and  march  them  across  the  State  to 
the  Newport  Station  in  Kentucky. 

His  superior  officers  having  been  taken 
sick,  the  command  devolved  upon  him.  It 
was  a responsible  undertaking  for  so  young 
an  officer.  The  company  consisted  of  100 
soldiers,  and  the  prisoners  numbered  400. 
Their  route  was  through  the  wilderness 


of  the  Black  Swamp,  which  at  that  season 
was  nearly  covered  with  water.  In  their 
march  they  became  bewildered  and  lost.  For 
three  days  and  nights  they  wandered  about  in 
the  swamp  without  food,  and  became  so  scat- 
tered, that  on  the  morning  of  the  third  day 
he  found  himself  with  a guard  of  only  twelve 
men,  and  one  hundred  prisoners.  ^ Seeing 
their  weakness  the  prisoners  mutinied,  and 
refused  to  march.  No  time  was  to  be  lost ; 
Raper  called  out  his  men,  commanded  them 
to  make  ready,  which  they  did  by  fixing  bay- 
onets and  cocking  their  guns.  He  then  gave 
the  prisoners  five  minutes  to  decide  whether 
they  would  obey  him  or  not.  At  the  expira- 
tion of  the  last  minute  the  soldiers  were 
ordered  to  present  arms,  take  aim,  and — but 
before  the  word  “fire,”  had  escaped  his  lips 
a large  Scotch  soldier  cried  “hold,”  ana 


ALLEN  COUNTY. 


249 


stepping  aside,  asked  the  privilege  of  saying 
a word  to  his  companions  : it  was  granted, 
whereupon  he  addressed  them  as  follows: 
“We  have  been  taken  in  a fair  fight,  and  are 
prisoners  ; honorably  so,  and  this  conduct  is 
disgraceful  to  our  king’s  flag,  not  becoming 
true  soldiers.  Now,”  said  he,  “ I have  had 
no  hand  in  raising  this  mutiny,  and  I propose 
that  all  who  are  in  favor  of  behaving  them- 
selves as  honorable  prisoners  of  war  shall 
rally  around  me,  and  we  will  take  the  others 
in  hand  ourselves,  and  the  American  guard 
shall  stand  by  and  see  fair  play.  ’ ’ This  speech 
had  the  desired  eff’ect,  the  mutiny  was  brought 
to  an  end  without  bloodshed,  and  Raper  de- 
livered his  prisoners  at  Newport.  They  had 
among  the  prisoners  two  Indians,  whom 
Raper  forced  at  the  point  of  the  sword  to  lead 
them  out  of  the  swamp.  After  Raper’ s 
arrival  in  Newport  he  was  offered  a com- 
mission in  the  regular  army.  Such  was  his 
love  for  his  mother  that  he  would  take  no 
important  step  without  consulting  her.  The 
answer  was  characteristic  of  the  noble  mothers 
of  that  day.  “My  son,  if  my  country  was 
still  engaged  in  war  and  I had  fifty  sons  I 
would  freely  give  them  all  to  her  service,  but, 
as  peace  is  now  declared,  I think  something 
better  awaits  my  .son  than  the  camp-life  of  a 
soldier  in  tinie  of  peace.”  In  1819  Raper 
became  a minister  in  the  Methodist  Church, 
and  while  travelling  in  Indiana,  upon  the  first 
visit  to  one  of  his  appointments,  a fine,  large 
man  approached  him,  called  him  brother,  and 
said  : “I  knew  you  the  moment  I saw  you, 
but  I suppose  you  have  forgotten  me.  I am 
the  Scotch  soldier  that  made  the  speech  to 
the  prisoners  the  morning  of  the  mutiny  in 
the  Black  Swamp.  After  we  were  exchanged 
as  prisoners  of  war,  my  enlistment  termi- 
nated. I had  been  brought  to  see  the  justice 


of  the  American  cause  and  the  greatness  of 
the  country,  and  I resolved  to  become  an 
American  citizen.  I came  to  this  State, 
rented  some  land,  and  opened  up  a farm.  I 
have  joined  the  Methodist  Church,  and, 
praise  God  ! the  best  of  all  is,  I have  obtained 
religion  ! Not  among  the  least  of  my  bless- 
ings is  a fine  wife  and  noble  child.  So  come,  ’ ’ 
said  he,  “dinner  will  be  ready  by  the  time 
we  get  home.”  And  the  two  soldiers,  now  as 
friends  and  Christians,  renewed  their  ac- 
quaintance, and  were  ever  after  fast  friends. 

At  another  time  Raper  met  with  a singular 
accident  while  riding  to  one  of  his  appoint- 
ments. Swimming  his  horse  over  a swollen 
creek,  the  horse  became  entangled  and  sank, 
but  with  great  effort  he  managed  to  catch 
hold  of  the  limb  of  a tree  overhead,  where 
he  was  enabled  to  rest  and  hold  his  head 
above  water.  While  thus  suspended,  the 
thought  rushed  upon  him,  “ Mother  is  pray- 
ing for  me,  and  I shall  be  saved.”  After 
resting  a moment  he  made  an  effort  and  got 
to  shore,  his  horse  also  safely  landing.  His 
mother,  ninety  miles  away,  that  morning 
awoke  suddenly  in  affright  with  the  thought 
upon  her,  “William  is  in  great  danger,” 
when  she  sprang  from  her  bed,  and  falling  on 
her  knees  prayed  for  some  time  in  intense 
supplication  for  his  safety,  until  she  received 
a sweet  assurance  that  all  was  well.  When 
they  met  and  related  the  facts,  and  compared 
the  time,  they  precisely  agreed. 

This  hero  of  the  Black  Swamp  died  in 
1852,  closing  a life  of  great  usefulness.  Father 
Finley  says  of  him  that  he  was  an  eloquent 
preacher,  a sweet,  melodious  singer,  was  filled 
with  the  spirit  of  kindness,  while  his  con- 
versational powers  were  superior,  replete  with 
a fund  of  useful  incidents  gathered  from 
practical  life  in  camp,  pulpit  and  cabin. 


Delphos,  on  the  border  line  of  Van  Wert  and  Allen  counties,  and  on  the  T. 
St.  L.  and  K.  C. ; P.  Ft.  W.  and  C. ; D.  Ft.  W.  and  C. ; C.  and  W.;  P.  and  C. 
railroads,  lies  within  the  oil  and  gas  belt  of  Northwestern  Ohio,  seventy-four  miles 
southwest  of  Toledo,  and  in  a country  of  great  fertility.  The  Miami  and  Erie 
canal  divides  the  town  into  two  nearly  equal  parts.  The  post-office  is  in  Van  Wert 
county. 

Newspapers : Courant,  E.  B.  Walkup,  editor ; Herald^  Democratic,  Tolan  & 
Son,  editors  and  proprietors.  Churches : one  Presbyterian,  two  Methodist,  one 
United  Brethren,  one  Catholic,  one  Christian,  one  Reformed,  one  Lutheran. 
Banks:  Commercial,  R.  K.  Lytle,  president,  W.  H.  Fuller,  cashier;  Delphos 
National,  Theo.  Wrocklage,  president,  Jos.  Boehmer,  cashier. 

Manufactures  and  Enlployees. — The  Ohio  Wheel  Company,  62  hands ; Hartwell 
Bros.,  handles,  neck-yokes,  etc.,  14 ; Delphos  Union  Stave  Company,  23 ; Pitts- 
burg Hoop  aud  Stave  Company,  50  ; L.  F.  Werner,  woollen  yarns,  flannels,  etc., 
8 ; Steinle  & Co.,  lager  beer,  60 ; Toledo,  St.  Louis  and  Kansas  City  R.  R.,  car 
repairs,  100 ; Weyer  & Davis,  hoops,  etc.,  17  ; Shenk  & Lang,  Miller  & Morton, 
flour,  etc. ; Krift  & Ricker,  D.  Moening,  builders’  wood- work. — State  Report  1887. 
Also  Empire  Excelsior  Works,  Delphos  Chemical  Works,  pearlash,  etc.  Popu- 
lation in  1880,  3,814.  School  census  in  1886,  782;  E.  W.  Greenslade,  principal. 

Delphos  was  laid  out  in  1845,  directly  after  the  opening  of  the  Miami  and  Erie 
canal.  The  different  portions  of  it  were  originally  known  as  Section  10,  Howard, 
and  East  and  West  Bredeick.  Its  general  name  for  many  years  was  Section  10. 


250 


ALLEN  COUNTY. 


It  is  said  that  Delphos  could  not  have  been  settled  without  the  aid  of  quinine. 
The  air  Avas  so  poisoned  with  malarial  effluvia  from  swamps  and  marshes,  that  not 
only  the  pioneers  but  also  the  very  dogs  of  the  settlement  suffered  intensely  from 
fever  and  ague.  Ferdinand  Bredeick  built  the  first  cabin  ; E.  N.  Morton  the  first 
saw-  and  the  fii’st  grist-mills ; and  Mrs.  George  Lang  (maiden  name,  Amelia 
Bredeick)  was  the  first  child  born  here.  The  original  settlers  were  German 
Catholics.  In  December,  1845,  thirty-six  male  members  met  in  a cabin,  and  made 
arrangements  to  build  a church.  It  was  the  first  established  at  Delphos,  and  its 
honored  founder.  Rev.  John  O.  Bredeick,  was  the  benevolent  guardian  of  the 
spiritual  and  material  interests  of  the  German  settlers,  who  were  pioneers  in  the 
inhospitable  forests  of  North  America.’’  It  was  a huge,  ungainly  structure.  It 
was  succeeded  in  1880  by  an  elegant  church,  erected  at  an  expense  of  over 
$100,000  ; it  has  a chime  of  bells,  and  its  appointments  are  all  in  keeping — stained 
glass  windows,  paintings,  statuary,  altars,  frescos,  organ,  etc. 

Samuel  Ferrer,  the  civil-engineer,  is  regarded  as  the  pioneer  of  this  region,  as  he 
ultimately  settled  here  in  Delphos.  He  was  connected  with  the  Ohio  canal  sur- 
veys from  July,  1825,  to  1831,  and  located  the  Miami  and  Erie  canal;  in  1871, 
when  he  was  seventy-eight  years  of  age,  he  still  held  the  position  of  consulting 
engineer  of  this  Avork.  Earlier  he  had  been  canal  commissioner  and  member  of 
the  board  of  public  Avorks. 

Knapp’s  History  of  the  Maumee  Valley,”  published  in  1872,  has  these  inter- 
esting items : 

The  great  forests,  once  so  hated  because  they  formed  a stumbling-block  in  the 
tedious  struggles  to  reduce  the  soil  to  a condition  for  tillage,  have  been  converted 
into  a source  of  wealth.  MJthin  a radius  of  five  miles  of  Delphos,  thirty-five 
saAv-mills  (uoav  perhaps  doubled)  are  constantly  employed  in  the  manufacture  of 
lumber,  and  a value  nearly  equalling  the  product  of  these  mills  is  annually  ex- 
ported in  the  form  of  lumber.  Excepting  in  the  manufacture  of  maple  sugar,  and 
for  local  building  and  fencing  purposes,  no  use  until  recent  years  had  been  made 
of  the  timber,  and  its  destruction  from  the  face  of  the  earth  Avas  the  esjrecial  object 
of  the  pioneer  farmers,  and  in  this  at  that  time  supposed  good  Avork  they  had  the 
sympathies  of  all  others  Avho  Avere  interested  in  the  development  of  the  country. 
The  gathering  of  the  ginseng  crop  once  afforded  employment  to  the  families  of  the 
early  settlers,  but  the  supply  Avas  scanty  and  it  soon  became  exhausted.  Some 
eighteen  years  ago,  Avhen  the  business  of  the  toAvn  Avas  suffering  from  stagnation. 
Dr.  J.  W.  Hunt,  an  enterprising  druggist,  and  uoav  a citizen  of  Delphos,  bethought 
himself  that  he  might  aid  the  pioneers  of  the  Avilderness,  and  add  to  his  own  trade, 
by  offering  to  purchase  the  bark  from  the  slippery  elm  trees,  Avhich  AA^ere  abundant 
in  the  adjacent  SAvamps.  For  this  uoav  article  of  commerce  he  offered  remunerative 
prices,  and  the  supply  soon  appeared  in  quantities  reaching  huifdreds  of  cords  of 
the  cured  bark ; and  he  has  since  controlled  the  trade  in  North AA'estern  Ohio  and 
adjacent  regions.  The  revSources  found  in  the  lumber  and  timber  and  in  this  bark 
trade,  trifling  as  die  latter  may  appear,  have  contributed,  and  are  yet  contributing, 
almost  as  much  to  the  prosperity  of  the  toAvn  and  country  as  the  average  of  the 
cultivated  acres,  including  the  products  of  the  orchard.” 

Bluffton,  on  the  L.  E.  and  W.  and  C.  and  Nl . railroads,  is  seveiity-fiA'e  miles 
soutliAvest  of  Sandusky,  in  the  northeast  corner  of  the  county.  It  Avas  laid  out  in 
1 1837,  under  the  name  of  Shannon,  Avhich  it  retained  many  years.  NeAVspaper : 
News,  Inde])eudeut,  N.  W.  Cuuuiugham,  editor.  Churches : one  Lutheran,  one 
Methodist,  one  Catholic,  one  Reformed,  one  Presbyterian,  and  one  Dissenters. 
Bank  : People’s,  Daniel  Russell,  proprietor  and  cashier. 

Manufactures  cmd  Employees. — Althaus  & Bro.,  builders’  AVOod-A\'ork,  10  hands; 
A.  J.  St.  John,  handles,  lumber,  etc.,  10;  A.  Klay,  machinery,  5;  J.  M.  ToAvn- 
send  & Son,  lumber,  etc.,  5 ; W.  B.  Richards,  flour  and  feed,  3. — State  Report 
1886.  Population  in  1880,  1,290.  School  census  1886,464;  S.  C.  Patterson, 
superintendent.  West  of  the  toAvn  is  a large  Mennonite  settlement.  Large  stone 
quarries  are  in  its  vicinity^. 


ALLEN  COUNTY. 


251 


Spencervilt.e^  laid  out  in  1844-45,  at  the  Intersection  ol  C.  A.  and  D.  Ft. 
W.  C.  railroads,  and  on  the  Miami  and  Erie  c^anal,  is  fourteen  miles  from 
Lima,  Newspaper:  Journal,  Independent,  S.  L.  Ashton,  editor.  Bank:  Citi- 
zens’, Post  & Wasson  ; I.  B.  Post,  cashier.  Churches : one  Methodist,  one  Ger- 
man Methodist,  two  Baptist,  one  Catholic,  one  German  Reformed,  and  one 
Christian. 

Manufactures  and  Employees. — J.  S.  Fogle,  Sr.,  lumber,  5 hands ; Richard 
Hanse^  churns,  10  ; George  Kephart,  clothes-racks,  etc.,  10  ; Kolter  & Kral't,  hour 
and  feed,  6;  R.  H.  Harbison,  builders’  wood- work,  and  also  staves  and  headings 
31  ; W.  A.  Reynolds,  lumber  and  feed,  5. — State  Report  1886.  Census  1880, 
532.  School  census  1886,  468  ; C.  R,  Carlo,  principal. 

Small  villages,  with  census  in  1880:  Elida,  302;  Lafayette,  333 ; \Cestmin- 
ster,  225;  Cairo,  316;  Beaver  Dam,  353. 


ASHLAND 

Ashland  County  was  formed  February  26,  1846.  The  surface  on  the  south 
is  hilly,  the  remainder  of  the  county  rolling.  The  soil  of  the  uj)land  is  a sandy 
loam ; of  the  valleys — which  comprise  a large  part  of  the  county — a ricli  sandy 
and  gravelly  loam,  and  very  productive.  A great  quantity  of  wheat,  oats,  corn, 
])otatoes,  etc.,  is  raised,  and  grass  and  fruit  in  abundance.  A majority  of  the  pojv 
nlation  are  of  Pennsylvania  origin.  Its  present  territory  originally  comprised  the 
townships  of  Vermillion,  Montgomery,  Orange,  Green,  and  Hanover,  with  parts 
of  Monroe,  Mifflin,  Milton,  and  Clear  Creek,  of  Richland  county ; also  the  prin- 
cPpal  part  of  the  townships  of  Jackson,  Perry,  Mohican,  and  Ivake,  of  MAyne 
county ; of  Sullivan  and  Troy,  Lorain  county ; and  Ruggles,  of  Huron  county. 
The  townships  from  Lorain  and  Huron  counties  are  from  the  Connecticut  MAstern 
Reserve  tract.  Area,  470  square  miles.  In  1885  the  acres  cultivated  were 
130,947;  in  pasture,  47,607;  woodland,  45,137;  lying  waste,  3,128;  jwoduced 
in  wheat,  443,339  bushels;  in  corn,  861,675;  cheese,  476,850  pounds;  flax, 
564,200;  wool,  268,573;  maple  sugar,  57,850.  School  census  1886,  7,336; 
teachers,  153.  It  has  29  miles  of  railroad. 


Townships  and  Census. 

1880. 

Townships  and  Census. 

1880. 

Clear  Creek^ 

1,154 

Montgomery, 

4,638 

Green, 

2,287 

Orange, 

1,448 

Hanover, 

2,316 

Perry, 

1,492 

Jackson, 

1,486 

Ruggles, 

726 

I^ake, 

886 

Sullivan, 

795 

Mifflin, 

846 

Troy,_ 

715 

Milton, 

Mohican, 

1,192 

1,693 

Vermillion, 

2,209 

Population  in  1860  was  22,951  ; in  1880,  23,883,  of  whom  18,852  were  Ohio 
born. 

Ashland  in  1846. — Ashland,  the  county-scat,  was  laid  out  (1815)  by  William 
Montgomery,  and  bore  for  many  years  the  name  of  Uniontown  ; it  was  changed  tc 


252 


ASHLAND  COUNTY. 


its  present  name  in  compliment  to  Henry  Clay,  whose  seat  near  Lexington,  Ken- 
tucky, bears  that  name.  Daniel  Carter,  from  JButler  county,  Pennsylvania,  raised 
the  first  cabin  in  the  place  about  the  year  1811,  which  stood  where  the  store  of 
William  Granger  now  is  in  Ashland.  Pobert  Newell,  three  miles  east,  and  Mr. 
Fry,  one  and  one-half  miles  north  of  the  village,  raised  cabins  about  the  same 
time.  In  1817  the  first  store  was  opened  by  Joseph  Sheets,  in  a frame  building 
now  kept  as  a store  by  the  widow  Yonker.  Joseph  Sheets,  David  Markley, 


Drawn  by  Henry  Howe  in  1846. 

Public  Buildings  in  Ashland. 

Samuel  Ury,  Nicholas  Shaelfer,  Alanson  Andrews,  Elias  Slocum,  and  George  W. 
Palmer  were  among  the  first  settlers  of  the  place.  Ashland  is  a flourishing  village, 
eighty-nine  miles  northwest  of  Columbus,  and  fourteen  from  Mansfield.  It  con- 
tains five  churches,  viz.,  two  Presbyterian,  one  Episcopal  Methodist,  one  Lutheran, 
and  one  Disciples ; nine  dry-goods,  four  grocery,  one  book,  and  two  drug  stores ; 
two  newspaper  printing-offices ; a flourishing  classical  academy,  numbering  over 
100  pupils  of  both  sexes,  and  a population  estimated  at  1,300.  The  above  view 
was  taken  in  front  of  the  site  selected  for  the  erection  of  a court-house,  the  Metho- 
dist church  building  seen  on  the  left  being  now  used  for  that  purpose ; the  struc- 
tures with  steeples,  commencing  on  the  right,  are  the  First  Presbyterian  church, 
the  academy,  and  the  Second  Presbyterian  church.  At  the  organization  of  the 


Frank  Henry  Hoive,  Photo.,  1888. 

Public  Buildings  in  Ashland. 

first  court  of  common  pleas  for  this  county,  at  Ashland,  an  old  gentleman  by  the 
name  of  David  Burns  was  one  of  tlie  grand  jurors  who,  as  a remarkable  fact,  it  is 
said,  was  also  a member  of  the  first  grand  jury  ever  impanelled  in  Ohio.  The 
court  met  near  the  mouth  of  Wegee  creek,  in  Belmont  county,  in  1795;  tbs 


ASHLAND  COUNTY. 


253 


country  being  sparsely  settled,  he  was  compelled  to  travel  forty  miles  to  the  place 
of  holding  court. — Old  Edition. 

County  officers  for  1888  ; Auditor,  Samuel  L.  Arnold ; Clerk,  Milton  Win- 
bigler ; Commissioners,  Nathan  J,  Cresson,  John  Martin,  Jacob  Kettering;  Coroner, 
William  H.  Reinhart;  Prosecuting  Attorney,  Frank  C.  Semple;  Probate  Judge, 
Emanuel  Finger ; Recorder,  Edwin  S.  Bird  ; Sheriff,  Randolph  F.  Andress ; Sur- 
veyor, John  B.  Weddell ; Treasurers,  James  W.  Brant,  Thomas  C.  Harvey. 

Ashland,  the  county-seat,  is  about  fifty  miles  southwest  of  Cleveland,  on  the 
line  of  the  N.  Y.  P.  and  O.  railroad.  It  is  a well-built  town,  with  a fine  farming 
country  round  about.  Newspapers  : Press,  Democratic,  W.  T.  Albertson,  editor ; 
Times,  Republican,  W.  H.  Reynolds,  editor ; Brethren  Evangelist,  religious  and 
Prohibition,  A.  L.  Garber,  editor ; Gazette,  Republican,  Hon.  T.  M.  Beer,  man- 
ager. Churches : one  Presbyterian,  two  Lutheran,  one  Disciples,  two  Brethren, 
one  Evangelical,  one  Reformed,  and  one  Catholic.  Banks:  Farmers’,  E.  J.  Gross- 
cup,  president,  George  A.  Ullman,  cashier;  First  National,  J.  O.  Jennings,  presi- 
dent, Joseph  Patterson,  cashier. 

Manufactures  and  Employees. — Shearer,  Kagey  & Co.,  doors,  sash,  etc.,  16  hands ; 
F.  E.  Myers  & Bro.,  pumps,  65 ; Kauffman  & Beer,  woven-wire  mattresses,  20 ; 

H.  K.  Myers  & Co.,  flour,  etc. ; Klugston  & Hughes,  grain  elevator. — State 
Report  1887.  Population  in  1880,  3,004.  School  census  1886,  1,169 ; Joseph 
E.  Stubbs,  superintendent. 

Ashland  has  the  high  distinction  of  having  given  the  first  citizen  of  Ohio  to 
volunteer  as  a soldier  for  the  Union 
army.  This  was  Lorin  Andrews, 
who  was  born  here  in  a log-cabin,  April 

I,  1819,  being  the  fourth  child  born  in 
Ashland.  His  father,  Alanson  An- 
drews, later  opened  a farm  southwest  of 
the  village.  At  the  age  of  seventeen  he 
delivered  with  great  credit  a Fourth  of 
July  oration  at  Carter’s  Grove  just  east 
of  the  town.  From  1840  to  1843  he 
was  a student  at  Gambier,  but  from 
want  of  pecuniary  means  was  obliged  to 
leave,  and  then  took  charge  of  the  Ash- 
land academy.  He  pursued  his  studies 
without  a teacher,  and  with  signal  suc- 
cess. He  lectured  before-  institutes 
throughout  the  State,  and  had  scarcely 
an  equal  in  influence  as  an  educator. 

So  greatly  was  he  valued  for  power  of 
intellect  and  general  capacity  that,  in 
1854,  he  was  chosen  to  the  presidency 
of  Gambier,  and  he  brought  up  the 
institution  from  an  attendance  of  thirty 
to  over  200  pupils.  Princeton  con- 
ferred upon  him  the  degree  of  LL.  D.  He  had  peculiarly  winning  qualities  that 
made  him  a born  leader.  It  was  in  February,  1861,  that,  believing  war  inevitable, 
he  offered  his  services  to  Gov.  Dennison.  In  April  he  raised  a company  in  Knox 
county  for  the  Fourth  regiment,  and  was  elected  colonel.  It  was  ordered  to  West 
Virginia,  where,  owing  to  exposure,  he  was  taken  sick  of  typhoid  fever,  and  died 
September  18,  1861,  and  was  buried  at  Gambier  in  a spot  of  his  own  selection. 
He  was  but  forty-two  years  of  age — in  his  prime — and  of  great  moral  influence. 
He  was  about  five  feet  eight  inches  in  height,  and  weighed  about  130  pounds;  hair 
sandy,  and  inclined  to  curl.  His  eye  was  a clear  gray,  his  face  manly,  full  of 
benevolence,  his  carriage  erect,  with  a sprightly  gait. 


Ohio’s  First  Volunteer  for  the  Union  Army. 


254 


ASHLAND  COUNTY. 


Upon  a higli,  commanding  site  upon  the  outskirts  of  the  town  stand  the  some= 
what  imposing  structures  of  the  Ashland  Preparatory  College,  W.  C.  Perry,  prin- 
cipal. This  institution  is  under  the  auspices  of  the  Society  of  Dunkards,  or  Ger- 
man Baptists,  of  whom  there  are  many  in  parts  of  this  county.  The  following 
account  of  these  peculiar  and  excellent  people  is  from  the  “ County  History.’’ 
The  quiet  simplicity  and  earnestness  of  their  lives  is  on  a par  with  that  of  the 
members  of  the  Society  of  Friends; 


The  German  Baptists  or,  as  they  are  com- 
monly called  by  outsiders,  Bunkers  or  Dunk- 
ards (the  name  being  derived  from  the  German 
word  to  dip),  had  their  first  organization^  in 
Germany  about  the  year  1708,  in  a portion 
of  country  where  Baptists  are  said  to  have 
been  unknown  ; the  original  organization  con- 
sisted of  eight  persons,  seven  of  whom  were 
bred  Presbyterians  and  one  in  the  Lutheran 
faith;  they  agreed  to  “obey  from  the  heart 
that  form  of  doctrine  once  delivered  unto  the 
saints.”  Consequently,  in  the  year  1708, 
they  repaired  to  the  river  Eder,  near  Schwar- 
zenau,  and  Avcre  buried  with  Christ  in  bap- 
tism. They  were  baptized  by  trine  immer- 
sion and,  organizing  a church,  chose  Alex- 
ander Mack  their  first  minister.  He  w^as  not, 
however,  the  originator  of  their  faith  or 
practice,  the  church  never  having  recognized 
any  person  as  such.  jMeeting  wdth  opposi- 
tion and  persecution,  they  emigrated  to 
America  and  settled,  in  the  j^ear  1719,  near 
Philadelphia  and  Germantown,  Pennsylvania. 
And  from  that  little  band  of  eight  persons 
have  sprung  ail  the  Bunkers  in  America. 
..\s  the  church  has  no  statistics,  its  numbers 
can  only  be  estimated.  The  estimate  is  about 
100,000  souls,  mostly  in  Pennsylvania,  Vir- 
ginia, Ohio,  Illinois,  Indiana,  Maryland, 
Kansas,  Iowa  and  Nebraska.  They  are 
mostly  farmers,  some  mechanics  and  a few 
professional  men,  but  such  a thing  as  a 
Bunkard  laAvyer  is  unknown. 

Their  religion  inculcates  industry  and  fru- 
gality, abstaining  from  extravagance  and 
worldly  display.  Tliey  are  very  desirable 
citizens  in  any  community,  as  by  their  in- 
dustry and  freedom  from  excesses  of  all  kinds, 
they  create  and  develop  the  wealth  of  a 
country  blessed  with  their  presence,  and  by 
their  example  exert  a healthy  influence  upon 
the  morals  of  those  associated  with  them. 

They  regard  the  New  Testament  as  the  only 
rule  of  their  faith  and  practice  ; believe  in  the 
Trinity  and  contend  for  the  literal  interpreta- 
tion of  the  Old  and  New  Testaments,  as  works 
of  Bivine  inspiration.  All  idiots,  infants  and 
those  w'ho  die  before  knowing  good  from  evil 
will  be  saved  without  obedience,  having  been 
sufficiently  atoned  for  by  the  death  of  Christ. 
None,  however,  are  recognized  as  members 
of  the  church  until  after  baptism,  which  must 
be  entire  immersion,  the  appiicant  kneeling 
and  being  dip])ed  forward  three  times,  one  for 
each  person  of  the  Godhead. 

Feet-washing  is  their  next  ordinance,  the 
authority  for  w'hich  is  narrated  in  John  13. 
It  is  observed  as  a preparation  for  the  love- 
feast  and  communion.  The  brethren  wash  the 
feet  of  brethren  only,  and  sisters  of  sisters  ; 


the  sexes  never  washing  the  feet  of  each 
other,  as  has  been  sometimes  stated.  Those 
wdio  perform  this  are  not  chosen,  but  any 
person  of  the  same  sex  may  voluntarily  per- 
form it. 

The  love-feast  is  a real  meal,  the  quality  or 
kind  of  food  being  unlimited,  Christ’s  supper 
being  the  authority  for  it.  After  this,  imme- 
diately preceding  the  communion,  is  the  salu- 
tation of  the  kiss  as  observed  by.  the  apostles 
and  Christian  churches  following  them.  In 
this  ordinance  the  sexes  do  not  interchange 
salutation. 

At  communion,  the  next  ordinance,  the 
sisters  with  heads  covered  wnth  plain  caps  and 
brethren  with  heads  uncovered  give  thanks 
for  bread  and  wdne.  The  minister  breaks 
bread  to  the  brethren  and  they  to  each  .other ; 
he  also  breaks  bread  to  the  sisters,  but  they 
do  not  break  bread  to  each  other ; it  is  the 
same  in  passing  the  wine.  The  communion 
ds  always  observed  at  night,  the  hour  of  its 
institution  by  Christ ; usually  once  or  twice  a 
year  in  every  church. 

There  are  also  the  ordinances  of  laying  on 
of  hands  and  anointing  the  sick  with  oil, 
founded  on  James  5 : 14,  15. 

The  church  government  is  republican  in 
form,  matters  of  difference  and  questions  of 
doubt  being  first  submitted  to  the  council 
of  each  church,  and  when  not  settled  they 
are  carried  to  the  district  council  composed 
of  one  delegate  each  from  twenty  churches, 
sometimes  less.  If  still  unsettled  it  is  carried 
to  the  national  conference  if  a matter  of  gen- 
eral interest ; but  no  local  matter  can  be  re- 
ferred to  that  body. 

In  the  lower  councils  all  matters  are  decided 
by  vote  of  brethren  and  sisters  ; but  the  sisters 
do  not  participate  in  the  official  deliberations 
of  the  national  conference. 

Their  mode  of  worship  does  not  materially 
differ  from  that  of  other  denominations,  save 
that  the  Lord’s  prayer  is  repeated  after  every 
prayer,  and  the  service  closed  without  bene- 
diction ; the  minister  simply  sa5’S  : “ AV’^e  are 
dismissed  in  the  name  of  the  Lord,”  or  some 
similar  phrase.  During  the  service  the  sisters 
keep  their  heads  covered  with  a plain  covermg, 
in  compliance  with  Paul,  who  says  ; “It  is  a 
shame  for  a woman  to  worship  or  prophesy 
with  her  head  uncovered.” 

The  Dickey  Church  (so  named  after  Elias 
Dickey,  one  of  its  leading  speakers),  the 
pioneer  Bunkers’  church  of  Ashland  county, 
was  erected  about  1800  in  Montgomery  town- 
ship, but  a new  and  larger  edifice  was  erected 
in  1877.  It  owes  its  institution  to  the  efforts 
of  the  late  Jos.  Boop,  who  about  1839-40  in- 
vited Mr.  Tracy  to  address  a few  people  at  his 


ASHLAND  COUNTY. 


255 


house,  and  the  meetings  were  continued  until 
the  present  organization  was  formed.  The 
Maple  Grove  or  Beighly  church  was  erected 
four  or  five  years  before  the  Dickey  building, 
but  the  latter  was  the  earliest  church  organi- 
zation. 


Their  speakers  receive  no  salary,  but  if  one 
should  be  a ])oor  man  devoting  his  time  and 
talents  to  the  spreading  of  their  faith,  they 
regard  it  as  incumbent  upon  them  to  reward 
him  by  gifts. 


Jeromeville  is  a small  village  eight  miles  southeast  of  Ashland,  on  Jerome 
fork  of  Mohican,  which  has  one  Presbyterian,  om^  Methodist,  and  one  Disciples 
3hurch,  and  in  1880  had  314  inhabitants.  In  that  vicinity,  about  the  year  1762, 
Mohican  John,  a noted  chief  of  Connecticut  Mohegans,  to  the  number  of  about 
200  it  is  supposed,  emigrated  to  Ohio,  and  established  a village  upon  the  west  side 
of  Jerome  fork,  on  the  site  of  the  farms  of  Rev.  Elijah  Yocum  and  Judge  Edmund 
Ingmand.  In  the  war  of  1812  it  was  about  the  only  settlement  within  the  present 
limits  of  the  county,  and  consisted  of  a few  families,  who  erected  pickets  for  their 
safety.  There  was  at  that  time  a Frenchman,  named  John  Baptiste  Jerome,  wiio 
resided  there  and  gave  name  to  the  locality.  He  had  been  an  Indian  trader,  and 
had  taken  a squaw  for  a wife.  The  people  of  that  nation  always  became  m.ore 
easily  domesticated  among  the  aborigines  than  the  English.  From  very  early 
times  it  was  the  policy  of  the  French  government  not  to  allow  their  soldiers  to 
take  wives  with  them  into  the  wilderness.  Hence  the  soldiers  and  traders  fre- 
quently married  among  the  Indians,  and  were  enabled  to  sustain  themselves  with 
far  less  difficulty.  In  1812,  when  the  Indians  were  removed,  his  wife  went  with 
them,  and  later  he  married  a German  woman.  He  removed  to  the  mouth  of  Huron 
river,  and  died  there.  He  began  trading  with  the  Indians  when  seventeen  years 
of  age,  and  was  with  them  in  Wayne’s  campaign.  The  Indian  village  consisted 
of  about  thirty  bark  huts  or  wigwams.  The  names  of  the  heads  of  the  families 
were  Aweepsah,  Opetete,  Catotawa,  Nesohawa,  Buckandohee,  Shias,  Ground 
Squirrel,  Buckwheat,  Philip  Canonicut,  Billy  Montour,  and  Thomas  Jelloway. 

Hill,  in  the  County  History,”  says  that  Jerome  was  a brave  and  kindly  man, 
small,  wiry,  and  vivacious.  Having  been  with  the  Indians  at  the  battle  of  the 
Fallen  Timbers,”  he  often  related  anecdotes  of  that  battle,  describing  the  amaze- 
ment of  the  Indians  at  the  rapidity  and  violence  of  the  movements  of  Wayne’s 
army,  the  Indians  comparing  liim  to  a huge  black  snake,”  and  ascribing  almost 
su})ernatural  powers  to  him.  He  came  like  a huge  anaconda,  inclosed  and  crushed 
them  in  such  a frightful  manner  that  they  abandoned  all  hope  of  resistance,  and 
were  glad  to  make  peace.  He  asserted  that  for  a very  long  time  the  very  name  of 
Mad  Anthony  ” sent  a chill  of  horror  through  the  body  of  an  Indian. 

The  Delaware  Indians  had  a settlement  at  or  near  Jeromeville,  which  they  left 
at  the  beginning  of  the  war  of  1812.  Their  chief  was  old  Ca])t.  Pipe,  who  resided 
near  the  road  to  Mansfield,  one  mile  south  of  Jeromeville.  AVhen  young  he  was  a 
great  warrior,  and  the  implacable  foe  of  the  whites.  He  was  in  St.  Clair’s  defeat, 
where,  according  to  his  own  account,  he  distinguished  himself,  and  slaughtered 
white  men  until  his  arm  was  weary  with  the  work.  He  had  a daughter  of  great 
beauty.  A young  chief,  of  noble  mien,  became  in  love  with  her,  and  on  his  suit 
being  rejeded  mortally  poisoned  himself  with  the  May  apple.  A Capt.  Pipe, 
whose  Indian  name  was  Tauhangecaupouye,  removed  to  the  small  Delaware 
reserve,  in  the  npper  part  of  Marion  county,  and  when  his  tribe  sold  out  their 
Ohio  })osscssions  accompanied  them  to  Kansas. 

Helltown  and  Greentown  were  two  Indian  villages  in  the  southern  part  of  this 
county.  Greentown  was  so  named  after  Thomas  Green,  a Connecticut  Tory,  who, 
sympatliizing  with  the  British  and  Indians  in  the  destruction  of  the  valley  of  the 
Wyoming,  fled  to  Ohio  and  joined  the  Delawares,  acquiring  great  influence  among 
them.  Among  the  Greentown  Indians  was  a very  aged,  full-blooded,  ugly-look- 
ing  savage,  who  was  known  to  the  early  settlers  as  Tom  Lyons.  He  was  born  in 
-New  Jersey,  and  was  one  of  the  friendly  Delawares  with  the  whites  at  the  massacre 
of  Wyoming  in  1778.  On  a few  occasions  he  related  his  achievements.  He  had 


255 


ASHLAND  COUNTY. 


been  in  many  battles  on  the  border,  and  taken  many  scalps.  He  related  some  of 
his  acts  of  extreme  cruelty,  and  a few  of  his  barbarities  inflicted  upon  the  wives 
and  children  of  the  border  settlers.  He  was  with  the  other  Greentown  and 
Jerometown  Indians  in  the  battle  of  the  Fallen  Timbers,  and,  as  related  in  Hill’s 

History  of  Ashland  County,”  gave  this  graphic  account.  It  was  in  reply  to  a 
question  of  Allen  Oliver,  who  asked  him  what  he  thought  of  Wayne  as  a white 
chief : 

“Wayne  be  great  chief.  He  be  one  devil 
to  fight.  Me  hear  his  dinner  horn  way  over 
there  go  toot^  toot ; then  over  here  it  go  toot, 
toot ; then  way  over  side  it  go  toot,  toot.  Then 
his  soldiers  run  forward — shoot,  shoot ; then 
run  among  logs  and  brush.  Indians  have  got 
to  get  out  and  run.  Then  come  Long  Knives 
with  pistols  and  shoot,  shoot.  Indians  run  ; 
no  stop  ; Old  Tom  see  too  much  fight  to  be 
trap — he  run  into  woods — he  run  like  devil — 
he  keep  run  till  he  clear  out  of  danger. 

The  exact  location  of  the  Indian  village  Helltown  is  not  known,  but  it  was  sup- 
posed to  be  on  the  south  line  of  what  is  now  Green  township,  on  the  banks  of  the 
Clear  fork  of  the  Mohican.  It  probably  derived  its  name  from  a Pennsylvania 
captive  who  spoke  the  German  language,  in  which  Hell  ” signifies  clear  or  trans- 
parent, so  called  after  the  stream  on  which  it  was  situated. 

When  Col.  Crawford  in  the  spring  of  1782  invaded  the  Indian  settlements  of 
the  uj)per  Sandusky  the  Helltown  Indians  fled  thither  for  safety.  The  village 
was  the  home  of  a number  of  well-known  Delaware  chiefs,  among  others  Thomas 
Armstrong ; also  the  occasional  residence  of  the  noted  Ca[)t.  Pipe,  one  of  Col. 
Crawford’s  executioners.  In  1783  Thomas  Armstrong,  with  the  original  inhab- 
itants of  Helltown  (that  village  having  been  abandoned)  and  a few  Mingoes  and 
Mohawks,  established  the  village  of  Greentown,  some  three  miles  west  of  the 
present  village  of  Perrysville.  It  was  on  a bluflp  extending  to  the  north  banks  of 
Black  fork,  or  Armstrong’s  ” creek,  almost  entirely  surrounded  by  alder  marshes, 
and  a very  strong  position.  The  huts,  numbering  about  150,  were  constructed  of 
poles  covered  with  bark,  and  irregularly  placed  around  a knoll,  with  a playground 
in  the  centre,  at  the  west  side  of  which  was  built  the  council  house  and  cemetery 
in  a grove. 

Up  to  1795  it  was  a station  on  the  route  for  captives  on  the  way  to  Detroit  and 
other  points  in  the  Indian  Territory, 

Two  tragedies  in  the  autumn  of  1812  were  enacted  by  the  Indians  not  far  from 
the  old  Indian  village  of  Greentown.  These  were  the  murder  of  Martin  Ruffner, 
Frederic  Zimmer  (or  in  English  Frederic  Seymour)  and  family,  on  the  Black  fork 
of  the  Mohican,  and  the  tragedy  at  the  cabin  of  Mr.  James  Copus.  Hill’s  “ History 
of  Ashland  County  ” gives  very  full  details.  We  here  first  take  the  briefer  his- 
tory as  published  on  pages  429-30  in  the  first  edition  of  this  work.  In  a note 
there  we  stated  that  our  informant  for  the  first  tragedy  was  Mr.  Henry  Nail,  from 
whose  lips,  now  just  forty-two  years  ago,  we  derived  it ; and  for  the  second,  we 
said : 

We  have  three  different  accounts  of  this  affair : one  from  Wyatt  Hutchinson, 
of  Guernsey,  then  a lieutenant  in  the  Guernsey  militia ; one  from  Henry  Nail,  who 
was  with  some  of  the  wounded  men  the  night  following  ; and  the  last  from  a gen- 
tleman living  in  Mansfield  at  the  time.  Each  differs  in  some  essential  pai’ticulai's. 
Much  experience  has  taught  us  that  it  is  almost  impossible  to  get  perfectly  accurate 
verbal  narratives  of  events  that  have  taken  place  years  since,  and  which  live  only 
in  memory.”  And  to  this  remark  of  ours  made  in  that  long  ago  we  here  add  the 
additional  reason  for  conflicting  testimony,  viz.,  the  rarity  of  perfect  accuracy  of 
observation  and  strength  of  memory,  combined  with  the  faculty  of  clearness  in 
statement : 


Wayne  great  fight — brave  white  chief.  He 
be  one  devil.  ’ ’ 

While  going  through  the  description  of  the 
fight,  “Old  Tom”  gesticulated  and  grinned, 
as  much  as  if  in  the  midst  of  the  battle. 
Terror  was  evinced  in  the  whole  of  the  mimic 
battle  he  was  then  fighting  oyer,  and  being 
about  the  ugliest-looking  Indian  the  settlers 
had  ever  seen,  the  effect  of  his  speech  was  to 
the  highest  degree  expressive. 


ASHLAND  COUNTY. 


257 


T%e  Massacre  of  the  Rnffner ^ Family.— 
There  was  living  at  this  time — said  Mr.  Nail 
— on  the  Black  Fork  of  the  Mohican,  about 
half  a mile  west  of  where  Petersburgh  now 
is  [now  Mifflin],  a Mr.  Martin  Ruffner.  Hav- 
ing removed  his  family  for  safety,  no  person 
was  with  him  in  his  cabin,  excepting  a bound 
boy.  About  two  miles  southeast  stood  the 
cabin  of  the  Seymours.  This  family  con- 
sisted of  the  parents — both  very  old  people 
— a maiden  daughter  Catharine,  and  her 
brother  Philip,  who  was  a bachelor. 

One  evening  Mr.  Ruffner  sent  out  the  lad 
to  the  creek  bottom,  to  bring  home  the  cows, 
when  he  discovered  four  Indians  and  ran. 
They  called  to  him,  saying  that  they  would 
not  harm  him,  but  wished  to  speak  to  him. 
Having  ascertained  from  him  that  the  Sey- 
mours were  at  home,  they  left,  and  he  hurried 
back  and  told  Ruffner  of  the  circumstance  ; 
upon  which  he  took  down  his  rifle  and  started 
for  Seymour’s.  He  arrived  there,  and  was 
advising  young  Seymour  to  go  to  the  cabin 
of  a Mr.  Copus,  and  get  old  Mr.  Copus  and 
his  son  to  come  up  and  help  take  the  Indians 
prisoners,  when  the  latter  were  seen  ap- 
proaching. Upon  this  young  Seymour  passed 
out  of  the  back  door  and  hurried  to  Copus’s, 
while  the  Indians  entered  the  front  door,  with 
their  rifles  in  hand. 

The  Seymours  received  them  with  an  ap- 
parent cordiality,  and  the  daughter  spread 
the  table  for  them.  The  Indians,  however, 
did  not  appear  to  be  inclined  to  eat,  but  soon 
arose  and  commenced  the  attack.  Ruffner, 
who  was  a powerful  man,  made  a desperate 
resistance.  He  clubbed  his  rifle,  and  broke 
the  stock  to  pieces  ; but  he  fell  before  superior 
numbers,  and  was  afterwards  found  dead  and 
scalped  in  the  yard,  with  two  rifle  balls 
through  him,  and  several  fingers  cut  off  by  a 
tomahawk.  The  old  people  and  daughter  were 
found  tomahawked  and  scalped  in  the  house. 

In  an  hour  or  so  after  dark,  young  Seymour 
returned  with  Mr.  Copus  and  son,  making 
their  way  through  the  woods  by  the  light  of 
a hickory  bark  torch.  Approaching  the 
cabin,  they  found  all  dark  and  silent  within. 
Young  Seymour  attempted  to  open  the  door, 
when  it  flew  back.  Reaching  forward,  he 
touched  the  corpse  of  the  old  man,  and  ex- 
claimed in  tones  of  anguish,  “here  is  the 
blood  of  my  poor  father  ! ’ ’ Before  they 
reached  the  place,  they  heard  the  Indians 
whistling  on  their  powder  chargers,  upon 
which  they  put  out  the  light  and  were  not 
molested. 


These  murders,  supposed  to  have  been  com- 
mitted by  some  of  the  Greentown  Indians, 
spread  terror  among  the  settlers,  who  imme- 
diately fortified  their  cabins  and  erected  sev- 
eral block-houses.  Among  the  block-houses 
erected  was  Nails’,  on  the  Clear  fork  of  the 
Mohican  ; Beams’,  on  the  Rocky  fork ; one 
on  the  site  of  Ganges,  and  a picketed  house  on 
the  Black  Fork,  owned  by  Thomas  Coulter. 

The  Copus  Tragedy. — Shortly  after  this,  a 
party  of  twelve  or  fourteen  militia  from 
Guernsey  county,  who  were  out  on  a scout, 
without  any  authority  burnt  the  Indian  village 
of  Greentown,  at  this  time  deserted.  At 
night  they  stopped  at  the  cabin  of  Mr.  Copus, 
on  the  Black  Fork,  about  nine  miles  from  Mans- 
field. The  next  morning,  as  four  of  them  were 
at  a spring  washing,  a few  rods  from  the  cabin, 
they  were  fired  upon  by  a party  of  Indians  in 
ambush.  They  all  ran  for  the  house,  except 
Warnock,  who  retreated  in  another  direction, 
and  was  afterwards  found  dead  in  the  woods, 
about  half  a mile  distant.  His  body  was 
resting  against  a tree,  with  his  handkerchief 
stuffed  in  a wound  in  his  bowels.  Two  of  the 
others,  George  Shipley  and  John  Tedrick, 
were  killed  and  scalped  between  the  spring 
and  the  house.  The  fourth  man,  Robert 
Dye,  in  passing  between  the  shed  and  cabin, 
suddenly  met  a warrior  with  his  uplifted 
tomahawk.  He  dodged  and  escaped  into  the 
house,  carrying  with  him  a bullet  in  his 
thigh. 

]\Ir.  Copus  at  the  first  alarm  had  opened 
the  door,  and  was  mortally  wounded  by  a rifle 
ball  in  his  breast.  He  was  laid  on  the  bed, 
and  the  Indians  shortly  attacked  the  cabin. 
“Fight  and  save  my  family,”  exclaimed  he, 
“for  I am  a dead  man.”  The  attack  was 
fiercely  made,  and  several  balls  came  through 
the  door,  upon  which  they  pulled  up  the  pun- 
cheons from  the  floor  and  placed  them  against 
it.  Mrs.  Copus  and  her  daughter  went  up  into 
the  loft  for  safety,  and  the  last  was  slightly 
wounded  in  the  thigh,  from  a ball  fired  from 
a neighboring  hill.  One  of  the  soldiers, 
George  Launtz,  was  in  the  act  of  removing 
a chunk  of  wood  to  fire  through,  when  a ball 
entered  the  hole  and  broke  his  arm.  After 
this,  he  watched  and  saw  an  Indian  put  his 
head  from  behind  a stump.  He  fired,  and 
the  fellow’s  brains  were  scattered  over  it. 
After  about  an  hciir  the  Indians,  having  suf- 
fered severe  loss,  retreated.  Had  they  first 
attacked  the  house,  it  is  probable  an  easy 
victory  would  have  been  gained  by  them. 


We  now  give  the  incidents  of  these  tragedies,  and  in  an  abridged  form,  as  told 
in  the  County  History  : ” 


Martin  Ruffner  and  brother-in-law  Richard 
Hughes  erected  cabins  near  each  other  in  the 
spring  of  1812,  about  half  a mile  northwest 
of  the  present  site  of  Mifflin.  Mr.  Fred- 
erick Zimmer,  Sr. , put  up  a cabin  two  and  a half 
miles  southeast  of  Mr.  Martin  Ruffner  and 
occupied  it  with  his  wife,  daughter  Catherine, 
Zimmer’s  son  Philip  Zimmer,  aged  19,  and 


Michael  Ruffner,  brother  of  Martin,  whom 
he  hired  to  assist  him.  Martin  Ruffner  and 
a bound  boy,  Levi  Berkinhizer,  occupied  the 
Ruffner  cabin. 

One  day  in  September  Michael  Ruffner 
met  two  well-armed  Indians  near  the  Zimmer 
cabin,  and  being  suspicious  of  their  intentions 
he  mounted  a fleet  horse  and  rode  rapidly 


258 


ASHLAND  COUNTY. 


to  Zimmer’s  and  put  then  on  their  guard, 
and  Philip  Zimmer  was  despatched  to  inform 
James  Copus,  who  lived  two  miles  further 
south.  Having  warned  Copus  he  proceeded 
to  inform  John  Lambright,  who  returned 
with  him  and  was  joined  by  Mr.  Copus  ; pro- 
ceeding to  the  Zimmer  cabin,  which  they 
reached  early  in  the  evening.  Finding  no 
light  in  the  cabin  Copus  crept  cautiously  up 
to  it ; the  door  was  ajar,  but  with  some  ob- 
struction against  it : cautiously  feeling  his 
way,  he  placed  his  hand  in  a pool  of  blood. 
Returning  to  his  companions  he  informed 
them  of  his  discovery,  and  further  investiga- 
tion proved  that  Frederick  Zimmer,  wife  and 
daughter  and  Martin  Rulfner  had  been  mur- 
dered. Ruffner  had  made  a desperate  resist- 
ance ; he  had  fought  his  way  from  the  cabin 
into  the  yard,  his  gun  being  bent  nearly 
double  from  clubbing  it ; several  of  his  fingers 
had  been  chopped  off  by  a tomahawk  and  he 
was  shot  twice  through  the  body.  The  fiends 
had  scalped  their  victims,  who  had  been 
treacherously  set  upon  while  furnishing  them 
refreshment,  as  was  indicated  by  the  table 
being  nigh  spread. 

It  is  supposed  eight  or  ten  Indians  were 
engaged  in  the  slaughter,  whose  enmity  Mr. 
Zimmer  had  incurred  by  tying  clap-boards  to 
their  ponies’  tails  to  frighten  them  away  from 
the  corn  fields  : any  injury  to  an  Indian’s  dog  or 
pony  being  a cause  for  enduring  resentment. 
Martin  Rutfner  and  the  Zimmers  were  buried 
in  one  large  grave  on  a knoll  near  the  scene 
of  the  tragedy.  The  cabins  of  Martin  Zim- 
mer and  Richard  Hughes  near  the  Zimmers’ 
were  not  disturbed,  young  Berkinhizer  having 
slept  alone  in  that  of  Ruffner  the  night  of 
the  tragedy,  Ruffner  having  been  very  friendly 
with  the  Indians,  although  perfectly  fearless 
in  his  dealings  with  them. 

After  his  discovery  of  the  murder  of  the 
Zimmers  Mr.  Copus  and  Mr.  Lambright  re- 
turned to  their  cabins  for  their  families,  and 
removed  them  to  the  block-house  at  Jacob 
Beams’. 

After  several  days  in  the  block-house  Mr. 
Copus,  believing  the  Indians  owed  him  no  ill 
will,  insisted  on  returning  with  his  family  to 
his  cabin  on  the  Black  Fork.  Capt.  Martin 
protested  against  it,  but  as  Copus  persisted 
in  going  he  sent  nine  soldiers  with  him  as  an 
escort.  They  reached  the  cabin  in  safety  and 
retired  for  the  night,  the  soldiers  occupying 
the  barn.  In  the  night  the  dogs  kept  up  a 
continuous  barking  and  Mr.  Copus  got  up 
toward  daylight  and  invited  the  soldiers  into 
the  cabin. 

In  the  morning  the  soldiers  leaning  their 
guns  against  the  cabin  (although  cautioned  to 
keep  possession  of  them  by  Mr.  Coi)us) 
passed  out  to  the  spring  at  the  base  of  a hill 
near  the  sixth  cabin  for  the  purpose  of  wash- 


ing. They  had  reached  the  spring,  when 
some  Indians  from  their  concealment  in  a 
corn  field  near  by  rushed  out,  cut  off  their 
retreat  and  began  hooting  and  tomahawking 
them.  Mr.  Copus  seizing  his  gun  rushed 
for  the  cabin  door  ; just  as  he  opened  it,  he 
met  an  Indian  ; both  fired  at  the  same  in- 
stant and  both  were  mortally  wounded.  The 
ball  from  the  Indian’s  gun  passed  through 
the  leather  strap  sustaining  Mr.  Copus’s 
powder  horn  (which  is  now  in  the  possession 
of  Mr.  Wesley  Copus)  and  into  his  breast; 
he  staggered  to  his  bed  and  died  in  a short 
time,  begging  the  soldiers  to  defend  and  save 
his  family.  Two  of  the  soldiers  fled  toward 
the  forest,  but  were  soon  overtaken,  killed 
and  scalped;  another,  Mr.  Warnock,  suc- 
ceeded in  escaping  his  pursuers,  but  was  shot 
through  the  bowels  and  foot ; his  body  was 
afterwards  found  seated  leaning  against  a tree 
with  his  handkerchief  stuffed  into  the  wound 
in  his  bowels.  Mr.  Geo.  Dye,  another  soldier, 
was  shot  through  the  thigh  just  as  he  was 
entering  the  cabin. 

The  knoll  near  the  cabin  being  covered 
with  dwarfed  timber  served  the  Indians  as  a 
shelter  from  which  they  fired  volley  after 
volley  into  the  cabin,  wounding  Nancy  Copus, 
a little  girl,  above  the  knee  and  breaking  the 
arm  of  Geo.  Launtz,  a soldier,  who  had  the 
satisfaction  however  of  returning  his  compli- 
ments with  a bullet  which  caused  the  Indian 
who  had  shot  him  to  bound  into  the  air  and 
roll  down  the  hill  on  the  way  to  the  “ happy  ” 
hunting  grounds  of  his  fathers. 

The  battle  lasted  about  five  hours,  after 
which  the  Indians  withdrew,  carrying  off  their 
dead  and  wounded,  but  fired  a parting  salute 
into  a flock  of  Mr.  Copus’s  sheep,  killing 
most  of  them. 

After  the  withdrawal  of  the  Indians  a sol- 
dier was  despatched  to  the  block-house  at 
Beams’  for  assistance.  Shortly  after  Capt. 
Martin,  having  been  out  with  a party  of  sol- 
diers on  a scouting  expedition,  arrived  at  the 
cabin,  too  late  to  be  of  any  assistance.  An 
effort  w^as  made  to  pursue  the  Indians,  but 
was  abandoned  as  useless.  Mr.  Copus  and 
the  soldiers  were  buried  in  a large  grave  a 
rod  or  two  from  the  cabin,  under  an  apple 
tree.  Capt.  Martin  then  took  the  family  and 
returned  to  the  block-house.  Mrs.  Copus 
and  her  children  remaining  in  the  block-house 
several  weeks  removed  to  Guernsey  county, 
but  in  the  spring  of  1815  returned  to  their 
cabin. 

The  number  of  Indians  engaged  in  this  at- 
tack was  estimated  at  forty-five,  there  having 
been  discovered  back  of  the  corn  field  the  re- 
mains of  forty-five  fires  in  holes  scooped  iu 
the  ground,  to  prevent  observation,  over  which 
the  Indians  roasted  ears  of  corn  the  evening 
before  the  attack. 


Two  handsome  monuments  in  Mifflin  towitsliip  now  mark  the  resting-places  of 
the  victims  of  these  tragedies.  The  Rnffner-Zi miner  monument  is  ten  miles 
southerly  from  Ashland,  and  the  Copiis  monument  twelve  miles.  They  are  so 
alike  in  structure  that  the  engraving  annexed  gives  a correct  idea  of  the  other. 


ASHLAND  COUNTY. 


259 


These  moiii:ments  were  erected,  at  an  expense  of  nearly  $500,  near  the  sites  of  tlie 
occtirrencec  they  commemorate.  The  project  had  its  inception  with  Dr.  S.  Riddle, 
historian  of  the  Ashland  Pioneer  Society,  who  interested  its  members,  and  the 
necessary  sum  was  raised  by  subscription  in  this  and  in  Richland  county.  The 
history  of  their  dedication  is  thus  given  by  him  : 


Monument  in  Commemoration  of  the  Copus  Massacre. 


The  date  for  the  unveiling  of  the  RulFner- 
Copus  Monument  was  fixed  for  Friday,  Sep- 
tember 15, 1882,  just  seventy  years  to  the  day 
when  the  tragic  scenes  took  place,  and  prepa- 
rations were  made  for  what  was  expected 
would  be  a memorable  day  in  the  history  of 
Ohio.  The  expectations  of  the  committee 
were  more  than  realized.  Early  in  the  day 
the  people  began  to  arrive  at  the  Copus  Hill 
from  every  direction  ; a-foot,  on  horseback 
and  in  every  imaginable  kind  of  conveyance, 
until  fully  6,000  had  assembled  in  the  forest 
overlooking  the  scene  of  the  Copus  battle. 
The  day  was  balmy — one  of  those  pleasant  fall 
days — and  the  thousands  present  came  with 
baskets  filled  ready  for  the  pic-nic.  The  ex- 
ercises opened  with  music  by  the  Mt.  Zion 
band,  followed  by  prayer  by  Rev.  J.  A.  Hall, 
then  music,  then  the  address  of  welcome  by 
the  gentleman  above  named.  Rev.  P=  R.  Rose- 
berry  followed  in  a few  remarks,  after  which 
the  venerable  Dr.  Will. Bushnell, of  Mansfield, 
pod  Andrew  Mason,  Esq.,  of  Ashland,  in  re- 
sponse to  calls,  entertained  the  audience. 
Mrs.  Sarah  Vail,  daughter  of  Janies  Copus, 


who  was  present  at  the  time  her  father  and 
the  three  soldiers  were  killed,  and  who  now 
resides  hard  by  at  the  age  of  ^ eighty-four 
years,  was  introduced  to  the  multitude.  Mrs. 
Baughman,  mother  of  A.  J.  Baughman,  was 
also  introduced  to  the  audience  : this  lady’s 
father,  Capt.  Cunningham,  assisted  in  burying 
the  dead  at  Copus  Hill.  A recess  was  then 
taken  for  the  pic-nic  and  an  hour  later  R.  M. 
Campbell,  Esq.,  of  Ashland,  was  introduced 
and  spoke  at  length.  Hon.  Henry  C.  Hedges, 
of  Mansfield,  was  then  introduced  and  niade 
some  touching  remarks ; at  the  close  of  his 
address  the  Huff  Brothers  Band  played  a 
dirge  ; following  this.  Dr.  P.  H.  Clark,  of 
Ashland,  delivered  an  appropriate  address 
which  was  full  of  interest  for  the  occasion ; 
at  its  close  a procession  of  vehicles  to  the 
number  of  about  1,200  was  formed  and  passed 
by  the  Copus  Monument  as  it  was  unveiled. 
The  multitude  then  proceeded  to  the  Ruffner 
Monument,  when  it  was  also  unveiled.  Thus 
the  ceremonies  of  the  day  ended  ; a day  long 
to  be  remembered. 


26o 


ASHLAND  COUNTY. 


Under  the  names  of  Copiis  and  the  slain  soldiers  was  cawed,  at  the  suggestion 
of  Miss  Kosella  Rice,  of  Perrysville,  the  name  of  the  eccentric  Johnny  Apple- 
seed,  whom  she  knew  well,  and  whose  good  deeds  she  has  commemorated  with  her 
pen.  A novel,  founded  upon  these  tragedies  and  the  early  times  in  this  region, 
entitled,  Philip  Seymour,  or  Pioneer  Life  in  Richland  County,’^  by  Rev.  James 
F.  McGaw,  published  in  Mansfield  in  1857  and  1883,  has  had  quite  a local 
popularity. 

Perrysville,  sixty  miles  northeast  of  Columbus,  on  the  P.  Ft.  W.  & C.  rail- 
road. It  has  churches : 1 Baptist,  1 Methodist,  1 Presbyterian,  and  1 Lutheran, 
and  in  1880,  476  inhabitants.  A correspondent  sends  us  some  items : 


Perrysville  was  laid  out  June  10,  1815,  by 
Thomas  Coulter  and  was  the  second  village 
established  in  the  county.  At  that  early  day 
whiskey  drinking  was  the  general  custom. 
At  one  period  there  were  nine  still  houses  in 
the  township  in  active  operation,  and  they 
were  unable  to  keep  up  with  the  demands 
of  the  thirsty.  Jeremiah  Conine,  on  the 
present  Van  Horn  farm,  was  the  pioneer  dis- 
tiller. Hop  picking  was  then  an  important 
industry  ; the  hops  sold  for  fifty  cents  a pound. 
Mrs.  Betsy  Coulter,  nee  Rice,  in  1815  opened 
the  first  school  in  her  own  home.  She  took 
spinning  and  weaving  as  part  pay  for  tuition. 
Johnny  Appleseed  was  a frequent  visitor 
here.  He  was  a constant  snuff  consumer 
and  had  beautiful  teeth.  He  was  smitten 


here  with  Miss  Nancy  Tannehill  and  pro- 
posed, but  was  just  one  too  late : she  was 
already  engaged.  He  died  March  11,  1845, 
in  St.  Joseph  township,  Indiana,  at  the  house 
of  Wm.  Worth.  When  he  died  he  had  on 
for  clothing  next  to  his  body  a coarse  coffee 
sack  slipped  over  his  head  ; around  his  waist 
parts  of  four  pantaloons  ; over  these  a white 
air  complete.  He  was  buried  two  and  a 
alf  miles  north  of  Fort  Wayne.  The  prin- 
cipal white  settlers  in  this  section  in  1809 
were  Andrew  Craig,  an  exhorter  and  local 
minister  in  the  Methodist  Church  who  fre- 
quently preached  to  the  Greentqwn  Indians, 
James  Cunningham,  Samuel  Lewis  and  Henry 
McCart. 


Hayesville,  about  seventy  miles  northeast  of  Columbus,  is  a fine  trading 
town,  in  the  centre  of  an  extensive  farming,  wool-growing,  and  stock-raising  dis- 
trict. Newspaj)er  : Hayesville  Journal^  Independent,  H.  H.  Arnold.  Churches  : 
1 Methodist,  1 Presbyterian,  1 United  Presbyterian.  Population  in  1880,  563. 

Ix)UDONViLLE,  about  sixty-five  miles  southwest  of  Cleveland,  on  the  Black 
fork  of  the  Mohican  river,  also  on  the  P.  Ft.  W.  & C.  railroad.  It  is  surrounded 
by  a very  productive  agricultural  district.  Newspapers : Advocate,  Independent, 
P.  H.  Stauffer,  editor ; Democrat,  Democmtic,  J.  G.  Herzog,  editor.  Churches : 
1 Methodist,  1 Baptist,  2 Lutheran,  1 Catholic,  1 Presbyterian,  and  1 Evangelical. 
Banks : Farmers^,  J.  Schmidt,  president,  A.  C.  Ullman,  cashier ; Loudonville 
Banking  Company,  G.  Schauweker,  president,  J.  L.  Quick,  cashier.  Among  the 
principal  industries  is  one  of  the  finest  and  best  equipped  roller-process  mills  in 
the  State.  Population  in  1880,  1,497.  School  census  in  1886,  547 ; Elliott  D. 
Wigton,  superintendent.  Savannah  and  Polk  have  each  about  400  inhabitants. 

William  B.  Allison,  the  eminent  member  of  the  United  States  Senate  from  Iowa, 
was  born  in  Perry  township  this  county,  March  2,  1829.  He  was  educated  at 
Allegheny  College,  Pa.,  and  Western  Reserve  College,  Ohio,  practised  law  at  Ash- 
land and  Wooster,  and  removed  to  Dubuque,  Iowa,  in  1857. 


ASHTABULA  COUNTY. 


261 


ASHTABULA. 


Ashtabula  was  formed  June  7,  1807,  from  Trumbull  and  Geauga,  and  organ- 
ized January  22,  1811.  The  name  of  the  county  was  derived  from  Ashtabula 
river,  which  signifies,  in  the  Indian  language.  Fish  river.  For  a few  miles  parallel 
Avith  the  lake  shore  it  is  level,  the  remainder  of  the  surface  slightly  undulating, 
and  the  soil  generally  clay.  Butter  and  cheese  are  the  principal  articles  of  export, 
and  in  these  it  leads  all  other  counties  in  the  amount  produced.  Generally  not 
sufficient  wheat  is  raised  for  home  consumption,  but  the  soil  is  quite  productive  in 
corn  and  oats.  In  1885  the  acres  cultivated  were  12.9,992;  in  pasture,  150,152; 
Avoodland,  62,223 ; lying  Avaste,  3,700 ; produced  in  Avheat,  234,070  bushels ; 
corn,  382,238;  oats,  677,555;  apples,  587,385;  pounds  butter,  1,042,613;  and 
cheese,  354,400.  School  census,  9,441 ; teachers,  543.  Area  720  square  miles, 
being  the  largest  county  in  Ohio.  It  has  191  miles  of  railroad. 


Townships  and  Census. 

1840. 

1880. 

Townships  and  Census. 

1840. 

1880. 

Andover, 

881 

1,168 

Monroe, 

1,326 

1,459 

Ashtabula, 

1,711 

5,522 

Morgan, 

643 

1,223 

Austinburg, 

1,048 

1,208 

New  Lyme, 

527 

893 

Cherry  Valley, 

689 

698 

OrAvell, 

458 

973 

Conneaut, 

2,650 

2,947 

Pierpont, 

639 

1,046 

Denmark, 

176 

697 

Plymouth, 

706 

780 

Dorset, 

613 

Richmond, 

384 

1,011 

Geneva, 

1,215 

3,167 

Rome, 

765 

668 

Harpersfield, 

1,399 

1,116 

Saybrook, 

934 

1,384 

Hartsgrove, 

553 

798 

Sheffield, 

683 

688 

Jefferson, 

710 

1,952 

Trumbull, 

439 

960 

Kingsville, 

1,420 

1,621 

Wayne, 

767 

835 

Lenox, 

550 

820 

Williamsfield, 

892 

974 

Colebrook, 

956 

Windsor, 

875 

964 

The  population  in  1820  Avas  7,369  ; in  1830, 14,584  ; in  1840,  23,724 ; in  1850, 
31,789;  in  1880,36,875,  of  Avhom  1,274  Avere  employed  in  manufactures  and 
2,814  Avere  foreign  born. 

This  county  is  memorable  from  being  not  only  the  first  settled  on  the  Western 
Reserve,  but  the  earliest  in  the  whole  of  Northern  Ohio.  The  incidents  connected 
with  its  early  history,  although  unmarked  by  scenes  of  military  adventure,  are  of 
an  interesting  nature. 

On  the  4tli  of  July,  1796,  the  first  surveying  party  of  the  Western  Reserve 
landed  at  the  mouth  of  Conneaut  creek.  Of  this  event,  John  Barr,  Esq.,  in  his 
sketch  of  the  Western  Reserve,  in  the  National  Magazine  for  December,  1845, 
has  given  a narrative  : 


The  sons  of  revolutionar}^  sires,  some  of 
them  sharers  themselves  in  the  great  bap- 
tism of  the  republic,  they  made  the  anniver- 
sary of  their  country’s  freedom  a day  of  cere- 
monial and  rejoicing.  They  felt  that  they 
had  arrived  at  the  place  of  their  labors,  the — 
to  many  of  them — sites  of  home,  as  little  allur- 
ing, almost  as  croAvded  with  dangers,  as  were 
the  levels  of  Jamestown,  or  the  rocks  of  Ply- 
mouth to  the  ancestors  who  had  preceded 
them  in  the  conquest  of  the  seacoast  wilder- 
ness of  this  continent.  From  old  homes  and 
friendly  and  social  associations  they  were 
almost  as  completely  exiled  as  were  the 


cavaliers  who  debarked  upon  the  shores  of 
Virginia,  or  the  Puritans  who  sought  the 
strand  of  Massachusetts.  Far  away  as  they 
were  from  the  villages  of  their  birth  and  boy- 
hood ; before  them  the  trackless  forest,  or  the 
untraversed  lake,  yet  did  they  resolve  to  cast 
fatigue  and  privation  and  peril  from  their 
thoughts  for  the  time  being,  and  give  to  the 
day  its  due,  to  patriotism  its  awards.  Muster- 
ing their  numbers  they  sat  down  on  the  east- 
ward shore  of  the  stream  now  known  as  Con- 
neaut, and,  dipping  from  the  lake  the  liquor 
in  which  they  pledged  their  country — their 
goblets  some  tin  cups  of  no  rare  workmanship, 


262 


ASHTABULA  COUNTY. 


yet  every  way  answerable,  with  the  ordnance 
accompaniment  of  two  or  three  fowling  pieces 
discharging  the  required  national  salute — the 
first  settlers  of  the  Reserve  spent  their  land- 
ing-day as  became  the  sons  of  the  pilgrim 
fathers — as  the  advance  pioneers  of  a popula- 
tion that  has  since  made  the  then  wilderness 
of  Northern  Ohio  to  “blossom  as  the  rose,” 
and  prove  the  homes  of  a people  as  remarka- 
ble for  integrity,  industry,  love  of  country, 
moral  truth  and  enlightened  legislation,  as 
any  to  be  found  within  the  territorial  limits 
of  their  ancestral  New  England. 

The  whole  party  numbered,  on  this  occa- 
sion, fifty-two  persons,  of  whom  two  were 
females  (Mrs.  Stiles  and  Mrs.  Gunn,  and  a 
child).  As  these  individuals  were  the  ad- 
vance of  after  millions  of  population,  their 
names  become  worthy  of  record,  and  are 
therefore  given,  viz.  : Moses  Cleveland,  a^ent 
of  the  company  ; Augustus  Porter,  principal 
surveyor  ; Seth  Pease,  Moses  Warren,  Amos 
Spaiford,  Milton  Hawley,  Richard  M.  Stod- 
dard, surveyors  ; Joshua  Stowe,  commissary  ; 
Theodore  Shepard,  physician;  Joseph  Tinker, 
principal  boatman  j Joseph  McIntyre,  George 
Proudfoot,  Francis  Gay,  Samuel  Forbes, 
Elijah  Gunn,  wife  and  child,  Amos  Sawten, 


Stephen  Benton,  Amos  Barber,  Samuel 
Hungerford,  William  B.  Hall,  Samuel 
Davenport,  Asa  Mason,  Amzi  Atwater, 
Michael  Coffin,  Elisha  Ayres,  Thomas  Har- 
ris, Norman  Wilcox,  Timothy  Dunham, 
George  Goodwin,  Shadrach  Benham,  Samuel 
Agnew,  Warham  Shepard,  David  Beard, 
John  Briant,  Titus  ^ V.  Munson,  Joseph 
Landon,  Job  V.  Stiles  and  wife,  Charles 
Parker,  Ezekiel  Hawley.  Nathaniel  Doan, 
Luke  Hanchet,  James  Hasket,  James  Hamil- 
ton, Olney  F.  Rice,  John  Lock,  and  four 
others  whose  names  are  not  mentioned. 

On  the  5th  of  July  the  workmen  of  the  ex- 
pedition were  employed  in  the  erection  of  a 
large,  awkwardly  constructed  log  building ; 
locating  it  on  the  sandy  beach  on  the  east 
shore  of  the  stream,  and  naming  it  “ Stow 
Castle,”  after  one  of  the  party.  This  be- 
came the  storehouse  of  the  provisions,  etc. , 
and  the  dwelling-place  of  the  families. 

The  view  was  constructed  from  a sketch 
on  the  spot  taken  by  us  in  1846,  altered  to 
represent  its  ancient  appearance.  The  word 
Conneaut,  in  the  Seneca  language,  signifies 
'''many  JishC  and  was  applied  originally  to 
the  river. 


Conneaut,  the  Plymouth  of  the  Keseuve,  in  July,  179G. 

The  spot  where  the  above  described  scene  took  place  has  much  altered  in  the 
lapse  of  half  a century.  One  of  the  party,  Amzi  Atwater,  Esq.,  living  in  Portage 
county  in  1846,  then  described  it  from  recollection: 


It  was  then  a mere  sand  beach  overgrown 
with  timber,  some  of  it  of  considerable  size, 
which  we  cut  to  build  the  house  and  for  other 
purposes.  The  mouth  of  the  creek,  like 
others  of  the  lake  streams  in  those  days,  was 
frequently  choked  up  with  a sand  bar  so  that 
no  visible  harbor  appeared  for  several  days. 
This  would  only  happen  when  the  streams 
were  low  and  after  a high  wind  cither  down 
the  lake  or  directly  on  shore  for  several  days. 
I have  i)assed  over  all  the  lake  streams  of 
this  State  east  of  the  Cuyahoga  and  most  of 
those  in  New  York  on  hard,  dry  sand  bars, 


ajid  I have  been  told  that  the  Cuyahoga  has 
been  so.  They  would  not  long  continue,  for 
as  soon  as  the  wind  had  subsided  and  the 
water  in  the  streams  had  sufficiently  risen 
they  would  often  cut  their  way  through  the 
bar  in  a different  place  and  form  new  chan- 
nels. Thus  the  mouths  of  the  streams  were 
continually  shifting  until  the  artificial  harbors 
were  built.  Those  blessed  improvementg 
have  in  a great  measure  remedied  those  evils 
and  made  the  mouths  of  the  streams  far  more 
healthy. 


ASHTABULA  COUNTY. 


263 


Judge  James  Kingsbury,  who  arrived  at  Conneaut  shortly  after  the  surveying 
party,  wintered  with  his  family  at  this  place  in  a cabin  which  stood  on  a spot  now 
covered  by  the  waters  of  the  lake.  This  was  about  the  first  family  that  wintered 
on  the  Reserve. 

The  story  of  the  sufferings  of  this  family 
has  often  been  told,  but  in  the  midst  of  plenty, 
where  want  is  unknown,  can  with  difficulty  be 
appreciated.  The  surveyors,  in  the  prosecu- 
tion of  their  labors  westwardly,  had  princi- 
pally removed  their  stores  to  Cleveland,  while 
the  family  of  Judge  Kingsbury  remained  at 
Conneaut.  Being  compelled  by  business  to 
leave  in  the  fall  for  the  State  of  New  York, 
with  the  hope  of  a speedy  return  to  his  family, 
the  judge  was  attacked  by  a severe  fit  of  sick- 
ness, confining  him  to  his  bed  until  the  setting 
in  of  winter.  As  soon  as  able  he  proceeded 
on  his  return  as  far  as  Buffalo,  where  he 
hired  an  Indian  to  guide  him  through  the 
wilderness.  At  Presque  Isle,  anticipating 
the  wants  of  his  family,  he  purchased  twenty 
pounds  of  flour.  In  crossing  Elk  creek  on 
the  ice  he  disabled  his  horse,  left  him  in  the 
snow,  and  mounting  his  flour  on  his  own 
back  pursued  his  way  filled  with  gloomy  fore- 
bodings in  relation  to  the  fate  of  his  family. 

On  his  arrival  late  one  evening  his  worst 
apprehensions  were  more  than  realized  in  a 
scene  agonizing  to  the  husband  and  father. 

Stretched  on  her  cot  lay  the  partner  of  his 

Mr.  Kingsbury  was  the  first  who  thrust  a sickle  into  the  first  wheat  field  planted 
on  the  soil  of  the  Reserve.  His  wife  was  interred  at  Cleveland,  about  the  year 
184e3.  The  fate  of  her  child — the  first  white  child  born  on  the  Reserve,  starved 
to  death  for  want  of  nourishment — will  not  soon  be  forgotten. 

Conneaut  in  1846.  The  harbor  of  Conneaut  is  now  an  important  point  of 
transshipment.  It  has  a pier  Avith  a light-house  upon  it,  two  forwarding  houses 
and  eleven  dwellings.  Several  vessels  ply  from  here,  and  it  is  a frequent  stopping 
place  for  steamers.  Two  miles  south  of  the  harbor,  twenty-two  from  Jefferson, 
twenty-eight  from  Erie,  Pa.,  is  the  borough  of  Conneaut  on  the  Avest  bank  of  Con- 
neaut creek.  It  contains  four  churches,  eleven  stores,  one  newspaper  printing  office, 
a fine  classical  academy,  Mr.  L.  W.  Savage  and  Miss  Mary  Booth,  principals,  and 
about  1,000  inhabitants. — Old  Edition. 

Conneaut,  on  Lake  Erie,  sixty-eight  miles  east  of  Cleveland,  also  on  the  L.  S. 
& M.  S.  and  N.  Y.  C.  & St.  L.  Railroads.  The  main  shops  of  the  Nickel  Plate 
railroad  are  located  here.  It  is  expected  that  the  harbor  Avill  shortly  be  opened  by 
the  Conneaut,  JamestoAvn  and  Southern  Railroad,  gi\4ng  improved  shipping 
facilities. 

NeAVspapers  : Herald,  Republican,  W.  T.  Findlay,  editor ; The  Reporter,  Repub- 
lican, J.  P.  Reig,  editor.  Churches : 1 Congregational,  1 Baptist,  1 Metliodist,  1 
Catholic  and  1 Christian.  Banks : Conneaut  Mutual  Loan  Association,  Theron 
S.  Winship,  president,  C.  HayAvard,  cashier ; First  National,  S.  J.  Smith,  presi- 
dent, B.  E.  Thayer,  cashier.  Principal  industries  are  railroad  shops,  paper  mill. 
Record  Manufacturing  Company,  Cummins  Canning  Factory.  Population  in  1880, 
1,256  ; school  census  in  1886,  564 ; E.  C.  Cary,  superintendent. 

The  first  permanent  settlement  in  Conneaut  When  the  settlers  arrived  some  twenty  or 
was  in  1799.  Thomas  Montgomery  and  Aaron  thirty  Indian  cabins  were  still  standing,  which 
Wright  settled  here  in  the  spring  of  1798.  were  said  to  present  an  appearance  of  neat- 
Robert  Montgomery  and  family,  Levi  and  ness  and  comfort  not  usual  with  this  race. 
John  Montgomery,  Nathan  and  John  King,  The  Massauga  tribe,  Avhich  inhabited  the 
and  Samuel  Bemus  and  family  came  the  same  spot,  were  obliged  to  leave  in  consequence  of 
season.  the  murder  of  a white  man  named  Williama 


cares,  who  had  followed  him  through  all  the 
dangers  and  hardships  of  the  wilderness  with- 
out repining,  pale  and  emaciated,  reduced  by 
meagre  famine  to  the  last  stages  in  which  life 
can  be  supported,  and  near  the  mother,  on  a 
little  pallet,  were  the  remains  of  his  youngest 
child,  born  in  his  absence,  who  had  just  ex- 
pired for  the  want  of  that  nourishment  which 
the  mother,  deprived  of  sustenance,  was 
unable  to  give.  Shut  up  by  a gloomy  wilder- 
ness she  was  far  distant  alike  from  the  aid  or 
sympathy  of  friends,  filled  with  anxiety  for 
an  absent  husband,  suffering  with  want  and 
destitute  of  necessary  assistance,  and  her 
children  expiring  around  her.  with  hunger. 

Such  is  the  picture  presented  by  which  the 
wives  and  daughters  of  the  present  day  may 
form  some  estimate  of  the  hardships  endured 
by  the  pioneers  of  this  beautiful  country.  It 
appears  th^t  Judge  Kingsbury,  in  order  to 
supply  the  wants  of  his  family,  was  under  the 
necessity  of  transporting  his  provisions  from 
Cleveland  on  a hand  sled,  and  that  himself 
and  hired  man  drew  a barrel  of  beef  the  whole 
distance  at  a single  load. 


264 


ASHTABULA  COUNTY. 


Two  young  men  taken  at  the  defeat  of  St. 
Clair  were  said  to  have  been  prisoners  for  a 
considerable  time  among  the  Indians  of  this 
village.  On  their  arrival  at  Conneaut  they 
were  made  to  run  the  gauntlet,  and  received 
the  orthodox  number  of  blows  and  kicks  usual 
on  such  occasions.  In  solemn  council  it  was 
resolved  that  the  life  of  Fitz  Gibbon  should 
be  saved,  but  the  other,  whose  name  is  not 
recollected,  was  condemned  to  be  burned.  He 
was  bound  to  a tree,  a large  quantity  of 
hickory  bark  tied  into  fagots  and  piled 
around  him.  But  from  the  horrors  of  the 
most  painful  of  deaths  he  was  saved  by  the 
interposition  of  a young  squaw  belonging  to  the 
tribe.  Touched  by  sympathy  she  interceded 
in  his  behalf,  and  by  her  expostulations, 
backed  by  several  packages  of  fur  and  a small 
sum  of  money,  succeeded  in  effecting  his 
deliverance  : an  act  in  the  lowly  Indian  maid 
which  entitles  her  name  to  be  honorably  re- 
corded with  that  of  Pocahontas,  among  the 
good  and  virtuous  of  every  age. 

There  were  mounds  situated  in  the  eastern 
part  of  the  village  of  Conneaut  and  an  exten- 
sive burying-ground  near  the  Presbyterian 
church,  which  appear  to  have  had  no  connec- 
tion with  the  burying-places  of  the  Indians. 
Among  the  human  bones  found  in  the  mounds 
were  some  belonging  to  men  of  gigantic 


structure.  _ Some  of  the  skulls  were  of  suffi- 
cient capacity  to  admit  the  head  of  an  ordi- 
nary man,  and  jaw  bones  that  might  have 
been  fitted  on  over  the  face  with  equal  facility ; 
the  other  bones  were  proportionately  large. 
The  burying-ground  referred  to  contained 
about  four  acres,  and  with  the  exception  of  a 
slight  angle  in  conformity  with  the  natural 
contour  of  the  ground  was  in  the  form  of  an 
oblong  square.  It  appeared  to  have  been 
accurately  surveyed  into  lots  running  from 
north  to  south,  and  exhibited  all  the  order 
and  propriety  of  arrangement  deemed  neces- 
sary to  constitute  Christian  burial.  On  the 
first  examination  of  the  ground  by  the  settlers 
they  found  it  covered  with  the  ordinary  forest 
trees,  with  an  opening  near  the  centre  con- 
taining a single  butternut.  The  graves  were 
distinguished  by  slight  depressions  disposed 
in  straight  rows,  and  were  estimated  to  num- 
ber from  two  to  three  thousand.  On  ex- 
amination in  1800  they  were  found  to  con- 
tain human  bones,  invariably  blackened  by 
time,  which  on  exposure  to  the  air  soon 
crumbled  to  dust.  Traces  of  ancient  cultiva- 
tion observed  by  the  first  settlers  on  the  lands 
of  the  vicinity,  although  covered  with  forest, 
exhibited  signs  of  having  once  been  thrown  up 
into  squares  and  terraces,  and  laid  out  into 
gardens. 


There  was  a fragment  or  chip  of  a tree  at  one  time  in  the  possession  of  the 
Ashtabula  Historical  Society,  which  was  a curiosity.  The  tree  of  which  that  was 
a chip  was  chopped  down  and  butted  off  for  a saw  log,  about  three  feet  from  the 
ground,  some  thirty  rods  southeast  of  Fort  Hill,  in  Conneaut,  in  1829,  by  Silas 
A.  Davis,  on  land  owned  by  B.  H.  King.  Some  marks  were  found  upon  it  near 
the  heart  of  the  tree.  The  Hon.  Nehemiah  King,  with  a magnifying  glass, 
counted  350  anniialer  rings  in  that  part  of  the  stump,  outside  of  these  marks. 
Deducting  350  from  1829,  leaves  1479,  which  must  have  been  the  year  when 
these  cots  were  made.  This  was  thirteen  years  before  the  discovery  of  America 
by  Columbus.  It  perhaps  was  done  by  the  race  of  the  mounds,  with  an  axe  of 
copper,  as  that  people  had  the  art  of  hardening  that  metal  so  as  to  cut  like  steel. 

In  the  spring  of  1815  a mound  on  Harbor  street,  Conneaut,  was  cut  through 
for  a road.  One  morning  succeeding  a heavy  rain  a Mr.  Walker,  who  was  up  very 
early,  picked  up  a jaw  bone  together  with  an  artificial  tooth  which  lay  near.  He 
brought  them  forthwith  to  Mr.  P.  H.  Spencer,  secretary  of  the  Historical  Society, 
who  fitted  the  tooth  in  a cavity  from  which  it  had  evidently  fallen.  The  tooth 
was  metallic,  probably  silver,  but  little  was  then  thought  of  the  circumstance. 

The  adventure  of  Mr.  Solomon  Sweatland,  of  Conneaut,  who  crossed  I^ake  Erie 
in  an  o])en  canoe,  in  September,  1817,  is  one  of  nnnsual  interest.  He  had 
been  accustomed,  with  the  aid  of  a neighbor,  Mr.  Cozzens,  and  a few  hounds,  to 
drive  the  deer  into  the  lake,  where,  pursuing  them  in  a canoe,  he  shot  them  with 
but  little  difficulty.  The  circumstances  which  took  place  at  this  time  are  vividly 
given  in  the  annexed  extract  from  the  records  of  the  Historical  Society  : 


Adventure  of  Solomon  Sweatland. — It  was 
a lovely  morning  in  early  autumn,  and  Sweat- 
land,  in  anticipation  of  his  fiivorite  sport,  had 
risen  at  the  first  dawn  of  light,  and  without 
putting  on  his  coat  or  waistcoat  left  his  cabin, 
listening  in  the  meantime  in  expectation  of 
the  approach  of  the  dogs.  His  patience  was 
not  put  to  a severe  trial  ere  his  ears  were 
saluted  by  the  deep  baying  of  the  hounds, 


and  on  arriving  at  the  beach  he  perceived 
that  the  deer  had  already  taken  to  the  lake, 
and  was  moving  at  some  distance  from  the 
shore.  In  the  enthusiasm  of  the  moment  he 
threw  his  hat  upon  the  beach,  his  canoe  was 
put  in  requisition,  and  shoving  from  the 
shore  he  was  soon  engaged  in  rapid  and 
animated  pursuit.  The  wind,  which  had 
been  fresh  from  the  south  during  the  night 


ASHTABULA  COUNTY. 


265 


and  gradually  increasing,  was  now  blowing 
nearly  a gale,  but  intent  on  securing  his  prize 
Sweatland  was  not  in  a situation  to  yield  to 
the  dictates  of  prudence.  The  deer,  which 
was  a vigorous  animal  of  its  kind,  hoisted  its 
flag  of  defiance,  and  breasting  the  waves 
stoutly  showed  that  in  a race  with  a log  canoe 
and  a single  paddle  he  was  not  easily  out- 
done. 

Sweatland  had  attained  a considerable  dis- 
tance from  the  shore  and  encountered  a heavy 
sea  before  overtaking  the  animal,  but  was  not 
apprised  of  the  eminent  peril  of  his  situation 
until  shooting  past  him  the  deer  turned 
towards  the  shore.  He  was  however  brought 
to  a full  appreciation  of  his  danger  when,  on 
tacking  his  frail  vessel  and  heading  towards 
the  land,  he  found  that  with  his  utmost  exer- 
tions he  could  make  no  progress  in  the  de- 
sired direction,  but  was  continually  drifting 
farther  to  sea.  He  had  been  observed  in  his 
outward  progress  by  Mr.  Cousins,  who  had 
arrived  immediately  after  the  hounds,  and  by 
his  own  family,  and  as  he  disappeared  from 
sight  considerable  apprehensions  were  enter- 
tained for  his  safety. 

The  alarm  was  soon  given  in  the  neighbor- 
hood, and  it  was  decided  by  those  competent 
to  judge  that  his  return  would  be  impossible, 
and  that  unless  help  could  be  afforded  he  was 
doomed  to  perish  at  sea.  Actuated  by  those 
generous  impulses  that  often  induce  men  to 
peril  their  own  lives  to  preserve  those  of 
others,  Messrs.  Gilbert,  Cousins  and  Belden 
took  a light  boat  at  the  mouth  of  the  creek 
and  proceeded  in  search  of  the  wanderer,  with 
the  determination  to  make  every  effort  for 
his  relief  They  met  the  deer  returning 
towards  the  shore  nearly  exhausted,  but  the 
man  who  was  the  object  of  their  solicitude 
was  nowhere  to  be  seen.  They  made  stretches 
off  shore  within  probable  range  of  the  fugitive 
for  some  hours,  until  they  had  gained  a dis- 
tance of  five  or  six  miles  from  land,  when 
meeting  with  a sea  in  which  they  judged  it 
impossible  for  a canoe  to  live  they  abandoned 
the  search,  returned  with  difficulty  to  the 
shore,  and  Sweatland  was  given  up  for  lost. 

The  canoe  in  which  he  was  embarked  was 
dug  from  a large  whitewood  log  by  Major 
James  Brookes,  for  a fishing  boat;  it  was 
aoout  fourteen  feet  in  length  and  rather  wide 
in  proportion,  and  was  considered  a superior 
one  of  the  kind.  Sweatland  still  continued 
to  lie  off,  still  heading  towards  the  land,  with 
a faint  bope  that  the  wind  might  abate,  or 
that  aid  might  reach  him  from  the  shore. 
One  or  two  schooners  were  in  sight  in  course 
of  the  day,  and  he  made  every  signal  in  his 
power  to  attract  their  attention,  but  without 
success.  The  shore  continued  in  sight,  and 
in  tracing  its  distant  outline  he  could  distin- 
guish the  spot  where  his  cabin  stood,  within 
whose  holy  precincts  were  contained  the  cher- 
ished objects  of  his  affections,  now  doubly 
endeared  from  the  prospect  of  losing  them 
forever.  As  these  familiar  objects  receded 
from  view,  and  the  shores  appeared  to  sink 
beneath  the  troubled  waters,  the  last  tie 
which  united  him  in  companionship  to  his 


fellow-men  seemed  dissolved,  and  the  busy 
world,  with  all  its  interests,  forever  hidden 
from  his  sight. 

Fortunately  Sweatland  possessed  a cool 
head  and  a stout  heart,  which,  united  with  a 
tolerable  share  of  physical  strength  and  power 
of  endurance,  eminently  qualified  him  for  the 
part  he  was  to  act  in  this  emergency.  He 
was  a good  sailor,  and  as  such  would  not 
yield  to  despondency  until  the  last  expedient 
had  been  exhausted.  One  only  expedient 
remained,  that  of  putting  before  the  wind 
and  endeavoring  to  reach  the  Canada  shore, 
a distance  of  about  fifty  miles.  This  he  re- 
solved to  embrace  as  his  forlorn  hope. 

It  was  now  blowing  a gale,  and  the  sea  was 
evidently  increasing  as  he  proceeded  from  the 
shore,  and  yet  he  was  borne  onwards  over  the 
dizzy  waters  by  a power  that  no  human 
agency  could  control.  He  was  obliged  to 
stand  erect,  moving  cautiously  from  one  ex- 
tremity to  the  other,  in  order  to  trim  his 
vessel  to  the  waves,  well  aware  that  a single 
lost  stroke  of  the  paddle,  or  a tottering  move- 
ment, would  swamp  his  frail  bark  and  bring 
his  adventure  to  a final  close.  Much  of  his 
attention  was  likewise  required  in  bailing  his 
canoe  from  the  water,  an  operation  which  he 
was  obliged  to  perform  by  making  use  of  his 
shoes.,  a substantial  pair  of  stoggies,  that  hap- 
pened fortunately  to  be  upon  his  feet. 

Hitherto  he  had  been  blessed  with  the  cheer- 
ful light  of  heaven,  and  amidst  all  his  perils 
could  say,  “The  light  is  sweet,  and  it  is  a 
leasant  thing  for  the  eyes  to  behold  the  sun,” 
ut  to  add  to  his  distress,  the  shades  of  night 
were  now  gathering  around  him,  and  he  was 
soon  enveloped  in  darkness.  The  sky  was 
overcast,  and  the  light  of  a few  stars  that 
twinkled  through  the  haze  alone  remained  to 
guide  his  path  over  the  dark  and  troubled 
waters.  In  this  fearful  condition,  destitute 
of  food  and  the  necessary  clothing,  his  log 
canoe  was  rocked  upon  the  billows  during 
that  long  and  terrible  night.  When  morning 
appeared  he  was  in  sight  of  land,  and  found 
he  had  made  l^ong  Point,  on  the  Canada 
shore.  Here  he  was  met  by  an  adverse  wind 
and  a cross  sea,  but  the  same  providential  aid 
which  had  guided  him  thus  far  still  sustained 
and  protected  him  ; and  after  being  buffeted 
by  the  winds  and  waves  for  nearly  thirty 
hours,  he  succeeded  in  reaching  the  land  in 
safety. 

What  were  the  emotions  he  experienced  on 
treading  once  more  ‘ ‘ the  green  and  solid 
earth,”  we  shall  not  attempt  to  inquire,  but 
his  trials  were  not  yet  ended.  He  found  him- 
self faint  with  hunger  and  exhausted  with 
fatigue,  at  the  distance  of  forty  miles  from  any 
human  habitation,  whilst  the  country  that  in- 
tervened was  a desert  filled  with  marshes  and 
tangled  thickets,  from  which  nothing  could 
be  obtained  to  supply  his  wants.  These  diffi- 
culties, together  with  the  reduced  state  of  his 
strength,  rendered  his  progress  towards  the 
settlements  slow  and  toilsome.  On  his  way 
he  found  a quantity  of  goods,  supposed  to 
have  been  driven  on  shore  from  the  wreck  of 
some  vessel,  which,  although  they  aflforded 


266 


ASHTABULA  COUNTY. 


him  no  immediate  relief,  were  afterwards  of 
material  service. 

He  ultimately  arrived  at  the  settlement,  and 
was  received  and  treated  with  great  kindness 
and  hosj)itality  by  the  people.  After  his 
strength  was  sufl&ciently  recruited,  he  returned 
with  a boat,  accompanied  by  some  of  the  in- 
habitants, and  brought  off  the  goods.  From 
this  place  he  proceeded  by  land  to  Buffalo, 
where,  with  the  avails  of  his  treasure,  he  fur- 
nished himself  in  the  garb  of  a gentleman,  and 


finding  the  “Traveller,”  Capt.  Chas.  Brown, 
from  Conneaut,  in  the  harbor,  he  shipped  on 
board  and  was  soon  on  his  way  to  rejoin  hia 
family.  When  the  packet  arrived  off  his 
dwelling,  they  fired  guns  from  the  deck  and 
the  crew  gave  three  loud  cheers.  On  land- 
ing, he  found  his  funeral  sermon  had  been 
reached,  and  had  the  rare  privilege  of  seeing 
is  own  widow  clothed  in  the  habiliments  of 
mourning. 


The  First  Regular  Settlement  made  within  the  present  limits  of  the  county  was 
at  Harpersfield,  on  the  7th  of  March,  1798.  Alexander  Harper,  Wm.  MTarland 
and  Ezra  Gregory,  with  their  families,  started  from  Harpersfield,  Delaware  county, 
N.  Y.,  and  after  a long  and  fatiguing  journey  arrived  on  the  last  of  June,  at  their 
new  homes  in  the  wilderness.  This  little  colony  of  about  twenty  persons  endured 
much  privation  in  the  first  few  months  of  their  residence.  The  whole  population 
of  the  Reserve  amounted  to  less  than  150  souls,  viz. : ten  families  at  Youngstown, 
three  at  Cleveland  and  two  at  Mentor.  In  the  same  summer  three  families  came 
to  Burton,  and  Judge  Hudson  settled  at  Hudson, 


Pioneer  Trials. — Cut  short  of  their  ex- 
pected supplies  of  provision  for  the  winter, 
by  the  loss  of  a vessel  they  had  chartered 
for  that  purpose,  the  little  colony  came  near 
perishing  by  famine,  having  at  one  time  been 
reduced  to  six  kernels  of  parched  corn  to  each 
person ; but  they  were  saved  by  the  in- 
trepidity of  the  sons  of  Col.  Harper,  James 
and  William.  These  young  men  made  fre- 
auent  journeys  to  Elk  Creek,  Pa.,  from  which 
wiey  packed  on  their  backs  bags  of  corn, 
which  was  about  all  the  provision  the  settlers 
had  to  sustain  life  during  a long  and  tedious 
winter.  Some  few  of  their  journeys  were  per- 
formed on  the  ice  of  Lake  Erie,  whenever  it 
was  sufficiently  strong  to  bear  them,  which 
was  seldom.  On  the  first  occasion  of  this  kind 
they  were  progressing  finely  on  the  ice,  when 
their  sled  broke  through  into  the  water.  A 


third  person  who  happened  to  be  with  them 
at  this  time  exclaimed,  “ What  shall  we 
do?”  “ Let  it  go,”  James  replied.  “No!” 
exclaimed  William,  who^  was  of  a different 
temperament,  “you  go  into  the  woods  and 
strike  a fire  while  I get  the  grain.”  He 
then  with  great  difficulty  secured  the  grain, 
by  which  operation  he  got  completely  wet 
through,  and  a cutting  wind  soon  converted 
his  clothing  into  a sheet  of  ice.  He  then 
went  in  search  of  his  companions  and  was 
disappointed  in  finding  they  had  not  built  a 
fire.  The  truth  was,  they  had  grown  so  sleepy 
with  the  intense  cold  as  to  be  unable  to  strike 
fire.  He  soon  had  a cheerful  blaze,  and 
then  converted  himself  into  a nurse  for  the 
other  two,  who  on  getting  warm  were  deadly 
sick.  ... 


Jefferson  in  1846. — Jefferson,  the  county-seat,  is  56  miles  from  Cleveland 
and  204  northeast  of  Columbus,  It  is  an  incorporated  borough,  laid  out  regularly 
on  a level  i)lat  of  ground,  and  contains  3 stores,  1 Presbyterian,  1 Baptist,  1 Epis- 
copal and  1 Methodist  church,  and  73  dwellings.  The  township  of  the  same 
name  in  which  it  is  situated  was  originally  owned  by  Gideon  Granger,  of  Conn. 
In  the  spring  of  1804  he  sent  out  Mr.  Eldad  Smith  from  Suffield,  in  that  State, 
who  first  opened  a bridle  path  to  Austinburg,  and  sowed  and  fenced  ten  acres  of 
wheat.  In  the  summer  of  the  next  year  Michael  Webster,  Jr.,  and  family,  and 
Jonathan  Warner  made  a permanent  settlement.  In  the  fall  following,  the  family 
of  James  Wilson  built  a cabin  on  the  site  of  the  tavern  shown  in  the  view.  The 
court-house  was  finished  in  1810  or  1811,  and  the  first  court  held  in  1811  ; Timothy 
R.  Hawley,  Clerk  ; Quintus  F.  Atkins,  Sheriff. — Old  Edition. 

Jefferson,  county-seat,  is  fourteen  miles  south  of  Lake  Erie  on  the  Franklin 
Branch  of  the  L.  S.  & M.  S.  R.  R.,  in  the  midst  of  a very  prosperous  farming 
district. 

County  officers  for  1888  ; Auditor,  Ellery  H.  Gilkey ; Clerks,  Chas.  H.  Sim- 
onds,  Benjamin  F.  Perry,  Jr. ; Commi.ssioners,  Edward  P,  Baker,  Thomas 
McGovern,  Edward  G.  Hiirlburt;  Coroner,  Wm.  O.  Ellsworth;  Prosecuting 
Attorney,  Janies  P,  CyVdwell ; Probate  Judge,  Edward  C.  Y ade  ; Re<*order^  Edgar 


ASHTABULA  COUNTY.  267 

L.  Hills;  Sheriff,  Starr  O.  Latimer;  Surveyor,  John  S.  Sill;  Treasurer,  Amos 
B.  Luce. 

Newspapers  : Ashtabula  Sentinel,  J.  A.  Howells,  editor.  Republican  ; Jefferson 
Gazette,  Republican,  Hon.  E.  L.  Lampsen,  editor.  Churches  : one  Congregational, 
one  Baptist,  one  Methodist,  one  Ej)iscopal,  and  one  Catholic.  Banks  : First  Na- 
tional, N.  E.  French,  president,  J.  C.  A.  Bushnell,  cashier ; Talcott’s  Deposit, 
Henry  Talcott,  president,  J.  C.  Talcott,  cashier.  Population  in  1880,  1,008. 

The  village  is  well  situated  on  a slight  eminence  which  falls  off  in  each  direction. 
Its  streets  are  Avide,  well  kept  and  finely  shaded.  It  has  been  the  home  of  a 
number  of  prominent  men,  including  Senator  B.  E.  Wade,  Hons.  J.  R.  Giddings, 
A.  G.  Riddle, Wm.  C.  Howells,  Rufus  P.  Ranney,  etc.  Mr.  Howells  is  the  father 
of  W.  D.  Howells,  the  author,  and  is  one  of  the  oldest  editors,  if  not  the  oldest, 
in  the  State ; he  was  at  one  time  United  States  Consul  in  Canada.  The  eminent 
Rufus  P.  Ranney  was  born  in  1813  in  Blanford,  Mass. ; passed  his  youth  in 
Portage  county ; studied  law  with  Wade  and  Giddings;  in  1839  became  a partner 
with  Mr.  Wade;  was  twice  Supreme  Judge;  member  of  the  Constitutional  Con- 
vention, United  States  District  Attorney  for  Northern  Ohio  in  1857  ; in  1859  was 
the  Democratic  candidate  for  governor  against  Wm.  Dennison.  He  now  resides 
in  Cleveland  and  is  considered  by  many  as  the  first  lawyer  in  Northern  Ohio. 


Drawn  by  Henry  Hoice,  in  1846. 
County  Buildings  at  Jefferson. 


TRAVELLING  NOTES. 

Tiies..,  Oct,  5. — At  noon  I stepped  from 
the  cars  at  Jefferson.  There  is  not  in  any 
land  a community  of  1,200  people  who  live 
in  more  substantial  comfort  and  peace  than 
this.  The  streets  are  broad,  well  shaded,  the 
home  lots  large,  where  about  every  family  has 
its  garden  and  fruit  trees,  where  all  seem  to 
be  on  that  equal  plane  of  middle  life  that 
answered  to  the  prayer  of  x'Vgar  ; and,  more- 
over, as  the  home  of  Joshua  R.  Giddings  and 
Benj.  F.  Wade,  those  Boanerges  of  freedom, 
and  the  spot  of  their  burial,  it  has  an  honor 
and  memory  of  extraordinary  value.  The 
village,  too,  is  well  named,  being  in  memory 
of  one  who  said  that  God  was  just  and  his 
justice  would  not  sleep  forever,  for  he  had 
no  attribute  that  sympathized  with  human 
slavery. 

Old  Man  and  His  Grapes. — After 
leaving  tb  cars  I turned  into  the  main  street 


leading  to  the  centre,  when  my  attention  was 
arrested  by  the  sight  of  an  old  man  four  rods 
from  the  road  standing  on  a chair  plucking 
grapes  from  an  arbor  by  the  side  of  his  cot- 
tage. One  of  the  pretty  things  in  rural  life 
is^  the  sight  of  people  plucking  fruit ; in- 
stinctively the  thoughts  go  up,  and  there 
drops  into  the  heart  with  a grateful  sense  the 
words  “God  giveth  the  increase.”  Early 
this  morning  while  in  a hack  going  from 
Chardon  to  Painesville  I had  i)assed  an  apple 
orchard  where  men  and  boys  were  on  ladders 
plucking  the  golden  and  crimson  fruit  and 
carefully  placing  it  _ in  bags  hanging  from 
branches  ; and  the  sight  was  pleasing. 

It  is  a weak  spot  in  the  education  of  city 
people  that  they  can  know  nothing  of  the 
gratification  that  comes  from  the  cultivation 
and  development  of  the  fruits  of  the  earth, 
nor  that  exquisite  pleasure,  the  sense  of  per- 
sonal ownership  that  must  arise  in  the  breast 


268 


ASHTABULA  COUNTY. 


of  the  husbandman  as  he  looks  upon  his  fields 
of  golden  grain,  majestic  forests,  and  grassy 
hills  dotted  with  pasturing  kine  and  gamboling 
herds,  and  feels  as  he  looks  that  the  eye  of  the 
Great  Master  is  over  it  all : there,  where  the 
dew  of  morning  upon  every  tender  blade  and 
fragile  leaf  spnrkles  with  His  glory. 

This  is  a vain  and  deceitful  world.  My 
mouth  watered  for  a bunch  of  the  old  man’s 
grapes,  cool  and  fresh  from  the  vine ; so  I 
approached  him  under  the  guise  of  an  inquiry 
about  the  way  to  the  centre  of  the  village, 
which  I knew  perfectly.  As  I neared  him 
he  excited  my  sympathy,  for  I discovered  he 
was  paralyzed  in  one  arm  which  hung  limp 
and  useless  by  his  side,  and  there  were  no 
grapes  left  except  a few  bunches  under  the 
roof  of  the  trellis  which  he  could  with  diffi- 
culty reach  with  the  other,  and  he  said  in 
plaintive  tones,  “The  boys  came  and  nearly 
stripped  my  arbor  when  the  grapes  were  not 
ripe.  They  did  them  no  good  ; if  they  had 
only  waited  they  should  have  been  welcome 
to  a share  with  myself.”  I couldn’t  help 
thinking,  as  I listened  to  his  sorrowful  tones, 
the  genus  boy  is  the  same  everywhere,  and 
then  there  is  something  so  irresistibly  comical 
in  the  nature  of  a boy  that  the  very  thought 
of  one  often  makes  me  laugh  ; that  is,  inter- 
nally, though  at  the  moment  the  expression 
of  my  countenance  may  be  quite  doleful.  On 
my  arrival  at  the  centre  I found  standing  the 
court-house  and  tavern  that  I had  sketched 
in  the  long  ago  only  a little  changed  ; a grove 
of  trees  had  grown  in  the  court-house  yard 
and  a porch  had  been  built  on  the  front  of 
the  tavern.  They  gave  me  a good  dinner 
therein  and  then  I went  for  a walk  about  the 
village  to  see  the  comfort  in  which  the  people 
lived. 

The  Four  Little  Maids. — On  the  plank 
walk  on  the  outskirts  I met  two  little  girls.  I 
stopped  them  and  said,  “Where  are  you 
going,  my  little  girls?”  and  they  replied, 
“ To  the  primary,  sir.”  And  then  1 inquired 
of  one  of  them,  “How  old  are  you — ten 
years?”  “No,  sir,  I am  nine.”  Where- 
upon the  other  chimed  in  “I  too  am  nine.” 
“That,”  I remarked,  “makes  eighteen  years 
of  little  girls.”  By  this  time  two  other  of 
their  mates  had  come  up  and,  pausing,  I 
asked  each  “How  old  she  was,”  and  each 
answered  as  the  others,  in  the  soft,  musical 
tones  of  childhood,  “Nine,  sir.”  “That,” 
said  I,  “makes  in  all  thirty-six  years  of  little 
girls.”  I wanted  to  hold  this  interesting 
group,  so  pointing  to  an  oak  near  by,  the 
symmetry  of  which  had  arrested  my  eye,  I 
said,  “Is  not  that  a beautiful  tree?  VVhat 
kind  of  a tree  is  it?  ” when  one  of  them  re- 
plied, “It  is  an  acorn  tree.”  I thought  it 
quite  a pretty  name.  She  had  evidently  ad- 
mired acorns  and  had  picked  them  u]),  and 
not  knowing  the  right  name  of  the  oak  had 
called  it  by  its  fruit.  I too  admired  acorns — 
indeed,  had  one  at  that  moment  in  my  vest 
pocket — with  its  dark,  rough  reticulated  sau- 
cer and  smooth,  light-hued  conical  cup.  ^J’hen 
I said,  “I  make  it  a rule  when  I meet  a group 
of  little  girls  like  you  to  catch  the  prettiest 


one  and  kiss  her.”  I so  spake  because  1 
thought  it  time  to  bring  the  conference  to  a 
close,  and  I should  have  the  fun  of  seeing 
them  scream,  laugh  and  scamper  away.  Man 
proposes,  God  disposes.  They  didn’t  scare 
a bit — stood  stock  still  : one  indeed,  the  pret- 
tiest, the  one  to  whom  I had  first  spoken,  the 
one  who  had  called  the  oak  an  acorn  tree — a 
plump,  rosy-cheeked,  blue-e.yed  little  puss 
she  was — advanced  and,  looking  up  archly  in 
my  face  while  holding  betwixt  finger  and 
thumb  a blooming  gladiole,  said,  “Will  you 
please  accept  this,  sir?”  Could  anything  be 
more  irresistible?  a cherub  dropped  from 
the  skies  inviting  a kiss  ! Can  anything  that 
happens  up  yonder  be  sweeter  than  this? 

I had  no  sooner  accepted  the  flower  than  a 
second  little  one  thrust  forward  her  hand 
holding  a large,  golden  pippin  and  said,  “Will 
you  please  take  this,  sir  ? ” and  I took  it. 
Then  a third  one  did  not  advance,  but  in  the 
hollow  of  her  hand  lay  a small,  wee  peach, 
and  as  she  spoke  she  gently  waved  her  open 
hand  to  and  fro,  while  her  body  waved  in 
unison  from  right  to  left,  and  in  a half-shjq 
deprecating  tone  said,  “I  have  nothing  but 
this  little  peach  to  offer ; will  you  take  it, 
sir?”  The  fields  and  gardens  around  were 
blooming  with  flowers  and  orchards  were 
bending  under  their  burden  of  many-colored 
apples  and  golden,  luscious  pears,  but  Jack 
Frost  had  lingered  too  long  in  the  springtime 
and  cruelly  nipped  the  peach  blossoms  ; so  I 
declined  the  peach,  as  peaches  were  scarce, 
thereby  I fear  wounding  her  feelings. 

Ere  I parted  I gave  to  each  my  card,  where- 
upon was  told  who  I was  and  what  my  errand. 
And  as  I did  so,  I thought  long  after  I had 
pas.sed  away  and  these  little  people  will  be 
mothers,  they  will  show  my  book  to  their 
offspring  with  its  many  pictures  of  their  Ohio 
land,  and  stories  of  pioneer  life  and  later 
stories  of  the  heroic  men  who  fought  for  the 
Union  in  that  dreadful,  bloody  war  of  the 
Rebellion,  and  point  out  the  portrait  of  the 
author  and  describe  this  meeting  with  him 
when  they,  too,  were  young  things  on  their 
way  to  the  “primary;”  meeting  with  him, 
an  old,  white-bearded  man,  by  the  beautiful 
oak  on  the  waJ^side  of  the  village.  And  then 
to  a question  from  the  children,  they  may 
answer  : “ Oh,  he  has  been  dead  many  years, 

long  before  you  were  born  ; it  was  in he 

died.” 

An  Early  Acquaintauce. — Twenty  minutes 
later  I was  in  the  office  of  the  Ashtabula  Sen- 
tinel, and  there  met  Mr.  J.  A.  Howells,  editor. 
I had  seen  him  but  once  before  ; he  was  then 
a nine  year  old  boy  standing  by  my  side  watch- 
ing me  sketch  Rossville  from  the  Hamilton 
side  of  the  Miami  river.  And  when  the  book 
was  published  and  he  looked  upon  that  picture 
with  tlie  old  mill,  bridge  and  river,  it  was  al- 
w^ays  with  a sense  of  personal  ownership — he 
was  in  at  its  birth.  And  the  whole  family 
valued  it ; and  when  his  brother,  the  famed 
novelist,  had  a family  of  his  own,  he  wrote 
from  Boston,  where  he  lived,  for  a copy  ; for 
he  wanted,  he  said,  his  boys  to  enjoy  the 
book  as  he  had  done  in  his  boy  days. 


ASHTABULA  COUNTY.  269 


To  illustrate  the  fruitfulness  of  the  land 
Mr.  Howells  showed  me  thirty-six  pears 
clustered  on  a single  stem  only  about  twenty 
inches  long ; the  entire  weight  was  eleven 
pounds.  He  told  me  that  this  county  last 
year  raised  587,000  bushels  of  apples.  One 
cider  factory,  that  of  Woodworth,  at  West 
Williamsfield,  sent  olf  in  1885  twenty  car- 
loads of  sixty  barrels  each,  fifty-two  gallons 
in  a barrel — in  all  62,400  gallons. 

The  old-fashioned  cider  mill  is  here  a thing 
largely  in  the  past — the  rustic  cider  mill, 
unpainted  and  brown  as  a rat,  with  its  faith- 
ful old  horse  going  around  in  a circle  turning 
the  cumbrous  wheel,  was  always  a picturesque 
object,  and  the  spot  attractive  by  its  huge 
piles  of  apples  in  many  colors,  especially  to 


the  boys  and  girls  who  flocked  hither  to 
‘ ‘ suck  cider  through  a straw.  ’ ’ 

Few  peaches  are  now  raised  on  the  Re- 
serve ; formerly  they  were  so  superabundant 
that  they  could  not  use  them  all  and  had  to 
feed  them  to  the  swine  ; now  in  the  absence 
of  the  peaches  we  have  to  look  for  the  exqui- 
site tints  on  the  cheeks  of  the  merry,  healthy 
children. 

Anecdotes  of  Gkldings. — Mr.  Howells  gave 
me  some  anecdotes  of  the  renowned  Joshua. 
When  he  came  home  from  Congress  after  the 
long  session  often  prolonged  into  the  heated 
term  of  midsummer  he  would,  as  one  might 
say,  “turn  out  to  grass.”  He  went  about 
the  village  barefoot  with  old  brown  linen 
pants,  old  straw  hat,  and  in  his  shirt  sleeves 


Frank  Henry  Howe,  Photo.,  1887. 

Giddings  and  Wade’s  Monuments,  Jefferson. 

The  monument  of  Giddings  is  in  the  foreground : that  of  Wade  in  the  distance. 


engage  in  games  of  base  ball  of  which  he  was 
very  fond,  and  enter  people’s  houses  and  talk 
with  the  women  and  children,  for  he  knew 
everybody  and  was  eminently  social.  “On 
an  occasion  of  this  kind,”  said  Mr.  Howells, 
“he  picked  up  my  wife,  then  a child,  and 
illustrated  his  prodigious  strength  by  holding 
her  out  at  arm’s-length,  she  standing  on  his 
hand.  ’ ’ 

To  a question  Mr.  Howells  answered  me 
that  Mr.  Giddings  was  such  an  even  common 
sense  man  so  devoid  of  eccentricities  that 
there  were  but  few  floating  anecdotes  in  re- 
gard to  him.  “I  once,  however,”  said  he, 
“remember  hearing  him  relate  this  startling 
incident.  When  a young  man  clearing  up 
the  forest  he  one  day  leaned  over  and  grasp- 
ing at  both  ends  a decaying  log  he  lifted  it 
up  with  outstretched  arms  to  take  it  away, 


and  had  it  drawn  up  to  within  a few  inches 
of  his  nose  when  he  discovered  curled  up  in  a 
hollow  place  within  a huge  rattlesnake.”  I 
presume  at  this  discovery  Mr.  Giddings  gently, 
very  gently  laid  down  that  log  ; it  would  be 
characteristic  of  him  if  characteristic  of  any- 
body. 

The  homesteads  of  Giddings  and  Wade 
were  near  each  other  in  the  centre  of  the 
village.  Mr.  Howells  showed  them  to  me, 
and  then  we  went  to  visit  their  graves  in  the 
cemetery.  I felt  as  though  he  was  an  emi- 
nently proper  person  to  pilot  me  to  a grave- 
yard, for  only  a few  weeks  had  elapsed  since 
he  was  in  the  most  noted  graveyard  in  Old 
England,  the  scene  of  Gray’s  elegy;  there 
he  stood  by  the  grave  of  Gray  and  witnessed 
an  old-fashioned  burial,  that  of  a rustic  borne 
on  the  shoulders  of  four  men,  with  four  others 


270 


ASHTABULA  COUNTY. 


for  a relief— they  had  brought  the  body  two 
miles  over  a country  road. 

The  village  cemetery  is  in  a forest  half  a 
mile  from  the  centre  and  a beautiful  spot  it 
is,  showing  evidences  of  great  care.  liustic 
bridges  cross  a ravine  there,  at  times  a brawl- 
ing stream  ; I pencilled  some  of  the  fancifully 
trimmed  evergreens.  Such  a handsome  taste- 
ful cemetery  as  this  little  village  possesses  a 
hundred  years  ago  would  have  been  world 
famed,  now  such  are  scattered  over  our  land. 
Even  the  first  graveyard  on  the  globe  laid  out 
in  family  lots  dates  only  to  179G,  that  at  New 
Haven,  Conn.,  and  by  James  Hillhouse,  the 
man  who  j)lanted  the  elms.  The  monument 
to  Wade  is  granite,  about  twelve  feet  high  ; 
that  to  Giddings  is  taller  and  more  ornate, 
and  one  side  is  occupied  by  a fine  bronze  por- 
trait in  bas-relief.  The  inscriptions  are : 

’‘'‘Benjamin  F.  Wade., 

Oct.  27,  1800.  March  2,  1878.” 

'‘'‘Joshua  R.  Giddings.,  1795 — 1864.” 

As  we  stood  there  looking  upon  the  scene 
I heard  a low  chirping  and  then  an  answer- 
ing chirp,  both  in  sad  tones,  and  I inquired  : 
“What  birds  are  those  ? ” 


Frank  Henry  Howe,  Photo.,  1887. 


Joshua  R.  Giddings’  Law  Office. 


“ Mourning  doves,”  was  the  reply,  “male 
and  female,  and  one  is  answering  the  other.” 

At  the  end  of  the  cemetery  is  a ravine  over 
which  crosses  the  railroad  by  a trestle  forty- 
four  feet  high.  The  previous  summer  two 
boys  one  night  were  crossing  this  on  some 
open  freight  cars  during  a severe  thunder 
storm.  Tliey  were  from  a Western  State. 
Their  minds  ])oisoned  by  the  reading  of  miser- 
ble  fiction  they  had  run  away  from  their  homes 
to  go  forth  and  seek  their  fortunes  ; and  were 
stealing  rides  upon  the  railwa.ys.  An  electric 
flash  darting  from  a telegraph  wire  knocked 
one  of  them  off  the  car  and  he  was  found 
next  morning  in  the  ravine  in  a dying  condi- 
tion. Poor  boy ! He  did  not  live  long 
enough  on  earth  to  know  much  of  it. 


In  the  evening  a faint  light  glimmered  in 
the  window  of  the  little  building  so  long 
famed  as  the  law  office  of  Joshua  Reed  Gid- 
dings. I made  my  way  thither  and  knock- 
ing at  the  door  was  bade  to  walk  in.  The 
sole  occupant  was  a jwng  colored  man  ; and 
I could  not  have  had  my  sense  of  the  fitness 
of  things  more  completely  gratified  than  by 
finding  one  of  this  race  there  ; Charlie  Gar- 
lick  the  people  called  him.  I had  rather 
have  seen  him  there  than  the  proudest  white 
man  in  the  land.  Mr.  J.  A.  Giddings,  a son 
of  Joshua,  I found  a few  minutes  later  in  a 
store  hard  bye,  a lounging  place  for  the  old 
gentlemen  of  the  village.  In  the  morning  I 
had  an  interview  with  him  in  the  old  office ; 
and  these  are  my  notes. 

A Chat  with  a Son  of  Joshua  Giddings. — 
His  father  began  the  practice  of  law  in  1819, 
his  age  twenty-six.  This  building  was  built 
in  1823  for  a law  office,  adjoining  his  dwell- 
ing, a wooden  structure  burnt  in  1877.  For 
years  it  was  the  joint  office  of  Giddings  & 
Wade.  The  brick  dwelling  now  on  the  site 
of  the  other  is  the  homestead  of  his  son,  J. 
A.  Giddings.  In  the  office  in  his  presence  I 
write  these  lines  as  he  sits  in  his  rocking- 
chair  twirling  his  glasses.  He  is  now  sixty- 
four  years  of  age,  a powerfully  built  man ; 
not  so  tall  as  his  father,  whom  he  strongly  re- 
sembles ; has  ^ practised  law,  but  playfully 
tells  me  he  is  now  a “land-grabber.”  I 
think  he  has  his  hands  full,  all  out  of  doors 
to  go  for.  The  building  is  16  by  30,  divided 
into  a front  and  rear  room,  the  latter  once 
the  consulting  chamber,  now  the  bed-room 
of  Mr.  Garlick.  The  office  is  just  as  left  by 
his  father ; everything  is  plain,  a box-stove 
for  wood,  a large  office  table,  two  plain  shelv- 
ings  for  law  books,  each  standing  on  low  cup- 
boards, three  plain  chairs,  a rocking-chair 
and  an  old  sheet-iron  safe  bought  in  1 836  and 
lined  with  plaster.  The  greatest  curiosity  is 
Mr.  Giddings’  desk.  It  is  just  four  feet  high 
at  its  lowest  place,  the  front,  and  is  in  the 
corner  by  the  front  window.  At  this  in  the 
latter  part  of  his  life  Mr.  Giddings  stood  and 
did  all  his  writing.  The  office  looks  out  upon 
an  orchard. 

Mr.  Giddings  said  : “ My  father  never  had 
an  idea  he  could  have  a profession  until  he 
was  about  twenty-three  years  of  age,  when  he 
commenced  regularly  going  to  school^  to  a 
Presbyterian  minister  in  the  township  of 
Wayne  where  my  grandfather’s  family  lived. 
Prior  to  this  he  had  not  been  to  school  since 
he  was  a small  boy  ; there  was  no  opportunity 
for  developing  his  mind  in  the  wilderness. 

“Soon  after  his  settlement  in  Wayne  my 
grandfather  lost  his  farm  through  a defect  in 
the  title ; so  that  they  had  to  begin  anew. 
My  father  and  an  older  brother  went  to  clear- 
ing land,  the  hardest  sort  of  labor.  By  this 
they  earned  a farm  for  their  parents  and  then 
one  for  each  member  of  the  family.  This 
developed  my  father’s  prodigious  muscular 
power.  He  was  six  feet  two  inches  in  stature, 
and  weighed  225  i)ounds  with  no  superfluous 
flesh. 

“He  was  fond  of  athletic  exercises,  often 


ASHTABULA  COUNTY. 


271 


played  old-fashioned  base  ball  here  in  Jeffer- 
son. He  also  was  fond  of  ten-pins.  On  an 
occasion  when  he  was  in  Congress  he  and 
Mr.  Bliss,  another  member,  engaged  as  part- 
ners in  a game  of  ten-pins  with  Mr.  John  A. 
Bingham  and  my  brother  Grotius.  Bingham 
was  a poor  player  and  always  beaten ; but 
Grotius  excelled.  In  the  result  they  ‘ skunked  ’ 
the  others,  when  Bingham  was  so  overjoyed 
that  he  cheered  and  then  tumbled  and  rolled 
on  the  floor  in  excess  of  hilarity.  Grotius 
was  an  officer  in  the  regular  army  and  in  one 
of  the  battles  in  which  he  was  engaged, 
although  the  men  lay  most  of  the  time  flat 
on  the  ground,  400  of  the  1,200  engaged  were 
killed  and  wounded.” 

When  in  Congress  Mr.  Giddings’  physical 
strength  and  commanding  person  gave  him 
great  advantages  over  ordinary  men.  This 
with  his  power  of  denunciation  and  indomi- 
table pluck  and  habit  of  plain  speaking, 
made  him  an  object  of  intense  hatred  by  the 
Southern  fire-eaters.  As  it  was  his  habit  to 
carry  a heavy  cane,  they  stood  in  wholesome 
awe  of  the  Ashtabula  giant.  And  well  they 
might ; for  one  who  had  passed  his  young  life 
in  felling  big  oaks  down  in  Wayne  and  occa- 
sionally ‘ ‘ toting  ’ ’ live  rattlesnakes  around  on 
logs  could  not  but  be  an  object  of  wholesome 
respect  even  with  a fire-eater. 

“My  father,”  said  Mr.  G.,  “after  his 
famous  encounter  with  Black,  on  the  floor  of 
Congress,  met  an  amusing  incident  which  he 
used  to  relate  with  glee.  He  was  walking  on 
Congress  avenue,  as  usual  swinging  his  cane, 
when  he  met  Black  coming  toward  him.  The 
latter  happened  to  have  his  head  down  and 
did  not  see  father  until  he  got  within  about 
three  rods  of  him,  when  on  looking  up  he 
suddenly  stopped  short  as  if  astounded,  and 
then  in  a twinkling  dodged  down  an  alley- 
way.” 

Another  anecdote  is  told  of  Giddings. 
Preston  Brooks  challenged  him  to  personal 
combat.  Mr.  Giddings  did  not  wish  any 
harsh  means  used  with  his  political  enemies 
if  he  could  avoid  it.  Brooks  continued  his 
threats.  Finally  one  day  when  he  was  having 
a wordy  combat  with  the  bully,  he  got  out  of 
patience  and  told  him  he  would  fight  him  and 
he  could  choose  his  time,  place  and  weapon. 
To  this  Brooks  replied,  “Now  is  my  time 
and  my  weapon  a pistol.”  “Very  well,” 
rejoined  Giddings  ; “ all  I want  to  settle  this 
affair  is  a York  shilling  raw -hide.”  With 
such  a contemptuous  expectoration  of  speech 
as  this,  but  two  alternatives  were  leit  the 
iDully  : assassination,  or  a howling  and  gnash- 
ing of  his  teeth.  Mr.  Giddings  was  not  as- 
sassinated. 

Joshua  Reed  Giddings  was  born  in 
Athens,  Pa.,  in  1795,  and  at  eleven  years  of 
age  came  to  Ashtabula  county  with  his 
parents.  In  1838  he  was  elected  as  a Whig 
to  Congress,  but  soon  became  prominent  as 
an  advocate  of  the  right  of  petition  and  the 
abolition  of  slavery  and  the  domestic  slave 
trade. 

In  1841  the  “ Creole,”  an  American  vessel^ 
sailed  from  Virginia  to  Louisiana  with  a cargo 


of  slaves,  who  got  possession  of  the  vessel, 
ran  into  the  British  port  of  Nassau  and  in 
accordance  with  British  law  were  set  free ; 
whereupon  Mr.  Webster,  Secretary  of  State, 
wrote  to  Edward  Everett,  United  States  Min- 
ister to  London,  saying  that  the  government 
would  demand  indemnification  for  the  slaves. 
In  consequence  Mr.  Giddings  offered  in  the 
House  a series  of  resolutions  in  which  it  was 
declared  that  as  slavery  was  an  abridgment 
of  a natural  right  it  had  no  force  beyond  the 
territorial  jurisdiction  that  created  it ; that 
when  an  American  vessel  was  on  the  high 
seas  it  was  under  the  jurisdiction  of  the  general 
government,  which  did  not  sanction  slavery, 
and  therefore  the  mutineers  of  the  ‘ ‘Creole  ’ ’ 
had  only  assumed  their  natural  right  to  lib- 
erty, and  to  attempt  to  re-enslave  them  would 
be  dishonorable.  Although  he  temporarily 
withdrew  the  resolutions  the  House  passed  a 
vote  of  censure,  125  to  69,  whereupon  he  re- 
signed and  appealing  to  his  constituents  was 
re-elected  by  an  immense  maiority.  For 
twenty  years  he  held  his  seat  in  Congress,  op- 
posing every  encroachment  of  the  slave  power 
with  a boldness  and  strength  that  won  the 
fear  and  respect  of  its  advocates.  Whenever 
he  spoke  he  was  listened  to  with  great  atten- 
tion, and  had  several  affrays  in  which  he 
always  triumphed.  He  declined  re-election 
from  ill  health  in  1858  and  died  at  Montreal 
in  1864  and  while  holding  the  po.sitiqn  of 
United  States  Consul  in  Canada.  His  disease 
was  atrophy  of  the  heart.  Towards  the  close 
of  his  Congressional  career  he  had  one  time, 
while  speaking,  fallen  to  the  floor.  The 
members  gathered  around,  thinking  he  was 
dead.  For  eight  minutes  his  heart  ceased  to 
beat.  He^  was  the  author  of  several  political 
works,  mainly  essays  bearing  upon  the  subject 
of  slavery. 

Benjamin  F.  Wade  was  born  in  Feeding 
Hills  Parish,  Mass.,  in  1800.  His  parents 
were  miserably  poor  and  he  received  but  a 
limited  education.  For  a while  he  supported 
himself  by  hard  labor,  first  at  farm  work  and 
then  as  a digger  on  the  Erie  canal.  About 
1821  he  removed  to  Ohio.  At  that  period  he 
had  been  a great  reader,  mastered  the  Euclid 
and  was  well  versed  in  philosophy  and  science. 
He  read  the  Bible  through  in  a single  winter 
by  the  light  of  pine  torches  in  his  wood-chop- 

{)ing  cabin.  In  1 828  he  was  admitted  to  the 
)ar  and  eventually  became  a partner  with 
Mr.  Giddings.  He  soon  took  a prominent 
stand  from  his  industry,  plain,  strong  cqmmon 
sense  and  aggressive  courage.  In  politics  he 
was  originally  a fervid  Whig  but  he  soon  came 
to  sympathize  with  the  anti-slavery  views  of 
Mr.  Giddings.  In  1851  he  was  elected  to  the 
United  States  Senate,  where  his  long  years 
of  service  won  for  him  a never-ending  repu- 
tation. He  was  in  the  advance  in  the  anti- 
slavery movements,  while  his  indomitable 
pluck,  hard-hitting  speech  without  a particle 
of  polish  rendered  him  a most  conspicuous, 
effective  champion.  The  public  prints  of  the 
time  abound  with  anecdotes  illustrative  of  his 
fearlessness  and  ready  wit.  At  the  time  of 
the  Nebraska  debate  Mr.  Badger,  a member 


2J2 


SHTABULA  COUNTY. 


from  North  Carolina,  hypothetically  described 
hiinself  as  wishing  to  emigrate  to  the  new 
territory  and  to  carry  his  old  colored  mamma 
with  him — the  slave  woman  who  had  nursed 
him  in  infancy  and  childhood,  and  whom  he 
had  loved  as  a real  mother — and  he  could  not 
take  her.  The  enemies  of  this  benevolent 
measure  forbade  him.  “We  are  unwilling  you 
should  take  the  old  lady  there,  ’ ’ interrupted 
Wade;  “we  are  afraid  you’ll  sell  her  when 
you  get  her  there.  ’ ’ Hoars  of  laughter  fol- 
lowed this  stinging  reply,  which  was  said  by 
J udge  J erry  Black  to  have  been  the  most  ef- 
fective single  blow  ever  dealt  a man  on  the 
floor  of  Congress.  As  chairman  of  the  Com- 
mittee on  the  Conduct  of  the  War  no  words, 
says  Whitelaw  Beid,  can  give  an  idea  of  the 
value  of  his  services,  the  energy  with  which 
he  helped  to  inspire  the  government,  of  the 
zeal,  the  courage,  the  faith  which  he  strove 


to  infuse.  He  was  elected  President  of  the 
Senate,  and  consequently  acting  Vice-Presi- 
dent of  the  United  States,  shortly  after  Mr. 
Johnson’s  accession  to  the  presidency,  and 
had  the  attempt  at  his  impeachment  been 
successful,  would  have  become  President.  In 
erson  Mr.  Wade  was  six  feet  in  height,  very 
nely  proportioned  and  of  great  ifliysical 
power.  An  original  thinker,  blutf,  hearty  and 
plain  spoken,  he  withal  under  this  rough  ex- 
terior carried  a tender  heart,  as  is  illustrated 
by  his  once  discovering  a poor  man,  a neigh- 
bor, entering  his  corn-crib  and  carrying  off  his 
corn,  when  he  quietly  moved  out  of  sight  so 
he  should  not  pain  him  with  the  knowledge 
that  he  saw  him,  no  doubt  reasoning  in  this 
way:  “Poor  devil,  he  has  a hard  enough 
time  any  way,  and  I don’t  care  if  he  does 
now  and  then  help  himself  to  my  abun- 
dance. ’ ’ 


Dnurn  hy  Henry  Hoive,  1846. 


Public  Square,  Ashtabula. 

[On  the  left  is  shown  the  City  Hall,  in  front  the  Baptist  church,  and  in  the  distance  the  tower  of  the 
Public  School  building,  an  immense  structure,  where  one  morning  we  found  the  front  yard  black  with 
little  people ; they  seemed  a thousand  strong.] 

Ashtabula  in  1846. — Ashtabula  is  on 
Ashtabula  river,  on  the  Buffalo  & Cleve- 
land road,  eight  miles  from  Jefferson.  It 
is  a pleasant  village,  adorned  with  neat 
dwellings  and  shrubbery.  The  borough 
contains  1 Presbyterian,  1 Episcopal,  1 
Methodist  and  1 Baptist  church,  10  mer- 
cantile stores,  and  a population  estimated 
at  1,200.  The  harbor  of  Ashtabula  is 
two  and  a half  miles  from  the  village  at 
the  mouth  of  the  river.  It  has  several 
forwarding  establishments,  twenty  or 
thirty  houses,  the  lake  steamers  stop  there, 
and  considerable  business  is  carried  on ; 
al)out  a dozen  vessels  are  owned  at  this 
port. — Old  Edition. 

The  Ashtabula  of  that  day  was  still 
suffering  from  a severe  shock  in  the  loss  of 
the  steamer  Washington,^^  Capt.  Brown, 
destroyed  by  fire  on  Lake  Erie,  oflP  Silver  creek,  in  June,  1838,  by  which  mis- 


ASHTABULA  COUNTY, 


'2'7'h 


fortune  about  forty  lives  were  lost.  This  boat  was  built  at  Ashtabula  harbor,  and 
most  of  her  stock  was  owned  by  persons  of  moderate  circumstances  in  this  place. 

Ashtabula,  on  Ashtabula  river,  and  line  of  four  railroads,  is  the  principal  town 
of  a large  agricultural  and  dairying  district.  It  has  about  7,000  inhabitants  and 
is  growing  rapidly,  owing  to  the  development  of  its  natural  advantages  as  a point 
of  shipment  of  coal  to  the  lake  cities  of 
the  west,  and  ore  from  the  Lake  Su- 
perior mining  districts.  Ashtabula  has 
4 newspapers ; Ashtabula  Telegraphy 
Republican,  James  Reed,  editor ; News, 

Independent,  E.  J.  Griffin,  editor  ; 

Standard,  Democratic,  J.  Sherman, 
editor ; Record,  daily.  Republican, 

F.  V.  Johnson,  editor ; also  2 Finn, 
semi-weeklies.  8 churches — 1 Metho- 
dist, 1 Baptist,  1 Presbyterian,  2 Con- 
gregational, 2 Episcopal  and  1 Catholic. 

Banks : Ashtabula  National,  P.  F. 

Good,  president ; J.  Sum.  Blyth,  cashier ; 

Farmers’  National,  H.  E.  Parsons, 
president ; A.  F.  Hubbard,  cashier. 

Manufactures  and  Employees. — Ashtabula  Tool  Co.,  agricultural  implements,  96 
hands;  L.  M.  Crossby  & Son,  Fanning  Mills,  15;  Phoenix  Iron  Works  Co.,  ma- 
chinery and  castings,  18  ; Ashtabula  Hide  A Leather  Co.,  32  ; Ashtabula  Carriage 
Bow  Co. ; London  Rubber  Co.,  rubber  clothing,  74. — State  Report,  1886.  Popu- 
lation in  1880,  4,445;  School  census  1886,  1,172.  Supt.,  I.  M.  Clemens. 

The  principal  feature  of  Ashtabula  is  its  harbor,  which  promises  to  lead  all  the 
lake  ports  in  the  amount  of  iron  ore  received.  From  thirty  to  fifty  vessels  arrive 
weekly  with  cargoes  of  ore,  while  the  shipments  of  coal  nearly  equal  those  of 
Cleveland  or  Erie.  From  700  to  1,000  men  are  constantly  employed  on  the  docks, 
a large  proportion  of  them  being  Fins  and  Swedes — a thrifty  people  and  good 
citizens,  most  of  them  owning  their  homes.  The  harbor  is  three  miles  from  the 
main  town,  but  is  a part  of  the  same  corporation ; it  is  connected  with  it  by  a street 
railway.  The  rapid  development  and  growth  of  Ashtabula  in  the  past  twelve 
years  has  been  owing  to  the  enterprise  of  the  citizens,  with  the  aid  of  the  National 
government  in  developing  its  natural  harbor.  When  the  work  now  in  progress 
is  completed  it  will  have  a channel  with  a uniform  depth  of  eighteen  feet. 

Along  the  banks  of  the  Ashtabula  river  are  thousands  of  feet  of  docks,  from 

which  twenty  to  forty  vessels  are  con- 
stantly loading  or  unloading  their  cargoes. 
The  iron  ore  is  shipped  to  the  manufac- 
turing regions  of  Youngstown,  Pittsburg 
and  farther  east,  while  thousands  of  tons 
of  coal  are  conveyed  here  by  the  railroads 
from  the  great  coal  field  of  Ohio  and  Penn- 
sylvania and  shipped  to  Chicago,  Duluth 
and  other  lake  cities  in  the  west.- 

Ashtabula  harbor  is  supplied  with  the 
most  improved  machinery  for  handling 
coal  and  ore  of  any  of  the  lake  ports,  and 
it  is  not  unusual  for  propellers  carrying  2,400  tons  of  iron  ore  to  be  unloaded  in- 
side of  twelve  hours. 

In  1872  this  district  about  the  river  and  harbor  contained  less  than  200  in- 
habitants, two  or  three  struggling  stores,  and  one  or  two  old  decaying  warehouses, 
relics  of  former  industry.  Now  it  has  more  than  2,000  inhabitants,  is  a flourishing 
community  and  a scene  of  ceaseless  activity  night  and  day. 


Blakeslee  and  Moore,  Photo.,  1887. 
Ashtabula  Harbor. 


274 


ASHTABULA  COUNTY. 


The  Ashtabula  Railway  Disaster,  which  occurred  at  this  place  early  in 
the  night  of  Dec.  29, 1876,  was  one  of  the  most  memorable  in  the  history  of  railway 
tragedies.  The  night  was  cold  and  bitter,  a blinding  snow-storm  blowing  at  the 
rate  of  forty  miles  an  hour  in  full  progress,  as  the  Pacific  Express  No.  5,  westward 
bound  over  the  Lake  Shore  and  Michigan  Southern  Railway,  broke  through  the 
iron  bridge  over  the  Ashtabula  river  and  plunged  into  the  chasm,  just  seventy-five 
feet  from  rail  to  river.  The  time  was  exactly  6.35,  as  afterwards  ascertained  by  a 
clock  in  the  engine. 

The  train  was  composed  of  eleven  coaches,  drawn  by  two  heavy  engines,  having 


Ruins  of  the  Ashtabula  Bridge. 

on  board  156  human  souls.  The  span  of  the  bridge  was  165  feet  laig  between 
abutments.  At  the  moment  of  the  crash  one  engine  had  gained  the  west  abutment, 
while  the  other  engine,  two  express  cars,  and  a part  of  the  baggage  car  rested  with 
their  weight  upon  the  bridge.  The  remaining  eight  cars  were  drawn  into  the  gulf. 
Of  the  persons  on  board  at  least  eighty  perished  in  the  wreck ; nearlj’’  all  the 
others  were  wounded  ; five  died  after  rescue.  The  wind  was  at  the  time  blowing 
a perfect  gale,  the  cars  caught  on  fire  and  those  unable  to  extricate  themselves  per- 
ished in  tlie  flames.  From  the  burning  mass  came  shrieks  and  the  most  piteous 
cries  lor  help,  and  with  these  sounds  mingled  the  fire-bells  of  the  town,  whoso  in- 
habitants hurried  to  the  spot  to  be  agonized  by  the  sight  of  the  awful  scene  of  wo. 


ASHTABULA  COUNTY. 


275 


Two  weeks  later  Charles  Collins,  chief  engineer  of  the  railroad,  shot  himself  with 
a revolver.  He  was  universally  esteemed,  and  lost  his  mind  through  an  undue 
sensitiveness  that  the  public  would  hold  him  responsible  for  the  calamity.  Nine- 
teen of  the  unrecognizable  dead  were  buried  by  a public  funeral  in  the  Ashtabula 
cemetery  ; the  sad  procession  was  over  a mile  in  length.  Among  these  were  sup- 
posed to  be  the  remains  of  P.  P.  Bliss,  of  Chicago,  and  wife.  He  was  the  author 
of  the  famous  hymn  Hold  the  Fort.”  One  of  the  engravings  shows  the  bridge 
before  the  disaster,  the  other  the  spot  after  it.  The  debris  was  about  fifteen  feet 
deep.  The  railroad  company  promptly  paid  all  claims  for  damages,  the  disburse- 
ments amounting  to  nearly  half  a million  of  dollars,  averaging  about  $3,000  per 
head  for  the  killed  and  wounded. 

TRAVELLING  NOTES. 

Ashtabula.,  Thurs.,  Oct  8. — A pretty  cus- 
tom is  that  of  a hotel  in  this  town  where  I 
am  stopping.  The  house  itself  is  an  ordinary 
two-story,  wooden  structure  standing  off  on  a 
little  side  street,  but  its  appointments  are  ex- 
cellent. Its  name  is  the  “ Stoll  House,”  but 
it  is  known  far  and  near  as  the  “ Bouquet 
House.”  This  because  at  each  guest’s  plate 
is  placedafreshly-plucked  button  hole  bouquet 
neatly  wrapped  in  tin  foil,  with  a pin  thrust 
through  it.  ^ The  pretty  waiteresses  often 
volunteer  their  services  to  pin  these  on  the 
lapels  of  the  gentlemen  guests,  an  extra 
leasant  duty,  I fancy,  where  they  happen  to 
e fine,  fresh-looking  young  men,  as  I find 
them  to  be  now.  I know  not  how  there  can 
be  a more  fragrant  prelude  to  tea  and  biscuit. 

In  the  evening  the  hotel  office  was  filled  with 
a dozen  commercial  travellers,  each  with  the 
inevitable  bouquet  on  his  lapel,  all  apparently 
happy  and  full  of  joviality  ; a natural  effect 
of  the  combination  of  a good  supper  with 
feminine  smiles  and  flowers. 

The  Fins. — What  largely  tends  to  render 
our  country  increasingly  interesting  is  the 
great  variety  of  people  arriving  among  us,  so 
we  need  not  go  abroad  to  study  foreign  cus- 
toms and  ideas.  A new  element  has  lately 

Geneva  is  three  miles  from  Lake  Erie,  forty-five  miles  east  of  Cleveland,  on 
the  line  of  the  L.  S.  & M.  S.  and  N.  Y.  C.  & St.  L.  Railroads.  The  P.  A.  & L. 
E.  R.  R.  is  expected  to  complete  its  line  to  the  harbor,  three  miles  north  of  Geneva, 
within  the  coming  year.  It  is  forty-five  miles  east  of  Cleveland.  Free  gas  and 
free  fuel  are  offered  by  its  enterprising  citizens  as  inducements  to  manufacturers  to 
locate*  here.  The  Eastern  Division  of  the  Black  Diamond  Railroad  passes  through 
the  town. 

Newspapers : Times,  Republican,  J.  P.  Treat,  editor ; Fi'ee  Press,  Republican, 
Chas.  E.  Moore,  editor.  Churches : 1 Congregationalist,  1 Methodist,  1 Episcopal, 
1 Baptist,  and  1 Disciples.  Banks : First  National,  P.  N.  Tuttle,  president,  N. 
H.  Munger,  cashier ; Savings  Exchange,  J.  L.  Morgan,  president,  L.  E.  Morgan, 
cashier. 

Manufactures  and  Employees.  -Geneva  Manufacturing  Co.,  carpet  sweepers,  12 
hands;  Eagle  Lock  Co.,  cabinet  locks,  110;  Enterprise  Manufacturing  Co.,  house 
furnishing,  etc.,  27  ; Geneva  Manufacturing  Co.,  carpet  sweepers,  15  ; Geneva  Tool 
Co.,  forks,  hoes,  cultivators,  95 ; Goodrich,  Cook  & Co.,  planing  mill,  25 ; Eagle 
Lock  Co.,  locks,  26  ; Enterprise  Manufacturing  Co.,  hardware,  31  ; N.  W.  Thomas, 
planing  mill ; Geneva  Skewer  Co.,  skewers,  26  ; Geneva  Machine  Co.,  machinists’ 
tools,  75 ; M.  S.  Caswell,  flour  and  feed ; Goodrich,  Cook  & Co.,  planing  mill,  13. 
— State  Repoii,  1886.  Among  the  other  industries  are  Dickinson’s  nickel  plating 


come  into  this  region,  emigrants  from  Fin- 
land ; but  recently  subjects  of  the  Czar. 
Down  at  Ashtabula  harbor  is  a large  colony 
of  Fins  and  Swedes,  numbering  several 
hundred,  who  are  employed  as  laborers  on  the 
docks.  They  are  highly  thought  of ; their 
religion  is  Lutheran.  Fins,  young  men  and 
women,  are  scattering  on  the  farms  in  this 
part  of  the  State  as  laborers  and  domestics, 
and  are  noted  for  their  industry  and  honesty. 
Their  marriage  ceremony  is  peculiar,  lasting 
half  an  hour  ; it  is  partly  kneeling  and  partly 
praying.  The  festivities  run  through  several 
days,  consisting  of  dancing  and  carousal,  dur- 
ing which  the  dancing  capacity  and  endurance 
of  the  bride  is  taxed  to  the  utmost ; each 
gentleman  is  expected  in  turn  to  dance  with 
her  and  at  its  conclusion  to  pass  her  over  fifty 
cents  as  his  contribution  to  her  dowry.  Those 
able  dance  many  times  with  the  bride.  On 
their  first  arrival  they  wear  their  own  home- 
woven  garments,  woolen  and  linen.  Instead 
of  bonnets  the  women  wear  shawls ; also 
home  woven  and  plain  black  silk.  In  their 
own  country  a man’s  yearly  wages  on  a farm 
are  twelve  dollars  and  his  hoots ! Ohio  says 
to  them  “Come!  we  welcome  you  and  at 
your  option,  with  boots  or  without  boots.  ’ ’ 


2y6 


ASHTABULA  COUNTY. 


works,  Anderson’s  flour  and  feed  mills,  Maltby’s  extensive  apple,  jelly  and  cider 
manufactory.  Waters  & Wade’s  bed  spring  factory.  Lane  & Moreland’s  steam 
injector  factory,  Tibbitt’s  machine  shop,  Jackman’s  flour  and  feed  mills,  Co  R. 
Castle’s  fruit  basket  factory,  Cadle’s  bottling  works.  Bedell,  Bartholomew  & Co.’s 
lumber  mill,  Reid’s  extensive  brick  and  tile  works,  Geneva  prepared  chalk  works, 
and  W.  P.  Simmons  & Co.,  wholesale  florists,  growers  and  importers.  Population 
in  1880,  1,903;  school  census  in  1886,  577. 

The  village  of  Geneva  until  the  year  1888  had  long  been  the  home  of  Miss 
Edith  M.  Thomas,  the  noted  American  poetess,  a notice  of  whom,  with  portrait, 
will  be  found  under  the  head  of  Medina  county,  in  which  she  was  born. 


Frank  Henry  Howe,  Photo.,  1888. 
Central  View  in  Geneva. 

The  Soldier’s  Monument  appears  in  the  distance. 


TRAVELLING  NOTES. 

Geneva  is  a pleasant  name,  and  the  town- 
ship has  an  enduring  fragrance  in  memory, 
for  within  its  limits  in  my  original  tour  over 
Ohio  in  1846  I passed  several  most  enjoyable 
days,  a recipient  of  the  hospitality  of  a man 
of  rare  character  and  usefulness,  the  late 
Platt  R.  Spencer.  The  home  was  a quaint, 
comfortable  old  farm  house  in  a level  country, 
with  the  surroundings  of  grassy  lawn,  orchards 
and  forests,  abotlt  two  miles  from  Lake  Erie. 
It  was  in  the  heats  of  summer ; a severe 
drouth  prevailed  throughout  this  region,  the 
home  well  had  given  out  and  I remember  I 
daily  rode  Pomp,  the  faithful  companion  of 
my  tour,  and  his  willing  burden  down  to  the 
lake  for  his  drinks.  3Ir.  Spencer  was  at  the 
time  the  secretary  of  the  Ashtabula  County 
Historical  Society  and  had  collected  nearly  a 
thousand  folio  manuscrii)t  jiages ; it  was  a 
rare  mine,  from  whence  1 took  nearly  all  the 
historical  materials  embodied  under  the  head 
of  this  county  as  well  as  much  elsewhere. 
Mr.  Spencer  was  born  on  the  first  year  of  this 
century  in  the  valley  of  the  Hudson  ; when  a 
boy  of  ten,  came  with  his  fainilj'^  to  this 
county  and  died  eighteen  years  after  my  visit 
to  his  home.  The  great  work  of  his  life  was 
as  a student  and  teacher  of  penmanship.  For 
this  art  he  was  a born  genius.  President 


Garfield,  writing  of  him  in  1878,  said  : “He 
possessed  great  mental  clearness  and  origi- 
nality and  a pathetic  tenderness  of  spirit.  I 
have  met  few  men  who  so  completely  won  my 
confidence  and  affection.  The  beautiful  in 
nature  and  art  led  him  a willing  and  happy 
captive.  Like  all  men  who  are  well  made  he 
was  self-made.  It  is  great  to  become  the 
first  in  any  worthy  work,  and  it  is  unques- 
tionably true  that  Mr.  Spencer  made  himself 
the  foremost  penman  of  the  world.  And  this 
he  did  without  masters.  He  not  only  became 
the  first  penman,  but  he  analyzed  all  the  ele- 
ments of  chirography,  simplified  its  forms, 
arranged  them  in  consecutive  order,  and 
created  a system  which  has  become  the  foun- 
dation of  instruction  in  that  art  in  all  the 
public  schools  of  our  country.”  Mr.  Spen- 
cer’s early  struggles  to  learn  writing  show  the 
strength  of  a master  passion.  Up  to  eight 
years  of  age  he  once  wrote  he  had  never  been 
the  rich  owner  of  a single  sheet  of  paper  ; 
having  then  become  the  fortunate  proprietor 
of  a cent  he  sent  by  a lumberman  twenty 
miles  away,  to  Catskill,  for  a single  sheet. 
When  he  returned  it  was  after  night.  Platt 
was  in  bed,  when  he  arose  all  enthusiasm  but 
could  not  i)roduce  a single  letter  to  his  mind 
after  an  hour’s  feverish  effort,  when  he  re- 
turned to  his  bed  and  to  be  haunted  by  un- 


ASHTABULA  COUNTY. 


277 


happy  dreams.  Paper  being  a luxury  rarely 
attainable  in  those  days  he  had  recourse  to 
other  materials.  The  bark  of  the  birch  tree, 
the  sand  beds  by  the  brook  and  the  ice  and 
snow  of  winter  formed  his  practice  sheets. 

In  his  twelfth  year  he  for  a time  enjoyed 
the  privileges  of  a school  at  Conneaut.  He 
then  began  as  instructor  in  penmanship  for 
his  fellow-pupils.  Being  anxious  to  complete 
his  studies  in  arithmetic  he  walked  bare- 
footed twenty  miles  over  frozen  ground  to 
borrow  a copy  of  Baboll.  On  his  return 
night  overtook  him,  when  he  slept  in  a set- 
tler’s barn,  too  timid  to  ask  for  lodgings  in 
the  cabin. 

Mr.  Spencer  was  for  twelve  years  county 
treasurer  : was  a strong  advocate  of  the  tem- 
perance cause  and  that  of  the  slave.  He  was 
the  pioneer  in  the  establishment  of  commer- 
cial and  business  colleges.  His  copy  books 


have  been  sold  into  the  millions,  and  the 
Spencerian  pens  are  widely  favorites  with 
rapid  writers. 

Interesting  and  strange  are  often  the  little 
minor  surprises  of  life.  We  all  have  them. 
In  conclusion  I will  relate  one  to  myself. 
Twelve  years  since  I happened  to  be  one 
evening  at  the  home  of  a lady  in  Washington 
City  of  whom  I had  never  before  heard.  Ac- 
cidentally a book  of  exquisitely  graceful  pen- 
manship from  her  hand  met  my  eye.  I could 
not  help  expressing  my  admiration,  where- 
upon she  replied,  “I  ought  to  be  a good 
writer,  for  I am  the  daughter  of  Platt  B. 
Spencer.”  “Ah ! I was  once  at  your  father’s 
house — do  you  remember  me?  ” “ I do  not 

— when  was  that?”  “In  the  summer  of 
1846.”  “Therein,”  she  replied,  “you  had 
quite  the  advantage  of  me — got  there  several 
years  before  I did.  ’ ’ 


We  give  here  some  amusing  incidents  copied  by  us  in  1846  from  the  MSS,  of 
the  County  Historical  Society.  Although  trivial  in  themselves  they  have  an 
illustrative  value. 


278 


ASHTABULA  COUNTY. 


Morsels  Slough. — There  is  a stream  in 
Gieneva,  called  '''' Morses  SloughT  and  it 
took  its  cognomen  in  this  wise  : For  a time 
after  the  Spencers,  Austin,  Hale,  and  Morse 
commenced  operations  clearing  the  woods  on 
the  lake  shore,  in  the  northeast  corner  of 
Geneva,  they  plied  their  labors  there  only  a 
week  at  the  time,  or  as  long  as  a back-load 
of  provisions,  that  each  carried,  might  hap- 
pen to  last.  Whatever  time  of  the  week  they 
went  out,  those  having  families  returned  on 
Saturday  night  to  the  settlements,  and  those 
without  returned  whenever  out  of  provisions. 
The  main  portion  of  provisions  by  them  thus 
transported  consisted  of  Indian  or  corn  bread  ; 
and  whoever  has  been  used  to  the  labors  of 
the  woods,  swinging  the  axe,  for  instance, 
from  sun  to  sun,  and  limited  to  that  kind^  of 
diet  almost  solely,  will  know  that  it  requires 
a johnny-cake  of  no  slight  dimensions  and 
weight  to  last  an  axeman  a tvlwle  week.  It 
must,  in  short,  be  a mammoth  of  its  species  ! 
Such  a loaf,  baked  in  a huge  Dutch  oven, 
was  snugly  and  firmly  pinioned  to  the  back 
of  James  M.  Morse,  as  he,  with  others, 
wended  his  way  to  the  lake  shore,  intent 
upon  the  labors  of  the  week. 

The  stream  was  then  nameless,  but  never- 
theless had  to  be  crossed,  and  Morse  must 
cross  it  to  reach  the  scene  of  his  labors.  Al- 
though a light  man,  he  had  become  ponder- 
ous by  the  addition  of  this  tremendous  johnny- 
cake.  The  ice  lay  upon  the  streams,  and  men 
passed  and  re-passed  unloaded  without  harm. 
Not  so  those  borne  down  with  such  encum- 
brance as  distinguished  the  back  of  Morse,  who 
was  foremost  among  the  gang  of  pioneers,  all 
marching  in  Indian  file  and  similarly  encum- 
bered. They  came  to  the  stream.  Morse 
rushed  upon  the  ice — it  trembled — cracked — 
broke — and  in  a moment  he  was  initiated  into 
the  mysteries  beneath,  with  the  johnny-cake 
holding  him  firmly  to  the  bottom. 

The  water  and  mud,  though  deep,  were  not 
over  his  head.  The  company,  by  aid  of  poles, 
approached  him,  removed  the  Gloucester 
hump  of  deformity  from  his  shoulders,  re- 
lieved him  from  his  uncouth  and  unenvied 
attitude,  and  while  he  stood  dripping  and 
quivering  on  the  margin  of  the  turbid  ele- 
ment— amid  a shout  of  laughter  they  named 
this  stream  '"'‘Morses  Slough.'^ 

Fights  with  Wolves  and  Bears. — A young 
man  by  the  name  of  Elijah  Thompson,  of 
Geneva,  was  out  hunting  in  the  forest  with 
his  favorite  dog.  While  thus  engaged,  his 
dog  left  him  as  if  he  scented  game,  and  soon 
was  engaged  with  a pack  of  seven  wolves. 
Young  Thompson,  more  anxious  for  the  dog 
than  his  own  safety,  rushed  to  the  rescue, 
firing  his  rifle  as  he  approached,  and  then 
clubbing  it,  made  a fierce  onset  upon  the 
enemy.  His  dog,  being  badly  wounded  and 
nearly  exhausted,  could  give  him  no  assist- 
ance, and  the  contest  seemed  doubtful.  The 
wolves  fought  with  desperation ; but  the 
young  man  laid  about  him  with  so  much 
energy  and  agility,  that  his  blows  told  well, 
and  he  soon  had  the  satisfaction  of  seeing 
wolf  after  wolf  skulk  away  under  the  blows 


which  he  dealt  them,  until  he  remained  mas- 
ter of  the  field,  when,  with  the  remains  of 
his  rifle — the  barrel — on  his  shoulder,  and  his 
bleeding  and  helpless  dog  under  his  arm,  he 
left  the  scene  panting  and  weary,  though  not 
materially  injured  in  the  conflict.  Mrs.  John 
Austin,  of  the  same  township,  hearing,  on 
one  occasion,  a bear  among  her  hogs,  deter- 
mined to  defeat  his  purpose.  First  hurrying 
her  little  children  up  a ladder  into  her  cham- 
ber, for  safety,  in  case  she  was  overcome  by 
the  animal,  she  seized  a rifle,  and  rushing  to 
the  spot  saw  the  bear  only  a few  rods  distant, 
carrying  off  a hog  into  the  woods,  while  the 
prisoner  sent  forth  deafening  squeals,  accom- 
panied by  the  rest  of  the  sty  in  full  chorus. 
Nothing^  daunted,  she  rushed  forward  to  the 
scene  with  her  rifle  ready  cocked,  on  which 
the  monster  let  go  his  prize,  raised  himself 
upon  his  haunches  and  faced  her.  Dropping 
upon  her  knees  to  obtain  a steady  aim,  and 
resting  her  rifle  on  the  fence,  within  six  feet 
of  the  bear,  the  intrepid  female  pulled  the 
trigger.  Perhaps  fortunately  for  her.,  the  rifle 
missed  fire.  Again  and  again  she  snapped 
her  piece,  but  with  the  same  result.  The 
bear,  after  keeping  his  position  some  time, 
dropped  down  on  all  fours,  and  leaving  the 
hogs  behind,  retreated  to  the  forest  and  re- 
signed the  field  to  the  woman. 

The  early  settlers  experienced  great  diffi- 
culty in  preserving  their  swine  from  the  rav- 
ages of  wild  beasts.  Messrs.  Morgan  and 
Murrain,  who,  with  their  wives,  dwelt  in  the 
same  cabin,  had  with  difficulty  procured  a 
sow,  which,  with  her  progeny,  occupied  a 
strong  pen  contiguous  to  the  dwelling.  Dur- 
ing a dark  night,  their  husbands  being  neces- 
sarily absent,  the  repose  of  the  ladies  was 
disturbed  by  a very  shrill  serenade  from  the 
pen  ; arousing  from  their  slumbers,  they  dis- 
covered a large  bear  making  an  assault  upon 
the  swine.  They  attempted,  by  loud  screams 
and  throwing  fire-brands,  to  terrify  the  ani- 
mal ; but  not  succeeding,  they  took  an  un- 
loaded rifle,  and  having  heard  their  husbands 
say  that  it  required  just  two  fingers  of  pow- 
der, they  poured  liberally  into  the  muzzle, 
one  of  them  in  the  meanwhile  measuring 
lengthwise  of  her  fingers,  until  the  full 
amount  was  obtained,  then  driving  in  a ball 
they  sallied  out  to  the  attack.  One  lady  held 
the  light,  while  the  other  fired  the  gun. 
Such  another  report,  from  a tube  of  equal 
capacity,  is  seldom  heard.  The  ladies  both 
fell  prostrate  and  insensible,  and  the  gun  flew 
into  the  bushes.  The  bear  was  doubtless 
alarmed,  but  not  materially  injured. 

A War  Alarm. — On  the  night  of  the  11th 
of  August,  1812,  the  people  of  Conneaut 
were  alarmed  by  a false  report  that  the  Brit- 
ish were  landing  from  some  of  their  vessels. 
A sentinel,  placed  on  the  shore,  descrying 
boats  approaching,  mistook  them  for  the 
enemy.  In  his  panic  he  threw  away  his 
musket,  mounted  his  horse,  and  dashing 
through  the  settlement,  cried  with  a sten- 
torian voice;  “Turn  out!  turn  out!  save 
your  lives,  the  British  and  Indians  are  land- 
ing, and  will  be  on  you  in  fifteen  minutes  1 ” 


ASHTABULA  COUNTY. 


279 


The  people,  aroused  from  their  beds,  fled  in 
the  utmost  terror  to  various  places  of  covert 
in  the  forest.  Those  of  East  Conneaut  had 
sheltered  themselves  in  a dense  grove,  which 
being  near  the  high  road,  it  was  deemed  that 
the  most  perfect  silence  should  be  main- 
tained. By  that  soothing  attention  mothers 
know  how  to  bestow,  the  cries  of  the  children 
were  measurably  stilled  ; but  one  little  dog, 
from  among  his  companions,  kept  up  a con- 


tinual unmitigated  yelping.  Various  means 
having  in  vain  been  employed  to  still  him, 
until  the  patience  of  the  ladies  was  ex- 
hausted, it  was  unanimously  resolved  that 
that  'particular  dog  should  die.,  and  he  was 
therefore  sentenced  to  be  hanged,  without 
benefit  of  clergy.  With  the  elastics  supplied 
by  the  ladies  for  a halter,  and  a young  sap- 
ling for  a gallows,  the  young  dog  passed  from 
the  shores  of  time  to  yelp  no  more. 


Austinburg,  five  miles  w^esterly  from  Jefferson,  is  a small  village  in  a locality 
of  fine  historic  note.  Edwin  Cowles,  the  veteran  editor  of  the  Cleveland  Leader y 
was  born  in  Austinburg  Sept.  19,  1825,  and  of  Connectient  stock.  As  a journalist 
he  has  shown  extraordinary  force  and  fearlessness  of  character,  and  has  been  a 
leader  in  many  things  of  great  public  benefit,  a power  in  the  land. 


The  original  proprietors  of  this  township 
were  Wm.  Battell,  of  Torringford,  Solomon 
Bockwell  & Co.,  of  Winchester,  and  Elipha- 
let  Austin,  of  New  Hartford,  Conn.  By  the 
instrumentality  of  Judge'  Austin,  from  whom 
the  town  was  named,  two^  families  moved  to 
this  place  from  Connecticut  in  1799.  ^ The 
Judge  preceded  them  a short  time,  driving, 
in  company  with  a hired  man,  some  cattle 
150  miles  through  the  woods  on  an  Indian 
trail,  while  the  rest  came  in  a boat  across  the 
lake.  There  were  at  this  time  a few  families 
at  Harpersfield ; at  Windsor,  southwest  about 
twenty  miles,  a family  or  two ; also  at  Elk 


creek,  forty  miles  northeast,  and  at  Vernon, 
forty  miles  southeast,  were  several  families, 
all  of  whom  were  in  a destitute  condition  for 
provisions.  In  the  year  1800  another  family 
moved  from  Norfolk,  Conn.  In  the  spring 
of  1801  there  was  an  accession  of  ten  families 
to  the  settlement,  principally  from  Norfolk, 
Conn.  Part  of  these  came  from  Buffalo  by 
water,  and  part  by  land  through  the  wilder- 
ness. During  that  season  wheat  was  carried 
to  mill  at  Elk  creek,  a distance  of  forty 
miles,  and  in  some  instances  one-half  was 
given  for  carrying  it  to  mill  and  returning  it 
in  flour. 


On  Wednesday,  October  24, 1801,  a church  was  constituted  at  Austinburg  with 
sixteen  members.  This  was  the  first  church  on  the  Western  Reserve,  and  was 
founded  by  the  Rev.  Joseph  Badger,  the  first  missionary  on  the  Reserve,  a sketch 
of  whom  is  in  another  part  of  this  work.  It  is  a fact  worthy  of  note,  that  in 
1802  Mr.  Badger  moved  his  family  from  Buffalo  to  this  town  in  the  first  wagon 
that  ever  eame  from  that  place  to  the  Reserve. 


The  Jerks. — In  1803  Austinburg,  Morgan 
and  Harpersfield  experienced  a revival  of  re- 
ligion by  which  about  thirty-five  from  those 
places  united  with  the  church  at  Austinburg. 
This  revival  was  attended  with  the  phe- 
nomena of  '''' bodily  exercises C then  common 
in  the  West.  They  have  been  classified  by  a 
clerical  writer  as,  1st,  the  Falling  exercise ; 
2d,  the  Jerking  exercise ; 3d,  the  Rolling 
exercise ; 4th,  the  Running  exercise ; 5th, 
the  Dancing  exercise ; 6th,  the  Barking 
exercise ; 7th,  Visions  and  Trances.  We 
make  room  for  an  extract  from  his  account 
of  the  second  of  the  series,  which  sufficiently 
characterizes  the  remainder : 

It  was  familiarly  called  The  Jerks,  and  the 
first  recorded  instance  of  its  occurrence  was 
at  a sacrament  in  East  Tennessee,  when  sev- 
eral hundred  of  both  sexes  were  seized  with 
this  strange  and  involuntary  contortion.  The 
subject  was  instantaneously  seized  with  spasms 
or  convulsions  in  every  muscle,  nerve  and  ten- 
don. His  head  was  thrown  or  jerked  from 
side  to  side  with  such  rapidity  that  it  was 
impossible  to  distinguish  his  visage,  and  the 
most  lively  fears  were  awakened  lest  he 


should  dislocate  his  neck  or  dash  out  his 
brains.  His  body  partook  of  the  same  im- 
pulse and  was  hurried  on  by  like  jerks  over 
every  obstacle,  fallen  trunks  of  trees,  or  in  a 
church  over  pews  and  benches,  apparently  to 
the  most  imminent  danger  of  being  bruised 
and  mangled.  It  was  useless  to  attempt  to 
hold  or  restrain  him,  and  the  paroxysm  was 
permitted  gradually  to  exhaust  itself  An 
additional  motive  for  leaving  him  to  himself 
was  the  superstitious  notion  that  all  attempt 
at  restraint  was  resisting  the  spirit  of  God. 

From  the  universal  testimony  of  those  who 
have  described  these  spasms,  the.y  appear  to 
have  been  wholly  involuntary.  This  remark 
is  applicable  also  to  all  the  other  bodily  exer- 
cises. What  demonstrates  satisfactorily  their 
involuntary  nature  is  not  only  that,  as  above 
stated,  the  twitches  prevailed  in  spite  of  re- 
sistance, and  even  more  for  attempts  to  sup- 
press them,  but  that  wicked  men  would  be 
seized  with  them  while  sedulously  guarding 
against  an  attack,  and  cursing  every  jerk 
when  made.  Travellers  on  their  journey,  and 
laborers  at  their  daily  work,  were  also  liable 
to  them. 


Kingsville,  on  Lake  Erie,  sixty  miles  east  of  Cleveland,  fourteen  miles  from 


28o 


ASHTABULA  COUNTY. 


Jefferson,  on  1j.  S.  & M.  S.  and  N.  Y.  C.  & St.  L.  Railroads,  surrounded  by  a 
fine  farming  country.  Newspapers  Tribune,  Republican,  I.  V.  Nearpass,  editor. 
Churches : 1 Methodist,  1 Presbyterian.  The  principal  industry  is  basket  mak- 
ing, the  Kingsville  handle  works  employing  83  hands.  Population  in  1880,  495. 
The  youth  of  Judge  Tourgee,  author  of  ^^The  Foofs  Errand,’^  was  passed  in  this 
place. 

Albion  W.  Tourgee,  LIj.  I).,  was  born  the  breaking  out  of  the  rebellion  he  was  a 
in  Williamsfield  in  this  county  in  1838,  and  student  in  the  Rochester  University,  and  en- 
listed in  the  27th  New  York;  was  wounded 
in  the  first  battle  of  Bull  Run._  In  1862  he 
was  Lieutenant  in  the  105th  Ohio  and  served 
in  Kentucky  and  was  taken  prisoner  and 
spent  several  months  in  Libby  and  other  pris- 
ons. Being  exchanged  he  rejoined  his  old 
regiment  and  was  with  it  until  after  the  bat- 
tle of  Chickamauga,  when  from  his  sufferings 
from  his  old  wound,  an  injury  to  the  spine, 
he  was  discharged. 

After  the  close  of  the  war  for  twelve  years 
he  was  a resident  of  North  Carolina;  held 
various  offices,  among  which  was  that  of  a 
Judge  of  their  Superior  Court.  Observing 
the  effects  of  reconstruction  in  the  South,  he 
began  a series  of  political  novels  on  the  effects 
of  reconstruction  on  the  condition  of  the 
blacks  and  their  old  masters,  the  most  noted 
of  which  were  “A  Fool’s  Errand”  and 
“Bricks  Without  Straw.”  They  had  an 
immense  circulation  and  their^  influence  so 
great  Mr.  Garfield  wrote  a friend  that  in 
his  opinion  they  turned  the  scale  of  the 
when  seven  years  of  age  removed  with  his  Presidential  election  in  his  favor.  His  pres- 
parents  to  Kingsville,  near  the  lake.  At  ent  residence  is  Mayville,  N.  Y. 

Ashtabula  county  was  the  most  noted  spot  in  the  Union  for  its  anti-slavery 
position.  The  county  anti-slavery  society  was  formed  in  June,  1832,  followed  by 
local  anti-slavery  societies  in  various  parts  of  the  county  which  continued  during 
the  entire  period  of  the  anti-slavery  contest. 


The  4th  of  July,  1837,  was  celebrated  by 
two  local  societies — one  at  Kingsville  and  the 
other  at  Ashtabula.  The  radical  element 
had  no  great  force.  When  Abby  Kelly  and 
Foster  and  Parker  Pillsbury  came  and  pro- 
claimed that  “the  constitution  was  a cove- 
nant with  death  and  a league  with  hell,”  all 
listened  but  few  believed.  The  societies  here 
were  mainly  formed  on  the  principle  of  moral 
suasion,  declaiming  against  slavery  as  a wrong 
and  opposing  its  extension.  They  denounced 
the  fugitive  slave  law,  and  at  a meeting  at 
Hart’s  Grove  in  December,  1850,  they  re- 
solved ‘ ‘ a law  to  strip  us  of  our  humanity,  to 
divest  us  of  all  claims  to  Christianity  and  self- 
respect,  and  herd  us  with  blood-hounds  and 
men  stealers  upon  penalty  of  reducing  our 
children  to  starvation  and  nakedness.  Cursed 
be  said  law!”  Again,  “that  sooner  than 
submit  to  such  odious  laws  we  will  see  the 
Union  dissolved  ; sooner  than  see  slavery 
perpetuated  we  would  see  war  ; and  sooner 
than  be  slaves  we  will  fight.  ” At  this  time 
there  was  a regular  underground  railway  ex- 
tending from  Wheeling  to  the  harbor  at  Ash- 
tabula. The  people  felt  that  the  principle 
of  freedom  was  fastened  to  the  eternal  prin- 


ciple of  right  and  anchored  in  God  himself. 
While  Benj.  F.  Wade  and  Joshua  R.  Gid- 
dings  represented  the  sentiment  of  Ashtabula 
county  in  the  Congress  of  the  nation,  a woman. 
Miss  Betsy  M.  Cowles,  by  profession  a teacher, 
by  her  fiery  eloquence  and  intensity  of  feeling, 
more  than  any  other  person  created  in  Ash- 
tabula the  sentiment  which  upheld  them. 
She  was  born  in  1810  in  Bristol,  Conn.,  and 
was  brought  to  Ohio  an  infant  when  her 
father.  Rev.  Dr.  Giles  Hooker  Cowles,  re- 
moved to  Austinburg  with  his  family. 

During  the  entire  anti-slavery  agitation 
Miss  Cowles  and  her  sister  Cornelia  were 
foremost  in  this  work.  Often  after  a stir- 
ring address  an  impromptu  quartette  would 
be  improvised.  Miss  Cornelia  sustaining  the 
soprano  and  Miss  Betsy  the  alto  ; and  as 
their  strong  sweet  voices  rang  out  the  touch- 
ing strains,  “Say,  Christian,  will  you  take 
me  back  ? ” or  that  other  saddest  of  lamenta- 
tion, 

“ Gone,  gone  ; sold  and  gone 
To  the  rice  swamp  dank  and  lone. 

From  Virginia’s  hills  and  waters. 

Woe  is  me,  my  stolen  daughters  1 ’ 


ASHTABULA  COUNTY. 


281 


Bosoms  hardened  before  thrilled  in  sympathy 
with  an  influence  they  could  not  but  feel,  and 
melted  before  a power  they  could  not  with- 
stand. 

Nor  was  it  alone  for  the  slave  that  she 
made  her  voice  heard  and  her  influence  felt. 
The  position  of  women  before  the  law,  and 
especially  married  women,  early  arrested  her 
attention. 

“In  1848,  in  Seneca  Falls,  N.  Y.,  a conven- 


tion was  called  b}’’  Lucretia  Mott  and  Mrs.  H. 
B.  Stanton,  for  the  purpose  of  obtaining  from 
the  constitutional  convention  about  to  meet 
in  that  State  juster  laws  regarding  women. 
Over  this  convention  Ijucretia  Mott  presided. 
The  next  one  was  held  in  Salem,  Ohio,  for  a 
similar  purpose  in  1850,  and  Betsy  M.  Cowles 
presided.  She  died  in  1876  at  her  home- 
stead in  Austinburg.  Useful  as  was  her  life, 
fitting  as  were  her  words  and  deeds,  all  who 


BETSY  M.  COWLES. 


knew  her  felt  that  she  was  greater  than  all 
she  did.  She  was  indeed  a perfect  woman 
nobly  planned.  It  was  not  so  much  what  she 
did,  writes  one  who  loved  her,  as  the  atmos- 
phere she  created  which  won  all  hearts.  So 
sunny,  genial  and  hospital  was  she  that  she 
drew  all  sufferers  to  her  side.” 

John  Brown  and  associates  just  prior  to  the 
raid  on  Harper’s  Ferry  made  West  Andover 
in  this  county  their  headquarters. 

Brown’s,  Sharp’s  riffes  and  other  materials 


of  war  wore  stored  in  the  cabinet  manufactory 
of  King  & Brothers  on  the  creek  road  in 
Cherry  valley. 

After  the  raid  John  Brown,  Jr.,  who  re- 
sided in  Cherry  valley,  was  summoned  to 
appear  before  tbe  United  States  Senate  and 
give  evidence.  Befusing  to  obey,  their  ser- 
geant-at-arms was  ordered  to  arrest  him. 
Apprehensive  that  an  armed  force  would  be 
sent  not  only  to  arrest  him  but  to  take  Mer- 
riam,  Owen  Brown  and  other  fugitives  in  the 


282 


ASHTABULA  COUNTY. 


vicinity,  citizens  of  West  Andover  and  neigh- 
borhood, organized  a secret  society,  the  “In- 
dependent Sons  of  Liberty,”  to  defend  these 
men  with  their  lives  if  need  be.  Signals, 
signs,  passwords  and  a badge  were  agreed 
upon,  arms  procured  and  a place  of  ren- 
dezvous selected.  A State  lodge  was  organ- 


ized and  finally  a United  States  lodge.  The 
final  object  was  to  act  politically  and  in  a 
revolutionary  manner  if  necessary  for  the 
overthrow  of  slavery.  Members  in  common 
arlance  were  called  “ Black  Strings  ” from  a 
^ adge  which  they  wore,  a black  string  tied 
into  the  buttonhole  of  their  shirt  collar. 


Rock  Creek,  sixteen  miles  south  of  Lake  Erie,  on  the  Ashtabula  & Pittsburg 
R.  R.  Newspapers  : Banner , Republican,  Scott  & Remick,  publishers.  Churches  : 
1 Congregational,  1 Methodist  and  1 Disciples.  Bank : Morgan  Saving  & Loan 
Association,  E.  M.  Co  veil,  president,  W.  W.  Watkins,  cashier.  Principal  in- 
dustries are  tannery,  flouring,  saw,  planing  and  handle  mills,  moulding  factory, 
etc.  Population  in  1880,  558. 


ATHENS. 

Athens  County  was  formed  from  Washington  March  1,  1805.  The  surface 
is  broken  and  hilly,  with  intervals  of  rich  bottom  lands.  The  hills  have  a fertile 
soil  and  a heavy  growth  of  trees.  The  Hocking  canal  commences  at  Carroll  bn 
the  Ohio  canal  in  Fairfield  county,  and  follows  the  river  valley  to  Athens,  a dis- 
tance of  fifty-six  miles.  In  the  county  are  extensive  deposits  of  iron-ore  suitable 
for  smelting ; excellent  salt  to  the  extent  of  50,000  barrels  were  annually  produced 
between  the  years  1848  and  1868.  Its  greatest  mineral  wealth  is  in  its  coal;  in 
1886  there  were  in  operation  forty-one  mines,  employing  1,804  miners  and  pro- 
ducing 899,046  tons  of  coal,  being  next  to  Perry  the  largest  coal-producing  county 
in  the  State.  Its  area  is  430  square  miles.  In  1885  the  acres  cultivated  were 
46,685;  in  pasture,  128,269;  woodland,  57,906;  lying  waste,  4,256;  produced 
in  wheat,  24,695  bushels ; corn,  638,984;  tobacco,  56,108  pounds;  peaches,  2,077 
bushels;  wool,  580,983  pounds;  sheep,  108,454.  School  census  1886,  10,108; 
teachers,  215.  It  has  102  miles  of  railroad. 


Townships  and  Census. 

1840. 

1880. 

Townships  and  Census.  1840. 

1880. 

Alexander, 

1,450 

1,423 

1,392 

Lee, 

848 

1,086 

A..mes, 

1,431 

Lodi, 

754 

1,550 

Athens, 

1,593 

4,517 

Rome, 

866 

2,207 

Bern, 

381 

1,073 

Trimble, 

762 

1,367 

Canaan, 

800 

1,499 

Troy, 

1,056 

1,858 

Carthage 

737 

1,308 

Waterloo, 

741 

1,957 

Dover, 

1,297 

1,736 

York, 

1,601 

5,438 

Po])ulation  in 
of  whom  23,787 

1820 

were 

was  6,342 
Ohio  born. 

; in  1840,  19,108;  1860, 

21,346;  1880, 

28,411, 

In  Evans’  map  of  the  middle  British  colonies,  published  in  1755,  there  is  placed 
on  the  left  bank  of  the  Hocking,  somewhere  in  this  region,  a town,  station  or  fort, 
named  ^‘Fre7ich  3Tarf/arets.”  In  the  county  above  (Hocking)  have  been  found 
the  remains  of  an  old  press,  for  packing  furs  and  })eltries,  which  attest  that  French 
cuj)idity  and  enterprise  had  introduced  an  extensive  trade  among  the  Indians. 

Lord  Dunmore,  in  his  famous  expedition  against  the  Indian  towns  upon  the 
Scioto,  in  the  autumn  of  1774 — -just  prior  to  the  commencement  of  the  revolu- 


ATHENS  COUNTY. 


283 


tionary  war,  descended  the  Ohio,  and  landed  at  the  month  of  the  Great  Hockhock- 
ing,  in  this  county.  He  was  there  during  the  bloody  battle  at  Point  Pleasant — 
on  an  air  line  twenty-eight  miles  distant — between  General  Lewis  and  the  Indians. 
At  this  place  he  established  a depot  and  erected  some  defences,  called  Fort  Gower, 
in  honor  of  Earl  Gower.  From  that  point  he  marched  up  the  valley  of  the  river, 
encamping,  tradition  says,  a night  successively  at  Federal  creek,  Sunday  creek,  and 
at  the  falls  of  the  Hocking.  From  the  last  he  proceeded  to  the  Scioto,  where  the 
detachment  under  General  Lewis  joined  him,  and  the  war  was  brought  to  a close 
by  a treaty  or  truce  with  the  hostile  tribes.  Dunmore,  on  his  return,  stoi)j)ed  at 
Fort  Gower,  where  the  officers  })assed  a series  of  resolutions,  for  which,  see  Pick- 
away county,  with  other  details  of  this  expedition. 

Colonel  Robert  Paterson,  one  of  the  original  proprietors  of  Cincinnati,  with  a 
party  of  Kentuckians,  was  attacked,  near  the  mouth  of  the  Hocking,  by  the  In- 
dians, two  years  after  the  erection  of  Fort  Gower.  The  circumstances  are  given 
under  the  head  of  Montgomery  county. 

The  early  settlement  of  this  county  began  just  after  Wayne’s  treaty  ; its  incep- 
tion had  its  origin  in  one  of  the  most  noble  motives  that  can  influence  humaniG^ 
viz. : the  desire  for  the  promotion  of  learning.  We  extract  from  Walker’s  His- 
tory of  Athens  County.” 

During  the  year  1796  nearly  1,000  flat  boats  or  broad  horns,”  as  they  were 
then  called,  passed  Marietta  laden  with  emigrants  on  their  way  to  the  more 
attractive  regions  of  Southwestern  Ohio.  In  the  early  part  of  1797  a considerable 
number  of  newly  arrived  emigrants  were  assembled  in  Marietta,  eager  to  obtain 
lands  on  the  best  terms  they  could  and  form  settlements.  The  two  townships  of 
land  appropriated  by  the  Ohio  Company  for  the  benefit  of  a university  had  been 
selected  in  December,  1795.  They  were  townships  Nos.  8 and  9 in  the  four- 
teenth range,  constituting  at  present  Athens  and  Alexander  townships.  The 
township  lines  were  run  in  1795,  and  the  sectional  surveys  made  in  1796,  under 
the  supervision  of  General  Putnam,  the  company’s  surveyor,  who  from  the  first 
took  an  ardent  interest  in  the  selection  of  these  lands  and  the  founding  of  the 
university.  His  policy  (in  which  he  was  seconded  by  the  other  agents)  was  to 
encourage  the  early  settlement  of  the  college  lands,  make  them  attractive  and  pro- 
ductive, and  so  begin  the  formation  of  a fund  for  the  institution. 

Encouraged  by  Gen.  Putnam,  who  wished  to  introduce  permanent  settlers  as 
soon  as  possible,  a number  of  the  emigrants  who  had  sto})ped  at  Marietta  decided 
to  locate  on  the  college  lands.  Among  these  were  Alvan  Bingham,  Silas  Bingham, 
Isaac  Barker,  William  Harper,  John  Wilkins,  Robert  Linzee,  Edmund,  William 
and  Barak  Dorr,  John  Chandler  and  Jonathan  Watkins.  They  made  their  way 
down  the  Ohio  and  up  the  Hockhocking  in  large  canoes  early  in  the  year  1797. 
Having  ascended  as  far  as  the  attractive  bluff  where  the  town  of  Athens  noAV 
stands,  they  landed  and  sought  their  various  locations.  A few  of  them  fixed  on 
the  site  of  the  present  town,  but  most  of  them  scattered  up  and  down  the  adjacent 
bottoms. 

Tlie  pioneers  soon  opened  up  several,  clearings  about  Athens,  and  a little  corn 
for  corn-bread  was  put  in  the  first  spring.  The  clearings,  however,  were  irregular 
and  scattered,  and  no  effort  was  made  as  yet  to  lay  out  a town.  Early  in  1798  a 
number  of  emigrants  arrived ; among  them  were  Solomon  Tuttle,  Christopher 
Stevens,  John  and  Moses  Hewit,  Cornelius  Moore,  Joseph  Snowden,  John  Sim- 
onton,  Robert  Ross,  the  Brooks,  and  the  Hanings.  Some  of  these  had  families. 
Some  settled  in  Athens  and  some  in  Alexander  township.  Mrs.  Margaret  Snowden, 
wife  of  Joseph  Snowden,  was  honored  by  having  ‘^Margaret’s  creek”  named  after 
her,  she  being  the  first  white  woman  who  reached  this  central  point  in  the  county. 

The  annexed  vivid  sketch  of  the  captivity  and  escape  of  Moses  Hewit  (one  of 
the  early  settlers  above  named)  from  the  Indians^  is  from  the  history  of  the  Bell- 
ville  settlement,  written  by  Dr.  S.  P.  Hildreth,  and  published  in  the  Hesperian^ 
edited  by  William  D.  Gallagher. 


284 


^ATHENS  COUNTY. 


Captivity  and  Escape  of  Moses  Hewit. 
— Moses  Hewit  was  born  in  Worcester,  Mass., 
in  the  year  1767  and  came  to  the  Ohio  in 
1790  ; at  the  breaking  out  of  the  Indian  war 
he  resided  on  the  island  now  known  as  “ Blen- 
nerhasset,”  in  a block-house,  where  he  mar- 
ried. After  his  marriage,  as  the  Indians  be- 
came dangerous,  he  joined  the  company  of 
settlers  at  “ Neil’s  station.”  At  this  period, 
all  the  settlements  on  both  banks  of  the  Ohio 
were  broken  up,  and  the  inhabitants  retired 
to  their  garrisons  for  mutual  defence. 

Hewit' s Physical  Prowess. — Mr.  Hewit  was, 
at  this  time,  in  the  prime  of  life  and  man- 
hood ; possessed  of  a vigorous  frame,  nearly 
six  feet  high,  with  limbs  of  the  finest  mould, 
not  surpassed  by  the  Belvidere  Apollo,  for 
manly  beauty.  The  hands  and  feet  were  small 
in  proportion  to  the  muscles  of  the  arms  and 
legs.  Of  their  strength  some  estimate  may 
be  formed,  when  it  is  stated  that  he  could, 
with  a single  hand,  lift  with  ease  a large 
blacksmith’s  anvil  by  grasping  the  tapering 
horn  which  projects  from  its  side.  To  this 
great  muscular  strength  was  added  a quick- 
ness of  motion  which  gave  to  the  dash  of  his 
fist  the  rapidity  of  thought  as  it  was  driven 
into  the  face  or  breast  of  his  adversary.  The 
eye  was  coal  black,  small  and  sunken,  but 
when  excited  or  enraged,  flashed  fire  like  that 
of  the  tiger.  The  face  and  head  were  well 
developed,  with  such  powerful  masseter  and 
temporal  muscles  that  the  fingers  of  the 
strongest  man,  when  once  confined  between 
his  teeth,  could  no  more  be  withdrawn  than 
from  the  jaws  of  a vice.  With  such  physical 
powers,  united  to  an  unrefined  and  rather 
irritable  mind,  who  shall  wonder  at  his  jiro- 
pensity  for,  and  delight  in,  personal  combat ; 
especially  when  placed  in  the  midst  of  rude 
and  unlettered  companions,  where  courage 
and  bodily  strength  were  held  in  unlimited 
estimation.  Accordingly  we  find  him  engaged 
in  numberless  jiersonal  contests,  in  which  he 
almost  universally  came  off  victorious. 

Taken  Captim. — Some  time  in  the  month 
of  May,  1792,  while  living  at  Neil’s  station, 
on  the  Little  Kenawha,  Mr.  Hewit  rose  early 
in  the  morning  and  went  out  about  a mile 
from  the  garrison  in  search  of  a stray  horse. 
He  was  sauntering  along  at  his  ease,  in  an 
obscure  cattle  path,  when  all  at  once  three 
Indians  sprang  from  behind  two  large  trees. 
So  sudden  was  the  onset  that  resistance  was 
vain.  He  therefore  quietly  surrendered, 
thinking  that  in  a few  days  he  should  find 
some  way  of  escape.  For  himself,  he  felt  but 
little  uneasiness ; his  great  concern  was  for 
his  wife  and  child,  from  whom,  with  the 
yearnings  of  a father’s  heart,  he  was  thus 
forcibly  separated,  and  whom  he  might  never 
see  again. 

In  their  progress  to  the  towns  on  the  San- 
dusky i)lains,  the  Indians  treated  him  with 
as  little  liarshness  as  could  be  expected.  He 
was  always  confined  at  night  by  fastening  his 
wrists  and  ankles  to  saplings,  as  he  lay  ex- 
tended upon  his  back  upon  the  ground,  with 
an  Indian  on  each  side.  By  day  his  limbs 
were  free,  but  always  marching  with  one 


Indian  before,  and  two  behind  him.  As  they 
approached  tlie  prairies  frequent  halts  were 
made  to  search  for  honey,  the  wild  bee  being 
found  in  every  hollow  tree,  and  often  in  the 
ground  beneath  decayed  roots,  in  astonishing 
numbers.  This  afforded  them  many  luscious 
repasts,  of  which  the  prisoner  was  allowed  to 
partake.  The  naturalization  of  the  honey  bee 
to  the  forests  of  North  America,  since  its 
colonization  by  the  whites,  is,  in  fact,  the  only 
real  addition  to  its  comforts  that  the  red  man 
has  ever  received  from  the  destroyer  of  his 
race  ; and  this  industrious  insect,  so  fond  of 
the  society  of  man,  seems  also  destined  to 
destruction  by  the  hee-moth,  and  like  the  buf- 
falo and  the  deer,  will  soon  vanish  from  the 
woods  and  prairies  of  the  West. 

Escape  and  Pursuit — While  the  Indians 
were  occupied  in  these  searches,  Hewit  closely 
watched  an  opportunity  for  escape,  but  his 
captors  were  equally  vigilant.  As  they  re- 
ceded from  the  danger  of  pursuit,  they  be- 
came less  hurried  in  their  march,  and  often 
stopped  to  hunt  and  amuse  themselves.  The 
level  prairie  afforded  fine  ground  for  one  of 
their  favorite  sports,  the  foot-race.  In  this 
Hewit  was  invited  to  join  and  soon  found  that 
he  could  easily  outrun  two  of  them,  but  the 
other  was  more  than  his  match,  which  dis- 
couraged him  from  trying  to  escape,  until  a 
more  favorable  opportunity.  They  treated 
him  familiarly,  and  were  much  pleased  with 
his  lively,  cheerful  manners.  After  they  had 
reached  within  one  or  two  days  march  of  their 
village  they  made  a halt  to  hunt  and  left  their 
prisoner  at  their  camp,  although  they  had 
usually  taken  him  with  them,  as  he  com- 
plained of  being  sick.  To  make  all  safe, 
they  placed  him  on  his  back,  confining  his 
wrists  with  stout  thongs  of  raw-hides  to  sap- 
lings, and  his  legs  raised  at  a considerable 
elevation,  to  a small  tree.  After  they  had 
been  gone  a short  time,  he  began  to  put^  in 
operation  the  plan  he  had  been  meditating 
for  escape,  trusting  that  the  thickness  of  his 
wrists,  in  comparison  with  the  smallness  of 
his  hands,  would  enable  him  to  withdraw  them 
from  the  ligatures.  After  long  and  violent 
exertions,  he  succeeded  in  liberating  his  hands, 
but  not  without  severely  lacerating  the  skin 
and  covering  them  with  blood.  His  legs  were 
next  freed  by  untying  them,  but  not  without 
a great  effort,  from  their  elevation. 

Once  fairly  at  liberty,  the  first  object  was  to 
secure  some  food  for  the  long  journey  which 
was  before  him.  But  as  the  Indians’  larder 
is  seldom  well  stocked,  with  jill  his  search  he 
could  only  find  two  small  pieces  of  jerked 
venison,  not  more  than  sufficient  for  a single 
meal.  With  this  light  stock  of  provision,  his 
body  nearly  naked,  and  without  even  a knife 
or  a tomahawk,  to  assist  in  procuring  more, 
he  started  for  the  settlements  on  the  Mus- 
kingum, as  the  nearest  point  where  he  could 
meet  with  friends.  It  seems  that  the  Indians 
returned  to  the  camp  soon  after  his  escape, 
for  that  night  while  cautiously  traversing  a 
wood  he  heard  the  cracking  of  a breaking 
twig  not  far  from  him.  Dropping  silently  on 
to  the  ground  where  he  stood,  he  beheld  his 


ATHENS  COUNTY, 


285 


three  enemies  in  pursuit.  To  say  that  he  was 
not  agitated  would  not  be  true ; his  senses 
were  wide  awake  and  his  heart  beat  quick, 
but  it  was  a heart  that  never  knew  fear.  It 
so  happened  that  they  passed  a few  yards  to 
one  side  of  him,  and  he  remained  unseen. 
As  soon  as  they  were  at  a sufficient  distance 
he  altered  his  course  and  saw  no  more  of 
them. 

Suffering  everything  but  death  from  the 
exhausting  effects  of  hunger  and  fatigue,  he 
after  nine  days  struck  the  waters  of  the  Big 
Muskingum,  and  came  in  to  the  garrison  at 
Wolf  creek  mills.  During  this  time  he  had 
no  food  but  roots  and  the  bark  of  the  slippery- 
elm,  after  the  two  bits  of  venison  were  ex- 
pended. When  he  came  in  sight  of  the  sta- 
tion, he  was  so  completely  exhausted  that  he 
could  not  stand  or  halloo.  His  body  was  en- 
tirely naked,  excepting  a small  strip  of  cloth 
round  the  loins,  and  so  torn,  bloody  and  dis- 


figured by  the  briers  and  brush  that  he  thought 
it  imprudent  to  show  himself,  lest  he  should 
be  taken  for  an  Indian  and  shot  by  the  sen- 
tries. It  is  a curious  physiological  fact,  that 
famine  and  hunger  will  actually  darken  the 
skin  in  the  manner  mentioned  by  the  prophet 
Jeremiah,  when  foretelling  the  fate  of  the 
Israelites  ; and  may  be  accounted  for  by  the 
absorption  of  the  bile  into  the  blood,  when 
not  used  up  in  the  process  of  digesting  the 
food.  In  this  forlorn  state  Hewit  remained 
until  evening,  when  he  crawled  silently  to  the 
gateway,  which  was  open,  and  crept  in  before 
any  one  was  aware  of  his  being  near.  As 
they  all  had  heard  of  his  capture,  and  some 
personally  knew  him,  he  was  instantly  recog- 
nized by  a young  man,  as  the  light  of  the  fire 
fell  on  his  face,  who  exclaimed,  “Here  is 
Hewit.”  They  soon  clothed  and  fed  him, 
and  his  fine  constitution  directly  restored  his 
health. 


Pioneer  Hardships. — After  the  war  was  closed,  by  the  masterly  campaign  of 
General  Wayne,  the  sturdy  settlers  on  the  shores  of  the  Ohio  sallied  out  from 
their  garrisons,  where  they  had  been  more  or  less  closely  confined  for  five  years, 
and  took  possession  of  the  various  farms,  which  had  fallen  to  their  lots  either  as 
donation  lands,’’  or  as  proprietors  in  the  Ohio  Company,  some  of  which  had  been 
partially  cleared  and  cultivated  before  the  commencement  of  hostilities.  During 
this  period  they  had  suffered  from  famine,  sickness  and  death,  in  addition  to  the 
depredations  of  the  Indians.  The  small-pox  and  putrid  sore  throat  had  visited 
them  in  their  garrisons,  destroying,  in  some  instances,  whole  families  of  children 
in  a few  days.  The  murderous  savage  without,  with  sickness  and  famine  within, 
had  made  their  castles  wearisome  dwelling  places,  although  they  protected  them 
from  the  tomahawk,  and  saved  the  settlements  from  being  entirely  broken  up. 

Becomes  a Useful  Citizen. — In  the  year  1797  Mr.  Hewit  cast  his  lot  in  the  valley 
of  the  Hockhocking  river,  near  the  town  of  Athens,  and  settled  quietly  down  to 
clearing  his  farm.  He  was  by  nature  endowed  with  a clear,  discriminating  and 
vigorous  mind ; and,  although  his  education  was  very  limited,  extending  only  to 
reading  and  writing,  yet  his  judgment  was  acute,  and  his  reasoning  powers  highly 
matured  by  intercourse  with  his  fellow-men.  For  some  years  before  his  death  he 
was  a member  of  the  Methodist  church,  which  has  the  praise  of  reclaiming  more 
depraved  men  than  perhaps  any  other  sect,  and  became  a valuable  citizen  and 
useful  man  in  society.  A short  time  previous  to  his  decease,  which  took  place  in 
the  year  1814,  he  was  appointed  a trustee  of  the  Ohio  University,  at  Athens.  At 
that  early  time  the  duties  of  a trustee  mainly  consisted  in  leasing  out  and  manag- 
ing the  fiscal  affairs  of  the  college  domain,  embracing  two  townships  of  land.  For 
this  business  he  was  well  fitted,  and  his  judgment  and  good  sense  were  of  real 
value  to  the  institution,  however  little  he  might  be  qualified  to  act  in  literary 
matters. 

A Little  Philosophy. — The  life  of  Mr.  Hewit  affords  an  interesting  subject  of  con- 
templation. Hundreds  of  others,  who  were  among  tlie  western  borderers  in  early 
days,  afford  similar  examples  of  reckless  daring  and  outrageous  acts,  while  sur- 
rounded with  war,  tumult  and  danger,  who,  when  peace  was  restored  and  they  re- 
turned to  the  quiet  scenes  of  domestic  and  civil  life,  became  some  of  the  most 
useful,  infiuential  and  distinguished  men.  It  sho\vs  how  much  man  is  the  creature 
of  habit ; and  that  he  is  often  governed  more  by  the  character,  and  the  outward 
example  of  men  around  him,  and  the  times  in  which  he  lives,  than  by  any  iiiimte 
principle  of  good  or  evil,  which  may  happen  to  predominate  within  him. 

About  four  miles  north  of  Athens  are  mounds  and  ancient  fortifications  with 
s:ateways.  One  of  the  mounds^  which  was  composed  of  a kind  of  stone  differing 


286 


ATHENS  COUNTY. 


from  any  in  the  vicinity,  was  taken  for  the  construction  of  a dam  across  the  Hock- 
ing ; there  Avere  in  it  over  a thousand  perches,  and  some  of  the  stones  weighed 
two  hundred  pounds.  In  the  mound  were  found  copper  rings  and  other  relics. 
There  are  many  mounds  in  some  other  parts  of  the  county. 

Athens  in  1846. — Athens,  the  county-seat,  is  situated  on  a commanding  site  on 
the  Hockhocking  river,  seventy-two  miles  southeast  of  Columbus.  It  contains  1 
Presbyterian,  1 Cumberland  Presbyterian,  and  a Methodist  church,  a classical 
academy,  eleven  mercantile  stores,  and  by  the  census  of  1840  had  710  inhabitants. 
It  was  made  the  county-seat  in  March,  1805.  The  Ohio  University,  the  first  estab- 
lished in  all  the  territory  northwest  of  the  Ohio,  is  situated  here,  but  has  temporarily 
suspended  its  operations,  for  the  purpose  of  recovering  from  pecuniary  embarrass- 
ment. It  was  first  chartered  by  the  territorial  government,  and  afterwards,  in 
1804,  by  the  State  legislature.  It  was  early  endowed  by  Congress  Avith  the  tAvo 
toAvnships  of  Athens  and  Alexander,  containing  46,000  acres  of  land,  Avhich,  with 
the  connecting  resources,  yield  an  annual  income  of  about  $5,000.  The  buildings 
are  substantial  and  neat,  and  stand  in  a pleasant  green.  This  institution  has 
exerted  a most  beneficial  influence  upon  the  morals  and  intelligence  of  this  region. 


Drawn  hy  Henry  Howe,  1846. 
Ohio  University,  at  Athens. 


Among  its  graduates  are  many  who  do  it  honor,  and  it  Avill,  doubtless,  Avhen 
again  in  successful  operation — as  it  soon  will  be — continue  its  good  Avork. — Old 
Edition. 

In  1886  the  university  had  pupils  tAventy-six  gentlemen  and  eleven  ladies,  Chas. 
W.  Super,  president.  Up  to  that  date  it  had  494  graduates  and  partially  educated 
about  10,000  persons.  The  first  degrees  Avere  conferred  in  1815.  Thomas  EAving 
and  John  Hunter  received  in  that  year  the  degree  of  Bachelor  of  Arts.  ^Ir.  EAving 
Avas  probably  the  first  collegiate  alumnus  for  the  Avhole  of  Western  America. 
Wm.  Holmes  McGuffey,  D.  I).,  born  in  Pennsylvania  in  1800,  Avas  president  of 
this  institution  from  1839  to  1843 ; from  1845  to  1873,  the  date  of  his  death,  AAas 
a professor  in  the  University  of  Virginia.  He  AA^as  the  author  of  the  Avidely 
popular  series  of  McGufiey^s  Headers  and  Spelling  Books. 

Athens,  the  county-seat,  is  about  tAventy-five  miles  from  the  Ohio  river  on  the 
Hocking  river,  seA^enty-six  miles  southeast  of  Columbus,  by  the  C.  H.  V.  & T. 
B.  R.,  also  on  the  C.  W.  & B.  and  O.  & C.  Railroads ; is  located  amidst  beautiful 
scenery ; its  citizens  ranking  high  in  intelligence  and  the  learned  jirofessions. 
County  officers  in  1888  : Probate  Judge,  William  S.  Wilson  ; Clerk  of  Court,  Silas 
E.  Hedges ; Sheriff,  Frederick  Stalder ; Prosecuting  Attorney,  David  L.  Sleeper ; 


ATHENS  COUNTY, 


287 


Auditor,  Augustus  J.  Frame ; Treasurer,  Hiram  L.  Baker ; Recorder,  Lafayette 
Hawk  ; Surveyor,  Wm.  E.  Peters ; Coroner,  Waldo  Baird  ; Commissioners,  Chas. 
I.  Ham,  Josepli  S.  Higgins,  James  A.  Campbell. 

Newspapers : Herald,  W.  G.  Junod,  editor ; Journal,  Democrat,  C.  I.  Barker, 
editor ; Messenger,  Republican,  C.  E.  M.  Jennings,  editor.  Churches  : 1 Metho- 
dist, 1 Presbyterian,  1 Catholic,  1 Disciple,  1 Colored  Baptist  and  1 Colored  Metho- 
dist. Banks : First  National,  A.  Norton,  president ; D.  H.  Moore,  cashier ; Bank 
of  Athens,  J.  D.  Brown,  cashier. 

Population  in  1880,  2,457.  School  census  1886,  725 ; Lewis  D.  Bonebrake, 
superintendent. 


• TRAVELLING  NOTES. 

Athens,  May  b. — The  valley  of  the  Hock- 
hocking  here  is  about  half  a mile  wide.  The 
town  is  on  the  north  side  of  the  stream  on  a 
somewhat  hilly  site  and  about  sixty  feet  above 
it.  The  college  grounds  occupy  about  ten 
acres.  They  are  level  in  front,  slightly  slop- 


ed. C.  Brannon,  Photo.,  Athens,  1886. 


The  Beautiful  Beech. 

ing  in  the  rear  and  afford  an  expansive  view 
up  the  valley,  on  the  opposite  side  of  the  slope 
of  which,  at  a distance  of  half  a mile,  stands 
the  asylum  for  the  insane,  under  the  charge 
of  A.  B.  Richardson,  M.  D.,  and  said  to  be 
managed  with  superior  skill. 

The  Beautiful  Beech. — My  astonishment 
was  great  on  going  to  the  spot  where  I made 
my  drawing  of  the  university  buildings  in 
1846  to  find  them  to-day  still  standing  as  they 
were  then,  but  hidden  from  view  by  a dense 
forest  that  had  grown  where  not  a tree  had 
stood  before ; another  building  had  been 
added  and  this  was  all  the  structural  change. 
What  especially  gratified  me  was  the  discovery 
of  a beautiful  beech,  standing  on  the  axeen 


sward,  some  sixty  or  seventy  feet  in  height, 
about  one  hundred  feet  from  the  front  door 
of  the  central  building  ; it  seemed  as  the  per- 
fection of  symmetry.  I had  a fancy  that, 
guided  by  some  good  spirit  just  after  my 
original  visit,  the  nut  from  which  that  no- 
ble beech  grew  was  dropped  by  some 
friendly  gray  squirrel,  in  view  of  giving  me  a 
surprising  welcome  on  my  second  coming ; 
and  having  done  this  he  gleefully  raised  his 
American  flag  over  his  back  and  then 
scampered  away.  I think  ere  this  that  squir- 
rel is  gathered  to  his  fathers  ; I wish  I could 
learn  his  history.  The  leaves  of  the  beech 
could  not  even  whisper  it  to  me;  didn’t 
know. 

A Veteran  Law-  Giver. — Facing  the  College 
Campus,  in  a mansion  that  looks  like  a genuine 
home,  I found  a venerable  old  gentleman, 
now  an  octogenarian,  whose  acquaintance  I 
had  made  when  he  was  a member  of  the 
State  senate,  session  of  1846-47.  At  that 
time  the  State  legislature  had  out  of  107 
members  but  23  natives  to  the  soil  and  he 
was  one  of  the  23.  This  was  John  Welch, 
one  of  Ohio’s  strong  men.  He  was  born  m 
1805  in  Harrison  county.  Ohio-born  men 
of  his  advanced  years  are  rare ; its  popula- 
tion in  1805  was  small.  His  history  illus- 
trates the  pluck  of  that  sturdy  race  which 
started  in  life  when  Ohio  was  a wilderness. 
Beginning  with  battling  with  the  trees,  and 
conquering  them  so  as  to  give  the  ground  a 
fair  chance  for  the  sunbeams,  they  went 
forth  into  the  battle  of  life  among  their  fel- 
low-men regarding  them  somewhat  as  “trees 
walking.”  Success  was  of  course  assured. 
When  a young  man  he  was  at  work  in  a flour 
mill  fourteen  miles  from  these  Athenians 
down  among  the  Romans,  dwellers  in  Rome 
township  ! and  there  he  studied  law,  and 
once  or  twice  a week  brushed  the  flour  from 
his  clothes,  came  up  to  Athens  and  recited  to 
Prof.  Jos.  Dana.  Admitted  to  the  bar  his 
course  was  onward ; became  prosecuting 
attorney  for  the  county,  a member  of  the 
State  legislature,  went  to  Congress,  became 
judge  of  the  common  pleas  court  and  finally 
judge  of  the  supreme  court  of  Ohio,  which 
office  he  held  for  many  years.  In  person  the 
judge  is  a large  and  strong  man  and  when 
young  very  agile,  so  that  when  about  twenty 
years  of  age,  while  teaching  school  in  Harri- 
son county,  in  a single  running  jump  in  a 
brick  yard  he  managed  to  cover  twenty  feet 
and  four  inches. 


288 


ATHENS  COUNTY. 


A second  Enoch- Arden-like  case  occurred 
in  the  early  history  of  this  county.  One  day 
in  1829  Timothy  Wilkins,  an  honest,  enter- 
prising man,  living  opposite  the  town,  came 
over  to  Athens,  transacted  some  business, 
and  was  supposed  to  have  returned  home,  but 
did  not.  Ne^t  morning  the  boat  in  which  he 
usually  crossed  the  river  was  found  floating 
down  the  stream  and  his  hat  with  it.  The 
river  was  dragged  and  cannon  fired  over  the 
water  to  recover  the  body,  but  it  was  not 
found.  He  was  a very  popular  man,  and  his 
wife  and  family  were  in  great  distress.  Time 
passed ; Timothy  Wilkins  went  out  of  peo- 
ple’s minds,  and  Mrs.  Wilkins  married  a Mr. 
Goodrich.  In  1834  a vague  rumor  came  that 
Mr.  Wilkins  was  alive,  and  finally  a letter 
from  him  to  a neighbor  announcing  his  ap- 
roach.  Fearing  to  shock  his  wife  by  a sud- 
en  appearance,  he  had  himself  originated 
the  rumors  of  his  safety,  and  now  announced 
that  he  would  soon  be  in  Athens.  He  knew 
of  his  wife’s  second  marriage,  and  in  friendly 


spirit  proposed  to  meet  her  and  Mr.  Good* 
rich.  Much  excitement  ensued.  The  con- 
ference was  held,  and  Messrs.  Wilkins  and 
Goodrich  left  to  the  choice  of  the  wife  of 
their  rivalship  to  decide  between  them.  She 
turned,  to  the  husband  of  her  first  love.  Mr. 
Goodrich  acquiesced  sadly  but  kindly,  took 
up  his  hat  and  walked. 

Mr.  Wilkins’  disappearance  was  a ruse  to 
escape  his  creditors.  In  that  day  to  fail  was 
an  awful  thing.  A man  could  be  imprisoned 
for  a debt  of  ten  dollars.  Wilkins  was  hon- 
est, but  almost  insane  from  his  misfortunes. 
He  had  gone  to  New  Orleans  to  resuscitate 
his  broken  fortunes,  made  money  in  boating, 
and  now  on  his  return  paid  his  debts,  and 
then  with  his  reunited  wife  left  those  scenes 
forever,  going  South. 

A Long  Dive. — To_  abscond  for  fear  of 
creditors  was  common  in  the  early  part  of  this 
century.  A gentleman  whom  I knew  in 
youth  was  about  the  year  1800  a merchant  in 
Middletown,  Conn.  His  affairs  became  des- 


J.  C.  Brannon,  Photo.,  Athens,  1886. 
The  Asylum  for  the  Insane. 


erate,  and  one  day  he  disappeared.  His 
at  and  clothes  being  found  on  the  banks  of 
the  Connecticut,  it  was  supposed  he  had  com- 
mitted suicide.  A year  or  more  passed,  when 
some  person  who  knew  him  and  had  been  to 
the  far-away  settlement  of  Marietta,  reported 
that  he  had  seen  him  in  that  place,  where- 
upon a wag  remarked  : “Jeremiah,  then,  did 
not  drown  himself  ; he  simply  took  a long 
dive — went  down  in  the  Connecticut  and 
came  up  in  the  Ohio.”  This  underground 
swimmer  eventually  returned  to  the  East, 
and  became  mayor  of  my  native  city. 

THE  COON-SKIN  LIBRARY. 

The  settlement  of  Ames  township  was  about 
a year  after  that  of  Athens.  The  county  was 
at  that  time  divided  into  four  townships,  and 
it  comprised  more  than  double  its  present 
area,  and  Ames  that  of  ten  townships  now 
in  Athens,  Morgan,  and  Hocking  counties. 
The  settlers  were  an  intellectual  bod}'^  of  men. 
Entirelj^  isolated  and  remote  from  schools 


and  libraries,  they  felt  keenly  the  absence  of 
means  for  mental  improvement.  At  a public 
meeting  m 1803  the  subject  of  a library  was 
discussed,  but  the  scarcity  of  money  was  a 
stumbling-block.  There  was  next  to  none  in 
the  county.  The  little  transactions  between 
the  settlers  were  almost  wholly  by  barter. 
Very  little  more  was  raised  than  each  family 
could  produce,  and  there  was  no  market  for 
an}^  surplus. 

“ So  scarce  was  mone.y,”  said  Judge  A.  G. 
Brown,  “that  I can  hardly  remember  ever 
vseeing  a piece  of  coin  till  I was  a M^ell-grown 
boy.  It  was  with  great  difficulty  we  obtained 
enough  to  pay  our  taxes  with  and  buy  tea  for 
mother.” 

However,  by  scrimping  and  ingenious  de- 
vices a little  money  was  saved  for  this  object. 
As  cash  could  be  obtained  by  selling  skins 
and  furs  at  the  East,  some  of  the  settlers  who 
were  good  hunters  made  forays  upon  the  wild 
animals.  E.squire  Samuel  Brown,  going  on 
a business  trip  to  Boston,  took  their  skins 


ATHENS  COUNTY. 


289 


with  him — bears,  wolves,  and  coons— and 
sold  them  to  agents  of  John  Jacob  Astor.  ^ 

The  Rev.  Dr.  Cutler,  who  accpmpanieCi 
him,  selected  from  a part  of  the  avails  a valu- 
able collection  of  books.  In  the  original 
record  it  is  called  the  “Western  Library 
Association,”  founded  at  Ames,  Febiniary  2, 
1 804.  In  common  parlance  it  went  under  the 
name  of  “ Coon-Skin  Library.” 

At  a meeting  of  the  shareholders,  held  at 
the  house  of  Silvanus  Ames,  December  17, 
1804,  Ephraim  Cutler  was  elected  librarian  ; 
it  was  also  voted  “to  accept  fifty-one  books, 
purchased  by  Samuel  Brown.  ’ ’ In  his  auto- 
biography, Thomas  Ewing  makes  acknowl- 


edgment of  benefit  of  the  library  to  him  per- 
sonally. “All  his  accumulated  wealth,”  says 
he,  “ten  coon-skins,  went  into  it.” 

“This,”  says  Walker,  “was  the  first  pub- 
lic library  formed  in  the  Northwestern  Terri- 
tory, though  not  the  first  incorporated.” 
This  statement  is  erroneous.  On  March  6, 
1802,  a public  library  went  into  operation  in 
Cincinnati,  with  L.  Kerr,  librarian.  $340 
had  beeri  raised  by  subscription  ; thirty-four 
shares,  at  $10  each.  Arthur  St.  Clair,  Jacoh 
Burnet,  Martin  Baum,  and  Grriffin  Yeatmau 
were  among  the  subscribers.  Its  final  fate  is 
unknown.  Earlier  still,  “Belpre  Farmers’ 
Library”  was  established  at  Belpre  in  1796. 


George  Ewing,  commonly  called  Lieut.  Ewing,  was  the  father  of  Hon.  Thomas 
Ewing.  He  was,  it  is  claimed,  the  first  settler  in  Ames  township.  He  was  born 
in  Salem,  N.  J.,  was  an  officer  in  the  Jersey  line,  and  after  the  Revolution  lived 
a few  years  on  the  frontier  near  Wheeling,  W.  Va. ; in  1793  moved  to  the  Water- 
ford settlement  on  the  Muskingum,  and  tlience  in  1798  to  Ames  township  in  this 
county.  In  1802  he  was  elected  township  clerk.  He  was  a reading,  intellectual 
man,  noted  for  sterling  good  sense,  wit,  and  humor.  His  eminent  son,  Thomas 
Ewing,  contributed  to  Walker’s  most  excellent  “History  of  Athens  County’^  this 
sketch  of  his  early  life  and  living. 


AUTOBIOGRAPHY  OF  THOMAS 
EWING. 

My  father  settled  in  what  is  now  Ames 
township,  Athens  county,  early  in  April, 
1798.  He  removed  from  the  mouth  of  Olive 
Green  creek,  on  the  Muskingum  river,  and 
the  nearest  neighbor  with  whom  he  had  asso- 
ciation was  in  that  direction,  distant  about 
eighteen  miles.  There  were  a few  families 
settled  about  the  same  time  on  or  near  the 
present  site  of  the  town  of  Athens,  but  no 
road  or  even  pathway  led  to  them  ; the  dis- 
tance 'was  about  twelve  miles.  There  was  an 
old  pioneer  hunter  camped  at  the  mouth  of 
Federal  creek,  distant  about  ten  miles.  This, 
as  far  as  I know,  comprised  the  population 
statistics  of  what  is  now  Athens  county.  I 
do  not  know  the  date  of  the  settlement  in 
what  was  called  No.  5 — Cooley’s  settlement — 
it  was  early. 

Journey  to  Ohio. — At  the  time  of  my 
father’s  removal  I was  with  my  aunt,  Mrs. 
Morgan,  near  West  Liberty,  Va.,  going  to 
school  I was  a few  months  in  my  ninth 
year.  Early  in  the  year  1798,  I think  in 
May,  my  uncle  brought  me  home.  We  de- 
scended the  Ohio  river  in  a flat-boat  to  the 
mouth  of  the  Little  Hocking,  and  crossed  a 
bottom  and  a pine  hill,  along  a dim  footpath, 
some  ten  or  fifteen  miles,  and  took  quarters 
for  the  night  at  Daily’s  camp.  I was  tired, 
and  slept  well  on  the  bear-skin  bed  which  the 
rough  old  dame  spread  for  me,  and  in  the 
morning  my  uncle  engaged  a son  of  our  host, 
a boy  of  eighteen,  who  had  seen  my  father’s 
cabin,  to  pilot  us. 

Fioneer  Living. — I was  now  at  home,  and 
fairly  an  inceptive  citizen  of  the  future 
Athens  county.  The  young  savage,  our  pilot, 
was  much  struck  with  some  of  the  rude  im- 
plements of  civilization  which  he  saw  my 


brother  using,  especially  the  auger,  and  ex- 
pressed the  opinion  that  with  an  axe  and 
auger  a man  could  make  everything  he  wanted 
except  a gun  and  bullet-molds.  IMy  brother 
was  engaged  in  making  some  bedsteads.  He 
had  already  finished  a table,  in  the  manu- 
fiicture  of  which  he  had  also  used  an  adze  to 
smooth  the  plank,  which  he  split  in  good 
width  from  straight-grained  trees.  Trans- 
portation was  exceedingly  difficult,  and  our 
furniture  of  the  rudest  kind,  composed  of 
articles  of  the  first  necessity.  Our  kitchen 
utensils  were  “the  big  kettle,”  “the  little 
kettle,”  the  bake-oven,  frying-pan,  and  pot; 
the  latter  had  a small  hole  in  the  bottom, 
which  was  mended  with  a button,  keyed 
with  a nail  through  the  eye  on  the  outside  of 
the  pot.  We  had  no  table  furniture  that 
would  break — little  of  any  kind.  Our  meat 
— bear  meat,  or  raccoon,  with  venison  or 
turkey,  cooked  together  and  seasoned  to  the 
taste  (a  most  savory  dish) — was  cut  up  in 
morsels  and  placed  in  the  centre  of  the  table, 
and  the  younger  members  of  the  fiimily, 
armed  with  sharpened  sticks,  helped  them- 
selves about  as  well  as  with  four-tined  forks ; 
great  care  was  taken  in  selecting  wholesome 
sticks — as  sassafras,  spice-bush,  hazel,  or 
hickory.  Sometimes  the  children  were  al- 
lowed by  way  of  picnic  to  cut  with  the 
butcher-knife  from  the  fresh  bear-meat  and 
venison  their  slices,  and  stick  them,  alter- 
nately, on  a sharpened  spit,  and  roast  before 
a fine  hickory  fire.  This  made  a royal  dish. 
Bears,  deer,  and  raccoons  remained  in  abun- 
dance until  replaced  by  swine.  The  great 
West  would  have  settled  slowly  without  corn 
and  hogs.  A bushel  of  seed  wheat  will  pro- 
duce at  the  end  of  ten  months  fifteen  or 
twenty  bushels  ; a bushel  of  corn  at  the  end 
of  five  months  400  bushels,  and  it  is  used  to 


290 


ATHENS  COUNTY. 


much  advantage  the  last  two  months.  Our 
horned  cattle  "do  not  double  in  a year ; hogs 
in  the  same  time  increase  twenty-fold.  It 
was  deemed  almost  a sacrilege  to  kill  a sheep, 
and  I remember  well  the  first  beef  I tasted. 

I thought  it  coarse  and  stringy  compared  with 
venison.  We  had  wild  fruits  of  several 
varieties,  very  abundant,  and  some  of  them 
exceedingly  fine.  There  was  a sharp  ridge 
quite  near  my  father’s  house  on  which  I had 
selected  four  or  five  service  or  juneberry 
bushes  that  I could  easily  climb,  and  kept  an 
eye  on  them  until  they  should  get  fully  ripe. 
At  the  proper  time  I went  with  one  of  my 
sisters  to  gather  them,  but  a bear  had  been 
in  advance  of  me.  The  limbs  of  all  of  the 
bushes  wei'e  brought  down  to  the  trunk  like 
a folded  umbrella,  and  the  berries  all  gone : 
there  were  plenty  still  in  the  woods  for  chil- 
dren and  bears,  but  few  so  choice  or  easy  of 
access  as  these.  We  had  a great  variety  of 
wild  plums,  some  exceedingly  fine  ; better,  to 
my  taste,  than  the  tame  varieties.  I have 
not  seen  any  of  the  choice  varieties  within 
the  last  thirty  years. 

We,  of  course,  had  no  mills.  The  nearest 
was  on  Woif  creek,  about  fourteen  miles  dis- 
tant ; from  this  we  brought  our  first  summer’s 
supply  of  breadstuffs.  After  we  gathered 
our  first  crop  of  corn  my  father  instituted  a 
hand  mill,  which  as  a kind  of  common  prop- 
erty supplied  the  neighborhood,  after  we  had 
neighbors,  for  several  years,  until  Christopher 
Herrold  set  up  a horse  mill  on  the  ridge,  and 
Henry  Barrows  a water  mill  near  the  mouth 
of  Federal  creek. 

A Lonely  Boy. — For  the  first  year  I was  a 
lonely  boy.  My  brother  G-eorge,  eleven  years 
older  than  I,  was  too  much  of  a man  to  be 
my  companion,  and  my  sisters  could  not  be 
with  me,  generally,  in  the  woods  and  _ among 
the  rocks  and  caves  ; but  a small  spaniel  dog, 
almost  as  intelligent  as  a boy,  was  always 
with  me. 

His  First  Boohs. — I was  the  reader  of  the 
family,  but  we  had  few  books  ! I remember 
but  one  beside  “ Watts’  Psalms  and  Hymns  ” 
that  a child  could  read — ‘ ‘ The  Vicar  of  W ake- 
field,”  which  was  almost  committed  to  mem- 
ory ; the  poetry  which  it  contained  entirely. 
Our  first  neighbor  was  Capt.  Benj.  Brown, 
who  had  been  an  officer  in  the  Bevolutionary 
war.  He  was  a man  of  strong  intellect,  with- 
out much  culture.  He  told  me  many  anec- 
dotes of  the  war  which  interested  me,  gave 
me  an  account  of  Hr.  Jenner’s  then  recent 
discovery  of  the  kine  pox  as  a preventive  of 
the  small  pox,  better  than  I have  ever  yet 
read  in  any  written  treatise,  and  I remember 
it  better  than  any  account  I have  since  read. 
He  lent  me  a book — one  number  of  a peri- 
odical called  the  “Athenian  Oracle” — some- 
thing like  our  modern  “ Notes  and  Queries,” 
from  which,  however,  I learned  but  little.  I 
found,  too,  a companion  in  his  son  John,  four 
years  my  senior,  still  enjoying  sound  health 
in  his  ripe  old  age. 

In  1801  some  one  of  my  father’s  family 
being  ill.  Hr,  Baker,  who  lived  at  AVaterford, 
some  eighteen  miles  distant,  was  called  in 


He  took  notice  of  me  as  a reading  boy,  and 
told  me  he  had  a book  he  would  lend  me  if  I 
would  come  for  it.  I got  leave  of  my  father 
and  went,  the  little  spaniel  being  my  travelling 
companion. 

The  book  was  a translation  of  Virgil,  the 
Bucolit^s  and  Georgies  torn  out,  but  the  ^neid 
perfect.  I have  not  happened  to  meet  with 
the  translation  since,  and  do  not  know  whose 
it  was.  The  opening  lines,  as  I remember 
them,  were — 

“Arms  and  the  man  I sing  who  first  from 
Troy 

Came  to  the  Italian  and  Lavinian  shores. 
Exiled  by  fate,  much  tossed  by  land  and  sea. 
By  power  divine  and  cruel  Juno’s  rage ; 
Much,  too,  in  war  he  suffered,  till  he  reared 
A city,  and  to  the  Latium  brought  his  gods — 
Hence  sprung  his  Latin  progeny,  the  kings 
Of  Alba,  and  the  walls  of  towering  Borne.  ’ ’ 

When  I returned  home  with  my  book,  and 
for  some  weeks  after,  my  father  had  hands 
employed  in  clearing  a new  field.  On  Sun- 
days and  at  leisure  hours  I read  to  them,  and 
never  had  a more  attentive  audience.  At 
that  point  in  the  narrative  where  HEneas  dis- 
closes to  Hido  his  purpose  of  leaving  her, 
and  tells  her  of  the  vision  of  Mercury  bearing 
the  mandate  of  Jove,  one  of  the  men  sprang 
to  his  feet,  declared  he  did  not  believe  a word 
of  that — he  had  got  tired  of  her,  and  it  was 
all  a made  up  story  as  an  excuse  to  be  off, 

and  it  was  a shame  after  what  she  had 

done  for  him.  So  the  reputation  of  jHneas 
suffered  by  that  day’s  reading. 

Our  next  neighbors  were  Ephraim  Cutler, 
Silvanus  Ames,  William  Brown,  a married 
son  of  the  Captain ; and  four  or  five  miles  dis- 
tant, Nathan  Woodbury,  George  Wolf  and 
Christopher^  Herrold ; and  about  the  same 
time,  or  a little^  later,  Silas  Hean,  a rich  old 
bachelor,  Martin  Boyles,  and  John  and 
Samuel  McCune.  Mr.  Cutler  and  my  father 
purchased  “Morse’s  Geography,”  the  first 
edition,  about  1800,  for  his  oldest  son  Charles 
and  myself ; it  in  effect  became  my  book,  as 
Charles  never  used  it,  and  I studied  it  most 
intently.  By  this,  with  such  explanations  as 
my  father  gave  me,  I acquired  quite  a com- 
petent knowledge  of  geography,  and  some- 
thing of  general  history. 

The  Coon- Skin  Library. — About  this  time 
the  neighbors  in  our  and  the  surrounding  set- 
tlements met  and  agreed  to  purchase  books 
and  to  make  a common  library.  They  were 
all  poor  and  subscriptions  small,  but  they 
raised  in  all  about  $100.^  All  my  accumu- 
lated wealth,  ten  coon-skins,  went  into  the 
fund,  and  Squire  Sam  Brown,  of  Sunday 
creek,  who  was  going  to  Boston,  was  charged 
with  the  purchase.  After  an  absence  of 
many  weeks  he  brought  the  books  to  Capt. 
Ben  Brown’s  in  a sack  on  a pack-horse.  I 
was  present  at  the  untying  of  the  sack  and 
pouring  out  of  the  treasure.  There  were 
about  sixty  volumes,  I think,  and  well  se- 
lected ; the  library  of  the  Vatican  was  nothing 
to  it,  and  there  never  was  a library  better 


ATHENS  COUNTY. 


291 


read.  This  with  occasional  additions  fur- 
nished me  with  reading  while  I remained  at 
home. 

Early  Teachers. — We  were  quite  fortunate 
in  our  schools.  Moses  Everitt,  a graduate  of 
Yale,  but  an  intemperate  young  man,  who 
had  been  banished  by  his  friends,  was  our  first 
teacher  ; after  him,  Charles  Cutler,  a brother 
of  Ephraim,  and  also  a graduate  of  Yale. 
They  were  learned  young  men  and  faithful  to 
their  vocation.  They  boarded  alternate  weeks 
with  their  scholars,  and  made  the  winter  even- 
ings pleasant  and  instructive.  After  Barrows’ 
mill  was  built  at  the  mouth  of  Federal  creek, 
I,  being  the  mill  boy,  used  to  take  my  two- 
horse  loads  of  grain  in  the  evening,  have  _ my 
grist  ground,  and  take  it  home  in  the  morning. 
There  was  an  eccentric  person  living  near  the 
mill  whose  name  was  Jones — we  called  him 
Doctor  ; he  was  always  dressed  in  deerskin, 
his  principal  vocation  being  hunting,^  and  I 
always  found  him  in  the  evening,  in  cool 
weather,  lying  with  his  feet  to  the  fire.  He 
was  a scholar,  banished  no  doubt  for  intem- 
perance ; he  had  books,  and  finding  my  fancy 
for  them  had  me  read  to  him  while  he  lay 
drying  his  feet.  He  was  fond  of  poetry,  and 
did  something  to  correct  my  pronunciation 
and  prosody.  Thus  the  excessive  use  of 
alcohol  was  the  indirect  means  of  furnishing 
me  with  school-teachers. 

Woi'lis  in  the  Kanawha  Salines. — My  father 
entertained  the  impression  that  I would  one 
day  be  a scholar,  though  quite  unable  to  lend 
me  any  pecuniary  aid.  I grew  up  with  the 
same  impression  until,  in  my  nineteenth  year,. 
I almost  abandoned  hope.  On  refiection, 
however,  I determined  to  make  one  effort  to 
'earn  the  means  to  procure  an  education. 
Having  got  the  summer’s  work  well  disposed 
of,  I asked  of  my  father  leave  to  go  for  a few 
months  and  try  my  fortune.  He  consented 
and  I set  out  on  foot  the  next  morning,  made 
my  way  through  the  woods  to  the  Ohio, 
got  on  a keel  boat  as  a hand  at  small  wages, 
and  in  about  a week  landed  at  Kanawha  sa- 
lines. I engaged  and  went  to  work  at  once, 
and  in  three  months  satisfied  myself  that  I 
could  earn  money  slowly  but  surely,  and  on 
my  return  home  in  December,  1809,  I went 
to  Athens  and  spent  three  months  there  as  a 
student,  by  way  of  testing  my  capacity.  I 
left  the  academy  in  the  spring  with  a suffi- 
ciently high  opinion  of  myself,  and  returned 
to  Kanawha  to  earn  money  to  complete  my 
education.  This  year  I was  successful,  paid 
off  some  debts  which  troubled  my  father,  and 
returned  home  and  spent  the  winter  with 
some  new  books  which  had  accumulated  in 
the  library,  which,  with  my  father’s  aid,  I 
read  to  much  advantage. 

Enters  College. — I went  to  Kanawha  the 
third  year,  and  after  a severe  summer’s  labor 
I returned  home  with  about  $600  in  money, 
but  sick  and  exhausted.  Instead,  however, 
of  sending  for  a physician,  I got  ‘‘Don 
Quixote”  from  the  library  and  laughed  my- 
self well  in  about  ten  days.  I then  went  to 
Athens,  entered  as  a regular  student  and  con- 
tinued my  studies  there  till  the  spring  of  1815, 


when  1 left,  a pretty  good  though  irregular 
scholar.  During  my  academic  term  I went 
to  Grallipolis  and  taught  school  a quarter  and 
studied  French.  I found  my  funds  likely  to 
fall  short  and  went  a fourth  time  to  Kanawha, 
where  in  six  weeks  I earned  $150,  which  I 
thought  would  suffice,  and  returned  to  my 
studies  ; after  two  years  rest  the  severe  labor 
in  the  salines  went  hard  with  me. 

Studies  Law. — Aftea’  finishing  my  studies 
at  Athens  I read  “ Blackstone’s  Commenta- 
ries” at  home,  and  in  July,  1815,  went  to 
Lancaster  to  study  law.  A.  B.  Walker,  then 
a boy  of  about  fifteen  years,  accompanied  me 
to  Lancaster  to  bring  back  my  horse,  and  I 
remained  and  studied  law  with  Glen.  Beecher. 
I was  admitted  to  the  bar  in  August,  1816, 
after  fourteen  months  very  diligent  study — 
the  first  six  months  about  sixteen  hours  a 
day. 

Law  Experiences. — I made  my  first  speech 
at  Circle ville  the  November  following.  Glen. 
Beecher  first  gave  me  a slander  case  to  prepare 
and  study ; I spent  much  time  with  it,  but 
time  wasted,  as  the  cause  was  continued  the 
first  day  of  court.  He  then  gave  me  a case 
of  contract,  chiefly  in  depositions,  which  I 
studied  diligently,  but  that  was  also  con- 
tinued ; a few  minutes  afterward  a case  was 
called,  and  Glen.  Beecher  told  me  that  was 
ready — the  jury  was  sworn,  witnesses  called, 
and  the  cause  went  on.  In  the  examination 
of  one  of  the  witnesses  I thought  I discovered 
an  important  fact  not  noticed  by  either  counsel, 
and  I asked  leave  to  cross-examine  further.  I 
elicited  the  fact  which  was  decisive  of  the  case. 
This  gave  me  confidence.  I argued  the  cause 
closely  and  well,  and  was  abundantly  con- 
gratulated by  the  members  of  the  bar  present. 

My  next  attempt  was  in  Lancaster.  Mr. 
Sherman,  father  of  the  General,  asked  me  to 
argue  a cause  of  his  which  gave  room  for 
some  discussion.  I had  short  notice,  but  was 
quite  successful,  and  the  cause  being  appealed 
Mr.  Sherman  sent  his  client  to  employ  me 
with  him.  I had  as  yet  got  no  fees,  and  my 
funds  were  very  low.  This  November  I at- 
tended the  Athens  court.  I had  nothing  to 
do  there,  but  met  an  old  neighbor,  Elisha 
Alderman,  who  wanted  me  to  go  to  Marietta 
to  defend  his  brother,  a boy,  who  was  to  be 
tried  for  larceny.  It  was  out  of  my  intended 
beat,  but  I wanted  business  and  fees  and 
agreed  to  go  for  $25,  of  which  I received 
$10  in  hand.  I have  had  several  fees  since  of 
$10,000  and  upwards,  but  never  one  of  which 
I felt  the  value,  or  in  truth  as  valuable  to  me, 
as  this.  I went,  tried  my  boy,  and  he  was 
convicted,  but  the  court  granted  me  a new 
trial.  On  my  way  to  Marietta  at  the  next 
term  I thought  of  a ground  of  excluding  the 
evidence,  which  had  escaped  me  on  the  first 
trial.  It  was  not  obvious,  but  sound.  I 
took  it,  excluded  the  evidence  and  acquitted 
1113'’  client.  This  caused  a sensation.  I was 
employed  at  once  in  twelve  penitentiary  cases, 
under  indictment  at  that  term,  for  making 
and  passing  counterfeit  money,  horse-stealing 
and  perjury.  As  a professional  man,  my 
fortune  was  thus  briefly  made. 


292 


ATHENS  COUNTY. 


Edward  R.  Ames,  the  distinguished  Methodist  Bishop,  was  born  in  Ames,  in 
1806.  In  youth  he  had  access  to  the  Coon  Skin  library,  studied  two  or  three 
years  at  the  University  at  Athens,  supporting  himself  in  the  meanwhile  by  teaching. 
He  joined  the  Methodists,  went  to  Lebanon,  111.,  where  he  opened  a high  school 
which  eventually  grew  into  McKendree  College.  In  1830  he  was  licensed  to 
preach.  In  1840  he  was  elected  corresponding  secretary  of  the  Missionary  Society 
for  the  South  and  West.  This  was  before  the  days  of  railroads  and  travelling  slow 
and  difficult ; during  the  four  years  that  he  filled  it  he  travelled  some  25,000  miles  : 
on  one  tour  he  passed  over  the  entire  frontier  line  from  Lake  Superior  to  Texas, 
camping  out  almost  the  whole  route  and  part  of  the  time  almost  destitute  of  pro- 
visions. 

During  the  greater  part  of  his  adult  life  Bishop  Ames  resided  in  Indiana.  H r 
died  in  Baltimore  in  1879.  He  was  the  first  Methodist  Bishop  to  visit  the  Pacifii 
coast.  During  the  civil  war  he  rendered  important  service,  too  as  a member  of 
several  commissions.  ' 

He  possessed  extraordinary  capacity  for  business,  was  of  great  physical  endur- 
ance and  one  of  the  most  eloquent  preachers  in  the  Methodist  Church. 

Nelson viLLE,  sixty-two  miles  southeast  of  Columbus,  on  the  Hocking  Valley 
Canal,  on  the  C.  H.  V.  & T.  B.  R.  Newspapers : Valley  Register,  Independent, 
J.  A.  Tullis,  editor  and  publisher ; News,  Independent,  T.  E.  Wells,  editor  and 
publisher.  Churches : 1 Methodist,  1 Presbyterian,  1 Christian,  1 Colored  Bap- 
tist and  1 Colored  Methodist.  Banks : Merchants’  & Miners’,  Chas.  Robbins, 
president,  Chas.  A.  Cable,  cashier. 

Manufactures  and  Employees. — Nelsonville  Planing  Mill  Co.,  building  material, 
10  hands ; Nelsonville  Machine  Co.,  steam  engines,  machinery,  etc.,  24  ; Kreig  & 
Son,  doors,  sash,  etc. ; Steenrod  & Poston,  flour  and  feed ; Fremmel  & Barrman, 
leather. 

Nelsonville  is  one  of  the  largest  and  most  important  coal-mining  centres  in  the 
State.  The  Nelsonville  bed  is  one  of  the  most  valuable  in  Ohio,  from  its  superior 
quality  and  its  proximity  to  canal  and  railroad  facilities.  The  thickness  of  the 
vein  averages  about  six  feet.  Population  in  1880,  3,095.  School  census  in  1886, 
1,555;  F.  S.  Coultrap,  superintendent.  Nelsonville  was  laid  out  in  1818  and 
named  after  Mr.  Daniel  Nelson,  Avho  owned  the  land  on  which  the  town  is  situated. 

Albany,  nine  miles  south  of  Athens,  on  the  T.  & O.  R.  R.,  is  a notable  tem- 
perance town  in  the  centre  of  a fine  grazing  and  wool -producing  region.  The  At- 
wood Institute  is  located  here,  also  the  Enterprise  Academy  for  colored  students. 
Newspapers : Echo,  Independent,  D.  A.  R.  McKinstry,  editor.  Churches : 1 
Methodist  Episcopal,  1 Free  Will  Baptist,  1 Cumberland  Presbyterian,  1 African 
Methodist  Episcopal.  Population  in  1880,  469.  School  census  in  1886,  142  ; 
Lester  C.  Cottrill,  superintendent.  An  important  feature  is  the  Wells  Library, 
containing  2,000  volumes,  endowed  by  the  late  Henry  Wells.  Coolville  had,  in 
1880,  323  inhabitants. 

Buchtel  is  on  the  C.  & H.  V.  R.  R.,  in  the  northwest  part  of  the  county. 
Population  in  1880,  417. 


AUGLAIZE  COUNTY. 


293 


AUGLAIZE. 

Auglaize  County  was  formed  in  1848  from  portions  of  Allen,  Logan,  Darke, 
Shelby,  Mercer  and  Van  Wert  counties.  It  is  at  the  southern  termination  of  the 
Black  Swamp  district,  and  occupies  the  great  dividing  ridge  between  the  head| 
waters  of  Lake  Erie  and  Ohio  river.  Only  the  northwestern  part  possesses  the 
peculiar  characteristics  of  the  Black  Swamp ; by  ditching  the  greater  part  has 
been  brought  under  cultivation.  The  Mercer  county  reservoir,  a great  artificial 
lake  of  17,500  acres  and  an  average  of  ten  feet  in  depth,  is  partly  in  this  county ; 
it  abounds  with  fish,  ducks  and  geese.  The  population  is  largely  of  German 
origin.  It  contains  400  square  miles.  In  1885  the  acres  cultivated  were  131,205  ; 
in  pasture,  14,997  ; woodland,  60,842 ; lying  waste,  1,346  ; produced  in  wheat, 
594,538  bushels;  in  corn,  1,330,471;  barley,  18,795;  tobacco,  7,600  pounds. 
School  census  in  1886,  9,566  ; teachers,  140.  It  has  39  miles  of  railroad. 


Townships  and  Census. 

1850. 

1880. 

Townships  and  Census. 

1850. 

1880. 

Clay, 

840 

1,346 

Noble, 

309 

1,303 

Duchouquet, 

905 

4,971 

Pusheta, 

1,008 

1,456 

German, 

1,470 

2,239 

796 

Saint  Mary^s, 

693 

3,147 

Goshen, 

336 

Salem, 

400 

1,160 

Jackson, 

Logan, 

336 

1,991 

1,206 

Union, 

Washington, 

1,008 

688 

1,590 

1,515 

Moulton, 

450 

1,436 

Wayne, 

672 

1,288 

Population  in  1850  was  11,341 ; in  1860,  17,187 ; in  1880,  25,444,  of  whom 
21,040  were  Ohio-born. 

In  this  county  three  specimens  of  the  mastodon  have  been  discovered  as  stated 
in  historical  sketch  in  the  County  Atlas — first,  in  1870  in  Clay  township  ; second, 
in  1874  also  in  Clay;  third,  in  1878  in  Washington.  The  mastodon  differed 
from  the  elephant  in  being  somewhat  larger  and  thicker  though  in  general  not 
unlike  it.  Cuvier  called  it  mastodon  from  the  form  of  its  teeth ; the  name  is 
from  two  Greek  words  signifying  nipple  teeth.’^  The  bones  of  the  mastodon 
have  been  discovered  over  a large  part  of  the  United  States  and  Canada ; the 
bones  of  a hundred  have  been  discovered  at  Big  Bone  Lick,  Ky.,  and  probably 
as  many  in  different  parts  of  this  State. 

The  parts  of  skeleton  No.  1 show  it  to  have  been  an  animal  about  fourteen 
feet  high,  eighteen  feet  long  and  with  tusks  probably  twenty-seven  feet.  It  was 
found  while  excavating  a ditch  through  Muchinippi  swamp  eight  feet  from 
the  surface,  which  for  the  first  third  was  peat  and  the  rest  marly  clay.  The 
bones  were  discovered  in  a posture  natural  to  an  animal  sinking  in  the  mire. 
It  is  supposed  it  lost  its  life  within  500  or  1,000  years  after  the  deposition  of 
the  drift  in  Avhich  the  marsh  deposits  rest.  The  remains  of  No.  2 were  found  in 
the  same  swamp.  Only  a few  relics  of  No.  3 have  been  discovered.  The  ground 
being  boggy  there  it  is  supposed  that  all  the  remainder  of  the  skeleton  awaits  only 
search  for  its  recovery,  and  in  good  preservation.  , 

After  the  remnant  of  the  powerful  and  noble  tribe  of  Shawnee  Indians  were' 
driven  from  Piqua,  by  General  George  Rogers  Clark,  which  was  in  1780,  they 
settled  a town  here,  Avhich  they  called  Wapac/hkonetta,  and  the  site  of  the  now 
county-seat.  Early  in  the  century  there  was  at  the  jfiace  a fine  orchard,  which 
from  its  being  planted  in  regular  order  was  supposed  to  have  been  the  work  of 
Frenchmen  settled  among  the  Indians.  By  the  treaty  at  the  Maumee  rapids,  in 
1817,  the  Shawnees  were  given  a reservation  of  ten  miles  square  in  this  county, 
within  which  was  their  council-house  at  Wapakoneta,  and  also  a tract  of  twenty- 
five  square  miles,  which  included  their  settlement  on  Hog  creek ; by  the  treaty  of 


294 


AUGLAIZE  COUNTY. 


the  succeeding  year,  made  at  St.  Mary’s,  12,800  acres  adjoining  the  east  line  of 
the  Wapakoneta  reserve  were  added. 

From  the  year  1796  till  the  formation  of  the  State  constitution,  Judge  Burnet, 
of  Cincinnati,  attended  court  regularly  at  Marietta  and  Detroit,  the  last  of  which 
was  then  the  seat  of  justice  for  Wayne  county. 

The  jaunts  between  these  remote  places,  through  a Avilderness,  Avere  attended 
with  exposure,  fatigue  and  hazard,  and  Avere  usually  performed  on  horseback,  in 
parties  of  tAvo  or  three  or  more.  On  one  of  these  occasions,  aa  hile  halting  at 
Wapakoneta,  he  Avitnessed  a game  of  ball  among  the  people,  of  Avhich  he  has  given 
this  interesting  narrative  : 


Blue  Jacket,  the  Avar-chief,  Avho  com- 
manded the  ShaAAmees  in  the  battle  of  1794, 
at  Maumee,  resided  in  the  village,  but  Avas 
absent.  We  Avere,  hoAvever,  received  Avith 
kindness  by  the  old  village  chief,  Buck- 
ingelas. 

When  Ave  Avent  to  his  lodge  he  Avas  giving 
audience  to  a deputation  of  chiefs  from  some 
Avestern  tribes.  W e took  seats  at  his  request 
till  the  conference  Avas  finished,  and  the 
strings  of  Avampum  Avere  disposed  of  He 
gave  us  no  intimation  of  the  subject-matter 
of  the  conference,  and  of  course  Ave  could  not, 
Avith  propriety,  ask  for  it. 

Indians  playing  Football. — In  a little  time 
he  called  in  some  of  his  young  men,  and  re- 
quested them  to  get  up  a game  of  football 
for  our  amusement.  A purse  of  trinkets  Avas 
soon  made  up,  and  the  A\diole  village,  male 
and  female,  Avere  on  the  laAvn.  At  these 
games  the  men  played  against  the  Avomen, 
and  it  Avas  a rule  that  the  former  Avere  not  to 
touch  the  ball  Avith  their  hands  on  penalty  of 
forfeiting  the  purse  ; Avhile  the  latter  had  the 
privilege  of  picking  it  up,  running  Avith,  and 
throwing  it  as  far  as  they  could.  When  a 
squaw  had  the  ball  the  men  Avere  allowed  to 
catch  and  shake  her,  and  even  throw  her  on 
the  ground,  if  necessary,  to  extricate  the  ball 
from  her  hand,  but  they  were  not  allowed  to 
touch  or  move  it,  except  by  their  feet.  At 
the  opposite  extremes  of  the  lawn,  which  was 
a beautiful  plain,  thickly  set  Avith  blue  grass, 
stakes  were  erected,  about  six  feet  apart — the 
contending  parties  arrayed  themselves  in  front 
of  these  stakes  ; the  men  on  the  one  side,  and 
the  women  on  the  other.  The  party  which 
succeeded  in  driving  the  ball  through  the 
stakes,  at  the  goal  of  their  opponents,  were 
proclaimed  victors,  and  received  the  purse. 


All  things  being  ready  the  old  chief  went  to 
the  centre  of  the  lawn  and  threw  up  the  ball, 
making  an  exclamation,  in  the  Shawnee  lan- 
guage, which  Ave  did  not  understand.  He 
immediately  retired,  and  the  contest  began. 
The  parties  seemed  to  be  fairly  matched,  as 
to  numbers,  having  about  a hundred  on  a 
side. 

The  game  lasted  more  than  an  hour  with 
great  animation,  but  was  finally  decided  in 
faA’^or  of  the  ladies,  by  the  power  of  an  her- 
culean squaw,  who  got  the  ball  and  in  spite 
of  the  men  who  seized  her  to  shake  it  from 
her  uplifted  hand,  held  it  firmly,  dragging 
them  along,  till  she  was  sufficiently  near  the 
goal  to  throw  it  through  the  stakes.  The 
young  squaws  were  the  most  active  of  their 
party,  and,  of  course,  most  frequently  caught 
the  ball.  When  they  did  so  it  Avas  amusing 
to  see  the  strife  between  them  and  the  young 
Indians,  Avho  immediately  seized  them,  and 
always  succeeded  in  rescuing  the  ball,  though 
sometimes  they  could  not  effect  their  object 
till  their  female  competitors  were  thrown  on 
the  grass.  When  the  contending  parties  had 
retired  from  the  field  of  strife  it  Avas  pleasant 
to  see  the  feelings  of  exultation  depicted  in 
the  faces  of  the  victors  ; whose  joy  was  mani- 
festly enhanced  by  the  fact,  that  their  victory 
was  won  in  the  presence  of  Avhite  men,  whom 
they  supposed  to  be  highly  distinguished,  and 
of  great  power  in  their  nation.  This  was  a 
natural  conclusion  for  them  to  draw,  as  they 
knew  we  were  journeying  to  Detroit  for  the 
purpose  of  holding  the  general  court ; which, 
they  supposed,  controlled  and  governed  the 
nation.  We  spent  the  night  very  pleasantly 
among  them,  and  in  the  morning  resumed 
our  journey. 


In  August,  1831,  treaties  Avere  made  Avitli  the  Senecas  of  LeAvistou  and  the 
ShaAvuees  of  Wapakoneta,  bv  James  Gardiner,  Esq.,  and  Col.  Jolm  M’Eh^ain, 
special  commissioners  appointed  for  this  ])urpose,  by  Avhieh  the  Indians  consented 
to  giA^e  up  their  land  and  remove  beyond  the  Mississippi.  The  ShaAvnees  had  at 
this  time  about  66,000  acres  in  this  county,  and  in  conjunction  Avith  the  Senecas 
about  40,300  acres  at  IjCAviston.  The  Indians  Avere  remoAx^l  to  the  Indian 
Territory  on  Kansas  riv^er,  in  the  Ear  West,  in  September,  1832,  D.  M.  Workman 
and  David  Robb  being  the  agents  for  their  removal.  The  removal  of  the  Indians 
opened  the  country  to  the  settlement  of  the  Avhites.  Therefore  in  1833  the  present 
toAvn  of  W^apakoneta  Avas  platted ; the  original  proprietors  Avere  Robert  J.  Skin- 
ner, Thomas  B.  Van  Horne,  Joseph  Barnett,  Jonathan  K.  Wilds  and  Peter 


A UGLAIZE  CO  UNTY.  295 

% 

Augenbaugh.  Up  to  this  time  from  early  in  the  century  the  Friends  had  a mis- 
sion here  among  the  Indians. 

Wapakoneta,  the  county-seat,  seventy-five  miles  northwest  of  Columbus,  is 
on  the  C.  H.  & D.  K.  R.  It  is  situated  within  the  oil  and  gas  belt,  both  of  which 
have  been  struck  in  considerable  quantities.  The  surrounding  country  is  a rich 
agricultural  district,  and  tliere  is  much  manufacturing  done  in  wooden  articles. 
More  churns,  it  is  claimed,  are  made  here  than  in  any  other  place  in  the  country. 
County  officers  in  1888  : Probate  Judge,  John  McLain;  Clerk  of  Court,  James 
A.  Nichols;  Sheriff,  Wm.  Schulenberg;  Prosecuting  Attorney,  Cyrenius  A.  Lay- 
ton  ; Auditor,  Wm.  F.  Torrance ; Treasurer,  Colby  C.  Pepple ; Recorder,  John  J. 
Connaughton  ; Surveyor,  John  B.  Walsh  ; Coroner,  F.  C.  Hunter  ; Commissioners, 
Henry  Koop,  George  van  Oss,  John  Reichelderfer. 

Newspapers : Auglaize  Republiean,  Republican,  W.  J.  McMurray,  editor ; 
Auglaize  County  Democrat,  Democrat,  Fred.  B.  Kampf,  editor.  Churches:  1 
English  Lutheran,  1 Evangelist  German  Protestant,  1 Methodist,  1 Presbyterian, 
1 Catholic,  1 German  Lutheran.  Banks : First  National,  L.  N.  Blume,  presi- 


Will.  E.  Potter,  Photo.,  Wapakoneta,  1887. 

Central  View  in  Wapakoneta. 

dent;  C.  F.  Herbst,  cashier;  People’s  National,  F.  Fritsch,  president,  F.  J. 
McFarland,  cashier. 

Manufactures  and  Employees. — Stenger  & Frank,  flour,  etc.  ; Wapakoneta 
Bending  Co.,  spokes  and  rims,  50  hands ; J.  Gately,  lumber ; Theodore  Dickman, 
builders’  wood- work ; Rupp  & Winemiller,  lumber ; Wapakoneta  Churn  & 
Handle  Co.,  churns  and  handles,  47 ; M.  Brown  & Co.,  washing  machines,  etc., 
29 ; Swink  Bros.  & Co.,  furniture,  etc.,  17  ; C.  Fisher,  flour,  etc.,  7 ; AYapakoneta 
Spoke  & Wheel  Co.,  wheels  and  spokes,  50. — State  Report  1887. 

Population  in  1880,  2,765.  School  census  in  1886,  1,261 ; J.  L.  Carson,  super- 
intendent. 


TRAVELLING  NOTES. 

A pleasant  name  for  a place  is  desirable. 
Every  inhabitant  unconsciously  derives  from 
it  a benefit ; it  is  a happy  association.  This 
is  proved  by  the  reverse.  What  interest 
could  we  take  in  a people  who  lived  in  “Hard 
Scrabble”  or  ” SwineviJle  ? ” Wapakoneta 


enjoys  the  distinction  of  having,  with  possibly 
a single  exception — “Pataskala” — the  most 
original  and  musical  name  in  the  State.  The 
word  has  the  flavor  of  antiquity ; this  en- 
hances the  charm,  carries  the  mind  back  to 
the  red  man  and  the  wilderness. 

Col  John  Johnston,  agent  among  the 


THE  HILLS  OF  OHIO. 


From  “The  Key  of  the  West,”  by  Alex.  Auld. 


1 i~1 — 1“ 

— 

- I I I I 

J r_  f. 

r 9 -9  9 

^ • 1 

tT  ^ J 

J "S  m 9 

9 r\  j 

III 

1 1 

I L L _ 

r _ t _ 

F"  1 

XT-  ^ ! I r — r 

1.  The  hills  of  O - hi  - 0,  how  sweet  - ly  they  rise. 

1 

■ I II 

1 

— 1 — 

r I - I 

W W 

I I I 

1 1 

I I I 

-t 1 

H j j '-fi? 9 9 — 

^ • 1 

9 . r 

V . V 

n 

1 1 1 

I 

r 

L > 1 

II 

9 

h"  1"  b'  1 

h 

• ^ ^ ! 

n i1 

V Jy 

^ 1 

h 

r . 

. • 9 

^ 1 W 

1 

0 - 

1 1 

hi  - 0,  my 

coun-  try,  I 

love  thee  for 

these. 

1 ^ 

II 

* 1 • Su  m 

1 

>0  » II 

^ C 1 

O'  w w 

1 

1 

1 1 

1 1 

1 tl 

^ 1 

i 1 1 

1 ^ 

3 

1 ■■ 

1 

“T 

9 

1 ^ 

9 

2.  The  homes  of  Ohio,  free,  fortuned,  and  fair, 

Full  many  hearts  treasure  a sister’s  love  there ; 

E’en  more  than  thy  hill-sides  or  streamlets  they  please, 
Ohio,  my  country,  I love  thee  for  these. 

3.  God  shiekLthee,  Ohio,  dear  land  of  my  birth. 

And  thy  children  that  wander  afar  o’er  the  earth ; 

My  country  thou  art,  where’er  my  lot’s  cast. 

Take  thou  to  thy  bosom  my  ashes  at  last. 


• *.296) 


AUGLAIZE  COUNTY. 


297 


Indians,  appointed  by  Jefferson,  thus  wrote 
me  in  1846  : “ Wapag}i-ko-netta—\\\\^  is  the 
true  Indian  orthography.  It  was  named 
after  an  Indian  chief  long  since  dead,  but  who 
survived  years  after  my  intercourse  com- 
menced with  the  Shawanoese.  The  chief  was 
somewhat  club-footed,  and  the  word  has 
reference,  I think,  to  that  circumstance, 
although  its  full  import  I never  could  dis- 
cover. For  many  years  prior  to  1829  I had 
my  Indian  headquarters  at  Wapagh-ko-netta. 
The  business  of  the  agency  of  the  Shawano- 
ese, Wyandots,  Senecas,  and  Delawares  was 
transacted  there.” 

Speaking  of  the  benefit  of  a good  name, 
let  me  pursue  the  matter  a little  further. 
The  people  of  the  whole  State  in  this  respect 
have  been  specially  favored.  The  name  of 
but  one  other  equals  it  in  the  merit  of  brev- 
ity. Begardful  of  the  English  alphabet,  it 
makes  three  letters  do  the  business — “0,” 
“H,”  “I,” — three  letters  only,  inasmuch  as 
the  last  is  only  a second  appearing  of  the  first. 
It  is' the  only  State  the  name  of  which  sug- 
gests the  idea  of  “ elevation  ; ” does  this  in 
no  intemperate  sense.  The  name  drops  in 
with  song  so  nicely  that,  away  back  early  in 
the  century,  multitudes  sang  its  praises  who 
had  never  seen  Ohio,  living,  as  they  did,  by 
the  ocean  side ; sang  them  while  feasting 
their  eyes  with  the  broad  expanse  of  the  roll- 
ing blue  and  breathing  in  the  grateful  odors 
of  the  salt  meadows. 

Poetry  and  song  ever  appeal  to  the  imagina- 
tion, and  so  helped  its  quick  settlement. 
Great  things  always  require  them — as  war  and 
religion.  All  soldiers,  even  savages,  have 
their  war  songs,  and  the  only  religionists 
among  us  who  have  not  song  are  those  calm, 
sweet-tempered  people,  “the  Friends,”  and 
they  are  fast  melting ; soon  will  vanish  entirely, 
when  the  “thees”  and  “thous”  will  be  heard 
no  more  in  the  land.  A single  verse  drops  in 
here  as  a matter  of  history.  It  is  from  one 
of  the  songs  that  was  sung  at  the  East  at  the 
end  of  some  game  where  kissing — never  to  be 
a lost  art — was  going  on  between  young  peo- 
ple, who  later  largely  became  fathers  and 
mothers  out  here  in  the  Ohio-land  : 


“Arise,  my  true  love,  and  present  me  your 
hand. 

And  we’ll  march  in  procession  for  a far  distant 
land  : 

Where  the  girls  will  card  and  spin, 

And  the  boj^s  will  plough  and  sow. 

And  we’ll  settle  on  the  banks  of  the  pleasant 
Ohio.” 

Suppose  an  unsavory  name  had  been  given 
to  the  great  river,  and  then  applied  to  the 
State.  It  might  have  retarded  its  settlement 
for  years.  Say  the  name  of  a certain  river 
now  in  Vermont — “Onion.”  Who  would 
have  sung  its  praises  ? What  kind  of  emi- 
grants would  have  been  attracted,  and.  by 
what  name  after  they  got  here  would  they 
have  been  called?  As  it  was,  the  pioneers 
were  the  brightest,  bravest,  most  cheery 
young  people  of  the  East,  and  their  children 
inheriting  their  exuberance  and  pluck,  fill  the 
land  with  hope  and  song. 

A song  most  widely  sung  is  that  entitled 
“The  Hills  of  Ohio”  (p.  296),  by  Alexander 
Auld,  published  in  his  “Key  of  the  West.” 
He  was  born  in  Milton,  Pa.,  and  came  to 
Ohio  in  1822,  when  a child  of  six  years,  and 
at  the  age  of  fifteen  began  teaching  music. 
He  taught  music  for  fifty  years,  and  is  still 
living  in  Deersville,  Harrison  county,  enjoy- 
ing a happy,  healthy  old  age.  In  a letter 
recently  written  by  himself,  he  says  he  first 
taught  by  the  old  four-note  system , but  that 
on  Christmas  eve,  1835,  he  added  to  our 
present  musical  scale  the  first,  second,  and 
seventh  syllables,  thereby  increasing  the  pop- 
ularity and  simplicity  of  his  own  patent-note 
system.  He  is  the  author  of  four  books,  viz.  : 
“The  Ohio  Harmonist,”  “The  Key  of  the 
West,”  “The  Farmers’  and  Mechanics’ 
Minstrel,”  and  “The  Golden  Trumpet.” 
It  is  said  he  sold  600,000  copies  of  the  “Ohio 
Harmonist,”  and  about  700,000  of  the  other 
three,  making  in  all  1,300,000  of  Auld’s 
singing-books — and  these  went  largely  into 
Ohio  homes — hence  he  is  widely  known. 
The  words  are  not  original  with  Mr.  Auld, 
but  were  set  to  .music  and  largely  sung  by 
emigrants  in  the  early  years  of  this  century. 


Indian  Characteristics  and  Customs. — Mr.  David  Hobb,  one  of  the  agents  for 
the  removal  of  the  Indians,  had  great  experience  among  them,  and  has  left  this 
record  of  their  peculiar  traits  ; 


Intemperance  to  a great  extent  prevailed 
among  the  Indians ; there  was,  however,  as 
wide  a contrast  in  this  respect  as  with  the 
whites,  and  some  of  the  more  virtuous  re- 
fused to  associate  with  the  others.  This 
class  also  cultivated  their  little  farms  with  a 
degree  of  taste  and  judgment : some  of  these 
could  cook  a comfortable  meal,  and  I have 
eaten  both  butter  and  a kind  of  cheese  made 
by  them.  Many  of  them  were  quite  ingeni- 
ous and  natural  mechanics,  with  a considera- 
ble knowledge  of  and  an  inclination  to  use 
tools.  One  chief  had  an  assortment  of  car- 
penters’ tools  which  he  kept  in  neat  order. 
He  made  plows,  harrows,  wagons,  bedsteads, 


tables,  bureaus,  etc.  He  was  frank,  liberal 
and  conscientious.  On  my  asking  him  who 
taught  him  the  use  of  tools,  he  replied,  no 
one ; then  pointing  up  to  the  sky,  he  said, 
‘ ‘ the  Great  Spirit  taught  me.  ” 

Fascinations  of  Indian  Character. — With 
all  their  foibles  and  vices  there  is  something 
fascinating  in  the  Indian  character,  and  one 
cannot  long  associate  with  them  without  hav- 
ing a perceptible  growing  attachment.  The 
Indian  is  emphatically  the  natural  man,  and 
it  is  an  easy  thing  to  make  an  Indian  out  of 
a white  person,  but  very  difficult  to  civilize 
or  Christianize  an  Indian.  I have  known  a 
number  of  whites  who  had  been  taken  pris- 


2gS 


AUGLAIZE  COUNTY, 


oners  by  the  Indians  when  young,  and  with- 
out exception  they  formed  such  attacliments 
that,  after  being  with  tliem  some  time,  they 
could  not  be  induced  to  return  to  their  own 
people.  There  was  a woman  among  the 
Shawnees,  supposed  to  be  near  an  hundred 
years  of  age,  who  was  taken  prisoner,  when 
young,  in  Eastern  Pennsylvania.  Some  years 
after,  her  friends,  through  the  agency  of 
traders,  endeavored  to  induce  her  to  return, 
but  in  vain.  She  became,  if  possible,  more 
of  a squaw  in  her  habits  and  appearance 
than  any  female  in  the  nation. 

Indian  PanctuaUty. — As  a sample  of  their 
punctuality  in  performing  their  contracts,  I 
would  state  that  I have  often  loaned  them 
money,  which  was  always  returned^  in  due 
season,  with  a single  exception.  This  was  a 
loan  to  a j^oung  man  who  promised  to  pay 
me  when  they  received  their  annuity.  After 
the  appointed  time  he  shunned  me,  and  the 
matter  remained  unsettled  until  just  prior  to 
our  departure  for  their  new  homes.  I then 
stated  the  circumstance  to  one  of  the  chiefs, 
more  from  curiosity  to  see  how  he  would  re- 
ceive the  intelligence  than  with  the  expecta- 
tion of  its  being  the  means  of  bringing  the 
money.  He,  thereupon,  talked  with  the  lad 
upon  the  subject,  but,  being  unsuccessful,  he 
called  a council  of  his  brother  chiefs,  who 
formed  a circle,  with  the  young  man  in  the 
centre.  After  talking  to  him  a while  in  a 
low  tone,  they  broke  out  and  vociferously 
reprimanded  him  for  his  dishonest  conduct ; 
but  all  proved  unavailing.  Finally,  the  chiefs, 
in  a most  generous  and  noble  spirit,  made  up 
the  amount  from  their  own  purses,  and  pleas- 
antly tendered  it  to  me. 

Belief  in  Witchcraft. — The  Indians  being 
firm  believers  in  witchcraft,  generally  attrib- 
uted sickness  and  other  misfortunes  to  this 
cause,  and  were  in  the  habit  of  murdering 
those  whom  they  suspected  of  ])ractisihg  it. 
They  have  been  known  to  travel  all  the  way 
from  the  Mississippi  to  Wapakoneta,  and 
shoot  down  a person  in  his  cabin  merely  on 
suspicion  of  his  being  a wizard,  and  return 
unmolested.  When  a person  became  so  sick 
as  to  lead  them  to  think  he  was  in  danger  of 
death,  it  was  usual  for  them  to  place  him  in 
the  woods  alone,  Avith  no  one  to  attend  ex- 
cept a nurse  or  doctor,  who  generally  acted 
as  an  agent  in  hurrying  on  the  dissolution. 
It  Avas  distressing  to  see  one  in  this  situation. 
I have  been  i)ermitted  to  do  this  only  through 
the  courtesy  of  relatiA^es,  it  being  contrary  to 
rule  for  any  to  Ausit  them  except  such  as  had 
medical  care  of  them.  The  Avhole  nation  are 
at  liberty  to  attend  the  funerals,  at  Avhich 
there  is  generally  great  lamentation.  A 
chief,  Avho  died  just  j)revious  to  their  remo- 
A^al,  Avas  buried  in  the  folloAving  manner. 
They  bored  holes  in  the  lid  of  his  coffin — as 
is  their  custom — oaw  his  eyes  and  moutli,  to 
let  the  Good  Si)irit  pass  in  and  out.  Over 
the  grave  they  laid  presents,  etc.,  Avith  pro- 
visions, Avhich  they  affirmed  the  Good  Spirit 
would  take  him  in  the  night.  Sure  enough  ! 
— these  articles  had  all  disap])eared  in  the 
morning,  by  the  hand  of  an  evii  spirit  lathed 


in  a hnmnn  body.  There  were  many  funer- 
als among  the  Indians,  and  their  numbers 
rapidly  decreased : intemperance,  and  pul- 
monary and  scrofulous  diseases,  made  up  a 
large  share  of  their  bills  of  mortality,  and  the 
number  of  deaths  to  the  births  were  as  one 
to  three. 

A few  anecdotes  will  illustrate  the  wit  and 
dishonesty  of  some,  and  the  tragical  encoun- 
ters of  others  of  the  Indians.  Col.  M‘Pher- 
son,  the  former  sub-agent,  kept  goods  for 
sale,  for  which  they  often  got  in  debt. 
Some  were  slow  in  making  payments,  and 
one  in  particular  was  so  tardy  that  MTher- 
son  earnestly  urged  him  to  pay  up.  Know- 
ing that  he  was  in  the  habit  of  taking  hides 
from  the  tanners,  the  Indian  inquired  if  he 
would  take  hides  for  the  debt.  Being  an- 
swered in  the  affirmative,  he  promised  to 
bring  them  in  about  four  days.  The  Indian, 
knowing  that  MTherson  had  at  this  time  a 
flock  of  cattle  ranging  in  the  forest,  Avent  in 
pursuit,  shot  several,  from  Avhich  he  took  off 
the  hides,  and  delivered  them  punctually  ac- 
cording to  promise. 

Love  of  WjiisJcey. — While  we  were  en- 
carnped,  waiting  for  the  Indians  to  finish 
their  ceremonies  prior  to  emigration,  Ave  were 
much  annoyed  by  an  unprincipled  band  of 
whites  who  came  to  trade,  })articularly  in  the 
article  of  whiskey,  Avhich  they  secreted  from 
us  in  the  woods.  The  Indians  all  knew  of 
this  depot,  and  Avere  continually  going,  like 
bees  from  the  hive,  day  and  night,  and  it 
was  difficult  to  tell  Avhether  some  who  led  in 
the  Avorship  passed  most  of  the  time  in  that 
employment  or  in  drinking  whiskey.  While 
this  .state  of  things  lasted,  the  officers  could 
do  nothing  satisfactorily  with  them,  nor  Avere 
they  sensible  of  the  consequence  of  continu- 
ing in  such  a course.  The  government  Avas 
bound  by  treaty  stipulations  to  maintain 
them  one  year  only,  Avhich  Avas  i)assing  aAvay, 
and  winter  Avas  fast  approaching,  Avhen  they 
could  not  Avell  travel,  and  if  they  could  not 
arrive  until  spring,  they  Avould  be  unable  to 
raise  a crop,  and  consequently  Avould  be  out 
of  bread.  We  finally  assembled  the  chiefs 
and  other  influential  men,  and  presenting 
these  facts  vividly  before  them,  they  became 
alarmed  and  ])romised  to  reform.  We  then 
authorized  them  to  tomahawk  eA’^ery  barrel, 
keg,  jug,  or  bottle  of  Avhiskey  that  they  could 
find,  under  the  ])romise  to  pay  for  all  and 
protect  them  from  harm  in  so  doing.  They 
all  agreed  to  this,  and  AA^ent  to  work  that 
night  to  accomplish  the  task.  Having  lain 
doAvn  at  a late  hour  to  sleep,  I Avas  aAA^akened 
by  one  Avho  said  he  had  found  and  brought 
me  a jug  of  Avdiiskey  : I handed  him  a quar- 
ter of  a dollar,  set  the  Avhiskey  doAvn,  and 
fell  asleep  again.  The  same  felloAV  then 
came,  .stole  jug  and  all,  and  .sold  the  contents 
that  night  to  the  Indians  at  a shilling  a 
dram  — a pretty  good  speculation  on  a half 
gallon  of  ‘‘‘‘whiskC  ns  the  Indians  call  it. 
I suspected  him  of  the  trick,  but  he 

AA'ould  not  confess  it  until  I Avas  about  to 

part  Avith  them  at  the  end  of  the  journey, 

when  lie  came  to  me  and  related  the  cir* 


AUGLAIZE  COUNTY. 


299 


ciimstanecs.  f?aylng  that  it  was  too  good  a 
story  to  keep.  ^ 

One  of  our  interpreters,  who  was  part  In- 
dian and  had  lived  with  them  a long  time, 
related  the  following  tragical  occurrence.  A 
company  of  Shawnees  met  some  time  pre- 
vious to  my  coming  among  them,  had  a 
drunken  frolic  and  quarrelled.  One  vicious 
fellow  who  had  an  old  grudge  against  several 
of  the  others,  and  stab^bed  two  of  the  com- 
pany successively  until  they  fell  dead,  was 
making  for  the  third,  when  his  arm  was  ar- 
rested by  a large  athletic  Indian,  who,  snatch- 
ing the  knife  from  him,  plunged  it  into  him 
until  he  fell.  He  attempted  to  rise  and  got 
on  his  knees,  when  the_  other  straddled  him, 
seized  him  by  the  hair,  lifted  up  his  head 
with  one  hand,  while  with  the  other  he  drew 
his  knife  across  his  throat,  exclaiming — “lie 
there,  my  friend ! I guess  you  not  eat  any 
more  hominy.” 

Religions  Ceremonies. — After  we  had  ren- 
dezvoused, preparatory  to  moving,  we  were 
detained  several  weeks  waiting  until  they  had 
got  over  their  tedious  round  of  religious  cere- 
monies. some  ^ of  which  were  public  and 
others  kept  private  from  us.  One  of  their 
first  acts  was  to  take  away  the  fencing  from 
the  graves  of  their  fathers,  level  them  to  the 
surrounding  surface,  and  cover  them  so 
neatly  with  green  sod,  that  not  a trace  of  the 
graves  could  be  seen.  Subsequently,  a few 
of  the  chiefs  and  others  visited  their  friends 
at  a distance,  gave  and  received  presents 
from  chiefs  of  other  nations,  at  their  head- 
quarters. 

Among  the  ceremonies  above  alluded  to 
was  a dance,  in  which  none  participated  but 
the  warriors.  They  threw  off  all  their  cloth- 
ing but  their  breechclouts,  painted  their  faces 
and  naked  bodies  in  a fantastical  manner, 
covering  them  with  the  i)ictures  of  snakes 
and  disagreeable  insects  and  animals,  and 


then,  armed  with  war  clubs,  commenced 
dancing,  yelling  and  frightfully  distorting 
their  countenances  : the  scene  was  truly  ter- 
rific. This  was  followed  by  the  dance  they 
usually  have  on  returning  froin  a victorious 
battle,  in  which  both  sexes  participated.  It 
was  a pleasing  contrast  to  the  other,  and  was 
performed  in  the  night,  in  a ring,  around  a 
large  fire.  In  this  they  sang  and  marched, 
males  and  females  promiscuously,  in  single 
file,  around  the  blaze.  The  leader  of  the 
band  commenced  singing,  while  all  the  rest 
were  silent  until  he  had  sung  a certain  num- 
ber of  words,  then  the  next  in  the  row  com- 
menced with  the  same,  and  the  leader  began 
with  a new  set,  and  so  on  to  the  end  of  their 
chanting.  All  were  singing  at  once,  but  no 
two  the  same  words.  1 was  told  that  part 
of  the  words  they  used  were  liallelnjah ! 
It  was  pleasing  to  witness  the  native  modesty 
and  graceful  movements  of  those  young  fe- 
males in  this  dance. 

When  their  ceremonies  were  over,  they  in- 
formed us  they  weio  now  ready  to  leave. 
They  then  mounted  their  norses,  and  such  as 
went  in  wagons  seated  themselves,  and  set 
out  with  their  “high  priest”  in  front,  bear- 
ing on  his  shoulders  ‘ ‘ the  ark  of  the  cove- 
nant,” which  consisted  of  a large  gourd  and 
the  bones  of  a deer’s  leg  tied  to  its  neck. 
Just  previous  to  starting,  the  priest  gave  a 
blast  of  his  trumpet,  then  moved  slowly  and 
solemnly  while  the  others  followed  in  like 
manner,  until  they  were  ordered  to  halt  in 
the  evening  and  cook  supper.  The  same 
course  was  observed  through  the  whole  of  the 
journey.  When  they  arrived  near  St.  Louis, 
they  lost  some  of  their  number  by  cholera. 
The  Shawnees  who  emigrated  numbered 
about  700  souls,  and  the  Senecas  about  350. 
Among  them  was  also  a detachment  of  Otta- 
was,  who  were  conducted  by  Capt.  Hollister 
from  the  Maumee  countiy. 


The  principal  speaker  among  the  Shawnees  at  the  period  of  their  removal  was 
Wiwelipea.  He  was  an  eloquent  orator — either  grave  or  gay,  hnmorons  or  severe, 
as  the  occasion  required.  At  times  his  manner  was  so  fascinating,  his  countenance 
so  full  of  varied  expression,  and  his  voice  so  musical,  that  surveyors  and  other 
strangers  passing  through  the  country  listened  to  him  with  delight,  akhongh  the 
words  fell  iq)on  their  ears  in  an  unknown  language.  He  removed  out  west  with 
his  tribe.  The  chief  Catahecassa,  or  Black  Hoof,  died  at  AVapakoneta,  shortly 
])revions  to  their  removal,  at  the  age  of  110  years.  The  sketches  annexed  of 
Black  Hoof  and  Blue  Jacket  are  derived  from  Drake’s  “ Tecumseh.” 


The  Chief  Black  Hoof. — Among  the  cele- 
brated chiefs  of  the  Shawanoes,  Black  Hoof 
is  entitled  to  a high  rank.  He  was  born  in  Flor- 
ida, and  at  the  period  of  the  removal  of  a por- 
tion of  that  tribe  to  Ohio  and  Pennsylvania  was 
old  enough  to  recollect  having  bathed  in  the 
saltwater.  He  was  present,  with  others  of  his 
tribe,  at  the  defeat  of  Braddock,  near  Pitts- 
burg, in  1755,  and  was  engaged  in  all  the 
wars  in  Ohio  from  that  time  until  the  treaty 
of  Greenville,  in  1795.  Such  was  the  sagacity 
of  Black  Hoof  in  planning  his  military  expe- 
^litions,  and  such  the  energy  with  which  he 


executed  them,  that  he  won  the  confidence 
of  his  whole  nation,  and  was  never  at  a loss 
for  hraves  to  fight  under  his  banner.  He 
was  known  far  and  wide  as  the  great  Shawa- 
noe  warrior,  whose  cunning,  sagacity,  and 
experience  were  only  equalled  by  the  fierce 
and  desperate  bravery  with  which  he  carried 
into  operation  his  military  ])ians.  liike  the 
other  Shawanoe  chiefs,  he  was  the  inveterate 
foe  of  the  white  man,  and  held  that  no  peace 
should  be  made  nor  any  negotiation  attempt- 
ed except  on  the  condition  that  the  whkes 
should  repass  the  mountains,  and  leave  the 


300 


AUGLAIZE  COUNTY. 


great  plains  of  the  west  to  the  sole  occupancy 
of  the  native  tribes. 

He  was  the  orator  of  his  tribe  during  the 
greater  part  of  his  long  life,  and  was  an  ex- 
cellent speaker.  The  venerable  Colonel 
Johnston,  of  Piqua,  to  whom  we  are  indebted 
for  much  valuable  information,  describes  him 
as  the  most  graceful  Indian  he  had  ever  seen, 
and  as  possessing  the  most  natural  and  happy 
faculty  of  expressing  his  ideas.  He  was  well 
versed  in  the  traditions  of  his  people  ; no  one 
understood  better  their  peculiar  relations  to 
the  whites,  whose  settlements  were  gradually 
encroaching  on  them,  or  could  detail  with 
more  minuteness  the  wrongs  with  which  his 
nation  was  afflicted.  But  although  a stern 
and  uncompromising  opposition  to  the  whites 
had  marked  his  policy  through  a series  of 
forty  years,  and  nerved  his  arm  in  a hundred 
battles,  he  became  at  length  convinced  of  the 
madness  of  an  ineffectual  struggle  against  a 
vastly  superior  and  hourly  increasing  foe. 
No  sooner  had  he  satisfied  himself  of  this 
truth,  than  he  acted  upon  it  with  the  decision 
which  formed  a prominent  trait  in  his  char- 
acter. 

The  temporary  success  of  the  Indians  in 
several  engagements  previous  to  the  campaign 
of  Greneral  Wayne,  had  kept  alive  their  ex- 
piring hopes  ; but  their  signal  defeat  by  that 
gallant  officer  convinced  the  more  reflecting 
of  their  leaders  of  the  desperate  character  of 
the  conflict.  Black  Hoof  was  among  those 
who  decided  upon  making  terms  with  the 
victorious  American  commander  ; and  having 
signed  the  treaty  of  1795,  at  G-reenville,  he 
continued  faithful  to  his  stipulations  during 
the  remainder  of  his  life.  From  that  day,  he 
ceased  to  be  the  enemy  of  the  white  man ; 
and  as  he  was  not  one  who  could  act  a nega- 
tive part,  he  became  the  firm  ally  and  friend 
of  those  against  whom  his  tomahawk  had  been 
so  long  raised  in  vindictive  animosity.  He 
was  their  friend,  not  from  sympathy  or  con- 
viction, but  in  obedience  to  a necessity  which 
left  no  middle  course,  and  under  a belief  that 
submission  alone  could  save  his  tribe  from 
destruction  ; and  having  adopted  this  policy, 
his  sagacity  and  sense  of  honor  alike  forbade 
a recurrence  either  to  open  war  or  secret 
hostility.  He  was  the  principal  chief  of  the 
Shawanoe  nation,  and  possessed  all  the  in- 
fluence and  authority  which  are  usually 
attached  to  that  office,  at  the  period  when 
Tecumseh  and  his  brother  the  Prophet  com- 
menced their  hostile  operations  against  the 
United  States. 

When  Tecumseh  and  the  Prophet  em- 
barked in  their  scheme  for  the  recovery  of 
the  lands  as  far  south  as  the  Ohio  river,  it 
became  their  interest  as  well  as  policy  to 
enlist  Black  Hoof  in  the  enterprise ; and 
every  effort  which  the  genius  of  the  one,  and 
the  cunning  of  the  other,  could  devise,  was 
brought  to  bear  upon  him.  But  Black  Hoof 
continued  faithful  to  the  treaty  which  he  had 
signed  at  Greenville,  in  1795,  and  by  pru- 
dence and  influence  kept  the  greater  part  of 
his  tribe  from  joining  the  standard  of  Tecum- 
seh or  engaging  on  the  side  of  the  British  in 


the  late  war  with  England.  In  that  contest 
he  became  the  ally  of  the  United  States,  and 
although  he  took  no  active  part  in  it,  he 
exerted  a very  salutary  influence  over  his 
tribe.  In  January,  1813,  he  visited  Gen. 
Tapper’s  camp,  at  Fort  McArthur,  and  while 
there,  about  ten  o’clock  one  night,  when 
sitting  by  the  fire  in  company  with  the  Gen- 
eral and  several  other  officers,  some  one  fired 
a pistol  through  a hole  in  the  wall  of  the  hut, 
and  shot  Black  Hoof  in  the  face  : the  ball 
entered  tbe  cheek,  glanced  against  the  bone, 
and  finally  lodged  in  his  neck  : he  fell,  and 
for  some  time  was  supposed  to  be  dead,  but 
revived,  and  afterwards  recovered  from  this 
severe  wound.  The  most  prompt  and  dili- 
gent inquiry  as  to  the  author  of  this  cruel  and 
dastardly  act  failed  to  lead  to  his  detection. 
No  doubt  was  entertained  that  this  attempt 
at  assassination  was  made  by  a white  man, 
stimulated  perhaps  by  no  better  excuse  than 
the  memory  of  some  actual  or  ideal  wrong, 
inflicted  on  some  of  his  own  race  by  an  un- 
known hand  of  kindred  color  with  that  of  his 
intended  victim. 

Black  Hoof  was  opposed  to  polygamy,  and 
to  the  practice  of  burning  prisoners.  ^ He  is 
reported  to  have  lived  forty  years  with  one 
wife,  and  to  have  reared  a numerous  family 
of  children,  who  both  loved  and  esteemed 
him.  His  disposition  was  cheerful,  and  his 
conversation  sprightly  and  agreeable.  In 
stature  he  was  small,  being  not  more  than 
five  feet  eight  inches  in  height.  ^ He  was 
favored  with  good  health,  and  unimpaired 
eyesight  to  the  period  of  his  death. 

Blue  Jacket,  or  Weya.piei'senwah. — In  the 
campaign  of  General  Harmar,  in  the  year 
1790,  Blue  Jacket  was  associated  with  the 
Miami  chief.  Little  Turtle,  in  the  command 
of  the  Indians.  In  the  battle  of  the  20th  of 
August,  1794,  when  the  combined  army  of 
the  Indians  was  defeated  by  General  W ayne, 
Blue  Jacket  had  the  chief  control.  The  night 
previous  to  the  battle,  while  the  Indians  were 
posted  at  Presque  Isle,  a council  was  held, 
composed  of  chiefs  from  the  Miamis,  Potta- 
watomies,  Delawares,  Shawanoes,  Chippewas, 
Ottawas  _ and  Senecas — the  seven  nations 
engaged  in  the  action.  They  decided  against 
the  proposition  to  attack  General  Wayne  that 
night  in  his  encampment.  The  expediency 
of  meeting  him  the  next  day  then  eame  up 
for  consideration.  Little  Turtle  was  opposed 
to  this  measure,  but  being  warmly  supported 
by  Blue  Jacket,  it  was  finally  agreed  upon. 
The  former  was  strongly  inclined  to  peace, 
and  decidedly  opposed  to  risking  a battle 
under  the  circumstances  in  which  the  Indians 
were  then  placed.  “We  have  beaten  the 
enemy,”  said  he,  “twice,  under  separate 
commanders.  We  cannot  expect  the  same 
good  fortune  alwa3^s  to  attend  us.  The 
Americans  are  now  led  by  a chief  who  never 
sleeps.  The  night  and  the  day  are  alike  to 
him  ; and,  during  all  the  time  that  he  has 
been  marching  upon  our  villages,  notwith- 
standing the  watchfulness  of  our  j'Oung  men, 
we  have  never  been  able  to  surprise  him. 
Think  well  of  it.  There  is  something  whispers 


AUGLAIZE  COUNTY. 


301 


me,  it  would  be  prudent  to  listen  to  his  offers 
of  peace.”  The  counsels  of  Blue  Jacket, 
however,  prevailed  over  the  better  judgment 
of  Little  Turtle.  The  battle  was  fought  and 
the  Indians  defeated. 

In  the  month  of  October  following  this 
defeat.  Blue  Jacket  concurred  in  the  ex- 
pediency of  suing  for  peace,  and  at  the  head 
of  a deputation  of  chiefs,  was  about  to  bear  a 
flag  to  General  Wayne,  then  at  Greenville, 
when  the  mission  was  arrested  by  foreign  in- 
fluence. Governor  Simcoe,  Colonel  McKee 
and  the  Mohawk  chief.  Captain  John  Brant, 
having  in  charge  one  hundred  and  fifty 
Mohawks  and  Messasagoes,  arrived  at  the 
rapids  of  the  Maumee,  and  invited  the  chiefs 
of  the  combined  army  to  meet  them  at  the 
mouth  of  the  Detroit  river,  on  the  10th  of 
October.  To  this  Blue  Jacket  assented,  for 
the  purpose  of  hearing  what  the  British 
officers  had  to  propose.  Governor  Simcoe 
urged  the  Indians  to  retain  their  hostile 


attitude  towards  the  United  States,  In  re- 
ferring to  the  encroachments  of  the  people  of 
this  country  on  the  Indian  lands,  he  said, 
“ Children  : I am  still  of  the  opinion  that  the 
Ohio  is  your  right  and  title.  I have  given 
orders  to  the  commandant  of  Fort  Miami  to 
fire  on  the  Americans'  whenever  they  make 
their  appearance  again.  ^ I will  go  down  to 
Quebec,  and  lay  your  grievances  before  the 
great  man.  From  thence  they  will  be  for- 
warded to  the  king  your  father.  Next  spring 
you  will  know  the  result  of  everything  what 
you  and  I will  do.”  He  urged  the  Indians 
to  obtain  a cessation  of  hostilities,  until  the 
following  spring,  when  the  English  would  be 
ready  to  attack  the  Americans,  and  by  driving 
them  back  across  the  Ohio,  restore  their  lands 
to  the  Indians.  These  counsels  delayed  the 
conclusion  of  peace  until  the  following  sum- 
mer. Blue  Jacket  was  present  at  the  treaty 
of  Greenville,  in  1795,  and  conducted  himself 
with  moderation  and  dignity. 


The  Friends  at  Wapakoneta. 

Early  in  this  century  the  Society  of  Friends  established  a mission  among  the 
Shawnees  at  Wapakoneta;  this  was  interrupted  by  the  war  of  1812.  At  a very 
great  expense  they  erected  a grist-mill  and  saw-mill  on  the  Auglaize ; also  a resi- 
dence for  Isaac  Harvey,  the  superintendent,  and  his  family.  Under  his  instruc- 
tion the  Indians  acquired  considerable  proficiency  in  agriculture,  the  product 
being  corn,  pumpkins  and  beans.  They  made  rapid  progress  in  civilization  and 
the  acquisition  of  property. 

Domestic  animals  were  introduced  and  the  horse  was  brought  into  use  to  relieve 
the  women  the  labor  of  ploughing  and  carrying  their  burdens.  While  willing  to 
be  educated  in  agriculture,  they  were  for  years  averse  to  having  their  children 
taught  by  the  whites.  Eventually  this  overcome,  their  young  people  made  rapid 
progress  in  study. 

I)uring  the  summer  the  men  left  their  women  to  raise  the  crops  and  idled  their 
time ; in  winter  they  engaged  in  hunting,  but  such  was  their  scrupulous  honesty 
that  if  one  found  the  animal  of  another  in  his  trap  he  removed  the  game,  suspended 
it  near  by,  and  reset  it.  The  missionary  Harvey  greatly  ingratiated  himself  with 
the  Indians.  In  the  early  part  of  his  mission  there  was  living  among  them 
a Polly  Butler,  a half-breed,  being  the  daughter  by  a Shawnee  woman  of  General 
Richard  Butler,  an  Indian  trader  before  the  American  Revolution,  and  who  was 
second  in  command  at  St.  Clair’s  defeat  and  among  those  killed. 


She  was  accused  of  bewitching  one  of  the 
tribe,  and  at  night  fled  to  the  house  of  Har- 
vey for  protection,  saying  in  broken  English, 
“They  kill-ee  me!  they  kill-ee  me  ! ” She 
brought  with  her  a little  child.  A small  dog 
which  followed  Harvey  was  killed,  lest  his 
noise  should  betray  her  hiding-place.  Tensk- 
watawa,  the  Prophet,  brother  of  Tecumseh, 
was  at  this  time  living  in  the  village,  and 
was  exorcising  a sick  man  for  witchcraft. 
Harvey,  who  had  visited  him,  carrying  food 
and  nourishment,  found  him  at  one  time  ly- 
ing on  his  face,  his  back  bare  and  his  whole 
body  so  lacerated  that  he  was  in  danger  of 
death  from  loss  of  blood.  The  Prophet  was 
resent,  and  being  asked  by  Harvey  why  this 
rutal  treatment,  he  replied  that  the  inci- 
sions were  made  to  extract  the  combustible 
matter  which  the  witch  had  deposited.  The 


good  Quaker  drove  the  Prophet  out  of  the 
house  and  dressed  the  sick  man’s  wounds. 

The  Indians  came  next  day  to  Hawley’s 
house  in  search  of  the  fugitive  ; she  was  se- 
creted between  two  beds,  and  they  failed  to 
discover  her.  Later  came  the  chief  Wease- 
cah,  or  Captain  Wolf  He  was  a friend  of 
Harvey.  The  result  of  the  interview  was 
that  Harvey  went  with  Weasecah  to  the 
Council  House.  The  Indians  were  dressed 
some  of  them  in  war  paint,  while  Weasecah 
made  a brief  address  to  them  ; but  it  was  of 
no  avail.  Then  Harvey  through  the  inter- 
reter  told  them  with  great  composure  that 
e had  come  with  Weasecah  to  intercede  foi 
the  woman  ; but  seeing  that  they  had  re- 
solved to  follow  their  own  course,  he  had  pre- 
pared to  offer  himself  in  her  stead ; that  he 
bad  no  weapons  and  was  at  their  mercy ; 


302 


AUGLAIZE  COUNTY. 


they  might  do  with  him  as  they  thought  oest. 
At  this  the  noble  chief  Weasecah  took  hold 
of  Harvey’s  arm  and  said  : “Me  Qua-ke-lee 
friend,  ’ ’ He  begged  the  chiefs  not  to  suffer 
their  friend  the  Quaker  to  be  harmed,  but 
they  were  still  determined  not  to  submit  to 
the  proposition.  He  offered  his  life  instead 
of  his  friend’s. 

This  heroic  attitude  of  the  Quaker,  with 
the  loyal  and  brave  act  of  the  noble  chief, 
checked  the  tide  of  hostile  feeling,  and 
for  a minute  all  were  in  suspense.  Then 
chief  after  chief,  to  the  number  of  six  or 
eight,  stepped  up  to  Harvey,  each  offering 
his  hand,  and  saying,  “Me  Qua-ke-lee 
friend.”  Weasecah  then  argued  with  them 
eloquently,  and  at  last  the  whole  council  of- 
fered their  hands  in  friendship,  Tenskwatawa, 
the  Prophet,  only  excepted,  who  sullenly  left 
the  council  house  in  defeat.  It  was  hard  for 
Harvey  and  Weasecah  to  prevail  on  the  poor 
woman  to  leave  her  place  of  concealment. 
She  remained  in  the  Quaker’s  house  for  sev- 
eral days,  and  then  returned  to  her  people 
and  lived  in  peace. 

This  was  the  first  successful  effort  to  arrest 
the  monstrous  practice  of  destroying  life  on 
charges  of  witchcraft  among  these  Indians. 
The  Indians  were  only  a little  later  than  the 
whites  in  these  matters.  Thousands  were 
put  to  death  in  Germany  alone,  in  the  cen- 
tury Columbus  discovered  America,  on 
charges  of  witchcraft. 

In  1830  the  mission  schools  came  under 
the  charge  of  Mr.  Henry  Harvey,  and  when 
the  Indians  were  removed  to  Kansas  the 
Friends’  mission  schools  were  taken  with  them 
under  his  charge  and  that  of  his  family. 


In  1842  Mr.  Harvey  returned  to  the  East. 
When  about  to  leave,  the  Indians  bade  them 
an  affectionate  farewell.  One  of  their  num- 
ber whose  English  name  was  George  Wil- 
liams was  appointed  to  extend  the  farewell 
of  the  whole  tribe,  and  in  doing  so  he  spoke 
as  follows:  “My  brother  and  sister,  I am 
about  to  speak  for  all  our  young  men  and  for 
all  our  women  and  children,  and  in  their 
name  bid  you  farewell.  They  could  not  all 
come,  and  it  would  be  too  much  trouble  for 
you  to  have  them  all  here  at  once,  so  I have 
been  sent  with  their  message,  I was  di- 
rected to  tell  you  that  their  hearts  are  full 
of  sorrow,  because  you  are  going  to  leave 
them  and  return  to  your  home.  Ever 
since  you  have  lived  with  us  we  can  all  see 
how  the  Quakers  and  our  fathers  lived  in 
peace. 

“ You  have  treated  our  children  well,  and 
your  doors  have  always  been  open  to  us. 
When  we  were  in  distress  you  relieved  us ; 
and  when  our  people  were  hungry  you  gave 
them  food.  For  your  kindness  we  love  you. 
Your  children  and  our  children  lived  together 
in  peace,  and  at  school  learned  together  and 
loved  one  another.  We  will  always  remem- 
ber you,  and  teach  our  children  to  never  for- 
get your  children.  And  now,  my  brothers 
and  sisters,  I bid  you  farewell  and  Caleb  and 
his  sisters,  and  the  little  boys  and  their  sis- 
ters farewell ! ” He  then  took  Mr.  Harvey 
by  the  hand,  saying,  “ Farewell,  my  bro- 
ther,” and  then  taking  the . hand  of  Mrs. 
Harvey  said:  “Farewell,  my  good  sister.” 
He  then  bade  the  children  an  individual 
farewell  and  went  away  in  sadness. 


St.  Mary^s,  eighty  miles  northwest  of  Columbus,  lies  within  the  oil  and  gas  belt. 
In  June,  1887,  its  daily  production  of  gas  from  six  wells  Avas  25,000,000  cubic 
feet.  Its  daily  production  of  oil  is  also  quite  large.  St.  Mary’s  is  on  the  line  of 
the  Erie  and  Miami  Canal,  and  on  the  L.  E.  & W.  R.  H.,  at  the  junction  of  the 
Minster  branch. 

The  town  is  on  elevated  ground,  398  feet  above  Lake  Erie.  A large  canal 
basin  is  in  the  place  and  abundance  of  Avater-poAver  is  afforded  by  the  Mercer 
County  Reservoir.  The  toAvn  is  supplied  Avith  light  and  fuel  from  natural  gas 
OAvned  by  the  corporation. 

NcAvspapers : Argus Democrat,  D.  A.  Clark,  editor ; Sentinel^  Independent,  F.  J. 
Walkup,  editor.  Churches  : I Presbyterian,  1 Methodist,  I Baptist,  1 German  Prot- 
estant, 1 German  Lutheran,  I Catholic.  Bank  of  St.  Mary’s,  F.  Dicker,  cashier. 

Manufactures  and  Employees. — R.  B.  Gordon,  flour,  etc. ; C.  Buehler,  job 
machinery,  14  hands ; L.  Bimel  & Son,  carriages,  etc.,  90 ; John  Ladue,  oars 
and  handles,  20 ; St.  Mary’s  Woolen  Manufacturing  Company,  Avoolen  blankets, 
etc.,  141  ; Nietert  & Koop,  flour,  etc. — State  Report. 

Population  in  1880,  1,745 ; school  census  in  1886,  761 ; C.  F.  Wheaton,  super- 
iii?;'udent. 

St.  Mary’s  AA^as  from  early  times  a noted  point,  being  a A'illage  of  the  ShaAvnees. 
Gen.  \Yayne  on  his  campaign  camped  here  and  called  the  place  ^^Girty’s  toAvn,” 
from  James  Girty,  a brother  of  Simon,  Avho  liA^ed  here  Avith  the  Indians  and 
gave  his  name  to  the  place ; Harmar  Avas  also  here  prior  to  AYayne.  In  the 
AA^ar  of  1812  there  Avas  a fort  at  St.  Mary’s,  Avhich  for  a time  AA^as  the  head- 
quarters of  Gen.  Harrison.  It  Avas  called  Fort  Barbee  by  the  regiment  of 
Col.  Barbee  which  built  it.  Another  fort  Avas  also  built  by  Col.  Pogue  at  the 


AUGLAIZE  COUNTY. 


30^ 

Ottawa  towns  on  the  Auglaize,  twelve  miles  from  St.  Mary^s,  which  he  named, 
from  his  wife.  Fort  Amanda.  The  regiment  of  Col.  Jennings  completed  the  fort, 
which  his  troops  named  Fort  Jennings. 

There  were  four  Girty  brothers,  Thomas,  George,  James  and  Simon.  James 
was  adopted  by  the  Shawnees;  George  by  the  Delawares,  and  Simon  by  the 
Senecas.  James  was  the  worst  renegade  of  them  all  and  took  delight  in  inflict- 
ing the  most  flendish  cruelties  upon  prisoners,  sparing  neither  women  nor  chil- 
dren. Simon  was  the  most  conspicuous,  being  a leader  and  counsellor  among 
the  Indians.  It  was  while  at  St.  Mary’s  that  General  Harrison  received  his 
commission  of  major-general.  The  old  Fort  Barbee  stood  in  the  southeast 
corner  of  the  Lutheran  cemetery. 

St.  Mary’s  will  long  be  memorable  as  the  last  home  and  flnal  resting-place  of 
that  old  hero  August  Willich.  On  his  monument  here  is  this  extraordinary 
record:  ^^Born  Nov.  19,  1810,  in 
Braunsberg,  Prussia;  died  Jan.  22, 1878, 
at  St.  Mary’s,  Ohio.  Commanding 
army  of  the  Bevolution  in  Germany, 


GKN.  AUGUST  WILLICH.  WILLICH’S  MONUMENT. 

1849;  private  9th  Begt.  O.  V.  I.;  Colonel  32d  Begt.  Ind.  Vol.  Inf.;  Brig.- 
Gen.  U.  S.  Vol.,  July,  1862 ; Brevet  Maj.-Gen.  U.  S.  Vol.,  Oct.  21,  1865.” 

A friend  in  St.  Mary’s  who  loved  him  as  a brother  thus  outlines  for  these  pages 
the  story  of  his  heroic  and  noble  life. 

General  August  Willich  was  born  in  Braunsberg,  Prussia,  Nov.  19,  1810. 
When  twelve  years  of  age  he  was  ap])ointed  a cadet  at  the  military  school  in 
Potsdam,  and  tliree  years  later  he  entered  the  military  academy  in  Berlin,  whence 
in  1828  he  was  commissioned  a lientenant  and  assigned  to  the  artillery. 

Democratic  sentiments  were  prevalent  amongst  the  officers  of  this  corps  and 
many  were  transferred  to  other  commands.  AVillich,  then  a captain,  ’was  sent  to 
Fort  Kolberg  in  1846;  he  resigned  his  commission,  which  a year  later  was 
accepted.  Thereafter  he  became  a conspicuous  leader  of  the  revolutionary  and 
Avorking  classes,  assuming  the  trade  and  garb  of  a carpenter.. 

In  March,  1848,  he  commanded  the  popular  assault  and  capture  of  the  Town 
Hall  in  Cologne ; a month  later  the  Bepublic  was  declared  in  Baden,  and  Wil- 
lich  was  tendered  the  command  of  all  the  revolutionary  forces  ; on  April  20,  1848, 


304 


AUGLAIZE  COUNTY. 


this  force  was  attacked  by  an  overwhelming  force  of  the  government  troops,  de- 
feating and  scattering  them.  Willich,  with  over  a thousand  of  his  followers, 
sought  and  found  refuge  in  the  young  and  hospitable  Republic  of  France. 

The  next  year,  1849,  Willich  again  crossed  the  boundary  and  besieged  the 
Fortress  of  Landau,  until  it  was  relieved  by  an  army  under  the  Prince  of  Prussia, 
now  Emperor  of  Germany.  After  several  other  exploits,  all  revolutionary  forces 
were  defeated,  and  on  July  11th  the  last  column  under  Willich  crossed  the  border 
to  Switzerland.. 

Crossing  France  on  his  way  to  England,  Willich  was  arrested  in  Lyons  by 
order  of  the  then  president,  Louis  Napoleon,  to  be  surrendered  to  Prussia,  but 
released  in  consequence  of  public  demonstrations  in  his  favor. 

In  1853  he  came  to  the  United  States,  and  found  employment  on  the  coast 
survey  from  Hilton  Head  to  South  Carolina,  under  Captain  Moffitt,  later  com- 
mander of  the  rebel  cruiser  Florida.’^  In  1858  he  was  called  to  Cincinnati 
to  assume  the  editorial  chair  of  the  German  Republican,  the  organ  of  the  work- 
ingmen. 

On  the  breaking  out  of  the  war  he  joined  the  9th  Regt.  O.  V.  I.,  and  as  private, 
adjutant  and  major  organized  and  drilled  it.  After  the  battle  of  Rich  Mountain 
he  was  commissioned  a colonel  by  Governor  Morton  of  Indiana,  and  organized 
the  32d  Regt.  Ind.  V.  I.,  with  which  he  entered  the  field  and  participated  in 
the  battle  at  Mumfordsville,  Ky.,  Dec.  16,  1861.  A few  days  later  occurred  the 
brilliant  fight  of  the  regiment  with  the  Texas  Rangers  at  Green  river,  under  Col. 
Terry,  who  was  killed,  and  totally  routed. 

General  Williclfs  history  thereafter  is  part  of  the  history  of  the  Army  of  the 
Cumberland.  His  memorable  exploit  at  Shiloh  was  followed  by  a commission 
as  brigadier-general.  At  Stone  River,  by  the  unfortunate'  fall  of  his  horse,  he 
was  taken  prisoner.  At  the  battle  of  Chickamauga  he  held  the  right  of  Thomas’ 
line,  and  with  his  brigade  covered  the  rear  of  our  forces  on  its  retreat  to  Ross- 
ville.  At  Missionary  Ridge  his  brigade  was  among  the  first  to  storm  the  rebel 
\vorks,  resulting  in  the  rout  of  the  enemy.  His  career  in  the  Atlanta  campaign 
was  cut  short  by  a serious  wound  in  the  shoulder,  received  at  Resaca,  Ga. 

He  was  then  placed  in  command  of  the  post  at  Cincinnati  until  March,  1865, 
when  he  assumed  command  of  his  brigade  and  accompanied  it  to  Texas,  until  its 
return  and  his  muster-out  as  brevet  major-general. 

In  1867  he  was  elected  auditor  of  Hamilton  county  ; after  the  expiration  of  his 
term  in  1869  he  revisited  Germany,  and  again  took  up  the  studies  of  his'  youth, 
philosophy,  at  the  University  of  Berlin.  His  request  to  enter  the  army  in  the 
French-German  war  ®f  1870  was  not  granted,  and  he  returned  to  his  adopted 
country,  making  his  home  in  St.  Mary’s,  Ohio,  with  his  old  friend.  Major  Charles 
Hipp,  and  many  other  pleasant  and  congenial  friends. 

In  those  few  years  he  was  a prominent  figure  in  all  social  circles,  hailed  by 
every  child  in  town,  and  died  Jan.  23,  1878,  from  paralysis  of  the  heart,  fol- 
lowed to  his  grave  in  the  beautiful  Elmwood  Cemetery  by  three  companies  of 
State  militia,  delegations  from  the  9th  Ohio  and  32d  Ind.  Vols.,  the  children 
of  the  schools,  and  a vast  concourse  of  sorrowing  friends. 

In  his  ^^Ohio  in  the  War”  Whitelaw  Reid  gives  Willich  extraordinary  com- 
mendation. He  says : 

In  the  opening  of  Rosecrans’  campaign 
against  Bragg  in  1863  General  Willich  took 
Liberty  Gap  with  his  brigade,  supported  by 
two  regiments  from  another  command.  Bose- 
crans  characterizes  this  as  the  finest  fighting 

His  services  at  Chickamauga  under  the  direction  of  Thomas  were  gallant  in  the 
extreme.  He  was  finally  left  to  cover  the  retreat  and  maintained  his  position  until 
the  whole  army  arrived  safely  at  Chattanooga.  But  it  was  at  the  battle  of  Mission 


he  witnessed  in  the  war.  The  manoeuvring 
of  the  brigade  was  by  bugle  signals,  and  the 
precision  of  the  movements  was  equal  to  a 
parade. 


AUGLAIZE  COUNTY, 


305 

Ridge  especially  that  his  military  career  was  crowned  with  one  of  the  grandest 
feats  of  the  war.  Says  Reid  : 


In  the  action  on  the  third  day,  when  Sher- 
man had  made  his  unsuccessful  charges  and 
Grant  gave  his  well-known  order  for  the 
centre  to  take  the  enemy’s  works  at  the  foot 
of  the  Ridge  and  stay  there,  Willich’s  and 
Hazen’s  brigades  were  in  the  front  with 
Sheridan’s  and  other  divisions  in  echelon  to 
the  rear.  The  whole  line  moved  in  double- 
quick  through  woods  and  fields  and  carried 
the  works — Willich’s  brigade  going  up  under 
the  concentrated  fire  of  batteries  at  a point 
where  two  roads  met. 

At  this  point  General  Willich  said  that  he 


saw  to  obey  General  Grant’s  order  and  re- 
main in  the  works  at  the  foot  of  the  Ridge 
would  be  the  destruction  of  the  centre.  To 
fall  back  would  have  been  the  loss  of  the  bat- 
tle with  the  sacrifice  of  Sherman.  In  this 
emergency,  with  no  time  for  consultation  with 
the  division  general,  or  any  other  commander, 
he  sent  three  of  his  aides  to  different  regi- 
ments and  rode  himself  to  the  Eighth  Kansas 
and  gave  the  order  to  storm  the  top  of  the 
Ridge.  How  brilliantly  the  order  was  exe- 
cuted the  whole  world  knows. 


New  Bremen,  formerly  called  Bremen,  seventy-eight  miles  northwest  of 
Columbus,  on  the  L.  E.  & W.  R.  R.  It  was  first  settled  in  1832  by  a company 
organized  at  Cincinnati  for  the  purpose  of  locating  a town  to  be  colonized  by 
Germans.  A committee,  consisting  of  F.  H.  Schroeder  and  A.  F.  Windeler, 
viewed  the  country  north  of  Cincinnati  and  selected  the  present  site.  The  com- 
pany consisted  of  thirty-three  members,  among  whom  were  Christian  Carman,  J. 
B.  Mesloh,  F.  Steiner,  F.  Neiter  and  Philip  Reis.  They  purchased  ten  acres  of 
land  from  the  government  at  one  dollar  per  acre.  The  land  was  surveyed  by  R. 
Grant  into  102  lots,  each  66  by  300  feet.  Each  member  Avas  entitled  to  one  lot, 
the  remainder  being  offered  for  sale  at  $25  each.  The  plot  AA^as  recorded  in 
Mercer  county  June  11,  1833,  immediately  after  Avhich  Windeler  returned  to  Cin- 
cinnati, while  Schroeder  remained  for  the  purpose  of  erecting  a hut  for  the  recep- 
tion of  the  six  members  Avho  came  with  Windeler  from  Cincinnati,  a journey 
occupying  fourteen  days.  The  first  hut  Avas  built  of  logs  tAvelve  by  fourteen  feet 
in  dimension,  and  required  to  raise  it  the  assistance  of  all  the  settlers  Avithin  a radius 
of  six  miles.  The  latest  survivors  of  the  first  colony  Avere  Dickman  and  Mohr- 
man,  Avho  died  several  years  since. 

In  those  days  the  nearest  supply  station  Avas  tAventy-three  miles,  and  an  instance 
is  recorded  of  one  Mr.  Graver,  making  on  foot  a trip  to  Piqua,  returning  the  same 
day  carrying  on  his  shoulder  a No.  7 ploAV  which  he  had  procured  there. 

The  first  families  Avere  all  Protestants ; their  first  minister.  Rev.  L.  H.  Meyer. 
A building  was  erected  (1833)  at  a cost  of  $40,  Avhich  answere'd  the  purpose  of 
both  school  and  church.  In  1835  Mr.  Charles  Boesel  settled  here;  he  Avas  the 
pioneer  business  man  of  New  Bremen,  Avho  established  its  first  bank.  He  died 
April  17,  1885,  aged  71  years,  leaving  many  permanent  monuments  to  mark  the 
events  of  a progressive,  generous  and  useful  life.  He  Avas  one  of  the  most  promi- 
nent Germans  of  Northern  Ohio,  occupying  many  high  official  positions  of  trust 
and  responsibility.  In  1835  many  of  the  settlers  Avent  to  Indiana  and  Avorked  on 
the  Wabash  canal,  Avhilethe  Avomen  managed  the  home  farms.  During  the  same 
year  a post-office  AA^as  established  and  the  name  changed  to  NeAV  Bremen. 

The  Miami  canal  being  under  construction  in  1838  enhanced  the  industry  and 
growth  of  the  town,  the  completion  of  Avhich  formed  the  first  shipping  outlet ; and 
in  1840  a Avarehouse  (Mr.  WiemeyePs)  and  water  mill  AA^ere  established. 

In  1 849  the  town  was  scourged  by  cholera  and  1 50  died  out  of  a population  of 
700.  Since  then  it  has  grown  Avith  steady  prosperity  and  now  has : 

NeAvspapers : Sun,  C.  M.  Smith,  editor  and  publisher ; Star  of  Western  Ohio, 
Democrat,  Theodore  Purpos,  editor.  Churches : 3 Lutheran  and  1 Catholic. 
Bank:  Boesel  Bros  & Co.,  Jacob  Boesel,  president;  Julius  Boesel,  cashier. 

Manufactures  and  Employees. — W.  Rabe,  sash,  doors,  blinds,  etc.,  12  hands; 
Knast  & Heinepeld,  carriages,  etc. ; Bakhaus  & Kuenzel,  flour  and  feed  ; Bakhaus 
& Kuenzel,  woollen  blankets,  etc.,  18  ; New  Bremen  Machine  Co.,  drain  tile 


o6 


AUGLAIZE  COUNTY. 


machines,  14 ; also  New  Bremen  Oil  & Gas  Co.,  pork  packing,  etc. — Etate  Report 
1886. 

Population  in  1880,  1,160.  School  census  in  1886,  848  ; Chas.  W.  Williamson, 
superintendent. 

Minster,  seventy-five  miles  west  of  Columbus,  on  a branch  of  the  L.  E.  & W. 
R.  R.,  is  surrounded  by  a fine  farming  district.  Churches  : 1 Catholic. 

Manufactures  and  Employees. — The  Metropolitan  Mills,  flour  and  feed,  1 1 hands ; 
Minster  Woollen  Mills,  woollen  blankets,  etc.,  26  ; F.  Herkhoff  & Bro.,  staves 
and  cooperage,  40  ; Fred.  Weimann,  sawing  lumber,  7 ; Steinman  Bros.,  lager 
beer ; also  2 boot  and  shoe  factories. — State  Report  1886. 

Population  in  1880,  1,123.  School  census  in  1886,  603. 

It  was  founded  in  1833  like  New  Bremen  by  a stock  association  of  Cincinnati 
Germans;  they  were  Catholics.  It  was  laid  out  by  Francis  Joseph  Stallo  of 
Mercer  county  as  their  agent,  who  named  it  Stallostown ; the  place  stid  preserves 
its  German  nationality,  and  has  one  of  the  largest  breweries  in  this  region,  founded 
by  Frank  Lang  in  1870.  The  Catholic  church  is  one  of  the  finest  in  the  State, 
and  that  religion  prevails  exclusively. 


BELMONT. 


Belmont  County  was  established  September  7, 1801,  by  proclamation  of  Gov. 
St.  Clair,  being  the  ninth  county  formed  in  the  Northwestern  Territory. 

The  name  is  derived  from  two  French  words  signifying  a fine  mountain.  It 
is  a very  hilly,  picturesque  tract  and  contains  much  excellent  land.  Area  500 
square  miles.  In  1885  the  acres  cultivated  were  112,269;  pasture,  136,301; 
woodland,  81,396  ; lying  waste,  8,684;  produced  in  wheat,  83,141  bushels;  corn, 
1,095,664;  tobacco,  1,425,866  pounds;  butter,  743,059 ; apples,  323,137  bushels; 
wool,  725,463  pounds;  grapes,  229,360;  cattle,  22,730;  sheep,  158,121;  coal, 
573,779  tons.  School  census  1886,  18,236;  teachers,  275.  It  has  113  miles  of 
railroad. 


Tg'Wnships  and  Census.  1840. 
Colerain,  1,389 

Flushing,  1,683 

Goshen,  1,882 

Kii’kwood,  2,280 

Mead,  1,496 

Pease,  2,449 

Pultney,  1,747 

Richland,  3,735 


1880.  Townships  and  Census.  1840. 
1,499  Smith,  1,956 

1,705  Somerset,  1,932 

2,208  Union,  . 2,127 

2,028  Warren,  2,410 

1,970  Washington,  . 1,388 

8,819  Wayne,  1,734 

10,492  Wheeling,  1,389 

4,361  York,  129 


1880. 

1,977 

2,241 

1,686 

4,531 

1,633 

1,719 

1,349 

1,420 


Population  in  1820  was  20,329  ; in  1840,  30,902 ; in  1860,  36,398 ; in  1880, 
49,638,  of  whom  38,233  were  Ohio-born. 

Belmont  county  was  one  of  the  earliest  settled  Avithin  the  State  of  Ohio,  and  the 
scene  of  several  desperate  encounters  with  the  Indians.  About  1 7 90,  or  perhaps 
two  or  three  years  later,  a fort  called  Billie’s  fort  was  erected  on  the  west  side  of 
the  Ohio,  opposite  Grave  creek. 

About  250  yards  below  this  fort  an  old  /nan  tiamed  Tate  Avas  shot  doAvn  by  the 


BELMONT  COUNTY. 


307 


Indians  very  early  in  the  morning  as  he  was  opening  his  door.  Hir  daughter-in- 
law  and  grandson  pulled  him  in  and  barred  tlie  door.  The  Indians,  endeavoring 
to  force  it  open,  were  kept  out  for  some  time  by  the  exertions  of  the  boy  and 
woman.  They  at  length  fired  through  and  wounded  the  boy.  The  w^oman  was 
shot  from  the  outside  as  she  endeavored  to  escape  up  chimney,  and  fell  into  the 
fire.  The  boy,  who  had  hid  behind  some  barrels,  ran  and  pulled  her  out,  and 
returned  again  to  his  hiding-place.  The  Indians  now  effected  an  entrance,  killed 
a girl  as  they  came  in,  and  scalped  the  three  they  had  shot.  They  then  went  out 
behind  that  side  of  the  house  from  the  fort.  The  boy,  who  had  been  wounded  in 
the  mouth,  embraced  the  opportunity  and  escaped  to  the  fort.  The  Indians,  twelve 
or  thirteen  in  number,  went  off  unmolested,  although  the  men  in  the  fort  had 
witnessed  the  transaction  and  had  sufficient  force  to  engage  with  them. 

Captina  creek  is  a considerable  stream  entering  the  Ohio,  near  the  southeast 
angle  of  Belmont.  On  its  banks  at  an  early  day  a sanguinary  contest  took  place 
known  as  the  battle  of  Captina.’^  Its  incidents  have  often  and  variously  been 
given.  We  here  relate  them  as  they  fell  from  the  lips  of  Martin  Baker,  of 
Monroe,  who  was  at  that  time  a lad  of  about  twelve  years  of  age  in  Baker’s  fort : 


The  Battle  of  Captina. — One  mile  below 
the  mouth  of  Captina,  on  the  Virginia  shore, 
was  Baker’s  fort,  so  named  from  my  father. 
One  morning  in  May,  1794,  four  men  were 
sent  over  according  to  the  custom,  to  the  Ohio 
side  to  reconnoitre.  They  were  Adam  Miller, 
John  Daniels,  Isaac  M’Cowan,  and  John 
Shoptaw.  Miller  and  Daniels  took  up  stream, 
the  other  two  down.  ^ The  upper  scout  were 
soon  attacked  by  Indians,  and  Miller  killed  ; 
Daniels  ran  up  Captina  about  three  miles, 
but  being  weak  from  the  loss  of  blood  issuing 
from  a wound  in  his  arm  was  taken  prisoner, 
carried  into  captivity,  and  subsequently  re- 
leased at  the  treaty  of  Greenville.  The  lower 
scout  having  discovered  signs  of  the  enemy, 
Shoptaw  swam  across  the  Ohio  and  escaped, 
but  M’ Go  wan  going  up  towards  the  canoe, 
was  shot  by  Indians  in  ambush.  Upon  this 
he  ran  down  to  the  bank  and  sprang  into  the 
water,  pursued  by  the  enemy,  who  overtook 
and  scalped  him.  The  firing  being  heard  at 
the  fort,  they  beat  up  for  volunteers.  There 
were  about  fifty  men  in  the  fort.  There 
being  much  reluctance  among  them  to  volun- 
teer, my  sister  exclaimed,  '"''She  wouldn't  he 
a coward."  This  aroused  the  pride  of  my 
brother,  John  Baker,  who  before  had  deter- 
mined not  to  go.  He  joined  the  others,  four- 
teen in  number,  including  Capt.  Abram 
Enochs.  They  soon  crossed  the^  river,  and 
went  up  Captina  in  single  file,  a distance  of  a 
mile  and  a half,  following  the  Indian  trail. 
The  eneniy  had  come  back  on  their  trails, 
and  were  in  ambush  on  the  hill-side  awaiting 
their  approach.  When  sufficiently  near  they 
fired  upon  qur  people,  but  being  on  an  ele- 
vated position,  their  balls  passed  harmless 
over  them.  The  whites  then  treed.  Some 
of  the  Indians  came  behind,  and  shot  Capt. 
Enochs  and  Mr.  Hoffman.  Our  people  soon 
retreated,  and  the  Indians  pursued  but  a short 


distance.  On  their  retreat  my  brother  was 
shot  in  the  hip.  Determined  to  sell  his  life 
as  dearly  as  possible,  he  drew  off  one  side  and 
secreted  himself  in  a hollow  with  a rock  at 
his  back,  offering  no  chance  for  the  enemy  to 
approach  but  in  front  Shortly  after  two 
guns  were  heard  in  quick  succession  ; doubt- 
less one  of  them  was  fired  by  my  brother,  and 
from  the  signs  afterwards,  it  was  supposed 
he  had  killed  an  Indian.  The  next  day  the 
men  turned  out  and  visited  the  spot.  Enochs, 
Hoffman,  and  John  Baker  were  found  dead 
and  scalped.  Enoch’s  bowels  were  torn  out, 
his  eyes  and  those  of  Hoffman  screwed  out 
with  a wiping-stick.  The  dead  were  wrapped 
in  white  hickory  bark,  and  brought  over  to 
the  Virginia  shore,  and  buried  in  their  bark 
coffins.  There  were  about  thirty  Indians  en- 
gaged in  this  action,  and  seven  skeletons  of 
their  slain  were  found  long  after  secreted  in 
the  crevices  of  rocks. 

M’ Donald,  in  his  biographical  sketch  of 
Governor  M’Arthur,  who  was  in  the  action, 
saj^s  that  after  the  death  of  Capt.  Enochs, 
jM’ Arthur,  although  the  youngest  man  in  the 
company,  was  unanimously  called  upon  to 
direct  the  retreat.  The  wounded  who  were 
able  to  walk  were  placed  in  front,  while 
M’Arthur  with  his  Spartan  band  covered  the 
retreat.  The  moment  an  Indian  showed  him- 
self in  pursuit  he  was  fired  upon,  and  gener- 
ally, it  is  believed,  with  effect.  The  Indians 
were  so  severely  handled  that  they  gave  up 
the  pursuit.  The  Indians  were  commanded 
by  the  Shawnee  chief,  Charley  Wilkey.  He 
told  the  author  (M’Donald)  of  this  narrative 
that  the  battle  of  Captina  was  the  most  severe 
conflict  he  ever  witnessed  ; that  although  he 
had  the  advantage  of  the  ground  and  the  first 
fire,  he  lost  the  most  of  his  men,  half  of  them 
having  been  either  killed  or  wounded. 


The*  celebrated  Indian  hunter^  I./ewis  Wetzel,  was  often  through  this  region. 
Belmont  has  been  the  scene  of  at  least  two  of  tlie  daring  adventures  of  this  far- 
fiuiicd  borderer,  which  we  here  relate.  The  scene  of  tlie  first  was  on  Dunkard 


3o8 


BELMONT  COUNTY. 


creek,  and  that  of  the  second  on  the  site  of  the  National  road,  two  and  one-half 
miles  east  of  St.  Clairsville,  on  the  farm  of  Jno.  B.  Meehan,  in  whose  family  the 
place  has  been  in  the  possession  of  since  1810  : 


Fight  at  Dunhard' s Creek. — While  hunt- 
ing, Wetzel  fell  in  with  a young  hunter  who 
lived  on  Dunkard’s  creek,  and  was  persuaded 
to  accompany  him  to  his  home.  On  their 
arrival  they  found  the  house  in  ruins  and  all 
the  fimily  murdered,  except  a young  woman 
who  had  been  bred  with  them,  and  to  whom 
the  young  man  was  ardently  attached.  ^ She 
was  taken  alive,  as  was  found  by  examining 
the  trail  of  the  enemy,  who  were  three  In- 
dians and  a white  renegade.  Burning  with 


Johr  Ferren,  Photo.,  St.  Clairsville,  1888. 
The  Lewis  Wetzel  Spring. 


revenge,  they  followed  the  trail  until  opposite 
the  mouth  of  Captina,  where  the  enemy  had 
crossed.  They  swam  the  stream,  and  discov- 
ered the  Indians’  camp,  around  the  fires  of 
which  lay  the  enemy  in  careless  repose.  The 
young  woman,  was  apparently  unhurt,  but  was 
making  much  moaning  and  lamentation.  The 
young  man,_  hardly  able  to  restrain  his  rage, 
was  for  firing  and  rushing  instantly  upon 
them.  Wetzel,  more  cautious,  told  him  to 
wait  until  daylight,  when  there  was  a better 
chance  of  success  in  killing  the  whole  party. 
At  dawn  the  Indians  prepared  to  depart. 
The  young  man  selecting  the  white  renegado 
and  Wetzel  the  Indian,  they  both  fired  simul- 
taneously with  fatal  efect.  The  young  man 
rushed  forward,  knife  in  hand,  to  relieve  the 
mistress  of  his  affections,  while  Wetzel  re- 
loaded and  pursued  the  two  surviving  Indians, 
who  had  taken  to  the  woods,  until  they  could 


ascertain  the  number  of  their  enemies.  Wet- 
zel, as  soon  as  he  was  discovered,  discharged 
his  rifle  at  random,  in  order  to  draw  them  . 
from  their  covert.  The  ruse  took  effect,  and, 
taking  to  his  heels,  he  loaded  as  he  ran,  and 
suddenly  wheeling  about,  discharged  his  rifle 
through  the  body  of  his  nearest  and  unsus- 
pecting enemy.  The  remaining  Indian  seeing 
the  fate  of  his  companion,  and  that  his  enemy’s 
rifle  was  unloaded,  rushed  forward  with  all 
energy,  the  prospect  of  prompt  revenge  being 
fairly  before  him.  Wetzel  led  him  on,  dodg- 
ing from  tree  to  tree,  until  his  rifle  was  again 
ready,  when  suddenly  turning  he  fired,  and 
his  remaining  enemy  fell  dead  at  his  feet. 
After  taking  their  scalps,  Wetzel  and  his 
friend,  with  their  rescued  captive,  returned 
in  safety  to  the  settlement. 

Fight  at  the  Indian  Springs. — A short 
time  after  Crawford’s  defeat  in  1782,  Wetzel 
accompanied  Thomas  Mills,  a soldier  in  that 
action,  to  obtain  his  horse,  which  he  had  left 
near  the  site  of  St.  Clairsville.  They  were 
met  by  a party  of  about  forty  Indians  at  the 
Indian  springs,  two  miles  from  St.  Clairsville, 
on  the  road  to  Wheeling.  Both  parties  dis- 
covered  each  other  at  the  same  moment,  when 
Lewis  instantly  fired  and  killed  an  Indian, 
while  the  Indians  wounded  his  companion  in 
the  heel,  overtook  and  killed  him.  Four 
Indians  pursued  Wetzel.  About  half  a mile 
beyond,  one  of  the  Indians  having  got  in  the 
pursuit  within  a few  steps,  Wetzel  wheeled 
and  shot  him,  and  then  continued  the  retreat. 
In  less  than  a mile  farther  a second  one  came 
so  close  to  him  that,  as  he  turned  to  fire,  he 
caught  the  muzzle  of  his  gun,  when,  after  a 
severe  struggle,  Wetzel  brought  it  to  his 
chest,  and,  discharging  it,  his  opponent  fell 
dead.  Wetzel  still  continued  on  his  course, 
pursued  by  the  two  Indians.  All  three  were 
pretty  well  fatigued,  and  often  stopped  and 
treed.  After  going  something  more  than  a 
mile  Wetzel  took  advantage  of  an  open 
ground,  over  which  the  Indians  were  passing, 
stopped  suddenly  to  shoot  the  foremost,  who 
thereupon  sprang  behind  a small  sapling. 
Wetzel  fired  and  wounded  him  mortally. 
The  remaining  Indian  then  gave  a little  yell, 
exclaiming,  “ No  catch  that  man  ; gun  always 
loaded.”  After  the  peace  of  1795  Wetzel 
pushed  for  the  frontier,  on  the  Mississippi, 
where  he  could  trap  the  beaver,  hunt  the 
buffalo  and  deer,  and  occasionally  shoot  an 
Indian,  the  object  of  his  mortal  hatred.  He 
finally  died,  as  he  had  lived,  a free  man  of 
the  forest. 


St.  Clairsville  in  1846. — St.  Clairsville,  the  county-seat,  is  situated  on  an 
elevated  and  romantic  site,  in  a rich  agricultural  region,  on  the  line  of  the  National 
road,  11  miles  west  of  Wheeling  and  116  east  of  Columbus,  It  contains  six 
places  for  public  worship:  2 Friends,  1 Presbyterian,  1 Episcopal,  1 Methodist, 
and  1 Union ; one  female  seminary,  twelve  mercantile  stores,  two  or  three  news- 


BELMONT  COUNTY. 


309 


paper-offices,  H.  Anderson\s  map-engraving  and  publishing  establishment,  and,  in 
1840,  had  829  inhabitants.  Cuming’s  tour,  published  in  1810,  states  that  this 
town  ^Cvas  laid  out  in  the  woods  by  David  Newell  in  1801,  On  the  south  side 
of  Newell’s  plat  is  an  additional  part  laid  out  by  William  Matthews,  which  was 
incorporated  with  Newell’s  plat  on  the  23d  of  January,  1807,  by  the  name  of  St. 
Clairsville.”  By  the  act  of  incorporation  the  following  officers  were  appointed 
Until  the  first  stated  meeting  of  the  inhabitants  should  be  held  for  an  election,  viz., 
John  Patterson,  President;  Sterling  Johnston,  Recorder;  Samuel  Sullivan,  Marshal ; 
Groves  Wm.  Brown,  John  Brown,  and  Josiah  Dillon,  Trustees;  AVilliam  Congli- 
ton.  Collector;  James  Colwell,  Treasurer,  and  Robert  Griffith,  Town  Marshal. 
The  view  given  was  taken  from  an  elevation  west  of  the  town,  near  the  National 
road  and  Neiswanger’s  old  tavern,  shown  on  the  extreme  right.  The  building  in 
the  distance,  on  the  left,  shaded  by  poplars,  is  the  Friends’  meeting-house;  in  the 
centre  is  shown  the  spire  of  the  court-house,  and  on  the  right  the  tower  of  the 
Presbyterian  church. — Old  Edition. 

St.  Clairsville,  the  county-seat,  is  on  the  St.  Clairsville  road,  a short  line 
connecting  on  the  north  with  the  C.  L.  & W.  R.  R.,  and  on  the  south  with  the 
B.  & O.  R.  R.  County  officers  in  1888 : Probate  Judge,  Isaac  H.  Gaston;  Clerk 


Drawn  by  Henry  Howe  in  1846. 

St.  Clairsville. 


of  Court,  William  B.  Cash;  Sheriff,  Oliver  E.  Foulke;  Prosecuting  Attorney, 
Jesse  W.  Hollingsworth  ; Auditor,  Rodney  R.  Barrett;  Treasurer,  George  Robin- 
son ; Recorder,  John  M.  Beckett ; Surveyor,  Chalkley  Dawson ; Coroner,  Andrew 
M.  F.  Boyd ; Commissioners,  William  J.  Berry,  John  C.  Israel,  Morris  Cope. 
Newspapers : Belmont  Chronicle,  Republican,  W.  A.  Hunt,  editor ; St  Clairsville 
Gazette,  Democratic,  Isaac  M.  Riley,  editor.  Bank  : First  National  Bank,  David 
Brown,  president,  J.  R.  Mitchell,  cashier.  Churches : 1 Methodist  Episcopal,  1 
Presbyterian,  and  1 United  Presbyterian.  Population  in  1880,  1,128.  School 
census  1886,  407  ; L.  H.  Watters,  superintendent. 

The  village  has  increased  but  little  in  the  last  forty  years.  Recently  a magnifi- 
cent court-house  has  been  erected,  at  an  expense  of  about  $200,000.  In  the 
spring  of  1887  St.  Clairsville  was  visited  by  the  most  severe  tornado  known  in 
Eastern  .Ohio,  which  did  much  damage.  Although  always  small  in  population, 
the  town  has  long  been  regarded,  from  the  eminent  characters  who  have  dwelt  in 
the  place,  as  an  intellectual  centre. 

St.  Clairsville  derives  its  name  from  the  unfortunate  but  meritorious  Arthur 
St.  Clair.  He  was  born  in  Scotland,  in  1734,  and  after  receiving  a classical  edu- 
cation in  one  of  the  most  celebrated  universities  of  his  native  country,  studied 


310 


BELMONT  COUNTY. 


medicine ; but  having  a taste  for  military  pursuits,  he  sought  and  obtained  a 
subaltern’s  appointment,  and  was  with  Wolfe  in  the  storming  of  Quebec. 


After  the  peace  of  1763  he  was  assigned 
the  command  of  Fort  Ligonier,  in  Pennsyl- 
vania, and  received  there  a grant  of  1,000 
acres.  Prior  to  the  Revolutionary  war  he 
held  several  civil  offices.  His  military  skill 
and  experience,  intelligence  and  integrity  were 
such  that,  when  the  revolutionary  war  coin- 
menced,  he  was  appointed  Colonel  of  Conti- 
nentals. In  August,  1776,  he  was  promoted 
to  the  rank  of  Brigadier,  and  bore  an  active 
part  in  the  battles  of  Trenton  and  Princeton. 

He  was  subsequently  created  a Major-Gen- 
eral, and  ordered  to  repair  to  Ticonderoga, 
where  he  commanded  the  garrison  and,  on- 
the  approach  of  Burgoyne’s  army,  abandoned 
it.  Charges  of  cowardice,  incapacity  and 
treachery  were  brought  against  him  in  conse- 
quence. He  was  tried  by  a court-martial, 
who,  with  all  the  facts  before  them,  acquitted 
him,  accompanying  their  report  with  the 
declaration,  that  “Major-General  St.  Clair  is 
acquitted,  with  the  highest  honor,  of  the 
charges  against  him.  ’ ’ Congress  subsequently, 
with  an  unanimous  voice,  confirmed  this  sen- 
tence. The  facts  were,  that  the  works  were 


incomplete  and  incapable  of  being  defended 
against  the  whole  British  army,  and  although 
St.  Clair  might  have  gained  great  applause  by 
a brave  attempt  at  defence,  yet  it  would  have 
resulted  in  the  death  of  many  of  his  men  and 
probably  the  capture  of  the  remainder  ; a loss 
which,  it  was  afterwards  believed  in  camp, 
and  perhaps  foreseen  by  St.  Clair,  would  have 
re  vented  the  taking  of  Burgoyne’s  army, 
n daring  to  do  an  unpopular  act,  for  the 
public  good,  St.  Clair  exhibited  a high  degree 
of  moral  courage,  and  deserves  more  honor 
than  he  who  wins  a battle. 

St.  Clair  served,  with  reputation,  until  the 
close  of  the  war.  In  1785,  while  residing  on 
his  farm,  at  Ligonier,  he  was  appointed  a 
delegate  to  the  Continental  Congress,  and  was 
soon  after  chosen  president  of  that  august 
body.  After  the  passage  of  the  ordinance 
for  the  government  of  the  Northwestern  Ter- 
ritory he  was  made  governor,  and  continued 
in  the  office  until  within  a few  weeks  of  the 
termination  of  the  territorial  form  of  govern- 
ment, in  the  winter  of  1802-3,  when  he  was 
removed  by  President  Jefferson. 


The  remainder  of  the  sketch  of  Gov.  St.  Clair  we  give  in  extracts  from  the 
Notes  of  Judge  Burnet,  who  was  personally  acquainted  with  him.  Beside  being 
clearly  and  beautifully  written,  it  contains  important  facts  in  the  legislative  history 
of  Ohio, 


During  the  continuance  of  the  first  grade 
of  that  imperfect  government,  he  enjoyed  the 
respect  and  confidence  of  every  class  of  the 
people.  He  was  plain  and  simple  in  his  dress 
and  equipage,  open  and  frank  in  his  manners, 
and  accessible  to  persons  of  every  rank.  In 
these  respects  he  exhibited  a striking  con- 
trast with  the  secretary.  Col.  Sargent ; and 
that  contrast,  in  some  measure,  increased  his 
popularity,  which  he  retained  unimpaired  till 
after  the  commencement  of  the  first  session 
of  the  legislature.  During  that  session  he 
manifested  a strong  desire  to  enlarge  his  own 
powers,  and  restrict  those  of  the  assembly; 
which  was  the  more  noticed,  as  he  had  op- 
posed the  usurpations  of  the  legislative  coun- 
cil, composed  of  himself,  or  in  his  absence, 
the  secretary,  and  the  Judges  of  the  General 
Court ; and  had  taken  an  early  opportunity 
of  submitting  his  views  on  that  subject  to  the 

general  assembly 

The  effect  of  the  construction  he  gave,  of 
his  own  powers,  may  be  seen  in  the  fact  that 
of  the  tJhirfi/  hills  passed  by  the  two  houses 
during  the  first  session,  and  sent  to  him  for 
his  approval,  he  refused  his  assent  to  eleven ; 
some  of  which  were  supposed  to  be  of  much 
importance,  and  all  of  them  calculated,  more 
or  less,  to  advance  the  public  interest.  Some 
of  them  he  rejected  because  they  related  to 
the  establishment  of  new  counties ; others, 
because  he  thought  they  were  unnecessary  oi 
inexpedient.  Thus  more  than  a third  of  the 
fruits  of  the  labor  of  that  eWire  session  was 


lost,  by  the  exercise  of  the  arbitrary  discretion 
of  one  man.  . . . 

This,  and  some  other  occurrences  of  a sim- 
ilar character  which  were  manifest  deviations 
from  his  usual  course  not  easily  accounted  for, 
multiplied  his  opponents  very  rapidly,  and 
rendered  it  more  difficult  for  his  friends  to 
defend  and  sustain  him.  They  also  created 
a state  of  bad  feeling  between  the  legislative 
and  executive  branches,  and  eventually  termi- 
nated in  his  removal  from  office,  before  the 
expiration  of  the  territorial  government. 

The  governor  was  unquestionably  a man  of 
superior  talents,  of  extensive  information  and 
of  great  uprightness  of  purpose,  as  well  as 
suavity  of  manners.  His  general  course, 
though  in  the  main  correct,  was  in  some  re- 
spects injurious  to  his  own  popularity  ; but  it 
was  the  result  of  an  honest  exercise  of  his 
judgment.  He  not  only  believed  that  the 
power  he  claimed  belonged  legitimately  to  the 
executive,  but  was  convinced  that  the  manner 
in  which  he  exercised  it  was  imposed  on  him 
as  a duty  by  the  ordinance,  and  was  calcu- 
lated to  advance  the  best  interests  of  the  Ter- 
ritor3^  . . . 

Soon  after  the  governor  was  removed  from 
office  he  returned  to  the  Ligonier  valley, 
l)oor  and  destitute  of  the  means  of  subsist- 
ence, and  unfortunately  too  much  disabled  by 
age  and  infirmity  to  embark  in  any'kind  of 
active  business.  During  his  administration 
of  the  territorial  government  he  was  induced 
to  make  himseif  personally  liable  for  the 


BELMONT  COUNTY. 


purchase  of  a number  of  pack-horses  and 
other  articles  necessary  to  fit  out  an  expedi- 
tion against  tlie  Indians,  to  an  amount  of 
some  two  or  three  thousand  dollars,  which 
he  was  afterwards  compelled  to  pay.  Having 
no  use  for  the  money  at  the  time,  he  did  not 
present  his  claim  to  the  government.  After 
he  was  removed  from  office,  he  looked  to  that 
fund  as  his  dependence  for  future  subsist- 
ence, and,  under  a full  expectation  of  receiv- 
ing it,  he  repaired  to  Washington  City,  and 
presented  his  account  to  the  proper  officer 
of  the  treasury.  To  his  utter  surprise  and 
disappointment  it  was  rejected,  on  the  morti- 
fying ground  that,  admitting  it  to  have  been 
originally  correct,  it  was  barred  by  the  statute ; 
and  that  the  time  which  had  elapsed  afforded 
the  highest  presumption  that  it  had  been  set- 
tled, although  no  voucher  or  memorandum 
to  that  effect  could  be  found  in  the  depart- 
ment. To  counteract  the  alleged  presump- 
tion of  payment,  the  original  vouchers,  show- 
ing the  purchase,  the  purpose  to  which  the 
property  was  applied,  and  the  payment  of 
the  money,  were  exhibited.  It  was,  however, 
still  insisted  that,  as  the  transaction  was  an 
old  one,  and  had  taken  place  before  the  burn- 
ing of  the  war  office  in  Philadelphia,  the 
lapse  of  time  furnished  satisfactory  evidence 
that  the  claim  must  have  been  settled,  and 
the  vouchers  destroyed  in  that  conflagration. 
The  pride  of  the  old  veteran  was  deeply 
wounded  by  the  ground  on  which  his  claim 
was  refused,  and  he  was  induced  from  that 
consideration,  as  well  as  by  the  pressure  of 
poverty  and  want,  to  persevere  in  his  efforts 
to  maintain  the  justice  and  equity  of  his 
demand,  still  hoping  that  presumption  would 
give  way  to  truth.  For  the  purpose  of  get- 
ting rid  of  his  solicitations  Congress  passed 
an  act,  purporting  to  be  an  act  for  his  relief, 
but  which  merely  removed  the  technical  ob- 


jection,  founded  on  lapse  of  time,  by  author- 
izing a settlement  of  his  demands,  regardless 
of  the  limitation.  This  step  seemed  neces- 
sary, to  preserve  their  own  character  ; but  it 
left  the  worn  out  veteran  still  at  the  mercy  of 
the  accounting  officers  of  the  department, 
from  whom  he  bad  nothing  to  expect  but 
disappointment.  During  the  same  session  a 
bill  was  introduced  into  the  House  of  Kepre- 
sehtatives,  granting  him  an  annuity,  which 
was  rejected,  on  the  third  reading,  by  a vote 
of  48  to  50. 

After  spending  the  principal  part  of  two 
sessions  in  useless  efforts,  subsisting  during 
the  time  on  the  bounty  of  his  friends,  he 
abandoned  the  pursuit  in  despair  and  re- 
turned to  the  Ligonier  valley,  where  he  lived 
several  years  in  the  most  abiect  poverty,  in 
the  family  of  a widowed  daughter,  as  destitute 
as  himself  At  length  Pennsylvania,  his 
adopted  State,  from  considerations  of  per- 
sonal respect  and  gratitude  for  past  services, 
as  well  as  from  a laudable  feeling  of  State 
pride,  settled  on  him  an  annuity  of  $300, 
which  was  soon  after  raised  to  $650.  That 
act  of  beneficence  gave  to  the  gallant  old 
soldier  a comfortable  subsistence  for  the  little 
remnant  of  his  days  which  then  remained. 
The  honor  resulting  to  the  State  from  that 
step  was  very  much  enhanced  by  the  fact  that 
the  individual  on  whom  their  bounty  was  be- 
stowed was  a foreigner,  and  was  known  to  be 
a warm  opponent,  in  politics,  to  the  great 
majority  of  the  legislature  and  their  constitu- 
ents. 

He  lived,  however,  but  a short  time  to 
enjoy  the  bounty.  On  the  31st  of  August, 
1818,  that  venerable  officer  of  the  Revolution, 
after  a long,  brilliant  and  useful  life,  died  of 
an  injury  occasioned  by  the  running  away  of 
his  horse,  near  Greensburgh,  in  the  eighty- 
fourth  year  of  his  age. 


Charles  Hammond,  long  an  honored  member  of  the  county  bar,  was  born  in 
Maryland,  and  came  to  Belmont  county  in  1801  and  was  appointed  prosecuting 
attorney  for  the  Northwest  Territory.  During  the  war  of  1^2  he  published  the 
Federalist,  at  St.  Clairs vi lie.  In  1824  he  removed  to  Cincinnati  and  attained  a 
high  position  as  editor  of  the  Cincinnati  Gazette,  He  was  the  author  of  the 
political  essays  signed  ^^Hampden,^^  published  in  the  National  Intelligencer  in 
1820,  upon  the  Federal  Constitution,  which  were  highly  complimented  by  Jef- 
ferson. He  died  in  Cincinnati,  in  1840,  where  he  was  regarded  as  the  ablest  man 
that  had  wielded  the  editorial  pen  known  to  the  history  of  Ohio. 


“I  know  of  nowritep”  writes  Mansfield, 
“who  could  express  an  idea  so  clearly  and  so 
briefly.  He  wrote  the  pure  old  English — the 
vernacular  tongue,  unmixed  with  French  or 
Latin  phrases  or  idioms,  and  unperverted  with 
any  scholastic  logic.  His  language  was  like 
himself — plain,  sensible  and  unaffected.  His 
force,  however,  lay  not  so  much  in  this  as  in 
his  truth,  honesty  and  courage,  those  moral 
qualities  which  made  him  distinguished  at 


that  day  and  would  distinguish  him  now. 
His  opposition  to  slavery  and  its  influence 
on  the  government  was  firm,  consistent  and 
powerful.  Probably  no  public  writer  did 
more  than  he  to  form  a just  and  reasonable 
anti-slavery  sentiment.  In  fine,  as  a writer 
of  great  ability,  and  a man  of  large  acquire- 
ments and  singular  integrity,  Hammond  was 
scarcely  equalled  by  any  man  of  his  time. 


St.  Clairsville  is  identified  with  the  history  of  Benjamin  Lundy,  who  has  been 
called  the  Father  of  Abolitionism,^’  for  he  first  set  in  motion  those  moral  forces 


312 


BELMONT  COUNTS, 


which  eventually  resulted  in  the  overthrow  of  American  slavery.  He  was  of 
Quaker  parents,  and  was  born  on  a farm  in  Hardwick,  Sussex  county,  N.  J., 
January  4,  1789.  When  nineteen  years  old,  working  as  an  apprentice  to  a sad- 
dler in  Wlieeling,  his  attention  was  first  directed  to  the  horrors  of  slavery  by  the 
constant  sight  of  gangs  of  slaves  driven  in  chains  through  the  streets  on  their  way 
to  the  South,  for  Wheeling  was  the  great  thoroughfare  from  Virginia  for  transport- 
ing slaves  to  the  cotton  plantations.  He  entered  at  this  time  in  his  diary  : I 
heard  the  wail  of  the  captive ; I felt  his  pang  of  distress,  and  the  iron  entered  my 
soul.’’ 


Lundy  married,  settled  in  St.  Clairsville, 
working  at  his  trade,  and  soon  began  his  life- 
work,  the  abolition  of  slavery,  finally  learning 
in  later  years  the  printer’s  trade  to  better 
effect  his  purpose. 

He  formed  an  anti-slavery  society  here 
in  1815  when  twenty-six  years  old,  called 
‘'the  Union  Humane  Society,”  which  grew 


Benjamin  Lundy. 

from  six  to  near  five  hundred  members,  and 
wrote  an  appeal  to  philanthropists  through- 
out the  Union  to  organize  similar  co-operat- 
ing societies.  He  had  written  numerous 
articles  for  The  Philanthropist,  a small  paper 
edited  at  Mt.  Pleasant,  in  Jeferson  county, 
by  Charles  Osborne,  a Friend,  and  then  sold 
his  saddlery  stock  and  business  at  a ruinous 
sacrifice  to  join  Osborne  and  increase  the 
efficiency  of  his  paper. 

In  1819  he  removed  to  St.  Louis  where 
the  Missouri  question — the  admission  of  Mis- 
souri into  the  Union  with  or  without  slavery 
— was  attracting  universal  attention,  and  de- 
voted himself  to  an  exposition  of  the  evils  of 
slavery  in  the  newspapers  of  that  State  and 
Illinois.  In  1822  he  walked  back  all  the  way 
to  Ohio  to  find  that  Osborne  had  sold  out  his 
paper,  when  he  started  another,  a monthly, 
with  six  subscribers,  which  he  had  printed  at 
Steubenville  and  called  the  Genius  of  Univer- 
sal Emancipation.  This  was  soon  removed 
to  Jonesboro,  East  Tennessee,  and  in  1824  t^ 


Baltimore,  to  which  place  he  walked  and 
held  on  his  way,  in  the  States  of  South  and 
North  Carolina  and  Virginia,  anti-slavery 
meetings  among  Quakers  and  formed  aboli- 
tion societies  among  them. 

In  1828  he  visited  Boston  and  by  his 
lectures  enlisted  Wm.  Lloyd  Garrison  in  the 
abolition  cause  and  engaged  him  to  become 
his  associate  editor.  By  this  time  Lundy  had 
formed  by  lecturing  and  correspondence  more 
than  one  hundred  societies  for  the  ‘ ‘ gradual 
though  total  abolition  of  slavery.  ’ ’ In  the 
winter  of  1828-29  he  was  assaulted  and  nearly 
killed  in  Baltimore  by  Austin  Woolfolk,  a 
slave-dealer.  He  was  driven  out  of  Balti- 
more and  finally  established  his  paper  in 
Philadelphia,  where  his  property  was  burnt 
in  1838  by  the  pro-slavery  mob  that  fired 
Pennsylvania  Hall.  The  following  winter  he 
died  in  La  Salle,  Illinois,  where  he  was  about 
to  re-establish  his  paper. 

In  his  personal  appearance  Lundy  gave  no 
indication  of  the  wonderful  force  of  character 
he  possessed.  He  was  about  five  feet  five 
inches  in  stature,  very  slenderly  built,  light 
eyes  and  light  curly  hair  and  hard  of  hear- 
ing. He  was  gentle  and  mild  and  persuasive 
with  pity,  not  only  for  the  slave,  but  he  ever 
treated  the  slave-holders  with  the  kindliest 
consideration. 

Wm.  Lloyd  Garrison,  his  co-laborer,  wrote 
of  him  : ‘‘  Instead  of  being  able  to  withstand 
the  tide  of  public  opinion  it  would  at  first 
seem  doubtful  whether  he  could  sustain  a 
temporary  conflict  with  the  winds  of  heaven. 
And  yet  he  has  explored  nineteen  of  the 
twenty-four  States — from  the  Green  moun- 
tains of  Vermont  to  the  banks  of  the  Missis- 
sippi— multiplied  anti-slavery  societies  in 
every  quarter,  put  every  petition  in  motion 
relative  to  the  extinction  of  slavery  in  the 
District  of  Columbia,  everywhere  awakened 
the  slumbering  sympathies  of  the  people,  and 
begun  a work,  the  completion  of  which  will 
be  the  salvation  of  his  country.  His  heart  is 
of  gigantic  size.  Every  inch  of  him  is  alive 
with  power.  He  combines  the  meekness  of 
Howard  with  the  boldness  of  Luther. 

“Within  a few  months  he  has  travelled 
about  2,400  miles,  of  which  upwards  of  1,G00 
were  performed  on  foot,  during  which  time 
he  has  held  nearly  fifty  public  meetings. 
Rivers  and  mountains  vanish  in  his  path  ; 
midnight  finds  him  wending  his  solitary  way 
over  an  unfrequented  road  ; the  sun  is  antici- 
pated in  his  rising.  Never  was  moral  sub- 
limity of  character  better  illustrated.’  ’ 


BELMONT  COUNTY. 


313 


This  county  has  the  honor  of  being  the  first  to  supply  the  State  with  an  Ohio- 
born  governor  : this  was  Wilson  Shannon,  who  was  born  February  24,  1802,  in  a 
cabin  at  Mount  Olivet  and  the  first  child  born  in  the  township.  He  was  of  Irish 
descent. 


The  next  January  his  father,  George 
Shannon,  went  out  hunting  one  morning. 
Late  in  the  day,  while  making  his  way  home 
through  the  woods,  a heavy  snow-storm  set 
in  ; he  became  bewildered  and  lost  his  way  ; 
after  wandering  about  in  a circle  some  time 
that  constantly  grew  less  he  made  unsuccess- 
ful efforts  to  start  a fire,  and  being  overpow- 
ered by  exhaustion  he  seated  himself  close  to 
a large  sugar  tree  in  the  centre  of  his  beaten 
circle,  where  he  was  found  in  the  morning 
frozen  to  death. 

Wilson  was  educated  at  Athens  and  Tran- 
sylvania University,  and  then  studied  law 
with  Chas.  Hammond  and  David  Jennings  at 
St.  Clairsville,  and  soon  became  eminent  at 
the  bar.  In  1 838  he  was  elected  governor  on 
the  Democratic  ticket  by  5,738  votes  over  Jos. 
Vance,  the  Whig  candidate  ; defeated  in  1840 
by  Mr.  Corwin,  and  in  1843  elected  governor 
the  ^ second  time.  In  1 844  was  appointed 
minister  to  Mexico.  In  1852  was  sent  to 
Congress,  where  he  was  one  of  the  four  Ohio 
Democrats  who  voted  for  the  Kansas  and 
Nebraska  bill.  President  Pierce  later  ap- 
pointed him_  governor  of  Kansas,  which  posi- 
tion he  resigned  in  1857  and  resumed  the 
practice  of  law.  _ In  1875,  in  connection  with 
the  Hon.  Jeremiah  Black,  of  Pa.,  he  argued 


the  celebrated  Osage  land  case  before  the 
Supreme  Court  and  won  the  case  for  the  set- 
tlers. 

As  a lawyer  he  was  bold,  diligent,  cour- 
teous and  ever  ready  to  assist  the  weak  and 
struggling.  Possessing  a noble  presence,  in 
his  old  age  he  was  described  as  a picture  of  a 
hardy,  hale  old  gentleman  of  the  olden  time. 
He  died  in  1877  and  was  buried  at  Lawrence, 
Kansas,  where  the  last  twenty  years  of  his 
life  had  been  passed. 

James  M.  Thoburn,  D.  D.,  elected  in  1888 
by  the  Methodists  as  missionary  bishop  for 
India  and  Malaysia,  was  born  in  St.  Clairs- 
ville, 0.,  March  7,  1836.  He  was  graduated 
at  Alleghany  CoUege  at  Meadville,  Pa.,  and 
began  preaching  in  Ohio  at  the  age  of  twenty- 
one.  He  went  to  India  in  1859  as  a mis- 
sionary, and  in  conjunction  with  Bishop 
Taylor  did  much  to  build  up  the  church 
among  the  native  tribes.  He  built  the  largest 
church  in  India  at  Calcutta,  and  preached 
for  five  years  at  Simyla,  the  summer  capital. 
He  was  editor  for  a time  of  the  Indian  Wit- 
ness, published  at  Calcutta,  and  is  the  author 
of  “My  Missionary  Apprenticeship;’’  “A 
History  of  Twenty-five  Years’  Experience  in 
India,”  and  of  a volume  of  “Missionary 
Sermons.  ’ ’ 


Bridgeport  lies  upon  the  Ohio  river  135  miles  easterly  from  Columbus, 
on  the  old  National  road  and  exactly  opposite  Wheeling,  W.  Va.,  with  which  it 
is  connected  by  a bridge,  and  on  the  C.  L.  & W.  and  C.  & P.  Hailroads.  It 
joins  the  town  of  Alartin’s  Ferry ; forming  with  it  to  the  eye  but  a single  city. 
Back  of  it  rise  very  bold  hills  and  the  site  is  highly  picturesque. 

Bridgeport  has  1 Presbyterian,  2 Alethodist  Episcopal  and  1 Colored  Baptist 
church.  First  National  Bank,  W.  W.  Holloway,  president;  J.  J.  Holloway, 
cashier. 

Manvfaotures  and  Employees. — Standard  Iron  Co.,  corrugated  iron,  205  hands ; 
Bridgeport  Glass  Co.,  fruit  jars,  80  ; H]tna  Iron  and  Steel  Co.,  610  ; La  Belle  Glass 
Works,  cut  glass,  etc.,  335  ; L.  C.  Leech,  barrels,  etc. ; Diamond  Mills,  flour, 
etc. ; B.  J.  Baggs  & Son,  doors,  sash,  etc.,  35  ; Bridgeport  Alachine  Shop. — State 
Report  1887. 

Population  in  1840,  329;  in  1880,  2,390.  School  census  1886,  1,130;  T.  E. 
Orr,  superintendent.  Bridgeport  was  laid  out  in  1806  under  the  name  of  Canton 
by  Ebenezer  Zane. 

The  locality  had  long  been  named  Kirkwood  from  Capt.  Joseph  Kirkwood,  who 
in  1789  built  a cabin  on  the  south  side  of  Indian  Wheeling  creek. 

Indian  Attack  on  Kirkwood^ s Cabin. — In  the  spring  of  1791  the  cabin  of  Cap- 
tain Kirkwood,  at  this  place,  was  attacked  at  night  by  a party  of  Indians,  who, 
after  a severe  action,  were  repulsed.  This  Captain  Kirkwood  was  the  gallant 
and  unrewarded  Captain  Kirkwood,  of  the  Delaware  line,  in  the  war  of  the  revolu- 
tion, to  whom  such  frequent  and  honorable  allusion  is  made  in  Lee\s  memoir  of 
the  Southern  campaigns.  The  State  of  Delaware  had  but  one  continental  regiment, 
which,  at  the  defeat  at  Camden,  was  reduced  to  a single  company.  It  was  there- 
fore impossible,  under  the  rules,  for  Kirkwood  to  be  promoted ; and  he  was  under 
the  mortification  of  beholding  inferior  officers  in  the  regiments  of  other  States,  pro- 


BELMONT  rOUNTY, 


3I4 

moted  over  him,  while  he,  with  all  his  merit,  was  compelled  to  remain  a captain, 
solely  in  consequence  of  the  small  force  Delaware  was  enabled  to  maintain  in  the 
service.  He  fought  with  distinguished  gallantry  through  the  war,  and  was  in  the 
bloody  battles  of  Camden,  Holkirks,  Eutaw  and  Ninety-six.^’ 


Captain  Kirkwood  moved  here  in  1789,  and 
built  his  cabin  on  a knoll.  There  was  then  an 
unfinished  block-house  on  the  highest  part  of 
the  knoll,  near  by.  On  the  night  of  the  at- 
tack, fourteen  soldiers,  under  Captain  Joseph 
Biggs,  with  Captain  Kirkwood  and  family, 
Vere  in  the  cabin.  About  two  hours  before 
daybreak  the  captain’s  little  son  Joseph  had 
occasion  to  leave  the  cabin  for  a few  mo- 
ments, and  requested  Captain  Biggs  to  ac- 
company him.  They  were  out  but  a few 
minutes,  and,  although  unknown  to  them, 
were  surrounded  by  Indians.  They  had  re- 
turned, and  again  retired  to  sleep  in  the  up- 
per lort,  when  they  soon  discovered  the  roof 
in  a blaze,  which  was  the  first  intimation  they 
had  of  the  presence  of  an  enemy.  Captain 
Kirkwood  was  instantly  awakened,  when  he 
and  his  men  commenced  pushing  off  the 
roof,  the  Indians  at  the  same  time  firing 
upon  them,  from  under  cover  of  the  block- 
house. Captain  Biggs,  on  the  first  alarm,  ran 
down  the  ladder  into  the  room  below  to  get 
his  rifle,  when  a ball  entered  a window  and 
wounded  him  in  the  wrist.  Soon  the  Indians 
had  surrounded  the  house,  and  attempted  to 
break  in  the  door  with  their  tomahawks. 
Those  within  braced  it  with  puncheons  from 
the  floor.  In  the  panic  of  the  moment  sev- 
eral of  the  men  wished  to  escape  from  the 
cabin,  but  Captain  Kirkwood  silenced  them 
with  the  threat  of  taking  the  life  of  the  first 
man  who  made  the  attempt,  asserting  that 
the  Indians  would  tomahawk  them  as  fast  as 
they  left. 

The  people  of  Wheeling — one  mile  dis- 
tant— hearing  the  noise  of  the  attack,  fired 
a swivel  to  encourage  the  defenders,  although 
fearful  of  coming  to  the  rescue.  This  enraged 
the  Indians  the  more  ; they  sent  forth  terrific 
yells,  and  brought  brush,  piled  it  around  the 


cabin,  and  set  it  on  fire.  Those  within  in  a 
measure  smothered  the  flames,  first  with  the 
water  and  milk  in  the  house,  and  then  with 
damp  earth  from  the  floor  of  the  cabin.  The 
fight  was  kept  up  about  two  hours,  until 
dawn,  when  the  Indians  retreated.  Had  they 
attacked  earlier,  success  would  have  resulted. 
The  loss  of  the  Indians,  or  their  number,  was 
unknown — only  one  was  seen.  He  was  in  the 
act  of  climbing  up  the  corner  of  the  cabin, 
when  he  was  discovered,^  let  go  his  hold  and 
fell.  Seven  of  those  within  were  wounded, 
and  one,  a Mr.  Walker,  mortally.  He  was  a 
brave  man.  As  he  lay,  disabled  and  helpless, 
on  his  back,  on  the  earth,  he  called  out  to 
the  Indians  in  a taunting  manner.  He  died 
in  a few  hours,  and  was  buried  the  next  day, 
at  Wheeling,  with  military  honors.  A party 
of  men,  under  Gen.  Benjamin  Biggs,  of 
West  Liberty,  went  in  an  unsuccessful  pur- 
suit of  the  Indians.  A niece  of  Captain 
Kirkwood,  during  the  attack,  was  on  a visit 
about  twenty  miles  distant,  on  BulFalo  creek. 
In  the  night  she  dreamed  that  the  cabin  was 
attacked,  and  heard  the  guns.  So  strong  an 
impression  did  it  make,  that  she  arose  and 
rode  down  with  all  her  speed  to  Wheeling, 
where  she  arrived  two  hours  after  sunrise. 

After  this  affair  Captain  Kirkwood  moved 
with  his  family  to  Newark,  Delaware.  On 
his  route  he  met  with  some  of  St.  Clair’s 
troops,  then  on  their  way  to  Cincinnati. 
Exasperated  at  the  Indians  for  their  attack 
upon  his  house,  he  accepted  the  command 
of  a company  of  Delaware  troops,  was  with 
them  at  the  defeat  of  St.  Clair  in  the  No- 
vember following,  “where  he  fell  in  a brave 
attempt  to  repel  the  enemy  with  t)re  bayonet, 
and  thus  closed  a career  as  honorable  as  it 
was  unrewarded.  ’ ’ 


Elizabeth  Zane,  who  acted  with  so  much  heroism  at  tlie  siege  of  Wheeling,  in 
1782,  lived  many  years  since  about  two  miles  above  Bridgeport,  on  the  Ohio  side 
of  the  river,  near  Martinsville.  She  was  twice  married,  first  to  Mr.  M’ljaughlin, 
and  secondly  to  Mr.  Clark.  This  anecdote  of  her  heroism  has  been  2)ublished  a 
thousand  times. 


HeroUm  of  Elizabeth  Zane. — When  Lynn, 
the  ranger,  gave  the  alarm  that  an  Indian 
army  was  approaching,  the  fort  having  been 
for  some  time  unoccupied  by  a garrison,  and 
Colonel  Zane’s  house  having  been  used  for  a 
magazine,  those  who  retired  into  the  fortress 
had  to  take  with  them  a supply  of  ammuni- 
tion for  its  defence.  The  supply  of  powder, 
deemed  ample  at  the  time,  was  now  almost 
exhausted,  by  reason  of  the  long  continuance 
of  the  siege,  and  the  repeated  endeavors  of 
the  savages  to  take  the  fort  by  storm  ; a few 
rounds  only  remained.  In  this  emergency  it 
became  necessary  to  renew  their  stock  from 


an  abundant  store  which  was  deposited  in 
Colonel  Zane’s  house.  Accordingly,  it  was 
proposed  that  one  of  the  fleetest  men  should 
endeavor  to  reach  the  house,  obtain  a supply 
of  powder,  and  return  with  it  to  the  fort. 
It  was  an  enterprise  full  of  danger ; but 
many  of  the  heroic  spirits'  shut  up  in  the 
fort  were  willing  to  encounter  the  hazard. 
Among  those  who  volunteered  to  go  on  this 
enterprise  was  Elizabeth,  the  sister  of  Colonel 
E.  Zane.  She  was  3^oung,  active  and  athletic, 
with  courage  to  dare  the  danger,  and  forti- 
tude to  sustain  her  through  it.  Disdaining 
to  weigh  the  hazard  of  her  own  life  against 


BELMONT  COUNTY. 


315 


that  of  otliers,  when  told  that  a man  would 
encounter  less  danger  by  reason  of'  his  greater 
fleetness,  she  replied,  “and  should  he  fall, 
his  loss  will  be  more  severely  felt ; you  have 
not  one  man  to  spare  ; a woman  will  not  be 
missed  in  the  defence  of  the  fort.”  Her 
services  were  then  accepted.  Divesting  her- 
self of  some  of  her  garments,  as  tending  to 
impede  her  progress,  she  stood  prepared  for 
the  hazardous  adventure  ; and  when  the  gate 
was  thrown  open,  bounded  forth  with  the 
buoyancy  of  hope,  and  in  the  confidence  of 
success.  Wrapt  in  amazement,  the  Indians 
beheld  her  springing  forward,  and  only  ex- 
claiming, “a  squaw,”  “a  squaw,”  no  at- 
tempt was  made  to  interrupt  her  progress ; 

Among  the  best  sketches  of  backwoods  life  is  that  written  by  Mr.  John  S.  Wih 
liams,  editor  of  the  American  Pioneer,  and  published  in  October,  1843.  In  the 
spring  of  1800  his  father’s  family  removed  from  Carolina  and  settled  with  others 
on  Glenn’s  run,  about  six  miles  northeast  of  St.  Clairsville.  He  was  then  a lad,  as 
he  relates,  of  seventy-five  pounds  weight.  From  his  sketch,  ^^Our  Cabin;  or 
Life  in  the  Woods,”  we  make  some  extracts. 


arrived  at  the  door,  she  proclaimed  her  er- 
rand. Colonel  Silas  Zane  fastened  a table- 
cloth around  her  waist,  and  emptying  into  it 
a keg  of  powder,  again  she  ventured  forth. 
The  Indians  were  no  longer  passive.  Ball 
after  ball  whizzed  by,  several  of  which  passed 
through  her  clothes  she  reached  the  gate, 
and  entered  the  fort  in  safety  ; and  thus  was 
the  garrison  again  saved  by  female  intrepidity. 
This  heroine  had  but  recently  returned  from 
Philadelphia,  where  she  had  received  hei 
education,  and  was  wholly  unused  to  such 
scenes  as  were  daily  passing  on  the  frontiers. 
The  distance  she  had  to  run  was  about  forty 
yards. 


OUB  CABIN;  OB  LIFE  IN  THE 
WOODS. 

Our  Cahill  Described. — Emigrants  poured 
in  from  different  parts,  cabins  were  put  up 
in  every  direction,  and  women,  children  and 
goods  tumbled  into  them.  The  tide  of  emi- 
gration flowed  like  water  through  a breach  in 
a mill-dam.  Everything  was  bustle  and  con- 
fusion, and  all  at  work  that  could  work.  In 
the  midst  of  all  this  the  mumps,  and  perhaps 
one  or  two  other  diseases,  prevailed  and  gave 
us  a seasoning.  Our  cabin  had  been  raised, 
covered,  part  of  the  cracks  chinked,  and  part 
of  the  floor  laid  when  we  moved  in,  on  Christ- 
mas day  ! There  had  not  been  a stick  cut 
except  in  building  the  cabin.  We  had  in- 
tended an  inside  chimney,  for  we  thought  the 
chimney  ought  to  be  in  the  house.  We  had 
a log  i)ut  across  the  whole  width  of  the  cabin 
for  a mantel,  but  when  the  floor  was  in  we 
found  it  so  low  as  not  to  answer,  and  removed 
it.  Here  was  a great  change  for  my  mother 
and  sister,  as  well  as  the  rest,  but  particularly 
my  mother.  She  was  raised  in  the  most  deli- 
cate manner  in  and  near  London,  and  lived 
most  of  her  time  in  affluence,  and  always 
comfortable.  She  was  now  in  the  wilderness, 
surrounded  by  wild  beasts,  in  a cabin  with 
about  half  a floor,  no  door,  no  ceiling  over- 
head, not  even  a tolerable  sign  for  a fireplace, 
the  light  of  day  and  the  chilling  winds  of 
night  passing  between  every  two  logs  in  the 
building,  the  cabin  so  high  from  the  ground 
tnat  a bear,  wolf,  panther,  or  any  other  ani- 
mal less  in  size  than  a cow,  could  enter  with- 
out even  a squeeze.  Such  was  our  situation 
on  Thursday  and  Thursday  night,  December 
25,  1 800,  and  which  was  bettered  but  by  very 
slow  degrees.  We  got  the  rest  of  the  floor 
laid  in  a very  few  days,  the  chinking  of  the 
cracks  went  on  slowly,  but  the  daubing  could 
not  proceed  till  weather  more  suitable,  which 
happened  in  a few  days ; door-ways  were 
sawed  out  and  steps  made  of  the  logs,  and 


the  back  of  the  chimney  was  raised  up  to  the 
mantel,  but  the  funnel  of  sticks  and  clay  was 
delayed  until  spring. 

Our  family  consisted  of  my  mother,  a sister, 
of  twenty-two,  my  brother,  near  twenty-one 
and  very  weakly,  and  myself,  in  my  eleventh 
year.  Two  years  afterwards.  Black  Jenny 
followed  us  in  company  with  my  half-brother, 
Bichard,  and  his  family.^  She  lived  two  years 
with  us  in  Ohio,  and  died  in  the  winter  of 
1803-4.  _ 

In  building  our  cabin  it  was  set  to  front 
the  north  and  south,  my  brother  using  my 
father’s  pocket  compass  on  the  occasion.  We 
had  no  idea  of  living  in  a house  that  did  not 
stand  square  with  the  earth  itself  This  ar- 
gued our  ignorance  of  the  comforts  and  com. 
veniences  of  a pioneer  life.  The  position  of 
the  house,  end  to  the  hill,  necessarily  elevated 
the  lower  end,  and  the  determination  of  hav- 
ing both  a north  and  south  door  added  much 
to  the  airiness  of  the  domicil,  particularly 
after  the  green  ash  puncheons  had  shrunk  so 
as  to  have  cracks  in  the  floor  and  doors  from 
one  to  two  inches  wide.  At  both  the  doors 
we  had  high,  unsteady,  and  sometimes  icy 
steps,  made  by  piling  up  the  logs  cut  out  of 
the  wall.  We  had,  as  the  reader  will  see,  a 
window,  if  it  could  be  called  a window,  when, 
perhaps,  it  was  the  largest  spot  in  the  top, 
bottom,  or  sides  of  the  cabin  at  which  the 
wind  could  not  enter.  It  was  made  by  sawing 
out  a log,  placing  sticks  across,  and  then,  by 
pasting  an  old  newspaper  over  the  hole,  and 
applying  some  hog’s  lard,  we  had  a kind  of 
glazing  which  shed  a most  beautiful  and  mel- 
low light  across  the  cabin  when  the  sun  shone 
on  it.  All  other  light  entered  at  the  doors, 
cracks  and  chimney. 

Our  cabin  was  twenty-four  by  eighteen. 
The  west  end  was  occupied  by  two  beds,  the 
centre  of  each  side  by  a door,  and  here  our 
symmetry  had  to  stop,  for  on  the  opposite 
side  of  the  window,  made  of  clapboards,  sup- 


BELMONT  COUNTY. 


3i«> 

ported  on  pins  driven  into  the  logs,  were  our 
shelves.  Upon  these  shelves  sister  dis- 
pla3’^ed,  in  ample  order,  a host  of  pewter 
plates,  basins,  and  dishes,  and  spoons,  scoured 
and  bright.  It  was  none  of  your  new-fangled 
pewter  made  of  lead,  but  the  best  London 
])ewter,  which  our  father  himself  bought  of 
Townsend,  the  manufacturer.  These  were  the 
plates  upon  which  you  could  hold  your  meat 
so  as  to  cut  it  without  slipping  and  without 
dulling  your  knife.  But,  alas  ! the  daj^s  of 
pewter  plates  and  sharp  dinner  knives  have 
passed  away  never  to  return.  To  return  to 
our  internal  arrangements.  A ladder  of  five 
i-ounds  occupied  the  corner  near  the  window. 
By  this,  when  we  got  a floor  above,  we  could 
ascend.  Our  chimney  occupied  most  of  the 
east  end  ; pots  and  kettles  opposite  the  win- 
dow under  the  shelves,  a gun  on  hooks  o^'^er 
the  north  door,  four  split-bottom  chairs,  three 
three-legged  stools,  and  a small  eight  by  ten 
looking-glass  sloped  from  the  wall  over  a large 


towel  and  comb-case.  These,  witli  a clumsy 
shovel  and  a pair  of  tongs,  made  in  Frederick, 
with  one  shank  straight,  as  the  best  manufac- 
ture of  pinches  and  blood-blisters,  completed 
our  furniture,  except  a spinning-wheel  and 
such  things  as  were  necessary  to  work  with. 
It  was  absolutely  necessary  to  have  three- 
legged  stools,  as  four  legs  of  anything  could 
not  all  touch  the  floor  at  the  same  time. 

The  completion  of  our  cabin  went  on 
slowly.  The  season  was  inclement,  we  were 
weak-handed  and  weak-pocketed ; in  fact, 
laborers  were  not  to  be  had.  We  got  our 
chimney  up  breast-high  as  soon  as  we  could, 
and  got  our  cabin  daubed  as  high  as  the  joists 
outside.  It  never  was  daubed  on  the  inside, 
for  my  sister,  who  was  very  nice,  could  not 
consent  to  “live  right  next  to  the  mud.” 
My  impression  now  is,_  that  the  window  was 
not  constructed  till  spring,  for  until  the  sticks 
and  clay  was  put  on  the  chimney  we  could 
possibly  have  no  need  of  a window ; for  the 


Our  Cabin;  or  Life  in  the  Woods. 


flood  of  light  which  always  poured  into  the 
cabin  from  the  fireplace  would  have  extin- 
guished our  paper  window,  and  rendered  it  as 
useless  as  the  moon  at  noonday.  We  got  a 
floor  laid  overhead  as  soon  as  possible,  per- 
haps in  a month ; but  when  it  was  laid,  the 
reader  will  readily  conceive  of  its  impervious- 
ness to  wind  or  weather,  when  we  mention 
that  it  was  laid  of  loose  clapboards  split  from 
a red  oak,  the  stump  of  which  may  be  seen 
beyond  the  cabin.  That  tree  grew  in  the 
night,  and  so  twisting  that  each  board  laid  on 
two  diagonally  opposite  corners,  and  a cat 
might  have  shook  every  board  on  our  ceiling. 
It  may  be  well  to  inform  the  unlearned 
reader  that  clapboads  are  such  lumber  as  pio- 
neers split  with  a frow,  and  resemble  barrel 
staves  before  they  are  shaved,  but  are  split 
longer,  wider  and  thinner  ; of  such  our  roof 
and  ceiling  were  composed.  Puncheons  were 
planks  made  by  splitting  logs  to  about  two 
and  a half  or  three  inches  in  thickness,  and 
hewing  them  on  one  or  both  sides  with  the 


broad-axe.  Of  such  our  floor,  doors,  tables 
and  stools  were  manufactured.  The  eave- 
bearers  are  those  end  logs  which  project  over 
to  receive  the  butting  poles,  against  which 
the  lower  tier  of  clapboards  rest  in  forming 
the  roof  The  trapping  is  the  roof  timbers, 
composing  the  gable  end  and  the  ribs,  the 
ends  of  which  appear  in  the  drawing,  being 
those  logs  upon  which  the  clapboards  lie. 
The  trap  logs  are  those  of  unequal  length 
above  the  eave  bearers,  which  form  the  gable 
ends,  and  upon  which  the  ribs  rest.  'J 
weight  poles  are  those  small  logs  kid  on  the 
roof,  which  weigh  down  the  course  of  clap- 
boards on  which  they  lie,  and  against  which 
the  next  course  above  is  placed.  The  knees 
are  pieces  of  heart  timber  placed  above  the 
butting  poles,  successivel.y,  to  prevent  the 

weight  poles  from  rolling  off. 

The  evenings  of  the  first  winter  did  not  pass 
off  as  pleasantly  as  evenings  afterwards.  We 
had  raised  no  tobacco^  to  stem  and  twist,  no 
corn  to  shell,  no  turnips  to  scrape ; we  had 


BELMONT  COUNTY. 


317 


no  tow  to  spin  into  rope-yarn,  nor  straw  to 
plait  for  hats,  and  we  had  come  so  late  we 
could  .cet  but  few  walnuts  to  crack.  We  had, 
however,  the  Bible,  George  Fox’s  Journal, 
Barkley’s  Apology,  and  a number  of  books, 
all  better  than  much  of  the  fashionable  read- 
ing of  the  present  day — from  which,  after 
reading,  the  reader  finds  he  has  gained  noth- 
ing, while  his  understanding  has  been  made 
the  dupe  of  the  writer’s  fancy — that  while 
reading  he  has  given  himself  up  to  be  led  in 
mazes  of  fictitious  imagination,  and  losing  his 
taste  for  solid  reading,  as  frothy  luxuries  de- 
stroy the  appetite  for  wholesome  food.  To 
our  stock  of  books  were  soon^  after  added  a 
borrowed  copy  of  the  Pilgrim’s  Progress, 
which  we  read  twice  through  without  stop- 
ping. The  first  winter  our  living  was  truly 
scanty  and  hard  ; but  even  this  winter  had 
its  felicities.  We  had  part  of  a barrel  of  flour 
which  we  had  brought  from  Fredericktown. 
Besides  this,  we  had  part  of  a jar  of  hog’s 
lard  brought  from  old  Carolina  ; not  the  taste- 
less stuff  which  now  goes  by  that  name,  but 
pure  leaf  lard,  taken  from  hogs  raised  on  pine 
roots  and  fattened  on  sweet  potatoes,  and  into 
which,  while  rendering,  were  immersed  the 
boughs  of  the  fragrant  bay  tree,  that  imparted 
to  the  lard  a rich  flavor.  Of  that  flour,  short- 
ened with  this  lard,  my  sister  every  Sunday 
morning,  and  at  no  other  time^  made  short 
biscuit  for  breakfast — not  these  greasy  gum- 
elastic  biscuit  we  mostly  meet  with  now,  rolled 
out  with  a pin,  or  cut  out  with  a cutter  ; or 
those  that  are,  perhaps,  speckled  by  or  puffed 
up  with  refined  lye  called  salaeratus,  but  made 
out,  one  by  one,  in  her  fair  hands,  placed  in 
neat  juxtaposition  in  a skillet  or  spider, 
pricked  with  a fork  to  prevent  blistering, 
and  baked  before  an  open  fire — not  half-baked 

and  half-stewed  in  a cooking-stove 

The  Woods  about  us. — In  the  ordering  of 
a good  Providence  the  winter  was  open,  but 
windy.  While  the  wind  was  of  great  use  in 
driving  the  smoke  and  ashes  out  of  our  cabin, 
it  shook  terribly  the  timber  standing  almost 
over  us.  We  were  sometimes  much  and 
needlessly  alarmed.  We  had  never  seen  a 
dangerous  looking  tree  near  a dwelling,  but 
here  we  were  surrounded  by  the  tall  giants 
of  the  forest,  waving  their  boughs  and  uniting 
their  brows  over  us,  as  if  in  defiance  of  our 
disturbing  their  repose,  and  usurping  their 
long  and  uncontested  pre-emption  rights. 
The  beech  on  the  left  often  shook  his  bushy 
head  over  us  as  if  in  absolute  disapprobation 
of  our  settling  there,  threatening  to  crush  us 
if  we  did  not  pack  up  and  start.  The  walnut 
over  the  spring  branch  stood  high  and 
straight ; no  one  could  tell  which  way  it  in- 
clined, but  all  concluded  that  if  it  had  a 
preference  it  was  in  favor  of  quartering  on 
our  cabin.  We  got  assistance  to  cut  it  down. 
The  axeman  doubted  his  ability  to  control  its 
direction,  by  reason  that  he  must  necessarily 
cut  it  almost  off  before  it  would  fall.  He 
thought  by  felling  the  tree  in  the  direction 
of  the  reader,  along  near  the  chimney,  and 
thus  favor  the  little  lean  it  seemed  to  have, 
would  be  the  means  of  saving  the  cabin.  He 


was  successful . Part  of  the  stump  still  stands 
These,  and  all  other  dangerous  trees,  were 
got  down  without  other  damage  than  many 
frights  and  frequent  desertions  of  the  pre- 
mises by  the  family  while  the  trees  were 
being  cut.  The  ash  beyond  the  house  crossed 
the  scarf  and  fell  on  the  cabin,  but  without 
damage 

Howling  Wolves. — The  monotony  of  the 
time  for  several  of  the  first  years  was  broken 
and  enlivened  by  the  howl  of  wild  beasts.  The 
wolves  howling  around  us  seemed  to  moan 
their  inability  to  drive  us  from  their  long  and 
undisputed  domain.  The  bears,  panthers  and 
deer  seemingly  got  miffed  at  our  approach 
or  the  partiality  of  the  hunters,  and  but 
seldom  troubled  us.  One  bag  of  meal  would 
make  a whole  family  rejoicingly  happy  and 
thankful  Then,  when  a loaded  East  Indiaman 
will  fail  to  do  it  now,  and  is  passed  off  as  a 
common  business  transaction  without  ever 
once  thinking  of  the  giver,  so  independent 
have  we  become  in  the  short  space  of  forty 
years  ! Having  got  out  of  the  wilderness  in 
less  time  than  the  children  of  Israel  we  seem 
to  be  even  more  forgetful  and  unthankful 
than  they.  When  spring  was  fully  come  and 
our  little  patch  of  corn,  three  acres,  put  in 
among  the  beech  roots,  which  at  every  step 
contended  with  the  shovel-plough  for  the 
right  of  soil,  and  held  it  too,  we  enlarged  our 
stock  of  conveniences.  As  soon  as  bark 
would  run  (peel  off)  we  could  make  ropes  and 
bark  boxes.  These  we  stood  in  great  need 
of,  as  such  things  as  bureaus,  stands,  ward- 
robes, or  even  barrels,  were  not  to  be  had. 
The  manner  of  making  ropes  of  linn  bark  was 
to  cut  the  bark  in  strips  of  convenient  length, 
and  water-rot  it  in  the  same  manner  as  rot- 
ting flax  or  hemp.  When  this  was  done  the 
inside  bark  would  peel  off  and  split  up  so  fine 
as  to  make  a pretty  considerably  rough  and 
good-for-but-little  kind  of  a rope.  Of  this, 
however,  we  were  very  glad,  and  let  no  ship- 
owner with  his  grass  ropes  laugh  at  us.  We 
made  two  kinds  of  boxes  for  furniture.  One 
kind  was  of  hickory  bark  with  the  outside 
shaved  off.  This  we  would  take  off  all  around 
the  tree,  the  size  of  which  would  determine 
the  calibre  of  our  box.  Into  one  end  we 
would  i)lace  a flat  piece  of  bark  or  puncheor- 
cut  round  to  fit  in  the  bark,  which  stood  on 
end  the  same  as  when  on  the  tree.  There 
was  little  need  of  hooping,  as  the  strength 
of  the  bark  would  keep  that  ail  right  enough. 
Its  shrinkage  would  make  the  top  unsightlj 
in  a parlor  now-a-days,  but  then  they  wer^ 
considered  quite  an  addition  to  the  furniture. 
A much  finer  article  was  made  of  slippery- 
elm  bark,  shaved  smooth  and  with  the  insidf 
out,  bent  round  and  sewed  together  when 
the  ends  of  the  hoop  or  main  bark  lapped 
over.  The  length  of  the  bark  was  arounc 
the  box,  and  inside  out.  A bottom  wat 
made  of  a jfiece  of  the  same  bark  dried  flat, 
and  a lid,  like  that  of  a common  band-box, 
made  in  the  same  way.  This  was  the  finest 
furniture  in  a lady’s  dressing-room,  and  then., 
as  now,  with  the  finest  furniture,  the  lappe<j 
or  sewed  side  was  turned  to  the  wall  and  the 


318 


BELMONT  COUNTY. 


prettiest  part  to  the  spectator.  They  were 
usually  made  oval,  and  while  the  bark  was 
green  were  easily  ornamented  with  drawings 
of  birds,  trees,  etc. , agreeably  to  the  taste  and 
skill  ol  the  fair  manufacturer.  As  we  be- 
longed to  the  Society  of  Friends,  it  may  be 
fairly  presumed  that  our  band-boxes  were 

not  thus  ornamented 

Pioneer  Food. — settled  on  beech  land, 
which  took  much  labor  to  clear.  We  could 
do  no  better  than  clear  out  the  smaller  stulf 
and  burn  the  brush,  etc. , around  the  beeches 
which,  in  spite  of  the  girdling  and  burning 
we  could  do  to  them,  would  leaf  out  the  first 
year,  and  often  a little  the  second.  The  land, 
however,  was  very  rich,  and  would  bring 
better  corn  than  might  be  expected.  We 
had  to  tend  it  principallj'^  with  the  hoe,  that 
is,  to  chop  down  the  nettles,  the  water-weed 
and  the  touch-me-not.^  Grass,  careless, 
lambs-quarter  and  Spanish  needles  were  re- 
served to  pester  the  better  prepared  farmer. 
We  cleared  a small  turnip  patch,  which  we 
got  in  about  the  10th  of  August.  We  sowed 
in  timothy  seed,  which  took  well,  and  next 
year  we  had  a little  hay  besides.  The  tops 
and  blades  of  the  corn  were  also  carefully 
saved  for  our  horse,  cow  and  the  two  sheep. 
The  turnips  were  sweet  and  good,  and  in  the 
fall  we  took  care  to  gather  walnuts  and 
hickory  nuts,  which  were  very  abundant. 
These,  with  the  turnips  which  we  scraped, 
supplied  the  place  of  fruit.  I have  always 
been  partial  to  scraped  turnips,  and  could 
now  beat  any  three  dandies  at  scraping  them. 
Johnny-cake,  also,  when  we  had  meal  to 
make  it  of,  helped  to  make  up  our  evening’s 
repast.  The  Sunday  morning  biscuit  had  all 
evaporated,  but  the  loss  \yas  partially  sup- 
plied by  the  nuts  and  turnips.  Our  regular 
supper  was  mush  and  milk,  and  by  the  time 
we  had  shelled  our  corn,  stemmed  tobacco, 
and  plaited  straw  to  make  hats,  etc. , etc. , the 
mush  and  milk  had  seemingly  decamped  from 
the  neighborhood  of  our  ribs.  To  relieve 
this  difficulty  my  brother  and  I would  bake  a 
thin  Johnny-cake,_  ])art  of  which  we  would 
eat,  and  leave  the  rest  till  the  morning.  At 
daylight  we  would  eat  the  balance  as  we 
walked  from  the  house  to  work. 

The  methods  of  eating  mush  and  milk  were 
various.  Some  would  sit  around  the  pot, 
and  every  one  take  therefrom  for  himself 
Some  would  set  a table  and  each  have  his  tin- 
cup  of  milk,  and  with  a pewter  spoon  take 
just  as  much  mush  from  the  dish  or  the  pot, 
if  it  was  on  the  table,  as  he  thought  would 
fill  his  mouth  or  throat,  then  lowering  it  into 
the  milk  would  take  some  to  wash  it  down. 
This  method  kept  the  milk  cool,  and  by 
frequent  repetitions  the  pioneers  would  con- 
tract a faculty  of  correctly  estimating  the 
proper  amount  of  each.  Others  would  mix 

mush  and  milk  together 

To  get  Grinding  done  was  often  a great 
difficulty,  by  reason  of  the  scarcity  of  mills, 
the  freezes  in  winter  and  droughts  in  sum- 
mer. W'^e  had  often  to  manufacture  meal 
{when  we  hid  corn)  in  any  way  we  could  get 
the  corn  to  jjiecc.'s.  We  soaked  and  ])ounded 


it,  we  shaved  it,  we  planed  it,  and,  at  the 
proper  season,  grated  it.  When  one  of  our 
neighbors  got  a hand-mill  it  was  thought 
quite  an  acquisition  to  the  neighborhood.  In 
after  years,  when  in  time  of  freezing  or 
drought,  we  could  get  grinding  by  waiting 
for  our  turn  no  more  than  one  day  and  a 
night  at  a horse-mill  we  thought  ourselves 
happy.  To  save  meal  we  often  made  pump- 
kin bread,  in  which  when  meal  was  scarce  the 
pumpkin  would  so  predominate  as  to  ]-ender 
it  next  to  impossible  to  tell  our  bread  from 
that  article,  either  by  taste,  looks,  or  the 
amount  of  nutriment  it  contained.  Salt  was 
five  dollars  a bushel,  and  we  used  none  in  our 
corn  bread,  which  we  soon  liked  as  well  with- 
out it.  Often  has  sweat  ran  into  my  mouth, 
which  tasted  as  fresh  and  fiat  as  distilled 
water.  What  meat  we  had  at  first  was  fresh, 
gnd  but  little  of  that,  for  had  we  been  hunters 
we  had  no  time  to  practice  it. 

We  had  no  Candles.^  and  cared  but  little 
about  them  except  for  summer  use.  In 
Carolina  we  had  the  real  fat  light- wood,  not 
merely  pine  knots,  but  the  fat  straight  pine. 
This,  from  the  brilliancy  of  our  parlor,  of 
winter  evenings,  might  be  supposed  to  put, 
not  only  candles,  lamps,  camphine,  Green- 
ough’s  chemical  oil,  but  even  gas  itself,  to 
the  blush.  In  the  West  we  had  not  this,  but 
my  business  was  to  ramble  the  woods  every 
evening  for^  seasoned  sticks,  or  the  bark  of 
the  shelly  hickory,  for  light.  ’Tis  true  that 
our  light  was  not  as  good  as  even  candles,  but 
we  got  along  without  fretting,  for  we  de- 
pended more  upon  the  goodness  of  our  eyes 
than  we  did  upon  the  brilliancy  of  the  light. 

TEA  YELLING  NOTES. 

The  Poor  Man's  Railroad. — The  initial 
letters  of  the  name  of  a railway  terminating 
at  Bellaire  are  ‘’E  Z.  & C.”  Ask  people 
on  that  line  “ What  B.  Z.  & C.  stand  for?  ” 
With  a quizzical  smile  they  will  often  answer 
‘'badly  zigzag  and  crooked;”  having  just 
come  over  it  I can  say  that  exactly  describes 
it.  Its  name,  however,  is  Bellaire,  Zanes- 
ville & Cincinnati.  Its  projector  and  builder 
of  that  part  within  this  county  was  Col.  John 
H.  Sullivan,  Bellaire  ; a calm,  dignified  gen- 
tleman, clear  and  careful  in  his  statements, 
whom  it  did  me  good  to  meet. 

It  was  impracticable  to  build  an  ordinary 
railroad  through  the  rough  wild  country  of 
the  Ohio  river  hills  of  Belmont  and  JMonroe 
counties,  so  the  colonel  planned  a narrow 
gauge  with  steep  grades  and  sharp  curves, 
and  he  called  it  “The Poor  Man’s  Railroad. ” 
From  Woodsfield,  county-seat  of  jMoiiroe,  to 
Bellaire,  a distance  of  forty-two  miles,  on 
which  passenger  trains  go  about  sixteen 
miles  an  hour,  it  cost  but  $11,500  per  mile, 
a miracle  of  cheapness.  .This  includes  land, 
grading,  bridges,  tracks,  everything  exclusive 
of  rolling  stock.  It  was  finished  to  Woods- 
field in  1877,  and  all  by  i)rivate  subscri])tion. 
It  is  of  incalculable  benefit  to  the  farmei*s 
of  the  Ohio  river  hills,  for  the  cost  of  good 
wagon  roads  among  them  is  enoi  inoiLs  and  a 


BELMONT  COUNTY, 


319 


serious  drawback  to  the  development  of  the 
country. 

A large  part  of  the  road  is  a succession  of 
curves,  trestle  work  and  steep  grades.  In 
places  the  road  rises  over  1 30  feet  to  the  mile, 
and  some  of  the  curves  have  a radius  of  but 
400  feet ; at  one  si)ot  there  is  a reverse  curve 
on  a trestle.  Where  curves  are  so  sharp  the 
outer  rail  is  placed  three  inches  the  highest 
to  hold  the  cars  on  the  track  ; but  the  friction 
occasions  a horrid  screeching  of  the  wheels. 
The  Colorado  Central,  like  this,  is  a narrow 
gauge.  ^ It  leads  from  the  Union  Pacific  to 
the  mining  regions  of  Colorado.  Its  extreme 
grade  is  more  than  twice  that  of  this,  275 
feet  to  the  mile.  Some  gentlemen  riding 
over  it  on  a platform  car  to  see  the  country 
said  such  was  the  irregularity  of  the  motion 
that  they  were  obliged  to  cling  “for  dear 
life  ’ ’ to  the  sides  of  the  car  to  prevent  being 
jerked  off.  From  my  exi)erience  I think  the 
‘ ‘ Badly  Zigzag  and  Crooked  ’ ’ but  a trifle  less 
shaky.  I extract  from  my  note  book  : 

BeUai.re,  Friday  evening^  May  28. — Left 
Woodsfield  early  this  morning  and  got  on 
the  train  for  Bellaire  ; only  a single  passenger 
car  with  a few  men  aboard,  but  no  women  ! 

I felt  Sony  ; I alwa3'^s  like  to  see  ’em  about. 
Their  presence  “sort  o’  ” sanctifies  things. 
Away  we  went  on  this  little  baby  railroad,  the 
“Badly  Zigzag  and  Crooked.”  The  town  I 
had  left  behind,  placed  high  up  in  the  hills, 
was  quite  primitive  ; it  had  scarcely  changed 
since  my  first  visit,  in  1 846.  In  a few  min- 
utes we  were  zigzagging,  twisting  down  a 
little  run  in  a winding  chasm  among  the  hills 
wooded  to  their  summits,  the  scenery  very 
wild,  every  moment  the  cars  changing  their 
direction  and  shaking  us  about  with  their 
constant  jar  and  grind,  and  wabbling  now  to 
one  side  and  then  to  the  other.  In  twenty 
minutes  I was  ])eeping  through  charming 
vistas  into  a wild  valle^^^  In  a few  more 
minutes  and  we  were  in  it ; crossed  a little 
bridge  some  six  rods  wide  and  paused  at  the 
farther  side,  by  a little  cottage  in  its  aspect 
domestic  and  un-railroad-like,  notwithstand- 
ing its  sign  “ Sunfish  Station.” 

The  Pretty  Sunfish. — Yes,  this  little,  ro- 
mantic stream  was  the  Sunfish.  I looked 
down  the  valley,  a deep  chasm,  narrow,  tor- 
tuous, with  its  wood-clad  hills,  the  lights  and 
shades  on  the  scene  all  glorious  in  the  early 
morning  light.  What  a pretty  name — ‘ ‘ Sun- 
fish ! ” instinctively  the  mind  takes  in  the 
little  creature  that  dwells  in  the  freedom  of 
the  waters  and  darts  around  clad  in  its  beauty 
spots  of  crimson  and  gold,  down  there  where 
everything  is  so  clean  and  pure. 

How  I longed  to  get  out  of  the  cars  and 
follow  this  winding  little  stream  until  it  was 
lost  in  the  Ohio,  some  twenty  miles  away  ; to 
feast  my  ej'^es  with  its  hidden  beauties,  all 
unknown  to  the  great  outside  world — beauties 
of  sparkling  cascades  and  laughing  waters, 
and  smooth,  silent,  dark  reaches,  where  frown- 
ing cliffs  and  dense  foliage  and  summer  clouds 
seem  as  sleeping  down  below. 

They  tell  me  that  the  Ohio  State  Fish  Com- 
uission  in  1885  put  into  the  Sunfish  half  a 


million  of  California  trout  and  salmon  ; the 
stream  naturally  abounds  in  yellow  perch.  At 
Sunfish  Station  a woman,  humbly  clad,  with 
children  and  bundles,  came  aboard,  when  out 
of  respect  to  the  sex  out  spake  the  conductor ; 
when  out  went  through  the  window  a vile 
Wheeling  stogie — the  poor  man’s  cigar.  It 
is  said  that  city  turns  out  annually  tens  of 
millions,  and  all  this  part  of  the  country 
smoke  them — the  millions. 

Then  up  out  of  the  chasm  our  train  went, 
again  twisting,  wabbling,  squeaking,  screech* 
ing  with  the  same  deafening,  infernal  grind, 
the  engine  one  moment  poking  its  nose  this 
way  and  then  that,  like  Bruno  or  Snow  Flake 
searching  for  a bone.  We  were  going  up  to 
the  birthplace  of  a mountain  rill  that  was  on 
its  way  rejoicing  to  help  along  the  pretty 
sunfish. 

A Future  Jay  Gould. — After  a little  my 
attention  was  caught  by  a living  object.  On 
a cleared  space  of  a quarter  of  an  acre,  ten 
rods  away  in  a cleft  in  the  hillside  it  was, 
stood  a miserable  log-hut  without  a door  or  a 
window  in  sight.  By  it  was  a single  living 
object ; a boy  in  a single  garment,  about  six 
years  old,  gazing  upon  us.  It  would  have 
been  woith  a plum  to  have  known  the  mental 
status  of  that  child  as  he  looked  out  upon  our 
train. 

To  be  interested  in  motion  is  a grand  human 
instinct.  A great  divine  said  to  me  once, 
“ From  my  study  window  I get  just  a glimpse 
of  the  top  of  the  smoke-stack  of  the  locomo- 
, tive  on  the  railroad  thirty  rods  away  ; but  no 
matter  how  absorbing  my  study,  I invariably 
look  up  at  every  passing  train.”  This  was 
the  late  Leonard  Bacon,  the  identical  person 
to  whose  pungent  writings  Abraham  Lincoln 
ascribed  his  first  insight  of  the  wrong  of 
slavery. 

As  I looked  upon  this  child  I felt  an  inward 
respect  for  his  possibilities  : felt  like  taking 
off  my  hat  to  him  : a human  being,  anyway, 
is  a big  thing.  He  may  be  the  Jay  Gould 
of  1930.  Certainly  to  be  born  poor  and 
among  the  hills,  seems  to  be  no  barrier  to  an 
eventual  grasp  of  the  money  bags  or,  what  is 
better  than  a grasp  simply  of  externals,  the 
highest,  purest,  noblest  development  of  one’s 
self 

Beautiful  Belmont. — A little  later  we  were 
in  the  open,  elevated  countiy  of  beautiful 
Belmont  county.  It  seemed  as  though  we 
were  on  the  roof  of  the  world.  No  forests  in 
sight,  but  huge,  round,  grassj^  hills,  on  which 
sheep  were  grazing,  and  a vast,  boundless 
prospect  stretching  like  a billow.y  ocean  of 
green  all  around,  with  here  and  there  warm, 
red-hued  patches — ploughed  fields.  We  could 
see  white  farm-houses  glistening  in  the  morn- 
ing sun,  miles  on  miles  away.  Heniy  Stan- 
beriy,  once  riding  in  a stage-coach  on  the 
National  road  through  this  region,  said  : “I 
should  have  liked  to  have  been  born  in  Bel- 
mont county.”  “Why?”  inquired  a com- 
panion. “ Because  people  born  in  a country 
of  marked  features'  have  marked  features 
themselves.” 

The  Valley  of  the  Captina  was  reached  from 


32C 


BELMONT  COUNTY. 


scend  from  225  to  261  feet,  being  about  the 
deepest  shafts  in  the  State. 

A mining  experience  was  mine  on  the  1 3th 
daj^  of  July,  1843.  On  that  day  I got  into  a 
basket  suspended  over  the  Midlothian  coal 
mine  near  Richmond,  Va.,  and  descended 
perpendicularly,  by  steam,  625  feet.  Then, 
being  put  in  charge  of  the  overseer,  I went 
down  ladders  and  slopes  so  that  I attained  a 
depth  of  about  1,000  feet  from  the  surface. 
The  overseer  took  me  everywhere,  exploring, 
as  he  said,  about  four  miles.  It  was  noon 
when  I entered  the  pit,  and  when  I came  out 
above  ground  and  got  out  of  the  basket  what 
was  my  astonishment  to  find  the  twilight  of  a 
summer  evening  pervading  the  landscape.  I 
found  the  owner  had  never  ventured  into  his 
own  mine,  and  I learn  it  is  often  the  same 
with  owners  in  Ohio.  I am  glad  I ventured, 
yet  it  was  not  an  experience  that  I care  to 
repeat;  but  the  music  of  the  sweet  singers 
that  evening,  at  the  mansion  of  the  gentle- 
man, the  owner,  whose  guest  I was,  rested 
me  after  my  toil,  and  lingers  in  memory. 

From  Captina  we  soon  descended  into  a 
narrow  valley,  passing  by  some  small,  neat, 
white  cottages  with  long  porches,  and  poultry 
trotting  around  in  side  yards,  and  then  sud- 
denly burst  into  view  the  broad  valley  of  the 
Ohio^  and,  following  the  river  banks,  were 
soon  in  that  hive  of  industry  and  glass — Bel- 
laire. 

BellairEj  120  miles  east  of  Columbus  and  5 miles  below  Wheeling,  on  the 
Ohio  river,  is  on  the  B.  & O.,  B.  Z.  & C.,  and  C.  & P.  Railroads.  It  is  an  im- 
portant manufacturing  town ; its  manufactories  are  supj^lied  with  natural  gas,  and 
it  has  ten  coal  mines,  Avater  works,  paved  streets  and  street  railway. 

Newspapers : Herald,  Democratic,  E.  M.  Lockwood,  editor ; Independent,  Re- 
publican, J.  F.  Anderson,  editor ; Tribune,  Republican,  C.  L.  Poorman  & Co., 
editors.  Churches : 2 Methodist  Episcopal,  1 Colored  Methodist  Episcopal,  2 
Presbyterian,  1 United  Presbyterian,  1 Disciples,  1 Episcopal,  1 German  Reformed, 
1 Church  of  God  and  1 Catholic.  Bank  : First  National,  J.  T.  Mercer,  president, 
A.  P.  Tall  man,  cashier. 

Manufactures  and  Employees. — Lantern  Globe  Co.,  95  hands ; Crystal  Window 
Glass  Co.,  61  ; Bellaire  Steel  and  Nail  Works,  650  ; Union  ATindow  Glass  Works, 
63 ; DuBois  & McCoy,  doors,  sash,  etc.,  27  ; Bellaire  Bottle  Co.,  130 ; Belmont 
Glass  Works,  240;  Bellaire  Barrel  Works,  16;  James  Fitton,  gas  fitting,  13; 
Ohio  Lantern  Co.,  83 ; Bellaire  Stamping  Co.,  metal  specialties,  210 ; Bellaire 
Goblet  Co.,  285 ; Enterprise  AVindow  Glass  Co.,  59 ; Bellaire  Window  Glass 
ATorks,  106  ; Ohio  Valley  Foundry  Co.,  stoves,  etc.,  45 ; Rodefer  Bros.,  lain]) 
globes,  125  ; iEtna  Foundry  & Machine  Shop,  repair  shop,  etc.,  13 ; ^tna  Glass 
Manufacturing  Co.,  245. — State  Report  1887.  Population  in  1880,  8,205  ; school 
census  in  1886,  3,381  ; Benj.  T.  Jones,  superintendent. 

The  river  plateau  at  Bellaire  is  about  a third  of  a mile  Avide ; upon  it  are  the 
industries  and  most  of  the  residences.  Tlie  streets  are  broad  and  airy.  The  ascent 
of  the  river  hills  is  easy,  with  the  homes  of  the  Avorking  ])eople  ])leasantly  perched 
thereon.  The  Baltimore  and  Ohio  railroad  follows  the  A^alley  of  McAIahon’s  creek, 
a stream  about  six  rods  Avide  and  entering  the  Ohio  in  the  southern  ])art  of  the 
tOAvn.  The  road  crosses  the  Ohio  by  an  iron  bridge  and  across  the  toAvn  by  a stone 
arcade  of  forty-three  arches,  rising  and  passing  over  seA^eral  of  the  main  streets  at 
a height  of  thirty-five  feet ; it  is  a very  j)icturesque  feature  of  the  city.  The  two, 
bridge  and  arcade  unitedly,  it  is  said,  are  about  a mile  long  and  cost  over  a million 
and  a half  of  dollam. 


the  table-lands  by  a rapid  descent,  when  we 
stopped  a few  moments  at  a mining  point — 
Captina  Station  Bridge.  It  was  just  long 
enough  for  me  to  sketch  from  the  car  win- 
dows a row  of  miners’  cottages,  and  from 


Drawn  by  Henry  Howe^  1886. 

Miners’  Cottages. 

which  the  inmates  go  forth  every  morning  to 
their  work,  descending  a perpendicular  hole 
in  the  ground  seventy-three  feet.  To  strike 
the  same  vein,  “The  Pittsburg  vein,”  at 
Steubenville,  in  the  county  north,  they  de- 


BELMONT  COUNTY. 


321 


The  valley  of  the  Ohio,  taking  both  sides  for  seven  miles,  is  a great  manu^ 
faeturing  region  and  owes  its  prosperity  primarily  to  the  inexhaustible  beds  of  coal 
in  the  valley  hills,  with  limestone,  building  stone  and  fire-clay.  On  the  West 
Virginia  side  is  the  city  of  Wheeling,  with  its  35,000  people,  and  suburb  of  Ben- 
wood  directly  opposite  Bellaire.  On  the  Ohio  side  is  a line  of  towns  for  seven 
miles,  beginning  with  Bellaire  and  continuing  with  Bridgeport  and  Martin’s  Ferry, 
bringing  up  the  total  population  to  60,000  souls.  So  near  are  they  that  one  may 
in  a certain  sense  call  it  a single  city  with  the  Ohio  dividing  it. 

In  the  hills  at  Bellaire  ten  large  coal  mines  are  worked.  On  the  Ohio  side  the 
dip  of  the  coal  is  towards  the  mouth  of  the  mines,  thus  giving  the  advantage  of 
a natural  drainage.  At  Bellaire  the  vein,  ''The  Pittsburg,”  is  125  feet  above  the 
river  at  low  stage  and  is  worked  from  the  surface.  The  inclination  of  the  vein  is 
twenty-two  feet  to  the  mile.  The  coal  is  discharged  over  screens  into  railroad  ears 
drawn  by  mules.  The  dumping  places  are  termed  " tipples.”  The  mines  have 
two  tipples  each,  one  at  the  mouth  of  the  mine  and  the  other  at  the  river  bank ; 
so  called  because  the  coal  cars  are  there  tipped  and  emptied. 

Lombardy  poplars  are  a feature  in  the  river  towns  of  the  upper  Ohio,  for  which 
the  soil  and  climate  appear  to  be  well  adapted.  Mingled  with  the  rounding  forms 


T.  S.  Tappan,  Photo.,  Bellaire,  1887. 
Bellaire. 


The  view  is  looking  up  the  Ohio,  showing  in  front  “the  coal  tipple”  on  the  river  bank  ; on  the  lefj 
some  glass-houses,  and  in  the  distance  the  bridge  of  the  B.  & O.  Railroad. 


of  the  other  trees  and  projected  against  the  soft  curves  of  distant  hills,  or  standing 
on  their  slojies  and  summits,  they  dignify  and  greatly  enhance  the  charms  of  a 
landscape.  Their  towering  forms  affect  one  with  the  same  sombre  emotion  as  the 
spires  and  pinnacles  of  Gothic  architecture.  The  tree  grows  with  great  rapidity ; 
its  entire  life  only  about  forty  years.  The  pojilar  trees  shown  in  the  picture  of 
" The  House  that  Jack  Built,”  twenty-one  in  number,  were  slender  saplings  about 
fifteen  feet  long  when  set  out  in  1873,  by  the  veteran  miner;  now  are  all  of  sixty 
or  seventy  feet.  The  worms  at  certain  seasons  commit  depredations  upon  them, 
when  they  look  as  scraggy  as  poultry  divested  of  feathers.  The  selfish  reason 
given  for  not  jilanting  trees,  that  one  may  not  live  to  see  them  grow,  does  not 
lo  this  tree.  Such  is  the  demand  hereabouts  for  ]ioplars  that  at  Mounds- 
ville,  on  the  opposite  side  of  the  river,  the  nursery  of  Mr.  Harris  makes  a spe- 
cialty of  them. 


. TRAVELLING  NOTES. 

Decoration  Day. — Bellaire  has  much  to  in- 
terest me.  Saturday,  May  29th,  dawned  in 
beauty.  It  was  Decoration  Day,  and  the 
people  turned  out  in  force  ; the  veterans  of 
the  Grand  ^ Army,  the  children,  boys  and 
girls,  in  white,  with  music,  wound  up  in  long 


procession  Cemetery  hill,  overlooking  the 
city,  bearing  flags  and  flowers.  Beautiful  is 
young  life,  and  never  may  there  be  wanting 
everywhere  memorial  days  of  some  sort  to 
feed  the  fires  of  patriotism  in  youthful 
hearts. 

A Talk  with  a Veteran  Riverman. — Capt. 


322 


BELMONT  COUNTY. 


John  Fink  in  his  youthful  days  arose  bright 
and  early.  He  was  smart,  and  so  he  got  to 
Bellaire  long  before  the  town  ; indeed,  offici- 
ated at  its  birth.  He  was  born  in  Pennsyl- 
vania in  1805.  Mike  Fink,  the  last  and  most 
famous  of  the  now  long  extinct  race  of  Ohio 
and  Mississippi  river  boatmen,  was  a relative, 
and  he  knew  Mike — knew  him  as  a boy  knows 
a man.  “When  I was  a lad,”  he  told  me, 
“ about  ten  years  of  age,  our  family  lived  four 
miles  above  Wheeling,  on  the  river.  Mike 
laid  up  his  boat  near  us,  though  he  generally 
had  two  boats.  This  was  his  last  trip,  and 
he  went  away  to  the  farther  West ; the  coun- 
try here  was  getting  too  civilized,  and  he  was 
disgusted.  This  was  about  1815.  - 

Mike  Fink. — In  the  management  of  his 
business  Mike  was  a rigid  disciplinarian  ; woe 
to  the  man  who  shirked.  He  always  had  his 
woman  along  with  him,  and  would  allow'no 
other  man  to  converse  with  her.  She  was 
''sometimes  a subject  for  his  wonderful  skill  in 
marksmanship  with  the  rifle.  He  would 
compel  her  to  hold  on  the  top  of  her  head  a 
tin  cup  filled  with  whiskey,  when  he  would 
put  a bullet  through  it.  Another  of  his  feats 
was  to  make  her  hold  it  between  her  knees, 
as  in  a vice,  and  then  shoot,  ’ ’ 

Captain  Fink's  Own  History  is  a subject 
more  pleasant  for  contemplation.  He  is  a 
thoroughly  manly  man,  and  now,  at  eighty- 
one  years  of  age,  in  the  full  vigor  of  intellect. 
From  ten  to  twelve  years  of  age  he  was  at 
work  on  his  uncle’s  farm,  four  miles  above 
Wheeling ; from  twelve  to  fifteen  on  the 
Wheeling  ferry.  Next  he  was  cook  .on  a 
keel-boat,  where  he  learned  to  “push.”  He 
followed  “ pushing  ” for  three  years,  first  at 
thirty-seven  and  a half  cents  a day  and  then 
fifty  cents.  In  1824  he  married,  his  entire 
fortune  just  sevent3^-five  cents.  A few  days 
after  he  tried  to  get  a calico  dress  for  his  wife 
on  credit  but  failed. 

The  Early  Coal- Trade  on  the  River. — ■ 
About  the  year  183(1  then  twenty-five  j^ears 
of  age,  his  credit  having  improved,  Mr.  Fink 
bought  on  time  a piece  of  land  on  McMahon’s 
creek,  Bellaire,  and  began  mining.  He  built 
a flat-boat,  and  took  a load  of  coal  to  Ma3’^s- 
ville,  which  netted  him  $200.  This,  he  tells 
me,  was  the  first  load  of  coal  ever  floated  any 
distance  on  the  Ohio.  After  a little  he  began 
a coal-trade  with  New  Orleans.  He  carted  it 
to  the  river  bank,  put  it  on  board  of  flat- 
boats,  and  floated  it  down  to  New  Orleans,  a 
distance  of  2,100  miles.  ^ On  a good  stage  of 
water  they  went  down  in  about  thirty  days ; 
once,  on  a flood,  in  nineteen  da3^s ; half  the 
time  did  not  dare  to  land.  He  sold  it  to  the 
sugar  refineries,  and  it  was  very  useful,  for 
with  wood  alone  they  were  unable  to  keep  up 
the  regular  heat,  so  necessary  for  good 
sugar. 

They  discharged  a cargo  by  carrying  it  up 
on  their  shoulders  in  barrels.  The  way  was 
to  knock  the  hoops  of  a flour-barrel  together 
at  the  ends  to  strengthen  it,  bore  two  holes 
through  the  top,  through  which  a piece  of 
rope  was  put,  and  tied  as  a bale ; through 
this  was  thrust  a pole,  when  two  men  carried 


it  on  their  shoulders  up  the  river  bank  ; some- 
times the  river  was  higher  than  the  town, 
then  they  descended. 

Each  barrel  held  two  and  three-quarter 
bushels ; weight,  220  pounds.  The  sugar 
people  paid  him  $1.50  a barrel.  During  a 
term  of  years  he  sold  several  hundred  thou- 
sand bushels.  In  1833  he  went  into  the 
steamboat  business  as  captain  and  owner,  and, 
amassing  a fortune,  in  1864,  at  the  age  of 
fifty-nine,  lie  retired  from  active  business. 

The  Heatheringtons. — In  his  early  mining 
operations  here  Capt.  Fink  found  excellent 
help  in  the  Heatheringtons,  a family  of 
English  miners.  They  consisted  of  the  father, 
John,  and  his  four  boys,  Jacob,  John,  Jr., 
Balph,  Edward,  and  a John  More.  They 
worked  in  a coal-bank,  in  the  hill  south  of 
McMahon’s  creek.  They  would  get  to  work 
about  daybreak,  bring  their  coal  to  the  mouth 
of  the  pit  on  wheelbarrows,  empty  their  bar- 
rels over  a board  screen,  and  down  it  would 
go  sliding  to  a lower  level  with  a tremendous 
rattling  noise,  which  travelled  over  the  corn- 
fields and  resounded  among  the  hills  around. 
At  that  time  Bellaire  was  only  a farming  spot, 
and  the  farmers  complained  that  the  noise 
disturbed  their  morning  sleep.  After  a while 
they  became  reconciled  to  this  “eye-opener,” 
for  it  brought  money  and  business  to  the 
place,  and  the  miners  had  to  be  fed — had 
bouncing  appetites.  The  faniib^  were  also 
musical ; and  evenings,  after  their  da3^s  of  toil, 
they  brought  out  their  musical  instruments — 
fife,  drum,  clarionet,  triangle,  etc. — and  the 
old  man,  John,  and  his  four  boys,  Jake,  John, 
Jr.,  Balph,  Ed.,  and  John  More  gave  the 
valley  folks  the  best  they  had  ; so  if  the  eye- 
openers  had  been  a little  hard  on  them,  the 
night-caps  made  full  compensation. 

Jacob  Heatherington. — When  I entered 
the  lower  end  of  Bellaire,  in  the  cars  along 
the  river  valley,  I was  struck  by  the  grand 
appearance  of  a mansion  under  the  hill,  with 
a row  of  poplar  trees  before  it.  This,  with 
the  huge  glass-houses  with  their  big  cupolas, 
and  other  industrial  establishments  of  the 
place,  the  noble  bridge  across  the  Ohio,  and 
the  grandeur  of  the  hill  and  river  scenery, 
made  an  enduring  impression.  The  owner 
of  this  palatial  residence  is  Jacob,  or,  as  he  is 
commonly  called,  Jake  Heatherington,  one 
of  the  sons  of  the  John  of  whom  I have 
spoken.  He  is  now  an  old  and  highly  re- 
spected man  of  seventy-three  years  of  age, 
and  with  a large  estate,  but  he  cannot  read 
nor  write. 

The  Miner  and  his  Mule  Partner. — He 
was  born  in  England  in  1814  ; at  spven  3'ears 
of  age  was  put  to  work  down  2,40()  feet  deep 
in  a coal-mine,  and  worked  sixteen  and  eight- 
een hours  a da3'^ ; never  went  to  school  a day 
in  his  life.  In  1837,  when  he  was  twenty- 
three  3’ears  of  age,  he  rented  a coal-bank  from 
Eapt.  Fink,  and  bought  eight  acres  of  land 
on  credit.  This  was  his  foundation,  and 
it  was  solid,  was  indeed  “the  everlasting 
hills.”  At  first  he  wheeled  out  his  coal  on  a 
wheelbarrow  ; his  business  grew,  and  he  took 
in  a partner.  The  firm  became  known  as 


BELMONT  COUNTY. 


323 


Jake  Heatherington  and  his  mule  Jack,  For 
years  he  mined  his  own  coal,  and  drove^  his 
faithful,  silent,  yet  active  partner,  a little 
fellow,  only  about  three  feet  and  a half  high. 


T»  S.  Tappan,  Photo.,  Bellaire,  1887. 
JACOB  HEATHERINGTON. 


A strong  affection  grew  up  between  them — a 
mule  , and  a man — and  so  great  was  it  that 
Jack  rebelled  when  any  one  else  attempted  to 
drive  him.  From  a few  bushels  per  day  the 
business  increased  to  thousands,  and  Jake’s 


coal  fed  the  furnaces  of  .•scores  of  steamers. 
His  possessions  enlarged  in  various  ways ; his 
eight  acres  increased  to  over  800,  he  owned 
some  thirty  dwellings,  shares  in  glass-works, 
and  possessed  steamboats. 

He  could  never  read  the  names  of  his  own 
boats  as  he  saw  them  pass  along  the  beautiful 
river  sixty  rods  from  his  door  ; but  he  didn’t 
care,  for  he  knew  them  by  sight,  and  no 
more  required  their  names  on  their  sides  for 
his  use  than  he  wanted  painted  on  the  side 


of  his  beloved  mule,  in  staring  letters,  the 
word  JACK ! 

The  llovse  that  Jack  Built. — In  1870  he 
built  his  imposing  residence,  at  a cost,  it  is 
said,  of  $35,000,  and  dedicated  it  to  the 
memory  of  Jack.  He  always  says  it  is  “The 
House  that  Jack  Built.”  His  good  fortune 
he  ascribes  to  Jack  ; but  for  his  faithful  ser- 
vices he  never  could  have  raised  it.  Over 
the  doorway  is  a noble  arch,  the  keystone  of 
which  is  the  projecting  head  of  a naule^  a 


T,  S.  Tappan,  Photo.,  Bellaire,  1887. 
The  House  that  Jack  Built. 


Mkeness  of  Jack.  When  the  house  was  built 
ack  was  twenty-eight  years  old,  retired  from 
ctive  business,  sleek  and  fat ; he  did  nothing 
jut  now  and  then  cut  off  a few  coupons. 

Jake  Shoivs  Jack  his  New  House. — Then 
came  the  eventful  day  of  his  life.  Jake 
brought  him  out  from  his  retirement  to  show 
him  the  grand  mansion  he  owed  to  him.  In 


the  presence  of  the  assembled  neighbors,  Jake 
led  Jack  up  the  steps  under  the  splendid  arch- 
way, and  he  followed  him  through  the  house, 
while  he  talked  to  him  in  the  most  loving  and 
grateful  way  and  showed  him  everything  ; all 
of  which  jack  fully  understood  as  a mule 
understands  a man.  Jack  lived  many  years 
after  this  in  otimn  cum  diqnitate."  To  be 


324 


BELMONT  COUNTY. 


born  is  to  eventually  die  ; it  is  a mere  ques- 
tion of  time ; with  mules  there  is  no  excep- 
tion. Then  came  Jack’s  last  sickness ; the 
most  tender  nursing  was  of  no  avail.  The 
grief  of  Jake  at  Jack’s  demise  wa§  indescrib- 
able. To  this  day  he  goes  with  visitors,  and 
oints  out  his  grave  under  an  apple  tree  near 
is  house,  and  talks  of  the  virtues  of  the  de- 
parted. His  age  was  forty  years  and  ten 
days  ; his  appearance  venerable,  for  time  had 
whitened  his  entire  body  like  unto  snow. 

My  Visit  to  Jake. — It  was  in  the  twilight 
of  a Sunday  evening  that  I called  upon  Jake 
Heatherington.  I passed  under  the  poplars 
and  across  the  lawn  to  the  mansion.  The 
venerable  man  and  his  wife  were  seated,  good 
Christian  people  as  they  are,  on  the  doorstep, 
enjoying  the  close  of  the  holy  day  as  it  rested 
in  silence  over  the  lovely  hill-crowned  valley. 

When  I handed  him  my  card,  I happened 
to  look  up  and  saw  the  mule  looking  down, 
as  if  watching  me.  In  a moment  the  old 


gentleman  handed  it  back,  saying:  “You 
will  please  read  it ; I am  not  much  of  a 
scholar. ” “No  matter, ” I replied  ; ‘ ‘ talk- 
ing was  done  before  printing ; I will  talk.  ’ ’ 
I passed  an  hour  there,  during  which  he  gave 
me  some  of  the  incidents  of  his  early  life,  as 
related.  He  is  rather  a small  man,  but  fresh- 
looking and^  compactly  built ; just  after  the 
war  he  fell  in  a coal-boat  and  broke  his  hip, 
from  which  he  still  suffers. 

Although  an  unlettered  man,  he  is  of  the 
quality _ that  poets  are  made.  ' While  one’s 
risibilities  are  affected  by  the  singular  original 
demonstration  of  his  regard  for  a brute,  the 
tenderness  of  the  sentiment  touches  the  finer 
chords.  The  highest,  the  celestial  truths  are 
felt  through  the  poetic  sense  ; and  true  wor- 
ship is  that  which  demonstrates  a yearning 
' desire  for  the  happiness  of  even  the  humblest 
of  Grod’s  creatures.  “Love  me,  love  my 
dog,  ’ ’ was  a thought  in  Paradise  before  it  was 
a proverb  on  earth. 


BARNESViiiLE,  ninety-seven  miles  east  of  Columbus,  and  twenty  miles  west  of 
the  Ohio  river,  is  on  the  O.  C.  H.  H.,  and  famous  for  its  culture  of  strawberries 
and  raspberries.  Newspapers  : Enterprise,  Independent,  George  McClelland,  pub- 
lisher ; Republican,  Hepublican,  Hanlon  Bros.  & Co.,  publishers.  Churches : 1 
Methodist  Episcopal,  I Presbyterian,  I Christian,  1 African  Methodist  Episcopal, 
and  1 Friends.  Banks  : First  National,  Asa  Garretson,  president,  G.  E.  Bradfield, 
cashier ; People’s  National,  J.  S.  Ely,  president,  A.  E.  Dent,  cashier. 

Large  Manufactures. — Barnesville  Glass  Company,  131  hands ; Watt  Mining 
Car- Wheel  Company,  42  ; George  Atkinson,  woollen-mill,  13  ; Heed  Bros.,  cigars, 
90 ; George  E.  Hunt,  tailor,  18  ; Hanlon  Bros.,  printing,  17. — State  Report  1887. 
Population  in  1880,  2,435.  School  census  in  1886,  823;  Henry  L.  Peck,  super- 
intendent. 

The  distinguishing  feature  of  Barnesville  lies  in  the  quantity  and  quality  of  its 
strawberry  production.  TAventy-five  years  ago  very  few  strawberries  Avere  grown 
in  this  community.  In  the  spring  of  1860  the  late  William  Smith  introduced, 
and  Avith  C.  G.  Smith,  John  Scoles,  and  a few  others,  cultivated  in  limited  quan- 
tities for  the  home  market  the  Wilson  Albany  Seedling.  The  demand  AA^as  small 
at  first,  but  steadily  increased,  until  shipments  are  noAV  1,000  bushels  per  day,  of 
Avhich  800  go  to  Chicago,  the  balance  divided  among  a number  of  points  East  and 
West;  and  the  fame  of  the  Barnesville  straAvberry  has  extended  not  only  over  the 
entire  country  but  into  foreign  countries,  even  so  far  as  Pussia.”  The  shipping 
trade  opened  about  1870 ; first  to  Columbus  and  Wheeling,  and  later  to  other  near 
points.  In  1880  James  Edgerton  tried  the  experiment  of  shipping  to  Chicago, 
but  not  until  tAvo  years  later  did  that  trade  assume  large  proportions.  There  are 
about  275  acres  devoted  to  straAvberry  culture,  the  average  yield  about  ninety-four 
bushels  per  acre.  The  Sharpless,  the  fa\mrite  variety,  is  a large,  sightly  fruit, 
Avell  colored,  fine  flavored,  and  Avill  stand  transportation  to  distant  cities.  Other 
popular  berries  are  the  Cumberland,  Charles  DoAvning,  Wilson,  Crescent,  and 
Jaconda;  but  the  Barnesville  groAvers  say,  ‘^The  Sharpless  is  our  pride.”  The 
care,  commendable  rivalry,  and  pride  of  the  Barnesville  groAvers,  Avhich,  Avith  a 
soil  and  climate  specially  adapted  to  the  groAvth  of  a large,  hardy  berry,  has  devel- 
oped this  great  industry. 

The  first  settlement  of  Warren,  the  toAvnship  in  Avhich  Barnesville  is  situated, 
Avas  made  in  1800,  the  last  year  of  the  last  century.  The  first  settlers  AA^ere  George 
Shannon  (the  father  of  Gov.  Shannon),  John  Grier,  and  John  Dougherty ; soon 
others  folloAved.  The  great  body  of  the  pioneers  Avere  nearly  all  Quakers  from 
North  Carolina,  Pennsylvania,  and  Maryland.  In  1804  they  built  a log  meeting- 
house, and  a Avoman,  Ruth  BosAvell,  preached  there  the  first  sermon  ever  delivered 


BELMONT  COUNTY. 


325 


in  the  township.  This  spot  where  the  Stillwater  church  now  stands  has  been 
occupied  by  the  Friends  from  that  day  to  this,  and  over  7,000  meetings  for  wor- 
ship have  been  held  there;  and  the  entire  7,000,  we  venture  to  say,  breathed 
nothing  but  Peace  on  earth  and  good-will  to  man.^’ 

ATilliam  Windom,  who  was  Secretary  of  the  Treasury  under  Garfield,  and  has 
twice  represented  Minnesota  in  the  United  States  Senate,  is  a native  of  this  county, 
where  he  Avas  born  May  10,  1827. 


Meyer  & Outtand,  Photo,.,  Barnesville,  1886. 
Feiends’  Yearly  Meeting-House,  Barnesville. 


Antiquities. — In  the  vicinity  of  Barnesville 
are  some  extraordinary  natural  and  artificial 
curiosities.  About  two  miles  south  of  the 
town,  on  the  summit  of  a hill  on  the  old  Biggs 
farm,  is  a stone  called  “ Goblet  Bock  ” from 
its  general  resemblance  to  a goblet.  Its  aver- 
age height  is  nine  feet,  circumference  at  base 
fifteen  feet  nine  inches,  ^ mid  circumference 
eighteen  feet,  and  top  circumference  thirty- 
one  feet  four  inches.  The  whole  stone  can  be 
shaken  into  a sensible  tremble  by  one  standing 
on  the  top.  ^ 

A few  miles  west  of  Barnesville  are  two 
ancient  works,  on  the  lands  of  Jesse  Jarvis 
and  James  Nuzzum.  On  that  of  the  latter  is 
one  of  the  largest  of  mounds,  it  being  about 
1,800  feet  in  circumference  and  90  feet  in 
height. 


Among  the  most  interesting  relics  of  the 
mound-building  race  are  the  “Barnesville 
track  rocks”  on  the  sand  rock  of  the  coal 
measure  located  on  the  lands  of  Bobert  G. 
Price.  They  were  discovered  in  1856  by  a 
son  of  Mr.  Price.  The  tracks  are  those  of 
birds’,  animals’  and  human  feet,  and  other 
figures,  as  shellfish,  serpents,  earthworms, 
circles,  stars,  etc. : these  indentations  vary 
from  two  to  over  twenty  inches  in  length. 
The  depths  of  the  impressions  are  from  three- 
fourths  of  an  inch  to  a scale  hardly  percepti- 
ble. These  are  evidently  the  work  of  a 
mound  race  sculptor.  The  track  ^ rocks 
are  described  and  pictonally  shown  in  the 
U.  S.  Centennial  Commission  Beport  for 
Ohio. 


Martinis  Ferry  is  on  the  west  bank  of  the  Ohio  river  opposite  Wheeling,  W. 
Va.  The  site  of  the  city  is  a broad  river  bottom  over  two  miles  in  length  and 
extending  westward  to  the  foot-hills  a distance  of  a mile  and  a half  at  the  widest 
point.  The  adjacent  hills  rise  gradually  and  afford  many  beautiful  building  sites 
overlooking  the  river,  giving  a vieAV  not  excelled  at  any  point  on  the  Ohio.  The 
city, is  underlaid  with  an  inexhaustible  supply  of  coal.  A bountiful  supply  of 
building  stone  and  limestone  is  found  Avithin  the  corporation  limits,  and  natural 
gas  has  been  struck  in  ample  quantities  for  the  town’s  needs. 

The  first  settlement  Avas  made  and  called  Morristown  in  1785,  but,  upon  com- 
plaint of  the  Indians  that  the  Avhites  were  encroaching  on  their  hunting-grounds,  the 
settlers  Avere  dispossessed  and  driven  to  the  other  side  of  the  river  by  Col.  Harmer, 
acting  under  the  orders  of  the  United  States  government.  In  1788  the  ground 
upon  which  the  toAvn  is  built  AA^as  granted  by  patent  to  Absalom  Martin,  and  in 
1795  he  laid  out  a town  and  called  it  Jefferson.  But,  having  failed  in  his  efforts 
to  liaA^e  it  made  the  county-seat,  Mr.  Martin  purchased  such  town  lots  as  had  been 
already  sold  and  vacated  the  toAvn,  supposing];:  a toAvn  could  never  exist  so  near 
W heeling. 


326 


BELMONT  COUNTY. 


In  1 835  Ebenezer  Martin  laid  out  and  platted  the  town  of  Martinsville,  but 
afterwards  changed  the  name  to  Martin’s  Ferry,  there  being  another  town  in  the 
State  named  Martinsville.  As  no  point  on  the  Ohio  ])resented  better  facilities  for 
manufacturing,  it  grew  and  prospered  and  in  1865  was  incorporated  as  a town. 

Martin’s  Ferry  is  on  the  line  of  the  P.  C.  & St.  L.  R.  P.  Newspapers  : Ohio 
Valley  News,  Independent,  James  H.  Drennen,  editor  and  publishe*  ; Church 
Herald,  religious,  Rev.  Earl  D.  Holtz,  editor  and  publisher.  Churdies  : 1 Presby- 
terian, 1 United  Presbyterian,  1 Baptist,  1 Lutheran,  1 Catholic,  2 Methodist 
Episcopal,  1 African  Methodist,  1 Episcopal.  Banks : Commercial,  J.  A.  Gray, 
president.  Geo.  II.  Smith,  cashier;  Exchange,  John  Armstrong,  president,  W.  R. 
Ratcliff,  cashier. 

Manufacturers  and  Employees. — Novelty  Glass  Mould  Works,  9 hands;  Elson 
Glass  Works,  tableware,  etc.,  330 ; F.  McCord  & Bro.,  brick,  25 ; Laughlin  Nail 
Co.,  375;  Martin’s  Ferry  Stove  Works,  27;  Spruce,  Baggs  & Co.,  stoves,  26; 
Dithridge  Flint  Glass  Works,  tumblers,  etc.,  194 ; L.  Spence,  steam  engines,  etc., 
25  ; Martin’s  Ferry  Keg  and  Barrel  Co.,  65  ; Buckeye  Glass  Works,  200 ; Branch 
of  Benwood  Mills,  pig  iron,  55  ; J.  Kerr  So  Sons  and  B.  Exley  & Co.,  doors,  sash, 
etc. ; Wm.  Mann,  machinery,  24. — State  Report,  1887. 


A.  C.  Enochs,  Photo.,  Martin's  Ferry,  1887. 


Martin’s  Ferry. 

Population  in  1880,  3,819.  School  census  in  1886,  1,813;  Chas.  .R.  Shreve', 
superintendent. 

The  cultivation  of  grapes  is  an  important  and  growing  industry  of  Martin’s 
Ferry,  the  warm  valley  and  sunny  eastern  slopes  west  of  the  town  being  espe- 
cially adapted  to  their  perfection ; not  less  than  350  acres  are  devoted  to  their 
cultivation.  The  grapes  are  made  into  wine  by  the  Ohio  Wine  Co.,  which  has 
recently  erected  a large  building  for  this  purpose. 

The  dwellings  at  Martin’s  Ferry  are  mostly  on  a second  plateau  about  600 
feet  from  the  Ohio  and  100  feet  above  it.  The  river  hills  on  both  sides  rise  to 
an  altitude  of  about  600  feet,  making  the  site  of  the  town  one  of  grandeur. 
On  the  West  Virginia  side  the  hills  are  very  precipitous,  leaving  between  them 
and  the  river  bank  but  little  more  than  sufficient  space  for  a road  and  the  line 
of  the  P.  C.  & St.  L.  Railroad.  The  upper  plateau  at  Bellaire  is  a gravel  and 
sand  bed.  The  gravel  is  about  eighty  feet  deep  in  places,  cemented  so  strongly 
that  the  excavation  for  buildings  is  very  expensive,  being  impervious  to  the 
pick,  and  often,  from  the  porous  nature  of  the  soil,  blasting  fails ; the  cost  of  ex- 
cavating for  the  cellar  of  a building  often  exceeds  the  price  of  the  lot.  The  west 
part  of  the  upper  plateau  is  depressed,  and  it  is  supposed  was  once  the  bed  of 
the  Ohio.  The  country  back  is  very  fertile  and  rich  in  coal,  iron  and  limestone. 


BELMONT  COUNTY. 


<27 


Annexed^  is  a view  of  the  cottage  at  Mar- 
tin’s Ferry  in  which,  March  I,  1837,  was  born 
Wm.  Dean  Howells,  who  is  considered 
“America’s  Leading  Writer  of  Fiction.”  The 
structure  was  ol’  brick  and  was  destroyed  to 
make  way  for  the  track  of  the  Cleveland  and 
Pittsburg  railway.  It  was  drawn  at  our  de- 


Birthplace  of  Wm.  Dean  Howells. 

sire  from  memory  by  the  venerated  father  of 
the  author,  who  built  it  and  is  now  living  in 
a pleasant  old  age  at  Jelferson,  Ashtabula 
county. 

The  Howells  away  back  were  of  literary 
tastes,  of  Welsh  stock  and  Quakers.  When 
the  boy  was  three  years  of  age  the  family  re- 
moved to  Butler  county,  wdiere  his  father 
published  a newspaper,  the  Hcimilton  Intelli- 
(jencer,  and  William  while  a mere  child 
learned  to  set  type.  From  thence  they  re- 
moved to  Dayton,  where  the  elder  Howells 
purchased  the  Dayton  Transcript  and  changed 
it  into  a daily.  His  sons  aided  him  in  the 
type-setting,  William  often  working  until 
near  midnight  and  then  rising  at  four  o’clock 
to  distribute  the  paper.  The  enterprise  illus- 
trated industry  against  ill  fate.  After  a two- 
years’  struggle  Mr.  Howells  one  day  an- 
nounced to  his  sons  the  enterprise  was  a fail- 
ure, whereupon  they  all  went  down  to  the 
Big  Miami  and  took  a good  swim  to  freshen 
up  for  another  tug  with  fate. 

In  1851,  when  fourteen  years  of  age,  he 
got  a position  as  compositor  on  the  Ohio  State 
Journal  at  Columbus.  His  pay  was  four  dol- 


lars per  week,  which  was  the  first  money  he 
earned  and  received  as  his  own.  This  he 
turned  into  the  uses  of  the  family  to  help 
fight  the  wolf  from  the  door.  While  there, 
conjointly  with  a brother  compositor,  John 
J.  Piatt,  he  jiut  forth  a volume  of  poetry. 
Later  he  contributed  iioeins  to  the  Atlantic 


WM.  DEAN  HOWELLS. 


Monthly,  was  a newspaper  correspondent, 
wrote  a campaign  life  of  Lincoln  : from  1861 
to  1 864  was  consul  at  Venice  ; from  1 866  to 
1872  was  assistant  editor  of  the  Atlantic 
Monthly,  and  then  until  1881  editor-in-chief. 
Mr.  Howells  works  in  a field  wdiich  is  pre- 
eminently his  own — that  of  social  life.  He 
has  a happy  home,  wife  and  children  in  Bea- 
con St.,  Boston,  where  he  devotes  his  morn- 
ings to  writing,  usually  comideting  at  a sitting 
a trifle  more  than  what  would  make  one-and- 
a-half  pages  as  this  in  which  our  printer  sets 
these  lines — say  1500  words  a day. 


Flushing  and  Morristown  are  villages,  containing  each  from  sixty  to  eighty 
dwellings,  in  this  county. 


BROWN  COUNTY. 


12X> 


BROWN. 


Brown  County  was  formed  from  Adams  and  Clermont  March  1,  1817,  and 
named  from  General  Jacob  Brown,  a gallant  officer  of  the  war  of  1812.  He  was  a 
native  of  Pennsylvania,  of  Quaker  origin,  and  defeated  the  British  at  Lundy^s  Lane, 
Chippewa  and  in  the  sortie  from  Fort  Erie.  Excepting  the  Ohio  river  hills  the 
surface  oLBrown  is  generally  level  or  undulating  and  the  soil  fertile ; the  northern 
part  more  especially  is  adapted  to  grassing  and  the  southern  to  grain.  Area,  470 
square  miles.  In  1885  the  acres  cultivated  Avere  107,803;  pasture,  97,015; 
woodland,  42,553  ; lying  waste,  9,666;  wheat,  72,616  bushels;  corn,  1,261,807 ; 
tobacco,  3,702,512  pounds;^  butter,  498,153  pounds.  School  census  1886, 
10,328;  teachers,  217.  It  has  113  miles  of  railroad. 


WNSHIPS  AND  Census. 

1840. 

1880. 

Townships  and  Census. 

1840. 

Byrd, 

2,422 

1,299 

Perry, 

1,869 

Clark, 

1,290 

1,761 

Pike, 

792 

Eagle, 

888 

1,249 

Pleasant, 

1,485 

Franklin 

1,199 

1,165 

Scott, 

1,101 

Green, 

358 

1,916 

Sterling, 

608 

Huntington, 

1,957 

3,085 

Union, 

2,071 

Jackson, 

1,253 

963 

Washington, 

848 

Lewis, 

2,044 

8,188 

1880. 

2,838 

1,339 

2,940 

1,224 

1,662 

5,776 

1,206 


Population  of  BroAvn  county  in  1820,  13,367  ; in  1840,  22,715;  in  1860, 
28,842;  in  1880,  31,179,  of  whom  27,383  were  Ohio-born. 

A short  time  previous  to  the  settlement  of  this  county  a battle  was  fought  at  a 
locality  called  the  salt  lick,”  in  Perry  township,  in  the  northern  part  of  the 
county,  between  a party  of  Kentuckians  and  some  Indians  under  Tecumseh.  The 
circumstances  are  here  given  from  Drake’s  life  of  that  celebrated  Indian  chief. 


Battle  with  Tecumseh. — In  the  month  ot 
March,  1792,  some  horses  were  stolen  by  the 
Indians,  from  the  settlements  in  Mason 
county,  Ky.  A party  of  whites,  to  the  num- 
ber of  thirty-six,  was  immediately  raised  for 
the  purpose  of  pursuing  them.  It  embraced 
Kenton,  Whiteman,  MTntyre,  Downing, 
Washburn,  Calvin  and  several  other  experi- 
enced woodsmen.  The  first  named,  Simon 
Kenton,  a distinguished  Indian  fighter,  was 
placed  in  command.  The  trail  of  the  Indians 
being  taken,  it  was  found  they  had  crossed 
the  Ohio,  just  below  the  mouth  of  Lee’s 
creek,  which  was  reached  by  the  pursuing 
party  towards  evening.  Having  prepared 
rafts,  they  crossed  the  Ohio  that  night,  and 
encamped.  Early  next  morning  the  trail  was 
again  taken  and  pursued,  on  a north  course, 
all  day,  the  weather  being  bad  and  the  ground 
wet.  On  the  ensuing  morning,  twelve  of  the 
men  were  unable  to  continue  the  pursuit,  and 
were  permitted  to  return. 

The  remainder  followed  the  trail  until 
eleven  o’clock  A.  m.,  when  a bell  was  heard, 
which  they  supposed  indicated  their  apjiroach 
to  the  Indian  camp.  A halt  was  called,  and 
all  useless  baggage  and  clothing  laid  aside. 

Whiteman  and  two  others  were  sent  ahead 
as  spies,  in  different  directions,  each  being 


followed  by  a detachment  of  the  party.  After 
moving  forward  some  distance,  it  was  found 
that  the  bell  was  approaching  them.  They 
halted,  and  soon  perceived  a solitary  Indian 
riding  towards  them.  When  within  one  hun- 
dred and  fifty  yards,  he  was  fired  at  and 
killed.  Kenton  directed  the  spies  to  proceed, 
being  now  satisfied  that  the  camp  of  the 
Indians  was  near  at  hand.  They  pushed  on 
rapidly,  and  after  going  about  four  miles, 
found  the  Indians  encamped  on  the  southeast 
side  of  the  east  fork  of  the  Little  Miami,  a 
few  miles  above  the  place  where  the  town  of 
Williamsburg  has  since  been  built.  The 
indications  of  a considerable  body  of  Indians 
were  so  strong,  that  the  expediency  of  an 
attack  at  that  hour  of  the  day  was  doubted 
by  Kenton.  A hurried  council  was  held,  in 
which  it  was  determined  to  retire,  if  it  could 
be  done  without  discovery,  and  lie  concealed 
until  night,  and  then  assault  the  camp.  This 
plan  was  carried  into  execution.  Two  of  the 
spies  were  left  to  watch  the  Indians,  and 
ascertain  whether  the  pursuing  party  had 
been  discovered.  The  others  retreated  tor 
some  distance,  and  took  a commanding  posi- 
tion on  a ridge.  The  spies  watched  until 
night,  and  then  reported  to  their  cojinmander 
that  they  had  not  been  discovered  by  th^ 


BROWN  COUNTY. 


enemy.  The  men  being  wet  and  cold,  they 
were  now  marched  down  into  a liollow,  where 
they  kindled  fires,  dried  their  clothes,  and 
put  their  rifles  in  order. 

The  party  was  then  divided  into  three  de- 
tachments,— Kenton  commanding  the  right, 
MTntyre  the  centre,  and  Downing  the  left. 
By  agreement,  the  three  divisions  were  to 
move  towards  the  camp,  simultaneously,  and 
when  they  had  approached  as  near  as  possi- 
ble, without  giving  an  alarm,  were  to  be 
uided  in  the  commencement  of  the  attack, 
y the  fire  from  Kenton’s  party.  When 
' Downing  and  his  detachment  had  approached 
close  to  the  camp,  an  Indian  rose  upon  his 
feet,  and  began  to  stir  up  the  fire,  which  was 
but  dimly  burning.  Fearing  a discovery, 
Downing’s  party  instantly  shot  him  down. 
This  was  followed  by  a general  fire  from  the 
three  detachments,  upon  the  Indians  who 
were  sleeping  under  some  marquees  and  bark 
tents,  close  upon  the  margin  of  the  stream. 
But  unfortunately,  as  it  proved  in  the  sequel, 
Kenton’s  party  had  taken  “Boone,”  as  their 
watch-word.  This  name  happening  to  be  as 
familiar  to  the  enemy  as  themselves,  led  to 
some  confusion  in  the  course  of  the  engage- 
ment. When  fired  upon,  the  Indians,  instead 
of  retreating  across  the  stream,  as  had  been 
anticipated,  boldly  stood  to  their  arms, 
returned  the  fire  of  the  assailants,  and  rushed 
upon  them.  They  were  reinforced,  more- 
over, from  a camp  on  the  opposite  side  of  the 
river,  which,  until  then,  had  been  unperceived 
by  the  whites.  In  a few  minutes,  the  Indians 
and  the  Kentuckians  were  blended  with  each 
other,  and  the  cry  of  “Boone,”  and  “Che 
Boone,”  arose  simultaneously  from  each 
party. 

It  was  after  midnight  when  the  attack  was 
made,  and  there  being  no  moon,  it  was  very 
dark.  Kenton,  perceiving  that  his  men  were 
likely  to  be  overpowered,  ordered  a retreat, 
after  the  attack  had  lasted  for  a few  minutes  ; 
this  was  continued  through  the  remainder  of 
the  night  and  part  of  the  next  day,  the 
Indians  pursuing  them  but  without  killing 
more  than  one  of  the  retreating  party.  The 
Kentuckians  lost  but  two  men,  Alexander 
M’ Intyre  and  John  Barr.  The  loss  of  the 
Indians  was  much  greater,  according  to  the 
statements  of  some  prisoners,  who,  after  the 
peace  of  1795,  were  released  and  returned  to 
Kentucky.  They  related  that  fourteen  In- 
dians were  killed,  and  seventeen  wounded. 
They  stated  further,  that  there  were  in  the 
camp  about  one  hundred  warriors,  among 
them  several  chiefs  of  note,  including  Tecum- 
seh,  Battise,  Black  Snake,  Wolf  and  Chin- 
skau ; and  that  the  party  had  been  formed 
for  the  purpose  of  annoying  the  settlements 
in  Kentucky,  and  attacking  boats  descending 
the  Ohio  river.  Kenton  and  his  party  were 
three  days  in  reaching  Limestone,  during  two 
of  which  they  were  without  food,  and  desti- 
tute of  sufficient  clothing  to  protect  them 
from  the  cold  winds  and  rains  of  March. 
The  foregoing  particulars  of  this  expedition 
are  taken  from  the  manuscript  narrative  of 
Gen.  Benjamin  Whiteman,  one  of  the  early 


329 

and  gallant  pioneers  to  Kentucky,  now  a 
resident  of  Greene  county,  Ohio. 

The  statements  of  Anthony  Shane  and  of 
Stephen  Buddell,  touching  this  action,  vary 
in  some  particulars  from  that  which  has  been 
given  above,  and  also  from  the  narrative  in 
“McDonald’s  Sketches.”  The  principal 
difference  relates  to  the  number  of  Indians  in 
the  engagement,  and  the  loss  sustained  by 
them.  They  report  but  two  killed,  and  that 
the  Indian  force  was  less  than  that  of  the 
whites.  Buddell  states,  that  at  the  com- 
mencement of  the  attack,  Tecumseh  was 
lying  by  the  fire,  outside  of  the  tents.  When 
the  first  gun  was  heard,  he  sprang  to  his  feet, 
and  calling  upon  Sinnamatha  to  follow  his 
example  and  charge,  he  rushed  forward  and 
killed  one  of  the  whites  (John  Barr)  with  his 
war-club.  The  other  Indians,  raising  the 
war-whoop,  seized  their  arms,  and  rushing 
upon  Kenton  and  his  party,  compelled  them, 
after  a severe  contest  of  a few  minutes,  to  re- 
treat. One  of  the  Indians,  in  the  midst  of 
the  engagement,  fell  into  the  river,  and  in 
the  effort  to  get  out  of  the  water  made  so 
much  noise  that  it  created  a belief  on  the 
minds  of  the  whites  that  a reinforcement 
was  crossing  the  stream  to  aid  Tecumseh. 
This  is  supposed  to  have  hastened  the  order 
from  Kenton  for  his  men  to  retreat. 

The  afternoon  prior  to  the  battle  one  of 
Kenton’s  nien,  by  the  name  of  M’Intyre, 
succeeded  in  catching  an  Indian  horse,  which 
he  tied  in  the  rear  of  the  camp,  and,  when  a 
retreat  was  ordered,  he  mounted  and  rode 
off.  Early  in  the  morning  Tecumseh  and 
four  of  his  men  set  off  in  pursuit  of  the  re- 
treating party.  Having  fallen  upon  the  trail 
of  M’ In  tire,  they  pursued  it  for  some  dis- 
tance and  at  length  overtook  him.  He  had 
struck  a fire  and  was  cooking  some  meat. 
When  M’Intyre  discovered  his  pursuers  he 
instantly  fled  at  full  speed.  Tecumseh  and 
two  others  followed  and  were  fast  gaining  on 
him,  when  he  turned  and  raised  his  gun. 
Two  of  the  Indians,  who  happened  to  be  in 
advance  of  Tecumseh,  sprung  behind  trees, 
but  he  rushed  upon  M’Intyre  and  made  him 
prisoner.  He  was  tied  and  taken^  back  to 
the  battle-ground.  Upon  reaching  it  Tecum- 
seh deemed  it  prudent  to  draw  off  his  men, 
lest  the  whites  should  rally  and  renew  the 
attack.  He  requested  some  of  the  Indians  to 
catch  the  horses,  but  they  hesitating,  he  un- 
dertook to  do  it  himself,  assisted  by  one  of 
the  party.  When  he  returned  to  camp  with 
the  horses,  he  found  that  his  men  had  killed 
M’Intyre.  At  this  act  of  cruelty  to  a pris- 
oner he  was  exceedingly  indignant,  declar- 
ing that  it  was  a cowardly  act  to  kill  a man 
when  tied  and  a prisoner.  The  conduct  of 
Tecumseh  in  this  engagement  and  in  the 
events  of  the  following  morning  is  creditable 
alike  to  his  courage  and  humanity.  Beso- 
lutely  brave  in  battle,  his  arm  was  never  up- 
lifted against  a jjrisoner,  nor  did  he  suffer 
violence  to  be  inflicted  upon  a captive  without 
promptly  rebuking  it. 

McDonald,  in  speaking  of  this  action, 
says : 


BROWN  COUNTY. 


33<^ 

“The  celebrated Tecumseh  commanded  the 
Indians.  His  cautious  and  fearless  intrepidity 
made  him  a host  wherever  he  went.  In 
military  tactics  night  attacks  are  not  allow- 
able, except  in  cases  like  this,  when  the  as- 
sailing party  are  far  inferior  in  numbers. 
Sometimes,  in  night  attacks,  panics  and 
confusion  are  created  in  the  attacked  party, 


which  may  render  them  a prey  to  inferior 
numbers.  Kenton  trusted  to  something  like 
this  on  the  present  occasion,  but  was  disap- 
pointed, for  when  Tecumseh  was  present  his 
influence  over  the  minds  of  his  followers  in- 
fused that  confidence  in  his  tact  and  in- 
trepidity that  they  could  only  be  defeated  by 
force  of  numbers.  ’ ’ 


Drawn  hy  Henry  Howe,  1846. 


Public  Square,  Georgetown. 

Georgetown  in  1846. — Georgetown,  the  county-seat,  is  107  miles  from 
Columbus,  30  from  Hillsboro,  46  from  Wilmington,  21  from  Batavia  and  West 
Union  and  10  from  Ripley.  It  was  laid  off  in  the  year  1819,  and  its  original 
proprietors  were  Allen  Woods  and  Henry  Newkirk.  It  contains  1 Presbyterian, 
1 Baptist,  1 Christian  Disciples  and  1 IMethodist  church,  a newspaper  printing  office 
and  about  800  inhabitants.  The  view  shows  the  public  square,  with  the  old  court- 
hou.se  on  the  left  and  on  the  right  a new  and  elegant  Methodi.st  church. — Old  Edition. 

Georgetown,  the  county-seat,  is  in  the  valley  of  White  Oak  Creek,  on  the  C. 
G.  & P.  Railroad,  42  miles  southeast  of  Cincinnati  and  10  miles  north  of  the 
Ohio  river.  The  town  has  changed  less  than  many  others  since  1846.  Another 
and  a neat  court-hou.se  occupies  the  site  of  the  one  shown,  and  the  grounds  are 
ornamented  with  a fine  grove  of  trees. 

County  officers  in  1888:  Probate  Judge,  George  P.  Tyler;  Clerk  of  Court, 
C.  C.  Blair;  Sheriff,  A.  J.  Thompson;  Pro.secuting  Attorney,  D.  Y.  Pearson; 
Auditor,  John  W.  Helbling ; Treasurer,  J.  P.  Richey ; Recorder,  G.  C.  Reisinger  ; 
Surveyor,  J.  R.  Wright;  Coroner,  John  W.  Adkins;  Commi.ssioners,  Fred- 
erick Bauer,  S.  W.  Pickerill,  R.  C.  Drake. 

Georgetown  has  1 Presbyterian,  1 Christian,  1 IMethodist,  1 Colored  Methodi.st 
and  1 Colored  Baptist  church.  Newspapers : Democmt  (Dem.),  D.  S.  Tarbell, 
editor;  News  (Dem.),  A.  B.  Fee  & Dang,  publi.shers;  Gazette  (Rep.),  Wm.  H.  T. 
Denny.  Banks ; First  National,  Joseph  Cochran,  president,  W.  S.  Wliiteman, 
cashier.  One  woollen  factory,  R.  Young  & Co.,  19  employees.  A great  deal  of 
tobaceo  is  shipped  from  here.  Population  in  1880,1,293.  School  census  1886, 
468  ; Isaac  Mitchell,  superintendent. 

The  greate.st  indu.stry  of  this  county  is  tobacco-raising,  of  which  3,702,542 
pounds  were  produced  in  1885,  this  amount  being  exceeded  only  by  Montgomery 
county.  Brown,  however,  takes  ]irecedence  in  the  quality  of  tobacco.  It  is  rai.sed 
upon  the  bottom  lands  and  hillsides  by  the  water  courses,  the  .southern  part  of  the 
county  being  more  especially  the  tobacco  region. 

The  “ White  Burley''  Tobacco,  which  is  a highly  valued  as  a superior  chewing  tobacco, 
native  of  this  county,  is  of  fine  qualit}’^  and  It  was  first  discovered  about  the  year  1860  by 


BROWN  COUNTY, 


33J 


Joseph  Foos  on  the  farm  of  Captain  Fred 
Kantz,  Foos  had  procured  some  little  bur- 
ley  seed  from  George  Barkley,  which,  when 
it  came  up,  produced  plants  some  of  which 
were  almost  milk-white.  This  led  him  to 
suppose  that  they  had  been  damaged,  but  they 
grew  as  vigorously  as  those  of  a darker  color. 
Therefore,  when  transplanting,  he  set  out 
the  white  ones  also.  They  grew  and  matured, 
were  cut  and  hung  by  themselves,  so  that 
they  could  be  distinguished.  ^ When  cured 
they  were  very  bright  and  fine  in  texture  and 

In  Georgetown  is  pointed  out  the  mai 
nent  and  eloquent  men  of  his  time  in  the 
It  was  through' him  that  U.  S.  Grant  r( 
Point. 


of  such  superior  quality  that  more  of  the 
seed  was  procured  and  planted  with  the  same 
result,  and  from  these  plants  the  seed  was 
saved.  Thus  originated  the  famous  ‘‘White 
Burley  ’ ’ tobacco  of  Brown  county,  from 
which  the  farmers  of  that  section  have 
reaped  such  rich  harvests.  From  it  is  made 
the  celebrated  brand  of  Fountain  fine-cut  of 
Lovell  & Buffington,  also  the  Star  plug  of 
Liggett  & Myer  and  many  other  popular 
brands. 

• 

ion  in  whicli  lived  one  of  the  most  emi- 
State,  General  Thomas  Lyon  Hamer, 
iived  his  appointment  as  a cadet  to  West 


teacher,  beginning  at  Withamsville,  Clermont 
county,  a poor  boy,  with  onL  one  suit  of 
clothes,  that  the  homespun  on'  his  back,  and 
a cash  capital  of  “ one  and  sixpence.”  Later 
he  taught  at  Bethel,  where  he  boarded  in  the 
family  of  Thomas  Morris,  the  pioneer  lawyer 
of  Clermont  county,  who  befriended  him. 
He  occupied  his  spare  hours  in  studying  law 
and  commenced  the  practice  in  Georgetown 
in  the  year  1820,  which  he  continued  until 
June,  1846,  at  which  time  he  volunteered  in 
the  Mexican  war.  Being  an  active  member 
of  the  Democratic  party,  he  sympathized  in 
its  war  measures.  He  was  elected  Major  of 
the  First  Begiment  Ohio  Volunteers,  and  re- 
ceived the  appointment  of  Brigadier-General 
from  the  President  before  his  departure  for 
the  seat  of  war.  In  that  station  he  acquitted 
himself  with  great  ability  up  to  the  period  of 
his  death.  He  was  in  the  battle  of  Monterey, 
and  on  Major-General  Butler  being  wounded, 
succeeded  him  in  the  command.  He  dis- 
tinguished himself  on  this  occasion  by  his 
coolness  and  courage.  General  Hamer  was 
endowed  with  most  extraordinary  abilities  as 
an  orator,  advocate  and  lawyer.  He  repre- 
sented the  district  in  which  he  resided  six 
years  in  Congress,  and  distinguished  himself 
as  an  able  and  sagacious  statesman,  and  at 
the  time  of  his  death  was  a member-elect  of 
Congress.  His  death  was  greatly  deplored, 
being  in  his  prime,  forty-six  years  of  age, 
with  a most  promising  prospect  of  attaining 
the  highest  eminence. 

Georgetown  will  be  known  for  all  time  as  the  boyhood  home  of  Ulysses  Simp- 
son Grant.  He  was  born  in  Clermont  county,  but  as  his  parents  removed  here  when 
he  was  a mere  infant  only  about  a year  old,  his  childhood  impressions  were  made 
and  his  early  loves  formed  in  this  then  little  village  in  the  valley  of  White  Oak 
creek.  His  parents  were  of  Scotch  descent ; his  great-grandfather,  Noah  Grant, 
was  a captain  in  the  early  French  wars,  and  his  grandfather,  Noah  Grant,  a lieu- 
tenant in  the  battle  of  Lexington. 

The  school-house  of  Grant’s  boyhood  is  yet  standing,  but  in  a dilapidated  condi- 
tion ; and  this  now  old  ruin  doubtless  was  the  scene  of  this  anecdote  told  b}^  a 
biographer.  When  he  was  quite  a little  fellow  he  had  an  unusually  difficult 
lesson  to  learn.  You  can’t  master  that  task,”  remarked  one  of  his  schoolmates. 
Can’t,”  he  returned;  ^Svhat  does  that  mean?”  Well  it  just  means  just  that 


He  was  born  the  son  of  a poor  farmer  in 
Pennsylvania  in  the  year  1800,  but  passed  his 


boyhood  on  the  margin  of  Lake  Champlain, 
where  he  was  an  eye-witness  of  the  naval  ac- 
tion fought  by  McDonough,  which,  with  its 
triumphant  result,  inspired  him  with  a taste 
for  a soldier’s  life.  At  the  age  of  seventeen 
he  came  to  Ohio  with  his  father’s  family,  and 
then  struck  out  for  himself  as  a school- 


332 


BROWN  COUNTY. 


I 


you  can’t/’  Grant  had  really  never  heard  the  word  before  and  began  to  hunt  it 
up  in  his  old  dictionary.  At  last  he  went  to  his  teacher  and  asked,  What  is  the 
meaning  of  can’t  ? the  word  is  not  in  the  dictionary.”  The  teacher  explained  its 
origin  and  how  it  came  to  be  corrupted  by  abbreviation,  and  then  to  impress  an 


Photo,  by  Henry  K.  Hannah,  Artist,  1886. 

The  Grant  School-house,  Georgetown. 

important  truth  upon  the  minds  of  his  young  pupils  he  added  : If  in  the  struggles 
through  life  any  person  should  assert  that  you  can’t  do  anything  that  you  had  set 
your  mind  upon  accomplishing,  let  your  reply  be,  if  your  work  be  a good  and  law- 
ful one.  that  the  word  can’t  is  not  in  the  dictionary.”  Grant  never  forgot  the  inci- 


Photo.  by  Henry  K.  Hannah,  Artist. 

The  Grant  Homestead  and  Tannery,  Georgetown. 

dent.  He  not  only  conquered  his  studies,  but,  in  after  years,  he  often  replied  to 
those  who  declared  he  would  fail  in  attaining  his  object,  that  the  word  can’t”  is 
not  to  be  found  in  any  dictionary. 

The  school-house,  also  homestead  and  tannery,  are  within  live  minutes  walk  of 
the  court-house.  In  the  engraving  of  the  two  latter  the  homestead  i.s  shown  on 


G-RAKTJIND  HIS  PARENTS  IN  THE  WAR  ERA, 


334 


SROWN  COUNTY, 


the  right,  the  taimery  in  the  front.  To  the  first  a front  addition  has  been  made 
since  the  Grants  were  here ; the  smaller  and  near  part  was  the  old  dwelling,  as  it 
was  when  Grant  was  a growing  boy  and  assisted  his  father  in  handling  the  hides. 
He  was  a lively,  companionable  boy,  frank,  generous  and  open-hearted,  a leader 
and  a favorite  among  the  Georgetown  boys.  He  was  regarded  as  having  good 
common  sense  without  any  especial  marks  of  genius.  When  in  after  years  he 
visited  Georgetown  he  never  failed  to  seek  out  the  friends  of  his  youth  and  greet 
them  with  hearty  hand-shake  and  pleasant  words. 

Reminiscences  of  the  Parents  of  Generae  Grant,  with  an  Analysis 
OF  THE  General’s  Characteristics. — On  onr  visit  to  Georgetown  on  our 
second  tour  over  the  State  we  happened  not  to  meet  Mnth  any  who  knew  General 
Grant  in  his  youth,  now  more  than  half  a century  ago.  At  the  time  of  his  decease 
we  wrote  our  reminiscences  of  his  parents,  with  a pen-portrait  of  him  as  he  appeared 
to  us,  which  ysQ,  here  place  on  permanent  record.  One  of  his  strong  friends,  for 
years  associated  with  him  in  a post  of  honor,  indeed  was  a member  of  his  cabinet, 
pronounces  it  a just  delineation  of  the  qualities  of  this  extraordinary  man. 


During  the  rebellion  and  for  years  after 
the  Grant  family  lived  in  Covington  opposite 
Cincinnati,  and  eventually  Jesse  Grant,  the 
father,  was  appointed  postmaster  of  that 
town.  When  the  star  of  his  son  was  rising 
he  was  a familiar  figure  on  the  platform  at 
Union  meetings  in  Cincinnati,  I sometimes 
saw  him  standing  near  the  Gazette  building 
where  the  people  were  ^vont  to  gather  for  the 
latest  news  from  the  armies  in  front  in  the 
periods  of  agonizing  suspense. 

Father  Grant,  as  they  called  him,  was  a 
large  man  with  high  shoulders,  about  six 
feet  in  stature  and  plainly  attired,  giving  one 
the  idea  of  being  just  as  he  was,  a useful,  sub- 
stantial citizen.  His  complexion  was  florid, 
and  his  eyes  were  fronted  by  huge  green 
glasses ; his  whole  a])pearance  was  striking. 
When  the  Union  army  was  floundering  in 
the  mud  before  Vicksburg  and  millions  were 
despairing  under  the  long  and  weary  waiting 
his  faith  never  faltered.  “Ulysses,”  he 
said,  “ will  work  until  he  gets  a grip,  and 
when  he  gets  a grip  he  never  lets  go,  and  he 
will  take  Vicksburg.” 

One  summer  afternoon  when  Grant  was 
jPresident  I had  the  experience  of  a personal 
interview  with  his  parents  and  with  each 
alone.  I had  published  in  Cincinnati,  mj’’ 
then  residence,  and  in  connection  with  the 
late  E.  C.  Middleton,  a portrait  in  oil  colors 
of  Grant,  and  crossed  the  river  to  Covington 
to  show  a copy  to  them  and  obtain  their  tes- 
timony as  to  its  accuracy.  I first  called  upon 
the  old  gentleman  at  the  post-office.  He  in- 
vited me  in  behind  the  letters,  and  on  look- 
ing at  the  i)ortrait  was  highly  pleased,  pro- 
nouncing it  the  best  he  had  seen,  and  was 
glad  to  so  attest.  He  was  chatty  and  happy 
in  my  presence.  Though  sociality  was  natu- 
ral to  him,  I am  inclined  to  think  that  the 
reflection  that  he  was  the  father  of  General 
Grant,  brought  up  so  forcibly  at  that  mo- 
ment, was  the  prime  factor  to  produce  an 
extra  benignant  mood. 

Twenty  minutes  later  I was  in  the  presence 
of  Mrs.  Grant.  Covington,  like  most  towns 
in  the  old  slave-holding  States,  had  a slip- 
shod aspect.  The  Grants  lived  on  an  unat- 


tractive, narrow  street  in  a small,  plain,  two- 
story  brick  house  close  up  to  the  pavement. 
An  old  lady  answered  my  ring.  It  was  Mrs. 
Grant,  and  I think  she  was  the  only  person 
in  the  house.  At  the  very  hour  when  her 
son  was  being  inaugurated  at  Washington,  it 
was  said,  a neighbor  saw  her  on  the  rear 
porch  of  her  residence,  with  broom  in  hand, 
sweeping  down  the  cobwebs. 

She  was  in  person  and  manner  the  antithe- 
sis of  her  husband  ; a brunette  with  small, 
slender,  erect  figure,  delicately  chiseled  fea- 
tures, and  when  young  and  simply  Hannah 
Simpson  must  have  been  very  sweet  to  look 
upon.  Indeed,  she  was  so  then  to  me  from 
her  modest  air  of  refinement  and  that  ex- 
pression of  moral  beauty  which  increases 
with  the  years. 

In  my  presence  she  was  the  personification 
of  calmness  and  silence,  and  put  her  signa- 
ture beneath  that  of  her  hu.sband  without  a 
word.  I tried  to  engage  her  in  conversation 
to  hear  more  of  the  tones  than  simple  replies 
“ j^es”  or  “no,”  and  to  see  some  play  to  her 
countenance.  It  was  in  vain.  Relieving 
that  life  is  so  short  that  one  should  omit  no 
opportunity  of  trying  to  give  pleasure  to  an- 
other, I said,  “I  think,  madam,  I am  fii- 
vored  this  afternoon.  There  are  multitudes 
in  all  parts  of  our  country  who  would  be 
highly  gratified  to  have  an  interview  with  the 
mother  of  General  Grant.” 

It  was  true,  I felt  it,  and  it  was  a pretty 
thing  to  say.  Not  by  a word  or  an  expres- 
sion of  countenance  did  she  show  that  she 
even  heard  me.  Yet  I was  glad  I said  it.  A 
duty  had  been  performed,  and  it  revealed  a 
trait  of  character  From  her  General  Grant 
must  have  got  his  immobility  that  on  occa- 
sions when  common  civility  demanded  vocal 
signification  showed  in  a reticence  that  was 
painful  even  to  the  b3"standers.  Neither 
mother  nor  son  could  help  it. 

The  faculty  of  social  impressibilitj’’  is  ne- 
cessary to  every  human  being  if  they  would 
widely  win  souls  and  fully  fill  their  own. 
Conversation  must  be  had  for  life’s  happiest, 
best  uses,  when  eye  speaks  to  eye,  heart  to 
heart,  and  the  varied  tones  wake  the  soul  in 


BROWN  COUNTY. 


335 


sympathy,  Andrew  Jackson,  Henry  Clay 
and  Abraham  Lincoln  had  words  of  cheer  for 
everybody,  and  hence  were  widely  loved. 
When  Henry  Clay  was  defeated  for  the  pres- 
idency strong  men  bowed  and  wept;  when 
Lincoln  was  assassinated  the  whole  nation 
ivrithed  in  agony.  There  was  then  no  such 
’love  for  Grant.  It  was  because  of  his  ex- 
treme reticence  and  that  grim,  fixed  expres- 
sion of  face  that  gave  no  sign  of  the  warm 
affections  that  were  within.  Few,  we  found, 
cared  to  have  his  portrait,  while  for  those 
above  named,  together  with  the  portraits  of 
George  and  Martha  Washington,  there  was 
a great  demand.  Years  later  this  was 
changed  : Grant  himself  grew  social  and  won 
more  the  afiections  of  the  people,  as  they 
learned  his  sterling  moral  qualities. 

An  analysis  of  the  character  of  a great 
man  always  interests.  It  never  can  be  only 
partially  done.  We  never  can  fully  compre- 
hend ourselves,  much  less  so  another. 
Grant’s  moral  qualities  were  of  the  best. 
They  were  modesty,  magnanimity,  self- 
repose, a total  absence  of  vanity,  self-seeking, 
jealousy,  or  malice.  He  loved  truth  and 
purity.  His  patriotism  and  sense  of  justice 
were  so  strong  that  he  would  elevate  a per- 
sonal enemy  to  a position  if  he  was  the  best 
man  for  the  public  use.  No  man  better 
loved  than  he,  but  his  dreadful  reticence  al- 
lowed him  to  illustrate  this  only  by  acts. 
His  mind  was  simple,  direct  in  its  action, 
and  he  had  it  in  the  perfect  mastery  of  an 
iron  will. 

His^  memory  was  like  a vice.  His  topo- 
graphical memory  and  capacity  bordered  on 
the  marvellous.  When  in  camp  he  soon 
knew  the  position  of  everj’’  brigade,  the  name 
of  its  commander  and  the  whole  country 
round  with  its  roads,  hills,  woods  and 
streams,  and  then  it  was  all  before  him  as  a 
map  on  the  table.  During  the  siege  of 
Vicksburg  he  heard  of  a Northern  man  living 
in  the  vicinity,  a civil  engineer  familiar  with 
the  whole  adjacent  country  from  his  surveys 
therein.  He  sent  for  him  and  adopted  him 
in  his  military  family.  That  gentleman  af- 
terwards said  he  never  met  such  a head  for  a 
civil  engineer  as  that  of  Grant’s. 

This  faculty  made  him  superior  to  every 
other  commander,  so  that  with  his  breadth 
and  clearness  of  views  he  could  make  his 
combinations  and  move  his  men  on  the  field 
of  battle  with  a well-calculated  result, ‘almost 
as  certain  as  fate.  He  cared  less  than  most 
commanders  to  discover  the  plans  of  his  ene- 
my. He  had  his  own  which  they  could  not 
foresee,  and  his  involved  continued  move- 
! ment.  Therein  he  acted  on  the  knowledge 
that  the  greatest  courage  is  with  him  who  at- 
tacks, and  that  even  a musket  ball  in  motion 
i is  worthy  of  more  respect  than  a cannon  ball 
, at  rest.  His  faculty  of  concentration  was  so 
great,  his  nerves  so  rigid,  that  mid  showers 
of  bullets  and  the  skipping  of  cannon  balls 
he  was  as  calm  as  on  parade.  Moreover,  he 
had  the  invincibility  of  the  faith  that  the 
Confederacy  would  ultimately  totter  and 
crumble,  and  the  business  of  each  day  was  to 


hasten  on  the  time  by  action  for  the  rising  of 
that  dust.  So  he  kept  pounding  away,  and 
proved  himself  to  be  God’s  hammer  to  break 
up  slavery. 

It  was  well  for  the  amenities  of  that  dread- 
ful struggle  that  the  commanders  on  both 
sides  had  been  largely  personal  friends, 
youths  together  in  the  same  military  school, 
brother  officers  in  the  same  army.  Grant 
felt  this  bond  of  sympathy  when  Lee  came 
into  his  presence  to  lay  down  the  sword. 
And  Lee  deserved  magnanimity  in  that  houl 
of  humiliation.  I chanced  to  make  the  ac- 
quaintance of  a Virginian,  an  elegant  young 
man,  who  had  been  an  aide  of  Lee.  He  told 
me  that  one  evening  at  table  early  in  the  war 
the  officers  of  his  military  family  were  speak- 
ing in  no  measured  terms  of  indignation  of  a 
Virginian,  perhaps  it  was  General  Thomas, 
for  remaining  in  the  Union  army,  when  Gen- 
eral Lee  rebuked  them,  saying,  “You  do 
him  a great  wrong,  young  gentlemen,  in  de- 
nouncing him.  He  has  acted  from  the  same 
conscientious  sense  of  duty  as  you  have,  and  is 
worthy  ofyour  highest  respect  in  his  decision.” 

Grant’s  mind  was  strong,  but,  from  his 
want  of  imagination,  severely  practical,  dry 
and  naked.  An  older  brother  of  mine,  in 
the  long  past,  a cadet  at  West  Point,  told  me 
that  when  listening  to  a lecture  there  on  the 
properties  of  a globe  he  found  he  could  not 
comprehend  it.  Through  his  obtruding  im- 
agination that  globe  was  enveloped  in  a blue 
flame,  the  result  perhaps  of  the  early  theo- 
logic  teaching  which  I happen  to  know  he 
had.  With  Grant  I venture  to  say  when  he 
came  later  to  the  same  study  the  globe  was 
as  clear  as  a ball  of  crystal.  He  liked  West 
Point  for  its  mathematics  mainly.  What  on 
earth  can  be  drier?  Even  “the  Pons  Asi- 
norum  ” is  over  a dry  bed. 

He  had  no  ear  for  music.  Every  tune 
was  alike  to  him.  Varied,  weirdly-pleasing 
sensations  that  arise  in  the  soul  of  some  na- 
-tures  were  probably  weak  in  him,  such  as 
come  from  listening  to  the  wind  sighing 
through  the  pines,  the  murmurings  of  the 
mountain  brook,  the  cooing  of  the  doves  un- 
der the  eaves,  the  chirp  of  the  crickets  and  the 
nightly  disputes  of  certain  innocent,  harmless 
insects  who  appear  to  have  before  them  their 
especial  question  of  the  ages,  whether  “ Katy 
did  ” or  “Katy  didn’t.” 

He  seemed  weak  in  the  perception  of  the 
beautiful  as  derived  from  the  contemplation 
of  nature.  It  was  a great  deprivation,  such 
will  say  who  find  exquisite  enjoyment  and  lift 
their  hearts  in  gratitude  as  they  feel  the  be- 
nign presence  of  the  universal  spirit  in  the 
sparkling  dew  globule,  the  trembling  leaf  and 
the  sweetly-tinted  flower.  To  many  a heart 
this  love  is  a great  panacea  in  a time  of  woe. 
They  feel  in  the  midst  of  sore  struggles  that 
the  world  of  beauty  is  still  theirs.^  But  for 
this  reflection  they  might  sometimes  seek 
relief  in  suicide.  “Life,”  they  will  say,  “is 
yet  mine  ; it  is  the  great  possession.” 

During  the  eight  years  of  his  presidency,  I 
was  personally  told  by  the  librarian.  Grant 
never  enteied  the  library  of  Congress,  and 


336 


BROWN  COUNTY. 


there  is  no  evidence  that  his  information  ex- 
tended much  into  the  leaves  of  books.  I do 
know  that  the  brightest  of  our  men  in  ideas, 
such  scholars  and  thinkers  as  Woolsey,  Em- 
erson, etc. , were  not  his  companions,  but  he 
seemed  largely  to  find  them  in  the  lower 
strata  of  the  kings  of  money  and  lords  of 
fleet  horses,  gorgeous  in  their  settings,  lux- 
urious and  materialistic  in  their  lives. 

Grant  had  the  sense  of  moral  beauty.  He 
loved  goodness  and  was  incapable  of  an  in- 
tentional wrong.  Not  an  oath  nor  an  impure 
expression  was  heard  from  his  lips.  He  was 
as  strong  in  his  friendships  as  in  his  will,  and 
he  had  that  highest  quality  of  citizenship, 
deep,  fervent  devotion  to  his  own  family. 
His  dislike  of  exaggeration,  his  modesty,  his 
calmness  of  spirit  and  honesty  of  purpose  are 
shown  in  every  word  he  wrote  or  spoke.  His 
memoirs,  when  published,  will  be  found  as 
charming  from  their  terse  simplicity  and 
crystal  clearness  as  the  narratives  of  Defoe. 
Every  child  will  comprehend  every  word. 
Grant’s  absence  of  imagination  and  his  power 
of  concentration  gave  him  a clear  view  of 
facts,  while  his  marvelous  memory  gave  him 
therein  full  breadth  of  comprehension,  so 
that  each  fact  would  fall  in  at  one  view  and 
in  its  relative  place  of  importance. 

His  calmness  was  so  serene  that  no  intrud- 
ing emotion  could  disturb  the  perfect  action 
of  his  judgment.  Having  no  imagination, 
he  never  appealed  to  it  in  his  soldiers,  nor 
did  they  want  it.  War  was  with  them  busi- 
ness, not  poetry.  A poet  was  not  wanted  as 
commander  of  the  Army  of  the  Potomac,  no 
matter  what  the  direction  for  which  the  soul 
of  John  Brown  was  heading  ; nor  a looking- 
glass  commander  with  his  mind  upon  spread- 
ing epaulettes  and  bobbing  plumes. 

He  was  a thoroughly  independent,  self- 
poised  thinker,  and  in  his  simplicity  and 
originality  of  expression  often  made  two  or 
three  words  do  the  work  of  an  entire  sen- 
tence. A notable  instance  of  this  was  given 
when  General  Butler  was  imprisoned  by  the 
Confederates  in  the  peninsula  formed  by  the 
junction  of  the  Appomattox  with  the  James. 
He  wrote  that  he  was  “bottled-up,”  two 
words  that  so  comically  expressed  the  dilemma 
he  had  been  in  that  the  public  laughed  at 
the  quiet  humor ; 

He  was  bottled  tight, 

Was  bottled  long ; 

’Twas  on  the  Jeems, 

, So  goes  the  song. 

’Twas  there  he  fumed, 

’Twas  there  he  fretted, 

’Twas  there  he  sissed 
And  effervesced. 


Grant’s  attachments  to  his  friends  was  one 
of  his  best  traits.  Many  public  men,  through 
selfish  fear  of  the  charge  of  nepotism,  will 
allow  those  bound  to  them  by  the  strongest 
ties  of  kindred  to  suffer  rather  than  help 
them  to  positions  which  the}’^  know  they  can 
worthily  fill.  No  such  moral  cowardice  can 
be  laid  to  his  charge.  He  was  alike  phys- 
ically and  morally  brave  to  the  inmost  fibre. 

A well-known  illustration  of  his  tenderness 
and  strength  of  affection  was  shown  by  his 
grief  on  learning  of  the  death  of  the  young 
and  brilliant  James  B.  McPherson,  who  fell 
in  the  battle  of  Peach  Tree  Creek,  July  22d, 
1864,  “when  he  went  into  his  tent  and  wept 
like  a child  ; ’ ’ and  later  in  the  letter  which 
he  wrote  to  the  aged  grandmother  of  the 
lamented  general,  when  he  said  : “ Your  be- 
reavement is  great,  but  cannot  be  greater 
than  mine.  ’ ’ 

Such  a sublimely  pathetic  and  morally 
beautiful  picture  as  that  presented  by  Grant 
in  his  last  dying  work  is  seldom  given  for 
human  contemplation.  To  what  fine  tender 
strains  the  chords  of  his  heart  must  have 
vibrated,  and  how  inexpressibly  sweet  this  life 
must  have  seemed  to  him  in  those  sad,  mel- 
ancholy days  as  he  sat  there,  seated  in  the 
solitude  of  his  chamber  penning  his  legacy, 
while  the  warming  sun  shot  its  golden  stream- 
ers athwart  the  carpet  at  his  feet,  and  the 
air  was  filled  with  the  joy  of  short-lived 
buzzing  insects,  shown  by  their  low,  monoto- 
nous notes  reverberating  from  the  window- 
panes.  Could  the  world  to  which  he  was 
hastening  offer  to  his  imagination,  when  he 
had  cast  aside  his  poor,  suffering  body,  any- 
thing more  beautiful  than  this? 

Night  is  over  the  great  city  and  the  stars 
with  their  silent  eyes  look  down  upon  the 
tomb  by  the  river  as  in  the  long  ago  they 
looked  down  there  upon  a wilderness  scene 
when  the  prows  of  Hendrick  Hudson  moved 
past  through  the  ever-flowing  waters.  And 
there  the  waters  will  continue  to  flow  on  and 
on  until  another  great  leader  shall  arise  pre- 
pared for  the  last  great  conflict.  And  this 
conflict  will  not  be  one  of  blood,  but  intellect- 
ual and  moral — one  that  shall  adjust  to  the 
use  of  the  toiling  millions  a righteous  meas- 
ure for  their  labor  in  a land  overflowing  with 
wealth  and  abundance  more  than  sufficient 
for  the  comfort  and  welfare  of  every  deserv- 
ing one,  even  to  the  very  last,  the  humblest 
son  atid  daughter  of  toil.  But  victory  will 
never  ensue  until  character  and  not  gold  has 
become  the  general  measure  of  regard,  and 
the  race  has  attained  that  high  moral  plane 
where  no  one  can  wield  vast  possessions  and 
live  under  the  withering  scorn  that  would  be- 
fall him  if  he  lived  for  himself  alone. 


Ripley  in  1846. — Ripley  is  upon  the  Ohio,  ten  miles  from  Georgetown,  nine 
below  Maysville,  and  about  fifty  above  Cincinnati.  The  town  was  laid  out  about 
the  period  of  the  war  of  1812,  by  Colonel  James  Poage,  a native  of  Virginia,  and 
first  named  Staunton,  from  Staunton,  Va. it  was  afterwards  changed  to  Ripley, 
from  General  Ripley,  an  officer  of  distinction  in  the  war.  When  the  county  was 
first  formed  the  courts  were  directed  to  be  held  at  the  house  of  Alex.  Campbell,  in 


BROWN  COUNTY. 


337 


this  town,  until  a permanent  seat  of  justice  should  be  established.  For  a time  it 
was  supposed  that  this  would  be  the  -county-seat ; a court-house  was  begun,  but 
before  it  was  finished  the  county-seat  was  permanently  established  at  Georgetown. 
The  courts  were,  for  a time,  held  in  the  First  Presbyterian  church,  which  was  the 
first  public  house  of  worship  erected.  Pipley  is  the  largest  and  most  business 
place  in  the  county,  and  one  of  the  most  fiourishing  villages  on  the  Ohio  river, 
within  the  limits  of  the  State.  The  view  shows  the  central  part  of  the  town  only  ; 
it  extends  about  a mile  on  the  river.  Pipley  contains  2 Presbyterian,  1 Method- 
ist, 1 Associate  Peformed,  1 New  Light,  and  1 Catholic  church,  20  stores,  1 news- 
paper printing  office,  1 iron  foundry,  1 carding  machine,  3 flouring  mills,  and  had, 
in  1840,  1,245  inhabitants.  The  Pipley  female  seminary,  under  the  charge  of 
Wm.  C.  Bissell  and  lady,  has  about  forty  pupils.  The  Pipley  College  was 
chartered  by  the  State,  but  not  endowed ; it  is  now  a high  school,  under  the  care 
of  the  Pev.  John  Pankin  and  an  assistant,  and  has  about  forty  pupils,  of  both 
sexes.  This  institution  admits  colored  children  within  its  walls ; and  there  are 
quite  a number  of  people,  in  this  region,  who  hold  to  the  doctrine  of  equal  rights, 
politically  and  socially,  to  all,  irrespective  of  color. — Old  Edition. 


Drawn  hij  Henry  Howe,  184G. 


Ripley,  from  the  Kentucky  Side  of  the  Ohio. 

Pipley  is  on  the  Ohio  river  about  fifty  miles  southeast  of  Cincinnati.  News- 
papers : Bee  and  Times,  Pepublican,  J.  C.  Newcomb,  editor  and  publisher. 
Churches : 2 Methodist,  1 Presbyterian,  1 Christian,  1 Lutheran,  1 Catholic,  1 
Colored  Methodist,  1 Colored  Baptist.  Banks  : Citizens  National,  J.  M.  Gilli- 
land, president,  E.  P.  Bell,  cashier ; Pipley  National,  John  T.  Wilson,  president, 
W.  T.  Galbreath,  cashier. 

Manufactures  and  Employees. — The  Boyd  Manufacturing  Co.,  lumber,  sash,  etc., 
65  hands ; Joseph  Fulton,  pianos,  23 ; J.  P.  Parker,  machinery,  etc.,  10. — State 
Report  1886. 

Also  saw  and  planing  mills,  foundry  and  finishing  shop,  threshing  machines 
and  horse  powers,  cigar  factories,  carriages,  tobacco  presses  and  screws,  clod 
crushers,  wire  and  slat  fencing,  etc.  Population  in  1880,  2,546.  School  census 
in  1885,  821  ; J.  C.  Shumaker,  superintendent. 

As  long  ago  as  1827-28  steamboats  were  State.  It  mostly  went  south  in  barrels,  by 
built  at  Ripley,  in  1846,  next  to  Cincinnati,  flat-boats  known  as  “broad  horns,”  each  of 
it  was  the  large  pork  packing  iJace  in  the  which  carried  from  1,000  to  1 , 200  barrels  ; as 


338 


BROWN  COUNTY. 


many  as  ten  to  fifteen  boats  left  here  in  a 
season  for  the  cotton  and  sugar  plantations  ; 
all  of  this  is  now  changed.  Some  of  the  old 
“broad  horns  ” were  built  here  ; hard  work, 
the  sawing  being  done  mostly  by  hand. 
Eipley  is  quite  a horse  market,  and  monthly 
on  the  last  Saturday  is  “stock  sales  day,” 
when  the  town  is  thronged.  Thirty  years  ago 
horses  in  considerable  numbers  were  exported 
to  Cuba,  and  Cubans  visited  the  place  to  buy 
horses.  Ripley  has  about  twenty  tobacco" 
merchants.  The  Boyd  Manufacturing  Co., 
which  does  business  at  Ripley,  Higgansport 
and  Levanna,  annually  manufactures  at  the 
latter  point  about  two  miles  below  about 
10,000  tobacco  hogsheads  in  connection  with 
their  extensive  planing  mill  there. 

The  town  was  alive  in  the  war  for  the  Union. 
As  regiment  after  regiment  from  Cincinnati 
ascended  the  Ohio  on  steamers  on  their  way 
to  Virginia,  the  men,  women  and  children 
thronged  the  river  banks  with  cannon,  flags 


and  music,  cheering  on  the  volunteers.  1 
deed,  this  was  common  in  all  the  river  towns 
on  the  Ohio  side  at  the  outbreak  of  the  re- 
bellion. Ripley  claims  to  have  furnished  the 
first  company  of  volunteers  for  the  suppression 
of  the  rebellion  the  13th  day  of  April,  1861  ; 
an  Union  meeting  was  in  progress  when  news 
was  telegraphed  of  the  fall  of  Sumter.  A. 
S.  Leggitt,  who  afterwards  gallantly  fell  at 
Stone  river,  at  once  wrote  out  a heading  for 
an  enlistment  roll,  and  was  the  first  to  sign 
it,  R.  C.  Rankin  second,  and  in  quick  succes- 
sion eighty-one  others.  The  officers  selected 
were  as  follows ; Captain  Jacob  Ammen, 
afterwards  General  Ammen,  nowof  Ammen- 
dale,  D.  C.  ; First  Lieutenant,  E.  C.  Devore  ; 
Second  Lieutenant,  E.  M.  Carey,  afterward 
Major  in  Twenty-third  0.  V.  I.,  now  de- 
ceased. At  noon  next  day  Cajjtain  Ammen 
started  for  Columbus,  reaching  there  by  noon 
on  the  1 5th,  by  which  time  Mr.  Lincoln  had 
issued  the  call  for  75,000  men. 


Our  readers  will  see  in  the  view  of  Ripley,  taken  in  184b,  on  the  summit  of  the 
hill  a solitary  house ; it  is  there  this  moment.  That  house,  in  full  sight  from  the 
Kentucky  shore,  was  in  that  day  as  a beacon  of  liberty  to  the  fugitives  from  slavery. 
It  was  the  residence  of  Rev.  John  Rankin  and  the  first  station  on  the  underground 
railroad  to  Canada : thousands  of  poor  fugi- 
tives found  rest  there,  not  one  of  whom  was 
ever  recaptured.  Among  these  were  Eliza 
and  George  Harris,  and  other  characters  of 
Uncle  Tom’s  Cabin.”  While  Mr.  Rankin 
claimed  to  feed  the  hungry  and  clothe  the 
naked,  he  never  gave  aid  and  comfort  to 
those  Avho  enticed  slaves  to  run  aAvay. 

The  ancestors  of  John  Rankin  were  Scotch- 
Irish  Presbyterians  who  emigrated  to  Penn- 
sylvania 150  years  ago.  His  father,  a soldier 
of  the  Revolution,  settled  in  Jefferson  county. 

East  Tennessee,  Avhere  John  was  born  Feb. 

4,  1793.  He  was  educated  at  Washington 
College,  including  theology,  and  licensed  to 
preach  by  the  Presbytery  of  Abingdon,  Va. 

He  was,  from  his  cradle,  brought  up  a Recha- 
bite  in  temperance  and  an  abolitionist.  There 
was  an  abolition  society  in  Jefferson  county, 

Tenn.,  in  1814.  While  pastor  of  Cane  JOHN  RANKIN. 

Ridge  and  Concord  Churches,  in  Nicholas 

and  Bourbon  counties,  Ky.,  in  1817,  he  first  began  to  preach  against  slavery. 
Loathing  the  institution,  he  moved  to  a free  land  and  from  the  same  reason  nearly 
all  the  families  of  his  congregation  at  Concord  did  likewise,  emigrating  to  Indiana, 
while  he  selected  Ripley,  Avhere,  from  1822  to  1866,  he  was  pastor  of  the  Presby- 
terian church.  He  was  a great  educator ; was  })resident  of  the  “ Ripley  College,” 
so  called,  and  his  house  was  always  filled  with  students  in  various  branches,  in- 
cluding theology.  In  1836  he  Avas  for  a time  employed  by  the  Americiin  Anti- 
Slavery  Society  to  travel  and  lecture,  and  Avas  often  mobbed.  ‘‘  The  as})ect  of  a 
fierce  mob — he  once  Avrote — is  terrible.”  He  Avas  also  founder  of  the  F"ree  Pres- 
byterian Church  of  America,  Avhich  excluded  slaveholders  from  membersliip. 

Mr.  Rankin  died  March  18,  1886,  at  the  extraordinary  age  of  ninety-three 

years,  one  month  and  fourteen  days,  and  lies  buried  in  Maplewood  cemetery, 


BROWN  COUNTY, 


339 


Ripley.  He  left  living  eight  sons  and  two  daughters.  Seven  of  his  sons  fought 
for  the  Union  under  Grant.  One  of  the  seven,  Capt.  R.  C.  Rankin,  now  of 
Ripley,  has  at  our  request  given  us  in  a letter  the  following  interesting  reminis- 
cences of  slave-hunters,  abolition  mobs,  Gen.  and  Admiral  Ammen  and  Gen.  Grant, 
with  whom  he  was  a schoolmate. 


The  Slave-Hunters  at  Ranhin  s. — All  that 
my  father  did  in  the  aid  of  fugitives  was  to 
furnish  food  and  shelter.  His  sons,  of  whom 
there  were  nine,  did  the  conveying  away. 
Some  attempts  were  made  to  search  our 
house.  In  March,  1840,  four  men  from  Ken- 
tucky and  one  from  Ripley,  with  two  bull- 
dogs, came  to  the  house  and  were  met  on  the 
porch  by  mother,  of  whom  they  inquired  the 
way  to  Mr.  Smith’s  (a  neighbor  of  ours).  On 
being  directed,  the  spokesman,  Amos  Shrope, 
said,  “Madam,  to  be  plain  with  you,  we  do 
not  want  to  go  to  Mr.  Smith’s,  but  there  was 
a store  broken  open  in  Dover,  K3^,  and  we 
have  traced  the  thief  to  this  house ; we  want 
to  search  for  the  goods  and  the  thief” 
Mother  replied,  “ We  neither  iiarbor  thieves 
nor  conceal  stolen  property,  and  you  are  wel- 
come to  look  through  the  house.”  On  start- 
ing for  the  door  my  brother.  Rev.  S.  G.  W. 
Rankin — now  of  Glastenbury,  Conn. — took 
down  the  rifle  from  over  the  door,  cocked  it, 
and  called  out,  “Halt!”  if  you  come  one 
step  farther  I will  kill  you,'  and  they  halted. 
My  brother  David  and  myself  had  not  yet  re- 
turned home  from  conveying  the  fugitives  t& 
the  next  station  North,  but  were  soon  on  the 
scene,  when  word  was  sent  to  town  and  in  a 
short  time  the  yard  was  full  of  friends.  The 
hunters  were  not  allowed  to  pass  out  at  the 
gate,  but  were  taken  by  each  pm  and  led  to 
the  fence  and  ordered  to  climb,  and  they 
climhed  ! 

Mohhing  of  Rankin. — In  the  early  days  of 
abolitionism  my  father  was  lecturing  to  an 
audience  in  a grove  at  Winchester,  Adams 
CO., Ohio, when  a mob  of  200  men  armed  with 
clubs  marched  to  the  grove  and  their  leader. 
Stivers  by  name,  marched  down  the  aisle  and 
up  on  the  stand,  drew  his  club  over  father  and 

called  out,  “Stop  speaking  or,  you,  I 

will  burst  your  head.”  Father  went  on  as 
though  nothing  had  happened,  when  Robert 
Patten,  a large  and  powerful  man,  sprang 
forward  and  seized  Stivers  by  the  back  of  the 
neck  and  led  him  out,  and  that  ended  it.  On 
another  occasion  father  was  hit  with  a goose 
egg  ; it  struck  the  collar  of  his  coat  and  did 
not  break  until  it  fell,  when  out  came  a gos- 
ling. He  frequently  came  home  with  his 
horse’s  mane  and  tail  shaved,  when  he  would 
calmly  remark  “ it  was  a colonization  reply  to 
an  abolition  lecture.  ’ ’ 

The  Slave- Hunters  at  the  LoneWidou)  s. — 
On  one  occasion  I was  sent  to  go  to  the 
house  of  a lone  widow,  being  told  that  there 
were  three  men  in  her  house  hunting  “run- 
aways.” I buckled  on  my  revolver  under  my 
vest  and  proceeded  thither.  I knew  one  of 
the  men,  a desperate  character,  who  had 
killed  one  man  at  Hamilton,  Ohio,  and  had 
\yaylaid  and  shot  another  near  his  home  in 


Kentucky.  I approached  him  first  and  asked 
him  to  leave  the  house  ; after  waiting  a few 
moments  and  seeing  he  wp  not  disposed  to 
move,  I put  my  hand  on  his  breast  to  gently 
urge  him  out,  when  he  ran  his  right  hand  in 
his  i)ocket  and  grabbed  his  revolver ; but  I 
was  too  quick  for  him,  and  had  mine  cocked 
within  three  inches  of  his  eyes  and  shouted, 
“ Now  if  you  draw  your  hand  out  I will  kill 
you.”  He  believed  it  and  so  stood,  when 
one  of  his  companions  stepped  up  and  slipped 
in  his  left  hand  an  Allen  self-cocking,  six- 
shooting  revolver;  I exclaimed,  “That  will 
do  you  no  good,  for  if  you  raise  your  arm  I 
will  put  a bullet  through  your  brain.  ’ ’ He 
also  believed  that. 

In  this  position  we  wore  found  by  John  P. 
Parker,  a colored  citizen  of  Ripley,  who  came 
in  soon  after  with  a double-barrelled  shot  gun. 
In  a short  time  a crowd  gathered,  and  the 
“ hunters  ” were  taken  before  the  mayor  and 
fined  sixty  dollars  and  costs.  I could  mention 
many  similar  incidents.  Through  my  mother 
I inherit  the  same  blood  that  coursed  through 
the  veins  of  Gen.  Sam  Houston,  of  Texas. 

The  Animens. — David  iVinmen,  the  father 
of  Gen.  Jacob  and  Admiral  Daniel,  came  from 
Virginia  and  settled  in  Levanna,  two  miles 
below  Ripley,  and  edited  the  flrst  newspaper 
published  in  Brown  co.,  Ohio.  He  was  there 
when  we  came  to  Ripley  in  1822.  He  soon 
moved  to  Ripley  and  there  published  his 
paper,  the  Castigator,  and  first  published  my 
father’s  letters  on  slavery  in  its  columns.  In 
1824  and  in  182G  he  republished  them  in 
book  form  and  received  his  pay  in  the  way  of 
rent,  he  living  in  one  end  of  my  father’s 
house,  a sixty-foot  front,  still  standing  on 
Front  street,  my  father  living  in  the  other 
end.  He  was  living  there  when  “Jake,”  as 
we  called  him,  went  to  West  Point.  Jacob 
Ammen  was  in  Fort  Moultrie,  Charleston 
Harbor,  during  the  days  of  nulliflcation  in 
1 832  : after  that  he  was  eight  years  a pro- 
fessor in  West  Point.  During  this  time 
Grant  was  a cadet  there,  and  Jake  told  me 
that  Ulysses  would  never  have  got  through 
had  he  not  given  him  special  attention. 

On  the  organization  of  the  Twelfth  Ohio 
volunteer  infantry  he  was  made  the  lieu- 
tenant-colonel,  and  that  is  the  way  I became 
flrst  lieutenant,  and  on  the  expiration  of  his 
term  he  was  made  colonel  of  the  Twenty- 
fourth  Ohio  volunteer  infantry  and  com- 
manded a brigade  in  Nelson’s  division  of 
Buell’s  army.  It  was  he  who  got  to  Shiloh 
or  Pittsburg  Landing  on  Sunday,  May  6,  in 
time  to  fight  two  hours  before  dark.  Beau- 
regard never  came  a foot  farther  after  Am- 
men’s  brigade  got  in  position.  For  this  he 
was  commissioned  a brigadier-general.  J ake, 
born  in  1808,  was  the  oldest  of  the  family, 


BROWN  COUNTY. 


and  Dan,  born  in  1820,  the  youngest,  with 
Mike  and  Eve  between  them. 

David  Ammen  moved  to  Georgetown,  0. , 
and  from  there  Daniel  entered  the  Naval 
School.  I have  never  seen  him  but  twice 
since,  and  then  he  came  here  and  hunted  me 
up,  once  by  himself  and  once  in  company 
with  Gen.  Grant,  who  was  always  a personal 
friend  of  mine  since  he  went  to  school  here 
in  Ripley  before  going  to  West  Point.  We 
were  in  the  same  class  and  once  occupied  the 
same  desk.  I am  one  year  older  than  Grant, 
and  Daniel  Ammen  must  be  two  years  older. 
Grant  told  me  after  the  war  that  he  always 


had  a warm  regard  for  Dan  Ammen,  that  he 
had_  saved  his  life  when  boys,  bathing  in 
White  Oak  creek,  in  Brown  county,  hence  his 
promotion  to  admiral  as  soon  as  Grant  be- 
came President. 

Gen.  Ammen  was  superintendent  of  the 
Ripley  Union  Schools  for  several  years  prior 
to  the  war,  during  his  residence  at  this  place, 
and  while  here  he  married  his  second  wife, 
the  widow  of  Capt.  Geo.  W’’.  Shaw,  a graduate 
of  West  Point.  Her  maiden  name  was 
Beasley.  They  now  reside,  as  does  Daniel 
Ammen,  at  Ammendale,  D.  C. 


The  upper  half  of  the  northern  prolongation  of  Brown  county^  Perry  town- 
ship, is  one  of  the  most  interesting  of  spots  to  the  Catholics  of  Ohio.  In  1823  a 
little  log-hut  was  built  in  the  woods  at  St.  Martin’s  for  the  use  of  the  passing 
missionaries  of  the  church,  wherein  to  administer  to  the  spiritual  wants  of  the  few 
scattered  Catholic  families  of  the  neighborhood.  In  1830  Rev.  Martin  Kundig, 
a young  man  of  extraordinary  zeal  and  energy,  came  and  took  charge  of  the 
mission  in  the  then  wilderness.  There  he  lived  for  many  months  in  a log- 
hut  without  a window  and  with  no  floor  but  the  earth,  where,”  he  in  later  years 
wrote,  I lived  in  solitude  and  apostolic  poverty.  It  was  a school  where  I learned 
to  live  without  expense,  for  I had  nothing  to  spend.  I built  eleven  houses  without 
nails  or  boards,  for  I had  tliem  not,  and  I cooked  my  meals  without  flour,  fat  or 
butter.”  He  thus  founded  St.  Martin’s  Church,  and  the  seed  he  sowed  has  borne 
fruit  a thousand-fold.  The  now  famed  Ursuline  Convent,  with  its  school  attached, 
at  St.  Martin’s  was  founded  in  1845  by  a colony  of  French  nuns  and  presided 
over  by  Mother  Julia  Chatfield,  an  English  lady  from  the  convent  of  Boulogne- 
Sur-Mer,  in  France. 


The  Most  Rev.  John  B.  Purcell  spent  the 
last  few  years  of  his  life  at  St.  Martin’s,  whei*e 
lie  his  remains.  This  much  beloved  prelate 
was  born  at  Mallon,  County  Cork,  Ireland. 
His  early  years  were  passed  under  the  care 
of  pious  parents  and  in  the  service  of  the 
church,  receiving  such  education  as  could  be 
obtained  in  his  native  place.  At  the  a^e  of 
eighteen  he  emigrated  to  the  United  States 
and  soon  after  reaching  Baltimore  received  a 
teacher’s  certificate  from  the  faculty  of  As- 
bury  College.  For  two  years  he  was  tutor  in 
a private  family  living  on  the  Eastern  Shore 
of  Maryland.  At  the  end  of  that  time  he 
entered  as  a student  Mount  St.  Mary’s  Col- 
lege, near  Emmitsburg,  in  the  same  State. 
In  1824  he  went  to  Paris  to  complete  his 
studies  at  the  Seminary  of  St.  Sulpice.  May 
21,  1826,  he  was  ordained  priest  by  Arch- 
bishop DeQuelen,  in  the  Cathedral  of  Notre 
Dame.  He  returned  to  America  to  fill  the 
chair  of  Professor  of  Philosophy  in  Mount 
St.  Mary’s  College. 


His  learning  and  ability  soon  attracted  the 
attention  of  his  superiors,  and  on  the  death 
of  the  Right  Rev.  Edward  Fenwick,  Bishop 
of  Cincinnati,  in  1832,  he  was  selected  by  the 
Pope  to  fill  the  vacancy,  and  October  13, 
1 833,  was  consecrated  Bishop  of  the  Cincin- 
nati Diocese,  which  then  comprised  the  entire 
State.  In  1 847  the  Diocese  of  Cleveland  was 
erected  and  in  1868  that  of  Columbus. 

In  1850  Bishop  Purcell  was  appointed 
Archbishop,  receiving  the  pallium  from  the 
Pope’s  hand  the  following  year.  In  J862  he 
visited  Rome  for  the  fourth  time,  at  the  invi- 
tation of  Pope  Pius  IX.  He  sat  in  the  great 
Ecumenical  Council  of  the  Vatican  of  1869. 
He  founded  or  established  during  his  career 
many  religious,  educational  and  charitable  in- 
stitutions. His  reputation  as  an  able  theolo- 
gian and  a scholar  was  far-reaching,  while  his 
entleness  and  humility  of  spirit  endeared 
im  not  only  to  those  within  the  Catholic 
Church,  but  to  the  people  of  the  State  at 
large. 


Higginsport  is  on  the  Ohio  at  the  mouth  of  White  Oak  creek.  It  was  laid 
out  in  1816  by  Col.  Robert  Higgins,  a native  of  Pennsylvania  and  an  officer 
in  the  American  Revolution.  In  1819  the  families  there  were  Colonel  Higgins, 
Stephen  Colvin,  John  and  James  Cochran,  Mr.  Arbuckle  and  James  Norris.  It 
has  1 Christian,  1 Methodist,  1 Presbyterian,  1 Colored  Methodist,  1 German 
Methodist,  1 German  Reformed  church.  In  1840  the  population  was  393;  in 
1880,  862.  It  has  17  tobacco  warehouses  and  about  30  tobacco-buyers  who  an- 
nually ship  about  two  millions  of  pounds. 


BROWN  COUNTY. 


34? 


Aberdeen,  on  the  Ohio,  opposite  Maysville,  Ky.,  with  which  it  is  connected 
by  ferry,  was  laid  out  in  1816  by  Nathan  Ellis,  who,  with  James  Edwards,  Evan 
Campbell  and  James  Power,  all  business  men,  were  the  first  settlers.  It  has  1 
Methodist,  1 Baptist  and  1 Colored  Methodist  church.  In  1840  it  had  405  and 
in  1880  885  inhabitants.  Lately  the  tobacco  business  has  started  new  life  in  the 
place. 

Fayettevilee  is  on  the  east  fork  of  the  Little  Miami,  36  miles  from  Cincin- 


ARCHBISHOP  PURCELL. 

nati.  It  has  1 Methodist  and  1 Catholic  church,  and  in  1880  390  inhabitants. 
The  site  of  the  village  was  bought  in  1818  by  Cornelius  McGroarty,  a native  of 
Ireland,  and  father  of  the  heroic  Colonel  Stephen  McGroarty,  of  the  Ohio  volun- 
teers in  the  rebellion. 

Russellville,  founded  in  1817  by  Russell  Shaw,  is  7 miles  east  of  George- 
town, with  a population  in  1880  of  478  inhabitants.  It  has  six  or  seven  churches, 
the  first  of  which,  the  Christian,  was  built  about  1830,  when,  as  was  customary  at 
that  time,  the  women  helped,  bartered  their  chickens,  butter  and  eggs,  etc.,  for 
nails.  The  first  seats  were  tree  trunks  with  large  pins  for  logs.  The  house  was 
first  warmed  by  burning  charcoal  in  two  large  iron  kettles. 


342 


BUTLER  COUNTY. 


BUTLER. 


Butler  County  was  formed  in  1803  from  Hamilton  and  named  from  General 
Richard  Butler^  a distinguished  officer  of  the  Revolution,  who  fell  in  St.  Clair’s  de- 
feat. With  his  brothers  he  emigrated  from  Ireland  to  America  before  1760,  and  was 
fora  long  time  an  Indian  trader.  Area,  460  square  miles.  In  1885  the  aciTscuh 
tivated  were  149,560  ; in  pasture,  28,864  ; woodland,  29,874  ; lying  waste,  8,798  * 
produced  in  wheat,  233,791  bushels;  oats,  542,322;  corn,  3,335,595;  broom  corn, 
176,190  pounds;  tobacco,  502,849;  cattle,  18,817.  ' School  census  1886,  14,234; 
teachers,  208.  It  has  77  miles  of  railroad. 


Townships  and  Census. 

1840. 

1880. 

Townships  and  Census. 

1840. 

1880. 

Fairfield, 

3,580 

14,692 

Oxford, 

3,422 

3,644 

Hanover, 

1,680 

1,352 

Reiley, 

1,758 

1,499 

Lemon, 

Liberty, 

3,065 

6,775 

Ross, 

1,524 

1,693 

1,479 

1,458 

St.  Clair, 

2,307 

1,252 

Madison, 

2,208 

2,555 

Union, 

2,118 

2,163 

Milford, 

Morgan, 

1,868 

1,726 

1,884 

1,884 

\yayne. 

1,562 

1,728 

Population  in  1820  was  21,755;  in 


1840,  28,207;  1860,  35,840;  1880,  42,- 
579,  of  whom  31,530  were  Ohio-born. 

Butler  county  has  been  termed  The 
Garden  of  Ohio.”  It  is  within  the 
blue  limestone  formation  and  is  one  of  the 
richest  in  the  State.  The  Great  Miami 
river  runs  through  it.  This  valley  here 
averages  a breadth  of  twelve  miles,  and 
the  soil  of  its  bottom  lands  are  of  a deep 
black  and  famed  for  their  immense  crops 
of  corn,  while  the  uplands  are  equally 
well  adapted  to  wheat  and  barley.  The 
county  is  traversed  by  so  many  small 
streams  that  over  1,000  bridges  are  in  use. 
The  uplands  are  beautifully  undulating, 
forming  charming  scenes  of  pastoral 
heauty.  A large  proportion  of  its  popu- 
lation is  of  German  descent.  Butler 
county,”  says  Professor  Orton,  stands 
scarcely  second  in  productive  power  to 
any  equal  area  in  the  State.  No  qualifi- 
cation certainly  would  be  required  if  the 
valley  of  the  Great  Miami  and  that  por- 
tion of  the  county  lying  east  of  the  river 
^were  alone  to  be  taken  into  account.  This 
region  might  put  in  an  unquestioned 
claim  to  be  styled  ^ the  Garden  of  Ohio.’  ” 

The  route  of  St.  Clair,  in  his  disastrous 
campaign,  in  1791,  passed  through  this 
county.  In  Sc})tcmber  of  that  year  Fort 
Hamilton  was  built  at  the  crossing  of 
the  Great  Miami  on  the  site  of  Hamilton, 


References. — A.  The  old  fort  built  by  St. 
Clair.  B.  Addition,  a.  Officers’  quarters,  h. 
Mess  room.  c.  Magazine,  d.  Artificers’  shop, 
e,  f,  (j.  Block-houses.  C.  Bridge  across  the 
^liaini,  shown  in  the  view  of  Ilossville. 

It  was  intended  as  a place  of  dejKJsi 


BUTLER  COUNTY. 


343 


lor  provisions  and  to  form  the  first  link  in  the  communication  between  Fort  Wash- 
ington and  tlie  object  of  the  cainjiaign.  It  was  a stockade  of  fifty  yards  square, 
with  four  good  bastions,  and  platforms  for  cannon  in  two  of  them,  with  barracks. 
In  the  summer  succeeding  an  addition  was  made  to  the  fort  by  order  of  General 
Wilkinson,  which  consisted  in  enclosing  with  pickets  an  area  of  ground  on  the 
north  part,  so  that  it  extended  up  the  river  to  about  the  north  line  of  the  present 
Stable  street.  The  southern  point  of  the  work  extended  to  the  site  of  the  Asso- 
ciate  Reformed  church. 

The  plan  given  of  the  fort  is  from  the  survey  of  Mr.  James  McBride,  of  Hamil- 
ton, made  by  him  several  years  after. 

Idle  following  items  upon  the  early  history  of  Hamilton  are  from  the  MSS.  of 
James  McBride : 


Major  Rudolph  at  Fort  Hamilton. — Late 
in  the  fall  of  1792,  an  advance  corps  of  troops, 
under  the  command  of  Major  Rudolph,  ar- 
rived at  Fort  Hamilton,  where  they  wintered. 
They  consisted  of  three  companies  of  light 
dragoons,  one  of  rifle,  and  one  of  infantry. 
Rudolph  was  a major  of  dragoons  from  lower 
Virginia.  His  reputation  was  that  of  an 
arbitrary  and  tyrannical  officer.  Some  time  in 
the  spring  seven  soldiers  deserted  to  the  Ohio 
river,  where,  procuring  a canoe,  they  started 
for  New  Orleans.  Ten  or  fifteen  miles  below 
the  falls  of  the  Ohio  they  were  met  by  Lieut, 
(since  Gen.)  Clark,  and  sent  back  to  Fort 
Hamilton,  where  a court-martial  sentenced 
three  of  them  to  be  hung,  two  to  run  the 
gauntlet,  and  the  remaining  two  to  lie  in 
irons  in  the  guard-house  for  a stipulated 

period.  John  Brown,  Seth  Blinn,  and 

Gallaher  were  the  three  sentenced  to  be  hung. 
The  execution  took  place  the  next  day,  on  a 
gallows  erected  below  the  fort,  just  south  of 
the  site  of  the  present  Associate  Reformed 
church,  and  near  the  residence  of  James  B. 
Thomas. 

Execution  of  Deserters.'-^  F’^'e  hundred  sol- 
diers were  drawn  up  in  arms  around  the  fatal 
spot  to  witness  the  exit  of  their  unfo>'tunate 
comrades.  The  appearance  of  the  sufferers 
at  the  gallows  is  said  to  have  been  most  pre^ 
possessing.  They  were  all  young  men  of 
Spirit  and  handsome  appearance,  in  the  open- 
ing bloom  of  life,  with  their  long  hair  floating 
'Ver  their  shoulders.  John  Brown  was  said 
to  have  been  a young  man  of  very  respectable 
connections,  who  lived  near  Albany,  N.  Y, 
Early  in  life  he  had  formed  an  attachment  for 
a young  woman  in  his  neighborhood  of  unim- 
peachable character,  but  whose  social  standing 
did  not  comport  with  the  pride  of  his  parents. 
He  was  forbidden  to  associate  with  her,  and 
required  to  pay  his  addresses  to  another. 
Broken-hearted  and  desponding,  he  left  his 
home,  enlisted  in  a company  of  dragoons,  and 
came  to  the  West.  His  commanding  officer 
treated  him  so  unjustly  that  he  was  led  to 
desert.  When  under  the  gallows,  the  ser- 
geant, acting  as  executioner,  inquired  why 
the  sentence  of  the  law  should  not  be  enforced 
upon  him,  he  replied  with  emphasis,  pointing 
to  Major  Rudolph,  ‘That  he  had  rather  die 
nine  hundred  deaths  than  be  subject  to  the 
command  of  such  a man,”  and  was  swung  off 


without  a murmur.  Seth  Blinn  was  the  son 
of  a respectable  widow  residing  in  the  State 
of  New  York.  The  rope  being  awkwardly 
fastened  around  his  neck  he  struggled  greatG- 
Three  times  he  raised  his  feet  until  they  came 
in  contact  with  the  upper  part  of  the  gallows, 
when  the  exertion  broke  his  neck. 

Immediately  after  the  sentence  had  been 
pronounced  on  these  men,  a friend  hastened 
to  Fort  Washington,  where  he  obtained  a 
pardon  from  Gen.  Wilkinson.  But  he  was 
too  late.  The  execution  had  been  hastened 
by  Major  Rudolph,  and  he  arrived  at  Hamil- 
ton fifteen  minutes  after  the  spirits  of  these 
unfortunate  men  had  taken  their  flight  to 
another  world.  Their  bodies  were  immedi- 
ately committed  to  the  grave  under  the  gal- 
lows. There,  in  the  dark  and  narrow  house, 
in  silence,  lies  the  only  son  of  a widowed 
mother,  the  last  of  his  family.  A vegetable 
garden  is  now  cultivated  over  the  spot  by 
those  who  think  not  nor  know  not  of  the  once 
warm  heart  that  lies  cold  below. 

Rumvng  the  Gauntlet. — The  two  other 
deserters  were  sentenced  to  run  the  gauntlet 
sixteen  times  between  two  ranks  of  soldiers, 
which  was  carried  forthwith  into  execution. 
The  lines  were  formed  in  the  rising  ground 
east  of  the  fort,  where^  now  lies  Front  street, 
and  extended  from  Smithman’s  corner  to  the 
intersection  of  Ludlow  street.  One  of  them, 
named  Roberts,  having  passed  eight  times 
through  the  ranks  fell,  and  was  unable  to  pro- 
ceed. The  attendant  physician  stated  that  he 
could  stand  it  no  longer,  as  his  life  had  already 
been  endangered. 

Fate  of  Rudolph.— '^ome.  time  after  Gen. 
Wayne  arrived  at  the  post,  and,  although 
frequently  represented  as  an  arbitrary  man, 
Jie  was  so  much  displeased  with  th^-  cruelty 
of  Major  Rudolph,  that  he  gave  him  his 
choice — to  resign  or  be  cashiered.  He  chose 
the  former,  returned  to  Virginia,  and  subse-/ 
quently,  in  company  with  another  gentleman, 
purchased  a ship,  and  went  on  a trading  voy- 
age to  Europe.  They  were  captured  (it  is 
stated)  by  an  Algerine  cruiser,  and  Rudolph 
was  hung  at  the  yardarm  of  his  own  vessel. 
I have  heard  some  of  those  who  were  under 
his  command  in  Wayne’s  army  express  sat- 
isfaction at  the  fate  of  this  unfortunate  man. 

In  the  summer  of  1792  two  wagoners  were 
watching  some  oxen,  which  had  been  turned 


BUTLER  COUNTY. 


out  to  graze  on  the  common  below  the  fort ; 
a shower  of  rain  coming  on,  they  retired  for 
shelter  under  a tree,  which  stood  near  where 
the  sycamore  grove  now  is.  Some  Indians, 
who  had  been  watching  from  under  the  covert 
of  the  adjoining  underbrush,  rushed  suddenly 
upon  them,  killed  one,  and  took  the  other 
prisoner.  The  latter  was  Henry  Shafor,  who, 
after  his  return,  lived  until  a few  years  past 
two  or  three  miles  below  Rossville,  on  the 
river. 

Arrival  of  Wayne  s Army. — In  September, 
1793,  the  army  of  Wayne  marched  from  Cin- 
cinnati to  Fort  Hamilton,  and  encamped  in 
the  upper  part  of  the  prairie,  about  half  a 
mile  south  of  the  present  town,  nearly  on  the 
same  ground  on  which  Gen.  St.  Clair  had 
encamped  in  1791.  Here  they  threw  up  a 
breastwork,  the  remains  of  which  may  yet  be 
traced  at  the  point  where  the  present  road 
strikes  the  Miami  river,  above  Traber’s  mill. 
A few  days  after  they  continued  their  march 
toward  the  Indian  country. 

Gen.  Wayne  detailed  a strong  guard  of 
men  for  the  defence  of  the  fort,  the  command 
of  which  was  given  to  Major  Jonathan  Cass, 
of  the  army  of  the  Revolution,  and  father  of 
the  Hon.  Lewis  Cass,  of  the  United  States 
Senate.  Major  Cass  continued  in  command 
until  the  treaty  of  Greenville. 

Hamilton  Laid  Out. — On  the  17th  of 
December,  1794,  Israel  Ludlow  laid  out, 
within  Symmes’s  purchase,  the  original  plat 
of  the  town  of  Hamilton,  which  he  at  first, 
for  a short  time  only,  called  Fairfield.  Shortly 
after  a few  settlers  came  in.  The  first  set- 
tlers were  Darius  C.  Orcut,  John  Green, 
William  M’Clennan,  John  Sutherland,  John 
Torrence,  Benjamin  F.  Randolph,  Benjamin 
Davis,  Isaac  Wiles,  Andrew  Christy,  and 
William  Hubbert. 

Previous  to  1801  all  the  lands  on  the  west 
side  of  the  Great  Miami  were  owned  by  the 
United  States,  consequently  there  were  no 
improvements  made  on  that  side  of  the  river, 
except  by  a few  squatters.  There  was  one 
log-house  built  at  an  early  period  near  the 
west  end  of  the  bridge,  now  owned  by  the 
heirs  of  L.  P.  Sayre.  On  the  first  Monday 
in  April,  1801 — at  the  first  sale  of  the  United 
States  lands  west  of  the  Miami,  held  at  Cin- 
cinnati— a company  purchased  the  site  of 
Rossville,  on  which,  March  14,  1804,  they 
laid  out  the  town.  Mr.  John  Reily  was  the 
agent  for  the  proprietors. 

Early  Events. — The  first  settlers  of  Hamil- 
ton suffered  much  from  the  fever  and  ague, 
and,  being  principally  disbanded  _ soldier!, 
without  energy,  and  many  of  them  dissipated, 
but  little  improvement  was  made  for  the  first 
few  years.  In  those  early  times  horse-racing 
was  a favorite  amusement,  and  an  affair  of 
all-engrossing  interest.  On  public  days,  in- 


deed on  almost  every  other  Saturday,  the 
streets  and  commons  in  the  upper  part  of  the 
town  were  converted  into  race-paths.  The 
race-course  comprehended  the  common  from 
Second  to  Fourth  street.  At  Second  street, 
a short  distance  north  of  the  site  of  the  Cath- 
olic church,  was  an  elevated  scaffold,  on  which 
stood  the  judges  of  the  race.  On  grand 
occasions  the  plain  within  the  course  and 
near  it  was  occupied  with  booths  erected  with 
forks  and  covered  with  boughs.  Here  every^ 
thing  was  said,  done,  eaten,  sold,  and  drank. 
Here  was  Black  Jack  with  his  fiddle,  and  his 
votaries  making  the  dust  fly  with  a four- 
handed,  or  rather  four-footed  reel ; and  every 
fifteen  or  twenty  minutes  was  a rush  to  some 
art  to  see  a ‘ 'fisticuff.  ’ ’ Among  the 

ustling  crowd  of  jockeys  were  assembled  all 
classes.  Even  judges  of  the  court  mingled 
with  the  crowd,  and  sometimes  presided  at 
the  contests  of  speed  between  the  ponies  of 
the  neighborhood. 

Soon  after  the  formation  of  Butler  county 
Hamilton  was  made  the  county-seat.  The 
first  sessions  of  the  court  were  held  in  the 
tavern  of  Mr.  Torrence,  now  the  residence  of 
Henry  S.  Earhart.  The  sessions  of  the  court 
after  this  were  held  in  the  former  mess-room 
of  the  fort.  It  was  a rough  one-story  frame 
building,  about  forty  by  twenty  feet,  weather- 
boarded,  without  either  filling  or  plastering, 
and  stood  about  where  the  market  now  is. 
It  was  elevated  from  the  ground  about  three 
feet  by  wooden  blocks,  affording  a favorite 
shelter  for  the  hogs  and  sheep  of  the  village. 
The  judge’s  seat  was  a rough  platform  of  un- 
planed boards,  and  a long  table  in  front,  like 
a carpenter’s  work-bench,  was  used  by  the 
bar.  In  1810  the  court  was  removed  to  a 
room  over  the  stone  jail,  and  in  1817  trans- 
ferred to  the  present  court-house. 

The  court,  at  their  July  term,  in  1803, 
selected  the  old  magazine  within  the  fort  as 
a county  jail.  It  was  a heavy-built  log  build- 
ing, about  twelve  feet  square,  with  a hipped 
roof  coming  to  a common  centre,  and  sur- 
mounted by  a ball.  The  door  had  a hole  in 
the  centre  shaped  like  a half-moon,  through 
which  air,  light,  and  food  were  conveyed, 
while  on  the  outside  it  was  secured  by  a pad- 
lock and  hasp.  It  was  very  insecure,  and 
escapes  were  almost  as  frequent  as  com- 
mittals. It  was  the  only  jail  for  Butler 
county  from  1803  to  1809.  A small  log-house, 
formerly  a sutler’s  store,  was  used  as  a clerk’s 
office.  It  has  since  been  altered  into  a pri- 
vate dwelling,  at  present  occupied  by  Duteh 
Jacob.  The  house  erected  by  Gen.  Wilkin- 
son in  1792  for  officers’  quarters  (see  a plan 
of  fort)  was  converted  into  a tavern  kept  by 
the  county  sheriff,  William  M’Clennan,  while 
the  barracks  and  artificers’  shops  were  used 
as  stables. 


Hamilton  in  1846. — The  large  and  flourishing  town  of  Hamilton,  the  county- 
seat,  is  twenty-two  miles  north  of  Cincinnati,  on  the  left  bank  of  the  (4reat  Miami. 
It  contains  1 Presbyterian,  1 Episcopal,  1 Methodist,  1 German  Lutheran,  1 
Associate  Reformed,  1 Baptist,  and  1 Catholic  church,  a flourishing  female  academy, 


XHK  BUTLEE  COUNTY  COUET-HOUSE,  HAMILTON 


BUTLER  COUNTY. 


346 

2 newspaper  printing-offices,  3 flouring-mills,  3 cotton-factories,  3 saw- mills,  2 
foundries,  2 macliine-sliops,  and  about  16  mercantile  stores.  In  1840  its  popula- 
tion was  1,409,  since  which  it  has  considerably  increased.  Hamilton  is  destined 
to  be  an  important  manufacturing  town.  The  hydraulic  works  lately  built  here 
’’auk  among  the  best  water-powers  west  of  the  Alleghenies.  This  work  is  formed 


Drawn  by  Henry  Howe,  1840. 

Public  Square,  PIamilton. 

[The  nevv  and  very  elegant  court-house  occupies  the  site  of  the  one  shown  above.] 

by  a canal,  commencing  at  the  Big  Miami,  four  miles  above  the  town,  and  empty 
ing  into  the  river  near  the  bridge  at  Hamilton.  By  it  a very  great  amount  ol 
never-failing  ^vater-power  has  been  created.  It  is  durably  constructed,  and  is 
adding  much  to  the  business  of  the  community.  Hamilton  is  neatly  built,  and  ha^ 
an  elegant  jiublic  scpiare,  on  which  stand  the  county  buildings ; it  is  enclosed  by 
an  iron  fence  Uandsomely  covered  Avith  green  turf,  and  shaded  by  locusts  and 


Drawn  by  Henry  Howe,  1846. 

View  of  Rossaulle  from  Hamilton. 

[Rossville  no  longer  exists  as  a separate  town,  and  is  now  a part  of  Hojuiltou.  An  elegant  wire  sus- 
pension bridge  has  taken  the  place  cf  the  old  wood  structure.] 

other  ornamental  trees.  A noble  bridge,  erected  at  tlic  cxjiense  of  about  $26,000, 
connects  this  toAvn  Avith  its  neighbor,  Rossville,  on  the  oiijiosite  bank  of  the  Miami, 
wliich  the  engraving  shows  as  it  appears  from  the  market  in  Hamilton.  Rossville 
is  also  a flourishing  place,  su])erior  to  Hamilton  as  a mer(*antile  town  as  that  is  as 
a manufacturing  one.  This  arises  from  the  circumstance  that  it  is  more  convenient 
to  the  greater  jiroportion  of  the  farmers  of  tlie  county  Avho  reside  on  that  side  of 


BUTLER  COUNTY. 


347 


the  Miami.  It  contains  1 Presbyterian  and  1 Baptist  church,  1 floiiring-mill, 
about  18  mercantile  stores,  and  had  in  1840  1,140  inhabitants.  Its  population 
has  since  increased. — Old  Edition. 

Hamilton  in  a bee-line  is  about  twenty  miles  north  of  Cincinnati,  but  by  rail- 
road the  distance  is  twenty-five  miles.  It  is  situated  on  both  sides  of  the  Great 
Miami  river,  and  is  in  the  line  of  the  C.  H.  & D.,  C.  B.  & C.,  and  C.  H.  & I. 
railroads.  The  Miami  and  Erie  canal  passes  through  here.  Hamilton  is  the 
county-seat,  and  has  one  of  tlie  most  magnificent  court-houses  in  the  State.  It 
stands  on  tlie  site  of  the  old  court-house  shown  in  the  engraving.  / 

The  county  officers  in  1888:  Probate  Ludge,  W.  H.  Harr;  Clerk  of  Court, 
A.  J.  Welliver;  Sheriff,  Isaac  Rogers;  Prosecuting  Attorney,  C.  J.  Smith;  Auditor, 
Richard  Brown ; Treasurer,  W.  M.  Boyd ; Recorder,  Robert  M.  Elliott ; Sur- 
veyor, John  C.  Weaver  ; Coroner,  Thomas  B.  Talbott;  Commissioners,  Erederick 
Berk,  William  Murphy,  M.  B.  Hatch. 

Newspapers : Neics,  non-partisan,  C.  M.  Campbell,  publisher ; Herald,  Demo- 
cratic, daily,  J.  H.  Lang,  publislicr ; Butler  County  Democrat,  Democratic,  J.  K. 
Aydelotte,  publislier ; National  Zeitung,  German  Democratic,  L.  B.  De  Le  Court ; 
Telegraph,  Republican,  C.  M.  Campbell,  publisher.  Churches : 2 Methodist,  1 
Baptist,  1 Universalist,  1 Episcopalian,  1 Presbyterian,  1 United  Presbyterian,  1 
Congregational,  1 Lutheran,  1 Irish  and  2 German  Catholic.  Banks : Eirst 
National,  Philip  Hughes,  president,  John  B.  Cornell,  cashier ; Second  National, 
William  E.  Brown,  president,  Charles  E.  Heiser,  cashier. 

Manufactures  and  Enployees. — The  A.  Fislier  Manufacturing  Co.,  canned  goods, 
etc.,  255  hands;  Gordon  & Maxwell  Steam  Pump  Co.,  156  ; The  Niles  Tool  Co., 
machine  tools,  475 ; Louis  Snider’s  Sons  Co.,  paper,  149  ; Hamilton  Tile  AYorks, 
art  tile,  31  ; The  Ritchie  & Dyer  Co.,  engines  and  saw  mills,  28  ; Martin  Bare, 
agricultural  implements,  48 ; C.  H.  Zwick  & Co.,  hosiery,  127  ; Anderson  & 
Shaffer,  flour  barrels,  11  ; W.  B.  Brown  & Co.,  corn  meal,  5 ; Sohn  & Rentschler, 
iron  castings,  75  ; The  Phoenix  Caster  Co.,  casters,  44  ; The  Black  & Clawson  Co., 
paper  mill  machinery,  123  ; The  Long  & Allstatter  Co.,  agricultural  implements, 
210;  Beckett,  Laurie  & Co.,  paper,  71  ; H.  P.  Deuscher,  iron  castings,  77  ; Carr 
& Brown,  flour,  etc.,  25  ; The  Sohn  Ridge  Implement  Co.,  agricultural  implements, 
39  ; Davidson  & Doellmann,  steam  boilers,  14  ; The  Hoover,  Owens  & Rentschler 
Co.,  engines,  etc.,  170;  Bentel,  Margedant  & Co.,  wood-working  machinery,  78  ; 
J.  F.  Bender  Bros.  & Co.,  builders’  wood-work,  33 ; Schuler  & Benninghof- 
fen,  paper  felts,  blankets,  etc.,  68  ; The  Sortman  & Bulen  Co.,  furniture,  34  ; J.  H, 
Stephan  & Son,  hubs,  spokes,  etc. ; Semler  & Cp.,  flour,  etc.  ; The  Stephan -Hughes 
Manufacturing  Co.,  floiir-mill  machinery  ; P.  Burns  & Co.,  ploAvs,  wagons,  etc.,  15  : 
John  Donges  & Co.,  bent  wood,  spokes,  etc.,  17  ; Anderson  & Shafler,  flour,  etc.,  13  ; 
Charles  F.  Eisel,  builders’  wood- work,  11  ; L.  Deinzer  & Son,  bent  wood-work,  9 ; 
L.  & F.  Kahn  & Bros.,  stoves,  etc.,  160. — State  Report  1887.  Population  in  1880, 
12,122.  School  census  in  1886,  4,777 ; Louis  R.  Klemm,  superintendent. 

The  manufacture  of  malt,  distilling  and  brewing  are  great  industries  here ; the 
malt  aggregates  during  the  season  about  half  a million  of  bushels;  the  Hamilton 
Distilling  Company  has  a daily  capacity  of  2,500  bushels  of  corn  and  pays  an 
annual  tax  of  nearly  a million.  Peter  Schawb’s  famous  brewery  turns  out  annu- 
ally 30,000  barrels  of  beer. 

John  Cleves  Symaies,  the  author  of  the  Theory  of  Concentric  Spheres, 
demonstrating  that  the  Earth  is  hollow,  habitable  within,  and  widely  open  about 
the  Poles,”  died  at  Hamilton,  May  28,  1829.  He  was  born  in  New  Jersey,  1780. 
His  father,  Timothy  Symmes,  was  the  brother  of  John  Cleves  Symmes,  well 
known  as  the  founder  of  the  first  settlements  of  the  Miami  valley.  In  the  early 
part  of  his  life  he  received  a common-school  education,  and  in  1802  was  commis- 
sioned an  ensign  in  the  army.  In  1813  he  was  })romoted  to  a captaincy,  in  which 
capacity  he  served  until  the  close  of  the  war  with  honor.  He  was  in  the  hard- 
tbught  battle  of  Bridgewater,  and  at  the  sortie  of  Fort  Erie,  where  with  his  com- 


34^ 


BUTLER  COUNTY. 


mand  he  captured  a battery,  and  personally  spiked  the  cannon.  At  the  close  of 
the  war  he  retired  from  the  army  and  for  about  three  years  was  engaged  in  fur- 
nishing supplies  to  the  troops  stationed  on  the  upper  Mississippi.  After  this,  he 
resided  for  a number  of  years  at  Newport  Ky.,  and  devoted  himself  to  philo- 
sophical researches  connected  with  his 
favorite  theory.  In  a short  circular, 
dated  at  St.  Louis,  in  1818,  Capt. 

Symmes  first  promulgated  the  funda- 
mental principles  of  his  theory  to  the 
world.  In  this  he  said,  I ask  for 
100  brave  companions,  well  equipped, 
to  start  from  Siberia  in  the  fall  with  reindeer  and  sleighs,  on  the  ice  of  the 
frozen  sea ; I engage  we  find  a warm  and  rich  land  stocked  with  thrifty  vegeta- 
bles and  animals,  if  not  men,  on  reaching  one  degree  north  of  the  latitude  of 
eighty-two  degrees.  We  will  return  in  the  succeeding  spring.’^ 

From  time  to  time,  he  published  various  articles  in  the  public  prints  upon  the 
subject.  He  also  delivered  lectures,  first  at  Cincinnati  in  1820,  and  afterwards  in 
various  places  in  Kentucky  and  Ohio,  and  also  in  all  the  Eastern  cities. 

In  the  year  1822  Capt.  Symmes  petitioned  Congress,  setting  forth,  in  the  first  ' 
place,  his  belief  of  the  existence  of  a habitable  and  accessible  concave  to  this  globe ; 
his  desire  to  embark  on  a voyage  of  discovery  to  one  or  other  of  the  polar  regions ; 
his  belief  in  the  great  profit  and  honor  his  country  would  derive  from  such  a dis- 
covery ; and  prayed  that  Congress  would  equip  and  fit  out  for  the  expedition  two 
vessels  of  250  or  300  tons  burthen ; and  grant  such  other  aid  as  government 
might  deem  necessary  to  promote  the  object. 

This  petition  was  presented  in  the  Senate  by  Col.  Eichard  M.  Johnson,  a member 
from  Kentucky,  on  the  7th  day  of  March,  1822,  when  (a  motion  to  refer  it  to  the 
Committee  of  Foreign  Eelations  having  failed),  after  a few  remarks,  it  was  laid  on 
the  table — 25.  In  December,  1823,  he  forwarded  similar  petitions  to  both 
houses  of  Congress,  which  met  with  a similar  fate.  In  January,  1824,  he  peti- 
tioned the  General  Assembly  of  the  State  of  Ohio,  praying  that  body  to  pass  a 

resolution  approbatory  of  his  theory,  and  to 
recommend  him  to  Congress  for  an  outfit 
suitable  to  the  enterprise.  This  memorial  was 
presented  by  Micajah  T.  Williams,  and,  on 
motion,  the  further  consideration  thereof  was 
indefinitely  postponed. 

He  advanced  many  plausible  and  ingenious 
arguments,  and  won  quite  a number  of  converts 
among  those  who  attended  his  lectures,  one 
of  whom,  Mr.  James  McBride,  wrote  a work 
in  its  support,  published  in  Cincinnati  in 
1826,  in  which  he  stated  his  readiness  to  em- 
bark on  a voyage  of  discovery,  for  the  pur- 
pose of  testing  its  truth. 

J.  C.  Symmes’  Monument.  Capt.  Symmes  met  with  the  usual  fate  of 

projectors,  in  living  and  dying  in  great  pe- 
cuniary embarrassment.  In  person,  he  was  of  the  medium  stature  and  simple 
in  his  manners.  He  bore  the  character  of  an  honest,  exemplary  man,  and 
was  much  respected.  He  was  buried  with  military  honors  in  the  old  burying 
ground  at  Hamilton.  His  son  Americus  put  up  there  a monument  to  his  memory 
surmounted  with  a hollow  globe  open  at  the  poles,  and  with  suitable  inscriptions. 
It  is  standing  to  this  day  in  the  public  square.  Thirty  years  later  Americus  be- 
lieved in  his  father’s  theory  and  lectured  upon  it.  A convert  to  Symmes’  theory, 
J.  N.  Eeynolds,  a graduate  of  Miami,  after  his  death  started  an  expedition  for  the 
South  Pole  to  test  its  truth,  an  account  of  Avhich  is  under  the  head  of  Clinton 
county. 


J.  C.  Symmes’  Signature. 


BUTLER  COUNTY, 


349 


The  theory  of  Symmes  met  at  the  time  with  great  ridicule  and  ^^Symmes’ 
Hole  was  a phrase  more  or  less  for  a term  of  years  on  everybody’s  tongue ; the 
papers  in  the  decade  between  1820  and  1830  were  more  or  less  full  of  Symmes’ 
Hole.  If  one  suddenly  disappeared,  the  reply  often  was,  and  with  a grin  : Oh, 
he’s  gone,  I expect,  down  into  Symmes’  Hole  ! ” 

Butler  County  Men. 


Rich  as  is  this  county  in  its  productions 
it  has  been  equally  rich  in  its  production 
of  useful,  strong  men.  John  Reily  was 
born  in  Pennsylvania  in  1763 ; in  1791  went 
to  Cincinnati,  and  in  1803  settled  in  Hamil- 
ton. On  our  first  tour  he  was  one  of  the  five 
surviving  members  of  the  Constitutional  Con- 
vention of  Ohio.  His  friend  Judge  Burnet, 
in  his  Notes,  gave  an  eloquent  tribute  to  his 
character  and  services.  He  was  clerk  of  the 
Supreme  Court  of  Butler  county  from  1803 
to  1842.  He  died  at  the  age  of  eighty-seven 
years.  He  was  a man  of  clock-work  regu- 
larity of  habits  and  system  ; could  in  a few 
moments  find  a paper  he  had  not  seen  in 
twenty  years.  In  every  respect  he  was  a first- 
class  man. 

The  governor  of  Ohio  during  the  Mexican 
war,  1 846-1 848,  was  W illiam  Bebb.  He  was 
born  of  Welsh  stock  in  1802  on  the  Dry  Fork 
of  Whitewater,  in  Morgan  township.  He  had 
been  elected  by  the  Whigs.  W e met  him  here, 
a well-formed  man,  rather  tall,  with  a dark 
complexion,  and  at  the  time  noted  for  his  easy 
eloquence.  He  was  especially  strong  as  a 
jury  lawyer  ; it  was  said  his  appeals  to  a jury 
were  very  touching ; he  could  weep  at  any 
time.  His  old  home  is  yet  standing  in  the 
southern  part  of  the  county.  He  removed 
to  the  Rock  river,  Illinois,  early  in  the  fifties, 
where  he  had  a large  farm.  He  later  went 
to  Europe  and  led  a colony  of  Welsh  colonists 
from  Wales  to  the  wilderness  of  Scott  co., 
Tenn.  The  colony  was  broken  up  by  the 
Civil  War.  Bebb  lived  to  be  a pension  ex- 
aminer under  Lincoln  and  help  in  the  election 
of  Grant ; he  died  at  his  home  in  Rockford, 
111.,  in  1873. 

Middletown,  in  this  county,  early  in  this 
century  was  the  birthplace  of  a sculptor  of 
great  promise  who,  dying  young,  was  written 
about  as  “the  gifted  and  lamented  Clev- 
enger. ’ ’ 

John  B.  Weller,  born  in  Hamilton  county 
in  1812,  had  a high  career.  When  but. twenty- 
two  years  of  age  was  elected  to  Congress  and 
so  on  for  three  successive  terms ; led  the 
Second  Ohio,  as  lieutenant-colonel,  in  the 
Mexican  war,  and  returning  thence  led  the 
Democratic  party  in  the  bitter  gubernatorial 
fight  of  1 848,  and  was  defeated  by  Seabury 
Ford,  of  Geauga  county,  the  Whig  candidate. 
In  1849  was  commissioned  to  run  the  boun- 
dary line  between  California  and  Mexico. 
From  1852  to  1857  he  was  United  States 
Senator  from  California  and  then  was  elected 
governor.  In  1860  he  was  appointed  by  Bu- 
chanan Minister  to  Mexico.  He  died  in  New 
Orleans  in  1875,  where  he  was  practising  law. 
“ Nature,”  it  was  said,  “ had  gifted  him  with 


an  easy,  declamatory  eloquence,”  but  his  bent 
was  politics  rather  than  law. 

John  Woods  was  born  in  Pennsylvania  in 
1794,  of  north  Irish  stock  ; came  when  a mere 
child  with  his  parents  to  Warren  county ; 
served  in  Congress  from  1825  to  1829  ; then 
edited  and  published  the  Hamilton  Intelli- 
meet ; from  1845  to  1851  was  auditor  of  the 
tate,  in  which  ofiice  he  brought  order  out  of 
confusion  and  “left  indelible  marks  on  the 
policy  and  history  of  Ohio.  ’ ’ Later  was  in- 
terested in  railroad  development,  and  from 
his  habits  of  industry  and  restless  energy 
proved  a great  power.  He  died  in  1855,  aged 
sixty-one  years.^  It  seems  that  from  early  boy- 
hood he  determined  to  get  an  education  and  be- 
come a lawyer.  The  country  all  around  was 
a wilderness  and  he  contracted  to  clear  a piece 
of  land  for  a certain  compensation.  In  this 
clearing  he  erected  a hut,  where  he  studied 
nights  when  others  slept,  and  this  after  having 
chopped  and  hauled  heavy  timber  all  day. 
Then  regularly  every  week  he  went  over  to 
Lebanon  to  recite  and  receive  instructions 
from  Hon.  John  McLean,  later  Chief-Justice 
of  the  United  States  Supreme  Court.  In 
this  Woods  was,  however,  but  a fair  sample 
of  Ohio  youth  of  that  day,  to  whom  obsta- 
cles served  as  lures  to  tempt  them  to  fight 
their  way.  The  history  of  Ohio  is  profusely 
dotted  all  over  with  them.  On  their  brows 
is  stamped  “invincibility;”  over  them  flies 
a banner  bearing  just  two  words,  “ will  and 
work.” 

John  M.  Millikin  was  one  of  the  numer- 
ous and  intellectual  Millikin  family  of  Hamil- 
ton, who  died  about  1882  in  advanced  life. 
He  was  a large  portly  gentleman  of  “tremen- 
dous push  and  go ; ” was  by  education  a 
lawyer ; had  a most  excellent  large  stock 
farm  near  Hamilton  ; was  at  one  time  State 
treasurer  and  long  president  of  the  State 
Board  of  Agriculture  ; wrote  a great  deal  for 
the  material  interest  of  the  State  and  espe- 
cially upon  its  farm  animals  and  agriculture.* 
One  of  his  sons  was  a professor  in  Ohio  State 
University,  and  another  was  Colonel  Minor 
Millikin,  killed  at  Stone  river.  Whitelaw 
Reid  characterized  John  M.  Millikin — Major 
Millikin,  as  he  was  usually  called — as  “one 
of  the  foremost  among  that  body  of  retired 
professional  men  who  adorn  the  vocation  of 
Ohio  farmers,”  etc. 

Thomas  Millikin,  of  Hamilton,  born  in 
1819,  stands  pre-eminent  among  the  lawyers 
of  Ohio  ; is  especially  strong  in  will  cases  ; so 
wide  his  fame  that  another  word  here  is  use- 
less. 

Lewis  D.  Campbell,  born  in  1811,  died 
iu  1882,  was  early  known  to  the  entire  coun- 


350 


BUTLER  COUNTY, 


try.  He  began  life  as  an  apprentice  by  pick- 
ing up  type  on  the  Cincinnati  Gazette ; was 
sent  by  the  Whig  party  to  Congress  in  1849  ; 
became  chairman  of  the  ways  and  means 
committee.  In  the  civil  war  was  for  a time 
a colonel  of  an  Ohio  regiment ; minister  to 
Mexico  1866  to  1868,  and  from  1871  to  1873 
again  in  Congress. 

General  Ferdinand  Van  Derveer  is 
a resident  of  Hamilton.  He  was  born  in  this 
county  in  1823,  a lawyer  by  profession,  and 
made  a fine  record  in  the  war  for  the  Union. 
He  was  one  of  the  most  earnest  of  war  Demo- 
crats, and  his  was  the  first  Union  regiment  to 
enter  Kentucky.  In  the  great  campaign  be- 
tween Brough  and  Vallandigham  the  latter 
did  not  receive  a single  vote  in  his  regiment. 

John  W.  Irwin,  of  Hamilton,  is  the  most 
aged  and  experienced  engineer  of  Ohio.  He 
was  born  in  Delaware  in  1808  and  early  came 
to  Ohio  and  engaged  in  public  works,  first 
upon  turnpikes,  then  upon  canals  and  rail- 
roads. In  1842  he  was  appointed  resident 
engineer  of  the  Ohio  & Erie  Canal,  and  had 
full  charge  of  the  system  between  Cincinnati 
and  Toledo.  He  spent  nearly  forty  years  in 
that  capacity,  locating  all  the  works,  passed 
ever  every  foot  of  the  ground  many  times, 
enduring  many  hardships.  The  Hamilton  and 
Rossville  and  many  other  hydraulics  were 
constructed  by  him,  and  in  1838,  by  draining 
the  “Big  Pond”  in  Fairfield  township,  he 
brought  into  cultivation  some  of  the  richest 
farming  land  known  anywhere.  No  man  can 
be  more  respected  than  he  most  deservedly  is 
by  his  fellow-citizens. 

The  manufacturing  development  of  Hamil- 
ton has  been  advanced  by  Mr.  William 
Beckeit,  a man  of  large  public  spirit  and  a 
general  public  operator.  If  any  project  is 
thought  of  for  the  good  of  the  community 
the  first  inquiry  is:  “Where  is  Beckett?” 
He  came  into  Ohio  at  an  early  date,  1821 — 
came  into  it  in  the  best  possible  shape,  being 
born  into  it — the  precise  spot  Hanover  town- 
ship, Butler  county.  With  an  enterprise  on 
foot  to  enthuse  him  he  is  probably  the  most 
easy  persuasive  talker  in  Ohio,  and  no  one 
can  well  be  more  liked  by  fellow-citizens. 

J.  P.  Mac  Lean,  the  archaeologist,  is  also 
a resident  of  Hamilton.  With  the  exception 
of  Ross,  Butler  county  has  more  antiquities 
than  any  other  in  the  State  ; the  most  known 
of  these  in  Butler  county  is  Fortified  Hill  in 
Ross  township.  ^Mr.  MacLean  has  been  an 
indefatigable  explorer.  His  published  works 
are  “Archaeology  of  Butler  County,”  “A 
Manual  of  the  Antiquity  of  Man,”  and 
“ Mastodon,  Mammoth  and  Man.” 


There  died  in  December,  1887,  in  his 
seventy-fourth  year,  in  this  county,  a literary 
character  of  unusual  eccentricity,  especially 
so  in  his  selection  of  topics  for  his  muse.  His 
name  was  James  Woodmansee,  who  called 
himself  the  “Bard  of  Sugar  Valley.”  The 
county  history  thus  notices  him  : He  was  a 
son  of  Daniel  Woodmansee  of  New  Jersey, 
who  settled  in  Butler  county  in  1809.  The 
poet  was  born  in  1814,  and  early  developed  a 
fondness  for  verse.  He  received  a good 
education  and  was  brought  up  to  agricultural 
pursuits,  but  this  life  did  not  have  any 
attractions  for  him.  James  Woodmansee 
has  written  two  epic  poems,  “The  Closing 
Scene,  a Poem  in  Twelve  Books,”  and  “Re- 
ligion, a Poem  in  Twelve  Books.  ’ ’ The  sub- 
ject of  the  first  named  is  the  great  war  be- 
tween Gog  and  Magog,  ending  with  the 
‘ ‘ W reck  of  Matter  and  the  Crash  of  W orlds.  ’ ’ 
The  second  shows  religion  from  the  time  the 
“Spirit  travelled  over  the  water’s  face”  to 
the  millennium.  Besides  these  he  has  writ- 
ten “Wrinkles  from  the  Brow  of  Experi- 
ence,” “ Poetry  of  the  Lessons,”  and  “The 
Prodigal  Son,”  a drama  in  five  acts.  “The 
Closing  Scene’.’  and  “ Wrinkles, ” published 
some  years  ago,  received  much  praise  both  in 
America  and  Europe.  Thomas  N.  Talfourds, 
a great  critic  and  judge  of  Westminster,  said  : 
“The  Closing  Scene”  rivals  the  “Divine 
Commedia  ’ ’ of  Dante,  and  Samuel  Rogers, 
author,  called  it  the  “Paradise  Lost  of 
America.”  Mr.  Woodmansee  had  travelled 
considerably  in  Europe  and  all  over  America. 

Daniel  W.  Vooriiees,  U.  S.  Senator  from 
Indiana,  was  born  in  Butler  county  in  1827. 
His  speech  in  the  defence  of  Cook,  one  of  the 
comrades  of  John  Brown  at  Harper’s  Ferry, 
gave  him  a wide  reputation  for  eloquence, 
being  published  alike  in  our  country  and 
Europe. 

Joseph  Ewing  McDonald,  an  eminent 
Indiana  lawyer  and  statesman,  is  also  a native 
of  this  county.  He  is  of  Scotch  extraction 
and  was  born  in  Fairfield  township  August 
29,  1819.  When  he  was  seven  years  of  age 
his  widow  mother  removed  to  the  wilderness 
of  Montgomery  county,  Indiana.  He  was 
educated  at  Wabash  College,  supporting  him- 
self by  intervals  of  work  at  the  saddler’s  trade, 
which  he  had  learned.  In  1856  and  1858  he 
was  elected  attorney-general  of  Indiana.  Ic 
1864  was  defeated  for  governor  by  Oliver  P. 
Morton.  He  was  elected  to  the  U.  S.  Senate 
in  1875.  His  reputation  as  a lawyer  is  very 
high,  and  as  a man  he  has  largely  the  respec' 
of  the  public  irrespective  of  political  creeds. 


Middletown  in  1846. — Middletown  is  twelve  miles  northeast  of  Hamilton, 
and  twenty  below  Dayton,  in  a rich  and  beautiful  co.mtry.  The  IMianii  canal  rims 
east  of  the  central  part  of  the  town,  and  the  IMiaini  river  bounds  it  on  the  west. 
It  is  connected  with  Dayton  and  Cincinnati,  and  with  West  Alexandria,  in  Preble 
county,  by  turnpikes.  The  W^arren  County  canal  enters  the  main  canal  at  this 
town.  Two  or  three  miles  above  a dam  is  thrown  across  the  Miami,  from  which 
a connecting  feeder  supplies  the  Miami  canal.  This  work  furnishes  much  water 
power,  wiiich,  witli  a little  exjiense,  can  be  increased  and  u.sed  to  great  advantage. 


BUTLER  COUNTY. 


351 


Tliere  are  within  three  miles  of  Middletown  eight  flouring  mills  on  the  river  and 
canal  Middletown  was  laid  out  in  1802  by  Stephen  Vail  and  James  Sutton. 
Calvin  Morrell,  James  Brady,  Cyrus  Osbourn,  Daniel  Doty,  Elisha  Wade  and 
Kichard  Watts  were  among  its  early  settlers.  It  contains  1 Presbyterian,  1 Bap- 
tist and  1 Methodist  church,  a classical  academy,  16  mercantile  stores,  2 forward- 


Druwu  by  Henry  Hone,  184G 

Lebanon  Street,  Middletown. 


ing  houses,  1 grist  mill  and  1 woollen  factory,  and,  in  1840,  had  809  inhabitants. 
The  view  of  Lebanon  street  was  taken  at  its  intersection  with  Broadway.  Liebee’s 
block  is  shown  on  the  right,  Deardorf  s mill  and  the  bridge  over  the  Miami  partly 
appear  in  the  distance. — Old  Edition. 


Frank  Henry  Howe,  Photo.,  1887. 

Street  View  in  Middletown. 


Middletown  is  on  the  Miami  river  and  canal  thirty-seven  miles  north  of  Cin- 
cinnati on  the  C.  H.  & D.,  C.  C.  C.  <&  I.,  N.  Y.  P.  & O.  and  L.  C.  & D.  Railroads. 

Newspapers:  Signal,  Democrat,  J.  Q.  Baker,  editor;  Journal,  Republican. 
Churches : 1 Baptist,  1 Presbyterian,  1 Methodist  Episcopal,  1 Methodist  Protest- 
ant, 1 African  Methodist  Episcopal,  1 African  Baptist,  1 Episcopal,  1 German 
Catholic  and  1 German  Lutheran.  Banks : First  National,  D.  McCalley,  presi- 
dent, J.  R.  Allen,  cashier ; Merchants’  National,  Chas.  E.  Gunckel,  president.  G. 
F.  Stevens,  cashier ; Oglesby  and  Barnitz. 


352 


BUTLER  COUNTY, 


Manufactures  and  Employees. — The  Wilson  & McCallay  Co.,  tobacco,  470  hands ; 
The  Warlow  Thomas  Paper  Co.,  paper,  52  ; Ohio  Paper  Bag  Co.,  29  ; The  Wren 
Paper  Co.,  paper,  32 ; The  Gardner  Paper  Co.,  61 ; P.  E.  Johnston,  paper  bags, 
46 ; W.  B.  Oglesby  Paper  Co.,  65 ; The  Tytus  Paper  Co.,  48 ; The  P.  J.  Sorg 
Co.,  tobacco,  647;  Middletown  Buggy  Co.,  15;  Middletown  Pump  Co.,  74; 
The  Card  Fabrique  Co.,  playing  cards,  34  ; W.  H.  Todhunter,  printing,  11  ; Ling 
& Van  Sickle,  carriages,  etc.,  8 ; La  Tourrette  & Co.,  machinery,  etc.,  20  ; George 
Ault  Flour  Co.,  flour,  etc.,  7 ; Wm.  Caldwell,  builders’  wood-work,  etc.,  31. — 
State  Repoyi  1887. 

Population  in  1880,  4,538.  School  census  in  1886,  2,023 ; F.  J.  Barnard, 
superintendent. 

The  Holly  Waterworks  supply  the  town  with  water,  and  it  is  lighted  by  the 
Brush  electric  light  from  eight  lights  on  a wrought-iron  tower  210  feet  up  in 
the  air. 

Middletown  is  known  throughout  the  country  for  its  paper  mills,  which  manu- 
facture all  grades  from  the  common  straw  and  manilla  for  wrapping  to  the  finest 
writing.  The  medium  writing  grades  are  however  most  manufactured.  One  of 
the  men  most  prominent  in  building  up  this  great  industry  is  Mr.  Francis  J. 
Tytus,  born  in  Virginia  early  in  the  century  and  locating  in  Middletown  when  a 
very  young  man.  Middletown  enjoys  the  great  advantage  of  good  and  cheap 
water-power,  and  manufactures,  besides  paper,  agricultural  implements,  pleasure 
vehicles  and  tobacco  to  a large  extent. 

In  the  south  part  of  this  county  is  a stream  called  Paddy’s  Run,  and  because  in 
the  long  ago  it  was  the  death  of  an  Irishman.  To  further  commemorate  the  sad 
event  the  post-office  in  the  region  was  also  named  Paddy’s  Run ; and  when  a 
year  since  the  government  changed  the  name  to  Glendower,  out  of  compliment  to 
some  of  the  Welsh  stock  thereabouts,  the  population  arose  in  their  might  and  by  a 
pungent  petition  had  it  reverted  to  Paddy’s  Run.  They  were  doubtless  actuated 
by  a spirit  of  humor  in  desiring  to  perpetuate  a name  so  comic.  Ask  any  one 
living  there  where  he  is  from  ? ” and  he  will  often  answer,  with  a smile,  O ! 
Paddy’s  Run.”  Therefore  the  retention  of  such  a name  in  a sad,  care-laden  world 
shows  their  wisdom. 

We  allude  to  it  here,  not  because  of  a death,  but  because  in  its  valley  something 
valuable  sprang  into  life — an  editor : the  identical  one,  Murat  Halstead,  of  whom 
the  public  would  like  to  know  more  about.  He  who  supplies  reading  for  the 
people  and  all  about  themselves  and  the  queer  extraordinary  antics  some  of  them 
at  times  perform  is  naturally  fated  to  take  his  turn  and  be  read  of. 


Murat  Halstead’s  grandfathers  were  John 
Halstead,  of  Currituck  county,  N.  C.,  and 
Janies  Willits,  of  Wyoming,  Pa.  John 
Halstead  married  Ruth  Richardson,  of  Pas- 
quotank county,  N.  C. , and  their  oldest  son, 
, Grifl&n,  was  born  in  North  Carolina  June  11, 
1 802.  Soon  after  they  removed  to  Ohio  by 
way  of  Cumberland  Gap,  having  proposed, 
when  leaving  their  native  State,  to  buy  lands 
in  the  blue-grass  region  of  Kentucky,  about 
which  North  Carolina  was  in  those  days  filled 
with  marvelous  tales. 

The  land-titles  in  Kentucky  were  unsettled 
and  John  Halstead  crossed  the  Ohio  at  Cin- 
cinnati, intending  to  settle  on  the  Miami  bot- 
toms. He  stopped  there  and  built  a cabin, 
but  the  first  great  Miami  flood  shocked  his 
tide-water  experiences,  and  the  escape  of 
himself,  wife  and  children  on  horseback  from 
the  overflowing  water,  such  as  had  never  been 
seen  in  the  neighborhood  of  Albemarle  sound, 
was  one  of  the  memorable  incidents  of  his 
life.  This  led  to  his  taking  land  on  Faddy’ « 


Run,  the  stream  tributary  to  the  Great 
Miami,  running  southward  near  the  line  be- 
tween Morgan  and  Ross  townships,  Butler 
county,  six  miles  from  the  western  boundary 
of  the  State.  The  half-section  of  land  which 
is  still  the  Halstead  farm  was  equally  divided 
between  hill  timber  and  fair  bottom  lands, 
and  out  of  the  way  of  floods. 

James  Willits,  of  Wyoming,  when  a boy, 
was  one  of  a party  of  emigrants  to  Ohio,  and 
drove  a wagon  from  the  Susquehanna  to  the 
Hockhocking.  Another  of  the  party  moving 
from  Pennsylvania  to  Ohio  was  Amy  Allison. 
James  Willits  and  Amy  Allison  were  married 
and  settled  on  Paint  Creek  in  what  is  now 
Ross  county,  Ohio,  where  their  oldest  child, 
Clarissa,  was  born  March  20,  1804.  A few 
years  later  James  Willits,  with  his  family, 
moved  to  the  neighborhood  of  New  Haven, 
in  the  northwestern  corner  of  Hamilton 
county,  and  there  Grifiin  Halstead  and  Clar- 
issa Willits  were  married  Nov.  1,  1827. 

Murat  Halstead  was  born  Sept.  2,  1829, 


BUTLER 

! 

the  oldest  son  of  the  oldest  son  for  several— 
the  story  is  for  seven  generations.  He  has 
one  sister,  Mrs.  John  M.  Scott,  who  lives  at 
the  old  home,  and  one  brother.  Col.  Benton 


Halstead,  who  resides  at  Riverside,  Ohio. 
His  mother  died  Aug.  29,  1864,  and  his 
father  Oct.  29,  1884. 

His  mother  taught  him  the  alphabet,  using 
the  Hamilton,  Butler  county.  Telegraph,  as 
a primer,  and  he  was  able  to  read  fluently 
when  first  sent  to  school  at  five  years  of  age. 
The  house  where  he  was  born  was  of  hewn 
timber,  standing  nigh  a spring  that  had  been 
a famous  place  for  Indian  hunting  encamp- 
ments, a great  number  of  stones  in  the 


Boyhood  Home  and  Sycamore  Grove. 


neighborhood  being  burnt  with  many  fires 
and  the  ground  strewn  with  arrowheads.  The 
spot  is  marked  by  a tree,  a solitary  elm. 
When  Murat  was  two  years  old  the  family 


COUNTY.  355 

moved  to  a house  meantime  erected  on  a 
pleasant  foot-hill,  100  yards  southwest  of 
the  spring  and  the  elm.  There  had  appeared 
south  and  west  of  this  house  in  the  summer 
of  1829  a remarkable  group  of  sycamores. 
They  are  shown  in  the  cut  of  the  house  and 
are  a lofty  and  beautiful  grove.  As  they  are 
of  the  same  age  as  Mr.  Halstead  they  have 
always  been  associated  with  him,  and  he 
values  them  very  highly. 

In  his  boyhood  Murat  Halstead  worked  on 
the  farm  in  the  summer  and  attended  school 
in  the  winter.  At  nineteen  years  of  age  he 
became  a student  at  Farmer’s  College,  Col- 
lege Hill,  seven  miles  north  of  the  Ohio  at 
Cincinnati,  where  he  graduated  in  1851,  and 
at  once  made  his  home  in  Cincinnati,  and 
wrote  stories  for  the  city  papers  and  letters 
for  country  papers.  While  he  was  the  lit- 
erary editor  of  the  Cohimhian  and  Great 


The  Solitary  Elm. 

West  he  had  an  ofi’er  to  go  upon  the  Com- 
mercial, which  he  accepted  March  8,  1853. 
He  became  a member  of  the  firm  of  M.  D. 
Potter  & Co.  May  15,  1854. 

March  2,  1857,  he  married  Miss  Mary 
Banks,  a native  of  Cincinnati.  Twelve  chil- 
dren have  been  born  to  them,  of  whom  seven 
sons  and  three  daughters  are  living. 

Upon  the  death  of  M.  H.  Potter  in  1866, 
the  firm  of  M.  Halstead  & Co.  was  organized, 
and  January,  1883,  the  famous  consolidation 
of  the  Cincinnati  Commercial  and  the  Cin- 
cinnati Gazette  took  place  and  Mr.  Halstead 
was  elected  president  of  the  Commercial- 
Gazette  company.  He  is  now  more  active 
and  constant  in  daily  labor  than  thirty-five 
years  ago,  and  has  repeatedly  written  three 
thousand  words  of  editorial  matter  a day  for 
a hundred  consecutive  days,  the  aggregate 
frequently  exceeding  five  thousand  words  in 
one  day’s  paper,  written  in  one  day.  He  did 
this  in  1 856  and  in  each  presidential  contest 
since,  and  as  much  in  the  third  campaign  of 
Hayes  for  Governor,  and  in  each  of  Foraker’s 
campaigns.  It  is  probable,  as  this  product- 
iveness has  continued  with  few  intermissions 
(the  whole  not  exceeding  a year)  for  more 
than  thirty-five  years,  and  was  preceded  by 
voluminous  writing  in  early  youth  of  a ro- 
mantic and  miscellaneous  character,  that  Mr. 
Halstead  has  furnished  more  copy  for  printers 


354 


BUTLER  COUNTY. 


than  any  other  man  living;  and  having  a work  before  him,  it  is  expected  he  will  con* 
good  constitution  and  a healthy  relishing  ap-  tinue  increasingly  to  beat  himself,  until  be 
petite,  with  apparently  many  more  years  of  finally  reaches  the  ancient  order  of  Patriarchs. 

Oxford,  on  the  C.  H.  & D.  Railroad,  39  miles  northwest  of  Cincinnati  and 
12  from  Hamilton,  is  a beautiful  village,  famous  for  its  educational  institutions. 
It  has  the  Miami  University  and  two  noted  female  seminaries.  Oxford  Female 
College’^  was  founded  in  1849,  since  which  it  has  had  500  graduates  and  over 
3,000  pupils.  L.  Faye  Walker  is  principal.  It  now  has  13  teachers  and  109 
pupils.  The  Western  Female  Seminary  was  founded  in  1853.  Helen  Pea- 
body, principal.  Teachers,  16;  pupils,  156. 

Newspapers : Citizen,  Independent,  S.  D.  Cone,  editor ; also  Oxford  News, 
Brown  & Osborn.  Churches : 1 Presbyterian,  1 United  Presbyterian,  1 Metho- 
dist, 1 Catholic,  1 African  Methodist  Episcopal,  1 Colored  Baptist,  1 Colored 
Christian.  Banks : Citizens’,  Thomas  McCullough,  president,  F.  S.  Heath, 
cashier  ; Oxford,  Mnnns,  Shera  & Co.  Census,  1880,  1,743.  School  census,  1886, 
581 ; Wm.  H.  Stewart,  principal. 


Drawn  by  Henry  Howe  in  1846. 


Miami  University  at  Oxford. 

[Miami  University  is  in  a large  enclosure  of  over  fifty  Ljres,  covered  with  green  sward  and  manj 
noble  forest  trees.  The  college  campus  is  faced  by  pleasant  residences  with  ample  grounds.  There  is 
very  little  change  in  the  buildings  since  the  view  given  was  drawn.] 


By  an  act  of  1803  Congress  empowered  the  Legislature  of  Ohio  to  select  a 
townshij)  of  land  within  tlie  district  of  Cincinnati  to  be  devoted  to  the  support  of 
a college.  The  commissioners  selected  what  is  now  the  township  of  Oxford,  which 
was  all  unsold,  excepting  two  and  a half  sections,  which  deficiency  was  made  iij) 
from  the  adjoining  townships  of  Hanover  and  Milford. 

In  1816  the  corner-stone  of  the  University  was  laid,  and  in  1824  the  main 
building  finished  and  the  college  duly  opened.  Rev.  Hr.  Robert  H.  Bishop  being 
installed  President.  The  funds  had  come  from  the  accnmnlation  of  rents  from 
leases  of  the  college  land.  Mr.  Bishoj)  was  born  in  Scotland  and  was  a graduate 
of  Edinburgh  University.  He  acted  as  President  until  1841  and  then  as  Profes- 
sor until  1845.  The  institution  maintained  a high  standard  of  scliolarsliip  and 
from  its  course  of  study  was  called  ‘Hhe  Yale  of  the  West.”  Among  the  early 
instructors  were  Robert  C.  Schenck  and  W.  H.  McGnffey,  the  last  famed  for  his 
Eclectic”  Series  of  school  books.  Anti -si  a very  agitation  and  the  dismember- 
ment of  the  Presbyterian  Church  in  1838  brought  dissensions  into  its  management. 
In  1873  the  institution  was  suspended  and  .so  remained  until  1885,  when  the 
Legislature  made  an  appropriation  of  $20,000,  the  first  State  aid  it  had  received, 
and  it  again  resumed  under  the  jiresidency  of  Robert  W.  McFarland.  It  lias 
graduated  nearly  1,000  students.  Among  them  are  many  names  of  men  who 


BUTLER 

have  become  leaders.  As  an  illustration 
given  ; 

Clergy — Wm.  M.  Thomson  (author  of 
“The  Land  and  the  Book  ”),  Th.  E.  Thomas, 
David  Swing,  D.  A.  Wallace,  Henry  Mc- 
Cracken, B.  W.  Chidlaw.  Governors,  Ohio 
— Wm.  Dennison,  Chas.  Anderson.  Medical 
— Alex.  Dunlap  (surgepn),  John  S.  Billings, 
S.  W.  Smith,  E.  B.  Stevens.  Business — 
Calvin  Brice,  Geo.  M.  Parsons,  Wm.  Beckett. 
United  States  Senators — Benjamin  Harrison, 
In J , Bepublican  candidate  for  President  of 
the  United  States,  1888 ; J.  S.  Williams,  Ky. 
Editors — Whitelaw  Beid.  Lawyers — Samuel 
Galloway,  Thomas  Milliken,  Wm.  J.  Gil- 
more, C.  N.  Olds,  John  W.  Caldwell,  Wm. 
S.  (Iroesbeck,  Wm.  M.  Corry,  Robert  C. 
Schenck,  Samuel  F.  Cary,  Samuel  F.  Hunt, 
M.  W.  Oliver,  etc. 

TRAVELLING  NOTES. 

Monday,  April  12.— Oxford  is  on  very 
high  ground,  a breezy  place,  with  a good 
literary  name.  The  University  is  975  feet 
above  the  sea  and  370  above  Hamilton. 
From  its  tower,  to  which  I ascended  with 
President  McFarland,  I found  a magnificent 
panoramic  view  of  a rich  country  undulating 
in  all  directions  with  cultivated  and  grassy 
fields,  interspersed  with  woodlands  and  dotted 
with  the  habitations  of  prosperous  farmers 
whose  families  have  had  largely  the  educa- 
tional advantages  of  this  favored  spot.  So 
well  up  to  the  skies  is  Oxford  that  the  Presi- 
dent tells  me  that  before  the  shortening  of 
the  tower  the  highlands  east  of  the  Little 
Miami,  forty  miles  away,  were  discernible. 
The  eye  takes  in  the  valley  of  the  Great 
Miami  and  that  bounteous  tract  lying  east  in 
this  county  called  “The  Garden  of  Ohio,” 
so  exceedingly  fertile  is  it.  Bayard  Taylor, 
standing  on  the  same  spot,  said  : “For  quiet 
beauty  of  scenery  I have  never  seen  anything 
to  excel  it  and  nothing  to  equal  it,  except  in 
Italy.”  But  Bayard  was  ever  of  amiable 
speech.  Humboldt  is  stated  to  have  re- 
marked after  an  interview  with  him  that  he 
had  travelled  more  and  seen  less  than  any 
man  he  had  ever  met — a natural  spurt  for  a 
matter-of-fact,  dry  scientist  to  give  in  the  di- 
rection of  a poet. 

Oxford  is  purely  a college  town,  and  its 
various  institutions  are  each  in  localities  with 
pleasant  outlooks.  Among  them  is  a sani- 
tarium, the  “Oxford  Retreat,”  a private  in- 
stitution for  the  treatment  of  nervous  dis- 
eases and  insanity.  Through  its  ample 
grounds  winds  a little  stream  named  by  Gen- 
eral Wayne  Four  Mile  Creek.  After  leaving 
Fort  Hamilton  on  his  march  north  he  crossed 
a stream  which  he  named  from  its  distance 
from  it  Two  Mile  Creek.  The  next  was 
Four  Mile  Creek,  then  “Seven  Mile,”  far- 
ther on  another,  “Fourteen  Mile,”  etc. 

Among  the  present  residents  of  Oxford  is 
Waldo  F.  Brown,  a noted  writer  on  horticul- 
ture and  agriculture.  Also  David  W.  Magie, 
famed  as  the  originator  of  the  Magie  or  Po- 


COUNTY.  355 

a few  of  the  names  of  the  many  are  here 


land  China  hog,  produced  from  four  distinct 
breeds  of  bristlers  about  the  year  1840.  They 
are  now  shipped  all  over  the  world,  even*  to 
Austa-alia,  where  they  help  to  fatten  and 
swell  out  the  ribs  of  the  descendants  of  the 
“canaries,”  as  the  early  enforced  settlers 
were  called  from  the  color  of  their  garments. 
Mr.  L.  N.  Bonham,  so  widely  known  as  an 
agricultural  writer  and  President  of  the  State 
Board  of  Agriculture,  has  here  his  “Glen- 
ellen  farm,”  the  raising  of  fine  stock  being 
his  specialty. 

President  McFarland  is  a native  of  Cham- 
paign county,  graduated  in  1 847  at  Delaware, 
was  seventeen  years  professor  here,  twelve  at 
the  State  University,  and  then  was  unani- 
mously called  to  his  present  position.  He  is 
a cheery  gentleman,  and  I was  pleased  to  see 
between  him  and  the  young  men  that  sort  of 
older  brother  relation  so  helpful  apd  advan- 
tageous everywhere  in  this  learning  world. 
His  specialties  are  mathematics,  astronomy 
and  civil  engineering.  In  connection  with 
the  general  discussion  of  the  glacial  epoch  a 
few  years  since  he  completed  the  calculation 
of  the  eccentricity  of  the  earth’s  orbit  at 
short  intervals  for  a period  of  over  four  and 
a half  million  years,  and  I have  no  doubt,  if 
the  occasion  should  arise,  will  be  ready  to  go 
a few  millions  better. 

“ How  doth  the  busy  bee 
Improve  each  shining  hour  ! ” 

Associated  with  the  thought  of  industry, 
flowers  and  honey,  with  now  and  then  a 
sting,  comes  the  bee.  And  if  any  man  has  a 
natural  right  to  devote  his  life  to  this  little 
golden-winged  creature,  it  is  one  who  has 
such  a pretty  alliterative  name  as  Lorenzo 
Lorraine  Longstreth.  And  he  is  found  righl 
here  in  Oxford  in  the  person  of  a retired 
clergyman  who  has  made  a specialty  of  culti- 
vating bees  and  written  largely  upon  them. 

In  the  spring  of  1868  there  came  into  my  ' 
ofiice  in  Cincinnati  a large,  portly  gentleman, 
with  rosy  cheeks,  a perfect  blonde,  a stranger 
who  cheerily  called  me  by  name  and  put  out 
his  hand  with  the  familiarity  of  an  old  ac- 
quaintance. I answered  : “ I do  not  remem- 
ber having  seen  you,  sir.”  “Not  surpris- 
ing, ’ ’ replied  he  ; “ it  is  forty  years  since  we 
met.  My  name  is  Longstreth.”  I then 
recollected  him  a stripling  in  college  at  New 
Haven  and  of  going  fishing  with  him — both 
of  us  boys  together — I the  little  boy,  he  the 
big  boy,  and  in  a pure  mountain  stream  with 
hook  and  line  we  brought  up  the  crimson  and 
golden  beauties.  In  the  very  social  time  that 
ensued  he  gave  me  his  history  and  how  his 
life  had  been  marred  by  a strange  mental 
malady,  an  alternation  of  seasons  of  excess-ive 
uncontrollable  joyousness  and  exuberation 
of  spirits,  followed  by  dreadful  turns  of 
despondency  and  mental  agony.  Before  he 
left  he  wrote  a note  and  directed  it  in  pencil 


356 


BUTLER  COUNTY. 


and  then  said  : “I  want  to  show  you  some- 
thing that  may  be  useful,”  whereupon  he 
passed  his  tongue  over  the  pencil  mark. 
“Now,”  said  he,  “that,  when  dry,  will  be  as 
ineffaceable  as  if  _ written  with  ink  ” — a useful 
thing  to  know  in  the  spiriting  away,  the 
Ifegira  of  one’s  inkstand. 

In  turn  I showed  him  a sort  of' comic 
poetical  extravaganza  I had  just  that  hour 
conceived.  Being  in  a happy  mood,  it  pleased 
him,  as  I hope  it  may  now  and  then  some 
reader,  as  it  illustrates  a phase  of  experience 
not  unusual  with  young  married  people  who, 
disappointed  in  the  sex  of  their  first-born, 
find  in  after  years  an  occasion  for  rejoicing. 


The  Lassie  Music. 

’Twas  at  creation’s  wakening  dawn. 

When  Music,  baby-girl,  was  born  ; 

The  angels  danced,  the  new  earth  sang, 
And  all  the  stars  to  frolic  sprang, 

While  mamma  cried,  and  papa  run 
And  groaned,  because  ’twas  not  a son. 

But  when  to  years  the  lassie  grew. 

The  happiest  child  the  whole  world  knew, 
Her  sweet  notes  trilled  so  jo3musly, 

And  soothed  all  care  so  lovingly. 

That  mamma  laughed  and  papa  run 
And  danced,  because  ’twas  not  a son. 


JAMES  McBRIDE. 


My  old  friend,  from  his  fondness  for  bees, 
has  been  termed  “the  Huber  of  America.” 
Some  thirty  or  more  j^ears  ago  he  wrote  a 
book  upon  “the  busy  bee,”  and  I am  told 
there  is  no  work  upon  the  subject  so  fascinat- 
ing, it  is  so  filled  with  the  honey  of  a benig- 
nant kindly  nature.  [Since  the  aboVe  was 
written  Mr.  Longstreth  has  passed  away.] 

In  my  original  visit  to  this  county  I made 
the  acquaintance  of  iNIr.  James  iMcBride,  the 
historian  of  the  Miami  valley.  In  my  varied 
experience  I have  been  blessed  in  meeting  and 
knowing  many  fine  characters,  ever  to  be  fra- 
grant in  my  memory,  but  none  occupy  a better 


place  than  IMr.  IMcBride.  He  was  of  Scotch 
descent,  born  near  Greencastle,  Pa.,  in  1788. 
His  father  soon  after  was  killed  by  the  Indians 
in  Kentucky,  so  he  was  the  only  child.  He 
came  to  Hamilton  when  eighteen  years  of  age, 
and  at  twenty-five  years  was  elected  county 
sheriff,  the  best  office  then  in  the  gift  of  the 
peojde,  and  later  to  other  offices.  When  I 
saw  him  he  was  clerk  of  court,  j’et  public 
office  occupied  but  comparatively  few  of  his 
j^ears.  He  was  in  easy  though  not  affluent 
circumstances  from  ventures  made  to  New  Or- 
leans in  the  period  of  the  war  of  1812,  which 
gave  him  the  leisure  to  devote  to  his  loves. 


BUTLER  COUNTY. 


357 


He  had  scarcely  arrived  here  when  he  be- 
gan his  researches  into  the  local  history  of 
this  region,  gathering  it  directly  from  the 
pioneers.  In  1869  was  issued  by  Robert 
Clarke  & Co.,  in  two  octavo  volumes,  his 
“ Pioneer  Biography  of  Butler  County,”  and 
it  was  estimated  he  left  no  less  than  3,000 
MS.  pages  on  local  history  and  biography. 
He  was  the  earliest  archaeologist  of  Butler 
county,  and  in  connection  with  Mr.  John  W. 
Erwin,  now  of  Hamilton,  supplied  100  MS. 
ages,  notes,  drawings,  plans  of  survey  to 
quier  & Davis  for  the  “Ancient  Monuments 
of  the  Mississippi  Valley.”  He  was  a con- 
vert to  Symmes’  theory  of  “Concentric 
Spheres,”  and  furnished  the  means  and  wrote 
the  book  describing  it.  He  gathered  a library 
of  some  5,000  volumes,  largely  illustrating 
Western  history,  and  its  destruction  was  an 
irreparable  loss,  from  the  great  amount  of 
rare  original  material  it  contained. 

He  never  was  so  happy  as  when  buried  in 
his  library  pursuing  his  solitary  beneficent 
work.  He  was  a silent,  modest  man,  avoid- 
ing public  gatherings  and  all  display,  of  ster- 
ling integrity,  and  charitable  to  a fault.  ^ 

Mr.  McBride  contributed  for  my  original 
edition  the  early  history  of  the  county,  beside 


other  important  matter.  His  writing  was 
peculiar ; round,  upright,  plain  as  print,  and 
written  evidently  with  laborious  painstaking 
care,  and  with  a tremulous  hand.  I can 
never  forget  how  in  my  personal  interview  I 
was  impressed  by  the  beautiful  modesty  of  the 
man,  and  the  guileless,  trustful  expression  of 
his  face  as  he  looked  up  at  me  from  his  writ- 
ing while  in  his  office  over  there  in  the  old 
court-house  square  in  Hamilton  ; and  then 
unreservedly  put  in  my  possession  the  mass 
of  his  materials,  the  gathered  fruits  of  a life- 
time of  loving  industry.  The  State,  I am 
sure,  had  not  a single  man  who  had  done  so 
much  for  its  local  history  as  he,  unless  pos- 
sibly it  was  Dr.  S.  P.  Hildreth,  of  Marietta, 
whom  I well  knew,  and  who  resembled  him 
in  that  quiet  modesty  and  self-abnegation  that 
is  so  winning  to  our  best  instincts. 

He  was  fortunate  in  his  domestic  relations, 
and  when  he  had  attained  the  patriarchal  age 
of  threescore  years  and  ten  his  wife  died. 
From  that  moment  he  lost  all  desire  to  live, 
and  prepared  to  follow  her,  which  he  did  ten 
days  later — a beautiful  sunset  to  a beautiful 
life,  and  then  the  stars  came  out  in  their 
glory. 


A large  number  of  the  graduates  of  Oxford  were  officers  of  the  Union  army  in 
the  civil  war.  Among  them  was  Col.  Minor  Millikin,  born  at  Hamilton  in 

1834,  the  son  of  Major  John  Millikin. 
He  was  a perfect  hero,  a Christian  gen- 
tleman, and  of  the  highest  type  in  moral 
qualities.  His  will  began  with  these 
heroic  words  : Death  is  always  the  con- 
dition of  living,  but  to  the  soldier  its 
imminency  and  certainty  sums  also  the 
condition  of  its  usefulness  and  glory.’’ 

He  was  a college  mate  of  Whitelaw 
Reid,  who  wrote  of  him  : He  was  my 
long-time  friend.  His  death  was  the 
cruellest  personal  bereavement  the  war 
brought  me.  No  one  on  the  sad  list 
of  the  nation’s  slain  seems  more  nearly 
to  resemble  him  than  Theodore  Wiu- 
throp.” 

Personally  a splendid  swordsman,  he 
was  shot  while  leading  a desperate  cav- 
alry charge  at  Stone  River.  His  Sol- 
COL.  MINOR  MILLIKIN.  dier’s  Creed,  found  among  his  papers 

after  his  death,  is  given  here  as  illustrat- 
ing his  character,  and  the  sentiments  that  influenced  the  multitudes  on  entering 
into  the  war  for  the  Union.  From  its  tenor,  he  evidently  wrote  it  for  circulation 
among  the  soldiers. 


358 


BUTLER  COUNTY, 


THE  SOLDIER'S  CREED, 

I have  enlisted  in  the  service  of  my  country  for  the  term  of  three  years,,  and  have  sworn  faith- 
fully to  discharge  my  duty,,  uphold  the  Constitution,,  and  obey  the  officers  over  me. 

Let  me  see  what  motives  I must  have  had  when  I did  this  thing.  It  was  not  pleasant  to  leave 
my  friends  and  my  home,,  and,,  relinquishing  my  liberty  and  pleasures,,  bind  myself  to  hardships 
and  obedience  for  three  years  by  a solemn  oath.  Why  did  I do  it  9 

1.  I did  it  because  I loved  my  country,  I thought  she  was  surrounded  by  traitors  and  struck 
by  cowardly  plunderers,  I thought  that,,  having  been  a good  government  to  me  and  my  fathers 
before  me,,  I owed  it  to  her  to  defend  her  from  all  harm ; so  when  I heard  of  the  insults  offered 
her,,  I rose  up  as  if  some  one  had  struck  my  mother,,  and  as  a lover  of  my  country  agreed  to 
fight  for  her, 

2.  Though  I am  no  great  reader,  I have  heard  the  taunts  and  insults  sent  us  working-men 
from  the  proud  aristocrats  of  the  South,  My  blood  has  grown  hot  when  I heard  them  say 
labor  was  the  business  of  slaves  and  '‘''mudsills ; " that  they  were  a noble-blooded  and  we  a 
mean-spirited  people ; that  they  ruled  the  country  by  their  better  pluck,  and  if  we  did  not  submit 

they  would  whip  us  by  their  better  courage So  I thought  the  time  had  come  to 

show  these  insolent  fellows  that  Northern  institutions  had  the  best  men,  and  I enlisted  to  flog 
thetn  into  good  manners  and  obedience  to  their  betters, 

3.  I said,  too,  that  this  war  would  disturb  the  whole  country  and  all  its  business.  The  South 
meant  ‘ ‘ rule  or  ruin, ' ’ It  has  Jeff  Davis  and  the  Southern  notion  of  government ; we  our 
old  Constitution  and  our  old  liberties,  I couldn't  see  any  peace  or  quiet  until  we  had  whipped 
them,  and  so  I enlisted  to  bring  back  peace  in  the  quickest  way, 

I had  other  reasons,  but  these  were  the  main  ones,  I enlisted,  and  gave  up  home  and  comfort, 
and  took  to  the  tent  and  its  hardships, 

I have  suffered  a great  deal — been  abused  sometimes — had  my  patience  severely  tried — been 
blamed  wrongly  by  my  officers — stood  the  carelessness  and  dishonesty  of  some  of  my  comrades, 
and  had  all  the  trials  of  a volunteer  soldier ; but  1 never  gave  up,  nor  rebelled,  nor  grumbled, 
nor  lost  my  temper,  and  I' ll  tell  you  lohy, 

1.  / considered  I had  enlisted  in  a holy  cause,  with  good  motives,  and  that  I was  doing  my 
duty,  I believe  men  who  are  doing  their  duty  in  the  face  of  difficulties  are  watched  over  by 
God, 

2.  I felt  that  I was  a servant  of  the  government,  and  that  as  such  I was  too  proud  to  quarrel 
and  complain, 

3.  I know  if  with  such  motives  and  such  a cause  I could  not  be  faithful,  that  I could  never 
think  of  myself  as  much  of  a man  afterward. 

And  so  I drew  up  a set  of  resolutions  like  this  : 

1.  As  my  health  and  strength  had  been  devoted  to  the  government,  I would  take  as  good  care 
of  them  as  possible ; that  I would  be  cleanly  in  my  person  and  temperate  in  all  my  habits,  I 
felt  that  to  enlist  for  the  government,  and  then  by  carelessness  or  drunkenness  make  myself  unfit 
for  service,  would  be  too  mean  an  act  for  me, 

2.  As  the  character  I have  assumed  is  a noble  one,  I will  not  disgrace  it  by  childish  quarrel- 
ling, by  loud  and  foolish  talking,  by  profane  swearing,  and  indecent  language.  It  struck  me 
that  these  were  the  accomplishments  of  the  ignorant  and  depraved  on  the  other  side,  and  I,  for 
one,  did  not  think  them  becoming  a Union  soldier, 

3.  As  my  usefulness  in  a great  measure  depends  on  my  discipline,  I am  determined  to  keep 
my  arms  in  good  order,  to  keep  my  clothing  mended  and  brushed,  to  attend  all  drills,  and  do 
my  best  to  master  all  my  duties  as  a soldier,  and  make  myself  perfectly  acquainted  with  all  the 
evolutions  and  exercises,  and  thus  feel  always  ready  to  fight.  It  seems  to  me  .stupid  for  a man 
to  apprentice  himself  .to  as  serious  a trade  as  war,  and  then  try  by  lying  and  deception  to  avoid 
learning  anything. 

College  Corner  is  on  the  Indiana  State  line,  and  takes  its  name  from  the 
number  of  scliools  located  here,  and  three  counties  cornering  at  this  point.  It  is 
on  the  C.  H.  & D.  R.  R.,  forty-four  miles  northwest  of  Cincinnati.  Newspaper : 
Investigator,  Independent,  J.  Ij.  Scott,  editor.  Churches : 1 United  Presb\derian, 
1 African  Methodist  Episcopal,  1 Methodist  Episcopal,  and  1 Presbyterian,  In- 


BUTLER  COUNTY. 


359 


dustry  : Manufacturing  building  material.  Bank  : Corner  Bank/^  John  Howell, 
president,  O.  M.  Bake,  cashier.  Population  in  1880,  329. 

West  Chester  is  twenty-one  miles  north  of  Cincinnati,  on  the  C.  C.  C.  <fe  I. 
R.  R.  Newspaper : Miami  Valley  Star,  Independent,  Peter  Wrieden,  manager 
and  editor.  Churches ; 1 Methodist  Episcopal,  1 Cumberland  Presbyterian,  and 
1 Catholic.  Population  in  1880,  281. 

Somerville,  fourteen  miles  northwest  of  Hamilton,  had  in  1880  370  inhab- 
itants. 


OABROLL. 

Carroll  County  was  formed  in  the  session  of  1832-33  from  Columbiana,  Stark, 
Tuscarawas,  Harrison  and  Jefferson.  The  population  mainly  originated  from 
Pennsylvania,  Virginia  and  Maryland,  with  some  Germans  and  Scotch-Irish.  The 
surface  is  somewhat  hilly.  Its  area  is  400  square  miles.  In  1885  the  acres  culti- 
tivated  were  68,121 ; in  pasture,  109,149  ; woodland,  40,350  ; lying  waste,  273  : 
produced  in  wheat,  81,869  bushels ; corn,  514,155  ; apples,  303,928  ; sheep,  141,345 ; 
coal,  216,630  tons.  School  census  1886,  5,513  ; teachers,  124.  It  has  63  miles  of 
railroad. 


Townships  and  Census. 

1840. 

1880. 

Townships  and  Census. 

1840. 

1880. 

Augusta, 

1,234 

1,126 

Loudon, 

966 

965 

Brown, 

2,165 

2,305 

Monroe, 

1,060 

1,283 

Centre, 

1,139 

1,590 

Orange, 

1,528 

1,327 

East, 

. 995 

868 

- Perry, 

1,344 

1,040 

Fox, 

1,491 

1,275 

Ross, 

1,593 

1,195 

Harrison, 

1,308 

1,075 

Union, 

889 

684 

Lee, 

1,372 

933 

Washington, 

1,014 

750 

Population  in  1840  was  18,108 ; in  1860,  15,738 ; 1880,  16,416,  of  whom 
14,283  were  Ohio-born. 

This  county  was  named  from  Charles  Carroll,  of  Carrollton,  Md.,  the  last  sur- 
.vivor  of  the  signers  of  the  Declaration  of  Independence.  He  died  at  Baltimore, 
Nov.  14,  1833,  aged  ninety-six  years.  He  was  born  Sept.  20, 1737  ; was  of  Irish 
descent,  a Catholic,  and  highly  educated  in  France  and  in  London,  thus  passing 
his  time  from  the  age  of  eight  years  to  that  of  twenty-eight,  when  he  returned  to 
Maryland  a fine  scholar  and  a polished  gentleman.  When  informed  by  Gen.  H. 
A.  Stidger,  of  this  county,  on  a visit  to  Baltimore,  that  Ohio  had  named  a county 
in  his  honor  he  was  extremely  pleased ; this  was  about  six  months  before  his 
decease. 

The  Sandy  and  Beaver  Canal  extends  from  the  Ohio  river  through  Columbiana, 
Carroll,  Stark,  and  Tuscarawas  counties.  It  was  begun  in  1835  and  it  was  navi  - 
gable to  some  extent  until  1850,  when  it  was  abandoned.  The  aggregate  loss  to 
the  stockholders  was  nearly  two  millions  of  dollars.  Its  principal  use  was  as  a 
feeder  for  mills.  It  is  said  that  only  one  boat  ever  made  the  entire  passage  through 
it.  This  was  by  the  contractors  who  built  it,  and  because  it  was  conditional  upon 
their  receiving  their  pay  for  its  completion. 

The  following  items  upon  the  history  of  Carrollton  and  Carroll  county  are  de- 
rived mainly  from  a series  of  articles,  “Annals  of  Carroll  County,’^  written  for  the 
Carroll  Free  .P^-ess  by  Peter  M.  Herold, 


CARROLL  COUNTY. 


Centreville,  noAv  Carrollton,  was  laid  out  by  Peter  Bohart,  Oct.  4,  1815  ; Hon. 
Isaac  Atkinson  gave  much  of  the  land  for  the  site.  Bohart  was  a Pennsylvania 
German  and  came  here  about  1810.  About  the  same  time  came  Richard  Baxter, 
Richard  Elson,  Isaac  Dwyer  and  some  others.  At  that  time  the  line  between 
Stark  and  Columbiana  counties  ran  just  west  of  the  village.  Here  Mr.  Dwyer 
built  what  he  called  upon  the  sign  The  Rising  Sun  Tavern.^^  When  the  (Quaker) 
Commissioners  of  Columbiana  county  refused  to  grant  him  license  to  sell  strong 
drinks  he  removed  his  bar  into  the  room  on  the  Stark  county  side  of  the  line  and 
handed  down  the  bottles  and  mixed  toddies  with  impunity.  Peter  Bohart  gave 
the  land  for  the  Carrollton  cemetery  and  is  buried  in  it,  where  also  is  buried  Joseph 
Bushong,'a  soldier  of  the  Revolutionary  war,  and  several  soldiers  of  the  Mexican 
war.  On  the  farm  of  Nathaniel  1j.  Shaw,  in  Washington  township,  is  a pre- 
historic graveyard  containing  the  remains  of  a people  that  were  buried  in  earthen- 
ware coffins,  two  or  three  of  Avhich  were  unearthed  a few  years  ago  when  digging 
a cellar. 

Thomas  L.  Patton,  the  first  child  born  in  Carrollton,  was  an  officer  in  the  Union 
army  in  the  Rebellion,  and  is  now  living  here,  as  is  also  John  Beatty,  the  first 
sheriff  of  Carroll  county.  He  was  born  Oct.  4,  1804.  .Among  his  recollections 
is  attending  a Whig  meeting  at  Massillon,  July  4,  1838,  where  Gen.  Harrison 
made  an  address.  On  the  platform  were  the  Poe  Brothers,^^  Adam  and  Andrew, 
the  Indian  fighters,  Avhose  noted  fight  is  related  under  the  head  of  Columbiana 
county.  They  were  then  very  old  and  imbecile. 

Gen.  B.  F.  Potts,  originally  colonel  Thirty-second  Ohio  volunteer  infantry,  Avas 
born  in  Fox  township.  He  was,  when  a member  of  the  Ohio  Senate,  offered  by 
Grant  the  governorship  of  Montana.  He  refused  to  accept  it  at  the  time,  thougli 
he  did  so  later,  and  his  refusal  Avas  because  the  adoption  by  Ohio  of  the  fifteenth 
amendment  to  the  constitution  depended  upon  his  Amte,  Avhich  Avould  be  lost  if  he 
vacated  his  seat. 

In  that  daring  railroad  raid  in  Georgia  of  a band  of  Ohio  men  from  Gen. 
Mitchell’s  army  Avas  Wm.  Campbell,  a native  of  Fox  toAvnship,  and  he  AA^as  one 
of  those  executed.  His  mother’s  maiden  name  Avas  Jane  Morgan,  and  she  A\'as  a 
cousin  of  Gen.  John  Morgan,  of  the  rebel  army. 

When  Morgan  Avas  on  his  raid  through  Ohio  he  passed  through  Carroll  county, 
and  in  Fox  toAvnship  he  took  dinner  Avith  Mrs.  Allison,  Avhose  maiden  name  was 
Keziah  Morgan.  She  Avas  the  sister  of  Mrs.  Campbell,  and  therefore  also  a cousin 
of  Morgan.  While  eating  his  dinner  the  family  genealogy  Avas  traced  back  to 
Kentucky.  Fre  he  left,  the  old  lady  gave  him  a clean  shirt,  of  AAffiich  John  Avas 
sadly  in  need,  and  he  Avent  on  his  Avay  rejoicing,  Avith  a good  dinner  inside  and  a 
clean  shirt  out.  Several  of  Morgan’s  men  Avho  Avere  Avounded  Avere  obliged  to 
remain  behind  at  Mrs.  Allison’s,  and  Avere  consequently  soon  taken  prisoners  by 
the  Union  soldiers.  Mrs.  Campbell  is  still  li\ung,  but  since  the  execution  of  her 
son  she  cannot  talk  upon  that  subject  Avithout  its  effects  shoAving  upon  her  mind ; 
she  imagines  she  has  a mortgage  upon  the  government.  She  is  tAvice  a AvidoAV ; 
her  first  husband  Avas  a soldier  in  the  Mexican  Avar.  Her  last  husband’s  name 
Avas  Shipley,  and  her  present  residence  is  near  CaldAvell,  Noble  county. 

Carrollton  in  1846. — Carrollton,  the  county-seat,  is  125  miles  east-northeast 
from  Columbus.  It  Avas  originally  called  CentretoAvn,  but  on  the  organization  of  the 
county  changed  to  its  ])resent  name.  It  has  a public  square  in  the  centre — shoAvn 
in  the  engraving — on  Avhich  stand  the  county  buildings.  It  contains  1 Presby- 
terian, 1 I^utheran,  1 Methodist  Episcopal  and  1 Associate  Reformed  church,  6 
mercantile  stores,  2 printing  offices,  and  800  inhabitants. — Old  Edition. 

Carrollton,  the  county-scat,  is  on  the  C.  & C.  R.  R.,  eighty-seven  miles  south- 
easterly from  CleA^eland.  Comity  officers,  1888  : Probate  Judges,  James  Holden 
and  Junius  C.  Ferrall ; Clerk  of  Court,  Harvey  B.  Gregg;  Sheriff,  John  Canqi- 
bell ; Prosecuting  Attorney,  Irving  H.  Blythe ; Auditor,  Luther  M.  Barrick  : 
Treasurer,  John  B.  Van  Fossen  ; Recorder,  AVill.  J.  Baxter/  Suiweyor,  Richaixf 


CARROLL  COUNTY.  361 

H.  Lee ; Coroner,  Harvey  D.  Dunlap  ; Commissioners,  James  Murray,  Wm.  Davis, 
James  H.  Rhinehart. 

Newspapers  : Chronicle,  Democratic,  J.  V.  Lawler  & Bro.,  publishers ; Free  Press, 
Republican,  John  H.  Tripp,  publisher,  Peter  M.  Herold,  local  editor ; Republican, 


Drawn  by  Henry  Howe  in  1846. 


View  in  Caerollton. 

Republican,  S.  T.  Cameron  & Co.,  publishers.  Churches  : 1 Methodist  Episcopal, 
1 Presbyterian,  1 Lutheran,  1 Reformed  and  1 United  Presbyterian.  J^anks  : Cum- 
mings & Couch  ; Stockton  Bros.,  V.  Stockton,  cashier.  Population  in  1880, 1,136, 
School  census  1886,  417.  A.  M.  Fishell,  superintendent.  In  October,  1887,  no 
saloon  in  the  town  and  no  prisoners  in  the  county  jail.^^ 


Port  C.  Baxter,  Photo  , Carrollton,  1887. 

The  Public  Square,  Carrollton. 

The  engraving  shows  the  new  court-house  and  other  buildings  on  the  public 
square.  This  was  finished  in  1886,  costing  with  jail  in  the  rear  about  $150,000. 
It  is  built  mainly  of  Navarre  sandstone,  with  some  from  Berea.  It  is  just  to  the 
left  of  the  old  court-house  shown  in  the  old  view.  The  old  court-house  was  sold 
on  the  11th  of  June  for  $196  and  the  bell  for  $138. 

Daniel  McCook,  father  of  one  of  the  two  famous  families  of  Fighting 


362 


CARROLL  COUNTY. 


McCooks/’  was  the  first  clerk  of  court  of  Carroll  county  after  its  formation,  in 
the  winter  of  1832—33.  He  resided  in  the  large,  white  house  shown  on  the 
corner,  to  the  right  of  the  old  court-house,  at  the  time  the  view  was  drawn ; and 
it  was  the  birthplace  of  several  of  his  family.  It  is  now  partly  occupied  by  Geo. 
J.  Butler  as  a dry-goods  store. 


TRAVELLING  NOTES. 

‘‘You  must  see  Gen.  Eckley  when  you 
visit  Carrollton,”  said  various  parties  when  I 
was  in  the  counties  adjoining.  “ He  can  tell 
you  everything.”  He  was,  they  said,  “a 
man  of  great  public  spirit  and  large  intelli- 
ence.”  On. the  evening  of  my  arrival,  Fri- 
ay,  June  li,  I found  two  old  gentlemen 
seated  on  a dry-goods  box  on  a street  corner 
— I may  say  two  old  boys — engaged  in  a social 
chat ; and  one  of  these  was  Capt.  John 
Beatty,  the  first  sheriff  of  Carroll  county ; 
the  other  Gen.  Ephraim  R.  Eckley,  who  was 
a judge  before  he  was  a general — a man  of 
law  before  a man  of  war.  His  first  greet- 
ing was,  “You’ve  grown  old  since  I have 
seen  you.  ’ ’ I did  not  remember  to  have  ever 
seen  him,  but  must  have  done  so  when  for- 
merly here — when  I took  the  old  view  shown 
on  an  adjoining  page — took  it  as  one  told  me 
he  remembered  seeing  me  seated  on  a wheel- 
barrow in  the  centre  of  the  street. 

Gen.  Eckley  has  lived  almost  the  entire 
period  of  the  history  of  the  State  ; was  born 
in  1811.  Having  been  long  in  public  life,  he 
has  witnessed  many  changes.  Among  his 
experiences  was  his  being  in  at  the  death  of 
the  Whig  party  in  1854  : the  Free-Soil  party, 
in  nautical  phrase,  had  “taken  its  wind.” 
He  was  then  the  Whig  candidate  for  the 
United  States  Senate,  which  was  the  last 
effort  of  the  Whigs  at  organization. 

In  18G1  he  served  in  the  Virginia  cam- 
paign under  Rosecrans ; later,  under  Sher- 
man, had  command  at  Paducah ; in  April, 
1862,  was  elected  to  Congress,  where  he  re- 
mained until  1869.  He  gave  me  these  inter- 
esting items,  illustrating  the  morals  of  the 
people  here,  viz.  : that  the  jail  was  generally 
empty,  and  when  used  at  all  it  was  largely  for 
violation  of  some  police  arrangement ; and 
that  from  1842  to  1863,  a period  of  twenty-one 
years,  Carroll  county  had  not  supplied  a sin- 
gle inmate  for  the  penitentiary.  Other  coun- 
ties in  Ohio,  I find,  can  give  a like  record. 
Such,  however,  have  mainly  rural  popula- 
tions. 

General  Harrison  and  the  Honest  German. 
— On  July  4,  1838,  Harrison  addressed  a 
Whig  meeting  at  Massillon,  and  the  next  day 
came  here  and  “put  up”  at  the  tavern  of 
David  J.  Levy.  In  the  evening  he  made  an 
impromptu  address  from  the  hotel  steps. 
Next  morning  he  arose  early  to  take  a walk 
before  breakfast,  the  ostensible  purpose  being 
to  get  a drink  from  John  Young’s  spring,  a 
spot  on  the  outskirts  where  Mr.  Young  had 
a tannery  with  a bath-house  and  fine  spring 
of  water.  On  his  arrival  there  he  met  Jonas 
Miller,  an  honest,  simple-hearted  German,  on 
his  way  to  town.  Harrison  bade  him  good- 
morning, and  observing  he  had  his  hand  done 


up  in  a bandage,  asked  him  ‘ ‘ What  was  the 
matter  with  it?”  He  replied  he  had  a felon 
on  it  and  was  going  to  town  to  get  a drink 
of  whiskey ; tnought  it  would  ease  the  pain. 
Harrison  advised  him  kindly  not  to  drink,  it 
would  be  only  the  worse  for  him,  gave  him  a 
receipt  for  its  cure  and  the  twain  walked  into 
the  town  together.  Harrison  was  dressed  in 
a plain  suit  of  fustian,  and,  after  parting 
from  Miller,  some  one  asked  the  latter  if  he 
knew  whom  he  had  been  talking  with  ? He 
replied  “No.”  When  told,  he  was  so  over- 
come that  he  sat  down  and  cried  like  a child. 
Miller  had  been  a strong  Democrat,  but 
thenceforth  was^  an  enthusiastic  Harrison 
man.  In  speaking^  of  this  event  he  would 
say  in  broken  English  : “Mein  Gott,  it  was 
the  great  Gineral  Harrison  that  walked  down 
the  street  and  talked  with  me  and  cured  my 
felon.” 

Rural  Sights. — Having  slept  upon  the 
General’s  chat  I took  a walk  the  next  morn- 
ing. There  is  an  advantage^  in  these  small 
towns  ; a few  steps  take  one  into  the  country 
where  the  green  earth  and  the  blue  sky  have 
an  open  chance  to  look  at  each  other  square 
in  the  face  and  exchange  notes ; and  there, 
too — and  it  is  not  a small  matter — are  the 
cattle^  on  a thousand  hills,  peaceful,  patient 
and  picturesque ; chewing  the  cud  and  whilom 
keeping  the  fly-brush  agoing  and  often  with 
a rhythm  so  well  pronounced  that  some  pains- 
taking, head-scratching  poet  might  pause 
there  for  a hint,  if  so  disposed. 

Carrollton  is  on  undulating  ground  and  the 
country  around  a series  of  beautiful  swells. 
Each  house  is  generally  on  an  ample  home 
lot  and  the  people  live  mostly  in  cottages. 
The  gardens  of  the  villagers,  rich  in  flowers, 
were  yet  moist  with  the  dew  of  morning, 
while  the  sunlight,  stealing  in  long,  slanting 
ribbon-bands  across  their  Deds,  illuminated 
them  in  richest  glory  of  color  and  in  sweetest 
blending  of  light  and  shade.  And  the 
thought  came  upon  me,  now  this  very  morn- 
ing, all  over  this  broad  land,  there  are  multi- 
tudes of  just  such  villages  as  this  with  just 
such  scenes  and  with  just  such  worthy,  vir- 
tuous people  as  these.  And  with  this  grate- 
ful fact  upon  the  heart,  should  we  question 
is  life  worth  living?  Whatever  man  might 
answer,  the  bee,  flitting  on  golden  wing  from 
flower  to  flower,  would  reply,  “ Yes  ; don’t  I 
get  honey  ?’  ’ 

The  Old  Lady  and  her  Flowers. — On 
coming  to  one  of  the  cottages  I saw  an  old 
lady  on  her  knees  with  a wet  cloth  in  hand 
wiping  her  porch.  She  was  surrounded  by 
the  pots  of  flowers  which  she  had  nursed 
through  the  winter  and  had  brought  them 
out  alongside  of  those  that  kind  mother 
Earth  had  put  forth  from  her  bosom  in  the 


CARROLL 

open  air.  “Good-morning,”  said  I.  With 
that  she  turned  her  head,  lifted  her  sun- 
bonnet  and  arose  to  her  feet  to  see  who  it 
was  that  had  greeted  her.  I then  continued, 
as  she  still  held  her  cloth  in  her  hand  with 
her  arm  limp  by  her  side  : “Do  you  know, 
Madam,  what  a favor  you  confer  upon  every 
passer-by^  by  your  display  of  flowers?” 
Upon  this  she  smiled  and  said,  “Why,  I 
never  thought  of  that ; I cultivate  them  be- 
cause I love  them.”^  “You  people,”  I re- 
joined, “appear  to  live  very  pleasantly  and 
the  country  around  looks  very  sweet  to  me  as 
I see  it  rolling  away  in  graceful  swells  of 
grassy  fields  interspersed  with  clumps  of 
trees.”  “Yes,”  she  rdoined,  “and  it  is 
now  in  all  its  beauty.”  Yes  ! she  was  right. 
It  was  the  beautiful  month  of  June  that  had 
come,  and  had  she  felt  like  quoting  the  poe- 
try she  might  have  started  straight  for  Long- 
fellow, as  he  thus  speaks  for  June  : 

“Mine  is  the  month  of  roses ; yes,  and  mine 

The  month  of  marriages ! All  pleasant 
sights 

And  scents,  the  fragrance  of  the  blossom- 
ing vines. 

The  foliage  of  the  valleys  and  the  heights. 

Mine  are  the  longest  days,  the  loveliest 
nights ; 

The  mower’s  scythe  makes  music  to  my  ear ; 

I am  the  mother  of  all  dear  delights, 

I am  the  fairest  daughter  of  the  year.  ’ ’ 

• “ You  people,”  I continued,  “ appear  to  live 
in  this  village  in  a great  deal  of  comfort  and 


COUNTY.  363 

freedom.”  “I  don’t  like  it,”  she  replied. 
“There  is  too  much  style  for  me  ! Until  I 
was  forty  years  of  age  I lived  on  a farm,  and 
I pine  for  its  open,  free  life.  There  is  so 
much  to  interest  one,  and  the  animals  are  a 
continued  source  of  gratification.  Then  your 
neighbors  run  in  and  out  without  any  for- 
mality and  we  all  seem  as  one  great  family. 
This  village  life  has  too  much  restriction. 
If  one’s  gate  gets  open  and  your  cow  happens 
to  get  out  she  is  taken  up  and  put  in  the  , 
ound,  and  there  is  seventy-five  cents  or  a ’ 
ollar  to  pay  to  get  Muley  out.”  “Trouble 
everywhere,”  I said.  “Yes,”  she  rejoined, 
and  opening  wide  her  mouth,  displayed  a full 
set  of  perfect,  pearly  white  teeth.  God  bless 
the  dentist,  I then  thought,  whose  inventive 
art  permits  a refined  old  lady  like  you  to  give 
full  play  to  her  merriment  without  compelling 
her,  when  the  hinges  of  her  mouth  relax  for 
a good  hearty  laugh,  to  hide  it  with  her  hand. 

A moment  later  I met  a young  mother 
happy  as  a lark.  Instead  of  turning  over 
her  children  to  the  care  of  Bridget  and  lolling 
on  a luxurious  couch,  absorbed  in  reading  the 
details  of  the  make-up  of  Mrs.  Cleveland’s 
wedding-dress,  she  was  leading  by  the  hand, 
amid  these  rustic  surroundings  on  this  bright 
June  morning,  her  own  little  girl,  perhaps 
her  first-born.  I watched  as  I came  up  the 
slender  limbs  of  the  little  one  alternately 
stealing  in  and  out  from  beneath  the  folds 
of  her  blue  dress  and  said,  “ Good-morning; 

I see  the  bluebirds  are  out.”  “Yes,  sir; 
this  one.  ’ ’ 


Leesburg  is  on  the  W.  & L.  E.  R.  R.,  100  miles  northeast  of  Columbus  and 
twelve  miles  southwest  of  Carrollton.  One  Leg  courses  through  it,  a stream  so 
named  from  a one-legged  Indian  who  anciently  dwelt  upon  its  margin.  The 
Indian  name  of  this  water  course  is  Kannoten  ; ’’  and  the  branch  known  as  the 
Dining  Fork  of  the  Kannoten’^  derived  its  appellation  from  the  first  explorers 
in  this  region  on  an  occasion  partaking  of  their  noon  meal  upon  its  banks.  The 
post-office  name  of  Leesburg  is  Leesville,  as  there  is  also  another  Leesburg  in 
Highland  county.  Part  of  Orange  township  in  which  it  is  situated  originally 
formed  a part  of  One  Leg  township,  Tuscarawas  county,  a name  now  extinct  even 
there,  as  applied  to  a township. 

Leesburg  was  laid  out  August  1,  1812,  by  Thomas  Price  and  Peter  Saunders. 
It  contains  one  newspaper,  Connoton  Valley  Times,  Independent,  R.  G.  Rivers, 
editor;  has  1 Presbyterian  and  1 Methodist  church,  and,  in  1880,  had  408  inhabi- 
tants ; coal  mining  and  farming  are  its  main  industries. 

Leesburg  has  a peculiar  history ; has  long  been  noted  as  an  intellectual  and 
reforming  centre.  It  was  one  of  the  stations  of  the  Underground  Railroad,  and 
in  those  days  its  little  public  hall  at  times  resounded  to  the  voices  of  Wm.  Lloyd 
Garrison,  Fred.  Douglass,  Wendell  Phillips,  Parker  Pillsbury  and  their  coadju- 
tors. Some  noted  characters  are  now  residents  of  the  place.  Hou.  Wm.  Adair, 
author  of  the  celebrated  liquor  law,  and  a member  of  the  last  Constitutional  Con- 
vention of  Ohio,  is  a practising  lawyer  of  the  place.  Charles  Dunster,  also  a resi- 
dent, is  builder  of  an  ingenious  astronomical  clock  which  keeps  the  time  of  some 
of  the  principal  cities  of  the  world,  and  is  remarkable  from  the  fact  that  he  is 
entirely  self-taught,  and  constructed  it  from  such  rude  tools  as  he  could  make  in 
an  ordinary  blacksmith  shop.  This  clock  is  still  ticking  the  time  by  the  forge 
where  he  earns  his  daily  bread. 

And  lastly  for  our  mention  is  a lady,  Mrs.  Mary  E.  Kail,  noted  for  her  patriotic 


3^4 


CARROLL  COUNTY. 


poems,  the  outgrowth  of  an  intense  and  absorbing  love  of  country.  She  is  a native 
of  Washington  City,  but  from  childhood 
has  been  a resident  of  Ohio,  excepting  for 
a few  years  when  she  was  clerk  in 
one  of  the  departments  at  Washington, 
which  position  she  lost  recently  through 
a change  of  administration.  Her  spir- 
ited songs  have  been  sung  and  with 
great  acce})tance  on  many  public  occa- 
sions, such  as  Decoration  Days,  at  meet- 
ings of  the  various  posts  of  the  Grand 
f the  Republic,  dedication  of 
cemeteries,  lodges  of  Good  Tem- 
plars, and  in  the  political  canvass. 

Her  writings  under  the  title  of 
Crown  our  Heroes  and  other  Poems’’ 
have  recently  been  published  through 
the  generosity  of  Mrs.  Leland  Stanford. 

This  little  book  is  her  only  source  of 
livelihood  in  her  advanced  years.  Of 
all  the  songs  sung  on  Decoration  Day 
throughout  the  land  Crown  our  He- 
roes ” stands  at  the  head.  This  and  the  one  entitled  Ohio  ” we  copy  entire. 

CROWN  OUR  HEROES. 

Crown  our  heroes,  the  soldiers,  whose  spirits  have  fled 
To  the  land  of  the  blest ; crown  the  heroic  dead. 

Let  the  fair  iiand  of  woman  weave  garlands  of  flowers 
^ Kissed  by  heaven’s  pure  sunlight  in  sweet  morning  hours. 

Go  tenderly,  gently,  and  scatter  them  where 
Our  heroes  are  sleeping  ! go  scatter  them  there. 

Crown  our  heroes,  the  soldiers,  who  sleep  on  the  shore 
Where  the  call  of  the  bugle  can  wake  them  no  more. 

Men  who  fought  to  defend  us — oh,  can  we  forget 
The  tribute  of  glory  we  owe  to  them  yet  ? 

Bring  love’s  fairest  offerings,  with  tears  and  with  prayer, 

And  gratefully,  sacredly  scatter  them  there. 

Crown  our  heroes,  the  soldiers,  whose  grandeur  and  power 
Saved  our  own  dear  Columbia  in  war’s  troubled  hour. 

When  amid  the  fierce  struggle  each  soul  was  a host. 

Who  was  ready  to  die  lest  his  country  be  lost. 

They  are  dead  ! they  are  dead  ! what  now  can  we  do 
As  a token  of  love  for  the  noble  and  true  ? 

Crown  our  heroes,  the  soldiers.  Oh  ! scatter  the  flowers 
O’er  the  graves  of  the  dead  ; they  are  .yours,  they  are  ours. 

Men  who  fought  for  the  flag,  and  our  foes  in  the  fray; 

For  as  brothers  they  sleep,  both  the  blue  and  the  gray. 

And  true  to  our  banner,  our  offerings  we  bring — 

Blushing  roses  of  summer,  and  violets  of  spring. 

Crown  our  heroes,  God  bless  them  ! no  true  heart  must  lag ; 

Crown  the  dead  and  the  living  who  stood  by  the  flag. 

Through  the  oncoming  ages  let  each  have  a name 
Carved  in  letters  of  gold  in  the  tem])le  of  fame  ; 

For  the  bright  stars  of  freedom — our  banner  unfurled — 

Is  the  joy  of  Columbia,  the  pride  of  the  world  ! 

OHIO. 

Ohio,  I love  thee,  for  deeds  thou  hast  done  ; 

Thy  conflicts  recorded  and  victories  won  ; 

On  the  pages  of  history,  beaming  and  bright, 

Ohio  shines  forth  like  a star  in  the  night, 


Army  c 
soldiers’ 


Authoress  of  “ Crown  our  Heroes.” 


CARROLL  COUNTY. 


365 


Like  a star  flashing  out  o’er  the  mountain’s  blue  crest, 
Lighting  up  with  its  glory  the  land  of  the  west ; 

For  thy  step  onward  inarching  and  voice  to  command 
Ohio,  I love  thee,  thou  beautiful  land. 

Commonwealth  grandly  rising  in  majesty  tall — 

In  the  girdle  of  beauty  the  fairest  of  all, 

Tho’  thunders  of  nations  around  thee  may  roar — 

Their  strong  tidal  waves  ^dash  and  break  on  thy  shore- 
Standing  prouder  and  firmer  when  danger  is  nigh, 

With  a power  to  endure  and  an  arm  to  defy  ; 

Ohio  shall  spread  her  broad  wings  to  the  world, 

Her  bugles  resounding  and  banners  unfurled. 

A queen  in  her  dignity,  proudly  she  stands. 

Reaching  out  to  her  sister  States  wealth-laden  hands. 
Crown’d  with  plentiful  harvests  and  fruit  from  the  vine, 
And  riches  increasing  in  ores  from  the  mine. 

While  with  Liberty’s  banner  unfurled  to  the  sky — 
Resolved  for  the  Union  to-do  or  to  die — 

Her  soldiers  and  statesmen  unflinchingly  come, 

’Mid  booming  of  cannon  and  roll  of  the  drum. 

To  glory  still  onward,  we’re  marching  along, 

Ev’ry  heart  true  and  noble  re-echoes  the  song. 

Ever  pledged  to  each  other,  through  years  that  have  fled 
We  have  hopes  for  the  living,  and  tears  for  the  dead. 
Bless  the  heroes  who  suffered,  but  died  not  in  vain  ; 
Keep  the  flag  that  we  love — without  tarnish  or  stain. 
Thus  uniting  with  all,  shall  my  song  ever  be 
Ohio,  my  home-land,  my  heart  clings  to  thee  ! 


Mechanicstown,  nine  miles  northeast  of  Carrollton,  was  laid  out  in  1836  by 
Thomas  McGovern ; it  has  1 Presbyterian,  1 United  Presbyterian,  1 Methodist 
Episcopal  church,  and  about  200  population.  Kilgore,  twelve  miles  southeast  of 
Carrollton,  has  1 Methodist  Episcopal,  1 Lutheran,  and  1 Reformed  Lutheran 
church,  and  about  200  people.  Magnolia,  on  the  C.  & P.  R.  R. ; population  300. 
Dell  Roy  is  on  the  C.  V.  R.  R.,  eight  miles  southwest  of  Carrollton.  It  has  1 
Methodist  Episcopal,  1 Presbyterian,  1 Methodist  Protestant  church,  and,  in  1880, 
664  inhabitants.  This  «place  is  now  the  centre  of  the  most  important  coal  mines 
of  the  county,  and  its  population  is  largely  composed  of  miners. 

New  Harrisburg  is  a small  village  five  miles  northwest  of  Carrollton,  and  which 
in  1883  contested  with  it  for  the  county-seat.  This  was 
the  birth-place  of  Jonathan  Weaver,  bishoj)  of  the  United 
Brethren  church  and  president  of  Otterbein  University. 

The  village  has  1 Presbyterian,  1 Christian  church,  and 
about  200  inhabitants.  In  the  little  churchyard  adjoin- 
ing the  town,  in  a valley  of  dry  bones,  amid  the  silent 
monuments  of  death  and  desolation,”  is  a marble  slab, 
twelve  by  eighteen  inches,  bearing  the  simple  inscription 
as  annexed  : a remarkable  instance  of  longevity. 

Harlem  S])rings  is  six  miles  southeast  of  Carrollton ; it 
has  1 Methodist  Episcopal,  1 Presbyterian,  1 United  Brethren  church,  and  before 
the  war  it  was  quite  a resort  for  invalids  to  ])artake  of  the  water  of  its  chalyb- 
eate springs  ; among  the  visitors  of  note  were  Robt.  E.  Lee  and  Edwin  Stanton. 
Here  is  the  Harlem  Springs  College,  founded  in  1858,  John  R.  Steeves,  president ; 
three  instructors ; pupils,  twenty-one  males  and  eleven  females. 


JONATHAN 

LEWIS. 

AGED 

104. 


366 


CARROLL  COUNTY. 


THE  FIGHTING  McCOOKS. 


Dr.  JOHN  McCOOK. 


MAJOR  DANIEL  McCOOK. 


Head  of  the  “ Tribe  of  Dan.” 


Head  of  the  “ Tribe  of  John.” 


The  Ohio  McCooks  acquired  a wide  popular  reputation  during  the  civil  war  as 
the  Fighting  McCooks.^’  In  the  various  current  notices  of  them  they  are  spoken 
of  as  one  family,  but  were  really  two  families,  the  sons  of  Major  Daniel  McCook 
and  Dr.  John  McCook.  Of  the  former  family  there  were  engaged  in  military 
service  the  father.  Major  Daniel  McCook,  Surgeon  Latimer  A.  McCook,  General 
George  W.  McCook,  Major-General  Kobert  L.  McCook,  Major-General  A.  McD. 
McCook,  General  Daniel  McCook,  Jr.,  Major-General  Edwin  Stanton  McCook, 
Private  Charles  Morris  McCook,  Colonel  John  J.  McCook — ten  in  all.  Another 
son.  Midshipman  J.  James  McCook,  died  in  the  naval  service  before  the  re- 
bellion. 

Of  the  latter  family  there  were  engaged  in  the  service  Major-General  Edward 
M.  McCook,  General  Anson  G.  McCook,  Chaplain  Henry  C.  McCook,  Commander 
Roderick  S.  McCook,  U.  S.  N.,  and  Lieutenant  John  J.  McCook — five  in  all. 
This  makes  a total  of  fifteen,  every  son  of  both  families,  all  commissioned  officers 
except  Charles,  who  was  killed  in  the  first  battle  of  Bull  Run,  and  who  declined 
a commission  in  the  regular  army,  preferring  to  serve  as  a private  volunteer. 

The  two  families  have  been  familiarly  distinguished  as  the  Tribe  of  Dan”  and 
the  Tribe  of  John.” 

I.  The  Daniel  McGooh  Branch. 

Major  Daniel  McCook.  Martha  Latimer. 

Major  Daniel  McCook,  the  second  son  of 
George  McCook  and  Mary  McCormack,  was 
born  June  20,  1798,  at  Canonsburg,  Pennsyl- 
vania, the  seat  of  Jefferson  College,  where  he 
received  his  education.  On  August  28,  1817, 
he  married  Martha  Latimer,  daughter  of 
Abraham  Latimer,  of  Washington,  Pa.  In 
1826  they  removed  to  New  Lisbon,  Ohio, 
and  later  to  Carrollton,  Ohio.  Mr.  McCook 
was  an  active  member  and  an  elder  for  many 
years  of  the  ^ Presbyterian  church  of  Car- 
rollton, organizing  and  conducting  as  super- 
intendent the  first  Sunday-school  of  that 
church. 

At  the  beginning  of  the  war  he  was  in 


Washington,  D.  C.,  and,  although  sixty- 
three  years  of  age,  at  once  tendered  his  ser- 
vices to  President  Lincoln.  Each  of  his  eight 
sons  then  living  also  promptly  responded  to 
the  call  of  the  President  for  troops.  When 
the  rebel  general,  John  Morgan,  made  his 
raid  into  Ohio,  Major  McCook  was  stationed 
at  Cincinnati,  and  joined  the  troops  sent  in 
his  pursuit.  Morgan  undertook  to  recross 
the  Ohio  river  at  Buffington  island.  Major 
McCook  led  an  advance  party  to  oppose  and 
intercept  the  crossing.  In  the  skirmish  that 
took  place  he  was  mortally  wounded  and  died 
the  next  day,  July  21,  1863,  in  the  sixty -fifth 
year  of  his  age.  He  is^  buried  at  Spring 
Grove  cemetery  near  Cincinnati. 

He  was  a man  of  commanding  presence,  an 
ardent  patriot,  and  an  earnest  Christian.  Ho 


CARROLL  COUNTY. 


367 


possessed  a most  gentle  and  amiable  disposi- 
tion, combined  with  the  highest  personal 
courage,  untiring  energy,  and  great  force  of 
character.  He  ruled  his  household  in  the 
fear  of  the  Lord,  and  died  as  he  had  lived  in 
the  active  performance  of  his  duty. 

His  wife,  Martha  Latimer,  daughter  of 
Abraham  Latimer  and  Mary  Greer,  was  born 


MARTHA  L.  McCOOK. 


at  Washington,  Pa.,  March  8,  1802.  Her 
maternal  ancestors  were  Scotch-Irish,  but  on 
the  father’s  side  they  were  English,  coming 
originally  from  Leicestershire. 

During  the  war  of  the  rebellion  Mrs.  Mc- 
Cook was  in  a peculiarly  difficult  position. 
Her  husband  and  sons  were  all  in  the  service. 
No  battle  could  take  place  but  some  of  her 
loved  ones  were  in  danger.  Each  succeeding 
year  brought  death  to  a member  of  her 
family  upon  the  battle-field.  Her  husband 
and  three  sons  were  thus  taken  from  her ; 
and  the  others  were  so  frequently  wounded 
that  it  seemed  as  if  in  her  old  age  she  was 
to  be  bereft  of  her  entire  family.  Her  life 
during  these  long  years  of  anxiety  was  well 
nigh  a continuous  prayer  for  her  country  and 
for  her  sons  that  had  given  themselves  for 
its  defence.  This  patriotic  woman  well  illus- 
trates the  heroic  sufferings  endured  by  the 
women  of  the  Republic  no  less  than  by  the 
men. 

Mrs.  McCook  died  November  10,  1879,  in 
the  seventy-eighth  year  of  her  age,  at  New 
Lisbon,  Ohio,  surrounded  by  her  surviving 
children  and  friends,  and  was  buried  beside 
her  husband  in  Spring  Grove  cemetery,  Cin- 
cinnati. 

The  children  of  the  above  are  as  follows : 

1.  Latimer  A.  McCook,  M.  D.,  was  born 
at  Canonsburg,  Pa.,  April  26, 1820.  He  was 
educated  at  Jefferson  College  (Canonsburg), 
studied  medicine  with  his  uncle,  Dr.  George 
McCook,  a physician  of  great  skill  and  emi- 
nence, and  received  his  degree  from  Jefferson 
M edical  College,  of  Philadelphia.  He  entered 
the  army  in  1861  as  assistant  surgeon,  and 


was  soon  promoted  to  be  surgeon,  with  the 
rank  of  major,  of  the  Thirty-first  regiment, 
Illinois  volunteers,  known  as  “John  Logan’s 
regiment.  ’ ’ 

He  served  throughout  the  campaigns  of  the 
Army  of  the  Tennessee,  and,  while  caring  for 
the  wounded  of  his  regiment  during  action, 
he  was  himself  twice  wounded — once  in  the 
trenches  before  Vicksburg,  and  again  at  Po- 
cataligo  bridge,  in  Gen.  Sherman’s  move- 
ment northward  from  Savannah.  He  sur- 
vived the  war,  but  was  broken  down  in  health, 
and  died  August  23,  1869,  from  general 
debility  resulting  from  wounds  and  exposure 
incident  to  his  service  in  the  army,  and  was 
buried  at  Spring  Grove  cemetery,  Cincin- 
nati. 

2.  George  Wythe  McCook  was  born  at 
Canonsburg,  Pa.,  November  2,  1821.  He 
graduated  from  Ohio  University,  at  Athens, 
and  studied  law  with  and  afterwards  became 
the  partner  of  Edwin  M.  Stanton,  the  great 
war  secretary,  in  Steubenville.  He  served  as 
an  officer  in  the  Third  Ohio  regiment  through- 
out the  Mexican  war,  and  returned  as  its 
commander.^  He  was  attorney-general  of  the 
State  of  Ohio,  and  edited  the  first  volume  of 
“ Ohio  State  Reports.”  He  was  one  of  the 
first  four  brigadier-generals  appointed  by  the 
governor  of  Ohio  to  command  the  troops  from 
that  State  at  the  outbreak  of  the  rebellion, 
but  the  condition  of  his  health  prevented  him 
from  taking  any  command  that  required  ab- 
sence from  home.  However,  he  organized 
and  commanded  for  short  periods  several 
Ohio  regiments. 

He  was  the  Democratic  candidate  for  gov- 
ernor of  ()hio  in  1871,  but  his  health  broke 
down  during  the  canvass,  and  he  was  com- 
pelled to  abandon  the  campaign.  He,  with 
the  Rev.  Dr.  Charles  Beatty,  w^ere  the  larg- 
est contributors  to  the  erection  of  the  Second 
Presbyterian  church,  at  Steubenville,  Ohio, 
of  which  he  was  a trustee.  He  died  Decem- 
ber 28,  1877,  and  was  buried  at  Steubenville. 

3.  John  James  McCook,  born  at  Canons- 
burg, Pa.  j December  28,  1823,  was  educated 
at  the  United  States  Naval  Academy.  While 
serving  as  midshipman  of  the  United  States 
frigate  “Delaware”  off  the  coast  of  South 
America  he  was  taken  ill  with  a fever  follow- 
ing long-continued  exposure  while  on  duty. 
He  died  March  30,  1842,  and  was  buried  in 
the  English  burying-grounds  at  Rio  Janeiro. 
Admiral  Farragut  in  his  autobiography  pays 
a high  tribute  to  the  personal  character  and 
ability  of  Midshipman  McCook. 

4.  Robert  Latimer  McCook,  born  at  New 
Lisbon,  Ohio,  December  28, 1827.  He  studied 
law  in  the  office  of  Stanton  & McCook,  at 
Steubenville,  then  removed  to  Cincinnati,  and 
in  connection  with  Judge  J.  B.  Stallo  secured 
a large  practice.  When  the  news  reached 
Cincinnati  that  Fort  Sumter  had  been  fired 
upon  he  organized  and  was  commissioned 
colonel  of  the  Ninth  Ohio  regiment,  among 
the  Germans,  enlisting  a thousand  men  in 
less  than  two  days.  He  was  ordered  to  West 
Virginia,  put  in  command  of  a brigade,  and 
made  the  decisive  campaign  there  under  Mo- 


368 


CARROLL  COUNTY. 


Clellan.  His  brigade  was  then  transferred  to 
the  Army  of  the  Ohio,  and  took  a most 
active  part  in  the  battle  of  Mills  Spring,  in 
Kentucky,  where  he  was  severely  wounded. 
The  rebel  forces  were  driven  from  their  lines 
by  a bayonet  charge  of  Gen.  McCook’s  bri- 
gade and  so  closely  pursued  that  their  organ- 
ization as  an  army  was  completely  destroyed. 
Gen.  McCook  rejoined  his  brigade  before  his 
wound  had  healed,  and  continued  to  com- 


GEN.  ROBERT  LATIMER  McCOOK. 


mand  it  when  he  was  unable  to  mount  a 
horse.  His  remarkable  soldierly  qualities 
procured  him  the  rank  of  major-general  and 
command  of  a division. 

He  met  his  death  August  6,  1862,  while  on 
the  march  near  Salem,  Alabama.  He  had 
been  completely  prostrated  by  his  open  wound 
and  a severe  attack  of  dysentery,  and  was 
lying  in  an  ambulance  which  was  driven  along 
in  the  interval  between  two  regiments  of  his 
division.  A small  band  of  mounted  local  guer- 
illas, commanded  by  Frank  Gurley,  dashed 
out  of  ambush,  surrounded  the  ambulance, 
and  discovered  that  it  contained  an  officer  of 
rank,  who  was  lying  on  the  bed  undressed 
and  unable  to  rise.  They  asked  who  it  was, 
and  seeing  that  the  Federal  troops  were  ap- 
proaching, shot  him  as  he  lay  and  made  their 
escape,  as  the  nature  of  the  country  and  their 
thorough  familiarity  with  it  easily  enabled 
them  to  do.  This  brutal  assassination  of 
Gen.  McCook  aroused  intense  feeling  through- 
out the  country.  The  murdered  commander 
was  buried  at  Spring  Grove  cemetery,  and 
his  devoted  soldiers  and  friends,  at  the  close 
of  the  war,  erected  a monument  to  his  mem- 
ory in  Cincinnati. 

5.  Alexander  McDowell  McCook  was  born 
on  a farm  near  New  Lisbon,  Columbiana 
county Ohio,  April  22,  1831.  He  entered 
the  United  States  Military  Academy,  at  West 
Point,  and  graduated  in  the  class  of  1852. 
At  the  opening  of  the  war  he  was  promiitly' 
made  colonel  of  the  First  Ohio  regtment, 


which  he  led  among  the  very  earliest  troops 
to  the  relief  of  the  capital,  and  commanded 
at  Bull  Bun,  or  Manassas.  He  became  a 
brigadier-general  in  September,  1861,  and 
commanded  a division  under  Gen.  Buell  in 
the  Army  of  the  Ohio.  He  was  made  a 
ipajor-general  for  distinguished  services  at 
the  battle  of  Shiloh,  and  was  placed  in  com- 
mand of  the  Army  of  the  Cumberland,  with 
which  he  served  during  the  campaigns  of 
Perryville,  Stone  Biver,  Tullahoma,  Chat- 
tanooga, and  Chickamauga.  Gen.  McCook 
subsequently  commanded  one  of  the  trans- 
Mississippi  departments.  He  is  now  colonel 
of  the  Sixth  regular  infantry. 

6.  Daniel  McCook,  Jr.,  was  born  at  Car- 
rollton, Ohio,  July  22,  1834.  He  was  rather 
delicate  and  over  studious,  and  with  a view 
to  improving  his  health  entered  Alabama 
University  at  Florence,  from  which  he  gradu- 
ated with  honor.  He  returned  to  Ohio  with 
health  greatly  improved,  and  entered  the 
law  office  of  Stanton  & McCook  at  oteuben- 
ville. 

After  admission  to  the  bar  he  removed  to 
Leavenworth,  Kansas,  where  he  formed  a 
partnership  with  William  T.  Sherman  and 
Thomas  Ewing.  When  the  war  opened  that 
office  closed  and  each  of  the  partners  soon 
became  general  officers. 

Daniel  McCook,  Jr.,  was  captain  of  a local 
company,  the  Shields  Guards,  with  which  he 


BRIGADIER-GENERAL  DANIEL  McCOOK. 

volunteered,  and,  as  a part  of  the  First  Kan- 
sas Begiment,  served  under  General  Ijyon  at 
Wilson’s  creek.  He  then  served  as  chief  of 
staff  of  the  First  Division  of  the  Army  of  the 
Ohio  in  the  Shiloh  campaign,  and  became 
colonel  of  the  Fifty-second  Ohio  Infantry  in 
the  summer  of  1862.  He  was  assigned  to 
the  command  of  a brigade  in  General  Sheri- 
dan’s division  and  as  such  continued  to  serve 
with  the  Army  of  the  Cumberland. 

He  was  selected  by  his  old  law  partner. 
General  Sherman,  to  lead  the  assault  on 
Kennesaw  mountain.  After  all  the  arrange- 


CARROLL  COUNTY. 


ments  for  the  assault  had  been  made,  the 
brigade  was  formed  in  regiment  front  and 
four  deep.  Just  before  the  assault  Colonel 
McCook  recited  to  his  men  in  a perfectly  calm 
manner  the  stanzas  from  Macaulay’s  Hora- 
tius,  in  which  occur  these  lines  : 

Then  out  spake  brave  Horatius, 

The  captain  of  the  gate  : 

“To  every  man  upon  this  earth 
Death  conieth  soon  or  late. 

And  how  can  man  die  better 
Than  facing  fearful  odds, 

For  the  ashes  of  his  fathers. 

And  the  temples  of  his  gods, 

“And  for  the  tender  mother 
Who  dandled  him  to  rest. 

And  for  the  wife  who  nurses 
His  baby  at  her  breast  ? ” 

Then  he  gave  the  word  of  command  and 
dashed  forward.  He  had  reached  the  top’ 
of  the  enemy’s  works,  and  was  encouraging 
his  men  to  follow  when  he  was  riddled  with 
minie  balls,  and  fell  back  wounded  unto 
death.  For  his  courage  and  gallantry  in  this 
assault  he  was  promoted  to  the  full  rank  of 
brigadier-general,  an  honor  he  did  not  live  to 
enjoy,  as  he  survived  but  a few  days.  He 
diecj  July  21,  1864,  and  was  buried  at  Spring 
Grove  cemetery,  Cincinnati. 

7.  Edwin  Stanton  McCook  was  born  at 
Carrollton,  Ohio,  March  26,  1837.  He  was 
educated  at  the  United  States  Naval  Academy 
at  Annapolis,  but  preferring  the  other  arm 
of  the  service,  when  the  civil  war  began  he 
recruited  a company  and  joined  the  Thirty- 
first  Illinois  Regiment  Infantry,  of  which  his 
friend  John  A.  Logan  was  colonel.  He 
served  with  his  regiment  at  the  battles  of 
Fort  Henry  and  Fort  Donelson,  where  he 
was  severely  wounded.  In  his  promotion  he 
succeeded  General  Logan,  and  followed  him 
in  the  command  of  regiment,  brigade  and 
division  throughout  the  Vicksburg  and  other 
campaigns  under  Grant,  in  the  Chattanooga 
and  Atlanta  campaigns  and  in  the  march  to 
the  sea  under  Sherman. 

He  was  promoted  to  the  rank  of  full  briga- 
dier and  brevet  major-general  for  his  services 
in  these  campaigns.  He  was  three  times 
severely  wounded,  but  survived  the  war. 
While  acting  governor  of  Dakota  and  pre- 
siding over  a public  meeting,  September  11, 
1873,  he  was  shot  and  killed  by  a man  in  the 
audience  who  was  not  in  sympathy  with  the 
objects  of  the  meeting,  and  was  buried  at 
Spring  Grove  cemetery,  Cincinnati. 

8.  Charles  Morris  McCook  was  born  at 
Carrollton,  Ohio,  November  13,  1843.  He 
was  a member  of  the  freshman  class  at 
Kenyon  College  when  the  war  began,  and 
although  less  than  eighteen  years  of  age 
Volunteered  as  a private  soldier  in  the  Second 
Ohio  Infantry  for  three  months’  service. 
Secretary  Stanton  offered  him  a lieutenant’s 
commission  in  the  regular  army,  but  he  pre- 
ferred to  serve  as  a volunteer. 

At  the  battle  of  Bull  Run,  July  21,  1861, 


.^69 

he  served  with  his  regiment,  which  was  cover- 
ing the  retreat  of  the  shattered  army.  As 
he  passed  a field  hospital  he  saw  his  father, 
who  had  volunteered  as  a nurse,  at  work 
among  the  wounded,  and  stopped  to  assist 
him,  the  regdment  i)assing  on.  As  he  started 
to  rejoin  his  company  young  McCook  was 


CHARLES  MORRIS  McCOOK. 


surrounded  by  an  officer  and  several  troopers 
of  the  famous  Black  Horse  cavalry  who  de- 
manded his  surrender.  His  musket  was 
loaded,  and  he  quickly  disabled  the  officer, 
and,  as  he  was  highly  trained  in  the  ba3^onet 
exercise,  kept  the  other  horsemen  at  bay. 
His  father  seeing  the  odds  against  the  lad 
called  to  him  to  surrender,  to  which  he  re- 
plied, “Father,  I will  never  surrender  to  a 
rebel,”  and  a moment  after  was  shot  down 
by  one  of  the  cavalrymen.  His  aged  father 
removed  his  remains  from  the  field,  and  they 
were  afterwards  buried  at  Spring  Grove 
cemetery,  Cincinnati. 

9.  John  J.  McCook  was  born  at  Carrollton, 
Ohio,  May  25,  1845.  He  was  a student  at 
Kenyon  College  when  the  war  began,  and, 
after  completing  his  freshman  year,  enlisted 
in  the  Sixth  Ohio  Cavalry.  He  was  pro- 
moted to  a first  lieutenancy  on  September 
12,  1862,  and  was  assigned  to  duty  on  the 
staff  of  General  Thomas  L.  Crittenden,  com- 
manding a corps  of  the  Army  of  the  Ohio, 
which  subsequently  became  the  Twenty-first 
Corps  of  the  Army  of  the  Cumberland. 

He  served  in  the  campaigns  of  Perryville, 
Stone  River,  Tullahoma,  Chattanooga  and 
Chickamauga  with  the  Western  armies,  and  in 
General  Grant’s  campaign  with  the  Army  of 
the  Potomac,  from  the  battle  of  the  Wilder- 
ness to  the  crossing  of  James  river.  He  was 
commissioned  a ca})tain  and  aide-de-camp  of 
the  United  States  Volunteers  in  September, 
1863,  and  was  brevetted  major  of  volunteers 
for  gallant  and  meritorious  services  in  action 
at  -Shady  Grove,  Virginia,  where  he  was 
severely  and  dangerously  wounded.  He  was 
afterward  made  lieutenant-colonel  and  colonel 


370 


CARROLL  COUNTY. 


for  gallant  and  meritorious  services.  Colonel 
McCook  still  survives,  and  is  a lawyer  en- 
gaged in  active  practice  in  New  York  city. 

11.  The  John  McCooh  Branch. 

John  McCook,  M.  D.  Catherine  Julia  Sheldon. 

Dr.  McCook  was  born  and  educated  at 
Canonsburg,  Pa.,  the  seat  of  Jefferson  Col- 
lege ; was  a man  of  fine  presence,  genial 
nature,  and  a physician  of  unusual  ability. 
;His  wife  was  born  at  Hartford,  Conn.,  of  an 
old  New  England  family,  and  was  a woman 
of  rare  culture.  She  was  reniarkable  for  her 
gift  of  song  and  musical  attainments,  and  her 
fine  intellect  and  sprightly  manners.  She 
greatly  excelled  in  reading  aloud,  and  taught 
her  sons  this  art,  instructing  them  also  in 
declamation  and  composition,  before  these 
branches  were  introduced  into  the  schools  of 
the  neighborhood.  She  was  particularly  fond 
of  poetry,  and  could  render  from  memory 
chapters  of  Scott’s  “Marmion”  and  “Lady 
of  the  Lake,”  as  well  as  the  poems  of  Burns. 
Her  infiuence  was  decided  upon  the  character 
of  her  five  sons. 

Dr.  McCook  practiced  medicine  for  many 
years  in  New  Lisbon,  Ohio,  whence  he  re- 
moved to  Steubenville.  He  was  an  ardent 
patriot,  and,  although  a lifelong  Democrat, 
joined  the  Union  Republican  party,  and  gave 
the  whole  weight  of  his  infiuence  and  service 
to  the  support  of  the  government  during  the 
civil  war.  He  died  just  after  its  close,  Octo- 
ber 11,  1865,  at  the  headquarters  of  his  son, 
General  Anson  G.  McCook,  in  Washington, 
D.  C.,  during  a temporary  visit,  and  was 
buried  at  Steubenville,  Ohio,  by  the  side  of 
his  wife,  who  had  preceded  him  just  six 
months. 

He  united  with  the  Presbyterian  church 
of  New  Lisbon,  Ohio,  together  with  his 
wife,  after  the  birth  of  all  their  children. 
The  latter  were  baptized  on  the  same  Sab- 
bath by  the  late  Dr.  A.  O.  Patterson.  Dr. 
McCook  was  a warm  friend  of  Sunday- 
schools,  and  was  Superintendent  for  years 
of  the  school  of  the  First  Church  of  Steuben- 
ville, under  the  late  Dr.  H.  G.  Comingo. 

The  children  of  the  above  are  as  follows  . 

1.  Major-General  Edward  Moody  McCook, 
born  at  Steubenville,  Ohio,  June  15,  1833. 
He  was  one  of  the  earliest  settlers  in  the 
Pike’s  Peak  region,  where  he  had  gone  to 
practise  his  profession,  law.  He  represented 
that  district  in  the  legislature  of  Kansas, 
before  the  division  of  the  Territory.  . He  was 
temporarily  in  Washington  in  the  troubled 
era  preceding  the  war,  and  by  a daring  feat 
as  a volunteer  secret  agent  for  the  govern- 
ment, won  such  approbation  that  he  was  ap- 
pointed into  the  regular  army  as  a lieutenant 
of  cavalry.  At  the  outbreak  of  the  rebellion 
he  was  appointed  major  of  the  Second  In- 
diana cavalry,  rose  rapidly  to  the  ranks 
of  colonel,  brigadier  and  major-general,  and, 
after  brilliant  and  effective  service,  retired  at 
the  close  of  the  war,  with  the  rank  of  lieu- 
tenant-colonel in  the  regular  army.  His 
most  difficult  and  dangerous  service,  perhaps. 


was  penetrating  the  enemy’s  lines  by  way  of 
diversion  previous  to  Sherman’s  march  to 
the  sea.  He  returned  from  this  “forlorn 
hope,”  having  inflicted  great  damage  upon 
the  enemy,  defeated  and  captured  a large 
number,  whom  he  was  compelled  to  release, 
and  retired  in  the  face  of  Hood’s  entire 
army.  He  resigned  from  the  regular  army 
to  accept  the  appointment  of  United  States 
minister  to  the  Sandwich  islands.  He  was 
subsequently  twice  appointed  governor  of 
Colorado  Territory  by  President  Grant. 

2.  Brigadier-General  Anson  George  Mc- 
Cook was  born  in  Steubenville,  Ohio,  Octo- 
ber 10, 1835.  He  was  educated  in  the  public 


MAJOR-GENERAL  ALEX.  McDOVVELL 
McCOOK. 


schools  of  New  Lisbon,  Ohio,  and  at  an 
early  age  crossed  the  plains  to  California, 
where  he  spent  several  years.  He  returned 
shortly  before  the  war,  and  was  engaged  in 
the  study  of  law  in  the  office  of  Stanton  & 
McCook,  at  Steubenville,  at  the  outbreak  of 
the  rebellion.  He  promptly  raised  a com- 
pany of  volunteers,  and  was  elected  captain 
of  Company  H,  which  was  the  first  to  enter 
the  service  from  Eastern  Ohio.  He  was  as- 
signed to  the  Second  Ohio  regiment,  and  took 
part  in  the  first  Bull  Run  battle.  Upon  the 
reorganization  of  the  troops,  he  was  ap- 
pointed major  of  the  Second  Ohio,  and  rose 
by  death  and  resignation  of  his  seniors  to  the 
rank  of  colonel.  At  the  battle  of  Peach 
Tree  Creek,  near  Atlanta,  he  commanded  a 
brigade.  He  was  in  action  in  many  of  the 
principal  battles  of  the  West,  including  those 
of  Perryville,  Stone  River,  Lookout  Moun- 
tain, Missionary  Ridge,  Resaca,  etc.  On 
the  muster-out  of  the  Second  regiment,  at  the 
close  of  three  years’  service,  he  was  ap- 
pointed colonel  of  the  One-hundred-and- 
ninety-fourth  Ohio,  and  was  ordered  to  the 
Valley  of  Virginia,  where  he  was  assigned 
to  command  a brigade.  He  was  brevetted  a 
brigadier-general  at  the  close  of  the  war. 
He  returned  to  Steubenville,  whence,  after 


CARROLL  COUNTY. 


371 


several  years’  residence,  he  removed  to  New 
York  city,  his  present  residence.  He  served 
six  years  in  Congress  from  the  Eighth  New 
York  district,  in  the  Forty -fifth.  Forty-sixth 
and  Forty-seventh  Congresses.  He  is  at 
present  secretary  of  the  United  States  Sen- 

3.  Kev.  Henry  C.  McCook,  D.  H.,  the 
third  son,  was  born  July  3,  1837,  at  New 
Lisbon,  Ohio,  and  married  an  Ohio  lady. 
Miss  Emma  C.  Horter,  of  New  Lisbon.  He 
graduated  at  Jefferson  College.  He  was  a 
student  in  the  Western  Theological  Seminary 
(Presbyterian),  Allegheny  City,  on  the  out- 
break of  the  rebellion,  and  having  made  an 
engagement  to  go  West  to  spend  his  summer 
vacation,  stopped  at  Clinton,  Dewitt  county, 
111.  He  was  actively  engaged  in  raising 
troops  for  the  service  until  the  first  Bull  Run 
battle,  when  he  enlisted  as  a private  soldier, 
stumped  the  county  to  raise  troops,  and  was 
mustered  into  the  Forty-first  Illinois  regiment 
as  first  lieutenant.  He  was  appointed  chap- 
lain of  the  regiment,  and  returned  home  for 
ordination  by  the  Presbytery  of  Steubenville, 
Ohio.  He  served^  for  less  than  a year,  and 
resigned,^  with  the  intention  of  taking  another 
position  in  the  army  ; but,  convinced  that  he 
could  serve  his  country  better  in  a public 
position  at  home,  he  returned  to  his  church 
at^  (Clinton.  He  was  subsequently  a home 
missionary  and  pastor  in  St.  Louis,  Mo., 
whence  he  was  called  to  Philadelphia  in  1869, 
where  he  continues  pastor  of  one  of  the  most 
prominent  churches  of  the  East.^  He  is  author 
of  a number  of  popular  theological  and  eccle- 
siastical books,  but  is  particularly  known  as  a 
naturalist.  His  studies  of  the  ants  and 
spiders,  on  whose  habits  he  has  written  sev- 
eral important  books  and  numerous  papers, 
have  made  his  name  well  known  among  the 
naturalists  of  Europe  and  America. 

4.  Commander  Rhoderick  Sheldon  Mc- 
Cook, U.  S.  N.,  was  born  in  New  Lisbon, 
Ohio,  March  10,  1839.  He  graduated  at  the 
Naval  Academy,  Annapolis,  in  1859,  and  his 
first  service  was  off  the  Congo  river,  Africa, 
whence  he  was  sent  home  with  a prize  crew 
in  charge  of  a captured  slaver.  From  1861  to 
1865  he  took  active  part  in  aggressive  opera- 
tions before  Newberne,  Wilmington,  Charles- 
ton, Fort  Fisher,  and  on  James  river.  At 
Newberne  he  bore  an  active  and  successful 
part  in  the  battle  on  land.  He  offered  him- 
self and  the  services  of  his  marines  to  the 
land  force  in  moving  a battery  of  guns  from 
his  vessel.  With  this  battery  he  took  a con- 
spicuous part  in  the  confiict,  and  had  the 
honor  of  receiving  the  surrender  of  a Confed- 
erate regiment  of  infantry,  probably  the  only 
surrender  of  this  sort  which  occurred  during 
the  civil  war.  During  his  arduous  service 
with  monitors,  particularly  the  “ Canonicus  ” 
at  Fort  Fisher,  he  seriously  injured  his  health. 


He  was  engaged  in  the  operations  on  the 
James  river,  and  also  in  those  ending  in  the 
surrender  of  Charleston.  He  attained  the 
grade  of  commander  September  25,  1873. 
His  last  service  was  in  lighthouse  duty  on  the 
Ohio  river,  on  whose  banks,  in  the  family 
plot  in  the  Steubenville  cemetery,  his  remains 
are  buried.  Failing  in  health,  he  was  retired 
from  active  service  February  23,  1885,  when 
he  went  to  Vineland,  N.  J.,  seeking  restora- 
tion of  strength  in  the  occupations  of  farm- 
life.  His  death  was  caused  by  being  thrown 
from  his  buggy  upon  his  head,  sustaining 
injuries  which  resulted  in  suffusion  of  the 
brain.  He  married  Miss  Elizabeth  Suther- 
land, of  Steubenville,  Ohio,  who,  with  one 
son,  survives  him. 

5.  The  fifth  son  and  sixth  child.  Rev.  Prof. 
John  James  McCook,  was  born  at  New  Lis- 


COL.  JOHN  J.  McCOOK. 

(See  page  368.) 

bon,  Ohio,  February  4,  1843.  He  served  as 
lieutenant  in  the  First  Virginia  volunteers 
during  a short  campaign  in  West  Virginia,  a 
regiment  recruited  almost  exclusively  from 
Ohio.  There  were  so  many  volunteers  from 
that  State  that  its  quota  of  regiments  was 
immediately  filled,  and  many  of  its  citizens 
entered  the  service  with  regiments  from  other 
States.  He  was  at  Kelleysville,  one  of  the 
earliest  engagements  of  the  war.  He  grad- 
uated at  Trinity  College,  Hartford ; began 
the  study  of  medicine,  but  abandoned  it  to 
enter  the  Protestant  Episcopal  ministry.  He 
was  rector  of  St.  John’s,  Detroit,  and  now 
of  St.  John’s,  East  Hartford.  He  is  distin- 
guished as  a linguist,  and  is  author  of  a witty 
booklet,  “Pat  and  the  Council.”  He  is  at 
present  Professor  of  Modern  Languages  in 
Trinity  College,  Hartford, 


372 


CHAMPAIGN  COUNTY. 


CHAMPAIGN. 

CHAAfPAiGN  County  was  formed  from  Greene  and  Franklin  March  1,  1805. 
and  the  temporary  seat  of  justice  f xed  in  Springfield  at  the  house  of  George 
Fithian ; it  derived  its  name  from  the  character  of  the  surface.  About  half  of  it 
is  level  or  slightly  undulating,  one-quarter  rolling,  one-fifth  rather  hilly,  and  about 
five  per  cent,  prairie.  The  county  is  drained  by  the  Mad  river,  which  flows 
through  a beautiful  country,  and  with  its  tributaries  furnishes  extensive  mill 
privileges. 

Its  area  is  420  square  miles ; in  1885  acres  cultivated  Avere  164,602  ; in  pasture, 
34,213 ; woodland,  62,669  ; produced  in  wheat,  561,614  bushels ; corn,  1,978,697  ; 
broom  brush,  65,050  pounds;  wool,  195,008.  School  census  in  1886,  8,439; 
teachers,  168.  It  has  78  miles  of  railroad. 


Toavnships  and  Census. 

1840. 

1880. 

Toavnships  and  Census. 

1840. 

1880. 

Adams, 

970 

1,445 

Mad  River, 

1,894 

1,997 

Concord, 

935 

1,157 

Rush, 

1,226 

2,150 

Goshen, 

1,406 

2,607 

Salem, 

1,402 

2,108 

Harrison, 

790 

973 

Union, 

1,249 

1,588 

Jackson, 

1,431 

1,901 

Urbana, 

2,456 

7,781 

Johnson, 

1,213 

2,479 

Wayne, 

1,300 

1,631 

Pojndation  in  1820  was  8,479;  in  1840,  16,720;  in  1860,  22,698;  in  1880, 
27,817  ; of  whom  21,793  Avere  Ohio-born. 

Urj^ana  in  1846. — Urbana,  the  county-seat,  is  forty-tAVO  miles  west-north Avest 
from  Columbus.  It  was  laid  out  in  1805  by  Col.  Wm.  Ward,  originally  from 
Greenbriar,  Va.  He  Av^aS  proprietor  of  the  soil,  and  gave  a large  number  of  the 
lots  to  the  county,  Avith  the  provision  that  their  sales  should  be  appropriated  for 
public  objects.  He  also  named  the  place  from  the  AAwd  urbanity.  The  first  tAvo 
settlers  AA^ere  the  clerk  of  the  court,  Joseph  C.  Vance,  father  of  ex-Governor  Vance, 
and  George  Fithian,  Avho  opened  the  first  tavern  in  a cabin,  noAV  forming  a part 
of  the  dAvelling  of  Wm.  Thomas,  on  South  Main  street.  Samuel  McCord  opened 
the  first  store,  in  the  same  cabin,  in  March,  1806,  and  built,  the  same  year,  the 
first  shingled  house,  uoav  the  store  of  Wm.  and  Duncan  McDonald.  In  1807  a 
temporary  court-house  Avas  erected,  uoav  the  residence  of  Duncan  McDonald.  A 
bricl^  court-house  Avas  subsequently  built  on  the  public  square,  aaIucIi  stood  many 
years,  and  then  gave  place  to  the  present  substantial  and  handsome  building.  In 
1807  the  Methodists — those  religious  pioneers — built  the  first  church,  a log  struc- 
ture, Avhich  stood  in  the  northeast  part  of  the  toAA  n,  on  the  lot  on  Avhich  Mr.  Ganson 
resides.  Some  years  later  this  denomination  erected  a brick  church,  uoav  dcAmted 
to  the  manufacture  of  carriages  and  AA^agons  by  Mr.  Childs,  in  the  central  part  of 
the  town. 

The  first  settlers  in  the  village  AA^ere  Joseifii  C.  Vance,  Thos.  and  Ed.  W.  Pearce, 
George  Fithian,  Samuel  MVord,  Zeph.  I^aice,  Benj.  Doolittle,  Geo.  and  AndrcAV 
Ward,  AVm.  H.  Fylfe,  Wm.  and  John  Glenn,  Fred.  Ambrose,  John  Reynolds  and 
Samuel  Gibbs.  Of  those  liAung  in  the  county  at  that  time  our  informant  recollects 
the  names  of  Jacob  Minturn,  Henry  and  Jacob  Vanmetre,  Nathaniel  Cartmell, 
Justice  Jones,  Felix  Rock,  Thomas  Anderson,  Abner  Barret,  Thomas  Pearce, 
Benj.  and  Wm.  Cheney,  IMatthcAA'  and  Chas.  Stuart,  Parker  SulliA^an,  John  Logan, 
John  Thomas,  John  Runyon,  John  Lafierty,  John  Oaatiis,  John  Taylor,  John 
Guttridge,  John  Cartmell,  John  DaAvson,  John  Pence,  Jonatlian  Long,  Bennet 
Taber,  Nathan  Fitch,  Robt.  Noavcc,  Jacob  Pence  and  Arthur  Thomas.  The  last 
named.  Captain  Arthur  Tliomas,  liA^ed  on  King’s  creek,  three  miles  from  Urbana. 
He  was  ordered,  in  the  Avar  of  1812,  Avith  his  company,  to  guard  the  public  stores 


CHAMPAIGN  COUNTY. 


373 


at  Fort  Findlay.  On  his  return  he  and  his  son  lost  their  horses,  and  separated 
from  the  rest  of*  tlie  company  to  hunt  for  them.  They  encamped  at  the  Big  Spring, 
near  Solomonstown,  about  five  miles  north  of  Bellefontainc,  and  the  next  morning 
were  found  killed  and  scalped.  Their  bodies  were  brought  into  Urbana  by  a 
deputation  of  citizens.  On  the  4th  of  Jnly,  two  months  previous  to  this  event. 
The  Watch  Tower,  the  first  newspaper  in  the  county,  was  commenced  at  Urbana ; 
its  publishers  were  Corwin  & Blackburn.  Urbana  is  a beautiful  town,  and  has, 
in  its  outskirts,  some  elegant  private  residences.  The  engraving  is  a view  in  its 
central  part,  taken  from  near  Beynolds’  store.  The  court-house  and  Methodist 
church  are  seen  in  the  distance.  The  building  on  the  left,  now  occupied  as  a store 
by  Wm.  McDonald,  was,  in  the  late  war,  Doolittle’s  tavern,  the  headquarters  of 
Governor  Meigs.  The  one  in  front,  with  the  date  1811  ” upon  it,  and  now  the 
store  of  D.  & T.  M’Gwynne,  was  then  a commissary’s  office,  and  the  building 
where  Col.  Richard  M.  Johnson  was  brought  wounded  from  the  battle  of  the 
Thames,  and  in  which  he  remained  several  days  under  a surgeon’s  care.  Urbana 
contains  1 Associate  Reformed,  1 Presbyterian,  1 Baptist  and  1 Methodist  church, 
2 newspaper  printing  offices,  1 woollen  factory,  1 foundry,  2 machine  shops 
and  20  mercantile  stores.  In  1840  Urbana  had  1,070  inhabitants. — Old  Edition, 

Urbana  is  forty-seven  miles  west  of  Columbus  on  the  C.  St.  L.  & P.  R.  R., 
and  ninety-five  miles  northeast  of  Cincinnati  on  the  N.  Y.  P.  & O.  R.  R.  It  is 
also  on  the  C.  S.  & C.  R.  R.  It  is  the  county-seat  of  Champaign  county,  and  the 
centre  of  a very  productive  farming  district.  County  officers  in  1888  : Probate 
Judge,  David  W.  Todd  ; Clerk  of  Court,  Griffith  Ellis  ; Sheriff,  R.  P.  Wilkins  ; 
Prosecuting  Attorney,  Evan  P.  Middleton  ; Auditor,  J.  M.  Fitzpatrick  ; Treasurer, 
Richard  S.  Pearce ; Recorder,  Theodore  G.  Keller ; Surveyor,  James  Swisher ; 
Coroner,  J.  A.  Dowell ; Commissioners,  L.  H.  Runyan,  John  P.  Neer,  Jacob 
McMoran. 

Newspapers  : Urbana  Daily  Citizen,  Republican  ; Urbana  Citizen  and  Gazette, 
weekly.  Republican,  Citizen  and  Gazette  Company,  proprietors,  Joseph  P.  Smith, 
editor;  Champaign  Democrat,  Democratic,  T.  M.  Gaumer,  editor  and  proprietor; 
Monthly  Visitor,  James  F.  Hearn.  Churches : 1 Baptist,  1 Colored  Baptist,  1 Cath- 
olic, 1 Christian,  1 Lutheran,  3 Methodist,  1 Presbyterian,  1 Protestant  Episcopal 
and  1 New  Church.  Banks : Champaign  National,  P.  B.  Ross,  president,  W.  R.  Ross, 
cashier ; Citizens’  National,  C.  F.  Colwell,  president,  W.  W.  Wilson,  cashier ; 
Home  Savings,  Z.  T.  Lewis,  president,  T.  J.  Lewis,  cashier ; Third  National, 
John  H.  Young,  president,  A.  F.  Vance,  Jr.,  cashier. 

Manufactures  and  Employees. — Dimond  & Peck,  carriages,  1 1 hands ; C.  G. 
Smith,  leather,  6 ; Colwell  Lumber  and  Manufacturing  Co.,  11  ; J.  J.  Robinson 
A Sons,  brooms,  9 ; J.  R.  Fuller,  brooms,  32  ; The  U.  S.  Rolling  Stock  Co.,  freight 
cars,  etc.,  355 ; C.  A.  Miller,  job  machinery,  10;  Edward  Bailey,  lumber;  Perry 
& White,  brooms,  72;  R.  Anderson,  job  iron  castings;  Aughinbaugh  & Baker 
Bros.,  carriages,  13 ; Wm.  H.  Crane  & Co.,  stoves,  etc.,  15  ; Henry  Fox  & Co., 
woollen  blankets,  etc.,  44  ; J.  T.  Woodward  & Co.,  flour,  etc. — State  Report,  1887. 

Population  in  1880,  6,252.  School  census  in  1886,  1,906  ; A.  C.  Duell,  super- 
intendent. 

The  Urbana  University  was  founded  here  in  1850,  and  occupies  a pleasant 
site.  It  is  under  the  direction  of  gentlemen  connected  with  the  Swedenborgian  or 
the  New  Church.  Urbana  is  more  mercantile  than  manufacturing  and  the  country 
around  is  exceeding  rich,  with  great  diversity  of  products  in  stock  and  grain.  In 
the  centre  of  the  public  square  stands  the  Soldier’s  Monument. 

Urbana  was  a point  where  the  main  army  of  Hull,  in  the  war  of  1812,  concen- 
trated, ere  leaving  for  Detroit.  In  the  war  it  was  a general  rendezvous  for  troops, 
before  starting  for  the  North.  They  encamped  in  various  parts  of  the  town.  Quite 
a number  of  sick  and  disabled  soldiers  were  sent  here,  some  of  whom  died : the 
old  court-house  was  used  as  a hospital. 


374 


CHAMPAIGN  COUNTY. 


The  celebrated  Simon  Kenton  was  here  at 
an  early  day.  Judge  Burnet  in  his  letters 
states  that  when  the  troops  were  stationed  at 
Urbana,  a mutinous  plan  was  formed  by  some 
of  them  to  attack  and  destroy  a settlement  of 
friendly  Indips,  who  had  removed  with  their 
families  within  the  settlement  under  assurance 
of  protection.  Kenton  remonstrated  against 
the  measure,  as  being  not  only  mutinous  but 
treacherous  and  cowardly.  He  contrasted  his 
knowledge  and  experience  of  the  Indian  char- 
acter with  their  ignorance  of  it.  He  vindi- 
cated them  against  the  charge  of  treachery, 
which  was  alleged  as  a justification  of  the  act 
they  were  about  to  perpetrate,  and  reminded 
them  of  the  infamy  they  would  incur  by  de- 
stroying a defenceless  band  of  men,  women 
and  children,  who  had  placed  themselves  in 


their  power,  relying  on  a solemn  promise  of 
protection.  He  appealed  to  their  humanity, 
their  honor  and  their  duty  as  soldiers.  Hav- 
ing exhausted  all  the  means  of  persuasion  in 
his  power,  and  finding  them  resolved  to  execute 
their  purpose,  he  took  a rifle  and  declared  with 
great  firmness  that  he  would  accompany  them 
to  the  Indian  encampment,  and  shoot  down 
the  first  man  who  dared  to  molest  them  ; that 
if  they  entered  his  camp  they  should  do  it  by 
passing  over'his  corpse.  Knowing  that  the  old 
veteran  would  redeem  his  pledge,  they  aban- 
doned their  purpose,  and  the  poor  Indians 
were  saved.  Though  he  was  brave  as  Caesar, 
and  reckless  of  danger  when  it  was  his  duty 
to  expose  his  person,  yet  he  was  mild,  even 
tempered,  and  had  a heart  that  could  bleed 
at  the  distresses  of  others. 


There  were  several  Indian  councils  in  Urbana  at  an  early  day,  which  were 
usually  held  in  a grove  near  the  old  burying  ground  : distinguished  Shawnee  and 
Wyandot  chiefs  were  generally  present.  Before  the  settlement  of  the  town,  in  the 
spring  of  1795,  Tecumseh  was  established  on  Deer  creek,  near  the  site  of  Urbana, 
where  he  engaged  in  his  favorite  amusement  of  hunting,  and  remained  until  the 
succeeding  spring.  His  biographer  gives  some  anecdotes  of  him  which  occurred 
within  the  present  limits  of  the  county. 


Anecdotes  of  Temmseh. — While  residing  on 
Deer  creek,  an  incident  occurred  which  ^eatly 
enhanced  his  reputation  as  a hunter.  One  of 
his  brothers  and  several  other  Shawanoes  of 
his  own  age  proposed  to  bet  with  him  that 
they  could  each  kill  as  many  deer  in  the  space 
of  three  days  as  he  could.  Tecumseh 
promptly  accepted  the  overture.  The  parties 
took  to  the  woods,  and  at  the  end  of  the  stip- 
ulated time,  returned  with  the  evidences  of 
their  success.  None  of  the  party,  except 
Tecumseh,  had  more  than  twelve  deer-skins  ; 
he  brought  in  upwards  of  thirty — nearly 
three  times  as  many  as  any  of  his  competitors. 
From  this  time  he  was  generally  conceded  to 
be  the  greatest  hunter  in  the  Shawanoe 
nation. 

In  1799  there  was  a council  held  about  six 
miles  north  of  the  place  where  Urbana  now 
stands,  between  the  Indians  and  some  of  the 
principal  settlers  on  Mad  river,  for  the  ad- 
justment of  difficulties  which  had  grown  up 
between  these  parties.  Tecumseh,  with 
other  Shawanoe  chiefs,  attended  this  council. 
He  appears  to  have  been  the  most  conspicu- 
ous orator  of  the  conference,  and  made  a 
speech  on  the  occasion  which  was  much  ad- 
mired for  its  force  and  eloquence.  The  inter- 
preter, Dechouset,  said  that  he  found  it  very 
difficult  to  translate  the  lofty  flights  of  Tecum- 
seh, although  he  was  as  well  acquainted  with 
the  Shawanoe  language  as  with  the  French, 
which  was  his  mother  tongue. 

Some  time  during  the  year  1803,  a stout 


Kentuckian  came  to  Ohio  for  the  purpose  of 
exploring  the  lands  on  Mad  river,  and  lodged 
one  night  at  the  house  of  Capt.  Abner  Bar- 
rett, residing  on  the  headwaters  of  Buck 
creek.  In  the  course  of  the  evening  he 
learned,  with  apparent  alarm,  that  there 
were  some  Indians  encamped  within  a short 
distance  of  the  house.  Shortly  after  hearing 
this  unwelcome  intelligence  the  door  of  Capt. 
Barrett’s  dwelling  was  suddenly  opened,  and 
Tecumseh  entered  with  his  usual  stately  air  ; 
he  paused  in  silence  and  looked  around,  until 
at  length  his  eye  was  fixed  upon  the  stranger, 
who  was  manifesting  symptoms  of  alarm,  and 
did  not  venture  to  look  the  stern  savage  in 
the  face.  Tecumseb  turned  to  his  host,  and 
pointing  to  the  agitated  Kentuckian,  ex- 
claimed, “A  big  baby!  a big  baby!”  He 
then  stepped  up  to  him,  and  gently  slapping 
him  on  the  shoulder  several  times,  repeated, 
with  a contemptuous  manner,  the  phrase, 
''Big  baby  ! big  baby ” to  the  great  alarm  of 
the  astonished  man,  and  to  the  amusement 
of  all  present. 

A severe  tornado.,  on  the  22d  of  March, 
1830,  proceeding  from  the  southwest  to  the 
northeast,  passed  over  the  northern  portion 
of  Urbana.  It  demolished  the  Presbyterian 
church  and  several  dwellings,  and  materially 
injured  the  Methodist  church.  Two  or  three 
children  were  carried  high  in  air  and  killed  ; 
boards,  books  and  various  fragments  were 
conveyed  many  miles. 


Urbana  was  early  somewhat  famed  for  its  political  conventions.  The  largest 
probably  ever  held  in  the  county  was  September  15,  1840,  in  the  Harrison  cam- 
paign, when  an  immense  multitude  assembled  from  counties  all  around.  A caval- 
cade miles  in  extent  met  General  Harrison  and  escorted  him  from  the  west  to  the 


Drawn  bij  Hairy  Howe,  1846. 

Public  Squaee,  Urbana. 


F.  T.  Graham,  Photo.,  Urbana,  18SQ. 


Public  Square,  Urbana. 


[Both  views  were  taken  from  the  same  point.  In  the  old  view  the  building  with  the  figures  1811 
occupies  the  same  site  as  that  of  the  building  with  a tower  on  the  right  in  the  new  view.] 


F.  T.  Graham,  Photo.,  Urhana,  1886. 

The  Grave  of  Simon  Kenton. 


From  a paiutiiig  owned  by  Robert  Clarke,  Ciucinnati,  0. 

SIMON  KENTON, 


CHAMPAIGN  COUNTY, 


377 


Public  Square,  where  he  was  introduced  to  the  people  by  Moses  B.  Corwin  and 
made  a speech  two  hours  in  length.  He  was  at  this  time  sixty-seven  years  of‘  age, 
but  his  delivery  was  clear  and  distinct.  Dinner  Avas  had  in  the  grove  of  Mr. 
John  A.  Ward,  father  of  the  sculptor,  in  the  southwest  part  of  the  town,  where 
twelve  tables,  each  over  300  feet  long,  had  been  erected  and  laden  with  provisions. 
Oxen  and  sheep  were  barbecued,  and  an  abundance  of  cider  siq^plicd  the  drink  for 
the  day.  In  the  evening  addresses  were  made  by  Arthur  Elliott,  ex-Governor 
Metcalf,  of  Kentucky,  who  wore  a buckskin  hunting  shirt,  Mr.  Chambers,  from 
Louisiana,  and  Kichard  Douglass,  of  Chillicothe.  The  day  was  one  of  great 
hilarity  and  excitement.  The  delegations  and  ])rocessions  had  every  conceivable 
mode  of  conveyance  and  carried  flags  and  emblems  with  various  strange  mottoes 
and  devices.  Among  them  Avas  a banner  or  board,  on  which  Avas  this  sentence  : 


The  People  is  Oll  Korrect. 


This  Avas  the  origin  of  the  use  of  the  letters  “0.  not  uncommon  in  our  OAvn 
time. 

The  Urbana  Camp- Grounds , three  miles  east  of  the  city,  are  regarded  as  among 
the  most  commodious  and  coiiA^enient  in  the  country.  They  comprise  some  forty 
acres.  There  are  here  several  hundred  one-and-a-half  story  cottages  Avith  Ax^randas. 
The  auditorium  has  a seating  capacity  of  about  3,500.  Urbana  has  long  been  noted 
as  a cann)-meeting  community,  and  several  National  Camp-meeting  Conventions 
have  been  held  there. 

In  Oak  Dale  Cemetery,  southeast  of  Urbana,  is  a monument  of  light  gray 
sandstone,  about  eleven  feet  high,  to  the  memory  of  Gen.  Simon  Kenton.  Inscrip- 
tions : north  side — Erected  by  the  State  of  Ohio,  1884  ; south  side — 1775-1836. 

On  the  north  side  is  a wolf^s  head,  on  the  south  side  an  Indian’s,  on  the  Avest 
side  a bear’s  head,  on  the  east  side  a })anther’s ; at  the  foot  of  the  grave  is  the  origi- 
nal grave-stone  of  Kenton,  a simple  slab,  26  by  16,  on  Avhich  is  inscribed  : 

In  memory  of  Gen.  Simon  Kenton,  avIio  aa^s  born  April  3, 1755,  in  Culpepper 
county,  Virginia,  and  died  April  29,  1836,  aged  eighty-one  years  and  tAventy-six 
days.  His  felloAV-citizens  of  the  West  Avill  long  remember  him  as  the  skilful  pio- 
neer of  early  times,  the  brave  soldier  and  the  honest  man.” 

Gen.  Kenton  resided  for  the  last  feAV  years  of  his  life  about  five  miles  northeast 
of  Bellefontaine,  Avhere  he  died  and  Avas  buried.  The  small  stone  slab  aboAn 
described  Avas  put  over  the  spot  of  his  burial.  A view  of  his  old  graAn  there  Avill 
be  found  under  the  head  of  Logan  county.  His  remains  Avere  remoAnd  to  the  Oak 
Dale  cemetery  during  the  governorship  of  Chas.  Anderson.  The  monument  Avas 
not  erected  until  more  than  ten  years  later,  and  then  mainly  through  the  persistent 
efforts  of  Mr.  William  Patrick,  of  Urbana,  an  old  lifelong  friend  of  the  General, 
and  noAV  living  at  the  advanced  age  of  ninety-tAvo  years. 

The  Adventures  of  Simon  Kenton. 

Simon  Kenton  Avas  born  in  Fauquier  county,  Virginia,  in  1755,  of  Scotch-Irish 
parentage.  Having  at  the  age  of  fifteen  an  affray  Avith  William  Veach  in  a loAm 
affair  and  erroneously  believing  he  had  killed  him,  he  fled  to  Kentucky,  and  to 
escape  recognition  assumed  the  name  of  Simon  Butler.  He  Avas  almost  constantly 
engaged  in  conflicts  with  the  Indians  from  that  time  until  the  treaty  of  Greenville. 
He  Avas  probably  in  more  expeditions  against  the  Indians,  encountered  greater 
peril,  and  had  more  narrow  escapes  from  death  than  any  man  of  his  time* 


37^ 


CHAMPAIGN  COUNTY, 


The  many  incidents  of  his  romantic  and  eventful  life  are  well  detailed  by  his 
friend  and  biographer,  Colonel  John  McDonald,  from  whose  work  we  extract 
the  thrilling  narrative  of  his  captivity  and  hairbreadth  escapes  from  a cruel 
and  lingering  death. 


Incursion  into  0^20.— Kenton  lay  about 
Boone’s  and  Logan’s  stations  till  ease  became 
irksome  to  him.  About  the  1st  of  Septem- 
ber of  this  same  year,  1778,  we  find  him  pre- 
paring for  another  Indian  expedition.  Alex- 
ander Montgomery  and  George  Clark  joined 
him,  and  they  set  oif  from  Boone’s  station  for 
the  avowed  purpose  of  obtaining  horses  from 
the  Indians.  They  crossed  the  Ohio  and 
proceeded  cautiously  to  Chillicothe  (now  Old- 
town,  Boss  county).  They  arrived  at  the 
town  without  meeting  any  adventure.  In 
the  night  they  fell  in  with  a drove  of  horses 
that  were  feeding  in  the  rich  prairies.  They 
were  prepared  with  salt  and  halters.  They 
had  much  difl&culty  to  catch  the  horses  ; how- 
ever, at  length  they  succeeded,  and  as  soon 
as  the  horses  were  haltered  they  dashed  off 
with  seven — a pretty  good  haul.  They  trav- 
elled with  all  the  speed  they  could  to  the 
Ohio.  They  came  to  the  Ohio  near  the 
mouth  of  Eagle  creek,  now  in  Brown  county. 
When  they  came  to  the  river  the  wind  blew 
almost  a hurricane.  The  waves  ran  so  high 
that  the  horses  were  frightened,  and  could  not 
be  induced  to  take  to  the  water.  It  was  late 
in  the  evening.  They  then  rode  back  into 
the  hills  some  distance  from  the  river,  hob- 
bled and  turned  their  horses  loose  to  graze  ; 
while  they  turned  back  some  distance,  and 
watched  the  trail  they  had  come,  to  discover 
whether  or  no  they  were  pursued.  Here 
they  remained  till  the  following  day  when  the 
wind  subsided.  As  soon  as  the  wind  fell  they 
caught  their  horses  and  went  again  to  the 
river ; but  the  horses  were  so  frightened  with 
the  waves  the  day  before  that  all  their  efforts 
could  not  induce  them  to  take  to  the  water. 
This  was  a sore  disappointment  to  our  adven- 
turers. 

Captured  hy  Indians. — They  were  satisfied 
that  they  were  pursued  by  the  enemy ; they 
therefore  determined  to  lose  no  more  time  in 
useless  efforts  to  cross  the  Ohio ; they  con- 
cluded to  select  three  of  the  best  horses  and 
make  their  way  to  the  falls  of  the  Ohio,  where 
Gen.  Clark  had  left  some  men  stationed. 
Each  made  choice  of  a horse,  and  the  other 
horses  were  turned  loose  to  shift  for  them- 
selves? After  the  spare  horses  had  been 
loosed  and  permitted  to  ramble  off,  avarice 
whispered  to  them,  and  why  not  take  all  the 
horses  ? The  loose  horses  had  by  this  time 
scattered  and  straggled  out  of  sight.  Our 
party  now  separated  to  hunt  up  the  horses 
they  had  turned  loose.  Kenton  went  towards 
the  river,  and  had  not  gone  far  before  he 
heard  a whoop  in  the  direction  of  where  they 
had  been  trying  to  force  the  horses  into  the 
water.  He  got  off  his  horse  and  tied  him, 
and  then  crept  with  a stealthy  tread  of  a cat 
to  make  observations  in  the  direction  he 
heard  the  whoop.  Just  as  he  reached  the 
high  bank  of  the  river  he  met  the  Indians  on 


horseback.  Being^  unperceived  by  them, 
but  so  nigh  that  it  was  impossible  for  him 
to  retreat  without  being  discovered,  he  con- 
cluded the  boldest  course  to  be  the  safest, 
and  very  deliberately  took  aim  at  the  fore 
most  Indian.  His  gun  flashed  in  the  pan. 
He  then  retreated.  The  Indians  pursued  on 
horseback. 

In  his  retreat  he  passed  through  a piece 
of  land  where  a storm  had  torn  up  a great 
art  of  the  timber.  The  fallen  trees  afforded 
im  some  advantage  of  the  Indians  in  the 
race,  as  they  were  on  horseback  and  he  on 
foot.  The  Indian  force  divided  ; some  rode 
on  one  side  of  the  fallen  timber  and  some  on 
the  other.  Just  as  he  emerged  from  the 
fallen  timber,  at  the  foot  of  the  hill,  one  of 
the  Indians  met  him  on  horseback  and  boldl}/ 
rode  up  to  him,  jumped  off  his  horse  and 
rushed  at  him  with  his  tomahawk.  Kenton 
concluding  a gun-barrel  as  good  a weapon  of 
defence  as  a tomahawk  drew  back  his  gun  to 
strike  the  Indian  before  him.  At  that  in- 
stant another  Indian,  who  ^ unperceived  by 
Kenton  had  slipped  up  behind  him,  clasped 
him  in  his  arms.  Being  now  overpowered 
by  numbers,  further  resistance  was  useless — 
he  surrendered.  While  the  Indians  were 
binding  Kenton  with  tugs,  Montgomery  came 
in  view  and  fired  at  the  Indians,  but  missed 
his  mark.  Montgomery  fled  on  foot.  Some 
of  the  Indians  pursued,  shot  at  and  missed 
him  ; a second  fire  was  made  and  Montgomery 
fell.  The  Indians  soon  returned  to  Kenton, 
shaking  at  him  Montgomery’s  bloody  scalp. 
George  Clark,  Kenton’s  other  companion, 
made  his  escape,  crossed  the  Ohio  and  arrived 
safe  at  Logan’s  station. 

The  Indians  encamped  that  night  on  the 
bank  of  the  Ohio.  The  next  morning  they 
prepared  their  horses  for  a return  to  their 
towns,  with  the  unfortunate  and  unhappy 
prisoner.  Nothing  but  death  in  the  most 
appalling  form  presented  itself  to  his  view. 
When  they  were  ready  to  set  off  they  caught 
the  wildest  horse  in  the  company  and  placed 
Keiiton  on  his  back.  The  horse  being  very 
restive  it  took  several  of  them  to  hold  him, 
while  the  others  lashed  the  prisoner  on  the 
horse.  They  first  took  a tug,  or  rope,  and 
fastened  his  legs  and  feet  together  under  the 
horse.  They  took  another  and  fastened  his 
arms.  They  took  another  and  tied  around 
his  neck,  and  fastened  one  end  of  it  around 
the  horse’s  neck  ; the  other  end  of  the  same 
rope  was  fastened  to  the  horse’s  tail  to  answer 
in  place  of  a crupper.  They  had  a great  deal 
of  amusement  to  themselves,  as  they  were 
preparing  Kenton  and  his  horse  for  fun  and 
irolic.  They  would  yelp  and  scream  around 
him,  and  ask  him  if  he  wished  to  steal  more 
horses.  Another  rope  was  fastened  around 
his  thighs,  and  lashed  around  the  body  of  his 
horse  ; a i)air  of  moccasins  was  drawn  over 


CHAMPAIGN  COUNTY. 


379 


his  hands  to  prevent  him  from  defending  his 
face  from  the  brush.  Thus  accoutred  and 
fastened  the  horse  was  turned  loose  to  the 
woods.  He  reared  and  plunged,  ran  through 
the  woods  for  some  time,  to  the  infinite 
amusement  of  the  Indians.  After  the  horse 
had  run  about,  plunging,  rearing  and  kicking 
for  some  time,  and  found  that  he  could  not 
shake  off,  nor  kick  off  his  rider,  he  very 
quietly  submitted  himself  to  his  situation, 
and  followed  the  cavalcade  as  quiet  and  peace- 
able as  his  rider. 

Reaches  Chillicothe^  the  Indian  Village. — 
The  Indians  moved  towards  Chillicothe,  and 
in  three  days  reached  the  town.  At  night 
they  confined  their  prisoner  in  the  following 
manner  : He  was  laid  on  his  back,  his  legs  ex- 
tended, drawn  apart,  and  fastened  to  two  sap- 
lings or  stakes  driven  in  the  ground.  His 
arms  were  extended,  a pole  laid  across  his 
breast,  and  his  arms  lashed  to  the  pole  with 
cords.  A rope  was  tied  around  his  neck, 
and  stretched  back  just  tight  enough  not  to 
choke  him,  and  fastened  to  a tree  or  stake 
near  his  head.^  In  this  painful  and  uncom- 
fortable situation  he  spent  three  miserable 
nights,  exposed  to  gnats  and  mosquitos  and 
weather.  O,  poor  human  nature,  what 
miserable  wretches  we  are  thus  to  punish  and 
harass  each  other.  (The  frontier  whites  of 
that  day  were  but  little  behind  the  Indians, 
m wiles,  in  cruelty  and  revenge.)  When  the 
Indians  came  within  about  a mile  of  the 
Chillicothe  town  they  halted  and  camped  for 
the  night,  and  fastened  the  poor  unfortunate 
prisoner  in  the  usual  uncomfortable  manner. 
The  Indians,  young  and  old,  came  from  the 
town  to  welcome  the  return  oi  their  successful 
warriors,  and  to  visit  their  prisoner.  The 
Indian  party,  young  and  old,  consisting  of 
about  150,  commenced  dancing,  singing  and 
yelling  around  Kenton,  stopping  occasionally 
and  kicking  and  beating  him  for  amusement. 
In  this  manner  they  tormented  him  for  about 
three  hours,  when  the  cavalcade  returned 
to  town,  and  he  was  left  for  the  rest  of  the 
night,  exhausted  and  forlorn,  to  the  tender 
mercies  of  the  gnats  and  mosquitos. 

Runs  the  Gauntlet. — As  soon  as  it  was 
light  in  the  morning  the  Indians  began  to 
collect  from  the  town,  and  preparations  were 
made  for  fun  and  frolic  at  the  expense  of 
Kenton,  as  he  was  now  doomed  to  run  the 
gauntlet.  The  Indians  were  formed  in  two 
lines,  about  ^ six  feet  apart,  with  each  a 
hickory  in  his  hands,  and  Kenton  placed  be- 
tween the  two  lines,  so  that  each  Indian  could 
beat  him  as  much  as  he  thought  proper  as 
he  ran  through  the  lines.  He  had  not  run 
far  before  he  discovered  an  Indian  with  his 
knife  drawn  to  plunge  it  into  him ; as  soon 
as  Kenton  reached  that  part  of  the  line  where 
the  Indian  stood  who  had  the  knife  drawn  he 
broke  through  the  lines,  and  made  with  all 
speed  for  the  town.  Kenton  had  been  pre- 
viously informed  by  a negro  named  Caesar, 
who  lived  with  the  Indians  and  knew  their 
customs,  that  if  he  could  break  through  the 
Indians’  lines  and  arrive  at  the  council-house 
in  the  town  before  he  was  overtaken,  that  they 


would  not  force  him  a second  time  to  run  the 
gauntlet.  When  he  broke  through  their  lines 
he  ran  at  the  top  of  his  speed  for  the  council- 
house,  pursued  by  two  or  three  hundred  In- 
dians, screaming  like  infernal  furies.  Just  as 
he  had  entered  the  town  he  was  met  by  an 
Indian  leisurely  walking  towards  the  scene  of 
amusement,  wrapped  in  a blanket.  The  In- 
dian threw  off  his  blanket ; and  as  he  was 
fresh,  and  Kenton  nearly  exhausted,  the  In- 
dian caught  him  and  threw  him  down.  In 
a moment  the  whole  party  who  were  in  pur- 
suit came  up,  and  fell  to  cuffing  and  kicking 
him  at  a most  fearful  rate.  They  tore  off  his 
clothes  and  left  him  naked  and  exhausted. 
After  he  had  laid  till  he  had  in  some  degree 
recovered  from  his  exhausted  state  they 
brought  him  some  water  and  something  to 
eat. 

The  Indian  Council. — As  soon  as  his 
strength  was  sufficiently  recovered  they  took 
him  to  the  council-house  to  determine  upon 
his  fate.  Their  manner  of  deciding  his  fate 
was  as  follows : Their  warriors  were  placed 
in  a circle  in  the  council-house  ; an  old  chief 
was  placed  in  the  centre  of  the  circle  with  a 
knife  and  a piece  of  wood  in  his  hands.  A 
number  of  speeches  were  made.  Kenton, 
although  he  did  not  understand  their  lan- 
guage, soon  discovered  by  the  animated  ges- 
tures and  fierce  looks  at  him,  that  a majority 
of  their  speakers  were  contending  for  his 
destruction.  He  could  perceive  that  those 
who  plead  for  mercy  were  received  coolly ; but 
few  grunts  of  approbation  were  uttered  when 
the  orators  closed  their  speeches.  After  the 
orators  ceased  speaking  the  old  chief,  who 
sat  in  the  midst  of  the  circle,  raised  up  and 
handed  a war-club  to  the  man  who  sat  next 
the  door.  They  proceeded  to  take  the  deci- 
sion of  their  court.  All  who  were  for  the 
death  of  the  prisoner  struck  the  war-club  with 
violence  against  the  ground ; those  who  voted 
to  save  the  prisoner’s  life  passed  the  club  to 
his  next  neighbor  without  striking  the  ground. 
Kenton,  from  their  expressive  gestures, 
could  easily  distinguish  the  object  of  their 
vote.  The  old  chief,  who  stood  to  witness  and 
record  the  number  that  voted  for  death  or 
mercy,  as  one  struck  the  ground  with  a war- 
club  made  a mark  on  one  side  of  his  piece 
of  wood ; and  when  the  club  was  passed  with- 
out striking  he  made  a mark  on  the  other, 
Kenton  discovered  that  a large  majority  were 
for  death. 

Sentence  of  Death  being  now  passed  upon 
the  prisoner  they  made  the  welkin  ring  with 
shouts  of  joy.  The  sentence  of  death  being 
passed  there  was  another  question  of  consid- 
erable difficulty  now  presented  itself  to  the 
consideration  of  the  council;  that  was,  the 
time  and  place,  when  and  where  he  should  be 
burnt.  The  orators  again  made  speeches  on 
the  subject,  less  animated  indeed  than  on  the 
trial ; but  some  appeared  to  be  quite  vehe- 
ment for  instant  execution,  while  others  ap- 
peared to  wish  to  make  his  death  a solemn 
national  sacrifice. 

Attenfipt  at  Escape. — After  a long  debate 
the  vote  was  taken,  when  it  was  resolved 


380 


CHAMPAIGN  COUNTY. 


that  the  place  of  his  execution  should  be 
Wapatoinika  (now  Zanesfield,  Logan  county)- 
The  next  morning  he  was  hurried  away  to 
the  place  destined  for  his  execution.  From 
Chillicothe  to  Wapatomika  they  had  to  pass 
through  two  other  Indian  towns,  to  wit : Pick- 
away and  Machecheek.  At  both  towns  he 
was  compelled  to  run  the  gauntlet ; and 
severely  was  he  whipped  through  the  course. 
While  he  lay  at  Machecheek,  being  carelessly 
guarded,  he  made  an  attempt  to  escape. 
Nothing  worse  than  death  could  follow,  and 
here  he  made  a bold  push  for  life  and  free- 
dom. Being  unconfined  he  broke  and  run, 
and  soon  cleared  himself  out  of  sight  of  his 
pursuers.  While  he  distanced  his  pursuers, 
and  got  about  two  miles  from  the  town,  he 
accidentally  met  some  Indians  on  horseback. 
They  instantly  pursued  and  soon  came  up 
with  him,  and  drove  him  back  again  to  town. 
He  now,  for  the  first  time,  gave  up  his  case 
as  hopeless.  Nothing  but  death  stared  him 
in  the  face.  Fate,  it  appeared  to  him_,  had 
sealed  his  doom  ; and  in  sullen  despair  he 
determined  to  await  that  doom,  that  it  was 
impossible  for  him  to  shun.  How  inscruta- 
ble are  the  ways  of  Providence,  and  how  little 
can  man  control  his  destiny  ! When  the  In- 
dians returned  with  Kenton  to  the  town  there 
was  a general  rejoicing.  He  was  pinioned 
and  given  over  to  the  young  Indians,  who 
dragged  him  into  the  creek,  tumbled  him  in 
the  water,  and  rolled  him  in  the  mud  till  he 
was  nearly  suffocated  with  mud  and  water. 
In  this  way  they  amused  themselves  with 
him  till  he  was  nearly  drowned.  He  now 
thought  himself  forsaken  by  God.  Shortly 
after  this  his  tormentors  moved  with  him  to 
Wapatomika. 

An  Unexpected  Friend. — As  soon  as  he 
arrived  at  this  place  the  Indians,  young  and 
old,  male  and  female,  crowded  around  the 
prisoner.  Among  others  who  came  to  see 
him  was  the  celebrated  and  notorious  Simon 
Girty.  It  will  be  recollected*  that  Kenton 
and  Girty  were  bosom  companions  at  Fort 
Pitt,  and  on  the  campaign  with  Lord  Dun- 
more.  As  it  was  the  custom  of  the  Indians 
to  black  such  prisoners  as  were  intended  to 
be  put  to  death,  Girty  did  not  immediately 
recognize  Kenton  in  his  black  disguise. 
Girty  came  forward  and  inquired  of  Kenton 
where  he  had  lived.  Was  answered  Ken- 
tucky. He  next  inquired  how  many  men 
there  were  in  Kentucky.  He  answered  he  did 
not  know  ; but  would  give  him  the  names 
and  rank  of  the  officers,  and  he,  Girty,  could 
judge  of  the  probable  number  of  men.  Ken- 
ton then  named  a great  many  officers  and 
their  rank,  many  of  whom  had  honorary 
titles  without  any  command.  At  length  Girty 
asked  the  i)risoner  his  name.  When  he  was 
answered  Simon  Butler  (it  will  be  recol- 
lected that  he  changed  his  name  when  he 
fled  from  his  parents  and  home)  Girty  eyed 
him  for  a moment,  and  immediately  recog- 
nized the  active  and  bold  youth  who  had  been 
his  companion  in  arms  about  Fort  Pitt,  and 
on  the  campaign  with  Lord  Dunmore.  Girty 
threw  him.self  into  Kenton’s  arms,  embraced 


and  wept  aloud  over  him — calling  him  hlg 
dear  and  esteemed  friend.  This  hardened 
wretch,  who  had  been  the  cause  of  the  death 
of  hundreds,  had  some  of  the  sparks  of 
humanity  remaining  in  him,  and  wept  like  a 
child  at  the  tragical  fate  which  hung  over  his 
friend.  “Well,”  said  he  to  Kenton,  “you 
are  condemned  to  die,  but  I will  use  every 
means  in  my  power  to  save  your  life.  ’ ’ 

Girty  immediately  had  a council  convened, 
and  made  a long  speech  to  the  Indians  to 
save  the  life  of  the  prisoner.  As  Girty  was 
proceeding  through  his  speech  he  became 
very  animated ; and  under  his  powerful 
eloquence  Kenton  could  plainly  discover  the 
grim  visages  of  his  savage  judges  relent. 
When  Girty  concluded  his  powerful  and 
animated  speech  the  Indians  rose  with  one 
simultaneous  grunt  of  approbation,  saved 
the  prisoner’s  life,  and  placed  him  under 
the  care  and  protection  of  his  old  companion, 
Girty. 

More  Trouble. — The  British  had  a trading 
establishment  then  at  Wapatomika.  Girty 
took  Kenton  with  him  to  the  store  and  dressed 
him  from  head  to  foot,  as  well  as  he  could 
wish  ; he  was  also  provided  with  a horse  and 
saddle.  Kenton  was  now  free,  and  roamed 
about  through  the  country  from  Indian  town 
to  town,  in  company  with  his  benefactor. 
How  uncertain  is  the  fate  of  nations  as  well 
as  that  of  individuals  ! How  sudden  the 
changes  from  adversity  to  prosperity,  and 
from  prosperity  to  adversity  ! Kenton  being 
a strong,  robust  man,  with  an  iron  frame, 
with  a resolution  that  never  winced  at  dan- 
ger, and  fortitude  to  bear  pain  with  the  com- 
posure of  a stoic,  he  soon  recovered  from  his 
scourges  and  bruises,  and  the  other  severe 
treatment  he  had  received.  It  is  thought 
probable  that  if  the  Indians  had  continued  to 
treat  him  with  kindness  and  respect  he  would 
eventually  have  become  one  of  them.  _ He 
had  but  few  inducements  to  return  again  to 
the  whites.  He  was  then  a fugitive  from 
justice,  had  changed  his  name,  and  he 
thought  it  his  interest  to  keep  as  far  from  his 
former  acquaintances  as  possible.  After 
Kenton  and  his  benefactor  had  been  roaming 
about  for  some  time,  a war  party  of  Indians, 
who  had  been  on  an  expedition  to  the  neigh- 
borhood of  Wheeling,  returned  ; they  had 
been  defeated  by  the  whites,  some  of  their 
men  were  killed,  and  others  wounded.  Wh  en 
this  defeated  party  returned  they  were  sullen, 
chagrined  and  full  of  revenge,  and  determined 
to  kill  any  of  the  whites  who  came  within 
their  grasp.  Kenton  was  the  only  white  man 
upon  whom  they  could  satiate  their  revenge. 
Kenton  and  Girty  were  then  at  Solomon’s 
town,  a small  distance  from  Wapatomika.  A 
message  was  immediately  sent_  to  Girty  to 
return  and  bring  Kenton  with  him.  The  two 
friends  met  the  messenger  on  their  way.  The 
messenger  shook  hands  with  Girty,  but  re- 
fused the  hand  of  Kenton. 

The  Second  Council. — Girty,  after  talking 
aside  with  the  messenger  some  time,  said  to 
Kenton,  they  have  sent  for  us  to  attend  a 
grand  council  at  Wapatomika.  They  hur- 


CHAMPAIGN  COUNTY. 


381 


ried  to  the  town  ; and  when  they  arrived  there 
the  council-house  was  crowded.  When 
Girty  went  into  the  house,  the  Indians  all 
rose  up  and  shook  hands  with  him  ; but 
when  Kenton  offered  his  hand,  it  was  refused 
with  a scowl  of  contempt.  This  alarmed 
him  ; he  began  to  admit  the  idea  that  this 
sudden  convention  of  the  council,  and  their 
refusing  his  hand,  boded  him  some  evil. 
After  the  members  of  the  council  were  seated 
in  their  usual  manner,  the  war  chief  of  the 
defeated  party  rose  up  and  made  a most  vehe- 
ment speech,  frequently  turning  his  fiery  and 
revengeful  eyes  on  Kenton  during  his  speech. 
Girty  was  the  next  to  arise  and  address  the 
council  He  told  them  that  he  had  lived 
with  them  several  years  ; that  he  had  risked 
his  life  in  that  time  more  frequently  than 
any  of  them  ; that  they  all  knew  that  he  had 
never  spared  the  life  of  one  of  the  hated 
Americans  ; that  they  well  knew  that  he  had 
never  asked  for  a division  of  the  spoils  ; that 
he  fought  alone  for  the  destruction  of  their 
enemies ; and  he  now  requested  them  to 
spare  the  life  of  this  young  man  on  his  ac- 
count. The  young  man,  he  said,  was  his 
early  friend,  for  whom  he  felt  the  tenderness 
of  a parent  for  a son,  and  he  hoped,  after 
the  many  evidences  that  he  had  given  of  his 
attachment  to  the  Indian  cause,  they  would 
not  hesitate  to  grant  his  request.  If  they 
would  indulge  him  in  granting  his  request  to 
spare  the  life  of  this  young  man,  he  would 
pledge  himself  never  to  ask  them  again  to 
«pare  the  life  of  a hated  American. 

Again  Sentenced  to  Death. — Several  chiefs 
spoke  in  succession  on  this  important  subject ; 
and  with  the  most  apparent  deliberation,  the 
council  decided,  by  an  overwhelming  major- 
ity, for  death.  After  the  decision  of  this 

frand  court  was  announced,  Girty  went  to 
[enton,  and  embracing  him  very  tenderly, 
said  that  he  very  sincerely  sympathized  with 
him  in  his  forlorn  and  unfortunate  situation ; 
that  he  had  used  all  the  efforts  he  was  master 
of  to  save  his  life,  but  it  was  now  decreed 
that  he  must  die — that  he  could  do  no  more 
for  him.  Awful  doom! 

It  will  be  recollected,  that  this  was  in  1778, 
in  the  midst  of  the  American  revolution. 
Upper  Sandusky  was  then  the  place  where 
the  British  paid  their  western  Indian  allies 
their  annuities ; and  as  time  might  effect 
what  his  eloquence  could  not,  Girty,  as  a 
last  resort,  persuaded  the  Indians  to  convey 
their  prisoner  to  Sandusky,  as  there  would 
meet  vast  numbers  to  receive  their  presents  ; 
that  the  assembled  tribes  could  there  witness 
the  solemn  scene  of  the  death  of  the  pris- 
oner. To  this  proposition  the  council  agreed  ; 
and  the  prisoner  was  placed  in  the  care  of 
five  Indians,  who  forthwith  set  off  for  Upper 
Sandusky.  What  windings,  and  twistings, 
and  turnings,  were  seen  in  the  fate  of  our 
hero. 

Logan,  the  Mingo  Chief. — As  the  Indians 
passed  from  Wapatomika  to  Upper  San- 
dusky, they  went  through  a small  village  on 
the  river  Scioto,  where  then  resided  the  cele- 
brated chief,  Logan,  of  Jefferson  memory. 


Logan,  unlike  the  rest  of  his  tribe,  was 
humane  as  he  was  brave.  At  his  wigwam 
the  party  who  had  the  care  of  the  prisoner 
staid  over  night.  During  the  evening,  Logan 
entered  into  coriversation  with  the  prisoner. 
The  next  morning  he  told  Kenton  that  he 
would  detain  the  party  that  day — that  he  had 
sent  two  of  his.  young  men  off  the  night 
before  to  Upper  Sandusky,  to  speak  a good 
word  for  him.  Logan  was  great  and  good — 
the  friend  of  all  men.  In  the  course  of  the 
following  evening  his  young  men  returned, 
and  early  the  next  morning  the  guard  set  off 
with  the  prisoner  for  Upper  Sandusky. 
When  Kenton’s  party  set  off  from  Logan’s, 
Logan  shook  hands  with  the  prisoner,  but 
gave  no  intimation  as  to  what  might  prob- 
ably be  his  fate.  The  party  went  on  with 
Kenton  till  they  came  in  view  of  the  Upper 
Sandusky  town.  The  Indians,  young  and 
old,  came  out  to  meet  and  welcome  the  war- 
riors, and  view  the  prisoner.  Here  he  was 
not  compelled  to  run  the  gauntlet.  A grand 
council  was  immediately  convened  to  deter- 
mine upon  the  fate  of  Kenton.  This  was 
the  fourth  council  which  was  held  to  dispose 
of  the  life  of  the  prisoner. 

Peter  Druyer. — As  soon  as  this  grand  court 
was  organized  and  ready  to  proceed  to  busi- 
ness, a Canadian  Frenchman,  by  the  name 
of  Peter  Druj^er,  who  was  a captain  in  the 
British  service,  and  dressed  in  the  gaudy 
appendages  of  the  British  uniform,  made  his 
appearance  in  the  council.  This  Druyer  was 
born  and  raised  in  Detroit — he  was  connected 
with  the  British  Indian  agent  department — 
was  their  principal  interpreter  in  settling  In- 
dian affairs ; this  made  him  a man  of  great 
consequence  among  the  Indians.  It  was  to 
this  influential  man  that  the  good  chief 
Logan,  the  friend  of  all  the  human  family, 
sent  his  young  men  to  intercede  for  the  life 
of  Kenton.  His  judgment  and  address  w’ere 
only  equalled^  by  his  humanity.  His  fore- 
sight in  selecting  the  agent,  who  it  was  most 
probable  could  save  the  life  of  the  prisoner, 
proves  his  judgment  and  his  knowledge  of 
the  human  heart.  As  soon  as  the  grand 
council  was  organized,  Capt.  Druyer  requested 
permission  to  address  the  council.  This  per- 
mission was  instantly  granted.  He  began  his 
speech  by  stating,  ‘‘that  it  was  w^ell  known 
that  it  was  the  wish  and  interest  of  the  Eng- 
lish that  not  an  American  should  be  left 
alive.  That  the  Americans  were  the  cause  of 
the  present  bloody  and  distressing  war — that 
neither  peace  nor  safety  could  be  expected, 
so  long  as  these  intruders  were  permitted  to 
live  upon  the  earth.”  This  part  of  his 
speech  received  repeated  grunts  of  appro- 
bation. He  then  explained  to  the  Indians, 

‘ ‘ that  the  war,  to  be  carried  on  successfully, 
required  cunning  as  well  as  bravery — that  the 
intelligence  which  might  be  extorted  from  a 
prisoner  would  be  of  more  advantage,  in  con- 
ducting the  future ^ operations  of  the  war, 
than  would  be  the  lives  of  twenty  prisoners. 
That  he  had  no  doubt  but  the  commanding 
officer  at  Detroit  could  procure  information 
from  the  prisoner  now  before  them  that  would 


$82 


CHAMPAIGN  COUNTY. 


be  of  incalculable  advantage  to  them  in  the 
progress  of  the  present  war.  Under  these 
circumstances,  he  hoped  they  would  defer  the 
death  of  the  prisoner  till  he  was  taken  to 
Detroit  and  examined  by  the  commanding 
eneral.  After  which  he  could  be  brought 
ack,  and  if  thought  advisable,  upon  further 
consideration,  he  might  be  put  to  death  in 
any  manner  they  thought  proper.  ’ ’ He  next 
noticed,  “that  they  had  already  a great  deal 
of  trouble  and  fatigue  with  the  prisoner 
without  being  revenged  upon  him  ; but  that 
they  had  got  back  all  the  horses  the  prisoner 
had  stolen  from  them,  and  killed  one  of  his 
comrades  ; and  to  insure  them  something  for 
their  fatigue  and  trouble,  he  himself  would 
give  them  $100  in  rum  and  tobacco,  or 
any  other  articles  they  would  choose,  if 
they  would  let  him  take  the  prisoner  to 


Detroit,  to  be  examined  by  the  British  gen 
eral.  ’ ’ 

Kenton's  Release. — The  Indians,  without 
hesitation,  agreed  to  Capt.  Druyer’s  proposi- 
tion, and  he  paid  down  the  ransom.  As  soon 
as  these  arrangements  were  concluded,  Dru- 
yer  and  a principal  chief  set  off  with  the 
prisoner  for  Lower  Sandusky.  From  this 
place  they  proceeded  by  water  to  Detroit, 
where  they  arrived  in  a few  days.  Here  the 
prisoner  was  handed  over  to  the  commanding 
officer,  and  lodged  in  the  fort  as  a prisoner 
of  war.  He  was  now  out  of  danger  from 
the  Indians,  and  was  treated  with  the  usual 
attention  of  prisoners  of  war  in  civilized 
countries.  The  British  commander  gave  the 
Indians  some  additional  remuneration  for  the 
life  of  the  prisoner,  and  they  returned  satisfied 
to  join  their  countrymen  at  Wapatomika. 


As  soon  as  Kenton^s  mind  was  out  of  suspense,  his  robust  constitution  and  iron 
frame  in  a few  days  recovered  from  the  severe  treatment  they  had  undergone. 
Kenton  remained  at  Detroit  until  the  June  following,  when  he  with  other  prisoners 
escaped,  and  after  enduring  great  privations  rejoined  their  friends. 

About  the  year  1802  he  settled  in  Urbana,  where  he  remained  some  years,  and 
was  elected  brigadier-general  of  militia.  In  the  war  of  1812  he  joined  the  army 
of  Gen.  Harrison,  and  was  at  the  battle  of  the  Moravian  town,  where  he  displayed 
his  usual  intrepidity.  About  the  year  1820  he  moved  to  the  head  of  Mad  river. 
A few  years  after,  through  the  exertions  of  Judge  Burnet  and  Gen.  Vance,  a pen- 
sion of  $20  per  month  was  granted  to  him,  which  secured  his  declining  age  from 
want.  He  died  in  1836,  at  which  time  he  had  been  a member  of  the  Methodist 
church  about  eighteen  years.  The  frosts  of  more  than  eighty  winters  had  fallen 
on  his  head  without  entirely  whitening  his  locks.  His  biographer  thus  describes 
his  personal  appearance  and  character : 

Gen.  Kenton  was  of  fair  complexion,  six 
feet  one  inch  in  height.  He  stood  and  walked 
very  erect,  and,  in  the  prime  of  life,  weighed 
about  190  pounds.  He  never  was  inclined  to 
be  corpulent,  although  of  sufficient  fulness  to 
form  a graceful  person.  He  had  a soft, 
tremulous  voice,  very  pleasing  to  the  hearer. 

He  had  laughing  gray  eyes,  which  appeared 
to  fascinate  the  beholder.  He  was  a pleas- 
ant, good-humored,  and  obliging  companion. 


When  excited  or  provoked  to  anger  (which 
was  seldom  the  case)  the  fiery  glance  of  his 
eye  would  almost  curdle  the  blood  of  those 
with  whom  he  came  in  contact.  His  rage, 
when  roused,  was  a tornado.  In  his  dealing 
he  was  perfectly  honest;  his  confidence  in 
man  and  his  credulity  were  such  that  the 
same  man  might  cheat  him  twenty  times,  and 
if  he  professed  friendship  he  might  cheat 
him  still. 


The  grave  and  monument  of  Gov.  Vance  is  in  Oakdale  cemetery,  near  that  of 
Simon  Kenton.  Joseph  Vance  was  born  in  Washington,  Pa.,  in  1786,  of 
Scotch-Irish  stock.  In  1805  he  came  with  his  father  to  Urbana,  and  took  an 
active  part  in  public  matters  : was  a militia  officer  prior  to  and  during  the  war  of 
1812  ; was  member  of  the  State  Legislature  in  1812  ; member  of  Congress  from 
1820  to  1836,  and  again  in  1843;  governor  in  1837  and  in  1851.  While  acting 
as  a member  of  the  convention  to  revise  the  Constitution  of  the  State  was  stricken 
with  paralysis,  and  the  next  year  died  on  his  farm,  two  miles  north  of  Urbana. 
In  politics  he  was  a Whig  of  the  Henry  Clay  school ; a great  friend  of  public  im- 
provements, and  one  of  the  first  men  in  the  county  to  import  thoroughbred  stock. 
BeePs  History  of  Champaign  County  says  of  him  ; 

^Mn  1827  he  advocated  the  repair  and  extension  of  the  National  road,  then 
called  the  Cumberland  road,  through  Ohio  and  other  States  of  the  West,  and  in  a 
speech  in  Congress  in  support  of  a bill  before  the  House,  made  some  hard  thrusts 
at  the  advocates  of  State  rights.  It  was  at  a time  when  the  ^Code’  settled  such 
matters,  attacks  in  the  House  being  satisfied  in  the  field.  But  it  was  understood 


CHAMPAIGN  COUNTY,  3^3 

not  only  that  the  general  would  fight,  but  that  he  was  a dead  shot  with  the  rifle, 
and  nothing  more  was  said  about  fighting. 

Gov.  Vance  was  about  five  feet  ten  inches  in  height,  with  a large  frame  inclined 
to  corpulency.  He  had  a large  head  and  forehead,  and  a strongly  marked  facd 
The  eyebrows  were  heavy,  and  the  right  eye  nearly  closed,  as  though  pained  by 
the  sunlight.  He  always  wore  a standing  shirt-collar,  loose  around  the  neck,  and 
not  always  square  with  his  chin,  and  a small  black  cravat  or  neckerchief  tied  with 
a small  bow-knot.  At  home  and  among  his  neighbors  he  was  partial  to  a blouse 
and  jeans  pantaloons,  and  had  a great  dislike  to  the  fashionable  cut  of  the  latter. 
In  his  public  life  he  wore,  according  to  the  custom  of  that  day,  the  conventional 
suit  of  black  cloth. 

To  young  men  whom  he  met  he  was  pleasant  and  talkative,  and  had  a happy 
faculty  of  describing  scenes  of  public  life  he  had  witnessed  and  the  juiblic  men  he 
had  met,  talking  in  an  easy  conversational  way  of  the  every-day  life  not  often 
found  in  the  books  and  papers.  As  a speaker  he  had  a strong,  rich  voice,  speaking 
with  great  earnestness  and  force,  and  without  the  arts  of  the  practised  debater,  and 
in  the  heat  of  discussion  apt  to  indulge  in  an  argument  ad  hominem.^^ 

John  Quincy  Adams  Ward,  regarded  as  America’s  first  sculptor,  was  born 
in  June,  1830,  in  the  family  homestead, 
still  standing  on  the  southwest  border 
of  the  town,  and  occupied  by  the  sisters 
of  the  artist.  He  was  well  born.  His 
mother’s  maiden  name  was  MacBeth ; 
his  father  was  John  A.  Ward,  a farmer, 
and  owner  of  about  600  acres  of  land, 
which  he  inherited  from  his  father.  Col. 

William  Ward,  the  first  settler  and 
proprietor  of  the  site  of  Urbana. 

In  one  of  the  rooms  of  the  mansion 
is  an  elaborately  carved  mantelpiece,  in 
front  of  which  stood  the  parents  of  the 
artist  when  they  were  married.  Among 
the  curiosities  is  a plaster  bust  of  a 
young  girl,  a niece,  which  is  the  first 
model  he  ever  made — ^the  expression  is 
sweet  and  soft ; a portrait  of  his 
mother  in  basso-relievo,  and  a plaster 
statuette ; a model  of  Simon  Kenton  in 
a hunter’s  garb,  leaning  on  a rifle. 

Session’s  paper  on  ^^Art  and  Artists  in  Ohio  ” give  these  items  in  regard  to  him : 


JOHN  Q.  A.  WARD. 


He  received  his  first  instmctions  from 
teachers  in  the  family,  then  in  the  village 
schools,  and  lastly  from  John  Ogden,  a good 
scholar  and  worthy  lawyer,  who  is  still  living 
in  Urbana.  ^ An  old  series  of  the  “Encyclope- 
dia Britannica  ” proved  a great  storehouse  of 
knowledge  to  him.  From  childhood  he 
worked  images  in  clay  of  dogs  and  other 
animals,  of  objects,  as  men  on  horseback,  etc. 
The  first  work  of  art  he  ever  saw  was  a 
copy  of  a head  of  Apollo  in  terra  cotta,  by 
Hiram  Powers,  which  was  owned  by  John 
H.  James,  of  Urbana. 

From  sixteen  to  eighteen  he  suffered  from 
malaria  and  general  ill-health,  and  was 
depressed  in  spirits.  ^ At  the  latter  age  Mrs. 
Thomas,  a married  sister  living  in  Brooklyn, 
N.  Y.,  said  to  him,  “Quincy,  would  you 


really  like  to  become  an  artist? ” His  reply 
being  a bashful  “ Yes,”  he  was  taken  to  New 
York  in  his  eighteenth  year,  but  for  many 
weeks  could  not  muster  up  courage  to  enter 
the  door  of  Henry  K.  Browp’s  studio, 
although  he  was  a friend  of  his  sister’s  fam- 
ily. Finally  he  ventured  to  timidly  ask  him 
if  he  would  take  him  as  an  art  student. 
Brown  told  him  to  go  back  home  and  model 
something,  so  that  he  could  see  what  he  could 
do. 

He  shot  across  to  New  York,  bought  a 
copy  of  the  “ Venus  de  Medicis,”  and  lugged 
home  a bag  of  clay  over  a distance  of  two 
miles,  and  went  to  work.  He  took  his  clay 
“Venus”  to  Brown,  and  was  accepted  at 
once  as  a student.  He  worked  over  six  years 
with  his  master  very  hard.  He  executed  a 


384 


CHAMPAIGN  COUNTY. 


wolf’s  head  for  a fountain  in  Mexico,  for 
which  Brown  paid  him  $10,  the  first  money 
he  ever  earned.  In  this  studio  he  learned  all 
the  minute  details  of  the  sculptor’s  art.  The 
Frenchmen  employed  to  assist  in  the  mechan- 
ical expert  work  in  connection  with  the  erection 
of  the  equestrian  statue  of  Washington  ” in 
Union  Square  having  “struck,”  Ward  told 
Brown  to  discharge  the  whole  lot,  as  they 
could  complete  the  statue  themselves.  Ward 
says  he  spent  more  days  in  the  bronze  horse’s 
belly  than  Jonah  spent  in  the  belly  of  the 
whale. 

The  greater  part  of  1857-58  Ward  spent 
in  Washington  City,  modelling  busts  of  John 
F.  Hale,  A.  H.  Stephens,  J.  B.  Giddings 
and  Hannibal  Hamlin.  He  came  to  Colum- 
bus early  in  1861  with  a model  of  a statue  of 
Simon  Kenton,  hoping  to  obtain  a commission 
from  the  State.  While  here  he  executed  a 
bust  of  Gov.  Dennison. 

His  next  eifort  was  the  now  famous  “In- 
dian Hunter,”  in  Central  Park,  which  had 
an  enormous  success  from  the  first.  Six 
copies  in  bronze,  reduced  in  size,  were  sold 
on  highly  remunerative  terms.  Then  fol- 
lowed the  execution  of  the  principal  of 
Ward’s  w^orks,  in  this  order:  “The  Freed- 
man ; ” bust  of  Dr.  Dewey,  in  marble; 
statue,  colossal,  of  Commodore  M.  C.  Perry, 
in  New  York;  “ Seventh  Begiment  Soldier,” 
bronze,  heroic,  in  Central  Park  ; “The  Good 
Samaritan;”  statue  of  Gen.  Beynolds ; 
“Shakspeare,”  in  Central  Park;  “Gen.  Is- 


rael Putnam,  ’ ’ heroic  size,  in  Hartford ; ‘ ‘ Wil- 
liam Gilmore  Simms,”  bust,  in  Charleston  ; 
“Gen.  George  H.  Thomas,”  equestrian,  in 
Washington;  “The  Pilgrim,”  heroic,  in 
Central  Park;  “Washington,”  bronze  and 
colossal,  in  Wall  street;  “William  E. 
Dodge,”  in  New  York. 

Mr.  Ward  has  recently  finished  a colossal 
statue  of  “Garfield,”  which  has  been  placed 
in  Washington  City  by  the  army  of  the  Cum- 
berland. He  has  also  completed  the  model 
of  a gigantic  soldiers’  monument  for  the  city 
of  Brooklyn.  This  last  work  will  probably 
be  the  masterpiece  of  this  sculptor.  It  illus- 
trates our  whole  military  history  from  the 
revolution  to  the  rebellion,  including  the  war 
of  181^  and  the  war  with  Mexico.  Wash- 
ington, Jackson,  Scott  and  Grant  appropri- 
ately represent  the  four  periods.  It  is  by 
the  universal  judgment  of  American  artists 
and  art  critics  Quincy  Ward  is  placed  first 
among  American  sculptors.  H.  K.  Brown 
once  said  that  “Ward  had  more  genius  than 
Greenough,  Crawford,  Powders  and  all  the 
other  American  sculptors  combined.  ’ ’ 

Eastman  Johnson,  James  H.  Beard  and 
other  eminent  artists  have  affirmed  that 
Ward  has  passed  beyond  Story,  Ball,  Thomp- 
son and  all  other  rivals,  and  is  now  without  a 
peer  as  a sculptor.  He  is  unquestionably  the 
greatest  artist  that  this  country  has  yet  pro- 
duced. Numerous  commissions  for  forty, 
sixty,  and  a hundred  thousand  dollars  now 
await  his  execution. 


THE  AD  WHITE  SLAVE-RESCUE  CASE. 

Mechanicsburg  in  the  days  of  the  Underground  Railroad  was  one  of  the  regular 
depots  tor  the  tieeing  fugitives  from  slavery.  Her  people  were  noted  for  their 
abhorrence  of  the  institution,  and  never  failed  to  give  such  shelter  and  protection. 
In  1857,  when  ^Ghe  Fugitive  Slave  Law’^  was  in  operation,  an  attempt  was  made 
by  the  United  States  authorities  to  seize  a slave  (one  Ad  White),  who  had  found  a 
home  with  a farmer  in  the  vicinity  of  the  village.  The  circumstances  we  copy 
from  Beer’s  History  of  Clark  County.” 


Ad  White,  a fugitive  from  Kentucky  bear- 
ing the  surname  of  bis  master,  made  his  way  to 
the  place  of  rest  for  the  oppressed,  and, 
thinking  he  was  far  enough  away,  had  qui- 
etly settled  down  to  work  on  tbe  farm  of 
Udney  Hyde,  near^  Mechanicsburg.  His 
master  had  tracked  him  to  the  farm  of  Hyde, 
and  obtained  a warrant  for  his  arrest  at  the 
United  States  Court  in  Cincinnati.  Ben 
Churchill,  with  eight  others,  undertook  his 
capture.  Ad  was  at  that  time  a powerful 
man,  able  and  willing  to  whip  his  weight  in 
wildcats,  if  necessary,  and  had  exiiressed  his 
determination  never  to  return  to  slavery 
alive.  Churchill  & Co.  had  been  advised  of 
this,  and  made  their  approaches  to  Hyde’s 
house  cautiously,  informing  some  persons 
in  Mechanicsburg  of  their  business,  and 
suggesting  to  then"  ' ^ go  out  and  see 
the  fun,  which  invitation  was  promptly  ac- 
cepted. Ad  slept  in  the  loft  of  Hyde’s 
house,  to  which  access  could  only  be  obtained 
by  means  of  a ladder,  and  ouc  peraou  only 
at  a time. 


Here  he  had  provided  himself  with  such 
articles  of  defence  as  a rifle,  a double-bar- 
relled shotgun,  revolver,  knife  and  axe,  and 
had  the  steady  nerve  and  skill  to  use  them 
successfully  if  circumstances  forced  him  to. 
Churchill  and  party  arrived  at  Hyde’s  and 
found  the  game  in  his  retreat.  They  parleyed 
with  him  for  some  time,  coaxed  him  to  come 
down,  ordered  old  man  Hyde  to  go  up  and 
bring  him  out,  deputized  the  men  who  fol- 
lowed them  to  go  up,  but  all  declined,  telling 
them  that  five  men  ought  to  be  able  to  take 
one.  White  finally  proposed,  in  order  to  re- 
lieve Hyde  of  danger  of  compromise,  if  the 
five  marshals  would  lay  aside  their  arms  and 
permit  him  to  go  into  an  adjoining  field,  and 
they  could  then  overpower  him,  he  w^ould 
make  no  further  resistance ; but  so  long  as 
they  persisted  in  their  advantage  he  would 
remain  where  he  was,  and  kill  the  first  man 
who  attempted  to  enter  the  loft. 

Deputy-Marshal  Elliott,  of  Cincinnati,  was 
the  first  and  only  one  to  attempt  to  enter 
where  White  was,  and  as  his  body  passed 


CHAMPAIGN  COUNTY. 


385 


above  the  floor  of  the  loft  he  held  a shotgun 
before  him,  perhaps  to  protect  himself,  but 
particularly  to  scare  White.  But  White  was 
not  to  be  scared  that  way.  He  meant  what 
he  said  wlmn  he  warned  them  to  let  him 
alone,  and,  quick  as  thought,  the  sharp 
crack  of  a rifle  rang  out  on  the  air,  and  Elli- 
ott dropped  to  the  floor,  not  killed,  but  saved 
by  his  gun,  the  ball  having  struck  the  bar- 
rel, and  thus  prevented  another  tragedy  in 
the  slavehunter’s  path.  This  was  the  only 
effort  made  to  dislodge  White,  and  after 
consultation  they  left  for  Urbana,  going 
thence  to  Cincinnati.  The  gentlemen  who 
had  followed  them  out  to  Hyde’s  rallied  them 
considerably  on  their  failure,  and  in  all  proba- 
bility were  not  very  choice  in  their  English 
to  express  their  opinions  of  “ slave-hunters.  ’ ’ 

Chagrined  and  mortified  by  their  failure, 
and  smarting  under  the  shai*])  railleries  of  the 
bystanders,  Churchill  and  Elliott  made  their 
report  to  the  court  at  Cincinnati,  and  made 
oath  that  Azro  L.  IMann,  Charles  Taylor, 
David  Tullis  and  Udney  Hyde  had  interfered 
and  prevented  the  capture  of  the  negro 
White,  and  refused  to  assist  when  called 
upon.  W arrants  were  issued  for  their  arrest, 
and  a posse  of  fourteen,  headed  by  Churchill 
and  Elliott,  went  to  Mechanicsburg  and  took 
them  in  custody.  The  men^  were  prominent 
in  the  community,  and  their  arrest  created 
intense  excitement. 

Parties  followed  the  marshals,  expecting 
them  to  go  to  Urbana  to  board  the  cars  for 
Cincinnati,  but  they  left  the  main  road, 
striking  through  the  country,  their  actions 
creating  additional  excitement,  causing  suspi- 
cion of  abduction.  A party  went  at  once 
to  Urbana  and  obtained  from  Judge  S. 
V.  Baldwin  a writ  of  habeas  corpus,  com- 
manding the  marshals  to  bring  their  prisoners 
and  show  by  what  authority  they  were  held. 
John  Clark,  Jr.,  then  sheriff  of  Champaign 
county,  summoned  a posse  and  started  in 
pursuit,  overtaking  the  marshals  with  their 
prisoners  just  across  the  county  line,  at  Ca- 
tawba, when  the  two  parties  dined  together. 
In  the  meantime  Judge  Ichabod  Corwin  and 
Hon.  J.  C.  Brand  went  to  Springfield  with  a 
copy  of  the  writ,  and  started  Sheriff  John 
E.  Layton,  of  Clark  county,  and  his  deputy 
to  intercept  them  at  South  Charleston.  They 
reached  there  just  as  the  marshals  passed 
through,  and  overtook  them  half  a mile  be- 
yond the  town. 

In  attempting  to  serve  the  writ,  Layton 
was  assaulted  by  Elliott  with  a slung-shot, 
furiously  and  brutally  beaten  to  the  ground, 
receiving  injuries  from  which  he  never  fully 
recovered.  Layton’s  deputy,  Compton,  was 
shot  at  several  times,  but  escaped  unhurt, 
and  when  he  saw  his  superior  stricken  down 
and  helpless,  he  went  to  him  and  permitted 
the  marshals  to  resume  their  journey.  Sher- 
iff Cla.'k  and  his  party  came  up  soon  after, 
and  Sheriff  Layton  was  borne  back  to  South 
Charleston  in  a dying  condition,  it  was  sup- 
posed, but  a powerful  constitution  withstood 
the  tremendous  shock,  although  his  health 
was  never  fully  restored. 


The  assault  on  Sheriff  Layton  was  at  once 
telegraphed  to  Springfield  and  other  points, 
causing  intense  excitement  and  arousing  great 
indignation.  Parties  were  organized  and  the 
capture  of  the  marshals  undertaken  in  ear- 
nest. Their  track  now  lay  through  Greene 
county.  Sheriff  Lewis  was  telegraphed  for, 
and  joined  the  party.  On  the  following 
morning,  near  the  village  of  Lumberton,  in 
Greene  county,  the  State  officers,  headed  by 
Sheriff  Lewis,  overtook  the  marshals,  who 
surrendered  without  resistance.  The  pris- 
oners were  taken  to  Urbana,  before  Judge 
Baldwin,  and  released,  as  no  one  appeared  to 
show  why  they  were  arrested,  or  should  be 
detained. 

The  United  States  marshals  were  all  ar- 
rested at  Spring-field,  on  their  way  to  Urbana, 
for  assault  with  intent  to  kill,  and,  being  un- 
able to  furnish  security,  were  lodged  in  jail 
over  night.  James  S.  Christie  was  justice 
of  the  peace  at  the  time,  and  issued  the  war- 
rants for  the  arrest  of  the  marshals  ; the  ex- 
citement was  so  great  that  the  examination 
was  held  in  the  old  court-house,  which  proved 
too  small  for  the  crowd.  Mr.  Christie  was 
one  of  those  who  w'ere  obliged  to  attend  at 
Cincinnati.  The  marshals  again  returned  to 
Cincinnati  and  procured  warrants  for  the 
arrest  of  the  four  persons  released  upon 
habeas  corpus,  together  with  a large  number 
of  the  citizens  of  Mechanicsburg,  Urbana, 
Springfield  and  Xenia,  who  participated  in 
the  capture  of  the  marshals. 

In  Champaign  county  the  feeling  against 
the  enforcement  of  this  feature  of  the  fugi- 
tive slave  law  had  become  so  intense  that  the 
officers  serving  the  warrants  were  in  danger 
of  violence.  Ministers  of  the  gospel  and 
many  of  the  best  and  most  responsible  citi- 
zens of  Urbana  said  to  Judge  Baldwin,  Judge 
Corwin,  Judge  Brand  and  Sheriff  Clark,  on 
the  day  of  arrest:  “If  you  do  not  want  to 
go,  say  the  word,  and  we  will  protect  you,” 
feeling  that  the  conflict  was  inevitable,  and 
might  as  well  be  precipitated  at  that  time. 
These  men,  however,  counselled  moderation, 
and  were  ready  and  willing  to  suffer  the  in- 
convenience, expense  and  harassment  of 
prosecution  for  the  sake  of  testing  this  fea- 
ture of  the  slave-driver’s  law,  and  also  in 
hope  and  belief  that  it  would  make  it  more 
odious,  and  secure  its  early  repeal  or 
change. 

The  cases  of  Udney  Hyde  and  Hon.  J.  C. 
Brand  were  selected  as  test  cases  representing 
the  two  features — that  of  Hyde  for  refusing 
to  assist  in  the  arrest  of  a fugitive  slave, 
and  that  of  Brand  for  interference  with  a , 
United  States  officer  in  the  discharge  of  duty.  | 
The  district  attorney  was  assisted  by  able 
counsel,  and  the  most  eminent  lawyers  of  the 
State  were  secured  to  conduct  the  defence, 
when,  after  a long  and  stormy  trial,  the  jury 
failed  to  make  a verdict.  The  contest  had 
now  lasted  nearly  or  quite  a year,  and  all  par- 
ties were  becoming  tired  of  it.  The  patriot- 
ism actuating  both  sides,  though  being  of  a 
different  character  and  order,  was  entirely 
exhausted,  and  the  glory  to  be  obtained 


386 


CHAMPAIGN  COUNTY. 


would  now  be  left  for  others  yet  to  follow. 
The  Kentucky  gentleman  who  had  stirred  up 
all  this  racket  in  his  effort  to  get  possession 
of  his  $1,000  in  human  flesh  and  blood  now 
stepped  to  the  front  and  proposed  to  settle 
the  trouble  if  he  could  have  $1,000  for  his 
Ad  White,  and  the  costs  in  all  the  cases  paid. 
This  proposition  was  readily  acceded  to,  the 
money  paid,  and  the  cases  all  nolled  by  Dis- 
trict Attorney  Matthews.  The  deed^  of  Ad 
White  was  made  in  regular  form  by  his  Ken- 
tucky owner,  and  now  forms  one  of  the  curi- 
ous and  interesting  features  of  the  probate 
court  records  for  Champaign  county. 


Thus  ended  one  of  the  ^eat  conflicts 
in  the  enforcement  of  the  fugitive  slave 
law,  which  did  much  towards  crystallizing 
public  sentiment  against  the  extension  of 
slavery.  These  scenes  transpired  in  1857, 
and  nearly  dl  the  prominent  actors  have 
passed  away.  Ad  White  was  notifled  of  his 
freedom,  and  at  once  returned  to  Mechanics- 
burg,  where,  in  1881,  he  was  still  residing, 
borne  down  by  hard  work  and  age,  but  ever 
cherishing  the  memory  of  those  who  gave 
him  shelter  and  protection  when  fleeing  from 
oppression  and  seeking  freedom. 


Mechanicsburg  is  on  the  C.  C.  C.  & I.  K.  R.,  about  twenty-seven  miles  west 
of  Columbus.  Here  are  located  the  Central  Ohio  Fair  grounds,  said  to  be  the 
finest  in  the  State,  nature  having  furnished  a grand  natural  amphitheatre  facing 
the  fine  tract  of  land  used  for  this  purpose.  Newspaper : News,  Republican,  Hiram 
Brown,  publisher.  Churches : 1 Methodist  Episcopal,  1 Methodist  Protestant,  1 
Catholic,  2 Colored  Methodist  Episcopal,  1 Colored  Baptist.  Bank : Farmers’, 
R.  D.  Williams,  president,  Thomas  Davis,  cashier. 

Industries  and  Employees. — P.  W.  Alden  & Co.,  wood  building-material,  5 
hands ; Packham  Crimping  Company,  tinners’  tools,  10 ; Stuart  & Nickle,  flan- 
nels, etc.,  13 ; S.  S.  Staley,  flour,  feed,  and  lumber,  4 ; W.  C.  Downey  & Co., 
grain-drills,  150;  The  Packham  Crimper  Company,  stove-pipe  crimpers,  5;  The 
Hastings  Paper  Company,  straw-paper,  46. — State  Report  1886.  Population  in 
1880,  1,522.  School  census  in  1886,  428  ; Frank  S.  Fuson,  superintendent. 

St.  Paris,  fifty  miles  west  of  Columbus,  is  on  the  C.  St.  L.  & P.  R.  R.,  in 
the  centre  of  a fine  agricultural  community.  Newspaper  : Era-Dispatch,  Inde- 
pendent, John  E.  Walker,  editor  and  publisher.  Churches : 1 Methodist  Epis- 
copal, 1 Baptist,  1 Evangelical  Lutheran,  1 Lutheran,  1 Universalist,  1 Reformed, 
?nd  1 Catholic. 

Industries. — Creameries,  carriage  factories,  planing-  and  grist-mills,  etc.  Pop- 
ulation in  1880,  1,100.  School  census  in  1886,  372;  George  W.  Miller,  super- 
intendent. 

North  Lewisburg,  about  thirty-five  miles  northwest  of  Columbus,  at  the 
intersection  of  Champaign,  Logan,  and  Union  counties,  on  the  N.  Y.  P.  & O.  R. 
R.,  is  surrounded  by  a rich  farming  country,  special  attention  being  given  to  stock 
raising.  Newspaper:  Tri-County  Free  Press,  Republican,  Kelly  Mount,  editor. 
Churches : 1 Methodist  Episcopal,  1 African  Methodist  Episcopal,  1 Protestant 
Methodist,  1 Catholic,  and  1 Friends.  Bank  of  North  Lewisburg,  S.  Clark, 
president,  J.  C.  Thompson,  cashier.  Population  in  1880,  936.  School  census  in 
1886,  314 ; Joseph  Swisher,  superintendent. 

Woodstock  had,  in  1880,  383,  and  Mutual  189  inhabitants. 


COUE'TIES 


CLAEK. 

Clark  County  was  formed  March  1,  1817,  from  Champaign,  Madison  and 
Greene,  and  named  in  honor  of  Gen.  George  Rogers  Clark.  The  first  settlement  was 
at  Chribb’s  Station,  in  the  forks  of  Mad  river,  in  the  spring  of  1796.  The  inhabi- 
tants of  Moorefield,  Pleasant,  Madison,  German  and  Pike  are  principally  of  Virginia 
extraction ; Mad  river,  of  New  Jersey ; Harmony,  of  New  England,  and  English  ; 
and  Greene,  of  Pennsylvania  origin.  This  county  is  very  fertile  and  highly  culti- 
vated, and  well  watered  by  Mad  river.  Buck  and  Beaver  creeks  and  their  tribu- 
taries, which  furnish  a large  amount  of  water  power.  Its  area  is  300  square  miles. 
In  1885  the  acres  cultivated  were  108,953 ; in  pasture,  38,601 ; woodland,  26,931 ; 
lying  'T^aste,  2,238 ; produced  in  wheat,  363,668 ; corn,  1,870,152  ; tobacco, 
106,400  pounds;  flax,  117,580;  wool,  248,549.  School  census  1886,  15,050; 
teachers,  226.  It  has  113  miles  of  railroad. 


Townships  and  Census.  1840. 

1880.  Townships  and  Census.  1840. 

1880. . 

Bethel, 

2,033 

3,131 

Moorefield, 

1,073 

1,345 

German, 

1,667 

2,100 

Pike, 

1,437 

1,758 

Greene, 

1,059 

1,524 

Pleasant, 

1,092 

1,581 

Harmony, 

1,645 

1,846 

Springfield, 

4,443 

24,455 

Madison, 

1,115 

2,396 

Mad  River, 

1,339 

1,812 

Population  in 

1820  was  9,553 

; in  1840, 

16,882;  1860, 

25,300;  1880,41,948, 

of  whom  29,336  were  Ohio-born. 


The  old  Indian  town  of  Piqua,  the  ancient  Piqua  of  the  Shawnees,  and  the  birth- 
place of  Tecumseh,  was  situated  on  the  north  side  of  Mad  river,  about  five  miles 
west  of  Springfield,  and  occupied  the  site  on  which  a small  town  called  West 
Boston  was  later  built.  The  principal  part  of  Piqua  stood  upon  a plain,  rising 
fifteen  or  twenty  feet  above  the  river.  At  the  period  of  its  destruction,  it  was 
quite  populous.  There  was  a rude  log-hut  within  its  limits,  surrounded  by 
pickets.  The  town  was  never  after  rebuilt.  Its  inhabitants  removed  to  the 
Great  Miami  river,  and  erected  another  town,  which  they  called  Piqua.  The 
account  appended  of  its  destruction  by  Gen.  George  Rogers  Clark  was  published 
in  Bradford’s  Notes  on  Kentucky  ; ” 

On  the  2d  of  August,  1780,  Gen.  Clark 
took  up  the  line  of  march  from  where  Cin- 
cinnati now  stands,  for  the  Indian  towns. 

The  line  of  march  was  as  follows  ; — the  first 
division,  commanded  by  Clark,  took  the  front 

J)osition  ; the  centre  was  occupied  by  artil- 
ery,  military  stores  and  baggage  ; the.second, 
commanded  by  Col.  Logan,  was  placed  in  the 


rear.  The  men  were  ordered  to  march  in 
four  lines,  at  about  forty  yards  distance  from 
each  other,  and  a line  of  flankers  on  each 
side,  about  the  same  distance  from  the  right 
and  left  line.  There  was  also  a front  and  a 
rear  guard,  who  only  kept  in  sight  of  the 
main  army.  In  order  to  prevent  confusion, 
in  case  of  an  attack  of  the  enemy,  on  the 


388 


CLARK  COUNTY. 


march  of  the  army,  a general  order  was  is- 
sued, that  in  the  event  of  an  attack  in  front, 
the  front  was  to  stand  fast,  and  the  two  right 
lines  to  wheel  to  the  right,  and  the  two  left 
hand  lines  to  the  left,  and  form  a complete 
line,  while  the  artillery  was  to  advance  for- 
wards to  the  centre  of  the  line.  In  case  of 
an  attack  on  either  of  the  flanks  or  side  lines, 
these  lines  were  to  stand  fast,  and  likewise 
the  artillery,  while  the  opposite  lines  wheeled 
and  formed  on  the  two  extremes  of  those 
lines.  In  the  event  of  an  attack  being  made 
on  the  rear,  similar  order  was  to  be  observed 
as  in  an  attack  in  front. 

In  this  manner  the  army  moved  on  with- 
out encountering  anything  worthy  of  notice 
until  they  arrived  at  Chillicothe  (situated  on 
the  little  Miami  river,  in  Greene  county), 
about  2 o’clock  in  the  afternoon,  on  the  6th 
day  of  August.  They  found  the  town  not 
only  abandoned,  but  most  of  the  houses 
burnt  down  and  burning,  having  been  set  on 
Are  that  morning.  The  army  encamped  on 
the  ground  that  night,  and  on  the  following 
day  cut  down  several  hundred  acres  of  corn  ; 
and  about  4 o’clock  in  the  evening  took  up 
their  line  of  march  for  the  Piqua  towns,  which 
were  about  twelve  miles  from  Chillicothe  (in 
Clark  county).  They  had  not  marched  more 
than  a mile  from  Chillicothe,  before  there 
came  on  a very  heavy  rain,  with  thunder  and 
lightning  and  considerable  wind.  Without 
tents  or  any  other  shelter  from  the  rain,  which 
fell  in  torrents,  the  men  were  as  wet  as  if 
they  had  been  plunged  into  the  river,  nor  had 
they  it  in  their  power  to  keep  their  guns  dry. 
It  was  nearly  dark  before  the  rain  ceased, 
when  they  were  ordered  to  encamp  in  a hol- 
low square,  with  the  baggage  and  horses  in 
the  centre,  and  as  soon  as  flres  could  be 
made,  to  dry  their  clothes,  etc.  They  were 
ordered  to  examine  their  guns,  and,  to  be  sure 
they  were  in  good  order,  to  discharge  them 
in  the  following  manner.  One  company  was 
to  fire,  and  time  given  to  reload,  when  a 
company  at  the  most  remote  part  of  the 
camp  from  that  which  had  fired  was  to  dis- 
charge theirs,  and  so  on  alternately,  until  all 
the  guns  were  fired.  On  the  morning  of  the 
8th,  the  army  marched  by  sunrise,  and  having 
a level,  open  wsiy,  arrived  in  sight  of  Piqua, 
situated  on  the  west  side  of  the  Mad  river, 
about  2 o’clock  p.  m.  The  Indian  road 
from  Chillicothe  to  Piqua,  which  the  army 
followed,  crossed  the  Mad  river  about  a 
quarter  of  a mile  below  the  town,  and  as  soon 
as  the  advanced  guard  crossed  into  a prairie 
of  high  weeds,  they  were  attacked  by  the  In- 
dians, who  had  concealed  themselves  in  the 
weeds.  The  ground  on  which  this  attack,  as 
well  as  the  manner  in  which  it  was  done,  left 
no  doubt  but  that  a general  engagement  was 
intended.  Col.  Logan  was  therefore  ordered, 
with  about  four  hundred  men,  to  file  off  to 
the  right,  and  march  up  the  river  on  the  east 
side,  and  to  continue  to  the  upper  end  of  the 
town,  so  as  to  prevent  the  Indians  from 
escaping  in  that  direction,  while  the  re- 
mainder of  the  men,  under  Cols.  Lynn,  Ployd 
and  Hariod,  were  ordered  to  cross  the  river 


and  encompass  the  town  on  the  west  side, 
while  Gen.  Clark,  with  the  troops  under  Col. 
Slaughter,  and  such  as  were  attached  to  the 
artillery,  marched  directly  towards  the  town. 
The  prairie  in  which  the  Indians  were  con- 
cealed, who  commenced  the  attack,  was  only 
about  two  hundred  yards  across  to  the  tim- 
bered land,  and  the  division  of  the  army  des- 
tined to  encompass  the  town  on  the  west  side 
found  it  necessary  to  cross  the  prairie,  to 
avoid  the  fire  of  a concealed  enemy.  The 
Indians  evinced  great  military  skill  and  judg- 
ment, and  to  prevent  the  western  division 
froin  executing  the  duties  assigned  them, 
they  made  a powerful  efibrt  to  turn  their  left 
wing.  This  was  discovered  by  Floyd  and 
Lynn,  and  to  prevent  being  outflanked,  ex- 
tended the  line  of  battle  west,  more  than  a 
mile  from  the  town,  and  which  continued 
warmly  contested  on  both  sides  until  about 
5 o’clock,  when  the  Indians  disappeared 
everywhere  unperceived,  except  a few  in  the 
town.  The  field  piece,  which  had  been  en- 
tirely useless  before,  was  now  brought  to  bear 
upon  the  houses,  when  a few  shots  dislodged 
the  Indians  which  were  in  them. 

A nephew  of  Gen.  Clark,  who  had  been 
many  years  a prisoner  among  the  Indians, 
and  who  attempted  to  come  to  the  whites  just 
before  the  close  of  the  action,  was  supposed 
to  be  an  Indian,  and  received  a mortal  wound  • 
but  he  lived  several  hours  after  he  arrived 
among  them. 

The  morning  after  the  battle  a Frenchman, 
who  had  been  taken  by  the  Indians  a short 
time  before,  on  the  Wabash,  and  who  had 
stolen  away  from  them  during  the  action,  was 
found  in  the  loft  of  one  of  the  Indian  cabins. 
He  gave  the  information,  that  the  Indians 
did  not  expect  that  the  Kentuckians  would 
reach  their  town  on  that  day,  and  if  they  did 
not,  it  was  their  intention  to  have  attacked 
them  in  the  night,  in  their  camp,  with  the 
tomahawk  and  knife,  and  not  to  fire  a gun. 
They  had  intended  to  have  made  an  attack 
the  night  before,  but  were  prevented  by  the 
rain,  and  also  the  vigilance  evinced  by  the 
Kentuckians,  in  firing  off  their  guns  and  re- 
loading them,  the  reasons  for  which  they  com- 
prehended, when  they  heard  the  firing. 
Another  circumstance  showed  that  the  In- 
dians were  disappointed  in  the  time  of  their 
arriving ; they  had  not  dined.  When  the 
men  got  into  the  town,  they  found  a con- 
siderable quantity  of  provisions  ready  cooked, 
in  large  kettles  and  other  vessels,  almost  un- 
touched. The  loss  on  each  side  was  about 
equal — each  having  about  20  killed. 

The  Piqua  town  was  built  in  the  manner 
of  the  French  villages.  It  extended  along 
the  margin  of  the  river  for  more  than  three 
miles  ; the  houses,  in  many  places,  were  more 
than  twenty  poles  apart.  Col.  Logan,  there- 
fore, in  ord<3r  to  surround  the  town  on  the 
east,  as  was  his  orders,  marched  fully  three 
miles,  while  the  Indians  turned  their  whole 
force  against  those  on  the  opposite  side  of 
the  town ; and  Logan’s  party  never  saw  an 
Indian  during  the  whole  action.  The  action 
was  so  severe  a short  time  before  the  close, 


CLARK 

that  Simon  Girty,  a white  man,  who  had 
joined  the  Indians,  and  who  was  made  a 
chief  among  the  Mingoes,  drew  off  three 
hundred  of  his  men,  declaring  to  them,  it 
was  folly  in  the  extreme  to  continue  the  ac- 
tion against  men  who  acted  so  much  like 
madmen,  as  Gen.  Clark’s  men,  for  they 
rushed  in  the  extreme  of  danger,  with  a 
seeming  disregard  of  the  consequences. 
This  opinion  of  Girty,  and  the  withdrawal  of 
the  three  hundred  Mingoes,  so  disconcerted 
the  rest,  that  the  whole  body  soon  after  dis- 
persed. 

It  is  a maxim  among  the  Indians  never  to 
encounter  a fool  or  a madman  (in  which 
terms  they  include  a desperate  man),  for  they 
say,  with  a man  who  has  not  sense  enough 
to  take  a prudent  care  of  his  own  life,  the 
life  of  his  antagonist  is  in  much  greater 
danger  than  with  a prudent  man. 

It  was  estimated  that  at  the  two  Indian 
towns,  Chillicothe  and  Piqua,  more  than  five 
hundred  acres  of  corn  were  destroyed,  as  well 
as  every  species  of  eatable  vegetables.  In 
consequence  of  this,  the  Indians  were  ob- 
liged, for  the  support  of  their  women  and 
children,  to  employ  their  whole  time  in  hunt- 


COUNTY.  389 

inff,  which  gave  quiet  to  Kentucky  for  a con- 
siderable time. 

The  day  after  the  battle,  the  9th,  was  oc- 
cupied in  cutting  down  the  growing  corn,  and 
destroying  the  cabins  and  fort,  etc. , and  col- 
lecting horses.  On  the  1 0th  of  August,  the 
army  be^an  their  march  homeward,  and  en- 
camped in  Chillicothe  that  night,  and  on  the 
11th,  cut  a field  of  corn,  which  had  been  left 
for  the  benefit  of  the  men  and  horses,  on  their 
return.  At  the  mouth  of  the  Licking,  the 
army  dispersed,  and  each  individual  made  his 
best  way  home. 

Thus  ended  a campaign,  in  which  most  of 
the  men  had  no  other  provisions  for  twenty- 
five  days,  than  six  quarts  of  Indian  corn  each, 
except  the  green  corn  and  vegetables  found  at 
the  Indian  towns,  and  one  gill  of  salt;  and 
yet  not  a single  complaint  was  heard  to  es- 
cape the  lips  of  a solitary  individual.  AW 
appeared  to  be  impressed  with  the  belief, 
that  if  this  army  should  be  defeated,  that  few 
would  be  able  to  escape,  and  that  the  Indians 
then  would  fall  on  the  defenceless  women  and 
children  in  Kentucky,  and  destroy  the  whole. 
From  this  view  of  the  subject,  every  man  was 
determined  to  conquer  or  die. 


The  late  Abraham  Thomas,  of  Miami  county,  was  in  this  campaign  against 
Piqua.  His  reminiscences,  published  in  1839,  in  the  Troy  Times,  give  some 
interesting  facts  omitted  in  the  preceding.  It  also  differs  in  some  respects  from  the 
other,  and  is  probably  the  most  accurate : 


In  the  summer  o>f  1780  Gen.  Clark  was 
getting  up  an  expedition,  with  the  object  of 
destroying  some  Indian  villages  on  Mad  river. 
One  division  of  the  expedition,  under  Col. 
Logan,  was  to  approach  the  Ohio  by  the  way 
of  Licking  river ; the  other,  to  which  I was 
attached,  ascended  the  Ohio  from  the  falls  in 
boats,  with  provisions  and  a six-pound  can- 
non. The  plan  of  the  expedition  was  for  the 
two  divisions  to  meet  at  a point  in  the  In- 
dian country,  opposite  the  mouth  of  Licking, 
and  thence  march  in  a body  to  the  interior. 
In  descending  the  Ohio  Daniel  Boone  and 
myself  acted  as  spies  on  the  Kentucky  side  of 
the  river,  and  a large  party,  on  the  Indian 
side,  was  on  the  same  duty  ; the  latter  were 
surprised  by  the  Indians,  and  several  killed 
and  wounded.  It  was  then  a toilsome  task  to 
get  the  boats  up  the  river,  under  constant  ex- 
pectation of  attacks  from  the  savages,_and  we 
were  much  rejoiced  in  making  our  destination. 
Before  the  boats  crossed  over  to  the  Indian 
side  Boone  and  myself  were  taken  into  the 
foremost  boat  and_  landed  above  a small  cut 
in  the  bank,  opposite  the  mouth  of  Licking. 
We  were  desired  to  spy  through  the  woods 
for  Indian  signs.  I was  much  younger  than 
Boone,  ran  up  the  bank  in  great  glee,  and  cut 
into  a beech  tree  with  my  tomahawk,  which 
I verily  believe  was  the  first  tree  cut  into  by  a 
white  man  on  the  present  site  of  Cincinnati. 
We  were  soon  joined  by  other  rangers,  and 
hunted  over  the  other  bottom  ; the  forest 
everywhere  was  thick  set  with  heavy  beech 
and  scattering  underbrush  of  spice-wood  and 


pawpaw.  We  started  several  deer,  but  see- 
ing no  signs  of  Indians  returned  to  the  land- 
ing. By  this  time  the  men  had  all  landed, 
and  were  busy  in  cutting  timber  for  stock- 
ades and  cabins.  The  division,  under  Col. 
Logan,  shortly  crossed  over  from  the  mouth 
of  Licking,  and  after  erecting  a stockade, 
fort  and  cabin  for  a small  garrison  and  stores 
the  army  started  for  Mad  river.  Our  way 
lay  over  the  uplands  of  an  untracked,  primi- 
tive forest,  through  which,  with  great  labor, 
we  cut  and  bridged  a road  for  the  accommoda- 
tion of  our  pack  horses  and  cannon.  My 
duty,  in  the  march,  was  to  spy  some  two 
miles  in  advance  of  the  main  body.  Our 
progress  was  slow,  but  the  weather  was  pleas- 
ant, the  country  abounded  in  game  ; and  we 
saw  no  Indians  that  I recollect  until  we  ap- 
proached the  waters  of  the  Mad  river.  In 
the  campaigns  of  these  days  none  but  the 
officers  thought  ^ of  tents — each  man  had 
to  provide  for  his  own  comfort.  Our  meat 
was  cooked  upon  sticks  set  up  before  the  fire  ; 
our  beds  were  sought  upon  the  ground,  and 
he  was  the  most  fortunate  man  that  could 
gather  small  branches,  leaves  and  bark  to 
shield  him  from  the  ground,  in  moist  places. 
After  the  lapse  of  so  many  years  it  is  difficult 
to  recollect  the  details  or  dates,  so  as  to  mark 
the  precise  time  or_  duration  of  our  move- 
ments. But  in* gaining  the  open  country  of 
Mad  river  we  came  in  sight  of  the  Indian 
villages.  We  had  been  kept  all  the  night 
before  on  the  march,  and  pushed  rapidly 
towards  the  points  of  attack,  and  surprised 


CLARK  COUNTY. 


590 


three  hundred  Indian  warriors  that  had  col- 
lected at  the  town,  with  the  view  of  surpris- 
ing and  attacking  us  the  next  morning.  At 
this  place  a stockade  fort  had  been  reared 
near  the  village  on  the  side  we  were  approach- 
ing it,  but  the  Indians  feared  to  enter  it  and 
took  post  in  their  houses. 

The  village  was  situated  on  a low  prairie 
bottom  of  Mad  river,  between  the  second  bank 
and  a bushy  swamp  piece  of  ground  on  the 
margin  of  the  river ; it  could  be  approached 
only  from  three  points — the  one  our  troops 
occupied,  and  from  up  and  down  the  river. 
Gen.  Clark  detached  two  divisions  to  se- 
cure the  two  last  named  points,  while  he 
extended  his  line  to  cover  the  first.  By  this 
arrangement  the  whole  body  of  Indians  would 
have  been  surrounded  and  captured,  but 
Col.  Logan,  who  had  charge  of  the  lower  di- 
vision, became  entangled  in  the  swamp,  and 
did  not  reach  his  assigned  position  before 
the  attack  commenced.  The  party  I had 
joined  was  about  entering  the  town  with 
great  impetuosity,  when  Gen.  Clark  sent 
orders  for  us  to  stop,  as  the  Indians  were 
making  port  holes  in  their  cabins  and  we 
should  be  in  great  danger,  but  added  he 
would  soon  make  port  holes  for  us  both  ; on 
that  he  brought  his  six-pounder  to  bear  on 
the  village,  and  a discharge  of  grape  shot 
scattered  the  materials  of  their  frail  dwellings 
in  every  direction.  The  Indians  poured  out 
of  their  cabins  in  great  consternation,  while 
our  party,  and  those  on  the  bank,  rushed  into 


the  village,  took  possession  of  all  the  squaws 
and  pappooses,  and  killed  a great  many  war- 
riors, but  most  of  them  at  the  lower  part  of 
the  bottom.  In  this  skirmish,  a nephew  of 
Gen.  Clark,  who  had  some  time  before  run 
away  from  the  Monongahela  settlements, 
and  joined  the  Indians,  was  severely  wounded. 
He  was  a great  reprobate,  and,  as  said,  was 
to  have  led  the  Indians  in  the  next  morning’s 
attack  ; before  he  expired  he  asked  forgive- 
ness of  his  uncle  and  countrymen.  During 
the  day  the  village  was  burned,  the  growing 
corn  cut  down  ; and  the  next  morning  we 
took  up  the  line  of  march  for  the  Ohio.  This 
was  a bloodless  victory  to  our  expedition, 
and  the  return  march  was  attended  with  no 
unpleasant  occurrence,  save  a great  scarcity 
of  provisions.  On  reaching  the  fort,  on  the 
Ohio,  a party  of  us  immediately  crossed  the 
river  for  our  homes,  for  which  we  felt  an  ex- 
treme anxiety.  We  depended  chiefly  on  our 
rifles  for  sustenance  ; but  game  not  being 
within  reach,  without  giving  to  it  more  time 
than  our  anxiety  and  rapid  progress  per- 
mitted, we  tried  every  expedient  to  hasten 
our  journey  without  hunting,  even  to  boiling 
green  plums  and  nettles.  These  at  first, 
under  sharp  appetites,  were  quite  palatable, 
but  soon  became  bitter  and  offensive.  At 
last,  in  traversing  the  head  waters  of  Lick- 
ing, we  espied  several  buffaloes  directly  in 
our  track.  We  killed  one,  which  supplied  us 
bountifully  with  meat  until  we  reached  our 
homes. 


The  view  given  was  taken  near  the  residence  of  Mr.  John  Keifer.  The  hill, 
shown  on  the  left  of  the  engraving,  was  the  one  upon  which  stood  the  fort,  pre- 


'Drmm  by  Henry  Howe  iu  184G. 

View  at  Pi  qua,  the  Birth-place  of  Tecumseh. 


viously  mentioned.  Aboot  the  year  1820,  when  tlie  hill  was  first  cleared  and 
cultivated  by  Mr.  Keifer,  charred  stumps  were  found  around  its  edge,  indicating 
the  line  of  the  stockade,  v,  hich  included  a space  of  about  two  acres  ; the  plow  of 
Mr.  Keifer  lirought  up  various  relics,  as  skeletons,  beads,  gun-barrels,  tomahawks, 
camp-kettlcs,  etc.  Other  relics  led  to  the  supposition  that  there  was  a store  of  a 
French  trader  destroyed  at  the  time  of  the  action  at  the  southwestern  base  of  the 
hill.  WJien  the  country  ^(^as  first  settled  there  were  two  white  oak  trees  in  the 
village  of  Boston,  which  had  been  shot  off  some  fifteen  or  twenty  feet  from  the 
ground  by  the  cannon  balls  of  Clark ; their  tops  show  plainly  the  curved  lines 
of  the  balls,  around  which  they  had  sprouted  bush-like ; these  trees  were  felled 


CLARK  COUNTY, 


39^ 


many  years  since  by  the  Bostonians  for  fuel.  There  is  a tradition  here,  that  dur- 
ing the  action  the  Indians  secreted  their  squaws  and  children  in  the  cliffs  about 
a mile  up  the  stream  from  the  fort.  The  village  of  Boston,  we  will  observe  in 
digression,  was  once  the  competitor  with  Springfield  for  the  connty-seat ; it  never 
had  but  a few  houses,  and  now  has  three  or  four  only  : one  of  them  is  shown  on 
the  right  of  the  view,  beyond  which,  a few  rods  only,  is  Mad  river. 

We  subjoin  a sketch  of  the  life  of  Tecumseh,  derived  from  Drake’s  memoir  ot 
this  celebrated  chief.  (The  name  Tecumseh  signifies  Shooting  Star.”) 


Puckeshinwa,  the  father  of  Tecumseh,  was 
a member  of  the  Kiscopoke,  and  Methoa- 
taske,  the  mother,  of  the  Turtle  tribe  of  the 
Shawanoe  nation  ; they  removed  from  Florida 
to  Ohio  about  the  middle  of  last  century. 
The  father  rose  to  the  rank  of  a chief,  and 
fell  at  the  battle  of  Point  Pleasant,  in  1774. 
After  his  death  his  wife  returned  to  the 
south,  where  she  died  at  an  advanced  age. 
Tecumseh  was  born  at  Piqua  about  the  year 
1768,  and  like  Napoleon,  in  his  boyish  pas- 
times, showed  a passion  for  war ; he  was  the 
acknowledged  leader  among  his  companions, 
by  whom  he  was  loved  and  respected,  and 
over  whom  he  exercised  an  unbounded  influ- 


ence ; it  is  stated  that  the  first  battle  in  which 
he  was  occurred  on  the  site  of  Daj^on,  be- 
tween a party  of  Kentuckians  under  Col.  Ben- 
jamin Logan  and  some  Shawanoes.  When 
about  seventeen  years  of  age  Le  manifested 
signal  prowess,  in  an  attack  on  some  boats  on 
the  Ohio  near  Limestone,  Ky.  The  boats 
were  all  captured,  and  all  in  them  killed,  ex- 
cept one  person,  who  was  burnt  alive.  Te- 
cumseh was  a silent  spectator,  never  having 
before  witnessed  the  burning  of  a prisoner ; 
after  it  was  over  he  expressed  his  strong 
abhorrence  of  the  act,  and  by  his  eloquence 
persuaded  his  party  never  to  burn  any  more 
prisoners. 


From  this  time  his  reputation  as  a brave,  and  his  influence  over  other  minds, 
increased,  and  he  rose  rapidly  in  popularity  among  his  tribe ; he  was  in  several 
actions  with  the  whites  prior  to  Wayne’s  treaty,  among  which  was  the  attack  on 
Fort  Recovery  and  the  battle  of  the  Fallen  Timbers.  In  the  summer  of  1795 
Tecumseh  became  a chief ; from  the  spring  of  this  year  until  that  of  1796  he  re- 
sided on  Deer  creek,  near  the  site  of  Urbana,  and  from  whence  he  removed  to  the 
vicinity  of  Piqua  on  the  Great  Miami.  In  1798  he  accepted  the  invitation  of  the 
Delawares,  then  residing  in  part  on  White  river,  Indiana,  to  remove  to  that  neigh- 
borhood with  his  followers.  He  continued  in  that  vicinity  a number  of  years, 
and  gradually  extended  his  influence  among  the  Indians. 

In  1805,  through  the  influence  of  Laulewasikaw,  the  brother  of  Tecumseh,  a 
large  number  of  Shawnees  established  themselves  at  Greenville.  Very  soon  after 
Laulewasikaw  assumed  the  office  of  Si prophet;  and  forthwith  commenced  that  career 
of  cunning  and  pretended  sorcery,  which  enabled  him  to  sway  the  Indian  mind 
in  a wonderful  degree. 


Throughout  the  year  1806  the  brothers  re- 
mained at  Grreenville,  and  were  visited  by 
many  Indians  from  different  tribes,  not  a few 
of  whom  became  their  followers.  The  prophet 
dreamed  many  wonderful  dreams,  and  claimed 
to  have  had  many  supernatural  revelations 
made  to  him ; the  great  eclipse  of  the  sun 
which  occurred  in  the  summer  of  this  year,  a 
knowledge  of  which  by  some  means  he 
attained,  enabled  him  to  carry  conviction  to 
the  minds  of  many  of  his  ignorant  followers, 
that  he  was  really  the  earthly  agent  of  the 
Great  Spirit.  He  boldly  announced  to  the 
unbelievers  that  on  a certain  day  he  would 


iye  them  proof  of  his  supernatural  powei 
y bringing  darkness  over  the  sun  ; when  the 
day  and  hour  of  the  eclipse  arrived,  and 
the  earth,  even  at  mid-day,  was  shrouded 
in  the  gloom  of  twilight,  the  prophet,  stand- 
ing in  the  midst  of  his  party,  significantly 
pointed  to  the  heavens  and  cried  out,  “Did  I 
not  prophecy  truly  ? Behold  ! darkness  has 
shrouded  the  sun  ! ” It  may  readily  be  sup- 
posed that  this  striking  phenomenon,  thus 
adroitly  used,  produced  a strong  impression 
on  the  Indians,  and  greatly  increased  their 
belief  in  the  sacred  character  of  their  prophet. 


The  alarm  caused  by  the  assembling  of  the  Indians  still  continuing.  Governor 
Harrison,  in  the  autumn  of  1807,  sent  to  the  head  chiefs  of  the  Shawanoe  tribe  an 
address,  in  which  he  exhorted  them  to  send  away  the  people  at  Greenville,  whose 
conduct  was  foreshadowing  evil  to  the  whites.  To  the  appeal  of  the  governor  the 
prophet  made  a cunning  and  evasive  answer ; it  made  no  change  in  the  measures 


392 


CLARK  COUNTY, 


of  this  artful  man,  nor  did  it  arrest  the  spread  of  fanaticism  among  the  Indians, 
which  his  incantations  had  produced. 

In  the  spring  of  1808  Tecumseh  and  the  prophet  removed  to  a tract  of  land  on 
the  Tippecanoe,  a tributary  of  the  Wabash,  where  the  latter  continued  his  efforts 
to  induce  the  Indians  to  forsake  their  vicious  habits,  while  Tecumseh  was  visiting 
the  neis^hboring  tribes  and  quietly  strengthening  his  own  and  the  prophet’s  influence 
over  them.  The  events  of  the  early  part  of  the  year  1810  were  such  as  to  leave 
but  little  doubt  of  the  hostile  intentions  of  the  brothers ; the  prophet  was  appa- 
rently the  most  prominent  actor,  while  Tecumseh  was  in  reality  the  main  spring 
of  all  the  movements,  backed,  it  is  supposed,  by  the  insidious  influence  of  British 
agents,  who  supplied  the  Indians  gratis  with  powder  and  ball,  in  anticipation,  per- 
haps, of  hostilities  between  the  two  countries,  in  which  event  a union  of  all  the 
tribes  against  the  Americans  was  desirable.  By  various  acts  the  feelings  of 
Tecumseh  became  more  and  more  evident ; in  August,  he  having  visited  Vincennes 
to  see  the  governor,  a council  was  held,  at  which,  and  a subsequent  interview,  the 
real  position  of  affairs  was  ascertained. 


Governor  Harrison  had  made  arrange- 
ments  for  holding  the  council  on  the  portico 
of  his  own  house,  which  had  been  fitted  up 
with  seats  for  the  occasion.  Here,  on  the 
morning  of  the  fifteenth,  he  awaited  the  ar- 
rival of  the  chief,  being  attended  by  the 
Judges  of  the  Supreme  Court,  some  officers 
of  the  army,  a sergeant  and  twelve  men  from 
Fort  Knox,  and  a large  number  of  citizens. 
At  the  appointed  hour  Tecumseh,  supported 
by  forty  of  his  principal  warriors,  made  his 
appearance,  the  remainder  of  his  followers 
being  encamped  in  the  village  and  its  en- 
virons. When  the  chief  had  approached 
within  thirty  or  forty  yards  of  the  house  he 
suddenly  stopped,  as  if  awaiting^  some  ad- 
vances from  the  governor.  An  interpreter 
was  sent,  requesting  him  and  his  followers 
to  take  seats  on  the^  portico.  ^ To  this  Tecum- 
seh objected — he  did  not  think  the  place  a 
suitable  one  for  holding  the  conference,  but 
preferred  that  it  should  take  place  in  a grove 
of  trees,  to  which  he  pointed,  standing  a 
short  distance  from  the  house.  The  gover- 
nor said  he  had  no  objection  to  the  grove,  ex- 
cept that  there  were  no  seats  in  it  for  their 
accommodation.  Tecumseh  replied  that  con- 
stituted no  objection  to  the  grove,  the  earth 
being  the  most  suitable  place  for  the  In- 
dians, who  loved  to  repose  upon  the  bosom 
of  their  mother.  The  governor  yielded  the 
point,  and  the  benches  and  chairs  having 
been  removed  to  the  spot,  the  conference 
was  begun,  the  Indians  being  seated  on  the 
grass. 

Tecumseh  opened  the  meeting  by  stating 
at  length  his  objections  to  the  treaty  of  Fort 
W^ayne,  made  by  Governor  Harrison  in  the 
previous  year,  and  in  the  course  of  his  speech 
boldly  avowed  the  principle  of  his  party  to 
be  that  of  resistance  to  every  cession  of  land, 
unless  made  by  all  the  tribes,  who,  he  con- 
tended, formed  but  one  nation.  He  ad- 
mitted that  he  had  threatened  to  kill  the 
chiefs  who  signed  the  treaty  of  Fort  Wayne, 
and  that  it  was  his  fixed  determination  not 
to  permit  the  village  chiefs  in  future  to 
manage  their  affairs,  but  to  place  the  power 
with  which  they  had  been  heretofore  in- 


vested in  the  hands  of  the  war  chiefs.  * The 
Americans,  he  said,  had  driven  the  Indians 
from  the  seacoast,  and  would  soon  push  them 
into  the  lakes ; and,  while  he  disclaimed  all 
intention  of  making  war  upon  the  United 
States,  he  declared  it  to  be  his  unalterable 
resolution  to  take  a stand  and  resolutely  op- 
pose the  further  intrusion  of  the  whites  upon 
the  Indian  lands.  ^ He  concluded  by  making 
a brief  but  impassioned  recital  of  the  various 
wrongs  and  aggressions  inflicted  by  the  white 
men  upon  the  Indians,  from  the  commence- 
ment of  the  Revolutionary  war  down  to  the 
period  of  that  council,  all  of  which  was  cal- 
culated to  arouse  and  inflame  the  minds  of 
such  of  his  followers  as  were  present. 

The  governor  rose  in  reply,  and  in  examin- 
ing the  right  of  Tecumseh  and  his  party  to 
make  objections  to  the  treaty  of  Fort  Wayne, 
took  occasion  to  say  that  the  Indians  were 
not  one  nation,  having  a common  property  in 
the  lands.  The  Miamis,  he  contended,  were 
the  real  owners  of  the  tract  on  the  Wabash, 
ceded  by  the  late  treaty,  and  the  Shawanoes 
had  no  right  to  interfere  in  the  case ; that 
upon  the  arrival  of  the  whites  on  this  conti- 
nent they  had  found  the  Miamis  in  possession 
of  this  land,  the  Shawanoes  being  then  resi- 
dents of  Georgia,  from  which  they  had  been 
driven  by  the  Creeks,  and  that  it  was  ridicu- 
lous to  assert  that  the  red  men  constituted 
but  one  nation ; for,  if  such  had  been  the  in- 
tention of  the  Great  Spirit,  he  would  not 
have  put  different  tongues  in  their  heads,  but 
have  taught  them  all  to  speak  the  same  lan- 
guage. 

The  governor  having  taken  his  seat,  the 
interpreter  commenced  explaining  the  speech 
to  Tecumseh,  who,  after  listening  to  a por- 
tion of  it,  sprung  to  his  feet  and  began  to 
speak  with  great  vehemence  of  manner. 

The  governor  was  surprised  at  his  violent 
gestures,  but  as  he  did  not  understand  him, 
thought  he  was  making  some  explanation 
and  suffered  his  attention  to  be  drawn  to- 
wards Winnemac,  a friendly  Indian  lying  on 
the  grass  before  him,  who  was  renewing  the 
priming  of  his  pistol,  which  he  had  kept  con- 
cealed from  the  other  Indians,  but  in  full 


CLARK  COUNTY. 


393 


view  of  tte  governor.  His  attention,  however, 
was  again  directed  towards  Tecumseh  by  hear- 
ing General  Gibson,  who  was  intimately 
acquainted  with  the  Shawanoe  language, 
say  to  Lieutenant  Jennings  : “Those  fellows 
intend  mischief ; you  had  better  bring  up  the 
guard.”  At  that  moment  the  followers  of 
Tecumseh  seized  their  tomahawks  and  war 
clubs  and  sprang  upon  their  feet,  their  eyes 
turned  upon  the  governor.  As  soon  as  he 
could  disengage  himself  from  the  arm- 
chair in  which  he  sat,  he  rose,  drew  a small 
sword  which  he  had  by  his  side  and  stood  on 
the  defensive.  Captain  G.  R.  Floyd,  of  the 
army,  who  stood  near  him,  drew  a dirk,  and 
the  chief  Winnemac  cocked  his  pistol.  The 
citizens  present  were  more  numerous  than 
the  Indians,  but  were  unarmed.  Some  of 
them  procured  clubs  and  brickbats  and  also 
stood  on  the  defensive.  The  Rev.  Mr. 


Winans,  of  the  Methodist  Church,  ran  to 
the  governor’s  house,  got  a gun,  and  posted 
himself  at  the  door  to  defend  the  family. 
During  this  singular  scene  no  one  spoke,  until 
the  guard  came  running  up,  and,  appearing 
to  be  in  the  act  of  firing,  the  governor  or- 
dered tliem  not  to  do  so.  He  then  demanded 
of  the  interpreter  an  explanation  of  what 
had  happened,  who  replied  that  Tecumseh 
had  interrupted  him,  declaring  that  all  the 
governor  had  said  was  /a?se,  and  that  he  and 
the  Seventeen  Fires  had  cheated  and  im- 
posed on  the  Indians.  The  governor  then 
told  Tecumseh  that  he  was  a bad  man  and 
that  he  would  hold  no  further  communica- 
tion with  him  ; that  as  he  had  come  to  Vin- 
cennes under  the  protection  of  a council-fire, 
he  might  return  in  safety,  but  that  he  must 
immediately  leave  the  village.  Here  the 
council  terminated. 


The  undoubted  purpose  of  the  brothers  now  being  known,  Gov.  Harrison  pro- 
ceeded to  prepare  for  the  contest  he  knew  must  ensue.  In  June  of  the  year  fol- 
lowing (1811)  he  sent  a message  to  the  Shawanoes,  bidding  them  beware  of  hos- 
tilities, to  which  Tecumseh  gave  a brief  reply,  promising  to  visit  the  governor. 
This  visit  he  paid  in  July,  accompanied  by  300  followers,  but  as  the  Americans 
were  prepared  and  determined,  nothing  resulted,  and  Tecumseh  proceeded  to  the 
south,  as  it  was  supposed,  to  enlist  the  Creeks  in  the  cause. 

In  the  meanwhile  Harrison  took  measures  to  increase  his  regular  force.  His 
plan  was  to  again  v>^arn  the  Indians  to  obey  the  treaty  of  Greenville,  but  at  the 
same  time  to  prepare  to  break  up  the  prophet’s  establishment  if  necessary.  On 
the  5th  of  October,  having  received  his  reinforcements,  he  was  on  the  Wabash, 
about  sixty  miles  above  Vincennes,  where  he  built  Fort  Harrison.  On  the  7th 
of  November  following  he  was  attacked  by  the  Indians  at  Tippecanoe  and  de- 
feated them.  Peace  on  the  frontiers  was  one  of  the  happy  results  of  this  severe 
and  brilliant  action. 

With  the  battle  of  Tippecanoe  the  prophet  lost  his  popularity  and  power  among 
the  Indians,  he  having  previously  to  the  battle  promised  them  certain  victory. 

On  the  first  commencement  of  the  war  of  1812  Tecumseh  was  in  the  field  pre- 
pared for  the  conflict.  In  July  there  Avas  an  assemblage  at  BroAvnstoAvn  of  those 
Indians  who  were  inclined  to  neutrality.  A deputation  Avas  sent  to  Malden  to 
Tecumseh  to  attend  this  council.  No,”  said  he,  indignantly,  I have  taken 
sides  with  the  king,  my  father,  and  I Avill  suffer  my  bones  to  bleach  upon  this 
shore  before  I Avill  recross  that  stream  to  join  in  any  council  of  neutrality.”  He 
participated  in  the  battle  of  BroAvnstoAvn  and  commanded  the  Indians  in  the  action 
near  Maguaga.  In  the  last  he  was  wounded,  and  it  is  supposed  that  his  bravery 
and  good  conduct  led  to  his  being  shortly  after  appointed  brigadier-general  in  the 
serviee  of  the  British  king.  In  the  siege  of  Fort  Meigs  Tecumseh  behav^ed  Avith 
great  bravery  and  humanity.  (See  Wood  County.) 

Immediately  after  the  signal  defeat  of  Proctor,  at  Fort  Stephenson,  he  returned 
Avith  the  British  troops  to  Malden  by  water,  while  Tecumseh  Avith  his  folloAA^ers 
passed  over  by  land,  round  the  head  of  Lake  Erie,  and  joined  him  at  that  point. 
Discouraged  by  the  Avant  of  success,  and  having  lost  all  confidence  in  General 
Proctor,  Tecumseh  seriouslv  meditated  a withdrawal  from  tlie  contest,  but  Avas 
induced  to  remain. 


When  Perry’s  battle  was  fought  it  was 
witnessed  by  the  Indians  from  the  distant 
shore.  On  the  day  succeeding  the  engage- 
ment General  Proctor  said  to  Tecumseh : 
“My  fleet  has  whipped  the  Americans,  but 


the  vessels  being  much  injured,  have  gone 
into  Put-in-Bay  to  refit  and  will  be  here  in  a 
few  days.”  This  deception,  however,  upon 
the  Indians  was  not  of  long  duration.  The 
sagacious  eye  of  Tecumseh  soon  perceived 


394 


CLARK  COUNTY. 


indications  of  a retreat  from  Malden,  and  he 
promptly  inquired  into  the  matter.  Greneral 
Proctor  informed  him  that  he  was  only  going 
to  send  their  ^ valuable  property  up  the 
Thames,  where  it  would  meet  a reinforcement 
and  be  safe.  Tecumseh,  however,  was  not 
to  be  deceived  by  this  shallow  device  and 
remonstrated  most  urgently  against  a retreat. 
He  finally  demanded,  in  the  name  of  all  the 
Indians  under  his  command,  to  be  heard  by 
the  general,  and  on  the  18th  of  September 
delivered  to  him,  as  the  representative  of 
their  great  father,  the  king,  the  following 
speech  : 

“ Father,  listen  to  your  children  ! you  have 
them  now  all  before  you. 

‘‘The  war  before  this  our  British  father 
gave  the  hatchet  to  his  red  children,  when 
our  old  chiefs  were  alive.  They  are  now 
dead.  In  that  war  our  father  was  thrown 
upon  his  back  by  the  Americans,  and  our 
father  took  them  by  the  hand  without  our 
knowledge,  and  we  are  afraid  that  our  father 
will  do  so  again  at  this  time. 

“Summer  before  last,  when  I came  for- 
ward with  my  red  brethren  and  was  ready  to 
take  up  the  hatchet  in  favor  of  our  British 
father,  we  were  told  not  to  be  in  a hurry, 
that  he  had  not  yet  determined  to  fight  the 
Americans. 

“Listen!  when  war  was  declared  our 
father  stood  up  and  gave  us  the  tomahawk 
and  told  us  that  he  was  then  ready  to  strike 
the  Americans  ; that  he  wanted  our  assist- 
ance, and  that  we  would  certainly  get  our 
lands  back  which  the  Americans  had  taken 
from  us. 

‘ ‘ Listen  ! you  told  us  at  that  time  to  bring 
forward  our  families  to  this  place,  and  we 
did  so ; and  you  promised  to  take  care  of 
them,  and  they  should  want  for  nothing, 
while  the  men  would  go  and  fight  the  enemy  ; 
th'at  we  need  not  trouble  ourselves  about  the 
enemy’s  garrisons  ; that  we  knew  nothing 
about  them, and  that  our  father  would  attend 
to  that  part  of  the  business.  You  also  told 
your  red  children  that  you  would  take  good 
care  of  your  garrison  here,  which  made  our 
hearts  glad. 

“Listen!  when  we  were  last  here  in  the 
Rapids  it  is  true  we  gave  you  little  assistance. 
It  is  hard  to  fight  people  who  live  like  ground 
hogs. 

‘ ‘ Father,  listen  ! our  fleet  has  gone  out ', 
we  know  they  have  fought ; we  have  heard 
the  great  guns  ; but  we  know  nothing  of  what 
has  happened  to  our  father  with  one  arm. 
Our  ships  have  gone  one  way,  and  we  are 
much  astonished  to  see  our  father  tying  up 
everything  and  preparing  to  run  away  the 
other  without  letting  his  red  children  know 
what  his  intentions  are.  You  always  told 
us  to  remain  here  and  take  care  of  our 
lands ; it  made  our  hearts  glad  to  hear  that 
was  your  wish.  Our  great  father,  the  king, 
is  the  head,  and  you  represent  him.  You 
always  told  us  you  would  never  draw  your 
foot  off  British  ground  ; but  now,  father, 
we  see  that  you  are  drawing  back,  and  we  are 
sorry  to  see  our  father  doing  so  without  see- 


ing the  enemy.  We  must  compare  our 
father’s  conduct  to  a fat  dog,  that  carries  his 
tail  on  its  ^ck,  and,  when  affrighted,  drops 
it  between  its  legs  and  runs  off. 

“Father,  listen!  the  Americans  have  not 
yet  defeated  us  by  land  ; neither  are  we  sure 
that  they  have  done  so  by  water ; we,  there- 
fore,  tuish  to  remain  here  and  fight  our 
enemy,  should  they  make  their  appearance. 
If  they  defeat  us,  we  will  then  retreat  with 
our  father. 

“ At  the  battle  of  the  Rapids,  last  war,  the 
Americans  certainly  defeated  us,  and  when 
we  returned  to  our  father’s  fort  at  that  place 
the  gates  were  shut  against  us.  We  were 
afraid  that  it  would  now  be  the  case  ; but  in- 
stead of  that  we  now  see  our  British  father 
preparing  to  march  out  of  his  garrison. 

“Father,  you  have  got  the  arms  and  am- 
munition which  our  great  father  sent  for  his 
red  children.  If  you  have  an  idea  of  going 
away,  give  them  to  us,  and  you  may  go  and 
welcome,  for  us.  ‘Our  lives  are  in  the  hands 
of  the  Great  Spirit.  We  are  determined  to 
defend  our  lands,  and  if  it  be  his  will  we  wish 
to  leave  our  bones  upon  them.” 

Tecumseh  entered  the  battle  of  the  Thames 
with  a strong  conviction  that  he  should  not 
survive  it.  Further  flight  he  deemed  dis- 
graceful, while  the  hope  of  victory  in  the 
impending  action  was  feeble  and  distant. 
He,  however,  heroically  resolved  to  achieve 
the  latter  or  die  in  the  effort.  With  this  de- 
termination he  took  his  stand  among  his  fol- 
lowers, raised  the  war-cry  and  boldly  mec 
the  enemy.  From  the  commencement  of 
the  attack  on  the  Indian  line  his  voice  was 
distinctly  heard  by  his  followers,  animating 
them  to  deeds  worthy  of  the  race  to  which 
they  belonged.  When  that  well-known  voice 
was  heard  no  longer  above  the  din  of  arms 
the  battle  ceased.  The  British  troops  having 
already  surrendered,  and  the  gallant  leader 
of  the  Indians  having  fallen,  they  gave  up 
the  contest  and  fled.  A short  distance  from 
where  Tecumseh  fell  the  body  of  his  friend 
and  brother-in-law,  Wasegoboah,  was  found. 
They  had  often  fought  side  by  side,  and  now, 
in  front  of  their  men,  bravely  battling  the 
enemy,  they  side  by  side  closed  their  mortal 
career. 

“ Thus  fell  the  Indian  warrior  Tecumseh, 
in  the  forty-fourth  year  of  his  age.  He  was 
of  the  Shawanoe  tribe,  five  feet  ten  inches 
high,  and  with  more  than  the  usual  stoutness, 
possessed  all  the  agility  and  perseverance  of 
the  Indian  character.  His  carriage  was  dig- 
nified, his  eye  penetrating,  his  countenance, 
which  even  in  death  betrayed  the  indications 
of  a lofty  spirit,  rather  of  the  sterner  cast. 
Had  he  not  possessed  a certain  austerity  of 
manners,  he  could  never  have  controlled  the 
wayward  passions  of  those  who  followed  him 
to  battle.  He  was  of  a silent  habit ; but 
when  his  eloquence  became  roused  into  action 
by  the  reiterated  encroachments  of  the  Amer- 
icans, his  strong  intellect  could  supply  him 
with  a flow  of  oratory  that  enabled  him,  as 
he  governed  in  the  field,  so  to  prescribe  in  the 
council.  Those  who  consider  that  in  all  terri- 


CLARK  COUNTY. 


395 


torial  questions,  the  ablest  diplomatists  of  the 
United  States  are  sent  to  negotiate  with  the 
Indians,  will  readily  appreciate  the  loss  sus- 
tained by  the  latter  in  the  death  of  their 
champion Such  a man  was  the  unlet- 

tered savage,  Tecumseh,  and  such  a man  have 
the  Indians  lost  forever.  He  has  left  a son, 
who,  when  his  father  fell,  was  about  seventeen 


years  old,  and  fought  by  his  side.  The  prince 
regent,  in  1814,  out  of  respect  to  the  memory 
of  the  old,  sent  out  as  a present  to  the  young 
Tecumseh,  a handsome  sword.  Unfortu- 
nately, however,  for  the  Indian  cause  and 
country,  faint  are  the  prospects  that  Tecumseh 
the  son  will  ever  equal,  in  wisdom  or  prowess, 
Tecumseh  the  father.  ’ ’ 


It  is  stated  by  Mr.  James,  a British  historian,  that  Tecumseh,  after  he  fell,  was 
not  only  scalped,  but  that  his  body  was  actually  flayed,  and  the  skin  converted 
into  razor-straps  by  the  Kentuckians.  Amid  the  great  amount  of  conflicting 
testimony  relating  to  the  circumstances  of  Tecumseh’s  death,  it  is  extremely  diffi- 
cult, if  not  impossible,  to  ascertain  the  precise  facts.  It  is,  however,  generally 
believed  that  he  fell  by  a pistol-shot,  fired  by  Col.  Richard  M.  Johnson,  of  Ken- 
tucky, who  acted  a most  prominent  part  in  this  battle. 

Springfield  was  the  scene  of  an  interesting  incident  in  the  life  of  Tecumseh, 
which  is  given  at  length  by  his  biographer. 


In  the  autumn  of  this  year  [1807]  a white 
man,  by  the  name  of  Myers,  was  killed  a few 
miles  west  of  where  the  town  of  Urbana  now 
stands,  by  some  straggling  Indians.  This 
murder,  taken  in  connection  with  the  assem- 
blage of  the  Indians  under  Tecumseh  and 
the  prophet,  created  a great  alarm  on  the 
frontier,  and  actually  induced  many  families 
to  remove  back  to  Kentucky,  from  whence 
they  had  emigrated.  A demand  was  made  by 
the  whites  upon  these  two  brothers  for  the 
Indians  who  had  committed  the  murder. 
They  denied  that  it  was  done  by  their  party, 
or  with  their  knowledge,  and  declared  that 
they  did  not  even  know  who  the  murderers 
were.  The  alarm  continued,  and  some  com- 
panies of  militia  were  called  out.  It  was 
finally  agreed  that  a council  should  be  held 
on  the  subject  in  Springfield,  for  the  purpose 
of  quieting  the  settlements.  Gen.  Whiteman, 
Maj.  Moore,  Capt.  Ward,  and  one  or  two 
others,  acted  as  commissioners  on  the  part 
of  the  whites.  Two  parties  of  Indians  at- 
tended the  council ; one  from  the  north,  in 
charge  of  McPherson ; the  other,  consisting 
of  sixty  or  seventy,  came  from  the  neighbor- 
hood of  Fort  Wayne,  under  the  charge  of 
Tecumseh.  Roundhead,  Blackfish  and  sev- 
eral other  chiefs  were  also  present.  There 
was  no  friendly  feeling  between  these  two 
parties,  and  each  was  willing  that  the  blame 
of  the  murder  should  be  fixed  upon  the  other. 
The  party  under  McPherson,  in  compliance 
with  the  wishes  of  the  commissioners,  left 
their  arms  a few  miles  from  Springfield.  Te- 
cumseh and  his  party  refused  to  attend  the 
council  unless  permitted  to  retain  their  arms. 
After  the  conference  was  opened,  it  being 
held  in  a maple  grove  a little  north  of  where 
Werden’s  hotel  now  stands,  the  commission- 
ers, fearing  some  violence,  made  another  ef- 
fort to  induce  Tecumseh  to  lay  aside  his  arms. 
This  he  again  refused,  saying,  in  reply,  that 
his  tomahawk  was  also  his  pipe,  and  that  he 
might  wish  to  use  it  in  that  capacity  before 
their  business  was  closed.  At  this  moment 


a tall,  lank-sided  Pennsylvanian,  who  was 
standing  among  the  spectators,  and  who,  per- 
haps, had  no  love  for  the  shining  tomahawk 
of  the  self-willed  chief,  cautiously  approached, 
and  handed  him  an  old,  long-stemmed,  dirty- 
looking  earthen  pipe,  intimating  that,  if  Te- 
cumseh would  deliver  up  the  fearful  toma- 
hawk, he  might  smoke  the  aforesaid  pipe. 
The  chief  took  it  between  _ his  thumb  and 
finger,  held  it  up,  looked  at  it  for  a moment, 
then  at  the  owner,  who  was  gradually  reced- 
ing from  the  point  of  danger,  and  imme- 
diately threw  it,  with  an  indignant  sneer, 
over  his  head  into  the  bushes.  The  commis- 
sioners yielded  the  point,  and  proceeded  to 
business. 

After  a full  and  patient  inquiry  into  the 
facts  of  the  case,  it  appeared  that  the  murder 
of  Myers  was  the  act  of  an  individual,'  and 
not  justly  chargeable  upon  either  party  of 
the  Indians.  Several  speeches  were  made  by 
the  chiefs,  but  Tecumseh  was  the  principal 
speaker.  He  gave  a full  explanation  of  the 
views  of  the  prophet  and  himself,  in  calling 
around  them  a band  of  Indians — disavowed 
all  hostile  intentions  towards  the  United 
States,  and  denied  that  he  or  those  under  his 
control  had  committed  any  aggressions  upon 
the  whites.  His  manner,  when  speaking, 
was  animated,  fluent  and  rapid,  and  made  a 
strong  impression  upon  those  present.  The 
council  terminated.  In  the  course  of  it,  the 
two  hostile  parties  became  reconciled  to  each 
other,  and  quiet  was  restored  to  the  fron- 
tier. 

The  Indians  remained  in  Springfield  for 
three  days,  and  on  several  occasions  amused 
themselves  by  engaging  in  various  games  and 
other  athletic  exercises,  in  which  Tecumseh 
generally  proved  himself  victorious.  His 
strength  and  power  of  muscular  action  were 
remarkably  great,  and  in  the  opinion  of  those 
who  attended  the  council,  corresponded  with 
the  high  order  of  his  moral  and  intellectual 
character. 


The  following  article  upon  the  early  history  of  the  county  was  written  in  1847 


CLARK  COUNTY, 


396 

for  the  first  edition  by  a gentleman  of  Springfield,  who  just  after  our  visit  called 
Messrs.  Humphries,  Lowry  and  Foos  into  his  office  and  took  these  notes.  He  is 
spoken  of  in  a near  succeeding  page. 

There  are  three  old  men  now  living  in  this  county,  viz.,  John  Humphries, 
David  Lowry  and  Griffith  Foos,  from  whom  we  have  gathered  the  following  par- 
ticulars respecting  the  early  history  of  Springfield,  and  also  some  incidents  con- 
nected with  the  first  settlements  made  in  the  vicinity.  Messrs.  Humphries,  Lowry 
and  Foos  are  all  men  of  great  respectability,  and  are  well  known  to  all  the  early 
settlers  of  this  region  of  Ohio. 

John  Humphries  is  now  eighty-three  years  of  age,  David  Lowry  about  seventy- 
seven,  and  Griffith  Foos  about  seventy-five. 

John  Humphries  came  to  what  is  now  Clark  county  with  Gen.  Simon  Kenton, 
in  1799;  with  them  emigrated  six  families  from  Kentucky,  and  made  the  first 
settlement  in  the  neighborhood  of  what  is  now  Springfield,  north  of  the  ground 
on  which  was  afterwards  located  the  town.  At  this  time,  he  is  the  only  survivor 
of  those  of  his  companions  and  associates  who  were  ai  the  time  heads  of  families. 
Mr.  Humphries  s])eaks  of  a fort  which  was  erected  on  Mad  river,  two  miles  from 
the  site  of  Springfield ; this  fort  contained  within  its  pickets  fourteen  cabins,  and 
was  erected  for  the  purpose  of  common  security  against  the  Indians. 

David  Lowry  came  into  Ohio  in  the  spring  of  1795.  ~He  built  the  first  flat 
boat,  to  use  his  own  language,  that  ever  navigated  the  Great  Miami  river  from 
Dayton  down,  which  was  in  the  year  1800.^’  He  took  the  same  boat  to  Kew 
Orleans,  laden  with  pickled  pork,  500  venison  hams,  and  bacon.  Lowry,  with 
one  Jonathan  Donnell,  made  the  second  settlement  within  what  is  now  the  limits 
of  Clark  county ; Demint’s  was  the  third  settlement.  The  first  corn  crop  raised 
in  the  neighborhood  of  Springfield  was  in  1796.  Two  men,  whose  names  were 
Krebs  and  Brown,  cultivated  the  crop.  Lowry  hunted  for  the  party  while  they 
were  engaged  in  tending  the  crop ; the  ground  occupied  was  about  three  miles 
west  of  the  site  of  Springfield.  He  raised  a crop  of  corn  the  ensuing  year,  and 
also  accompanied  the  party  that  surveyed  and  laid  out  the  first  road  from  Dayton 
to  Springfield.  He  and  Jonathan  Donnell  killed,  in  one  season,  in  their  settle- 
ment, seventeen  bears,  and  in  the  course  of  his  life,  he  states  he  has  killed  1,000 
deer ; and  that  he  once  shot  a she-bear  and  two  cubs  in  less  than  three  minutes. 

Griffith  Foos,  with  several  other  persons,  came  into  what  is  now  Springfield,  in 
the  month  of  March,  1801.  They  were  in  search  of  a healthy  region,  having 
become  wearied  with  the  sickly  condition  of  the  Scioto  valley.  The  laying  oft 
what  is  now  called  the  old  town  of  Springfield  was  commenced  March  17,  1801. 
Mr.  Foos  commenced  the  first  public  house  ever  kept  in  the  place;  it  was  a log- 
house,  situated  on  the  lot  directly  opposite  to  the  National  hotel,  now  kept  by 
William  Werden.  He  opened  his  house  in  June,  1801,  and  continued  it  without 
intermission  until  the  10th  of  May,  1814.  He  states  that  he  and  his  party  were 
four  and  a half  days  getting  from  Franklinton,  on  the  Scioto,  to  Springfield,  a 
distance  of  forty-two  miles.  In  crossing  Big  Darby  they  were  obliged  to  carry 
all  their  goods  on  horseback,  and  then  to  drag  their  wagon  across  with  ropes,  while 
some  of  the  party  swam  by  the  side  of  the  wagon  to  prevent  it  from  upsetting. 
In  1807,  in  consequence  of  the  alarm  which  the  neighborhood  felt  on  account  of 
the  Indians,  Mr.  Foos’  house  was  turned  into  a fort.  This  was  the  first  building 
erected  in  the  place.  Sami.  Simonton  erected  the  first  frame  house  in  the  county 
in  1807.  Wm.  Ross  built  the  first  brick  house,  which  is  still  standing  on  the 
southeast  corner  of  South  and  JNIarket  streets. 

These  early  settlers  represent  the  county  at  that  day  as  being  very  beautiful. 
North  of  the  site  of  Springfield,  for  fourteen  miles,  upon  the  land  which  is  now 
thick  with  woods,  there  could  not,  from  1801  to  1809,  have  been  found  a suffi- 
ciency of  poles  to  have  made  hoops  for  a meat  cart.  The  forest  consisted  of  large 
trees,  with  no  undergrowth,  and  the  ground  was  finely  sodded.  IMr.  Griffith  Foos 
speaks  of  an  old  hunter  by  the  name  of  James  Smith,  from  Kentucky,  who  was 


CLARK  COUNTY. 


397 


at  his  house  in  1810,  who  stated  that  he  was  in  this  neighborhood  fifty  years  pre- 
viously with  the  Indians,  and  that  up  the  prairie,  northeast  of  the  town  of  Spring- 
field,  they  started  some  buffalo  and  elk. 

The  first  house  of  worship  built  in  Springfield  was  in  1811  : one  man  gave  the 
ground — Foos  gave  a handsome  young  horse  ($10)  towards  hewing  the  logs  and 
preparing  the  shingles.  It  was  a place  of  worship  free  to  all  denominations,  and 
was  built  right  south  of  a public  house  which  stands  directly  west  of  Mill  run, 
on  the  south  side  of  the  national  road.  The  early  settlers  were  unequalled  for 
their  kindness,  honesty  and  hospitality.  Mr.  Foos  says  that,  at  his  raising,  there 
were  present  forty  men  before  breakfast,  and  from  a distance  of  from  seven  to  ten 
miles , and  Lowry  says,  that  at  Isaac  Zane’s  raising,  there  were  persons  from  forty 
miles  distance.^^ 

Springfield  in  1846. — Springfield,  the  county-seat,  is  forty-three  miles  west  of 
Columbus  on  the  ^^ational  road,  and  on  the  line  of  the  railroads  connecting  Cin- 
cinnati with  Sandusky  city.  It  was  laid  out  in  1803  by  James  Demint.  It  is 
surrounded  by  a handsome  and  fertile  country,  is  noted  for  the  morality  and  in- 
telligence of  its  inhabitants,  and,  by  many,  is  considered  the  most  beautiful  village 
within  the  limits  of  Ohio.  The  eastern  fork  of  Mad  river  washes  it  on  the  north. 


Drawn  by  Henry  Howe  in  1S40. 


East  View  of  Springfield. 

a stream  described  as  unequalled  for  fine  mill  seats,  its  current  very  rapid,  and 
the  water  never  so  low  in  the  driest  season  as  to  interfere  with  the  mills  now  upon 
it.^^  Through  the  place  runs  the  Lagonda,  or  Buck  creek,  a swift  and  unfailing 
mill  stream.  Within  a range  of  three  miles  of  the  town  are  upwards  of  twenty 
mill  seats.  Springfield  sutfered  much  during  the  era  of  speculation,  but  is  now 
prospering,  and  from  its  natural  advantages  is  destined  to  hold  a prominent  place 
among  the  manufacturing  towns  of  the  State.  The  engraving  shows  its  appear- 
ance as  viewed  from  the  National  road,  a quarter  of  a mile  east ; the  main  street 
appears  in  front,  on  the  left  the  academy,  and  on  the  right  the  court-house  and 
one  of  the  churches.  The  view  is  from  a tamilliar  position,  but  the  village,  like 
many  other  beautiful  towns,  is  so  situated  that  no  drawing  from  any  one  point 
can  show  it  to  advantage. 

Several  of  the  first  settlers  of  Springfield  still  remain  in  and  around  it ; among 
them  may  be  mentioned  the  names  of  John  Humphreys,  David  Lowry  and 
Griffith  Foos,  the  last  of  whom  occupied  the  first  house  built  in  the  town  as  a 
tavern. 

The  Ohio  Conference  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  has  a flourishing 
high  school  at  Springfield  for  both  sexes.  A lyceum  has  been  in  successful  opera- 
tion ' about  fourteen  years,  and  the  public  libraries  of  the  town  comprise  about 


39« 


CLARK  COUNTY, 


4,000  volumes.  Wittenberg  College,  under  the  auspices  of  the  Lutheran  Church, 
was  chartered  in  1845  with  both  a theological  and  collegiate  department;  it  has 
been  in  operation  for  one  year ; Rev.  Ezra  Keller,  D.  D.,  President.  Springfield 
contains  1 Presbyterian,  1 Methodist  Episcopal,  1 Methodist  Protestant,  1 Episco- 
pal, 1 Associate  Reformed  Presbyterian,  1 Baptist,  1 Lutheran,  1 Universalist, 
and  1 African  Methodist  church ; 2 or  3 printing  offices ; 3 drug,  1 book,  1 hard- 
ware, and  1 5 dry-goods  stores ; 1 paper,  1 oil,  and  3 flouring  mills ; 1 cotton,  1 
woollen,  and  1 sash  factory;  1 foundry  and  machine  shop;  and  in  1830  had  a 
population  of  1,080;  in  1840,  2,094;  in  1846,  2,952;  and  in  1847  about  3,500. 
— Old  Edition, 

Springfield  is  forty-three  miles  west  from  Columbus,  eighty-one  miles  northeast 
of  Cincinnati,  on  the  C.  C.  C.  & I.  R.  R.  ; and  on  the  P.  C.  & St.  L.,  I.  B.  & 
W.,  K.  Y.  P.  & O.,  and  O.  S.  Railroads.  It  is  distinguished  for  its  immense 
agricultural  implement  manufactures.  County  officers  in  1888:  Probate  Judge, 
John  C.  Miller ; Clerk  of  Court,  Jas.  H.  Rabbitts ; Sheriff,  W.  B.  Baker ; Prose- 
cuting Attorney,  MAlter  L.  Weaver;  Auditor,  Orlando  F,  Serviss ; Treasurer, 
John  N.  Parsons;  Recorder,  Samuel  A.  Todd;  Surveyor,  W.  Sharon;  Coroner 


Drawn  b?j  Henry  Howe  in  1840. 


WllTENBERG  COLLEGE. 

[Anotw,  a large  noble  building,  now  stands  beside  the  above,  and  the  location  of  the  institution  is 
in  the  midst  ot  some  of  the  most  charming  of  river  and  forest  scenery.] 


James  L^  Bennett;  Commissioners,  Wm.  H.  Sterritt,  Douglass  W.  Rawlings, 
Charles  E.  Gillen.  It  has  about  forty  churches,  the  most  numerous  of  which  are 
Methodist  Episco]ial,  Lutheran,  Presbyterian,  and  Roman  Catholic.  Newspapers : 
Champion  City  Times,  Republican,  daily  ; Cazette,  Independent,  daily  and  weekly; 
Globe  Republic,  Republican,  daily  and  weekly ; New  Era,  prohibitionist ; Spring^ 
fielder,  German ; Sunday  News  ; Transcript,  Democrat ; Farm  and  Fireside,  semi- 
monthly ; Ladies*  Home  Companion,  semi-monthly  ; Beacon,  temjierance  monthly  ; 
Wittenberger,  the  college  monthly.  Banks  : First  National,  B.  H.  Warder,  jiresi- 
dent,  C.  A.  Phelps,  cashier ; Lagonda  National,  John  Howell,  president,  D.  P. 
Jefferies,  cashier;  Mad  River  National,  James  S.  Goode,  president,  Thos.  F.  Mc- 
Grew,  cashier ; Second  National,  Amos  Whitely,  president,  J.  G.  Benallack, 
cashier ; Springfield  National,  P.  P.  Mast,  president,  F.  S.  Penfield,  cashier ; 
Springfield  Savings,  W.  S.  Field,  president,  Edw.  Hartford,  treasurer.  Wittenberg 
College,  President,  S.  A.  Ort;  students,  88. 

Manufactures  and  Employees. — Mast,  Croswell  & Kirkpatrick,  publishers,  108 
hands ; Mast,  Foos  & Co.,  wind  mills  and  pumps,  156  ; St.  John  Sewing  Machine 
Co.,  150;  Tricycle  Manufacturing  Co.,  tricycles,  children’s  carriages,  etc.,  110; 
Hendley,  Alexander  & Co.,  doors,  sash,  blinds,  etc.,  8 ; Blakeney  Foundry  Co., 


CLARK  COUNTY. 


399 


37 ; Springfield  Mallca])lo  Iron  Co.,  malleable  castings,  238 ; J.  H.  Thomas  & 
Sons,  hay  rakes,  lawn  mowers,  152;  The  P.  P.  Mast  Co.,  agricultural  imple- 
ments, 330  ; Warner  and  Barnett,  flour,  12  ; Springfield  Engine  & Thresher  Co., 
253  ; The  Standard  Manufacturing  Co.,  extension  tables,  68  ; Jas.  Driscol  Sons  & 
Co.,  carriages,  64;  The  Rogers  Fence  Co.,  20;  Champion  Malleable  Iron  Works, 
malleable  iron  for  Champion  machines,  500 ; Springfield  Coffin  and  Casket  Co., 
coffins  and  caskets,  50 ; E.  W.  Ross  & Co.,  agricultural  implements,  106 ; The 
Champion  Machine  Co.,  harvesting  machines,  404 ; Jas.  Leffel  & Co.,  water 
wheels  and  engines,  66 ; Warder,  Bushnell  & Glessner,  Champion  reapers  and 
mowers,  683;  Robinson  & Meyers,  iron  castings,  115;  The  Superior  Drill  Co., 
grain  drills,  hay  tools,  etc.,  105 ; J.  AE.  Bookwalter  & Co.,  grain  drills,  hay  tools, 
etc.,  60;  T.  L.  Arthur,  sash,  doors,  blinds,  etc.,  11 ; The  Springfield  Brass  Co., 
brass  goods,  29 ; St.  John  Sewing  Machine  Co.,  sewing  machine  tables,  41 ; Globe 
Printing  and  Publishing  Co.,  publications,  135 ; Armstrong  Bros.,  foundry  and 
machine  shops,  92  ; Feld,  Johnson  & Co.,  carriages,  30  ; L.  Patrie  & Co.,  furnaces, 
12;  Ohio  Southern  Railroad  Shops,  car  and  locomotive  repairing,  54;  The  Foos 
-Manufacturing  Co.,  cider  mills,  etc.,  51 ; The  Champion  Bar  and  Knife  Co.,  mower 
and  reaper  knives  and  bars,  350 ; Mffiitely,  Fassler  & Kelly,  Champion  mowers 
and  binders,  2,123;  Schneider  Bros.,  lager  beer,  24;  Common  Sense  Engine  Co., 
engines  and  boilers,  42 ; T.  E.  Harwood,  the  Gazette  newspaper,  24 ; Springfield 
Publishing  Co.,  Globe  Republican,  22  ; Champion  City  Times,  daily  newspaper, 
28. — State  Report  1886. 

Population  in  1880,  20,730.  School  census  in  1886,  8,922  ; W.  J.  AAhite, 
superintendent . 

For  the  following  historical  sketch  of  the  origin  and  growth  of  the  manufactures 
of  Springfield  up  to  1887  we  are  indebted  to  Clifton  M.  Nichols,  of  the  Springfield 
Republic : 

The  first  productive  concern  in  Springfield,  Ohio,  now  a famous  manufactur- 
ing city  of  35,000  to  40,000  people,  was  a “grist-mill,”  built  simultaneously  with 
Springfield’s  first  school-house  and  church  in  1804 ; in  1805  the  second  productive 
concern,  and  the  first  which  might  be  called  a factory,  was  a tannery  built  by 
Cooper  Ludlow.  Much  use  was  made  of  powder  in  these  primitive  pioneer  days, 
and  by  way  of  supplying  a home  demand  by  a home  supply,  a powder-mill  was 
built  and  worked  in  1809.  Springfield’s  first  newspaper,  then  known  as  the 
Farmer,  and  now  as  the  Republic,  made  its  appearance  in  1817.  In  this  same 
year,  as  another  means  of  meeting  a home  demand  for  material  for  men’s  and 
women’s  clothing,  Maddox  Fisher  put  up  and  worked  a factory  for  the  production 
of  cotton  fabrics,  and  in  that  year  also  Jacob  Woodward,  Ira  Paige,  and  James 
Taylor  commenced  the  manufacture  of  woollen  cloth,  to  meet  a want  that  had 
certainly  not  been  very  long  felt.  The  building  then  erected  for  this  mill  was 
afterward  used  by  Jacob  W.  and  William  A.  Kills,  for  the  manufacture  of  print- 
ing-papers. A few  years  since  it  was  reconstructed  and  enlarged  by  Marsfield 
Steele,  and  it  is  now  occupied  by  the  Standard  Manufacturing  Company  for  the 
manufacture  of  dining-tables.  It  stands  on  north  Center  street,  between  Columbia 
and  North  streets. 

At  this  same  time  flax  was  largely  cultivated,  to  provide  the  fibre  for  “ tow  ” 
and  linen  cloth  generally  worn  by  the  men,  women,  and  children  of  the  period^ 
in  warm  weather;  and  that  the  seed  might  be  utilized,  Griffith  Foos,  who  built 
the  first  tavern  in  Springfield  in  1803,  erected  and  worked  an  oil-mill  on  a spot 
now  covered  by  the  system  of  workshops  owned  by  the  Champion  Machine  Com- 
pany. 

In  1838,  James  Leffel,  whose  name  should  be  honored  here  and  elsewhere  as 
Springfield’s  great  pioneer  inventor  and  manufacturer,  built  the  first  foundry  and 
machine-shop  ever  erected  in  this  vicinity  on  the  south  side  of  West  Main  street, 
opposite  the  first  bridge  over  Buck  creek,  or  the  Lagonda.  Here  sickles,  axes, 
and  knives  were  manufactured,  and  various  iron  implements  in  use  among  the 
people  were  repaired.  Mr.  Leffel  afterward  invented  the  double  turbine  water- 
wheel, which  was  improved  by  his  son-in-law,  Jolm  W.  Bookwalter,  and  is  now 


400 


CLARK  COUNTY. 


manufactured  by  the  firm  of  James  Leffel  & Co.  in  this  city,  and  sent  to  all  points 
of  the  globe. 

In  1841  Samuel  and  James  Barnett  built  a large  flouring-mill  on  the  Barnett 
hydraulic,  on  what  is  now  known  as  Warder  street,  in  Springfield,  and  this  con^ 
cern  having  recently  been  changed  into  a roller-mill,  is  now  run  and  managed  by 
the  heirs  of  the  late  William  Warder  and  Mr.  William  A.  Barnett,  son  of  the  late 
Samuel  Barnett,  one  of  the  builders  of  the  mill. 

In  1848  John  A.  Pitts  came  here  from  Buffalo,  N.  Y.,  and  laid  the  foundation 
of  the  extensive  engine  and  thresher  works  now  standing  on  the  south  side  of 
Warder  street. 

In  1852  was  born  the  great  Champion  industry,  William  N.  Whiteley  having 
in  that  year  invented  the  Champion  reaper  and  mower,  which  by  1887  has  come 
to  be  much  the  largest  and  most  important  single  harvester  industry  in  the  world. 
The  firms  of  Whiteley,  Fassler  & Kelly,  the  Champion  Machine  Company,  the 
Champion  Bar  and  Knife  Company,  the  Champion  Malleable  Iron  Company,  the 
Champion  steel-mills,  and  the  Warder,  Bushnell  & Glessner  Company,  are  all 
employed  in  manufacturing,  in  part  or  as  a whole,  the  Champion  harvesters,  and 
employ  4,000  men  in  the  various  manufacturing  processes  required  in  producing 
these  machines. 

In  1850  the  Lagonda  Agricultural  Works  were  organized.  They  now  form  an 
important  part  of  the  system  of  Champion  harvester-shops,  and  with  machine- 
shops,  wood-shops,  malleable-iron-foundries,  bar-  and  knife-shops,  warehouses, 
etc.,  form  in  themselves  one  of  the  largest  factories  in  America.  B.  H.  Warder 
and  A.  S.  Bushnell,  of  Springfield,  and  John  J.  Glessner,  of  Chicago,  are  the 
owners. 

In  1855  P.  M.  Mast,  John  H.  Thomas,  and  John  M.  Deardorff  organized  on 
Warder  street  a factory  for  the  production  of  the  Buckeye  grain-drill.  Out  of  this 
concern  ultimately  grew  the  manufacturing  concerns  of  P.  P.  Mast  & Co.,  Mast, 
Foos  & Co.,  Superior  Drill  Company,  Thomas  & Sons  Rake  Works,  and  the 
tricycle  factory,  all  now  large  and  prosperous  concerns.  In  addition  to  these  con- 
cerns mentioned  there  are  sixty  to  seventy  large  factories  in  the  city,  and  all  in  a 
prosperous  condition.  The  products  of  these  factories  are,  besides  grain-  and 
grass-harvesters,  grain-drills,  water-wheels,  and  the  parts  of  these  implements, 
cultivators,  cider-mills,  wind-engines,  feed-cutters,  pumps,  lawn-mowers,  plows, 
sewing-machines,  iron  fencing,  horse  hay-rakes,  hay-tedders,  corn-drills  and  har- 
rows, bench  and  tub  clothes-Vv^ringers,  burial-cases  of  various  kinds,  grave-vaults, 
malleable  and  gray  iron,  steam-engines  and  steam-pumps,  linseed-oil,  oil-cake, 
paints,  buggy-  and  dash-mouldings,  steam-boilers  and  sheet-iron  products,  heating- 
furnaces,  wrapping-paper,  books  and  periodicals,  wheelbarrows,  bicycles,  tricycles, 
willow-wagons,  coaches,  buggies,  and  carriages,  ale,  beer,  whisky,  soap,  crackers, 
galvanized  iron  products,  leather,  etc.,  etc.  From  7,000  to  8,000  men  are  em- 
ployed in  these  factories.  - 

Springfield  is  in  1887  one  of  the  most  commercially  solid  and  prosperous,  as  it 
is  certainly  one  of  the  most  beautiful  inland  cities  of  America.  With  a population 
of  but  about  35,000 — possibl}^  40,000 — she  has  a fame  exceeding  that  of  many 
cities  four  times  her  size.  Not  only  are  the  products  of  her  great  factories  known 
and  used  largely  in  all  parts  of  America,  but  also  in  Great  Britain,  and  in  France, 
Germany,  Russia,  and  in  other  continental  lands,  and  in  Australia,  South 
America,  and,  indeed,  in  all  quarters  of  the  civilized  world  where  grass  and  grain 
grow,  where  water  and  the  atmosphere  are  used  to  move  the  machinery  of  mills 
and  shops,  and  where  the  refining  and  wholesome  infiuences  of  civilization  call 
upon  the  genius  of  the  inventor  and  the  skill  of  the  artisan  to  lighten  and  enliven 
toil,  may  be  found  the  finished  products  of  Springfield  workshops,  from  devices 
born  in  the  brains  of  Springfield  inventors.  In  the  great  grain-fields  of  the 
Northwest,  indeed,  in  all  the  grain-  and  grass-fields  of  America  and  Europe,  one 
may  see  Springfield  reapers  and  mowers  moving  quietly  and  quickly  along  and 
gathering  in  the  harvests  of  the  world.  And  in  all  civilized  countries  may  be 
found  one  or  several  of  the  products  of  Springfield’s  skill  and  industry,  the  num- 
bers of  which  are  increasing  from  year  to  year. 


Frank  Henry  Howe,  Photo.,  1887, 

Shops  of  the  Champion  Mowers  and  Binders,  Springfield. 

[The  view  is  the  front  of  the  many  connecting  buildings  comprising  the  works  of  the  Company.  The 
flooring  of  the  entire  connecting  group  is  fifty-four  acres,  sufficient  to  construct  an  avenue  sixty  feet 
broad  and  three  and  a half  miles  long,  and  this  it  is  said  is  not  equalled  by  any  other  manufacturing 
establishment  on  the  globe.  In  1886  the  Company  (Whiteley,  Fassler  & Kelly)  employed  over  2,000 
men,  and  turned  out  a Champion  Mower  every  four  minutes.] 


Fern  Cliff,  Springfield,  in  Winter. 

(401) 


CLARK  COUNTY, 


403 


TEA  YELLING  NOTES. 

A Genuine  Patriarch. — The  gentleman  who 
supplied  me  with  the  preceding  notes  upon 
the  history  of  Clark  county  was  a lawyer,  then 
forty-three  years  of  age — E.  H.  Gumming, 
Esq.  On  this  tour  I had  the  pleasure^  of 
again  meeting  him  ; a venerable  octogenarian, 
the  Rev.  E.  H.  Gumming,  of  the  Episcopal 
Church,  and  in  his  physique  the  very  ideal  of 
a patriarch.  He  is  somewhat  tall,  wears  a 
long  surtout,  walks  with  a cane,  his  head- 
covering a tall,  soft,  white  hat,  upper  part 
cylindrical,  beard  and  hair  long,  white,  and 
flowing  down  his  shoulders,  eyes  blue,  with 
drooping  lids,  nose  thin,  aquiline,  and  promi- 
nent, and  general  expression  grave  and 
thoughtful.  His  portrait  is  here  given  as  he 


gratitude  to  a gentleman,  the  only  one  I know 
of  now  living  of  the  many  who  aided  me  on 
my  original  edition.  He  lives  in  the  old 
Warder  mansion  under  the  hill,  with  a fine 
view  of  the  distant  spires  of  Springfield,  and 
upon  the  margin  of  the  valley  of  the  Lagonda, 
which  stream  flows  in  quiet  beauty  through 
grassy  meadows  around  the  town. 

Mr.  Gumming  was  born  in  New  Jersey  in 
1804.  He  studied  law  at  the  famous  school 
of  Judge  Gould,  on  Litchfield  hill,  when  the 
Beechers  were  living  there,  and  in  their  bud- 
ding days  ; was  admitted  to  the  bar  of  Clark 
county  in  1831,  which  he  left  for  the  ministry 
in  1849.  There  is  not  in  practice  a single 
member  of  the  bar  save  one  in  the  wide  range 
of  Darke,  Preble,  Montgomery,  Miami,  Shel- 
by, Champaign,  and  Clark  counties  who  was 
in  practice  when  he  was  admitted. 

U hat  About  Interesting  People. — Mr.  Gum- 
ming’s acquaintance  with  interesting  people 
has  been  unusual,  and  he  abounds  in  anec- 
dotes. Old  gentlemen  who  lived  in  the  time 
of  Tom  Corwin  love  to  talk  of  him,  and  he  is 
not  an  exception.  Corwin’s  father  (said  Mr. 


Gumming)  came  from  Morris  county,  N.  J.  ; 
his  mother  was  a native  of  Long  Island,  and 
daughter  of  a sea-captain.  Thomas  was  born 
in  Bourbon  county,  Ky.,  was  quite  a lad  when 
his  father  moved  into  Warren  county,  and 
settled  on  Turtle  creek.  It  was  a common 
thing  for  eastern  emigrants  to  Kentucky,  in 
moderate  circumstances,  through  disgust  of 
slavery  to  feel  as  though  it  was  no  place  to 
raise  a family,  and  so  they  moved  to  the 
north  side  of  the  Ohio.  Such  was  the  case 
with  Mathias  Corwin. 

Anecdotes  of  Corwin. — Mr.  Corwin  was  a 
farmer,  and  the  services  of  his  young  son 
Thomas  were  at  this  time  especially  impor- 
tant. He  told  me  that  his  older  brother  was 
clerk  of  court,  and  that  he  was  extremely  de- 
sirous of  obtaining  an  education,  and  impor- 
tuned his  father  to  that  end.  He  replied 
that  in  the  condition  of  the  family  he  could 
not  spare  his  services  ; that  he  must  remain 
with  him  and  work  on  the  farm.  “A  little 
while  after  this,”  continued  Corwin,  “ I broke 
my  leg.  Competent  surgical  assistance  was 
difiicult  to  procure.  Time  passed  very  te- 
diously and  life  irksome,  when  one  day  I got 
hold  of  a Latin  grammar,  and  I became  so 
deeply  interested  that  I committed  it  entirely 
by  heart.  This  awakened  in  me  with  renewed 
vigor  the  desire  for  an  education.  I again 
importuned  my  father  and  he  again  denied 
me,  whereupon  I again,  and  purposely,  broke 
my  leg  to  get  the  leisure  for  study.  Upon 
this,  my  father  seeing  the  folly  of  opposing 
me,  gave  in,  and  I pursued  my  education 
with  my  brother.  ” 

His  brother,  Mr.  Gumming  said,  was  a good 
English  scholar,  and  had  a fair  knowledge  of 
Latin.  All  the  teaching  Corwin  had  was 
through  him ; he  never  was  a college  man. 
Mr.  Corwin  acquired  quickly  and  retained 
tenaciously.  He  was  very  proud  of  his  Hun- 
garian descent,  and  regarded  whatever  talent 
he  possessed  as  of  that  lineage. 

It  was  extremely  interesting  when  Mr.  Cor- 
win returned  from  Congress  to  listen  to  his 
characteristic  anecdotes  of  public  men  with 
whom  he  had  associated.  Being  a Ken- 
tuckian by  birth,  he  was  very  fond  of  the 
society  of  Southern  and  Western  men.  He 
had  a large  circle  of  acquaintances  ; his  social 
nature  was  pre-eminent.  His  extraordinary 
dramatic  power,  his  keen  sense  of  the  ludi- 
crous, was  shown  on  these  occasions.  The 
mobility  of  his  countenance  was  wonderful, 
and  all  was  helped  on  by  the  movement  of 
hands,  head,  and  eyes,  and  when  he  laughed 
he  set  everybody  else  in  a roar.  When  in 
Cincinnati  he  was  in  the  habit  of  stopping 
over  night  at  the  Burnet  House,  and  from  his 
social  qualities  was  wont  to_  gather  a knot  of 
listeners  around  him.  It  is  related  of  him 
that  on  one  of  these  occasions  the  group  sat 
out  the  entire  night,  and  were  only  dispersed 
by  the  light  of  morning  breaking  in  upon 
them.  They  were,  however,  about  half-dead 
from  their  social  intoxication.^  Nobody  could 
get  tired  listening,  he  was  so  brilliant  and  witty. 

Gen.  JSamson  Mason  (said  Mr.  Gumming) 
wag  of  marked  ability.  He  served  several 


404 


CLARK  COUNTY. 


oonsecutive  terms  in  Congress  from  this  dis- 
trict. John  Q.  Adams  in  his  “Diary”  fre- 
quently in  his  writings  speaks  of  him  and  in 
nigh  regard.  He  had  but  a common-school 
education  ; was  born  in  1793  in  New  Jersey, 
and  came  here  in  1818  a poor  young  man. 
He  had  tarried  for  a short  time  at  Chillicothe, 
made  friends,  and  some  noble  spirit  there  had 
become  interested  in  the  young  man  and  given 
hini  a horse,  and  he  journeyed  on  his  back  to 
Springfield,  He  became  distinguished  in  all 
the  relations  of  life,  and  in  1841  united  with 
the  Presbyterian  Church,  and  was  an  active 
Christian,  his  heart  all  alive  for  doing  good. 
In  Fillmore’s  administration  he  was  United 
States  district-attorney  for  Ohio. 

Charles  Anthony,  or  General  Anthony,  as 
he  was  called  (continued  Mr.  Cumming),  was 
a prominent  member  of  the  bar  here  from 
1824  to  1862.  His  parents  were  members  of 
the  Society  of  Friends,  of  Richmond,  Va. 
In  the  Harrison  campaign  of  1 840  he  acquired 
great  reputation  as  a stump  speaker.  He  was 
United  States  Attorney  for  Ohio  in  the  Har- 
rison-Tyler  administration.  He  died  in  ] 862 
and  was  buried  with  Masonic  honors.  Hon. 
Samuel  Shellabarger  studied  law  here  under 
Samson  Mason  and  represented  this  district 
for  several  terms  in  Congress  during  the  war 
era.  His  reputation  for  legal  capacity  and 
integrity  is  national.  He  has  resided  for 
many  years  in  Washington.  He  is  one  of 
those  characters  that  when  spoken  of  the 
word  “honest”  is  often  couplea  with  the 
name. 

The  Frankensteins.  — A very  talented  family 
in  the  way  of  art  is  the  Frankenstein  family. 
The  parents  emigrated  from  Germany  in 
1831,  bringing  with  them  four  sons  and  two 
daughters.  They  lived  in  Cincinnati  for 
many  years,  and  since  1849  made  their  home 
in  Springfield  or  rather  what  is  left  of  them 
through  the  changes  of  time. 

Godfrey  N.,  the  second  son,  born  in  1820, 
died,  in  1873,  was  the  most^  noted  of  the 
family.  The  great  work  of  his  life  was  his 
panorama  of  Niagara.  He  spent  the  greater 
part  of  the  time  between  1844  and  1866, 
twenty-two  years,  in  depicting  the  scenery 
of  the  falls  on  canvas  In  all  seasons  of  the 
year,  in  the  coldest  wintry  weather,  and  alike 
in  summer,  by  day  and  night,  and  from  every 
conceivable  point. 

In  1867  he  visited  Europe,  sojourning 
a while  in  England,  painting  some  English 
scenes,  and  spent  a season  in  company  with 
his  younger  brother,  Gustavus  Frankenstein, 
among  the  Alps.  On  their  return  to  London 
it  was  acknowledged  that  Mont  Blanc  and 
Chamouni  valley  had  never  before  been 
painted  with  such  power  and  beauty. 

After  an  absence  of  two  years  he  returned 
to  America,  in  April,  1869,  and  in  the  fol- 
lowing autumn  he  went  to  one  of  his  cherished 
streams,  Little  Miami  river,  near  Foster’s 
Crossings,  twenty-tw;^  miles  from  Cincinnati, 
and  painted  Governor  Morrow’s  old  mill,  two 
views  of  it,  one  looking  up  the  stream,  the 
other  down  the  stream. 

The  loveliness  of  these  two  scenes  is  inde- 


scribable. The  following  season,  1870,  finds 
him  again  in  the  same  vicinity,  (airly  throw- 
ing the  sunshine  on  the  canvas.  In  the 
month  of  January,  1871,  the  artist  met  with 
a severe  loss  in  the  death  of  his  mother,  from 
the  effects  of  which  he  never  fully  recovered. 

In  the  autumn  of  the  same  year  he  went 
to  the  White  Mountains,  accompanied  by  his 
sister  Eliza,  where  they  both  painted  from 
nature.  In  November,  1872,  he  painted  his 
last  scene  from  nature,  Mad  River,  Fern 
Cliffs,  three  miles  from  Springfield,  Ohio. 
He  contracted  a cold,  which  culminated  in  a 
very  brief,  severe  illness  in  the  following 
February,  lasting  ten  days,  and  on  the  morn- 
ing of  February  24,  1873,  he  breathed  his 
last.  His  industry  was  wonderful,  and  he 
possessed  one  of  the  largest  collections  of 
landscape  paintings  in  the  world,  never  hav- 
ing parted  w’th  but  one  of  his  original 
pictures. 


The  Frankenstein  Home.stead. 


The  Frankenstein  homestead  is  a pictur- 
esque spot,  the  house  old  and  brown.  It  is 
half  enveloped  in  shrubbery,  and  when,  after 
making  a sketch,  I approached  the  place  1 
found  the  yard  filled  with  lilacs  about  ready 
to  spring  into  bloom.  His  sister  answered 
my  knock  with  pallet  and  brush  in  hand,  an 
earnest,  busy  little  woman.  It  was  near 
dusk,  and  she  seemed  almost  too  much  ab- 
sorbed in  her  painting  even  to  talk.  I tried 
to  get  a smile  on  her  face,  but  there  was  no 
laugh  in  her.  This  was  Eliza,  the  youngest 
of  the  family,  who  had  always  accompanied 
Godfrey  on  his  sketching  tours,  and  he  often 
said  the  most  peaceful,  happiest  moments  of 
his  life  were  those  when  he  and  she  together 
went  to  paint  from  nature.  There  was  a calm 
enthusiasm  in  her  talk  about  her  brother 
that  was  extremely  pleasing.  The  love  of  a 
sister  for  a brother  is  better  than  houses  and 
gold,  and  this  one  said  that  her  brother  was 
not  only  the  greatest  landscape  painter  that 
America  ever  had,  but  the  greatest  the  world 
ever  knew.  Perhaps  he  was.  Who  knows  ? 
It  took  a Ruskin  to  show  mankind  the  great- 
ness of  Turner.  One  thing  is  certain,  a more 
devout  student  of  nature  than  he  could  not 
be.  His  pictures  are  very  beautiful  and 
original.  They  are  generally  small  and  as 
painstaking  as  anj^^thing  of  Messonier,  and 
no  artist  ever  had  more  enthusiastic  admirers 
than  some  of  those  who  possess  his  works. 
They  say  they  are  a continual  feast,  always 
lift  them  into  the  realms  of  the  beautiful. 


CLARK  COUNTY, 


405 


Godfrey  Frankenstein  was  simple-hearted, 
c^uileless  as  a child,  and  modesty  itself.  In 
his  dying  moments  he  was  heard  to  utter  a 
few  low  words  in  German.  ^ It  was  a prayer 
to  the  God  of  love  to  receive  his  spirit.  I 
knew  Godfrey  Frankenstein.  Once  in  a call 
at  my  fireside  among  other  things  he  told  me 
this  anecdote  of  a child.  “Tommy  Wat- 
kins,” said  he  (the  name  is  hypothetical), 
“is  a very  comical  five-year-old  boy  in  our 
neighborhood.  In  their  front  yard  was  a 
noble  peony  in  bloom,  and,  missing  it,  his 
mother  inquired  if  he  knew  what  had  become 
of  it.  ‘Mother,’  he  replied,  looking  up 
honestly  in  her  face,  ‘I  picked  it;  I can’t 
tell  a lie.  Now,  ain’t  I like  Georgie  Wash- 
ington?’ His  mother,  in  a spirit  of  pride, 
mentioned  it  to  one  of  the  neighbors,  where- 
upon the  latter  burst  into  a laugh,  saying: 
‘ It  is  no  such  thing ; I saw  Jimmy  Williams 
pick  it  as  he  was  coming  home  from 
school.’” 

Worthington  Whittridge^  artist,  was  born 
in  Springfield  in  1820.  Francis  ().  Sessions, 
in  his  paper  on  “Art  and  Artists  in  Ohio,” 
says  of  him : 

“As  soon  as  he  was  of  age  he  went  to 
Cincinnati  to  go  into  business.  He  failed  in 
almost  everything  he  engaged  in,  and  finally 
determined  to  become  an  artist.  Putting 
himself  under  instructions,  he  soon  began  to 
paint  portraits.  At  that  time  there  were  a 
number  of  artists  residing  there,  and  there 
were  a number  of  citizens  who  were  interested 
in  art  and  artists.  Among  them  were  Mr. 
Nicholas  Longworth,  Mr.  John  Foote,  Mr. 
Charles  Stetson,  Hon.  Judge  Burnet  and 
Griffin  Taylor.  To  these  gentlemen  much 
credit  is  due  for  so  many  artists  springing  up 
in  Cincinnati  and  for  the  lead  Cincinnati  has 
taken  as  an  art  centre  in  the  West.  Whitt- 
ridge  soon  left  Ohio^  and  went  to  Europe, 
studying  in  the  galleries  of  Diisseldorf,  Bel- 
gium, Holland,  Rome,  London  and  Paris, 
and  finally  settled  in  New  York  in  1859. 
We  remember  to  have  seen  in  the  Paris  Ex- 
position, in  1878,  two  of  his  paintings,  ‘ A 
Trout  Brook  ’ and  ‘ The  Platte  River,  ’ which 
attracted  much  attention  and  were  among  the 
best  in  the  American  exhibit.  He  is  a great 
lover  of  nature. 

“His  most  successful  pictures  have  been 
‘Rocky  Mountains  from  the  Plains,’  1870, 
owned  by  the  Century  Club ; ‘ Trout  Brook 
in  the  Catskills,  ’ in  the  Corcoran  gallery ; 
‘Old  House  by  the  Sea,’  and  ‘Lake  in  the 
Catskills.  ’ 

“Mr.  Whittridge  retains  a warm  interest 
in  Ohio.  He  says  that  the  general  judgment 
of  artists  is  that  Quincy  Ward’s  ‘Washing- 
ton,’ on  the  sub  treasury  steps,  is  a noble 
and  imposing  work. 

“He  thinks  that  Ward  a half  century  after 
his  death  will  be  classed  with  Canova  and 
Thorwaldsen.  Whittridge  is  a gray-bearded, 
dignified-looking  artist,  who  seems  scholarly 
and  broadly  cultured.  He  ranks  in  the  first 
class  of  landscape  painters,  but  there  is  noth- 
ing Sensational  about  him.  His  social  stand- 
ing is  high.” 


A Veteran  of  '‘'’the  Black  Watch." — Now 
living  in  Springfield  in  the  person  of  a re- 
tired army  officer  is  a gentleman  who  had  in 
his  youth  the  singular  honor  of  being  a 
soldier  in  the  very  first  regiment  of  regular 
troops  that  ever_  trod  upon  the  soil  of  Ohio. 
This  gentleman  is  Col.  Robert  L.  Kilpatrick, 
and  he  looks,  as  he  is,  every  inch  a soldier, 
tall,  strongly  made,  erect,  dark  complexion, 
with  one  of  the  strongest  of  Scotch  faces. 
He  was  born  in  April,  1825,  in  Paisley,  Scot- 
land. At  the  age  of  sixteen  he  enlisted  in 
the  Forty-second  Highlanders,  the  famous 
“Black  Watch”  regiment,  the  most  famous 
in  the  British  army.  The  regiment  is  most 
honorably  identified  with  American  annals. 
In  the  attack  on  Fort  Ticonderoga,  July  8, 
1758,  the  Forty-second  lost  600  out  of  1,000 
men.  It  was  on  Boquet’s  expedition  and 
comprised  nearly  all  the  fighting  force  at  the 
battle  of  Bushy  Run  in  what  is  now  West- 
moreland county.  Pa.,  in  August,  1763.  The 
Indians  attacked  them  in  ambush,  but  by 
excellent  generalship  the  Highlanders  suc- 
cessfully charged  them  with  the  bayonet, 
giving  the  savages  the  severest  defeat  they 
had  ever  experienced.  The  next  year,  1764, 
Boquet  crossed  over  the  river  with  this  regi- 
ment into  what  is  now  known  as  Coshocton 
county,  which  thus  became  the  first  regiment 
of  regular  troops  that  ever  trod  the  soil  of 
Ohio. 

For  ten  years  Col.  Kilpatrick  was  on  for- 
eign service  at  Malta  and  the  Bermudas,  half 
the  time  as  a non-commissioned  officer. 

The  Famous  Fifth  Ohio.— la  1858,  being 
then  a resident  of  Cincinnati,  he  organized 
the  Highland  Guards,  a company  of  Scotch- 
men, who  adopted  the  Highland  costume. 
This  formed  the  nucleus  for  the  famous  Fifth 
Ohio,  which  he  commanded  in  several  en- 
gagements. He  lost  his  arm  at  Chancellors- 
ville.  In  1870  he  was  retired  from  the  regu- 
lar army  with  the  full  rank  of  colonel.  His 
regiment  was  in  six  pitched  battles  and 
twenty-eight  hard-fought  engagements.  There 
is  a story  told  of  an  incident  which  occurred 
at  the  first  battle  of  Winchester.  The 
standard-bearer  of  this  regiment  was  shot 
down,  but  before  the  stars  and  stripes  trailed 
in  the  dust  a soldier  sprang  forward  and 
caught  them,  bearing  them  aloft  again.  He, 
too,  was  shot  down,  but  a third  hand  grasped 
the  flag  and  waved  it  in  front  of  the  battle. 
Once  more  the  fatal  bullet  pierced  the  faith- 
ful heart  of  the  color-bearer,  and  as  be  fell 
he  cried  to  those  who  sprang  to  his  assist- 
ance: “Boys,  keep  the  colors  up!”  and 
these  words  ever  after  remained  the  motto 
of  the  regiment. 

An  Early  Acquaintance. — On  a near  and 
preceding  page  is  an  engraving  of  the  birth- 
place of  Tecumseh  and  the  battle-field  in  the 
valley  of  Mad  river,  where  General  George 
Rogers  Clark  fought  and  defeated  the  Shaw- 
nees  : it  is  from  a drawing  I made  in  the  year 
1 846.  It  was  in  the  winter,  the  ground  covered 
with  snow  and  with  benumbed  fingers  I took  a 
hasty  sketch.  A bright,  intelligent  boy  ten  yeara 
old  stood  by  my  side  who  had  been  sent  by  his 


406 


'CLARK  COUNTY. 


father,  a farmer  near  by,  to  point  out  to  me 
the  various  objects  of  historic  interest,  and 
among  them  the  hill  called  Tecumseh.  Not 


An  Early  Acquaintance, 

until  on  this  second  tour  and  in  a lawyer’s 
office  (his  own)  in  Springfield  did  I again 
meet  my  once  little  guide  to  the  birthplace 


and  battle-field.  Lo,  what  a change  1 H« 
had  evidently  fed  well.  The  rich  bottom 
lands  of  Mad  river  had  not  grown  the'ir  vast 
crops  in  vain.  In  the  interim  he  had  at- 
tained to  ponderous  proportions  and  to  great 
honors. 

In  his  youth  the  advent  of  my  book  to  his 
father’s  house  had  been  a marked  event.  It 
was  fuel  for  the  fires  of  patriotism,  and  when 
a young  man  the  flag  he  loved  so  well  was 
shot  at,  trailed  in  the  dust  and  spit  upon,  he 
was  among  the  first  of  the  indignant  spirits 
that  sprang  to  its  rescue.  The  war  ended. 
He  had  been  in  many  battles,  was  wounded 
several  times  and  peace  found  him  a major- 
general.  And  the  old  flag,  too,  now  for  the 
first  time  waving  over  a land  entirely  unsul- 
lied, waving  in  the  stitF,  strong  breezes  of  its 
perfect  liberty,  flapped  its  folds  in  joy. 

More  honors.  His  neighbors  sent  him  to 
Congress,  and  he  became  Speaker  of  the 
House  of  Representatives,  the  only  man  from 
Ohio  upon  whom  had  ever  been  bestowed 
that  great  honor,  and  on  every  law  that  was 
passed  for  the  uses  of  this  American  people 
was  placed  his  extraordinarily  bold  signature, 
given  as  with  the  pen  of  a giant,  generous 
in  ink. 

Still  another  honor ! Gladstone,  in  the 
House  of  Commons,  cited  and  adopted  one 
of  his  decisions,  a compliment  never  before 
paid  to  an  American  parliamentarian  in  all 
of  Old  England.  This  rule  has  since  been 


called  by  the  general  name  of  Cloture,  which 
is  the  right  of  a Speaker  to  close  debate  and 
cut  off  purposely  obstructive  motions  and 
questions  and  bring  the  house  to  an  imme- 
diate vote  upon  the  main  question. 

Leffel,  the  Inventor. — An  old  citizen  here 
has  given  me  some  interesting  items  upon 
James  Leffel,  the  great  pioneer  inventor  of 
Springfield.  He  says,  “ He  brought  into  his 
office  his  model  of  the  first  turbine  water- 
wheel, He  wore  a plug  hat  and  he  carried  it 
under  a handkerchief  in  its  crown.  Leffel 
was  a small  man,  with  a rugged  expression, 
always  absorbed  and  could  talk  of  nothing 
but  his  inventions.  He  invented,  forty  years 
ago,  the  first  cook-stove,  ‘ the  Buckeye,’  ever 
made  in  the  State,  and  no  better  has  suc- 
ceeded it.  His  machine  for  crushing  gold- 
bearing  quartz  was  a great  success,  while  his 
water-wheel  made  the  fortune  of  all  who  man- 
ufactured it.  His  oldest  son  Wright  had  the 
inventive  talent  of  his  father  and  in  one  of 
his  trips  to  California  with  the  quartz  crusher 
was  drowned.  Mr.  Leffel  doted  on  him,  and 
the  blow  almost  broke  his  heart. 

In  Fern  Cliff  Cemetenf  Springfield  has  one 
of  the  most  beautiful  of  burial  places.  It  is 
just  north  of  the  town  on  the  forest-covered, 


varied  surface  hill  that  rises  from  the  La- 
gonda  on  the  north.  The  stream  there  is 
about  six  rods  wide  and  gently  curves  around 
its  base.  The  winding  walk  by  its  margin, 
the  bold,  limestone  cliff's,  the  heavy  growth 
of  fern  that  grows  so  fondly  at  their  base  and 
in  their  crevices,  the  shadowing  trees  and 
placid  waters  render  it  one  of  the  most  pic- 
turesque, charming  of  spots,  and  then  withal 
comes  the  reflection,  this  so  near  a busy  city 
and  yet  so  calm  and  secluded.  Nature  is 
there  to  woo  the  spirit  with  her  sweet  delights, 
and  that  nothing  may  seem  wanting  two  or 
three  bridges  hard  by  hang  over  the  waters, 
while  the  spires  of  the  college  peer  above  the 
trees  to  show  that  human  learning  has  come 
there  for  its  most  holy  aspirations.  I know 
of  no  other  spot  near  a city  so  gem -like  and 

Cemetery  was  established  in 
1863.  Many  eminent  citizens  have  been 
buried  there  ; among  them  Thomas  A.  Mor- 
ris, Bishop  Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  who 
died  in  1874,  aged  eighty  ; Gen,  Samson  Ma- 
son, died  in  1869,  aged  seventy-five;  and  we 
also  mention  Reuben  Miller,  who  died  in 
1880,  aged  eighty-three,  not  for  any  especial 
eminence,  still  he  had  been  county  auditor  for 


exquisite. 
Fern  Cliff 


CLARK  COUNTY, 


407 


eighteen  years  and  was  a local  elder  in  the 
Methodist  Episcopal  Church.  He  was  noted 
for  his  sunny  disposition  and  his  humorous 
versification.  An  epitaph,  written  by  him- 


self for  himself  many  years  before  his  death, 
is  a most  original  production  ; it  shows  that 
highest  of  all  qualities,  viz.,  gcnins ; but  he 
lived  and  died  probably  without  knowing  it. 


EPITAPH  OF  REUBEN  MILLER. 

[Written  by  him  for  his  monument.] 

Here  lies  a man — a curious  one. 

No  one  can  tell  what  good  he’s  done 
Nor  yet  how  much  of  evil ; 

Where  now  his  soul  is,  who  can  tell  ? 

In  Heaven  above,  or  low  in  hell  ? 

With  God  or  with  the  devil  ? 

While  living  here  he  oft  would  say. 

That  he  must  shortly  turn  to  clay 
And  quickly  rot — 

This  thought  would  sometimes  cross  his 
brain. 

That  he  perhaps  might  live  again. 

And  maybe  not. 

As  sure  as  he  in  dust  doth  lie, 

He  died  because  he  had  to  die. 

But  much  against  his  will ; 

Had  he  got  all  that  he  desired. 

This  man  would  never  have  expired, 

He  had  been  living  still. 


New  Carlisle,  twelve  miles  west  of  Springfield,  on  the  I.  B.  & W,  R.  R.,  is 
located  in  a fine  farming  district.  Newspapers : Sun,  Republican,  J.  M.  Huffa, 
editor  and  publisher ; Buckeye  Farmer,  agricultural,  J.  M.  Hufia,  editor  and  pub- 
lisher ; Farm  and  Fireside  Friend,  agricultural,  J.  L.  Rust,  publisher.  Churches  : 
1 Christian,  1 Dunkard,  1 Presbyterian,  1 Methodist.  Bank  : New  Carlisle  Bank, 
Jonathan  V.  Forgy,  president,  C.  H.  Neff,  cashier. 

Industries. — Fruit  tree  nurseries,  bee  supply  manufactory,  force  and  lift  pump 
manufactory,  creamery,  and  planing  mill.  Population  in  1880,  818.  School 
census  in  1886,  359  ; J.  B.  Mohler,  superintendent. 

South  Charleston,  twelve  miles  southeast  of  Siiringfield,  on  two  railroads, 
O.  S.  and  P.  C.  & St.  L.,  is  a fine  village  in  a rich  level  country ; has  several 
churches,  two  banks — South  Charleston,  John  Rankin,  president,  Stacy  B.  Rankin, 
cashier ; Farmers^  National,  A.  D.  Pancake,  president,  Milton  Clark,  cashier ; and 
in  1880,  932  inhabitants. 

Enon,  seven  miles  from  Springfield,  on  the  Dayton  road,  had,  in  1880,  362  in- 
habitants. 


CLERMONT  COUNTY. 


CLERMONT. 


Clermont,  the  eighth  county  erected  in  the  Northwestern  Territory,  was  formed 
December  9,  1800,  by  proclamation  of  Gov.  St.  Clair.  The  name  was  probably 
derived  from  Clermont,  in  France.  The  surface  is  generally  rolling  and  quite 
broken  near  the  Ohio,  and  the  soil  mostly  rich.  The  geological  formation  is  the 
blue  fossiliferous  limestone  interstratified  with  clay  marl,  and  mostly  covered  with 
a rich  vegetable  mould.  It  is  well  watered,  and  the  streams  furnish  considerable 
water  power.  Area,  440 square  miles.  In  1885  the  acres  cultivated  were  117,644 
in  pasture,  65,350 ; woodland,  31,265 ; lying  waste,  13,662 ; produced  in  wheat, 
65,387  bushels;  corn,  1,219,477 ; and  3,152,566  pounds  of  tobacco,  being  alike 
with  BroAvn,  its  neighbor,  one  of  the  finest  and  largest  tobacco-growing  counties  of  the 
State.  School  children  enrolled  in  1886, 11,028,  and  teachers  234.  It  has  sixty- 
two  miles  of  railroad  track.  The  following  is  a list  of  its  townships,  with  their 
population  in  1840  and  1880. 


Townships  and  Census. 

1840. 

1880. 

Townships  and  Census. 

1840. 

1880. 

Batavia, 

2,197 

3,687 

Pierce, 

1,984 

F raiiklin, 

2,219 

3,402 

Stone  Lick, 

1,478 

1,871 

Goshen, 

1,445 

1,908 

Tate, 

2,292 

2,754 

Jackson-, 

883 

1,761 

Union, 

1,421 

3,992 

Miami, 

2,061 

4,346 

Washington, 

2,102 

2,^76 

Monroe, 

1,617 

2,101 

Wayne, 

976 

2,164 

Ohio, 

2,894 

3,531 

Williamsburg, 

1,459 

2,336 

The  population  of  the  county  in  1820  was  15,820;  in  1840,  23,106 ; in  1860, 
33,034 ; and  in  1880,  36,713,  of  whom  30,264  were  Ohio-born. 

The  following  facts  in  the  history  of  the  county  are  given  as  communicated  for 
the  first  edition  by  Mr.  Benjamin  Morris ; this  gentleman,  by  profession  a lawyer, 
died  in  1862,  aged  seventy-five  years. 


In  June,  1804,  and  in  the  19th  year  of  my 
age,  I came  to  Bethel,  which,  with  Williams- 
burg, were  the  only  towns  in  the  county. 
They  were  laid  out  about  1798  or  ’99,  and 
were  competitors  for  the  county-seat.  When 
I came,  Clermont  was  an  almost  unbroken 
wilderness,  and  the  settlers  few  and  far  be- 
tween. In  the  language  of  the  day,  there  were 
Denham’s  town,  now  Bethel ; Lytlestown, 
now  Williamsburg;  Witham’s  settlement, 
now  Withamsville ; Apples’,  Collins’,  and 
Buchanan’s  settlements.  The  following  are 
names  of  part  of  the  settlers  in  and  about 
Williamsburg,  in  1804: — Wm.  Lytle,  11.  ^y. 
Waring,  David  C.  Bryan,  James  and  Daniel 
Kain,  Nicholas  Sinks,  Jasper  Shotwell,  and 
Peter  Light.  W m.  Lytle  was  the  first  clerk 
of  the  county,  and  was  succeeded  by  B.  _ W. 
AVaring  and  David  C.  Bryan.  Peter  Light 
was  a justice  of  the  peace  under  the  territorial 
and  State  governments,  and  county  surve3’^or. 
Daniel  Kain  was  sheriff,  and  later  justice  of 
the  peace  under  the  State  government. 
David  C.  Bryan  represented  the  county 
several  years  in  the  State  Legislature,  before 
he  was  appointed  clerk.  I was  at  AVilliams- 
tiiurg  at  tne  sitting  of  the  Court  of  Common 


Pleas  in  June,  1804.  Francis  Dunlavy  was 
the  presiding  judge,  and  Philip  Batch,  Am- 
brose Ransom,  and  John  Wood,  associates, 
while  the  attendant  lawyers  were  Jacob 
Burnet,  Arthur  St.  Clair — son  of  Gov.  St. 
Clair — ^Joshua  Collet,  Martin  Marshall  and 
Thomas  Morris. 

The  following  are  part  of  the  settlers  in  and 
about^  Bethel,  in  1804 ; Obed  Denham — 
proprietor  of  the  town — James  Denham, 
Houton  Clark,  John  Baggess,  Dr.  Loof- 
borough,  John  and  Thomas  Morris,  Jeremiah 
Beck,  Henry  Willis  and  James  South.  John 
Baggess  for  many  years  was  a representa- 
tive in  the  legislature,  justice  of  the  peace 
and  county  suiweyor.  John  Morris  was  ap- 
pointed associate  judge  after  the  death  of 
Judge  Wood,  in  1807  ; he  was  also  justice  of 
the  peace,  and  one  of  the  first  settlers  at 
Columbia.  Houton  Clark  was  one  of  the 
first,  if  not  the  very  first,  justice  of  the  peace 
in  Clermont.  Thomas  Morris  practised  law 
in  the  county  about  forty  years,  was  a repre- 
sentative in  the  legislature,  and  once  ap- 
pointed a judge  of  the  Supreme  Court.  In 
the  winter  of  1832-33  he  was  elected  to  the 
United  States  Senate,  where  he  acted  a con- 


CLERMONT  COUNTY, 


4og 


spicuous  part  in  the  anti-slavery  movements 
of  the  day.  The  most  prominent  political 
act  of  his  life  was  his  reply  to  a speech  of 
Mr.  Clay.  He  died  suddenly,  Dec.  7th, 
1844  : posterity  only  can  judge  of  the  cor- 
rectness or  incorrectness  of  his  course.  ^ A 
neat  marble  monument  marks  his  resting 
place,  near  Bethel.  Jeremiah  Beck  and 
Henry  Willis  were  farmers  and  justices  of 
the  peace.  Ulrey’s  Bun  takes  its  name  from 
Jacob  Ulrey,  who  settled  on  its  west  side  in 
1798,  and  was  the  earliest  settler  upon  it. 
The  place  is  now  known  as  “ the  Ulrey  farm.  ’ ’ 
Bred  in  the  wilds  of  Pennsylvania,  he  was  a 

genuine  backwoodsman,  and  a terror  to  the 
orse  thieves,  who  infested  the  county  at  an 
early  day.  Deer  and  bear  were  plenty  around 
him,  and  a large  portion  of  his  time  was 
passed  in  hunting  them,  for  their  skins.  The 
early  settlers  around  him  received  substantial 
tokens  of  his  generosity,  by  his  supplying 
them  with  meat. 

The  first  newspaper  in  Clermont,  The 
Political  Censor^  ^ was  printed  at  Williams- 
burg, in  1813:  it  was  edited  by  Thos.  S. 
Foot,  Esq. ; the  second,  called  The  Western 
American^  was  printed  in  the  same  town,  in 
1814  : David  Morris,  Esq.,  editor. 

A considerable  number  of  the  early  settlers 
in  Clermont  were  from  Kentucky.  Of  those 
before  named  the  following  were  from  that 
State  : — R.  W.  Waring,  Jasper  Shotwell, 
Peter  Light,  Obed  and  James  Denham, 
Houton  Clark,  John  Boggess,  Jeremiah 
Beck,  Henry  Willis  and  James  South. 
Nicholas  Sinks  was  from  Virginia,  David  C. 
Bryan  from  ^ New  Jersey,  and  John  and 
Thomas  Morris  an^  the  Kain  family  (I  believe) 
from  Pennsylvania.  After  1804  the  county  in- 
creased rapidly  by  settlera  from  New  Jersey, 
Kentucky  and  Pennsylvania,  with  some  from 
Maryland,  New  England,  and  a few  from 
North  Carolina.  _ 

Neville  was  laid  out  in  1811,  Gen.  Neville 
proprietor.  Point  Pleasant  and  New  Rich- 
mond were  laid  out  about  1814 ; Jacob  Light 
proprietor  of  the  latter.  George  Ely  laid 
out  Batavia  afterwards.  The  early  settlers 
about  that  place,  as  well  as  I remember,  were 
George  Ely,  Ezekiel  Dimmit,  Lewis  Duck- 
wall,  Henry  Miley,  Robert  and  James  Town- 
sley,  Titus  Everhart  and  Wm.  Patterson. 
Before  Milford  was  laid  out,  Philip  Gatch, 
Ambrose  Ransom  and  John  Pollock  settled 
in  its  vicinity.  Philip  Gatch  was  a member 
from  Clermont  of  the  convention  which 
formed  the  State  constitution,  and  for  years 
after  was  associate  judge.  Ransom,  as  be- 
fore stated,  was  associate  judge;  and  John 
Pollock,  for  many  years  speaker  of  the  house 
of  representatives,  and  later,  associate  judge. 


Philip  Gatch  was  a Virginian.  He  freed  his 
slaves  before  emigrating,  which  circum- 
stance led  to  his  being  selected  as  a member 
of  the  convention  to  form  the  State  constitu- 
tion. 

The  most  prominent  settlers  in  the  south 
part  of  Clermont  were  the  Sargeant,  Pigman, 
Prather,  Buchanan  and  Fee  families.  The 
oldest  members  of  the  Sargeant  family  were 
the  brothers  James,  John  and  Elijah.  They 
were  from  Maryland.  ^ James,  who  had  freed 
his  slaves  there,  w'as,  in  consequence,  chosen 
a member  of  the  convention  which  formed 
the  State  constitution.  The  Sargeants,  who 
are  now  numerous  in  this  part  of  the  county, 
are  uncompromising  opponents  of  slavery. 
The  Pigman  family  were  Joshua,  sen., 
Joshua,  jr.,  and  Levi.  The  Buchanan  family 
were  William,  Alexander,  Robert,  Andrew, 
James,  John,  etc.  James  Buchanan,  the 
son  of  John,  was  at  one  time  speaker  of  the 
Ohio  house  of  representatives.  The  Bu- 
chanans were  from  Pennsylvania,  and  the 
Pigmans  from  Maryland.  There  were  sev- 
eral brothers  of  the  Fee  family,  from  Penn- 
sylvania. William,  the  most  prominent,  was 
the  proprietor  of  Felicity,  and  a member  of 
the  legislature.  His  brothers  were  Thomas, 
Elisha  and  Elijah  ; other  early  settlers  were 
Samuel  Waldren,  James  Daughters  and 
Elijah  Larkin,  who  has  been  postmaster  at 
Neville  for  more  than  a quarter  of  a century. 
In  the  vicinity  of  Withamsville  the  early 
settlers  were  Nathaniel  and  Gideon  Witham, 
Janies  Ward,  Shadrach,  Robert  and  Samuel 
Lane.  The  Methodists  were  the  most  nu- 
merous in  early  times,  and  next  the  Baptists  ; 
there  were  but  a few  Presbyterians  among  the 
first  settlers. 

When  I first  came  into  the  county,  the 

wetlandT  of  which  there  is  such  a large 
proportion  in  the  middle  and  northern  part, 
was  considered  almost  worthless  ; but  a great 
change  has  taken  place  in  public  opinion  in 
relation  to  its  value.  It  is  ascertained,  that  by 
judicious  cultivation  it  rapidly  improves  in 
fertility.  At  that  time,  these  lands  were  cov- 
ered by  water  more  than  half  the  summer, 
and  we  called  them  slashes : now  the  water 
leaves  the  surface  in  the  woods,  early  in  the 
spring.  Forty  years  ago,  the  evenings  were 
cool  as  soon  as  the  sun  went  down.  I have 
no  recollections  of  warm  nights,  for  many 
years  after  I came,  and  their  coolness  was  a 
matter  of  general  remark  among  the  emi- 
grants from  the  old  States.  I believe  it  was 
owing  to  the  immense  forests  that  covered 
the  country,  and  shut  out  the  rays  and  heat 
of  the  sun  from  the  surface  of  the  ground, 
for  after  sunset  there  was  no  warm  earth  to 
impart  heat  to  the  atmosphere. 


Batavia,  the  county-seat,  is  on  the  east  fork  of  the  Little  Miami  and  on  the 
C.  & K.  R.  R.,  24  miles  easterly  from  Cincinnati  and  103  southwest  of  Columbus. 
It  was  laid  out  in  1814  by  Geo.  Ely  and  David  C.  Bryan,  and  in  1824  became 
the  county-seat.  County  officers  in  1888  : Probate  Judge,  James  B.  Swing ; Clerk 
of  Court,  A.  B.  Shaw ; Sheriff,  J.  C.  F.  Tatinan ; Prosecuting  Attorney,  Louis 
Hicks ; Auditor,  Wm.  A,  Page  ; Treasurer,  Nathan  Anderson  ; Recorder,  Geo.  W. 


410 


CLERMONT  COUNTY, 


Goodwin ; Surveyor,  Geo.  H.  Hill ; Coroner,  Elijah  V.  Downs : Commissioners, 
O.  H.  Hardin,  Alfred  Haywood  and  Francis  M.  Lindsey.  Bata\da  has  1 Metho- 
dist Episcopal,  1 Presbyterian,  1 German  United  Brethren  Churches.  One  bank, 
First  National,  president,  M.  Jameson;  cashier,  J.  F.  Dial.  Newspapers:  C^er- 
mont  Advance^  Prohibitionist,  J.  S.  Robinson,  proprietor  and  editor ; Clermont  Sun, 
Democratic,  E.  A.  Lockwood,  S.  Cramer,  editors ; Clermont  Courier,  Republican, 
R.  W . C.  Gregg,  J.  S.  Hulick,  editors. 

Manufactures, — Stirling  & Moore,  carriage  and  buggy  works ; J.  F.  Smith  & 
Co.,  shoe  factory.  In  1840  Batavia  had  537,  and,  in  1880,  1,015  inhabitants. 

The  First  Cabin, — Ezekiel  Dimmit,  a Virginian  by  birth,  in  the  fall  of  1797 


by  Ucnry  Iloive,  184C ; standing  in  1887. 

County  Buildings,  Batavia. 


erected  the  first  cabin  in  the  township.  The  following  spring  he  made  a little 
maple  sugar  and  planted  a few  acres  of  corn  on  leased  land  at  Columbia,  fifteen 
miles  away,  where  he  went  by  folloAving  blazed  paths  through  the  dense  woods. 
A little  corn,  flax  and  potatoes  were  also  planted  around  the  cabin  on  partly  cleared 
ground.  His  nearest  neighbor  lived  in  a cabin  seven  miles  distant. 

Soon  other  settlers  came  in,  and  Ezekiel  Dimmit’s  cabin  afforded  a friendly 
shelter  to  many  a pioneer  on  the  lookout  for  a new  home.  Among  these  was  the 
family  of  Charles  Robinson,  from  Maryland,  who  having  heard  of  the  wonderful 
fertility  of  the  Ohio  country  came  to  Clermont  in  1806  and  lived  near  the  Dim- 
mits  with  his  family  until  the  next  spring  in  a cabin  put  up  for  them  near  by, 
when  he  moved  on  to  a farm  of  his  own  on  Lucy’s  run. 


A Thrilling  AdventurehefeW  Mary  Robinson 
in  the  succeeding  winter  ; the  oldest  daughter, 
a robust  young  lady.  Mounting  a spirited 
horse  one  afternoon,  she  started  on  an  errand 
for  Mrs.  Mitchell’s,  some  twelve  miles  dis- 
tant. A deep  snow  covered  the  ground, 
which  delayed  her,  when  night  overtook  her 
in  the  woods  and  the  snow  beginning  to  fall,  it 
grew  so  dark  that  she  could  with  difficulty  sec 
the  blazed  trees  which  indicated  the  bridle- 
path which  she  expected  to  follow. 

Losing  the  trac^  she  alighted  and  tied  her 
horse  to  a tree  until  she  could  investigate. 
While  thus  engaged  she  heard  the  howling 
of  a pack  of  wolves,  when  she  hastened  back 
to  her  horse,  but  he  was  so  frightened  that  he 
would  not  allow  her  to  approach  him.  A 
few  moments  later  the  wolves  were  around 
her  and  she  began  to  suffer  from  the  intense 
cold.  To  ward  them  off  and  keep  from 


freezing,  she  decided  to  keep  moving  in  a 
path  far  enough  from  the  horse  to  avoid 
being  kicked  and  yet  near  enough  to  keep  the 
wolves  from  approaching  her ; so  she  walked 
to  and  fro  the  entire  night,  the  wolves  con- 
tinuing their  fiendish  howls  and  the  horse  his 
stamping  and  kicking.  At  dawn  the  wolves 
disappeared,  when  with  difficulty  she  mounted 
her  horse  and  reached  the  home  of  John 
Mitchell.  On  seeing  her,  he  exclaimed: 
“Why,  Mary,  have  you  been  in  the  wilder- 
ness all  night?”  She  said  “Yes,”  and  had 
hardly  been  assisted  from  her  horse  when  she 
fell  into  a swoon.  Her  family  becoming 
alarmed  at  her  absence  sent  a messenger  on 
her  tracks.  He  found  the  place  where  she 
had  passed  the  terrible  night,  and  then  pro- 
ceeding on  to  Mr,  Mitchell’s  saw  Mary,  who 
for  several  days  was  too  weak  to  be  moved. 


CLERMONT  COUNTY. 


41 1 

The  name  of  Cornelius  Washburn,  or  Neil  Washburn  as  he  was  commonly 
called,  is  lastingly  identified  with  the  early  history  of  this  region.  This  famous 
Indian  hunter,  so  noted  for  his  sagacity  and  courage  from  1815  to  1833,  lived  near 
Williamsburg.  He  was  born  in  New  Jersey  in  the  year  before  the  outbreak  of  the 
American  Revolution.  He  died  in  his  boots,’’  as  the  frontiersmen  express  it, 
being  killed  by  the  Indians  in  1834  while  acting  as  a hunter  and  scout  for  a fur- 
trading and  trapping  company  on  the  Yellowstone.  This  account  of  him  we 
derived  in  1846  from  the  lips  of  Thos.  McDonald,  the  brother  of  the  author  of 
the  sketches  and  the  first  person,  as  he  stated  to  us,  who  erected  a cabin  in  Scioto 
county. 


The  Exploits  of  Neil  Washburn. 

In  the  year  ’90,  I first  became  acquainted 
with  Neil  Washburn,  then  a lad  of  sixteen, 
living  on  the  Kentucky  side  of  the  Ohio,  six 
miles  below  Maysville.  From  his  early  years, 
he  showed  a disposition  to  follow  the  woods. 
When  only  nine  or  ten,  he  passed  his  time  in 
setting  snares  for  pheasants  and  wild  animals. 
Shortly  after,  his  father  purchased  for  him  a 
shot-gun,  in  the  use  of  which  he  soon  became 
unexcelled.  In  the  summer  of  ’90,  his  father 
being  out  of  fresh  provisions,  crossed  the 
Ohio  with  him  in  a canoe,  to  shoot  deer,  at  a 
lick  near  the  mouth  of  Eagle  creek.  On 
entering  the  creek,  their  attention  was  ar- 
rested by  a singular  hacking  noise,  some  dis- 
tance up  the  bank.  Neil  landed,  and  with 
gun  in  hand,  cautiously  crawling  up  the  river 
bank,  discovered  an  Indian,  about  twenty  feet 
up  a hickory  tree,  busily  engaged  in  cutting 
around  the  bark,  to  make  a canoe,  in  which 
he  probably  anticipated  the  gratification  of 
crossing  the  river  and  committing  depreda- 
tions upon  the  Kentuckians.  However  this 
may  have  been,  his  meditations  and  work 
were  soon  brought  to  a close,  for  the  intrepid 
boy  no  sooner  saw  the  dusky  form  of  the 
savage,  than  he  brought  his  gun  to  a level 
with  his  eye,  and  fired  : the  Indian  fell  dead 
to  the  earth,  with  a heavy  sound.  He  hastily 
retreated  to  the  canoe,  from  fear  of  the  pres- 
ence of  other  Indians,  and  recrossed  the 
Ohio.  Early  the  next  morning  a party  of 
men,  guided  by  Neil,  visited  the  spot,  and 
found  the  body  of  the  Indian  at  the  foot  of 
the  tree.  Neil  secured  the  scalp,  and  the 
same  day  showed  it,  much  elated,  to  myself 
and  others,  in  the  town  of  Washington,  in 
Mason.  Several  persons  in  the  village  made 
him  presents,  as  testimonials  of  their  opinion 
of  his  bravery. 

In  the  next  year,  he  was  employed  as  a 
spy  between  Maysville  and  the  mouth  of  the 
Little  Miami,  to  watch  for  Indians,  who 
were  accustomed  to  cross  the  Ohio  into  Ken- 
tucky, to  steal  and  murder.  While  so  en^ 
gaged,^  he  had  some  encounters  with  them, 
in  which  his  unerring  rifle  dealt  death  to 


several  of  their  number.  One  of  these  was 
at  the  mouth  of  Bullskin,  on  the  Ohio  side. 

In  ’92,  the  Indians  committed  such  great 
depredations  upon  the  Ohio,  between  the 
Grreat  Kanawha  and  Maysville,  that  Gen. 
Lee,  the  government  agent,  in  employing 
spies  endeavored  to  get  some  of  them  to  go 
up  the  Ohio,  above  the  Kanawha,  and  warn 
all  single  boats  not  to  descend  the  river. 
None  were  found  sufficiently  daring  to  go, 
but  Neil.  Furnished  with  an  elegant  horse, 
and  well  armed,  he  started  on  his  perilous 
mission.  He  met  with  no  adventures  until 
after  crossing  the  Big  Sandy.  This  he  swam 
on  his  horse,  and  had  reached  about  a half  a 
mile  beyond,  when  he  was  suddenly  fired 
upon  by  a party  of  Indians,  in  ambush.  His 
horse  fell  dead,  and  the  Indians  gave  a yell  of 
triumph  ; but  Neil  was  unhurt.  Springing 
to  his  feet,  he  bounded  back  like  a deer, 
and  swam  across  the  Big  Sandy,  holding  his 
rifle  and  ammunition  above  his  head.  Pant- 
ing from  exertion,  he  rested  upon  the  op- 
posite bank  to  regain  his  strength,  when  the 
Indians,  whooping  and  yelling,  appeared  on 
the  other  side,  in  full  pursuit.  Neil  drew  up, 
shot  one  of  their  number,  and  then  continued 
his  retreat  down  the  Ohio,  but  meeting  and 
exchanging  shots  with  others,  he  saw  it  was 
impossible  to  keep  the  river  valley  in  safety, 
and  striking  his  course  more  inland  to  evade 
his  enemies,  arrived  safely  at  Maysville. 

In  the  fall  of  the  same  year,  he  was  in  the 
action  with  Kenton  and  others  against  Te- 
cumseh,  in  what  is  now  Brown  county.  Wash- 
burn continued  as  a spy  throughout  the  war, 
adding  the  '‘sagacity  of  the  lion  to  the  cun- 
ning of  the  fox.  ’ ’ He  was  with  W ayne  in  his 
campaign,  and  at  the  battle  of  the  Fallen 
Timbers  manifested  his  usual  prowess. 

Neil  Washburn  was  in  person  nearly  six 
feet  in  height,  with  broad  shoulders,  small 
feet,  and  tapered  beautifully  fi'om  his  chest 
down.  He  was  both  powerful  and  active. 
His  eyes  were  blue,  his  hair  light,  and  com- 
plexion fair.  A prominent  Roman  nose  alone 
marred  the  symmetry  of  his  personal  appear- 
ance. 


Milford  is  in  a picturesqe  location  on  the  Little  Miami  eighteen  miles  above 
Cincinnati,  and  is  connected  with  the  Little  Miami  railroad  by  a bridge.  Popu- 
lation in  1880,  1,047.  School  census  in  1886,  315;  S.  T.  Dial,  superintendent. 

Oldest  Methodist  Church  in  Ohio. — This  place  was  early  settled,  being  a milling 
centre.  In  the  summer  of  1797  Francis  McCormick,  the  pioneer  Methodist 


4T2 


CLERMONT  COUNTY. 


preacher,  organized  a church  here  in  his  cabin,  which  is  the  oldest  Methodist 
society  in  Ohio,  and  supposed  to  be  the  first  church  organized  in  the  great  North- 
west. He  had  left  Kentucky  in  1795  through  his  hatred  of  slavery,  and  settled 
just  north  of  the  site  of  the  village.  This  founder  of  Methodism  noilh  of  the  Ohio 
was  a giant  in  stature,  with  a well-developed  head,  florid  face  and  benevolent  ex- 
pression. Early  in  life  he  had  been  a soldier  in  the  American  Revolution  and 
served  under  Lafayette  at  Yorktown.  Prominent  among  his  small  congregation 
were  Ezekiel  Dimmit  and  wife  and  John  and  Phoebe  Mitchell,  four  pioneers  resid- 
ing near  where  Batavia  now  stands,  who  went  to  Parson  McCormick’s,  a distance 
of  twelve  miles  through  dense  woods,  to  hear  him  preach.  Uncle  Zeke  Dimmit 
was  the  first  class-leader,  and  at  his  old  log-cabin  the  earliest  prayer  and  speaking 
meetings  were  held,  beginning  in  the  fall  of  1797.  A few  years  later  he  with  others 
organized  a church  now  known  as  the  Methodist  church  in  Batavia. 

In  1799  the  very  eminent  Rev.  Philip  Gatch  settled  alongside  of  McCormick. 
He  was  born  near  Baltimore  in  1751 ; in  1774  he  and  William  Walters  took 
appointments  as  Methodist  ministers  and  were  the  first  native  preachers  in  America 
to  serve  a circuit.  He  was  very  zealous,  and  as  Methodism  was  not  favorably 
received  became  subject  to  violent  abuse.  He  was  tarred  by  a mob,  his  eyesight 
injured  permanently,  and  he  narrowly  escaped  death  at  their  hands.  On  account 
of  his  position  on  slavery  he  was  selected  as  a member  of  the  first  Constitutional 
Convention,  and  for  twenty-two  years  was  an  associate  judge  of  Clermont. 

In  1817  Dimmit  and  his  associates  began  the  erection  of  a stone  meeting  house 
at  Batavia,  and  which  was  used  by  the  society  until  Sunday  evening,  jNIay  1 5, 
1887,  when  the  old  bell  rang  out  its  notes  for  the  last  time  for  a farewell  meeting 
within  its  venerable  walls ; a very  interesting  occasion,  it  being  the  most  historic 
landmark  in  this  region.  It  had  been  largely  used  for  public  meetings.  Here  the 
Clermont  boys  ” on  tlieir  return  from  the  Mexican  war  were  given  a warm  wel- 
come, and  here  was  rallied  the  first  Clermont  company  for  the  Union  in  the  war 
of  the  rebellion.  The  old  building  now  altered  is  used  for  a shoe  factory. 


The  First  Camp  Meeting  in  Clermont  and 
possibly  in  Ohio  was  held  near  Zeke  Dimmit’s 
in  October,  1815,  at  which  a great  crowd  was 
present  and  many  were  converted.  The  meet- 
ing was  chiefly  conducted  by  that  celebrated 
and  eccentric  itinerant  Lorenzo  Dow.  He  trav- 
elled through  the  United  States  from  fifteen 
to  twenty  times  visiting  the  wilderness  parts, 
often  preaching  where  a sermon  was  never 
heard  before.  Occasionally  he  went  to 
Canada,  and  made  three  voyages  to  England 
and  Ireland,  where  as  elsewhere  he  drew 
crowds  around  him,  attracted  by  his  long 
flowing  beard  and  hair,  singularly  wild  de- 
meanor and  pungency  of  speech.  During 
the  thirty  years  of  his  public  life  he  must 
have  travelled  nearly  two  hundred  thousand 
miles. 

So  great  a factor  was  he  in  the  religious 
history  of  Ohio  and  the  “new  countries” 
generally  that  the  pioneers  about  the  year 
1 830  largely  named  their  boy  babes  ‘ ‘ Lorenzo 
Dow,”  as  in  1824,  the  period  of  General 
Lafayette’s  visit  to  the  United  States,  boy 
babes  were  named  after  him.  Those  then 
named,  the  “Lorenzo  Dows”  and  “Lafay- 
ettes,”  are  now,  when  living,  old  men. 

Pickett,  in  his  “ History  of  Alabama,” 
avers  that  he  was  the  earliest  Protestant 
preacher  in  that  State  ; says  he  : “Down  to 
this  period — in  1 803 — no  Protestant  preacher 
had  ever  raised  his  voice  to  remind  the  Tom- 


bigbee  and  Tensaw  settlers  of  their  duty  to 
the  Most  High.  Hundreds,  born  and  bred 
in  the  wilderness,  and  now  adult  men  and 
women,  had  never  seen  a preacher.  The 
mysterious  and  eccentric  Lorenzo  Dow  one 
day  suddenly  appeared  at  the  boat  yard.  _He 
came  from  Georgia,  across  the  Creek  nation, 
encountering  its  dangers  almost  alone.  He 
proclaimed  the  truths  of  the  gospel  here  to  a 
large  audience,  crossed  over  the  Alabama  and 
preached  two  sermons  to  the  ‘ Bigbee  set- 
tlers,’ and  went  from  thence  to  the  Natchez 
settlements,  where  he  also  exhorted  the  peo- 
ple to  turn  from  the  error  of  their  ways.  He 
then  visited  the  Cumberland  region  and 
Kentucky,  and  came  back  to  the  Tombigbee, 
filling  his  appointments  to  the  very  day. 
Again  plunging  into  the  Creek  nation  this 
holy  man  of  God  once  more  appeared  among 
the  people  of  Georgia.  ’ ’ 

When  Dow  was  in  Indiana  Judge  0.  H. 
Smith  had  the  pleasure  of  listening  to  a dis- 
course from  him,  some  items  of  which  he  has 
thus  preserved  among  his  sketches.  “In 
the  year  1819,”  states  the  judge,  “I  was  one 
of  a congregation  assembled  in  the  woods 
back  of  Rising  Sun,  anxiously  awaiting  the 
arrival  of  Lorenzo  Dow.  Time  passed  away, 
we  had  all  become  impatient,  when  in  the 
distance  we  saw  him  approaching  at  a rapid 
rate  through  the  trees  on  his  pacing  pony. 
He  rode  up  to  the  log  on  which  I was  sitting, 


LORENZO  DOW, 

Itiui©]i?ainit.  ]P]i?©aiJ©]k(Ei]?, 

m ths  HJmUd  States,  Cmmda,  l&it^lkmd  &bdmd. 


EJM)M  ^ ©WGIIMM.  FOimEMT 

formerly  ia  possession,  of  JWBarber.  — Enslaved.  Ijy^fi^iVniaxd.Haxtfoxd.  Conn. 

laintedy  fyZTicius  Munson  in  SouZk  Carolina  in  1821 


IBdPm.  in  CoTCiciitiiy 
Connecticut 
dDct^lSIko  ITO 


Feb.2i.l834:,^56. 

Buried  atWashinglon^ 


Ome  off  the  f™tt 
Frotestant  Fioneer 


ifieWestS^SoiLfk  West 
States  and.Teoatories, 
istingmshed  fin  his 
-abois  (fcEccentiicilies. 


Lorenzo  Uovf.-preaciung  an8ie  steps  sfihe  SouthTertico  of 
the  SiatBUouse  IfevrEaven.  Cam.  June.30S^1832, 


[So  important  a person  was  Lorenzo  Dow  in  the  religious  history  of  Ohio  and  the  “ new  countries’^ 
generally  that  the  pioneers  largely  named  their  boy  babes  from  him.  We  saw  him  when  on  June  30,  t 
1832,  the  drawing  in  the  lower  picture  was  made  by  our  old  friend,  Mr.  John  W.  Barber,  and  it  agrees 
with  our  memory  as  to  his  swaying  attitude.  He  was  in  truth  a wild-looking  creature.] 


414 


CLERMONT  COUNTY. 


threw  the  reins  over  the  neck  of  the  pony 
and  stepped  upon  the  log,  took  off  his  hat,  his 
hair  parted  in  the  middle  of  his  head,  and 
flowing  on  either  side  to  his  shoulders,  his 
beard  resting  on  his  breast.  ^ In  a minute  at 
the  top  of  his  voice  he  said : ‘ “Behold,  I 
come  quickly,  and  my  reward  is  with  me.  ’ ’ 
My  subject  is  repentance.  We  sing,  “ While 
the  lamp  holds  out  to  burn,  the  vilest  sinner 
may  return.”  That  idea  has  done  much 
harm,  and  should  be  received  with  many 
grains  of  allowance  There  are  cases  where 
it  would  be  easier  for  a camel  to  go  through 
the  eye  of  a needle  than  for  a man  to  repent 
unto  salvation.  Let  me  illustrate.  Do  you 
suppose  that  the  man  among  you  who  went 
out  last  fall  to  kill  his  deer  and  bear  for  winter 
meat,  and  instead  killed  his  neighbors’  hogs, 
salted  them  down,  and  is  now  living  on 
the  meat,  can  repent  while  it  is  unpaid  for  ? 
I tell  you  nay.  Except  he  restores  a just 
compensation  his  attempt  at  repentance  will 


be  the  basest  hypocrisy.  Except  ye  repent 
truly,  ye  shall  all  likewise  perish.’  He 
preached  some  thirty  minutes.  Down  he 
stepped,  mounted  his  pony,  and  in  a few 
minutes  was  moving  on  through  the  woods 
at  a rapid  pace  to  meet  another  appoint- 
ment.” 

On  another  occasion,  it  has  been  said,  hav- 
ing been  informed  that  the  people  thereabouts 
had  suffered  from  the  depredations  of  a hog 
thief,  he  took  occasion  to  state  to  an  assem- 
blage whom  he  was  addressing,  that  he  felt 
certain  that  the  thief  was  among  them.  Then 
stooping  down  he  picked  up  a stone,  and  said  : 
“ Now  I am  going  to  throw  this  stone  at  him,  ’ ’ 
at  the  same  time  making  a motion  as  if  to 
throw  it,  whereupon  an  individual  in  the 
crowd  dodged.  “That’s  him,”  exclaimed 
Dow,  pointing  to  the  conscience  stricken  indi- 
vidual. The  people  called  him  Crazy  Dow ; 
his  wife  Peggy  accompanied  him  in  his  travels. 
He  introduced  camp  meetings  in  England. 


Bethel,  ou  the  line  of  the  C.  G.  & P.  R.  H.  and  Ohio  turnpike,  in  a fine 
country.  It  has  2 Methodist,  1 Christian,  and  1 Baptist  church,  and  in  1880  582 
inhabitants.  The  place  was  settled  in  1797  by  Obed  Denham,  a Virginian,  on 
account  of  his  abhorrence  of  slavery. 


A Witch  Story. — In  the  early  settlement  a 
family  by  the  nam-e  of  HildeGand  accused 
one  of  their  neighbors,  Nancy  Evans,  of  being 
a witch.  Although  the  statutes  of  Ohio  made 
no  provision  for  cases  of  this  kind,  they  per- 
suaded a justice  of  the  peace  to  take  the  mat- 
ter in  hand.  A tradition  prevailed  that  if  a 
witch  was  weighed  against  the  Bible  she 
would  be  compelled  to  tip  the  beam.  A rude 
scale  was  made,  and  in  the  presence  of  the 
neighbors,  with  the  Bible  at  one  end  and 
Nancy  Evans  at  the  other,  she  was  thus  ad- 
jured ; “Nancy  Evans,  thou  art  weighed 
against  the  Bible  to  try  thee  against  witch - 
craftry  and  diabolical  practices.  ’ ’ This  being 
done  in  the  name  of  the  law,  and  with  a pro- 
found respect  for  the  word  of  Grod,  had  a 
solemn  and  conclusive  effect.  Nancy  was  of 
course  too  heavy  for  the  Bible  ; an  excellent 
woman,  who  willingly  submitted  to  this  novel 
process  to  bring  peace  of  mind  to  her  igno- 
rant, deluded  neighbors,  whom  she  pitied. 

Bethel  is  noted  for  the  number  of  promi- 
nent characters  who  have  dwelt  there.  Sam- 
uel Med  ARY,  from  Pennsylvania,  came  to 
Bethel  almost  destitute ; with  twenty-five 
cents  capital  opened  a school,  and  in  1828 
started  a newspaper,  the  Ohio  Sun,  now  the 
Clermont  County  Sun,  at  Batavia.  _ Medary 
was  no  printer,  but  he  edited  it,  delivered  it 
personally  to  the  subscribers,  and  taught 
school  at  the  same  time.  He  eventually 
moved  to  Columbus,  and  as  editor  of  the 
Statesman  and  Crisis,  became  the  most  in- 


fluential editor  of  the  Democratic  party  in 
the  State.  Late  in  life  he  was  territorial 
governor  of  Kansas  and  Nebraska.  He  was 
genial,  possessed  business  tact  and  force  of 
character.  Prof.  David  Swing,  D.  D.,  the 
eminent  divine,  was  born  near  the  village. 
Two  eminent  Methodist  divines  are  identified 
with  the  history  of  the  county  : Rev.  Dr. 
Randolph  ’Swing  Foster,  who  was  born 
here,  and  Rev.  Stephen  M.  Merrill,  who 
passed  his  youth  here.  The  noted  Glen. 
Thomas  L.  Hamer,  in  1818,  came  to  Bethel 
a poor,  friendless  boy,  and  found  a home  in 
the  family  of  Thomas  Morris,  with  whom  he 
studied  law.. 

Jesse  R.  Grant,  the  father  of  Gen.  Grant, 
bought  a home  at  Bethel  about  1845,  where 
he  lived  ten  or  tweve  years.  While  he  was 
there  the  general,  at  that  time  just  from  the 
Academy  at  West  Point,  and  later  from  the 
Mexican  campaign,  visited  his  father,  and 
massed  a number  of  months  in  the  quiet  vil- 
age.  The  general’s  father  carried  on  a tan- 
nery, and  in  1852  was  elected  mayor.  His 
duties  were  partly  magisterial,  and  one  of  his 
first  was  to  try  some  of  the  village  roughs  for 
fighting,  on  which  occasion  he  used  the  finish- 
ing-room of  his  tannery  for  a court-room. 
The  place  was  crowded,  and  the  better  to  see 
some  of  the  small  boys  mounted  a pile  of 
hides.  The  pile  was  totlish,  and  the  leather 
slid,  and  one  urchin  landed  precipitately  into 
a tub  of  Father  Grant’s  oil,  wliich  afforded 
as  much  diversion  as  the  fight  itself. 


Ill  the  village  graveyard  at  Bethel  is  the  grave  of  Thomas  Morris  ; a marble 
monument  w ith  the  annexed  inscription  marks  the  spot.  Said  Salmon  P.  Chase  : 

Senator  Morris  first  led  me  to  see  the  character  of  the  slave  power  as  an  aris- 
tocracy, and  the  need  of  an  earnest  organization  to  counteract  its  pretensions.  He 


CLERMONT  COUNTY. 


415 


was  far  beyond  the  time  in  which  he  lived/’  In  1637,  Thomas  Morris,  the 
first  representative  of  the  family,  a name  prominent  in  English  history  and 
patriotism,  settled  in  Massachusetts.  Isaac,  the  father  of  Thomas  Morris,  was 
born  in  Berks  county,  Pa.,  in  1740,  and  his  mother,  Ruth  Henton,  in  1750,  being 
tlie  daughter  of  a Virginia  planter.  Nine  sons  and  three  daughters  were  born  to 
them.  Thomas,  John,  and  Benjamin  came  to  Ohio,  finally  settling  in  Clermont 
county.  Thomas  was  the  fifth  child,  and  was  born  January  3,  1776  ; soon  after 
his  birth  his  parents  moved  to  Western  Virginia,  and  settled  near  Clarksburg. 
The  father  was  a faithful  minister  of  the  Baptist  church,  preaching  without  failing 
in  a single  appointment  for  over  sixty  years,  never  taking  a dose  of  medicine.  He 
died  in  1830,  aged  ninety-one.  The  mother  of  Thomas  Morris  refused  her  in- 
heritance of  four  slaves. 


At  sixteen  Thomas  Morris  shouldered  his 
musket  to  repel  the  aggressions  of  the  In- 
dians, serving  several  months  in  Capt.  Levi 
Morgan’s  rangers,  stationed  near  Marietta. 
At  nineteen  he  was  employed  as  a clerk  in 
the  store,  at  Columbia,  of  the  then  famous 
Baptist  minister,  Rev.  John  Smith.  Novem- 
ber 19,  1797,  he  married  Rachel  Davis, 
daughter  of  Benjamin  Davis,  from  Lancaster, 
Pa.  In  1800  Thomas  Morris  and  his  wife  re- 
moved from  Columbia  to  Williamsburgh, 
where,  in  1802,  he  commenced  the  study  of 


A.  E.  McCall,  Photo.,  Bethel,  1887. 


Monument  to  Thomas  Morris. 

law,  without  friends,  pecuniary  means,  or  a 
receptor,  with  a growing  family  and  but  few 
ooks.  After  the  hard  labors  of  the  day  he 
studied  at  night  by  the  light  of  hickory  bark 
or  from  a brick-kiin  which  he  was  burning  for 
the  support  of  his  family.  With  resolute 
purpose  and  iron  will  he  succeeded  in  over- 
coming these  formidable  difficulties,  and  in 
two  years  was  admitted  to  the  bar.  In  1 804 
he  removed  with  his  family  to  Bethel,  and  in 
1806  was  elected  a representative  from  Cler- 
mont. 

In  the  Legislature  his  abilities  soon  placed 
him  among  the  most  distinguished  men  of 
the  State.  H e labored  for  the  equal  right  of 


all,  and  to  conform  the  civil  government  to 
the  principles  of  justice  and  Christian  moral- 
ity. He  opposed  chartered  monopolies,  class 
legislation,  and  traffic  in  sjiirituous  liquors, 
believing  in  a prohibitory  high  license.  He 
was  a warm  friend  of  the  common  schools, 
labored  earnestly  for  the  extinction  of  the  law 
of  imprisonment  for  debt,  and  advocated  the 
doctrine  of  making  all  offices  elective.  In 
1828  he  introduced  a bill  to  allow  juries  before 
justices  of  the  peace,  and  one  the  next  year 
that  judges  should  not  charge  juries  on  mat- 
ters of  fact.  In  1812  he  obtained  the  passage 
of  a bill  allowing  the  head  of  a family  to  hold 
twelve  sheep  exempt  from  execution  for  debt. 
In  1828  he  endeavored  to  obtain  a law  taxing 
all  chartered  institutions  and . manufactories 
and  exempting  dwellings.  He  foresaw  the 
great  future  of  Ohio,  although  he  alone  of 
the  public  men  opposed  the  canal  system, 
for  he  deemed  it  impracticable,  and  prophe- 
sied that  in  twenty  years  Ohio  would  be  cov- 
ered with  a network  of  railroads  and  canals 
superseded. 

An  incident  will  illustrate  the  wonderful 
progress  since  that  time.  When  the  Legis- 
lature adjourned  in  March,  1827,  the  mud 
roads  were  about  impassable  and  streams  over- 
flowing their  banks.  But  Mr.  Morris  deter- 
mined to  overcome  all  obstacles,  and  with 
Col.  Robert  T.  Lytle  embarked  in  a canoe  or 
“dug-out”  with  their  baggage,  and  after  a 
assage  of  some  hundred  miles  down  the 
cioto  from  Columbus  in  this  frail  craft 
reached  Portsmouth,  where  they  took  a steam- 
boat, reaching  horne  after  a perilous  journey 
of  four  days.  This  transit  now  by  rail  takes 
less  than  four  hours. 

Thomas  Morris  was  elected  Senator  in  1813, 
1821,  1825,  1827,  and  1831,  and  while  occu- 
pying this  position  for  the  fifth  time  was 
elected  United  States  Senator  for  the  term 
of  six  years  from  March  4,  1833,  having  as 
colleagues  from  Ohio  Thomas  Ewing  (four 
years)  and  William  Allen  (two  years).  On  the 
opening  of  the  United  States  Senatorial  ses- 
sion in  December,  1833,  Mr.  Morris  became 
actively  identified  with  the  anti-slavery  move- 
ments against  the  aggressions  of  the  slave 
power. 

To  him  were  addressed  the  memorials  and 
petitions  from  all  parts  of  the  land,  and  in 
spite  of  the  frowns  and  entreaties  of  his  own 
party,  he  would  introduce  them  all,  although 


4i6 


CLERMONT  COUNTY. 


on  all  other  subjects  he  was  in  full  accord 
with  it.  In  Thomas  Morris  the  apostles  of 
human  freedom  found  their  first  champion. 
The  Congress  of  1837-38  saw  a deep  and  agi- 
tated discussion  of  this  question,  and  Mr. 
Morris  replied  to  the  arguments  of  John 
C.  Calhoun,  in  an  able  and  elaborate 
speech,  which  attracted  the  attention  of  the 
whole  country  by  its  bold  and  truthful  utter- 
ances. 

February  7,  1839,  Henry  Clay  made  a great 
speech,  to  counteract  and  arrest  the  public 
agitation  of  slavery ; and  two  days  after 
Thomas  Morris  replied  to  it,  in  the  mightiest 
and  crowning  effort  of  his  life,  concluding 
w^ith  these  prophetic  words  (golden  in  the 
light  of  subsequent  events) : ‘ ‘ Though  our 
national  sins  are  many  and  grievous,  yet  re- 
pentance, like  that  of  ancient  Nineveh,  may 
yet  divert  from  us  that  impending  danger 
which  seems  to  hang  over  our  heads  as  by 


a single  hair.  That  all  may  be  sa/e,  I con- 
clude that  the  negro  will  yet  he  free.  ’ ’ 

This  noble  speech  startled  the  Senate,  pro- 
duced a marked  sensation  throughout  the 
country,  and  electrified  the  warm  hearts  of 
humanity  the  world  over.  John  G.  Whittier, 
the  poet,  then  a young  editor,  said  : ‘ ‘ Thomas 
Morris  stands  confessed  the  lion  of  the  day.” 

Thomas  Morris  was  far  in  advance  of  his 
time,  and  in  less  than  a month  after  the  de- 
livery of  his  great  startling  speech  he  left  the 
Senate  and  public  life,  a political  exile,  his 
arty  having  refused  to  re-elect  him  to  the 
enate.  Mr.  Morris  soon  became  identified 
with  the  ‘ ‘ Liberty  Party,  ’ ’ and  in  1 844  was 
its  candidate  for  Vice-President.  He  died 
suddenly  December  7,  1844,  aged  sixty-nine 
years,  with  his  intellectual  powers  unimpaired 
by  age,  his  physical  system  in  vigorous  ac- 
tivity, and  his  heart  still  warm  in  the  cause  of 
freedom. 


Williamsburg  has  1 Presbyterian  and  1 Methodist  church.  Chair  factory  of 
S.  D.  Mount,  23  hands  ; C.  H.  Boulware  & Bro.,  chair  factory,  20 ; Snell  & Wil- 
liams, planing-mill,  12.  Pork-packing,  tobacco  preparing,  and  tanning  are  carried 
on  here.  Population  in  1840,  385;  in  1880,  795. 

Williamsburg,  as  previously  mentioned,  was  laid  out  in  1795-96  by  Gen.  Wil- 
liam Lytle  and  his  brother,  and  was  originally  called  Lytlestown.  His  life  was 
one  of  much  incident.  He  was  the  grandfather  of  Gen.  Robert  T.  Lytle,  the  poet- 
soldier,  killed  at  the  battle  of  Chickamauga.  The  following  facts  respecting  him 
are  from  Cist’s  Advertiser: 


Gen.  William  Lytle  was  born  in  Cum- 
berland, Pa.,  and  in  1779  his  family  emi- 
grated to  Kentucky.  Previous  to  the  settle- 
ment of  Ohio  young  Lytle  was  in  several 
desperate  engagements  with  the  Indians, 
where  his  cool,  heroic  bravery  won  general 
admiration.  Before  the  treaty  of  (Ireenyille, 
while  making  surveys  in  the  Virginia  military 
district  in  Ohio,  he  was  exposed  to  incessant 
dangers,  suffered  great  privations,  and  was 
frequently  attacked  by  the  Indians.  This 
business  he  followed  for  the  greater  portion 
of  his  life.  In  the  war  of  1812  he  was  ap- 
pointed major-general  of  Ohio  militia,  and  in 
1829  surveyor-general  of  the  public  lands  of 
Ohio,  Indiana,  and  Michigan.  In  1810  Gen. 
Lytle  removed  from  Williamsburg  to  Cincin- 
nati, where  he  died  in  1831.  As  a citizen  he 
was  distinguished  for  public  spirit  and  benev- 
olence, and  in  his  personal  appearance  and 
character  strikingly  resembled  President  Jack- 
son.  Beside  the  facts  given  under  the  head 
of  Logan  county,  we  have  space  for  but  a 
single  anecdote,  exhibiting  his  Spartan-like 
conduct  at  Grant’s  defeat  in  Indiana.  In 
that  desperate  action  the  Kentuekians,  over- 
powered by  nearly  four  times  their  number, 
performed  feats  of  bravery  scarcely  equalled 
even  in  early  border  warfare. 

In  this  struggle  Lytle,  then  hardly  seven- 
teen years  of  age,  had  :«  tth  his  arms  shattered, 
his  face  powder-burnt,  his  hair  singed  to  the 
roots,  and  nineteen  bullets  passed  through  his 
body  and  clothing.  In  this  condition,  a re- 
treat being  ordered,  he  succeeded  in  bringing 
off  the  field  several  of  his  friends,  generously 


aiding  the  wounded  and  the  exhausted  by 
placing  them  on  horses,  while  he  himself  ran 
forward  in  advance  of  the  last  remnant  of  the 
retreating  party  to  stop  the  only  boat  on  the 
Ohio  at  that  time  which  could  take  them 
over,  and  save  them  from  the  overwhelming 
force  of  their  savage  adversaries. 

On  reaching  the  river  he  found  the  boat  in 
the  act  of  putting  off  for  the  Kentucky  shore. 
The  men  were  reluctant  to  obey  his  demand 
for  a delay  until  those  still  in  the  rear  should 
come  up,  one  of  them  declaring  that  “it  was 
better  that  a few  should  perish  than  that  all 
should  be  sacrificed.”  He  threw  the  rifie, 
which  he  still  carried  on  his  shoulder,  over 
the  root  of  a fallen  tree,  and  swore  he  would 
shoot  the  first  man  who  pulled  an  oar  until 
his  friends  were  aboard.  In  this  way  the 
boat  was  detained  until  they  came  up,  and 
were  safely  lodged  from  the  pursuing  foe. 
Disdaining  personally  to  take  advantage  of 
this  result,  the  boat  being  crowded  almost  to 
dipping,  he  ran  up  the  river  to  where  some 
horses  stood  panting  under  the  willows  after 
their  esca])e  from  the  battle-field,  and,  mount- 
ing one  of  the  strongest,  forced  him  into  the 
river,  holding  on  to  the  mane  by  his  teeth, 
until  he  was  taken  in  the  middle  of  the 
stream  into  the  boat,  bleeding  and  almost 
fainting  from  his  wounds,  by  the  order  of  his 
allant  captain,  the  lamented  Stucker,  who 
ad  observed  his  conduct  with  admiration 
throughout,  and  was  resolved  that  such  a 
spirit  should  not  perish  ; for  by  this  trine  the 
balls  of  the  enemy  were  rattling  like  hail 
about  their  ears. 


CLERMONT  COUNTY. 


4x7 


The  Lost  Child. 

Two  sisters  living  in  Williamsburg — Lydia  Osborn,  aged  eleven  years,  and 
Matilda  Osborn,  aged  seven  years — started  on  the  afternoon  of  July  13,  1804,  to 
drive  home  the  cows,  following  the  paths  which  led  to  the  big  field,^’  about  a 
mile  from  the  village,  where  the  cattle  were  wont  to  range.  They  were  guided  in 
their  movements  by  the  tinkling  of  the  cow-bells,  and  perhaps  were  led  off  from 
the  main  path  by  this  means  and  lost  their  way.  The  elder  girl,  Lydia,  supposed 
the  cows  were  going  away  from  home,  and  left  her  little  sister,  Matilda,  to  make  a 
detour  and  head  them  off,  but  without  success.  So  she  returned  to  where  she  had 
left  her  sister,  but  could  not  find  her ; after  wandering  about  for  a long  time  and 
crying  out  her  name  she  started  for  home,  as  she  supposed,  but  took  the  wrong 
direction,  wandered  on,  and  was  lost  in  the  wilderness.  The  younger  sister  followed 
the  sound  of  the  cow-bells  and  arrived  safe  at  home. 


The  Bower  of  the  Lost  Child. 


The  following  is  from  the  touching  account  of  the  Kev.  J.  B.  Finley,  who  was 
with  the  party  in  the  search  for  her : 


Night  came  on,  casting  its  darkened 
shadows  over  the_  forest,  but  she  came  not 
to  greet  the  anxious  eyes  of  her  parents  ; 
their  child  was  in  the  woods  exposed  to  the 
savages  and  wild  beasts.  The  neighborhood 
was  aroused  with  the  alarm  of  “lost child  ! ” 
Every  heart  was  touched,  and  soon  in  every 
direction  torches  were  seen  flashing  their 
lights  into  the  darkness  of  the  forest.  Bells 
were  rung,  horns  were  blown,  and  guns  were 
fired,  if  perchance  the  sound  might  reach 
the  ear  of  the  lost  one.  The  news  reached 
the  settlement  where  we  resided,  and  as  many 
as  could  leave  home  turned  out  to  seek  for 
the  lost  child.  Some  signs  of  her  tracks  were 
discovered  crossing  branches  and  miry  places  ; 
all  indicating,  however,  that  she  was  going 
farther  into  the  wilderness. 

On  the  third  day  Cornelius  Washburn,  the 
famous  backwoodsman  and  hunter,  arrived 


with  about  five  hundred  others  and  accom- 
panied by  his  noted  hunting  dog.  We  were 
now  deep  in  the  wilderness  and  made  prepara- 
tions for  camping  out  that  night.  At  day- 
break we  were  again  ready  for  our  search, 
but  as  the  collection  of  people  was  so  numer- 
ous we  formed  into  companies  taking  difier- 
ent  directions  and  meeting  at  night  at  a place 
designated.  Money  was  collected  and  sent 
to  the  settlements  to  buy  provisions.  Our 
numbers  increased  so  that  on  the  seventh 
day  there  were  more  than  a thousand  per- 
sons, many  from  Kentucky. 

Washburn  discovered  the  place  where  she 
had  slept  for  several  nights.  He  also  saw 
where  she  had  plucked  and  eaten  foxgrapes 
and  whortle-berries. 

The  place  she  had  selected  was  where  one 
tree  had  fallen  across  another,  which  was 
lying  down  and  afforded  a good  protection. 


4i8 


CLERMONT  COUNTY. 


To  this  place  the  whole  crowd  hurried. 
Nothing  could  restrain  them  so  eager  were 
they  to  find  the  lost  child. 

In  all  these  journeyings  the  lather  was 
present,  so  absorbed  in  grief  that  he  could 
neither  eat  nor  sleep.  Sorrow  drank  up  his 
spirits,  and  he  refused  to  be  comforted. 
When  hope  was  kindled  he  seemed  like  one 
frantic,  and  flew  in  every  direction,  calling 
most  piteously  the  name  of  his  child, 
'‘Lydia  ! ” “Lydia  ! ” 

The  eighth  morning  the  company  started 
out  abreast,  about  three  rods  apart,  with  a 
man  in  the  middle  and  one  at  each  end  of 
the  line,  whose  duty  it  was  to  blow  horns  at 
intervals  to  keep  the  line  in  order.  The  line 
extended  for  several  miles. 

On  the  morning  of  the  fifteenth  day  we 
found  on  the  north  fork  of  the  Whiteoak  her 
footprints  in  the  sand  where  she  had  crossed 
that  stream.  These  footprints  greatly  re- 
vived our  hopes,  as  they  appeared  fresh. 
Sending  back  a man  to  notify  the  main  body 
we  proceeded  up  the  creek  until  we  came  to 
a large  blackberry  patch.  Near  this  patch 
we  found  a neat  little  house  built  of  sticks 
over  which  were  placed,  in  regular  layers, 
pieces  of  moss.  In  the  centre  was  a little 
door,  and  in  the  interior  was  a bed  made  of 
leaves,  covered  with  moss  and  decorated  with 
wild  flowers.  All  could  see  at  once  that  it 
was  the  work  of  a child,  and  as  we  gazed 
upon  it  the  tears  stole  freely  down  our 
cheeks. 

Here  away  in  the  wilderness,  far  from 
human  habitation,  had  this  child  constructed 
this  miniature  house,  and  thus  recalled  the 
scenes  of  home,  sister,  mother  and  f^j^er. 

The  child  must  have  been  here  several 
days,  for  from  her  little  house  to  the  black- 
berry patch  she  had  beaten  quite  a path. 

The  spot  of  Lydia’s  bower  is  pointed 
county  ; a citizen  of  that  township,  Mr. 
rence,  has  given  some  additional  items : 


Discovering  no  fresh  signs  of  her  presence 
we  determined  to  return  to  the  main  creek 
and  wait  the  coming  of  the  company,  and 
prevent,  if  possible,  the  eager  crowd  from 
rushing  on  and  destroying  the  signs.  More 
than  a thousand  men  camped  along  the  creek 
that  night. 

Fearing  the  consequences  of  disclosing  our 
discovery  that  night  we  kept  it  secret  until 
morning,  when,  forming  the  company  into 
military  order we  marched  them  out  into  the 
opening  flanking  out  right  and  left.  They 
surrounded  the  entire  space,  forming  a hollow 
square.  At  the  sight  of  the  little  bower  a 
scene  occurred  which  it  would  be  impossible 
to  describe.  Here  were  brave  stalwart  men, 
who  had  been  subjected  to  the  perils  of  the 
wilderness,  contending  for  every  inch  with 
savages  and  wild  beasts,  whose  hearts  were 
never  known  to  quail  with  fear,  who  at  the 
sight  of  that  little  bower  were  melted  to  tears. 
But  when  the  father  came  up  to  the  little 
dwelling  his  own  dear  child  had  built,  and 
exclaimed,  “Oh!  Lydia,  Lydia,  my  dear 
child,  are  you  yet  alive  ? ” a thousand  hearts 
broke  forth  in  uncontrollable  grief. 

The  result  of  investigation  showed  that  the 
tracks  were  several  days  old.  Horse  tracks 
were  also  found,  and  the  conclusion  was  that 
she  had  been  carried  away  by  the  Indians. 

Two  miles  from  “Lydia’s  camp,”  for  so  it 
is  called  to  this  day,  they  found  her  bonnet, 
and  farther  on  an  Indian  camp  several  days 
old.  Further  pursuit  being  considered  use- 
less the  company  disbanded  and  returned  to 
their  homes. 

The  father  never  gave  up  the  search,  but 
eneliated  the  wildest  solitudes  and  sought 
er  among  the  Indians  till  the  day  of  his 
death.  The  lost  was  never  found. 

ut  to  this  day  in  Perry  township,  Brown 
(.  W.  Claypool,  in  speaking  of  this  occur- 


Cornelius  Washburn  engaged  in  it  with  the 
keen  perceptive  intelligence  which  only  a 
noted  hunter  possesses,  and  that  it  was  won- 
derful to  see  him  calm  and  thoughtful  walk- 
ing slowly  along  noting  a leaf  upturned,  pea 
vine,  brush  or  anything  disturbed,  while 
others  could  see  nothing  except  at  a time 
when  he  would  point  out  to  them  tracks  of 
the  child  on  the  sand  bars,  beds  of  leaves  or 
the  like.  Some  of  the  searchers  made  so 
much  noise,  hollowing,  blowing  horns,  etc., 
that  Washburn  begged  of  them  to  desist, 
and  he  would  find  the  child,  insisting  that 
after  she  had  been  lost  so  long  that  she  would 
hide  from  man  as  quick  as  she  would  from  a 


wild  animal.  They  would  not  heed  him  hut 
dashed  ahead.  Mr.  Claypool  continued : I 
was  once  lost  when  eight  or  nine  years  of  age 
with  Jake  Ashton,  a year  younger,  and  can 
fully  realize  Washburn’s  assertion  of  fright. 
We  went  out  early  in  the  morning  to  hunt 
the  cows;  soon  the  path  gave  out  and  we 
were  lost  in  the  flat  beech  swamps  between 
Glady  and  Glassy  Runs.  We  wandered 
about  until  night,  coming  out  at  a new  road 
recently  underbrushed  just  at  the  time  that 
an  infair  party  of  about  a dozen  couple  on 
horseback  were  passing.  Although  knowing 
most  of  them  we  hid  until  they  passed. 


New  Richmond,  founded  about  1816,  is  the  largest  and  most  important  bush 
ness  village  in  the  county.  It  is  on  the  Ohio,  twenty  miles  above  Cincinnati,  with 
which  it  is  also  connected  by  railroad,  and  three  miles  below  the  birthplace  of  Gen. 
Grant.  It  has  newspapers : Clermont  Independent,  B.  L.  W^inans,  editor ; The 
News,  A.  Townsley,  editor.  Churches  : 1 Methodist  Episcopal,  1 Colored  Metho- 


CLERMONT  COUNTY. 


419 


dist,  1 Colored  Baptist,  1 Baptist,  1 Presbyterian,  1 Christian  1 Catholic,  and  1 
Lutheran.  Bank:  First  National,  Franklin  Friedman,  president,  D.  E.  Fee, 
cashier. 

Manufactures. — J.  & H.  Clasgens,  woollen  yarns,  97  hands ; Friedman,  Rob- 
erts & Co.,  planing-mill,  20.  Tables  and  carriages  are  also  made  here.  Popula- 
tion in  1880,  2,545.  School  census  in  1886,  675;  George  W.  Fetter,  superin- 
tendent. 

The  Philanthropist. — In  1834  James  G.  Birney  began  the  publication  of  his 
noted  anti-slavery  publication.  The  Philanthropist,  in  New  Richmond,  under  the 
assurance  of  the  Donaldson  brothers  and  other  well-known  anti-slavery  men  that 
he  should  be  protected  from  mob  violence.  A native  of  Kentucky,  he  could  not 
even  attempt  the  issue  of  his  paper  there,  much  as  he  wished.  In  1836  he  re- 
moved his  paper  to  Cincinnati,  where,  on  the  night  of  July  30,  a mob  having  the 
countenance  of  the  leading  citizens  broke  into  the  printing-office,  and  destroyed 
the  press  and  scattered  the  type.  While  at  New  Richmond  lawless  men  threatened 
to  sack  the  office ; but,  at  a signal  of  danger,  the  people  of  the  village  at  a public 
meeting  resolved  to  stand  by  Mr.  Birney  at  the  peril  of  their  lives.  In  1844  Mr. 
Birney  was  the  Liberty  Party’s  ’’  candidate  for  President,  with  Thomas  Morris 
for  Vice-President.  They  received  62,163  votes. 

The  Underground  Railway. 

Anti-Slave?^  Settlei's. — Clermont  county,  and  indeed  the  Ohio  river  border,  was 
largely  settled  by  men  from  Maryland,  Virginia,  and  Kentucky  to  escape  the 
baleful  institution  of  slavery.  These  men  became  the  strongest  of  anti-slavery 
men,  and  the  position  of  Clermont  was  pre-eminent  in  the  great  struggle  that  ended 
in  the  emancipation.  Judge  Burnet,  in  his  Notes,’’  in  his  account  of  the  dele- 
gates who  framed  the  first  Constitution,  says  that  Gatch  and  Sargent  from  Cler- 
mont were  among  the  honored  men  who  successfully  labored  in  the  construction 
of  the  State  Constitution  and  the  early  legislation  of  Ohio ; that  they  were  elected 
because  they  were  anti-slavery  men,  and  they  we^  Virginians,  and  both  practical 
emancipators.”  Obed  Denham,  a Virginian,  the  founder  of  BethU,  in  his  con- 
veyance, wrote  as  follows  : I also  give  two  lots  in  said  town  for  the  use  of  the 
regular  Baptist  church — who  do  not  hold  slaves,  nor  commune  at  the  Lord’s  table 
with  those  who  do  practise  such  tyranny  over  their  fellow-creatures.” 

Fleeing  Slaves. — The  position  of  Clermont  on  the  border  made  it  the  first  place 
of  refuge  for  fleeing  slaves.  Byron  Williams  in  the  history  of  the  county  gives 
these  facts : Nothing  was  done  to  entice  slaves  from  Kentucky ; only  as  they 
came  were  they  sped  on  their  way.  True  men  never  refused  bread  to  the  beseech- 
ing negro  fleeing  from  chains  and  with  his  face  toward  the  North  Star.” 

The  owners  pursuing  the  negroes  were  informed  who  were  most  likely  to  have 
assisted  the  fugitives,  and,  returning  in  baffled  rage,  heaped  curses  loud  and  deep 
on  names  of  persons  and  localities  in  hearing  of  slaves,  who  reverently  preserved 
the  stealthy  knowledge  for  their  own  time  of  need. 

The  late  Robert  E.  Fee,  of  Moscow,  was,  it  is  true,  charged  with  abducting 
slaves,  and  at  one  time  was  under  requisition  for  the  same. 

Robe?'t  Fee  and  the  Kkhmppei's. — About  the  year  1840  a family  of  blacks,  living 
for  years  in  the  south  part  of  the  county,  were,  except  the  father,  kidnapped  at 
night  and  carried  into  Kentucky,  under  the  plea  that  the  mother  was  a runaway 
slave,  and  her  children,  though  born  out  of  bondage,  must  share  her  lot.  Robert 
Fee  devoted  himself  to  their  rescue  by  legal  means.  He  followed  them  into  a 
distant  State  into  which  they  had  been 'sold,  and  narrowly  escaped  death.  The 
mob,  raging  for  his  blood,  actually  passed  through  the  room  adjoining  his  hiding- 
place.  The  affair  produced  mucli  excitement,  and  caused  many  hitherto  neutral 
people  to  join  the  opposition  to  slavery.  The  family  was  hopelessly  lost  and  sepa- 
rated, but  Fee  repaid  his  wrongs  many-fold. 

A light  was  said  to  have  burned  in  his  house  all  night  to  guide  travellers  across 


420 


CLERMONT  COUNTY. 


the  river.  His  doors  were  barred,  and  his  family,  girls  and  all,  slept  with  loaded 
firearms  in  ready  reach.  His  house  was  surrounded  again  and  again  by  violent 
slave-hunters.  The  romance  of  the  border  of  that  day  was  thrilling  in  the  extreme, 
though  its  actors  were  but  plain  farmers  and  timid  shadow-fearing  fugitives. 

There  w^as  no  preconcerted  action  on  the  part  of  the  men  so  engaged,  yet  there 
was  a kind  of  system.  When  runaways  got  across  the  river,  the  Fees  and  others, 
according  to  circumstances,  either  hurried  them  on  or  secreted  them  until  the  hunt 
went  by.  They  were  then  guided  northward,  generally  through  Tate  township, 
where  they  were  cared  for  by  the  Rileys,  Benjamin  Rice,  Richard  Mace,  Isaac  H. 
Brown,  and  others.  The  route  from  thence  led  by  various  ways  to  the  Quaker 
settlements  of  Clinton  county.  The  work  was  generally  done  in  the  night,  to  avoid 
trouble  with  some  who  for  the  sake  of  rewards  were  often  on  the  watch.  Few 
were  ever  captured,  and  many  hundreds  must  have  escaped. 

A Fourierite  AssoGiaiion  was  formed  in  the  county  in  1844.  The  Phalanx 
bought  three  tracts  of  land  on  the  Ohio,  in  Franklin  township,  and  put  up  some 
buildings.  At  the  end  of  two  years,  seeing  that  communism  did  not  better  their 
lot  in  life  and  the  association  getting  in  debt,  they  closed  up  its  affairs. 

A Spiritualistic  Community  bought  their  buildings.  At  its  head  was  John  A. 


Birthplace  of  Gen.  U.  S.  Grant,  Point  Pleasant. 


Wattles,  with  a following  of  nearly  100  persons.  It  was  based  on  principles  of 
business  and  religion,  and  involving  a system  of  communism.  In  the  great  flood 
of  1847  their  main  building  fell  and  seventeen  lives  lost,  whicli  ruined  the  enter- 
prise. 

Utopia. — The  little  village  of  Utopia  was  established  at  this  era  by  Henry  Jer- 
nagan,  one  of  the  Fourierites,  and  on  Utopian  principles.  Many  of  the  old  mem- 
bers of  the  Phalanx  moved  thither,  and  carried  on  various  avocations.  For  a 
time  Utopia  was  a happy,  beautiful  place ; the  people  had  few  wants,  and  these 
were  supplied  at  home.  They  eventually  became  restless,  and  some  of  the  better 
class  moving  away  and  others  moving  in  harmony  with  its  trustees,  its  Utopian 
features  dissolved. 

Point  Pleasant,  a little  village  or  hamlet  on  the  Ohio,  about  twenty-five 
miles  above  Cincinnati,  will  ever  be  memorable  as  the  birthplace  of  Gen.  U.  S. 
Grant.  This  event  took  place  April  27, 1 822.  The  next  year  the  family  removed 
to  Georgetown,  Brown  county,  which  became  his  boyhood  home.  His  father  the 
year  before  had  married  Miss  Hannah  Simpson,  of  Tate  township.  At  the  time 
nf  his  birth  Jesse  R.  Grant  was  employed  in  the  tannery  of  Thomas  Page.  The 
house  in  which  the  young  and  poor  couple  resided  belonged  to  Lee  Thompson.  I 


CLERMONT  COUNTY. 


421 


remains  as  well  preserved  as  originally  built ; a lean-to  kitchen  has  since  been 
added.  It  is  a one-story  frame,  16x19  feet,  with  a steep  roof,  the  pitch  being  five 
feet,  and  on  the  right  or  north  end  is  a huge  chimney,  affording  a spacious  fire- 
place. The  window-panes  are  very  small,  and  it  was  quite  a humble  domicile, 
having  but  two  rooms  : that  on  the  right  being  the  living-room,  and  that  on  the 
left  the  bedroom  in  which  the  general  first  saw  the  light. 


Chronology  of  Gen.  Grant’s  Life. 


1822.  April  27.  Born  at  Point  Pleasant,  Ohio. 

1839.  July  1.  Entered  West  Point  Military 
Academy. 

1843.  Graduated  from  West  Point. 

1845.  Commissioned  as  second  lieutenant,  and 
served  in  the  Mexican  war,  under  Gens.  Taylor 
and  Scott. 

1848.  Married  Miss  Julia  Dent,  of  St.  Louis, 
Mo.,  while  stationed  at  Sackett’s  Harbor,  N.  Y. 

1852.  Ordered  to  Oregon. 

1853.  Commissioned  as  captain  in  August. 

1854.  Resigned  from  the  army  in  July. 

1854-59.  Lived  in  St.  Louis. 

1859.  Removed  to  Galena,  111.,  engaged  in  the 
tanning  business  with  his  father  and  brothers. 

1861.  Commissioned  as  colonel.  Made  briga- 
dier-general in  July,  in  command  at  Cairo ; saved 
Kentucky  to  the  Union.  In  November  fought  the 
battle  of  Belmont. 

1862.  Conducted  a reconnoissance  to  the  rear  of 
Columbus  in  January ; Fort  Henry  surrendered, 
February  6,  and  Fort  Donelson,  February  16. 
Made  commander  of  West  Tennessee;  his  army 
fought  the  successful  battle  of  Shiloh,  April  6 and 
7.  Second  to  Gen.  Halleck  at  the  siege  of  Corinth, 
he  was  given  charge  of  the  Department  of  Tennes- 
see on  the  latter’s  call  to  the  East. 

1863.  July  4.  Forced  the  surrender  of  Vicks- 
burg with  30,000  Confederates,  after  a siege  begin- 
ning the  previous  October.  In  November  defeated 
Gen.  Bragg  at  Chattanooga,  the  fighting  extending 
over  four  days,  beginning  November  23. 

1864.  Commissioned  lieutenant-general  by  Pres- 
ident Lincoln,  March  3,  and  called  to  Washing- 
ton. Assumed  command  of  the  armies  of  United 
States,  March  8.  Forced  a passage  across  the 


James  river  between  June  12  and  15,  after  the 
severe  battles  of  the  Wilderness,  and  laid  siege  to 
Richmond  and  Petersburg. 

1865.  April  2.  The  Confederate  lines  broken. 
Lee  abandoned  Richmond.  The  flying  Confed- 
erates overtaken  at  Appomattox  Court-House. 
April  9,  Lee  surrendered  his  entire  army  as  pris- 
oners of  war,  which  was  followed  by  the  surrender 
of  all  the  remaining  forces  of  the  Confederacy,  and 
the  close  of  the  civil  war. 

1866.  July  25.  Congress  created  the  grade  of 
eneral,  and  he  received  the  commission  the  same 
ay. 

1867.  Served  as  Secretary  of  War  from  August 
to  February,  1868. 

1868.  Elected  President,  receiving  214  of  294 
electoral  votes. 

1872.  Re-elected  President  by  268  electoral 
votes  to  80. 

1877.  Started  upon  a tour  around  the  world, 
which  ended  in  the  spring  of  1880. 

1880.  Was  a candidate  for  a third  Presidential 
term,  but  was  defeated  for  the  nomination  by  Gen. 
James  A.  Garfield. 

1881.  Took  up  his  residence  in  New  York  city. 

1882.  Became  a member  of  the  firm  of  Grant 
& Ward,  whose  disastrous  failure,  involving  some 
$14,000,000,  occurred  in  May,  1884. 

1884.  In  June  physicians  were  summoned  to 
prescribe  for  an  affection  of  the  mouth,  which  was 
pronounced  a cancer. 

1885.  March  3.  The  House  passed  the  bill  put- 
ting Gen.  Grant  on  the  retired  list.  June  16,  he 
was  removed  from  New  York  to  Mount  MacGre- 
gor, Saratoga  county,  where  he  died  Thursday, 
July  23. 


Loveland  is  on  the  Little  Miami  river,  twenty-three  miles  from  Cincinnati,  on 
the  line  of  the  P.  C.  & St.  L.,  the  C.  W.  & B.,  and  C.  & C.  M.  railroads.  It 
contains  1 Methodist,  1 Colored  Methodist,  1 Presbyterian,  and  1 Catholic  church. 
Planing-mill,  A.  B.  Brock,  10  hands ; lumber-  and  coal-yards,  carriage-factory, 
machine-shop,  agricultural  depot,  etc.  Newspaper  : Loveland  Enterprise,  Con.  W. 
Gatch,  editor  and  proprietor.  Population  in  1880,  595.  Sixty  trains  pass  daily 
through  it,  and  it  is  fast  building  up. 

Feiacity  is  on  an  elevated  plateau,  in  a rich,  densely  populated  agricultural 
country,  and  is  a good  business  centre,  five  miles  from  the  Ohio.  Furniture  and 
chair-making  is  the  chief  industry.  It  has  1 Methodist  Episcopal,  1 Wesleyan 
Methodist,  1 Presbyterian,  1 Church  of  Christ,  1 Colored  Methodist,  and  1 Colored 
Baptist  church,  and  in  1880  a population  of  1,047. 

The  following  are  the  names  of  other  villages  in  the  county,  with  their  popula- 
tions in  1880  : Moscow,  516  • Neville,  445 ; Boston,  307. 

Clermont  has  produced  quite  a number  of  authors.  Mary  E.  Fee  was  a poetess, 
born  in  the  county,  who  wrote  for  the  public  prints  over  the  signature  of  Eulalie.” 
Her  poems  were  published  in  one  volume  of  194  pages,  in  Cincinnati,  in  1854. 
She  at  that  time  married  John  Shannon,  and  with  her  devoted  husband  sought  a 
home  in  California,  where  as  Eulalie  ” she  lectured  and  recited  her  poems,  draw- 
ing the  largest  and  best-paying  houses  the  Golden  State  ever  accorded  to  any  person. 
She  did  not  live  long  to  enjoy  her  brilliant  triumphs,  and  after  her  lamented  hus- 


CLERMONT  COUNTY. 


422 


band  fell  in  a duel.  Another  lady,  Mrs.  Dr.  George  Conner,  of  Cincinnati,  for- 
merly Miss  Eliza  Archard,  and  the  well-known  E.  A.,^^  of  the  Cincinnati  Com- 
mercial,  is  also  a native. 

George  M.  D.  Bloss,  editor  of  the  Cincinnati  Thiquirer,  resided  at  Branch  Hill,  on 
the  line  of  the  L.  M.  B.  B. ; he  was  run 
over  by  the  cars  and  killed  there  in  1876. 

He  was  regarded  as  one  of  the  most  able 
of  political  writers ; but  his  handwriting, 
worse  than  Horace  Greeley’s,  was  so 
illegible  that  only  one  compositor  in  the 
office  could  decipher  it,  and  he  was  re- 
tained for  that  purpose.  His  memory 
for  election  statistics  was  as  extraor- 
dinary as  his  chirography  was  detest- 
able. His  Historic  and  Literary  Mis- 
cellany,” a book  of 460  pages,  was  highly 
popular.  Milton  Jameison,  of  Batavia, 
who  was  lieutenant  of  Ohio  volunteers 
in  the  Mexican  war,  wrote  a work 
valuable  as  descriptive  of  army  life 
there,  and  especially  vivid  in  its  descrip- 
tions of  Mexican  agricultural  life  and 
the  shiftless  character  of  the  Mexican 
people. 

Abbie  C.  McKeever,  the  acknowl- 
edged successor  of  Phoebe  Cary,  was 
born  near  Withamsville  in  1852,  and  abbie  c.  McKEEVER. 

is  still  living  there.  She  has  written 

largely  for  the  serials.  Two  of  her  poems  which  have  been  much  admired  are 
annexed  : 


DRIFT  AWAY. 


Drift  away,  oh,  clouds  of  amber, 
Crimson-lined  in  billowy  mass  ; 

Drift  away  in  silent  footsteps  : 

I shall  watch  you  as  you  pass. 

I shall  watch  you — yes,  and  love  you — 
For  the  beauty  that  you  gave  : 
Beauty  dying  in  the  twilight, 

Like  the  lilies  on  his  grave. 


Drift  away  to  unknown  heavens, 
Crimson  clouds  along  the  west ; 
But  remember  that  you  are  bearing 
In  your  downy  amber  breast, 
Hopes  that  whisper  softly  to  him 
Of  a love  that  never  dies — 

Love  that  tires  of  waiting  lonely 
Ere  the  call  to  other  skies. 


Drift  away,  oh,  clouds  of  sunset, 
Purple  with  the  later  light ; 

See  ! the  stars  are  all  about  you — 
Diamond  eyes  of  early  night. 

Drift  away  ; but  while  you  are  passing 
Bear  this  message  up  to  him, 

That  the  earthly  skies  that  fold  me 
Soon  shall  part  and  let  me  in. 


ONLY. 

Only  a golden  token. 

Tied  with  ribbon  blue . 

Only  a promise  broken. 
Darling,  by  you. 

Only  a life  made  dark 
All  the  weary  way  ; ~ 

Only  an  aching  heart 
Th robbing  to-day. 

Only  a happy  dream 
In  the  early  light ; 

Only  a bitter  stream 
Flowing  by  night. 

Only  a touching  prayer 
For  the  strength  that  lies 

Far  from  the  world  and  care, 
Far  beyond  the  skies. 


CLINTON  COUNTY, 


423 


CLINTOK 

CLmTON  County  was  organized  in  1810,  and  named  after  George  Clinton, 
V Ice-President  of  the  United  States,  who  was  of  Irish  ancestry,  born  in  Ulster 
county.  New  York,  in  1739,  and  died  in  Washington,  D.  C.,  in  1812.  He  pro- 
jected the  canal  system  of  New  York  in  1791,  his  ideas  being  carried  to  their 
legitimate  ends  by  his  nephew.  Governor  DeWitt  Clinton. 

George  Clinton,  in  1768,  returned  from  a privateering  cruise,  and  as  a lieuten-^ 
ant  took  part  in  the  expedition  against  Fort  Frontenac.  After  disbandment  of 
the  colonial  forces  he  studied  law  and  entered  into  politics,  being  elected  to  the 
New  York  Assembly  in  1768.  He  was  elected  a delegate  to  the  second  Conti- 
nental Congress  in  1775.  He  was  prevented  from  signing  the  Declaration  of  In- 
dependence with  the  New  York  delegation  by  an  imperative  call  from  Washing- 
ton to  take  post  in  the  Highlands  as  a militia  general.  In  1777  he  was  made  a 
brigadier-general  in  the  Continental  army,  and  in  October  of  the  same  year  made 
a brilliant  but  unsuccessful  defence  with  Montgomery  of  the  Highland  forts 
against  the  British.  He  was  chosen  first  governor  of  the  State  of  New  York, 
April,  1777,  and  was  successively  elected  until  1795.  Fie  thwarted  an  expedition 
led  in  1780  by  Sir  John  Johnson,  Brant  and  Cornplanter  against  the  settlers  of 
the  Mohawk  valley,  saving  them  from  massacre. 

At  the  time  of  Shay’s  rebellion  he  marched  in  person  at  the  head  of  the  militia 
against  the  insurgents,  and  greatly  aided  in  quelling  that  outbreak.  In  1788  he 
presided  at  the  State  convention  to  ratify  the  Federal  Constitution,  the  adoption  of 
which  he  opposed  on  the  ground  that  it  delegated  too  much  power  to  the  Federal 
congress  and  executive.  At  the  first  presidential  election  he  received  three  elec- 
toral votes  for  the  vice-presidency.  In  1792,  when  Washington  was  re-elected,  he 
received  fifty  votes  for  the  same  office,  and  at  the  sixth  presidential  election,  1809- 
13,  he  received  six  ballots  from  New  York  for  the  presidency.  In  1800  he  was 
chosen  to  the  legislature,  and  in  1801  was  again  governor.  In  1804  he  was 
elected  Vice-President  of  the  United  States,  which  office  he  filled  until  his  death. 

He  took  great  interest  in  education,  and  in  his  message  at  the  opening  session  of 
the  legislature  in  1795  he  initiated  the  movement  for  the  organization  of  the  com- 
mon school  systemo 

In  his  private  life  he  was  affectionate  and  winning,  though  dignified.  He  was 
bold  and  courageous  as  a military  man,  and  in  public  life  he  wielded  vast  influence 
owing  to  his  sound  judgment,  marvellous  energy,  and  great  moral  force  of 
character. 

The  surface  of  this  county  is  generally  level,  on  the  west  undulating ; it  has 
some  prairie  land.  The  soil  is  fertile,  and  is  well  adapted  to  corn  and  grass.  Its 
area  is  400  square  miles.  In  1885  the  acres  cultivated  were  115,154  ; in  pasture, 
52,313;  woodland,  34,954;  lying  waste,  2,351;  produced  in  wheat,  160,389 
bushels;  corn,  2,419,796.  School  census  1886,  7,717  ; teachers,  189.  It  has  97 
miles  of  railroad. 


Townships  and  Census. 

1840. 

1880. 

Townships  and  Census. 

1840. 

1880. 

Adams, 

921 

Richland, 

1,385 

2,338 

Chester, 

1,784 

1,443 

Union, 

3,284 

5,051 

Clark, 

1,297 

2,006 

2,758 

Vernon, 

1,434 

1.552 

Greene, 

1,842 

Washington, 

1,170 

1,294 

Jefferson, 

474 

1,448 

Wayne, 

1,366 

1,448 

Liberty, 

Marion, 

1,050 

643 

1,382 

1,956 

Wilson, 

1,159 

The  population  in  1820  was  8,085 ; in  1840, 15,729  ; in  1860,  20,638  ; in  1880, 
23,293,  of  whom  21,061  were  Ohio-born. 

This  county  was  settled  about  the  year  1803,  principally  by  emigrants  from 
^cjitucky^  Pennsylvania,  and  North  Carolina.  The  first  settlement,  however,  was 


424 


CLINTON  COUNTY. 


made  in  1797  by  William  Smally.  Most  of  the  first  emigrants  were  backwoods- 
men, and  well  fitted  to  endure  the  privations  incident  upon  settling  a new  country. 
They  lived  principally  upon  game,  and  gave  little  attention  to  agricultural  pur- 
suits. As  the  country  grew  older  game  became  scarce,  emigrants  flocked  from 


Drawn  by  Henry  Howe  in  1846. 

Central  View  in  Wilmington. 


different  parts  of  the  Union,  and  the  primitive  manner  of  living  gave  place  to  that 
more  conformable  to  the  customs  of  older  States. 

The  following  are  the  names  of  some  of  the  most  noted  of  the  early  settlers  : 
Thomas  Hinkson,  Aaron  Burr,  and  Jesse  Hughes,  the  first  associate  judges;  Nathan 
Linton,  the  first  land  surveyor ; Abraham  Ellis  and  Thomas  Hardin,  who  had 


Slack  (k  Berry,  Photo.,  Wilmington,  1886. 

Central  View  in  Wilmington. 

been  soldiers  of  the  Revolution ; Joseph  Doan,  James  Mills,  and  Hen^  Babb, 
who  served  as  commissioners ; Morgan  ^lendican,  who  erected  the  first  mill  in  the 
county,  on  Todd’s  fork  ; and  Capt.  James  Spencer,  who  was  distinguished  in 
various  conflicts  with  the  Indians. 

The  first  house  for  divine  worship  was  erected  by  Friends,  at  Centre,  in  1806 


CLINTON  COUNTY. 


425 


The  first  court  was  held  in  a barn  belonging  to  Judge  Hughes,  and  for  a number 
of  years  subsequent  in  a small  house  belonging  to  John  McGregor. 

There  are  some  of  the  ancient  works  so  common  throughout  the  West  on  Todd^s 
fork,  near  Springfield  meeting-house.  The  Deserted  Camp,’^  situated  about  three 
miles  northeast  of  Wilmington,  is  a point  of  notoriety  with  the  surveyors  of  land. 
It  was  so  called  from  the  circumstance  that  a body  of  Kentuckians,  on  their  way 
to  attack  the  Indian  towns  on  the  Little  Miami,  encamping  over  night  lost  one  of 
their  number,  who  deserted  to  the  enemy,  and  giving  warning  of  their  approach, 
frustrated  the  object  of  the  expedition. 

Wilmington,  the  county-seat,  is  in  the  township  of  Union,  on  Todd’s  fork, 
seventy-two  miles  southwest  from  Columbus.  It  is  regularly  laid  out  on  undu- 
lating ground,  and  contains  five  houses  for  divine  worship,  one  newspaper  printing- 
office,  one  high-school,  nineteen  mercantile  stores,  and  a population  estimated  at 
1,500.  The  engraving  represents  one  of  the  principal  streets  of  the  village,  as  it 
appears  from  the  store  of  Joseph  Hale ; the  building  with  a spire  is  the  court-house^ 
a structure  of  considerable  elegance. — Old  Edition. 

County  officers  1888  : Auditor,  Asa  Jenkins ; Clerk  of  Court,  Frank  D.  Dakin; 
Coroner,  John  G.  Outcart;  Prosecuting  Attorney,  William  W.  Savage;  Probate 
Judge,  Ambrose  K.  Williams ; Recorder,  Egbert  B.  Howland ; Sheriff,  Samuel  A. 
Holliday ; Surveyor,  James  A.  Brown ; Treasurer,  L.  W.  Crane ; Commissioners, 
Daniel  M.  Collett,  Jonas  Watkins,  Edward  Qline. 

Wilmington,  about  fifty  miles  northeast  of  Cincinnati,  on  the  C.  & M.  V.  and 
C.  & C.  Midland  railroads.  Newspapers : Clinton  Rejynbliean,  Republican,  C.  N. 
Browning  & Co.,  editors  and  publishers ; Journal^  Republican,  W.  G.  <fe  C.  R. 
Fisher,  editors  and  publishers ; Clinton  County  Democrat,  Democmtic,  J.  S.  Hum- 
mell,  editor  and  publisher.  Banks : Clinton  County  National,  F.  M.  Moore, 
president,  Madison  Betts,  cashier ; First  National,  C.  M.  Bosworth,  president,  C. 
C.  Nichols,  cashier.  Churches : 1 Methodist  Episcopal,  1 Colored  Methodist 
Episcopal,  1 Presbyterian,  2 Friends,  2 Free-Will  Baptist  (1  Colored),  1 Christian, 
and  1 Catholic. 

Industries  and  Enployees. — Fulton  & Peters,  flour  and  grain  shippers,  16  hands ; 
The  Champion  Bridge  Company,  iron  bridges,  repair-work,  etc.,  25 ; Fisher  & 
Hughes,  general  wood-work;  Hawkins  & Spray,  lumber;  William  Scofield, 
woollen  yarns ; Shepherd  & Ludlum,  builders’  wood- work ; Williams,  Cusick  & 
Co.,  hour,  etc. — State  Repoy^t  1886.  Also,  Clinton  Furnace  Company  and  Auger- 
Bit  AForks.  Population  in  1880,  2,745.  School  census  in  1886,  740;  Edward 
Merrick,  superintendent. 

Wilmington  College  was  founded  in  1870.  It  is  under  the  management  of  the 
Society  of  Friends,  James  B.  Unthauk,  president. 

Wilmington  Avas  laid  out  in  1810,  principally  settled  by  emigrants  from  North 
Carolina,  and  named  from  Wilmington  in  that  State.  The  first  log-house  Avas 
built  by  AFilliam  Hobsin,  and  Warren  Sabin’s  Avas  the  first  taA^ern.  The  first 
church,  a small  brick  edifice,  was  erected  by  the  Baptists.  In  1812  the  first  court 
Avas  held.  The  earliest  settlers  Avere  AFarren  Sabin,  Samuel  T.  Louden,  AFilliam 
Hobsin,  Larkin  Reynolds,  John  SAvane,  James  Montgomery,  John  McGregor,  Sr., 
an^l  Isaiah  Morris.  This  last-named  gentleman,  a native  of  Pennsylvania;  de- 
scended the  Ohio  river  Avith  his  uncle  in  a flat-bottonied  boat  in  the  spring  of  1803, 
and  landed  first  at  Columbia,  where  his  uncle  opened  a store  from  a small  stock 
of  goods  he  had  brought.  After  remaining  at  that  place  about  three  months  he 
removed  his  goods  to  Lebanon,  and  not  long  after  died,  leaving  his  nephcAV,  then 
a lad  of  seventeen  years  of  age,  Avithout  any  means  of  support.  He  hoAvever  made 
friends,  and  eventually  moved  to  Wilmington,  Avhere,  on  the  8th  of  July,  1811,  he 
opened  the  first  store  in  the  toAvn  in  company  Avith  AFilliam  Ferguson.  He  Avas 
obliged  in  moving  from  I>(ebanon  to  make  his  way  tnrough  the  forest,  cutting  a 
wagon-road  part  of  the  distance ; the  toAvn  having  been  laid  out  in  the  woods,  it 
was  with  great  difficulty  that  he  could  get  through  to  the  little  one-story  frame 


426 


CLINTON  COUNTY. 


house,  erected  in  the  midst  of  trees,  logs,  and  brush,  on  which  he  then  settled  and 
has  since  resided.  Mr.  Morris  was  the  first  postmaster  in  the  town,  the  fii'st  repre- 
sentative from  the  county  to  the  Legislature,  and  has  since  held  various  public 
offices. — OM,  Edition. 

Mr.  William  H.  Spencer,  who  supplied  the  historical  items  relating  to  the 
original  edition,  also  included  the  following  sketches  of  two  of  these  noted  charac- 
ters among  the  first  settlers : 

William  Smally  was  born  in  Western  Penns3dvania,  in  1764.  At  the  age  of 
six  years  he  was  stolen  by  the  Indians,  carried  into  the  interior  of  Ohio,  and  re- 
mained with  them  until  twenty  years  of  age.  While  with  them  he  witnessed  the 
burning  of  several  white  prisoners.  On  one  occasion  he  saw  an  infant  snatched 
from  its  mother’s  arms  and  thrown  into  the  flames.  In  1784  he  left  the  Indians, 
rejoined  his  parents  near  Pittsburg,  and  a few  years  after  moved  with  them  to 
the  vicinity  of  Cincinnati.  He  was  in  Harmar’s  campaign,  and  at  St.  Clair’s  de- 
feat, in  the  last  of  which  he  discharged  his  rifle  thirty-five  times,  twenty-one  of 
which,  it  is  said,  took  effect.  He  likewise  accompanied  Wayne’s  army.  Being 
on  one  occasion  sent  forward  with  others,  on  some  mission  to  the  Indians,  they 
were  fired  upon  on  their  approach  to  the  camp,  and  his  two  companions  killed. 
He  evaded  the  danger  by  springing  behind  a tree,  and  calling  to  one  of  the  chiefs, 
whom  he  knew,  telling  him  that  he  had  deserted  the  whites  and  had  come  to  join 
him.  This  not  only  saved  his  life,  but  caused  him  to  be  treated  with  great  kindness. 
He,  however,  took  an  early  opportunity,  escaped  to  the  army,  and  at  the  battle 
of  the  Fallen  Timbers  showed  his  usual  cool  courage. 

In  1797  he  settled  on  Todd’s  fork  in  this  county,  and  resided  there  for  a num- 
ber of  years,  depending  principally  upon  hunting  for  a subsistence.  His  personal 
appearance  was  good,  but  his  address  resembled  that  of  a savage.  A little  anec- 
dote illustrates  his  determined  character.  He  purchased  land  on  which  he  re- 
sided from  a lawyer  of  Cincinnati,  who  refused  to  make  him  a deed.  Smally 
armed  himself,  called  upon  him  and  demanded  a bond  for  his  land,  with  the 
threat  that  if  not  furnished  in  three  days  he  w’ould  take  his  scalp.  This  positive 
language  soon  brought  the  lawyer  to  a sense  of  his  dangerous  situation,  and  before 
the  expiration  of  the  time  he  gave  Smally  the  desired  paper.  Mr.  Smally  passed 
the  latter  part  of  his  life  in  poverty.  In  1836  he  emigrated  to  Illinois,  where  he 
died  in  1840. 

Col.  Thomas  Hinkson  was  born  in  1772,  in  Westmoreland  count}^.  Pa.  His 
father  had  emigrated  from  Ireland  in  earL  life,  had  become  an  excellent  woods- 
man, and  visited  Kentucky  at  a very  early  period.  He  established  a station  near 
the  junction  of  Hinkson  and  Stoner,  which  form  the  south  fork  of  Licking  river. 
Here  the  subject  of  this  notice  was  raised  until  the  age  of  eighteen  years,  when  in 
the  autumn  of  1790,  as  a volunteer  in  the  Kentucky  militia,  he  accompanied  the 
expedition  of  Gen.  Harmar.  He  was  in  the  battle  near  the  Miami  villages  under 
Col.  Hardin’s  command  in  front  of  the  town,  and  witnessed  the  total  overthrow 
and  massacre  of  the  detachment  of  Major  Wyllis.  In  this  battle  he  received  a 
slight  wound  in  the  left  arm,  and  narrowly  escaped  with  his  life.  He  was  after- 
wards in  the  disastrous  defeat  of  Gen.  St.  Clair,  but  amidst  the  general  slaughter 
escaped  unhurt.  Hitherto  he  had  served  as  a private,  but  v/as  subsequently 
selected  as  a lieutenant  in  the  mounted  volunteers  from  Kentucky,  who  formed 
a part  of  the  forces  of  Gen.  Wayne  against  the  same  Indians  in  1794. 

He  was  in  the  battle  near  the  Rapids  of  the  Maumee,  but  never  pretended  that 
he  had  done  anything  worthy  of  distinction  on  that  memorable  da5L  During 
these  several  campaigns,  however,  he  had  formed  the  acquaintance  of  most  of  the 
leading  men  of  Kentucky,  and  others  of  the  Northwest  Territory,  which  was 
highly  advantageous  to  him  in  after  life.  Shortly  after  Wayne’s  battle  he  re- 
turned to  Kentucky,  married  and  settled  on  a farm  inherited  from  his  father, 
situated  in  Harrison  county,  where  he  lived  until  the  spring  of  1806,  when  he 
emigrated  to  Ohio,  and  in  1807  settled  on  a farm  about  eight  miles  east  of  Wil- 
mington, but  then  in  tlie  county  of  Highland.  He  was  soon  afterwards  elected  a 
justice  of  the  peace  for  the  latter  county,  and  captain  of  the  militia  company  to 
which  he  belonged,  in  which  several  capacities  he  served  until  the  erection  of 


CLINTON  COUNTY. 


427 


Clinton  county,  in  1810,  when,  without  his  knowledge,  he  was  elected  by  the 
legislature  one  of  the  associate  judges  for  the  new  county.  He  made  no  preten- 
sions to  legal  knowledge,  nor  will  the  writer  claim  anything  for  him  in  this  re- 
spect further  than  good  common  sense,  which  generally  prevents  a man  from 
making  a very  foolish  decision. 

After  this  appointment  he  remained  quietly  at  home  in  the  occupations  com- 
mon to  farmers  until  the  declaration  of  war  in  1812,  nor  did  he  manifest  any  dis- 
position for  actual  service  until  after  Hull’s  surrender.  That  event  cast  a gloom 
over  the  west.  All  of  Michigan,  Northern  Ohio,  Indiana  and  Illinois  were  exposed 
to  savage  depredations.  Some  troops  had  been  hastily  assembled  at  Urbana  and 
other  points  to  repel  invasion.  Captain  Hinkson  was  then  in  the  prime  of  life, 
possessing  a robust  and  manly  frame  seldom  equalled,  even  among  pioneers.  He 
was  a man  of  few  words,  and  they  to  the  purpose  intended.  He  briefly  explained 
to  his  family  that  he  believed  the  time  had  come  to  serve  his  country.  He  im- 
mediately set  out  for  headquarters,  and  tendered  his  services  to  Gov.  Meigs,  then 
at  Urbana.  The  President  having  previously  made  a requisition  on  the  governor 
of  Ohio  for  two  companies  of  rangers  to  scour  the  country  between  the  settlements 
and  the  enemy,  Capt.  Hinkson  was  appointed  to  command  one  of  those  com- 
panies, with  liberty  to  choose  his  own  followers.  This  was  soon  done,  and  a com- 
pany presented  to  the  governor  ready  for  duty.  By  this  time  the  Indians  had 
actual  possession  of  the  exposed  territory,  and  it  was  the  duty  of  these  companies 
to  hold  them  in  check  and  keep  the  army  advised  of  their  numbers  and  position. 
In  performing  this  duty  many  incidents  might  be  related  in  the  life  of  Capt. 
Hinkson,  but  one  or  two  must  suffice. 

Having  at  one  time  ventured  to  the  Miami  of  the  Lake  to  ascertain  the  condition 
of  the  enemy,  they  found  them  encamped  near  the  foot  of  the  rapids  of  that  river 
with  a select  company  of  rangers,  commanded  by  Capt.  Clark  from  Canada, 
numbering  in  all  from  three  to  five  hundred,  and  under  the  command  of  the 
celebrated  Tecumseh.  The  ground  on  the  hill  was  for  miles  covered  with  a thick 
undergrowth,  which  enabled  Capt.  Hinkson  and  company  to  approach  nearly 
within  gun-shot  of  the  enemy  without  being  seen.  It  was  late  in  the  afternoon, 
and  while  waiting  for  the  approach  of  night,  to  enable  them  to  withdraw  more 
successfully,  the  company  was  secretly  drawn  up  near  the  brink  of  the  hill,  and 
directed  in  whispers  to  merely  take  aim  at  the  enemy.  This  was  rather  a hazard- 
ous display  of  humor,  but  as  many  of  his  men  had  never  been  in  battle  Capt. 
Hinkson  told  the  writer  it  was  merely  to  try  their  nerves. 

While  engaged  in  this  sport  they  discovered  Capt.  Clark  in  the  adjacent  corn- 
field below  in  hot  pursuit  after  a flock  of  wild  turkeys,  which  were  running 
toward  the  place  of  concealment.  Here  was  a crisis.  He  must  be  slain  in  cold 
blood  or  made  a prisoner.  The  latter  alternative  was  adopted.  The  company 
was  disposed  so  as  to  flank  the  captain  and  his  turkeys.  They  were  alarmed 
and  flew  into  the  tree  tops,  and  while  the  captain  was  gazing  up  for  his  prey, 
Capt.  Hinkson  approached  and  politely  requested  him  to  ground  arms  upon  pain 
of  instant  death,  in  case  he  gave  the  least  alarm.  He  at  first  indicated  signs  of 
resistance,  but  soon  found  “ discretion  the  better  part  of  valor,”  and  surrendered 
Jiimself  a prisoner  of  war.  Being  at  least  one  hundred  miles  from  the  army,  ii 
sight  of  such  a force,  Capt.  Hinkson  and  company  were  in  a very  delicate  condi 
tion.  No  time  was  to  be  lost.  A retreat  was  commenced  in  the  most  secret 
manner,  in  a southerly  direction  at  right  angles  from  the  river.  By  travelling 
all  night  they  eluded  pursuit  and  brought  their  prize  safely  to  camp. 

Shortly  afterwards  Gen.  Tupper^s  brigade  arrived  near  the  rapids  and  encamped 
for  the  night,  during  which  Capt.  Hinkson  and  company  acted  as  piquet  guard, 
and  in  the  morning  a few  were  selected  to  accompany  him  on  a secret  recon- 
noissance  down  the  river.  Unluckily  they  were  met  at  the  summit  of  a hill  by  a 
detachment  of  the  same  kind  from  the  enemy.  Shots  were  exchanged,  and  the 
alarm  fairly  given  to  both  parties.  This  brought  on  the  skirmish  which  ensued 
between  that  brigade  and  the  Indians.  While  fighting  in  the  Indian  mode,  near 
Wm.  Vernard,  Esq.  (one  of  Capt.  Hinkson’s  men,  who  had  been  severely  wounded), 
Capt.  Hinkson  saw  a dusky  figure  suddenly  rise  from  the  grass.  He  had  a rifle 
never  before  known  to  miss  fire.  They  both  })resented  their  pieces,  wliich 
simultaneously  snapped  without  effect.  In  preparing  for  a second  trial  it  is  sup- 


428 


CLINTON  CO  UNI  y. 


posed  the  Indian  was  a little  ahead  of  the  captain,  when  a shot  from  Daniel  Work' 
man  (another  ranger)  sent  the  Indian  to  his  long  home. 

After  this  skirmish  the  Indians  withdrew  to  Frenchtown,  and  block-houses  were 
hastily  thrown  up  near  the  spot  where  Fort  Meigs  was  afterwards  erected,  and 
where  the  Ohio  trooops  were  encamped  when  the  fatal  disaster  befell  Gen.  Win- 
chester at  Raisin,  Jan.  22,  1813.  The  news  was  carried  by  express,  and  the  main 
body  retreated,  leaving  Capt.  Hinkson  and  company  to  perform  the  sorrowful 
duty  of  picking  up  some  poor  stragglers  from  that  bloody  defeat,  and  burning 
the  block-houses  and  provisions  within  twenty-four  hours,  which  was  done  before 
it  was  known  that  the  enemy  had  retired  to  Malden.  The  Ohio  brigade,  and 
others  from  Pennsylvania  and  Virginia,  soon  rallied  again  and  formed  a junction 
at  the  rapids,  where  they  commenced  building  the  fort,  so  renowned  for  with- 
standing two  sieges  in  the  spring  and  summer  of  1813.  During  its  erection  Capt. 
Hinkson  was  attacked  with  a peculiar  fever,  then  raging  in  the  army,  from  which 
he  did  not  recover  fit  for  duty  until  late  in  the  spring.  With  a shattered  con- 
stitution he  returned  to  his  home,  and  was  immediately  elected  colonel  of  the 
Third  regiment  of  the  Second  brigade  and  First  division  Ohio  militia,  which  was 
then  a post  of  honor,  requiring  much  patience  and  discretion  in  a region  rather 
backward  in  supporting  the  war. 

The  reader  will,  in  this  narrative,  see  nothing  beyond  a simple  memorial  of 
facts,  which  is  all  that  the  unassuming  character  requires.  He  was  a plain,  gen- 
tlemanly individual,  of  a very  mild  and  even  temper;  a good  husband  and  kind 
father,  but  rather  indifferent  to  his  own  interest  in  money  matters,  by  which  he 
became  seriously  involved,  lost  his  property  and  removed  to  Indiana  in  1821, 
where  he  died  in  1824,  aged  fifty-two  years. 

THE  WOMEN’S  TEMPERANCE  CRUSADE. 

In  the  winter  of  1873-74  arose  in  Southern  Ohio  that  strange  phenomenon  in 
the  temperance  cause  known  as  the  “ Women’s  Crusade.” 

It  began  in  Hillsboro  on  the  last  of  December,  and  in  the  course  of  a few  months 
extended  into  adjoining  States.  In  the  large  cities  it  was  not  anywhere  successful, 
but  in  the  small  villages  the  results  were  often  surprising,  the  Crusaders  in  some 
cases  closing  every  saloon  and  for  the  time  entirely  suppressing  the  liquor  traffic. 
The  manner  of  conducting  their  operations  was  in  this  form : the  women  daily 
assembled  and  marched  in  solemn  procession  two  by  two,  sometimes  to  the 
number  of  50  or  100.  On  coming  to  a saloon  they  halted  in  front  and  sent  in 
word  for  permission  to  enter  and  hold  I'eligious  exercises  within.  If  this  was 
denied  the}"  held  them  outside.  They  opened  with  singing  two  or  three  hymns, 
and  then  all  kneeled  on  the  pavement  regardless  of  the  condition  of  the  weather 
and  the  streets ; sometimes  kneeling  in  the  mud  or  snow.  In  every  case  the 
ladies  plead  with  the  saloon  keeper,  to  induce  him  to  sign  the  pledge;  and  in 
this  way  every  saloon  was  visited.  In  the  larger  places  the  ladies  organized  in 
separate  bands  so  as  to  simultaneously  visit  different  saloons. 

The  excitement  soon  died  away,  and  at  the  end  of  a few  months  the  crusade 
hud  passed  into  histoiy.  While  it  was  in  progress  the  public  prints  were  filled 
with  anecdotes  of  the  experiences  of  the  Crusaders  with  the  saloon  keepers. 
Those  of  the  New  Vienna  ladies  in  this  county  were  peculiarly  interesting  with 
John  Calvin  Van  Pelt,  reputed  to  be  the  wickedest  man  in  Ohio.  He  kept  a 
saloon  near  the  depot,  known  as  the  “ Dead  Fall.”  He  was  a tall,  solidly-built 
man,  with  a red  nose  and  the  head  of  a prize  fighter,  and  noted  for  his  bull-dog 
pluck. 

The  ladies  assembled  and  proceeded  to  Van  Pelt’s  “ Dead  Fall,”  when  he  threat- 
ened to  hang,  draw  and  quarter  them  if  they  came  to  his  saloon  again,  and  the 
next  day  he  decorated  one  of  the  w’indows  of  his  saloon  with  flasks  of  whiskey. 
Across  the  other  was  an  axe,  covered  with  blood : over  the  door  empty  flasks  were 
suspended,  and  near  them  a large  jug  branded  ‘‘Brady’s  Family  Bitters.”  Over 
all  waved  a black  flag,  while  within  Van  Pelt  was  seen  brandishing  a club,  threat- 
ening and  defying  the  temperance  band  to  enter  at  the  risk  of  their  lives.  This 
had  no  effect,  however,  as  about  fifty  ladies  entered  and,  kneeling,  one  of  them 
began  praying,  when  he  seized  a bucket  of  dirty  water  and  threw  the  contents 


CLINTON  COUNTY. 


429 


against  the  ceiling,  from  whicli  it  came  pouring  down  upon  the  kneeling  suppli- 
cants ; at  the  same  time  he  liurled  the  vilest  invectives  :it  them,  but  they  heroically 
stood  to  their  posts  until  thoroughly  drenched  with  dirty  slo})s  and  beer,  when 
they  retreated  to  the  outside.  Without  were  about  two  hundred  men,  husbands, 
fathers  and  brothers  of  the  ladies,  and  it  was  only  through  the  earnest  entreaties 
of  the  women  that  they  were  prevented  from  mobbing  Van  Pelt.  He  was,  how- 
ever, arrested  and  languished  in  jail  several  days  before  getting  bail.  In  the 
meanwhile  his  brother  officiated  at  the  saloon,  permitting  the  ladies  to  enter  and 
carry  on  their  devotional  exercises. 

Upon  Van  Pelt’s  release,  he  became  more  bitter  and  determined.  He  boldly 
attended  the  meetings  of  the  ladies  at  the  Friends’  Meeting  House,  and  publicly 
argued  the  question  with  them,  and  being  a man  of  quick  wit  proved  a formidable 
disputant. 


The  Crusading  Women  of  New  Vienna. 

[The  picture  is  from  a tin-type  taken  at  the  time  by  a travelling  artist.  The  women  of  the  village  are 
laying  siege  to  the  saloon  of  Van  Pelt,  “the  wickedest  man  in  Ohio.’*  They  finally  conquered  him, 
though  it  was  a hard  struggle.] 

But  at  length  he  gave  evidence  of  weakening  by  offering  to  sell  out  for  five 
hundred  dollars  and  eventually  dropping  to  ninety-five  dollars  (the  amount  of 
his  legal  expenses),  and  agreeing  to  quit  the  town  on  the  pa3^ment  of  this  sum. 
Many  were  in  favor  of  accepting  this  proposition,  particularly  the  ladies,  one  of 
whom  said  that  she  had  forgiven  the  insults  heaped  upon  her  and,  although 
refusing  to  acknowledge  any  indebtedness,  was  willing  to  make  him  a present 
of  the  amount  as  an  evidence  of  kindly  feeling.  But  the  men,  more  indignant, 
refused  to  compromise  with  Van  Pelt  on  any  basis,  and  held  that  “ he  might  be 
thankful  he  got  off*  with  his  life.” 

A few  days  later  he  proved  indisputably  his  title  of  the  “ Wickedest  Man  in 
Ohio.”  When  the  ladies  called  at  his  saloon  he  told  them  the^"  might  come  in 
and  pray  if  he  were  allowed  to  make  every  other  prayer,  which  condition  was 
accepted,  and  after  the  opening  prayer  by  them  he  commenced  a long  and  blas- 
phemous harangue  in  the  form  of  a prayer.  He  classed  women  as  brutes  and 
asked  the  Lord  to  be  merciful  to  them  and  teach  them  wisdom  and  understanding ; 
Women,  he  said,  first  caused  sm  ana  were  in  great  need  of  prayer.  The  Lord 
operated  the  first  distillery,  or  at  least  made  the  first  wine,  and  he  was  following 
the  Lord’s  example,  etc. 

Before  the  services  ended  three  prayers  of  this  description  had  been  made. 
The  women  were  amazed  at  such  depravity,  and  disheartened  at  any  prospect 


430 


CLINTON  COUNTY. 


of  his  reformation  ; but  a week  later  he  surrendered,  took  up  the  cause  he  had 
fought  so  desperately,  and  became  one  of  its  most  ardent  disciples. 

About  noon  of  the  day  of  the  surrender  it  got  noised  about  that  it  was  about  to 
take  place ; bells  were  rung,  boys  rushed  through  the  streets  with  handbills,  crying 
“Everybody  meet  at  Van  Pelt’s  at  two  o’clock  and  hear  his  decision.”  People 
rushed  from  all  parts  of  the  town,  places  of  business  w^ere  closed,  and  at  two 
o’clock  an  immense  multitude  had  gathered.  After  singing  and  prayer  by  the 
ladies,  Van  Pelt  appeared  and  made  a complete  surrender  of  stock  and  fixtures. 
He  said  he  yielded  not  to  law  or  force,  but  to  the  labor  of  love  of  the  women. 
One  barrel  of  whiskey,  another  of  cider  and  a keg  of  beer  were  then  rolled  out, 
and  seizing  an  axe  he  said,  “ This  is  the  same  weapon  with  which  I used  to  terrify 
the  ladies ; I now  use  it  to  sacrifice  that  which  I fear  has  ruined  many  souls ! ” 
Whereupon  he  stove  in  the  heads  of  the  barrels,  and  the  liquor  ran  into  the  gutters. 
Prayer  was  then  ofiered,  a hymn  sung,  and  he  made  a few  more  remarks.,  saying : 
“ Ladies,  I now  promise  you  never  to  sell  or  drink  another  drop  of  whiskey  as 
long  as  I live,  and  also  promise  to  work  with  you  in  the  cause  with  as  much  zeal 
as  I have  worked  against  you.” 

There  was  great  rejoicing  throughout  the  town,  and  in  the  evening  a thanks- 
giving meeting  was  held  in  the  Christian  Church,  at  which  Van  Pelt  spoke.  He 
was  a changed  man,  with  his  eyes  fully  opened  to  the  evil  of  the  liquor  trafiSc, 
very  repentant  and  humble,  and  zealous  in  his  efforts  to  induce  others  to  quit 
the  business,  and  a week  later  entered  the  field  as  a temperance  lecturer. 


TRAVELLING  NOTES. 

March  5. — Wilmington  is  the  home  of  Mr. 
Addison  P.  Russell,  one  of  Ohio’s  literary- 
men,  and  I had  a day  with  him  ; a day  with 
such  a man  cannot  be  called  lost.  Some 
sixty  years  ago  he  was  born  here,  and  remains 
as  he  started — single.  His  ancestors,  Ohio 
pioneers,  came  originally  from  Virginia,  and 
were  of  Revolutionary  stock.  In  size  and 
port  he  is  about  like  Daniel  Webster ; and, 
as  did  Daniel,  fills  out  a big  suit  of  clothes, 
topping  off  with  a high,  square  collar,  well 
laundried,  and  white  cravat  around  a plump, 
full  neck,  like  a gentleman  of  “ye  olden 
time.”  Mr.  Russell  was  bred  a printer,  then 
editor ; in  1855  was  elected  to  the  Legislature ; 
in  1857  and  1859  was  elected  Secretary  of 
State  ; through  the  war  period  was  financial 
agent  for  Ohio  in  New  York,  appointed  suc- 
cessively by  Govs.  Todd,  Brough,  and  Cox. 
Since  then  literature  has  absorbed  him,  and 
his  books  have  the  indorsement  of  the  first 
critics.  His  first  work  was  anonymous,  pub- 
lished by  Appleton  & Co.,  in  1867,  and  en- 
titled, “Half  Hints;  Table-de-H6te  and 
Drawing-Room  ; ” it  has  been  long  out  of 
print,  in  1875  appeared  the  first  edition  of 
“Library  Notes,”  Hurd,  Houghton  & Co., 
Boston  ; this  book  has  gained  a wide  reputa- 
tion. His  last  was  “Thomas  Corwin;  a 
Sketch,”  Robert  Clarke  & Co.  ; a labor  of 
love,  which  gave  its  pages  the  right  sort  of 
flavor. 

The  Sage  of  Yamoyden. — Mr.  Russell 
gave  me  an  interesting  item  in  regard  to  our 
mutual  friend,  the  late  Edward  D.  Mansfield, 
the  “Sage  of  Yamoyden,”  so  called  from  the 
name  of  his  country  home,  high  on  a hill, 
overlooking  the  valley  of  the  Little  Miami. 

Through  the  war  period  Mr.  Mansfield  con- 
tributed weekly  letters  to  the  New  York 
Times.,  over  the  signature  of  “ V eteran  Ob- 
server,” dating  them  from  “The  Beeches,” 


and  devoted  entirely  to  comments  upon  pass- 
ing events.  Few  men  were  so  well  equipped 
for  this  sort  of  labor,  for  he  had  been  edu- 
cated alike  as  a civilian  and  soldier ; gradu- 
ated at  Princeton,  West  Point,  and  at  Gould’s 
famed  law-school  on  Litchfield  hill,  and  then 
from  youth  up  had  been  in  social  contact  with 
the  first  minds  of  the  nation. 

These  letters,  evidently  written  by  a mili- 
tary man,  were  so  full  of  intelligence,  that 
they  came  with  great  sustaining  force,  and, 
more  than  the  words  of  any  other  writer  or 
any  speaker,  inspired  multitudes  with  hope 
and  encouragement  in  the  dark  and  distress-' 
ing  periods. 

Who  was  this  unknown  writer,  evidently  a 
Western  man,  was  a matter  of  curious  inquiry 
from  leading  characters  who  visited  Mr.  Rus- 
sell in  his  office — the  Ohio  office,  25  William 
street.  New  York.  They  often  said  that,  in 
spite  of  themselves,  when  on  the  verge  of  de- 
spair, they  were  lifted  out  of  their  despondency 
and  gloom  by  their  cheery  spirit,  broad  intel- 
ligence, and  superabounding  faith. 

A year  or  more  passed,  when  one  day  who 
should  enter  the  Ohio  office  but  the  “Veteran 
Observer”  himself,  Edward  Peering  Mans- 
field, right  fresh  from  “The  Beeches.”  No- 
body could  have  been  more  welcome  than  he  : 
an  old  man  rising  of  sixty,  with  long  ^ray 
locks,  who  to  the  wisdom  of  the  sage  united 
the  simplicity  of  youth.  When  he  was  told 
of  the  effect  of  his  writings  upon  the  mag- 
nates around  the  old  gentleman  was  filled  with 
surprise,  and  stammered  and  blushed  like  a 
girl.  He  had  not  even  dreamed  he  had  been 
doing  such  a work  of  beneficence  while  writ- 
ing under  the  shade  of  those  magnificent- 
“Beeches”  that  stood  in  glory  along  the  hill- 
sides of  Yamoyden,  unscathed  hy  war’s 
alarms,  untouched  by  the  awful  disasters  that 
in  those  days  appalled  so  many  human 
hearts. 


CLINTON  COUNTY. 


Gm.  James  W.  Denver.,  of  Wilmington,  is 
a very  prominent  citizen,  from  whom  Den- 
ver, Col. , received  its  name.  He  was  born  in 
Virginia  in  1817,  and  in  1831  came  with  his 
father’s  family  to  this  comity,  and  labored  for 
a while  on  his  father’s  farm.  He  graduated 
at  the  Cincinnati  Law  School ; was  a captain 
in  the  Mexican  war  in  the  Twelfth  U.  S.  In- 
fantry, under  Glen.  Scott ; edited  the  Platte 
Argus.,  in  Missouri ; emigrated  to  California, 
and  in  1854  was  sent  from  there  to  Congress ; 
later,  was  appointed  by  Buchanan  Commis- 
sioner of  Indian  Affairs ; from  1857  to  1859 
was  governor  of  Kansas ; returned  to  Cali- 
fornia, and  served  in  the  war  of  the  Bebellion 
as  brigadier-general  of  volunteers.  In  1876 
his  name  was  mentioned  as  a Democratic  can- 
didate for  President.  His  family  resides 
here,  but  most  of  the  time  he  is  a resident  of 
Washington  City,  where  he  is  engaged  in  the 
practice  of  the  law. 

Among  the  residents  of  the  town  is  Mrs. 
Rhoda  Corwin  Morris,  a very  aged  lady,  sis- 
ter of  Hon.  Thomas  Corwin,  and  widow  of 
Hon.  Isaiah  Morris.  She  has  scarcely  a gray 
hair,  perfect  hearing  and  good  sight,  and 
takes  an  active  interest  in  all  the  live  issues 
of  the  time.  On  passing  her  eighty-seventh 
birthday,  she  laughingly  exclaimed;  “Isn’t 
it  wonderful  that  a harp  of  a thousand  strings 
should  stay  in  tune  so  long  ? ” 

Near  the  town  is  the  nursery  and  fruit 


451 

farm  of  Mr.  Leo  Weltz,  comprising  about  300 
acres,  where  he  has  a very  large  nursery 
stock,  finding  a market  even  so  far  West  as 
the  Indian  Territory.  Mr.  Weltz  was  born 
in  Prussia  in  1825,  the  son  of  a professor  in 
botany.  He  graduated  from  the  Government 
Botanical  Garden,  at  Berlin  ; was  for  a time 
in  the  employ  as  a gardener  of  Alexander  III. , 
Czar  of  the  Russias ; fought  as  a lieutenant 
in  the  revolution  of  1847  in  Gerniany,  and 
received  four  medals  for  gallantry  in  battle. 
Emigrating  to  this  country,  he  laid  out  the 
gi'ounds  of  Gov.  Chase,  Robert  Buchanan, 
George  H.  Pendleton,  and  others  near  Cin- 
cinnati, and  came  to  Wilmington  in  1860.  ' 
His  prominence  in  connection  with  the  agri- 
cultural and  horticultural  interests  of  Ohio 
renders  further  notice  here  unnecessary. 

The  Contemptuous  Cobbler. — Mr.  Russell, 
among  other  amusing  matters,  told  me  of  an 
old  Welsh  cobbler.  He  was  a native  of  the 
island  of  Guernsey  ; was  living  there  during 
the  years  of  Victor  Hugo’s  exile,  whom  he 
knew  well,  he  said  ; and  the  laughable  thing 
about  his  knowledge  was  the  view  he  pre- 
sented of  the  great  author  of  “Les  Miser- 
ables”  from  his  (the  cobbler’s)  standpoint. 
To  a question  from  Mr.  Russell,  he  replied  : 
“ Oh,  yes  ! I knew  him  well ! Victor  Hugo  I 
He  pass  my  shop  every  day ! ” and  then,  with 
a contemptuous  toss  of  the  head,  he  added, 

“ Victor  Hugo  ! he  nobody  ! ” 


The  Romantic  History  op  Jeremiah  N.  Reynolds. 

The  story  of  Jeremiah  N.  Reynolds’  life,  as  told  in  the  “ History  of  Clinton 
County,”  is  a romantic  story.  He  was  born  in  Pennsylvania,  and  in  1808,  when 
a lad  of  eight  years,  the  family  (that  of  his  stepfather.  Job  Jeffries)  moved  into 
this  county.  They  were  poor,  and  he  had  but  little  schooling,  and  this  little  with 
board  inclusive  he  paid  for  by  working  mornings  and  evenings  and  on  Saturdays. 
Sometimes  he  went  into  the  prairies  of  Clark  county,  and  added  to  his  funds  by 
engaging  in  ditching.  He  was  regarded  as  a bright  boy  by  his  schoolmate,  the 
late  Judge  Abner  Haines,  of  Eaton,  who  says  he  came  to  school  clad  in  leather 
breeches  and  a linsey  warmus,  and  then  the  judge  told  this  story  illustrative  of 
his  character : 

JoCs  Oxen. — ‘‘  He  had  a stepbrother  by  the  name  of  Darlington  Jeffries,  a son  of 
Job  Jeffries,  and  the  neighbors  called  them  in  fun  Job’s  oxen,  and  often  ran  the 
joke  to  the  chagrin  of  young  Reynolds.  On  one  occasion  there  was  a log-rolling 
at  Azariah  Wall’s,  when  the  neighbors  were  pretty  generally  collected,  and  among 
them  Darlington  Jeffries  and  Jeremiah  Reynolds.  In  the  afternoon  Reynolds 
was  carrying  the  end  of  a handspike  opposite  to  Peter  Wrightman,  a small,  well- 
built  man,  and  young  Reynolds,  though  large  of  his  age,  was  unable  to  move  with 
the  weight  and  broke  down,  which  incident  created  much  merriment  among  the 
hands,  and  one  of  them  remarked  that  one  of  Job’s  oxen  was  a calf.  This  so 
offended  Reynolds  that  he  left  the  field,  and,  as  he  crossed  the  fence  near  by,  he. 
set  his  feet  on  the  outside  lower  rails,  and  in  the  most  stately  attitude  thus  ad- 
dressed them : ‘ Gentlemen,  I have  no  father  to  guide  and  protect  me  through 
life,  and  you  have  had  your  fun  with  me  to-day.  Many  of  you  are  old  enough  to 
be  ashamed  of  thus  rallying  a young  and  unprotected  boy;  but,  gentlemen,  you 
know  little  about  him  of  whom  you  are  making  fun,  for  I assure  you  the  time  is 
coming  when  you  will  feel  proud  that  you  ever  rolled  logs  with  Jeremiah  N. 
Reynolds,  and  with  this  sentiment  I bid  you  good-b3'e.’ 

This  little  speech  produced  quite  a sensation  among  the  hands ; some  said  it 
was  an  outburst  of  chagrin  and  spite,  but  others  looked  upon  it  as  the  outcropping 
of  his  coming  manhood.  But,  be  this  as  it  may,  I myself  have  heard  several  of 


432 


CLINTON  COUNTY. 


these  men  in  after  life  refer  to  this  incident  in  the  very  light  in  which  young 
Reynolds  expressed  it  from  the  fence.” 

A Convert  to  Symmes^  Theory. — By  teaching  a common  and  then  a writing-school, 
he  gathered  funds  to  enable  him  to  obtain  three  years  of  instruction  in  the  Ohio 
University  at  Athens.  After  this  he  edited  a paper,  the  Spectator^  at  Wilmington, 
which  he  sold  out  about  1823.  He  became  a convert  to  the  theory  of  Capt. 
Symmes  that  the  earth  is  hollow  and  inhabited  within,  called  the  system  of  “ Con- 
centric Spheres.”  His  theory  was,  that  the  earth  was  composed  of  several  spheres 
one  within  another,  and  all  widely  open  at  the  poles.  Mr.  Reynolds  united  with 
Capt.  Symmes,  and  the  two  travelled  and  lectured  together,  when  Symmes  was 
taken  sick  and  died.  Reynolds  persevered,  and  lectured  in  all  the  ^principal 
Eastern  cities,  always  to  full  houses,  and  charged  fifty  cents  admission,  making 
many  converts.  He  thus  acquired  a large  fund;  this,  with  the  influence  and 
co-operation  of  Messrs.  Rush  and  Southard,  members  of  President  John  Quincy 
Adams’  ca^binet,  enabled  him  to  fit  out  a national  ship,  to  explore  the  ocean  to- 
ward the  South  Pole,  to  test  the  truth  of  the  theory,  but  before  he  could  sail 
Andrew  Jackson  came  to  the  Presidency,  and  stopped  the  project. 

Reynolds  soon  found  a congenial  spirit  in  Dr.  Watson,  of  New  York.  Watson 
being  a man  of  wealth,  he  and  Reynolds  united  their  means,  and  fitted  out  a ship 
and  two  small  tenders  for  southern  explorations,  which  were  manned  with  officers 
and  men  and  provisioned  for  twelve  months. 

Sails  for  the  South  Pole. — Their  vessel,  the  “Annawan,”  N.  B.  Palmer,  captain, 
sailed  from  New  York  harbor  in  October,  1829,  expecting  to  have  the  pleasure  of 
entering  into  the  South  Pole.  “ They  at  length  arrived  in  sight  of  land,  which 
they  afterward  discovered  to  be  a southern  continent,  which  seemed  completely 
blockaded  with  islands  of  ice.  A landing  was  determined  on.  The  long-boat  was 
launched,  with  a crew  of  twenty  men.  In  attempting  to  reach  the  shore  in  a 
storm,  while  the  waves  were  rolling  mountain-high,  they  were  obliged  to  pass 
along  between  the  shelving  rocks  of  the  shore  and  the  heaving  masses  of  floating 
ice  for  a considerable  distance,  every  moment  liable  to  be  crushed  to  atoms. 
They,  however,  arrived  at  a landing-place,  and  immediately  with  joy  drew  their 
boat  upon  shore,  which  proved  to  be  a solid  rock.  On  careful  observation  they 
found  they  were  on  an  extensive  continent,  covered  completely  with  solid  ice,  and 
no  vegetable  growth  to  be  seen.  Now  that  they  were  landed  no  provisions  were 
to  be  obtained,  and  starvation  seemed  to  stare  them  in  the  face.  But,  behold ! 
Providence  seemed  to  provide  the  means  of  support  in  the  sea-lion.  He  exhibited 
himself  at  the  mouth  of  a cave,  and  ten  men,  in  two  squads,  were  sent  out  to  bring 
him  in.  They  soon  returned  with  his  carcass,  which  weighed  1,700  pounds.  His 
flesh  was  excellent  eating.  By  an  accurate  astronomical  observation  they  found 
their  latitude  to  be  eighty -two  degrees  south,  exactly  eight  degrees  from  the  South 
Pole.  After  some  ten  days  of  anxious  delay  on  land,  the  sea  becoming  calm,  they 
put  out  to  sea  in  their  long-boat,  to  endeavor  to  discover  the  ships  they  had  left. 
They  sailed  on  for  nearly  forty  hours.  At  length,  being  very  weary,  late  in  the 
night  they  drew  their  boat  upon  an  inclined  rock.  All  in  a few  minutes  were 
sound  asleep  except  Reynolds  and  Watson.  They  stood  sentinels  over  the  boat’s 
crew,  too  anxious  to  sleep.  About  two  or  three  o’clock  in  the  morning  they  saw 
a light  far  distant  at  sea.  The  crew  was  soon  wakened,  and  all  embarked  in  their 
boat,  and  rowing  with  might  and  main  for  the  ships.  They  soon  arrived,  and 
the  meeting  of  the  two  parties  was  full  of  enthusiastic  jo3^  The}^  were  convinced 
that  they  could  not  enter  tlie  South  Pole,  as  it  was  blocked  up  with  an  icy  con- 
tinent, hence  they  were  willing  to  turn  their  faces  homeward.  They  soon  arrived 
at  Valparaiso,  Chili.  Here  the  seamen  mutinied  against  the  authority  of  the 
ship,  set  Reynolds  and  Watson  on  shore,  and  launched  out  to  sea  as  a pirate- 
ship.” 

Reynolds  now  travelled  by  land  through  the  Republic  of  Chili  and  the 
Araucanian  and  Indian  territories  to  the  south.  It  is  said  that  while  among  the 
Araucanians  he  was  engaged  as  a colonel  of  a regiment  at  war  with  a neighboring 
tribe,  and  while  marching  through  a deep  and  narrow  gorge  was  thrown  from  his 
horse  and  severely  hurt.  He  was  at  Valparaiso  in  October,  1832,  when  the  United 
States  frigate  “ Potomac,”  under  Commodore  John  Downes,  arrived  there.  This 
vessel  in  August,  1831,  had  been  sent  to  the  coast  of  Sumatra,  to  aveng  the 


CLINTON  COUNTY. 


435 


wrongs  done  the  United.  States  ship  “ Friendship,”  of  Salem,  at  Quallah-Battoo, 
on  that  coast. 

At  Valparaiso  he  joined  the  “ Potomac  ” in  the  capacity  of  private  secretary  to 
the  commodore,  and  was  with  her  until  her  long  cruise  of  several  years’  duration 
was  completed,  the  entire  history  of  which  he  wrote  for  the  United  States  gov- 
ernment. 

Then  he  studied  law  in  New  York,  and  became  a successful  advocate.  In  1848 
he  organized  in  New  York  a stock  company  for  mining  in  New  Mexico,  which 
Avas  successful.  His  health,  however,  broke  down  under  his  persistent  labors, 
and  he  died  in  New  York  in  1858,  aged  tifty-nine  years. 

To  this  foregoing  sketch  we  add  a few  lines  of  personal  recollection.  Mr. 
Reynolds  in  his  politics  was  a Henry  Clay  Whig,  and  during  the  political  cam- 
paigns of  that  era  delivered  free  lectures  in  behalf  of  protection.  At  one  of  these 
we  were  present.  According  to  our  memory  he  was  a firmly  built  man,  of  medium 
stature,  with  a short  nose,  and  a somewhat  broad  face.  His  delivery  was  monoto- 
nous, but  what  he  said  was  solid,  and  his  air  in  a high  degree  respectful  and 
earnest  and  mthal  very  sad,  as  though  some  great  sorrow  lay  upon  his  heart, 
which  won  our  sympathy,  and  this  without  knowing  anything  of  his  history. 

In  the  county  history,  giving  the  military  history  of  Greene  township  in  the 
,var  of  the  Rebellion,  is  this  poetic  lament  for  the  dead  from  the  pen  of  Miss 
Morley  Amberg,  which  is  both  an  historical  and  literary  curiosity. 

A LAMENT  FOR  THE  DEAD. 

The  rolling  deep,  whose  azure  wave 
Sweeps  o’er  our  darling  lost  one’s  grave, 

Doth  many  friends  now  make  to  weep 
For  those  lost  in  the  briny  deep. 

Some  died  from  sickness  far  away, 

In  miLty  twilight  dim  and  gray  ; 

Or  at  eventide,  so  calm  and  still, 

They  bowed  to  God’s  own  holy  will 

Upon  this  list  was  one  brave  boy, 

Gone  home  to  share  eternal  joy  I 
John  Dixon’s  friends  did  sadly  mourn, 

When  he  from  their  embrace  was  torn. 

Upon  the  bloody  battle-ground 

Our  brave  men,  pierced  with  many  a wound. 

Have  fallen  here  to  rise  no  more. 

Covered  with  wet  and  reeking  gore. 

In  the  second  battle  of  Bull  Run, 

Beneath  the  hot  and  burning  sun, 

Carey  Johnson  was  killed  in  fight. 

While  battling  for  his  country’s  rights. 

And  then  another  from  this  cause. 

While  struggling  for  our  own  free  laws, 

Colonel  Townsend  fell  amidst  the  fray 
Upon  this  sad  and  fatal  day. 

While  suffering  much  from  bitter  pain. 

Have  our  poor  boys  so  often  lain. 

With  not  a gentle  mother’s  hand 
To  smooth  the  brow  where  cold  drops  stand 

No  sister’s  winning  smile  to  cheer. 

Nor  father's  Avell-known  voice  to  hear, 

They  thus  have  sunk  into  the  grave. 

The  noble  and  true-hearted  brave. 


CLINTON  COUNTY. 


4 34 


Carl  Huff  and  Cyrus  Hudson,  too, 

They  thus  passed  home  to  lieaven  to  view 
The  splendors  of  that  beauteous  land, 

Where  all  is  lovely,  rich  and  grand. 

They  there  have  met  the  brave  George  West 
In  heaven’s  attire  so  richly  dressed  ! 

How  joyous  will  that  meeting  be 

When  they,  their  friends — each — gladly  see  i 

Austin  Hildebrant  lingered  long, 

Then  went  to  join  the  happy  throng. 

Surely  for  him  hot  tears  were  shed 
When  gathered  around  his  dying  bed. 

The  noble  Burley  from  us  torn, 

Left  his  dear  wife  and  son  to  mourn. 

When  he  his  fame  and  kindred  left  * 

Of  him  have  we  all  been  bereft. 

Another,  parted  from  his  wife. 

Whom  he  had  chosen  for  his  life ; 

He,  too,  rests  in  the  silent  grave. 

Yes,  Adams  was  among  the  brave  ! 

In  loathsome  prisons  some  have  died, 

How  bitterly  for  them  we’ve  sighed  ! 

0 sad  indeed  is  such  a death. 

Where  is  not  e’en  felt  one  pure  breath  ! 

In  gloomy  ‘ ‘ Libby  Prison  ’ ’ ^ died 
These  two  brave  boys  each  side  by  side 
John  Byan  was  the  hallowed  name 
That  died  in  such  a place  of  shame. 

Matthew  Ryan,  while  fighting  well, 

At  battle  of  Stone  river  fell ; 

Amidst  the  booming  cannons’  roar 
This  bi-ave  boy  fell  to  rise  no  more. 

Captain  J ohn  Drake  with  his  brave  men. 

Whom  he  had  led  through  marsh  and  fen. 

Was  shot  upon  the  battle-ground 
And  here  his  last  remains  were  found. 

Another  that  hoped  soon  to  see 
His  cherished  wife  and  family. 

To  us  no  more — ^was  stricken  down, 

Elijah  Hussey,  from  this,  our  town. 

Sabina,  66  miles  northeast  of  Cincinnati,  on  tlie  C.  & M.  V.  and  C.  & C.  M. 
Railroads.  Newspaper : Weekly  News,  Independent,  Griffith  & Gaskins,  editoi’S 
and  publishers.  Five  churches.  Banks : Sabina,  Isaac  Lewis,  president,  E. 
Lewis,  cashier ; Dun  & Co.,  Alfred  Dun,  president,  J.  T.  Rulon,  cashier.  Popu= 
lation  in  1880,  757.  School  census  in  1886,  313. 

New  Vienna,  on  the  M.  & C.  Railroad,  has,  newspapers  : The  Record,  weekly 
Independent ; 2 monthlies,  viz.,  Messenger  of  Peace  and  Southern  Ohio  Teacher. 
1 bank,  New  Vienna,  Ellis  Good,  president,  E.  Aidhur,  cashier.  Churches : 1 
Methodist,  1 Friends,  1 Baptist,  1 Disciples,  1 Catholic.  Census  in  1880,  797. 
School  census  in  1886,  327 ; S.  M.  Taggart,  principal. 

Mabtinsville,  on  the  M.  & C.  Railroad,  has  1 Friends  and  1 Methodist 
Episcopal  church.  Two  flouring-niills  and  A.  J.  Darbeshire’s  tile  brick  and  ium- 
ber  factory,  employing  17  hands.  Census  in  1880,  355.  School  census  in  1886, 
193 ; E.  P.  West,  jwincipal. 

Beanchester,  41  miles  northeast  ii'om  Cincinnati,  on  the  C.  W.  & B.  Rail- 
road. Newspaper:  Star,  Independent,  Fred.  A.  Goulding,  alitor  and  publisher. 


CLINTON  COUNTY. 


435 


(Miurches:  1 Methodist,  1 Baptist,  1 Universalist  and  1 Catholic.  Bank:  Blan- 
ehester,  E.  D.  Smith,  president  and  cashier.  Industries:  Western  Hame 
Works,  sash  and  door,  patent  fence,  wagon  and  carriage,  and  Old  Honesty 
yeast  factories,  large  flouring-mill,  etc.  Population  in  1880,  776.  School 
census  in  1886,  387 ; N.  H.  Chaney,  superintendent. 

Clarksville,  on  the  C.  & M.  V.  Railroad,  has  1 Methodist  Episcopal  church. 
Census  of  1880,  367.  Reesville.  on  railway,  has  1 church.  Census  of  1880, 
245.  School  census  in  1886,  140.  Port  Williams,  census  of  1880,  181. 


COLUMBIANA. 


Columbiana  County  was  formed  from  Jefferson  and  Washington,  March 
25,  1803.  Kilbourn,  in  his  ‘‘Gazeteer,”  says:  '‘Columbiana  is  a fancy  name, 
taken  from  the  names  Columbus  and  Anna.  An  anecdote  is  told  pending  its 
adoption  in  the  Legislature,  that  a member  jocularly  moved  that  the  name 
Maria  should  be  added  thereto,  so  as  to  have  it  read  Columbiana-maria.” 
The  southern  part  is  generally  broken  and  hilly,  and  the  northern  level  or 
undulating.  This  is  an  excellent  agricultural  tract ; it  is  well  watered, 
abounds  in  fine  mineral  coal,  iron  ore,  lime,  and  free-stone.  The  water  lime- 
stone of  this  county  is  of  the  best  quality.  Salt  water  abounds  on  Yellow 
and  Beaver  creeks,  which  also  afford  a great  amount  of  water  power.  Forty 
years  ago  it  was  the  greatest  wool-growing  county  in  Ohio,  and  was  exceeded 
by  but  three  or  four  in  the  Union.  About  one-third  of  the  population  are  of 
German  origin,  and  there  are  many  of  Scotch-Irish  extraction.  In  1885  the 
acres  cultivated  were  118,656 ; in  pasture,  90,692 ; woodland,  45,065 ; lying 


waste,  14,603 ; 

wheat,  159,241 

bushels ; 

corn,  645,329 ; oats. 

580,660 ; 

wool. 

552,862  pounds 

; apples,  515,913 

. School 

census,  17,060;  teachers,  357. 

Area, 

540  square  miles.  Miles  of  railroad  track,  117. 

Townships  and  Census.  1840.  1880.  " Townships  and  Census. 

1.8t0. 

1880. 

Butler, 

1,711 

1,560 

Middletown, 

1,601 

1,590 

Center, 

3,472 

3,719 

Perry, 

1,630 

4,868 

Elk  Run, 

873 

1,457 

St.  Clair, 

1,739 

1,186 

Fairfield, 

2,108 

3,178 

Salem, 

1,903 

5,142 

Franklin, 

893 

869 

Unity, 

1,984 

3,114 

Hanover 

2,963 

2,258 

AYashington, 

814 

3,192 

Knox, 

2,111 

2,240 

Wayne, 

1,086 

848 

Ihverpool, 

1,096 

6.229' 

West, 

1,915 

2,050 

Madison, 

1,472 

1.144 

Yellow  Creek, 

2,686 

3,958 

The  population  of  Columbiana  in  1820  was  22,033;  in  1830,  35,508;  and  in 
1840,  40,394,  which  was  greater  than  any  other  counties  in  Ohio,  excepting 
Hamilton  and  Richland.  The  number  of  inhabitants  to  a square  mile  was 
then  46.  In  1846  the  county  was  reduced  by  the  formation  of  Mahoning,  to 
which  the  townships  of  Beaver,  Goshen,  Greene,  Smith,  and  Springfield,  for- 
merly belonging  to  it.  wnre  added.  The  population  of  the  county  in  1860  was 
32,836,  and  in  1880,  48,602,  of  whom  34,945  were  Ohio-born ; 6,344  Pennsyl- 
vania-born; 3,711  English  subjects  born;  852  Germans;  44  French;  32  Scan- 
dinavians. 

Columbiana  is  one  of  the  best  fruit-producing  counties  in  Ohio.  The  township 


43^ 


COLUMBIANA  COUNTY, 


of  Middletown  is  especially  noted  for  its  raspberries  and  fine  quality  of  peaches, 
which  last  is  said  to  be  a rarely  failing  crop.  The  fruit  finds  a near  market  in 
Pittsburg. 

The  first  paper-mill  in  Ohio,  and  the  second  west  of  the  Alleghenies,  was  erected 
in  1805-6  on  Little  Beaver  creek,  near  its  mouth,  in  this  county.  It  was  called 
the  Ohio  paper-mill ; its  proprietors  were  John  Bever  and  John  Coulter. 

Tliis  county  was  settled  just  before  the  commencement  of  the  present  century. 
In  1797  a few  families  moved  across  the  Ohio  and  settled  in  its  limits.  One  of 
them,  named  Carpenter,  made  a settlement  near  West  Point.  Shortly  after,  Capt. 
Whiteyes,  a noted  Indian  chief,  stopped  at  the  dwelling  of  Carpenter.  Being 
intoxicated,  he  got  into  some  difficulty  with  a son  of  Mr.  C.,  a lad  of  about  seven- 
teen years  of  age,  and  threatened  to  kill  him.  The  young  man  upon  this  turned 
and  ran,  pursued  by  the  Indian  with  uplifted  tomahawk,  ready  to  bury  it  in  his 
brains.  Finding  that  the  latter  was  fast  gaining  upon  him  the  young  man  turned 
and  shot  him,  and  shortly  afterwards  he  expired.  As  this  was  in  time  of  peace, 
Carpenter  was  apprehended  and  tried  at  Steubenville,  under  the  territorial  laws, 
the  courts  being  then  held  by  justices  of  the  peace.  He  was  cleared,  it  appearing 
that  he  acted  in  self-defence.  The  death  of  Whiteyes  created  great  excitement,  and 
fears  were  entertained  that  it  would  provoke  hostilities  from  the  Indians.  Great 
exertions  were  made  to  reconcile  them,  and  several  presents  were  given  to  the 
friends  of  the  late  chief.  The  wife  of  Whiteyes  received  from  three  gentlemen  the 
sum  of  $300;  one  of  these  donors  was  the  late  Bezaleel  Wells,  of  Steubenville. 
This  was  the  last  Indian  blood  shed  by  white  men  in  this  part  of  Ohio. 


Adam  and  Andrew  Poe,  the  Indian  Fighters. 

Adam  Poe,  who,  with  his  brother  Andrew,  had  the  noted  fight  with  the  Indians, 
once  resided  in  this  county,  in  Wayne  township,  on  the  west  fork  of  Little  Beaver. 
The  son  of  Andrew — Deacon  Adam  Poe — was  living  late  as  1846  in  the  vicinity 
of  Ravenna,  Portage  county,  and  had  the  tomahawk  with  which  the  Indian  struck 
his  father.  The  locality  where  the  struggle  occurred,  he  then  told  the  author,  was 
nearly  opposite  the  mouth  of  Little  Yellow  creek.  We  annex  the  particulars  of 
this  affair  from  Doddridge’s  Notes,”  substituting,  however,  the  name  of  Andrew 
for  Adam,  and  vice  versa,  as  he  then  stated  they  should  be  placed : 


In  the  summer  of  1782  a party  of  seven 
Wyandots  made  an  incursion  into  a settlement 
some  distance  below  Fort  Pitt,  and  several 
miles  from  the  Ohio  river.  Here,  finding  an 
old  man  alone  in  a cabin,  they  killed  him, 
packed  up  what  plunder  they  could  find,  and 
commenced  their  retreat.  Among  their  party 
was  a celebrated  Wyandot  chief,  who,  in  ad- 
dition to  his  fame  as  a warrior  and  counsellor, 
was,  as  to  his  size  and  strength,  a real  giant. 

The  news  of  the  visit  of  the  Indians  soon 
spread  through  the  neighborhood,  and  a party 
of  eight  good  riflemen  was  collected,  in  a few 
hours,  for  the  purpose  of  pursuing  the  In- 
dians. In  this  party  were  two  brothers  of 
the  names  of  Adam  and  Andrew  Poe.  They 
were  both  famous  for  courage,  size  and  ac- 
tivity. 

This  little  party  commenced  the  pursuit 
of  the  Indians,  with  a determination,  if  pos- 
sible, not  to  suffer  theru  to  escape,  as  they 
usually  did  on  such  occasions,  by  making  a 
speedy  flight  to  the  river,  crossing  it,  and 
then  dividing  into  small  parties  to  meet  at  a 
distant  point  in  a given  time. 

The  pursuit  was  continued  the  greater  part 


of  the  night  after  the  Indians  had  done  the 
mischief.  In  the  morning  the  party  found 
themselves  on  the  trail  of  the  Indians,  which 
led  to  the  river.  When  arrived  within  a 
little  distance  of  the  river,  Andrew  Poe,  fear- 
ing an  ambuscade,  left  the  party,  who  fol- 
lowed directly  on  the  trail,  to  creep  along  the 
brink  of  the  river  bank,  under  cover  of  the 
weeds  and  bushes,  to  fall  on  the  rear  of  the 
Indians,  should  he  find  them  in  ambuscade. 
He  had  not  gone  far  before  he  saw  the  Indian 
rafts  at  the  water’s  edge.  Not  seeing  any 
Indians,  he  stepped  softly  down  the  bank, 
with  his  rifle  cocked.  When  about  half-way 
down,  he  discovered  the  large  Wyandot  chief 
and  a small  Indian,  within  a few  steps  of  him. 
They  were  standing  with  their  guns  cocked, 
and  lookine:  in  the  direction  of  our  party, 
who  by  this  time  had.  gone  some  distance 
lower  down  the  bottom.  Poe  took  aim  at 
the  large  chief,  but  his  rifle  missed  fire.  Tha 
Indians,  hearing  the  snap  of  the  gun-lock, 
instantly  turned  round  and  discovered  Poe, 
who  being  too  near  to  retreat,  dropped  hi» 
gun  and  instantly  sprang  from  the  bank  upon, 
them,  and  seizing  the  large  Indian  by  the 


COLUMBIANA  COUNTY, 


437 


cloths  on  his  breast,  and  at  the  same  time 
embracing  the  neck  of  the  small  one,  threw 
them  both  down  on  the  ground,  himself  being 
upmost.  The  Indian  soon  extricated  himself, 
ran  to  the  raft,  got  his  tomahawk,  and  at- 
tempted to  dispatch  Poe,  the  large  Indian 
holding  him  fast  in  his  arms  with  all  his 
might,  the  better  to  enable  his  fellow  to  effect 
his  purpose.  Poe,  however,  so  well  watched 
the  motions  of  the  Indian  that  when  in  the 
act  of  aiming  his  blow  at  his  head,  by  a vig- 
orous and  well-directed  kick  with  one  of  his 
feet  he  staggered  the  savage  and  knocked  the 
tomahawk  out  of  his  hand.  This  failure  on 
the  part  of  the  small  Indian  was  reproved 
by  an  exclamation  of  contempt  from  the  large 
one. 

In  a moment  the  Indian  caught  up  his 
tomahawk  again,  approached  more  cautiously 
brandishing  his  tomahawk,  and  making  a 
number  of  feigned  blows,  in  defiance  and 
derision.  Poe,  however,  still  on  his  guard, 
averted  the  real  blow  from  his  head  by  throw- 
ing up  his  arm  and  receiving  it  on  his  wrist, 
in  which  he  was  severely  wounded,  but  not 
so  as  to  lose  entirely  the  use  of  his  hand. 

In  this  perilous  moment,  Poe,  by  a violent 
effort,  broke  loose  from  the  Indian,  snatched 
up  one  of  the  Indian’s  guns,  and  shot  the 
small  Indian  through  the  breast,  as  he  ran 
up  the  third  time  to  tomahawk  him. 

The  large  Indian  was  now  on  his  feet,  and 
rasping  Poe  by  a shoulder  and  leg,  threw 
im  down  on  the  bank.  Poe  instantly  disen- 
gaged himself  and  got  on  his  feet.  The  In- 
dian then  seized  him  again  and  a new  strug- 
gle ensued,  which,  owing  to  the  slippery 
state  of  the  bank,  ended  in  the  fall  of  both 
combatants  into  the  water. 

In  this  situation,  it  was  the  object  of  each 
to  drown  the  other.  Their  efforts  to  effect 
their  purpose  were  continued  for  some  time 
with  alternate  success,  sometimes  one  being 
under  the  water,  and  sometimes  the  other. 
Poe  at  length  seized  the  tuft  of  hair  on  the 
scalp  of  the  Indian,  with  which  he  held  his 
head  under  the  water  until  he  supposed  him 
drowned. 

Relaxing  his  hold  too  soon,  Poe  instantly 
found  his  gigantic  antagonist  on  his  feet  again 
and  ready  for  another  combat.  In  this,  they 
were  carried  into  the  water  beyond  their 
depth.  In  this  situation,  they  were  com- 
pelled to  loose  their  hold  on  each  other  and 
swim  for  mutual  safety.  Both  sought  the 
shore  to  seize  a gun  and  end  the  contest  with 
bullets.  The  Indian  being  the  best  swimmer, 
reached  the  land  first.  Poe,  seeing  this,  im- 
mediately turned  back  into  the  water  to 
escape,  if  possible,  being  shot,  by  diving. 
Fortunately,  the  Indian  caught  up  the 
rifle  with  which  Poe  had  killed  the  other 
warrior. 

At  this  juncture  Adam  Poe,  missing  his 
brother  from  the  party,  and  supposing,  from 
the  report  of  the  gun  which  he  shot,  that  he 
was  either  killed  or  engaged  in  conflict  with 
the  Indians,  hastened  to  the  spot.  On  seeing 
him,  Andrew  called  out  to  him  to  “kill  the 
big  Indian  on  shore.”  But  Adam’s  gun. 


like  that  of  the  Indian’s,  was  empty.  The 
contest  was  now  between  the  white  man  and 
the  Indian,  who  should  load  and  fire  first. 
Very  fortunately  for  I\)e,  the  Indian,  in 
loading,  drew  the  ramrod  from  the  thimbles 
of  the  stock  of  the  gun  with  so  much  violence, 
that  it  slipped  out  of  his  hand  and  fell  a little 
distance  from  him  ; he  quickly  caught  it  up, 
and  rammed  down  his  bullet.  This  little 
delay  gave  Poe  the  advantage.  He  shot  the 
Indian  as  he  was  raising  his  gun  to  take  aim 
at  him. 

As  soon  as  Adam  had  shot  the  Indian,  he 
jumped  into  the  river  to  assist  his  wounded 
brother  to  shore  ; but  Andrew,  thinking  more 
of  the  honor  of  carrying  the  big  Indian  home, 
as  a trophy  of  victory,  than  of  his  own  safety, 
urged  Adam  to  go  back,  and  prevent  the 
struggling  savage  from  rolling  into  the  river, 
and  escaping.  Adam’s  solicitude  for  the  life 
of  his  brother  prevented  him  from  complying 
with  this  request. 

In  the  mean  time  the  Indian,  jealous  of 
the  honor  of  his  scalp,  even  in  the  agonies 
of  death,  succeeded  in  reaching  the  rivei’  and 
getting  into  the  current,  so  that  his  body  was 
never  obtained. 

An  unfortunate  occurrence  took  place  dur- 
ing this  conflict.  Just  as  Adam  arrived  at 
the  top  of  the  bank,  for  the  relief  of  his 
brother,  one  of  the  party  who  had  followed 
close  behind  him,  seeing  Andrew  in  the  river, 
and  mistaking  him  for  a wounded  Indian, 
shot  at  him  and  wounded  him  in  the  shoulder. 
He,  however,  recovered  from  his  wounds. 

During  the  contest  between  Andrew  Poe 
and  the  Indians,  the  party  had  overtaken  the 
remaining  six  of  them.  A desperate  conflict 
ensued,  in  which  five  of  the  Indians  were 
killed.  Our  loss  was  three  men  killed,  and 
Andrew  Poe  severely  wounded. 

Thus  ended  this  Spartan  conflict,  with  the 
loss  of  three  valiant  men  on  our  part,  and 
with  that  of  the  whole  of  the  Indian  party, 
with  the  exception  of  one  warrior.  Never, 
on  any  occasion,  was  there  a greater  display 
of  desperate  bravery,  and  seldom  did  a con- 
flict take  place  which,  in  the  issue,  proved 
fatal  to  so  great  a proportion  of  those  en- 
gaged in  it. 

The  fatal  issue  of  this  little  campaign  on 
the  side  of  the  Indians,  occasioned  an  uni- 
versal mourning  among  the  Wyandot  nation. 
The  big  Indian,  and  his  four  brothers,  all 
of  whom  were  killed  at  the  same  place,  were 
among  the  most  distinguished  chiefs  and 
warriors  of  their  nation. 

The  big  Indian  was  magnanimous,  as  well 
as  brave.  He,  more  than  any  other  indi- 
vidual, contributed  by  his  example  and  influ- 
ence to  the  good  character  of  the  Wyandots, 
for  lenity  towards  their  prisoners.  He 
would  not  suffer  them  to  be  killed  or  ill 
treated.  This  mercy  to  captives  was  an 
honorable  distinction  in  the  character  of  the 
Wyandots,  and  was  well  understood  by  our 
first  settlers,  who,  in  case  of  captivity,  thought 
it  a fortunate  circumstance  to  fall  into  their 
hands. 


43^ 


COLUMBIANA  COUNTY. 


New  Lisbon  in  1846. — New  Lisbon,  the  county-seat,  is  in  the  township  of 
Centre,  155  miles  northeast  of  Columbus,  35  from  Steubenville  and  56  from 
Pittsburg.  It  is  on  the  line  of  the  Sandy  and  Beaver  canal,  on  the  middle  fork 
of  Little  Beaver,  and  is  surrounded  by  a populous  and  well-cultivated  country. 
The  town  is  remarkably  compact  and  substantially  built ; many  of  its  streets  are 
paved,  and  it  has  the  appearance  of  a small  city.  The  view  was  taken  from  the 
southeastern  part  of  the  public  square,  and  shows,  on  the  left,  the  county  buildings, 
and  on  the  right,  the  market.  New  Lisbon  was  laid  out  in  1802  by  the  Bev. 
Lewis  Kinney,  of  the  Baptist  denomination,  and  proprietor  of  the  soil ; a year  or 
two  after,  it  was  made  the  county-seat.  It  contains  1 Friends’  meeting  house,  1 
Presbyterian,  1 Episcopal  and  1 Keformed  Methodist,  1 Disciples,  1 Dutch  Be- 
formed  and  1 Seceder  church,  3 newspaper  printing  offices,  2 woolen  manufactories, 
2 foundries,  2 flouring  mills,  14  mercantile  stores,  and  about  1,800  inhabitants. 
Carriage  making  and  tanning  are  extensively  carried  on  in  this  village. — Old 
Edition. 

New  Lisbon  is  on  the  north  bank  of  Middle  Beaver  creek  and  Niles  and  New 


Drawn  by  Henry  Howe  in  1846, 

Public  Square,  New  Lisbon. 


Lisbon  railroad.  County  officers  in  1888 : Auditor,  Norman  B.  Garrigues;  Clerk, 
Bichardson  Arter ; Commissioners,  Elwood  Miller,  Hugh  McFall,  George  D. 
Flugan ; Coroner,  Samuel  Badger ; Prosecuting  Attorney,  P.  M.  Smith ; Probate 
Judge,  James  G.  Moore ; Becorder,  Abram  Moore ; Sherift*,  John  W.  Wyman ; 
Surveyor,  Isaac  P.  Farmer ; Treasurer,  Jess.  Kepner.  Newspapers  : Ohio  Pair  lot  y 
Democratic,  Wilson  Shannon  Potts,  editor;  Buckeye  State,  Bepublican,  Ed.  F. 
Moore,  editor ; The  Journal,  Bepublican,  George  B.  Corbett,  editor.  Churches 
are  Friends,  Presbyterian,  United  Presbyterian,  Episcopal,  Baptist,  German  Be- 
formed,  Lutheran,  Disciples,  and  Methodists.  Banks  : First  National,  J.  F.  Ben- 
ner, president,  B.  B.  Pritchard,  cashier ; Firestone  Bros.,  Daniel  W.  Firestone, 
cashier ; Lodge  & Small.  Principal  industries  are  carriage-making,  quarrying  of 
building-stone,  sewer-pipe,  fire-brick,  and  iron-ore  mining.  Po])ulation  in  1880, 
2,028.  School  census  1886,  684;  Superintendent,  AYilliam  H.  Van  Fossan. 

The  Ohio  Patriot,  now  published  in  New  Lisbon,  is  one  of  the  oldest  newspapers 
in  Ohio,  and,  with  the  exception  of  the  Scioto  (Chillicothe)  Gazette,  is  the  oldest 
with  the  same  continuous  name.  It  was  established  in  1808,  by  William  D. 
Lepper,  who  brought  the  materials  from  Pittsburg.  It  was  printed  in  a log-house 
on  Beaver  street.  There  were  at  that  time  only  four  newspapers  published  in  the 
State,  viz.,  one  each  at  Chillicothe,  Steubenville,  Cincinnati,  and  at  Marietta.  The 


COLUMB/ANA  COUNTY. 


439 


paper  was  only  about  the  size  of  an  8 x 10  pane  of  window-glass,  and  the  first 
year  was  printed  in  German,  under  the  title  of  i)er  Patriot  am  Ohio.  Until  1818 
there  was  no  newspaper  printed  in  Cleveland,  and  the  legal  advertisements  as  well 
as  the  job-printing  for  Cuyahoga  county  were  done  in  the  office  of  the  Ohio 
Fazriot. 


G.  S.  Moore,  Photo.,  New  Lisbon,  1886. 

Street  View  in  New  Lisbon. 

[This  view  is  on  West  Walnut  street,  looking  easterly,  and  is  very  much  like  that  of  an  English 
town.  The  cupola  of  the  new  court-house  appears  in  the  distance.] 


About  half  a mile  west  of  the  fine  large  court-house  in  New  Lisbon,  which  has 
succeeded  the  structure  shown  in  the  old  view,  is  the  Vallandigham  homestead. 
Here  Clement  Laird  Vallandigham  first  appeared  July  29,  1820,  then  an  infant, 
who  was  destined  to  act  a prominent  part  in  the  history  of  the  Nation’s  terrible 
struggle  for  existence  ; to  become  “ the  bold  leader  of  the  Ohio  Democracy  in  the 
turbulent  times  of  1863.”  It  was  with  singular  emotions  in  remembrance  of  his 
history  that  we  stood  in  front  of  the  place  with  the  photographer,  Mr.  Moore, 
and  selected  the  spot  from  whence  we  wished  him  to  take  the  view  which  ap- 
pears on  these  pages. 

The  mansion  is  on  the  Canton  road,  on  the  margin  of  the  town,  on  a knoll  well 
elevated  from  the  street.  We  felt  as  we  looked  that  it  was  one  of  the  most  quaint 
old-style,  home-like  appearing  spots  we  had  seen  for  many  a day.  The  grounds, 
ample  with  the  surroundings  that  seem  vital  to  the  culmination  of  the  happiest 
sort  of  life,  garden,  orchard,  shrubbery,  forest  trees  and  grassy  lawn,  with  a grand 
outlook  upon  not  far  distant  bold-wooded  hills.  Personally  we  should  prefer 
living  in  such  a spot  than  in  a regal  city  mansion,  with  its  adjuncts  of  house  and 
stone-walled,  prison-like  streets,  and  rattling,  deafening  vehicles,  and  tides  of 
surging,  worrying,  care-laden, conflicting  and  never-to-be-satisfied,  ever-complain- 
ing humanity.  In  these  rural  homes  it  is  that  nature  woos  the  spirit  with  her 
gentle  influences  of  trembling,  dancing  leaves  and  opening  flowers  and  care-free 
animal  life ; where,  too,  morning  comes  on  in  smiling  beauty  and  evening  gently 
closes  the  scene  for  calm  repose. 


The  17th  of  September,  1863,  was  a proud 
day  for  the  inmates  of  the  mansion.  It  was 
in  the  midst  of  the  exciting  Vallandigham 
campaign  when  was  witnessed  the  tremendous 
outpourings  of  the  Democracy  m every  part 
of  the  State  to  bring  back  “their  exiled 
hero”  from  Canada  as  Groyernor  of  Ohio. 
On  that  day  one  of  those  wild,  surging,  en- 
thusiastic political  processions  passed  by  the 
place. 

“Over  the  gateway,”  said  the  WdUmlle 


Patriot.,  “was  a plain  white  muslin,  bearing 
the  simple  inscription,  ‘ Valla ndigh am’ s 
Birthplace,’  and  upon  the  grassy  lawn, 
near  the  old  homestead,  now  rendered  dear 
to  every  freeman,  stood  the  aged  mother  of 
Hon.  C.  L.  Vallandigham,  the  great  apostle 
and  champion  of  human  rights  during  the 
reign  of  terror  and  high-handed  usurpations 
of  the  Lincoln  administration.  What  must 
have  been  her  feelings  when  that  great  pro- 
cession of  freemen  as  they  passed  sent  forth 


COLUMBIANA  COUNTY. 


their  hearty  huzzas  in  honor  of  her  exiled 
and  persecuted  son!  . . . ‘ Vallandigham’s 
birthplace  ’ is  now  consecrated  and  classical 
ground,  and  the  present  century  will  not 
have  passed  into  eternity  until  pilgrimages 
will  be  made  from  every  spot  where  the  fire 


of  liberty  is  unquenched  and  sages  and 
patriots  will  revere  the  spot  and  love  to  look 
upon  it  as  every  freeman  does  the  hallowed 
grounds  of  Mount  Vernon,  Monticello,  the 
Hermitage  or  Ashland.  ’ ’ 


The  family  still  occupy  the  old  home,  and  ere  we  left  the  place  we  obtained  a 
pamphlet  containing  the  lecture  of  Mr.  Vallandigham  upon  the  Bible,  of  which 
'|he  was  a close  student,  and  a book,  ns  he  once  wrote  in  a letter  to  his  brother 
James,  without  an  intimate  and  constant  study  of  which  no  man’s  education 
can  be  finished  and  no  man’s  character  can  be  complete.” 

The  ancestors  of  Mr.  Vallandigham  w^ere  on  the  paternal  side  Huguenots  and 
on  the  maternal  Scotch-Irish.  The  family  came  from  French  Flanders  and  the 
original  name  was  Van  Lendeghem.  It  was  under  that  name  that  his  ancestors 
came  to  Stafford  county,  Virginia,  in  1690.  These  were  Michael  Van  Lendeghem 
and  Jane,  his  wife.  A son  of  these,  who  had  become  a lessee  in  Fairfax  county 
under  Lord  Fairfax,  for  more  agreeable  sound  and  easier  pronunciation,  changed 
his  family  name  from  Van  Lendeghem  to  Vallandigham.  His  father,  Clement 
Vallandigham,  was  born  in  Allegheny  county,  Penns3dvania,  was  an  Old  School 
Presbyterian  clergyman  and  came  to  New  Lisbon  in  1807,  where  he  was  ordained 
pastor  and  commenced  preaching  the  Gospel  under  a tent.  His  congregation 
were  largely  Scotch-Irish  people  who  had  settled  in  and  around  the  place.  He 
died  in  1839  and  is  remembered  as  a small  man,  who,  though  not  a great  preacher, 
was  a most  exemplary  character,  to  whom  his  congregation  were  strongly  at- 
tached, and  he  thus  filled  the  very  excellent  role  of  a much-beloved  village 
pastor. 

His  salary  being  insufficient  for  his  support,  he,  to  make  up  the  deficiency  and 
to  prepare  his  four  sons  for  college,  established  a classical  school  in  his  own 
house,  which  is  here  shown  by  the  engraving.  This  school  was  later  continued 
by  his  two  oldest  sons.  Here  were  taught  the  Armstrongs,  the  Begges,  the 
Blocksornes,  the  Brookes,  the  Grahams,  the  Harbaughs,  the  Hissins,  the  McCooks, 
the  McKaigs,  the  McMillans,  the  Richardsons  and  others  who  have  occupied  high 
positions  in  the  professions  and  in  business.  Among  them  was  the  late  General 
Wm.  T.  H.  Brookes,  a gallant  officer  in  the  Mexican  war  and  in  the  late  civil 
war,  and  Col.  Geo.  W.  McCook,  who  was  in  1871  the  Democratic  candidate  for 
Governor  of  Ohio. 

His  son,  Clement,  here  began  his  education,  and  before  he  was  two  years  old 
acquired  the  alphabet  and  was  ready  for  college  years  before  he  was  old  enough 
to  enter.  All  through  his  early  life  he  was  a great  reader  and  an  untiring 
student. 

Mr.  Vallandigham  graduated  at  Jefferson  College,  Cannonsburg,  Pennsylvania, 
and  began  the  practice  of  the  law  at  New  Lisbon.  In  1845  he  was  elected  to  the 
Legislature,  and,  although  the  youngest  member,  became  the  leader  of  the  Demo- 
cratic party  in  the  House,  but  voted  against  the  repeal  of  the  Black  Laws,  pre- 
ferring to  submit  the  question  to  popular  vote,  declaring  that  he  so  voted  because 
the  “ measure  would  result  in  the  most  effectual  putting  down  of  this  vexed 
question  for  perhaps  twenty  years  to  come.  It  would  probably  fail  as  the  ques- 
tion of  negro  suffrage  in  New  York,  where  the  people  had  voted  against  it  by  a 
majority  of  50,000.” 

In  1847  he  removed  to  Dayton,  where  he  became  part  owner  and  editor  of.  the 
Western  Empire  and  continued  the  practice  of  his  profession.  In  his  salutatory 
address  he  said:  “We  will  support  the  Constitution  of  the  United  States  in  its 
whole  integrity,”  “ protect  and  defend  the  Union,”  “ maintain  the  doctrine  of 
strict  construction^^  and  “stand  fast  to  the  doctrine  also  of  State  Rights,  as 
embodied  in  Mr.  Madison’s  Virginia  report  and  Mr.  Jefferson’s  Kentucky  resolu- 
tions of  1798.”  He  also  advocated  “free  trade,”  “a  fixed  tenure  to  every  office 
under  the  Federal  Government  that  will  properly  admit  it  ” and  “popular 
education.” 

The  newspaper  was  not  a satisfying  scope  for  his  larger  ambition.  He  was  a 
thoughtful,  studious  writer,  but  his  pen  was  not  adapted  to  the  lighter  but  no 


COLUMBIANA  COUNTY. 


441 


less  important  details  necessary  for  successful  editorship.  In  1852  he  made  a 
strenuous  effort  to  secure  the  Democratic  nomination  for  Lieutenant-Governor, 
but  was  defeated  by  Wm.  Medill,  and  over  this  result  he  felt  very  bitter.  In  1856 
he  was  nominated  by  the  Democracy  of  his  district  for  Congress,  his  competitor 
being  Col.  Lewis  D.  Campbell,  called  the  “ Butler  County  Pony.”  The  latter 
was  declared  elected.  The  election  being  contested,  Vallandigham  was  awarded 
the  seat.  He  continued  a member  until  March,  1863,  he  having  been  defeated 
in  his  canvass  for  re-election  in  the  State  election  the  year  before  by  Gen.  Robert 
L.  Schenck.  While  in  Congress  he  was  adjudged  one  of  the  ablest  debaters  and 
best  parliamentarians  on  the  floor  of  the  House  and  as  honest  in  his  purposes 
and  sincere  in  his  convictions.  He  opposed  the  war  because  he  believed  that  it 
was  impossible  to  conquer  the  South. 

Having  returned  home,  Mr.  Vallandigham  engaged  with  his  usual  boldness  to 
denounce  the  war,  the  draft  then  pending  and,  as  Whitelaw  Reid  expresses  it, 
“stirred  up  the  people  with  violent  talk  and  particularly  excited  them  over  al- 
leged efforts  on  the  part  of  the  military  authorities  to  interfere  with  freedom  of 
speech  and  the  press,  which  he  conjured  them  to  defend  under  any  circumstances 
and  at  all  hazards.” 

It  was  then  a most  gloomy  period  in  the  progress  of  the  war  and  Gen.  Burn- 
side, "who  had  just  been  put  in  command  of  the  military  department  of  the  Ohio, 
under  date  of  April  13,  1863,  issued  from  his  headquarters  at  Cincinnati  the 
famous  “ General  Order  No.  38,”  wherein  he  proclaimed  that  henceforth 

“ . . . All  persons  within  our  lines  who  commit  acts  for  the  benefit  of  the  enemies  of  our  country 
will  be  tried  as  spies  or  traitors,  and  if  convicted  will  sufier  death.  . . . The  habit  of  declaring  sym- 
pathy for  the  enemy  will  not  be  allowed  in  this  department.  Persons  committing  such  offences  will 
be  at  once  arrested,  with  a view  to  being  tried  as  above  stated  or  sent  beyond  our  lines  into  the  lines 
of  their  friends.  It  must  be  distinctly  stated  that  treason  expressed  or  implied  will  not  be  tolerated 
in  this  department.” 

Vallandigham,  angered  at  this  order,  expressed  his  determination  to  defy  it 
and  to  assert  his  constitutional  right  to  discuss  the  policy  of  the  administration 
in  the  conduct  of  the  war,  and  announced  that  he  would  speak  at  a Democratic 
mass-meeting  to  be  held  at  Mount  Vernon  on  Friday,  the  10th  of  May,  which  he 
did,  and  to  a large  audience. 

Beginning  with  an  allusion  to  the  American  flag,  which  was  flying  over  them, 
he  said,  “that  was  the  flag  of  the  Constitution ; that  it  had  been  rendered  sacred 
by  Democratic  Presidents ; ” claimed  that  the  Union  could  have  been  saved  if 
the  plans  he  had  proposed  had  been  sanctioned  and  adopted ; he  declared  that 
he  abided  by  the  Constitution;  that  he  “was  a freeman;”  that  he  did  not  ask 
Dave  Tod,  Abraham  Lincoln  or  Ambrose  E.  Burnside  for  his  right  to  speak  as  he 
had  or  was  doing ; that  his  “ authority  for  so  doing  was  higher  than  General 
Order  No.  38 ; it  was  General  Order  No.  1 — ^the  Constitution  ! ” that  “ the  only  rem- 
edy for  all  the  evils  was  the  ballot  box.” 

Some  of  his  more  intemperate  remarks  having  been  reported  to  Gen.  Burn- 
side, on  the  Monday  following  he  despatched  a company  of  the  115th  Ohio,  under 
Cfipt.  Hutton,  by  a special  train  to  Dayton  to  arrest  him,  which  was  effected  that 
night  and  he  returned  immediately  to  Cincinnati  with  his  prisoner.  A scene  of 
wild  excitement  the  next  day  ensued  in  Dayton ; the  streets  were  crowded  with 
his  friends  and  adherents  and  that  night  the  office  of  the  Republican  newspaper 
was  burnt  by  a mob.  Gen.  Burnside  sent  up  an  ample  military  force  and, 
proclaiming  martial  law,  quelled  all  further  disturbance. 

The  day  after  his  arrest  Mr.  Vallandigham  issued  the  following  address : 


To  the  Democracy  of  Ohio : I am  here  in 
a military  bastile  for  no  other  offence  than 
my  political  opinions,  and  the  defence  of 
them  and  the  rights  of  the  people,  and  of 
your  constitutional  liberties.  Speeches  made 
in  the  hearing  of  thousands  of  you,  in  de- 
nunciation of  the  usurpation  of  power,  in- 
fractions of  the  Constitution  and  laws,  and 
of  military  despotism,  were  the  causes  of  my 
arrest  and  imprisonment.  I am  a Democrat ; 


for  Constitution,  for  law,  for  Union,  for  lib- 
erty ; this  is  my  only  crime.  For  no  disobe- 
dience to  the  Constitution,  for  no  violation  of 
law,  for  no  word,  sign  or  gesture  of  sympathy 
with  the  men  of  the  South,  who  are  for  dis- 
union and  Southern  independence,  but  in 
obedience  to  their  demand,  as  well  as  the 
demand  of  Northern  Abolition  disunionists 
and  traitors,  I am  here  to-day  in  bonds  ; but 
“ Time,  at  last,  sets  all  things  even.” 


442 


COLUMBIANA  COUNTY. 


Meanwhile,  Democrats  of  Ohio,  of  the 
Northwest,  of  the  United  States,  be  firm,  be 
true  to  your  principles,  to  the  Constitution, 
to  the  Union,  and  all  will  yet  be  well.  As 
for  myself,  I adhere  to  every  principle,  and 
will  make  good,  through  imprisonment  and 


life  itself,  every  pledge  and  declaration  which 
I have  ever  made,  uttered  or  maintained  from 
the  beginning.  To  you,  to  the  whole  people, 
to  time,  I again  appeal.  Stand  firm  ! Falter 
not  an  instant ! 

C.  L.  Vallandigham. 


Mr.  Vallandigham  vras  arraigned  before  a court  presided  over  by  Gen.  R.  B. 
Potter,  who,  finding  him  guilty  on  some  of  the  specifications,  sentenced  him  to 
close  confinement  during  the  war,  and  Fort  Warren,  in  Boston  harbor,  was 
designated.  Mr.  Lincoln  changed  this  to  his  conveyance  through  our  mili- 
tary lines  into  the  Southern  Confederacy,  and  in  the  event  of  his  return  that  the 
original  sentence  of  imprisonment  be  carried  out.  Judge  Leavitt,  of  the  United 
States  District  Court,  was  applied  to  for  a writ  of  habeas  corpus  to  take  the  prisoner 
out  of  the  hands  of  the  military.  The  application  was  ably  argued  by  Hon. 
Geo.  E.  Pugh  and  Hon.  Aaron  F.  Perry  and  the  United  States  District  Attorney, 
Hon.  Flamen  Ball,  in  behalf  of  Gen.  Burnside.  Judge  Leavitt  briefly  took  the 
case  under  advisement  and  denied  the  writ,  in  a calm  and  carefully  considered 
opinion.  The  Democratic  party  bitterly  assailed  this  decision,  and  some  of  the 
points  of  the  learned  judge  were,  after  the  war,  decided  adversely  by  the  Supreme 
Court  of  the  United  States  in  the  case  of  the  Indiana  conspirators.  The  sentence 
for  Mr.  Vallandigham’s  conveyance  under  military  escort  to  within  the  lines  of 
the  Confederacy  was  then  carried  out. 

The  widely  known  Ohio  journalist,  Mr.  W.  S.  Furay,  now  (1888)  of  Columbus, 
was  then  correspondent  of  the  Cincinnati  Gazette^  and  in  Murfreesboro  on  the  arrival 
of  Mr.  Vallandigham.  He  was  with  the  party  who  took  him  into  the  Southern 
lines.  His  account,  as  written  at  the  time,  here  follow's. 


Amongst  the  transactiotis  which  during  the 
war  it  has  been  my  fortune  to  witness  I shall 
not  soon  forget  the  conveyance  of  the  Hon. 
Mr.  Vallandigham  beyond  the  lines  of  our 
army  and  his  delivery  into  the  hands  of  the 
rebels ; which  I consider  an  event  fraught 
with  the  greatest  interest  to  the  patriot,  giv- 
ing evidence  as  it  does  of  a final  determina- 
tion on  the  part  of  the  government  to  save 
the  nation  at  all  hazards ; the  first  distinct 
assertion  of  its  right  to  protect  itself  against 
the  insinuating  and  cowardly  copperheadism 
of  the  North,  more  dangerous  and  malignant 
than  the  open  and  armed  treason  of  the 
South. 

Vallandigham  at  3Iurfreeshoro. — It  was 
about  ten  o’clock  on  Sunday  night  (May  24) 
that  the  somewhat  suppressed  whistle  of  a 
locomotive  announced  that  an  extra  train 
with  Mr.  Vallandigham  on  board  had 
arrived.  He  had  been  sent  from  Cincinnati 
in  charge  of  Capt.  Murray  with  a squad  of 
the  Thirteenth  regular  infantry.  He  was  at 
once  taken  in  custody  by  Major  Wiles,  pro- 
vost marshal-general  of  the  department,  in 
accordance  with  an  order  from  headquarters 
to  take  him  to  a point  near  our  outposts, 
keep  him  there  until  morning,  and  then 
under  cover  of  a fiag  of  truce  to  pass  him 
within  the  lines  of  the  enemy. 

None  save  those  immediately  surrounding 
Gen.  Rosecrans  knew  of  his  arrival.  Had 
it  been  known  through  the  camp  all  sense  of 
discipline  and  restraint  would  have  been  lost, 
and  a crowd  of  ten  thousand  men  would  have 
instantly  collected  around  the  ])rovost  mar- 
shals, swayed  by  the  wildest  and  most  ungov- 
ernable excitement  which  could  have  found 


no  vent  but  in  slaying  him  on  the  spot.  So 
intense  and  burning  is  their  hatred  for  the 
man  who  by  every  speech  made  in  and  out 
of  Congress  the  last  two  years  had  tended  to 
encourage  the  rebels,  to  render  more  difficult 
and  dangerous  the  task  of  their  subjugation, 
and  to  put  far  off  the  happy  period  when  in 
the  midst  of  peace  the  soldiers  may  return  to 
home  and  friends. 

Starts  for  Dixie. — It  was  two  o’clock  in 
the  morning  when  Vallandigham  stepped 
into  a spring  wagon  and  started  for  that  Dixie, 
which,  notwithstanding  it  was  now  night, 
began  to  loom  up  most  distinctly  before  him. 
Not  one  of  those  who  accompanied  Mr.  Val- 
landigham  that  night  will  ever  forget  it. 

Col.  McKibben,  senior  aid  to  Rosecrans, 
assisted  by  Lieut.  -Col.  Ducat,  had  the  gen- 
eral charge.  Col.  McKibben  had  once  sat  in 
Congress  with  this  same  Vallandigham,  and 
although  differing  in  many  points  they  had 
fought  together  against  the  iniquity  of 
Buchanan’s  administration.  When  taking 
his  seat  in  the  wagon  the  prisoner  remarked 
.to  Col.  McKibben  in  a jocular  manner : 
“ Colonel,  this  is  worse  than  Lecompton  ! ” 
This  was  time  in  a deeper  sense  than  he  in- 
tended it,  for  the  offence  against  the  nation 
for  which  he  was  to  be  punished  was  much 
worse  than  the  infamous  attempt  of  Buchanan 
to  fiisten  negro  slavery  upon  the  outraged  in- 
habitants of  Kansas. 

The  prisoner  himself  was  in  charge  of 
Major  AViles,  the  able  provost  marshal-gen- 
eral of  the  department,  efficiently  assisted  by 
Capt.  Goodwin  of  the  Thirty-seventh  In- 
diana. 

Capt.  Doolittle  and  Lieut.  Kelley  of  the 


COLUMBIANA  COUNTY. 


443 


Fourth  regular  cavalry  commanded  the  two 
companies  of  cavalry  forming  the  escort  of 
Gren.  Rosecrans,  but  which,  for  this  occasion, 
were  the  escort  of  Vallandigham.  A second 
small  wagon,  with  a trunk  and  some  other 
baggage,  followed  the  vehicle  containing  the 
prisoner.  Major  Wiles  and  Capt.  Groodwin 
rode  in  the  wagon.  Col.  McKibben  and  Col. 
Ducat  preceded,  and  the  escort  followed. 
Your  correspondent,  who  was  kindly  per- 
mitted to  form  one  of  the  party,  went  loosely 
and  ad  libitum. 

The  Procession  on  the  Way. — Such  was  the 
remarkable  procession  which  at  this  silent 
hour  passed  along  the  streets  of  Murfrees- 
boro, through  the  quiet  and  slumbering 
camps,  and  down  the  Shelbyville  turnpike 
towards  rebellious  Dixie.  Guard  after  guard, 
picket  after  picket,  sentinel  after  sentinel, 
was  passed,  the  magic  countersign  opening 
the  gates  in  the  walls  of  living  men  which, 
circle  behind  circle,  surrounded  the  town  of 
Murfreesboro. 

The  men  on  guard  stood  looking  in  silent 
wonder  at  the  unwonted  spectacle,  little  think- 
ing that  they  were  gazing  on  the  great  copper- 
head on  his  way  through  the  lines.  Stone 
river  was  passed,  and  several  miles  traversed 
when  your  correspondent  began  to  wonder 
where  the  mythical  “ front  ” so  often  spoken 
of  might  be. 

An  Hour's  Rest. — Just  as  the  first  faint 
dawn  appeared  in  the  east  the  party  stopped 
at  the  house  of  Mr.  Butler,  in  order  to  wait  for 
daylight ; for  we  were  now  near  our  outposts. 
The  family  stared  about  them  in  great  sur- 
prise when  they  were  wakened  up,  but  made 
haste  to  provide  whatever  conveniences  they 
could  for  enabling  the  party  to  take  an  hour’s 
repose. 

Here,  for  the  first  time,  I was  introduced 
to  Vallandigham,  and  as  none  of  us  felt  like 
sleeping  we  commenced  what  to  me  was  an 
extremely  interesting  and  profitable  conversa- 
tion. Mr.  Vallandigham  talked  with  entire 
freedom  ; told  me  with  the  greatest  apparent 
frankness  his  views  of  the  policy  of  the 
administration  ; discussed  dispassionately  the 
circumstances  of  his  arrest  and  trial,  and 
stated  clearly  what  he  supposed  would  be  the 
ultimate  results  of  his  punishment.  He 
manifested  no  bitterness  of  feeling  whatever, 
seemed  inclined  to  do  full  justice  to  the  gov- 
ernment in  reference  to  its  dealings  with  him- 
self, and  spoke  very  respectfully  of  Gen. 
Burnside.  In  spite  of  my  fixed  opinion  of 
the  bad  and  dangerous  character  of  the  man 
I could  not  but  entertain  for  him  a sentiment 
of  personal  respect  which  I had  never  felt 
before. 

An  Apt  Quotation. — After  an  hour  passed 
in  conversation  there  was  an  effort  made  to 
obtain  a little  sleep,  and  Mr.  Vallandigham 
himself  had  just  fallen  into  a doze  when  Col. 
McKibben  waked  him,  informing  him  that  it 
was  daylight  and  time  to  move.  Some  poetical 
remark  having  been  made  about  the  morn- 
ing, Mr.  Vallandigham  raised  himself  up  on 
his  elbow  and  said,  dramatically  : 


Night’s  candles  are  burnt  out. 

And  jocund  day  stands  tip-toe  on  misty 
mountain  tops.” 

He  had  evidently  forgotten  the  remaining 
line  of  the  quotation,  but  it  seemed  so  applica- 
ble to  his  own  case,  in  view  of  the  wrathful 
feelings  of  the  soldiers  towards  him,  that  I 
could  not  forbear  adding  aloud, 

‘ ‘ I must  be  gone  and  live,  or  stay  and  die.  ’ ’ 

I indulge  in  no  vanity  when  I say  that  the 
extreme  appositeness  of  the  quotation 
startled  every  one  that  heard  it,  including 
Mr.  Vallandigham  himself 

Again  Upon  the  March. — The  cavalcade 
again  set  forth,  and  just  as  the  first  rays  of 
sun  tinged  with  gold  the  trees  upon  the  west- 
ern hills  we  reached  our  remotest  outposts. 
Major  Wiles  and  Col.  MeKibben  now  went 
forward  with  a flag  of  truce  toward  the 
enemy’s  videttes,  who  could  be  plainly  seen 
stationed  in  the  road,  not  more  than  half  a 
mile  off.  The  rest  of  the  party  halted,  and 
Col.  Ducat,  Capt.  Goodwin,  Lieut.  Kelly, 
Mr.  Vallandigham  and  myself  took  break- 
fast at  the  house  of  a Mr.  Alexander,  just 
on  the  boundary  line  between  the  United 
States  and  Dixie.  After  all  were  seated  at 
the  table  Col.  Ducat  informed  Mrs.  Alexan- 
der, who  presided,  that  one  of  the  gentlemen 
before  her,  pointing  him  out,  was  Mr.  Val- 
landigham. 

Immediately  the  woman  turned  all  sorts 
of  colors,  and  exclaimed,  “Can  it  be  possi- 
ble ? Mr.  V allandigham  ! Why  I was  read- 
ing only  last  night  of  your  wonderful  doings  i 
I must  introduce  you  to  the  old  man,  shure  ! ’ ’ 

The  “old  man ” is  understood  to  be  much 
more  than  half  “ Secesh,”  and  he  and  not  a 
remarkably  handsome  daughter  united  in 
giving  the  prisoner  a warm  welcome. 

Vallandigham  in  Dixie. — After  breakfast 
was  over,  and  while  waiting  for  the  return  of 
the  flag  of  truee,  I had  another  long  and  in- 
teresting conversation  with  Mr.  Vallandig- 
ham, which  I shall  again  have  occasion  to 
refer  to. 

The  flag  at  length  returned,  and  Col.  W ebb 
of  the  Fifty-first  Alabama  having  signified 
his  willingness  to  receive  the  prisoner.  Major 
Wiles  and  Capt.  Goodwin  alone  accompanied 
him  a short  distance  within  the  rebel  lines 
and  handed  him  over  to  a single  private  sol- 
dier sent  to  take  him  in  charge. 

By  nine  o’clock  the  whole  matter  was  over, 
and  the  party  mounting  their  horses  galloped 
back  upon  the  now  heated  and  husky  turn- 
pike to  Murfreesboro. 

The  bearing  of  Mr.  Vallandigham  through- 
out the  whole  alfair  was  modest,  sensible  and 
dignified,  and  so  far  #as  the  man  could  be 
separated  from  his  pernicious  principles  won 
him  respeet  and  friends. 

In  conversation  with  your  correspondent 
he  candidly  admitted  that  the  dealings  of  the 
government  with  himself  were  neeessary  and 
justifiable  if  the  Union  was  to  be  restored  by 


444 


COLUMBIANA  COUNTY. 


war.  He  admitted  that  in  that  case  the  gov- 
ernment would  be  obliged  to  use  all  the  phy- 
sical force  of  the  loyal  States  and  could  toler- 
ate no  opposition.  This,  however,  he  declared 
would  be  at  the  expense  of  the  free  principles 


of  the  constitution  ; whereas  he  thought  by 
the  adoption  of  his  plan,  not  only  mi§ht 
these  principles  be  conserved,  but  the  Union 
of  the  States  ultimately  restored. 


The  life  of  Mr.  Vallandigham  by  his  brother,  Rev.  James  L.  Vallandigham, 
gives  some  interesting  items.  His  interview  with  Gen.  Rosecrans  lasted  about 
four  hours.  At  first  Rosecrans  was  disposed  to  lecture  him  for  his  opposition  to 
the  war  and  concluded  by  remarking,  “ Why,  sir,  do  you  know  that  unless  1 pro- 
tect you  with  a guard,  my  soldiers  will  tear  you  in  pieces  in  an  instant?”  To 
this  Mr.  Vallandigham  in  substance  replied,  “That,  sir,  is  because  they  are  just 
as  prejudiced  and  ignorant  of  my  character  and  career  as  yourself ; but.  General, 
I have  a proposition  to  make.  Draw  your  soldiers  up  in  a hollow  square  to- 
morrow morning  and  announce  to  them  that  Vallandigham  desires  to  vindicate 
himself,  and  I will  guarantee  that  when  they  have  heard  me  through  they  will  • 
be  more  willing  to  tear  Lincoln  and  yourself  to  pieces  than  they  will  Val- 
landigham.” The  General  shook  his  head,  saying,  “ he  had  too  much  regard  for 
the  life  of  his  prisoner  to  try  it.”  The  genial  manner  of  his  prisoner  won 
upon  him,  and  when  he  arose  to  go  he  put  his  hand  on  Mr.  V.’s  shoulder  and 
said  to  Col.  McKibben,  of  his  staff,  “ He  don’t  look  a bit  like  a traitor,  now  does 
he,  Joe  ? ’ and  on  parting  shook  him  warmly  by  the  hand. 

When  he  was  left  in  charge  of  the  Confederate  sentinel,  hours  elapsed  before 
word  could  be  sent  and  returned  from  Gen.  Bragg,  whose  headquarters  at  Shel- 
by ville  were  some  sixteen  miles  away.  “ They  were  hours,”  said  Mr.Vallandigham, 
“ of  solitude,  but  calmly  spent — the  bright  sun  shining  in  the  clear  sky  above  me, 
and  faith  in  God  and  the  future  burning  in  my  heart.”  He  was  kindly  received 
by  General  Bragg  in  Shelbyville,  where  he  remained  a week,  mostly  in  seclusion, 
and  then  was  directed  to  report  on  parole  to  General  Whiting  at  Wilmington, 
from  which  place  he  took,  on  the  17th  of  June,  a blockade-runner  to  Nassau  and 
thence  by  steamer  to  Canada,  where  he  arrived  early  in  July  and  awaited  events. 
The  Ohio  Democratic  Convention  which  had  met  in  June  at  Columbus  had  by 
acclamation  nominated  him  for  Governor. 

The  banishment  of  Vallandigham  and  sentence  by  court  martial  created  a 
profound  sensation  throughout  the  country,  and  a large  Democratic  meeting  held 
at  Albany,  presided  over  by  Erastus  Corning,  passed  a series  of  resolutions  con- 
demnatory of  the  “ system  of  arbitrary  arrests,”  and  asking  President  Lincoln  to 
“ reverse  the  action  of  the  military  tribunal  which  has  passed  a cruel  and  unusual 
punishment  upon  the  party  arrested,  prohibited  in  terms  by  the  Constitution, 
and  restore  him  to  the  liberty  of  which  he  had  been  deprived.” 

To  this  request  Mr.  Lincoln  made  a full,  frank  reply,  putting  in  it  some  of  his  characteristic,  homely 
touches  of  humor,  for  instance  saying  : “ I can  no  more  be  persuaded  that  the  government  can  consti- 
tutionally take  no  strong  measures  in  time  of  rebellion,  because  it  can  be  shown  that  the  same  could 
not  be  lawfully  taken  in  time  of  peace,  than  I can  be  persuaded  that  a particular  drug  is  not  good 
medicine  for  a sick  man,  because  it  can  be  shown  not  to  be  good  food  for  a well  one.”  He  closed  by 
stating  that  when  he  felt  that  the  public  safety  would  not  suffer  thereby  he  should  with  great  pleasure 
accede  to  their  request. 

The  Ohio  Democratic  Convention,  which  met  in  June  in  Columbus,  after  nomi- 
nating Mr.  Vallandigham  for  Governor,  passed  resolutions  strongly  condemning 
his  banishment  as  a palpable  violation  of  four  specified  provisions  of  the  Federal 
Constitution,  and  appointed  a committee,  largely  ex-Congressmen,  to  go  to  Wash- 
ington and  intercede  for  his  release.  This  committee,  as  will  be  seen  by  their 
names  appended,  were  gentlemen  of  high  character,  a majority  of  whom  are  yet 
living,  though  some  quite  aged  and  feeble:  IMathias  Burchard,  formerly  a Judge 
of  the  Supreme  Court;  George  Bliss,  member  of  Congress  from  the  Akron  Dis- 
trict; ex-Governor  Thomas  W.  Bartley;  Hon.  W.  J.  Gordon,  of  Cleveland,  a 
wealthy  retail  merchant ; Hon.  John  O’Neil,  late  President  'pro  tern,  of  the  Ohio 
Senate;  George  S.  Converse,  of  Columbus;  Louis  Shaefer,  of  Canton  ; Abner  L. 
Backus  ; Congressmen  George  H.  Pendleton,  Chilton  A.  White,  W.  P.  Nohle,  Wells 
A.  Hutchins,  F.  C.  LeBlond,  William  E.  Finck,  Alexander  Long,  J.  W.  White, 
J.  F.  McKinney  and  James  R.  Morris. 


COLUMBIANA  COUNTY, 


445 


In  the  correspondence  which  ensued  Mr.  Lincoln  offered  to  accede  to  their 
request  provided  they  would  agree,  as  individuals,  to  certain  specified  things  in 
aid  of  the  forcible  suppression  of  the  rebellion.  To  this  they  would  not  agree, 
regarding  the  proffer  as  involving  an  imputation  upon  their  sincerity  and  fidelity 
as  citizens  of  the  United  States,  and  stating  that  they  had  asked  for  Mr.  Val- 
landigham’s  release  as  a right  due  the  people  of  Ohio. 

“ At  this  point,”  says  Mr.  Greeley  in  his  “ History  of  the  American  Conflict,” 
“ the  argument  of  this  grave  question  concerning  the  right  in  time  of  war  of  those 
who  question  the  justice  or  the  policy  of  such  war  to  denounce  its  prosecution  as 
mistaken  and  ruinous,  was  rested  by  the  President  and  his  assailants — or  rather 
it  was  transferred  by  the  latter  to  the  popular  forum  where,  especially  in  Ohio,  it 
was  continued  with  decided  frankness,  as  well  as  remarkable  pertinacity  and 
vehemence.  And  one  natural  consequence  of  such  discussion  was  to  render  the 
Democratic  party  more  decidedly,  openly,  palpably  anti-war  than  it  had  hitherto 
been.” 


THE  VALLANDIGHAM  CAMPAIGN. 

A vivid  and  interesting  sketch  of  Vallandigham  and  the  celebrated  campaign 
of  1863  was  published  in  the  Cincinnati  Enquirer  a few  years  since.  It  consisted 
of  personal  reminiscences  from  the  pen  of  the  veteran  Ohio  journalist,  W.  W. 
Armstrong,  who  was  Secretary  of  State  for  Ohio  from  1863  to  1865.  It  has  a 
peculiar  interest  from  being  from  a fellow-townsman  and  a personal  and  political 
friend  of  Mr.  Vallandigham,  though  not  in  sympathy  with  his  extreme  views. 


After  the  adjournment  of  Congress  in 
March,  1863,  and  while  I was  Secretary  of 
State,  Vallandigham  came  to  Columbus.  He 
visited  my  office  and  there  informed  me  that 
he  was  a candidate  for  the  Democratic  nomi- 
nation for  Governor.  As  I was  originally 
from  his  home  county,  and  our  families  had 
been  friends,  he  counted  upon  my  support 
for  the  position.  I said  to  him  very  frankly  : 

“ Colonel,  this  is  not  your  time  to  run  for 
Governor.  I think  Hugh  J.  Jewett  ought 
to  be  renominated.” 

As  usual,  he  gritted  his  teeth  and  said  he 
was  astonished  that  I of  all  other  men  in  the 
State  should  be  opposed  to  his  nomination. 
I replied  that  Jewett,  by  party  usage,  was 
entitled  to  a renomination  if  he  would  take 
it ; that  his  candidacy  in  1861  had  been  judi- 
ciously managed ; that  his  speeches  and  let- 
ters had  been  patriotic  and  conservative,  and 
that,  being  a “war”  Democrat,  or  not  so 
radical  as  he  (Vallandigham),  that  he  would 
poll  a greater  vote,  and  with  the  then  dissat- 
isfaction existing  with  the  State  administra- 
tion he  could  be  elected  ; but  he  had  made  up 
his  mind  to  be  a candidate  and  could  not  be 
swerved  from  his  purpose 

The  Convention. — The  conservative  Demo- 
crats of  Ohio  did  not  desire  to  nominate 
Vallandigham  for  Governor,  but  his  arrest, 
trial  by  Military  Commission  and  his  banish- 
ment excited  every  radical  and  ultra  peace 
Democrat  in  the  State,  and  they  rallied  in 
their  strength  at  all  the  county  conventions 
and  captured  the  delegates.  One  radical  can 
always  be  counted  upon  to  do  more  work  than 
ten  moderate  men.  The  day  of  the  conven- 
tion approached,  and  it  soon  became  evident 
that  it  would  be  the  largest  ever  held  in  the 
State,  and  would  partake  of  the  character  of 
a mass-meeting  more  than  of  an  assemblage 
of  cool  and  collected  delegates. 


The  day  before  the  convention  assembled 
the  city  of  Columbus  was  invaded  by  thou- 
sands of  Democrats,  bitter,  assertive  and  de- 
fiant in  their  determination  that,  come  what 
would,  they  would  defy  “Order  No.  38 ’’and 
exercise  what  they  claimed  to  be  their  con- 
stitutional right  of  free  speech.  Convention 
day  came,  and  with  it  delegation  after  dele- 
gation, with  bands  of  music,  flags  flying, 
hickory  bushes  waving,  from  every  section  of 
the  State.  Great  processions  with  men  on 
horseback  and  in  wagons  crowded  the  streets, 
and  the  sidewalks  were  black  with  excited 
men.  No  hall  in  the  city  was  large  enough 
to  contain  one-tenth  of  the  bold  Democracy 
present  who  desired  to  attend  the  convention. 
It  was  held  on  the  east  front  of  the  State- 
House,  in  the  open  air. 

Ex-Governor  Medill,  of  Lancaster,  Ohio — 
once  a leading  and  very  active  Democratic 
politician,  an  old,  good-looking  bachelor — 
was  chosen  President  of  the  Convention. 
No  useless  time  was  spent  in  the  preliminaries. 
They  were  hurried  through.  The  radicals 
soon  ran  away  with  the  convention,  and  Me- 
dill, always  a good  presiding  officer,  could 
hold  no  check  on  the  extravagant  demonstra- 
tions in  favor  of  the  Man  in  Exile.  A vote 
by  counties  was  demanded,  and  under  the 
rules  the  demand  was  sustained.  The  name 
of  Hugh  J.  Jewett  was  presented  before 
that  of  Vallandigham.  The  announcement 
of  Jewett’s  name  was  heard  with  almost 
grim  silence,  and  from  his  own  county  a tall 
delegate  arose  and  declared  that  Muskingum 
was  for  Vallandigham,  and  asked  that  Jewett’s 
name  be  withdrawn.  The  delegate  who  pre- 
sented it  declined  to  accede  to  the  request. 
Then  Vallandigham’ s name  was  mentioned. 
The  roar  and  noise  of  that  crowd  in  his 
favor  could  be  heard  for  miles. 

The  vote  by  counties  began.  Allen,  Ash- 


446 


COLUMBIANA  COUNTY. 


land,  Auglaize  and  even  old  Ashtabula  an- 
swered “ V allandigham  ! ” The  B’s  followed 
the  same  way  unanimously.  When  the  Sec- 
retary reached  the  C’s  Cuyahoga  county  re- 
sponded solidly  for  Jewett,  and  her  vote  was 
most  vigorously  hissed.  And  after  that,  un- 
til Seneca  county  was  reached,  there  was  no 
vote  for  J ewett. 

y allandigham  Nominated. — The  people 
became  impatient,  and  it  was  moved  and 
seconded  by  thousands  that  the  rules  be  sus- 
pended and  Vallandigham  be  nominated  by 
acclamation.  Medill  put  the  motion,  and  it 
was  carried  amidst  the  wildest  shouts,  the 
swelling  notes  of  the  crowd  reminding  one 
of  the  fierce  roar  of  the  ocean  in  its  most 
turbulent  moments.  In  a moment  Vallan- 
digham was  proclaimed  the  unanimous  nom- 
inee of  the  convention,  and  then  was  witnessed 
a scene  of  enthusiasm  among  “ Val’s’’  friends 
that  exceeded  anything  ever  before  known  in 
the  political  history  of  the  United  States. 
The  jubilee  continued  for  at  least  an  hour. 
The  next  step  was  the 

Nomination  of  George  E.  Pugh  for  Lieu- 
tenant-Governor.— The  game  little  Senator 
did  not  want  the  nomination,  but  he  could 
not  resist  the  demand  made  for  his  accept- 
ance, and  on  that  night  in  front  of  the  Neil 
House  made  one  of  the  most  fiery  and  elo- 
quent speeches  that  ever  fell  from  the  lips 
of  this  ever  great  and  ready  orator.  It  was 
defiant  and  audacious. 

The  Republican  Convention. — The  Demo- 
cratic State  Convention  was  held  in  the 
second  week  of  June,  and  two  weeks  later 
the  Republican  State  Convention  convened. 
Governor  Tod  was  confident  of  a renomina- 
tion, but  Smith,  of  the  Cincinnati  Gazette., 
Halstead,  of  the  Commercial,  and  Cowles, 
of  the  Cleveland  Leader,  and  others  were 
afraid  of  his  defeat  were  he  renominated. 
They  conspired  to  nominate  John  Brough, 
arid,  although  he  asserted  he  was  not  a can- 
didate for  nomination,  his  friends  were  at 
work  secretly  and  efficiently' 

Governor  Tod  and  his  supporters  were 
thrown  entirely  off  guard  by  the  loud  asser- 
tions of  Brough  that  he  was  not  in  the  field 
for  the  nomination.  To  the  surprise  and  the 
mortification  of  Governor  Tod  he  was  beaten 
for  a renomination  by  a small  majority.  To 
do  him  justice,  however,  I may  say  safely 
that  had  Tod  worked  personally  with  the 
delegates,  as  he  was  advised  to  do,  he  would 
have  outflanked  the  Brough  managers.  He 
stood  upon  his  dignity,  his  right  for  an  in- 
dorsement, and  went  down.  The  personal 
relations  between  Tod  and  Brough  were  never 
friendly  after  this  convention.  Governor  Tod 
had  very  many  weaknesses,  but  he  was  kind- 
hearted  and  generous  to  a fault.  “ My  brave 
boys,”  as  he  styled  the  Ohio  volunteers^ 
never  had  a better  friend. 

John  Brough. — Brough  was  a great  pop- 
ular orator.  He  had  a sledge-hammer  style 
about  him  that  made  him  powerful.  He 
used  vigorous  English,  and  had  a directness 
about  him  which  always  told  with  the  people. 
Like  Tod,  he  originalUa  Democrat ; was 


at  one  time  one  of  the  editors  and  proprie* 
tors  of  the  Cincinnati  Enquirer ; was  Audi- 
tor of  State,  retiring  from  that  office  to  go 
into  the  railroad  business.  He  was  not  a 
tall  man,  but  was  very  fleshy  and  never  very 
cleanly  in  his  personal  appearance.  He 
chewed  enormous  quantities  of  tobacco,  did 
not  believe  in  prohibitory  laws,  and  could  not 
be  labeled  as  the  exemplar  of  any  particular 
purity.  Of  him  some  campaign  poet  wrote  : 

‘ ‘ If  all  flesh  is  grass,  as  people  say. 

Then  Johnnie  Brough  is  a load  of  hay.” 

The  Campaign.  — Both  parties  having 
placed  their  candidates  in  the  field  there 
opened  a campaign  which,  for  excitement, 
for  rancor  and  for  bitterness  will,  I hope, 
never  again  be  paralleled  in  this  country. 
Vallandigham  in  exile  in  Canada,  the  com- 
mand of  his  forces  was  given  George  E. 
Pugh,  while  Brough  led  in  person  the  Re- 
publican cohorts.  Every  local  speaker  of  any 
note  joined  in  the  battle  of  words,  and  “Or- 
der No.  38”  was  “cussed  and  discussed,” 
by  night  and  by  day,  from  the  Ohio  river  to 
the  lake  and  from  the  Pennsylvania  to  the 
Indiana  line,  before  great  assemblages  of 
people.  The  great  political  meetings  of  1840 
were  overshadowed  in  numbers  by  the  gath- 
ering of  both  Democrats  and  Republicans  in 
1863.  It  was  the  saturnalia  of  politics. 

The  Democratic  meetings  were  especially 
notable  for  their  size  and  enthusiasm.  Every- 
where in  the  State  were  they  very  largely 
attended,  but  particularly  in  the  northwest, 
the  Gibraltar  of  the  Ohio  Democracy  then 
as  now,  and  in  the  famed  counties  of  the 
wheat-belt  region,  Richland,  Holmes,  Craw- 
ford, et  al. , it  was  no  unusual  sight  to  see  a 
thousand  men,  and  sometimes  half  as  many 
women,  mounted  on  horseback,  forming  a 
cavalry  cavalcade  and  escort  body,  and  in 
each  procession  were  wagon-loads  of  girls 
dressed  in  white,  each  one  representing  a 
State  of  the  “ Union  as  it  was.  ” Glee  clubs 
were  numerous,  and  the  song  of 

“We  will  rally  ’round  the  flag, 

Shouting  Vallandigham  and  freedom,” 

was  as  common  with  the  Democrats  as  was 
the  other  song  with  the  Republicans  : 

‘ ‘ Down  with  the  traitors, 

Up  with  the  stars. 

Hurrah,  boys,  hurrah. 

The  Union  forever.” 

Intense  Excitement. — The  excitement  be* 
came  so  intense  in  many  communities  that 
all  business  and  social  relations  between  Dem- 
ocratic and  Republican  families  were  sun- 
dered. Fights  and  knock-downs  between 
angered  people  were  an  every-day  occurrence, 
and  the  wearing  of  a butternut  pin  or  an  em- 
blem of  any  kind  by  a Democrat  was  like 
water  to  a mad  dog  before  the  irritated  and 
iiitensely-radical  Republicans.  The  women 
wore  Vallandigham  or  Brough  badges,  just 
as  their  feelings  were  enlisted,  and  if  there  is 
intensity  in  politics  or  religion  it  is  always 
among  the  sisters  of  the  different  flocks. 


COLUMBIANA  COUNTY. 


447 


Imdict'ons  Incidents. — I was  an  eye-witness, 
on  the  occasion  of  a Democratic  mass-meeting 
at  Kenton,  to  a lively  scrimmage  between 
several  Democratic  and  Republican  girls,  in 
which  there  was  pulled  hair,  scratched  faces 
and  demoralized  wardrobes,  and,  strange  to 
say,  the  surrounding  crowd  of  men  inter- 
fered only  to  see  fair  play  between  the  com- 
batants. Another  instance,  and  a ludicrous 
one,  I recollef't.  At  McCutchenville,  Wyan- 
dot county,  on  one  of  the  brightest  of 
autumnal  days,  there  was  a Democratic  meet- 
ing in  a grove  adjacent  to  the  town.  Judge 
Lang,  of  TiflSn,  and  myself  were  the  speak- 
ers of  the  day. 

While  the  Judge  was  addressing  the  peo- 
ple, a gaunt,  tall  young  lady,^  wearing 
a Brough  badge,  stepped  up  behind  a fat, 
chunky  little  girl,  who  was  sitting  on  a 
log,  and  snatched  from  her  dress  the  Vallan- 
digham  badge  she  was  wearing.  The  little 
girl  turned  around,  eyed  the  trespasser  but  a 
moment,  and  then  made  one  lunge,  and  with 
the  awkward  blow  that  a woman  delivers,  hit 
the  Brough  girl  under  the  chin  and  brought 
her  to  the  ground.  With  her  eyes  snapping 
fire,  and  her  cheeks  aflame,  .she  put  her  arms 
up  akimbo,  and,  like  a little  Bantam  rooster, 
spreading  his  wings,  hissed  out:  “I  can 

whip  any Brough  girl  on  the  ground.” 

Such  occurrences  were  frequent,  and  all 
manner  of  tricks,  by  both  parties,  were 
played  upon  speakers  and  orators.  The  only 
wonder  is,  thinking  of  the  bitter  feeling  en-' 
gendered,  that  more  bodily  harm  was  not 
done. 

The  Orators.^  etc. — Colonel  “Dick”  Mer- 
rick, of  Maryland,  who  died  a few  months 
ago  in  Washington  City,  ex-Grovernor  Hen- 
dricks, Hons.  J.  E.  McDonald  and  D.  W. 
Voorhees,  of  Indiana,  were  among  the  many 
distinguished  speakers  from  other  States  who 
participated  in  the  Ohio  canvass.  Morton, 
of  Indiana,  Harrison  of  the  same  State, 
Secretary  Chase  and  leading  Republicans 
from  the  East  assisted  Brough  and  the  local 
Republican  orators.  One  of  the  most  ef- 
fective Republican  speakers  on  the  stump 
was  Colonel  “Bill”  Gibson,  of  Seneca 
county,  and  one  of  the  most  sought  after 
orators  in  Northern  Ohio  was  Hon.  A.  M. 
Jackson,  of  Bucyrus,  whose^  “heavenly 
tone  ’ ’ made  him  conspicuous  in  the  battle 
for  ‘ ‘ free  speech.  ’ ’ 

Sunset  Cox. — -Sam  Cox,  then  representing 
the  Columbus  district  in  Congress,  had  fre- 
quent opportunities  to  air  his  eloquence  and 
show  his  pluck.  _ On  a September  day  he 
had  had  a meeting  near  Camp  Chase,  in 
Franklin  County.  The  soldiers  there  an- 
nounced that  he  should  not  speak.  The 
Democrats  declared  that  he  should  and  must, 
so  “ Sunset  ” was  accompanied  to  his  meeting 
by  a hundred  city  Democrats  armed  with  re- 
volvers, while  the  country  Democrats  came 
pouring  in  loaded  down  with  rifles  and  shot- 
guns. The  soldiers,  seeing  that  they  would 
be  promptly  met  with  their  own  weapons, 
concluded  that  Cox  might  expound  at  will 
without  intermption.  Cox  then  made  a 


good  speech  • and  when  or  where  was  the  oc- 
casion that  he  ever  made  a poor  one?  In 
his  old  district  in  Ohio  he  is  as  popular  now 
as  he  was  then.  Hundreds  of  little  “Sam 
Coxes”  are  named  after  him,  and  the  old 
Democracy  remember  his  sunshiny  and  cheery 
ways  and  are  jealous  of  the  Turk  who  has 
him  now^  within  ^ his  boundaries.  Every 
Democratic  orator  in  Ohio  in  1863  acquitted 
himself  with  credit,  and  was  busy  Rom  the 
beginning  to  the  closing  of  the  fight. 

The  Result. — ^The  strain  on  the  public  mind 
was  intense.  All  men  of  all  parties  and  all 
classes  were  anxious  for  the  strife  to  bo  over. 
The  Democrats  in  the  last  weeks  of  the  cam- 
paign felt  that  they  were  beaten,  but  the 
splendid  discipline  of  the  Democratic  organi- 
zation was  manifested  by  their  determined 
effort  to  the  very  last  hour  of  election  day. 
The  vote  cast  for  V allandigham  showed  what 
a hold  he  had  on  the  people,  being  the 
highest  vote  then  ever  cast  for  a Democrat 
in  the  State.  Brough’s  majority  on  the 
home  vote  was  61,927,  but  the  vote  of  the 
soldiers  in  the  field  ran  his  majority  up  to 
about  100,000,  or  a little  over.  Only  about 
3,000  votes  were  cast  for  Vallandigham  by 
the  soldiers  in  the  field.  The  law,  however, 
was  very  defective  and  admirably  calculated 
to  give  unlimited  opportunities  for  a duplica- 
tion of  votes.  It  was  crude  and  unsatisfac- 
tory, but  as  a war  measure  ’ ’ it  served  the 
purposes  for  which  it  was  passed. 

Vallandigham  in  Exile. — While  the  great 
fight  in  his  behalf  in  Ohio  was  being  waged 
Vallandigham,  like  a caged  lion,  was  fretting 
and  worrying,  was  “watching  and  waiting 
over  the  border.”  He  made  his  head-quar- 
ters most  of  the  time  at  a little  hotel  in 
Windsor,  Canada,  a small  town  opposite 
Detroit.  From  the  windows  of  his  room  he 
could  see  a gun-boat,  with  the  American  flag 
flying,  which  had  been  detailed  to  protect  the 
Detroit  river.  His  sarcastic  remarks  in  refer- 
ence to  his  prosecutors,  and  to  his  political 
opponents,  who*  were  preventing  him  from 
leading  his  own  campaign  in  Ohio,  were 
heralded  throughout  the  land,  and  spies  were 
numerous,  keeping  vigil  that  he  should  not 
return. 

It  was  about  agreed  upon  at  one  time  that 
Vallandigham  should  come  to  Lima,  Ohio, 
and  make  a speech,  in  defiance  of  his  sen- 
tence and  the  authorities,  but  the  more  con- 
servative Democratic  leaders  were  satisfied 
that  an  attempt  would  be  made  to  rearrest 
him,  which  would  bring  about  riot  and  blood- 
shed, and  in  deference  to  their  wishes  Vab 
landigharn  did  not  return,  although  he  could 
easily  have  escaped  from  Canada,  as  he  did 
in  1864,  when  he  crossed  to  Detroit  in  dis- 
guise, entered  a sleeping-car,  and  the  next 
morning  appeared  at  a Democratic  Conven- 
tion at  Hamilton,  Ohio,  where  he  was  chosen 
unanimously  as  a delegate  to^  the  Chicago 
Convention.  He  was  enthusiastically  received 
by  the  Democratic  people,  and  remained  un- 
molested by  the  civil  and  military  authorities. 
Vallandigham  was  prompted  to  return  by 
political  friends  in  his  own  district,  who  had 


COLUMBIANA  COUNTY. 


443 

vainly  labored  to  have  him  nominated  for 
delegate-at-large  to  the  Chicago  Convention. 
Judge  Rufus  P.  Ranney,  of  Cleveland,  was 
the  choice  over  him  by  a small  majority  in  a 
very  excited  convention. 

The  End. — After  1868  Yallandigham  pur- 
sued the  profession  of  the  law  with  ardor, 
and  to  his  enthusiasm  in  the  defense  of  a 
client  he  met  with  the  accident  that  deprived 
him  of  life.  His  last  appearance  in  the  poli- 
tical arena  was  at  the  Democratic  State  Con- 
vention in  Columbus  in  the  first  part  of  June, 
1871.  He  was  a delegate,  and,  I think, 
chairman  of  the  Committee  on  Resolutions, 
and  secured  the  passage  in  the  convention  of 
what  is  known  in  Ohio  politics  as  the  “ new 
departure  ’ ’ resolutions,  pledging  the  Democ- 
racy to  the  recognition  and  validity  of  all  the 
amendments  to  the  constitution,  including  the 
fourteenth.  A week  or  two  after  this  con- 
vention he  came  to  his  death  in  a room  at  a 
hotel  in  Lebanon,  Ohio,  by  the  accidental 
discharge  of  a pistol.  He  died  as  he  lived, 
courageously,  but  sensationally. 

Had  ^'^allandigham  survived  to  this  date 
(1886)  he  would  have  been  but  sixty-six  years 


of  age,  younger  than  Thurman,  younger  thatj 
Payne,  and  about  the  same  age  as  Durbin 
Ward,  George  H.  Pendleton,  George  W. 
Morgan,  John  O’Neil,  Frank  Le  Blond  and 
other  prominent  Ohio  Democrats. 

Had  he  not  been  called  away  I think  that 
by  his  eloquence,  by  his  logic  and  his  high 
order  of  talent  he  would  have  worn  out 
and  dissipated  that  bitter  prejudice  which  ex- 
isted against  him.  He  had  a good  personal 
presence,  a pleasant  smile,  an  agreeable  and 
resonant  voice,  a dignified  bearing  and  those 
faculties  which  enabled  him  to  h.ave  a mag- 
netic power  over  the  people.  The  prize 
which  he  always  looked  forward  to  as  a re- 
ward for  his  party  services  was  a seat  in  the 
United  States  Senate,  and  he  was  chagrined 
to  the  heart  when  it  escaped  him  in  1867. 
In  his  private  and  domestic  circle  he  was 
charming,  and,  although  there  will  always  be 
a discussion  as  to  the  right  and  policy  of  the 
position  he  assumed  during  the  war,  no  one 
will  deny  that  he  had  a profound  love  for  the 
constitution  of  his  counLy  and  was  unwaver- 
ing and  unswerving  in  adhering  to  any  posi- 
tion that  he  deemed  right. 


Salem  iist  1846. — Salem  is  10  miles  north  from  New  Lisbon,  in  the  midst  of  a 
beautiful  agricultural  country,  thickly  settled  by  Friends,  who  are  industrious  and 
wealthy.  This  flourishing  town  was  laid  out  about  1806  by  Zadock  Street,  John 
Strong  and  Samuel  Davis,  members  of  the  Society  of  Friends,  from  Redstone,  Pa. 
Until  within  a few  years  it  was  an  inconsiderable  village.  It  now  contains  2 
Friends  meeting-houses,  2 Baptist,  1 Methodist  and  1 Presbyterian  church,  a clas- 
sical academy,  in  good  repute,  under  the  charge  of  Rev.  Jacob  Coon,  24  mercan- 
tile stores,  2 woollen  factories,  3 foundries,  1 grist-mill,  2 engine  shops  and  about 
1,300  inhabitants.  There  are  4 newspapers  published  here,  one  of  which  is  the 
American  Water  Cure  Advocate,  edited  by  Dr.  John  P.  Cope,  principal  of  a water 
cure  establishment  in  full  operation  in  this  village.  The  engraving  shows  the 
principal  street  of  the  town,  as  it  appears  on  entering  it  from  the  east.  Street’s 
woollen  factory  is  seen  on  the  left. — Old  Edition, 

Salem  is  on  the  line  of  the  P.  Ft.  W.  & C.  Railroad,  67  miles  from  Pittsburg, 
and  contains  about  6,000  inhabitants,  with  a post-office  business  of  over  $10,000 
annually.  It  is  on  high  land,  about  60  feet  above  the  railroad  station  and  on  one 
of  the  most  elevated  points  of  land  in  the  State.  Newspapers  : Salem  Republican, 
Re}).,  J.  K.  Rukenbrod,  editor : Salem  Era,  E.  P.  Rukenbrod,  editor ; Buckeye 
Vidette,  Greenback,  J.  W.  Northrop.  Churches : 2 Methodist,  1 Presbyterian,  1 
Disci|)les,  1 Episcopal,  3 Friends,  respectively  of  the  Gurney,  Wilbur  and  Hick- 
site  divisions.  Banks : Farmers’  National,  J.  Twing  Brooks,  president,  R.  V. 
Ham])son,  cashier ; First  National,  Furman  Gee,  President,  Richard  Pow,  cashier; 
City,  Boone  & Cam})bell,  proprietors ; H.  Greiner  & Son. 

Manufactures  and  Employees. — J.  Woodruff  <fe  Sons,  stoves,  72  ; Victor  Stove 
Co.,  stoves,  52;  W.  J.  Clark  & Co.,  stepladders,  screens,  etc.,  12;  Boyle  & 
Carey,  stoves,  26 ; Bakewell  & Mullins,  sheet  metal  works,  100;  AY.  J.  Clark  & 
Co.,  sheet  metal  works,  32 ; Purdy,  Baird  & Co.,  sewer  pipe,  6 ; Salem  Lumber 
Co.,  sash,  doors,  etc.,  10;  J.  B.  McNabb,  canned  goods,  16;  Salem  Steel  Wire 
Co.,  steel  wire,  etc.,  350  ; Silver  & Deming  Manufacturing  Co.,  pumps,  feed-cut- 
ters, etc.,  170;  Buckeye  Mills,  4 ; S.  Jj.  Shanks  & Co.,  steam  boilers,  17  ; Buck- 
eye Engine  Co.,  engines,  etc.,  181 ; Salem  Plow  Co.,  12;  M.  L.  Edwards  Manu- 
facturing Co.,  butchers’  and  blacksmiths’  tools,  15;  Stanley  & Co.,  flour,  etc.,  6; 
Carl  Barckhoff*,  church  organs,  35. — State  Report  for  1887. 


COLUMBIANA  COUNTY.  44j^ 

Vopiilation  in  1880,  4,041.  School  census,  1886,  1,464;  Geo.  N.  Caruthers. 
superintendent. 

The  following  sketch  of  Salernos  late  history  is  from  the  pen  of  an  old  resident : 


Drawn  h>j  Henry  Howe  in  184G. 


Eastejrn  Entrance  into  Salem. 

Salem  has  an  interesting  history  in  connection  with  important  national  events. 
Being  originally  settled  by  Quakers  they  instilled  into  the  minds  of  the  people 
the  true  ideas  of  human  freedom,  and  it  early  became  the  seat  of  a strong  anti- 
slavery sentiment.  “The  Western  Anti-Slavery  Society  ” had  its  headquarters 
in  this  city  before  the  war  of  the  Rebellion,  and  their  organ,  The  Anti-Slavery 
Bugle,  was  published  here  and  ably  conducted  by  Benj.  S.  Jones,  Oliver  Johnson 


Hewitt  & Hewitt,  Photo.,  Salem,  1887, 

Central  View  in  Salem. 

and  Marius  R.  Robinson,  editors,  who  waged  an  incessant,  fearless  and  aggressive 
warfare  upon  the  institution  of  human  slavery,  its  aiders  and  supporters,  includ- 
ing among  the  latter  the  National  Constitution  as  interpreted  by  acts  of  Congress, 
as  well  as  most  of  the  churches  of  the  country. 

In  consequence  the  contest  grew  hot  and  hotter  as  these  “ Disunion  Abolition- 
ists,” “ Covenanters  ” and  “ Infidels,”  as  they  were  termed,  became  more  aggres- 


450 


COLUMBIANA  COUNTY. 


sive ; and  as  the  spirit  of  liberty  grew  and  spread  they,  with  more  force  and 
effect,  demanded  the  unconditional  freedom  of  the  Southern  bondmen. 

At  a session  of  one  of  these  annual  conventions  of  that  period,  held  in  the 
Hicksite  Friends’  Church,  during  a terrible  Philippic  by  a prominent  actor  against 

the  aggressions  and  encroachments  of 
slavery  on  Northern  soil,  as  evidenced  by 
the  Fugitive  Slave  Law  then  but  recently 
enacted,  a man  arose  in  the  audience 
with  telegram  in  hand  and  disturbed  the 
speaker  long  enough  to  announce  that 
on  the  four  o’clock  train,  due  at  the  sta- 
tion in  thirty  minutes,  “ There  would  be 
as  passengers  a Southern  man  with  wife 
and  child  who  had  with  them  a colored 
slave  girl  as  nurse.” 

“ Now,”  said  the  informant,  who  was 
in  full  sympathy  with  the  sentiment  and 
spirit  of  the  meeting,  “ if  we  mean  what 
we  say,  let  us  go  to  the  station  and  rescue 
the  slave  girl.”  The  enthusiasm  became 
intense — the  meeting  adjourned  and  in 
a body  marched  to  the  depot.  Soon  the  train  rolled  in  and  instantly  a score  of 
men  boarded  the  cars,  found  the  girl,  forced  her  off  the  coach  on  to  the  station 
platform,  where  she  was  seized  and  hurried  by  others  on  “ the  underground  rail- 
road ” to  a place  of  safety.  Her  owners,  badly  frightened,  passed  on  apparently 
glad  to  themselves  escape  being  kid- 
napped. The  liberated  slave-child  was, 
by  the  same  meeting,  christened  Abby 
Kelly  Salem,  in  honor  of  Abby  Kelly 
Foster,  who  was  one  of  the  speakers  at 
the  convention,  and  in  commemoration 
of  the  place  where  the  “ slave  ” was  for- 
cibly made  free.  The  girl  grew  up  to 
womanhood,  and  was  for  years  a citizen 
of  the  city. 

The  old  ‘‘  Town  Hall,”  yet  standing  in 
all  its  ancient  pride,  of  which  a cut  of 
the  interior  is  shown  in  these  pages,  was 
the  place  where  the  meetings  of  the 
Anti-Slavery  Conventions  were  generally 
'held.  On  its  plain  wide  platform  elo- 
quent appeals  in  behalf  of  the  slave, 
like  as  if  inspired  by  Him  who  made  of 
one  blood  all  nations  of  men,  were  often 
poured  out  in  words  that  burned  by  such 
men  as  Wrn.  Lloyd  Garrison,  Wendell 
Phillips,  William  Wallace  Hubbard, 

Parker  Pillsbury,  Horace  Mann,  John 
Pierpont,  Oliver  Johnson,  Garret  Smith, 

C.  C.  Burleigh,  Samuel  Lewis,  Fred. 

Douglass,  Lucretia  Mott,  Francis  D.  Gage, 

Elizabeth  Cady  Stanton,  Marius  R.  Rob- 
inson, Jacob  Heaton,  Owen  Lovejoy, 

W.  H.  Burleigh,  J.  F.  Langdon,  Sojourner 
Truth,  Stephen  S.  Foster,  Abby  Kelly 
Foster,  James  Mott  and  George  Thompson  of  England,  with  others  of  like 
reputation. 

Jn  that  old  hall,  for  the  promotion  of  education  and  the  elevation  and  progress 
of  political  opinion,  the  voice  of  John  A.  Bingham,  James  A.  Garfield,  Joshua 
R.  Giddin^s,  S.  P.  Chase,  Wm.  Dennison,  W.  D.  Henkle,  Jane  G.  Swishelm, 
Benj.  F.  Wade,  Geo.  W.  Julian,  Neil  Dow,  Charles  Jewett,  Loring  Andrews,  James 


Hewitt,  Photo. 

Coppock’s  Monument. 

[Coppock  was  one  of  John  Brown’s  men  and 
hung  at  Harper’s  Ferry.] 


Hewitt,  Photo. 

Audience  Room,  Salem  Town  Hall. 


CLEMENT  L.  VALLANDIGHAM. 


G.  S.  Moore,  Photo.,  New  Lisbon,  1886. 


The  Old  Vallandigham  Homestead. 


[Born  at  Huntsville,  Alabama,  June  1,  1826;  made  a raid  through  Ohio  in  the  summer  of  1863  ; was 
killed  by  a Union  soldier  September  4,  1864,  while  attempting  to  escape  from  a farm-house  near  Green 
ville,  Tenn.] 


G.  a.  Moore,  Photo.,  New  Lisbon,  1886. 

Spot  of  the  Surrender  of  Gen.  John  Hunt  Morgan. 

[Morgan’s  surrender  took  jdace  about  seven  miles  south  of  New  Lisbon  under  a cherry  tree  shown 
in  the  foreground  on  the  left,  and  a few  hundred  yards  froni  the  farm-house  of  John  Hepner  seen  in 
the  distance.  Morgan  was  at  the  time  crossing  from  tlm  Sieubeuville  to  the  Wells ville  read.] 


COLUMBIANA  COUNTY. 


453 


Monroe,  Susan  B.  Anthony,  Ralph  Waldo  Emerson,  Rooert  Collyer,  John  P. 
Hale,  Edward  F.  Noyes,  Jacob  D.  Cox  and  others  (most  of  whom  are  numbered 
with  the  dead).  If  those  old  walls  could  speak  what  a story  they  could  tell.  It 
w^as  there  where  seeds  of , political  and  religious  freedom  were  sown  which  grew 
into  a harvest  yielding  much  fruit. 

It  was  this  early  teaching  that  “all  men  were  created  equal”  and  endowed 
with  inalienable  rights  of  life  and  liberty,  thafe  induced  Edwin  Coppock,  a near-by 
farmer’s  boy,  born  of  Quaker  parents,  to  shoulder  his  musket  and  go  forth  to  join 
the  immortal  John  Brown  in  opening  the  war  for  freedom  at  Harper’s  Ferry. 
There  with  his  old  chief  he  fired  a shot  that  made  slavery  tremble  to  its  fall.' 
Coppock  was  captured  and  hanged  at  Charlestown,  Virginia. 

The  following  letter  to  his  uncle,  living  within  a few  miles  of  Salem,  was  the 
last  he  ever  wrote.  It  will  be  read  with  interest.  It  is  full  of  prophecy,  very 
long  since  fulfilled  to  the  letter. 

He  wrote  it  two  days  before  his  death,  and  spoke  of  the  coming  event  with  the 
nerve  and  fearlessness  of  a true  man.  His  grave  is  in  Hope  Cemetery,  Salem, 
and  marked  by  a plain  sandstone  shaft,  erected  to  his  memory  by  the  late  Howell 
Hise.  It  bears  only  the  simple  inscription — “ Edwin  Coppock.” 


Charlestown,  Dec.  13,  1859. 
Joshua  Coppock  : 

My  Dear  Uncle — I seat  myself  by  the 
stand  to  write  for  the  first  and  last  time  to 
thee  and  thy  family.  Though  far  from  home 
and  overtaken  by  misfortune,  I have  not  for- 
gotten you.  Your  generous  hospitality 
towards  me,  during  my  short  stay  with  you 
last  spring,  is  stamped  indelibly  upon  my 
heart,  and  also  the  generosity  bestowed  upon 
my  poor  brother  who  now  wanders  an  out- 
cast from  his  native  land.  But  thank  God 
he  is  free.  I am  thankful  it  is  I who  have  to 
suffer  instead  of  him. 

The  time  may  come  when  he  will  remem- 
ber me.  And  the  time  may  come  when  he 
may  still  further  remember  the  cause  in  which 
I die.  Thank  God  the  principles  of  the 
cause  in  which  we  were  engaged  will  not  die 
with  me  and  my  brave  comrades.  They  will 
spread  wider  and  wider  and  gather  strength 
with  each  hour  that  passes.  The  voice  of 
truth  will  echo  through  our  land,  bringing 
conviction  to  the  erring  and  adding  members 
to  that  glorious  army  who  will  follow  its  ban- 
ner. The  cause  of  everlasting  truth  and 
justice  will  go  on  conquering  and  to  conquer 
until  our  broad  and  beautiful  land  shall  rest 
beneath  the  banner  of  freedom.  I had  fondly 


hoped  to  live  to  see  the  principles  of  the 
Declaration  of  Independence  fully  realized. 
I had  hoped  to  see  the  dark  stain  of  slavery 
blotted  from  our  land,  and  the  libel  of  our 
boasted  freedom  erased,  when  we  can  say  in 
truth  that  our  beloved  country  is  the  land  of 
the  free  and  the  home  of  the  brave  ; but  that 
cannot  be. 

I have  heard  my  sentence  passed,  my  doom 
is  sealed.  But  two  more  short  days  remain 
for  me  to  fulfil  my  earthly  destiny.  But  two 
brief  days  between  me  and  eternity.  At  the 
expiration  of  those  two  days  I shall  stand  upon 
the  scaffold  to  take  my  last  look  of  earthly 
scenes.  But  that  scaffold  has  but  little  dread 
for  me,  for  I honestly  believe  that  I am  inno- 
cent of  any  crime  justifying  such  punishment. 
But  by  the  taking  of  my  life  and  the  lives  of 
my  comrades,  Virginia  is  but  hastening  on  that 
glorious  day,  when  the  slave  will  rejoice  in 
his  freedom.  When  he  can  say,  “I  too  am  a 
man,”  and  am  groaning  no  more  under  the 
yoke  of  oppression.  But  I must  now  close. 
Accept  this  short  scrawl  as  a remembrance 
of  me.  Give  my  love  to  all  the  family.  Kiss 
little  Joey  for  me.  Remember  me  to  all  my 
relatives  and  friends.  And  now  farewell  for 
the  last  time.  From  thy  nephew, 

Edwin  Coppock. 


The  same  spirit,  when  the  Rebellion  made  its  aggressive  move  on  Fort  Sumter, 
aroused  the  patriotism  of  Quaker  Salem,  and  the  first  two  volunteers  for  the  war 
in  the  county  enlisted  in  this  “ City  of  Peace;  ” namely,  Thomas  J.  Walton,  yet 
a resident  and  business  man  here,  and  Wm.  Meldrum,  an  employee  in  the  Re- 
publican office,  and  who,  in  March,  1887,  died  at  San  Francisco,  Cal. 

After  them  Salem  and  the  county  of  Columbiana  furnished  not  less  than  3,000 
soldiers  for  the  war ; many  of  them  met  the  fate  of  brave  men  on  the  field  of 
battle,  falling  with  face  to  the  foe. 


THE  MORGAN  RAID  THROUGH  OHIO. 


One  of  the  most  exciting  events  to  the  people  of  Ohio  in  the  Rebellion  was  the 
raid  of  Morgan.  When  this  dashing  officer,  at  the  head  of  less  than  2,000  of  his 
troopers,  cros.sed  the  entire  width  of  the  State  from  west  to  east,  and  although  more 
tlmn  40,000  men  were  in  arms  and  in  pursuit,  his  auda(Mty  would  have  triumphed 


454 


COLUMBIANA  COUNTY. 


in  his  successful  escape  back  within  the  Confederate  lines  but  for  circumstances 
which  even  wise  foresight  could  not  have  anticipated.  As  his  surrender  took  place 
within  this  county,  we  here  give  the  history  of  the  raid,  mainly  from  Whitelaw 
Keid’s  Ohio  in  the  War,^^  and  in  an  abridged  form  : 


The  Object  of  the  Raid. — Little  progress 
had  been  made  in  the  organization  of  the 
State  militia,  when  in  July,  1863,  there  came 
another  sudden  and  pressing  demand  for  it. 

In  July,  1863,  Rosecrans  at  Stone  River 
was  menacing  Bragg  at  Tullahoma.  Burn- 
side at  Cincinnati  was  organizing  a force  for 
service  against  Buckner  in  East  Tennessee. 
The  communications  of  Burnside  and  Rose- 
crans extended  through  Kentucky,  covered 
by  some  ten  thousand  troops  under  Gen. 
Judah.  Bragg  felt  that  if  these  communi- 
cations were  threatened  by  a division,  the 
advance  of  Rosecrans  or  Burnside  would  be 
delayed,  and  these  officers  kept  from  rein- 
forcing each  other.  Gen.  John  Morgan  was 
the  man  selected  for  this  service.  He  had 
orders  to  go  where  he  chose  in  Kentucky,  to 
attempt  the  capture  of  Louisville,  but  was 
forbidden  to  cross  the  Ohio  river. 

Morgan  s Plan. — Morgan  at  once  set  about 
preparing  for  his  raid,  but  in  defiance  of  or- 
ders to  the  contrary  he  determined  to  cross 
the  Ohio  river  somewhere  near  Louisville, 
make  a rapid  detour  through  southern  In- 
diana and  Ohio,  and  recross  the  river  back 
into  Kentucky  at  Buffington  Island,  about 
forty  miles  below  jMarietta.  In  pursuance  of 
this  plan  men  were  sent  into  Ohio  to  gather 
information  and  examine  the  fords  of  the 
upper  Ohio. 

His  plan  was  daring  and  brilliant,  as  was 
also  its  execution,  and  but  for  the  unexpected 
and  unprecedented  high  water  for  the  time 
of  year,  which  enabled  gunboats  to  pass  up 
the  river  with  troops  to  cut  off  his  escape, 
he  would  have  brought  his  daring  raiders 
through  in  safety. 

Morgan  Crosses  Kentucky. — On  the  2d 
of  July  he  crossed  the  Cumberland  with 
twenty-four  hundred  and  sixty  men,  and 
after  a skirmish  with  Judah’s  cavalry,  was 
half  way  to  Columbia  before  Judah  (who 
had  trusted  to  the  swollen  condition  of  the 
stream  to  prevent  the  crossing)  could  get  his 
forces  together.  The  next  day  he  had  a 
severe  fight  at^  the  crossing  of  the  Green 
river  with  a Michigan  regiment  under  Col. 
Moore ; they  made  a determined  resistance, 
and  Morgan,  having  no  time  to  spare,  was 
obliged  to  withdraw,  found  another  crossing 
and  hurried  on  through  Campbellstown  to 
Lebanon.  Here  were  stationed  three  regi- 
ments, but  two  of  them  being  some  distance 
from  the  town  he  overwhelmed  the  one  in 
the  town  before  the  other  two  could  get  up 
and  hastened  on  to  Springfield,  eight  miles 
north,  where  he  paroled  his  prisoners  and 
turned  northwestward,  marching  direct  for 
Brandenburg,  on  the  Ohio  river,  sixty  miles 
below  Louisville.  Having  tapped  the  tele- 
graph wires,  he  learned  that  the  forces  at 
Louisville  were  too  strong  for  him  and  gave 


up  all  designs  against  that  city,  but  captured 
a train  from_  Nashville  when  within  thirty 
miles  of  Louisville. 

Two  companies  were  sent  ahead  to  secure 
means  of  transportation  across  the  Ohio  river, 
which  the  main  force  reached  on  the  morning 
of  the  8th,  having  crossed  the  State  of 
Kentucky  in  five  days.  Here  he  found  the 
two  companies  sent  forward  had  captured 
two  packet  boats,  the  “J.  J.  McCombs” 
and  “Alice  Dean,”  and  he  prepared  for 
crossing,  when  some  Indiana  militia  on  the 
other  side  opened  fire  upon  them  with  mus- 
ketry and  an  old  cannon  mounted  on  wagon 
wheels ; Morgan  sent  two  of  his  regiments 
across,  and  bringing  up  his  Parrott  rifles  the 
militia  were  forced  to  retreat,  the  two  rebel 
regiments  pursuing.  The  main  force  was 
about  to  follow,  when  a little  tin-clad,  the 
“Springfield,”  came  steaming  down  the 
river.  “ Suddenly  checking  her  way,”  writes 
Basil  W.  Duke,  Morgan’s  second  in  com- 
mand, “she  tossed  her  snub  nose  defiantly, 
like  an  angry  beauty  of  the  coal  pits,  sidled 
a little  toward  the  town,  and  commenced  to 
scold.  A bluish-white  funnel-shaped  cloud 
spouted  out  from  her  left-hand  bow,  and  a 
shot  flew  at  the  town ; then  changing  front 
forward  she  snapped  a shell  at  the  men  on 
the  other  side.  I wish  I were  sufficiently 
master  of  nautical  phraseology  to  do  justice 
to  this  little  vixen’s  style  of  fighting;  but 
she  was  so  unlike  a horse,  or  even  a piece  of 
light  artillery,  that  I cannot  venture  to  at- 
tempt it.” 

Morgan  Crosses  the  Ohio  into  Indiana. — 
It  was  a critical  moment  for  the  raiders,  as 
every  hour  of  delay  brought  Hobson  nearer 
in  pursuit ; but  when  Morgan’s  Parrotts  were 
turned  upon  her  she  was  compelled  to  retire, 
owing  to  the  inequality  in  the  range  of  guns ; 
the  raiders  then  crossed  the  river,  burned 
their  boats,  and  had  marched  six  miles  be- 
fore night. 

Up  to  this  point  the  movements  of  Mor- 
gan had  created  but  little  alarm  in  the  North  ; 
they  had  been  used  to  panics  from  threatened 
invasions  of  Ohio  and  Indiana.  Heretofore 
such  invasions  had  amounted  to  little  more 
than  raids  through  Kentucky  for  horses,  the 
Ohio  river  being  looked  upon  as  the  extreme 
northern  limit  of  these  expeditions;  but 
when  it  was  learned  that  Morgan  had  crossed 
the  river,  consternation  spread  throughout 
Indiana  and  Ohio,  all  sorts  of  rumors  and 
conjectures  were  circulated  as  to  his  inten- 
tions ; at  first  Indianapolis  and  its  State 
Treasury  were  said  to  be  his  objectives,  then 
Cincinnati  and  its  banks,  then  Columbus  and 
its  Treasury,  and  the  alarm  extended  to  the 
lake  shore.  Morgan  had  anticipated  this 
alarm,  desired  it  and  did  all  he  could  to  cir- 
culate delusive  and  exaggerated  reports  of 


COLUMBIANA  COUNTY, 


455 


his  strength  and  intentions  and,  by  means  of 
expert  telegraphers,  tapped  the  wires  and 
kept  informed  of  the  movements  against 
him.  It  was  a part  of  his  plan  to  avoid 
large  towns  and  large  bodies  of  militia,  to 
cause  by  false  alarms  the  concentration  of 
forces  in  the  larger  towns  for  defence,  and 
then  by  rapid  marching  pass  around  the  de- 
fended points,  cross  Indiana  and  Ohio  and 
into  Kentucky  before  his  purpose  could  be 
divined  or  any  adequate  force  be  brought 
against  him. 

Reaches  the  Ohio  Line. — He  rapidly  crossed 
Indiana,  burning  bridges,  looting  small  towns, 
overwhelming  any  small  force  that  offered  any 
opposition,  and  releasing  the  prisoners  on  pa- 
role, until  on  Monday,  July  13th,  he  reached 
Harrison,  on  the  State  line  between  Indiana 
and  Ohio. 

“Here,”  writes  Duke,  “Gen.  Morgan  be- 
gan to  manoeuvre  for  the  benefit  of  the 
commanding  officer  at  Cincinnati.  He  took 
it  for  granted  that  there  was  a strong  force 
of  regular  troops  in  Cincinnati.  Burnside 
had  them  not  far  off,  and  Gen.  Morgan 
supposed  that  they  would  of  course  be 
brought  there.  If  we  could  get  past  Cin- 
cinnati safely,  the  danger  of  the  expedition, 
he  thought,  would  be  more  than  half  over. 
Here  he  expected  to  be  confronted  by  the 
concentrated  forces  of  Judah  and  Burnside, 
and  he  anticipated  great  difficulty  in  eluding 
or  cutting  his  way  through  them.  Once 
safely  through  this  peril,  his  escape  would 
be  certain,  unless  the  river  remained  so  high 
that  the  transports  could  carry  troops  to  in- 
tercept him  at  the  upper  crossings.  Thinking 
that  the  great  effort  to  capture  him  would  be 
made  as  he  crossed  the  Hamilton  and  Dayton 
railroad,  his  object  was  to  deceive  the  enemy 
as  to  the  exact  point  where  he  would  cross  it, 
and  denude  that  point  as  much  as  possible  of 
troops.  He  sent  detachments  in  various  di- 
rections, seeking,  however,  to  create  the  im- 
pression that  he  was  marching  to  Hamilton.” 

When  Morgan  entered  Ohio  his  force 
amounted  to  less  than  2,000  men,  the  others 
having  been  killed  or  captured  in  skirmishes, 
or,  unable  to  keep  up  with  the  rapid  march- 
ing of  his  flying  column,  had  fallen  behind 
exhausted,  to  be  picked  up  by  the  citizen- 
soldiery,  who  hovered  round  his  line  of 
march. 

Passes  Around  Cincinnati. — While  Cincin- 
nati was  filled  with  apprehension  and  alarm 
at  Morgan’s  advance,  he,  on  the  other  hand, 
was  equally  apprehensive  of  danger  from  that 
city,  and  by  the  greatest  march  he  ever  made 
slipped  around  it  in  the  night.  Duke  says 
of  this  march:  “It  was  a terrible,  trying 
march.  Strong  men  fell  out  of  their  saddles, 
and  at  every  halt  the  officers  were  compelled 
to  move  continually  about  in  their  respective 
companies  and  pull  and  haul  the  men,  who 
Vrould  drop  asleep  in  the  road.  It  was  the 
)nly  way  to  keep  them  awake.  Quite  a num- 
ber crept  off  into  the  fields,  and  slept  until 
Vrhey  were  awakened  by  the  enemy.  ...  At 
iength  day  appeared  just  as  we  reached  the 
last  point  where  we  had  to  anticipate  danger. 


We  had  passed  through  Glendale  and  all  of 
the  principal  suburban  roads,  and  were  near 
the  Little  Miami  railroad. 

“.  . . . We  crossed  the  railroad  without 
opposition,  and  halted  to  feed  the  horses  in 
sight  of  Camp  Dennison.  After  a short  rest 
here  and  a picket  skirmish  we  resumed  our 
march,  burning  in  this  neighborhood  a park 
of  government  wagons.  That  evening  at  four 
o’clock  we  were  at  Williamsburg,  twenty- 
eight  miles  east  of  Cincinnati,  having  marched 
since  leaving  Summansville,  in  Indiana,  in  a 
period  of  thirty-five  hours,  more  than  ninety 
miles — the  greatest  march  that  even  Morgan 
had  ever  made.  Feeling  comparatively  safe 
here,  he  permitted  the  division  to  go  into 
camp  and  remain  during  the  night.” 

While  Morgan  was  swinging  his  exhausted 
men  around  Cincinnati  the  following  de- 
spatches were  sent  to  Gen.  Burnside  in  that 
city : 

“11.30  p.m.  a courier  arrived  last  even- 
ing at  Gen.  Burnside’s  headquarters,  having 
left  Cheviot  at  half-past  eight  P.  m.,  with  in- 
formation for  the  general.  Cheviot  is  only 
seven  miles  from  the  city.  He  states  that 
about  500  of  Morgan’s  men  had  crossed  the 
river  at  Miamitown,  and  attacked  our  pickets, 
killing  or  capturing  one  of  them.  Morgan’s 
main  force,  said  to  be  3,000  strong,  was  then 
crossing  the  river.  A portion  of  the  rebel 
force  had  been  up  to  New  Haven,  and  another 
had  gone  to  New  Baltimore,  and  partially  de- 
stroyed both  of  those  places.  The  light  of 
the  burning  towns  was  seen  by  our  men. 
When  the  courier  left  Morgan  was  moving 
up,  it  was  reported,  to  attack  our  advance.  ’ ’ 

“ 1 A.  M.  A courier  has  just  arrived  at 
headquarters  from  Colerain.  He  reports  that 
the  enemy,  supposed  to  be  2,500  strong,  with 
six  pieces  of  artillery,  crossed  the  Colerain 
pike  at  dark,  at  Bevis,  going  toward  New 
Burlington,  or  to  Cincinnati  and  Hamilton 
pike,  in  direction  of  Springdale.  ’ ’ 

“1.30  A.  M.  A despatch  from  Jones’ 
Station  states  that  the  enemy  are  now  en- 
camped between  Venice  and  New  Balti- 
more. ’ ’ 

“ 2 A.  M.  Another  despatch  says  the  enemy 
are  coming  in,  or  a squad  of  them,  from  New 
Baltimore  toward  Glendale,  for  the  supposed 
purpose  of  destroying  a bridge  over  the  Cin- 
cinnati, Hamilton  and  Dayton  railroad,  near 
Glendale.” 

“ 2 A.  M.  A despatch  from  Hamilton  says 
it  is  believed  that  the  main  portion  of  Mor- 
gan’s force  is  moving  in  that  direction,  going 
east.  At  this  writing — quarter-past  two  A.  M. 
— it  is  the  impression  that  Morgan’s  main 
force  is  going  east,  while  he  has  sent  squads 
to  burn  bridges  on  the  C.  H.  & D.  B.  B., 
and  over  the  Miami  river,  but  he  may  turn 
and  come  down  this  way,  on  some  of  the  roads 
leading  through  Walnut  Hills  or  Mt.  Au- 
burn.” 

The  next  day  it  was  apparent  that  Cincin- 
nati was  not  to  be  attacked,  and  the  officials 
began  to  comprehend  something  of  Morgan’s 
purpose.  The  militia,  which,  owing  to  in- 
complete organization,  had  not  been  of  much 


4?6 


COLUMBIANA  COUNTY. 


service  heretofore,  began  to  be  more  effec- 
tively disposed ; some  at  Camp  Chase,  for 
protection  of  the  capital  and  to  be  thrown 
down  into  Southeastern  Ohio  to  head  off 
Morgan  in  front ; others  were  assembled  at 
Camp  Dennison,  to  be  sent  after  him  by  rail. 

The  Chase  After  Morgan. — All  through 
the  southern  part  of  the  State  companies 
were  mustered,  and  hurried  by  extra  trains  to 
the  points  of  danger.  Hobson,  who  had 
done  some  remarkable  marching,  was  only  a 
few  hours  behind,  and  so  close  that  Morgan 
had  but  little  time  for  burning  bridges  or  im- 
pressment of  fresh  horses.  Judah,  with  his 
troops,  was  despatched  by  boats  up  the  river 
to  head  off  the  galloping  column.  More  than 
50,000  militia,  called  out  by  Gov.  Tod,  were 
preparing  to  close  in  upon  him  from  all  parts 
of  the  State,  and  Morgan’s  raid  now  became 
a chase.  An  overwhelming  force  was  closing 
in  upon  him  from  every  side.  Thoroughly 
realizing  his  situation,  Morgan  hastened  for- 
ward to  the  ford  at  Buffington  Island. 

Excitement  and  Plundering. — In  the  mean- 
while the  excitement  and  apprehension 
throughout  Southern  Ohio  was  unprece- 
dented. Horses  and  cattle  were  hurried  to 
hiding-places  in  the  woods ; silver  plate, 
jewelry,  and  other  valuables  were  buried, 
while  many  families  left  their  homes  and  fled 
to  more  secure  territory.  Many  ridiculous 
things  were  done. 

“At  least  one  terrified  matron,  in  a pleasant 
inland  town,  forty  miles  from  the  rebel  route, 
in  her  husband’s  absence,  resolved  to  protect 
the  family  carriage-horse  at  all  hazards,  and, 
knowing  no  safer  plan,  led  him  into  the  house 
and  stabled  him  in  the  parlor,  locking  and 
bolting  doors  and  windows,  whence  the  noise 
of  his  dismal  tramping  on  the  resounding 
floor  sounded  through  the  livelong  night  like 
distant  peals  of  artillery,  and  kept  half  the 
citizens  awake  and  watching  for  Morgan’s 
entrance.  ’ ’ 

Horses  and  food  were  taken  whenever 
wanted  by  raiding  parties  on  both  sides  during 
the  war,  but  no  such  j)lundering  was  known 
as  that  of  Morgan’s  raid.  Duke  frankly  ad- 
mits this.  He  says  : ‘ ‘ The  disposition  for 
wholesale  plunder  exceeded  anything  that  any 
of  us  had  ever  seen  before.  The  men  seemed 
actuated  by  a desire  to  pay  off  in  the  enemy’s 
country  all  scores  that  the  Union  army  had 
chalked  up  in  the  South.  The  great  cause 
for  apprehension  which  our  situation  might 
have  inspired  seemed  only  to  make  them 
reckless.  Calico  was  the  staple  article  of  ap- 
propriation. Each  man  (who  could  get  one) 
tied  a bolt  of  it  to  his  saddle,  only  to  throw  it 
away  and  get  a fresh  one  at  the  first  oppor- 
tunity. They  did  not  pillage  with  any  sort 
of  method  or  reason ; it  seemed  to  be  a 
mania,  senseless  and  purposeless.  One  man 
carried  a bird-cage  with  three  canaries  in  it 
for  two  days.  Another  rode  with  a chafing- 
dish,  which  looked  like  a small  metallic 
coffin,  on  the  pommel  of  his  saddle,  till  an 
officer  forced  him  to  throw  it  away.  Although 
the  w^eather  was  intensely  warm,  another 
slung  seven  pairs  of  skates  around  his  neck, 


and  chuckled  over  the  acquisition.  I saw 
very  few  articles  of  real  value  taken ; they 
pillaged  like  boys  robbing  an  orchard.  I 
would  not  have  believed  that  such  a passion 
could  have  been  developed  so  ludicrously 
among  any  body  of  civilized  men.  At  Pike- 
ton,  Ohio,  some  days  later,  one  man  broke 
through  the  guard  posted  at  a store,  rushed 
in,  trembling  with  excitement  and  avarice, 
and  filled  his  pockets  with  horn  buttons. 
They  would,  with  a few  exceptions,  throw 
away  their  plunder  after  a while,  like  children 
tired  of  their  toys.  ’ ’ 

Ridiculous  action  was  not  confined  to  Mor- 
gan’s men.  Some  militia  marched  from 
Camp  Dennison  after  Morgan  until  near  Ba- 
tavia, then  halted,  and  felled  trees  across  the 
road,  “ to  check  him  should  he  return.”  A 
drawbridge  was  partially  destroyed  at  Mari- 
etta, although  Morgan  did  not  come  within 
twenty  miles  of  that  place.  At  Chillicothe 
they  fired  on  some  of  their  own  militia,  and 
burned  a bridge  over  a stream  always  ford- 
able. 

Morgan  Reaches  the  Ford  at  Buffington 
Island. — The  evening  of  July  14  Morgan  en- 
camped at  Williamsburg,  twenty-eight  miles 
east  of  Cincinnati.  From  there  he  marched 
through  to  Washington  C.  H.,  Piketon  (Col. 
Bichard  Morgan  going  through  Georgetown), 
Jackson,  Vinton,  Berlin,  Pomeroy,  and  Ches- 
ter, reaching  the  ford  at  Buffington  Island  on 
the  18th.  “At  last  the  daring  little  column 
approached  its  goal.  All  the  troops  in  Ken- 
tucky had  been  evaded  and  left  behind.  All 
the  militia  in  Indiana  had  been  dashed  aside 
or  outstripped.  The  50,000  militia  in  Ohio 
had  failed  to  turn  it  from  its  pre-determined 
path.  Within  precisely  fifteen  days  from  the 
morning  it  had  crossed  the  Cumberland — 
nine  days  from  its  crossing  into  Indiana — it 
stood  once  more  on  the  banks  of  the  Ohio.  A 
few  mor^  hours  of  daylight  and  it  would  be 
safely  across,  in  the  midst  again  of  a popula- 
tion to  which  it  might  look  for  sympathy  if 
not  for  aid.  But  the  circle  of  the  hunt  was 
narrowing.  Judah,  with  his  fresh  cavalry, 
was  up,  and  was  marching  out  from  the  river 
against  Morgan.  Hobson  was  hard  on  his 
rear.  Col.  Bunkle,  commanding  a division 
of  militia,  was  north  of  him.  And  at  last 
the  local  militia  in  advance  of  him  were  be- 
ginning to  fell  trees  and  tear  up  bridges  to 
obstruct  his  progress.  Near  Pomeroy  they 
made  a stand.  For  four  or  five  miles  his  road 
ran  through  a ravine,  with  occasional  inter- 
sections from  hill-roads.  At  all  these  cross- 
roads he  found  the  militia  posted,  and  from 
the  hills  above  him  they  made  his  passage 
through  the  ravine  a perfect  running  of  the 
gauntlet.  On  front,  flank,  and  rear  the  mili- 
tia pressed  ; and,  as  Morgan’s  first  subordi- 
nate ruefully  expresses  it,  ‘closed  eagerly 
upon  our  track.’  In  such  plight  he  passed 
through  the  ravine,  and  shaking  clear  of  his 
pursuers  for  a little,  pressed  on  to  Chester, 
where  he  arrived  about  one  o’clock  in  the 
afternoon.” 

Battle  at  Buffington  Island. — Hero  he 
halted  an  hour  and  a half  to  breathe  his 


COLUMBIANA  COUNTY. 


457 


horses  and  hunt  a guide.  This  delay  in  the 
end  proved  fatal.  This  done,  he  pushed  on  and 
reached  Portland,  opposite  Buffington  Island, 
at  eight  in  the  evening.  He  found  at  the 
ford  an  earthwork  hastily  thrown  up  and 
guarded  by  a small  body  of  men ; it  was  a 
‘'night  of  solid  darkness”  as  the  rebel 
officers  declared  it,  and  the  worn-out  con- 
dition of  horses  and  men  decided  him  to  await 
the  morning  before  attacking  the  earthwork 
and  attempting  to  cross.  Another  for  him 
unfortunate  delay.  “By  morning  Judah 
was  up.  At  daybreak  Duke  advanced  with 
a couple  of  rebel  regiments  to  storm  the 
earthwork  but  found  it  abandoned.  He  was 
rapidly  making  the  dispositions  for  crossing 
when  Judah’s  advance  struck  him.  At  first 
he  repulsed  it  and  took  a number  of  prison- 
ers, the  adjutant-general  of  Judah’s  staff 
among  them.  Morgan  then  ordered  him  to 
hold  the  force  on  liis  front  in  check.  He 
was  not  able  to  return  to  his  command  until 
it  had  been  broken  and  thrown  into  full  re- 
treat before  an  impetuous  charge  of  Judah’s 
cavalry,  headed  by  Lieutenant  O’Neil,  of  the 
Fifth  Indiana.  He  succeeded  in  rallying 
them  and  reforming  his  line.  But  now, 
advancing  up  the  Chester  and  Pomeroy  road, 
came  the  gallant  cavalry  that  over  three 
States  had  been  galloping  on  their  track — the 
three  thousand  of  Hobson’s  command — who 
now  for  two  weeks  had  been  only  a day,  a 
forenoon,  an  hour  behind  them. 

As  Hobson’s  guidons  fluttered  out  in  the 
little  valley  by  the  river  bank  where  they 
fought,  every  man  of  that  band  who  had  so 
long  defied  a hundred  thousand  knew  that 
the  contest  was  over.  They  were  almost  out 
of  ammunition,  exhausted,  and  scarcely  two 
thousand  strong.  Against  them  were  Hobson’ s 
three  thousand  and  Judah’s  still  larger  force. 
To  complete  the  overwhelming  odds  that,  in 
spite  of  their  efforts,  had  been  concentrated 
upon  them,  the  tin-clad  gunboats  steamed 
up  and  opened  fire. 

Morgan  comprehended  the  situation  as  fast 
as  the  hard  riding  troopers,  who,  still  cling- 
ing to  their  bolts  of  calico,  were  already  be- 
ginning to  gallop  toward  the  rear.  He  at 
once  essayed  to  extricate  his  trains,  and  then 
to  withdraw  his  regiments  by  column  of  fours 
from  right  of  companies,  keeping  up  mean- 
while as  sturdy  a resistance  as  he  might. 
For  some  distance  the  withdrawal  was  made 
in  tolerable  order  ; then  under  a charge  of  a 
Michigan  cavalry  regiment,  everything  was 
broken  and  the  retreat  became  a rout.  Mor- 
gan with  not  quite  twelve  hundred  men 
escaped.  His  brother  with  Colonels  Duke, 
Ward,  Huffman,  and  about  seven  hundred 
men,  were  taken  prisoners.  This  was  the 
battle  of  Buffington  Island.  It  was  brief  and 
decisive.  ^ But  for  his  two  grave^  mistakes 
of  the  night  before  Morgan  might  have 
avoided  it  and  escaped.  ’ ’ 

The  loss  on  the  Union  side  was  trifling,  but 
among  the  killed  was  Major  Dan’l  McCook, 
father  of  one  of  the  tribes  of  the  “ Fighting 
McCooks.” 

Morgan  continues  his  Flight. — “ And  now 


began  the  dreariest  experience  of  the  rebel 
chief  Twenty  miles  above  Buffington  he 
struck  the  river  again,  got  three  hundred 
of  his  command  across,  when  the  approach- 
ing gunboats  checked  the  passage.  Beturn- 
ing  to  the  nine  hundred  still  on  the  Ohio 
side  he  once  more  renewed  the  hurried  flight. 
His  men  were  worn  down  and  exhausted  by 
long  continued  and  enormous  work  ; they 
were  demoralized  by  pillage,  discouraged  by 
the  shattering  of  their  command,  weakened 
most  of  all  bj^  their  loss  of  faith  in  them- 
selves and  their  commander,  surrounded  by 
a multitude  of  foes,  harassed  on  every  hand, 
intercepted  at  every  loophole  of  escape, 
hunted  like  game  night  and  day,  driven 
hither  and  thither  in  their  vain  efforts  to 

double  on  their  remorseless  pursuers 

Yet  to  the  very  last  the  energy  this  daring 
cavalryman  displayed  was  such  as  to  extort 
our  admiration.  From  the  jaws  of  disaster 
he  drew  out  the  remnants  of  his  command  at 
Buffington. 

Crosses  the  Musldngum. — When  foiled  in 
the  attempted  crossing  above,  he  headed  for 
the  Muskingum.  Foiled  here  by  the  militia 
under  RunWe,  he  doubled  on  his  track  and 
turned  again  toward  Blennerhassett  Island. 
The  clouds  of  dust  that  marked  his  track  be- 
trayed the  movement,  and  on  three  sides  the 
pursuers  closed  in  on  him.  While  they  slept 
in  peaceful  expectation  of  receiving  his  sur- 
render in  the  morning,  he  stole  out  along  a 
hillside  that  had  been  thought  impassable, 
his  men  walking  in  single  file  and  leading 
their  horses,  and  by  midnight  he  was  once 
more  out  of  the  toils,  marching  hard  to  out- 
strip his  pursuers.  At  last  he  found  an  un- 
guarded crossing  of  the  Muskingum,,  at 
Eaglesport,  above  McConnellsville,  and  then 
with  an  open  country  before  him  struck  out 
once  more  for  the  Ohio. 

The  Surrender.^ — This  time  Governor  Tod’s 
sagacity  was  vindicated.  He  urged  the  ship- 
ment of  troops  by  rail  to  Bellaire,  near 
Wheeling,  and  by  great  good  fortune,  Major 
Way,  of  the  Ninth  Michigan  Cavalry,  re- 
ceived the  orders.  Presently  this  officer  was 
on  the  scent.  “ Morgan  is  making  for  Ham- 
mondsville,”  he  telegraphed  General  Burn- 
side on  the  25th,  “and  will  attempt  to  cross 
the  Ohio  river  at  Wellsville.  I have  my  sec- 
tion of  battery  and  will  follow  him  closely.  ’ ’ 
He  kept  his  word  and  gave  the  finishing 
stroke.  “Morgan  was  attacked  with  the 
remnant  of  his  command  at  eight  o’clock 
this  morning,”  announced  General  Burnside 
on  the  next  day,  “ at  Salineville,  by  Major 
Way,  who  after  a severe  fight  routed  the 
enemy,  killed  about  thirty,  wounded  some 
fifty,  and  took  some  two  hundred  prisoners.” 
Six  hours  later  the  long  race  ended  : “I 
captured  John  Morgan  to-day  at  two  o’clock 
P.  M.,”  telegraphed  Major  Rue,  of  the  Ninth 
Kentucky  Cavalry,  on  the  evening  of  the  26th, 
“ taking  three  hundred  and  thirty-six  prison- 
ers, four  hundred  horses  and  arms.  ’ ’ 

Morgan  and  his  men  were  confined  in  the 
Ohio  penitentiary  at  Columbus  ; on  the  night 
of  November  27  he  with  six  others  escaped 


458 


COLUMBIANA  COUNTY. 


by  cutting  through  the  stone  floor  of  his  cell 
(with  knives  from  the  prison  table)  until  they 
reached  an  air-chamber  below,  from  which 
they  tunneled  through  the  walls  of  the  prison 
and  by  means  of  ropes  made  from  their  bed 
clothes  scaled  the  outer  wall ; hastening  to 
the  depot  they  boarded  a train  on  the  Little 


Miami  railroad  for  Cincinnati,  and  when  near 
that  city  they  jumped  from  the  train,  made 
their  way  to  the  ()hio  river,  which  they  crossed 
and  were  soon  within  the  Confederate  lines. 
A year  later  Morgan  was  killed  while  on  a 
raid  in  an  obscure  little  village  in  East  Ten- 
nessee. 


The  following  letter,  written  a few  days  after  Morgan  had  passed  through  But- 
ler county,  is  an  amusing  addition  to  the  history  of  the  raid.  It  was  written  by 
Mr.  C.  F.  Warren,  merchant,  of  Cincinnati,  to  his  friend,  H.  H.  Ford,  Esq.,  of 
Burton,  Geauga  county,  and  dated  Jones  Station,  July  19th.  It  is  here  for  the 
first  time  published  and  is  given  as  an  illustration  of  the  spirit  of  the  times. 


I returned  last  night  after  an  absence  of 
two  weeks,  during  which  time  Morgan’s 
forces  passed  through,  creating  great  con- 
sternation throughout  the  country ; they 
came  within  a mile  and  a half  of  us  at  the 
nearest  point,  and  at  Springdale,  the  little 
village  just  below  us,  they  called  up  our 
butcher,  Mr.  Watson,  at  one  o’clock  at 
night,  and  bade  him  get  some  breakfast. 
He  began  to  make  excuses,  among  others  no 
fire  ; Morgan  suggested  that  it  would  be  bet- 
ter for  Watson  to  make  the  fire  than  for  him 
to  do  it,  as  it  might  be  inconvenient  to  put 
his  fire  out,  so  W atson  took  the  hint  and  got 
their  breakfast.  After  it  was  ready  and  the 
coffee  on  the  table,  Mrs.  Watson  was  called 
to  take  a cup  of  it  first,  and  none  of  them 
touched  it  until  they  were  satisfied  that  she 
had  not  poisoned  it. 

They  took  horses  from  every  man  along  the 
road,  but  did  not  take  other  property  except 
forage  for  their  horses  and  food  for  them- 
selves. Mr.  Jones  (a  neighbor),  Ned  (my 
brother),  and  Newton  (the  hired  man)  were 
out  scouting  before  and  after  they  passed, 
and  took  one  prisoner  in  the  graveyard  at 
Springdale  and  sent  him  to  the  city.  As 
soon  as  he  found  he  was  covered  by  their 
rifles  he  began  crying  and  begging  not  to  be 
shot. 

Morgan’s  men  were  very  much  fatigued, 
getting  to  sleep  in  their  saddles  and  falling  to 
the  ground  without  waking.  After  they 
passed,  Ned  and  a neighbor’s  boy,  younger 
than  he,  and  the  darky  concluded  to  follow 
them  a while,  and  on  their  return  met  Hob- 
son’s cavalry  just  out  of  Glendale.  As  soon 
as  they  saw  them,  Ned  and  the  boy  wheeled 
their  horses  into  a cross  road  and  called  to 
the  darky  to  follow ; at  the  same  time  the 
cavalry  were  close  to  Newton  and  called  on 
him  to  stop — they  wanted  his  horse — and 
also  that  of  the  boy.  Ned  was  on  an  old 
black  and  had  on  my  spurs,  and  he  put  the 
horse  to  the  top  of  his  speed  ; he  had  to  go 
round  a half  square ; two  of  the  cavalry 
broke  through  the  fence  with  their  horses 
and  thought  to  head  them,  but  old  black 
was  too  sharp  for  them,  and  when  they  saw 
they  could  not  catch  them,  they  both  di.s- 
charged  their  pieces,  the  balls  striking  in  a 
otato  patch  near  them  ; by  this  time  they 
ad  reached  the  Princeton  pike,  where  they 
encountered  two  more  and  had  another  race 


and  two  more  shots  after  them,  but  the 
worn-out  and  jaded  horses  were  no  match 
for  the  fresh  ones  the  boys  rode,  and  the 
latter  “made  port  with  flying  colors.” 

Newton  in  the  meantime  was  caught  and 
compelled  tr  swap  my  bay  mare  Kate  for  a 
three-yeai'  -OiU  filly,  shoeless,  footsore  and  un- 
broken to  harness.  .....  Nearly  all  the 
neighbors  kept  patrol  around  their  premises, 
so  there  could  be  an  immediate  alarm  given, 
and  the  scouts  were  going  and  coming  to  our 
station  to  telegraph  Gen.  Burnside.  There 
are  any  amount  of  incidents  connected  with 
the  passage  of  Morgan’s  troopers  through 
the  county  that  are  interesting,  as  showing 
their  contempt  for  Vallandigham  copper- 
heads ; one  old  copper  lost  three  horses  and 
thought  to  get  them  back,  if  they  only  knew 
what  he  was.  So  he  harnessed  up  the  poor- 
est horse  he  could  get  that  would  travel  fast 
enough  to  catch  them,  and  went  after  them, 
overtook  the  rear  guard  and  told  them  he 
wanted  to  see  the  officer  in  command.  The 
colonel  came  back  and  the  old  doctor  began 
to  say  “that  he  was  for  Vallandigham,  and 
opposed  to  the  war,”  etc. 

The  colonel  bade  him  drive  up  into  the 
middle  of  the  regiment,  and  as  they  could 
not  be  delayed  they  would  listen  to  his  com- 
plaints as  they  went  along.  Very  soon  word 
came  to  the  colonel  that  two  soldiers  had 
given  out  entirely,  and  the  colonel  said  to 
our  doctor  and  his  fellow-copperhead  ‘ ‘ that 
he  should  be  under  the  necessity  of  using  his 
wagon  for  the  soldiers.”  The  doctor  pro- 
tested vehemently,  “could  not  ride  on  horse- 
back at  all.”  The  colonel  hinted  that  he 
need  not  trouble  himself  about  that,  as  he 
intended  him  to  walk.  After  trudging  along 
until  his  feet  were  blistered  he  began  to  com- 
)lain  again,  that  his  boots  hurt  him  so  that 
\e  could  not  walk,  and  begged  for  his  wagon 
again  ; but  the  colonel  had  a more  conven- 
ient way  of  relieving  him,  and  ordered  a cou- 
ple of  soldiers  to  pull  olf  his  boots,^  which 
they  did,  and  he  went  on  in  his  stocking  feet 
until  they  camped ; his  partner  driving  the 
wagon  had  not  said  anything  about  his  poli- 
ties all  this  time.  After  they  had  camped 
the  doctor  thought  his  troubles  were  over ; 
but  not  so.  They  compelled  him  to  learn  a 
song  and  sing  it,  the  chorus  being,  “I’ll  bet 
ten  cents  in  specie,  that  Morgan  ’ll  win  the 
race.  ’ ’ 


COLUMBIANA  COUNTY. 


459 


This  was  the  sentiment,  but  not  the  exact 
words ; now,  just  imagine  an  old  dignified 
chap,  somewhat  corpulent,  who  never  smiled, 
the  oracle  of  all  the  Democrats  in  the  town 
where  he  lived,  singing  a song  of  that  kind, 
set  to  a lively  negro  minstrel  tune,  and  a 
soldier  standing  over  him  brandishing  a sa- 
bre and  shouting  at  the  top  of  his  voice, 
“ Go  it,  old  Yank  ! Louder  ! Louder  !”  etc. 
— and  you  have  the  picture  complete;  after 
all  this  they  were  about  to  depart,  when  the 
officer  in  command  suddenly  concluded  the 
horse  they  were  driving  was  better  than  some 
he  had,  and  kindly  permitted  them  to  unhar- 
ness him  and  put  another  in  his  place  ; they 


then  took  what  money  he  had  except  nine 
dollars,  and  brought  him  three  little  rats  of 
horses,  whose  backs  were  raw  from  the  with- 
ers to  the  rump,  gave  him  three  cheers  and 
started  him  for  home. 

Thus  far  since  his  return  he  has  not  been 
heard  to  cry  “Peace”  once,  or  even  “Hur- 
rah for  Yallandigham  !”  and  it  is  extremely 
doubtful  whether  he  will. 

The  doctor’s  companion  was  a sort  of 
“Hail  fellow,  well  met,”  and  although 
begged  not  to  tell  the  story  could  not  pos- 
sibly resist  it ; it  was  entirely  too  good  to 
keep. 


The  capture  of  Morgan  occasioned  great  rejoicing,  and  Prentice,  of  the  Louis- 
ville Jommal,  the  newspaper  wag  of  that  era,  alluding  to  the  habitual  seizure  of 
horses  by  Morgan’s  men,  suggested  that  a sa|ute  of  one  gun  be  fired  before  every 
stable  door  in  the  land.  One  who  was  present  just  after  the  surrender  wrote : 

Morgan’s  men  were  poorly  dressed,  ragged,  dirty  and  very  badly  used  up.  Some 
of  them  wore  remnants  of  gray  uniforms,  but  most  of  them  Avere  attired  in  spoils 
gathered  during  the  raid.  They  were  much  discouraged  at  the  result  of  the  raid 
and  the  prospect  of  affairs  generally.  Morgan  himself  appeared  in  good  spirits 
and  quite  unconcerned  at  his  ill  luck.  He  is  a Avell-built  man,  of  fresh  com- 
plexion, sandy  hair  and  beard.  He  last  night  enjoyed  for  the  first  time  in  a long 
while  the  comforts  of  a sound  sleep  in  a good  bed.  Morgan  was  attired  in  a linen 
coat,  black  pants,  white  shirt  and  light  felt  hat.  He  has  rather  a mild  face,  there 
being  certainly  nothing  in  it  to  indicate  unusual  intellectual  abilities.”  Reid  says 
of  him : ^^He  left  a name  second  only  to  those  of  Forrest  and  Stuart  among  the 
cavalrymen  of  the  Confederacy,  and  a character,  amid  Avhich  much  to  be  con- 
demned, was  not  without  traces  of  a noble  nature.” 

Among  the  anecdotes  told  of  him  during  his  raid  through  Ohio  is  this.  A 
Union  soldier,  after  his  surrender,  was  in  the  act  of  breaking  his  musket  across  a 
rock,  when  one  of  Morgan’s  officers  drew  a revolver,  intending  to  shoot  him, 
which  Morgan  seeing  at  once  forbade,  and  then  added  : Never  harm  a man  Avho 
has  surrendered.  In  breaking  his  musket,  he  has  done  just  as  I would  AA^ere  I in 
his  place.” 

Morgan  Avas  a lieutenant  of  cavalry  in  the  Mexican  AA^ar.  At  the  opening  of 
the  civil  war  he  was  engaged  in  the  manufacture  of  bagging  at  Lexington,  Ky. 
During  the  winter  of  1862-63  he  commanded  a cavalry  force  Avhich  greatly  an- 
noyed Rosecrans’s  communications.  By  his  raids  in  Kentucky  he  destroyed  mil- 
lions in  value  of  military  stores,  captured  railroad  trains  and  destroyed  railroad 
bridges  in  rear  of  the  national  army,  rendering  it  necessary  to  garrison  every  im- 
portant toAvn  in  the  State.  He  moved  Avith  great  celerity,  and,  taking  a telegraph 
operator  with  him,  he  misled  his  foes  and  at  the  same  time  learned  their  move- 
ments. Morgan  Avas  physically  a large,  poAA^erful  man  and  could  endure  any 
amount  of  bodily  exertion,  outriding  and  without  sleep  almost  eA^ery  other  man  in 
his  command. 

East  Liverpool  is  on  the  Ohio  riA^er  and  a raihvay  through  the  valley,  the 
Cleveland  & Pittsburg  river  division,  48  miles  AATst  of  Pittsburg  and  about  100 
miles  southeast  of  Cleveland.  It  is  very  pleasantly  located  in  the  midst  of  the  bold, 
picturesque  scenery  of  the  upper  Ohio.  It  Avas  first  settled  by  Thomas  FaAVcett, 
Avho  came  from  Pennsylvania  about  1799.  The  name  of  St.  Clair  Avas  given  to 
the  village  after  the  toAvnship  in  Avhich  it  was  then  situated,  but  it  was  called  FaAV- 
cettstown  for  many  years.  In  1830  a post-office  was  established  Avith  the  name 
of  East  Liverpool,  to  distinguish  it  from  Liverpool  in  Medina  county.  From 
this  time  on  the  town  gradually  greAV,  and  in  1834  the  village  of  East  Liverpool 
was  incorporated. 


4^0 


COLUMBIANA  COUNTY. 


East  Liverpool  has  4 newspapers : Crisis,  Dem.,  J.  C.  Deibrick,  publisher ; 
Evening  and  Weekly  Review,  Rep.,  W.  B.  McCord,  publisher ; Potter’s  Gazette, 
Rep.,  Frank  Scrawl,  publisher ; Tribune,  Rep.,  J.  N.  Simms,  editor.  Churches  : 
Episcopal,  Catholic,  Presbyterian,  United  Presbyterian,  Methodist  Episcopal, 
Methodist  Protestant,  Evangelical  Lutheran  and  St.  John’s  German  Lutheran. 
Banks : First  National,  Josiah  Thompson,  president,  F.  D.  Kitchel,  cashier. 

Manufactures  and  Enployees. — McNicol,  Burton  & Co.,  pottery  ware,  113 
hands ; Burford  Brothers,  pottery  ware,  59 ; Dresden  Co-operative  Co.,  pottery 
I ware,  222 ; S.  & W.  Baggot,  pottery  ware,  48  ; H.  Brunt  & Sons,  31 ; Rowe  & 
Mounfort,  pottery  supplies,  35 ; Standard  Co-operative  Pottery  Co.,  pottery  ware, 
61 ; Goodwin  Brothers,  pottery  ware,  170;  Golding  & Sons  Co.,  flint  and  spar, 
8 ; C.  C.  Thompson  & Co.,  pottery  ware,  205  ; Cartwright  Brothers,  pottery  ware, 
84 ; Croxall  & Cartwright,  pottery  ware,  47  ; Knowles,  Taylor  & Knowles, 
pottery  ware,  613 ; A.  J.  Bover,  machine  work,  14 ; Monroe  Patterson,  pottery 
machinery,  5 ; George  Merely  Sons,  pottery  ware,  49 ; J.  Wyllie  & Son,  pot- 
tery ware,  66 ; Vodrey  Brothers,  pottery  ware,  64;  William  Brunt,  Son  & Co., 


if.  Bower,  Photo.,  East  Liverpool,  1887. 

Knowles,  Tayloe  & Knowles’  Pottery,  East  Liverpool. 

[The  view  shows  what  is  said  to  be  the  largest  pottery  in  capacity  and  production  in  the  world.  The 
fuel  is  natural  gas.  The  decorating  building  appears  on  the  left,  the  main  works  on  the  right  and  the 
hills  on  the  Virginia  side  of  the  Ohio  in  the  distance.] 

pottery  ware,  190;  Homer  Laughlin,  pottery  ware,  137 ; George  Harker,  pottery 
ware,  105 ; Friederick,  Shenkle,  Allen  & Co.,  pottery  ware,  50 ; Burgess  & Co., 
pottery  material,  22;  East  Liverpool  Spindling  Works,  door-knob  spindles,  13; 
R.  Thomas  & Sons,  knob  tops,  46  ; Wallace  & Chetwynd,  pottery  ware,  101. — 
State  Report  for  1887. 

Population  in  1880,  5,568.  School  census  in  1886,  2,582;  A.  J.  Surface, 
superintendent. 

The  great  feature  of  East  Liverpool  is  its  pottery  industry.  Being  in  the 
heart  of  a country  rich  in  mineral  and  chemical  deposits,  it  has  grown  to  be  the 
centre  of  the  pottery  interests  of  the  United  States.  Although  in  the  immediate 
vicinity  of  East  Liverpool  are  valuable  coal  beds,  most  of  its  factories  use 
natural  gas. 

The  first  pottery  was  established  in  1840  by  James  Bennett  for  the  manufaeture 
of  yellow  ware  from  clay  discovered  in  the  vicinity  of  the  town.  Mr.  Bennett 
was  financially  aided  in  tliis  enterprise  by  Nathan  Kearns  and  BenJ.  Harker.  A1  • 
most  immediately  after  Harker  established  the  present  works  of  Geo.  S.  Harker 


COLUMBIANA  COUNTY. 


461 

& Co.,  but  it  was  not  until  1862  that  any  great  progress  was  made,  when  Con- 
gress imposed  a tariff  of  40  per  cent,  on  imported  earthenware,  which  resulted  in 
giving  a new  impetus  to  the  industry.  Up  to  1873  none  but  yellow  ware  had 
been  produced.  In  that  year  Messrs.  Knowles,  Taylor  & Knowles  turned  their 
attention  to  the  production  of  white  granite  ware,  meeting  with  success.  Others 
followed  their  example,  among  them  being  Homer  and  S.  M.  Laughlin,  who  in 
the  autumn  of  the  same  year  built  a large  factory  for  the  production  of  white 
ware.  Since  then  considerable  attention  has  been  given  to  the  manufacture  of 
C.  C.,  or  cream-colored,  ware  and  to  decorative  pottery.  At  the  present  time  over 
fifty  kilns  are  devoted  to  the  manufacture  of  white  ware,  twelve  or  more  to  cream- 
colored  ware  and  over  thirty  to  yellow  ware.  The  value  of  the  yearly  production 
of  a white  ware  kiln  is  from  $30,000  to  $35,000,  a C.  C.  kiln  about  $25,000  and 
a yellow  ware  kiln  $15,000  to  $18,000,  while  the  annual  output  of  all  the  pot- 
teries is  more  than  $2,000,000. 

Senator  John  Sherman,  in  an  address  at  Liverpool,  June  23,  1887,  gave  a very 
interesting  account,  from  the  standpoint  of  a protectionist,  of  the  growth  and  causes 
that  led  to  the  development  of  this  great  industry.  Said  he : 

Several  years  ago  I came  among  you,  but  I was  not  then  as  familiar  with  the 
great  industry  that  has  given  you  wealth  and  a name  throughout  the  land  as 
well  as  abroad  as  I am  now.  I believe  that  the  manufacturing  of  pottery  or 
chinaware  first  assumed  large  proportions  here  in  1861  or  1862,  but  at  that  time 
it  met  with  discouragements  and  did  not  prosper.  At  that  time  all,  or  nearly 
all,  the  white  china  used  in  this  country  was  imported  from  England.  The 
English  manufacturers,  hearing  of  your  efforts  and  your  success  through  their 
representatives,  made  strenuous  efforts  to  keep  off  a duty  on  their  goods.  You 
came  to  Congress  and  asked  that  a reasonable  duty  be  placed  upon  imported 
white  ware  and  decorated  china  that  you  might  carry  on  successfully  and  profit- 
ably your  industry.  It  was  there  that  I first  learned  of  the  gresfct  industry  you 
were  pursuing.  ' 

At  that  time  this  business  was  scarcely  known  in  the  United  States.  We  had 
here  in  this  locality  all  the  clay  and  all  the  materials  for  manufacturing  their 
goods,  and  you  had  the  money  and  the  pluck  and  ability  to  utilize  them.  But 
with  English  competition  and  cheap  labor  in  that  country  you  could  not  succeed. 
All  the  people  in  the  West  used  common  brown  pottery  because  they  could  not 
afford  to  pay  the  high  price  asked  for  imported  ware.  I have  eaten  my  meals 
many  a time  from  the  brown  plates  or  from  the  tin  ware  in  the  homes  of  good 
and  honest  men  who  could  not  afford  to  buy  the  English  china.  Owing  to  the 
encouragement  given  to  the  tariff  after  the  war,  this  industry  grew  and  you  pros- 
pered. I then  visited  your  town  and  your  potteries  and  found  you  had  been 
going  ahead  and  were  manufacturing  superior  ware,  and  in  1883,  when  an 
attempt  was  made  to  break  down  the  tariff  on  these  goods,  with  your  true  frknd, 
Major  McKinley,  and  others,  we  stood  by  you  and  the  tariff  was  continued.  A 
gentlemafi  said  to  me  East  Liverpool  cannot  compete  with  England,  and  the 
attempts  of  the  potteries  in  that  place  will  be  futile,  and  argued  that  it  was  better 
to  break  down  the  tariff  and  depend  upon  England ‘ The  result  of  the  pro- 

tection given  you  has  driven  English  goods  from  our  market,  and  it  has  brought 
English  labor  in  your  midst,  skilled  workmen  who  are  making  finer  and  better 
goods  than  England  can  make  and  selling  them  cheaper.  I was  astonished 
to-day  when  I saw  the  kind  and  class  of  goods  you  are  making,  and  have  never 
seen  any  decorated  ware  more  beautiful  or  more  delicate  in  Europe.  The  time 
is  not  far  distant  when  the  works  of  art  in  china  from  East  Liverpool  will  sell  as 
high  and  be  in  as  great  demand  as  the  finest  goods  from  Europe. 

Your  country  here,  fellow-citizens,  is  beautiful;  your  hills  are  grand,  and 
buried  under  you  by  the  magic  wand  of  the  enchanter  is  that  marvelous  dis- 
covery, natural  gas,  which  by  the  light  of  a friction-match  is  even  now  illumining 
the  world,  and  will  work  revolutions  in  your  potteries  and  in  all  the  industries  in 
the  United  States.  You  have  coal  or  gas,  railroad,  a river  and  protection.  Go 
on  in  good  work,  and  East  Liverpool  will  soon  rival  the  old  Liverpool  of  Eng- 
land. 


462 


COLUMBIANA  COUNTY. 


TRAVELLING  NOTES. 

May  2. — Came  to-day  from  Martin’s  Ferry 
by  rail  through  the  valley  to  East  Liverpool, 
passing  Steubenville ; returned  at  8 P.  M.  to 
Steubenville.  East  Liverpool  lies  on  undu- 
lating ground  well  elevated  from  the  river 
and  only  two  or  three  miles  from  that  giant 
State,  Pennsylvania.  The  potteries  are  some- 
what scattered ; some  by  the  river  bank ; 
some  on  the  second  level  near  the  high  valley 
hills. 

The  town  is  open,  the  buildings  scattered. 


the  streets  wide  and  airy ; one  is  named 
Broadway.  A certain  quarter,  on  a side  hill, 
consists  mainly  of  dwellings,  and,  being  away 
from  the  observation  of  strangers,  bears  the 
eccentric  appellation  Seldom  Seen,”  so  I 
was  told,  for  by  me  it  was  ” Never  Seen.” 

The  ride  up  the  river  was  attractive,  for 
from  Steubenville  one  passes  through  sev- 
eral pottery  villages,  as  Calumet,  Toronto, 
W alker’s,  etc.  This  part  of  the  valley  is  a 
hive  of  industry  for  the  manufacture  of  what 
are  called  “ clay  goods.  ” The  development 


FilsoHy  Photo.,  Steubenville. 

The  Decline  of  Day  on  the  Upper  Ohio. 

[The  view  was  taken  near  the  close  of  day  from  Huscroft’s  farm  on  the  Richmond  road  about  three 
miles  above  Steubenville,  looking  up  the  Ohio.  The  Englebright  or  Half  Moon  farm  appears  in  the 
distance  on  the  right  or  West  Virginia  side  of  the  river.] 


of'this  industry  is  enormous ; it  is  estimated 
that  of  white  w.'re  alone  E.  Liverpool  produces 
one- third  of  all  manufactured  in  the  United 
States;  Trenton  one-half,  leaving  only  one- 
'sixth  to  the  scattered  establishments  else- 
where. 

Of  white  ware  Knowles,  Taylor  & Knowles 
produce  twice  as  much  as  any  other  two 
companies  in  the  country.  Beside  the  500 
hands  employed  under  cover  in  their  works 
they  have  700  men  in  their  pay  in  the  coun- 
try. They  use  fifteen  tons  of  claj’^  daily  and 
turn  out  a crate  of  ware  every  ten  minutes. 


The  shades  of  evening  were  over  the  valley 
when  I boarded  the  cars  for  Steubenville. 
The  scenery  was  impressive  ; the  broad  curv- 
ing river  and  the  bold  lofty  hills  misty  in  the 
deepening  shadows  of  the  coming  night 
loomed  up  almost  alpine,  their  summit  lines 
and  forms  in  continuous  change  by  the 
changing  })osition  of  my  lookout  from  the 
cars,  now  elongated  and  then  massed  as  in 
peaks.  Surely  no  scenery  could  surpass  it  in 
grandeur.  I remember  nearly  forty  years 
since  going  through  the  same  region  in  a 
steamer  with  the  mother  of  the  gifted  Mar 


COLUMBIANA  COUNTY. 


463 


• garet  Fuller,  the  Countess  D’Ossoli;  Mar- 
garet was  said  to  have  been  not  only  the  best 
conversationalist  of  her  time  but  to  have  the 
magnetic  faculty  by  her  speech  to  so  stimu- 
late the  talking  powers  of  any  ordinary  mor- 
tal as  to  astonish  listening  relatives  to  discover 
that  “our  Jack”  or  “ Dolly ’’—whichever 
it  was — knew  so  much. 

Willis  said  ‘ ‘ nature  uncorks  her  champagne 
twice  a day,  morning  and  evening.”  Then 
shade  darkens  into  shade  in  infinite  gradation, 
while  the  high  lights  on  the  distant  water  or 
the  mountain  summits  attract  with  a power 
of  beauty  akin  to  Divine  truth  on  the  heart 
of  man.  On  that  long  ago  passage  up  the 
river  it  was  towards  the  close  of  a day  in  early 
June  that  we  sat  on  the  upper  deck  and  drank 
in  the  beauty  of  the  upper  Ohio.  From  the 
continual  changes  in  the  valley  the  river 
came  under  the  eye  as  a succession  of  beauti- 
ful lakes  bordered  with  grassy  meadows  and 
softly  sloping  wood-crowned  hills. 

In  travelling  through  the  West  one  < 
of  another  land.  The  foreigner  who  r 


Just  above  Steubenville,  on  the  West  Vir- 
ginia side,  is  a spot  known  as  the  Englebright 
or  Half  Moon  farm,  which  is  greatly  admired. 
It  occupies  a broad  expanse  of  meadow  land 
a mile  and  a half  long  in  the  shape  of  a half 
moon,  with  the  river  on  the  west  making  the 
inner  curve,  while  lofty  hills  frame  the  outer 
convex  line. 

Cole,  the  artist,  in  his  youth,  nearly  seventy 
years  ago,  lived  in  Steubenville.  * He  made 
studies  of  the  Ohio  river  scenery  and  intro- 
duced it  largely  in  his  pictures,  notably  in  his 
celebrated  series,  ‘ ‘ The  V oyage  of  Life.  ” He 
was  early  fiimous  for  his  exquisite  paintings 
of  our  autumnal  scenery,  and  took  some 
specimens  to  England.  The  English  critics, 
who  knew  nothing  of  the  glories  of  our 
forests  at  that  season,  their  own  being 
devoid  of  any  such  brilliancj'^  of  hue,  pooh- 
})Oohed  at  his  pictures  as  untruthful  and 
farcical. 

eii  meets  with  scenes  that  remind  him 
kes  his  home  upon  American  soil  does 


Drawn  by  Henry  Uoice  in  184G. 


The  Cottage  of  a German  Swiss  Emigrant. 

not  at  once  assimilate  in  language,  modes  of  life,  and  current  of  thought  with  that 
congenial  to  his  adopted  country.  The  German  emigrant  is  peculiar  in  this 
respect,  and  so  much  attached  is  he  to  his  fatherland  that  years  often  elapse  ere 
there  is  any  perceptible  change.  The  annexed  engraving  illustrates  these  remarks. 
It  shows  the  mud  cottage  of  a German  Swiss  emigrant,  now  standing  in  the  neigh- 
borhood of  others  of  like  character,  in  the  northwestern  part  of  this  county.  The 
frame-work  is  of  wood,  with  the  interstices  filled  with  light-colored  clay,  and  the 
whole  surmounted  by  a ponderous  shingled  roof  of  a picturesque  form.  Beside 
the  tenement  hop  vines  are  clustering  around  their  slender  supporters,  while  hard 
by  stands  the  abandoned  log-dwelling  of  the  emigrant — deserted  for  one  more 
congenial  with  his  early  predilections. 

The  preceding  paragraph  is  from  our  original  edition.  This  Swiss  cottage  was 
in  Knox  township  on  the  old  State  road  about  sixty  rods  Avest  of  the  Mahoning, 
and  near  the  site  of  a Switzer  cheese  factory.  This  township  was  settled  by  Swiss 
and  is  noted  for  its  inanufacture  of  Switzer  cheese. 


464 


COLUMBIANA  COUNTY. 


On  our  first  appearing  in  this  county  we  unexpectedly  came  across  this  unique . 
structure,  when  we  alighted  from  old  Pomp  and  made  a pencil  sketch  for  this 
engraving.  On  our  second  appearing  we  learned  it. had  stood  up  to  within  a few 
years  ; and  as  there  is,  alas ! nothing  permanent  in  this  world,  gone  too  must  be 
that  feeding  curly  tailed  specimen  in  the  foreground,  whose  sole  business  and  high 
pleasure  in  life  was  to  eat,  grunt  and  grow  fat ; his  usefulness  to  our  kind  coming 
when  he  should  no  longer  eat  but  be  eaten. 

Wellsville  in  1846. — Wellsville  is  at  the  mouth  of  Yellow  creek,  on  the 
great  bend  of  the  Ohio  river,  where  it  approximates  nearest  to  Lake  Erie,  fifty 
miles  below  Pittsburg  and  fourteen  from  New  Lisbon.  It  was  laid  out  in  the 
autumn  of  1824  by  William  Wells,  from  whom  it  derived  its  name.  Until  1828 
it  contained  but  a few  buildings ; it  is  now  an  important  point  for  the  shipment 
and  transshipment  of  goods,  and  does  a large  business  with  the  surrounding  country. 
The  landing  is  one  of  the  best,  in  all  stages  of  water,  on  the  river.  This  flourish- 
ing town  has  1 Presbyterian,  1 Episcopal  Methodist,  1 Reformed  Methodist,  and 
1 Disciples  church,  1 newspaper  printing-office,  1 linseed-oil  and  1 saw-mill,  1 


Drawn  by  Henry  Howe  in  18-16. 


Wellsville,  on  the  Ohio. 

pottery,  1 raw-carding  machine,  1 foundry,  16  mercantile  stores,  and  in  1840  had 
a population  of  759,  and  in  1846,  1,066.  The  view,  taken  from  the  Virginia 
bank  of  the  Ohio,  sliows  but  a small  part  of  the  town.  About  a mile  below,  on 
the  river-bank,  in  a natural  grove,  are  several  beautiful  private  dwellings.  The 
‘‘  Cleveland  and  Pittsburg  railroad,’^  ninety-seven  miles  in  length,  will  commence 
at  Cleveland  and  terminate  at  Wellsville,  and  whenever  built  will  tend  to  make 
Wellsville  a place  of  great  business  and  population.  A survey  for  this  work  has 
been  recently  made,  and  there  is  a good  prospect  of  its  being  constructed. — Old 
Edition. 

Wellsville,  situated  on  the  Ohio  river,  at  tlie  confluence  of  Little  Yellow 
creek,  forty-eight  miles  below  Pittsburg,  on  the  P.  C.  & W.  R.  R.  Newspapers  : 
Evening  Journal^  Independent,  Edward  B.  Clark,  publisher ; Union,  Republican, 
F.  M.  Hawley,  publisher ; Saturday  Review,  W.  B.  McCord,  publisher.  Churches : 
Presbyterian,  Methodist,  Disciples,  Episcopal,  'Catholic,  and  Baptist.  Banks : 
First  National,  J.  W.  Reilly,  president,  James  Henderson,  cashier ; Silver  Bank- 
ing Company,  Thomas  H.  Silver,  president,  F.  W.  Silver,  cashieu 


COLUMBIANA  COUNTY. 


465 


Manufackires  and  Employees. — C.  & P.  R.  R.  shops,  railroad  repairs,  295 
hands;  Wellsville  Plate  and  Sheet-Iron  Company,  plate  and  sheet-iron,  210; 
Wellsville  Terra-Cotta  Works,  sewer-pipe,  etc.,  45  ; Whitacre  & Co.,  wood-turning, 
45  ; Stevenson  & Co.,  sewer-pipe  machinery,  25  ; J.  Patterson  & Son,  yellow-ware, 
32 ; Pioneer  Pottery  Works,  white  granite-ware,  87. — State  Report  for  1887. 
Population  in  1880,  3,377.  School  census,  1,386 ; James  L.  McDonald,  super- 
intendent. 

Walker’s,  forty-six  miles  below  Pittsburg,  on  the  Cleveland  and  Pittsburg 
railroad,  two  miles  east  of  Wellsville  and  two  west  of  East  Liverpool,  is  the  loca- 
tion of  the  oldest  and  most  extensive  works  in  America  manufacturing  terra-cotta 
and  vitrified  clay  goods.  The  works  are  built  at  the  foot  of  the  highest  bluff  on 
the  Ohio  between  Pittsburg  and  Cairo,  with  a frontage  of  more  than  a mile  on  the 
river.  Here  are  over  300  acres  of  land  rich  in  clay  and  coal,  on  which  are  erected 
factories  and  dwellings  for  operatives.  The  deposits  of  clay  are  said  to  be  the 
richest  and  largest  in  the  Union,  yielding  a great  variety  of  clays  suitable  for  fire- 
brick, sewer-pipe,  and  fancy  terra-cotta  wares.  This  great  industry  was  established 
in  1852  by  Mr.  N.  U.  Walker. 

The  place  has  the  advantage  of  low  freightage  to 'all  points  "bn  the  Ohio  and 
Mississippi.  The  Cleveland  and  Pittsburg  railroad  also  runs  through  the  works, 
with  ample  sidings  and  direct  communications  with  all  main  lines  running  east 
and  west. 

The  Ohio  Geological  Report  ” says  : Nearly  all  the  river  works  make  terra- 
cotta, but  at  N.  U.  Walker’s  the  best  ware  of  this  district  and  the  most  of  it  is 
made.  His  daily  product  would  amount  to  twenty-four  tons  of  ware — about 
twenty  in  flues,  etc.,  and  four  in  statuary  and  finer  grades  of  work.” 

Leetokia,  at  the  intersection  of  the  P.  Ft.  W.  & C.  R.  R.  and  Niles  and  New 
Lisbon  R.  R.,  was  laid  out  in  1866  by  the  Leetonia  Coal  and  Iron  Company,  of 
which  William  Lee,  a railroad  contractor,  was  one  of  the  incorporators,  and  from 
him  the  village  took  its  name.  In  1866  the  post-office  was  opened  and  first  hotel 
started.  Few  places  in  the  State  can  show  such  rapid  growth  in  the  same  period 
of  time.  In  1865  it  had  but  a single  farmhouse ; in  1870  a population  of  1,800  ; 
it  now  contains  about  3,000.  Newspaper : Democrat,  Democratic,  T.  S.  Arnold, 
publisher.  Churches : Presbyterian,  Methodist,  Disciples,  Catholic,  Lutheran. 
Bank : First  National,  William  Smick,  president,  W.  G.  Hendricks,  cashier. 

Manufactures  and  Employees. — Cherry  Valley  Iron  Company,  pig,  bar,  and 
muck-iron,  360  hands;  Grafton  Iron  Company,  pig-iron,  70 ; Randall,  Rankin  & 
Co.,  flour  and  feed  ; Leetonia  Boiler-Works  Company,  boilers  and  bridges. — State 
Report.  Population  in  1880,  2,552.  School  census  1886,  948 ; G.  W.  Henry, 
superintendent. 

Columbiana,  sixty  miles  from  Pittsburg,  on  the  P.  Ft.  W.  & C.  R.  R.  News- 
paper : Independent  Register,  Republican,  John  Flaugher,  publisher.  Churches : 
Reformed,  Methodist  Episcopal,  Presbyterian,  and  Lutheran.  Banks  : J.  Esterly 
& Co.,  J.  Esterly,  manager ; Shilling  & Co.,  S.  S.  Shilling,  manager. 

Principal  Industries. — Enterprise  Works,  formerly  Columbiana  Pump  Works; 
Eureka  Flouring  Mills ; two  bending  works,  planing-mill,  and  extensive  buggy 
manufacturing.  Census  in  1880,  1,223.  School  census  in  1886,  379;  W.  W. 
Weaver,  superintendent. 

Salineville,  on  Yellow  creek  and  C.  P.  & W.  R.  R.,  sixty-three  miles  from 
Pittsburg.  Newspaper : Ohio  Advance,  J.  K.  Smith,  proprietor.  Churches  : 
Methodist,  Presbyterian,  Disci [)le8,  and  Catholic.  Bank  : Cope  & Thompson. 
Principal  industries:  manufacturing  salt  and  coal-mining.  Population  in  1880, 
2,302.  School  census  in  1886,  974;  William  H.  Hill,  superintendent. 

East  Palestine,  formerly  called  Mechanicsburg,  was  incorporated  in  1875. 
Newspapers : Valley  Echo,  Independent,  T.  W.  & R.  M.  Winter,  publisher. 
Reveille,  S.  H.  INIaneval,  publisher.  Churches:  2 Presbyterian,  1 United  Brethren, 
1 Methodist.  Bank  : Chamberlain  Bros.  & Co.  Principal  industry  : coal-mining. 


4^)6 


COLUMBIANA  COUNTY. 


Population  in  1880,  1,047.  School  census  in  1886,  626  ; G.  B.  Galbreath,  super* 
intendent. 

Washingtonville,  on  the  boundary-line  of  Columbiana  and  Mahoning 
counties,  and  on  the  Niles  and  New  Lisbon  B.  E.,  about  one  and  a-half  miles 
north  of  Leetonia.  It  claims  a population  of  about  1,600  people;  the  main 
occupation  being  coal-mining  and  coke-burning.  The  principal  mines  are  operated 
by  the  Cherry  Valley  Company,  of  Leetonia.  They  also  operate  between  twenty 
and  thirty  coke  ovens. 


COSHOCTON. 

Coshocton  County  was  organized  April  1,  1811.  The  name  is  a Delaware 
word,  and  is  derived  from  that  of  the  Indian  village  Goschachgunk,  which  is 
represented  on  a map  in  Loskiel  as  having  stood  north  of  the  mouth  of  the  Tus- 
carawas river,  in  the  fork  formed  by  its  junction  with  the  Walhonding.  The 
surface  is  mostly  rolling ; in  some  parts  hilly,  with  fine  broad  valleys  along  the 
Muskingum  and  its  tributaries.  The  soil  is  varied,  and  abruptly  so ; here  we  see 
the  rich  alluvion  almost  overhung  by  a red-bush  hill,  while  perhaps  on  the  very 
next  acclivity  is  seen  the  poplar  and  sugar  tree,  indicative  of  a fertile  soil.  With 
regard  to  sand  and  clay  the  changes  are  equally  sudden.  The  hills  abound  in  coal 
and  iron  ore,  and  salt  wells  have  been  sunk  and  salt  manufactured.  It  was  first 
settled  by  Virginians  and  Pennsylvanians.  Area,  540  square  miles.  In  1885 
acres  cultivated  Avere  90,218;  in  pasture,  150,500  : woodland,  60,619;  lying 
waste,  2,150;  produced  in  wheat,  72,992  bushels;  corn,  992,890;  wool,  788,979 


pounds;  coal,  52,934  tons.  1 
42  miles  of  railroad. 

School  census  1886,  8,770; 

teachers,  192. 

It  has 

Townships  and  Census. 

1840. 

1880. 

Townships  and  Census.  1840. 

1880. 

A^dams, 

838 

1,246 

Mill  Creek, 

907 

626 

Bedford, 

1,141 

921 

Monroe, 

557 

1,003 

Bethlehem, 

827 

836 

Newcastle, 

905 

885 

Clark, 

703 

1,041 

Oxford, 

760 

1,201 

Crawford, 

1,134 

1,431 

Perry, 

1,339 

901 

Franklin, 

670 

1,053  • 

Pike, 

1,115 

720 

Jackson, 

1,896 

1,969 

Tiverton, 

665 

940 

Jeffe^’son, 

771 

1,143 

Tuscarawas, 

1,144 

4,082 

Keene, 

1,043 

839 

Virginia, 

Washington, 

1,005 

1,180 

Lafayette, 

848 

1,018 

1,029 

729 

Linton^ 

1,196 

1,918 

White  Eyes, 

997 

960 

Population  in  1820  was  7,086;  1840,  21,590;  1860,  25,032;  1880,  26,642, 
of  whom  22,909  were  Ohio-born. 

One  hundred  and  twenty  years  ago  there  were  six  or  more  Indian  villages  within 
the  present  limits  of  Coshocton  county,  all  being  DelaAvare  towns  except  a 
Shawanese  village  on  the  Wakatomika,  five  miles  from  its  junction  with  the 
Tuscarawas.  The  spot  of  their  junction  of  these  two  branches  of  the  IMuskingum 
is  at  Coshocton,  ^nd  is  the  locality,  so  famous  in  history,  known  as  The  Forks 


COSHOCTON  COUNTY, 


467 


of  the  Muskingum  ; it  is  115  miles  from  its  mouth  at  Marietta.  At  the  Forks 
was  the  principal  village  of  the  Turtle  tribe  of  the  Delawares,  called  Gosehachgunk, 
the  name  now  modernized  into  Coshocton.  It  occupied  the  site  of  the  lower  streets 
of  Coshocton,  stretching  along  the  river  bank  below  the  junction.  As  described 
by  explorers  at  that  day  it  was  a very  noticeable  place.  From  two  to  fourscore 
of  houses,  built  of  logs  and  limbs  and  bark,  were  arranged  in  two  parallel  rows, 
making  a regular  street  between.  Prominent  among  these  was  the  council-house, 
in  which  the  braves  of  the  different  tribes  assembled,  smoked  their  pipes,  and  con- 
ducted their  councils  in  dignity  and  with  decorum.  At  one  time,  in  1778,  it  is 
said  that  700  warriors  assembled  in  the  place.  In  1781  Brodhead  destroyed  the 
village. 

In  1776  the  Moravian  missionaries.  Rev.  David  Zeisberger  and  John  Hick- 
swelder,  with  eight  families,  numbering  thirty-five  persons,  started  a mission  village 
two  and  a half  miles  below  the  Forks.  They  called  it  Lichtenau,  that  is,  a 

Pasture  of  Light  — a green  pasture  illuminated  by  the  light  of  the  Gospel. 
They  selected  this  site  in  deference  to  the  wishes  of  Netawatwees,  a friendly  Dela- 
ware chief,  who  with  his  family  had  become  Christianized,  and  dwelt  in  Goschach- 
gunk.  On  the  first  Sunday  after  the  spot  had  been  prepared  by  felling  trees,  writes 
one,  The  chief  and  his  villagers  came  to  Lichtenau  in  full  force  to  attend  religious 
services.  On  the  rivePs  bank,  beneath  the  gemmed  trees  ready  to  burst  into 
verdure,  gathered  the  congregation  of  Christian  and  pagan  worshippers.  Zeizberger 
preached  on  the  words,  ^ Thus  is  it  written  and  thus  it  behooved  Christ  to  suffer, 
and  to  rise  from  the  dead  the  third  day ; and  that  repentance  and  remission  of  sins 
should  be  preached  in  His  name  among  all  nations,  beginning  at  Jerusalem.^ 
Afterwards  fires  were  lighted,  around  which  the  converts  continued  to  instruct 
their  brother  Indians  until  the  shades  of  evening  fell.’’  And  this  was  doubtless  the 
first  sermon,  either  Protestant  or  Catholic,  preached  within  the  present  limits  of 
Coshocton  county. 

Great  hopes  were  cherished  of  Lichtenau  until  1779,  when  some  hostile  Wyan- 
dots  and  Mingo  warriors  having  made  it  a rendezvous  and  starting-point  for  a 
new  war-path  to  the  white  settlements  it  was  abandoned,  and  thus  was  terminated 
the  only  Moravian  mission  ever  established  within  the  present  limits  of  the 
county. 

The  large  number  of  Indian  towns  along  the  Muskingum  river  and  its  branches 
made  this  region  of  great  historic  interest  long  before  it  was  settled  by  the  whites. 
In  peace  these  towns  were  frequented  by  white  hunters  and  traders ; in  war  large 
numbers  of  white  captives  were  brought  here  from  Virginia  and  Pennsylvania, 
some  to  remain  and  others  en  route  to  the  Wyandot  and  Shawnee  towns  on  the 
Sandusky,  and  when  the  Moravians  came  here  the  history  of  their  operations  in  its 
results  added  a chapter  of  unique  and  tragic  interest.  The  first  white  occupant 
known  to  the  history  of  this  territory  was  a woman — Mary  Harris — the  heroine 
of  the  Legend  of  the  Walhonding,”  in  1740.  She  had  been  captured  when 
verging  into  womanhood,  somewhere  between  1730  and  1740,  and  adopted  as  a 
wife  by  an  Indian  chief.  Eagle  Feather.  As  early  as  1750  she  was  living  in  a 
village  near  the  junction  of  the  Killbuck  with  the  Walhonding,  about  seven  miles 
northwest  of  The  Forks  of  the  Muskingum.”  So  prominent  had  she  become, 
that  the  place  was  named  The  White  Woman’s  Town,”  and  the  Walhonding 
branch  of  the  river  thence  to  the  Forks  was  called  in  honor  of  her  “ The  White 
Woman’s  River.” 

In  1750  Capt.  Christopher  Gist,  in  the  interest  of  the  Ohio  Land  Company,  of 
Virginia,  established  in  1748,  was  sent  out  to  explore  the  country  northwest  of  the 
Ohio.  The  object  of  this  company  was  to  secure  permanent  possession  for  the 
English  of  the  interior  of  the  continent.  To  accomplish  this — to  secure  Ohio  for 
the  English  world” — Lawrence  Washington,  Augustus  Washington,  of  Virginia, 
and  their  associates,  proposed  a colony  beyond  the  Alleghenies. 

In  his  journal  Gist  says  that  he  reached  an  Indian  town  near  the  junction  of 


COSHOCTON  COUNTY. 


tf08 

the  Tuscarawas  and  the  White  Woman  which  contained  about  tOO  families,  a 
portion  in  the  French  and  a portion  in  the  English  interest.’’  Here  Gist  met 
George  Croghan,  an  English  trader,  who  had  his  headquarters  at  this  town,  also 
Andrew  Montour,  a half-breed  of  the  Seneca  nation.  He  remained  at  this  village 
from  December  14,  1750,  until  January  15,  1751,  one  month  and  a day.  Some 
white  men  lived  here,  two  of  whose  names  he  gives,  namely,  Thomas  Burney,  a 


Originally  engraved  for  the  Magazine  of  Western  History, 


The  Fokks  of  the  Muskingum. 

[The  view  is  up  the  valley,  with  its  flowing  waters  and  gracefully  curving  hills.  On  the  right  appears 
the  village  of  Coshocton  and  the  Tuscarawas,  or  Little  Muskingum;  in  front,  its  junction  with  the 
Walhonding,  or  White  Woman,  and  the  delta  between;  on  the  left,  the  canal  and  bridge  over  the 
Waihonding  leading  into  Eoscoe.  For  soft,  expansive  beauty  of  scenery,  united  to  memories  of  the 
touching  important  events  that  here  occurred  when  Ohio  was  all  a wilderness,  few  spots  are  so  inter- 
esting on  the  American  continent.] 


blacksmith,  and  Barney  Curran.  On  Christmas  day,  by  request.  Gist  conducted 
religious  services,  according  to  the  Protestant  Episcopal  prayer-book,  in  the  presence 
of  some  white  men  and  a few  Indians,  who  attended  at  the  earnest  solicitation  of 
Burney  and  Curran.  When  Capt.  Gist  left  he  w’as  accompanied  by  Croghan  and 
Montour,  and  ^Gvent  west,”  he  says,  ^Go  the  White  Woman  Creek,  on  which  is  a 
email  town,”  where  they  found  Mary  Harris,  and  he  gives  briefly  a few  facts  in 
her  history ; they  remained  at  her  town  one  night  only. 


Again  he  notes  in  his  journal ; “ Tuesday, 
January  15. — We  left  Muskingum  and  went 
west  five  miles  to  the  White  Woman  creek. 
This  white  woman  was  taken  away  from  New 
England  when  she  was  not  above  ten  years  old 
by  the  French  Indians.  She  is  now  upwards 
of  fifty  ; has  an  Indian  husband  and  several 
children.  Her  name  is  Mary  Harris.  She 
still  remembers  that  they  used  to  be  very  re- 
ligious in  New  England,  and  wonders  how 
the  white  men  can  be  so  wicked  as  she  has 
iSeen  theni  in  these  >yoods.” 


“Her  husband,  ‘Eagle  Feather,’  brought 
home  another  white  woman  as  a wife,  whom 
Mary  called  the  ‘Newcomer.’  Jealousies 
arose,  and  finally  Eagle  Feather  was  found 
with  his  head  split  open,  and  the  tomahawk 
remaining  in  his  skull;  but  the  Newcomer 
had  fled.  She  was  overtaken  and  brought 
back,  and  was  killed  by  the  Indians  Decem- 
ber 26,  1761,  while  Gist  was  in  the  White 
Woman’s  town.  The  place  where  she  was 
captured  was  afterwards  called  ‘ Newcomer’ s- 
town,’  Tuscarawas  counW.”  The  next  white 


4^9 


CO'SlJOCrON  COUNTY. 

man  to  press  the  soil  of  Coshocton  county  near  Bedford,  Pa.,  brought  to  the  village  of 
probably  was  James  Smith.  He  was  a lad  the  Tullihas,  on  the  Walhonding,  and  adopted 
of  eighteen  years  of  age  when,  at  the  period  iiito  one  of  their  tribes.  His  narrative  is 
of  Braddock’s  defeat,  he  was  taken  prisoner  given  elsewhere  in  this  work. 

Coshocton  in  1846. — Coshocton,  the  county-seat,  is  finely  situated  on  the 
Muskingum,  at  the  junction  of  the  Tuscarawas  with  the  Walhonding  river,  eighty- 


Draivn  by  Henry  Howe  in  1846. 


Public  Square,  Coshocton. 

three  miles  northeast  from  Columbus  and  thirty  from  Zanesville.  In  times  of 
high  water  steamboats  occasionally  run  up  to  Coshocton.  The  ground  on  which 
it  is  built,  for  situation,  could  scarcely  be  improved,  as  it  lies  in  four  broad  natural 


Shepler  dk  Son.,  Photo.,  Coshocton,  1887. 

Public  Square,  Coshocton. 


terraces,  each  elevated  about  nine  feet  above  the  other,  the  last  of  wliich  is  about 
1,000  feet  wide.  The  town  is  much  scattered.  About  sixty  rods  back  from  the 
Muskingum  is  the  public  square,  containing  four  acres,  neatly  fenced,  planted  with 


470 


COSHOCTON  COUNTY. 


young  trees  and  covered  with  a green  sward ; on  it  stand  the  county  buildings 
represented  in  the  engraving.  Coshocton  was  laid  out  in  April,  1802,  by  Ebenezer 
Buckingham  and  John  Matthews,  under  the  name  of  Tuscarawa,  and  changed  to 
its  present  appellation  in  1811.  The  county  was  first  settled  only  a few  years  prior 
to  the  formation  of  the  town ; among  the  early  settlers  were  Col.  Charles  Williams, 
William  Morrison,  Isaac  Hoglin,  George  M’Culloch,  Andrew  Craig,  and  William 
I Whitten.  Coshocton  contains  2 Presbyterian,  1 Methodist  Episcopal,  and  1 
Protestant  Methodist  church,  6 mercantile  stores,  2 newspaper  printing-offices,  1 
woollen  factory,  1 flouring  mill,  and  had,  in  1840,  625  inhabitants. — Old 
Edition, 

Coshocton  is  68  miles  east  of  Columbus  and  115  miles  from  Cleveland,  on 
the  P.  C.  & St.  L.  and  at  the  junction  of  Cleveland  and  Canton  R.  R.,  and  junc- 
tion of  Tuscarawas  and  Walhonding  rivers. 

County  officers  in  1888:  Auditor,  Joseph  Burrell;  Clerks,  Samuel  Gamble, 
Andrew  J.  Hill ; Commissioners,  Vincent  Ferguson,  Samuel  Neldon,  Abner 
McCoy ; Prosecuting  Attorney,  Samuel  H.  Nichols ; Probate  Judges,  Holder 
Blackman,  Wm.  R.  Gault;  Recorder,  Wm.  H.  Coe;  Sheriff,  James  B.  Manner; 
Surveyor,  Samuel  M.  Moore;  Treasurers,  William  Walker,  Geo.  C.  Rinner. 
Newspapers : Coshocton  Democrat,  Democrat,  J.  C.  Fisher,  editor ; Age,  Republi- 
can, J.  F.  Meek,  editor ; Standard,  Democrat,  Beach  & McCabe,  publishers ; 
WoGhenblatt,~  CcYmmi,  Otto  Cummerow,  publisher.  Churches:  Presbyterian, 
Methodist,  Baptist,  Episcopal,  and  Catholic.  Banks  : Commercial,  Jackson  Hay, 
president,  Henry  C.  Herbig,  cashier;  Farmers’,  J.  P.  Peek,  president,  Samuel 
Irvine,  cashier. 

Manufactures  and  Employees. — Buckeye  Planing  Mill,  5 hands ; Houston  & 
Hay  & Sons,  axles,  springs,  etc.,  65 ; Wm.  Ferrell,  iron  castings,  3 ; Tuscarawas 
Advertising  Co.,  advertising  novelties,  12;  Coshocton  City  Mills,  flour,  etc.,  6 ; 

J.  F.  Williams  & Co.,  flour,  etc.,  11. — State  Report  1887. 

Population  in  1880,  3,044.  School  census  in  1886,  1,053;  J.  M.  A'arnall, 
superintendent. 

^^A  short  distance  below  Coshocton,”  says  Dr.  Hildreth,  in  Silliman’s  Journal, 
on  one  of  those  elevated  gravelly  alluvions,  so  common  on  the  rivers  of  the  West, 
has  been  recently  discovered  a very  singular  ancient  burying-ground.  From  some 
remains  of  wood  still  (1835)  apparent  in  the  earth  around  the  bones,  the  bodies  seem 
all  to  have  been  deposited  in  coffins ; and  what  is  still  more  curious  is  the  fact  that 
the  bodies  buried  here  were  generelly  not  more  than  from  three  to  four  and  a half 
feet  in  length.  They  are  very  numerous,  and  must  have  been  tenants  of  a con- 
siderable city,  or  their  numbers  could  not  have  been  so  great.  A large  number 
of  graves  have  been  opened,  the  inmates  of  which  are  all  of  this  pigmy  race.  No 
metallic  articles  or  utensils  have  yet  been  found  to  throw  any  light  on  the  period 
or  nation  to  which  they  belonged.  Similar  burying-grounds  have  been  found  in 
Tennessee,  and  near  St.  Louis,  in  Missouri.” 

We  learned  orally  from  another  source  that  this  burying-ground  covered,  in  - 
1830,  about  ten  acres.  The  graves  were  arranged  in  regular  rows  with  avenues 
between,  and  the  heads  of  all  were  placed  to  the  west  and  the  feet  to  the  east. 

In  one  of  them  was  a skeleton  with  pieces  of  oak  boards  and  iron  wrought  nails. 
The  corpse  had  evidently  been  dismembered  before  burial,  as  the  skull  was  found 
among  the  bones  of  the  pelvis,  and  other  bones  were  dis])laced.  The  skull  itself 
was  triangular  in  shape,  much  flattened  at  the  sides  and  back,  and  in  the  posterior 
part  having  an  orifice,  evidently  made  by  some  weapon  of  war  or  bullet.  In 
1830  dwarf  oaks  of  many  years’  growth  were  over  several  of  the  graves.  The 
graveyard  has  since  been  plowed  over.  Nothing  was  known  of  its  origin  by  the 
early  settlers.  Below  the  graveyard  is  a beautiful  mound. 

Roscoe  IN  1846. — On  the  west  bank  of  the  Muskingum,  opposite  to  and  con- 
nected with  Coshocton  by  two  bridges,  is  Roscoe.  This  town  was  laid  off  in  1816 
by  James  Calder,  under  the  name  of  Caldersburg.  An  addition  was  subsequently 


COSHOCTON  COUNTY, 


471 


laid  off  by  Ransom  & Swane^  which  being  united  with  it  the  place  was  called 
Roscoe,  from  Wm.  Roscoe,  the  English  author.  The  Walhonding  canal,  which 
extends  to  the  village  of  Rochester,  a distance  of  twenty-five  miles,  unites  with  the 
Ohio  canal  at  Roscoe.  This  town  is  at  present  a great  wheat  depot  on  the  canal, 
and  an  important  place  of  shipment  and  transshipment.  Its  capacities  for  a large 
manufacturing  town  are  ample.  The  canals  bring  together  the  whole  water 
power  of  the  Tuscarawas  and  Walhonding,  the  latter  standing  in  the  canal  at  this 
place,  forty  feet  above  the  level  of  the  Muskingum,  and  the  canal  being  compara- 
tively little  used,  the  whole  power  of  the  stream,  capable  of  performing  almost  any- 
thing desired,  could  be  used  for  manufacturing  purposes ; and  sites  for  a whole 
manufacturing  village  could  be  purchased  comparatively  for  a trifle.’’  Roscoe 
contains  1 Methodist  Episcopal  church,  5 dry  goods  and  2 grocery  stores,  2 for- 
warding houses,  1 fulling,  2 saw  and  2 flouring  mills,  and  had,  in  1840,  468  in- 
habitants.— Old  Edition. 

Roscoe  is  on  the  Walhonding  branch  of  the  Tuscarawas  about  a furlong  above 
the  junction  of  the  two  streams.  From  the  hills  back  of  the  town  a fine  prospect  is 
presented  up  the  valleys  of  the  Tuscarawas  and  Walhonding,  and  down  that  of 
the  Muskingum.  The  place  in  the  decay  of  the  canal  business  has  not  its  old  time 
relative  importance.  It  has  1 Presbyterian  and  1 Episcopal  church,  and  the  State 
report  for  1887  gives  the  following  industries  and  employees : Adams  & Gleason, 
doors,  sash,  etc.,  6 hands  ; D.  Rose  & Co.,  furniture,  23  ; Empire  Mills,  flour,  etc., 
13 ; W.  H.  Wilson,  blankets,  flannels,  etc.,  5 ; J.  F.  Williams,  flour,  etc.,  8. 

Previous  to  the  settlement  of  the  country  in  the  last  half  of  the  last  century  there 
were  several  military  expeditions  into  this  region.  The  first  in  importance  and  in 
order  of  time  was  that  made  by  Col.  Bouquet  in  October,  1764. 

The  following  is  extracted  from  a lecture  delivered  by  Charles  Whittlesey  at 
Cleveland,  December  17,  1846,  and  is  especially  valuable  as  a clear  statement  of 
the  condition  of  affairs  between  the  whites  and  the  Indians  at  the  period  when  the 
expedition  was  undertaken. 

The  Indians  were  very  much  displeased, 
when  they  saw  the  English  taking  possession 
of  their  country,  for  they  preferred  the 
Frenchmen,  who  had  been  their  friends  and 
traders  more  than  one  hundred  years,  and 
had  married  Indian  women.  A noted  chief 
of  the  Ottawa  tribe,  known  by  the  name  of 
Pontiac,  formed  the  resolution  to  destroy  all 
the  English  frontier  posts  at  one  assault, 
in  which  he  was  encouraged  by  the  French 
traders. 

He  succeeded  in  forming  an  alliance  with 
the  Ottawas,  having  900  warriors  ; the  Poto- 
wotomies,  with  350 ; Miamies  of  the  lake, 

350  ; Chippewas,  5,000  ; Wyandots,  300  ; Del- 
awares, 600 ; Shawnees,  500 ; Kickapoos, 

300  ; Ouatanons  of  the  Wabash,  400,  and  the 
Pinankeshaws,  250 ; in  all,  able  to  muster 
8,950  warriors.  This  may  be  called  the 
“First  Great  Northwestern  Confederacy” 
against  the  whites.  The  second  took  place 
under  Brandt,  or  Thayandanegea,  during  the 
revolution,  and  was  continued  by  Little  Tur- 
tle ; the  third,  under  Tecumseh,  in  the  last 
war.  Pontiac’s  projects  were  brought  to  a 
focus  in  the  fall  of  1763,  and  the  result  was 
nearly  equal  to  the  design.  The  Indians  col- 
lected at  all  the  northwestern  forts,  under  the 
pretence  of  trade  and  friendly  intercourse  ; 
and  having  killed  all  the  English  traders  who 
were  scattered  through  their  villages,  they 
made  a simultaneous  attack  upon  the  forts, 
and  were  in  a great  measure  successful. 


The  inhabitants  of  Pennsylvania  and  Vir- 
ginia were  now  subject  to  great  alarm,  and 
frequently  robberies  and  murders  were  com- 
mitted upon  them  by  the  Indians,  and 
prisoners  were  captured.  Gen.  Gage  was  at 
this  time  the  commander-in-chief  of  the 
British  forces  in  America,  and  his  head- 
quarters were  at  Boston.  He  ordered  an  ex- 
pedition of  3,000  men  for  the  relief  of  Detroit, 
to  move  early  in  the  year  1764.  It  was  di- 
rected to  assemble  at  Fort  Niagara,  and  pro- 
ceeded up  Lake  Erie  in  boats,  commanded 
by  Gen.  Bradstreet.  The  other  was  the 
expedition  I design  principally  to  notice  at 
this  time.  It  was  at  first  composed  of  the 
Forty-second  and  Seventy-seventh  regiments, 
who  had  been  at  the  siege  of  Havana,  in 
Cuba,  under  the  command  of  Col.  Henry 
Bouquet.  This  force  left  Philadelphia,  for  the 
relief  of  Fort  Pitt,  in  July,  1763,  and  after 
defeating  the  Indians  at  Bushy  Run,  in 
August,  drove  them  across  the  Ohio.  It 
wintered  at  Fort  Pitt,  where  some  of  the 
houses,  built  by  Col.  Bouquet,  may  still  be 
seen,  his  name  cut  in  stone  upon  the  wall. 

Gen.  Gage  directed  Col.  Bouquet  to  or- 
ganize a corps  of  1,500  men,  and  to  enter  the 
country  of  the  Delawares  and  the  Shawnees, 
at  the  same  time  that  Gen.  Bradstreet  was 
engaged  in  chastising  the  Wyandots  and  Ot- 
tawas, of  Lake  Erie,  who  were  still  investing 
Detroit.  As  a part  of  Col.  Bouquet’s  force 
was  composed  of  militia  from  Pennsylvania 


COSHOCTON  COUNTY. 


A12 

and  Virginia,  it  was  slow  to  assemble.  On 
the  5tli  of  August,  the  Pennsylvania  quota 
rendezvoused  at  Carlisle,  where  300  of  them 
deserted.  The  Virginia  quota  arrived  at 
Fort  Pitt  on  the  17th  of  September,  and 
uniting  with  the  provincial  militia,  a part  of 
the  Forty-second  and  Sixtieth  regiments,  the 
army  moved  from  Fort  Pitt  on  the  3d  of 
October.  Oen.  Bradstreet,  having  dispersed 
the  Indian  forces  besieging  Detroit,  passed 
into  the  Wyandot  country,  by  way  of  San- 
dusky bay.  He  ascended  the  bay  and  river, 
as  far  as  it  was  navigable  for  boats,  and  there 
made  a camp.  A treaty  of  peace  and  friend- 
ship was  signed  by  the  chiefs  and  head 
men,  who  delivered  but  very  few  of  their 
prisoners. 

When  Col.  Bouquet  was  at  Fort  Loudon,  in 
Pennsylvania,  between  Carlisle  and  Fort  Pitt, 
urging  forward  the  militia  levies,  he  received 
a despatch  from  Gen.  Bradstreet,  notifying 
him  of  the  peace  effected  at  Sandusky.  But 
the  Ohio  Indians,  particularly  the  Shawnees 
of  the  Scioto  river,  and  the  Delawares  of  the 
Muskingum,  still  continued  their  robberies  and 
murders  along  the  frontier  of  Pennsylvania  ; 
and  so  Col.  Bouquet  determined  to  proceed 
with  his  division,  notwithstanding  the  peace 
of  Gen.  Bradstreet,  which  did  not  include  the 
Shawnees  and  Delawares.  In  the  march 
from  Philadelphia  to  Fort  Pitt,  Col.  Bouquet 


had  shown  himself  to  be  a man  of  decision, 
courage  and  military  genius. 

In  the  engagement  at  Bushy  Bun,  he  dis- 
played that  caution  in  preparing  for  emer- 
gencies, that  high  personal  influence  over  his 
troops,  and  a facility  in  changing  his  plans 
as  circumstances  changed  during  the  battle, 
which  mark  the  good  commander  and  the 
cool-headed  officer.  He  had  been  with 
Forbes  and  Washington,  when  Fort  Pitt  was 
taken  from  the  French.  The  Indians  who 
were  assembled  at  Fort  Pitt  left  the  siege  of 
that  place  and  advanced  to  meet  the  force  of 
Bouquet,  intending  to  execute  a surprise  and 
destroy  the  whole  command.  These  savages 
remembered  how  easily  they  had  entrapped 
Gen.  Braddock,  a few  years  before,  by  the 
same  movement,  and  had  no  doubt  of  success 
against  Bouquet.  But  he  moved  always  in  a 
hollow  square,  with  his  provision  train  and 
his  cattle  in  the  centre,  impressing  his  men 
with  the  idea  that  a fire  might  open  upon 
them  at  any  moment.  When  the  important 
hour  arrived,  and  they  were  saluted  with  the 
discharge  of  a thousand  rifles,  accompanied 
by  the  terrific  yells  of  so  many  savage  war- 
riors, arrayed  in  the  livery  of  demons,  the 
English  and  provincial  troops  behaved  like 
veterans,  whom  nothing  could  shake.  They 
achieved  a complete  victory,  and  drove  the 
allied  Indian  force  beyond  the  Ohio. 


NARRATIVE  OF  BOUQUET’S  EXPEDITION. 


The  original  source  of  information  concerning  this  expedition  is  the  work  of 
Dr.  Wm.  Smith,  Provost  of  the  College  of  Philadelphia,  entitled  ^^An  Historical 
Account  of  the  Expedition  Against  the  Ohio  Indians  in  the  year  1764.”  W.  E. 
Poole,  LL.  D.,  Librarian  of  the  Newberry,  Chicago,  and  a high  authority  on 
American  history  and  its  bibliography,  writes  us : The  original  edition  was 
printed  at  Philadelphia  in  1765 ; reprinted  at  London  in  1766  ; at  Dublin,  1769  ; 
at  Cincinnati,  1868  ; and  at  Amsterdam  (in  French)  with  biographical  account  of 
Col.  Bouquet,  in  1769.” 

The  following  narrative  is  from  Graham’s  “ History  of  Coshocton  County,” 
which  is  there  rewritten  from  Smith  in  the  light  of  modern  geography  which 
clearly  indicates  localities  to  the  present  time  reader.  The  two  engravings  are 
copies  of  those  designed  by  the  celebrated  painter,  Benjamin  West,  for  the  London 
edition.  The  originals  were  engraved  on  copper,  a better  material  than  steel  for 
artistic  engraving.  It  is  now  out  of  use  from  its  want  of  durability. 


“The  Indians,  disheartened  by  their  over- 
whelming defeat  dt  Bushy  Run,  and  despair- 
ing of  success  against  Fort  Pitt,  now  it  was 
so  heavily  reinforced,  retired  sullenly  to  their 
homes  beyond  the  Ohio,  leaving  the  country 
between  it  and  their  settlements  free  from 
their  ravages.  Communication  now  being 
rendered  safe,  the  fugitive  settlers  were  able 
to  return  to  their  friends,  or  take  possession 
again  of  their  abandoned  cabins.  By  com- 
paring notes  they  were  soon  able  to  make  out 
an  accurate  list  of  those  who  were  missing — 
either  killed,  or  prisoners  among  the  various 
tribes — when  it  was  found  to  contain  the 
3iames  of  more  than  200  men,  women,  and 
children.  Fathers  mourned  their  daughters 


Slam,  or  subject  to  a captivity  worse  than 
death  ; husbands  their  wives  left  mangled  in 
the  forest,  or  forced  into  the  embraces  of 
their  savage  captors — some  with  babes  at 
their  breast,  and  some  whose  offspring  would 
first  see  the  light  in  the  red  man’s  wigwam — 
and  loud  were  the  cries  that  went  up  on  every 
side  for  vengeance. 

Bouquet  wished  to  follow  up  his  success, 
and  march  at  once  into  the  heart  of  the 
enemy’s  countr}^  and  wring  from  the  hostile 
tribes  by  force  of  arms  a treaty  of  peace 
which  should  forever  put  an  end  to  these 
scenes  of  rapine  and  murder.  But  his  force 
was  too  small  to  attempt  tliis,  while  the 
season  was  too  far  advanced  to  leave  time  to 


COSHOCTON  COUNTY. 


473 


organize  another  expedition  before  winter. 
He  therefore  determined  to  remain  at  the  fort 
till  spring,  and  then  assemble  an  army  suffi- 
ciently large  to  crush  all  opposition,  and 
finish  what  he  had  so  successfully  begun. 

Acting  under  instructions,  he  matured 
during  the  winter  all  his  plans,  and  soon  as 
spring  opened  set  on  foot  measures  by  which 
an  army  strong  enough  to  render  resistance 
hopeless  should  be  placed  under  his  com- 
mand. 

In  the  meantime  the  Indians  had  obtained 
powder  from  the  French,  and  as  soon  as  the 
snow  melted  recommenced  their  ravages  along 
the  frontier,  killing,  scalping,  and  taking 
prisoners  men,  women,  and  children. 

Bouquet  could  muster  scarcely  500  men  of 
the  regular  army — most  of  them  Highlanders 
of  the  Forty-second  and  Sixtieth  regiments — 
but  Pennsylvania,  at  her  own  expense,  fur- 
nished 1,000  militia,  and  Virginia  a corps  of 
volunteers.  With  this  imposing  force  he 
was  directed  to  march  against  the  Delawares, 
Mohicans,  and  Mingoes ; while  Col.  Brad- 
street,  from  Detroit,  should  advance  into  the 
territory  of  the  Wyandots,  Ottawas,  and 
Chippewas;  and  thus,  by  one  great  simul- 
taneous movement,  crush  those  warlike  tribes. 
Bouquet’s  route,  however,  was  without  any 
water  communication  whatever,  but  lay  di- 
rectly through  the  heart  of  an  unbroken  wil- 
derness. The  expedition,  from  beginning  to 
snd,  was  to  be  carried  on  without  boats, 
wagons,  or  artillery,  and  without  a post  to 
fall  back  upon  in  case  of  disaster.  The  army 
was  to  be  an  isolated  thing,  a self-supporting 
machine. 

Although  the  preparations  commenced 
early  in  the  spring  difficulties  and  delays 
occurred  in  carrying  them  forward,  so  that 
the  troops  that  were  ordered  to  assemble  at 
Carlisle  did  not  get  ready  to  march  till  the 
5th  of  August.  Four  days  after  they  were 
drawn  up  on  parade,  and  addressed  in  a pa- 
triotic speech  by  the  governor  of  the  State. 
This  ceremony  being  finished,  they  turned 
their  steps  toward  the  wilderness,  followed  by 
the  cheers  of  the  people.  Passing  over  the 
bloody  field  of  Bushy  Bun,  which  still  bore 
the  marks  of  the  sharp  conflict  that  took 
place  there  the  year  before,  they  pushed  on, 
unmolested  by  the  Indians,  and  entered  Fort 
Pitt  on  the  1 3th  of  September. 

In  the  meantime  a company  of  Delawares 
visited  the  fort,  and  informed  Bouquet  that 
Col.  Bradstreet  had  formed  a treaty  of  peace 
with  them  and  the  Shawnees. 

Bouquet  gave  no  credit  to  the  story,  and 
went  on  with  his  preparations.  To  set  the 
matter  at  rest,  however,  he  offered  to  send  an 
express  to  Detroit  if  they  would  furnish 
guides  and  safe  conduct,  saying  he  would 
give  it  ten  days  to  go  and  ten  to  return. 

This  they  agreed  to ; but,  unwilling  to 
trust  their  word  alone,  he  retained  ten  of  their 
number  as  hostages,  whom  he  declared  he 
would  shoot  if  the  express  came  to  any  harm. 
Soon  after  other  Indians  arrived,  and  en- 
deavored to  persuade  him  not  to  advance  till 
the  express  should  return.  Suspecting  that 


their  motive  was  to  delay  him  till  the  season 
was  too  far  advanced  to  move  at  all,  he 
turned  a deaf  ear  to  their  solicitations,  saying 
that  the  express  could  meet  him  on  his  march ; 
and,  if  it  was  true,  as  they  said,  that  peace 
'was  concluded,  they  would  receive  no  harm 
from  him.  So,  on  the  3d  of  October,  under 
a bright  autumnal  sky,  the  imposing  little 
army  of  1,500  men  defiled  out  of  the  fort,  and 
taking  the  great  Indian  trail  westward  boldly 
entered  the  wilderness.  The  long  train  of 
pack-horses  and  immense  droves  of  sheep  and 
cattle  that  accompanied  it  gave  to  it  the  ap- 
pearance of  a huge  caravan,  slowly  threading 
its  way  amidst  the  endless  colonnades  of  th». 
forest.  Only  one  woman  was  allowed  to  each 
corps,  and  two  for  general  hospital 

This  expedition,  even  in  early  history,  was 
a novel  one ; for,  following  no  water-course, 
it  struck  directly  into  the  trackless  forest, 
with  no  definite  point  in  view  and  no  fixed 
limit  to  its  advance.  It  was  intended  to  over- 
awe by  its  magnitude  ; to  move  as  an  exhibi- 
tion of  awful  power  into  the  very  heart  of  the 
red  man’s  dominions.  Expecting  to  be  shut 
up  in  the  forest  at  least  a month,  and  receive 
in  that  time  no  supplies  from  without,  it  had 
to  carry  along  an  immense  quantity  of  pro- 
visions. Meat,  of  course,  could  not  be  pre- 
served, and  so  the  frontier  settlements  were 
exhausted  of  sheep  and  oxen  to  move  on  with 
it  for  its  support.  These  necessarily  caused 
its  march  to  be  slow  and  methodical.  A 
corps  of  Virginia  volunteers  went  in  advance, 
preceded  by  three  scouting  parties,  one  of 
which  kept  the  path,  while  the  other  two 
moved  in  a line  abreast  on  either  side  to  ex- 
plore the  woods.  Under  cover  of  these  the 
axe  companies,  guarded  by  two  companies  of 
light  infantry,  cut  two  parallel  jtaths,  one  each 
side  of  the  main  path,  for  the  troops,  pack- 
horses,  and  cattle  that  were  to  follow.  First 
marched  the  Highlanders,  in  column  two 
deep  in  the  centre  path,  and  in  the  side  paths 
in  single  file  abreast,  the  men  six  feet  apart ; 
and  behind  them  the  corps  of  reserve  and  the 
second  battalion  of  Pennsylvania  militia. 
Then  came  the  officers  and  pack-horses,  fol- 
lowed by  the  vast  droves  of  cattle,  filling  the 
forest  with  their  loud  complainings.  A com- 
pany of  light  horse  walked  slowly  after  these, 
and  the  rear  guard  closed  the  long  array.  No 
talking  was  allowed,  and  no  music  cheered 
the  way.  When  the  order  to  halt  passed 
along  the  line  the  whole  were  to  face  outward, 
and  the  moment  the  signal  of  attack  sounded 
to  form  a hollow  square,  into  the  centre  of 
which  pack-horses,  ammunition,  and  cattle 
were  to  be  hurried,  followed  by  the  light 
horse. 

In  this  order  the  unwieldy  caravan  strug- 
gled on  through  the  forest,  neither  extremity 
of  which  could  be  seen  from  the  centre,  it 
being  lost  amidst  the  thickly  clustering  trunks 
and  foliage  in  the  distance. 

The  first  day  the  expedition  made  only 
three  miles.  The  next,  after  marching  two 
niiles,  it  came  to  the  Ohio,  and  moved  down 
its  gravelly  beach  six  miles  and  a half,  when 
it  again  struck  into  the  Ibrcst,  and,  making 


474 


COSHOCTON  COUNTY. 


seven  miles,  encamped. ^ The  sheep  and  cat- 
tle, which  kept  up  an  incessant  bleating  and 
lowing  that  could  be  heard  more  than  a mile, 
were  placed  far  in  the  rear  at  night  and 
strongly  guarded. 

Tuesday,  October  5,  the  march  led  across 
a level  country,  covered  with  stately  timber 
and  with  but  little  underbrush,  so  that  paths 
were  easily  cut,  and  the  army  made  ten  miles 
before  camping.  The  next  day  it  again 
struck  the  Ohio,  but  followed  it  only  half  a 
mile  when  it  turned  abruptly  off,  and  cross- 
ing a high  ridge  over  which  the  cattle  were 
urged  with  great  difficulty,  found  itself  on  the 
banks  of  Big  Beaver  creek.  The  stream  was 
deep  for  fording,  with  a rough,  rocky  bottom, 
and  high,  steep  banks.  The  current  was, 
moreover,  strong  and  rapid ; so  that,  although 
the  soldiers  waded  across  without  material 
difficulty,  they  had  great  trouble  in  getting 
the  cattle  safely  over.  The  sheep  were  com- 
pelled to  swim,  and  being  borne  down  by  the 
rapid  current  landed,  bleating,  in  scattered 
squads  along  the  steep  banks,  and  were  col- 
lected together  again  only  after  a long  effort. 
Keeping  down  the  stream  they  at  length 
reached  its  mouth,  where  they  found  some 
deserted  Indian  huts,  which  the  Indians  with 
them  said  had  been  abandoned  the  year 
before,  after  the  battle  of  Bushy  Run.  Two 
miles  further  on  they  came  upon  the  skull  of 
a child  stuck  upon  a pole. 

There  was  a large  number  of  men  in  the 
army  who  had  wives,  children,  and  friends 
prisoners  among  the  Indians,  and  who  had 
accompanied  the  expedition  for  the  purpose 
of  recovering  them.  To  these  the  skull  of 
this  little  child  brought  sad  reflections.  Some 
one  among  them  was  perhaps  its  father,  while 
the  thought  that  it  might  stand  as  an  index 
to  tell  the  fate  of  all  that  had  been  captured 
made  each  one  shudder.  As  they  looked  on  it, 
bleached  by  the  winds  and  rain,  the  anxious 
heart  asked  questions  it  dared  not  answer. 

The  next  day  was  Sunday,  but  the  camp 
broke  up  at  the  usual  hour,  and  the  army  re- 
sumed its  slow  march.  During  the  day  it 
crossed  a high  ridge,  from  the  top  of  which 
one  of  those  wondrous  scenes  found  nowhere 
but  in  the  American  wilderness  burst  on  their 
view.  A limitless  expanse  of  forest  stretched 
away  till  it  met  the  western  heavens,  broken 
only  here  or  there  by  a dark  gash  or  seam, 
showing  where,  deep  down  amidst  the  trees, 
a river  was  pursuing  its  solitary  way  to  the 
Ohio,  or  an  occasional  glimpse  of  the  Ohio 
itself,  as  in  its  winding  course  it  came  in  line 
of  vision.  In  one  direction  the  tree-tops 
would  extend,  miles  upon  miles,  a vast  floor- 
ing of  foliage,  level  as  the  bosom  of  a lake, 
and  then  break  into  green  billows,  that  w^ent 
rolling  gently  against  the  cloudless  horizon. 
In  another  lofty  ridges  rose,  crowned  with 
majestic  trees,  at  the  base  of  which  swamps 
of  dark  fir  trees,  refusing  the  bright  beams 
of  the  October  sun,  that  flooded  the  rest  of 
the  wilderness,  made  a pleasing  contrast  of 
light  and  shade.  The  magnificent  scene  was 
new  to  officers  and  men,  and  they  gazed  on  it 
in  rapture  and  wonder. 


Keeping  on  their  course  they  came,  two 
days  after,  to  a point  where  the  Indian  path 
they  had  been  following  so  long  divided — the 
two  branches  leading  off  at  a wide  angle. 
The  trees  at  the  forks  were  covered  with 
hieroglyphics,  describing  the  various  battles 
the  Indians  had  fought,  and  telling  the  num- 
ber of  scalps  they  had  taken,  etc. 

This  point  was  in  the  southern  part  of  the 
present  county  of  Columbiana.  The  trails 
were  both  plainly  marked  and  much  trav- 
elled. 

The  right-hand  trail  took  a general  course 
northwest  toward  Sandusky,  and  led  to  that 
place  and  on  to  Detroit ; the  course  of  the 
left-hand  trail  was  generally  southwest,  and 
passed  through  the  counties  of  Carroll  and 
Tuscarawas,  striking  the  Tuscarawas  river  in 
the  latter  county,  down  which  it  followed,  on 
the  south  side,  to  Coshocton,  and  crossing 
the  Muskingum  a few  miles  below  the  site  of 
Coshocton  continued  down  the  west  side  of 
the  Muskingum  at  Dresden,  where  it  crossed 
the  Wakatomika  and  entered  Licking  county  ; 
passing  across  that  county  to  the  present 
reservoir  continued  on  southwest  to  the  In- 
dian towns  on  the  Scioto. 

Col.  Bouquet  took  the  right-hand  trail, 
which  he  followed  until  he  reached  the  Tusca- 
rawas river,  when  he  left  it  and  turned  south- 
ward along  that  stream . 

The  path  selected  by  the  army  was  so  over- 
grown with  bushes  that  every  foot  of  the  way 
had  to  be  cleared  with  the  axe.  It  led  through 
low,  soft  ground,  and  was  frequently  crossed 
by  narrow,  sluggish  rivulets,  so  deep  and 
miry  that  the  pack-horses  could  not  be  forced 
across  them.  After  several  attempts  to  do  so, 
in  which  the  animals  became  so  thoroughly 
imbedded  in  the  mud  that  they  had  to  be 
lifted  out  with  main  force,  they  halted, 
while  the  artificers  cut  down  trees  and  poles 
and  made  bridges.  This  was  the  hardest 
day’s  toil  to  which  they  had  been  subjected, 
and  with  their  utmost  efforts  they  were  able 
to  accomplish  but  five  miles. 

On  Thurday,  the  11th,  the  forest  was  open, 
and  so  clear  of  undergrowth  that  they  made 
seventeen  miles.  Friday,  the  1 2th,  the  path 
led  along  the  banks  of  Yellow  Creek,  through 
a beautiful  country  of  rich  bottom  land  on 
which  the  Pennsylvanians  and  Virginians 
looked  with  covetous  eyes,  and  made  a note 
for  future  reference.  The  next  day  they 
crossed  it,  and  ascending  a swell  of  land 
marched  two  miles  in  view  of  one  of  the 
loveliest  prospects  the  sun  ever  shone  upon. 
There  had  been  two  or  three  frosty  nights, 
which  had  changed  the  whole  aspect  of  the 
forest.  Where,  a few  days  before,  an  ocean 
of  green  had  rolled  away,  there  now  was 
spread  a boundless  carpet,  decorated  with  an 
endless  variety  of  the  gayest  colors,  and 
lighted  up  by  the  mellow  rays  of  an  October 
sun. 

Long  strips  of  yellow,  vast  masses  of  green, 
waving  lines  of  red,  wandering  away  and  los- 
ing themselves  in  the  blue  of  the  distant  sky 
— immense  spaces  sprinkled  with  every  im- 
aginable hue,  now  separated  clear  and  distinct 


COSHOCTON  COUNTY. 


475 


as  if  by  a painter’s  brush,  and  n©w  shading 
gradually  into  each  other,  or  mingling  in 
inextricable  beautiful  confusion,  combined  to 
form  a scene  that  appeared  more  like  a won- 
drous vision  suddenly  unrolled  before  them 
than  this  dull  earth.  A cloudless  sky  and 
the  dreamy  haze  of  Indian  summer,  overarch- 
ing and  enrobing  all  this  beauty  and  splendor, 
completed  the  picture  and  left  nothing  for 
the  imagination  to  suggest. 

At  length  they  descended  to  a small  river, 
which  they  followed  till  it  joined  the  main 
branch  of  the  Muskingum  (Tuscarawas), 
where  a scene  of  a very  different  character 
greeted  them.  A little  below  and  above  the 
forks  the  shores  had  been  cultivated  and 
lined  with  Indian  houses.  The  place  was 
called  “ Tuscaroras,  ” and  for  beauty  of  situa- 
tion could  not  well  be  surpassed.  The  high, 
luxuriant  banks,  the  placid  rivers  meeting 
and  flowing  on  together,  the  green  fields 
springled  with  huts  and  bordered  with  the 
rich  autumnal  foliage,  all  basking  in  the 
mellow  October  light,  and  so  out  of  the  way 
there  in  the  wilderness,  combined  to  form  a 
sweet  picture,  and  was  doubly  lovely  to  them 
after  having  been  so  long  shut  up  in  the 
forest. 

They  reached  this  beautiful  spot  Saturday 
afternoon,  October  13,  and  the  next  day 
being  Sunday  they  remained  in  camp,  and 
men  and  cattle  were  allowed  a day  of  rest. 
The  latter  revived  under  the  smell  of  green 
grass  once  more,  and  roaming  over  the  fields 
gave  a still  more  civilized  aspect  to  the  quiet 
scene.  ^ 

During  the  day  the  two  messengers  that 
had  been  sent  to  Detroit  came  into  camp, 
accompanied  by  their  Indian  guides.  The 
report  they  brought  showed  the  wisdom  of 
Bouquet  in  refusing  to  delay  his  march  until 
their  return.  They  had  not  been  allowed  to 
pursue  their  journey,  but  were  held  close 
prisoners  by  the  Delawares  until  the  arrival 
of  the  army,  when,  alarmed  for  their  own 
safety,  they  released  them  and  made  them 
bearers  of  a petition  for  peace. 

The  next  day,  Monday,  the  army  moved 
two  miles  farther  down  the  Tuscarawas,  and 
encamped  on  a high  bank,  where  the  stream 
was  300  feet  wide,  within  the  present  limits 
of  Tuscarawas  county,  where  it  remained  in 
camp  about  a week.  On  Tuesday  six  chiefs 
came  into  camp,  saying  that  all  the  rest  were 
eight  miles  off  waiting  to  make  peace. 
Bouquet  told  them  he  would  be  ready  to  re- 
ceive them  the  next  day.  In  the  meantime 
he  ordered  a large  bower  to  be  built  a short 
distance  from  the  camp,  while  sentinels  were 
posted  in  every  direction  to  prevent  surprise, 
in  case  treachery  was  meditated. 

The  next  day,  the  17th,  he  paraded  the 
Highlanders  and  Virginian  volunteers,  and, 
escorted  by  the  light  horse,  led  them  to  the 
bower,  where  he  disposed  them  in  the  most 
imposing  manner,  so  as  to  impress  the  chiefs 
in  the  ap{5roaching  interview.  The  latter, 
as  they  emerged  from  the  forest,  were  con- 
ducted with  great  ceremori}"  to  the  bower, 
which  they  entered  with  their  accustomed 


gravity ; and  without  saying  a word  quietly 
seated  themselves  and  commenced  smoking. 
When  they  had  finished  they  laid  aside  their 
pipes,  and  drew  from  their  pouches  strings 
of  wampum.  The  council  being  thus  opened 
they  made  a long  address,  laying  the  whole 
blame  of  the  war  on  the  young  men,  whom 
they  said  they  could  not  control.  Bouquet, 
not  wishing  to  appear  eager  to  come  to  a set- 
tlement, replied  that  he  would  give  his  answer 
the  next  day  ; and  the  council  broke  up.  The 
next  day,  however,  a pouring  storm  pre- 
vented the  meeting  of  council  until  the  day 
following.  Bouquet’s  answer  was  long  and 
conciliatory,  but  the  gist  of  it  was  he  would 
make  peace  on  one  condition  and  no  other — 
that  the  Indians  should  give  up  all  the  pris- 
oners in  their  possession  within  ten  days. 

The  Indians  present  at  this  council  were 
Ki-yash-uta,  chief  of  the  Senecas,  with  fifteen 
warriors  ; Custaloga,  chief  of  the  Wolf  tribe 
of  Delawares,  and  Beaver,  chief  of  the  Tur- 
key tribe  of  the  Delawares,  with  twenty  war- 
riors ; and  Keissi-nautchtha,  as  chief  of  the 
Shawnees,  with  six  warriors. 

Monday,  October  22,  the  army,  accom- 
panied by  the  Indian  deputies,  recommenced 
its  march,  as  Bouquet  wished  to  show  that  he 
was  determined  to  enforce  his  demands. 
They  marched  nine  miles  down  the  Tusca- 
rawas and  went  into  camp.  This  was  their 
fourteenth  camp  since  leaving  Fort  Pitt,  and 
was  within  a few  miles  of  the  east  line  of 
Coshocton  county.  The  next  day  (October 
23)  the  army  crossed  the  present  boundaries 
of  this  county,  marching  sixteen  miles  and 
camping  seven  miles  east  of  the  present  site 
of  the  town.  This  camp  must  have  been  in 
Lafayette  township,  very  near  the  line  between 
it  and  Oxford.  Here  Bouquet  remained  until 
the  25th,  when  he  continued  his  march  a little 
more  than  six  miles,  camping  within  a mile 
of  the  forks  of  the  Muskingum. 

Judging  this  to  be  as  central  a position  as 
he  could  find,  he  resolved  to  fix  himself  here 
until  the  object  of  his  mission  could  be  ac- 
complished. He  ordered  four  redoubts  to 
be  built,  erected  several  storehouses,  a ruess 
house,  a large  number  of  ovens  and  various 
other  buildings  for  the  reception  of  the  cap- 
tives, which,  with  the  white  tents  scattered 
up  and  down  the  banks  of  the  river,  made  a 
large  settlement  in  the  wilderness  and  filled 
the  Indians  with  alarm.  A town  with  nearly 
two  thousand  inhabitants,  well  supplied  with 
horses,  cattle  and  sheep,  and  ample  means 
of  defence,  was  well  calculated  to  awaken  the 
gloomiest  anticipations. 

The  steady  sound  of  the  axe  day  after  day, 
the  lowing  of  the  cattle,  and  all  the  sounds 
of  civilization  echoing  along  the  banks  of  the 
Tuscarawas  within  the  very  heart  of  their 
territory,  was  more  alarming  than  the  resist- 
less march  of  a victorious  army,  and  anxious 
to  get  rid  of  such  unwelcome  companions, 
they  made  every  effort  to  collect  the  prisoners 
scattered  among  the  various  tribes. 

The  American  wilderness  never  presented 
such  a spectacle  as  was  here  exhibited  on  the 
banks  of  the  Muskingum.  It  was  no  longer 


476 


COSHOCTON  COUNTY. 


a hostile  camp,  but  a stage  on  which  human 
nature  was  displaying  i'ts  most  attractive  and 
noble  traits ; or  rather  a sublime  poem,  en- 
acted there  in  the  bosom  of  the  wilderness, 
whose  burden  was  human  alFection  and  whose 
great  argument  the  common  brotherhood  of 
mankind. 

Bouquet  and  his  officers  were  deeply  im- 
pressed and  could  hardly  believe  their  senses 
when  they  saw  young  warriors,  whose  deeds 
bf  daring  and  savage  ferocity  had  made  their 
names  a terror  on  the  frontier,  weeping  like 
jhildren  over  their  bereavement. 

A treaty  of  peace  having  been  concluded 
with  the  various  tribes.  Bouquet,  taking 
hostages  to  secure  their  good  behavior  and 
the  return  of  the  remaining  prisoners,  broke 
up  his  camp  on  the  18th  of  November  and 
began  to  retrace  his  steps  toward  Fort  Pitt. 
The  leafless  forest  rocked  and  roared  above 
the  little  army  as  it  once  more  entered  its 

floomy  recesses,  and  that  lovely  spot  on  the 
'uscarawas,  on  which  such  strange  scenes  had 
been  witnessed,  lapsed  again  into  solitude  and 
silence.  The  Indians  gazed  with  various  and 
conflicting  emotions  on  the  lessening  files — 
some  with  grief  and  desolation  of  heart  be- 
cause they  bore  away  the  objects  of  their 
deep  affection,  others  with  savage  hate,  for 
they  went  as  conquerors. 

In  ten  days  the  army  again  drew  up  in  a 
little  clearing  in  front  of  Fort  Pitt  and  were 
welcomed  with  loud  shouts.  The  war  was 
over,  and  the  troubled  frontier  rested  once 
more  in  peace. 

As  a perusal  of  the  details  of  this  interest- 
ing expedition  may  have  created  a desire  to 
know  more  of  the  man  who  conducted  it,  it 
is  thought  best  to  add  the  following  personal 
sketch  of  Col.  Henry  Bouquet  ; 

He  was  born  in  Rolle,  on  the  northern  bor- 
der of  Lake  Greneva,  in  the  canton  of  Berne, 


Switzerland,  in  1719.  At  the  age  of  seven- 
teen he  was  received  as  a cadet  in  the  regi- 
ment of  Constant  in  the  service  of  the  States 
General  of  Holland,  and  two  years  later  ob- 
tained the  commission  of  ensign  in  the  same 
regiment.  Subsequently  he  entered  the  ser- 
vice of  the  king  of  Sardinia,  and  distinguished 
himself  first  as  a lieutenant  and  afterward  as 
adjutant  in  the  campaigns  conducted  by  that 
prince  against  the  combined  forces  of  France 
and  Spain.  He  acquitted  himself  with  much 
credit,  and  his  ability  and  courage  coming  to 
the  knowledge  of  the  Prince  of  Orange,  he 
engaged  Bouquet  in  the  service  of  the  Re- 
public. He  held  rank  here  as  Lieutenant- 
Colonel  in  the  Swiss  Guards,  formed  at  Th-^ 
Hague  in  1748. 

At  the  breaking  out  of  the  war  betweei- 
France  and  England,  in  1754,  he  accepted  a 
commission  in  the  Royal  American,  or  Six- 
tieth British,  Regiment  as  lieutenant-colonel, 
and  embarked  for  America. 

His  operations  from  this  time  to  the  date 
of  his  expedition  against  the  Indi<jns  are  in- 
volved in  obscurity,  little  or  nothing  having 
been  preserved,  except  the  fact  that  he  was  a 
subordinate  in  the  Forbes  expedition  against 
Fort  Du  Quesne  (Fort  Pitt)  in  1758. 

After  his  successful  Indian  campaign  in 
1764  he  went  to  Philadelphia,  where  he  was 
received  with  distinguished  kindness  and 
warmly  welcomed,  especially  by  those  whose 
friends  he  had  rescued  from  the  Indians. 
The  Assembly  voted  him  a complimentary 
address,  while  the  home  government,  as  a re- 
ward for  his  services,  promoted  him  to  the 
rank  of  brigadier-general  and  placed  him  in 
command  of  the  Southern  Department  of 
North  America.  He  did  not  live  long,  how- 
ever, to  enjoy  his  honors,  for,  in  the  latter 
part  of  the  year  1765,  he  died  of  a fever  in 
Pensacola. 


Hutchins  gives  in  detail  the  conference  between  Col.  Bouquet  and  the  chiefs 
of  the  different  tribes.  The  quaint  simplicity  of  his  narrative  is  charming.  We 
here  quote  from  him,  giving  some  of  the  incidents  of  the  conference  between 
Bouquet  and  the  Shawnees  : 

The  Shawnees  still  remained  to  be  treated  with,  and  though  this  nation  saw 
themselves  under  the  necessity  of  yielding  to  the  same  conditions  with  the  other 
tribes,  yet  there  had  appeared  a dilatoriness  and  sullen  haughtiness  in  all  their 
conduct  which  rendered  it  very  suspicious. 

The  12th  of  November  was  appointed  for  the  conference  with  them,  which  was 
arranged  on  their  part  by  Kissinautchtha  and  Niniwha,  their  chiefs,  with  the  Red 
Hawke,  Lavissimo,  Bensiv'asica,  Eweecunwe,  Keigleighque  and  forty  warriors. 
The  Caughnawaga,  Seneca  and  Delaware  chiefs,  with  about  sixty  warriors,  being 
also  present. 

The  Red  Hawke  was  their  s])eaker,  and  as  he  delivered  himself  with  a strange 
mixture  of  fierce  pride  and  humble  submission,  I shall  add  a passage  or  two  from 
his  speech. 


“Brother:  You  will  listen  to  us  your 
younger  brother,  and  as  we  discover  some- 
thing in  your  eyes  that  looks  like  dissatis- 
faction with  us,  we  now  wipe  away  every- 
thing bad  between  us  that  you  may  clearly 
see.  You  have  heard  many  bad  stories  of 


us.  We  clean  your  ears  that  you  may  hear. 
We  remove  everything  bad  from  your  heart 
that  it  may  be  like  the  heart  of  your  ances- 
tors when  they  thought  of  nothing  but  good. 
(Here  he  gave  a string.) 

“ Brother : When  we  saw  you  coming  thie 


The  Indians  and  Bodquet  in  Council.  Suukendek  of  the  Captives. 


479 


COSHOCTON  COUNTS 


road  you  advanced  towards  us  with  a toma- 
hawk in  your  hand  ; but  we,  your  younger 
brothers,  take  it  out  of  your  hands  and 
throw  it  up  to  God  to  dispose  of  as  he 
pleases,  by  which  means  we  hope  never  to 
see  it  more.  ’ ’ Their  usual  figure  of  speech 
is  “burjdng  the  hatchet,”  but  as  such 
hatchets  may  be  dug  up  again,  perhaps  he 
thought  this  new  expression  of  ‘ ‘ sending  it 
up  to  God,”  or  the  “Great  Spirit,”  a much 
stronger  emblem  of  the  permanency  and 
steadfastness  of  the  peace  now  to  be  made. 
“And  now,  brother,  we  beg  leave  that  you 
who  are  a warrior  will  take  hold  of  this 
chain  (giving  a string)  of  friendship  and  re- 
ceive it  from  us,  who  are  also  warriors,  and 
let  us  think  no  more  of  war,  in  pity  to  our 
old  men,  women  and  children.”  Intimating 


by  this  last  expression  that  it  was  mere  com- 
passion to  them  and  not  inability  to  nght  that 
made  their  nation  desire  peace. 

He  then  produced  a treaty  held  with  the 
government  of  Pennsylvania,  1701,  and  three 
messages  or  letters  from  that  government  of 
different  dates,  and  concluded  thus  : 

“ Now,  brother,  I beg  we  who  are  warriors 
may  forget  our  disputes  and  renew  the  friend- 
ship which  appears  by  these  papers  to  have 
pbsisted  between  our  fathers.”  He  prom- 
ised, in  behalf  of  the  rest  of  their  nation  who 
had  gone  to  a great  distance  to  hunt  and 
could  not  have  notice  to  attend  the  treaty, 
that  they  should  certainly  come  to  Fort  Pitt 
in  the  spring  and  bring  the  remainder  of  the 
prisoners  with  them. 


As  the  season  was  far  advanced,  the  Colonel  could  not  stay  long  in  these  remote 
parts.  He  was  obliged  to  rest  satisfied  with  the  prisoners  the  Shawnees  had 
brought,  taking  hostages  and  laying  them  under  the  strongest  obligations  for  the 
delivery  of  the  rest,  knowing  that  no  other  effectual  method  could  be  pursued. 

After  a reply  from  Bouquet  and  some  further  talk,  the  prisoners  were  delivered 
up.  The  circumstances,  as  thus  told  by  Dr.  Smith,  were  very  touching. 


The  Caughnawagas,  the  Delawares  and 
Senecas  severally  addressed  the  Shawanese, 
as  grandchildren  and  nephews,  “to  perform 
their  promises,  and  to  be  strong  in  doing 
good,  that  this  peace  might  be  everlasting.” 

And  I am  here  to  enter  on  a scene,  re- 
served on  purpose  for  this  place  that  the 
thread  of  the  foregoing  narrative  might  not 
be  interrupted — a scene  which  language  in- 
deed can  but  weakly  describe  ; and  to  which 
the  poet  or  painter  might  have  repaired  to 
enrich  their  highest  colorings  of  the  variety 
of  human  passions ; the  philosopher  to  find 
ample  subject  for  his  most  serious  reflections  ; 
and  the  man  to  exercise  all  the  tender  and 
sympathetic  feelings  of  the  soul. 

The  scene  I mean  was  the  arrival  of  the 
prisoners  in  the  camp ; where  were  to  be 
seen  fathers  and  mothers  recognizing  and 
clasping  their  once  lost  babes ; husbands 
hanging  around  the  necks  of  their  newly- 
recovered  wives ; sisters  and  brothers  unex- 
pectedly meeting  together  after  long  separa- 
tion, scarce  able  to  speak  the  same  language, 
or,  for  some  time,  to  be  sure  that  they  were 
children  of  the  same  parents  ! In  all  these 
interviews  joy  and  rapture  inexpressible  were 
seen,  while  feelings  of  a very  different  nature 
were  painted  in  the  looks  of  others — flying 
from  place  to  place  in  eager  inquiries  after 
relatives  not  found  ! trembling  to  receive  an 
answer  to  their  questions ! distracted  with 
doubts,  hopes  and  fears  on  obtaining  no  ac- 
count of  those  they  fought  for  ! or  stiffened 
into  living  monuments  of  horror  and  woe  on 
learning  their  unhappy  fate  ! 

The  Indians,  too,  as  if  wholly  forgetting 
their  usual  savageness,  bore  a capital  part  in 
heightening  this  most  affecting  scene. 

They  delivered  up  their  beioved  captives 
with  the  utmost  reluctance,  shed  torrents  of 
tears  over  them,  recommending  them  to  the 


care  and  protection  of  the  commanding 
officer.  Their  regard  to  them  continued  all 
the  time  they  remained  in  camp.  They 
visited  them  from  day  to  day,  and  brought 
them  what  corn,  skins,  horses  and  other 
matters  they  had  bestowed  on  them  while 
in  their  families,  accompanied  with  other 
presents,  and  all  the  marks  of  the  most  sin- 
cere and  tender  affection.  Nay,  they  did  not 
stop  here  ; but  when  the  army  marched,  some 
of  the  Indians  solicited  and  obtained  leave  to 
accompany  their  former  captives  all  the  way 
to  Fort  Pitt,  and  employed  themselves  in 
hunting  and  bringing  provisions  for  them  on 
the  road.  A young  Mingo  carried  this  still 
further,  and  gave  an  instance  of  love  which 
would  make  a figure  even  in  romance.  A 
young  woman  of  Virginia  was  among  the 
captives,  to  whom  he  had  formed  so  strong 
an  attachment  as  to  call  her  his  wife.  Against 
all  the  remonstrances  of  the  imminent  dan- 
ger to  which  he  exposed  himself  by  ap- 
proaching to  the  frontiers,  he  persisted  in 
following  her  at  the  risk  of  being  killed  by 
the  surviving  relations  of  many  unfortunate 
ersons,  who  had  been  captivated  or  scalped 
y those  of  his  nation. 

Those  qualities  in  savages  challenge  our 
just  esteem.  They  should  make  us  chari- 
tably consider  their  barbarities  as  the  effects 
of  wrong  education,  and  false  notions  of 
bravery  and  heroism ; while  we  should  look 
on  their  virtues  as  sure  marks  that  nature 
has  made  them  fit  subjects  of  cultivation  as 
well  as  us,  and  that  we  are  called  by  our  su- 
perior advantages  to  yield  them  all  the  helps 
we  can  in  this  waj\  Cruel  and  unmerciful  as 
they  are,  by  habit  and  long  exam])le,  in  war, 
yet  whenever  they  come  to  give  way  to  the 
native  dictates  of  humanity,  they  exercise 
virtues  which  Christians  need  not  blush  to 
imitate-  When  once  they  determine  to  give 


COSHOCTON  COUNTY, 


479 


life  they  give  everything  with  it,  which,  in 
their  apprehension,  belongs  to  it.  From 
every  inquiry  that  has  been  made,  it  appears 
that  no  woman  thus  saved  is  preserved  from 
base  motives,  or  need  fear  the  violation  of 
her  honor.  No  child  is  otherwise  treated  by 
the  persons  adopting  it  than  the  children  of 
their  own  body.  The  perpetual  slavery  of 
those  captivated  in  war  is  a notion  which 
even  their  barbarity  has  not  yet  suggested  to 
them.  Every  captive  whom  their  affection, 
their  caprice,  or  whatever  else,  leads  them  to 
save,  is  soon  incorporated  with  them,  and 
fares  alike  with  themselves. 

These  instances  of  Indian  tenderness  and 
humanity  were  thought  worthy  of  particular 
notice.  The  like  instances  among  our  own 
people  will  not  seem  strange,  and  therefore  I 
shall  only  mention  one  out  of  a multitude 
that  might  be  given  on  this  occasion. 

Among  the  captives  a woman  was  brought 
into  camp  at  Muskingum  with  a babe  about 
three  months  old  at  her  breast.  One  of  the 
Virginia  volunteers  soon  knew  her  to  be  his 
wife,  who  had  been  taken  by  the  Indians 
about  six  months  before.  She  was  immedi- 
ately delivered  to  her  overjoyed  husband. 
He  flew  with  her  to  his  tent,  and  clothed  her 
and  his  child  in  proper  apparel.  But  their 
joy  after  the  first  transports  was  soon  damped 
by  the  reflection,  that  another  dear  child  of 
aljout  two  years  old,  captivated  with  the 
mother,  and  separated  from  her,  was  still 
missing,  although  many  children  had  been 
brought  in. 

A few  days  afterwards  a number  of  other 
prisoners  were  brought  to  the  camp,  among 
whom  were  several  more  children.  The 
woman  was  sent  for,  and  one  supposed  to 
be  hers  was  produced  to  her.  At  first  she 
was  uncertain  ; but  viewing  the  child  with 
great  earnestness,  she  soon  recollected  its 
features,  and  was  so  overcome  with  joy,  that 
literally  forgetting  her  sucking  child  she 
dropped  it  from  her  arms,  and  catching  up 
the  new-found  child  in  an  ecstasy,  pressed  it 


to  her  breast,  and  bursting  into  tears  carried 
it  off,  unable  to  speak  for  joy.  The  father, 
seizing  up  the  babe  she  had  let  fall,  followed 
her  in  no  less  transport  and  affection. 

Among  the  children  who  had  been  carried 
off  young,  and  had  long  lived  with  the  In- 
dians, it  is  not  to  be  expected  that  any  marks 
of  joy  would  appear  on  being  restored  to 
their  {parents  or  relatives. 

Having  been  accustomed  to  look  upon  the 
Indians  as  the  only  connections  they  had, 
having  been  tenderly  treated  by  them,  and 
speaking  their  language,  it  is  no  wonder  they 
considered  their  new  state  in  the  light  of  a 
captivity,  and  parted  from  the  savages  with 
tears. 

But  it  must  not  be  denied  that  there  were 
even  some  grown  persons  who  showed  an 
unwillingness  to  return.  The  Shawanese 
were  obliged  to  bind  several  of  their  prison- 
ers and  force  them  along  to  the  camp  ; and 
some  women  who  had  been  delivered  up, 
afterwards  found  means  to  escape  and  ran 
back  to  the  Indian  towns.  Some  who  could 
not  make  their  escape,  clung  to  their  savage 
acquaintance  at  parting,  and  continued  many 
days  in  bitter  lamentations,  even  refusing 
sustenance. 

For  the  honor  of  humanity  we  Would  sup- 
pose those  persons  to  have  been  of  the  lowest 
rank,  either  bred  up  in  ignorance  and  dis- 
tressing penury,  or  who  had  lived  so  long 
with  the  Indians  as  to  forget  all  their  former 
connections.^  For,  easy  and  unconstrained  as 
the  savage  life  is,  certainly  it  could  never  be 
put  in  competition  with  the  blessings  of  im- 
proved life  and  the  light  of  religion  by  any 
persons  who  have  had  the  happiness  of 
enjoying,  and  the  capacity  of  discerning 
them.” 

By  the  9th  of  November  206  prisoners 
had  been  delivered,  including  women  and 
children;  of  whom  32  men  and  58  women 
and  children  were  from  Virginia,  and  49 
males  and  67  females  from  Pennsylvania. 


Capt.  Thomas  Hui’CHINS,  who  prepared  the  three  maps  which  accompany  Dr. 
Smithes  Historical  Account/’  was  an  extraordinary  man.  He  was  born  in  1730, 
in  Monmouth,  N.  J.,  and  died  in  Pittsburg  in  1789.  He  entered  the  British 
army  as  ensign  before  he  was  sixteen,  and  became  captain  and  paymaster  of  the 
Sixtieth  Boyal-American  regiment,  and  accompanied  Bouquet  as  assistant- 
engineer.  He  also  took  part  in  a campaign  against  the  Florida  Indians. 

In  the  year  1779  he  was  in  London,  and  being  in  strong  sympathy  with  the 
cause  of  American  Independence,  he  was,  on  the  charge  of  being  in  communica- 
tion with  Dr.  Franklin  in  Paris,  seized  and  imprisoned  for  several  weeks,  and  lost 
thereby,  it  was  said,  £12,000.  He  soon  after  went  to  France,  and  thence  to 
Charleston,  S.  C.,  where  he  joined  Gen.  Nathaniel  Greene,  and  received  the  title 
of  ^ Geographer-General.’  Beside  furnishing  the  maps  mentioned  above,  he  is 
the  author  of  ^A  Topographical  Description  of  Virginia,  Pennsylvania,  Mary- 
land, and  North  Carolina’  (London,  1778) ; ^History,  Narrative,  and  Description 
of  Louisiana  and  West  Florida’  (Philadelphia,  1784) ; and  papers  in  the  ‘Phila- 
delphia Transactions,’  and  one  in  the  ‘ Transactions  of  the  American  Society.’  ” 

Capt.  Hutchins,  as  one  of  the  Commissioners  of  Pennsylvania  in  1784,  ran  the 
boundary  line  between  that  State  and  what  is  now  Ohio.  In  1 786,  as  Geographer 


48o 


COSHOCTON  COUNTY. 


of  the  United  States,  he  put  in  practice  the  rectangular  system  of  dividing  the 
public  lands  in  squares  of  one  mile  with  meridian  lines,  which  has  been  of  such 
vast  utility  in  the  settlement  of  the  West.  It  seems  that  Hutchins  conceived  of 
this  simplest  of  all  known  modes  of  survey  in  1764  while  with  Bouquet.  It  formed 
a part  of  his  plan  of  military  colonies  north  of  the  Ohio,  as  a protection  against 
Indians.  An  article  upon  this  subject,  Surveys  of  the  Public  Lands  of  Ohio,’’ 
by  Col.  Charles  Whittlesey,  is  among  the  introductory  articles  of  this  work.  (See 
page  133.) 


Bkoadhead’s  Expedition. 

In  the  war  of  the  Revolution,  in  the  summer  of  1780,  a second  expedition  was 
undertaken  against  the  towns  of  the  Delaware  Indians  in  the  forks  of  the 
Muskingum.  It  arose  from  the  deepened  feeling  of  antipathy  to  the  Indians  con- 
sequent upon  some  depredations  and  outrages  committed  upon  settlers  in  Western 
Pennsylvania,  Virginia,  and  Eastern  Ohio.  It  had  also  been  reported  that  the 
Delawares,  contrary  to  pledges,  were  joining  the  British.  Its  commander  was  Col. 
Daniel  Broadhead,  who  was  at  that  time  in  command  of  the  Western  military 
department,  with  headquarters  at  Fort  Pitt,  now  Pittsburg,  an  officer  well  expe- 
rienced in  Indian  warfare.  The  narrative  of  this,  usually  known  as  the  Coshocton 
Campaign,”  we  derive  from  Doddridge’s  Notes.” 


The  place  of  rendezvous  was  Wheeling ; 
the  number  of  regulars  and  militia  about  800. 
From  Wheeling  they  made  a rapid  march, 
by  the  nearest  route,  to  the  place  of  their 
destination.  When  the  army  reached  the 
river,  a little  below  Salem,  the  lower  Mora- 
vian town.  Col.  Broadhead  sent  an  express  to 
the  missionary  in  that  place,  the  Rev.  John 
Heckewelder,  informing  him  of  his  arrival  in 
the  neighborhood,  with  his  army,  requesting 
a small  supply  of  provisions  and  a visit  from 
him  in  his  camp.  When  the  missionary  ar- 
rived at  the  camp,  the  general  informed  him 
of  the  object  of  the  expedition  he  was  en- 
gaged in,  and  inquired  whether  any  of  the 
Christian  Indians  were^  hunting  or  engaged 
in  business  in  the  direction  of  his  march.  On 
being  answered  in  the  negative,  he  stated 
that  nothing  would  give  him  greater  pain 
than  to  hear  that  any  of  the  Moravian  In- 
dians had^  been  molested  by  the  troops,  as 
these  Indians  had  always,  from  the  com- 
mencement of  the  war,  conducted  themselves 
in  a manner  that  did  them  honor. 

A part  of  the  militia  had  resolved  on  going 
up  the  river  to  destroy  the  Moravian  villages, 
but  were  prevented  from  executing  their  pro- 
ject by  Gen.  Broadhead,  and  Col.  Shepherd 
of  Wheeling.  At  White  Eyes’  Plain,  a few 
miles  from  Coshocton,  an  Indian  prisoner 
was  taken.  Soon  afterwards  two  more  In- 
dians were  discovered,  one  of  whom  was 
wounded,  but  he,  as  well  as  the  other,  made 
his  escape. 

The  commander,  knowing  that  these  two 
Indians  would  make  the  utmost  despatch  in 
going  to  the  town,  to  give  notice  of  the  ap- 
proach of  the  army,  ordered  a rapid  march, 
in  the  midst  of  a heavy  fall  of  rain,  to  reach 
the  town  before  them  and  take  it  by  surprise. 
The  plan  succeeded.  The  army  reached  the 
place  in  three  divisions.  The  right  and  left 


wings  approached  the  river  a little  abo'^e  and 
below  the  town,  while  the  centre  marched 
directly  upon  it.  The  whole  number  of  the 
Indians  in  the  village,  on  the  east  side  of  the 
river,  together  with  ten  or  twelve  from  a little 
village  some  distance  above,  were  made  pris- 
oners without  firing  a single  shot.  The  river 
having  risen  to  a great  height,  owing  4io  the 
recent  fall  of  rain,  the  army  could  not  cross 
it.  Owing  to  this  the  villages,  with  their  in- 
habitants on  the  west  side  of  the  river,  es- 
caped destruction. 

Among  the  prisoners,  sixteen  warriors  were 
pointed  out  by  Pekillon,  a friendly  Delaware 
chief,  who  was  with  the  army  of  Broadhead. 
A little  after  dark  a council  of  war  was  held 
to  determine  on  the  fate  of  the  warriors  in 
custody.  They  were  doomed  to  death,  and 
by  order  of  the  commander  they  were  bound, 
taken  a little  distance  below  the  town  and 
despatched  with  tomahawks  and  spears  and 
scalped. 

Early  the  next  morning  an  Indian  pre- 
sented himself  on  the  opposite  bank  of  the 
river  and  asked  for  the  big  captain.  Broad- 
head presented  himself  and  asked  the  Indian 
what  he  wanted.  To  which  he  replied,  “I 
want  peace.”  “Send  over  some  of  your 
chiefs,  ’ ’ said  Broadhead . ‘ ‘ Maybe  you  kill,  ” 
said  the  Indian.  He  was  answered,  “They 
shall  not  be  killed.”  One  of  the  chiefs,  a 
well-looking  man,  came  over  the  river,  and 
entered  into  conversation  with  the  commander 
in  the  street ; but  while  engaged  in  conversa- 
tion, a man  of  the  name  of  Wetzel  came  up 
behind  him,  with  a tomahawk  concealed  in 
the  bosom  of  his  hunting-shirt,  and  struck 
him  on  the  back  of  his  head.  He  fell  and 
instantly  expired.  About  11  or  12  o’clock 
the  army  commenced  its  retreat  from  Coshoc- 
ton. Gen.  Broadhead  committed  the  care 
of  the  prisoners  to  the  militia.  They  were 


COSHOCTON  COUNTY. 


481 


about  twenty  in  number.  After  marching  dren,  wlio  were  spared  and  taken  to  Fort 
about  half  a mile,  the  men  commenced  kill-  Pitt,  and,  after  some  time,  exchanged  for  an 
ing  them.  In  a short  time  they  were  all  equal  number  of  their  prisoners, 
dispatched,  except  a few  women  and  chil- 

After  the  Giiadenhutten  Massacre,  which  occurred  the  next  year,  in  what  is  now 
Tuscarawas  county,  the  few  remaining  Indians  gradually  left  this  region.  In  1795 
this  long-favorite  home  of  the  Delawares  came  into  the  full  possession  of  the 
United  States.  A few  straggling  members  of  the  nation,  more  particularly  the 
Moravians,  until  after  the  war  of  1812,  moved  about  the  locality,  hunting,  selling 
their  pelts,  and  then  all  turned  away  forever  from  its  loved  haunts  and  the  graves 
of  their  fathers.  William  E.  Hunt,  in  the  Magazine  of  Western  History,’^  gives 
us  these  interesting  items  of  its  succeeding  history  : 


The  Forks  of  the  Muskingum,  in  subse- 
quent years,  and  in  the  possession  of  a new 
race,  was  still  a marked  locality.  Its  flour 
and  whiskey  have  given  it  fame  in  far-off* 
lands,  albeit  of  the  latter  none  is  now  made. 
Forty  thousand  gallons  of  it,  however,  were 
once  sent  by  one  shipment  to  California.  Its 
sons  and  daughters  are  widely  scattered  and 
many  of  them  well  known.  It  has  been  the 
dwelling-place  of  such  men  as  the  Bucking- 
hams, Joseph  Medill,  the  famous  Chicago 
editor ; of  Noah  H.  Swayne,  of  the  United 
States  Supreme  Court ; Bev.  Dr.  Conkling, 
of  New  York  City  ; Governor  Stone,  of  Iowa, 
and  of  many  others  of  scarcely  less  distinc- 
tion. The  junction  of  the  Ohio  and  Wal- 
honding  canals,  with  an  unlimited  supply  of 
water-power  and  with  thick-set  mills  and 
factories,  is  within  gunshot  of  the  Forks. 
Within  sight  are  numerous  collieries.  The 
thriving  towns  of  Coshocton  and  Boscoe  on 
either  hand,  with  really  noticeable  hotels, 
business  houses,  schools  and  churches,  catch 
the  eyes  of  the  myriads  of  passengers  over 
the  Panhandle  and  other  railways  passing  by 
them. 

King  Charley. — Probably  no  man  ever 
had  so  much  notoriety  in  connection  with  the 
Forks,  and  especially  gave  so  much  notoriety 
to  the  locality,  as  “old  Charley  Williams,” 
or  “ King  Charley,  ” as  he  was  called.  He 
was  born  in  1764,  near  Hagerstown,  Mary- 
land. In  his  boyhood  the  family  removed 
to  Western  Virginia,  near  Wheeling.  He 
subsequently  struck  out  for  himself,  and  was 
engaged  for  a time  at  the  salt  works,  ten 
miles  below  Coshocton,  but  in  the  closing 
years  of  the  last  century  he  settled  at  “the 
Forks.”  He  is  generally  regarded  as  the 
first  permanent  white  settler  in  what  is  now 
Coshocton  county.  He  died  in  1840.  Of 
hardy  stock,  he  grew  up  in  the  severest  dis- 
cipline of  pioneer  life.  He  was  a successful 
trapper,  scout,  hunter  and  trader.  Clever, 
shrewd,  indomitable,  not  averse  to  the  pop- 
ular vices  of  his  day,  and  even  making  a vir- 
tue of  profanity,  he  was  for  forty  years  a 
prominent  feature  of  the  locality  and  for 
twenty-five  years  the  real  ruling  power  of  the 
region.  He  held  every  office  possible  in  that 
day  for  a man  of  his  education,  from  road- 
supervisor  up  to  tax-collector  and  member 
of  the  legislature.  He  kept  the  Forks  ferry 


and  tavern  near  by.  ^ He  was  a good  shot,  a 
fine  dancer,  a colonel  in  the  militia. 

King  Charley  and  Louis  Fhdlippe.  — 
Among  the  accepted  traditions  of  the  locality  is 
one  telling  how  the  Colonel  once  kicked  Louis 
Phillippe,  afterwards  the  famous  French 
king,  out  of  his  tavern.  G.  W.  Silliman,  a 
lawyer  of  Coshocton,  was  in  Paris  as  bearer 
of  dispatches  to  the  American  minister,  hav- 
ing been  sent  by  his  uncle.  General  Lewis 
Cass,  Secretary  of  State,  and  heard  the  king 
speaking  of  his  travels  in  the  western  coun- 
try, when  a refugee  in  America.  The  king 
complained  that  he  had  been  very  shabbily 
treated  at  the  Forks  tavern.  And  this  con- 
firmed Williams’  oft-told  tale,  which  was  that 
Louis  complained  of  the  accommodations  as 
utterly  unfit  for  a real  king,  and  Williams 
told  him  that  he  had  entertained  hundreds 
of  sovereigns  (all  the  people  of  his  country 
being  such),  and  if  he  was  not  satisfied  with 
what  had  pleased  them  he  could  get  out  of 
the  house,  and  as  the  king  withdrew  he  gave 
him  a little  lift  with  the  toe  of  his  boot. 

The  story,  at  any  rate,  helped  no  little  to 
make  Williams,  in  the  eyes  of  the  early  set- 
tlers, “a  biger  man  than  old  Grant.”  In 
the  days  of  the  militia  musters,  and  at  the 
time  of  “ the  court  balls,”  held  at  the  close 
of  each  term  of  court,  the  old  tavern  shone 
in  its  brightest  glories.  For  a year  or  so 
after  the  county-seat  was  established  at  Co- 
shocton, the  courts  were  all  held  in  Williams’ 
house,  and  several  of  the  earlier  sermons  at 
the  Forks  were  preached  in  “ Old  Charley’s  ” 
bar-room.  What  the  Forks  were  to  the 
wide  adjacent  region,  that  “Old  Charley’s” 
tavern  was  to  the  Forks.  Some  of  its  fea- 
tures can  still  be  seen  in  far-western  regions, 
but  some  are  no  longer  found  even  in  the 
pioneer  tavern.  For  many  of  the  old  set- 
tlers about  the  Forks,  in  its  day,  life  would 
have  been  hardly  worth  living  without  the 
old  tavern. 

Mother  Renfrew. — In  what  may  be  ternaed 
the  second  stage  of  settlement  of  the  region 
about  the  Forks,  there  came  to  be  very  widely 
known  a house  of  marked  contrast  with  the 
old  tavern,  and  no  picture  of  the  locality  is 
complete  without  it.  Less  widely  known,  it 
yet  is  more  deeply  embalmed  in  the  memo- 
ries of  the  very  many  who  did  know  it — res- 
idents, movers,  traveling  preachers,  home- 


482 


COSHOCTON  COUNTY. 


sick  emigrants,  fever-stricken  settlers,  unlet- 
tered children,  and  all  that  longed  for  heav- 
enly light  and  rest.  For  year  after  year  it 
was  the  “headquarters”  of  the  godly,  the 
ministers’  “hold.”  The  chief  figure  in  that 
house  was  a woman.  She  came  from  the 
grand  old  Scotch-Irish  stock,  which,  what- 
ever glory  is  due  unto  another  race  for  what 
was  done  in  the  outset  of  our  career,  or  may 
yet  be  attained  by  possibly  still  another,  it 
must  now  be  admitted,  has  furnished  so  im- 
mensely the  brain  and  brawn  whereby  this 
great  land  has  become  what  it  is. 

Although  for  a number  of  years  prior  to 
coming  to  the  Forks  she  had  lived  in  Western 
Pennsylvania,  she  was  herself  an  emigrant 
from  Ireland,  and  thus  knew  the  heart  of  a 
stranger.  She  had  been  reared  in  a family 
connection  famed  for  its  earnest  piety  and 


the  large  contribution  of  its  sons  to  the  min- 
istry. She  had  experienced  the  griefs  of 
widowhood,  and  had  learned  the  care  of  a 
family.  She  came  to  the  Forks  with  the 
children  of  her  first  marriage,  as  the  wife  of 
the  leading  “store-keeper”  of  the  region. 

He  was  also  from  the  “Green  Isle,”  and 
had  full  proportion  of  the  keen  wit  and 
strong  sense  characterizing  his  people  gener- 
ally. He  was  in  full  sympathy  with  her  in 
her  religious  views,  which  were  always  tingea 
with  the  bright  and  loving  blue  of  true  Pres- 
byterianism, and  cheerfully  supported  by  his 
means  all  her  endeavors  in  the  hospitable  and 
charitable  line.  And  so  she  wrought,  leav- 
ing imperishable  marks,  and  making  her 
name,  “Mother”  Renfrew,  to  be  still  cher- 
ished in  many  a household  at  the  Forks  and 
far  away. 


CRAWFORD. 

Crawford  County  was  formed  April  1, 1820,  from  old  Indian  Territory.  It 
formed  a part  of  the  New  Purchase.’^  This  included  the  last  part  of  the  State 
under  Indian  domination,  and  was  ceded  to  the  United  States  in  accordance  with 
a treaty  made  at  the  foot  of  the  Maumee  Rapids,  September  29,  1817.  The  New 
Purchase  was  divided  into  seventeen  counties.  The  surface  of  the  county  is  gen- 
erally level  and  in  parts  slightly  rolling.  The  south  and  west  part  is  beautiful 
prairie  land,  comprising  a part  of  the  great  Sandusky  Plains,  and  covered  with  a 
rich  vegetable  loam  of  from  six  to  fifteen  inches  deep ; the  subsoil  in  most  parts  is 
clay  mixed  with  lime,  in  some  others  a mixture  of  marl.  Save  on  the  plains,  the 
land  originally  was  covered  with  a dense  growth  of  heavy  timber.  The  original 
settlers  were  largely  of  New  England  origin  ; later,  about  1832,  a heavy  immigra- 
tion set  in  direct  from  Germany.  In  1848  the  political  troubles  of  Germany 
brought  a great  addition  to  the  Teutonic  element,  so  that  it  obtained  the  ascendancy. 
The  area  is  400  square  miles.  In  1885  the  acres  cultivated  were  135,300 ; in 
pasture,  32,056  ; woodland,  41,324 ; lying  waste,  857  ; produced  in  wheat,  512,287 
bushels;  oats,  448,783;  corn,  927,107  ; wool,  245,572  pounds.  School  census  in 


1886,  10,019 ; teachers. 

,171. 

It  has  72  miles  of  railroad. 

Townships  and  Census. 

1840. 

1880. 

Townships  and  Census. 

1840. 

1880. 

Auburn, 

1,176 

Liberty, 

1,469 

1,679 

Bucyrus, 

1,654 

5,073 

Lykins, 

742 

1,225 

Chatfield, 

878 

1,266 

Polk, 

6,518 

Cranberry, 

680 

1,824 

Sandusky, 

679 

658 

Dallas, 

500 

Texas, 

587 

Holmes, 

744 

1,660 

Tod, 

1,099 

Jackson, 

636 

3,216 

Vernon, 

1,038 

Jefferson, 

1,224 

Whetstone, 

1,124 

1,840 

Population  in  1830  was  4,788  ; in  1840,  18,167  ; 1860,  23,881 ; 1880,  26,862, 
of  whom  22,634  were  Ohio-born,  and  2,531  natives  of  Germany. 


CRAWFORD  COUNTY. 


483 


This  county  derived  its  name  from  Col. 
William  Crawford,  who  was  born  in  Virginia 
in  1732,  the  same  year  with  Washington.  In 
1758  he  was  a captain  in  Forbes’  expedition, 
which  took  possession  of  Fort  Duquesne,  on 
the  site  of  Pittsburg.  Washington  was  the 
friend  of  Crawford,  and  often  in  his  visits  to 
the  then  West  was  an  inmate  of  his  humble 
dwelling  in  Fayette  county.  He  was  a brave 
and  energetic  man,  and,  at  the  commence- 
ment of  the  Revolution,  raised  a regiment  by 


his  own  exertions,  and  received  the  commis- 
sion of  colonel  of  Continentals.  He  often  led 
parties  against  the  Indians  across  the  Ohio. 
In  1782  he  reluctantly  accepted  the  command 
of  an  expedition  against  the  Ohio  Indians. 
On  this  occasion  he  was  taken  prisoner,  and 
burnt  to  death  amid  the  most  excruciating 
tortures,  on  the  Tyemochtee,  in  the  former 
limits  of  this,  but  now  within  the  new  county 
of  Wyandot. 


Drawn  by  Henry  Howe,  1846. 

Central  Part  of  Bucyrus. 


Bucyrus  in  1846. — Bucyrus,  the  county-seat,  is  on  the  Sandusky  river — here 
a small  stream — sixty-two  miles  north  of  Columbus,  and  forty-six  from  Sandusky 


James  Dougherty,  Photo.,  Bucyrus,  1887. 

Central  Part  of  Bucyrus. 


[The  new  view  shows  on  the  right  the  same  frame  building  seen  in  the  old  view ; also,  the  new  opera 
house.  On  the  left  appears  the  court-house  and  Methodist  church.] 


city.  The  view  shows  on  the  right  the  Lutheran  church,  and  on  the  left  the  county 
buildings  and  the  academy.  It  contains  1 Presbyterian,  1 Lutheran,  1 Baptist,  1 


484 


CRAWFORD  COUNTY. 


Methodist,  and  1 Protestant  Methodist  church ; 14  stores,  ] grist,  1 saw,  and  2 
fulling  mills,  1 newspaper  printing  office,  and  a population  of  about  1,000 ; in 
1840  it  had  704  inhabitants.  On  the  land  of  R.  W.  Musgrave,  in  the  southeastern 
part  of  the  town,  a gas  Avell  has  recently  been  dug.  On  first  reaching  the  water — 
a distance  of  about  eighteen  feet — it  flew  up  about  six  feet,  with  a loud,  roaring 
noise  ; a pump  has  been  placed  over  it,  and  the  gas  is  conducted  to  the  surface  by 
a pipe,  which,  when  a torch  is  applied,  burns  with  a brilliant  flame.  Bucyrus  Avas 
laid  out  February  11,  1822,  by  Samuel  Norton  and  James  Kilbourne,  proprietors 
jof  the  soil.  The  first  settler  on  the  site  of  the  town  was  Samuel  Norton,  Avho 
moved  in  from  Pennsylvania  in  1819.  He  Avintered  in  a small  cabin  made  of 
poles,  Avhich  stood  just  north  of  his  present  residence  on  the  bank  of  the  Sandusky. 
This  region  of  country  Avas  not  throAAui  into  market  until  August,  1820,  at  Avhich 
time  it  abounded  in  bears,  AA^olves,  catamounts,  foxes,  and  other  Avild  animals. 
When  he  came  there  Avere  but  a feAV  settlers  in  the  county,  principally  squatters  on 
the  Whetstone,  the  nearest  of  Avhom  Avas  on  that  stream  eight  miles  distant.  North 
and  Avest  of  Mr.  N.  there  Avas  not  a single  settler  in  the  county.  Others  of  the 
early  settlers  in  the  toAvn  Avhose  names  are  recollected  Avere  David  and  Michael 
Beedle,  Daniel  MAiichael,  John  Kent,  William  Young,  Jacob  Schaefer,  Thomas 
and  James  Scott,  James  SteAvard,  David  Stein,  George  Black,  John  Blowers,  and 
Nehemiah  Squires.  The  first  frame  house  Avas  built  by  Samuel  Bailey,  and  is  the 
small  frame  building  standing  next  to  and  north  of  F.  Margraf’s  residence.  The 
first  brick  dAvelling  is  the  one  noAV  OAvned  by  William  Timanus,  on  the  public 
square.  The  Methodists  built  the  first  church. — Old  Edition. 

Bucyrus,  sixty  miles  north  of  Columbus,  on  the  Sandusky  river  and  O.  C. 
R.  R.,  and  P.  Ft.  W.  & C.  R.  R.,  located  in  the  centre  of  a thickly  settled  and 
prosperous  farming  community.  County  officers  1888  : Probate  Judge,  Frederick 
Hipp ; Clerk  of  Court,  LeAvis  C.  DonneiiAvirth  ; Sheriff,  Peter  Faeth  ; Prosecuting 
Attorney,  Isaac  Caehill ; Auditor,  Adam  J.  High ; Treasurer,  Christian  H. 
Schonert;  Recorder,  William  F.  CroAve;  Surveyor,  Harry  L.  Weber;  Coroner, 
John  A.  Chesney;  Commissioners,  Henry  Dapper,  Peter  Bauer.  Newspapers: 
Crawford  County  Forum,  Democratic,  Holbrook  & Co.,  publishers ; Journal, 
Republican,  J.  Hapley  & Son ; Critic,  Independent,  Holbrook  & Co. ; Crawford 
County  News,  Prohibition  and  Temperance,  T.  E.  Hopley,  editor ; Courier,  Ger- 
man Democratic,  A.  Broemel.  Churches : 1 English  Lutheran,  1 Presbyterian, 
1 Methodist  Episcopal,  1 Baptist,  1 German  Evangelical,  1 German  Reformed,  1 
German  Methodist,  1 Catholic,  and  1 Disciple.  Banks : First  National,  J.  B. 
Gormly,  president,  G.  C.  Gormly,  cashier ; Second  National,  M.  J.  Monnett, 
president,  J.  C.  F.  Hull,  cashier ; Monnett  & Co.,  E.  B.  Monnett,  president,  J. 
H.  Robinson,  cashier. 

Manufactures  and  Enployees. — C.  Roehr,  planing  mill,  40  hands ; Eagle  ^la- 
chine  Works,  machinery,  30 ; C.  Roehr,  planing  mill,  etc.,  55 ; G.  DonneiiAVorth 
& Bro.,  lager  beer,  8 ; Bucyrus  Eoundry  and  Manufacturing  Company,  steam 
excavators,  etc.,  102 ; Bucyrus  Creamery,  8 ; T.  & O.  C.  R.  R.  Shops,  102 ; P. 
Saeger,  AA^agons,  buggies,  etc.,  6 ; Vollrath  Bros.,  planing  mill,  16  ; Franze  & Poj^e 
Knitting  Machine  Company,  40 ; A.  Shunk,  Sr.,  plows,  etc.,  10;  T.  A.  Vollrath, 
flour,  etc.,  6 ; Bucyrus  Woollen  Mill ; Geiger  & Bush,  copper  kettles,  9 ; Nuss- 
baum  & BoAvers,  flour,  etc. ; G.  K.  Ziegler,  flour,  etc. ; D.  Picking  & Co.,  copper 
kettles,  10. — State  Report  1887.  Population  in  1880,  3,835.  School  census  in 
1886,  1,504 ; F.  M.  Hamilton,  superintendent. 

While  excavating  for  a mill-race  in  Bucyrus,  August  13,  1838,  Mr.  Abraham 
Hahn  discovered  the  perfect  skeleton  of  a mastodon.  The  spot  Avas  near  the 
dividing  ridge  of  the  northern  and  southern  AA’aters  of  the  State,  in  a Avet,  s})ongy 
soil.  Mr.  Hahn  at  first  exhibited  the  bones,  but  finally  sold  them  for  $1,800,  and 
they  fell  into  the  hands  of  Barnum,  and  Avere  destroyed  in  the  burning  of  his 
museum.  Within  the  last  thirty  years,  in  making  excavations  for  seAvers  and 
cellars  in  Bucyrus,  the  bones  of  mastodons  have  frequently  been  found. 


CRAWFORD  COUNTY. 


485 


Col.  James  Kil bourne,  the  surveyor  who  laid  out  Bucyrus,  gave  it  its  name ; 
and  it  being  so  unusual  much  conjecture  has  arisen  as  to  its  origin.  The  daugh- 
ters of  Samuel  Norton  asserted  that  one  of  Kilbourne’s  favorite  historical  charac- 
ters was  Cyrus  the  Persian  General,  and  the  town  was  named  in  his  memory.  The 
syllable  bu,’^  the  sound  of  the  first  syllable  in  the  word  beautiful,  was  given 
because  the  country  around  at  an  early  day  was  very  beautiful,  and  the  old  sur- 
veyor said  that  the  name  should  always  mean  beautiful  Cyrus.’^  An  old  citizen, 
F.  Adams,  says  that  Mr.  Kilbourne  named  it  from  Busiris  in  ancient  Egypt, 
and  changed  so  that  in  its  name  it  should  be  a nonsuch.  The  colonel  wrote  a poem 
of  eighty  lines  in  its  praises  called  The  Song  of  Bucyrus.’^ 

He  was  a great  favorite  with  the  early  settlers  ; in  his  frequent  visits  from  his 
home  in  Worthington,  Franklin  county,  he  was  wont  to  assemble  with  his  old 
cronies  at  the  village  tavern  and  sometimes  make  a night  of  it,’^  singing  pongs 
and  telling  stories,  all  under  the  inspiring  influences  of  the  landlord’s  choicest 
liquors;,  on  these  occasions  the  colonel  was  wont  to  give  them  his  ‘‘Song  of 
Bucyrus.” 

The  song  is  descriptive  of  the  riches  and  beauty  of  the  country.  We  annex  its 
opening  and  closing  verses  : 

THE  SONG  OF  BUCYRUS. 

Ye  men  of  spirit,  ardent  souls, 

Whose  hearts  are  firm  and  hands  are  strong, 

Whom  generous  enterprise  controls, 

Attend  ! and  truth  shall  guide  my  song. 

I’ll  tell  you  how  Bucyrus,  now 
Just  rising  like  the  star  of  morn. 

Surrounded  stands  by  fertile  lands. 

On  clear  Sandusky’s  rural  bourne. 
******** 

Then  here,  my  friend,  your  search  may  end, 

For  here’s  a country  to  your  mind. 

And  here’s  a town  your  hopes  may  crown, 

As  those  who  try  it  soon  shall  find. 

Here  fountains  flow,  mild  zephyrs  blow, 

While  health  and  pleasure  smile  each  morn, 

From  all  around  Bucyrus  found 
On  fair  Sandusky’s  rural  bourne. 

When  Bucyrus  ’was  laid  out  the  only  outlet  to  the^lake  for  teams  was  by  way 
of  New  Haven,  and  by  ox  teams  the  trip  was  usually  from  ten  days  to  two 
weeks.  Directly  north  was  an  almost  unbroken  wilderness  to  the  Huron  plains, 
and  very  few  outlets  between  this  place  and  Sandusky  city.  For  the  first  ten  years 
after  the  settlement  of  the  county  the  inhabitants  were  poor,  having  little  to  sell 
and  no  market  fo/  that  little,  except  to  supply  the  wants  of  newcomers,  and  what 
was  sold  abroad  had  to  walk  abroad,  as  cattle  and  hogs  were  driven  east  and  sold 
at  barely  living  prices. 

In  1834  was  finished  the  turnpike  road  from  Columbus  to  Sandusky  ; it  had 
been  seven  years  in  the  building.  It  was  106  miles  in  length,  and  for  some  years 
was  the  great  thoroughfare  of  the  State  from  the  river  to  the  lakes,  and  the  princi- 
pal road  to  market  for  the  counties  of  Delaware,  Union  and  Marion. 

Seventy-five  wagons  loaded  with  wheat  were  counted  passing  through  Bucyrus 
in  one  day,  all  of  which  would  return  loaded  with  goods,  and  this  stimulated  the 
development  of  the  entire  region.  From  the  first  a good  market  could  always  be 
found  for  furs,  which  would  bring  the  cash  at  the  East.  Many  occasionally  hunted 
and  raised  funds  to  meet  their  taxes  in  that  way.  Sometimes  they  employed  the 
Indians  of  the  Wyandot  tribe  to  hunt  for  them,  which  they  would  do  for  a trifling 
compensation.  The  settlers  were  always  on  good  terms  with  these  simple  child- 
like people. 


486 


CRAWFORD  COUNTY. 


In  the  County  History’’  are  some  valuable  items  in  regard  to  the  Nortons,  the 
first  settlers  of  Bucyrus. 


Pioneer  Privations. — In  October,  1819, 
there  was  not  a single  white  family  in  the 
limits  of  the  county.  The  following  winter 
they  occupied  their  first  cabin.  The  physical 
privations  of  many  of  the  early  families  is 
hard  to  realize.  When  the  Nortons  arrived 
in  1819  the  nearest  flouring-mills  were  at  Lex- 
ington, Richland  county,  and  the  Herron 
mills  near  Fredericksburg.  The  man  or  boy 
who  visited  the  mills  walked  the  entire  dis- 
tance and  led  a horse  loaded  with  two  or 
three  sacks  of  wheat. 

When  the  Norton  family  could  not  visit 
these  mills  they  secured  flour  or  meal  bv 
pounding  the  wheat  or  corn  in  a mortar  with 
a wooden  pestle.  The  mortar  used  was  a 
log,  hollowed  out  by  burning  a hole  with  fire 
until  the  cavity  was  large  enough  to  hold  a 
half  bushel  of  grain.  The  meal  was  sifted 
with  sieves  of  three  different  sizes  and  three 
grades  of  flour  were  obtained.  The  finest 
was  baked  into  bread ; the  coarsest  was 
boiled,  and  it  sometimes  required  a whole 
day  over  the  fire  to  soften  it.  When  the 
wheat-flour  was  all  gone  the  family  subsisted 
on  food  prepared  from  corn-meal,  but  fre- 
quently there  was  none  of  this  in  the  cabin, 
and  the  mother  of  the  famib^  busy  with 
other  household  duties,  was  expected  to  pro- 
vide a supper  without  even  flour,  corn-meal, 
vegetables  or  meat.  The  fatlier  is  away  at 
work  and  will  shortly  appear  tired  and  hun- 
gry. The  pioneer  women  were  full  of  re- 
sources ; they  had  an  instrument  called  a 
grater  made  by  taking  one  side  of  an  old  tin 
bucket,  punching  small  holes  close  together 
all  over  it,  and  nailing  it  on  a board  in  such  a 
manner  that  the  middle  curved  upward  two 
or  three  inches  from  the  board.  Meal  could 
be  made  by  industriously  rubbing  ears  of  corn 
along  its  surface ; and  this  must  be  done 
until  sufficient  meal  is  obtained  to  furnish  food 
for  supper  and  breakfast  next  morning.  The 
mother,  then,  having  nothing  in  the  house  for 
supper,  says  to  her  children  : “ Here,  Louisa, 
you  and  Warren  take  this  basket  and  go  out 
to  the  corn-patch  and  bring  in  enough  corn 
to  grate  for  supper  and  breakfast.  ’ ’ When 
the  children  return  the  grater  is  taken  down, 
ind  after  considerable  hard  labor  the  meal 
was  provided.  If  the  corn-meal  was  mixed 
and  baked  in  a Hutch  oven  it  was  called 
“pone,”  if  baked  on  a board  near  or  over 
Hie  fire  it  was  called  “Johnny  cake,”  and  if 
it  was  made  into  round  balls  and  baked  in  the 
oven  they  then  called  these  balls  “corn- 
dodgers. ’ ’ A very  common  way  was  to  boil 
the  meal  into  mush  and  eat  it  with  milk. 
But  sometimes  flour  and  corn-meal  could  not 
be  either  pounded  with  a pestle  or  grated 
with  their  rude  instrument,  for  the  reason 
that  no  grains  of  this  description  were  in  the 
cabin,  and  the  Nortons  could  not  secure  of 
their  few  neighbors  either  grain,  flour  or 
meal. 

Wild  Game. — It  is  reported  by  Norton’s 


daughters  that  they  frequently  lived  for 
weeks  without  bread,  during  which  time  the 
family  subsisted  on  honey,  pork,  potatoes  and 
game  from  the  woods.  Wild  turkeys  were 
frequently  shot ; they  were  cooked  on  a hook 
in  the  fireplace  with  a pan  underneath  to 
catch  the  drippings,  and  these  were  poured 
over  the  suspended  carcass  with  a spoon. 
The  forests  were  for  many  years  full  of 
smaller  game  upon  which  a meal  could  be 
inade  wheo  other  expedients  failed.  One 
winter  Mr.  Norton  killed  five  deer  near  the 
present  site  of  T.  C.  Hall’s  barn.  A deer- 
lick  was  situated  near  the  river  in  this  vicinity, 
and  when  these  animals  visited  this  lick  they 
fell  victims  to  the  unerring  shot  of  the  first 
pioneer  settler.  Heer  continued  plenty  in  the 
vicinity  of  Bucyrus  until  after  1830.  In 
consequence  of  the  industry  of  many  swarms 
of  bees  at  Crawford  at  an  early  day  it  was 
literally  a land  of  honey,  if  not  milk.  The 
Indians,  depending  on  nature  to  provide 
food,  never  wasted  what  they  found  in  the 
forest,  and,  in  obtaining  honey,  never  secured 
at  one  time  more  than  they  wished  to  supply 
their  temporal  wants.  Norton  found  in  one 
day  twenty-three  bee  trees,  and  the  honey 
secured  from  the  woods  was  always  a rich 
treat  for  the  children,  and  more  especially 
when  the  family  larder  was  not  filled  with 
those  articles  which,  at  this  day,  every  family 
considers  a necessity.  Norton  also  secured 
his  first  swarm  of  bees  from  the  wild  bees 
found  in  the  woods. 

Spinning  and  Weaving.— hardships 
suffered  by  the  Norton  family  were  not  only 
in  consequence  of  a scarcity  of  food.  The 
Nortons  brought  from  Pennsylvania  both 
looms  and  spinning-wheels.  In  those  early 
days  every  young  lady  was  taught  to  spin, 
and  many  added  weaving  to  their  skill  as  in- 
dustrious and  expert  housekeepers.  IMothers 
frequently  were  expected  to  cook,  wash, 
scrub,  bake,  sew,  'spin  and  weave  for  a large 
family  of  small  children  without  any  assist- 
ance. Mrs.  Norton’s  elder  children  were 
valuable  aid  in  providing  clothing  for  their 
younger  brothers  and  sisters. 

Norton  purchased  forty  sheep  from  settlers 
in  Marion  county,  and  brought  these  valuable 
domestic  animals  to  his  pioneer  home,  but  in 
a few  weeks  they  were  all  devoured  by  wolves. 
For  many  years  the  settlers  were  not  able  to 
keep  sheep  in  consequence  of  these  same 
mutton-loving  beasts.  The  early  settlers 
were  not  fond  of  these  ravenous  animals. 
Their  howling  and  yelping  made  many  a 
night  hideous,  and  for  this  and  many  other 
reasons  it  was  soon  decided  that  in  order  to 
civilize  the  county  the  wolves  should  be  ex- 
terminated. A bounty  was  paid  by  the  State 
for  the  scalp  of  each  wolf,  not  that  these 
scalps  were  valuable,  but  because  each  new 
scalp  secured  furnished  additional  proof  that 
the  mutton  crop  of  the  future  looked  more 
promising. 


CRAWFORD  COUNTY. 


487 


FeA)er  and  Agm,^  Sickness. — The  first 
settlers  suflfered  greatly  from  fever  and  ague 
and  a few  additional  privations  in  consequence 
of  extreme  poverty.  One  case  of  privation 
has  been  graphically  described  by  Mrs.  Lucy 
Rogers,  who  says:  “My  husband  took  sick 
on  one  occasion  and  was  bedfast.  He  could 
neither  eat  nor  drink  a part  of  the  time. 
Meanwhile  our  scanty  store  of  food  was  con- 
sumed, until  not  a particle  was  left  in  the 
house  for  our  subsistence.  The  last  crust 
was  gone.  My  prayer  to  Grod  was  that  all 
of  us,  my  young  babe,  my  helpless  husband, 
'and  my  starving  self  might  die  together  be- 
fore the  sun  should  set.  That  night  was  one 
of  sleepless  agony.  Next  morning  I went 
through  an  Indian  trail,  unfit  as  I was  to  go 
through  the  tall,  wet  grass,  which  was  then 
as  high  as  a man’s  head,  to  William  Lang- 
don’s  near  Young’s  grist-mill,  and  between 
sobs  told  my  pitiful  story  to  him  and  begged 
for  some  flour  to  keep  my  little  family  from 
starving  to  death.  He  did  not  know  me  and 
refused,  but  his  wife,  Grod  bless  her,  spoke 
up  and  said : ‘ You  shall  not  starve  if  it 
takes  all  there  is  in  the  house.  ’ Her  hus- 
band relented  and  weighed  me  out  nineteen 
pounds  of  flour,  and  then,  blessing  them  for 
their  charity,  I returned  home  through  the 
tall  grass  with  ‘ the  bird  of  hope  ’ again 
singing  in  my  bosom. 

“How  sweet  the  short  cake  without  meat, 
butter  or  anything  else  tasted  that  day  ! In 
the  afternoon  Aunt  Lois  Kent,  learning  of 
our  destitution,  brought  us  a pan  of  meal.  I 
got  some  milk  of  Mrs.  Schultz,  and  then 
made  some  mush.^  Believe  me,  the  tears  of 
joy  and  sorrow  rained  down  my  cheeks  when 
this  meal  was  eaten.  I then  told  Louisa 
Norton,  who  afterward  married  Harris  Grar- 
ton,  how  terribly  we  were  distressed  by  want 
and  hunger.  She  went  home^  and  told  her 
father,  Samuel  Norton,  who  said  : ‘ This  will 
not  do ; these  folks  have  come  to  a new 
country  and  must  be  helped.  They  shall 
not  starve  in  Bucyrus.’  So  every  evening  he 
sent  us  new  milk  fresh  from  the  cow,  and  as 
we  needed  it  a ham  of  meat.  One  day  he 
sent  Louisa  over  to  us  with  a dressed  pig. 
I never  had  a present  that  did  me  so  much 
good.  In  a few  weeks  my  husband  recovered, 
and  then  we  fared  better.”  But  very  few 
of  the  early  citizens  were  reduced  to  such  ex- 
tremes, although  most  families  were  many 
times  without  the  necessaries  of  life. 

The  Knisely  Springs.,  gas  and  medicinal, 
are  in  the  township  of  Sandusky,  on  the 
farm  of  Mr.  Joseph  Knisely,  about  seven 
miles  northeast  of  Bucyrus.  Within  an  area 
of  four  rods  are  eleven  springs  and  the  owner 
maintains  that  chemical  analysis  shows  that 
each  one  possesses  a virtue  not  found  in  either 
of  the  others.  They  are  located  in  a small 
basin  on  a little  rill  that  flows  into  the  San- 
dusky river.  Scattered  along  the  creek  above 
them  are  about  a dozen  others,  some  of 
which  contain  no  traces  of  sulphur,  while 
the  Knisely  springs  are  highly  impregnated 
with  it.  From  one  of  them  inflammable  gas 
is  eontinually  issuing.  Many  years  ago  Mr. 


Knisely  put  a large  funnel  over  the  surface 
of  the  water,  and  collecting  the  gas,  led  it  to 
his  house,  about  100  feet  distant,  through  an 
India  rubber  tube  and  burned  it  steadily  over 
two  years.  One  of  the  springs  is  very  valu- 
able and  interesting  on  account  of  its  medi- 
cinal properties.  A stone  box  four  feet  deep, 
with  the  same  length  and  width,  is  sunk 
over  it  almost  to  the  top  of  the  box,  and  up 
through  an  orifice  in  the  bottom  the  spring 
water  bubbles  as  clear  as  crystal.  The  water 
is  four  feet  deep  and  seemingly  possesses  a 
magnifying  power,  as  objects  at  the  bottom 
can  be  seen  as  plainly  as  in  the  open  air. 
The  bottom  of  the  box  is  covered  with  a 
beautiful  purple  sediment  of  a chalybeate 
character.  The  water  is  a mild  cathartic  and 
possesses  valuable  diuretic  and  diaphoretic 
properties.  It  is  asserted  by  the  owner  that 
animals  live  but  a few  minutes  in  this  water. 
Its  properties  are  not  fully  known,  but  sev- 
eral very  obstinate  cases  of  skin  diseases  have 
been  cured. 

Cranberry -picking  and  RaUlesyiakes. — 
Cranberry  is  the  name  of  a township  in 
this  county  which  derives  its  name  from  an 
extensive  cranberry  marsh  within  rt,  contain- 
ing about  2,000  acres.  It  was  known  far 
and  near  by  the  hunters  and  trappers  in  early 
years,  who  came  when  the  water  was  covered 
with  ice  to  trap  wolves,  foxes,  minx  and  other 
fur-bearing  animals.  Prior  to  1820  a large 
variety  of  animals  abounded,  and  the  enter- 
prising hunter,  if  he  had  the  necessary  skill, 
could  penetrate  the  marsh  and  kill  a panther 
or  a bear  whenever  he  wished.  About  the 
year  1830  a large  emigration  arrived  from 
Germany  and  located  in  different  ppts  of  the 
township.  The  county  history  gives  some 
interesting  items  in  regard  to  these  people, 
their  cranberry-picking  and  annoyances  while 
so  engaged  from  rattlesnakes. 

As  far  as  possible  they  chose  the  higher 
lands,  but  many  of  them  built  their  cabins 
on  the  ridges  that  rose  almost  like  islands 
from  the  swamp.  They  seemed  to  have  a 
reckless  disregard  for  ague  and  the  various 
types  of  malarial  diseases.  With  no  hope  of 
seeing  the  land  drained  for  twenty  or  thirty 
years,  they  went  to  work  to  let  in  the  sun- 
light and  to  let  out  the  stagnant  water.  After 
many  years  this  course  brought  the  desired 
result,  but  not  without  all  the  accompanying 
hardships  and  self-denials.  ^ The  settlers  were 
quite  unobtrusive  and  industrious.  The 
cranberry  marsh  furnished  an  abundant  har- 
vest of  berries,  and  it  also  furnished  to  those 
of  sufficient  skill  valuable  returns  in  the  way 
of  furs.  The  cranberries  grew  on  short 
stems  on  the  under  side  of  the  long,  wiry 
vines  that  crept  over  the  mosses  and  sedges 
growing  in  profusion  in  the  marsh.  The 
vines  did  not  grow  on  the  dry  ridges,  but 
sought  the  wet  grounds,  often  growing  out  of 
the  mud,  which  was  covered  with  several 
inches  of  water. 

Cranberry-picking  was  extensively  engaged 
in  by  all  the  neighboring  settlers,  many  of 
whom  made  no  little  money  in  the  business. 
In  1824  the  berries  sold  for  twenty  and 


488 


CRAWFORD  COUNTY. 


twenty-five  cents  a bushel.  They  steadily 
increased  in  value,  the  market  for  them  be- 
ing always  active.  In  1835  they  were  worth 
seventy-five  cents  per  bushel,  and  in  1850 
had  arisen  to  about  two  dollars.  Those  gath- 
ering the  berries — men  and  women — wore 
long-legged  boots  to  keep  out  the  water,  and 
as  a precaution  against  snake  bites.  A sec- 
•iion  of  plank,  from  a foot  and  a half  to  two 
feet  long,  and  about  a foot  wide,  was  taken, 
and  around  one  end  was  bound  a tough  band 
of  hickory  bark,  forming  a sort  of  box.  The 
other  end  of  the  plank  was  serrated,  the 
teeth  being  about  eight  inches  long.  Two 
handles  were  attached,  and  the  rude  imj^le- 
ment  thus  completed  was  used  in  gathering 
cranberries.  The  teeth  were  placed  over  one 
of  the  long  slender  vines,  and  the  implement 
was  held  so  that  when  it  was  pushed  along 
the  berries  were  scooped  into  the  box  at  the 
other  end.  Fifteen  or  twenty  bushels  were 
often  gathered  in  one  day  with  this  imple- 
ment. The  cranberry  season  began  the  latter 
part  of  September  and  lasted  nearly  two 
months ; or  rather  it  lasted  all  winter  and 
the  next  spring.  But  few  were  gathered  in 
the  winter,  however,  owing  to  their  being 
frozen  in  the  ice.  As  soon  as  the  ice  had 
thawed  in  the  spring,  the  gathering  began 
again,  and  the  berries  obtained  at  this  season 
were  considered  better  than  those  gathered  in 
the  fall,  as  less  sugar  was  required  to  prepare 
them  for  the  table. 

Whole  families  turned  out  during  the  cran- 
berry season,  and  the  marsh  swarmed  with 
settlers,  some  of  whom  came  many  miles 
and  remained  several  days,  camping  in  their 
wagons.  When  a sufficient  quantity  of  ber- 
ries was  gathered  to  fill  the  wagon-bed,  they 
were  taken  to  Sandusky,  or  some  other  city, 
and  sold.  Some  families  desiring  to  make  the 
most  of  the  marsh,  picked  day  and  night 
while  the  season  lasted.  The  berries  were 
heaped  on  some  dry  mound  near  by,  and  a 


member  of  the  family  was  detailed  to  guard 
and  clean  them,  while  the  remaining  mem- 
bers picked  as  fast  as  they  could.  Although 
hundreds  of  bushels  grew  in  the  marsh,  they 
usually  were  all  gathered  long  before  the  sea- 
son had  closed. 

Snake  Bites. — Several  incidents  are  related 
where  the  gatherers  were  severely  bitten  by 
rattlesnakes,  though  no  cases  are  recollected 
where  death  resulted  from  the  bite,  except 
perhaps  the  death  of  the  snake,  an  inevi- 
table result  of  the  reptile’s  indiscretion.  Jo- 
seph Smith  and  Robert  Hilburn  were  one 
day  picking  in  the  marsh,  when  they  were 
startled  by  a piercing  scream  near  them,  and, 
glancing  quickly  around,  saw  a woman,  dis- 
tant about  twenty  rods,  throw  her  arms 
wildly  in  the  air  and  sink  fainting  to  the 
ground.  They  ran  to  her  assistance,  and  as 
there  happened  to  be  no  water  near,  Robert 
plunged  his  arm  down  into  the  mud,  forming 
a well  after  a small  pattern,  which  was  quickly 
filled  with  muddy  water.  This  was  dashed 
copiously  in  the  face  of  the  unconscious 
woman,  who  soon  revived.  She  said  she 
had  been  bitten  by  a rattlesnake,  and  showed 
a small  wound  just  above  the  ankle.  The 
flesh  had  already  begun  to  swell,  and  Smith 
took  from  his  pocket  quite  a quantity  of 
“dog-leg”  tobacco,  and  having  moistened  a 
moderately  large  quid,  applied  it  to  the 
wound.  After  a few  minutes  this  ^yas  re- 
moved and  another  portion  applied,  and  the 
operation  was  repeated  until  all  the  tobacco 
was  used.  The  woman  recovered  from  her 
nervous  shock  and  arose  to  her  feet.  She 
had  had  enough  cranberry-picking  that  day 
and  started  for  home.  Her  name  has  been 
forgotten.  After  she  left,  a large  rattlesnake 
was  killed  about  a rod  from  where  she  had 
fallen.  It  was  evidently  the  same  one  that 
had  bitten  her.  In  1855  the  marsh  had 
grown  so  dry  that  cranberries  no  longer  grew 
there  in  paying  quantities. 


Galion  is  eighty  miles  southwest  of  Cleveland  and  fifty-eight  miles  north  of 
Columbus,  on  the  C.  C.  C.  & I.,  N.  Y.  P.  & O.,  and  Bee  Line  railroads.  It  is 
an  enterprising  and  growing  town.  Its  newspapers  are : Inquirer,  Democratic, 
H.  S.  ^latthias,  editor,  George  L.  Matthias,  publisher ; Sun-Review,  Hepublican, 
A.  D.  Howe  and  F.  E.  Coonrad,  editors  and  publishers.  Churches : 1 Methodist 
Episcopal,  1 English  Lutheran,  1 United  Brethren,  1 Presbyterian,  1 Baptist,  1 
Episcopalian,  1 German  Methodist,  I German  Lutheran,  1 German  Reformed,  and 
2 Catholic.  Banks : Citizens’  National,  J.  H.  Green,  president,  A.  E.  Lowe, 
cashier ; First  National,  C.  S.  Crini,  j^resident,  A.  W.  Monroe,  assistant-cashier ; 
Gallon  National,  George  Snyder,  president,  O.  L.  Hays,  cashier. 

Factories  and  Employees. — N.  Y.  P.  & O.  R.  R.  Shops,  railroad  repairs,  230 
hands ; C.  C.  C.  & I.  R.  R.  Shop,  railroad  repairs,  50 ; Central  Lounge  Manu- 
facturing Company,  lounges,  18;  Squier*  & Homer,  machine  work,  15;  Central 
Ohio  Wheel  Company,  vehicle  wheels,  136 ; Armstrong,  Daily  & Co.,  planing 
mill,  etc.,  39  ; Plank,  Gray  & Co.,  flour,  etc.,  15. — State  Report  1887.  Also,  Cen- 
tral Oil  Company  Works;  A.  Howard,  buggy  works;  I.  K.  Kunkel,  buggy 
works ; H.  Altstater’s  brewery  and  bottling  works ; Reisinger’s  bottling  works ; 
J.  Kesselmeir,  jewelers’  lathes ; O.  R.  Cox  & Co.,  carriage  hardware,  etc.  lk)pu- 
lation  in  1880,  5,635.  School  census  in  1886,  1,873;  Marcellus  Manley,  super- 
intendent. 


CRAWFORD  COUNTY. 


485 


Gallon  was  laid  out  in  1831  by  Michael  and  Jacob  Ruhl,  being  then  in  San- 
dusky township,  Richland  county.  In  1824  a post-office  was  established  here,  in 
accordance  with  a petition  from  the  inhabitants,  who,  however,  had  requested  its 
name  to  be  Goshen,  but  as  there  were  several  Goshens  in  the  country  the  Post- 
master-General to  prevent  confusion  gave  the  name  Galeon ; it  was  later  changed 
in  the  spelling  to  Gabon.  The  name  can  be  found  nowhere  else  in  the  world ; it 
is  unknown  why  this  particular  name  should  have  been  adopted.  John  Ruhl,  the 
father  of  Michael  and  Jacob,  came  from  York  county.  Pa.,  and  entered  several 
sections  of  land  here.  The  Ruhls  were  German  Lutherans,  and  were  active  in 
building  the  first  church,  erected  the  first  saw-mill,  kept  a tavern  and  a store,  and 
were  enterprising  in  developing  the  settlement.  In  1849  it  had  less  than  400 


L.  M.  Reck,  Photo.,  Gallon,  1887. 


Central  View  in  Galion. 


[This  view  was  taken  on  the  public  square  looking  down  South  Market  street.  The  church  spires 
shown  are  the  German  Lutheran,  the  Presbyterian,  and  the  German  Methodist] 


population.  Its  prosperity  is  due  to  the  building  of  railroads,  which,  with  their 
immense  shops,  constitute  the  life  of  Galion  ; two-thirds  of  the  population  consist 
of  railroad  men  and  their  families. 

The  following  sketches  of  character  and  incident  are  from  the  History  of 
Crawford  County,”  an  unusually  fine  work  of  its  class  : 


The  1 ailor  Justice. — “ Squire  Peter  W orst, 
one  of  the  early  justices,  was  a tailor  by  trade, 
and  generally  heard  the  cases  while  sitting 
cross-legged  on  his  office  bench,  seldom  paus- 
ing^ in  the  work  on  which  he  was  occupied. 
It  is  reported  that  one  day  a case  was  brought 
before  him,  and  he  continued  sewing  while 
the  plaintiff’s  side  was  being  argued,  after 
which  he  quit  work  for  a moment,  grabbed 
his  docket,  made  several  entries  upon  it  and 
continued  his  task.  The  counsel  for  the  de- 
fendant was  anxious  to  make  a plea,  and 
growing^  impatient,  asked,  “Doesn’t  the 
Court  wish  to  hear  any  evidence  on  the  other 
side?’’  “ Oh,  yes,”  replied  the  squire,  “you 
can  talk  just  as  long  as  you  please,  but  I have 
decided  the  case  in  favor  of  the  plaintiff.  ’ ’ 


It  is  unnecessary  to  write  of  the  details  of 
this  case,  but  the  remark'  was  characteristic 
of  Mr.  Worst,  who  was  one  of  the  early  set- 
tlers of  Bucyrus  township.  Mr.  Worst  was 
a resident  of  the  county  for  nearly  forty-five 
years,  and  held  various  township  and  corpo- 
ration offices  during  this  period.  He  was  a 
citizen  of  strongly  marked  character,  peculiar 
and  quaint,  fond  of  harmless  fun  and  ever 
ready  with  an  original  remark  or  an  innocent 
jest,  but  never  with  any  unkindness  or  sting 
in  his  cheerful  mirth. 

The  Two  Bachelor  Hermits. — ^Among  the 
early  residents  of  Auburn  township  were  two 
singular  old  bachelors,  named  V arnica  and 
Wadsworth.  They  were  hermits,  and  lived 
lonely  and  solitary  lives  in  rude  caves  dug  by 


490 


CRAWFORD  COUNTY. 


themselves  in  the  side  of  embankments,  the 
roof  being  ^ supported  with  upright  posts, 
standing  at  intervals  within  the  cave.  People 
called  them  crazy  and  the  eccentricity  of  the 
two  gave  abundant  credence  to  the  reports. 
They  shunned  all  associates  except  their  faith- 
ful dogs,  and  were  never  seen  in  the  neigh- 
borhood settlements,  unless  called  there  for 
supplies  or  to  dispose  of  provisions. 

Varnica  was  a German,  and  could  handle 
the  glib  idioms  of  his  native  language  with  a 
grace  and  fluency  that  proved  his  education 
to  be  of  unusual  excellence.  It  became  cur- 
rent, and  was  universally  believed  that  he  had 
been  an  officer  in  one  of  the  European  armies, 
possibly  in  that  of  Napoleon  Bonaparte.  His 
language  and  manners  indicated  that  he  was 
familiar  with  military  tactics,  and  his  inability 
to  speak  English  proved  that  he  had  not  re- 
sided long  in  America.  Although  he  lived 
in  poverty,  and  went  dressed  in  insufficient 
and  even  ragged  clothing,  he  seemed  to  have 
an  abundance  of  money,  which  he  kept  hid 
in  out-of-the-way  places.  He  entered  a quar- 
ter section  of  land,  upon  which  he  resided 
until  his  death.  But  little  money  was  found 
after  this  event,  until  a will  was  found  among 
his  papers,  bequeathing  his  land,  and  a few 
hundred  dollars  in  money,  to  a young  man 
named  James  Wilson,  with  whom  he  had 
lived  at  the  time  of  his  death.  He  was 
always  silent  and  melancholy,  and  seemed  to 
have  a deep-rooted  sorrow  preying  upon  his 
mind,  robbing  it  of  joys  that  make  life  en- 
durable. By  the  provisions  of  the  will,  Wil- 
son was  made  executor,  and  was  enjoined  to 
distribute  the  balance  of  the  money  among 
poor  and  friendless  females.  This  provision 
was  a denouement  to  some,  who  had  noticed 
that  Varnica  shunned  the  opposite  sex  as  he 
would  the  plagues  of  Egypt,  his  conduct 
giving  rise  to  the  report  that  his  life  had  been 
blighted  by  a woman.  The  will  disclosed  the 
hiding  place  of  $2,200  in  gold,  which  had 
been  concealed  in  a gate  post,  into  which  a 
hole  had  been  bored  and  the  gold  dropped  in, 
after  which  the  hole  had  been  closed  with  a 
pin  of  the  same  wood  as  the  post.  He  died 
in  1840,  and  Wilson  faithfully  executed  the 
provision  of  the  will. 

W adsworth  was  a graduate  of  Yale  College, 
and  had  evidently  fitted  himself  for  the  min- 
isterial profession.  He  lived  in  a cave  on  his 
land,  and,  though  bent  almost  double  from  un- 
known circumstances,  was  possessed  of  en- 
ormous strength.  He  earned  his  melons, 
potatoes,  and  other  provisions,  in  a sack  on 
his  back,  from  house  to  house  or  to  some  of 
the  surrounding  villages.  He  was  a recluse, 
and  seemed  contented  only  when  he  could 
brood  without  molestation  over  his  mysterious 
life.  He  had  rich  relatives  living  in  Boston, 
who  occasionally  visited  him  and  tried  to  in- 
duce him  to  abandon  his  life  of  poverty  and 
loneliness,  but  without  avail.  A happy  smile 
was  never  seen  upon  his  sad  face,  and,  when 
he  at  last  died,  in  about  1838,  his  property 
was  claimed  by  his  eastern  relatives. 

Lost  People. — About  one  mile  southwest  of 
Gallon,  was  a double  log-cabin,  in  which  two 


families  lived,  one  by  the  name  of  Erysman 
and  one  by  the  name  of  Dun,  or  Doormise, 
who  had  a little  daughter  about  four  years  of 
age.  The  mother  was  boiling  sugar  water  in 
the  woods  near  by,  and  had  the  little  girl  by 
her.  Thinking  it  time  the  little  one  was  in 
the  house,  she  went  with  her  to  the  fence, 
lifted  her  over  the  enclosure  and  told  her  to 
amuse  herself  until  the  mother  arrived. 
Nothing  was  ever  seen  of  the  little  girl  after 
that  day.  A number  of  strange  Indians 
(called  Canadians,  because  they  belonged  near 
the  lakes,  where  the  settlers  were  French)  had 
been  roving  around  the  settlements,  and  but 
a few  hours  before  the  child  was  missed  a 
party  of  four  or  five  had  been  to  Mr.  Hos- 
ford’s  to  purchase  some  whiskey.  But  a few 
days  before  a party  of  Indians,  supposed  to 
be  the  same,  had  been  to  the  house  of  Benja- 
min Sharrock,  and  attempted  to  negotiate  for 
a young  girl  whom  they  wanted  to  raise  in 
their  tribe,  and  be  adopted  as  one^  of  them. 

When  the  poor  mother  came  in  from  her 
work  and  found  that  the  little  daughter  had 
not  come  in  the  house,  she  knew  almost  in- 
tuitively that  the  little  one  was  lost.  She  was 
frenzied  with  horror,  and  a strange  terror  crept 
over  her ; in  a frantic  manner  she  roved  up 
and  down  the  woods,  one  moment  calling  in 
endearing  accents  the  name  of  her  little  child, 
and  the  next  the  woods  would  ring  with  her 
iercing  shrieks,  her  cries  and  appeals  to 
eaven.  Word  had  been  sent  to  Mr.  Asa 
Hosford,  and  he  came  with  men  as  promptly 
as  possible ; for  three  days  and  nights  the 
woods  were  searched ; parties  of  men  were 
sent  with  information  in  every  direction,  but 
all  of  no  use.  The  frantic  mother  suffered  so 
much,  that  all  the  good-hearted  old  pioneers 
tried  to  think  of  some  expedient ; finally  they 
ceased  their  search  in  the  woods  and  began  to 
drag  the  creek.  Men,  women  and  children, 
with  poles,  rakes,  grappels,  and  every  imple^ 
ment  that  could  possibly  be  of  use,  were 
brought  out  for  the  purpose.  But  hopes  of 
the  lost  one  died  within  them,  and  the  search 
was  gradually  given  up,  and  the  bright  little 
one  lost  forever. 

The  strange  Indians  were  never  seen  in 
that  vicinity  thereafter.  It  was  the^  theory 
of  those  most  versed  in  Indian  affairs  that 
some  chief  was  desirous  of  bringing  up  in  his 
tribe  a white  squaw  that  in  time  should  be 
the  wife  of  one  of  his  favorite  sons,  or  his 
legitimate  successor.  The  only  mitigation  of 
this  horrible  destiny  was  the  fact  that  nearly 
all  remembrance  of  her  parents  and  her  inno- 
cent childhood  joys  would  be  obliterated 
from  her  memory. 

Near  the  same  place  a family  by  the  name 
of  Bashford  had  taken  a little  girl  to  raise. 
She  went  out  to  find  the  cows,  which,  by  the 
ringing  of  a bell,  she  soon  discovered  ; but 
she  was  confused  about  the  route  to  be 
taken  for  the  house.  She  kept  cool,  and  de- 
termined to  stay  with  the  cows,  knowing  that 
when  they  were  found  she  would  be  all  right. 
She  followed  them  around  until  they  laid 
down,  when  she  crawled  up  and  laid  as  near 
the  back  of  an  old  cow  as  she  could  for  the 


CRAWFORD  COUNTY. 


4QI 


sake  of  warmth.  In  the  morning  she  was 
found  rambling  around  with  the  cattle  and 
her  feet  somewhat  frost-bitten.  She  was 
much  alarmed  by  the  howling  of  wolves 
through  the  night. 

There  were  hardly  any  roads  except  Indian 
trails,  and  women  and  children  were  often 
lost  in  passing  from  place  to  place,  and  in 
some  instances  men  were  lost.  A man  by 
the  name  of  Samuel  Dany  went  into  the 
woods  tc  shoot  a deer  ; he  soon  became  lost, 
and  wandered  round  and  round  until  he  be- 
came perfectly  confused.  At  last  he  canae 
in  sight  of  a cabin  and  a woman  standing  in 
the  door ; he  walked  up  to  the  fence  and 
inquired  where  Samuel  Dany  lived.  She 
laughingly  told  him  he  might  come  in  and 
see.  He  was  overjoyed  to  discover  that  it 
was  his  own  wife  and  his  own  home. 

Indian  War  Dance. — When  the  first  set- 
tlers came  to  Polk,  they  found  a village  of 
Wyandot  Indians  on  the  south  side  of  the 
Oleantangy,  on  ground  that  now  forms  the 
northern  part  of  Galion.  They  were  peace- 
ful and  well  disposed  toward  the  white  set- 
tlers, and  rendered  them  valuable  assistance 
in  the  erection  of  their  cabins  and  at  log- 
rollings. At  one  time  Mr.  Hosford  had  em- 
ployed a number  of  them  to  assist  in  a log- 
rolling. In  the  evening,  when  the  day’s 
work  was  done,  they  all  assembled  in  Mr. 
Hosford’ s kitchen ; being  slightly  intoxicated, 
they  were  in  humor  for  some  demonstration 
of  their  pent-up  spirits.  Mr.  Hosford,  think- 
ing to  amuse  all  present,  and  desiring  to  wit- 
ness some  of  their  ceremonies,  proposed  that 
the  Indians  should  give  an  exhibition  of  their 
war  dance.  ^ They  readily  acceded  to  his  re- 
quest, and  immediately  placed  one  of  their 
number,  by  name  ‘"Buckwheat,”  in  the  cen- 
tre of  the  room,  and  commenced  a horrible 
dance  around  him. 

Hideous  as  they  were  of  themselves,  they 
added  to  their  repulsiveness  contortions  of 
body  and  countenance.  They  whooped  and 
yelled  and  grew  fiercer  in  their  actions,  till 
they  finally  dragged  Buckwheat  roughly 
from  his  seat  and  threw  him  violently  upon 
the  floor.  One  of  the  braves  placed  his  foot 
upon  Buckwheat’s  neck  and  went  through 
the  pantomime  of  scalping  him,  while  others 
represented  themselves  as  plunging  their 
knives  into  the  quivering  victim.  Buck- 
wheat played  his  part  well ; he  was  person- 
ifying a white  man  in  captivity.  So  realistic 
was  this  tableau,  that  a white  man  present 
became  enraged  at  the  apparent  fear  and 
trembling  of  Buckwheat,  and  it  almost  re- 
quired the  personal  restraint  of  Mr.  Hosford 
to  prevent  Buckwheat  being  killed.  Mr. 
Hosford  had  reason  to  congratulate  himself 
that  before  the  exhibition  commenced  all 
arms  and  weapons  had  been  concealed.  This 
mimic  dance  and  death  of  a white  man  at 
this  period  made  a lasting  impression  on 
those  who  saw  it,  and  it  brought  vividly  to 
their  memones  the  horrible  atrocities  perpe- 
trated in  this  near  neighborhood  but  a com- 
paratively few  years  before. 

How  to  Find  Honey  Bees. — Many  persons 


at  an  early  date  engaged  in  bee-hunting.  A 
Mr.  Schauber  sold  enough  honey  to  secure 
the  purchase -money  on  what  is  known  as 
the  Schauber  farm.  The  beautiful  forests 
abounded  in  bee-trees ; it  is  surprising  to  see 
the  countless  swarms  that  spread  over  the 
West.  The  Indians  considered  them  the 
harbinger  of  the  white  man,  as  the  whites  do 
the  buffalo  and  deer  of  the  Indian,  and  note 
that  as  the  larger  game  retires  the  bee  ad- 
vances. 

The  Indians  with  surprise  found  the  mold- 
ering  trees  of  their  forests  suddenly  teeming 
with  ambrosial  sw^eets,  and  nothing  could  ex- 
ceed the  greedy  relish  with  which  they  ban- 
queted for  the  first  time  upon  this  unthought 
of  luxury  of  the  wilderness.  The  honey-bee 
swarms  in  myriads  in  the  noble  groves  and 
forests  that  skirt  and  intersect  the  prairies, 
and  along  the  alluvial  bottoms  of  the  creeks 
and  rivers.  The  hunters  generally  place  a 
piece  of  comb  on  a tree,  and  await  the  arrival 
of  workers.  As  soon  as  the  bees  have  loaded 
themselves  with  honey,  they  take  their  flight 
straight  for  their  own  tree  with  their  load. 
The  hunters  run  after  them  with  head  erect 
and  eyes  aloft,  frequently  stumbling  over  ob- 
stacles at  their  feet ; in  this  manner  they  track 
the  bees  to  their  individual  colonies,  mark  the 
trees,  and  seek  for  more.  They  dare  not  cut 
down  the  trees  until  fully  prepared  to  take 
away  the  honey,  for  the  bears,  skunks,  rac- 
coons and  possums  have  sweet  teeth  and 
would  soon  devour  any  honey  within  their 
reach.  The  bears  will  gnaw  for  days  together 
until  they  make  a hole  in  the  trunk,  big 
enough  to  insert  their  paws,  and  then  draw 
out  honey,  bees  and  all. 

Mr.  Story  states  that  in  an  early  day, 
Doudy,  an  Indian,  with  his  squaw,  cut  down 
a bee-tree.  The  grandfather  of  Story  was 
along ; the  honey  was  very  fine,  and  the  In- 
dian, who  was  very  fond  of  Mr.  Story,  sent 
him  a large  piece  of  comb  on  a piece  of 
shellbark.  Story  was  quite  overcome  by  the 
generosity  of  the  Indian,  who,  he  says,  was 
gentle  in  peace,  while  desperate  and  brave  in 
war. 

Petroleum  Nashy  Characters. — Porters- 
ville  gained  national  notoriety  during  and 
since  the  last  war,  by  being  the  celebrated  A 
Cross  Roads  where  the  fictitious  personage 
Petroleum  V.  Nasby  first  began  to  chronicle 
his  experiences,  and  to  send  communications 
to  the  Toledo  Blade  and  other  well-known 
newspapers.  Many  of  the  incidents  and  cir- 
cumstances narrated  by  him,  though  given 
with  partisan  partiality,  actually  transpired ; 
and  all  the  principal  characters,  such  as 
Nasby,  Bigler,  Bascom,  Pogram  and  others, 
were  taken  from  fancied  resemblances  to  in- 
dividuals residing  in  the  village  at  that  time. 
The  inquisitorial  eyes  of  the  nation  became 
centred  upon  the  little  town,  and  the  charac- 
ters drawn  have  become  almost  as  well  known 
to  the  citizens  of  the  United  States  as  those 
of  Dickens  or  Shakespeare.  They  have 
become  permanent  characters  in  standard 
American  literature.  It  was  not  long  before 
the  renowned  Nasby  sold  out  at  Portersville 


492 


CRAWFORD  COUNTY. 


(if  the  figure  may  be  indulged  in)  and  estab- 
lished himself  at  the  “Confedrit  X Hoads, 
which  is  in  the  State  of  Kentucky.  ’ ’ Several 
of  the  originals  from  which  the  principal 
characters  were  drawn  are  yet  living  in  the 
village,  or  in  other  parts  of  the  county.  The 
legend  of  Nasby’s  trials  in  the  political  world, 
like  that  of  the  fanciful  Don  Quixote,  will 
ever  remain  connected  with  the  unpreten- 
tious little  village,  and  will  afibrd  abundant 
material  for  gossip  for  scores  of  years  to 
come. 

Abundance  of  Game. — Crawford  county 
was  a favorite  hunting-ground  for  the  In- 
dians, and  the  early  settlers  found  an  abun- 
dance of  game.  Deer  were  very  plenty,  but 
for  the  first  few  years  the  slaughter  of  deer 
was  carried  on  so  wantonly  that  the  more 
thoughtful  and  prudent  among  them  saw 
that  those  animals  were  soon  destined  to  be- 
come unknown  in  the  country,  unless  some 
means  could  be  devised  to  end  the  useless 
slaughter. 

Bawling  up  Deer.  — The  Indians  who 
camped  on  the  small  streams  throughout 
the  country  killed  hundreds  of  them  for 
nothing  but  their  skins,  leaving  the  flesh  for 
the  wolves  and  buzzards.  During  the  season, 
when  the  fawns  were  young,  the  Indians,  in 
order  to  kill  as  many  deer  as  possible,  were 
in  the  habit  of  what  was  called  “bawling  up 
a deer.”  They  imitated  the  bleating  of  a 
fawn  in  distress,  when  the  instinct  of  the  doe 
to  protect  her  young  was  on  the  alert  and 
paramount;  and  when  she  ran  to  her  off- 
spring she  was  shot  by  the  Indians.  In  this 
manner  large  numbers  of  does  were  slaugh- 
tered. 

After  a few  years  the  settlers  forbade  the 
Indians  coming  to  the  neighborhood  to  kill 
doer;  and  on  one  occasion,  when  they  dis- 
obeyed the  command  and  killed  a fine  doe 
by  the  “bawling  process,”  several  settlers, 
among  whom  was  one  of  the  Chilcotes,  of 
Cranberry  Township,  and  Enoch  Baker,  in- 
formed them  emphatically,  with  a significant 
tap  upon  the  rifle,  that  if  the  act  was  re- 
})eated  the  Indians  doing  it  would  be  shot. 
This  put  a stop  to  the  destruction  in  that  di- 
rection, and  the  settlers  were  requested  not 
to  slaughter  the  animals  unnecessarily.  Ira 
Blair,  on  one  occasion,  remained  in  the  woods 
for  three  days,  killing  during  that  time  eight 
deer. 

It  is  related  by  Amos  Morse,  that,  in  about 
1821,  Jacob  Byers  made  a contract  with  Bu- 
dolphus  Morse,  the  father  of  Amos,  to  the 
effect  that  he  could  kill  more  deer  the  next 
day  than  Mr.  Morse  could  bring  in.  The 
bargain  was  made  one  evening,  during  a 
heavy  fall  of  snow.  Byers  knew  that  the 
following  day  would  be  an  excellent  one  for 
the  hunt,  so  early  in  the  morning  he  started 
out. 

He  had  an  old  flint-lock  rifle,  that  had  evi- 
dently seen  any  amount  of  service,  as  the 
arts  were  tied  together  in  many  jilaces  with 
ands  of  tow.  But  the  gun  proved  very 
effective  in  the  hands  of  the  experienced 
Byers,  who,  during  that  eventful  day,  killed 


seven  deer,  all  of  which  were  brought  in,  ac- 
cording to  agreement,  by  Mr.  Morse,  except 
one,  which  had  been  mortally  wounded,  and 
had  been  followed  and  killed  about  eight 
miles  east  of  the  township.  The  approach 
of  darkness  prevented  Mr.  Morse  from  bring- 
ing this  animal  in,  and  he  therefore  failed  to 
live  up  to  his  part  of  the  agreement. 

Fawns  were  often  captured  alive,  and  after 
a few  days  elapsed  they  would  follow  the 
members  of  the_  family  around  like  dogs. 
Almost  every  cabin  had  its  pet  deer  or  fawn. 
Bells  were  hung  around  their  necks  to  prevent 
them  from  getting  lost  in  the  woods. 

Encouyiter  with  Wolves. — Mr.  Baker  owned 
one  of  these  pets  which  was  prized  very 
highly  by  the  members  of  his  family.  One 
day,  while  it  was  feeding  near  the  cabin,  Mr. 
Tyndal,  who  was  hunting  in  the  woods,  pos- 
sibly thinking  it  was  a wild  one,  shot  and 
killed  it.  He  also  killed  several  others  about 
the  neighborhood,  when  the  indignant  owners 
came  to  the  conclusion  that  it  was  prepos- 
terous to  look  any  longer  hpon  the  act  as  a 
mistake.  Enoch  Baker  became  quite  an  ex- 
pert hunter,  and  in  1887  was  still  living  in 
Auburn  township,  on  the  farm  purchased  by 
his  father  in  1826.  On  one  occasion,  when 
returning  late  at  night,  or  rather  early  in  the 
morning,  from  “sparking”  a neighbor’s 
daughter,  he  barely  escaped  being  devoured 
by  wolves.  He  had  left_  the  cabin  of  his 
sweetheart  and  was  walking  along  through 
the  forest,  swinging  his  cane  and  whistling, 
as  boys  do  yet  when  returning  on  similar  oc- 
casions, when  the  distant  howl  of  a wolf  was 
borne  to  his  ears.  The  howl  was  repeated, 
and  soon  the  woods  were  filled  with  a chorus 
of  terrifying  sounds. 

The  boy  was  terribly  frightened,  and  as  he 
had  several  miles  to  go  before  reaching  home, 
he  started  rapidly  on  the  run,  hoping  to 
reach  his  father’s  cabin  before  the  wolves 
closed  upon  him.  He  ran  on  as  swiftly  as  his 
feet  would  carry  him,  but  soon  the  foremost 
wolves  were  seen  bounding  along  at  his  right 
and  left. 

He  swung  his  club  aloft  and  shouted,  and 
the  wolves  fell  back  a short  distance,  only  to 
again  approach  nearer  than  before.  But  the 
panting  boy  was  almost  home.  He  struggled 
on,  with  the  wolves  about  him,  and  finally 
ran  into  the  clearing  around  his  father’s 
cabin,  when  the  animals  fell  back  and  were 
soon  lost  to  sight  in  the  dark  forest.  This 
was  a lesson  to  the  youth,  but  it  did  no  good, 
for  the  next  Sunday  night  he  was  out  late 
again  for  the  same  reason. 

Catamounts. — On  another  occasion,  Wil- 
liam Johns,  a neighbor,  having  lost  several 
pigs  through  the  agency  of  some  wild  animal 
that  carried  them  off  one  by  one  on  succes- 
sive nights,  oft’ered  Mr.  Baker  a dollar  if  he 
would  kill  the  animal.  Baker  accordingly 
established  himself  with  his  dog  in  the  cabin 
of  Johns  to  watch  for  the  animal  during  the 
night.  About  twelve  o’clock  the  swine  were 
heard  squeaking,  and  Baker  opened  the  door 
and  told  the  eager  dog  to  go.  Away  it  went 
after  some  large  animal,  that  bounded  off 


CRAWFORD  COUNTY. 


493 


into  the  woods  and  ran  up  a tree.  Baker 
followed  and  saw  by  the  light  of  the  moon  a 
catamount  crouched  on  a large  limb  above  his 
head.  He  fired  and  the  animal  fell  to  the 
ground  dead.  The  death  of  the  catamount 
stopped  the  destruction  of  the  swine ; but 
Baker  refused  to  take  the  dollar  he  had 
earned,  being  satisfied  with  the  skin  of  the 
animal.  At  another  time,  when  returning 
from  a neighbor’s,  his  dogs  treed  two 
catamounts.  After  a lively  skirmish,  dur- 
ing which  he  experienced  considerable  per- 
sonal danger,  he  succeeded  in  killing  them 
both. 

Squirrels. — The  woods  were  filled  with 
squirrels,  which  came  by  the  hundreds  into 
the  corn-fields  and  dug  up  and  destroyed  the 
growing  grain.  Hunts  were  frequently  or- 
ganized to  rid  the  forest  of  these  pests,  and 
often  on  such  occasions  hundreds  were  killed 
and  for  days  after  the  hunters’  families  were 
provided  with  an  abundant  supply  of  choice 
meat.  A hunt  of  this  character  was  pro- 
jected one  day  by  a party  of  settlers,  among 
whom  were  Thomas  Cooker  and  Enoch 
Baker.  When  night  came  and  the  hunters 
assembled  to  see  who  had  been  most  success- 
ful, it  was  found  that  almost  200  squirrels 
had  been  killed.  As  each  hunter  brought 
into  the  room  the  squirrels  he  had  killed, 
Baker,  to  the  astonishment  of  all,  lugged  in  a 
large  catamount  as  the  result  of  his  day’s 
hunt.  It  was  conceded  by  all  that  he  had 
done  the  best  day’s  work. 

Encounters  with  Bears. — At  another  time, 
William  Cloe,  then  a boy  about  sixteen  years 
old,  called  the  dogs  one  evening,  and  started 
in  search  of  the  cows.  The  dogs  left  his 
side,  and  he  soon  heard  them  barking 
furiously  at  some  animal  that  had  turned  at 
bay.  He  hurried  forward  and  saw  them 
standing  guard  over  a large  hollow  log,  and, 
from  their  cautious  movements,  he  knew  they 
were  confronted  by  an  animal  of  which  they 
were  afraid.  He  stole  cautiously  forward 
from  the  rear,  and,  peering  under  the  log, 
saw  the  huge  paws  of  a bear.  The  boy  was 
without  a gun,  but,  determining  to  attack  the 
bear  at  all  hazards,  he  armed  himself  with  a 
heavy  club  and  resolutely  approached  the 
log.  While  the  attention  of  the  bear  was  di- 
verted to  the  dogs,  which,  emboldened  by  the 
approach  of  the  boy,  had  renewed  the  attack 
with  great  fury,  he  seized  it  by  the  hind  leg 
and  pulled  it  from  the  log.  Before  the  ani- 
mal could  recover  its  feet,  the  boy  dealt  it  a 
terrible  blow  across  the  head,  repeating  the 
act  again  and  again,  until  life  was  extinct. 
When  the  excited  boy  returned  home  without 
the  cows  and  related  his  adventure  his  story 
was  not  believed  until  the  dead  bear  was  seen. 


William’s  brother  Daniel  remained  one 
night  at  the  cabin  of  a relative  near  West 
Liberty,  and  early  the  next  morning,  before 
daybreak,  started  for  home.  He  was  accom- 
panied by  a large  bull-do^,  belonging  to 
Enoch  Baker,  and  after  going  a short  dis- 
tance he  was  startled  by  seeing  several  wolves 
running  along  in  the  woods  on  either  side  of 
and  behind  him.  He  started  forward,  but 
had  not  gone  ten  paces  before  a pack  of 
eleven  wolves,  with  open  mouths,  bounded 
toward  him  from  behind.  A large  one,  the 
leader  of  the  pack,  was  almost  upon  him, 
when  it  was  seized  by  the  throat  by  the  dog 
and  pinned  to  the  ground.  The  others  fell 
back,  giving  the  boy  time  to  ascend  a small 
iron-wood  tree,  and,  after  a short  fight,  the 
wolf  escaped  the  hold  of  the  dog,  and  to- 
gether the  whole  pack  turned  and  disap- 
peared in  the  woods.  The  boy  had  been 
saved  by  the  dog  from  a horrible  death . 

One  day  Seth  Hawkes,  hearing  one  of  his 
hogs  squealing  loudly  in  the  woods  about  a 
quarter  of  a mile  from  his  cabin,  hastened 
out  to  see  what  could  be  the  matter.  A large 
log  lay  upon  the  ground  between  him  and  the 
squealing  hog,  and  nothing  could  be  seen  by 
the  settler  until  he  reached  the  log  and 
peered  over.  There  lay  his  hog  upon  the 
ground,  while  standing  over  it,  with  their 
sharp  teeth  and  claws  in  its  flesh,  were  two 
large  bears.  The  animals  instantly  perceived 
the  intruder  and  turned  upon  him  furiously, 
but  he  ran  to  a small  tree,  and  sprang  into 
the  lower  branches  just  in  time  to  escape  the 
claws  of  the  larger  bear,  which  had  swiftly 
pursued  him.  The  furious  animal  began 
making  desperate  efforts  to  reach  the  settler. 
It  at  first  endeavored  to  climb  the  tree  ; but, 
failing  in  this,  it  retired  to  a short  distance, 
and,  turning,  ran  toward  the  tree  with  the 
apparent  intention  of  leaping  into  the  lower 
branches.  The  terrified  Mr.  Hawks  sat  on  a 
limb  above  and  regarded  with  no  little  con- 
cern the  efforts  of  the  bear.  He  began  hal- 
looing loudly  for  assistance,  and  the  bear  in- 
creased its  efforts  to  reach  its  enemy.  It 
soon  wore  quite  a path  in  running  to  the 
tree,  and  would  leap  high  enough  to  seize  one 
of  the  limbs  in  its  teeth.  After  about  half 
an  hour  Budolphus  Morse,  who  had  been  ap- 
prised by  Mrs.  Hawks  of  the  dangerous  situa- 
tion of  her  husband,  appeared  upon  the 
scene,  whereupon  the  bears,  whose  fury  had 
spent  itself,  apparently  realizing  that  it  was 
no  longer  wise  to  dispute  against  such  odds 
about  the  ownership  of  the  hog,  shambled 
off  through  the  woods  as  fast  as  ^ their  feet 
could  carry  them.  Many  other  interesting 
anecdotes  of  a similar  nature  are  related  by 
the  old  settlers. 


Ceestline  is  situated  at  the  erossing  of  the  P.  Ft.  W.  & C.  and  the  C.  C.  C. 
& I.  Railroad,  about  13  miles  from  Bucyrus.  It  was  laid  out  in  1851  by  Rensel- 
laer  Livingston  and  originally  bore  the  name  of  Livingston.  It  is  in  Jackson 
township,  comprising  only  8 square  miles,  probably  the  smallest  in  the  State.  It 
is  a railroad  town  and  supported  mainly  by  the  railroad  shops  located  here.  Be- 


m 


CRAWFoRD  COUNTY. 


fore  the  day  of  railroads  a town  on  this  spot  was  not  thought  of.  Men  who  are 
still  in  the  prime  of  life  remember  when  it  Avas  a good  place  to  hunt  deer.  The 
site  is  flat.  When  laid  out  it  was  thought  to  be  the  highest  point  above  sea-level 
in  the  State,  hence  the  name  Crestline.  It  has  two  newspapers,  Advomie^  Ind., 
D.  C.  Billow,  editor ; Vidette,  Dem.,  W.  W.  Pope,  editor.  Churches : 1 Methc  • 
dist  Episcopal,  2 German  Lutheran,  1 English  Lutheran,  1 German  Reformed,  i 
Presbyterian  and  1 Catholic.  Babst’s  Banking  House,  Babst  Bros.,  proprietOi.s, 
Jacob  Babst,  cashier. 

Manufactures  and  Employees. — Talbot  & Co.,  meal  and  feed,  4 hands ; Eckstein 
& Ross,  planing  mill,  14 ; J.  W.  Pond  & Co.,  flour,  etc.,  3 ; P.  Ft.  W.  & C.  R. 
R.  Co.,  railroad  repairs,  156  ; N.  Burch  Plow  Works,  plows,  8. — State  Report 
1887.  Population  in  1880,  2,848. 

Ncav  Washington  village  had  in  1880  675  inhabitants,  and  Leesville  Cross 
Roads  213. 


CIJYAIIOGA. 

Cuyahoga  was  formed  from  Geauga  county,  June  7,  1807,  and  organized  in 
May,  1810.  The  name  Avas  derived  from  the  river,  and  is  said  to  signify,  in  the 
Indian  language,  crooked f a term  significant  of  the  river,  Avhich  is  very  Avind- 
ing,  and  has  its  sources  farther  north  than  its  mouth.  The  surface  is  level  or 
gently  undulating.  Near  the  lake  the  soil  is  sandy,  elsewhere  generall}^  a clayey 
loam.  The  valleys  of  the  streams  are  highly  productive  in  corn  and  oats ; in  other 
parts  the  principal  crops  are  wheat,  barley  and  hay.  Tlie  county  produces  a great 
variety  and  amount  of  excellent  fruit ; also  cheese,  butter,  etc.  Excellent  grind- 
stone quarries  are  Avorked,  and  grindstones  largely  exported.  The  sandstone  from 
these  quarries  is  a great  article  of  commerce. 

Area,  470  square  miles.  In  1885  the  acres  cultivated  were  100,462  ; pasture, 
73,790;  Avoodland,  24,634;  lying  Avaste,  8,937;  produced  in  Avheat,  184,680 
bushels;  oats,  550,108 ; corn,  360,664;  apples,  297,497 ; butter,  847,183  pounds; 
cheese,  46,397;  milk,  3,598,729  quarts;  coavs,  12,486;  pounds  of  grapes, 
3,290,363,  being  more  than  double  that  of  any  qther  county.  School  census  1886 
74,027  ; teachers,  932.  It  has  395  miles  of  railroad  track. 


)WNSHiPs  AND  Census. 

1840. 

1880. 

Townships  and  Census.  1840. 

1880. 

Bedford, 

2,021 

1,787 

Middlebutg, 

339 

4,053 

Brecksville, 

1,124 

1,095 

Newburg, 

1,342 

1,613 

Brooklyn, 

1,409 

4,433 

Olmsted, 

659 

1,817 

Chagrin  Falls, 

1,562 

Orange, 

1,114 

783 

Cleveland, 

7,037 

160,146 

Parma, 

965 

1,444 

Dover, 

966 

1,784 

Rockport, 

1,235 

2,676 

East  Cleveland, 

3,673 

Royalton, 

1,051 

1,124 

Euclid, 

1,774 

2,776 

Solon, 

774 

867 

Independence, 

754 

1,993 

Strongsville, 

1,151 

1,029 

Mayfield, 

852 

879 

Warrensville, 

1,085 

1,409 

Population  in  1840  was  26,512;  in  1860,  77,139;  in  1870, 

130,564 ; 

in  1880, 

CUYAHOGA  COUNTY. 


495 


I 194,735,  of  whom  101,980  were  Oliio-born ; 4,728  Pennsylvania;  10,059  New 
York;  27,051  born  in  the  German  Empire;  13,203  in  Ireland;  10,839  in  Eng- 
land and  Wales;  4,884  British  Ameriea ; 1,705  Scotland;  506  France;  248  Swe- 
den and  Norway. 

As  early  as  1755  there  was  a French  station  within  the  present  limits  of  Cuyahoga. 
On  Lewis  Evans^  map  of  the  middle  British  colonies,  published  that  year,  there  is 
marked  upon  the  west  bank  of  the  Cuya- 
hoga, the  words  ^^Frencli  house”  Avhich 
was  doubtless  the  station  of  a French 
trader.  The  ruins  of  a house,  supposed  to 
be  those  of  the  one  alluded  to,  have  been 
discovered  on  Foot’s  farm,  in  Brooklyn 
township,  about  five  miles  from  the  mouth 
of  the  Cuyahoga.  The  small  engraving 
annexed  is  from  the  map  of  Evans,  and 
delineates  the  geography  as  in  the  original. 

In  1786  the  Moravian  missionary, 

Zeisberger,  with  his  Indian  converts,  left 
Detroit,  and  arrived  at  the  mouth  of  the 
Cuyahoga  in  a vessel  called  the  Mack- 
inaw. From  thence  they  proceeded  up 
the  river  about  ten  miles  from  the  site  of 
Cleveland,  and  settled  in  an  abandoned  village  of  the  Ottawas,  within  the  present 
limits' of  Independence,  which  they  called  Pilgerruh,  i.  e.,  PilgrivYs  Rest.  Their 
stay  was  brief,  for  in  the  April  following  they  left  for  Huron  river,  and  settled 
near  the  site  of  Milan,  Erie  county,  at  a locality  they  named  New  Salem. 

The  British,  who,  after  the  Bevolutionary  war,  refused  to  yield  possession  of  the 
lake  country  west  of  the  Cuyahoga,  occupied  to  its  shores  until  1790.  Their  trad- 
ers had  a house  in  Ohio  City,  north  of  the  Detroit  road  on  the  point  of  the  hill 
near  the  river,  when  the  surveyors  first  arrived  here  in  1796.  From  an  early  day 
Washington,  Jefferson  and  other  leading  Virginia  statesmen  regarded  the  mouth 
of  the  Cuyahoga  as  an  important  commercial  position. 


The  First  Permanent  Settlement  within  the 
limits  of  Cuyahoga  was  made  at  Cleveland 
in  the  autumn  of  1796.  On  the  4th  of  July 
previous,  the  first  surveying  party  of  the  Re- 
. serve  landed  at  Conneaut.  In  September  and 
October  the  corps  laid  out  the  city,  which 
was  named  in  honor  of  the  land  company’s 
agent,  Gen.  Moses  Cleveland.  By  the  18th 
of  October,  the  surveyors  quitted  the  place, 
leaving  Mr.  Job  V.  Stiles  and  his  family 
and  Mr.  Edward  Paine,  who  were  the  only 
persons  that  passed  the  winter  of  1796-97 
within  the  limits  of  the  town.  ^ Their  lonely 
residence  ■ was  a log-cabin,  which  stood  near 
the  site  of  the  Commercial  bank.  The  near- 
est white  settlement  west  was  at  the  mouth 
of  the  Raisin  ; south  or  east  at  Fort  M’Intosh, 
at  the  mouth  of  Big  Beaver  ; and  northeast  at 
Conneaut.  Those  families  that  wintered 
at  Conneaut  suffered  severely  from  want  of 
food. 

The  Surveying  Party.,  on  reaching  the  Re- 
serve the  succeeding  season,  again  made 
Cleveland  their  headquarters.  Early  this  sea- 
son, Elijah  Gunn  and  Judge  Kingsbury  re- 
moved here  from  Conneaut  with  their  fam- 
ilies, and  in  the  fall  the  latter  removed  to 
Newburg,  where  he  still  (1846)  resides  at  an 


advanced  age.  The  little  colony  was  increased 
also  by  the  arrival  of  Major  Lorenzo  Carter 
and  Ezekiel  Hawley,  with  their  families. 

Trials  and  Suffering. — In  1798  Rodolphus 
Edwards  and  Nathaniel  Boane,  with  their 
families,  settled  in  Cleveland.  To  faintly 
show  the  difficulty  of  travelling  at  that  time, 
it  is  stated  that  Mr.  Doane  was  ninety-two 
days  on  his  journey  from  Chatham,  Conn. 
In  the  latter  part  of  the  summer  and  in  the 
fall,  every  person  in  the  town  was  sick,  either 
with  the  bilious  fever  or  with  the  fever  and 
ague.  Mr.  Boane’ s family  consisted  of  nine 
persons  ; the  only  one  of  them  having  sufficient 
strength  to  take  care  of  them  and  brin^  a 
pail  of  water  was  Seth  Boane,  then  a lad  of 
thirteen  years  of  age,  and  even  he  had  daily 
attacks  of  the  fever  and  ague.  Such  was  the 
severity  of  the  bilious  fever  at  that  time, 
that  a person  having  only  daily  attacks  of 
fever  and  ague  was  deemed  lucky.  There 
was  much  suffering  from  the  want  of  food, 
particularly  that  proper  for  the  sick.  The 
only  way  this  family  was  supplied,  for  two 
months  or  more,  was  through  the  exertions 
of  this  boy,  who  daily,  after  having  an  attack 
of  the  ague,  went  to  Judge  Kingsbury’s,  in 
Newburg — five  miles  distant — got  a peck  of 


Drawn  by  Henry  Howe  in  1846. 


Valley  op  the  Cuyahoga  at  Cleveland. 

[The  view  sliows  in  the  distance  Lake  Erie.  The  valley  is  now  for  miles  filled  with  manufacturing 
establishments — a scene  of  busy  industry.  The  viaduct  now  spans  the  valley  in  the  middle  back- 
ground from  plateau  to  plateau,  3,211  feet  in  length,  68  feet  high  and  64  feet  wide.] 


The  Superior  Street  Viaduct  at  Cleveland. 

[This  great  arched  viaduct  of  Berea  stone  and  iron  was  completed  in  1878  and  at  a cost  of  $2,226,000. 
Ten  years  later,  in  1888,  through  the  enterprise  of  !Mr.  J,  M.  Curtis,  was  completed  at  an  ex]>ense  of 
about  $1,000,000  the  Central  Viaduct.  It  is  built  of  iron  on  the  Cantilever  principle,  and  crosses  the 
Cuyahoga  about  a mile  above  the  other  atid  also  Walworth  Iluu  Valley,  the  combined  length  5,229  JeeL 
and  height  above  the  Cuyalioga  101  feet.] 


496 


CUYAHOGA  COUNTY. 


corn,  mashed  it  in  a handmill,  waited  until  a 
second  attack  of  the  ague  was  over,  and  then 
started  on  his  return.  There  was  at  one  time 
a space  of  several  days  when  he  was  too  ill  to 
make  the  trip,  during  which  turnii'S  com- 
prised about  all  the  vegetables  the  family  had. 
Fortunately,  Major  Carter  having  only  the 
fever  and  ague,  was  enabled,  through  the 
aid  of  his  hounds  and  trusty  rifle,  to  procure 
'abundance  of  venison  and  other  wild  game. 
His  flimily  being  somewhat  acclimated,  suf- 
fered less  than  that  of  Mr.  Doane.  Their 
situation  can  scarcely  be  conceived  of  at  the 
present  day.  Destitute  of  a physician,  and 
with  a few  medicines,  necessity  taught  them 
to  use  such  means  as  nature  had  placed  within 
their  reach.  For  calomel  they  substituted 
pills  from  the  extract  of  the  bark  of  the  but- 
ternut and  in  lieu  of  quinine  used  dogwood 
and  cherry  bark. 

In  November,  four  men  who  had  so  far  re- 
covered as  to  have  ague  attacks  no  oftener 
than  once  in  two  or  three  days,  started  in  the 
only  boat  for  Walnut  creek.  Pa.,  to  obtain  a 
winter’s  supply  of  flour  for  the  colony.  When 
below  Euclid  creek  a storm  arose,  drove  them 
ashore,  stove  their  boat  in  pieces  and  it  was 
with  difficulty  they  saved  their  lives  and  re- 
gained the  city.  During  the  winter  and  sum- 
mer following,  the  colony  had  no  flour  except 
that  ground  in  hand  or  coffee  mills,  which, 
for  want  of  proper  means  to  separate  from  the 
bran,  was  made  into  a bread  similar  to  that  of 
Graham’s.  In  this  summer  the  Connecticut 
land  company  opened  the  flrst  road  on  the 
Reserve,  which  commenced  about  ten  miles 
from  the  lake  on  the  Pennsylvania  line  and 
extended  to  Cleveland.  In  January,  1799, 
Mr.  Doane  moved  to  Doane’ s Corners,  and 
from  that  time  until  April,  1800 — a space  of 
fifteen  months — Major  Carter’s  was  the  only 
white  family  in  Cleveland.  During  the  spring 
of  1799,  Wheeler  W.  Williams,  from  Norwich, 
Conn.,  and  Major  Wyatt  erected  a small 
grist  and  a saw  mill  at  the  falls,  on  the  site  of 
Ncwburg,  which  being  the  first  mill  on  the 
Reserve,  spread  joy  among  the  pioneers.  A 
short  time  prior  to  this,  each  house  in  Cleve- 
land had  its  own  hand  grist  mill  in  the  chim- 
ney corner,  which  is  thus  described  by  one  of 
the  early  settlers : ‘ ‘ The  stones  were  of  the 
common  grindstone  grit  and  about  four  inches 
thick  and  twenty  in  diameter.  The  runner 
was  turned  by  hand,  with  a pole  set  in  the 
top  of  it  near  the  verge.  The  upper  end  of 
the  pole  went  into  another  hole  inserted  into 
a board,  and  nailed  on  the  under  side  of  the 
joist,  immediately  over  the  hole  in  the  verge 
of  the  runner.  One  person  turned  the  stone 
and  another  fed  the  corn  nto  the  eye  with 
his  hands.  It  was  very  hard  work  to  grind, 
and  the  operators  alternately  changed  places.  ’ ’ 

Celebrating  Independence  Day. — In  1800 
several  settlers  came,  among  whom  were 
David  Clark  and  Major  Amos  SpalFord,  and 
from  this  time  the  town  slowly  progressed. 
The  first  ball  in  Cleveland  was  on  the  4th  of 
July,  1801,  and  was  held  at  Major  Carter’s 
lo^-cabin,  on  the  side  hill ; John  and  Benja- 
min Wood  and  R.  H Blinn,  managers,  and 


Major  Samuel  Jones,  musician  and  master 
of  ceremonies.  The  company  consisted  of 
about  thirty  of  both  sexes.  Mr.  J ones’  pro- 
ficiency on  the  violin  won  him  great  favor. 
Notwithstanding  the  dancers  had  a rough 
puncheon  floor,  ^ and  no  better  beverage  to 
enliven  their  spirits  than  whiskey  sweetened 
with  maple  sugar,  yet  it  is  doubtful  if  the 
anniversary  of  American  independence  was 
ever  celebrated  in  Cleveland  by  a more  joyful 
and  harmonious  company  than  those  who 
danced  the  scamper-down,  double-shuffle, 
western-swing  and  half-moon  forty-six  years 
ago  in  the  log-cabin  of  Major  Carter. 

Major  Carter  and  the  Indians. — The  In- 
dians were  accustomed,  at  this  period,  to 
meet  every  autumn  at  Cleveland  in  great 
numbers  and  pile  up  their  canoes  at  the 
mouth  of  the  Cuyahoga.  From  thence  they 
scattered  into  the  interior,  and  passed  the 
winter  in  hunting.  In  the  spring  they  re- 
turned, disposed  of  their  furs  to  traders,  and, 
launching  their  bark  canoes  upon  the  lake, 
returned  to  their  towns,  in  the  region  of  the 
Sandusky  and  Maumee,  where  they  remained 
until  the  succeeding  autumn,  to  raise  their 
crops  of  corn  and  potatoes.  In  this  connec- 
tion we  give  an  incident  showing  the  fear- 
lessness and  intrepidity  of  Major  Lorenzo 
Carter,  a native  of  Rutland,  Vt.,  and  a 
thorough  pioneer,  whose  rough  exterior  cov- 
ered a warm  heart.  Some  time  in  the  spring 
of  1799  the  Chippewas  and  Ottawas,  to  the 
number  of  several  hundred,  having  disposed 
of  their  furs,  determined  to  have  one  of  their 
drinking  frolics  at  their  camp,  on  the  west 
bank  of  the  Cuyahoga.  As  a precautionary 
measure,  they  gave  up  their  tomahawks  and 
other  deadly  weapons  to  their  squaws  to 
secrete,  so  that,  in  the  height  of  their 
frenzy,  they  need  not  harm  each  other.  They 
then  sent  to  the  Major  for  whiskey,  from 
time  to  time,  as  they  wanted  it ; and  in  pro- 
portion as  they  became  intoxicated,  he  weak- 
ened it  with  water.  After  a while  it  resulted 
in  the  Indians  becoming  partially  sober  from 
drinking  freely  of  diluted  liquor.  Perceiving 
the  trick,  they  became  much  enraged.  Nine 
of  them  came  on  to  the  Major’s,  swearing 
vengeance  on  him  and  family.  Carter  being 
apprised  of  their  design,  and  knowing  they 
were  partially  intoxicated,  felt  himself  to  be 
fully  their  match,  although  possessing  but 
poor  weapons  of  defence.  Stationing  him- 
self behind  his  cabin  door  with  a fire  poker, 
he  successively  knocked  down  three  or  foui 
as  they  attempted  to  enter,  and  then,  leaping 
over  their  prostrate  bodies,  furiously  attacked 
those  on  the  outside  and  drove  them  to  their 
canoes.  Soon  after  a deputation  of  squaws 
came  over  to  make  peace  with  the  Major, 
when,  arming  himself,  he  fearlessly  repaired 
to  their  camp  alone  and  settled  the  difficulty. 
Such  eventually  became  his  influence  over 
the  Indians  that  they  regarded  him  as  a 
magician,  and  many  of  them  were  made  to 
believe  that  he  could  shoot  them  with  a rifle 
and  not  break  their  skins. 

I'he  First  Militia  Master  in  Cuyahoga 
county  was  held  on  the  Ifith  of  June,  1806, 


CUYAHOGA  COUNTY. 


497 


at  Doane’s  Corners.  Nathaniel  Doane  was 
captain ; Sylvanus  Burke,  lieutenant ; and 
Samuel  Jones,  ensign,  with  about  fifty  pri- 
vates. The  surveying  party  being  at  Cleve- 
land, and  many  strangers,  this  event  attracted 
much  attention.  Never  had  so  many  whites 
been  collected  together  in  this  vicinity  as  on 
this  occasion.  The  military  marched  and 
countermarched  to  the  lively  roll  of  the 
drum  of  J oseph  Burke,  who  had  been  drum 
major  in  the  Bevolution,  and  the  soul-stirring 
strains  of  the  fife  of  Lewis  Bill.  “Yankee 
Boodle,”  “Hail  Columbia,”  and  “Who’s 
Afeared  ’ ’ were  among  the  tunes  that  aroused 
the  martial  spirit  of  many  a gallant  heart,  as 
he  wielded,  perhaps,  some  ancient  relic  of 
the  Revolution  upon  his  shoulder. 

^ Sad  Incidents. — Early  in  the  spring  pre- 
vious a small  boat,  containing  a Mr.  Hunter, 
wife  and  child,  a colored  man  named  Ben, 
and  a small  colored  boy,  who  w'^re  moving  to 
Cleveland,  was  overtaken  on  the  lake  by  a 
squall  of  wind  and  driven  ashore  east  of 
Rocky  river.  The  bluff  being  perpendicular, 
they  were  unable  to  ascend.  They,  however, 
climbed  up  the  rocks  as  far  as  possible — the 
sur^e  constantly  beating  over  them — with  the 
vain  hope  that  the  storm  would  subside ; but 
on  Saturday  it  increased,  and  during  Sunday 
Mrs.  Hunter  expired,  the  children  having 
died  previously.  On  Monday  Mr.  Hunter 
'expired.  Black  Ben  held  out  until  Tuesday, 
when,  the^  storm  subsiding,  some  French 
traders,  going  in  a vessel  from  Cleveland  to 
Betroit,  discovered  him,  took  him  aboard 
and  returned  with  him  to  Cleveland.  Thus, 
for  three  days  and  four  nights  had  he  been 
without  sleep  or  food,  and  with  little  clothing, 
exposed  to  the  continued  surge,  and  holding 
on  for  life  to  some  small  bushes  in  the  crev- 
ices of  ^ the  rocks.  Ben  was  treated  with 
great  kindness  by  Major  Carter,  in  whose 
family  he  remained  an  invalid  over  a year. 

Early  the  second  spring  succeeding  a sim- 
ilar incident  occurred  near  the  same  place. 
Stephen  Gilbert,  Joseph  Plumb,  Adolphus 
Spafford  and  Mr.  Gilmore  started  on  a fish- 
ing expedition  for  Maumee  river  in  a Cana- 
dian batteau.  They  had  aboard  some  goods 
and  provisions,  sent  by  Major  Perry  to  his 
son  Nathan,  at  Black  river,  and  a hired 
woman,  named  Mary,  as  a passenger  to  that 
place.  A Mr.  White,  of  Newburg,  and  two 
sons  of  Mr.  Plumb,  not  arriving  in  time, 
started  by  land  for  the  mouth  of  Black  river, 
intending  to  overtake  the  boat  at  that  point. 
Pursuing  the  Indian  trail  on  the  bank  of  the 
lake,  they  discovered,  when  about  half  way, 
the  wreck  of  the  boat  on  the  beach,  by  the 
rocky  shore,  about  sixty  feet  below  them,  in 
what  is  now  Bover,  and  near  it,  Mr.  Plumb, 
seriously  injured  and  suffering  with  cold. 
From  him  they  learned  that  a squall  of  wind 
had  upset  their  boat  when  about  a mile  from 
shore,  and  that  all  but  him  had  drowned. 

They  were  all  good  swimmers  but  Plumb, 
who  luckily  got  astraddle  of  the  boat  after  it 
had  upset  and  floated  ashore.  The  others 

Cleveland  in  1846. — Cleveland  is 


made  for  the  shore,  Gilbert  telling  his  com- 
panions to  divest  themsel  /es  of  their  clothing 
as  much  as  possible  : but  all  their  efforts 
failed.  The  coldness  of  the  water  chilled  them 
so  that  they  could  not  swim.  Having  learned 
the  circumstances  from  Mr.  Plumb,  they 
made  every  eftbrt  to  reach  him,  but  were 
prevented  by  the  steepness  of  the  rocks. 
Mr.  White  and  one  of  Mr.  Plumb’s  sons  has- 
tened to  Blfick  river,  to  procure  means  of  re- 
lief, leaving  the  other  son  to  comfort  his 
father.  After  they  left  he  climbed  up  an 
iron-wood  sapling,  which  bent  with  his  weight, 
and  dropping  about  thirty  feet  perpendicular, 
joined  his  parent.  In  the  night  Quintus  F. 
Atkins  and  Nathan  Perry  returned  with 
White  and  recovered  Mr.  Plumb  by  hauling 
him  up  the  bank  with  a rope,  by  the  light 
of  a torch.  This  was  no  easy  task  for  men 
worn  down  by  fatigue,  Mr.  Plumb’s  weight 
being  220  pounds.  The  corpses  of  Gilmore 
and  Spafford  were  afterwards  found  and 
buried  at  Cleveland ; that  of  the  colored 
'woman  was  discovered  and  interred  at  Black 
river.  This  was  a melancholy  event  to  the 
colony.  Of  the  eighteen  deaths  that  had 
taken  place  among  the  inhabitants  of  Cleve- 
land from  the  first  settlement  in  1796,  a pe- 
riod of  twelve  years,  eleven  had  been  by 
drowning.  Buring  this  time  the  nearest  set- 
tled physicians  were  at  Hudson,  twenty-four, 
and  Austinburg,  fifty  miles. 

Hanging  of  O'  Mic. — On  the  26th  of  June, 
1812,  an  Indian,  named  O’ Mic,  was  hung  for 
murder,  at  Cleveland,  on  the  public  square. 
Fearing  an  attempt  at  rescue  on  the  part  of 
the  Indians,  a large  number  of  armed  citizens 
from  this  and  the  adjoining  counties  assem- 
bled. At  the  hour  of  execution  he  objected 
to  going  upon  the  scaffold  ; this  difiiculty  was 
removed  by  the  promise  of  a pint  of  whiskey, 
which  he  swallowed,  and  then  took  his  de- 
parture for  the  land  of  spirits.  In  1813 
Cleveland  became  a depot  of  supplies  and 
rendezvous  for  troops  engaged  in  the  war. 
A small  stockade  was  erected  at  the  foot  of 
Ontario  street,  on  the  lake  bank,  and  a per- 
manent garrison  stationed  here,  under  Major 
(afterwards  General)  Jessup,  of  the  United 
States  army. 

The  Return^  of  Peace  was  celebrated  by 
libations  of  whiskey  and  the  roar  of  artillery. 
One  worthy,  known  as  “Uncle  Abram,”  was 
much  elevated  on  the  occasion.  He  carried 
the  powder  in  an  open  tin  pail  upon  his  arm, 
while  another,  to  touch  off  the  gun,  carried  a 
stick  with  fire  at  the  end,  kept  alive  by 
swinging  it  through  the  air.  Amid  the  gen- 
eral excitement  a spark  found  its  way  to 
Uncle  Abram’s  powder  about  the  time  the 
gun  was  discharged,  and  his  body  was  seen  to 
rise  twenty  feet  in  the  air  and  return  by  its 
own  gravity  to  the  earth,  blackened  and  des- 
titute of  clothing.  He  was  dead,  if  his  own 
vociferations  were  to  be  believed ; but  they 
were  not,  and  he  soon  recovered  from  his 
wounds. 


at  the  northern  termination  of  the  Ohio 


498 


CUYAHOGA  CCUNTY. 


canal,  139  miles  northeast  from  Columbus,  255  from  Cincinnati,  130  from  Pitts* 
burg,  190  from  Buffalo,  650  from  New  York,  and  130  from  Detroit.  It  was 
incorporated  as  a village  in  1814  and  as  a city  in  1836.  Excepting  a small  por- 
tion of  it  on  the  river,  it  is  situated  on  a gravelly  plain  elevated  about  100  feet 
above  the  lake,  of  which  it  has  a most  commanding  prospect.  Some  of  the  com- 
mon streets  are  100  feet  wide,  and  the  principal  business  one.  Main  street,  has  the 
extraordinary  width  of  132  feet.  It  is  one  of  the  most  beautiful  towns  in  the 
Union,  and  much  taste  is  displayed  in  the  private  dAvellings  and  disposition  of 
shrubbery.  The  location  is  dry  and  healthy,  and  the  view  of  the  meanderings 
of  the  Cuyahoga  river  and  of  the  steamboats  and  shipping  in  the  port,  and  leav* 
ing  or  entering  it,  and  of  rhe  numerous  vessels  on  the  lake  under  sail,  presents  a 
prospect  exceedingly  interesting  from  the  high  shore  of  the  lake. 

Near  the  centre  of  the  place  is  a public  square  of  ten  acres,  divided  into  four 
parts  by  intersecting  streets,  neatly  enclosed  and  shaded  with  trees.  The  court 
house  and  one  or  two  churches  front  on  this  square. 

The  harbor  of  Cleveland  is  one  of  the  best  on  Lake  Erie.  It  is  formed  by  the 
mouth  of  the  Cuyahoga  river  and  improved  by  a pier  on  each  side,  extending  425 
yards  into  the  lake,  200  feet  apart,  and  faced  with  substantial  stone  masonry. 
Cleveland  is  the  great  mart  of  the  greatest  grain-growing  State  in  the  Union,  and 
it  is  the  Ohio  and  Erie  canals  that  have  made  it  such,  though  it  exports  much  by 
way  of  the  Welland  canal  to  Canada,  It  has  a ready  connection  with  Pittsburg 
through  the  Pennsylvania  and  Ohio  canal,  which  extends  from  the  Ohio  canal  at 
Akron  to  Beaver  creek,  which  enters  the  Ohio  below  Pittsburg.  The  natural 
advantages  of  this  place  are  unsurpassed  in  the  West,  to  which  it  has  a large 
access  by  the  lakes  and  the  Ohio  canal.  But  the  Erie  canal  constitutes  the  prin- 
cipal source  of  its  vast  advantages;  without  that  great  work,  it  would  have 
remained  in  its  former  insignificance.’^  The  construction  of  two  contemplated 
railroads,  the  first  connecting  Cleveland  with  Wellsville,  on  the  Ohio,  and  the 
last  with  Columbus,  will  add  much  to  the  business  facilities  of  the  place. 

The  government  of  the  city  is  vested  in  a mayor  and  council,  which  consists 
of  three  members  from  each  of  the  three  wards  into  which  the  city  is  divided,  and 
also  an  alderman  from  each  ward.  The  following  is  a list  of  the  mayors  of  the 
city  since  its  organization,  with  the  time  of  their  election  : John  W.  Wiliejj,  1836 
and  1837  ; Joshua  Mills,  1838  and  1839 ; Nicholas  Dockstader,  184C  ; JcLii  W. 
Allen,  1841;  Joshua  Mills,  1842;  Nelson  Hayward,  1843;  Samuel  Stark- 
weather, 1844  and  1845  ; George  Hoadley,  1846,  and  J.  A.  Harris,  1847. 

The  Cleveland  medical  college,  although  established  but  four  or  five  years,  is  in 
a very  flourishing  condition,  and  has  gained  so  much  in  public  estimation,  as  to  be 
equalled  in  patronage  by  only  one  or  two  similar  institutions  in  the  West.  It  has 
seven  professors,  and  all  the  necessary  apparatus  and  facilities  for  instruction. 

In  1837  the  government  purchased  nine  acres  on  the  height  overlooking  the 
lake,  for  the  purpose  of  erecting  a marine  hospital ; up  to  the  present  time,  but 
little  more  than  the  foundation  has  been  laid.  It  is  to  be  of  Ionic  architecture, 
of  hewn  stone,  and  will  combine  convenience  and  beauty. 

Cleveland  has  a large  number  of  mercantile  and  mechanical  establisliments ; 4 
banks,  3 daily,  6 weekly,  and  1 semi-monthly  newspaper,  and  21  religious  socie- 
ties, viz.  : 3 Episcopal,  2 Presbyterian,  1 Methodist  Episcopal,  1 Baptist,  1 Cath- 
olic, 1 Bethel,  1 Wesleyan  Methodist,  1 German  Evangelical  Protestant,  1 German 
Mission  Society  of  the  Protestant  Episcopal  Church,  1 German  Evangelical  Lu- 
theran, 1 Evangelical  Association  of  North  America,  1 Associate  Presbyterian,  1 
Seceder,  1 Disciples,  1 Jewish,  1 Universalist,  and  2 Second  Advent.  The  busi- 
ness of  the  port  of  Cleveland,  both  by  canal  and  lake,  is  very  heavy,  and  con- 
stantly increasing.  The  number  of  arrivals  by  lake,  in  1845,  was  2,136  ; of  these, 
927  were  steamers.  The  tonnage  then  owned  at  this  port  amounted  to  13,493, 
and  number  of  vessels  of  all  kinds,  85.  The  total  value  of  the  im}x>rts  and  ex- 
ports by  the  lake  was  over  §9,000,000. 


CUYAHOGA  COUNTY. 


49^ 


The  population  of  Cleveland,  on  the  east  side  of  the  Cuyahoga,  was,  in  the  year 
1796,  3;  1798,  16;  1825,  500;  1831,  1,100;  1835,  5,080;  1840,  6,071  ; and 
1846,  10,135.  Of  the  last,  6,780  were  natives  of  the  United  States;  1,472  of 
Germany  ; 808  of  England ; 632  of  Ireland ; 144  of  Canada ; 97  of  the  Isle  of 
Man,  and  96  of  Scotland. 

Ohio  City  (united  to  Cleveland  in  1854)  is  beautifully  situated  on  a command- 
ing eminence  on  the  west  side  of  the  Cuyahoga,  opposite  Cleveland.  It  was  in- 
corporated as  a city,  March  3,  1836,  and  its  government  vested  in  a mayor  and 
council.  The  city  is  divided  into  three  wards,  and  is  well  laid  out  and  built. 
There  are  three  churches,  viz. : 1 Presbyterian,  1 Methodist  Episcopal,  and  1 Epis- 
copalian— the  last  of  which  is  a Gothic  structure  of  great  beauty.  The  population 
of  Ohio  City,  in  1840,  was  1,577,  and  in  1845,  2,462. — Old  Edition. 

Cleveland  is  on  the  line  of  seven  railroads,  viz. : C.  & C. ; C.  C.  & C. ; C. 
C.  C.  & I. ; L.  S.  & M.  S. ; K Y.  C.  & St.  L. ; N.  Y.  L.  E.  & W. ; Penn.  Co. ; 
V. : in  a direct  line  about  600  miles  from  New  York  and  450  from  Chicago. 
County  officers  in  1888 : Probate  Judge,  Henry  Clay  White;  Auditor,  William 
H.  Brew ; Clerk,  Levi  E.  Meacham ; Prosecuting  Attorney,  Alexander  Haddon ; 

Recorder,  Alfred  T. 
Anderson ; Sheriff, 
Erasmus  I).  Sawyer ; 
Surveyor,  James  F. 
Brown ; Treasurer, 
David  W.  Kimber- 
ly ; Commissioners, 
Alfred  A.  Jerome, 
George  A.  Schlatter- 
eck,  Wilbur  Bently. 

The  following 
newspapers  are  pub- 
lished in  Cleveland: 
Evening  News  and 
Herald,  Leader  and 
Morning  Herald,  Re- 
publican, daily.  Lead- 
er Printing  C o m- 
pany,  publishers; 
Plain-Dealer,  Demo- 
cratic, morning  and 
evening  daily,  Plain-Dealer  Publishing  Company,  editors  and  publishers ; 
Anzeiger,  German  Independent  Republican,  William  Kauffman,  editor,  Anzei- 
ger  Publishing  Company,  publishers;  Wdchter  am  Erie,  German  Democratic, 
daily,  Wachter  am  Erie  Publishing  Company,  editors  and  publishers ; Press, 
Independent  daily.  In  addition  to  the  above  dailies  are  48  weekly,  bi-monthly 
and  monthly  journals,  devoted  to  commerce,  agriculture,  religion,  science,  history, 
temperance,  society,  etc.  Of  these,  9 are  printed  in  German,  2 Bohemian,  and 
one  devoted  to  the  interests  of  the  colored  race.  The  official  organ  of  the  Brother- 
hood of  Locomotive  Engineers  is  also  published  here. 

Banks. — Broadway  Savings  and  Loan  Company,  Joseph  Turney,  president, 
O.  M.  Stafford,  treasurer ; Citizens’  Savings  and  Loan  Association,  J.  H.  Wade, 
president,  W.  S.  Jones,  treasurer;  Cleveland  National  Bank,  S.  S.  Warner,  presi- 
dent, P.  M.  Spencer,  cashier ; Commercial  National  Bank,  Dan.  P.  Eells,  presi- 
dent, David  Z.  Norton,  cashier ; East  End  Savings  Bank  Company,  J.  H.  McBride, 
president,  Charles  A.  Post,  treasurer ; Euclid  Avenue  National  Bank,  John  L. 
Woods,  president,  Solon  L.  Severance,  cashier;  First  National  Bank,  James  Bar- 
nett, president,  H.  S.  Whittlesey,  cashier ; Mercantile  National  Bank,  Truman  P. 
Handy,  president,  Charles  L.  Murfey,  cashier ; National  Bank  of  Commerce,  J^ 


Medical  College  in  1846. 


500 


CUYAHOGA  COUNTY. 


H.  Wade,  president,  F.  E.  Eittman,  cashier ; Ohio  National  Bank,  John  McCly- 
monds,  president,  Henry  C.  Ellison,  cashier ; National  City  Bank,  W.  P.  South- 
worth,  president,  J.  F.  Whitelaw,  cashier ; People’s  Savings  and  Loan  Association, 
Eobert  E.  Ehodes,  president,  A.  L.  Withington,  treasurer ; Savings  and  Trust 
Company,  C.  G.  King,  president,  H,  E.  Newcomb,  treasurer  ; Society  for  Savings, 
S.  H.  Mather,  president,  M.  T.  Herrick,  treasurer;  South  Cleveland  Banking 
Company,  Joseph  Turney,  president,  James  Walker,  treasurer ; Union  National 
Bank*  M.  A.  Hanna,  president,  E.  H.  Bourne,  cashier ; West  Side  Banking  Com- 
pany, Lee  McBride,  president,  Thomas  M.  Irvine,  cashier ; Crumb  & Baslington, 
E.  B.  Hale  & Co.,  W.  J.  Hayes  & Sons,  Lamprecht  Bros.  & Co.,  Charles  H.  Pot- 
ter & Co.,  Henry  Wick  & Co.,  Cleveland  Clearing  House  Association,  Truman  P. 
Handy,  president,  A.  H.  Wick,  secretary. 

Colleges  and  Scientific  Institutions. — The  Adelbert  College  of  the  Western  Ee- 
serve  University ; Case  School  of  Applied  Sciences ; Kirtland  Society  of  Natural 
Sciences ; Western  Eeserve  and  Northern  Ohio  Historical  Society ; Medical  De- 
partment of  Western  Eeserve  University ; Medical  Department  University  of 
Wooster;  Homoeopathic  College. 

Chayntable  Institutions. — City  Infirmary  ; Charity  Hospital ; City  Hospital ; 
Hospital  for  Women;  Asylum  for  Insane;  Homoeopathic  Hospital;  House  of 
Maternity ; St.  Alexis  Hospital ; University  Hospital ; Protestant  Orphan 
Asylum;  Children’s  Home;  House  of  the  Good  Shepherd ; Little  Sisters  of  the 
Poor. 

Public  Libraries. — Cleveland,  51,000  volumes;  Case,  21,000  volumes ; Law, 
9,000  volumes. 

Cleveland  has  in  all  186  churches  and  missions.  These  are  divided  into  many 
denominations,  as  26  Eoman  Catholic,  14  Baptist,  4 Disciples,  15  Congregational, 
9 Evangelical  Association,  2 Evangelical,  1 Independent,  11  Evangelical  Lutheran, 
7 Evangelical  Eeformed,  1 Free  Methodist,  1 Friends,  9 Hebrew,  21  Methodist 
Episcopal,  11  Presbyterian,  2 United  Presbyterian,  14  Protestant  Episcopal,  4 
Eeformed  Dutch,  1 Spiritualist,  1 Swedenborgian,  1 Unitarian,  3 United  Breth- 
ren, 1 Wesleyan  Methodist,  1 Seventh  Day  Advent,  1 Church  of  God,  1 Floating 
Bethel,  etc.,  etc.  These  are  conducted  by  various  nationalities  ; English,  German, 
Hebrew,  Welsh,  Poles,  Hungarian,  Bohemian,  Scandinavian,  Italian,  etc. 

Manufactures  and  Employees. — The  manufactures  of  Cleveland  are  im- 
mense. Henry  Dorn,  Chief  State  Inspe«tor  of  Workshops  and  Factories,  in  his 
report  for  1887  gave  a list  of  462  establishments.  Of  these,  one  hundred  and 
thirty-eight  employed  50  hands  or  over ; eighty-one,  100  hands  or  over ; thirty- 
two,  200  hands  or  over ; eleven,  400  hands  or  over ; six,  600  hands  and  over,  of 
which  one  was  the  Standard  Oil  Company  with  2,000  hands,  and  the  other  the 
Cleveland  Eolling  Mill  with  4,150  hands,  but  which  at  times  exceeds  5,000  hands. 
We  annex  a list  of  those  with  100  hands  or  over,  eighty-one  in  number : 

American  Wire  Co.^  465 ; Prospect  Machine  Co.,  engines  and  machinery,  220 ; 
Lake  Erie  Iron  Co.,  forging  bolts  and  nuts,  250 ; Cleveland  Hardware  Co.,  car- 
riage hardware,  178 ; H.  P.  Nail  Co.,  wire  and  wire  nails,  505;  Cleveland  City 
Forge,  iron  forgings,  425 ; Britton  Iron  and  Steel  Co.,  iron  and  steel  plate,  215 ; 
Buckeye  Bridge  and  Boiler  AVorks,  boilers  and  bridges,  106 ; Ohio  Steel  AAorks, 
steel,  625;  King  Iron  Bridge  Manufacturing^  Co.,  bridges,  roofs,  etc.,  225;  T.  H. 
Brooks  & Co.,  iron  founders,  108 ; Cleveland  and  Pittsburg  E.  E.  Co.,  car  re- 
pairs, 125 ; Lake  Shore  Foundry  Co.,  iron  castings,  281 ; Lake  Shore  E.  E.  Car 
Shops,  railroad  repairs,  1 50  ; Standard  Tobacco  and  Cigar  Co.,  tobacco  and  cigars, 
260 ; A.  W.  Sampliner,  cloaks,  235 ; D.  Black  & Co.,  cloaks,  205 ; Landesman, 
Herscheimer  & Co.,  cloaks,  255 ; Schneider  and  Trenkamp  Co.,  gasoline  stoves, 
etc.,  250 ; Cleveland  Ship-building  Co.,  engines  and  ships,  200 ; Theodore  Kunetz, 
sewing-machine  cabinet  work,  335  y Cleveland  Burial  Case  Co.,  undertakers’  sup- 
plies, 205  ; Globe  Iron  Works  Co.,  iron  steamships,  etc.,  275  ; Globe  Iron  AYorks 
Co.’s  Ship-Yard,  iron  steamships,  etc.,  268;  Powell  Tool  Co.,  edge  tools,  100; 


CUYAHOGA  COUNTY. 


501 

Myers,  Osborn  & Co.,  stoves,  200;  Garry  Iron  Roofing  Co.,  iron  roofing,  152  r 
Gorham  & Sargent,  washboards,  115  ; C.  C.  C.  & I.  R.  R.  Shops,  railroad  repairs, 
350;  Palmer  & Dellory,  castings,  115;  Bowler  & Co.,  car  wheels  and  castings, 
150 ; Sherwin  & Williams,  paints,  etc.,  250 ; Cleveland  Provision  Co.,  provision 
and  packing  house,  225  ; Stafford  & Son,  soap,  600  ; Murphy  & Co.,  varnish,  182  ; 
Peck,  Stow  & Wilcox,  hardware,  232 ; Taylor  & Boggis  Foundry  Co.,  castings, 
188 ; Sturtevant  Lumber  Co.,  planing-mill,  147  ; Variety  Iron  Works  Co.,  ma- 
chinery and  castings,  225  ; Lamson,  Sessions  & Co.,  butts  and  bolts,  300  ; Woods, 
Jenks  & Co.,  planing-mill,  100 ; Maher  & Brayton,  castings,  160  ; Colwell  & Col- 
lins, bolts  and  nuts,  150;  The  Upson  Nut  Co.,  nuts,  bolts,  etc.,  122;  Hotchkiss 
& Upson  Co.,  bolts  and  screws,  350;  Riverside  Blast  Furnace,  pig  iron,  150; 
Standard  Oil  Co.,  oils,  2,150;  Frederick  Hempy  & Co.,  packing  cases,  etc.,  180 ; 
Central  Blast  Furnace,  pig  iron,  175;  Grasselli  Chemical  Co.,  chemicals,  100; 
Cleveland  Paper  Co.,  paper,  180;  White  Sewing  Machine  Co.,  sewing  machines, 
505  ; Comey  & Johnston,  straw  goods,  105  ; Felsenheld  Bros.  & Co.,  ladies^  wraps, 
100 ; S.  Kennard  & Son,  shoes,  102  ; The  Walker  Manufacturing  Co.,  power  trans- 
mitting machinery,  200;  Chapin  Bolt  and  Nut  Co.,  bolts  and  nuts,  186 ; W.  S. 
TylePs  Wire  Works,  wire  goods,  164 ; Union  Steel  Screw  Co.,  wood  screws,  190 ; 
Standard  Lighting  Co.,  incandescent  lamps,  106 ; Brush  Electric  Light  Co.,  elec- 
tric machinery,  525  ; Taylor  & Boggis  Foundry  Co.,  castings,  105  ; I.  N.  Topliff 
Manufacturing  Co.,  carriage  hardware,  105  ; Standard  Sewing  Machine  Co.,  sew- 
ing machines,  230 ; Cleveland  Malleable  Iron  Co.,  malleable  iron,  550 ; Van  Dorn 
Iron  Works,  iron  specialties,  102 ; Eberhard  Manufacturing  Co.,  malleable  iron, 
615;  Union  Rolling  Mill  Co.,  iron,  335;  American  Lubricating  Oil  Co.,  oils, 
187 ; F.  Mulhauser,  shoddies,  310;  Beckman,  Senior  & Co.,  woolen  goods,  100; 
Cleveland  Rolling  Mill  Co.,  iron  and  steel,  4,150  ; Strong,  Cobb  & Co.,  druggists, 
662  ; Publishing  House  Evangelical  Association,  publishers,  130 ; Dangler  Stove 
Manufacturing  Co.,  vapor  stoves,  etc.,  130 ; H.  B.  Hunt,  sheet  iron  work,  120. 

Lake  Commerce. — According  to  the  Marine  Record  of  Cle\^eland,  the  total  num- 
ber of  hulls  and  tonnage  on  the  lakes  at  the  close  of  1887  was  3,537  vessels  with 
a total  tonnage  of  905,277  tons. 

The  custom  house  report  for  the  same  year  showed  imports  of  the  value  of 
$43,884,336,  exports,  $34,988,095.  Of  the  imports,  iron  ore  leads,  being  valued 
$16,351,126  ; lumber,  $9,945,040;  merchandise,  $12,701,200;  copper,  $627,000. 
Of  the  exports,  merchandise,  $12,531,200;  coal,  $3,540,011;  iron  (bar,  etc.), 
$1,277,950 ; coal  oil,  591,964.  Vessels  built  at  the  port  of  Cleveland  in  1887 — 
tonnage,  19,000  tons. 

The  item,  export  of  coal  oil,  only  indicates  the  little  that  goes  by  vessels  up  the 
lakes  in  the  sailing  season,  and  in  no  sense  indicates  the  magnitude  of  the  oil  refin- 
ing industry  of  Cleveland — the  largest  in  the  world. 

The  population  of  Cleveland  in  the  year  1840  was  6,071 ; in  1880,  160,146 ; 
estimated  1888,  220,000.  School  census  in  1886,  61,654 ; Burk  A.  Hinsdale, 
superintendent. 

The  following  clear,  concise  outline  sketch  of  Cleveland,  its  past  and  present, 
was  written  for  this  work  by  D.  W.  Manchester,  Secretary  of  the  Western  Reserve 
Historical  Society. 

Cleveland  stands  on  a broad  plateau  elevated  about  eighty  feet  above  the  surface 
of  the  lake  and  it  is  intersected  by  the  Cuyahoga  river,  some  five  miles  of  which 
is  broad,  deep,  and  navigable  for  the  largest  steamers  and  sailing  craft. 

In  the  remote  cycles  of  geological  times  this  elevated  plain  was  the  bottom  of 
the  lake,  which  in  the  course  of  countless  ages  has  receded  to  its  present  level,  evi- 
denced by  a series  of  ridges  parallel  therewith,  many  miles  in  length,  and  extend- 
ing back  several  miles  to  rocky  elevations  which  were  its  original  and  primeval 
shores  in  the  day  when  these  northern  waters  met  and  mingled  with  those  of  the 
Gulf  of  Mexico. 

The  great  plateau  was  formed  during  the  glacial  period  and  is  more  than  200 


502 


CUYAHOGA  COUNTY, 


feet  in  depth  to  the  underlying  rocky  foundation.  It  is  composed  of  alternate 
strata  of  Devonian  shale,  marl,  clay,  gravel,  sand  and  alluvium,  the  disintegration 
of  Arctic  mountains  of  rocks,  intermingled  with  boulders  of  various  magnitudes 
and  ancient  driftwood,  which  grew  in  a once  northern  tropical  climate. 

In  the  sandy  and  alluvium  strata  of  the  cycles  are  found  the  bones  of  many  ani- 
mals, characteristic  of  the  drift  period,  and  notably  the  tusks  and  grinders  of  the 
elephant,  and  the  skeleton  entire  of  both  the  elephant  and  mastodon  of  gigantic 
proportions,  discovered  in  the  sliding  banks  of  the  lake,  river  or  ravines  and  some- 
times in  excavating  cellars.  It  was,  moreover,  the  home,  the  cultivated  field,  the 
garden  and  the  grave  of  the  northern  colony  of  that  prehistoric  people  the  remains 
of  whose  wonderful  earthwork  have  given  them  the  designation  of  Mound-builders. 
Then  came  the  red  man,  known  to  the  white  man  for  nearly  400  years  as  the  In- 
dian, but  bringing  with  him  neither  knowledge  nor  tradition  concerning  the  pre^ 
ceding  race,  or  of  their  mighty  works  which  are  an  astonishment  unto  this  day. 

From  1535  to  1760,  two  hundred  and  twenty-five  years,  the  region  of  the  lakes 
and  the  territory  north  of  the  Ohio  river  to  the  Mississippi  river,  discovered  and 
traversed  by  the  Jesuit  missionaries  and  fur  traders,  was  under  the  dominion  of 
the  king  of  France,  and  was  designated  on  the  maps  as  New  France,  all  of  which 
by  the  fate  of  war  and  treaties  of  peace  passed  to  the  English  in  1760.  During 
that  long  period  the  land  was  occupied  by  the  native  races.  There  were  two  pow- 
erful empires  of  the  aborigines,  the  East  comprising  the  confederated  Six  Nations, 
and  the  West,  of  which,  as  late  as  1763,  Pontiac  was  the  Napoleon,  and  the  Cuya- 
hoga river  was  the  boundary  line  of  the  two  empires  on  the  southerly  side  of  Lake 
Erie.  More  than  two  hundred  years  ago,  on  the  banks  of  this  boundary  stream, 
Christianity  was  taught  the  wild  man  by  the  French  missionaries,  and  letters  were 
written  to  Madame  Maintenon,  the  wife  of  Louis  XIV.,  now  extant  in  the  ar- 
chives of  France,  descriptive  of  the  Indians,  the  lands,  the  forests  and  the  rivers 
on  the  southerly  border  of  Lake  Erie,  and  containing  the  first  description  or  men- 
tion on  paper  of  the  wonderful  falls  over  which  is  discharged  the  blue  waters  of 
the  magnificent  chain  of  American  lakes.  When  the  English  came  into  possession 
this  part  of  Ohio  became  a province  of  Quebec.  Immediately  following  the  Dev- 
olution New  York  and  Virginia  ceded  to  the  general  government  all  right  to  this 
territory  based  on  expressions  in  the  early  colonial  charters  signifying  the  exten- 
sion of  the  grant  to  the  mythical  South  sea  on  the  west. 

In  1786  Connecticut  ceded  her  claim  likewise  to  the  United  States,  retaining, 
however,  so  much  thereof  as  is  now  known  as  the  Western  Deserve. 

In  July,  1787,  the  Congress  of  the  Confederation  of  States  passed  an  act  organ- 
izing the  Northwest  Territory,  and  the  spring  following  the  first  white  settlement 
was  made  at  the  mouth  of  the  Muskingum,  on  the  Ohio  river,  and  in  1789  the 
first  Congress  under  the  Federal  Constitution  gave  the  Territory  a pern;ianent 
status  among  the  States  of  the  Depublic.  Indian  wars  succeeded.  General  St.  Clair’s 
army  Avas  defeated;  but  in  1794  Mad  Anthony  Wayne,  at  the  head  of  a well- 
appointed  army,  subdued  the  numerous  hostile  tribes. 

Connecticut,  in  1792,  gave  500,000  acres  of  the  west  end  of  the  Deserve”  for 
the  benefit  of  her  citizens  who  had  suffered  by  the  spoliations  of  the  British,  since 
known  as  the  Fire  Lands.” 

In  1795  Connecticut  sold  the  remainder  of  the  Deserve  lands  east  of  the  Cuya-' 
hoga  river,  a little  more  than  3,000,000  acres,  to  a syndicate  of  her  citizens,  Avho 
organized  themselves  into  an  association  under  the  name  of  the  Connecticut  Laud 
Company,  the  interests  of  the  company  being  managed  by  seven  directors. 

General  Moses  Cleaveland,  a lawyer  of  Canterbury,  Windham  county.  Conn., 
was  appointed  general  agent  of  the  company.  In  the  spring  of  1796  a large  sur- 
veying party  was  organized,  of  Avhich  General  Cleaveland  was  appointed  superin- 
tendent. On  the  4th  of  July  of  that  year  the  party  arrived  on  the  territory  of 
the  Deserve.  It  having  been  determined  by  the  company  to  lay  out  a capital 
town  on  an  eligible  site,  the  high  and  beautiful  plateau  at  the  mouth  of  tlie  Cuya- 


CUYAHOGA  COUNTY. 


503 


hoga,  on  the  east  side  thereof,  was  selected,  and  here  in  September,  1796,  the  then 
future  city  was  surveyed,  mapped,  and  named  in  honor  of  their  chief  by  his  asso- 
ciates. He  was  emphatically  a gentleman  of  fine  acquirements,  polished  manners 
and  unquestioned  integrity.  When  the  surveying  party  returned  to  their  homes 
in  the  East,  only  three  white  persons  were  left  on  the  Reserve — Job  Stiles  and  iii» 
wife  and  Joseph  Landon.  The  last  named  soon  left  and  Avas  succeeded  by  Edward 
Paine,  afterwards  General  Paine  of  Painesville,  who  boarded  with  the  Stiles,  and 
was  an  Indian  trader. 

General  Cleaveland  never  afterwards  returned  to  the  infant  settlement,  but  died 
at  his  native  home  in  1806,  too  soon  to  see  the  wonderful  growth  of  the  city  to 
which  he  gave  his  name. 

The  year  1797  brought  James  Kingsbnry  and  his  family  to  Cleveland.  He 
was  born  in  Connecticut,  but  came  to  the  Reserve  from  Alsted,  New  Hampshire. 
Also  Lorenzo  Carter  and  Ezekiel  Hawley,  his  brother-in-law,  Avith  their  families. 
This  year  occurred  the  birth  of  the  first  Avhite  child,  that  of  IVIr.  Stiles.  Daniel 
Eldridge,  one  of  the  old  surveying  party,  coming  back  to  the  settlement,  died  and 
Avas  buried  in  the  first  selected  cemetery,  long  since  abandoned,  noAV  in  the  heart 
of  the  busy  city.  The  first  wedding  Avas  that  of  Chloe  Inches,  a servant  in  the 
family  of  Mayor  Carter,  Avho  married  a Canadian,  Mr.  Clement,  by  the  Rev.  Seth 
Hart,  Avho  had  been  of  the  surveying  party.  In  1799  Rodolphus  Edwards  and 
Nathaniel  Doan  came  to  the  then  eity  on  paper.  Thei’e  Avere  a feAV  other  names 
Avhich  might  be  mentioned  as  being  on  the  ground  during  the  year  above  men- 
tioned, but  Carter,  Kingsbury,  Edwards  and  Doane  Avere  the  real  primcA^al 
pioneers,  whose  names  are  best  knoAvn  to  the  present  generation  as  men  of  gen- 
erous spirit,  great  endurance  and  noble  deeds,  the  advance  guard  of  civilization 
prior  to  the  year  1800. 

In  1801  Samuel  Huntington,  a nepheiv  of  Gov.  Huntington,  of  Connecticut, 
a lawyer  of  the  age  of  about  thirty-five  years,  settled  in  Cleveland.  He  Avas  a 
member  of  the  first  Constitutional  Convention,  the  first  State  Senator  of  the 
county,  then  Trumbull,  presided  over  that  body,  Avas  appointed  Judge  of  the 
Supreme  Court  in  1803,  and  elected  Governor  in  1808.  He  resided  in  a block 
house  on  Superior  street,  near  Avhere  noAV  stands  the  American  House. 

Cuyahoga  county  Avas  created  in  1810,  Cleveland  being  the  county-seat.  The 
first  Court  of  Record  Avas  held  in  a frame  building  on  the  north  side  of  Superior 
street,  June  5,  1810,  Judge  Ruggles  presiding.  John  Wahvorth  Avas  Clerk  of  the 
Court  and  S.  S.  BaldAvin  the  Sheriff.  In  1812  the  first  court-house,  of  logs,  Avas 
erected  on  the  public  square,  and  in  the  same  year  the  first  execution  occurred, 
that  of  Omic,  the  Indian,  being  hanged  for  the  murder  of  two  Avhite  men  near 
Sandusky. 

Cleveland  was  granted  a village  charter  at  the  Avinter  legislative  session  of 
1814-15.  The  next  year  The  Commercial  Bank  of  Lake  Erie^^  was  established, 
with  Leonard  Case  as  president. 

The  Episcopal  church  AA^as  established  in  1817,  and  ten  years  later  Avas  erected 
its  house  of  worship,  corner  of  St.  Clair  and  Seneca  streets. 

In  1827  the  Ohio  canal  Avas  completed  as  far  south  as  Akron,  and  in  1832  it 
AA^as  in  operation  from  Lake  Erie  to  the  Ohio  river,  resulting  in  advancing  the 
commercial  prosperity  of  Cleveland  and  a rapid  increase  of  population.  In  im- 
mediate connection  Avith  this  great  public  Avork  Avas  the  improvement  of  the  har- 
bor, for  Avhich  Congress  had  made  an  appropriation  of  $5,000.  Small  as  the 
appropriation  seems  now,  it  sufficed,  by  honest  management  and  the  volunteer 
help  of  citizens,  to  cut  a new  channel  for  the  river  a few  rods  east  of  its  natural 
l^ed  and  outlet  into  the  lake  and  the  building  of  piers. 

In  the  same  year  of  1827  the  Presbyterian  congregation  Avas  incorporated.  The 
society  had  been  in  existence  since  1820,  having  been  organized  in  the  oid  log 
court-house  with  fourteen  members,  and  in  1834  the  first  stone  church  on  the 
north  side  of  the  public  square  AA^as  dedicated.  It  Avas  burnt  in  i858,  and  the 


504 


CUYAHOGA  COUNTY. 


present  noble  structure  immediately  arose  from  its  ashes.  The  Methodist  Confer- 
ence, in  1830,  established  a station  here.  Rev.  Plimpton  holding  the  charge.  In 
1833  the  First  Baptist  Society  was  organized  with  twenty-seven  members,  and 
erected  a church  edifice  of  brick  on  the  corner  of  Seneca  and  Champlain  streets, 
which  remains  there  yet,  although  long  since  abandoned  for  religious  purposes  for 
a more  pleasant  locality  and  a more  elegant  structure.  The  pioneer  Roman  Cath- 
olic church  came  in  1835  and  built  a house  of  worship  in  the  valley  on  Columbus 
street.  The  same  year  the  Bethel  was  built  on  Water  street  for  the  use  of  sailors ; 
and  in  1839  the  Hebrew  congregation  established  their  first  synagogue,  and  built 
soon  after  a fine  brick  edifice  on  Eagle  street.  In  less  than  fifty  years  all  these 
religious  societies,  denominations,  churches  and  synagogues  have  flourished  and 
multiplied  in  numbers  and  increased  iij  wealth  and  influence,  and  all  have  been 
blessed  with  the  happiness  resulting  from  the  consciousness  that  each  institution 
has  been  guided  and  instructed  by  its  respective  rector,  minister,  priest  and  rabbi, 
ever  earnest  and  faithful  in  his  clerical  ministrations,  and  not  a few  of  whom 
have  been  pre-eminent  for  scholarly  attainments  and  elegance  of  discourse. 

As  early  as  1786  there  was  a trading-post  at  the  mouth  of  the  Cuyahoga  river 
to  facilitate  the  transshipment  of  flour  and  bacon  brought  overland  from  Pitts- 
burg, destined  thence  by  water  to  the  military  post  at  Detroit,  being  the  first  lake 
traffic  at  this  point.  The  commercial  marine  of  the  lakes,  now  surpassing  that  of 
the  Mediterranean,  had  its  genesis  in  the  Griffin,^’  a vessel  of  sixty  tons,  built  on 
the  Niagara  river  above  the  Falls,  by  La  Salle,  for  exploring  service,  and  sailed 
on  its  mission  of  discovery  August  7,  1678.  The  first  vessel  launched  at  Cleve- 
land was  a sloop  of  thirty  tons,  built  in  1808  by  the  famous  pioneer,  Lorenzo 
Carter,  and  named  the  ^^Zepher.’^  From  the  Griffin  and  the  Zepher  ” to  the 
year  1887  the  lake  marine  has  developed  into  the  enormous  proportion  of  3,502 
vessels  of  all  classes — steamers  and  sail-craft — with  a total  tonnage  of  905,277.57 
tons,  according  to  the  excellent  authority  of  the  editor  of  the  Marine  Record,  of 
Cleveland. 

For  nearly  twenty  years  ferocious  wild  beasts  of  the  dense  forests  in  and  sur- 
rounding Cleveland  annoyed  and  terrified  the  inhabitants.  Bears  entered  their 
gardens  and  dwellings  even  in  the  daytime,  and  at  night  invaded  the  barnyards 
and  pigsties,  killing  and  carrying  off  young  porkers,  calves,  and  sheep ; and  wolves 
beset  the  night  traveller  on  streets  and  avenues  now  lined  with  costly  residences 
and  palatial  mansions. 

In  1820  a stage  line  was  established  between  Cleveland  and  Columbus,  and 
coaches  were  run  to  Norwalk ; soon  thereafter  to  Pittsburg  and  Buffalo.  For 
thirty  years  this  system  of  passenger  travel  flourished  in  all  gayety,  splendor,  and 
excitement  along  the  several  routes,  enlivening  villages  and  awakening  lone 
hamlets. 

Cleveland  was  during  that  period  a noted  centre  of  the  stage  lines  between  the 
East  and  the  West  and  South,  until  that  system  of  travel  was  superseded  by  the 
railway  system,  about  1850,  when  the  blast  from  the  bugle  and  the  crack  of  the 
stage-drivePs  whip  was  no  more  heard  along  the  turnpike  on  the  high  and  dry 
parallel  ridges  and  ancient  shores  of  Lake  Erie. 

The  first  railway  charter  was  that  of  the  Cleveland,  Columbus  and  Cincinnati, 
followed  soon  by  the  Cleveland  and  Pittsburg,  Cleveland  and  Toledo,  and  the 
Cleveland  and  Ashtabula,  or  Lake  Shore,  connecting  with  the  New  York  Central 
and  New  York  and  Erie.  Thus,  as  early  as  1852,  a complete  line  was  in  opera- 
tion from  the  sea-coast  to  Chicago,  and  even  to  Rock  Island,  on  the  Mississippi 
river.  This  last  great  modern  system  of  travel  and  transport  had  the  immediate 
effect  of  sweeping  from  the  chain  of  lakes,  as  it  had  the  stages  from  the  land,  the 
line  of  splendid  side-wheel  steamers  and  floating  palaces  that  for  many  years  had 
plied  between  Buffalo  and  Chicago,  each  crowded  with  hundreds  of  passengers. 

The  railroads  changed  the  order  of  business  at  Cleveland,  and  for  a brief  season 
the  lake  commerce  at  this  port  presented  a gloomy  aspect,  and  total  ruin  of  the 


CUYAHOGA  COUNTY. 


505 


marine  industry  was  prophesied.  Fortunately,  however,  the  Cleveland  and  Ma- 
honing Valley  railroad  was  soon  completed,  extending  into  the  great  coal-fields, 
and  opening  up  a new  territory  to  trade,  and  laying  the  foundation  and  stimulat- 
ing manufacturing  enterprises,  resulting  eventually  in  the  creation  here  of  an 
industrial  and  producing  centre  now  pre-eminent  among  the  cities  of  the  lakes. 
Two  other  railroads  within  the  last  decade  have  been  added  to  the  railway  system ; 
the  Valley  railroad,  along  a portion  of  the  line  of  the  Ohio  canal,  and  the  Connot- 
ton  Valley  railroad,  both  leading  into  the  great  southern  and  eastern  coal  belt. 


The  Perry  Statue,  Monumental  Park. 


With  these  facilities  and  the  simultaneous  opening  up  of  the  vast  iron  and  copper 
regions  of  Lake  Superior,  the  wonderful  and  almost  mysterious  alliance  of  coal 
and  iron  and  fire  along  the  banks  of  the  lake  and  river,  within  the  limits  of 
Cleveland,  has  resulted  in  vast  iron  furnaces,  rolling  mills,  and  many  branches 
incident  thereto,  such  as  wire  mills,  nuts  and  bolts,  screws,  shovels,  engines,  and 
machinery,  together  with  every  conceivable  branch  of  manufacturing  industry,  from 
the  great  tube  and  exquisitely  adjustable  mechanism  of  the  Lick  telescope  to  a 
shingle-nail.  Here  coal  and  iron  meet,  and  in  their  resulting  industries. 

The  central  lowlands  and  broad  meadows  on  either  side  of  the  wide  navigable 
river  for  a distance  of  several  miles  are  the  sites  of  hundreds  of  great  manufactur- 
ing plants,  whose  lofty  smokestacks  give  daily  and  often  nightly  evidence  of  per- 
petual industry,  while  the  broad  and  elevated  plateaus  for  five  miles  distant  on 
both  sides  are  densely  covered  with  mercantile  houses,  public  buildings,  mansions 
of  the  millionaires,  and  the  more  modest  but  goodly  homes  of  300,000  people. 

Cleveland’s  municipal  existence  dates  from  1836,  with  John  W.  Willey,  an 
eminent  lawyer,  as  its  first  mayor.  At  that  date  the  west  side  of  the  river  con- 
stituted Ohio  City,  but,  in  1854,  it  was  united  with  Cleveland,  and  William  B. 
Castle  was  the  first  mayor  after  the  union,  the  population  being  at  the  following 
census  (1860)  44,000.  The  city  had  already  been  lighted  with  gas. 

The  first  great  public  enterprise  after  the  union  was  in  supplying  the  city  with 
w/^ter  pumped  from  a great  distance  from  the  lake  shore  to  a reservoir  on  the  most 
el  v^ated  land,  the  height  thereof  being  artificially  increased  about  a hundred  feet, 


5o6 


CUYAHOGA  COUNTY. 


and  from  thence  distributed,  and  from  time  to  time  since  extended  until  nearly 
every  street,  house,  and  building  enjoys  the  blessing  of  pure  lake  water,  bountifully 
supplied. 

In  the  possession  of  parks  and  public  grounds  the  city  is  pre-eminently  for- 
tunate. In  addition  to  the  central  park  of  ten  acres  laid  out  by  the  original  sur- 
vey, and  since  the  erection  of  the  statue  of  Commodore  Perry,  in  1860,  called 
Monumental  Park,  Lake  View  Paek  has  been  created  along  the  sloping  blulf 
from  Seneca  street  east  to  Erie  street,  and  is  adorned  and  embellished  in  the 
best  style  of  the  landscape-gardener’s  art.  The  Circle  is  a finely  ornamented 


Garfield's  Monument,  Lake  View  Cemetery. 

ground  on  Franklin  avenue,  west  side,  from  which  radiates  several  streets.  It  has 
a central  rock  structure  in  primitive  style ; moss  and  vine,  covered  with  water 
jets,  rivulets,  and  drinking  fountains — a delightful  summer  evening  resort. 
Wade  Park  came  to  the  city  already  laid  out  and  adorned  through  the  munifi- 
cence of  Mr.  J.  H.  Wade,  of  electrical  fame.  It  has  an  area  of  some  sixty-five 
acres  of  ravine  and  upland  level,  traversed  by  a bountiful  and  ever-living  stream 
of  pure  water,  fed  by  the  not  far  distant  hills ; is  shaded  witli  abundant  trees  and 
profuse  with  native  and  cultivated  shrubbery,  and  is  almost  limitless  in  its  extent 
of  walks  and  drives. 

South  Side  Park  is  a fine,  level  piece  of  land,  covered  with  native  trees,  but 
recently  purchased  by  the  city,  and  not  yet  developed  and  beautified  to  its  utmost 


CUYAHOGA  COUNTY,  507 

possibilities.  It  is,  however,  destined  to  delight  the  eye  and  grace  the  south  side 
of  the  municipality. 

One  hundred  years  has  sufficed  to  populate  a dozen  or  more  municipal  ceme- 
teries, such  as  Erie,  Woodlawn,  Monroe,  and  the  consecrated  grounds  of  the  Catholic 
church,  all  well  kept. 

Modern  culture  and  taste,  accompanied  by  individual  and  associated  wealth,  has 
largely  removed  the  native  dread  of  death,  inspired  by  the  lonely  and  neglected 
graveyard  of  primitive  times,  in  the  establishment  independent  of  municipal 
authority,  and  often  remote  from  cities,  of  cheerful  and  ornate  cemetery  grounds. 

Lake  View  and  Riverside  represent  the  results  of  the  wealth,  forethought, 
and  taste  of  J.  H.  Wade  and  J.  M.  Curtiss  and  their  associates  in  the  two  enter- 
prises. The  first  of  these  cities  of  the  dead  overlooks  the  lake  and  comprises  a 
tract  of  upwards  of  three  hundred  acres  of  wooded  hill  and  dale,  of  oak  and  other 
forest  trees.  The  second  overlooks  the  broad  meadows  and  the  winding  river. 

It  has  a little  over  one  hundred  acres,  with  many  richly  wooded  ravines,  brooks, 
and  springs  utilized  in  fountains  and  ponds.  It  has  romantic  and  shady  drives 
through  its  numerous  dells,  aggregating  more  than  five  miles,  and  is  one  of  the 
most  attractive  and  beautiful  resorts  of  the  city’s  rural  suburbs. 

While  hardly  two  decades  have  elapsed  since  Lake  View  and  Riverside  opened 
their  portals,  yet  the  vast  number  of  elaborate  monuments  and  tombs  in  every 
conceivable  style  of  monumental  art  from  the  monoliths  of  the  Pharaohs  and  the 
mausoleums  of  the  Csesars  to  modern  days,  indicates  the  mighty  annual  increase  of 
the  silent  inhabitants  of  these  beautiful  cities  of  the  dead. 

In  pursuance  of  the  terms  of  annexation  several  swing  bridges  were  built  over 
the  river,  and  in  1878  the  great  arched  viaduct  of  stone  and  iron  was  completed, 
spanning  the  wide  valley  from  plateau  to  plateau,  3,211  feet  in  length,  68  feet 
high,  and  64  feet  wide,  and  costing  $2,225,000.  It  has  double  street  railway 
Ira'tks,  carriage  ways,  and  walks  on  both  sides. 


The  Brush  Electric  Light  Company’s  Works. 

There  is  now  (1888)  in  process  of  construction  by  the  government  a harbor  of 
refuge,  to  enable  vessels  to  enter  the  poTt  with  safety.  The  anchorage  room  within 
the  enclosure  of  the  extended  breakwater  is  ample  for  the  entire  marine  of  the 
lakes,  and  the  water  is  deep  enough  to  float  the  largest  lake  vessels.  Estimated 
cost  $2,000,000. 

Among  the  number  of  manufacturing  industries  it  should  be  remembered  that 
here  is  the  corporation  and  plant  of  the  Standard  Oil  Company,  whose  opera- 
tions are  world-wide,  and  whose  dealings  surjiass  in  millions  any  other  known  in- 
stitution in  America  or  Europe.  Here  also  is  the  Brush  Electric  Light 
Company,  with  its  vast  manufacturing  plant  and  machinery,  and  the  home  of 
the  famous  inventor. 


CUYAHOGA  COUNTY. 


So8 

Of  the  dead,  who  by  their  life-deeds  and  testamentary  provisions  are  canonized 
as  noble  benefactors,  and  as  such  held  in  reverent  and  honored  memory,  allusion 
must  be  here  made  to  William  and  Leonard  Case,  Joseph  Perkins,  Henry  Chis- 
holm, and  Amasa  Stone. 

Of  the  many  persons  of  great  wealth  still  living,  of  whose  noble  and  generous 
deeds  it  would  be  pleasant  to  here  record,  it  would  seem  invidious  to  discriminatt, 
where  space  is  not  adequate  to  mention  all.  Suffice  it  to  say,  the  millionaires  of 
Cleveland  are  recognized  as  among  its  liberal  public  benefactors. 

In  addition  to  its  excellent  common  school  system  and  academical  institutions, 
there  may  be  now  reckoned  among  the  literary  and  scientific  advantages  of  Cleve- 
land, the  Adelbekt  College  ; the  Case  School  of  Applied  Science,  at  the 
head  of  which  is  Professor  John  N.  Stockwell,  well  known  to  the  savants  of 
Europe  as  an  Astronomical  Mathematician ; the  Western  Reserve  Historical 
Society  and  Museum,  organized  in  1867,  by  Col.  Charles  Whittlesey,  its  presi- 
dent from  the  first  until  his  death  in  October,  1886  ; and  Judge  Charles  C.  Bald- 
win, its  present  president ; the  Kirtland  Society  of  Natural  Science,  named 
in  honor  of  the  late  Professor  Jared  P.  Kirtland,  who  in  his  lifetime  was  called 
the  “Agassiz  of  the  West;^^  the  Case  Library ; the  Cleveland  Public  Library, 
and  three  medical  colleges.  An  opera  house  and  five  theatres  furnish  adequate 
entertainment.  • 

Eight  street  railroads  furnish  ample  facilities  for  local  passenger  transport  from 
the  centre  to  any  part  of  the  city,  and  even  into  the  rural  regions  beyond  its 
corporate  limits. 

Hotel  accommodations  are  among  the  advantages  of  the  city.  There  are  prob- 
ably more  than  twenty,  all  good,  but  of  the  famous  old  ones  recently  enlarged 
and  refurnished  may  be  noted  the  Weddell,  American,  and  Forest  City ; while  of 
the  great  modern  structures,  the  Stillman  and  the  Hollenden  are  unsurpassed. 

The  summer  temperature  of  Cleveland  is  delightful.  The  fresh  cool  air  from 
the  lake  prevails  throughout  the  heated  term,  and  the  evenings  and  nights  are 
always  pleasantly  cool,  making  the  city  a delightful  refuge  from  the  sultry  heat 
of  the  inland  cities,  and  thousands  from  all  parts  of  the  country  sojourn  in  the 
beautiful  city  during  the  summer. 

Biographical  Sketches. 

Cleveland  has  been  strong  from  the  beginning  in  its  leading  minds  in  every 
department  of  utility.  A few  representative  characters  are  here  brought  under 
notice.  First  in  order  comes  Gen.  Moses  Cleaveland,  its  founder.  The  name 
is  Saxon,  and  the  family,  before  the  Norman  conquest,  occupied  an  extensive 
landed  estate  in  Yorkshire  that  was  marked  by  open  fissures,  called  by  the  Saxons 
as  “ clefts,”  or  “ cleves,”  hence  the  name,  which  has  been  variously  spelled — Cleff- 
land,  Clifland,  Cleiveland,  Cleveland  and  Cleaveland,  which  is  the  way  General 
Moses  spelled  it,  and  the  place  was  so  spelled  until  the  Cleveland  Advertiser  was 
issued  in  1830,  whert  the  editor,  finding  the  type  of  his  headline  too  large  to  extend 
across  his  page,  dropped  the  first  “ a ” and  made  it  Cleveland. 

All  family  names  in  the  lapse  of  time,  as  is  knoAvn  to  every  genealogist,  have 
undergone  changes,  and  some  so  radical  th^it  many  readers  hereof  would  not  know 
his  own  could  he  see  it  as  written  by  his  ancestors  in  the  dim  remote.  A bit  of 
humor  will  do  no  harm  just  here,  the  mention  of  a hypothetical  change  of  a name, 
that  of  General  Cornwallis,  made  by  a colored  man  in  the  long  ago,  who  said,  “ In 
de  American  Rebolution,  GinTal  Washington  he  shell  all  de  corn  ob  GinTal  Corn- 
wallis and  make  Gin’ral  Cobwallis.” 


General  Moses  Cleaveland  was  born 
in  Canterbury,  Conn.,  in  1754,  graduated  at 
Yale  College  in  1777,  studied  and  practiced 
law  in  bis  native  town.  In  1779  he  was  ap- 


pointed by  Congress  captain  of  a company  of 
sappers  and  miners  in  the  army  of  the  United 
States.  He  was  subsequently  a member  of 
the  Connecticut  Legislature  and  ai)p()inted  a 


CUYAHOGA 


COUNTY, 


509 


brigadier-general  in  the  State  militia — a posi- 
tion in  that  day  deemed  as  one  of  distin- 
guished honor.  He  was  also  Grrand  Master 
of  the  Masonic  Fraternity  of  the  State.  He 
married  Esther  Champion  in  1794,  by  whom 
he  had  four  children. 

It  is  said  that  when  he  founded  the  city  he 


redicted  the  time  would  come  when  it  would 
ave  as  many  people  as  Old  Windham,  in 
Connecticut,  which  was  then  about  1,500. 
After  laying  out  the  city  he  returned  to  Can- 
terbury, where  he  died  in  1806  aged  fifty- 
three  years.  He  was  a large,  dignified  man, 
of  swarthy  complexion,  of  sedate  aspect,  and 


GENERAL  MOSES  CLEAVELAND. 


often  taken  for  a clergyman.  He  was  very 
kindly  in  his  nature  and  of  excellent  judg- 
ment. 

On  the  23d  of  July,  1888,  being  the  anni- 
versary of  the  arrival  of  Gen.  Cleaveland,  a 
fine  bronze  statue  to  his  memory  was  unveiled 
on  the  public  square.  It  had  been  erected 
through  the  efforts  of  Mr.  Harvey  Rice,  the 
venerable  president  of  the  Early  Settlers’ 
Association,  who  has  done  so  much  for  edu- 
cational and  patriotic  purposes  in  a life  now 
prolonged  to  eighty-nine  years. 

The  work  is  a circular  pedestal  of  polished 
granite  Ts  feet  high,  surmounted  by  a life- 
like statue  of  the  general,  71  feet  high, 
weighing  1,450  pounds,  U.  S.  standard 
bronze,  cut  in  one  piece,  representing  him  in 
the  character  of  a surveyor  in  the  field,  with 
a Jacob’s  staff  in  his  right  hand  and  an  old- 
time  compass  clasped  in  the  elbow  of  his  left 
arm.  On  its  base  is  the  inscription,  ‘ ‘ General 
Moses  Cleaveland,  Founder  of  the  City, 
1796.” 

Jared  Potter  Kirtland  was  born  in 


Wallingford,  Conn.,  in  1793,  and  died  in 
Cleveland  in  1877,  aged  eighty-four  years. 
He  graduated  at  the  Yale  Medical  School, 
and  at  the  age  of  thirty  emigrated  to  Poland, 
Ohio,  where  he  practiced  his  profession  and, 
as^  before,  devoted  his  leisure  to  natural 
science.  When  a mere  youth  at  school  he 
had  become  an  expert  in  the  cultivation  of 
fruits  and  flowers,  made  his  first  attempt  of 
new  varieties  of  fruit,  and  managed  a large 
plantation  of  white  mulberry  trees  for  the 
rearing  of  silk  worms. 

After  coming  to  Ohio  he  served  three 
terms  in  the  State  Legislature,  from  1837  to 
1842  was  medical  professor  at  Willoughby, 
in  1837  was  assistant  on  the  first  geological 
survey  of  Ohio  and  made  a report  on  its  zo- 
ology. About  1840  he  removed  to  Rockport, 
just  west  of  and  near  Cleveland,  and  became 
one  of  the  founders  of  the  Cleveland  Medical 
College.  In  the  civil  war  he  was  examining 
surgeon  for  recruits  and  devoted  his  pay  to 
the  Soldiers’  Aid  Society.  He  made  many 
investigations  in  many  departments  of  natural 


510 


CUYAHOGA  COUNTY. 


history  which  were  published  in  scientific 
journals. 

In  1 845  he  was  one  of  the  founders  of  the 
Cleveland  Academy  of  Natural  Science,  which 
in  1865  became  the  Kirtland  Society  of  Nat- 
ural History,  and  to  which  he  gave  his  rich 


collection  of  specimens.  He  was  a man  of 
great  learning  and  personal  magnetism^  and 
more  than  any  one  of  his  day  was  his  influ- 
ence in  improving  agriculture  and  horticulture 
and  diffusing  a love  of  natural  history  through- 
out the  entire  Northwest. 


DU.  KlUTLAND. 


Writes  Col.  Chas.  Whittlesey  : “As  a nat- 
uralist he  was  self-educated.  ^ Nature  had 
formed  him  mentally  and  physically  for  that 
mission.  In  1829,  while  studying  the  unios 
or  fresh  water  mussels,  he  discovered  that 
authors  and  teachers  of  conchology  had  made 
nearly  double  the  number  of  species  which 
are  warn  n table.  Names  had  been  given  to 
species  to  what  is  only  a difference  of  form, 
due  to  males  and  females  of  the  same  species. 
This  conclusion  was  announced  in  “ Silliman’s 
Journal  of  Science.  ” 

“ The  fraternity  of  naturalists  in  the  Uni- 
ted States  and  Europe  were  astonished  be- 
cause of  the  value  of  the  discovery  and  the 
source  from  whence  it  came.  There  were 
hundreds  and  probably  thousands  of  profes- 


sors who  had  observed  the  unios  and  enjoyed 
the  pleasure  of  inventing  new  names  for  the 
varieties.  A practicing  physician  in  the 
backwoods  of  Ohio  had  shattered  the  entire 
nomenclature  of  the  naides.  At  the  Cincin- 
nati meeting  of  the  American  Association  in 
1852,  Professor  Kirtland  produced  specimens 
of  unios  of  both  sexes,  from  their  conception 
through  all  stages  to  the  jierfect  animal  and 
its  shell.  Agassiz  was  present  and  sustained 
his  views  and  said  they  were  likewise  sus- 
tained by  the  most  eminent  naturalists  of 
Europe.  It  is  difficult  in  a brief  jiaper  like 
this  to  do  justice  to  the  life  and  character  of 
a man  who  lived  so  long  laboring  incessantly 
regardless  of  personal  conifort,  and  did  so 
much  to  extend  the  dominion  of  absolute 


CUYAHOGA  COUNTY. 


knowledge.  Like  Cuvier,  Agassiz  and  Tyn- 
dall, his  work  has  shown  that  theory  and  dis- 
cussion do  not  settle  anything  worthy  of  a 
lace  in  science,  that  it  is  only  those  who 
ase  their  conclusions  on  observed  nature 
whose  reputations  become  permanent.” 

In  person  Dr.  Kirtland  was  a large  man, 
with  a great  heart  and  lungs  and  an  untiring 
worker,  to  whom  time  was  more  precious 
than  gold.  One  who  knew  him  well  said  of 
him  he  possessed  more  good  and  useful  traits 
of  character  than  any  person  he  ever  knew — 
so  unselfish,  social,  kind  to  all — beloved  by 
both  old  and  young  he  seemed  to  be  happiest 
when  making  others  happy.  He  cultivated 
the  taste  for  the  beautiful  by  distributing 
freely,  at  times  almost  robbing  himself  of  rare 
fruit  or  costly  plants  to  distribute  to  his 
neighbors.  He  was  a hearty  and  sincere  be- 
liever in  the  Christian  religion,  but  adopting 
no  particular  religious  creed.  When  near 
death  he  wrote  : “ My  family  all  attention. 
Every  day  growing  weaker.  The  great 
change  must  soon  occur.  On  the  mercies  of 
a kind  Providence  who  created  me,  who  has 
sustained  and  helped  me  through  a long  life, 
I rely  with  a firm  faith  and  hope.  We  know 
not  what  is  beyond  the  grave.  Vast  multi- 
tudes have  gone  there  before  us.  Love  to 
all.  Farewell.” 

Keuben  Wood,  Governor  of  Ohio  from 
1851  to  1853,  was  born  at  Royalton,  Ver- 
mont, in  1793,  and  died  in  J8G4,  at  his  farm 


in  Rockport.  When  the  war  of  1812  broke 
out  he  was  temporarily  living  with  an  uncle 
in  Canada,  where  he  was  studying  the  clas- 
sics and  reading  law.  He  was  subjected  to 
military  service  against  his^  own  country. 
To  this  he  would  not  submit,  and,  though 
placed  under  guard,  succeeded  at  the  hazard 
of  his  life  in  effecting  an  escape  in  a small 
boat  across  the  entire  width  of  Lake  On- 
tario to  Sackett’s  Harbor.  He  then  worked 
on  the  home  farm  to  aid  his  widowed  mother 
and  studied  law.  In  1818  he  emigrated  to 


<TT 

Cleveland  and  engaged  in  the  practice  of 
his  profession.  He  was  three  times  elected 
to  the  State  Senate ; in  1830  was  elected 
President- Judge  of  the  Third  Judicial  Dis- 
trict ; in  1833  became  Judge  of  the  Supreme 
Court  by  the  unanimous  vote  of  the  Legis- 
lature; in  1841  he  was  re-elected  by  the 
same  vote,  and  for  three  years  was  the 
Chief- Justice.  He  was  elected  Governor 
by  the  Democratic  party  in  1850  by  a ma- 
jority of  11,000,  and  re-elected  under  the 
new  Constitution  in  1851  by  a majority  of 
26,000.  He  resigned  to  accept  the  position 
of  consul  at  V alparaiso.  Chili,  and  later  be- 
came minister. 

The  climate  proved  too  delicious  ; it  seldom 
or  never  rained,  little  else  than  a continuous 
calm  and  sunshine,  while  humanity  there  in 
its  stagnation  of  indolence  and  ignorance 
offered  nothing  to  interest  him.  In  his 
quick  disgust  he  was  stricken  with  nostalgia 
as  bad  as  any  of  our  poor  soldier  boys  in  the 
war  time,  resigned,  and  came  home  that  he 
might  once  again  be  a sharer  in  the  activities 
of  a wonderfully  progressive  intellectual 
people,  and  again  enjoy  the  sight  of  a wild, 
howling  storm  on  Lake  Erie.  Thus  it  was 
that  he,  whom  in  the  political  parlance  of 
the  day  was  called  all  through  Ohio  from 
his  great  height  and  residence  “the  tall 
chief  of  the  Cuyahogas,”  returned  home 
to  pass  the  remainder  of  his  days  on  his 
noble  farm,  “Evergreen  Place,”  on  the 
margin  of  the  beautiful  lake  he  loved  so 
well. 

Harvey  Rice,  from  whose  article  in  the 
“Magazine  of  Western  History”  we  take 
some  of  the  facts  in  this  personal  sketch  and 
in  the  two  next  to  follow,  writes  of  him: 
“Governor  Wood  was  one  of  nature’s  no- 
blemen, large-hearted  and  generous  to  a 
fault.  Nature  gave  him  a slim  tall  figure 
over  six  feet  in  height  and  replete  with  brains 
and  mother  wit. 

He  was  quick  in  his  perceptions,  an  ex- 
cellent classical  scholar,  a man  of  the  people 
and  honored  by  the  people.  He  possessed 
tact  and  shrewdness ; his  statesmanship  ex- 
hibited to  a high  degree  wisdom  and  fore- 
cast, while  on  the  bench  his  decisions  showed 
a profound  knowledge  of  law,  and  crowned 
his  life-work  as  one  of  the  ablest  jurists 
of  the  State.” 

And  Judge  Thurman,  on  “Lawyers’  Day  ” 
Ohio  Centennial,  Columbus,  Wednesday, 
September  19,  1888,  after  speaking  of  the 
greatness  of  Thomas  Ewing,  thus  expressed 
himself  of  Governor  Wood  : “And  that  un- 
surpassed nisi  prills  Judge  Reuben  Wood, 
who  never  left  a jury  when  he  charged  it, 
but  who  was  clear-headed  and  brainy,  and 
always  to  the  point.  ’ ’ 

Sherlock  James  Andrews,  the  son  of  a 
physician,  was  born  in  Wallingford,  Conn., 
in  1801,  graduated  at  Union  College,  for  a 
time  was  assistant  of  Prof.  Silliman  at 
Yale,  ^ame  to  Cleveland  in  1825,  and  was 
one  of  the  long  noted  law  firm  of  Andrews, 
Foot  & Hoyt.  In  1840  he  was  elected  to 
Congress,  in  1848  was  elected  Judge  of  the 


512 


Superior  Court  of  Cleveland ; was  a mem- 
ber of  the  State  Constitutional  Convention, 
and  die(^  in  1880.  He  was  one  of  the  leaders 
of  the  Ohio  bar— a man  of  pure^  principles 
and  noble  aspirations.  Learned  in  the  law 
and  of  persuasive  and  somewhat  impas- 
sioned eloquence  he  was  noted  for  good 
sense  and  an  electric  wit  that  would  convulse 
alike  the  court  and  audience.  A brother, 
also  eminent  in  his  profession,  John  W. 
Andrews,  settled  in  Columbus,  where  he  yet 
resides,  and  in  his  advanced  age  is  an  hon- 
ored member  of  the  “State  Board  of  Char- 
ities.” 

Rufus  P.  Ranney  is  of  Scotch  descent. 
He  was  born  in  Blanford,  Mass.,  in  1813, 
and  when  a lad  of  eleven  years  came  with 
his  parents  to  Freedom,  Portage  county. 
He  chopped  wood  at  twenty-five  cents  a cord, 
and  so  earned  money  with  which  to  enter 
Western  Reserve  College.  Without  gradu- 
ating he  travelled  on  foot  to  Jelferson,  Ash- 
tabula county,  carrying  all  his  worldly  goods 
on  his  back  with  a single  exception — an  extra 
shirt  that  went  into  his  hat.  He  then 
entered  the  law  office  of  Griddings  & Wade. 
When  Mr.  Giddings  was  elected  to  Congress, 
he  formed  a partnership  with  Mr.  Wade. 
At  the  age  of  thirty-two  he  opened  a law 
office  at  Warren.  He  was  twice  put  in 
nomination  by  the  Democratle  party  for 
Congress.  In  1^51  he  was  a member  of 
the  Constitutional  Convention , uid,  although 
a young  man,  was  regarded  s "its  Hercules. 
He  has  been  twice  a Judge  i \ the  Supreme 
Bench,  and  was  once  the  Dep.ocratic  candi- 
date for  Governor  against  Mr.  Dennison  just 
before  the  war,  and  when  that  ensued  made 
speeches  to  secure  enlistments. 

As  a lawyer  he  stands  with  scarcely  an 
equal  in  the  State.  Harvey  Rice  wrote  of 
him:  “Judge  Ranney  is  not  only  born  a 
logician,  but  has  so  improved  nature’s  gifts 
as  to  become  a most  learned  if  not  match- 
less reasoner.  His  mental  powers  are 
gigantic.  In  a great  case,  knarled  and  knotted 
as  it  may  be,  he  always  proves  himself 
equal  to  its  clear  exposition  and  logical  solu- 
tion. And  yet  he  is  modest  even  to  tiui- 
idity.  His  presence  is  dignified,  and  he  is 
a man  who  has  ripened  into  a noble  man- 
hood. ’ ’ 

Henry  Chisholm,  who  was  the  founder 
and  President  of  the  Cleveland  Rolling  Mill 
Company,  the  largest  establbhment  of  the 
kind  in  the  world,  was  born  in  Lochgelly. 
Fifeshire,  Scotland,  in  1822.  He  was  by 
trade  a carpenter,  and  when  twenty  years 
old  landed  at  Montreal  an  almost  penniless 
youth.^  He  became  a master-builder,  worked 
for  a time  on  the  Cleveland  breakwater,  and 
in  1857  founded,  at  Newburg,  the  iron 
manufacturing  firm  of  Chisholm,  Jones  & 
Co.,  from  which  beginning  arose  “ the  great 
establishment,  the  ^ Cleveland  Rolling  Mill 
Company,  which  is  the  pride  of  Cleve- 
land and  one  of  the  marvels  of  modern 
times;”  employing  in  all  8,000  workmen. 
His  brother,  three  years  younger,  W illiam 
Chisholm,  the  inventor,  joined  him  in 


1857,  and  later  engaged  in  the  manufacture 
of  spikes,  bolts,  and  horse-shoes,  and  after 
demonstrating  by  experiments  the  practica- 
bility of  the  rnanufacture  of  screws  from 
Bessemer  steel,  in  1871  organized  the  Union 
Steel  Company  of  Cleveland.  He  after- 
wards devised  new  methods  and  machinery 
for  manufacturing  steel-shovels,  spades  and 
scoops,  and  established  a factory  for  the  new 
industry.  In  1882  he  began  to  make  steam- 
engines  of  a new  model,  adapted  for  hoisting 
and  pumping,  and  transmitters  for  carrying 
coal  and  ore  between  vessels  and  railroad 
cars. 

Charles  Francis  Brush,  electric  in- 
ventor, was  born  in  Euclid,  Cuyahoga 


county,  in  1840,  the  son  of  a farmer,  and 
was  educated  at  the  University  of  Michigan. 
When  a mere  youth  of  fifteen  he  constructed 
microscopes  and  telescopes  for  himself  and 
companions,  and  devised  a plan  for  turning 
on  gas  in  street-lamps  and  lighting  and  then 
extinguishing  it.  After  returning  from  col- 
lege he  fitted  up  a laboratory  and  obtained  a 
fine  reputation  as  an  analytical  chemist. 

In  1875  he  turned  his  attention  to  electric 
lighting.  “ The  probability  of  producing  a 
dynamo  machine  that  could  produce  the 
proper  amount  and  kind  of  electrical  current 
for  operating  several  lamps  was  submitted 
to  him,  and  in  less  than  two  months  a ma- 
chine was  built  so  perfect  and  complete  that 
for  ten  years  it  has  continued  in  regular  use 
without  change.  A lamp  that  then  could 
work  successfully  on  a circuit  with  a large 
number  of  other  lamps,  so  that  all  would 
burn  uniformly,  was  then  necessary,  and  this 
he  produced  in  a few  weeks.  These  two  in- 
ventions were  successfully  introduced  in  the 
United  States  during  1876.  Since  then  he 
has  produced  more  than  fifty  patents,  two- 
thirds  of  which  are  sources  of  revenue. 
They  relate  principally  to  details  of  his  two 
leading  inventions — the  dynamo  and  the 
lamp — and  to  methods  6f  their  production. 
All  of  his  patents,  present  and  future,  are 


CUYAHOGA  COUNTY. 


513 


the  property  of  the  Electric  Brush  Company 
of  Cleveland,  and  his  foreign  patents  are 
owned  by  the  Anglo-American  Brush  Elec- 
tric Light  of  London.  Pecuniary  rewards 
and  honors  have  been  awarded  him ; the 
French  government  decorated  him  “Cheva- 
lier of  the  Legion  of  Honor.  ’ ’ Mr.  Brush 
is  of  commanding  presence,  uncommonly 
fine  i:)hysique,  and  his  residence  is  one  of  the 
palatial  mansions  for  which  Euclid  Avenue  is 
famed.  He  is  yet  a hard  worker,  his  mind 
absorbed  in  invention  and  discovery.  Such 
men  are  benefactors  beyond  the  power  of 
expression. 

John  Henry  Devereux,  who  died  in 
Cleveland  in  1886,  at  the  age  of  fifty-four 
years,  was  one  of  the  most  efficient  railroad 
managers  and  foremost  railroad  men  in  the 
country.  He  was  born  in  Boston,  and  when 
sixteen  years  of  age  came  to  Northern  Ohio, 
and  eventually  served  as  construction  engi- 
neer on  several  railroads.  When  the  civil 
war  arose  he  was  in  Tennessee  occupying 
a very  prominent  position  in  his  profession, 
when  he  offered  his  services  to  the  govern- 
ment and  became  Superintendent  of  the 
Military  Bailroads  in  Virginia.  Here  the 
executive  capacity  he  displayed  in  bringing 
order  out  of  confusion,  overcoming  ap- 
parently insurmountable  obstacles  to  move 
the  armies  and  supply  transportation,  was 
the  wonder  and  admiration  of  the  highest 
officers  of  the  government.^  In  1864  he  re- 
turned to  Cleveland,  and  in  succession  be- 
came President  of  the  C.  C.  C.  & I.,  the 
A.  & Gr.  W.  and  of  the  I.  & St.  L.  By 
his  personal  courage  in  1877  he  prevented 
800  of  his  men  from  joining  in  the  railroad 
riots. 

The  name  Leonard  Case,  father  and  son, 
each  thus  named  alike,  will  long  recall  pleas- 
ant associations  with  Cleveland  people.  The 
elder,  who  died  here  in  1864,  at  the  age 
of  eighty,  was  a native  of  Pennsylvania.  He 
came  to  Cleveland  from  Warren,  Trumbull 
county,  in  1816,  and  followed  the  business  of 
a lawyer,  banker,  and  land  agent.  He  took 
a warm  interest  in  the  progress  of  Cleveland ; 
is  said  to  have  begun  the  work  of  planting 
the  trees  whose  luxuriant  foliage  now  so 
pleasantly  adorns  the  “Forest  City.”  He 
was  the  president  of  the  village,  the  first 
county  auditor,  a great  friend  of  the  canals, 
and  one  of  the  projectors  of  the  first  railroad 
• — the  C.  C.  & C.  With  the  great  growth  of 
his  fortunes  he  enlarged  his  benefactions. 
His  son,  lately  also  deceased,  inheriting  his 
father’s  disposition  and  fortune,  made  a 
crowning  gift  of  the  Case  Building,  valued  at 
1300,000,  to  the  Cleveland  Library  Associa- 
tion, a gift  seldom  equalled  in  the  annals  of 
private  munificence. 

Edwin  Cowles,  one  of  the  veteran  editors 
and  printers  of  Ohio,  is  of  Puritan  stock, 
born  of  Connecticut  parents',  in  1 825,  in  Aus- 
tinburg,  Ashtabula  county.  He  learned  the 
printing  business  in  the  office  of  the  Cleve- 
land Herald.,  now  the  Leader.,  of  which  he  is 
the  editor.  In  the  winter  of  1 854-55  he  was 
one  of  those  who,  in  the  editorial  room  of  his 


j)aper,  took  the  initiatory  steps  for  the  forma- 
tion of  the  Bepublican  party  of  Ohio,  which 
was  a consolidation  of  the  Free  Soil,  Know- 
Nothing,  and  Whig  parties,  into  one  great 
party 


In  1861  he  first  suggested  in  his  paper  the 
nomination  by  the  Bepublican  party  of  David 
Tod,  a war-Democrat,  to  unite  all  the  loyal 
elements  in  the  cause  of  the  Union  ; and,  in 
1863,  in  like  manner  suggested  that  of  John 
Brough,  both  of  which  were  acted  upon,  and 
with  most  excellent  results.  Immediately 
after  the  Union  defeat  at  Bull  Bun  he  wrote 
an  editorial  headed,  “Now  is  the  Time  to 
Abolish  Slavery!”  Strong  in  his  feelings, 
fearless,  outspoken,  and  an  untiring  worker, 
he  has  been  a living,  aggressive  force  in 
Cleveland. 

In  1870,  perceiving  the  great  peril  to  life 
from  the  various  railroad  crossings  in  the  val- 
ley of  the  Cuyahoga,  between  the  heights  of 
the  east  and  west  sides^  of  Cleveland,  he  con- 
ceived the  idea  of  a high  bridge,  or  viaduct 
as  it  is  generally  called,  to  span  the  valley  and 
Cuyahoga  river,  connecting  the  two  hill-tops, 
thus  avoiding  going  up  and  down  hill  and 
crossing  the  “valley  of  death.”  He  wrote 
an  elaborate  editorial  favoring  the  city’s  build- 
ing the  viaduct.  His  suggestion  met  with 
fierce  opposition  from  the  other  city  papers, 
it  being  considered  by  them  utopian  and  un- 
necessary; but  it  was  submitted^  to  the 
popular  vote,  and  carried  by  an  immense 
majority.  This  great  work,  costing  nearly 
$3,000,000,  is  one  of  the  wonders  of  Cleve- 
land. 

“Mr.  Cowles’  success  in  life  has  been  at- 
tained under  extraordinary  disadvantages. 
From  his  birth  he  was  affected  with  a defect 
in  hearing,  which  caused  so  peculiar  an  im- 
pediment of  speech  that  no  parallel  case  was 
to  be  found  on  record.  Until  he  was  twenty- 
three  years  of  age  the  peculiarity  of  this  im- 
pediment was  not  disoovered.  At  that  age 


CUYAHOGA  COUNTY. 


^ { 


Prof.  Kennedy,  a distinguished  elocutionist, 
became  interested  in  his  case,  and,  after  a 
thorough  examination,  it  was  found  that  he 
never  heard  the  hissing  sound  of  the  human 
voice,  and  consequently  had  never  made  that 
sound.  Many  of  the  consonants  sounded 
alike  to  him.  He  never  heard  the  notes  of 
the  seventh  octave  of  the  piano  or  organ, 
never  heard  the  upper  notes  of  a violin,  the 
fife  in  martial  music,  never  heard  a bird  sing, 
and  has  always  supposed  that  the  music  of 
the  birds  was  a poetical  fiction.  This  dis- 
covery of  his  physical  defect  enabled  him  to 
act  accordingly.  After  much  time  spent  in 
practising  under  Prof  Kennedy’s  tuition,  he 
was  enabled  to  learn  arbitrarily  how  to  make 
the  hissing  sound,  but  he  never  hears  the 
sound  himself,  although  he  could  hear  ordi- 
nary low-toned  conversation.” 

Henry  B.  Payne,  a Senator  from  Ohio  in 
the  National  Congress,  was  born  in  1810,  in 
Hamilton,  New  York,  of  Connecticut  stock ; 
graduated  at  Hamilton  college,  and  came  to 
the  then  village  of  Cleveland  in  1833,  and 
soon  entered  upon  the  practice  of  the  law. 
In  1851  he  was  the  first  president  of  the 
Cleveland  and  Columbus  railroad,  its  incep- 
tion and  construction  having  been  mainly 
due  to  his  efforts  in  conjunction  with  Alfred 
Kelly  and  Richard  Hilliard.  He  was  early 
interested  in  manufacturing  enterprises,  hav- 
ing been  at  one  time  director  and  stockholder 
in  some  eighteen  different  corporations.  In 
1851  he  was  the  Democratic  candidate  for  the 
United  States  Senate  in  opposition  to  Benja- 
min F.  W ade,  and  defeated  by  only  one  ma- 
jority. In  the  war  period  he  made  speeches 
advocating  enlistments.  In  1874  he  was 
elected  to  Congress,  and  during  the  exciting 
contest  in  the  winter  of  1876-77  over  the 
election  of  President,  he  was  chairman  of  the 
committee  chosen  by  the  House  to  unite  with 
one  from  the  Senate  in  devising  a method  for 
settling  the  difficulty,  which  resulted  in  the 
celebrated  Electoral  Commission.  In  1875 
he  was  prominently  mentioned  as  the  prob- 
able Democratic  nominee  for  President.  “As 
a lawyer  Mr.  Payne  is  distinguished  for  fidel- 
ity, thoroughness,  and  forensic  ability ; and 
as  a man,  for  public  spirit,  coolness  of  tem- 
per, suavity,  and  genial  humor,  combined 
with  firmness  and  strength  of  will.  ’ ’ 

JosEPfi  Perkins  was  born  in  Warren, 
Trumbull  county,  Ohio,  July  5,  1819,  and 
died  at  Saratoga  Springs,  N.  Y. , August  26, 

1 885.  He  was  a son  of  General  Simon  Per- 
kins, one  of  the  earliest  and  most  active  pio- 
neers of  Ohio,  who  was  extensively  engaged 
in  land  transactions,  and  from  whom  he  in- 
herited a large  estate. 

At  the  age  of  twenty  Joseph  Perkins  grad- 
uated from  Marietta  College.  He  then  re- 
turned to  Warren,  and,  after  settling  his 
father’s  estate,  removed  to  Cleveland  in  1852, 
where  the  remainder  of  his  life  was  spent. 

He  was  largely  interested  in  banking,  and 
as  a business  man  showed  great  financial  and 
executive  abilities.  The  “Historical  and 
Biographical  Cyclopedia  of  Ohio,”  from 
which  we  extract  this  sketch,  says  of  him  : 


“ His  personal  honesty  was  such  that  he  won 
the  unquestioned  trust  of  everyone  with  whom 
he  came  in  contact,  and  in  the  course  of  a 
long  life  that  covered  many  large  transactions. 


involved  great  sums  of  money,  and  touched 
on  many  personal  interests,  no  one  ever  sus- 
ected  him  of  a dishonest  act  or  assigned  to 
im  a base  motive.  His  character  shone 
through  all  his  deeds  as  the  pure  crystal.” 
It  is  not  as  a business  man  that  Mr.  Perkins 
is  best  known,  but  through  his  great  philan- 
thropy and  boundless  generosity,  his  active 
interest  and  labor  in  public  and  private  char- 
ities, which  were  not  confined  within  the 
limits  of  his  own  city  or  State  lines,  but  ex- 
tended to  many  institutions  in  the  South  as 
well  as  the  North. 

Mr.  Perkins’  most  prominent  public  work 
was  through  his  connection  with  the  Ohio 
Board  of  State  Charities.  It  is  but  to  repeat 
the  language  of  all  cognizant  with  the  facts 
to  say  that  his  was  the  master-hand  that 
shaped  the  work  of  that  Board  from  the  be- 
ginning. He  was  appointed  by  Governor 
Cox,  in  1867,  on  the  formation  of  the  Board, 
and,  by  successive  reappointments,  continued 
a member  until  his  death.  On  the  occasion 
of  the  first  meeting,  he  became  impressed 
with  the  deplorable  condition  of  many  of  the 
county  jails. 

He  gave  the  matter  not  only  time  and 
thought,  but  at  his  own  expense  travelled  all 
over  the  Eastern  States,  inspecting  a large 
number  of  penal  and  reformatory  institutions, 
and  giving  the  matter  a close  and  intelligent 
study.  He  ‘was  an  investigator  and  a phi- 
losopher as  well,  and,  on  seeing  a defect, 
could  not  only  discover  its  cause,  but  work 
intelligently  toward  a remedy.  He  modeled 
a plan  which  was  accepted  by  the  Board  and 
made  its  own,  and  that  has  become  known 
and  copied  the  country  over  as  the  “jail  sys- 
tem ” of  the  Board  of  State  Charities  of 
Ohio.  What  he  aimed  to  achieve  was  a 


CUYAHOGA  COUNTY. 


515 


model  jail,  in  which  prisoners  could  be  held 
secure  and  not  herded  together.  This  much 
accomplished,  Mr.  Perkins  next  turned  his 
attention  to  the  infirmary  system  of  the 
State,  and  made  visits  to  many  places,  and 
learned  much  that  showed  the  need  of  some 
direct  and  practical  reform.  This  he  sug- 
gested in  a plan  somewhat  similar  to  the  one 
mentioned  above,  modified  to  the  needs  of 
the  class  for  which  it  was  intended. 

One  thing  Mr.  Perkins  learned  in  these 
investigations,  and  that  he  strongly  insisted 
upon  in  all  his  official  relations  and  personal 
discussions  with  executive  officials,  and  that 
was  that  the  less  restraint  placed  upon  the 
insane  and  the  more  air  and  ouMoor  work 
iven  them,  the  better  for  their  physical 
ealth  and  chances  of  recovery.  His  infirmary 
plan  has  become  a model  for  the  country,  and 
the  best  buildings  erected,  anywhere  have 
been  in  accordance  with  its  specifications. 
Always  a believer  in  the  theory  that  crime  or 
want  should  be  prevented  where  possible,  he 
was  ever  a strong  and  earnest  friend  to  any 
measure  suggested  in  aid  of  the  children. 
His  next  step  was  the  making  of  a plan  for  a 
Children’s  Home,  to  which  he  gave  the 
greatest  care  and  attention,  and  which  expert 
testimony  and  practical  experience  have 
united  in  showing  to  be  as  nearly  perfect  as 
anything  of  the  kind  can  be. 

In  all  these  labors,  and  in  the  many  other 
things  he  was  enabled  to  do  through  his  con- 
nection with  this  Board,  Mr.  Perkins  kept 
himself  in  the  background,  and  gave  to  the 
Board  and  not  himself  the  credit  of  his 
thought  and  labor,  while  the  expenses  of  his 
various  missions  never  became  a charge  upon 
the  State  fund,  but  were  met  by  him  person- 
ally. His  official  associates  appreciated  his 
value  to  the  causes  they  all  held  so  dear,  and 
in  a fitting  memorial  to  his  honor  declared 
that  “Traces  of  his  long  arfd  valuable  ser- 
vice are  seen  in  the  annual  reports  of  the 
Board  ; and  the  plans  and  estimates  for  jails 
and  infirmaries  therein  published,  and  which 
we  regard  as  the  best  in  the  world,  are  mainly 
his  work,  and  were  gotten  up  entirely  at  his 
expense.  ’ ’ 

Another  of  Cleveland’s  philanthropic  char- 
acters was  Mrs.  Bebecca  Elliott  Crom- 
well Rouse,  so  well  known  for  her  self- 
sacrificing  devotion  to  the  soldiers  of  the 
North  during  the  civil  war.  She  was  born 
in  Salem,  Mass.,  October  30,  1799.  Her 
childhood  was  spent  in  affluence,  her  educa- 
tion liberal,  and  her  mind  cultured  by  years 
of  travel  in  many  lands.  At  the  age  of 
eighteen  she  married  Benjamin  Rouse ; in 
1825  removed  to  New  York  city,  and  five 
years  later,  with  her  husband,  left  her  Eastern 
home  to  engage  in  missionary  work  on  the 
Western  Reserve. 

Mrs.  Rouse  is  called  “the  mother  of  the 
Baptist  churches  and  founder  of  the  W Oman’s 
Christian  work  in  Cleveland.  ’ ’ She  was  the 
organizing  spirit  and  the  president  of  the 
Martha  Washington  Society  of  1842,  the 
outgrowth  of  which  was  the  Protestant  Or- 
phan Asylum,  the  oldest  of  the  Protestant 


benevolent  institutions  of  Cleveland,  of  which 
Mrs.  Rouse  was  for  years  the  managing 
director. 

Many  there  are  “who  shall  rise  up  and 


call  her  blessed.”  Not  a few  of  these  are 
the  Ohio  boys  in  blue,  during  the  war  of  the 
rebellion.  They  never  will  forget  the  con- 
tinued self-sacrificing  labor  this  great-hearted 
woman  gave  for  five  years,  when  she  was  in- 
strumental in  collecting  and  distributing  over 
$2,000,000  worth  of  hospital  supplies  for  the 
allant  sick  and  wounded  lying  in  military 
ospitals.  The  call  to  arms  was  sounded  on 
the  15th  of  April,  1861.  Five  days  later 
the^  “Soldiers’  Aid  Society  of  Cleveland, 
Ohio,”  was  formed,  and  it  has  the  honor, 
the  great  and  lasting  honor,  of  being  the 
first  society  of  women  that  met  and  organ- 
ized for  the  noble  work  of  bearing  a people’s 
love  to  the  people’s  army.  As  president  of 
this  famous  society,  Mrs.  Rouse  became 
widely  known  and  much  beloved.  Fragile 
and  delicate  in  person,  it  was  astonishing  the 
amount  of  labor  she  performed.  To  her  wise 
administration  of  its  affairs  was  largely  due 
the  success  of  an  enterprise  which  achieved 
a national  reputation. 

Mrs.  Rouse  has  recently  passed  away  after 
a life  nobly  spent  in  ameliorating  human  woe. 
Self-sacrifice  brought  her  peace  and  happi 
ness,  although  the  labor  was  great  and  the 
body  and  mind  oft  weary. 

John  Brough,  the  last  of  the  three  “War 
Governors  of  Ohio,”  as  he,  Messrs.  Tod,  and 
Dennison  were  termed  from  having  been 
State  executives  during  the  civil  war,  was 
born  in  Marietta  in  1811,  and  died  in  Cleve- 
land in  1865,  in  the  midst  of  labors,  worn  out 
by  his  excessive  application  in  the  service  of 
his  State  and  country.  He  was  the  son  of  an 
Englishman  who  came  over  in  1806  with 
Blennerhasset,  and  his  mother  was  a Penn- 
sylvania lady ; it  was  from  her  he  inherited 
his  strong  traits  of  character.  He  was  bred 
a printer,  and  to  enjoy  the  benefit  of  a course 
of  study  in  Athens  College  entered  a printing 


516 


CUYAHOGA  COUNTY. 


office  in  Athens.  In  1831  he  was  editor  and 
proprietor  of  a Democratic  paper  at  Marietta 
—the  Gazette  \ in  1833,  with  his  brother 
Charles,  he  purchased  and  published  the 
Lancaster  Eagle.,  which  gained  great  influence 
as  a Democratic  organ.  In  1839  he  was 
elected  State  auditor. 

“ He  entered  upon  the  duties  of  his  office 
at  a time  when  the  whole  country  still  felt 
the  effects  of  the  panic  of  1837,  and  when  the 
State  of  Ohio  was  peculiarly  burdened  with 
liabilities  for  which  there  appeared  to  be  no 
adequate  relief  Mr.  Brough  devoted  him- 
self to  reconstructing  the  whole  financial 
system  of  Ohio,  and  retired  from  office,  in 
1846,  with  a high  reputation  as  a public  offi- 
cer. In  partnership  with  his  brother  Charles 
he  undertook  the  management  of  the  Cincin- 
nati Enquirer,  which  was  soon  one  of  the 
most  powerful  Democratic  journals  in  the 
West.^  At  the  same  time  he  opened  a law 
office  in  Cincinnati.  Personally  Mr.  Brough 
took  an  active  part  in  politics,  and  became 
the  niost  popular  Democratic  orator  in  the 
State.  He  retired  from  active  political  life 
in  1848,  and  in  1853  was  elected  president  of 
the  Madison  and  Indianapolis  railway,  then 
one  of  the  great  lines  of  the  West.  He  re- 
moved his  residence  to  Cleveland,  and,  when 
the  civil  war  began,  in  1861,  he  was  urged  to 
become  a candidate  of  the  Republican  Union 
party  for  governor.  This  honor  he  declined, 
although  his  position  as  a “ war-Democrat  ’ ’ 
was  always  distinctly  understood.  The  can- 
vass of  1863  was  held  under  very  different 
conditions.  The  civil  war  was  at  its  height, 
a large  proportion  of  the  loyal  voters  were  in 
the  army,  and  Southern  sympathizers,  led  by 
Clement  L.  Vallandigham,  were  openly  defi- 
ant. Vallandigham  was  arrested  for  disloyal 
utterances,  tried  by  court-martial,  and  ban- 
ished from  the  United  States.  He  was  sent 
within  the  Confederate  lines,  and  subse- 
quently received  the  regular  Democratic  nom- 
ination for  governor  of  Ohio.  There  was 
apparently  some  danger  that  he  would  ac- 
tually be  elected  by  the  ‘‘peace”  faction  of 
the  party.  At  this  crisis  Mr.  Brough  made 
a speech  at  Marietta,  declaring  slavery  de- 
stroyed by  the  act  of  rebellion,  and  earnestly 
appealing  to  all  patriots,  of  whatever  pre- 
vious political  affiliations,  to  unite  against 
the  Southern  rebels.  He  was  immediately 
put  before  the  people  by  the  Republican 
Union  party  as  a candidate  for  governor,  and 
the  majority  that  elected  him  (101,099)  was 
the  largest  ever  given  for  a governor  in  any 
State  up  to  that  time.  In  the  discharge  of 
his  duties  as  chief  magistrate  he  was  labo- 
rious, far-sighted,  clear  in  his  convictions  of 
duty,  firm  in  their  maintenance,  and  fearless 
in  their  execution.  He  was  distinctly  the 
“ War  Governor  of  Ohio.” 

Whitelaw  Reid  says  of  him:  “Gov. 
Brough  was  impetuous,  strong-willed,  indif- 
ferent to  personal  considerations,  often  re- 
gardless of  men’s  feelings,  always  disposed  to 
try  them  by  a standard  of  integrity  to  which 
the  world  is  not  accustomed.  His  adminis- 
tration was  constantly  embroiled  ; now  with 


the  Sanitary  Commission,  then  with  the  offi- 
cers in  the  field,  again  with  the  surgeons. 
But^  every  struggle  was  begun  and  endued  in 
the  interest  of  the  private  soldiers  as  against 
the  tyranny  or  neglect  of  their  superiors  ; in 
the  interest  of  subordinate  officers  as  against 
those  who  sought  to  keep  them  down  ; in  the 
interest  of  the  men  who  fought  as  against 
those  who  shirked  ; in  the  interest  of  the 
maimed  as  against  the  sound  ; in  the  interest 
of  their  families  as  against  all  other  expendi- 
tures. Never  was  a knight  of  the  old  chivalry 
more  unselfishly  loyal  to  the  defence  of  the 
defenceless. 

Brough  was  a statesman.  His  views  of 
public  policy  were  broad  and  catholic,  and  his 
course  was  governed  by  what  seemed  to  be 
the  best  interests  of  the  people,  without  re- 
gard to  party  expediency  or  personal  advance- 
ment. He  was  honest  and  incorruptible, 
rigidly  just  and  plain,  even  to  bluntness.  He 
had  not  a particle  of  dissimulation.  People 
thought  him  ill-natured,  rude,  and  hard- 
hearted. He  was  not ; he  was  simply  a 
plain,  honest,  straightforward  man,  devoted 
to  business.  He  had  not  the  suaviter  in 
niodo.  This  was  perhaps  unfortunate  for 
himself,  but  the  public  interests  suffered 
nothing  thereby.  He  was,  moreover,  a kind- 
hearted  man,  easily  affected  by  the  sufferings 
of  others,  and  ready  to  relieve  suffering  when 
he  found  the  genuine  article.  He,  perhaps, 
mistrusted  more  than  some  men,  but  when  he 
was  convinced  he  did  not  measure  his  gifts. 
He  was  a good  judge  of  .character.  He 
looked  a man  through  and  through  at  first 
sight.  Hence  no  one  hated  a rogue  more 
than  he  ; and,  on  the  other  hand,  no  one  had 
a warmer  appreciation  of  a man  of  good 
principles.  He  was  a devoted  friend. 

^ As  a public  speaker  Brough  had  few  supe- 
riors. His  style  was  clear,  fluent,  and  logical, 
while  at  times  he  was  impassioned  and  elo- 
quent. When  the  famous  joint  campaign 
was  being  made  between  Corwin  and  Shannon 
for  governor  the  Democratic  leaders  found  it 
expedient  to  withdraw  Shannon  and  substi- 
tute Brough,  in  order  that  they  might  not 
utterly  fail  in  the  canvass.  Corwin  and 
Brough  were  warm  friends,  and  none  of 
Brough’s  partisans  ever  had  a higher  admira- 
tion for  his  genius  than  had  Corwin. 

In  1832  Mr.  Brough  married  Miss  Achsah 
P.  Pruden,  of  Athens,  Ohio.  She  died  Sep- 
tember 8,  1838,  in  the  twenty -fifth  year  of 
her  age.  In  1843  he  married  at  Lewiston, 
Pa.,  Miss  Caroline  A.  Nelson,  of  Columbus, 
Ohio,  by  whom  he  had  two  sons  and  two 
daughters.  Both  of  the  sons  have  died.  So 
soon  as  Gov.  Brough  became  aware  of  the 
dangerous  nature  of  his  disease  he  made  his 
will,  and  talked  freely  to  his  wife,  children, 
and  friends.  He  sought  full  preparation  for 
death.  Though  not  a member  of  a church, 
nor  during  the  last  ten  years  of  his  life  an 
active  attendant  at  any  place  of  worship,  he 
stated  very  calmly,  yet  with  deep  feeling,  that 
he  was,  and  always  had  been,  a firm  believer 
in  the  doctrines  of  Christianity  ; that  he  had 
full  faith  and  hope  in  Jesus  Christ,  and 


CUYAHOGA  COUNTY, 


through  him  hoped  for  eternal  life.  He  re- 
marked that  he  had  never  been  a demon- 
strative man,  but  his  faith  had,  nevertheless,' 
been  firmly  and  deeply  grounded.” 

John  D.  Rockefeller,  president  of  the 
Standard  Oil  Company,  at  Cleveland,  Ohio, 
was  born,  the  son  of  a physician,  July  8, 
1839,  in  Central  New  York.  In  1853  he  re- 
moved to  Cleveland.  In  the  spring  of  1858 
he  formed  a partnership  with  M.  B.  Clark  in 
the  produce  commission  business,  and  the 
firm  having  in  1862  become  interested  in  the 
refining  of  petroleum,  Mr.  Rockefeller’s  en- 
ergies became  so  interested  that,  in  1865,  he 
sold  out  his  share  in  the  commission  business 
and  gave  his  entire  attention  to  the  refining 
of  petroleum.  He  established  the  firm  of 
Rockefeller  & Andrews,  and  from  this  begin- 
ning the  Standard  Oil  Company  was  devel- 
oped. This  company  was  organized  in  1870 
with  a capital  of  a million  dollars.  From  the 
“Biographical  Cyclopaedia”  of  Ohio  we 
take  the  following  account  of  the  gigantic 
interests  controlled  by  this  concern. 

“ Large  tracts  of  land  were  purchased  and 
fine  warehouses  erected  for  the  storage  of  pe- 
troleum ; a considerable  number  of  iron  cars 
were  procured,  and  the  business  of  transport- 
ing oil  ^ entered  upon  ; interests  were  pur- 
chased in  oil  pipes  in  the  producing  regions, 
so  that  the  company  and  its  associates  con- 
trolled about  200  miles  of  oil  pipes  and 
several  hundred  thousand  barrels  of  oil  tank- 
age. Works  were  erected  for  the  manu- 
facture ^ of  barrels,  paints,  and  glue,  and 
everything  used  in  the  manufacture  or  ship- 
naent  of  oil.  The  works  had  a capacity  of 
distilling  29,000  barrels  of  crude  oil  per  day, 
and  from  3,500  to  4,000  men  were  employed 
in  the  various  departments.  The  cooperage 
factory,  the  largest  in  the  world,  turned  out 

9.000  barrels  a day,  which  consumed  over 

200.000  staves  and  headings,  the  product  of 
from  fifteen  to  twenty  acres  of  selected  oak. 
When  it  is  remembered  that  it  was  formerly 
the  full  labor  of  one  man  to  manufacture 
three  or  four  barrels  daily,  the  magnitude  of 
this  accessory  to  the  business  can  be  realized. 
Only  about  forty  per  cent,  of  the  company’s 
business  was  done  in  Cleveland,  the  remain- 
der being  widely  diffused  over  the  country, 
stimulating  industry  and  traffic  wherever  it 
was  established ; but,  the  business  originat- 
ing in  Cleveland,  the  managers  felt  a pride  in 
Keeping  a large  proportion  of  it  in  that  city. 

with  the  exception,  perhaps,  of  the  com- 
bined iron  industries  of  the  city,  the  oil  refin- 
ing interests,  almost  entirely  owned  by  the 
Standard  Oil  Company,  made  larger  additions 
to  the  wealth  and  growth  of  Cleveland  than 
did  any  other  one  branch  of  trade  or  manu- 
facture. The  greater  part  of  Ihe  product  was 
shipped  to  Europe,  and  the  market  for  it  was 
found  in  all  parts  of  that  continent  and  the 
British  Islands ; in  fact,  all  over  the  world. 
Every  part  of  the  United  States  was  supplied 
from  the  main  distilling  point  (Cleveland), 
and  the  company  virtually  controlled  the  oil 
market  of  this  continent,  and,  in  fact,  of  the 
world.  Besides  the  president,  the  principal 


517 

active  members  of  the  company  were  Wil- 
liam Rockefeller,  vice-president ; H.  M. 
Flagler,  secretary ; Col.  0.  H.  Payne,  treas- 
urer, and  S.  Andrews,  superintendent,  who 
had  charge  of  the  manufacturing.  The  suc- 
cess of  the  company  was  largely  due  to  the 
energy,  foresight,  and  unremitting  labors  of 
its  founder  and  president.  ’ ’ 

The  great  responsibilities  and  labor  of  such 
immense  enterprises  as  have  engaged  the  at- 
tention of  Mr.  Rockefeller  have  prevented 
his  taking  a leading  part  in  public  life.  He 
has,  however,  always  given  freely  to  all  patri- 
otic, benevolent  and  religious  purposes,  and 
many  a worthy  cause  owes  success  to  the 
private  and  unostentatious  aid  from  him. 
The  city  of  Cleveland  owes  much  to  him,  not 
alone  from  the  indirect  benefit  derived  from 
the  immense  industries  he  controlled,  but 
also  from  improvements  in  real  estate  within 
its  limits. 

He  is  a member  of  the  Second  Baptist 
church,  with  which  he  has  been  connected 
for  about  twenty  years — two  years  as  a 
scholar,  twelve  or  thirteen  years  as  a teacher, 
and  the  remainder  as  superintendent  of  its 
Sabbath  and  Mission  schools — and  he  has 
made  liberal  donations  to  its  fund,  as  he  did 
also  to  the  Baptist  college  at  Granville. 

He  is  essentially  a man  of  progress,  and 
the  rare  success  which  has  attended  him 
through  life  is  attributable  to  his  enterpris- 
ing, ambitious  spirit,  the  confidence  his  integ- 
rity and  ability  inspired  in  others,  a power 
of  concentrating  his  mind  and  energies  in  a 
special,  well-chosen  channel,  and  a systematic, 
judiciously  economical  method  of  engineering 
and  managing  great  projects.  Foremost 
among  those  who  gave  him  timely  assistance 
and  aid  in  his  early  stru^les  he  ever  cherished 
the  memory  of  T.  P.  Ilandy,  Esq. , who  has 
ever  been  a great  power,  a promoter  of  what- 
ever appertained  to  the  moral  and  material 
interests  of  the  city.  In  1864  Mr.  Rocke- 
feller married  Miss  Laura  C.  Spelman,  of 
Cleveland. 

Amasa  Stone  was  born  in  Charlton,  Mas- 
sachusetts, April  27,  1818,  and  died  in  Cleve- 
land, May  11,1883.  He  was  a man  of  re- 
markable activity  of  body  and  mind  ; we  look 
over  the  record  of  his  life  with  a sense  of  as- 
tonishment that  one  man  could  have  directed 
and  completed  so  many  large  enterprises. 

His  youth  was  spent  in  assisting  his  father 
on  the  New  England  farm,  and  in  gaining 
his  education  at  intervals  between  the  farm- 
work.  At  the  age  of  seventeen  he  left  the 
farm  and  with  an  elder  brother  was  engaged 
in  the  trade  of  building  at  Worcester.  In 
1839  he  was  associated  with  his  brother-in- 
law,  Mr.  Howe,  inventor  of  the  famous 
“Howe  Truss  Bridge,”  and  a year  or  two 
later  he  and  Mr.  Azariah  Boody  purchased 
Mr.  Howe’s  patent  for  the  New  England 
States  and  formed  a company  for  their  con- 
struction. He  made  important  improvements 
in  the  Howe  bridge,  and  while  yet  a young 
man  became  one  of  the  most  eminent  con- 
structors of  railroads  and  railroad  bridges  in 
New  England. 


CUYAHOGA  COUNTY, 


5i« 

In  1845  lie  assumed  the  duties  of  superin- 
tendent of  the  New  Haven,  Hartford  & 
Springfield  railroad,  but  shortly  resigned  to 
devote  his  entire  time  to  bridge  and  railroad 
construction. 

One  of  his  enterprises,  which  at  that  day 
was  considered  a marvel  of  dispatch,  was  the 
reconstruction  in  forty  days  of  a bridge  on 
the  New  Haven,  Hartford  & Springfield  road 
over  the  Connecticut  river  at  Enfield  Falls, 
which  had  been  carried  away  by  a storm. 

Shortly  after  this  Mr.  Stone  dissolved  the 
partnership  with  Mr.  Boody^  and  formed 
another  with  Mr.  D.  L.  Harris  for  Massa- 
chusetts, Rhode  Island  and  Connecticut,  and 
still  another  with  Mr.  Stillman  Witt  and  Mr. 
Frederick  Harbach  for  the  construction  of  the 
Cleveland,  Columbus  & Cincinnati  road,  from 
Cleveland  to  Columbus.  The  enterprise  was 
carried  through  so  satisfactorily  to  the  owners 
of  the  road,  that  on  its  completion  Mr.  Stone 
was  offered  and  accepted  the  superintendency 
and  in  1850  made  his  home  at  Cleveland. 

Immediately  thereafter  he  engaged  in  the 
construction  of  a railroad  from  Cleveland  to 
Erie,  which  was  successfully  accomplished, 
and  he  was  also  offered  the  superintendence 
of  this  road,  being  for  some  years  superin- 
tendent of  both  roads,  as  well  as  a director  in 
the  companies  which  owned  them. 

From  a sketch  in  the  “Magazine  of  Western 
History  ” we  quote  the  following  : “He  was 
for  a long  time  president  of  the  Cleveland, 
Painesville  & Ashtabula  railroad,  and  in 
1858,  in  company  with  his  partner  and  life- 
long friend,  Stillman  Wi^i  contracted  to 
build  the  Chicago  & Milwaukee  railroad,  of 
which  he  became  and  remained  for  many 
years  a ' prominent  director.  He  was  also  a 
director  of  the  Jamestown  & Franklin  and  of 
the  Tuscarawas  Valley,  now  the  Cleveland, 
Lorain  & Wheeling  railroad  and  of  several 
others. 

He  was  not  only  one  of  the  most  succets- 
ful  railway  contractors  and  administrators 
in  the  United  States,  but  there  was  not  a 
single  department  of  financial  or  industrial 
enterprise  in  which  he  did  not  seem  to  bear 
a conspicuous  and  useful  part.  He  was  one 
of  the  leading  bankers  of  the  State  of  Ohio — 
a director  in  the  Merchants’  Bank,  the  Bank 
of  Commerce,  the  Second  National  Bank,  the 
Commercial  National  Bank  and  the  Cleve- 
land Banking  Company,  all  of  the  city  of 
Cleveland.  He  was  the  president  of  the 
Toledo  branch  of  the  State  Bank  of  Ohio, 
and  president  of  the  Mercer  Iron  and  Coal 
Company.  He  also  gave  financial  aid  and 
wise  and  sagacious  counsel  to  many  manu- 
fiicturing  enterprises.  He  constructed  iron 
mills,  woollen  mills,  car  works  and  other  man- 
ufacturing establishments.  He  designed  and 
built  the  Union  Passenger  Depot  at  Cleve- 
land. He  was,  we  believe,  the  first  man  to 
design  and  build  pivot  bridges  of  long  span, 
and  he  was  constantly  introducing  important 
improvements  in  the  construction  of  railway 
cars,  locomotives,  and  all  the  appliances  of 
the  ^reat  transportation  system  of  the  country. 
During  the  war  for  the  Union  Mr.  Stune  wajs 


an  ardent  and  active  supporter  of  the  admin- 
istration of  Mr.  Lincoln,  of  whom  he  was  a 
trusted  friend  and  counsellor.  The  President 
frequently  sent  for  him  to  come  to  Washing- 
ton to  advise  him  in  the  most  important  prob- 
lems of  supply  and  transportation  of  the 
army.  ^ He  tendered  him  an  appointment  as 
brigadier-general,  for  the  purpose  of  superin- 
tending the  construction  of  a military  railway 
from  Kentucky  to  Knoxville,  Tennessee,  a 
project  which  was,  op  Mr.  Stone’s 
advice,  afterwards  relinquished  by  the  gov- 
ernment. . . 

Soon  after  the  war  closed  he  met  with  a 
great  misfortune  in  the  death  of  his  only  son, 
Adelbert  Barnes  Stone,  who  was  drowned 
while  bathing  in  the  Connecticut  river,  being 
at  the  time  a student  in  Yale  college.  . . 

In  1873,  at  the  earnest  solicitation  of  Com- 
modore Vanderbilt  and  other  large  stock- 
holders of  the  Lake  Shore  road,  he  assumed 
charge  of  that  road  as  managing  director,  but 
two  years  afterwards  resigned  it,  and  from 
that  time  onward  steadily  declined  any  posi- 
tion involving  great  labor  or  responsibility. 
He  had  for  many  years  been  planning  in  his 
mind  a series  of  important  benefactions  to  the 
city  of  Cleveland,  and  he  now  devoted  his 
leisure  to  carrying  them  successively  into 
effect.  He  first  built  and  endowed  the  Home 
for  Aged  Women  on  Kennard  street,  a beau- 
tiful and  estimable  charity,  by  means  of  which 
ladies  stricken  in  years  and  misfortune  find  a 
peaceful  refuge  for  their  age.  His  next  work 
was  the  construction  and  presentation  to  the 
Children’s  Aid  Society  of  the  commodious 
stone  edifice^  on  Detroit  street,  as  a place  of 
shelter  and  instruction  for  destitute  children 
gathered  up  by  that  admirable  institution 
from  the  streets  and  saved  from  lives  of  vice 
and  ignorance  to  be  placed  in  respectable 
Christian  homes.  When  this  work  was  com- 
pleted he  made  ready  in  his  mind  for  the 
greatest  and  most  important  of  his  benefac- 
tions. On  condition  that  the  Western  Re- 
serve college  at  Hudson  should  remove  to 
Cleveland  and  assume  in  its  classical  depart- 
ment the  name  of  his  lost  and  lamented  son, 
he  endowed  it  with  the  munificent  sum  of 
half  a million  dollars,  which  at  his  desire 
after  his  death  was  increased  by  his  family  to 
the  amount  of  six  hundred  thousand  dollars. 
In  each  of  these  cases  he  gave  not  merely  his 
money,  but  his  constant  lanor  and  supervision 
in  all  the  details  of  construction  and  adminis- 
tration. He  gave  of  himself  as  liberally  as 
of  his  means.  . . 

He  had  a mind  remarkable  for  its  grasp 
both  of  great  and  minute  matters.  In  discuss- 
ing the  construction  of  a railroad  he  could 
compute,  without  putting  pencil  to  paper,  the 
probable  expenses  of  engineering  ana  equip- 
ment, amounting  to  millions ; and  he  was 
equally  ready  in  the  smallest  thincrs.  . . 

He  remained  to  the  end  of  his  Ha^^s  one  of 
the  simplest  and  most  unassuming  of  men. 
This  does  not  mean  that  there  was  anything 
of  diffidence  or  distrust  in  his  nature  ; on  the 
contrary,  he  was  perfectly  aware  of  his  own 
powers  and  confident  in  the  exercise  of  them. 


CUYAHOGA  COUNTY. 


519 


But  he  never  lost  the  inherent  American 
democracy  of  his  character  ; the  puddler  from 
the  rolling  mill,  the  brakeman  ot  the  railroad 
was  always  as  sure  of  a courteous  and  consid- 
erate hearing  from  him  as  a senator  or  a mil- 
lionaire. There  was  no  man  in  the  country 
great  enough  to  daunt  him,  and  none  so  sim- 
ple as  to  receive  from  him  the  treatment  of 
an  inferior.  He  was  a man  extraordinarily 
clean  in  heart,  in  hand  and  in  lips.  ’ ’ 

Jephtha  H.  Wade  was  born  in  Seneca 
county,  N.  Y.,  August  11,  1811,  the  son  of  a 
surveyor  and  civil  engineer.  He  early  gave 
evidence  of  great  mechanical  and  inventive 
ability,  combined  with  great  executive  ca- 
pacity. Before  arriving  at  the  age  of  twenty- 
one  he  was  the  owner  of  a large  sash  and 
blind  factory.  He  studied  portrait-painting 
under  Randall  Palmer,  a celebrated  artist, 
and  achieved  considerable  reputation  as  an 
artist,  and  when  about  thirty  years  of  age 
became  interested  in  the  discovery  of  Ha- 
uerre.  Being  then  located  at  Adrian,  Mich. , 
e procured  a camera  and  took  the  first  da- 
guerreotype ever  made  west  of  New  York ; 
but  about  this  time  the  invention  of  tele- 
graphy attracted  his  attention,  and  he  opened 
and  equipped  the  Jackson  ofiice,  along  the 
Michigan  Central  line,  the  first  road  built 
west  of  Buffalo. 

Later  he  entered  into  the  construction  of 
telegraph  lines  in  Ohio  and  other  Western 
States,  which  were  known  as  Wade’s  lines. 
He  made  many  important  telegraphic  inven- 
tions and  improvements,  among  which  was 
Wade's  insulator.  He  was  also  the  first  to 
enclose  a sub-marine  cable  in  iron  armor,  on 
a line  across  the  Mississippi  river  at  St.  Louis. 
This  was  a very  important  invention,  as, 
through  it,  the  crossing  of  oceans  and  large 
bodies  of  water  was  made  practicable. 

The  numerous  rival  telegraph  companies 
which  had  sprung  up  in  the  West  were  en- 
gaged in  a ruinous  competition  when  a con- 
solidation was  effected  under  the  name  of  the 
Western  Union  Telegraph  Company,  with  Mr. 
Wade  as  general  manager. 

Largely  through  Mr.  Wade’s  efforts  the 
construction  of  a trans-continental  line  was 
commenced  under  his  superintendence  in  the 
spring  of  1861,  and  through  his  efficient 
management,  in  October  of  the  same  year 
communication  opened.  ^ In  California  he 
consolidated  the  competing  lines  and  was 
made  the  first  president  of  the  Pacific  Tel- 
egraph Company,  which  was  in  turn  consol- 
idated with  the  Western  Union  Company  and 
Mr.  Wade  made  president  of  the  entire  con- 
solidation, a position  which  he  filled  until 
1867,  when  he  retired  from  active  business 
life  on  account  of  ill  health.  His  retirement, 
however,  did  not  preclude  his  engaging  in  an 
aidvisory  capacity  in  many  large  enterprises. 
He  is  a leading  director  in  several  factories, 
banka,  railroads  and  other  institutions.  ^ 

His  great  interest  and  enterprise  in  the 
development  of  the  city  of  Cleveland  has 
resulted  in  great  benefit  to  that  city,  he  hav- 
ing opened  and  improved  many  streets  and 
Iodides  and  originated  the  Lake  View  Cem- 


etery association,  with  its  more  than  300 
acres  of  tastefully  arranged  grounds.  At 
great  expense  he  beautified  an  extensive  tract 
of  land  adjoining  Euclid  avenue,  known  as 
Wade  Park,  and  opened  it  to  tihe  enjoyment 
of  the  public.  He  also  built  for  the  Cleve- 
land Protestant  Children’s  Home  a fine  large 
fire-proof  building,  with  accommodations  for 
from  100  to  150  children. 

Mr.  Wade’s  life  has  been  one  of  great 
benefit  and  usefulness  to  his  fellow-men,  not 
only  in  his  private  and  public  charities,  but 
in  opening  up  new  avenues  of  industry,  thus 
contributing  to  the  wealth  and  comfort  of  the 
community  at  large. 

Colonel  Charles  Whittlesey  was  born 
in  Southington,  Conn.,  October  4,  1808. 
His  father,  Asaph  Whittlesey,  wife  and  two 
children,  started  in  the  spring  of  1813  for 
Tallmadge,  Portage  county.  The  wilder- 
ness was  full  of  perils  from  savage  men 
and  beasts  and  the  journey  a long  and  hard 
one,  with  many  incidents  cf  trial,  so  that 
their  destination  was  not  reached  until  July. 
His  father  having  settled  at  Tallmadge, 
Charles  spent  his  summers  in  work  on  the 
farm  and  winters  at  school.  Tallmadge  was 
settled  by  a colony  of  New  England  Congre- 
gationalists,  and  the  religious  austerity  and 
strict  morality  of  the  inhabitants  had  much 
influence  upon  the  mind  of  Charles,  who  had 
inherited  from  his  father  a vigorous  mind 
and  great  energy  and  from  his  mother  stu- 
dious habits  and  literary  tastes.  Reared 
midst  the  severe  surroundings  of  the  early 
pioneer  days,  he  learned  to  realize  at  an 
early  age  the  earnestness  of  life  and  the  vast 
possibilities  of  this  new  country.  He  saw 
Ohio  develop  from  a wilderness  to  a wonder- 
fully productive  and  intelligent  common- 
wealth of  more  than  3,000,000  inhabitants. 

In  1827  he  entered  West  Point,  graduating 
therefrom  in  1831,  when  he  became  brevet 
second-lieutenant  in  the  Sixth  United  States 
Infantry. 

Later  he  exchanged  with  a brother  officer 
into  the  Fifth  United  States  Infantry,  with 
headquarters  at  Mackinaw,  and  started  in 
November  on  a vessel  through  the  lakes, 
reaching  his  post  after  a voyage  of  much 
hardship  and  suffering  from  the  severity  of 
the  weather.  Here  he  was  assigned  to  the 
company  of  Capt.  Martin  Scott,  the  famous 
shot  and  hunter. 

At  the  close  of  the  Black  Hawk  war 
Lieut.  Whittlesey  resigned  from  the  army 
and  opened  a law  office  in  Cleveland,  and  in 
connection  with  his  law  practice  was  occupied 
as  part  owner  and  co-editor  of  the  Whig^  and 
Herald  until  1837,  when  he  was  appointed 
assistant  geologist  of  the  Ohio  Survey.  This 
was  disbanded  in  1839  through  lack  of  appro- 
priations to  carry  on  the  work,  but  not  before 
great  and  permanent  good  had  been  done  in 
disclosing  the  mineral  wealth  of  the  State, 
thus  laying  the  foundation  for  immense  man- 
ufacturing industries. 

During  this  survey  Col.  Whittlesey  had 
become  much  interested  in  the  geology  and 
ancient  earthworks  of  the  State,  and  after 


520 


CUYAHOGA  COUNTY. 


its  disbandment  induced  Mr.  Joseph  Sullivant, 
a wealthy  gentleman  of  Columbus,  much  in- 
terested in  p’chgeology,  to  furnish  means  for 
continuing  investigation  into  the  works  of  the 
Mound  Builders,  with  a view  to  a joint  pub- 
lication . 

During  the  years  1839  and  1840,  under 
this  arrangement,  he  examined  nearly  all  the 
remaining  earthworks  then  discovered,  but 
nothing  was  done  toward  publication  of  the 
results  until  some  years  later,  when  much  of 
the  material  gathered  was  used  in  the  publi- 
* cation  by  the  Smithsonian  Institute  of  the 
great  work  of  Squier  & Davis.  The  first 
volume  of  that  work  says  ; 

“Among  the  most  zealous  investigators  in 
the  field  of  American  antiquarian  research  is 
Charles  Whittlesey,  *Esq. , of  Cleveland,  for- 
merly topographical  engineer  of  Ohio.  His 
surveys  and  observations,  carried  on  for  many 
years  and  over  a wide  field,  have  been  both 
numerous  and  accurate,  and  are  among  the 
most  valuable  in  all  respects  of  any  hitherto 
made.  Although  Mr.  Whittlesey,  in  con- 
junction with  Joseph  Sullivant,  Esq.,  of 
Columbus,  originally  contemplated  a joint 
work  in  which  the  results  of  his  investiga- 
tions should  be  embodied,  he  has  neverthe- 
less, with  a liberality  which  will  be  not  less 
appreciated  by  the  public  than  by  the  authors, 
contributed  to  this  memoir  about  twenty 
plans  of  ancient  works  which,  with  the 
accompanying  explanations  and  general  ob- 
servations, will  be  found  embodied  in  the 
following  pages. 

It  is  to  be  hoped  the  public  may  be  put  in 
possession  of  the  entire  results  of  Mr.  Whit- 
tlesey’s labor,  which  could  not  fail  of  adding 
greatly  to  our  stock  of  knowledge  on  this  in- 
teresting subject.” 

Among  other  discoveries  of  Mr.  Whittle- 
sey in  connection  with  the  ancient  earth- 
works of  Ohio  was  that  the  Mound  Builders 
were  two  diflPerent  races  of  people,  the  “long- 
headed and  short-headed,”  so  called  from  th^e 
shape  of  their  skulls. 

In  1844  Mr.  Whittlesey  made  an  agricul- 
tural survey  of  Hamilton  county.  That  year 
a great  excitement  was  created  by  the  explo- 
rations and  reports  of  Dr.  Houghton  in  the 
copper  mines  of  Michigan.  Companies  were 
organized  for  their  development  and  from 
Point  Keweenaw  to  the  Montreal  river  the 
forests  swarmed  with  adventurers  as  eager 
and  hopeful  as  those  of  California  in  1848. 
Iron  ore  was  beneath  their  notice. 

- A company  was  organized  in  Detroit  in 
1845  and  Mr.  Whittlesey  appointed  geol- 
ogist. In  August  they  launched  their  boat 
and  pulled  away  for  Copper  harbor,  and 
thence  to  the  region  between  Portage  lake 
and  the  Ontonagon  river,  where  the  Algon- 
quin and  Douglass  Houghton  mines  were 
opened.  The  party  narrowly  escaped  drown- 
ing the  night  they  landed. 

Col.  Whittlesey  has  given  an  interesting 
account  of  their  adventures  in  an  article  en- 
titled “ Two  Months  in  the  Copper  Regions,” 
published  in  the  National  Magazine  of  New 
York  city. 


In  1847  he  was  employed  by  the  United 
States  government  to  make  a geological  sur- 
vey of  the  land  about  Lake  Superior  and  the 
Upper  Mississippi  river.  His  survey  was  of 
very  great  value  and  gave  proofs  of  great 
scientific  ability  and  judgment.  He  was 
afterwards  engaged  by  the  State  of  Wiscon- 
sin to  make  a survey  of  that  State,  which 
work  was  uncompleted  when  the  war  of  the 
rebellion  broke  out. 

Upon  his  return  to  Cleveland,  Col.  Whit- 
tlesey became  identified  with  a local  military 
organization  which  was  tendered  to  Gen. 
Scott  early  in  the  year  1861.  On  April  17, 
1861,  he  became  assistant  quartermaster  gen- 
eral upon  the  Governor’s  staff,  and  he  was 
immediately  sent  to  the  field  in  Western  Vir- 
ginia, where  he  served  during  the  three 
months’  term  as  State  military  engineer  with 
the  Ohio  troops.  He  re-entered  the  three 
years’  service  as  colonel  of  the  Twentieth  regi- 
ment Ohio  volunteers.  He  was  detailed  as 
chief  engineer  of  the  department  of  Ohio, 
and  at  the  battle  of  Shiloh  on  the  second  day 
of  the  fight  was  placed  in  the  command  of 
the  third  brigade  of  Gen.  Wallace’s  division, 
and  was  specially  commended  for  bravery. 
Soon  after  this  engagement  he  resigned  from 
the  army.  Gen.  Grant  endorsed  his  applica- 
tion : “We  cannot  afford  to  lose  so  good  an 
officer.’’  The  following  letter  written  soon 
after  his  decease  shows  in  what  estimation  he 
was  held  by  his  army  associates. 

“Cincinnati,  0.,  Nov.  10,  1886. 

“Dear  Mrs.  Whittlesey:  Your  noble 
husband  has  got  release  from  the  pains  and 
ills  that  made  life  a burden.  His  active  life 
was  a lesson  to  us  how  to  live.  His  latter 
years  showed  us  how  to  ^ endure.  To  all  of 
us  in  the  Twentieth  regiment  he  seemed  a 
father.  I do  not  know  any  other  colonel  that 
was  so  revered  by  his  regiment.  Since  the 
war  he  has  constantly  surprised  me  with  his 
incessant  literary  and  scientific  activity.  Al- 
ways his  character  was  an  example  and  an 
incitement. 

‘ ‘ V ery  truly  yours, 

“M.  F.  Force.” 

After  retiring  from  the  army  Col.  Whittle 
sey  again  turned  his  attention  to  explorations 
in  the  Lake  Superior  and  Upper  Mississippi 
river  basins,  and  “ new  additions  to  the  min- 
eral wealth  of  the  country  were  the  result  of 
his  surveys  and  researches.” 

In  1867  Col.  Whittlesey  organized  the 
Western  Reserve  Historical  Society,  and  was 
its  president  until  his  death,  which  occurred 
in  1866.  The  latter  years  of  Col.  Whittle- 
sey’s life  were  full  of  ceaseless  activity  and 
research  in  scientific  and  historical  fields.  His 
published  literary  works  were  very  numerous, 
commencing  in  1833  and  ending  with  his 
death  ; they  number  one  hundred  and  ninety- 
one  books  and  pamphlets. 

“ His  contributions  to  literature,”  said  the 
New  York  Herald,  “have  attracted  wide 
attention  among  the  scientific  men  of  Europe 
and  America  ! and  adds,  “he  was  larg^^ 


The  Old  Whittlesey  Homestead,  Euclid  Avenue. 


□HID'S  THREE  WRR  EDVERNDRS. 


CUYAHOGA  COUNTY. 


523 


rnstnimental  in  discovering  and  causing  the 
development  of  the  ^reat  iron  and  copper  re- 
gions of  Lake  Superior.” 

Judge  Baldwin,  from  whose  sketch  of  Col. 
Whittlesey  in  the  “Magazine  of  Western 
History  ” we  take  mcst  of  the  facts  given  in 
this  sketch,  says : 

“As  an  American  archaeologist  Col.  Whit- 
tlesey was  very  learned  and  thorough.  He 
had  in  Ohio  the  advantage  of  surveying  its 
wonderful  works  at  an  early  date.  He  had, 
too,  that  cool  poise  and  self-possession  that 
prevented  his  enthusiasm  from  coloring  his 
judgment.  He  completely  avoided  errors 
into  which  a large  share  of  archaeologists  fall. 
The  scanty  information  as  to  the  past  and  its 
romantic  interest  lead  to  easy  but  dangerous 
theories,  and  even  suffers  the  practice  of  many 
impositions.  He  was  of  late  years  of  great 
service  in  exposing  frauds,  and  thereby  helped 
the  science  to  a healthy  tone.  It  may  be  well 
enough  to  say  that  in  one  of  his  tracts  he  ex- 
posed, on  what  was  apparently  the  best  evi- 
dence, the  supposed  falsity  of  the  Cincinnati 
tablet,  so  called.  Its  authenticity  was  de- 
fended by  Mr.  Robert  Clarke,  of  Cincinnati, 
successfully  and  convincingly  to  Col.  Whittle- 
sey himself.  I was  with  the  colonel  when  he 
first  heard  of  the  successful  defence,  and  with 
a mutual  friend  who  thought  he  might  be 
chagrined,  but  he  was  so  much  more  inter- 
ested in  the  truth  for  its  own  sake  than  in 
his  relations  to  it  that  he  appeared  much 
pleased  with  the  result. 

“ He  impressed  his  associates  as  being  full 
of  learning,  not  from  books  but  nevertheless 
of  all  around — the  roads,  the  fields,  the  sky, 
men,  aninaals  or  plants.  Charming  it  was  to 
be  with  him  in  excursions ; that  was  really 
life  and  elevated  the  mind  and  heart.” 

He  was  a profoundly  religious  man,  never 
ostentatiously  so,  but  to  him  religion  and 
science  were  twin  and  inseparable  compan- 
ions. They  were  in  his  life  and  thought, 
and  he  wished  to  and  did  live  to  express  in 
print  his  sense  that  the  God  of  science  was 
the  God  of  religion,  and  that  the  “Maker 
had  not  lost  power  over  the  thing  made.” 

Some  literary  characters  of  national  re- 
putation have  been  identified  with  Cleve- 
land. Early  among  American  humorists  was 
CARLES  F.  Browne,  “Artemus  Ward.” 
His  wit  first  scintillated  here  and  later  came 
in  to  brighten  some  of  the  dark  days  of 
Abraham  Lincoln ; and  J OHN  Hay  has  his 
home  here,  the  author  of  “Castilian  Days” 
and  “Little  Breeches,”  and  whose  writings 
upon  Mr.  Lincoln  are  of  such  prime  value  as 
to  give  him  an  enduring  reputation.  The 
city  was  the  girlhood  and  early  womanhood 
home  of  Constance  Fennimore  Woolson, 
who  wrote  “East  Angels”  and  “Anne,” 
and  likewise  is  the  birth-place  and  early  home 
of  another  female  writer  of  children’s  books 
and  pleasing  verses,  Sarah  Woolsey,  under 
the  pen-name  of  Susan  Coolidge ; and  then 
a third,  Mrs.  Sarah  Knowles  Bolton,  who 
although  not  Ohio-born  is  Ohio-living. 


TRAVELLING  NOTES. 

When  I first  knew  Cleveland,  aow  about 
half  a century  ago,  it  was  a small  place  with 
only  a few  thousand  people.  Even^  then  it 
had  a distinction  of  being  an  attractive  spot 
from  the  beauty  of  its  situation  and  adorn- 
ments of  trees  and  shrubbery  and  was  called 
“ the  Forest  City.”  The  people  of  the  town 
largely  lived  in  small  houses,  but  many  of 
these  were  pretty,  simple  cottages,  showing 
refinement  from  their  social  porcmes  and  sur- 
roundings of  flowers  and  shrubbery. 

The  city  had  a grand  start  from  the  charac- 
ter of  its  human  stock.  Indeed,  I think  the 
historian  Bancroft  somewhere  has  said,  speak- 
ing of  the  entire  Western  Reserve,  that  the 
average  grade  of  intelligence  in  its  popula- 
tion exceeded  that  of  any  other  equal  era  of 
people  on  the  globe. 

Euclid  avenue,  too,  was  acquiring  a repu- 
tation for  beauty.  One  residence  upon  it, 
that  of  Judge  Thomas  H.  Kelly,  Gen.  Har- 
rison said  was  the  handsomest  in  Ohio.  It 
is  yet  a fine  home-like  domicile,  but  cannot 
compare  with  the  palatial  mansions  now 
there. 

But  magnificent  as  these  are,  there  is 
standing  to-day  upon  this  avenue  one  little 
cottage  that,  to  my  eye,  is  more  attractive 
than  them  all,  and  because  it  had  long  been 
the  home  of  the  late  Charles  Whittlesey,  the 
most  learned  of  Ohio’s  historians ; the  most 
original,  philosophic  and  varied  in  his  inves- 
tigations, alike  in  the  realms  of  science  and 
of  events. 

The  Whittlesey  home-place  is  about  three 
miles  from  the  centre,  a white  cottage,  stand- 
ing a few  rods  back  from  the  avenue,  par- 
tially hid  by  evergreens.  As  I approached  it 
on  this  tour  to  make  a call  upon  my  old 
friend,  whom  I had  not  seen  in  many  years, 
I was  surprised  at  the  discovery  at  the  path- 
side  of  what  seemed  to  me  an  original  sort 
of  door-plate.  It  was  a small  white  boul- 
der, dotted  with  red  spots-jasper.  The  front 
side  was  polished,  and  on  it  was  carved 
CHARLES  WHITTLESEY.  It  WaS  a block  of 
breccia,  conglomerated  quartz  and  jasper, 
the  natural  home  of  which  was  the  north 
shore  of  Lake  Superior.  Only  four  such 
have  been  found  in  Ohio,  brought  here  in  the 
ice  age,  though  common  in  Michigan.  This 
identical  block  was  procured  by  Mr.  Whittle- 
sey and  shipped  from  the  north  shore  of 
Lake  Huron. 

My  visit  was  on  a bright  summer  after- 
noon. I found  “the Colonel,”  as  everybody 
called  him,  not  in  his  cottage,  but  in  his 
garden,  and  the  way  I went  thither  was  in- 
teresting— in  at  the  front  door  and  then  out 
at  the  back  door,  through  the  little  low 
rooms,  filled  with  the  books  and  utilities  of 
the  old  student  and  scientist,  life-long  loves 
and  companions,  silent  teachers  of  God,  man 
and  the  universe. 

In  the  garden,  in  the  rear  of  a little  old 
brown  barn,  old  soldier-like,  I found  him, 
with  his  tent  spread  and  in  solitude.  He 
was  seated  on  a camji-stool  at  the  tent  door, 
the  sun  pouring  full  in  his  face,  the  afternoor 


524 


CUYAHOGA  COUNTY. 


sun  of  July  3,  1886.  As  I approached  he 
did  not  at  first  hear  my  footsteps;  he  was 
gazing  into  vacancy,  his  mind  evidently  far 
away  amid  scenes  of  a long,  eventful  life ; 
at  times,  perhaps,  on  the  far-away  wilder- 
ness with  savages,  away  back  in  the  forties, 
surveying  in  the  wintry  snows  of  the  Lake 
Superior  country,  or  on  the  battle-field  of 
Shiloh,  or,  perhaps,  to  his  still  earlier  ex- 
periences when  a boy,  when  this  century  was 
young,  he  was  beginning  life  in  a cabin 
among  the  struggling  pioneers  of  Portage 
county. 

Yes,  gazing  into  vacancy  from  the  tent 
door,  a rather  small,  aged  man,  a blonde, 
and  bald  and  evidently  an  invalid.  He  wore 
a dressing-gown,  and,  as  I later  saw,  when  he 
moved  it  was  slowly,  painfully,  in  bent  atti- 
tude and  leaning  on  a cane. 

Around  him  strewed  on  the  boarded  tent 
were  a few  books,  a map  or  two  and  relics  of 
by-gone  days  ; the  old  military  suit  he  wore 
in  the  Black  Hawk  war  in  1832,  when  he 
was  one  of  Uncle  Sam’s  lieutenants  of  in- 
fantry, a stiff,  black  hat,  bell-crowned,  with 
a receptacle  for  a pompon,  ancient  sword 
with  curving  blade,  an  old-fashioned  military 
coat  with  rear  appendage  of  hanging  flaps. 
He  had  saved  it  so  long  (for  fifty-four  years) 
that  I fancied  the  moths  must  have  owed 
him  a grudge. 

The  Colonel  had  heard  I was  coming  and 
sent  word  he  wanted  to  see  me.  I got  an 
honest  greeting.  There  was  no  gush  about 
him.  He  was  one  of  the  most  plain,  simple 
of  men,  a terse  talker,  giving  out  nuggets  of 
facts— so  terse  that  if  perchance  a listener 
let  his  mind  go  a wool  gathering  for  a second 
and  lost  two  or  three  words  he  would  be  clear 
broken  up. 

He  told  me  that  was  the  fourth  summer  in 
which  he  had  passed  several  hours  daily  in 
his  tent.  This  was  to  take  sun  baths,  from 
which  he  thought  then  for  the  first  time  he 
was  experiencing  a decided  benefit.  Asking 
what  was  his  special  ailment  he  replied  : “I 
have  five  chronic  complaints,  and  all  in  full 
blast.”  When  asked  why  soldiers  did  not 
take  cold  in  tents  he  answered : ‘ ‘ Because 
the  temperature  is  always  even.  Indoors  we 
cannot  avoid  uneven  temperatures  and  in 
changing  from  tent  life  to  house  life  one  is  apt 
to  take  cold.  ’ ’ 

No  intelligent  man  could  long  listen  to  Mr. 
Whittlesey  without  feeling  his  intellect  stimu- 
lated, and  valuable  facts  were  being  poured 
in  for  storage.  His  conversation,  too,  was 
enlivened  by  little  flashes  of  grim  humor, 
which  he  gave  forth  apparently  unconscious, 
with  a fixed,  sedate  expression.  And  if  you 
then  smiled  he  gave  no  answering  smile,  and 
you  would-be  apt  to  think  you  had  not  heard 
him  aright. 

The  learned  man  had  helped  me  on  my 
first  edition  ; had  contributed  an  article  on  the 
geology  of  the  State.  The  science  was  then 
new  and  the  article  is  now  obsolete.  He 
wanted  to  help  me  on  this  edition,  and  wrote 
foi  it  “The  Pioneer  Engineers  of  Ohio.” 

There  is  another  article  also  in  this  book 


by  him,  “Sources  of  Ohio’s  Strength,”  but 
of  the  great  characters  therein  portrayed  no 
one  had  greater  breadth  of  knowledge,  not 
one  so  varied  knowledge,  not  one  a finer  in- 
tellect, not  one  was  more  worthy  of  the  re- 
spect and  veneration  of  the  people  of  the 
commonwealth  than  Charles  Whittlesey. 
And  it  is  a singular  gratification  to  me  that 
he  of  all  others  of  the  many  who  contributed 
papers  to  my  first  edition  should  have  contrib- 
uted to  this  edition.  And  he  was  the  only  one 
of  them  all  who  was  living  and  could  do  so. 

After  this  and  another  interview  I saw  him 
no  more.  His  work  was  finished.  He 
passed  away  in  the  autumn,  and  the  white 
boulder  with  blushing  spots  that  adorned  the 
front  yard  of  the  cottage  is  also  gone  and 
now  rests  over  his  burial  spot  in  peaceful 
Woodlawn.  With  a sense  of  profound  grati- 
tude I pen  this  tribute  not  only  to  one  of 
Ohio’s  great  men,  but  to  one  of  the  nation’s 
great  men. 

Much  gratification  was  derived  this  time 
in  Cleveland  by  a call  upon  Mr.  John  A. 
Foote,  an  old  lawyer,  an  octogenarian,  of 
whom  I had  all  my  life  heard  but  never  met 
until  now.  He  was  a brother  of  Admiral 
Foote  and  son  of  that  (Governor  Foote  of  Con- 
necticut who,  when  in  the  United  States 
Senate,  introduced  a resolution,  historically 
known  as  “Foote’s  resolution,”  which  led  to 
the  famous  debate  between  Daniel  Webster 
and  Mr.  Hayne,  of  South  Carolina. 

Mr.  Foote  first  came  here  from  Cheshire, 
Connecticut,  in  the  summer  of  1833,  and  was 
for  years  a member  of  the  eminent  law  firm 
of  Andrews,  Foote  & Hoyt.  He  was  born  in 
1803  on  the  site  of  the  Tontine  Hotel  in  New 
Haven,  Connecticut,^  but  his  home  at  the 
time  of  leaving  was  in  Cheshire.  The  town 
was  overwhelmingly  Democratic,  and  he  was 
a Whig,  but  as  the  State  Legislature  was  in 
session  but  for  a few  weeks  his  townsmen  ir- 
respective of  politics,  “in  town  meeting  duly 
assembled,”  gave  him  and  a Mr.  Edward  A. 
Cornwall,  prior  to  their  departure  for  the  dis- 
tant wilds  of  Ohio,  as  a parting  compliment, 
the  privilege  of  representing  them  in  that 
body.  So  they  went  down  to  Hartford  and 
passed  a few  weeks  pleasantly  among  the 
^‘Shad  Eaters,”  as,  in  the  humorous 
parlance  of  the  time,  the  members  were 
called,  from  the  fact  that  they  met  in  May, 
the  season  of  shad-catching  in  the  Connect- 
icut. 

The  year  1883  came  around  when  Foote 
and  Cornwall,  after  a lapse  thus  of  fifty 
years,  in  company  visited  the  Legislature  of 
Connecticut  at  Hartford  and  were  received 
with  great  eclat.  The  House  passed  some 
complimentary  resolutions,  signed  by  the 
speaker  and  clerk,  expressive  of  their  high 
gratification.  These  Mr.  Foote  with  com- 
mendable pride  pointed  out  to  me  framed  on 
his  parlor  wall,  and  we  copied  the  last : 

“ That  we  congratulate  them  on  their  be- 
ing able  to  round  out  a half  century  of  lives 
alike  honorable  to  themselves  and  useful  to 
their  fellow-citizens  with  this  pleasing  inci- 


CUYAHOGA  COUNTY. 


525 


dent  which  we  believe  to  be  without  a parallel 
in  the  history  of  American  legislative  bodies. 

“Chas.  H.  Pine,  Speaker. 

“Donald  S.  Perkins,  Clerk. 

“ Passed  February  22,  1883,  Washington’s 
birthday.  ’ ’ 

Mr.  Foote  told  me  that  what  struck  him  as 
the  most  notable  thing  on  his  arrival  in 
Cleveland  in  the  summer  of  1833  was  the 
caving  in  of  the  lake  shore  by  the  encroach- 
ments of  the  waves  upon  the  sands  of  the 
bank.  Whole  acres  disappeared  in  a single 


season,  so  that  in  time  the  town  site  seemed 
doomed  to  disappear.  They  had  continually 
to  move  buildings  away  from  the  remorseless 
waters. 

Mr.  Charles  Whittlesey  then  devised  the 
plan  of  driving  piles  along  the  lake  shore, 
and  it  was  a perfect  success. 

Mr.  Foote  is  a neighbor  of  the  highly  es- 
teemed and  widely  known  Harvey  Bice, 
whom  I found  also  a fine  specimen  of  happy 
old  age.  He  was  then  eighty-six  years  old, 
tall,  erect,  his  powers  well  preserved  and  able 
to  read  and  write  without  glasses. 


Berea  is  on  the  C.  C.  C.  & I.  and  L.  S.  & M.  S.  K.  R.,  12  miles  southwest  of 
Cleveland.  It  is  the  seat  of  Baldwin  University  and  the  German  Wallace  Col- 
lege. Natural  gas  is  used  to  some  extent.  Newspapers  : Advertiser,  Republican, 
E.  D.  Peebles,  editor  •and  manager ; Grit,  S.  S.  Brown,  publisher.  Churches  : 1 
Methodist  Episcopal,  1 Congregational,  1 Episcopal  and  2 Catholic.  Bank  of 
Berea,  Thos.  Churchward,  president,  A.  H.  Pomeroy,  cashier. 

Industries. — The  Berea  stone  quarries  are  renowned  throughout  the  whole 
(30untry  for  superior  quality  and  inexhaustible  supply.  Population  in  1880, 
1,682.  School  census  in  1886,  558  ; J.  W.  Bowles,  superintendent. 

At  an  early  day  there  was  in  the  village  a peculiar  industry  to  be  established  in 
what  was  then  almost  in  the  woods ; this  was  the  globe  factory  of  Josiah  Hol- 
brook for  the  manufacture  of  globes  and  various  kinds  of  school  apparatus.  • At 
one  time  he  employed  about  a dozen  men  and  did  a large  business.  The  factory 
remained  until  about  1852. 

Berea,  as  has  been  mentioned,  has  long  been  famous  for  its  manufacture  of 
grindstones,  and  many  before  the  invention  of  the  Baldwin  blower  died  of 
what  was  called  grindstone  consumption,’’  their  lungs  being  found  after  death  to 
be  filled  with  the  fine,  flour-like  dust  with  which  the  air  was  impregnated.  The 
disease  is  now  unknown.  We  visited  the  spot  at  that  period  and  watched  the 
interesting  process  of  turning  out  grindstones.  In  conversation  with  one  of  the 
workmen  he  complained  to  us  with  a sigh,  as  though  it  was  hard  work  to  breathe, 
of  the  continuous  oppressive  feeling  he  had  at  his  chest  from  the  fine  powder 
which  was  steadily  accumulating  and  filling  up  his  lungs,  and  there  was  no 
remedy.  It  was  a horrible  necessity,  working  for  bread  while  every  hour  of  in- 
dustry was  but  the  taking  in  of  more  dust  for  a suffocating  death. 

The  following  article  upon  the  Berea  Sandstone  industry  has  been  contributed 
for  these  pages  by  Mr.  E.  D.  Peebles,  editor  at  Berea. 


Berea  Sandstone,  the  economic  value  of 
which  is  now  well  known  all  over  the  country, 
lies  in  a stratum  about  sixty  feet  in  thickness, 
under  the  drift  clay  and  shales  that  are  found 
everywhere  in  Northern  Ohio.  The  stone 
has  no  surface  exposure,  excepting  where 
cut  through  by  water  courses.  In  color  it  is 
a grayish  white,  free  from  pebbles  and  bedded 
in  layers  varying  in  thickness  from  six  inches 
to  ten  feet.  These  layers  usually  have  a 
good  bed-seam,  so  that  they  can  be  quarried 
separately  and  with  regard  to  the  use  for 
which  they  are  especially  adapted.  The 
best  sheets  are  reserved  for  grindstones, 
which  require  a smooth,  even  texture,  neither 
too  soft  or  too  hard,  free  from  cracks,  flaws 
or  hard  spots  and  must  split  well ; other 
grades  are  used  for  building  purposes,  flag- 
ging, etc.  The  Berea  rock  is  especially  fine 


for  grindstones,  while  its  beauty  and  dura- 
bility for  architectural  purposes  is  unsur- 
passed. 

This  rock  has  been  worked  for  more  than 
forty  years.  The  early  pioneers  were  not 
slow  to  discover  that  a grindstone  worked 
out  of  Berea  stone  was  an  indispensable 
article  to  every  well-regulated  farm,  house- 
hold or  workshop. 

The  demand  for  it  became  so  urgent  that 
John  Baldwin,  foreseeing  its  value  as  an 
article  of  commercial  industry,  devoted  his 
energies  to  its  development. 

Mr.  Baldwin  came  from  Connecticut,  and 
was  in  every  way  suited  for  the  grand  work 
of  a pioneer.  He  was  possessed  of  keen 
sagacity,  downright  honesty,  strict  economy 
coupled  with  a generosity  that  at  times  was 
almost  a fault,  indomitable  perseverance 


526 


CUYAHOGA  COUNTY. 


that  knew  no  defeat,  and  a Christianity  whose 
mantle  was  charity.  He  was  the  founder 
of  Baldwin  University,  located  at  Berea. 

When  Baldwin  first  gave  his  attention  to 
Berea  stone  grindstones  were  cut  out  by  hand. 


but  he  conceived  the  idea  of  turning  them. 
Having  no  shaft  or  mandle  suitable  for  such 
work,  he  made  a model  of  basswood,  and 
one  moonlight  night  placed  it  on  his  shoulder 
and  walked  to  Cleveland  (distant  fourteen 


View  at  the  Quarries,  Berea. 


miles)  to  have  one  made,  and  with  but  slight 
improvement  this  model  is  in  use  at  the 
present  time. 

In  former  times  much  of  the  rock  was 
wasted  in  quarrying  and  cutting,  but  little 
sawing  being  done.  Now  nearly  all  the  cut- 
ting is  by  steam-power,  and  about  twenty 
gangs  of  the  most  improved  saws  are  kept  at 
work  in  season  night  and  day.  The  quarries 
are  below  drainage  and  steam  pumps  are 
constantly  at  work  pumping  out  water. 

Some  idea  of  the  proportions  of  this  in- 
dustry can  be  formed  by  the  statement  that 
of  the  3,000  inhabitants  of  Berea,  three- 
fourths  get  their  living  directly  or  indirectly 
from  the  quarries ; from  nine  to  twelve 
thousand  cars  are  annually  loaded  with  stone 
taken  from  the  quarries,  and  if  placed  in  a 
continuous  line  would  make  a train  fifty 
miles  lon^. 

Great  improvements  have  been  made  in 
the  preparation  of  the  stone  for  the  market. 
Formerly  the  grindstones  were  sent  to  the 
consumer  hung  on  a crude  home-made  shaft 
and  frame,  which  was  placed  under  the  apple 
tree  on  the  farm.  And  the  farmer  boy  of 
the  past  can  well  remember  how  he  used  to 


suffer  while  turning  that  stone,  eagerly  watch- 
ing to  see  if  the  hand-blistering,  back-break- 
ing job  was  not  most  done.  Now  they  are 
mounted  on  frames  with  friction-rollers  so 
that  a child  can  turn  them  without  fatigue, 
or  they  can  be  used  with  a treadle. 

The  stone  business  of  Northern  Ohio  is 
an  immense  industry,  employing  millions  of 
capital  and  thousands  of  laborers  ; now  under 
one  management,  that  of  the  Cleveland  Stone 
Company,  with  headquarters  at  Cleveland. 
It  includes  the  quarries  at  Berea,  North 
Amherst,  Columbia,  West  View,  Olmstead 
and  La  Grange.  The  Garfield  monument 
and  the  Cleveland  viaduct  are  built  of  Berea 
stone ; on  the  latter  were  used  over  two 
millions  of  cubic  feet.  From  the  quarries  of 
the  Cleveland  Stone  Company  have  been 
built  some  of  the  noblest  public  buildings  of 
the  Western  States  and  Canada,  as  the  Ma- 
sonic Temple  and  Central  High  School, 
Cleveland  ; Parliament  Buildings,  Ottawa ; 
University  Building,  Toronto ; Palmer  House, 
Chicago ; Michigan  State  Capitol,  Lansing ; 
Chamner  of  Commerce  Building,  Milwau- 
kee ; Government  Court  House  and  Post 
Office,  Columbus,  etc. 


Chagrin  Falls,  about  17  miles  southeast  of  Cleveland  and  south  of  Lake 
Erie,  is  on  the  C.  F.  (fe  S.  R.  R.  It  is  jn  the  township  of  Chagrin  Falls,  one  of 
the  smallest  town.ships  in  the  State.  The  Chagrin  river  at  this  point  has  a fall 
of  150  feet,  giving  water-power  to  the  manufacturing  interests  of  the  village. 
Newspaper : Exponent,  J.  J.  Stranahan,  editor  and  publisher.  Churches : 1 
Methodist  Episcopal,  1 Congregational  and  1 Disciple.  Bank  : Rodgers  & Harper. 


CUYAHOGA  COUNTY. 


527 


Industries. — Paper,  flour  and  grocer  saoks,  iron,  wooden-ware  handles,  car- 
riages, canvas-boats,  etc.  Population  in  1880,  1,211,  School  census  in  1886, 
346  ; C.  W.  Kandall,  superintendent. 

The  view  of  Chagrin  Falls  was  drawn  and  engraved  for  the  first  edition  in 


Chagrin  Falls  in  1846. 

1846  by  Mr.  Jehu  Brainard,  of  Cleveland,  who  made  and  presented  it  to  us  to 
memorialize  himself  in  the  work.  HLs  picture  has  the  newness,  the  crudity  in 
appearance  which  the  village  at  the  time  presented.  It  looked  to  us  then  as 
though  it  had  just  emerged  from  the  woods ; its  people  were  full  of  the  fire  of  a 
good  beginning,  and  fancying  that  some  day  theirs  would  be  a great  place. 
Among  their  congratulations  were  the  facts  that  they  had  a daily  stage  to  Cleve- 
land and  that  the  Cleveland  and  Pittsburg  stages  ran  through  their  town. 

The  name  of  Chagrin  was  originally  applied  to  the  river,  then  to  the  present 
village  of  Willoughby,  and  later  to  the  town  with  the  adjunct  of  the  word 
Falls.’^  Crisfield  Johnson,  in  his  excellent  History  of  Cuyahoga  County,”  issued 
in  1879,  says : The  name  of  the  river  Chagrin  is  undoubtedly  derived  from  the 
old  Indian  word  ‘ Shagrin,^  which  is  to  be  found  applied  to  it  on  maps  issued 
before  the  Eevolution.  ‘ Shagrin  * is  supposed  to  mean  ^ clear,^  but  this  is  not 
so  certain.”  On  Evanses  map,  published  in  1755,  the  river  is  called  “Elk.” 
Harvey  Bice,  in  his  sketch  of  Moses  Cleaveland,  states  that  he  with  his  surveying 
party  on  the  4th  of  July,  1796,  landed  at  Conneaut  and  celebrated  Independence 
Day,  and  then  in  the  course  of  two  weeks  he  left  Conneaut  in  company  with  a 
select  few  of  his  staff  and  coasted  along  the  southeastern  shore  of  Lake  Erie 
until  he  came  to  the  mouth  of  a river  which  he  took  to  be  the  Cuyahoga.  Hft 
ascended  the  stream  for  some  distance,  amid  many  embarrassments  arising  from 
the  sand  bars  and  fallen  trees,  when  he  discovered  his  mistake  and  found  it  was  a 
shallow  stream  and  not  noted  on  his  map.  This  perplexity  and  delay  so  chagrined 
him  that  he  named  it  the  Chagrin,  a designation  by  which  it  is  still  known.” 

We  here  introduce  an  incident  in  the  life  of  a pioneer  woman  who  until  near 
the  time  of  the  issue  of  our  original  edition  was  living  in  this  vicinity. 

A Plucky  Pioneer  Woman. — ^Joel  Thorp,  alone  to  procure  some  through  the  wilderness, 
with  his  wife  Sarah,  moved  with  an  ox  team,  - with  no  guide  but  a pocket  compass,  to  the 
in  May,  ’99,  from  North  Haven,  Connecticut,  nearest  settlement,  about  20  miles  distant,  in 
to  Millsford,  in  Ashtabula  county,  and  were  Pennsylvania.  His  family,  consisting  of  Mrs. 
the  first  settlers  in  that  region.  They  soon  Thorp  and  three  children,  the  oldest  child, 
had  a small  clearing  on  and^  about  an  old  Basil,  being  but  eight  years-  of  age,  were  be- 
beaver  dam,  which  was  very  rich  and  mellow.  fore  his  return  reduced  to  extremities  for  the 
Towards  the  first  of  June,  the  family  being  want  of  food.  They  were  compelled,  in  a 
short  of  provisions,  Mr.  Thorp  started  off  measure,  to  dig  for  and  subsist  on  roots,  which 


526 


CUYAHOGA  COUNTY, 


yielded  but  little  nourishment.  The  children 
in  vain  asked  food,  promising  to  be  satisfied 
with  the  least  possible  portion.  The  boy, 
Basil,  remembered  to  have  seen  some  kernels 
of  corn  in  a crack  of  one  of  the  logs  of  the 
cabin,  and  passed  hours  in  an  unsuccessful 
search  for  them. 

Mrs.  Thorp  emptied  the  straw  out  of  her 
bed  and  picked  it  over  to  obtain  the  little 
wheat  it  contained,  which  she  boiled  and  gave 
to  her  children.  Her  husband,  it  seems,  had 
taught  her  to  shoot  at  a mark,  in  which  she 
acquired  great  skill.  When  all  her  means  for 
procuring  food  were  exhausted,  she  saw,  as 
she  stood  in  her  cabin  door,  a wild  turkey 
fiying  near.  She  took  down  her  husband’s 
rifle,  and,  on  looking  for  ammunition,  was 
surprised  to  find  only  sufficient  for  a small 
charge.  Carefully  cleaning  the  barrel,  so  as 
not  to  lose  any  by  its  sticking  to  the  sides  as 
it  went  down,  she  set  some  apart  for  priming 
and  loaded  the  piece  with  the  remainder,  and 
started  in  pursuit  of  the  turkey,  reflecting 


that  on  her  success  depended  the  lives  of  her- 
self and  children.  Under  the  excitement  of 
her  feelings  she  came  near  defeating  her  ob- 
ject, by  frightening  the  turkey,  which  flew  a 
short  distance  and  again  alighted  in  a potato 
patch.  Upon  this,  she  returned  to  the  house 
and  waited  until  the  fowl  had  begun  to  wallow 
in  the  loose  earth.  On  her  second  approach, 
she  acted  with  great  caution  and  coolness, 
creeping  slyly  on  her  hands  and  knees  from 
log  to  log  until  she  had  gained  the  last  ob- 
struction between  herself  and  the  desired  ob- 
ject. It  was  now  a trying  moment,  and  a 
crowd  of  emotions  passed  through  her  mind 
as  she  lifted  the  rifle  to  a level  with  her  eye. 
She  fired  ; the  result  was  fortunate  : the  tur- 
key was  killed  and  herself  and  family  pre- 
served from  death  by  her  skill.  Mrs.  Thorp 
married  three  times.  Her  first  husband  was 
killed  in  Canada,  in  the  war  of  1812 ; her 
second  was  supposed  to  have  been  murdered. 
Her  last  husband’s  name  was  Gordiner.  She 
died  in  Orange,  in  this  county,  Nov.  1,  1846. 


CoLLiNWOOD  is  7 miles  northeast  of  Cleveland,  on  Lake  Erie.  Its  inhabitants 
are  mostly  employees  of  the  L.  S.  & M.  S.  R.  R.,  it  being  the  terminus  of  two 
divisions  of  that  road  and  location  of  large  freight  yards.  Churches  : 1 Congre- 
gationalist  and  1 Christian.  Population  in  1880,  792.  School  census  in  1886, 
436 ; T.  W.  Byrns,  superintendent. 

Newburgh,  a suburb  of  and  part  of  the  corporate  city  of  Cleveland,  connected 
with  it  by  four  railroads  and  a street  car  line.  It  is  about  five  miles  from  Cleve- 
land centre.  Newspaper : South  Cleveland  Advocate,  Republican,  H.  H.  Nelson, 
editor  and  proprietor.  Churches : 1 Episcopal,  1 English  and  1 Welsh  Baptist, 
1 English  and  1 Welsh  Methodist  Episcopal,  2 Presbyterian,  1 Welsh  Congrega- 
tional, 1 Disciple,  and  1 Catholic.  A State  hospital  for  the  insane  is  located  here. 

Brooklyn,  a suburb  of  Cleveland,  is  about  5 miles  south  of  Cleveland  Centre, 
on  the  Cuyahoga  river,  and  Valley  Railroad.  Calvin  College  is  located  here. 
Newspaper:  Guyahogan,  Republican,  C.  F.  Beachler,  editor  and  proprietor. 
Churches : 1 Congregational,  1 Methodist  Episcopal.  Population  in  1880, 1,295. 
School  census  in  1886,  801 ; A.  G.  Comings,  superintendent. 

The  following  is  a list  of  villages  in  this  county  not  previously  mentioned,  with 
their  populations  in  1880:  Bedford,  a place  noted  for  its  chair  manufactories, 
766;  West  Cleveland,  1,781;  East  Cleveland,  2,876;  Glenville,  797;  Indepen- 
dence, 262 ; Olmstead  Falls,  404  ; and  Euclid,  699.  The  first  frame  meeting- 
house with  a spire  built  on  the  Reserve  was  erected  in  1817,  at  Euclid.  The 
township  of  Euclid  was  settled  by  the  surveyors  under  General  Cleav’^eland ; in 
1798  Joseph  Burke  and  family,  and  in  1801  Timothy  Doane  and  family, 
settled  in  Euclid. 


DARKE  COUNTY. 


529 


DAEKE. 

Darke  County  was  formed  from  Miami  county,  January  3,  1809,  and  organ- 
ized in  March,  1817.  The  surface  is  generally  level,  and  it  has  some  prairie  land. 
It  is  well  timbered  with  oak,  poplar,  walnut,  blue  ash,  sugar  maple,  hickory,  elm, 
and  beach,  and  the  soil  is  exceedingly  fertile.  It  is  a granary  of  corn,  oats,  and 
wheat — the  yield  immense  and  the  quality  excellent — and  it  is  a first-class  agri- 
cultural county,  a large  proportion  of  the  land  being  a deep  black  soil  and  appar- 
ently inexhaustible.  Area  unusually  large — 600  square  miles.  In  1885  the  acres 
cultivated  were  214,522 ; in  pasture,  23,247 ; woodland,  72,333 ; lying  waste, 
7,207;  produced  in  wheat,  996,331  bushels;  oats,  472,201;  corn,  3,066,476; 
broom  brush,  36,545  pounds;  tobacco,  3,152,425;  butter,  867,560;  flax,  91,457  ; 
potatoes,  215,809  bushels;  sorghum,  49,559,  largest  in  the  State;  eggs,  867,493 
dozen  ; horses  owned,  13,548  ; cattle,  25,517  ; hogs,  36,977.  School  census  1886, 
13,881 ; teachers,  255.  It  has  158  miles  of  railroad. 


Townships  and  Census. 

1840. 

1880. 

Townships  and  Census. 

1840. 

1880. 

Adams, 

698 

2,826 

Monroe, 

1,400 

Allen, 

194 

1,246 

Neave, 

635 

1,082 

Brown, 

293 

1,909 

Patterson, 

1,280 

Butler, 

1,116 

1,739 

Richland, 

589 

1,252 

Franklin, 

291 

1,871 

Twin, 

1,047 

2,724 

German, 

1,173 

1,809 

Van  Buren, 

421 

1,512 

Greenville, 

1,851 

6,807 

Wabash, 

1,135 

Harrison, 

1,666 

2,174 

Washington, 

898 

1,612 

Jackson, 

304 

2,850 

Wayne, 

727 

2,762 

Mississinewa, 

124 

1,506 

York, 

371 

1,000 

Population  in  1820  was  3,717  ; in  1840,  13,145  ; 1860,  26,009  ; 1880,  40,496, 
of  whom  33,062  were  Ohio-born,  1,846  Pennsylvanians,  and  1,208  in  Germany. 


Gen,  William  Darke,  from  whom  thiscounty 
derived  its  name,  was  born  in  Pennsylvania, 
in.]  736,  and  removed  at  the  age  of  five  years 
with  his  parents  to  near  Shepherdstown,  Va. 
He  was  with  the  Virginia  provincials  at  Brad- 
dock’s  defeat,  taken  prisoner  in  the  Revolu- 
tionary war,  at  Germantown,  commanded  as 
colonel  two  Virginia  regiments  at  the  siege  of 
York,  was  a member  of  the  Virginia  Conven- 


tion of ’88,  and  was  repeatedly  a member  of  the 
Legislature  of  that  ancient  commonwealth. 
He  distinguished  himself  at  St.  Clair’s  defeat, 
and  died  Nov.  20,  1801.  Gen.  Darke  was  by 
profession  a farmer.  He  possessed  a hercu- 
lean frame,  rough  manners,  a strong  but  un- 
cultivated mind,  and  a frank  and  fearless  dis- 
position. 


This  county  is  of  considerable  historic  interest.  The  defeat  of  St.  Clair,  No- 
vember 4,  1791,  took  place  just  over  its  northwestern  border,  near  the  Indiana 
line,  on  the  site  of  the  village  of  Fort  Recovery.  Under  the  head  of  IMercer 
county,  a very  full  account  of  this  event  is  given,  with  individual  narratives  and 


incidents. 

On  his  march  north  from  Cincinnati  St. 
Clair  built  a fort  five  miles  south  of  the  pres- 
ent site  of  Greenville,  which  he  named  Fort 
Jefferson.  His  army  left  on  the  24th  of  Oc- 
tober, and  continued  their  toilsome  march 
northward  through  the  wilderness,  which  in 
less  than  two  weeks  was  brought  to  its  disas- 
trous’ close. 

In  the  summer  of  the  next  year  a large  body 
of  Indians  surrounded  this  fort.  Before  they 


were  discovered,  a party  of  them  secreted 
themselves  in  some  underbrush  and  behind 
some  bogs  near  the  fort.  Knowing  that  Capt. 
Shaylor,  the  commandant,  was  passionately 
fond  of  hunting,  they  imitated  the  noise  of 
turkeys.  The  captain,  not  dreaming  of  a de- 
coy, hastened  out  with  his  son,  fully  expect- 
ing to  return  loaded  with  game.  As  they 
approached  near  the  place  the  savages  rose, 
fired,  and  his  son,  a promising  lad,  fell.  The 


530 


DARKE  COUNTY, 


captain  turning,  fled  to  the  garrison.  The  They  were,  however,  disappointed,  though  at 

Indians  pursued  closely,  calculating  either  to  his  heels  ; he  entered,  and  the  gate  was  closed 

take  him  prisoner  or  enter  the  sally-gate  with  the  instant  he  reached  it.  In  his  retreat  he 

him  in  case  it  were  opened  for  his  admission.  was  badly  wounded  by  an  arrow  in  his  back. 


Greenville  in  1846. — Greenville,  the  county-seat,  is  ninety-two  miles  west 
of  Columbus,  and  ten  from  the  Indiana  line.  It  was  laid  off  August  10, 1808,  by 
Robert  Gray  and  John  Devor,  and  contains  1 Baptist,  1 Episcopal,  1 Methodist, 
and  1 Christian  church,  16  mercantile  stores,  1 flouring  mill,  1 newspaper  print- 
ing office,  and  about  800  inhabitants. 

Greenville  is  a point  of  much  historical  note.  In  December,  1793,  Wayne 
built  a fort  at  this  place,  which  he  called  Fort  Greenville.  He  remained  until  the 


Fort  Greenville. 


28th  of  July,  1794,  when  he  left  for  the  Maumee  rapids,  where  he  defeated  the 
Indians  on  the  20th  of  the  month  succeeding.  His  army  returned  to  Greenville 
on  the  2d  of  November,  after  an  absence  of  three  months  and  six  days.  Fort 
Greenville  was  an  extensive  work,  and  covered  the  greater  part  of  the  site  of  the 
town.  The  annexed  plan  is  from  the  survey  of  Mr.  James  M’Bride,  of  Hamilton. 
The  blocks  represent  the  squares  of  the  town,  within  the  lines  of  the  fort.  Traces 
of  the  embankment  are  plainly  discernible,  and  various  localities  within  the  fort 
are  pointed  out  by  the  citizens  of  the  town.  The  quarters  of  Wayne  were  on  the 
site  of  the  residence  of  Stephen  Perrine,  on  Main  street.  Henry  House,  now  (1846) 
of  this  county,  who  was  in  Wayne’s  campaign,  says  that  the  soldiers  built  log- 
huts,  arranged  in  rows,  each  regiment  occupying  one  row,  and  each  hut — of  which 
there  were  many  hundred — occiuiied  by  six  soldiei’s^  He  also  infoi’ms  us  that 
Wayne  drilled  his  men  to  load  while  rimning ; and  every  night,  when  on  tlr^ 
march,  had  good  breastworks  erected,  at  which  the  men  had  been  so  well  practised 
as  to  be  able  to  construct  in  a few  minutes. — Old  Edition. 

Greenville  is  ninety-four  miles  west  of  Columbus,  on  the  C.  St.  L.  & P.  R. 
R.,  and  seventy  miles  north  of  Cincinnati.  It  is  on  Greenville  creek,  also  the  C. 
J.  & M.  and  D.  & U.  railroads.  County  officers  in  1888  : Probate  Judge,  Sam- 
uel L.  Kolp;  Clerk  of  Court,  Patrick  H.  Maher;  Sheriff,  David  E.  Vantilburg; 
Prosecuting  Attorney,  James  C.  Elliott ; Auditor,  Cyrus  Minnich ; Treasurer, 
Henry  M.  Bickel ; Recorder,  Daniel  Snyder ; Surveyor,  Elliott  M.  Miller ; Cor- 
oner, George  W.  Burnett ; Commissioners,  William  M.  Smith,  Reuben  K.  Beam, 
Samuel  J.  Stapleton.  Greenville  has  five  newspapers  : Darke  County  Democfraiio 
Advocate^  Democratic,  W.  A.  Brown,  editor ; Democrat,  Democratic,  Charles 
Roland,  editor ; Journal,  Republican,  E.  W.  Otwill,  editor ; Die  Post,  German 


DARKE  COUNTY.  531 

Democratic,  George  Feuchtinger,  editor;  Sunday  Courier , Republican,  A.  R, 
Calderwood,  editor.  Banks  : Farmers’  National,  G.  W.  Studabaker,  president. 


Drawn  by  Henry  Howe  in  1846. 

View  on  the  Public  Square,  Greenville. 

[The  public  square  was  included  within  the  area  of  the  fort.  The  old  court-house,  which  is  seen  in 
the  centre  of  this  view,  with  an  addition  and  changes,  is  now  the  town-hall ; the  latter  is  the  building 
shown  in  the  distance,  in  the  new  view  taken  by  photograph.  The  street  on  the  right  is  Broadway. 
The  building  in  the  rear  of  the  tavern  sign  is  the  site  of  the  Farmers’  National  Bank.  The  dwelling 
on  the  extreme  left  is  now  standing,  and  residence  of  J.  Riley  Knox.] 


T.  S.  Waring,  cashier ; Greenville  Bank  Company,  W.  S.  Turpen,  president,  G. 
H.  Martz,  cashier ; Second  National,  A.  F.  Koop,  president ; R.  A.  Shuffleton, 


J.  Harper,  Photo.,  Greenville,  1886. 


View  on  Broadway,  Greenville. 

[The  court-house  is  shown  on  the  left,  the  town-hall  in  the  distance.] 


cashier.  Churches : 1 German  Reformed,  1 German  Methodist  Episcopal,  1 Gher- 
man Lutheran,  1 German  Evangelical,  1 Baptist,  1 Methodist  Episcopal,  1 Chris- 
tian, 1 Catholic,  1 United  Brethren,  1 Episcopalian,  and  1 Presbyterian.  The 


532 


DARKE  COUNTY. 


largest  industries  here  are  machinery  and  moulding,  the  lumber  business,  and  wagon 
making.  Population  in  1880,  3,535. 

On  the  3d  of  August,  1795,  Wayne  concluded  a treaty  of  peace  with  the  Indians 
at  Greenville.  The  number  of  Indians  present  was  1,130,  viz.,  180  Wyaudots, 
381  Delawares,  143  Shawnees,  45  Ottawas,  46  Chippewas,  240  Pottawattamies, 
73  Miamies  and  Eel  river,  12  Weas  and  Piankeshaws,  and  10  Kickapoos  and 
Kaskaskias.  The  principal  chiefs  were  Tarhe,  Buckongehelas,  Black  Hoof,  Blue 
Jacket  and  Little  Turtle.  Most  of  the  chiefs  had  been  tampered  with  by  MT^^ee 
and  other  British  agents ; but  their  people,  having  been  reduced  to  great  extremi- 
ties by  the  generalship  of  Wayne,  had,  notwithstanding,  determined  to  make  a 
permanent  peace  with  the  Thirteen  Fires,’’  as  they  called  the  federal  States. 
The  basis  of  the  treaty  of  Greenville  was  that  hostilities  were  to  cease  and  all 
prisoners  restored.  Article  3d  defined  the  Indian  boundary  as  follows  : 


The  general  boundary  line  between  the 
lands  of  the  United  States  and  the  lands  of 
the  said  Indian  tribes  shall  begin  at  the  mouth 
of  the  Cuyahoga  river,  and  run  thence  up  the 
same  to  the  Portage,  between  that  and  the 
Tuscarawas  branch  of  the  Muskingum,  thence 
down  that  branch  to  the  crossing-place  above 
Fort  Laurens,  thence  westerly  to  a fork  of 
that  branch  of  the  Great  Miami  river  running 
into  the  Ohio,  at  or  near  which  fork  stood 
Loromie’s  store,  and  where  commenced  the 
portage  between  the  Miami  of  the  Ohio  and 
St.  Mary’s  river,  which  is  a branch  of  the 
Miami  which  runs  into  Lake  Erie ; thence  a 
westerly  course  to  Fort  Recovery,  which 
stands  on  the  branch  of  the  Wabash  ; thence 
southerly  in  a direct  line  to  the  Ohio,  so  as  to 
intersect  that  river  opposite  the  mouth  of 
Kentucke  or  Cuttawa  river. 

The  following  are  the  reservations  within 
the  limits  of  Ohio  granted  to  the  Indians  by 
this  treaty : 

] st.  One  piece  of  land,  six  miles  square,  at 
or  near  Loramie’s  store,  before  mentioned. 


2d.  One  piece,  two  miles  square,  at  the  head 
of  the  navigable  water  or  landing  on  the  St. 
Mary’s  river,  near  Girty’s  town.  3d.  One 
piece,  six  miles  square,  at  the  head  of  the 
navigable  water  of  the  Auglaize  river.  4th. 
One  piece,  six  miles  square,  at  the  confluence 
of  the  Auglaise  and  Miami  rivers,  where  Fort 
Defiance  now  stands.  8th.  One  piece,  twelve 
miles  square,  at  the  British  fort  on  the  Miami 
of  the  lake,  at  the  foot  of  the  rapids.  9th. 
One  piece,  six  miles  square,  at  the  mouth  of 
the  said  river,  where  it  empties  into  the  lake. 
10th.  One  piece,  six  miles  square,  upon  San- 
dusky lake,  where  a fort  formerly  stood. 
11th.  One  piece,  two  miles  square,  at  the 
lower  rapids  of  the  Sandusky  river. 

These,  with  the  other  tracts,  were  given 
“for  the  same  considerations,  and  as  an  evi- 
dence of  the  returning  friendship  of  the  said 
Indian  tribes,  of  their  confidence  in  the 
United  States,  and  desire  to  provide  for  their 
accommodation,  and  for  that  convenient  inter- 
course which  will  be  beneficial  to  both  par- 
ties. ’ ’ 


A second  treaty  was  concluded  at  Greenville,  July  22,  1814,  with  the  Wyan- 


dots,  Delawares,  Shawnees,  Senecas,  and 

The  commissioners  on  the  part  of  the 
United  States  were  Gen.  William  Henry 
Harrison  and  Gov.  Lewis  Cass.  By  it  these 
tribes  engaged  to  aid  the  United  States  in  the 
war  with  Great  Britain  and  her  savage  allies. 
The  prominent  chiefs  were  Tarhe,  Capt.  Pipe, 
and  Black  Hoof.  Both  of  the  treaties  were 
held  on  the  same  spot,  within  the  present 
(1846)  garden  of  Abraham  Scribner,  in  Green- 
ville. On  the  22d  of  July,  1840,  just  twenty- 
six  years  after  the  last  treaty,  there  was  a 
great  celebration  at  this  place,  called  “the 
Greenville  Treaty  Celebration,”  at  which  the 
many  thousands  present  were  addressed  at 
length  by  Gen.  Harrison. 

From  the  year  1805  to  1808  the  celebrated 
Tecumseh,  with  his  brother,  the  prophet, 
resided  at  Greenville.  It  was  the  point  where 
they  formed -their  plans  of  hostility  to  the 
whites.  During  their  residence  at  this  place 


Miamies. 

they  were  visited  by  many  Indians,  who  were 
wrought  into  the  highest  excitement  by  the 
eloquence  of  Tecumseh  and  the  cunning  of 
the  prophet. 

On  the  plan  of  Fort  Greenville  is  laid  down 
“Tecumseh  Point,”  at  the  junction  of  the 
rivulet  with  Greenville  creek,  about  a quarter 
of  a mile  from  the  court-house.  At  this  place 
are  some  Indian  graves  ; here  Tecumseh  had 
a cabin,  and  formerly  near  it  was  a spring, 
called  “ Tecumseh’ s Spring.”  In  1832  the 
remnant  of  the  Shawnees,  then  moving  to 
their  new  homes  in  the  far  West,  from  their 
reservation  on  the  Auglaize,  took  this  place 
on  their  route,  instead  of  Cincinnati,  as  de- 
sired by  the  United  States  agents.  They  en- 
camped on  Tecumseh’s  Point  to  the  number 
of  several  hundred,  and  remained  a day  or 
two  to  take  a final  farewell  of  a place  so  dear 
to  their  memories. 


In  the  graveyard  at  Greenville  lies  the  remains  of  Enoch  Berry  Seitz,  one 
of  the  greatest  mathematicians  of  his  time  on  the  globe,  and  withal  a man  of 


DARKE  COUNTY. 


533 


singular  modesty  and  amiability  of  character.  He  died  in  Missouri  in  1 883,  aged 
thirty-seven,  and  was  brought  here  for  burial,  because  he  had  been  a teacher  here 
for  a number  of  years,  was  endeared  to  the  people,  and  this  was  the  home  of  his 
wife.  He  was  born  near  Lancaster,  Fairfield  county,  the  son  of  a farmer,  and 
early  displayed  great  aptness  for  mathematics.  He  graduated  at  the  Ohio  Wes- 
leyan University  in  1870.  His  friend.  Prof.  John  S.  Royer,  wrote  of  him  : 

Having  a special  fondness  for  mathematics,  he  devoted  his  leisure  hours  to  the 
broad  fields  and  hidden  beauties  of  its  higher  branches,  delving  deep  into  the  mine 
of  original  investigation,  and  astonishing  the  world  by  the  aptness  with  which  he 
unfolded  the  beautiful  and  mysterious  relations  of  numbers. 

Years  ago  he  was  a subscriber  to  the  School-day  Magazine^  which  had  a math- 
ematical department,  edited  by  the  great  mathematician,  Artemus  Martin.  He 
displayed  great  ingenuity  and  ability  in  solving  difficult  probability  problems,  and 
when  asked  what  works  he  had  on  that  difficult  branch  of  mathematical  science. 


ENOCH  BERRY  SEITZ. 


Mr.  Seitz,  to  the  great  astonishment  of  his  friend,  replied  : ^ I have  no  books  on 
that  subject,  but  what  I know  of  it  I learned  by  studying  the  problems  and  solu- 
tions in  your  magazine.^  Here  was  the  secret  of  his  success.  He  first  studied  the 
principle — laid  a sure  foundation,  upon  which  he  afterward  reared  the  magnificent 
edifice.  He  furnished  over  500  model  solutions  to  the  School  VisitoVy  which 
evinced  those  striking  characteristics  of  his  mathematical  work — originality, 
accuracy,  and  beauty.  Many  readers  have  gathered  inspiration  and  taste  for  the 
science  by  his  labor  of  love  in  this  behalf.  He  was  also  a regular  contributor  to 
the  Analystj  the  Mathematical  VisitoVy  and  the  Educational  TimeSy  of  London, 
England. 

The  latter  has  a department  sustained  by  the  greatest  mathematicians  in  Europe 
and  America.  In  this  everything  is  found  starlight,  but  our  lamented  friend 
represented  a most  brilliant  star,  standing  upon  the  eminent  plane  side  by  side 
with  Woolhouse,  England's  acknowledged  mathematical  champion,  and  in  his 
especial  branches — ^ Average^  and  ^Probabilities^ — Prof.  Seitz  had  no  superior  in 
the  world.^^  In  1880  he  was  elected  a member  of  the  London  Mathematical 


534 


DARKE  COUNTY, 


Society,  being  the  fifth  American  so  honored.  At  the  time  of  his  decease  he  was 
Professor  of  Mathematics  at  the  State  Normal  School,  Kirkersville,  Mo.  He 
died  young,  but  the  work  he  accomplished  remains,  an  endearing  monument  of 
fame  and  honor. 

During  the  years  1827  and  1828  John  H.  Martin  and  Thomas  F.  Chenowith, 
by  the  aid  of  two  four-horse  teams,  transported  all  of  the  products  marketed  in 
the  county  to  Cincinnati,  and  brought  back  about  all  of  the  merchandise  sold  in 
the  county.  In  1886  they  were  both  living,  and  at  the  age  of  about  eighty  years. 
The  following  items  are  from  the  County  History : 


Indian  Trading.  — The  first  permanent 
white  settler  in  Darke  county  was  Azor 
Scribner,  who  in  1806  or  1807  established 
an  Indian  trading-house  in  Greenville  town- 
ship. His  goods  were  hauled  from  Cincin- 
nati along  Wayne’s  road  by  a yoke  of  oxen 
attached  to  a rough  sled  denominated  a mud 
boot,  and  a trip  usually  occupied  from  three 
to  six  weeks.  He  exchanged  his  goods  for 
furs  and  did  a thriving  business.  The  man- 
ner of  trading  has  thus  been  described  : The 
Indians,  bringing  with  them  their  roll  of  furs, 
walked  into  the  cabin  and  found  seats,  while 
each  was  presented  with  a small  piece  of  to- 
bacco. Pipes  were  lighted,  and  the  residue 
was  placed  in  pouches.  After  some  time 
passed  in  smoking  and  talking  among  them- 
selves, one  arose,  went  to  the  counter,  and 
taking  up  a yard-stick,  pointed  out  the  article 
wanted  and  asked  the  price. 

Payment  being  made  in  skins,  there  was  to 
each  kind  a recognized  value.  The  muskrat 
was  held  at  a quarter,  the  raccoon  at  a third, 
a doe  at  a half,  and  a buckskin  at  a dollar. 
Payment  was  made  following  each  purchase, 
until  all  exchanges  were  effected.^  As  each 
retired  another  came  forward  in_  his  turn  un- 
til all  had  traded.  No  one  desired  to  antici- 
pate his  turn,  decorum  was  observed,  and  no 
attempt  was  made  to  “ beat  down,”  for,  if 
not  satisfied,  another  article  was  pointed  out 
and  named.  It  is  reported  that  Scribner  not 
only  sold  the  Indians  tobacco,  but  rum,  and 
they  generally  reserved  some  of  their  furs 
with  which  to  procure  liquor  for  a final 
frolic. 

In  the  winter  of  1807-8  Samuel  Boyd 
moved  in  with  his  family,  and  in  1810  the 
three  Rush  brothers  and  some  others.  A 
year  later  the  Indians  became  hostile  and 
committed  some  murders.  Prior  to  the  war 
of  1812  several  dwellings  and  four  block- 
houses were  erected  in  Greenville.  Among 
those  who  were  killed  by  the  Indians  was 
Andrew  Rush.  One  day  in  April,  1812, 
while  going  to  mill  through  the  wilderness, 
he  stopped  at  the  cabin  of  Mr.  Daniel  Pot- 
ter, when  Mrs.  Potter  asked  him  if  he  was 
not  afraid  of  the  Indians  waylaying  and  kill- 
ing him.  Upon  this  he  laughed,  and  running 
his  hand  through  his  hair  jokingly  replied  : 
“No,  I had  my  wife  this  morning  cut  my 
hair  so  short  that  they  could  not  get  my  scalp 
off.”  That  afternoon  he  was  shot  from  his 
horse,  tomahawked  and  scalped. 

The  First  School- House. — So  slow  was  the 
settlement  of  the  county,  that  in  1824  there 


were  entire  townships  that  did  not  contain  a 
single  inhabitant.  There  were  but  two  meet- 
ing-houses, one  a Methodist,  the  other  a 
Hardshell  Baptist.  The  roads  of  the  county 
consisted  of  the  old  war  traces  of  St.  Clair 
and  Wayne,  some  Indian  paths  and  some 
few  other  traces  cut  by  the  early  settlers. 
Educational  advantages  in  town  and  county 
were  for  many  years  quite  limited.  There 
were  a few  rude  school-hou,  (;s  widely  scat- 
tered, and  these  were  occupic  ' three  months 
of  each  winter  by  teachers  whose  qualifica- 
tions better  adapted  them  for  burning  brick 
than  solving  problems  in  mathematics,  and 
consequently  there  was  little  learned.  Schools 
were  taught  by  subscription. 

Settlers  built  houses  as  they  were  needed. 
Many  settlers  had  large  families — as  many  as 
ten  children  were  found  in  a single  cabin — 
and  to  provide  for  the  future  of  these  young 
people,  the  parents  came  to  this  county. 
There  was  always  work  to  be  done,  and  the 
services  of  all  hands  were  needed ; it  was 
only  during  the  winter  months  that  schools 
could  be  attended.  At  these  only  the  ele- 
mentary branches  were  taught,  and  the  pre- 
dominant idea  of  the  school-master  was  dis- 
cipline first,  learning  afterward.  No  gram- 
mar nor  geography  was  taught.  Few  stud- 
ied arithmetic,  and  these  did  not  proceed 
much  beyond  the  rudiments ; and  when  at 
length  grammar  was  introduced,  such  pupils 
were  thought  well  advanced. 

In  any  locality,  whenever  sufficient  families 
had  moved  in  to  form  a school,  the  settlers 
stood  ready  to  build  a house  and  engage  a 
teacher.  Tall,  strapping  youths  attended 
school,  and  the  master  had  need  of  decision 
and  courage  as  well  as  method  and  erudition. 
It  was  the  custom  for  the  person  applying  for 
the  school  to  call  upon  the  parties  within 
sending  distance  and  canvass  for  scholars. 
If  enough  were  secured  school  opened.  An 
illustration  of  the  old-time  method  is  given 
as  follows  : About  the  year  1815  a man  came 
into  the  Rush  neighborhood  and  offered  his 
services  as  a teacher.  The  settlers  located 
along  Mud  creek.  West  Branch  and  Bridge 
creek  talked  the  matter  oyer  and  concluded 
to  employ  him.  It  was  a light  labor  for  all 
to  turn  out  with  axes,  handspikes  and  oxen, 
upon  a day  appointed,  to  chop  and  draw  logs 
to  a chosen  site  for  the  purpose  of  putting 
up  a school-house.  The  location  was  near 
Rush  Fort,  on  Mud  creek.  While  some  put 
up  round  logs,  notched  down  one  layer  upon 
another,  until  they  were  of  sufficient  eleva- 


DARKE  COUNTY. 


535 


tion  to  form  a story,  split  clasp-boards  for  the 
roof,  chamber  floor  and  door,  and  puncheons 
for  the  floor,  others  drew  stone  for  the  fire- 
place, and  prepared  sticks  and  mud  for  the 
chimney.  The  floor  being  laid,  next  came 
the  desks  and  the  seats.  Large  holes  were 
bored  in  a log  on  each  side  of  the  room, 
wooden  pins  were  driven  in,  and  a slab  or 
unplaned  plank  laid  on  these  pins.  For  seats, 
holes  were  bored  in  puncheons  and  legs  driven 
in,  two  at  each  end.  Windows  were  made  by 
cutting  out  a log  nearly  the  whole  length  of 
the  house,  leaving  a hole  a foot  wide.  Into 
this  was  foiled  a sort  of  lattice-work  of  sticks, 
and  upon  this  greased  paper  was  pasted  to 
transmit  the  light.  Such  was  the  school- 
house  of  sixty-five  years  ago.  It  was  not 
much  of  a structure,  but  there  was  no  great 
contrast  between  it  and  the  homes  of  the 
builders.  There  was  no  lack  of  ventilation, 
and  the  wood  was  not  too  long  for  the  fire- 
place. 

Love- Malang  and  Marriage. — The  arrival 
of  a family  occasioned  eager  inquiry  by  the 
young  men  as  to  whether  there  were  any 
marriageable  daughters  of  the  number.  The 
demand  was  in  excess  of  the  supply.  ^ The 
same  maiden  had  sometimes  several  suitors  ; 
this  involved  the  delicate  matter  of  rejection 
as  well  as  choice. 

Sometimes  the  girls  were  betrothed  before 
leaving  home,  and  a knowledge  of  this  fact 
caused  disappointment.  For  a long  time 
after  the  first  settlement  of  the  county  the 
people  generally  married  young.  The  parties 
differed  little  in  fortune,  and  none  in  rank. 
First  impressions  of  love  resulted  in  mar- 
riage, and  a family  establishment  cost  only  a 
little  labor. 

The  marriage  ceremony  was  arranged  to 
take  place  before  dinner,  which  was  a sub- 
stantial feast  of  beef,  pork,  fowls,  and  some- 
times venison  and  bear  meat,  roasted  and 
boiled,  with  abundance  of  potatoes  and  other 
vegetables.  Dinner  was  free  from  formality, 
and  a time  for  mirth  and  enjoyment.  There 
was  dancing  after  dinner.  “The  figures  of 


the  dance  were  three  and  four  handed  reels 
or  square  sets  and  jigs.  The  commencement 
was  always  a square  four,  which  was  followed 
by  what  was  called  jigging  it  off ; that  is,  two 
of  the  four  would  single  out  for  a jig,  and 
were  followed  out  by  the  remaining  couple. 
The  jigs  were  often  accompanied  with  what 
was  called  cutting  out,  that  is,  when  either 
of  the  parties  tired  of  the  dance,  on  intima- 
tion the  place  was  supplied  by  some  one  of 
the  company  without  any  interruption  to  the 
dance.  In  this  way  the  amusement  was  often 
continued  till  the  musician  was  heartily  tired 
of  the  situation.” 

Among  marriages  in  pioneer  days  was  that 
of  Ullry  to  his  brother’s  widow ; they  had 
lived  together  some  time  during  the  inopera- 
tive period  before  the  election  of  justices,  and 
when  a justice  was  chosen  they  were  legally 
married.  In  a spirit  of  jovialty  a party  of 
young  people,  being  resolved  to  have  a mar- 
riage, seized  upon  a man  named  Israel  Wertz 
and  fitted  him  out  with  a suit.  One  of  the 
party  furnished  leggins,  another  some  other 
article  of  dress  until  he  was  properly  clothed, 
and  then  calling  upon  a woman  named  Jane 
Dugan,  asked  her  if  she  was  willing  to  marry 
Wertz.  She  replied  affirmatively,  and  they 
all  started  for  the  house  of  Alexander  Smith, 
a justice  of  the  peace  who  lived  east  of  Green- 
ville. Wertz  repented  and  broke  away,  upon 
which  a dog  was  set  after  him,  and  he  was 
caught  and  held.  The  ceremony  was  then 
performed,  and  the  twain  thus  singularly 
made  one  lived  many  years  together  happily, 
and  both  finally  died  of  old  age. 

At  this  date  the  only  article  of  export  from 
the  county  was  hoop-poles.  During  the  win- 
ter the  principal  employment  of  farmers  was 
wagoning  these  hoop-poles  to  Germantown, 
Middletown,  Lewisburg,  etc.,  and  by  this 
means  they  were  enabled  measurably  to  sup- 
ply themselves  with  salt,  groceries,  leather 
and  other  necessaries.  This  supplied  the 

eople  with  ready  money.  The  county-seat 

ad  only  about  300  people,  many  very  poor 
finding  it  hard  work  to  get  a living. 


We  here  make  a valuable  extract  from  the  pen  of  Prof.  W.  H.  McIntosh,  in 
the  County  History, relating  to  the  climate  when  the  country  was  in  a wilder- 
ness condition,  and  the  changes  which  the  clearing  away  the  forests  have  produced 
in  the  health  of  the  people : 


Since  the  early  settlement  of  Darke  county 
occurring  changes  have  greatly  modified  the 
climate,  and  to  a less  extent  this  is  still  in 
progress.  The  original  forest,  together  with 
the  undergrowth,  shut  out  the  sun  from  the 
soil  and  impeded  atmospheric  circulation. 
The  almost  monotonous  level,  receiving  the 
winter  snows  and  spring  rains,  retained  the 
water  through  the  summer,  and  thereby 
caused  a moist,  cool  air.  The  forests  broke 
the  sweep  of  the  cold  northwest  winds  of 
winter,  and  the  freezing  of  large,  partly  sub- 
merged tracts  gave  off  a sufiicient  amount  of 
heat  to  sensibly  mitigate  the  cold  incident  to 
the  season.  The  soil,  bedded  in  leaves  and 


vegetation,  was  greatly  protected  from  the 
frost,  and  the  warm  air  of  spring  speedily 
awakened  the  dormant  germs  of  vegetation. 
It  also,  being  protected  by  the  overhang- 
ing foliage  from  the  heat  of  summer,  more 
readily  experienced  the  influences  of  wind 
and  frost,  and  hastened  winter. 

The  forests  being  gradually  cut  down  to 
make  room  for  cultivation,  the  land  being 
thoroughly  drained,  these  conditions  have 
correspondingly  changed.  The  earth  now 
receives  the  sun-rays  unobstructed ; the  air 
has  free  circulation.  The  tilled  lands  have 
been  underdrained  with  tile  and  open  ditches, 
thereby  carrying  away  at  once  the  melting 


536 


DARKE  COUNTY. 


snows  of  winter  ^ and  the  rains  of  spring, 
leaving  little  moisture  to  affect  the  climate 
by  evaporation.  The  effect  of  this  denuding 
and  draining  of  the  soil  is  seen  in  the  great 
depth  to  which  the  summer’s  sun-rays  pene- 
trate, and  scs,  these  rays  are  given  on,  the 
arrival  of  winter  is  proportionally  delayed. 

But  when  the  reserve  of  heat  is  exhausted 
the  unprotected  earth  is  deeply  frozen,  and 
from  these  conditions  come  later  springs, 
warmer  summers  and  delayed  but  more 
severe  winters. 

An  analysis  of  the  climate  of  Darke 
county,  according  to  the  previous  descrip- 
tion, requires  a consideration,  also,  of  the 
situation  of  its  land,  and  the  direction  and 
character  of  its  winds. 

Located  about  midway  between  the  Alle- 
gheny mountains  and  the  Mississippi  river 
there  is  observable  a prevalence  of  westerly 
winds.  This  is  explained  by  the  enormous 
area  of  level  lowlands  whereon  the  atmos- 
phere is  influenced  by  the  earth’s  rotary  mo- 
tion, causing  it  to  move  in  westerly  currents 
toward  or  from  the  equator.  The  west  and 
northwest  winds  are  mainly  dry-air  currents, 
so  that  although  the  annual  rainfall  is  con- 
siderable, yet  under  their  action  the  moisture 
is  rapidly  absorbed.  Such  conditions  would 
inure  to  the  productiveness  of  most  soils, 
but  in  a good,  rich  soil,  such  as  Darke 
county  occupies,  there  is  almost  a certainty 
of  ample  and  abundant  crops. 

The  averages  in  the  various  seasons  are, 
approximately,  31°  for  winter,  57°  for  spring, 
74°  for  summer,  52°  for  autumn.  The  winter 
is  long,  and  there  are  sudden  changes  from 
the  mildness  of  spring  to  the  most  intense 
cold.  These  cold  spells  are  rarely  of  more 
than  seven  or  eight  days’  duration,  and  are 
generally  preceded  by  storms  of  rain  or  snow. 
Bain  falls  almost  nightly  and  for  a day  or  so 
at  a time  during  spring,  and  the  temperature 
fluctuates  from  the  chill  of  winter  to  the 
warmth  of  summer.  Following  one  of  these 
changes  summer  comes  and  throughout  is 
one  of  a tropical  character.  As  fall  draws 
near,  the  atmospheric  conditions  approach 
uniformity,  and  at  this  period  Darke  county 
is  seen  to  the  greatest  advantage.  Breathing 
an  agreeable  atmosphere,  surrounded  by 
healthful  conditions,  the  beholder  looks  with 
pleasure  upon  the  fields,  the  orchards  and 
the  gardens.  Turning  to  the  woodlands,  he 
sees  the  maples,  elms  and  oaks  in  holiday  at- 
tire, preparing  for  their  period  of  rest.  There 
is  every  hue  and  all  shades  of  color.  The 
winds  toy  with  the  branches  ; the  sunlight  is 
all  about  them ; some  are  darkened  as  in 
shadow,  others  are  brilliant  in  the  glow  of 
light,  and  all  about  there  are  seen  bluish, 
smoke-like  mists,  completing  nature’s  finest 
portraiture  of  the  forest  in  the  fall-time  ar- 
rayed in  splendor. 

The  health  of  the  settler  and  of  the  later 
residents  has  been  subjected  to  the  mutations 
affecting  the  climate.  In  the  low  swamps 
miasma  prevailed ; the  action  of  the  sun 
upon  the  decaying  vegetation  opened  by  the 
clearing  and  stirred  by  the  plow,  induced 


fevers  and  chills,  and  there  were  few  that  did 
not,  at  times,  succumb  to  these  disorders. 
The  healthy  and  hardy  entered  into  the 
struggle  with  nature  courageously  and  joy- 
ously. Labor  had  its  zest,  and  food  and 
sleep  were  most  refreshing  , but  there  were 
many  who  struggled  on  under  the  depression 
and  hindrances  of  sickness. 

As  settlers  came  in  and  clearing  took 
greater  sweep,  sickness  became  more  gen- 
eral, or  at  least  more  apparent,  and  when 
Drs.  Perrine  and  Briggs  came  to  Greenville, 
they  found  constant  employment  in  attending 
to  the  calls  of  the  sick.  Fever  and  ague  pre- 
vailed, and  few,  if  any,  families  but  had 
some  sick  members.  Not  then,  as  now,  was 
quinine  available — not  even  known — and  the 
popular  remedies  were  dog-wood  and  wild- 
cherry  bark  steeped  in  native  whiskey. 

Slow  progress  was  made  for  a time,  as  men 
became  disheartened,  left  the  county  and 
circulated  reports  that  were  not  only  true, 
but  sadly  true,  of  an  irreclaimable  wilderness 
of  morass  and  swamp,  the  haunt  of  pestifer- 
ous agues  and  consuming  fevers.  It  is  a fact 
that  very  few  of  the  pioneers  of  Darke  held 
on  through  all  vicissitudes. 

From  1820  to  1840  the  doctors  were  all 
kept  busy  attending  to  the  sick,  so  prevalent 
were  ague,  flux  and  bilious  fever  at  certain 
seasons  of  the  year.  The  years  1836  and 
1837  were  comparatively  healthy;  the  year 
following  was  more  sickly,  and  1839  still 
more  so,  and  from  that  time  till  1850  there 
were  more  or  less  of  bilious  complaints  every 
season.  Since  that  date  both  towns  and 
country  have  been  generally  healthy. 

As  an  illustration  of  the  desperation  to 
which  the  medical  treatment  subjected  pa- 
tients, we  relate  an  incident  in  the  practice 
of  Dr.  Gard,  one  of  the  veteran  physicians 
of  the  early ^ days.  He  was  called  in,  as 
family  physician,  to  minister  to  the  wants  of 
a sick  child.  Cold  water  was  forbidden,  and 
calomel,  as  was  usual,  was  administered. 
The  doctor  then  retired,  with  promise  of  a 
return  the  next  day.  Cold  water  was  barred  ; 
the  boy  begged  for  a drink,  but  entreated  in 
vain,  as  the  doctor’s  orders  were  immutable 
law.  He  then  resorted  to  strategy.  Feigning 
a desire  for  rest  and  repose,  the  family  re- 
tired to  permit  their  indulgence.  Soon  heavy 
breathing  announced  that  all  were  asleep, 
and  the  patient  arose  from  bed,  staggered  to 
the  water-bucket,  and,  to  his  dismay,  found 
it  empty.  This  discovery  would  have  been 
hailed  with  imprecations  that  would  have 
roused  all  in  the  house  had  not  the  necessity 
01  "he  case  demanded  control.  Water  must 
be  had,  although  the  spring  was  at  quite  a 
distance.  The  coffee-pot  was  found,  and  the 
patient  set  out  to  assuage  his  consuming 
thirst.  He  rested  several  times  in  the  wet 
grass,  but  finally  arrived  at  the  spring,  drank 
heartily,  and,  undiscovered,  returned  to  his 
bed,  having  placed  the  well-filled  coffee-pot 
at  his  bedside.  This  was  two-thirds  emptied 
before  this  suicidal  act  was  known,  when  the 
doctor  was  hurriedly  summoned  and  stood 
with  astonished  and  ominous  look,  awaiting 


DARKE  COUNTY. 


537 


serious  results  that  did  not  happen.  In  a 
few  days  the  patient  had  recovered.^  Dr. 
Grard  was  as  skillful  as  the  best,  and  did  his 
duty,  but  the  practice  of  that  day  had  its 
rigors. 

Rich  as  the  land  was,  it  could  not  produce 
money,  and  this  must  be  had  to  meet  pay- 
ments and  taxes.  Clearing,  aside  from  small 
patches,  had  no  stimulus.  Of  what  avail 
were  bins  of  corn  and  wheat,  and  droves  of 
swine,  without  a purchaser  or  market,  and 
of  markets  there  were  none.  Haying  suffi- 
cient bread  and  meat,  all  were  satisfied,  and 
they  shared  freely  with  each  other  and  with 
strangers.  Wheat  was  worth  about  two 
shillings  per  bushel,  and  corn  changed  hands 
at  about  one-half  that  price.  The  current 
prices  fluctuated  with  the  supply  ; and  it  was 
a gratification  when  a newspaper  for  the  first 


time  made  its  appearance  and  obtained  general 
circulation  in  the  county.  It  was  published 
at  Eaton,  Preble  county,  and  subscription  was 
paid  in  corn  at  fifteen  cents  per  bushel. 

Pork  was  sold,  when  it  could  be  sold,  at 
two  and  three  cents  a pound  ; beef  brought 
about  the  same  price  ; maple  sugar  was  held 
at  six  and  eight  cents  per  pound,  and  maple 
syrup  at  about  two  shillings  a gallon.  Wages 
ranged  from  two  to  three  shillings  a day,  and 
this  was  regarded  as  an  average  of  compensa- 
tion. Had  some  wealthy  man  bought  large 
tracts  and  taken  steps  to  develop  the  capacity 
of  the  land,  there  were  many  who  would  have 
gladly ^ offered  their  services  ; but  improve- 
ment in  wages,  prices  and  health  were  yet 
far  in  the  future,  and  this  border  life  between 
the  civilized  and  the  savage  had  few  attrac- 
tions such  as  society  affords. 


During  the  war  of  the  Rebellion  Darke  county  contributed  her  full  share  to  the 
ranks  of  the  Union  army.  The  Fortieth  Ohio  infantry,  largely  composed  of 
Darke  county  men,  was  organized  in  the  fall  of  1861. 

After  varied  service,  in  March,  1863,  it  joined  the  army  of  Kentucky  at  Frank- 
lin, Tenn.,  where,  a few  weeks  later,  an  attack  was  made  by  a strong  force  of  the 
enemy  upon  the  place,  but  they  were  repulsed  by  the  excellent  fighting  of  some 
companies  of  the  Fortieth  out  on  picket  line.  The  story  of  this  fight,  with  the 
spicy  conversation  between  Van  Dorn  and  Serg.  Orin  of  the  Fortieth,  who  had 
been  taken  prisoner,  we  copy  from  the  County  History  : 


On  the  10th  of  April,  1863,  the  regiment 
was  placed  on  picket  duty  in  front  of  the 
town,  with  Capt.  Charles  0.  Matchett  in 
command.  At  that  time  the  rebel  forces, 
under  Gen.  Van  Dorn,  were  stationed  at 
Spring  Hill,  Tenn.,  nine  miles  south  of 
Franklin.  Soon  after  12  o’clock  M.  the 
rebels  commenced  an  attack  upon  seven 
companies  of  the  Fortieth,  which  had  been 
stationed  on  and  between  the  Columbia  pike 
and  the  Big  Harpeth  river  (a  distance  of 
about  five  hundred  yards),  but  were  hand- 
somely repulsed.  The  attack  was  renewed 
with  reinforcements,  and  again  repulsed. 
By  this^  time  the  enemy^  were  preparing  to 
charge  in  force,  and  the  situation  of  the  For- 
tieth was  precarious.  Behind  them,  for  the 
distance  of  more  than  half  a mile,  lay  an 
open  field  without  an  obstacle  or  a shelter  on 
it ; but,  momentarily  expecting  reinforce- 
ments, they  held  their  ground,  and  repulsed 
charge  after  charge,  for  two  hours. 

Van  Dorn  then  formed  his  entire  force  for 
a charge,  and  the  Fortieth  fell  back  in  good 
order  to  the  town,  where,  taking  advantage 
of  hedges,  fences,  houses,  etc. , they  repulsed 
the  enemy  and  drove  them  out  of  town,  and, 
at  4 o’clock  P.  M.,  resumed  their  former  po- 
sition on  picket  duty. 

The  Fortieth’s  loss  was  three  killed,  four 
wounded,  and  ten  missing,  and  all  afterward 
were  exchanged  and  rejoined  the  command. 

The  enemy’s  entire  loss  is  not  known. 
Two  captains  and  fifteen  men  killed,  one 
major  and  twelve  men  wounded,  and  thirteen 
prisoners  fell  into  the  hands  of  the  Fortieth. 
The  enemy’s  entire  force  was  cavalry  and  two 


batteries  of  artillery.  Over  one  hundred 
horses,  equipped,  escaped  within  the  Union 
lines  and  were  captured  by  other  commands. 
The  prisoners,  when  exchanged,  reported 
Van  Dorn’s  entire  loss  in  killed  and  wounded 
to  be  one  hundred  and  fifty  men  and  one 
hundred  and  twenty  horses. 

An  incident  connected  with  this  fight  is 
worth  relating : 

Among  the  prisoners  captured  from  the 
Fortieth  that  day  was  Jesse  N.  Orin,  a ser- 
geant of  Company  B,  afterward  a distin- 
guished representative  for  many  years  in  the 
Ohio  Legislature  from  Clinton  county.  The 
prisoners  were  taken  before  Van  Dorn,  and 
questioned  by  him.  Sergt.  Orin  answered  in 
behalf  of  the  captives. 

“What  commands  do  you  belong  to, 
boys?”  said  the  rebel  chieftain. 

“Fortieth  Ohio,  sir,”  answered  Orin. 
“You  don’t  all  belong  to  the  same  regi- 
ment, do  you  ? ’ ’ 

“Yes,  sir.” 

“What  officer  was  that  in  command  of  the 
forces  you  had  in  to-day’s  fight?  ” 

“Capt.  Matchett,  of  the  Fortieth,  sir.”^ 

“ Have  you  got  down  so  low  that  captains 
must  command  your  brigades  ? ” 

“ Brigades  ? There  was  no  other  regiment 
fought  against  you  to-day  but  the  Fortieth, 
and  only  seven  companies  of  that ; for  one 
company  was  in  the  town  as  provost-guard, 
and  two  companies  were  on  the  west  of  the 
town,  and  neither  of  them  were  engaged.”  ^ 
“Then  why  in  the  name  of  thunder  did 
not  your  captain  quietly  surrender  when  my 
brigade  of  cavalry  attacked  them  ? ’ ’ 


53^ 


DARKE  COUNTY. 


“ I presume,  sir,  the  captain’s  orders  were 
to  defend  the  picket  line  as  long  as  he  could, 
and  not  to  surrender.  ’ ’ 

“But,  why  were  you  not  reinforced ? ” 

“ I do  not  know,  sir ; just  before  we  began 
to  fall  back  the  captain  rode  along  our  lines 
and  told  each  company  that  it  was  evident 
that  we  were  not  to  be  reinforced,  and  we 
could  not  successfully  retreat  over  that  cotton- 
field,  unless  each  company  implicitly  obeyed 
his  commands.  We  all  understood  this  ; and 
he  concentrated  and  retired  us  in  the  manner 
you  saw.  ’ ’ 

“How  did  you  boys  come  to  be  cap- 
tured?” 

“When  our  regiment  had  retreated  about 
half  the  distance  between  the  picket-line  and 
the  town,  a column  of  your  cavalry  threat- 
ened to  pass  by  our  left,  and  get  between  us 
and  the  town,  and  ‘gobble  us  all  up,”  and 
Capt.  Matchett  ordered  me  and  another  ser- 
geant, with  about  twenty  men,  to  a position 
about  three  hundred  yards  to  the  left  and 
rear  of  our  regiment,  in  order  to  oppose  that 
threatened  movement,  with  orders  to  hold 
that  position  at  all  hazards,  until  the  regi- 
ment had  retired  beyond  the  cotton-gin,  and 
then  make  our  way  back  to  town  as  best  we 
could.  We  stayed  there  as  ordered,  but 
when  your  forces  in  front  of  the  regiment 
were  repulsed,  they  swept  around  to  our  po- 
sition and  took  us  all  in,  except  a few  who 
started  to  run  the  gauntlet  back  to  town.  ’ ’ 

At  this  a fine-looking  officer,  who  was 
present,  broke  out  into  a loud  laugh,  and 
said  : “ Gen.  Van  Dorn,  the  joke  is  on  you  ; 
you  promised  to  show  us  how  neatly  you 
could  take  in  the  Yankees  at  Franklin,  and 
it  seems  that  you  have  been  very  cleverly 
repulsed  by  seven  companies  of  infantry, 
commanded  by  a captain,  with  his  left  pro- 
tected by  a sergeant’s  squad.” 

At  this  Sergt.  Orin  said:  “General,  I 
would  like  to  be  permitted  to  say  one  word 
in  your  defence  ; that  is— ^^there  is  not  a pri- 
vate in  the  Fortieth  Ohio  who  would  not 
make  a good  colonel,  and  not  a non-commis- 
sioned officer  who  would  not  make  a good 
brigadier,  and  as  to  the  captain  who  com- 
manded us  to-day,  he  could  handle  an  army 
equal  to  Bonaparte.” 


“Thank  you,”  said  Van  Dorn  ; and  then, 
turning  to  the  officer  referred  to  above,  he 
said  : “ How  could  you  expect  me,  with  my 
division  of  cavalry,  to  overcome  a Bonaparte, 
his  field-marshals,  his  sixty  generals  and  five 
hundred  colonels  ? ’ ’ 

Gen.  Van  Dorn  then  asked  Sergt.  Orin  : 
“How  many  men  have  you  at  Franklin  ? ” 

“ I do  not  know,  sir,  and  if  I did  I should 
decline  to  answer  your  question.  ’ ’ 

“ What  is  the  nature  and  extent  of  your 
fortifications  there?” 

“General,  possibly  you  had  better  obtain 
that  information  by  another  reconnoissance.” 

“Well,  Sergeant,”  said  the  General, 
“you’ll  do.  When  you  rejoin  the  regi- 
ment, give  my  compliments  to  your  brave 
comrades  and  the  captain,  and  say  to  him 
that  I hope  he  may  never  be  promoted.  ’ ’ 
“Captain,”  said  he,  addressing  an  officer, 
“see  that  these  men  are  treated  with  that 
courtesy  and  respect  due  brave  men.  ’ ’ 

The  men  were  then  taken  back,  and  re- 
mained prisoners  only  about  three  weeks, 
when  they  were  exchanged.  Their  prison 
life  was  made  far  more  agreeable  to  them 
than  they  expected. 

In  1878  a major  of  the  Confederate  army 
stopped  for  a few  days  at  Greenville,  Ohio, 
and  called  on  Capt.  Matchett,  and  said  that 
he  had  belonged  to  the  staff  of  the  Inspector- 
General  of  the  Confederate  army  ; that  they 
had  come  west  to  look  after  Bragg’^  army, 
and  went  to  Spring  Hill  Run  about  the  8th 
of  April,  1863,  and  found  Gen.  Van  Dorn  a 
very  genial  and  social  fellow,  who  induced 
the  Inspector-General  to  go  with  him  that 
day  (April  10th),  and  see  how  nicely  he 
would  take  in  the  Yankees  at  Franklin. 

The  major  said  that  all  the  officers  agreed 
that  they  had  never  seen  “such  a fighting 
regiment”  as  the  Fortieth  was  ; and  that  he 
was  free  to  say  that  he  never  met  with  sueh 
coolness  and  determined  bravery  since.  He 
detailed  the  conversation  between  Gen.  Van 
Dorn  and  the  captured  sergeant,  substantially 
as  given  above,  which,  in  the  mind  of  the 
writer,  confirmed  the  statements  made  by 
Sergt.  Orin  and  his  captured  comrades,  on  ’ 
their  return  from  captivity. 


Gettysburg  is  on  the  C.  St.  L.  & P.  R.  R.,  87  miles  west  of  Columbus.  It 
is  the  shipping  point  for  a very  productive  surrounding  wheat  country.  News- 
papers : School  Visitor,  educational,  John  S.  Royer,  editor  and  publisher.  Churches : 
1 Presbyterian,  1 Methodist  Episcopal,  and  1 German  Lutheran.  It  is  some- 
what of  an  educational  centre. 

Population  in  1880,  202. 

Arcanum,  about  80  miles  west  of  Columbus,  at  the  intersection  of  the  D.  & U. 
and  I.  B.  & W.  Railroads,  is  surrounded  by  a fine  farming  district,  and  is  a point 
of  shipment  for  a large  part  of  the  tobacco  crop  of  the  county,  of  which  the  crop 
is  generally  immense.  Newspaper : Tribune,  Democrat,  S.  M.  Kemble,  editor. 
Churches  : 1 Methodist,  1 United  Baptist,  1 German  Reformed.  It  has  two  good 
natural  gas  wells  and  more  are  being  put  down.  Milling,  wood  work  and  tile 
making  are  the  main  industries. 

Population  in  1880,  778.  School  census  in  1886,  335. 


DARKE  COUNTY. 


539 


Versailles  is  on  the  C.  C.  C.  & T.  R.  R.  It  has  one  newspaper,  Policy^  In- 
dependent. Central  Bank,  J.  R.  Jackson,  president;  J.  W.  Starbuck,  cashier. 
Census  in  1880,  1,163.  School  census  in  1886,  433 ; W.  W.  Long,  superintend- 
ent. This  village  was  laid  out  in  1819  by  Silas  Atchison  under  the  name  of 
Jacksonville. 

The  Hardshell  Baptists,  says  the  county 
historian,  built  here  in  1823  the  second 
church  erected  in  the  county.  As  their  rules 
required  every  applicant  for  membership  to 
give  in  a brief  experience  as  a test  of  his  fit- 
ness for  admission,  he  relates  this  as  an  illus- 
tration. A person  living  up  the  creek  by  the 
name  of  Stoner  it  appears,  notwithstanding 
his  hard  name,  was  a little  soft.  Neverthe- 
less, he  wanted  to  join  the  church.  He  rose 
in  the  congregation  and  thus  began  : “I  got 
up  this  mornin’,  greased  my  shoes,  combed 
my  head  and  started  to  meetin’.  As  I was  a 

Ansonia,  about  90  miles  west  of  Columbus,  on  Stillwater  creek,  and  at  inter- 
section of  the  C.  C.  C.  & I.  and  C.  V.  W.  & M.  Railroads,  is  in  the  centre  of  a 
grain-raising  district.  Newspaper:  Mirror,  Independent,  Frank  H.  Jobes,  editor 
and  publisher.  Churches ; 1 Methodist  Episcopal,  1 Christian,  1 German  Lu- 
theran. The  Ansonia  Stave  Co.,  employing  18  hands,  is  the  largest  industry. 
Population  in  1880,  542. 

Union  City  is  on  three  railways  and  in  two  States,  Indiana  and  Ohio ; two 
counties,  Randolph,  Ind.,  and  Darke,  Ohio,  and  has  two  village  corporations  with 
corresponding  sets  of  officials.  In  1880  the  population  of  the  Indiana  side  was 
2,478,  Ohio  side,  1,127  ; total,  3,605.  Union  City  was  platted  in  1852,  and  the 
place  has  grown  up  in  consequence  of  railroads.  The  industries  here  are  wooden- 
ware,  staves,  tubs,  pails,  clamps,  broom  handles,  trunk  slats,  shingles,  heading, 
hubs,  spokes,  chairs,  also  drain  tile,  etc.  It  is  also  a prominent  point  for  the  manu-' 
facture  of  flour  and  the  purchase  and  shipment  of  grain. 


cornin’  along  I saw  a tree  ; I says  to  myself, 
Kin  one  man  pull  that  ar  tree  up  ? No  ! 
Kin  two  men  pull  that  ar  tree  up  ? No  ! 
Kin  three  men  pull  that  ar  tree  up?  No  ! 
Kin  ten  men  pull  that  ar  tree  up  ? No  ! 
Kin  twenty  men  pull  that  ar  tree  up  ? No ! 
Kin  God  Almighty  pull  that  tree  up  ? Yes  ! 
I feel  like  suthin’  is  going  to  happen.  ’ ’ He 
sat  down.  The  preacher  rose  and  said : 
“Brethren,  extend  the  right  hand  of  fellow- 
ship to  Brother  Stoner,  for  this  is  the  true 
blatin’  of  the  lamb.  ’ ’ 


DEFIANCE. 

Defiance  County  was  erected  March  4,  1845,  from  Williams,  Henry  and 
Paulding,  and  named  from  Fort  Defiance.  It  is  watered  by  the  Auglaize,  the 
Tiffin  and  the  Maumee ; this  last-named  stream  was  anciently  called  Miami  of 
the  Lake,^^  and  sometimes  ^‘OmeeT  The  Maumee  is  navigable  by  steamers,  in 
high  water,  to  Fort  Wayne,  and  in  ordinary  stages  to  that  place  for  keel  boats  car- 
rying sixty  tons.  The  Auglaize  is  navigable  for  keel  boats  to  Wapakoneta,  and 
the  Tiffin,  which  is  a narrow,  deep  stream,  is  navigable,  for  pirogues  of  a few  tons, 
about  fifty  miles.  Prior  to  the  building  of  the  Wabash  canal,  Northern  Indiana 
received  a large  part  of  its  supplies  by  the  Maumee.  Much  of  this  county  is 
within  the  Black  Swamp  region,  and  where  cleared  and  drained  as  fertile  perhaps 
as  the  famed  valley  of  the  Nile.  It  was  covered  by  abundant  forests  of  oak, 
hickory,  ash,  and  elm  and  other  trees,  mostly  of  gigantic  size,  rendering  the  clear- 
ing away  a heavy  labor.  Area  420  squares  miles.  In  1885  the  acres  cultivated 


540 


DEFIANCE  COUNTY. 


were  113,070;  pasture,  12,019;  woodland,  65,823;  lying  waste,  906;  produced 
in  wheat,  342,352  bushels ; oats,  242,330 ; corn,  650,887 ; wool,  66,570  pounds. 
School  census  1886,  8,028  ; teachers,  148.  It  has  49  miles  of  railroad. 


Townships  and  Census. 

1840.  1880. 

Townships  and  Census. 

1840. 

1880. 

Adams, 

188  1,509 

Mark, 

1,096 

Defiance, 

1,044  6,846 

Milford, 

175 

1,460 

Delaware, 

201  1,505 

Noble, 

912 

Farmer, 

281  1,302 

Richland, 

1,427 

Hicksville, 

67  2,381 

Tiffin, 

222 

1,526 

Highland, 

542  1,226 

Washington, 

98 

1,325 

Population  of  the  county  in  1840  was  2,818  ; in  1850,  6,966  ; in  1860,  11,983  ; 
in  1870,  15,719;  and  in  1880,  22,515,  of  whom  16,711  w^ere  Ohio-born;  1,780 
born  in  Germany ; 867  Pennsylvania ; and  553  New  York. 

The  annexed  plan  and  description  of  Fort  Defiance  is  found  in  the  memoranda 
of  Benj.  Van  Cleve,  communicated  by  his  son,  John  W.  Van  Cleve,  of  Dayton, 
to  the  American  Pioneer. 


At  each  angle  of  the  fort  was  a block-house. 
The  one  next  the  Maumee  is  marked  A,  having 
port-holes,  B,  on  the  three  exterior  sides,  and 
door  D and  chimney  C on  the  side  facing  to  the 
interior.  There  was  a line  of  pickets  on  each 
side  of  the  fort,  connecting  the  block-houses  by 
their  nearest  angles.  Outside  of  the  pickets  and 
around  the  block-houses  was  a glacis,  a wall  of 
earth  eight  feet  thick,  sloping  upwards  and  out- 
wards from  the  feet  of  the  pickets,  supported  by 
a log  wall  on  the  side  of  the  ditch  and  by  fascines, 
a wall  of  fagots,  on  the  side  next  the  Auglaize. 
The  ditch,  fifteen  feet  wide  and  eight  feet  deep, 
surrounded  the  whole  work  except  on  the  side 
toward  the  Auglaize ; the  diagonal  pickets,  eleven 
feet  long  and  one  foot  apart,  were  secured  to  the 
log  wall  and  projected  over  the  ditch.  E and  E 
were  gateways.  F was  a bank  of  earth,  four  feet 
wide,  left  for  a passage  across  the  ditch.  G was  a 
falling  gate  or  drawbridge,  which  was  raised  and 
lowered  by  pullies,  across  the  ditch,  covering  it 
or  leaving  it  uncovered  at  pleasure.  The  oflS- 
cers’  quarters  were  at  H,  and  the  storehouses  at  I. 
At  K,  two  lines  of  pickets  converged  toward  L, 
which  was  a ditch  eight  feet  deep,  by  which  water 
was  procured  from  the  river  without  exposing  the 
carrier  to  the  enemy.  M was  a small  sand-bar  at 
the  point. 

Fort  Defiance, 

The  lands  now  embraced  within  Defiance  county  were  ceded  by  the  Indians  to 
the  United  States  by  the  treaty  of  Sept.  29,  1817,  at  the  rapids  of  the  Miami  of 
Lake  Erie.  Surveys  were  made  from  the  Indiana  line  east  to  the  line  of  the  West- 
ern Reserve  and  south  to  the  Greenville  treaty  line.  The  base  line  of  this  survey 
is  the  41st  degree  of  north  latitude  and  it  is  also  the  south  line  of  the  Connecticut 
Western  Reserve.  On  the  12th  of  February,  1820,  the  legislature  of  Ohio  passed 
an  act  erecting  these  ceded  lands  into  fourteen  separate  and  distinct  counties.’’ 

Among  these  was  AVilliams  county.  When  Williams  was  organized  in  1824 
Henry,  Paulding  and  Putnam  counties  were  attached  to  it  for  judicial  purposes, 
with  the  town  of  Defiance  as  the  county-seat  of  Williams  county,  and  it  so  remained 
for  many  years,  when  Bryan,  then  covered  with  a dense  forest,  was  selected  as  the 
site  of  the  new  county-seat  of  Williams.  Dissatisfaction  with  this  change  led  to 
the  creation  of  Defiance  county,  with  Defiance  as  the  seat  of  justice. 

The  nucleus  of  the  early  settlement  of  tiiese  counties  was  at  Defiance,  and  it 
was  chiefly  settled  in  what  now  constitutes  Defiance  county  by  those  who  were 
active  in  the  early  official  life  of  Williams  county. 


DEFIANCE  COUNTY, 


541 


The  first  court-house  (a  brick  structure)  for  Williams  county  was,  as  late  aa 
1883,  standing  on  the  banks  of  the  Maumee  in  Defiance  and  used  as  a priva 
dwelling.  A large  part  of  the  settlers  of  Defiance  county  were  Germans.  Many 
were  laborers  upon  the  railroads,  who  remained  and  took  up  lands. 


Drawn  by  Henry  Howe  in  1846. 

Distant  View  of  Defiance  from  the  North  Bank  of  the  Maumee. 

Defiance  in  1846. — Defiance,  the  county-seat,  is  on  the  south  bank  of  the 
Maumee,  at  its  junction  with  the  Auglaize,  on  the  line  of  the  canal,  1 52  miles  north- 
west of  Columbus,  58  from  Toledo  and  50  from  Fort  Wayne.  It  was  laid  out  in 
1822  by  Benj.  Level  and  Horatio  G.  Philips  and  contains  1 Methodist  and  1 Catho- 


L.  E.  Beardsley,  Photo. , Defiance,  1887. 

Near  View  of  Defiance  from  the  I^rth  Bank  of  the  Maumee. 

lie  church,  5 mercantile  stores  and  a population  of  about  700.  It  is  destined,  from 
its  natural  position,  to  be,  when  the  country  is  fiilly  settled,  a large  and  flourishing 
place ; it  already  has  an  extensive  trade  with  a large  district  of  country.  Defiance  is 
on  the  site  of  a large  Indian  settlement,  which  extended  for  miles  up  and  down  the 


542 


DEFIANCE  COUNTY. 


river.  Gen.  Wayne,  on  his  advance  march,  arrived  at  this  place  Aug.  8,  1794, 
His  army  found  it  surrounded  by  a highly  cultivated  country,  there  being  vege- 
tables of  every  kind  in  abundance,  and  not  less  than  one  thousand  acres  of  corn 
around  the  Indian  town,  besides  immense  apple  and  peach  orchards.  It  had  been 
a great  trading  point  between  the  Canadian  French  and  the  Indians.  On  the  9th 
of  August  Wayne  commenced  the  erection  of  a fort,  which  he  called  Fort  De- 
fiance. The  army  remained  here  several  days  and  then  moved  northward,  and  on 
the  20th  routed  the  Indians  at  the  Maumee  rapids.  On  their  return  they  com- 
pleted the  fortress.  Fort  Defiance  was  built  at  the  confluence  of  the  Auglaize 
and  Maumee,  traces  of  which  work  are  now  plainly  discernible.  The  situation  is 
beautiful  and  commanding : it  is  indicated  in  the  view  of  Defiance  by  the  flag 
shown  on  the  left.  Gen.  Winchester,  previous  to  his  defeat  at  the  river  Raisin,  in 
the  war  of  1812,  encamped  in  a picketed  fort,  which  he  built  on  the  Auglaize, 
about  100  yards  south  of  the  other  and  named  Fort  Winchester. 

Defiance  is  115  miles  northwest  of  Columbus  and  49  southwest  of  Toledo,  at 
the  confluence  of  the  Auglaize  and  Maumee,  formerly  called  The  Miami  of  the 
Lake,’’  rivers.  It  is  on  the  line  of  the  W.  St.  L.  & P.  R.  R.  and  the  B.  & O.  & 
C.  R.  R.  County  officers  in  1888:  Probate  Judge,  John  H.  Bevington;  Clerk 
of  the  Court,  Simon  M.  Cameron;  Sheriff,  Henry  Wonderly;  Prosecuting  Attor- 
ney, John  W.  Winn;  Auditor,  Wyatt  T.  Hill;  Treasurer,  John  F.  Dowe;  Re- 
corder, Geo.  A.  Heatley ; Surveyor,  Martin  W.  Steinberger ; Coroner,  D.  P.  Aldrich ; 
Commissioners,  Jacob  Karst,  David  Miller,  Frank  J.  Clemmer.  Newspapers: 
Defiance  County  Express^  Rep.,  Jos.  Ralston,  proprietor ; Deuiocraty  Dem.,  W.  G. 
Blymer,  editor ; Weekly  Herald,  Dem.,  German,  J.  A.  Diendorfer,  editor  ; Local 
News,  Rep.,  Aaron  F.  Schrack,  editor.  Churches:  1 Presbyterian,  1 Baptist, 
1 Episcopal,  2 Catholic,  2 Methodist  Episcopal,  1 German,  and  1 English,  2 
Lutheran,  1 Albright  Methodist  and  1 United  Brethren.  Banks : Defiance  Na- 
tional, James  A.  Orcutt,  president,  Edward  Squire,  cashier ; Merchants’  National, 
Wm.  C.  Holgate,  president,  E.  P.  Hooker,  cashier. 

Industries  and  Employees. — Karst  & Fenger,  doors,  sash,  etc.,  34  hands ; Burg- 
land  & Shead,  butter  tubs,  etc.,  69  ; Defiance  Woollen  Mills,  37 ; Defiance  Machine 
Works,  wood- working  m .chinery,  176;  Corwin  & Kiser,  carriages,  etc.,  10; 
Kuhn  Brothers,  tobacco  boxc”^.  and  lumber,  75  ; Christ.  Diehl,  beer,  13  ; Turnbull 
Wagon  Co.,  wagons  and  agriculti:  ral  supplies,  190;  L.  Archembeault,  wagons, 
etc.,  5;  Peter  Schlosser  & Son,  ^Sirriag^s,  etc.,  20;  C.  Geiger  & Son,  furniture, 
36 ; Wilhelm  & Son,  flour,  etc.,  12 ; Levi  & Ginsburg,  cigars,  32 ; Defiance 
Paper  Co.,  wrapping  paper,  25;  John  Marshall,  lumber,  etc.,  11  ; J.  V.  Olds, 
spokes  and  hubs,  11;  George  H.  Dicus,  cooperage,  15;  Alexander  Friedman, 
cigars,  5 ; Arbuckle,  Ryan  & Co.,  flour,  etc.,  13 ; Oconto  Box  and  Barrel  Co., 
barrels  and  boxes,  40 ; Marshall  and  Greenlen,  hoops  and  staves,  36 ; D.  F. 
Holston  & Son,  hoops,  65 ; Crowe  & Hooker,  hoops  and  staves,  53 ; John  Rowe 
& Son,  hoops ; Trowbridge  & Eddy,  staves  and  heading,  65. — State  Report  for 
1887. 

Population  in  1880,  5,907.  School  census  in  1886,  2,113;  C.  W.  Butler, 
superintendent. 

From  early  times  Defiance  has  been  an  important  historical  point.  It  occu- 
pies the  site  of  the  ancient  “ Tu-en-da-wie  ” of  the  Wyandot  and  ^^En-sa-woc-sa” 
of  the  Shawnee.  Wm.  C.  Holgate,  in  an  address  before  the  Historical  Society  of 
the  Maumee  Valley,  describes  it  as  the  heart  of  the  Indian  nations,  the  great 
centre  where  the  ancient  races  came  to  live,  trade  and  counsel.  He  ascribes  it  to 
the  peculiar  topography  of  the  Maumee  valley,  extending  100  miles  east  and 
Avest  and  100  miles  north  and  south,  of  which  Defiance  is  the  centre.  The  val- 
ley is  the  territory  drained  by  the  Maumee  and  its  tributaries,  Avhich  consists  of 
about  twelve  counties  in  Ohio  and  parts  of  Michigan  and  Indiana.  The  chief 
tributary  streams  from  the  north,  the  Little  St.  Joseph  and  the  Tiffin,  originate  in 
Hillsdale  county,  Mich.,  about  fifty  miles  north  of  Defiance.  All  these  streams 


DEFIANCE  COUNTY. 


545 

were  navigable  to  a certain  extent.  The  other  two  tributary  streams  from  the 
south,  the  Auglaize  and  St.  Mary^s,  originate  as  far  south  of  Defiance. 

Au  Glaize  and  Grand  Glaize  were  the  names  given  by  the  French  to  this  place, 
and  it  was  so  called  in  all  historical  accounts  prior  to  the  erection  of  Fort  De- 
fiance.' It  is  claimed  on  good  authority,  says  Knapp,  that  the  noted  chief  Pontiac 
was  born  here,  one  of  his  parents  being  a Miami  and  the  other  belonging  to  the 
Ottawa  tribe.  Heckewelder  states  the  Miami  of  the  Lake,  at  the  junction  of 
the  Auglaize  with  that  river,’^  was  the  place  of  abode  and  refuge  in  1781  for  a 
remnant  of  the  Moravian  Christian  Indians  after  the  massacre  of  the  Mus- 
kingum. 

In  1780,  during  the  Revolutionary  war,  an  expedition  under  Col.  Byrd  was  fitted 
out  at  Detroit,  consisting  of  600  men,  including  Indians  and  Canadians,  with  two 
pieces  of  artillery,  destined  for  the  invasion  of  Kentucky.  This  expedition  took 
Au  Glaize  on  their  route  and,  it  is  inferred,  erected  a stockade  here  and  rested  on 
both  going  and  returning  from  Detroit.  This  was  the  force  that  appeared  before 
Bryant’s  Station  ” and  Ruddle’s  Station  ” and  compelled  their  surrender,  and, 
after  promising  protection  to  the  prisoners,  massacred  them  in  cold  blood. 

One  of  the  early  historical  accounts  speaks  of  a great  council  of  all  the  Indian 
tribes,  held  at  Au  Glaize  in  October,  1792,  and  says  it  was  the  largest  Indian 
council  of  the  times ; that  the  chiefs  of  all  the  tribes  of  the  Northwest  were  here, 
and  representatives  of  the  seven  nations  of  Canada  and  of  the  twenty-seven  na- 
tions beyond  Canada ; that  Cornplanter  and  forty-eight  chiefs  of  the  six  nations 
of  New  York  repaired  here ; that  three  men  of  the  Gora  nations  were  in  attend- 
ance, whom  it  took  a whole  season  to  travel  to  this  point.  “ Besides  these,”  says 
Cornplanter,  there  were  so  many  nations  that  we  eannot  tell  the  names  of  them.” 

The  question  of  peace  or  war  was  long  and  earnestly  discussed  : the  chiefs  of 
the  Shawnees  being  for  war,  and  Red  Jacket,  the  Seneca  chief,  for  peace.  This 
convention  represented  a larger  territory  than  any  convention  of  Indians  we  have 
an  account  of,  before  or  since,  being  held  on  the  American  continent.  It  seems 
to  have  been  a natural  intuition  that  led  the  red  men  of  the  forest  to  see  that  this 
was  the  strategetic  centre  of  North  America. 


Captivity  qf  Two  White  Boys. — Captives 
were  brought  to  Au  Glaize ; and  what  is 
singular  two  boys,  when  captured,  one  nine 
years  of  age,  J ohn  Brickell,  from  Pittsburg  ; 
the  other  eleven  years  of  age,  Oliver  M. 
Spencer,  from  Cincinnati,  have  left  written 
accounts  of  their  experience.  Brickell  was 
taken  in  February,  1791,  and  was  adopted  by 
a Delaware  Indian  named  Whingy  Pooshies 
and  lived  with  his  family  four  years.  In  his 
narrative  he  says  he  was  treated  very  kindly, 
every  way  as  one  of  themselves,  and  had 
every  opportunity  of  learning  their  manners, 
customs  and  religion,  and  thinks  he  has  been 
influenced  to  good  more  from  what  he 
learned  among  these  Indians  than  from  what 
he  has  learned  from  amongst  people  of  his 
own  color.  Honesty,  bravery  and  hospitality 
were  cardinal  virtues  among  them.  When  a 
company  of  strangers  come  to  a town  and 
encamp,  they  are  not  asked  if  they  want 
anything,  but  a runner  starts  out  proclaiming 
“strangers  have  arrived.”  On  this  every 
family  provide  of  the  best  they  have,  and 
take  it  to  the  strangers,  for  which  not  a 
thought  is  had  of  anything  being  received  in 
return,  and  when  they  start  out  they  are 
helped  on  their  journey.  Worshipping  the 
Great  Spirit,  whom  they  call  Manitou, 
“never,”  says  Brickell,  “even  on  one  occa- 


sion did  I know  of  their  using  the  name 
irreverently,”  and  they  had  no  term  in  their 
language  by  which  they  could  swear  pro- 
fanely. Their  young  honor  the  aged.  The 
first  corn  that  is  fit  to  use  is  made  a feast- 
offering.  The  first  game  that  is  taken  on  a 
hunting  expedition  is  dressed  whole  without 
the  breaking  of  a bone,  with  the  head,  ears 
and  hoof  on,  and  being  cooked  whole,  all  eat 
of  it,  and^  if  any  is  left  it  is  entirely  burnt 
up ; and  in  respect  to  things  clean  and  un- 
clean they  follow  the  Jewish  customs.  They 
have  no  public  worship  except  the  feasts,  but 
frequently  observe  family  worship,  in  which 
they  sing  and  pray.  They  believe  in  a res- 
urrection after  death,  and  in  future  rewards 
and  punishments.  Their  cruel  treatment  of 
their  enemies  in  war  seems  but  the  acting 
out  of  the  precepts,  “an  eye  for  an  eye,  a 
tooth  for  a tooth,  and  blood  for  blood.” 
Young  Brickell  was  trained  to  hunt  ana 
much  of  his  time  was  out  on  hunting  expe- 
ditions. These  were  generally  to  the  streams 
of  the  Maumee  in  summer,  but  in  winter 
extended  to  the  Scioto,  the  Hocking  and 
Licking  rivers.  During  his  four  years’  so- 
journ here,  two  very  important  events  oc- 
cun-ed — St.  Clair’s  defeat,  in  1791,  and 
Wayne’s  victory,  August  20,  1794. 

He  gives  some  interesting  items  in  regard 


544 


DEFIANCE  COUNTY. 


to  Wayne’s  victory.  The  following  winter 
his  people  had  to  winter  at  the  mouth  of 
Swan  creek,  on  the  site  of  Toledo.  He  says  : 
“We  were  entirely  dependent  upon  the 
British,  and  they  did  not  half  supply  us. 
The  starving  and  sickly  condition  of  the  In- 
dians made  them  very  impatient,  and  they 
became  exasperated  at  the  British.  It  was 
finally  concluded  to  send  a flag  to  Fort  Defi- 
ance in  order  to  make  a treaty  with  the 
Americans.  This  was  successful.  Our  men 
found  the  Americans  ready  to  treat,  and 
they  agreed  upon  an  exchange  of  prisoners. 
I saw  nine  white  prisoners  exchanged  for 
nine  Indians.  I was  left,  there  being  no  In- 
dian to  give  for  me.  Patton,  Johnston, 
Sloan  and  Mrs.  Baker  were  four  of  the  nine  ; 
the  names  of  the  others  I do  not  recollect. 

On  the  breaking-up  of  spring  we  all  went 
to  Fort  Defiance,  and  arriving  on  the  shore 
opposite,  we  saluted  the  fort  with  a round 
of  rifles,  and  they  shot  a cannon  thirteen 
times.  We  then  encamped  on  the  spot.  On 
the  same  day  Whingy  Pooshies  told  me  I 
must  go  over  to  the  fort.  The  children  hung 
around  me,  crying,  and  asked  me  if  I was 
going  to  leave  them.  I told  them  I did  not 
know.  When  we  got  over  to  the  fort  and 
were  seated  with  the  officers,  Whingy  Poo- 
shies told  me  to  stand  up,  which  I did.  He 
then  arose  and  addressed  me  in  about  these 
words  : ‘ My  son,  these  are  men  the  same 

color  with  yourself,  and  some  of  your  kin 


may  be  here,  or  they  may  be  a great  way  off. 
You  have  lived  a long  time  with  us.  I call 
on  you  to  say  if  I have  not  been  a father  to 
you ; if  I have  not  used  you  as  a father 
would  a son?’  I said,  ‘You  have  used  me 
as  well  as  a father  could  use  a son.  ’ He  said, 

‘ I am  glad  you  say  so.  You  have  lived  long 
with  me  ; you  have  hunted  for  me  ; but  your 
treaty  says  you  must  be  free.  If  you  choose 
to  go  with  people  of  your  own  color  I have 
no  right  to  say  a word  ; but  if  you  choose  to 
stay  with  me  your  people  have  no  right  to 
speak.  Now  reflect  on  it  and  take  your 
choice  and  tell  us  as  soon  as  you  make  up 
your  mind.  ’ I was  silent  for  a few  minutes, 
in  which  time  I seemed  to  think  of  most 
everything.  I thought  of  the  children  I had 
just  left  crying  ; I thought  of  the  Indians  I 
was  attached  to,  and  I thought  of  my  people 
whom  I remembered  ; and  this  latter  thought 
predominated,  and  I said,  ‘ I will  go  with  my 
kin.  ’ The  old  man  then  said,  ‘ I have  raised 
you.  I have  learned  you  to  hunt ; you  are  a 
good  hunter.  You  have  been  better  to  me 
than  my  own  sons.  I am  now  getting  old 
and  I cannot  hunt.  I thought  you  would  be 
a support  to  my  old  age.  I leaned  on  you  as 
on  a staff.  Now  it  is  broken — j^ou  are  going 
to  leave  me  and  I have  no  right  to  say  a 
word,  but  I am  ruined.’  He  then  sank  back 
in  tears  to  his  seat.  ^ I heartily  joined  him  in 
his  tears,  parted  with  him,  and  have  never 
seen  or  heard  of  him  since.  ’ ’ 


On  his  return  from  his  captivity  Brickell  settled  in  Columbus,  and  became  one 
of  its  most  esteemed  citizens.  O.  M.  Spencer,  the  eleven-year-old  Cincinnati  boy, 
was  taken  in  1792,  while  a little  way  from  home,  by  two  Indians.  His  captor 
was  a Shawnee,  but  he  shortly  transferred  his  rights  to  his  companion,  Wah-paw- 
waw-qua,  or  White  Loon,  the  son  of  a Mohawk  chief.  At  their  arrival  at  the 
confluence  of  the  Auglaize  and  the  Maumee,  after  disposing  of  their  furs  to  a 
British  Indian  trader,  they  crossed  over  to  a small  bark-cabin  near  its  banks,  and 
directly  opposite  the  point,  and,  leaving  him  in  charge  of  its  occupant — an  old 
widow,  the  mother-in-law  of  Waw-paw-waw-qua — departed  for  their  homes,  a 
Shawnee  village,  on  the  river  about  one  mile  below. 

Cooh-coo-che,  the  widow  in  whose  charge  young  Spencer  had  been  left,  was  a 
princess  of  the  Iroquois  tribe.  She  was  a priestess,  to  whom  the  Indians  applied 
before  going  on  any  important  war  expedition.  She  was  esteemed  a great  medi- 
cine-woman. 

The  description  of  the  settlement  at  that  time  is  from  the  narrative  of  Spencer  ; 


On  this  high  ground  (since  the  site  of 
Fort  Defiance,  erected  by  General  Wayne  in 
1794),  extending  from  the  Maumee  a quarter 
of  a mile  up  the  Auglaize,  about  two  hun- 
dred yards  in  width,  was  an  open  space,  on 
the  west  and  south  of  which  were  oak  woods, 
with  hazel  undergrowth.  Within  this  open- 
ing, a few  hundred  yards  above  the  point,  on 
the  steep  high  bank  of  the  Auglaize,  were 
five  or  six  cabins  and  log-houses,  inhabited 
principally  by  Indian  traders.  The  most 
northerly,  a large  hewed  log-house,  divided 
below  into  three  apartments,  was  occupied  as 
a warehouse,  store  and  dwelling  by  George 
Ironside,  the  most  wealthy  and  influential  of 


the  traders  on  the  point.  Next  to  his  were 
the  houses  of  Pirault  (Pero),  a French  baker, 
and  M’Kenzie,  a Scot,  who,  in  addition  to 
merchandising,  followed  the  occupation  of  a 
silversmith,  exchanging  with  the  Indians  his 
brooches,  ear-drops,  and  other  silver  orna- 
ments, at  an  enormous  profit,  for  skins  and 
furs.  Still  farther  up  were  several  other 
families  of  French  and  English ; and  two 
American  prisoners,  Henry  Ball,  a^  soldier 
taken  at  St.  Clair’s  defeat,  and  his  wife, 
Polly  Meadows,  captured  at  the  same  time, 
were  allowed  to  live  here,  and  by  labor  to 
ay  their  masters  the  price  of  their  ransom  ; 
e by  boating  to  the  rapids  of  the  Maumee, 


DEFIANCE  COUNTY. 


545 


and  she  by  washing  and  sewing.  Fronting 
the  house  of  Ironside,  and  about  fifty  yards 
from  the  bank,  was  a small  stockade  enclos- 
ing two  hewed  log-houses,  one  of  which  was 
occupied  by  James  Girty  (brother  of  Simon), 
the  other,  occasionally,  by  M’Kee  and  Elliott, 
British  Indian  agents,  living  at  Detroit. 


From  this  station  I had  a fine  view  of  the 
large  village  more  than  a mile  south,  on  the 
east  side  of  the  Auglaize,  of  Blue  Jacket’s 
town,  and  of  the  Maumee  river  for  several 
miles  below,  and  of  the  extensive  prairie 
covered  with  corn,  directly  opposite,  and 
forming  together  a very  handsome  landscape. 


Young  Spencer  was  redeemed  from  captivity  on  the  last  day  of  F^ebriiary,  1793, 
and  through  the  solicitation  of  Washington  to  the  governor  of  Canada.  The 
latter  instructed  Col.  Elliott,  the  Indian  agent,  to  interpose  for  his  release.  He 
was  taken  down  the  Maumee  in  an  open  pirouge,  thence  paddled  in  a canoe  by 
two  squaAvs  along  the  shore  of  Lake  Erie  to  Detroit.  His  route  thence  was  by 
Lake  Erie  in  a vessel  to  Erie,  Pa.,  thence  to  Forts  Chippewa  and  Niagara,  across 
New  York  State,  then  mostly  a Avilderness,  to  Albany,  down  the  Hudson  to  New 
York  city,  thence  through  Pennsylvania  to  Cincinnati.  The  distance  was  2,000 
miles,  and  such  the  difficulties  to  be  overcome  that  two  years  were  consumed  in  the 
journey  ; but  for  the  protecting  auspices  of  those  highest  in  authority  it  could  not 
have  been  accomplished  at  all. 

Young  Spencer  became  a Methodist  minister,  and  reared  a family  of  the  high- 
est respectability;  one  son  became  postmaster  of  Cincinnati  about  1850,  another 
a judge  of  its  superior  court. 

Wayne  was  eight  days  in  building  Fort  Defiance ; began  on  the  9th  of  August 
and  finished  on  the  17th.  After  surveying  its  block-houses,  pickets,  ditches,  and 
fascines,  Wayne  exclaimed,  “ I defy  the  English,  Indians,  and  all  the  devils  in 
hell  to  take  it.’^  Gen.  Scott,  Avho  happened  at  that  instant  to  be  standing  at  his 
side,  remarked,  Then  call  it  ‘ Fort  Defiance  V ” and  so  Wayne,  in  a letter  to 
the  Secretary  of  War  written  at  this  time,  said  : ‘‘  Thus,  sir,  we  have  gained 
possession  of  the  grand  emporium  of  the  hostile  Indians  of  the  West,  Avithout  loss 
of  blood.  The  very  extensive  and  highly  cultivated  fields  and  gardens  shoAv  the 
work  of  many  hands.  The  margin  of  those  beautiful  rivers — the  Miamis  of  the 
lake  (or  Maumee)  and  Auglaize — appear  like  one  continued  village  for  a number 
of  miles  both  above  and  beloAv  this  place ; nor  have  I ever  before  beheld  such 
fields  of  corn  in  any  part  of  America  from  Canada  to  Florida.  We  are  noAV 
employed  in  completing  a strong  stockade  fort,  with  four  good  block-houses,  by 
way  of  bastions,  at  the  confluence  of  the  Auglaize  and  the  Maumee,  Avhich  I have 
called  Defiance.^^ 

When  first  known,  there  Avas  an  abundance  of  apple  trees  at  Defiance.  The 
bank  of  the  Auglaize  at  one  spot  was  lined  with  these  trees,  and  there  AA^ere  single 
trees  scattered  about  in  various  places.  It  is  supposed  they  Avere  planted  by 
French  missionaries  and  traders  during  the  French  dominion  on  the  lakes,  and 
cared  for  afterAvards  by  the  Indian  trappers  and  traders.  The  fruit  of  these  trees 
was  better  than  that  of  the  so-called  natural  trees  of  the  present  time ; they  grew 
larger,  and  had  a more  agreeable  taste.  The  stocks  Avere  more  like  the  forest 
trees ; higher  to  the  branches,  longer  to  the  limbs  than  the  grafted  trees  of  the 
pre^^ut  day.  Probably  the  shade  and  contracted  clearings  in  which  they  Avere 
groATU  had  much  to  do  Avith  this  large  groAvth.  There  Avas  then  no  civilization  to 
bring  in  borers,  Avorms,  and  curculios,  and  so  the  trees  thrived  Avithout  hindrance. 
The  ‘^County  History,’^  published  in  1883,  from  AAfiiich  the  above  Avas  derived, 
says : ‘‘  Defiance  has  been  famed  for  the  possession  of  a monstrous  apple  tree. 
Strangers  have  seldom  failed  to  visit  it,  to  measure  its  proportions,  and  speculate 
upon  its  age  and  origin.  It  stands  on  the  narrow  bottom,  on  the  north  side  of 
the  Maumee,  and  nearly  opposite  the  old  fort.  ' It  has  never  failed,  in  the  knoAvl- 
edge  of  present  settlers,  in  producing  a crop  of  very  excellent  apples.  One  large 
branch,  however,  has  of  late  years  been  broken  off  by  the  .storms,  which  has  much 
marred  its  proportions ; the  remainder  is  yet  healthy  and  prospering.  Before  the 
town  was  laid  out  there  were  many  trees,  equally  thrifty  and  not  less  in  size,  in 


546 


DEFIANCE  COUNTY. 


this  vicinity.’’  The  famed  apple  tree  was  destroyed  by  a gale  in  the  fall  of  1886. 
It  was  judged  to  be  150  years  old,  and  was  much  dilapidated.  It  has  produced 
in  some  seasons  200  bushels  of  apples. 

In  the  war  of  1812  Fort  Defiance  was  an  important  point  for  the  concentration 
of  troops,  under  Gen.  Harrison,  against  the  British  and  Indians  on  the  frontier. 
On  one  occasion  a revolt  took  place  in  the  Kentucky  regiment  of  Col.  Allen. 
Gen.  Harrison  was  not  present,  but  luckily  arrived  that  night  in  camp,  and  had 
retired,  when  he  was  suddenly  awakened  by  Col.  Allen  and  Maj.  Hardin  with  the 
bad  tidings.  The  outcome  illustrates  the  knowledge  of  his  men  and  the  inimitable 
tact  which  Gen.  Harrison  appears  to  have  possessed  in  his  management  of  them. 
The  details  are  from  Knapp’s  History  of  the  Maumee  Valley  : ” 


Col.  Allen  and  Major  M.  D.  Hardin  in- 
formed the  General  that  Allen’s  regiment, 
exhausted  by  the  hard  fare  of  the  campaign, 
and  disappointed  in  the  expectation  of  an 
immediate  engagement  with  the  enemy, 
had,  in  defiance  of  their  duty  to  their  coun- 
try and  all  the  earnest  impassioned  remon- 
strances of  their  officers,  determined  to  re- 
turn home.  They  begged  the  General  to  rise 
and  interfere,  as  the  only  officer  who  could 
bring  the  mutineers  to  a sense  of  their  duty. 

Gen.  Harrison  informed  the  officers  that 
he  would  take  the  matter  in  hand,  and  they 
retired.  In  the  meantime,  he  sent  an  aid  to 
Gen.  Winchester  to  order  the  alarm,  or  point 
of  war,  to  be  beat  the  following  morning  in- 
stead of  the  reveille. 

The  next  morning,  at  the  roll  of  the 
drum,  every  soldier  sprang  to  his  post,  all 
alert  and  eager  to  learn  the  cause  of  the 
unexpected  war  alarm.  Gen.  Winchester 
formed  them  into  a hollow  square ; at  this 
moment  Gen.  Harrison  appeared  upon  pa- 
rade. The  effect  on  the  assembled  troops  of 
this  sudden  and  unexpected  appearance  in 
their  midst  of  their  favorite  commander  can 
be  easily  imagined.  Taking  advantage  of 
this  Gen.  Harrison  immediately  addressed 
them.  He  began  by  lamenting  that  there 
was,  as  he  was  informed,  considerable  dis- 
content in  one  of  the  Kentucky  regiments ; 
this,  although  a mortification  to  himself,  on 
their  account,  was  happily  of  little  conse- 
quence to  the  government.  He  had  more 
troops  than  he  knew  what  to  do  with  at  th-e 
present  stage  of  the  campaign  ; he  was  ex- 
pecting daily  the  arrival  of  the  Pennsylvania 
and  Virginia  quotas.  It  is  fortunate,  said 
this  officer,  with  the  ready  oratory  for  which 
his  native  Virginia  is  so  famed,  that  he  had 
found  out  this  dissatisfaction  before  the  cam- 
paign was  farther  advanced,  when  the  dis- 
covery might  have  been  mischievous  to  the 
public  interests,  as  well  as  disgraceful  to  the 
parties  concerned.  Now,  so  far  as  the  gov- 
ernment was  interested,  the  discontented 
troops,  who  had  come  into  the  woods  with 
the  expectation  of  finding  all  the  luxuries  of 
home  and  of  peace,  had  full  liberty  to  return. 
He  would,  he  continued,  order  facilities  to  be 
furnished  for  their  immediate  accommoda- 
tion. But  he  could  not  refrain  from  express- 
ing the  mortification  he  anticipated  for  the 
reception  they  would  meet  from  the  old  and 


the  young,  who  had  greeted  them  on  their 
march  to  the  scene  of  war,  as  their  gallant 
neighbors. 

What  must  be  their  feelings,  said  the  Gen- 
eral, to  see  those  whom  they  had  hailed  as 
their  generous  defenders,  now  returning  with- 
out striking  a blow  and  before  their  term  of 
plighted  service  had  expired?  But  if  this 
would  be  the  state  of  public  sentiment  in 
Ohio,  what  would  it  be  in  Kentucky?  If 
their  fathers  did  not  drive  their  degenerate 
sons  back  to  the  field  of  battle  to  recover 
their  wounded  honor,  their  mothers  and  sis- 
ters would  hiss  them  from  their  presence. 
If,  however,  the  discontented  men  were  dis- 
posed to  put  up  with  all  the  taunts  and  dis- 
dain which  awaited  them  wherever  they  went 
they  were.  General  Harrison  again  assured 
them,  at  full  liberty  to  go  back. 

The  influence  of  this  animated  address 
was  instantaneous. 

This  was  evinced  in  a manner  most  flatter- 
ing to  the  tact  and  management  of  the  com- 
mander. Col.  J.  M.  Scott,  the  senior  colonel 
of  Kentucky,  and  who  had  served  in  the 
armies  of  Harmar,  St.  Clair  and  Wayne,  in 
the  medical  staff,  now  addressed  his  men. 

These  were  well  known  in  the  army  as  the 
“Ironworks”  from  the  neighborhood  from 
which  they  had  come.  “You,  my  bo3'S,” 
said  the  generous  veteran,  “will  prove  your 
attachment  for  the  service  of  your  country 
and  your  general  by  giving  him  three  cheers.  ’ ’ 

The  address  was  attended  with  immediate 
success,  and  the  air  resounded  with  the 
shouts  of  both  officers  and  men. 

Colonel  Lewis  next  took  up  the  same 
course  and  with  the  same  effect. 

It  now  became  the  turn  of  the  noble  Allen 
again  to  try  the  temper  of  his  men.  He 
begged  leave  of  the  general  to  address  them, 
but  excess  of  emotion  choked  his  utterance. 
At  length  he  gave  vent  to  the  contending 
feelings  of  his  heart  in  a broken  but  forcible 
address,  breathing  the  fire  which  ever  burned 
so  ardently  in  his  breast.  At  the  close  of  it, 
however,  he  conjured  the  soldiers  of  his  reg' 
iment  to  give  the  general  the  same  manifesta- 
tion of  their  patriotism  and  returning  sense 
of  duty  which  the  other  Kentucky  regiments 
had  so  freely  done.  The  wishes  of  their 
high-spirited  officer  were  comi)lied  with,  and 
a mutiny  was  nipped  in  its  bud  which  might, 
if  persisted  in,  have  spread  disaffectiou 


DEFIANCE  COUNTY. 


547 


through  the  Kentucky  troops,  to  the  disgrace  the  remainder  of  their  service  till  the  greater 
of  that  gallant  State  and  the  lasting  injury  part  of  them  offered  up  their  lives  in  de- 
of  the  public  cause.  No  troops,  however,  fence  of  their  country  on  the  fatal  field  of 
behaved  more  faithfully  or  zealously  through  Raisin. 

Hicksville  is  twenty  miles  west  of  Defiance,  on  the  line  of  the  B.  & O.  & 
C.  R.  R.  It  has  two  newspapers  : Independent,  Republican,  T.  G.  Dowell,  editor  ; 
Nev^s,  Independent,  W.  C.  B.  Harrison,  editor.  Churches : 1 Catholic,  1 Chris- 
tian, 1 Methodist,  1 Episcopal,  2 Presbyterian,  and,  in  1880,  1,212  inhabitants. 

Hicksville  was  laid  out  in  1836  by  Miller  Arrowsmith  for  John  A.  Bryan, 
Henry  W.  Hicks,  and  Isaac  S.  Smith.  The  next  spring  the  Hon.  Alfred  P. 
Edgerton  (born  in  Plattsburg,  N.  Y.,  in  1813)  came  out  here  in  1837  and 
assumed  the  management  of  the  extended  landed  interests  of  the  American  Land 
Company  and  of  the  Messrs.  Hicks,  their  interest  being  known  as  the  Hicks 
Land  Company.’^  He  revised  and  added  to  the  layout  of  the  town,  built  mills, 
and  made  extensive  improvements,  and  was  a generous  contributor  to  every  good 
work  or  thing  connected  with  the  welfare  of  the  community.  In  his  land-office  in 
Hicksville,  up  to  October  5,  1852,  he  sold  140,000  acres,  all  to  actual  settlers. 
In  1857  he  removed  to  Fort  Wayne,  Ind.,  but 
remained  a citizen  of  Ohio  until  1862,  and 
now,  late  in  life,  is  Civil  Service. Commissioner 
under  the  general  government. 

Mr.  Edgerton  is  a man  of  remarkable  intel- 
lectual and  physical  vitality,  and  his  life  has 
been  strongly  and  usefully  identified  with  the 
history  of  this  region  and  the  State.  In  1845 
he  was  elected  to  the  State  Senate  from  the  ter- 
ritory embraced  by  the  present  counties  of 
Williams,  Defiance,  Paulding,  Van  Wert,  Mer- 
cer, Auglaize,  Allen,  Henry,  Putnam,  and  part 
of  Fulton,  where  he  became  the  leader  of  the 
Democratic  party,  and  electrified  the  Senate  by 
his  clear,  logical  spe':'"'hes  in  opposition  to  some 
of  the  financial  mer  res  advocated  by  the  late 
Alfred  Kelley,  the  \v  hig  leader.  It  was  stated 
that  ^Gvhile  the  debate  between  the  two  was 
one  of  the  most  noted  of  the  times,  that  the  ^ ALFRED  P.  EDGERTON. 
respectful  deference  shown  by  Mr.  Edgerton  to 

Mr.  Kelley,  who  was  the  senior,  won  for  him  the  respect  of  the  entire  Whig 
party  of  the  State  and  secured  to  him  ever  after  the  warm  friendship  and  respect 
of  Mr.  Kelley,  which  he  often  exhibited  in  kind  and  valuable  ways.’’  This  was 
during  the  period  of  our  original  tour  over  the  State,  and  we  well  remember  seeing 
him  in  his  place  in  the  Senate,  being  impressed  by  the  keen,  sharp,  intellectual 
visage  of  the  then  young  man.  That  memory  has  prompted  us  to  this  full 
notice. 

He  was  elected  to  Congress  in  1850  and  again  in  1852,  and  during  the  latter 
term,  with  several  others  of  the  more  sagacious  members  of  the  Democratic  party, 
opposed  the  rescinding  of  the  Missouri  Compromise. 

On  closing  up  the  affairs  of  the  land  company  Mr.  Edgerton  bought  a large 
amount  of  land  of  them  at  a merely  nominal  price.  We  terminate  this  account 
of  him  by  the  relation  of  a very  pleasant  incident  of  honorable  history,  as  related 
by  Mr.  Frank  G.  Carpenter : 


vf  ■■■■■■■  / / 


Along  early  in  the  seventies  Mr.  Edgerton 
was  worth  between  $800,000  and  $1,000,000, 
and  he  was  helping  his  brother,  Lycurgus 
Edgerton,  who  was  doing  business  in  New 


York.  His  brother  had  only  his  verbal 
promise  for  surety,  and  when  the  panic  of 
1873  came  around  and  caused  him  to  fail  to 
the  extent  of  $250,000,  Edgerton  was  not 


548 


DEFIANCE  COUNTY. 


legally  responsible  for  his  debts.  Neverthe- 
less, he  paid  every  dollar  of  them,  though  in 
doing  so  it  cost  him  the  larger  part  of  his 
fortune.  In  order  to  get  the  ready  money  he 
had  to  sell  valuable  stocks,  such  as  the  Pitts- 
burg, Fort  Wayne  and  Chicago  railroad  stock, 
and  others  which  are  now  away  above  par, 
but  which  went  then  at  a sacrifice.  Upon 
Edgerton’s  friends  urging  him  not  to  pay 
these  debts  of  his  brother,  stating  that  he 
could  not  be  held  for  them,  he  replied  that 
the  legal  obligation  made  no  difference  to 
him.  He  had  promised  his  brother  that  he 
would  be  his  surety,  and  had  he  made  no  such 
promise  he  would  have  paid  his  brother’s 


debts  rather  than  see  his  notes  dishonored. 
Such  examples  as  that  above  instanced  by 
Mr.  Carpenter  of  a fine  sense  of  honor  on  the 
part  of  public  men  are  of  extraordinary  edu- 
cational value  to  the  general  public,  especially 
S9  to  the  young.  Hence  it  pleases  us  to  here 
cite  another  illustrative  instance  on  the  part 
of  one  of  Ohio’s  gallant  ofiicers,  Gen.  Chas. 
H.  Grosvenor,  the  member  of  Congress  from 
the  Athens  district.  He  made  claim  for  an 
invalid  pension,  which  was  allowed.  Later, 
finding  he  could  attend  to  business  so  as  to 
support  his  family,  he  felt  it  wrong  to  accept 
of  his  pension,  and  ordered  the  check  in  his 
favor,  which  was  about  $5,000,  to  be  cancelled. 


DEL  AW  A EE. 

Delaware  County  was  formed  from  Franklin  county,  February  10,  1808. 
It  lies  north  of  Columbus.  The  surface  is  generally  level  and  the  soil  clay,  except 
the  river  bottoms.  About  one-third  of  the  surface  is  adapted  to  meadow  and  pas- 
ture, and  the  remainder  to  the  plough.  The  Scioto  and  branches  run  through 
north  and  south — the  Olentangy,  Alum  creek,  and  Walnut  creek.  Area,  450 
square  miles.  In  1885  the  acres  cultivated  were  108,277  ; in  pasture,  98,488; 
woodland,  43,371 ; lying  waste,  1,009 ; produced  in  wheat,  279,917  bushels;  corn, 
1,410,875;  wool,  606,665  pounds;  sheep,  107,895.  School  census  1886,  8,487 ; 
teachers,  196.  It  has  72  miles  of  railroad. 


Townships  and  Census. 

1840. 

1880. 

Townships  and  Census. 

1840. 

1880. 

Berkshire, 

1,407 

1,656 

Marlborough, 

1,182 

360 

Berlin, 

827 

1,388 

Orange, 

789 

1,227 

Brown, 

908 

1,178 

Oxford, 

774 

1,266 

Concord, 

1,185 

1,478 

Porter, 

678 

925 

Delaware, 

1,917 

8,091 

Eadnor, 

1,174 

i;209 

Genoa, 

1,193 

1,045 

Scioto, 

877 

1,667 

Harlem, 

963 

1,144 

Thompson, 

660 

851 

Kingston, 

657 

562 

Trenton, 

1,188 

899 

Liberty, 

811 

1,481 

Troy, 

838 

954 

The  population  of  the  county  in  1820  ^vas  7,639;  in  1840,  22,060;  in  1860, 
23,902;  in  1880,  27,381,  of  whom  21,890  were  Ohio-born. 

The  name  of  this  county  originated  from  the  Delaware  tribe,  some  of  whom 
once  dwelt  within  its  limits,  and  had  extensive  corn-fields  adjacent  to  its  seat  of 
justice.  John  Johnston  says: 

^^The  true  name  of  this  once  powerful  tribe  is  Wa-be-nugh-ha,  that  is,  ^the 
people  from  the  east,’  or  ^ the  sun  rising.’  The  tradition  among  themselves  is,  that 
they  originally,  at  some  very  remote  period,  emigrated  from  the  West,  crossed  the 
Mississippi,  ascending  the  Ohio,  fighting  their  Avay,  until  they  reached  the  Delaware 
river  (so  named  from  Lord  Delaware),  near  where  Philadelphia  now  stands,  in 
which  region  of  country  they  became  fixed. 

About  this  time  they  were  so  numerous  that  no  enumemtion  could  be  made  of 


DELAWARE  COUNTY. 


549 


the  nation.  They  welcomed  to  the  shores  of  the  new  world  that  great  lawgiver, 
William  Penn,  and  his  peaceful  followers,  and  ever  since  this  people  have  enter- 
tained a kind  and  grateful  recollection  of  them ; and  to  this  day,  speaking  of  good 
men,  they  would  say,  ^ Wa-s\ie-a^  E-le-nCy  such  a man  is  a Quaker,  i.  e.,  all  good 
men  are  Quakers.  In  1823  I removed  to  the  west  of  the  Mississippi  persons  of 
this  tribe  who  were  born  and  raised  within  thirty  miles  of  Philadelphia.  These 
were  the  most  squalid,  wretched,  and  degraded  of  their  race,  and  often  furnished 
chiefs  wfth  a subject  of  reproach  against  the  whites,  pointing  to  these  of  their  peo- 
ple and  saying  to  us,  ^ see  how  you  have  spoiled  them,’  meaning  they  had  acquired 
all  the  bad  habits  of  the  white  people,  and  were  ignorant  of  hunting,  and  incapable 
of  making  a livelihood  as  other  Indians. 

In  1819  there  were  belonging  to  my  agency  in  Ohio  80  Delawares,  who  were 
stationed  near  Upper  Sandusky,  and  in  Indiana  2,300  of  the  same  tribe. 

Bockinghelas  was  the  principal  chief  of  the  Delawares  for  many  years  after  my 
going  into  the  Indian  country ; he  was  a distinguished  warrior  in  his  day,  and  an 
old  man  when  I knew  him.  Killbuck,  another  Delaware  chief,  had  received  a 
liberal  education  at  Princeton  College,  and  retained  until  his  death  the  great  out- 
lines of  the  morality  of  the  Gospel.” 

In  the  middle  of  the  last  century  the  Forks  of  the  Muskingum,  in  Coshocton 
county,  was  the  great  central  point  of  the  DelaAvares.  There  are  yet  fragments  of 
the  nation  in  Canada  and  in  the  Indian  Territory. 

The  following  historical  sketch  of  Delaware  county  and  its  noted  characters 
was  written  for  the  first  edition  by  Dr.  H.  C.  Mann : 


The  first  settlement  in  the  county  was  made 
May  1,  1801,  on  the  east  bank  of  the  Olen- 
tangy,  five  miles  below  Delaware,  by  Nathan 
Carpenter  and  Avery  Powers,  from  Chenango 
county,  N.  Y.  Carpenter  brought  his  family 
with  him  and  built  the  first  cabin  near  where 
the  farm-house  now  stands.  Powers’  family 
came  out  towards  fall,  but  he  had  been  out 
the  year  before  to  explore  the  country  and 
select  the  location.  In  April,  1 802,  Thomas 
Celler,  with  Josiah  McKinney,  from  Franklin 
county,  Pa. , moved  in  and  settled  two  miles 
lower  down,  and  in  the  fall  of  1803  Henry 
Perry,  from  Wales,  commenced  a clearing 
and  put  up  a cabin  in  Radnor,  three-fourths 
of  a mile  south  of  Delhi.  In  the  spring  of 
1804  Aaron,  John  and  Ebenezer  Welch 
(brothers)  and  Capt.  Leonard  Mpnroe,  from 
Chenango,  N.  Y.,  settled  in  Carpenter’s 
neighborhood,  and  the  next  fall  Col.  Byxbe 
and  his  company,  from  Berkshire,  Mass., 
settled  on  Alum  creek,  and  named  their 
township  Berkshire.  The  settlement  at  Nor- 
ton, by  William  Drake  and  Nathaniel  Wyatt ; 
Lewis  settlement,  in  Berlin,  and  the  one  at 
Westfield  followed  soon  after.  In  1804  Car- 
penter built  the  first  mill  in  the  county, 
where  the  factory  of  Gun,  Jones  & Co.  now 
stands.  It  was  a saw-mill,  with  a small  pair 
of  stones  attached,  made  of  boulders,  or 
“nigger  heads,”  as  they  are  commonly 
called.  It  could  only  grind  a few  bushels  a 
day,  but  still  it  was  a great  advantage  to  the 
settlers.  When  the  county  was  organized,  in 
1808,  the  following  officers  were  elected,  viz.  : 
Avery  Powers,  John  Welch  and  Ezekiel 
Brown,  commissioners ; Rev.  Jacob  Drake, 
treasurer  ; Dr.  Reuben  Lamb,  recorder,  and 
Azariah  Root,  surveyor.  The  officers  of  the 
court  were  Judge  Belt,  of  Chillicothe,  presi- 


dent; Josiah  M’ Kinney,  Thomas  Brown  and 
Moses  Byxbe,  associate  judges ; Ralph  Os- 
born, prosecuting  attorney  ; Solomon  Smith, 
sheriff,  and  Moses  Byxbe,  Jr.,  clerk.  The 
first  session  was  held  in  a little  cabin  that 
stood  north  of  the  sulphur  spring.  The 
grand  jury  sat  under  a cherry-tree,  and  the 
petit  jury  in  a cluster  of  bushes  on  another 
part  of  the  lot,  with  their  constables  at  a con- 
siderable distance  to  keep  off  intruders. 

Block-homes. — This  being  a border  county 
during  the  last  war,  danger  was  apprehended 
from  the  Indians,  and  a block-house  was  built 
in  1812  at  Norton,  and  another,  still  standing  on 
Alum  creek,  seven  miles  east  from  Delaware, 
and  the  present  dwelling  of  L.  H.  Cowles, 
Esq.,  northeast  corner  Main  and  William 
streets,  was  converted  into  a temporary 
stockade.  During  the  war  this  county  fur- 
nished a company  of  cavalry,  that  served 
several  short  campaigns  as  volunteers  under 
Capt.  Elias  Murray,  and  several  entire  com- 
panies of  infantry  were  called  out  from  here 
at  different  times  by  Gov.  Meigs,  but  the 
county  never  was  invaded. 

Drake  s Defeat. — After  Hull’s  surrender, 
Capt.  Wm.  Drake  formed  a company  of 
rangers  in  the  northern  part  of  the  county  to 
protect  the  frontier  from  maurauding  bands 
of  Indians  who  then  had  nothing  to  restrain 
them,  and  when  Lower  Sandusky  was  threat- 
ened with  attack,  this  company,  with  great 
alacrity,  obeyed  the  call  to  march  to  its  de- 
fence. They  encamped  the  first  night  a few 
miles  beyond  the  outskirts  of  the  settlement. 
In  those  days  the  captain  was  a great  wag, 
and  naturally  very  fond  of  sport,  and  being 
withal  desirous  of  testing  the  courage  of  his 
men,  after  thej'^  had  all  got  asleep,  he  slipped 
into  the  bushes  at  some  distance,  and,  dis- 


550 


DELAWARE  COUNTY. 


charging  his  gun,  rushed  towards  the  camp 
yelling  Indians  ! Indians ! with  all  his  might. 

The  sentinels,  supposing  the  alarm  to  pro- 
ceed from  one  of  their  number,  joined  in  the 
cry  and  ran  to  quarters  ; the  men  sprang  to 
their  feet  in  complete  confusion,  and  the 
courageous  attempted  to  form  on  the  ground 
designated  the  night  before  in  case  of  attack  ; 
but  the  first  lieutenant,  thinking  there  was 
more  safety  in  depending  upon  leg8  than 
arms.,  took  to  his  heels  and  dashed  into  the 
woods.  Seeing  the  consternation  and  im- 
pending disgrace  of  his  company,  the  captain 
quickly  proclaimed  the  hoax  and  ordered  a 
halt,  but  the  lieutenant’s  frightened  imagina- 
tion converted  every  sound  into  Indian  yells 
and  the  sanguinary  war-whoop,  and  the 
louder  the  captain  shouted,  the  faster  he  ran, 
till  the  sounds  sank  away  in  the  distance  and 
he  supposed  the  captain  and  his  adherents 
had  succumbed  to  the  tomahawk  and  the 
scalping-knife.  Supposing  he  had  been 
asleep  a few  minutes  only,  he  took  the  moon 
for  his  guide  and  flew  for  home,  but  having 
had  time  to  gain  the  western  horizon  she  led 
him  in  the  wrong  direction,^  and  after  break- 
ing down  saplings  and  running  through  brush 
some  ten  miles  through  the  woods,  he  reached 
Radnor  settlement  just  at  daybreak,  bare- 
headed and  with  his  garments  flowing  in  a 
thousand  streams.  The  people,  roused  hur- 
riedly from  their  slumber  and  horrified  with 
his  report  that  the  whole  company  was  mas- 
sacred but  him  who  alone  had  escaped,  began 
a general  and  rapid  flight. 

Each  conveyed  the  tidings  to  his  neighbor, 
and  just  after  sunrise  they  came  rushing 
through  Delaware,  mostly  on  . horse-back, 
many  in  wagons,  and  some  on  foot,  present- 
ing all  those  grotesque  appearances  that 
frontier  settlers  naturally  would,  supposing 
the  Indians  close  in  their  rear.  Many  anec- 
dotes are  told,  amusing  now  to  us  who  can- 
not realize  their  feelings,  that  exhibit  the 
varied  hues  of  courage  and  trepidation  char- 
acterizing different  persons,  and  also  show 
that  there  is  no  difference  between  real  and 
supposed  danger,  and  yet  those  actuated  by 
the^  latter  seldom  receive  the  sympathy  of 
their  fellows. 

One  family,  named  Penry,  drove  so  fast 
that  they  bounced  a little  boy,  two  or  three 
years  old,  out  of  the  wagon,  near  Delaware, 
and  did  not  miss  him  till  they  had  gone  five 
or  six  miles  on  their  way  to  Worthington, 
and  then  upon  consultation  concluded  it  was 
too  late  to  recover  him  amid  such  imminent 
danger,  and  so  yielded  him  up  as  a painful 
sacrifice  ! But  the  little  fellow  found  protec- 
tion from  others,  and  is  now  living  in  the 
western  part  of  the  county.  One  woman,  in 
the  confusion  of  hurrying  off,  forgot  her 
babe  till  after  starting,  and  ran  back  to  get 
it,  but  being  peculiarly  absent-minded  she 
caught  up  a stick  of  wood  from  the  chimney 
corner  and  hastened  off,  leaving  her  child 
again  quietly  sleeping  in  the  cradle  ! A large 
portion  of  the  peo})le  fled  to  Worthington 
and  Franklinton,  and  some  kept  on  to  Cliilli- 
cothe. 


In  Delaware  the  men  who  could  be  spared 
from  conveying  away  their  families,  or  who 
had  none,  rallied  for  defence  and  sent  scouts 
to  Norton  to  reconnoitre,  where  they  found 
the  people  quietly  engaged  in  their  or- 
dinary avocations,  having  received  a message 
from  the  captain  ; but  it  was  too  late  to  save 
the  other  settlements  from  a precipitate 
flight.  Upon  the  whole,  it  was  quite  an  in- 
jury to  the  county,  as  a large  amount  of 
produce  was  lost  from  the  intrusion  of  cattle 
and  the  want  of  hands  to  harvest  it ; many 
of  the  people  being  slow  in  returning  and 
some  never  did.  Capt.  Drake,  with  his 
company,  marched  on  to  Sandusky  to  execute 
the  duty  assigned  him  without  knowing  the 
effect  produced  in  his  rear.  He  has  since 
been  associate  judge  and  filled  several  other 
offices  in  the  county,  and  is  still  living,  re- 
spected by  his  neighbors  and  characterized  by 
hospitality  and  good  humor  and  his  strong 
penchant  for  anecdote  and  fun. 

Eaxly  Customs. — During  the  early  period 
of  the  county  the  people  were  in  a condition 
of  complete  social  equality ; no  aristocratic 
distinctions  were  thought  of  in  society,  and 
the  first  line  of  demarkation  drawn  was  to 
separate  the  very  bad  from  the  general  mass. 
Their  parties  were  for  raisings  and  log-roll- 
ings, and  the  labor  being  finished,  their 
sports  usually  were  shooting  and  gymnastic 
exercises  with  the  men,  and  convivial  amuse- 
ments among  the  women ; no  punctilious 
formality,  nor  ignoble  aping  the  fashions  of 
licentious  Paris,  marred  their  assemblies,  but 
all  were  happy  and  enjoyed  themselves  in  see- 
ing others  so.  The  rich  and  the  poor  dressed 
alike ; the  men  generally  wearing  hunting- 
shirts  and  buckskin  pants,  and  the  women 
attired  in  coarse  fabrics  produced  by  their 
own  hands.  Such  was  their  common  and 
holiday  dress,  and  if  a fair  damsel  wished  a 
superb  dress  for  her  bridal  day,  her  highest 
aspiration  was  to  obtain  a common  American 
cotton  check.  The  latter,  which  now  sells 
for  a shilling  a yard,  then  cost  one  dollar, 
and  five  yards  was  deemed  an  ample  pattern. 
Silks,  satins  and  fancy  goods,  that  now  inflate 
our  vanity  and  deplete  our  purses,  were  not 
then  even  dreamed  of 

The  cabins  were  furnished  in  the  same 
style  of  simplicity  ; the  bedstead  was  home- 
made, and  often  consisted  of  forked  sticks 
driven  into  the  ground  with  cross  poles  to 
support  the  clapboards  or  the  cord.  One 
pot,  kettle,  and  frying-pan  were  the  only 
articles  considered  indispensable,  though  some 
included  the  tea-kettle ; a few  plates  and 
dishes  upon  the  shelf  in  one  corner  was  as 
satisfactory  as  is  now  a cupboard  full  of  china, 
and  their  food  relished  well  from  a puncheon 
table.  Some  of  the  weathiest  families  had  a 
few  split-bottom  chairs,  but,  as  a general 
thing,  stools  and  benches  answered  the  place 
of  lounges  and  sofas,  and  at  first  the  green 
sward  or  smoothly  levelled  earth  served  the 
double  purpose  of  floor  and  carpet.  Whisky 
toddy  was  considered  luxury  enough  for  any 
l)arty — the  woods  furnished  abundance  of 
venison,  and  corn  pone  supplied  the  place  of 


DELAWARE  COUNTY. 


551 


every  variety  of  pastry.  Flour  could  not  for 
some  time  be  obtained  nearer  than  Chillicothe 
or  Zanesville  ; goods  were  very  high,  and 
none  but  the  most  common  kinds  were 
brought  here,  and  had  to  be  packed  on 
horses  or  mules  from  Detroit,  or  wagoned 
from  Philadelphia  to  Pittsburg,  thence  down 
the  Ohio  river  in  flat  boats  to  the  mouth  of 
the  Scioto,  and  then  packed  or  hauled  up. 
The  freight  was  enormous,  costing  often  $4 
per  ton.  Tea  retailed  at  from  two  to  three 
dollars  a pound,  coffee  75  cents,  salt  $5  to  $6 
per  bushel  (50lbs .).  The  coarsest  calicoes  were 
$1  per  yard,  whisky  from  $1  to  $2  per  gallon, 
and  as  much  of  the  latter  was  sold  as  of  all 
other  articles,  for  several  years  after  Delaware 
was  laid  out ; but  it  must  be  remembered 
that  this  then  was  the  border  town,  and  had 
considerable  trade  with  the  Indians. 

It  was  the  common  practice  to  set  a bottle 
on  each  end  of  the  counter  for  customers  to 
help  themselves  gratuitously  to  enable  them 
to  purchase  advantageously  ! Many  people 
suffered  hardships  and  endured  privations 
that  now  would  seem  insupportable.  In  the 
fall  of  1803  Henry  Perry,  after  getting  up  his 
cabin  near  Delhi,  left  his  two  sons  and  re- 
turned to  Philadelphia  for  the  remainder  of 
his  family,  but  finding  his  wife  sick,  and  after- 
wards being  sick  himself,  could  not  get  back 
till  the  next  June.  These  two  little  boys, 
Levi  and  Pepper,  only  eleven  and  nine  years 
old,  remained  there  alone  eight  months,  fifteen 
miles  from  any  white  family,  and  surrounded 
by  Indians,  with  no  food  but  the  rabbits  they 
could  catch  in  the  hollow  logs ; the  remains 
of  one  deer  that  the  wolves  killed  near  them, 
and  a little  corn  meal  that  they  occasionally 
obtained  of  Thomas  Cellar  by  following 
down  the  “Indian  trace.”  The  winter  was 
a severe  one,  and  their  cabin  was  open, 
having  neither  daubing,  fire-place,  nor  chim- 
ney ; they  had  no  gun,  and  were  wholly 
unaccustomed  to  forest  life,  being  fresh  from 
Wales,  and  yet  these  little  fellows  not  only 
struggled  through  but  actually  made  a con- 
siderabler  clearing  ! Jacob  Foust,  at  an  early 
day,  when  his  wife  was  sick  and  could  obtain 
nothing  to  eat  that  she  relished,  procured  a 
bushel  of  wheat,  and  throwing  it  upon  his 
shoulders  carried  it  to  Zanesville  to  get  it 
ground,  a distance  of  more  than  seventy-five 
miles,  by  the  tortuous  path  he  had  to 
traverse,  and  then  shouldering  his  flour  re- 
traced his  steps  home,  fording  the  streams 
and  camping  out  nights. 

Biography. — Col.  Moses  Byxhe  was  for 
several  years  the  most  prominent  man  in  the 
county,  being  the  owner  of  some  8,000  acres 
of  valuable  land  in  Berkshire  and  Berlin,  and 
joint  owner  with  Judge  Baldwin  of  about 
thirty  thousand  acres  more,  the  sale  of  which 
he  had  the  entire  control.  These  were  mili- 
tary lands  which  he  sold  on  credit,  at  prices 
varying  from  two  and  a half  to  ten  dollars  an 
acre.  He  possessed  a complete  knowledge  of 
human  nature,  and  was  an  energetic  and 
prompt  business  man.  Upon  the  organiza- 
tion of  the  county  he  was  elected  one  of  the 
associate  judges,  and  continued  to  hold  the 


office  till  1822.  He  was  afflicted  with  partial 
insanity  before  he  died,  which  occurred  in 
1827  at  the  age  of  67. 

Solomon  Smith,  Esq.,  was  born  in  New 
Salem,  N.  H,,  and  came  here  with  Col.  Byxbe 
in  1804.  He  was  the  first  sheriff  in  the 
county,  and  was  the  first  justice  of  the  peace 
in  the  township,  which  office  he  held,  by  re- 
peated elections,  more  than  twenty  years. 
He  was  also  the  first  postmaster,  and  con- 
tinued many  years  in  that  capacity.  The 
responsible  offices  of  county  treasurer  and' 
county  auditor  he  also  filled  for  many  years, 
and  discharged  the  duties  of  all  these  stations 
with  an  accuracy  seldom  excelled,  and  a 
fidelity  never  questioned.  In  him  was  ex- 
hibited an  instance  of  a constant  office-holder 
and  an  honest  man,  and  for  a long  time  he 
possessed  more  personal  popularity  than  any 
other  man  in  the  county.  He  died  of  con- 
gestive fever,  at  Sandusky  City,  on  his  return 
from  New  York,  July  10,  1845,  in  his  58th 
year,  and  his  remains  were  brought  here  for 
interment. 

Hon.  Ezeldel  Brown  was  born  in  Orange 
county,  N.  Y.,  in  1760,  and  moved  to  North- 
umberland county.  Pa. , when  about  ten  years 
old.  In  1776  he  volunteered  and  marched 
to  join  Washington’s  army,  which  he  reached 
just  after  the  battle  of  Trenton.  He  partici- 
pated in  four  different  engagements,  and  in 
1778  joined  a company  of  rangers  called  out 
against  the  Indians.  On  the  24th  of  May, 
when  out  scouting  with  two  others,  they 
same  across  a party  of  fifteen  Indians  watch- 
ing a house,  and  were  themselves  discovered 
at  the  same  moment.  The  Indians  fired  and 
killed  one  man,  and  Brown  and  his  comrade 
instantly  returned  the  fire,  wounding  an  In- 
dian, and  then  fled.  The  other  escaped,  but 
he  was  not  fleet  enough,  and  was  captured. 
They  were  Delawares  and  Cayugas,  and  first 
took  him  to  Chemung,  an  Indian  town  on 
Tioga  river,  where  he  had  to  run  the  gaunt- 
let, being  badly  beaten,  and  received  a severe 
wound  on  his  head  from  a tomahawk,  but  he 
succeeded  in  reaching  the  council-house  with- 
out being  knocked  down. 

After  a few  days  they  resumed  their  march 
to  the  north,  and  met  Colonel  Butler  with  a 
large  body  of  British,  tories  and  Indians  on 
their  way  to  attack  Wyoming,  and  he  was 
compelled  to  run  the  gauntlet  again  to  gratify 
the  savages.  This  time  he  did  not  get  through, 
being  felled  by  a war-club  and  awfully  man- 
gled. He  recovered  and  proceeded  on  to  the 
main  town  of  the  Cayugas,  where  Scipio, 
N.  Y. , now  stands,  and  having  again  passed 
the  gauntlet  ordeal  successfully  he  was  adopted 
by  a family,  in  the  place  of  a son  killed  at 
Fort  Stanwix.  Afterwards  he  was  taken  to 
Canada,  and  kept  to  the  close  of  the  war  in 
1783,  when  he  received  a passport  from  the 
British  general,  M’Clure,  and  returned,  after 
an  absence  of  five  years,  to  his  friends  in 
Pennsylvania.  In  1800  he  moved  to  Ohio, 
and  in  1808  he  settled  near  Sunbury,  and  was 
immediately  elected  one  of  the  first  county 
commissioners.  Afterwards  he  was  elected 
associate  judge,  and  served  in  several  minor 


552 


DELAWARE  COUNTY. 


offices,  and  died  about  five  years  ago,  leaving 
the  reputation  of  an  upright  man. 

Capt.  John  Mintei\  from  Kentucky,  one 
of  the  early  settlers  in  Iladnor,^and  brother- 
in-law  of  Col.  Crawford,  who  was  burnt  by 
the  Indians,  was,  in  his  younger  days,  a great 
hunter,  and  became  famous  for  a terrible  bear 
fight,  in  which  he  came  very  near  losing  his 
life.  When  hunting  alone  one  day  he  came 
across  a very  large  bear  and  fired  at  him. 
The  bear  fell,  and  reloading  his  gun  Minter 
advanced,  supposing  him  dead,  and  touched 
his  nose  with  the  muzzle  of  the  gun,  when 
he  instantly  reared  upon  his  hind  legs  to  seize 
him.  Minter  fired  again,  which  increased  his 
rage,  only  inflicting  a flesh  wound,  and  then 
threw  his  hatchet  at  him  ; and  as  the  bear 
sprang  forward  to  grasp  him  he  struck  him 
with  the  rifle  on  the  head  with  all  his  might, 
producing  no  other  effect  than  shivering  the 
gun  to  pieces.  Too  late  then  to  escape  he 
drew  his  big  knife  from  his  sheath  and  made 
a plunge  at  his  heart,  but  old  Bruin,  by  a 
stroke  of  his  paw,  whirled  the  knife  into  the 
air,  and  enfolding  its  weaponless  owner  with 
his  huge  arms  both  rolled  to  the  ground. 

A fearful  struggle  then  ensued  between 
the  combatants  ; one  ruled  by  unvarying  in- 
stinct, and  the  other  guided  by  the  dictates 
of  reason.  The  former  depended  wholly 
upon  hugging  his  adversary  to  death,  while 
the  latter  aimed  at  presenting  his  body  in 
such  positions  as  would  best  enable  him  to 
withstand  the  vice-like  squeeze  till  he  could 
loosen  the  grasp.  He  was  about  six  feet  in 
height,  possessing  large  bones  and  well-de- 
veloped muscles,  and  being  properly  propor- 
tioned was  very  athletic.  The  woods  were 
open  and  clear  of  underbrush,  and  in  their 
struggles  they  rolled  in  every  direction.  Sev- 
eral times  he  thought  the  severity  of  the  hug 
would  finish  him  ; but  by  choking  the  bear 
he  would  compel  him  to  release  his  hold  to 
knock  off  his  hands,  when  he  would  recover 
his  breath  and  gain  a better  position.  After 
maintaining  the  contest  in  this  way  several 
hours  they,  happily  for  him,  rolled  back  near 
where  his  knife  lay,  which  inspired  him  with 
buoyant  hope,  but  he  had  to  make  many  in- 
effectual efforts  before  he  could  tumble  the 
bear  within  reach  of  it.  Having  finally  re- 
covered it  he  stabbed  him  at  every  chance  till 
he  at  last  bled  to  death,  only  relaxing  his 
hold  when  life  became  extinct. 

He  attempted  to  get  up,  but  was  too  much 
exhausted,  and  crawling  to  a log,  against 
which  he  leaned,  his  heart  sickened  as  he 
contemplated  the  scene.  Not  a rag  was  left 
on  him,  and  over  his  back,  arms  and  legs  his 
flesh  was  lacerated  to  the  bones  by  the  claws 
of  the  bear.  By  crawling  and  walking  he 
readied  home  after  night  with  no  other  cov- 
ering than  a gore  of  blood  from  head  to  foot. 
His  friends,  who  went  out  next  morning  to 
survey  the  ground  and  bring  in  the  trophy, 
said  the  surface  was  torn  up  by  them  over  a 
space  of  at  least  half  an  acre.  After  several 
weeks  he  recovered,  but  he  carried  with  him 
the  cicatrices  and  welts,  some  of  which  were 
more  than  a quarter  of  an  inch  thick,  till  he 


died,  which  occurred  about  fifteen  years  ago. 
He  never  desired  another  bear  hug,  but  gave 
up  hunting,  and  turning  his  attention  to 
agriculture  left  his  children  a comfortable 
patrimony  and  a good  name. 

Rev.  Joseph  S.  Hughes,  from  Washington, 
Pa.,  came  to  Delaware  in  1810,  and  organized 
the  first  Presbyterian  church  here,  and  also 
those  in  Liberty  and  Radnor.  For  a short 
time,  he  was  chaplain  in  the  army,  and  was 
with  Hull  when  he  surrendered,  at  which 
time  he  returned.  The  societies  being  unable 
to  pay  much  salary,  he  sought  his  support 
mainly  from  other  sources,  serving  several 
years  as  clerk  of  the  court,  and  afterwards  in 
the  capacity  of  editor.  He  possessed  a liberal 
education,  superadded  to  oratorical  powers 
of  a superior  order  by  nature.  As  an  orator 
he  is  described  as  being  graceful,  mellifluous, 
persuasive  and  convincing,  and  he  has  left 
the  reputation  among  many  of  the  old  settlers 
of  being  the  most  effective  speaker  that  they 
have  ever  heard.  In  the  social  circle,  too, 
he  excelled,  but  unfortunately  he  had  an  in- 
domitable penchant  for  festivity  and  sport. 
Many  anecdotes  are  related  detracting  from 
his  clerical  character,  and  when  dwelt  upon, 
we  must  not  forget  to  associate  ^ the  habits 
and  customs  of  the  times  in  which  they  oc- 
curred. 

For  instance,  it  is  said  that  one  time,  on 
the  occasion  of  a wedding  at  Capt.  Minter’ s, 
after  the  ceremonies  had  been  solemnized  and 
the  luxuries  duly  honored,  he  started  off  about 
dusk  to  go  to  a place  some  five  miles  through 
the  woods,  but  after  dark  returned  somewhat 
scratched  by  the  bushes,  and  reported  having 
been  lost,  and  concluded  to  stay  till  morning. 
According  to  the  general  custom  on  such  oc- 
casions, all  the  young  folks  in  the  settlement 
had  assembled  for  a frolic,  and  they  charged 
him  with  having  returned  to  participate  with 
them,  and  as  he  was  a good  musician,  and 
their  “knight  of  the  bow  ” had  disappointed 
them,  they  insisted  upon  his  playing  the 
fiddle  for  them  to  dance,  which  he  did  all 
night,  with  an  occasional  intermission  for  re- 
freshment or  to  romp  ! Some  of  the  old 
citizens  say  also  that  he  was  a good  hand  at 
pitching  quoits,  and  as  it  was  common  to 
choose  sides  and  pitch  for  the  “grog,”  he 
seldom  even  then  backed  out ! 

For  these  and  other  charges  he  was  ar- 
raigned before  the  presbytery,  where,  declin- 
ing all  assistance,  and  relying  on  his  own 
ingenuity  and  eloquence,  he  made  a successful 
defence.  He  continued  to  preach  as  “stated 
supply  ” until  he  was  suddenly  cut  off  by  an 
epidemic  fever  in  the  fall  of  1823,  and  was 
interred  in  the  old  )3urying-ground,  but  no 
tombstone  points  out  the  place  where  his 
mouldering  remains  lie.  He  was  succeeded 
in  1824  by  Rev.  Henry  Vandeman,  the  first 
installed  pastor,  and  who  has  retained  his 
charge  ever  since,  a fact  that  is  mentioned, 
because  in  the  west  preachers  seldom  retain  a 
pastoral  charge  so  long,  and  in  this  presbytery 
there  is  no  similar  instance,  excepting  that 
of  Dr.  Hodge,  of  Columbus. 

Antiquities. — The  remains  of  ancient  forti- 


DELAWARE  COUNTY. 


553 


fications  are  found  in  three  places^  in  the 
county,  the  most  remarkable  of  which  is  in 
the  lower  part  of  Liberty,  about  eleven  miles 
below  Delaware,  on  the  east  bank  of  the 
Olentangy. 

Indian  Villages. — There  were  formerly  two 
villages  belonging  to  the  Delawares,  mostly 
within  the  limits  of  the  present  town  of 
Delaware.  One  occupied  the  ground  around 
the  east  end  of  William  street,  and  the  other 
was  at  the  west  end,  extending  from  near  the 
sawmill  to  the  hill-side.  Upon  the_  ground 
now  occupied  by  the  town,  they  cultivated  a 
corn-field  of  about  400  acres.  The  Mingoes 
had  a small  village  half  a mile  above  town,  on 
“horse-shoe  bottom,”  where  they  also  raised 
corn. 

Many  of  the  old  pioneers  entertained  tow- 
ards the  Indians  an  inveterate  hatred,  and 
did  not  consider  it  really  criminal  even  to 
murder  them.  One  time,  after  the  last  war, 
a dead  Indian  was  seen  floating  down  the 
Scioto  on  two  logs,  iashed  together,  having 
his  gun  and  all  his  accoutrements  with  him. 
He  had  been  shot,  and  the  people  believed 
the  murderer  was  George  Shanon,  who  had 
been  in  service  considerably  during  the  war, 
and  one  time  when  out,  not  far  from  Lower 
Sandusky,  with  a small  company,  fell  in  with 
a party  of  warriors  and  had  to  retreat.  He 
lingered  behind  till  he  got  a shot,  and  killed 
one.  As  soon  as  he  fired,  several  Indians 
sprang  forward  to  catch  him  alive,  but  being 
swift  on  foot,  he  could  easily  keep  ahead, 
when  he  suddenly  came  to  an  open  field, 
across  which  he  had  to  run  or  be  cut  off. 
The  Indians  gained  the  first  side  just  as  he 


was  leaping  the  fence  on  the  other  and  fired 
at  him,  one  ball  entering  his  hip.  He 
staunched  the  blood  by  stuffing  the  hole  with 
a portion  of  his  shirt,  that  they  might  not 
track  him,  and  crawled  into  the  brush-;  but 
they  gave  up  the  chase,  thinking  they  had 
not  hit  him,  and  being  convinced  of  his  su- 
perior fleetness.  Shanon  got  into  camp  and 
was  conveyed  home,  but  he  was  always  lame 
afterwards,  and  fostered  an  unrelenting  desire 
for  vengeance  ^ towards  the  whole  race,  not 
excepting  the  innocent  and  harmless. 

As  late  as  1820  two  Indians  were  murdered 
on  Fulton’s  creek.  ' A party  came  down  there 
to  hunt,  as  was  customary  with  them  every 
fall,  and  Henry  Swartz  ordered  them  ofiP. 
They  replied,  “No  ! the  land  belongs  to  the 
white  man — the  game  to  the  Indian,”  and 
insisted  that  they  were  friends  and  ought  not 
to  be  disturbed.  A few  days  after,  two  of 
their  number  were  missing,  and  they  hunted 
the  entire  country  over  without  finding  them, 
and  at  last  found  evidence  of  human  bones 
where  there  had  been  a fire,  and  immediately 
charged  Swartz  with  killing  and  burning 
them.  They  threatened  vengeance  on  him, 
and  for  several  years  after  he  had  to  be  con- 
stantly on  his  guard  to  prevent  being  waylaid. 
It  was  never  legally  investigated,  but  the 
neighbors  all  believed  ‘that  Swartz,  aided 
probably  by  Ned  Williams,  murdered  and 
disposed  of  them  in  the  manner  the  Indians 
suspected,  and  at  one  time  talked  of  driving 
them  out  of  the  settlement.  They  were  con- 
sidered bad  men,  and  never  prospered  after- 
wards. 


Delaware  in  1846. — Delaware,  the  county-seat,  is  pleasantly  situated  on 
rolling  ground  upon  the  western  bank  of  the  Olentangy  river,  twenty-four  miles 
north  from  Columbus.  The  engraving  shows  the  public  buildings  on  one  of  the 
principal  streets  of  this  neat  and  thriving  town.  The  churches  which  appear  are 
respectively,  commencing  on  the  right,  the  First  Presbyterian,  the  Episcopal,  and 
the  Second  Presbyterian ; between  the  first  two  the  Methodist  church,  a substan- 
tial stone  structure,  is  partially  shown  in  the  distance.  The  large  building  seen 
beyond  the  Second  Presbyterian  church  is  the  Hinton  House,’^  one  of  the  largest 
and  best  constructed  hotels  in  Ohio.  The  town  contains  the  Ohio  Wesleyan 
University,  4 taverns  (one,  the  Hinton  House,  being  among  the  largest  in  Ohio, 
having  over  100  rooms),  8 dry-goods  stores,  3 drug  stores,  1 shoe  store,  1 con- 
fectionery and  variety  store,  and  2 small  groceries ; 2 divisions  of  the  Sons  of 
Temperance,  1 Odd  Fellows’  lodge,  1 Masonic  society,  2 printing  offices,  from 
which  issue  weekly  the  Olentangy  Gazette  (Whig),  by  Abel  Thomson,  and  the 
Loco  Foco  (Dem.),  by  George  F.  Stay  man.  The  latter  commenced  in  1845 ; the 
former  in  -1821,  by  Hon.  E.  Griswold,  then  called  the  Delaware  Patron  and 
Franklin  Chronicle.  The  first  paper  in  town  was  published  in  1818  by  Rey^.J. 
Drake  and  Joseph  S.  Hughs.  Delaware  also  contains  2 saw  mills,  1 flouring 
miHTT  oil  mill,  and  the  woollen  factory  of  Messrs.  Howard  & Sharp,  carrying  on 
quite  an  extensive  business ; 8 lawyers,  7 physicians,  a full  quota  of  mechanics, 
275  dwellings,  and  about  2,000  inhabitants,  including  South  Delaware,  which 
properly  belongs  to  it,  though  not  included  in  the  corporation.  The  Delaware 
bank,  with  a capital  of  $100,000,  is  a branch  of  the  State  bank.  A bank  was 
opened  in  1812,  but  failing  to  get  a charter  the  next  winter  it  wound  up,  redeem- 
ing all  its  notes;  and  during  the  same  year  a swindling  concern,  called  the 


554 


DELAWARE  COUNTY. 


Scioto  Exporting  Company/^  was  started  by  a posse  of  counterfeiters,  who  drew 
in  some  others,  but  it  was  destroyed  by  the  citizens  before  they  could  get  a large 
amount  of  paper  afloat.  The  population  of  Delaware  in  1840  was  898. 

Delaware  was  laid  out  in  1808  by  Col.  Moses  Byxbe  and  Hon.  Henry  Baldwin, 
of  Pittsburg,  who  had  purchased  a large  tract  of  land  for  that  purpose.  They 
sold  the  lots  at  private  sale,  at  the  uniform  price  of  $30,  the  purchaser  taking  his 
choice.  Joseph  Barber  put  up  the  first  cabin  in  the  fall  of  1807.  It  stood  close 
to  the  spring,  and  was  made  of  poles,  Indian  fashion,  fifteen  feet  square,  in  which 
he  kept  tavern.  The  principal  settlers  were  Messrs.  Byxbe,  William  Little,  Dr. 
Lamb,  Solomon  Smith,  Elder  Jacob  Drake  (Baptist  preacher),  Thomas  Butler,  and 
Ira  Carpenter.  In  the  spring  of  1808  Moses  Byxbe  built  the  first  frame  house, 
on  William  street,  lot  70,  and  the  first  brick  house  was  erected  the  ensuing  fall  by 
Elder  Drake,  on  Winter  street,  where  Thomas  Pettibone’s  mansion  now  stands ; 
being  unable  to  get  but  one  mason,  his  wife  laid  all  the  brick  of  the  inside  walls. 
The  court-house  was  built  in  1815,  the  year  in  which  the  town  was  incorporated. 
The  Methodists  commenced  the  first  meeting-house  in  1823  (now  the  schoolhouse), 
but  it  was  not  finished  for  several  years.  The  old  churches  of  the  First  Presby- 
terians and  the  Episcopalians  were  built  in  1825,  upon  the  sites  on  which  the 
present  beautiful  edifices  were  erected  in  1845.  The  Second  Presbyterian  church 
was  erected  in  1844,  the  new  Methodist  church  in  1846,  and  the  Lutheran  church 
in  1835. — Old  Edition. 

The  Ohio  Wesleyan  University  has  been  recently  established  at  Delaware,  with 
fine  prospects  of  success — the  Pev.  Edward  Thomson,  D.  D.,  president.  The 
college  edifice  stands  on  a pleasant  elevation  in  the  southern  part  of  the  village,  and 
embraces  within  its  grounds  ten  acres  of  land,  including  the  sulphur  spring. 

The  springs  here  have  long  been  known.  Tradition  states  that  the  Indians  re- 
sorted to  them  to  use  the  waters  and  to  kill  the  deer  and  buffalo  which  came  here 
in  great  numbers.  Before  the  grounds  were  enclosed  in  the  early  settlement  of  the 
county  the  domestic  animals  for  miles  around  made  this  a favorite  resort  in  the 
heats  of  summer,  and  appeared  satisfied  with  no  other  water.  The  water  is  said 
to  be  similar  to  that  of  the  celebrated  white  sulphur  springs  of  Virginia,  and  equal 
in  their  mineral  and  medicinal  qualities.  The  water  is  cooler,  being  as  Ioav  as  53°, 
contains  more  gas,  and  is  therefore  lighter  and  more  pleasant  than  that  of  the 
Virginia  water.  Many  cures  have  been  effected  of  persons  afilicted  with  scrofulous 
diseases,  dyspepsia,  bilious  derangements  of  the  liver  and  stomach,  want  of  appe- 
tite and  digestion,  cases  of  erysipelas  when  all  the  usual  remedies  had  failed,  and 
injuries  inflicted  by  the  excessive  use  of  calomel. — Old  Edition. 

Aside  from  the  long-famed  spring  above  described  this  region  seems  to  abound 
in  mineral  springs.  On  the  outskirts  of  the  town,  in  the  valley  of  Delaware  Run, 
in  an  area  of  about  thirty-seven  acres,  is  a collection  of  five  flowing  springs  called 
“ Little’s  Springs,”  consisting  of  as  many  different  varieties  of  water — wLite  sul- 
phur, black  sulphur,  magnetic,  iron,  and  fresh  water. 

Delaware  is  on  the  Olentangy  river,  24  miles  north  of  Columbus,  131  miles 
from  Cincinnati,  114  from  Cleveland,  88  from  Toledo,  on  the  C.  C.  C.  & I.  and 
C.  H.  V.  & T.  railroads,  very  nearly  in  the  centre  of  the  State,  378  feet  above 
Lake  Erie,  and  943  above  the  sea-level.  County  officers  in  1888  : Probate  Judge, 
Norman  E.  Overture  ; Clerk  of  Court,  John  M.  Shoemaker ; Sheriff,  ^Villiam  J. 
Davis;  Prosecuting  Attorney,  Frank  Kauffman;  Auditor,  John  J.  Ramage ; 
Treasurer,  N.  Porter  Ferguson ; Recorder,  Frank  E.  Sprague  ; Surveyor,  Edmund 
S.  Minor ; Coroner,  Robert  C.  Wintermute ; Commissioners,  John  L.  Thurston, 
James  C.  Ryant,  George  W.  Jones.  Newspapers  : two  dailies — Chronicle;  Gazette, 
Independent,  A.  Thomson  & Son,  publishers.  Weeklies — Herald,  Democratic, 
James  K.  Newcomer,  editor  and  publisher;  Satui'day  Horning  Call;  Gazette, 
Republican,  A.  Thomson  & Son,  publishers.  Banks  : First  National,  C.  B.  Paul, 
president,  G.  W.  Powers,  eashier ; Delaware  County  National,  S.  Moore,  president, 
William  Little,  cashier ; Deposit  Banking  Company,  S.  P.  Shaw,  president,  H.  A. 


DELAWARE  COUNTY, 


555 


Welch,  cashier.  Churches : 4 Methodist  Episcopal,  1 Cerman  Methodist  Epis- 
copal, 2 Colored  Methodist  Episcopal,  1 Presbyterian,  1 Episcopal,  1 Baptist,  1 
Colored  Baptist,  2 Lutheran,  and  1 Catholic. 


Drawn  by  Henry  Howe  in  184(). 

Winter  Street,  Delaware. 


Manufactures  and  Employees. — Clark  & Young,  builders’  supplies,  15  hands  j 
Delaware  Chair  Company,  205  ; Riddle,  Graff  & Co.,  cigars,  104 ; J.  Hessnauer, 


Vlrey  Bros.,  Photo.,  Delaware,  1886. 

Sandusky  Street,  Delaware. 

cigars,  21;  Delaware  Co-operative  Cigar  Company,  12;  M.  Neville,  carriages, 
et^. ; L.  Miller,  carriages,  etc.,  15;  Frank  Moyer,  carriages,  etc.;  J.  A.  Broed* 
Deer,  cigar  boxes,  12 : C.  C.  C.  & I.  R.  R.  Shoos.  150:  J.  Rubrecht,  carpenter 


556 


DELAWARE  COUNTY 


work,  15. — State  Report  for  1887,  Also,  brick,  carpets,  mineral  waters,  stoves, 
and  pumps.  Population  in  1880,  6,894.  School  census  in  1886,  2,621 ; J.  L. 
Campbell,  superintendent. 

The  great  distinguishing  feature  of  this  pleasant  town  is  as  an  educational  point. 
The  Ohio  Wesleyan  University  located  here  is  one  of  the  largest  in  America  under 
the  auspices  of  the  Methodist  Church.  It  was  founded  in  1842.  The  Ohio 


The  Ohio  Wesleyan  University. 


Wesleyan  Female  College,  founded  in  1853,  was  consolidated  with  the  University 
in  1877,  and  the  two  institutions  are  now  conducted  as  one,  ladies  being  admitted 
to  all  branches  of  study.  This  part  of  the  institution  has  the  finest  and  largest  of 
the  college  edifices : it  is  called  Monnett  Hall,  and  is  about  ten  minutes’  walk  from 
the  Male  Department,  in  a pretty  campus  of  about  ten  acres.  Over  1,100  young 
men  and  women  have  graduated  from  the  University,  and  several  thousand  have 


Monnett  Hall. 


taken  a partial  course ; ‘‘  the  annual  attendance  has  reached  to  830.”  The  Uni- 
versity has  a very  complete  Conservatory  of  Music,  a flourishing  Art  Department, 
and  a Commercial  Department,  giving  a business  training. 

On  William  street,  one  block  from  the  post-office,  in  Delaware,  in  a house  now 
owned  and  occupied  by  J.  J.  Richards,  was  born  on  October  4, 1822,  Rutherfoed 
B.  Hayes,  the  nineteenth  President  of  the  United  States.  The  front  is  of  brick 


DELAWARE  COUNTY. 


cr  c"7 

j j t 

and  the  rear  wood.  When  a boy  he  went  to  a private  school — that  of  Mrs.  John 
Murray — on  Franklin  street.  A brother  of  his  was  drowned  while  skating  in  the 
Olentangy ; a melancholy  incident,  remembered  by  the  older  citizens. 

His  father,  Rutherford  Hayes,  a Vermonter,  came  to  Delaware  in  1817,  and 
engaged  in  merchandising.  He  died  in  the  very  year  of  his  son’s  birth  (1822), 


Vlretj  & Bro.,  Photo.,  Delaware,  1880. 

Birthplace  of  President  Hayes. 


leaving  a widow  and  three  young  children,  with  a large,  unsettled  business.  Sar- 
dis Birchard,  a brotlier  of  the  widow,  then  a youtli  of  sixteen,  emigrated  witli  the 
family  from  Vermont.  He  worked  with  his  brother-in-law  in  building,  farming, 
driving,  taking  care  of  stock,  and  employing  all  his  spare  hours  in  hunting,  and 
was  enabled  with  his  rifle  to  supply  his  own  and  other  families  with  turkeys  and 
venison.  He  was  a handsome,  jovial  young  man,  a universal  favorite,  and  de- 
voted to  his  sister  and  her  little  flock.  In  1827.  when  the  future  President  was 


five  years  of  age,  Mr.  Birchard  removed 
from  that  date  it  became  the  home  of  the 

Mr.  Hayes  graduated  at  Kenyon  in  1840, 
then  prepared  in  Columbus  for  entrance  into 
the  Harvard  Law  School,  where  he  in  due 
time  also  graduated.  It  was  at  this  period 
he  illustrated  his  regard  for  his  native  State, 
which  all  through  his  career  has  been  a 
marked  trait.  The  anecdote  is  thus  related 
in  the  history  of  Delaware  county,  with 
which  we  here  close,  referring  the  reader  to 
a more  extended  notice  of  him  under  the  head 
of  Sandusky  county. 

It  was  in  1844,  while  a law  student  at 
Cambridge,  that  Mr,  Hayes  went  to  Boston 
to  witness  a demonstration  in  honor  of 
Henry  Clay,  who  was  a candidate  for  Presi- 
dent against  James  K.  Polk.  The  campaign 
was  an  exciting  one,  and  hotly  contested  from 
the  opening  to  the  close.  Upon  the  occasion 
referred  to,  the  Hon.  Cassius  M.  Clay  was  to 
make  a speech  before  the  Henry  Clay  club, 
and  the  most  extensive  preparations  had 
been  made  for  a big  day.  In  accordance 
with  the  customs  of  those  times,  a grand 
civil  parade  was  a chief  feature  of  the  pro- 
ceedings, Mr.  Hayes  met  Mr.  Aigin,  from 
Delaware,  whom  he  recognized,  and,  while 


to  Fremont,  then  Lower  Sandusky,  and 
family. 

standing  in  front  of  the  Tremont  House, 
they  were  joined  by  several  others,  among 
them  his  uncle,  Mr.  Birchard.  The  motley- 
bannered  procession  was  being  highly  praised 
when  young  Mr.  Hayes  suggested  that  it 
only  lacked  an  ‘‘Ohio  delegation”  to  make 
its  success  complete.  It  was  received  as  a 
happy  jest,  but  nothing  more  thought  of  it 
until  Mr.  Hayes,  who  had  been  hardly 
missed,  again  appeared,  carrying  a rude  ban- 
ner which  he  had  hastily  constructed  of  a 
strip  from  the  edge  of  a board,  on  either  side 
of  which,  in  awkward  straggling  letters,  was 
painted  the  word  ‘ ‘ Ohio:  ’ ’ As  the  proces- 
sion passed,  Mr.  Hayes,  with  his  banner, 
“fell  in,”  while  the  others — three  in  num- 
ber— brought  up  the  rear.  Ohio  men  con- 
tinued to  drop  in  and  swell  their  ranks,  until, 
when  the  procession  halted  on  Boston  Com- 
mon, the  “Ohio  delegation”  numbered 
twenty-four  men,  and  was  one  of  the  most 
conspicuous  in  the  line.  The  enthusiasm 
was  great,  and  floral  tributes  were  showered 
upon  them  from  the  balcony  windows  alon^ 
the  line  of  march.  Among  these  tributes 
were  several  wreaths.  These  the  young 


558 


DELAWARE  COUNTY. 


leader  carefully  placed  over  the  rude  banner,  never  been  honored  before.  This  was  prob- 
and the  unexpected  “Ohio  delegation,”  ably  Mr.  Hayes’  first  appearance  as  a politi- 
proudly  marching  under  a crown  of  laurel  cal  leader,  and  doubtless  one  of  the  happiest 
leaves,  was  cheered  and  honored  as  Ohio  had  and  proudest  days  of  his  life. 

John  Anthony  Quitman,  a noted  general  of  the  Mexican  war,  and  later 
governor  of  Mississippi,  was  a resident  of  Delaware  for  a number  of  years,  studied 
law,  and  was  admitted  to  the  bar  there.  He  was  born  in  1799,  in  Rhinebeck, 
N.  Y.  Thomas  Carney,  governor  of  Kansas  during  the  rebellion,  was  born  in 
Kingston  township,  near  Rosecrans’  birthplace.  His  private  secretary  was  John 
C.  Vaughn,  the  veteran  journalist  of  Ohio  and  Kansas,  who,  now  well  in  the 
eighties,  with  the  memories  of  a useful  life,  is  passing  his  remaining  days  an  inmate 
of  the  Old  Gentlemen’s  Home,”  Cincinnati.  Preston  B.  Plumb,  now  United 
States  Senator  from  Kansas,  was  born  on  Alum  creek,  in  Berlin  township.  A. 
P.  Morehouse,  now  governor  of  Missouri  (born  in  1835),  is  a native  of  this 
county.  Gen.  John  Calvin  Lee,  who  did  efficient  service  in  the  Rebellion,  and 
served  two  terms  as  lieutenant-governor  under  Hayes,  is  a native  of  Brown  town- 
ship. Judge  Thomas  W.  Powell,  now  deceased,  resided  in  Delaware.  He  was 
one  of  Ohio’s  most  eminent  and  learned  jurists,  and  author  of  a historical  work 
entitled  History  of  the  Ancient  Britons.”  His  son,  Hon.  T.  E.  Powell,  was 
the  Democratic  candidate  for  governor  of  the  State  in  1887  versus  J.  B.  Foraker. 
Mr.  Philip  Phillips,  the  famed  Christian  songster,  has  his  home  in  Delaware — a 
pleasant  residence.  The  annals  of  Delaware  show  a bevy  of  authors  : Rev.  Drs. 
Payne  and  Merrick,  Profs.  McCabe,  Parsons,  and  Grove — all  of  the  University — 
in  works  of  instruction  or  theology  ; Prof.  T.  C.  O’Kane,  in  Sunday-school  song- 
books,  and  Prof.  G.  W.  Michael,  in  Michael’s  System  of  Rapid  Writing.” 


The  Delaware  Grape. — This  remarkable 
and  celebrated  grape  was  first  sent  forth  from 
this  county.  It  took  its  name  from  the 
town.  This  was  about  the  year  1850,  when 
it  was  discovered  growing  near  the  banks  of 
the  Scioto  in  the  hands  of  a Mr.  Heath  who 
brought  it  from  New  Jersey  years  before. 
Its  origin  is  doubtful,  whether  foreign  or  na- 
tives: Mr.  Thompson,  the  editor  of  the 

Gazette,  discovered  its  superior  merits.  Its 
introduction  created  a great  furore  in  grape- 


growing, called  “the  grape  fever.”  The 
ability  of  grape  propagators  was  taxed  to 
the  utmost  to  supply  the  demand,  and  Dela- 
ware grapewines  were  sold  in  enormous  quan- 
tities at  prices  ranging  from  $1  to  $5  each. 
The  wildest  ideas  prevailed  in  regard  to  it, 
and  inexperienced  cultivators  suffered  through 
their  excess  of  zeal  over  knowledge.  In 
soils  suitable  the  Delaware  grape  maintains 
its  original  high  character,  but  its  cultivation 
requires  great  skill  and  care. 


The  State  Reform  School  for  G^Vfe,”  as  it  was  originally  called,  but  changed  in 
1872  by  an  act  of  the  Legislature  to  the  Girls’  Industrial  Home,”  is  on  a beautiful 
site  on  the  Scioto,  ten  miles  southwest  of  Delaware,  and  eighteen  above  Columbus. 
The  spot  was  long  known  as  the  White  Sulphur  Springs.”  In  early  times  a 
hole  was  bored  here  460  feet  for  salt  Avater,  but,  instead,  Avas  struck  a spring  of 
strong  Avhite  sulphur  water.  In  1847  a large  hotel  and  some  cottages  Avere  put  up 
for  boarders,  and  the  place  was  for  a term  of  years  quite  a resort,  but  finally  ran 
doAvn. 

It  becoming  a home  for  girls  was  the  result  of  a petition  to  the  Legislature  by 
some  of  the  benevolent  citizens  of  the  county,  Avho,  seeing  the  fine  property  going 
to  decay,  desired  that  it  should  be  purchased  by  the  btate,  and  converted  into  an 
asylum  for  unprotected  girls.  In  1869  the  State  purchased  it,  and  founded  the 
institution  for  the  instruction,  employment,  and  reformation  of  exposed,  helpless, 
evil-disposedf  and  vicious  girls,”  above  the  age  of  seven  years  and  under  that  of 
sixteen.  The  institution  at  times  has  over  200  pupils,  and  is  on  a Avell-conducted 
foundation.  Col.  James  M.  CraAvford  is  the  superintendent. 

DelaAvare  county  Avill  be  permanently  render^  noted  not  only  as  the  birthplace 
of  a President  but  also  of  that  of  one  of  the  most  brilliant  military  strategists 
knoAvn  to  the  art  of  Avar — that  great  soldier  and  patriot,  William  S.  Rosecrans. 

Whitelaw  Reid  writes  of  Rosecrans  : As  a strategist  he  stands  among  the  fore- 


DELAWARE  COUNTY. 


559 


most,  if  not  himself  the  foremost,  of  all  our  generals His  tactical  ability 

shone  as  conspicuously  as  his  strategy.  He  handled  tfoops  with  rare  facility  and 
judgment  under  the  stress  of  battle.  More  than  all,  there  came  upon  him^  in  the 
hour  of  conflict  the  inspiration  of  war,  so  that  men  were  magnetized  by  his  pres- 
ence into  heroes.  Stone  River,  under  Rosecrans,  and  Cedar  Creek,  under  Sheri- 
dan, are  the  sole  examples  in  the  war  of  defeats  converted  into  victories  by  the 
reinforcement  of  a single  man.^^ 

We  give  a sketch  of  his  career  from  the  pen  of  Mr.  W.  S.  Furay,  a native  of 


Drawn  by  Henry  Howe,  1846, 

The  White  Sulphur  Springs. 


Ross  county,  who  was  war  correspondent  of  the  Cincinnati  Gazette^  beginning  with 
the  opening  campaign  in  Western  Virginia  and  continuing  until  the  close  of  the 
war.  Since  that  period  Mr.  Furay  has  held  various  civil  and  journalistic  positions, 
and  is  now  on  the  editorial  staff  of  the  Ohio  State  Journal. 


William  Starke  Rosecrans  was*  born 
in  Kingston  township,  of  Delaware  county, 
Sept.  6,  1819.  He  merited  in  one  respect  the 
title  of  “the  Dutch  General,”  given  him  by 
the  Confederates  early  in  the  War  of  the  Re- 
bellion, for  his  ancestors  on  the  father’s  side 
came  from  Amsterdam,  although  his  mother 
traced  back  her  descent  to  Timothy  Hopkins, 
one  of  the  signers  of  the  Declaration  of  In- 
dependence. 

At  the  age  of  fifteen  Rosecrans  entered  the 
military  academy  at  West  Point,  graduating 
thence  in  the  class  of  1842.  Entering  the 
Engineer  Corps  of  the  Army  as  Second  Lieu- 
tenar.t,  he  served  the  Government  efficiently 
and  well  in  various  capacities  until  1853,  when 
he  was  promoted  to  First  Lieutenant,  and 
shortly  aftep  to  the  great  regret  of  his  superior 
officers,  resigned. 

From  this  time  until  the  breaking  out  of 
the  _ rebellion,  he  devoted  himself  to  civil 
engineering  and  kindred  occupations,  making 
his  headquarters  at  Cincinnati.  During  all 
these  years  of  his  earlier  career  he  exhibited, 
in  the  limited  fields  open  to  him,  those  char- 
acteristics of  original  conception,  inventive 
genius,  restless  activity  and  tireless  energy 


which  were  ever  afterwards  to  carry  him 
through  a career  of  wonderful  success  at  the 
head  of  great  armies  and  enroll  his  name 
amongst  those  of  the  most  brilliant  soldiers 
known  to  military  history. 

The  following  is  a rapid  outline  of  that 
career : 

In  the  spring  of  1861,  W.  S.  Rosecrans 
was  commissioned  by  the  Governor  of  Ohio 
Chief  Engineer  of  the  State  of  Ohio,  with 
the  rank  and  pay  of  United  States  Colonel  of 
Engineers.  Answering  his  country’s  call, 
however,  as  a citizen  volunteer  aide  he  organ- 
ized the  troops  at  Camp  Dennison,  Ohio,  and 
began  the  organization  of  Camp  Chase  as 
Colonel  of  the  23d  United  States  Ohio  Vol- 
unteer Infantry. 

As  brigadier-general  in  the  United  States 
army,  he  went  to  West  Virginia,  fought  the 
battle  of  Rich  Mountain,  and  on  the  23d  or 
24th  of  July,  1861,  succeeded  McClellan  as 
commander  of  the  Department  of  the  Ohio, 
consisting  of  troops  from  West  Virginia, 
Michigan,  Ohio,  and  Indiana.  While  in  com- 
mand of  that  department  he  defeated  the 
attempts  of  General  Lee  to  penetrate  West 
Virginia  by  Cheat  Mountain  and  the  Kanawha 


560 


DELAWARE  COUNTY. 


route,  and  subsequently  by  way  of  Romney, 
and  along  tbe  B.  & 0.  road.  The  Legislature 
of  West  Virginia  passed  a unanimous  vote  of 
thanks  in  recognition  of  his  services  in  de- 
fending the  State,  which  was  followed  soon 
after  by  a similar  vote  of  thanks  from  the 
Legislature  of  the  State  of  Ohio. 

In  1862  he  submitted  a plan  for  the  cam- 
paign of  that  year  auxiliary  to  that  for  the 
movements  of  the  Army  of  the  Poto- 
mac, which  plan  was  highly  approved  by 
the  general-in-chief  and  by  the  War  Depart- 
ment. 

Early  in  April,  1862,  he  was  ordered  to 
Washington  and  sent  to  find  and  conduct 
Blencker’s  Division  to  General  Fremont. 

He  submitted  to  the  War  Department  a 
plan  for  the  application  of  the  forces  under 
Generals  McDowell,  Banks,  and  Fremont  to 
occupy  the  Shenandoah  Valley  and  threaten 
communications  with  the  South. 

In  May,  1862,  he  was  ordered  to  report  to 
General  Halleck,  who  commanded  our  army 
in  front  of  Corinth,  Mississippi.  Was  put 
in  command  of  two  divisions  (Stanley’s  and 
Paine’s)  in  front  of  that  city,  and  when  it 
was  vacated  by  Bragg  and  Beauregard  he  led 
the  infantry  pursuit  until  ordered  to  stop. 

In  June,  1862,  he  was  placed  in  command 
of  the  Army  of  the  Mississippi,  consisting  of 
four  divisions. 

In  September,  1862,  with  two  small  divis- 
ions he  confronted  General  Sterling  Price,  and 
fought  the  battle  of  luka. 

In  connection  with  the  mention  of  his  gen- 
eral system  of  army  management,  it  may  be 
stated  that  he  originated  the  making  of  photo- 
printing maps,  and  furnished  his  subordinate 
commanders  with  information  maps  of  the 
regions  of  military  operations ; established 
convalescent  hospitals  for  the  treatment  or 
discharge  of  chronic  cases  ; organized  colored 
men  into  squads  of  twenty-five  each,  and 
equipped  and  employed  them  as  engineer 
troops ; employed  escaped  colored  women  in 
laundries  and  as  cooks  for  hospitals,  etc. 

On  October  3d  and  4th,  1862,  with  four 
divisions,  he  fought  the  battle  of  Corinth. 

By  order  of  the  President  he  was  placed  in 
command  of  the  Department  of  the  Cumber- 
land and  Army  of  the  Ohio,  relieving  General 
Buell,  October  30,  1862.  He  reorganized 
this  army,  and  established  an  Inspector-Gen- 
eral’s system  by  detail  from  the  line,  also  a 
Topographical  Department  by  detail  of  Brig- 
ade, Division,  and  Corps  Engineers,  and  a 
Pioneer  Corps  by  detail  of  officers  and  men 
from  the  infantry.  He  also  reorganized  both 
the  cavalry  and  artillery. 

On  December  31,  1862,  and  January  1 and 
2,  1863,  he  fought  the  battle  of  Stone  River, 
against  the  Confederates  under  General  Bragg, 
and  drove  him  behind  the  line  of  Duck  river. 

From  June  23  to  July  7,  1863,  he  conducted 
the  campaign  of  Tullahoma,  by  which  Bragg 
was  driven  out  of  his  intrenched  camps  (at 
Shelbyville'  and  Tullahoma)  in  Middle  Ten- 
nessee. 

After  the  battle  of  Stone  River  he  was 
tendered,  almost  simultaneously,  a unanimous 


vote  of  thanks  from  Congress  and  from  the 
States  of  Ohio  and  Indiana. 

From  July  7,  1863,  to  August  14,  1863,  he 
was  bringing  forward  supplies,  perfecting  the 
organization  of  the  army,  and  manoeuvring 
for  Chattanooga,  giving  special  attention  to 
the  rebuilding  of  a railroad,  as  a necessary 
pre-requisite  to  success. 

From  August  14  to  September  22,  1863,  he 
made  the  campaign  of  Chattanooga,  and 
fought  the  battle  of  Chickamauga,  man 
oeuvring  the  Confederates  out  of  the  objec 
tive  point  covered  by  Lookout  Range  and  the 
Tennessee  river. 

For  his  services  at  Chickamauga,  he  re- 
ceived a unanimous  vote  of  thanks  from  the 
National  House  of  Representatives. 

After  the  battle  of  Chickamauga,  he  was 
engaged  in  making  the  preliminary  arrange- 
ments to  constitute  Chattanooga  a new  main 
depot,  by  water  and  rail  connections  with 
Nashville,  Louisville,  and  Cincinnati. 

Between  October,  1863,  and  January  27, 
1864,  he  presided  oyer  the  groat  Western 
Sanitary  Fair  at  Cincinnati,  which  raised 
$325,000  for  objects  of  beneficence  to  Union 
soldiers.  He  also  presided  over  the  Missis- 
sippi Valley  Sanitary  Fair,  which  raised 
$525,000  for  the  same  cause. 

On  the  27th  of  J anuary,  1864,  he  was  placed 
in  command  of  the  Department  of  Missouri, 
in  which  capacity  he  succeeded  in  defeating 
all  the  objects  and  purposes  of  Price  in  Mis- 
souri, defeated  him  on  the  Big  Blue  and  at 
Maris  des  Cj^gnes,  and  drove  him  out  in  a 
state  of  disorganization,  from  which  he  never 
recovered. 

He  was  also  successful  in  exposing  and 
defeating  the  objects  of  the  Order  of  Ameri- 
can Knights. 

In  January,  1866,  he  was  mustered  out  as 
Major-General  of  Volunteers  and  resigned  as 
Brigadier-General  in  United  States  Army  in 
1867.  He  was  afterwards  made  Brevet 
Major-General. 

Up  to  the  time  of  the  battle  of  Chicka- 
mauga there  was,  neither  with  the  govern- 
ment nor  amongst  the  people,  a single  doubt 
as  to  the  genius  or  ability  of  Rosecrans. 
Every  step  he  had  taken  had  been  a suc- 
cessful step.  Every  campaign  and  every 
battle  had  added  to  his  laurels  and  his  glor3^ 
Rich  Mountain  had  developed  that  penetrat- 
ing sagacity  without  which  no  man  can  ever 
rise  to  distinction  as  a soldier.  In  the  subse- 
quent campaign  in  West  Virginia  he  had 
with  wonderful  skill  baffled  and  defeated  the 
officer  who  subsequently  became  the  renowned 
Commander-in-chief  of  the  Confederate 
armies.  At  luka  and  Corinth  his  daring 
energy  had  blazed  forth  like  a star,  guiding 
the  way  to  two  shining  victories.  At  Stone 
river  he  had  assailed  the  rebel  army  under 
Gen.  Bragg  in  its  own  chosen  position,  re- 
trieved by  his  personal  exertions  what  on 
the  first  day’s  conflict  had  seemed  to  be  dis- 
astrous defeat,  inspired  the  soul  of  every 
soldier  under  him  with  his  own  lofty  resolve 
to  conquer  or  die,  and  with  matehless  vigor, 
energy  and  skill  fairly  compelled  success  to 


DELAWARE  COUNTY, 


561 


alight  upon  the  Union  standards,  and  gained 
a victory  which  electrified  the  nation  and  the 
world.  In  the  Tullahoma  campaign  he  had 
exhibited  a talent  for  strategy  equal  to  Na- 
poleon in  the  campaign  of  Ulm,  and  without 
the  loss  of  a regiment,  a gun  or  a stand  of 
colors,  had  driven  Bragg  from  his  whole  line 
of  entrenched  camps,  and  expelled  him  from 
Middle  Tennessee. 

Rosecrans  had  been  too  successful.  ^ He 
had  raised  himself  to  too  exalted  a height. 
The  fatal  halo  of  supposed  invincibility  glim- 
mered around  his  head.  No  soldier  ever  was 
or  ever  will  be  absolutely  invincible,  but  he 
who  is  believed  to  be  so  must  maintain  the 
reputation  or  fall  to  a lower  level  than  what 
he  rose  from.  Nay,  he  must  not  merely  suc- 
ceed thereafter  in  attaining  the  object  at 
which  he  aims  ; he  must  attain  it  in  the 
manner  that  public  opinion  marks  out  for 
him,  and  scarcely  dare  achieve  less  than  the 
impossible.^ 

The  limits  of  this  sketch  will  not  permit  a 
discussion  of  the  campaign  in  August  and 
September,  1863,  and  only  the  conclusions  can 
be  set  down,  which,  by  a prolonged  and  con- 
scientious study  of  the  whole  history  of  that 
campaign,  have  been  arrived  at.^ 

The  object  that  Rosecrans  had  in  view  when 
he  commenced  his  great  movement  on  the 
23d  of  August,  1863,  was  to  relieve  East 
Tennessee  from  Confederate  occupation  and 
get  possession  of  that  central  key  to  the  Con- 
federacy, the  city  of  Chattanooga.  The 
place  was  defended  by  Gen.  Bragg’s  army, 
which  from  the  first  was  fully  equal  in  num- 
bers to  that  under  Rosecrans  and  soon  became 
greatly  superior.  The  all-knowing  soldier  who 
commanded  the  Union  army  knew  from  the 
first  that  Bragg  could  easily  be  reinforced, 
that  every  elfort  would  be  made  by  the  Con- 
federate government  to  save  Chattanooga, 
and  that  his  own  force  was  inadequate  to  the 
mighty  task  he  had  before  him.  Hence  he 
begged,  pleaded  and  implored  for  reinforce- 
ments which  were  within  easy  reach,  which 
were  persistently  denied  him,  but  which  when 
the  campaign  was  ended  came  up  in  such 
numbers  that  had  a third  of  them  been  sent 
to  Rosecrans  before  he  began  his  march 
across  the  Tennessee  and  the  mountains  to 
manoeuvre  Bragg  out  of  Chattanooga,  would 
have  enabled  him  not  only  to  get  possession 
of  that  stronghold,  but  to  utterly  destroy  the 
army  opposed  to  him. 

Chattanooga  could  not  be  obtained  without 
a battle.  To  assail  it  directly  would  be  simply 
madness.  Rosecrans  therefore  began  that 
splendid  series  of  manoeuvres  to  the  south- 
ward of  the  city  which  carried  his  army  into 
Georgia  and  threatened  the  Confederate  com- 
munications with  Atlanta.  Bragg  retired  out 
of  the  city  and  marched  southward,  taking 
up  such  position  that  he  could,  at  any  time, 
return  on  shorter  lines  and  compel  Rosecrans 
to  fight  a battle  for  the  prize.  The  Union 
general  expected  this,  and  had  prepared  ac- 
cordingly. But  while  he  was  concentrating 
his  army,  that  which  he  had  clearly  foreseen  oc- 
curred. From  every  quarter  of  the  Confed- 


eracy troops  were  hurried  to  Bragg’s  assist- 
ance. From  Mississippi,  from  Mobile,  from 
Savannah  they  came,  and  from  Virginia  the 
powerful  corps  of  Gen.  Longstreet  was  hur- 
ried to  North  Georgia  to  overwhelm  the 
comparatively  feeble  army  under  Rosecrans. 
In  round  numbers,  40,000  Union  soldiers 
were  to  contend  with  75,000  Confederates,  to 
see  which  would  finally  hold  Chattanooga. 

Before  the  Union  army  was  fully  concen- 
trated the  Confederates  assailed  it,  and  the 
awful  battle  of  Chickamauga  began.  The 
first  day  the  assailants  were  repelled  at  all 
points.  The  second  day  they  rushed  through 
a gap  in  our  lines  caused  by  a miswording  or 
misunderstanding  of  orders,  and  separating 
the  right  wing  of  our  army  from  the  centre, 
overwhelmed  that  wing.  Our  centre  and  left 
stood  firm ; Rosecrans  seeing  this  and  that 
the  enemy  who  had  overwhelrned  our  right 
might  push  up  the  valley  (which  the  right 
had  been  covering)  into  Chattanooga,  has- 
tened to  rally  the  right,  to  get  the  troops  left 
behind  in  Chattanooga  as  guards  to  our  stores 
and  reserve  artillery,  in  proper  shape,  and  to 
prepare  a new  position  for  the  army  at  Ross- 
ville  in  case  the  centre  and  left  should  also  be 
compelled  to  retreat.  It  was  here  he  showed 
the  greatness  of  the  true  soldier  who  leaves 
nothing  to  chance ; it  was  here  he  specially 
proved  his  worthiness  for  the  highest  com- 
-mand.  As  fast  as  he  could  do  so,  he  urged 
portions  of  the  rallied  troops  to  the  assistance 
of  that  part  of  the  army  which  still  held  the 
field  ; he  sent  word  of  all  he  was  doing  to  the 
brave  Thomas,  who  was  so  grandly  resisting 
the  enemy’s  onset,  and  gave  new  courage  and 
confidence  to  that  veteran  by  assuring  him 
when  he  felt  he  could  no  longer  hold  his  posi- 
tion on  the  field  the  new  lines  would  be  ready 
for  his  recep'ion.  It  was  this  knowledge  that 
inspired  Thomas  with  the  stern  determination 
not  to  retreat  in  the  face  of  the  foe  at  all 
And  he  did  not  retreat.  He  held  his  own 
until  nightfall,  suffering  dreadful  loss,  but 
always  inflicting  more  than  he  suffered,  and 
when  the  last  effort  of  the  foe  had  been  re- 
pelled, retiring  leisurely  to  the  new  lines 
which  the  genius  of  Rosecrans  had  marked 
out  for  the  army. 

The  next  day  the  Confederate  forces,  who 
did  not  know  that  they  had  gained  any  vic- 
toiy,  and  who  ^ had  really  retired  from  the 
battle-field  at  night  as  far  as  our  own  soldiers 
had  retired,  came  slowly  and  cautiously  up 
towards  the  new  Union  lines,  took  a careful 
look  at  them,  heard  the  loud  cheers  of  the 
Union  legion  as  Rosecrans  rode  along  them, 
and  decided  not  to  attack  ! The  great  object 
of  the  campaign,  the  great  prize  of  the  bat- 
tle, namely,  the  city  of  Chattanooga,  was  in 
possession  of  the  National  troops,  and  never 
again  went  out  of  their  hands. 

And  this  was  the  campaign,  this  the  battle, 
with  which  some  have  associated  the  terms 
‘ ‘ failure  ’ ’ and  ‘ ‘ defeat ! ’ ’ The  gallant  Army 
of  the  Cumberland  had  crossed  a great  river, 
toiled  over  two  chains  of  mountains,  and, 
under  the  leadership  of  the  brightest  military 
genius  that  the  war  developed,  had  com- 


562 


DELAWARE  COUNTY, 


pletely  deceived  the  enemy  and  manoeuvred 
him  by  masterly  strategy  out  of  his  strong- 
hold, then  had  baffled  all  his  efforts  to  regain 
it,  had  fought  nearly  double  its  own  numbers 
for  two  days,  suffering  a loss  of  15,000  men 
and  inflicting  a loss  of  more  than  18,000 
upon  the  enemy,  had  held  the  field  until  it 
retired  of  its  own  choice  and  after  all  firing 
had  ceased,^  then  leisurely  assumed  the  new 
position  which  its  great  leader  had  prepared, 
and  then  defiantly  awaited  another  attack 
which  its  awfully  punished  foe  did  not  dare 
to  make.  And  it  held  the  city  it  had  won 
and  for  which  the  battle  was  fought.  Was 
all  this  failure  and  defeat?  The  blood  of 
every  soldier  who  fell  upon  that  gory  field 
cries  out  against  the  falsehood  ! 

Abraham  Lincoln’s  clear  eye  perceived  the 
truth  ; he  saw  that  the  skill  of  Losecrans 
had  assured  relief  to  East  Tennessee,  had 
cut  the  line  of  the  enemy’s  defence  by  rail, 
had  secured  the  key  that  was  to  unlock  the 
treasure-house  of  the  foe,  and  had  opened 
the  way  to  the  very  heart  of  the  Confederacy. 
He  telegraphed  Rosecrans,  as  well  he  might, 
“be  of  good  cheer;  we  have  unabated  con- 
fidence in  your  soldiers,  in  your  officers  and 
in  you.  ’ ’ 

And  Rosecrans  was  of  good  cheer,  and 
immediately  devised  the  plans  for  reopening 
communications  along  the  line  of  the  Nash- 
ville and  Chattanooga  railroad,  plans  which 
others  afterwards^  executed ; for  the  clear- 
sighted Lincoln  yielded  to  some  sinister  in- 
fluence ; and  the  brilliant  leader  of  the  Army 
of  the  Cumberland,  after  a campaign  which 
in  all  its  aspects  was  one  of  the  most  success- 
ful known  to  history,  and  in  the  very  midst 
of  the  city  which  his  valor  and  genius  had 
won,  found  himself  summarily  relieved  of 
his  command  ! It  was  the  one  act  of  meas- 
ureless injustice  and  wrong  which,  while  not 
Abraham  Lincoln’s  fault,  stains  the  annals 
of  his  otherwise  spotless  career. 

On  resigning  his  commission  General  Rose- 
crans  went  to  California  and  became  a citizen 
of  that  State.  He  was  offered  and  declined 
the  Democratic  nomination  for  governor  of 
California  in  1867.  He  was  also  offered 
the  nomination  for  governor  by  the  conven- 
tion of  Independent  Republicans  held  at 
Marysville,  and  declined.  In  1868  he 
was  nominated  and  confirmed  as  United 
States  minister  to  Mexico,  without  con- 
sultation or  knowledge  on  his  part  until  offi- 
cially notified  thereof  ^ He  accepted  this 
appointment  on  condition  that  he  should 
be  allowed  carte-blanche  to  represent  the 


good  will  of  the  American  republic  towards 
Mexico. 

In  1 869  he  returned  to  California  and  re- 
sumed the  practice  of  his  profession,  namely, 
that  of  civil  and  mining  engineering.  It 
should  be  stated,  however,  that  during  his 
residence  in  Mexico  he  became  thoroughly 
convinced  that  the  mutual  prosperity  of  Mex- 
ico and  the  United  States  would  be  promoted 
by  the  progress  of  Mexico  under  her  own 
autonomy,  and,  acting  in  accordance  with  his 
carte-blanche,  he  urged  the  Mexican  cabinet 
and  other  leaders  to  further  and  foster  the 
construction  of  railroads.  His  efforts  in  this 
direction  met  with  such  success  that  the  ini- 
tiative period  of  Mexican  development  in  this 
regard  dates  from  the  time  of  these  earnest 
efforts  on  his  part. 

In  1869  he  was  also  offered  and  declined 
the_  Democratic  nomination  for  Governor  of 
Ohio.  In  1870  he  memorialized  Congress, 
urging  the  encouragement  of  commerce  with 
Mexico.  In  1872-3,  at  the  instance  of  influ- 
ential people  in  this  country,  and  on  the  invi- 
tation of  the  president  of  Mexico,  he  super- 
vised the  legislation  in  favor  of  railroad  con- 
struction among  the  various  States  of  that 
republic.  As  a result  of  his  presence  in  the 
country,  and  counsel  given  by  means  of  pub- 
lic discussion  in  the  prominent  newspapers 
of  the  republic,  the  legislatures  of  seventeen 
Mexican  States  passed  unanimously  resolu- 
tions urging  the  government  to  take  favora- 
ble legislative  action  for  encouraging  the  con- 
struction of  railroads  in  Mexico.  In  six 
other  States,  whose  legislatures  were  not  in 
session,  the  governors  sent,  officially,  strong 
messages  to  the  general  government  in  favor 
of  the  fostering  of  such  enterprises.  Thus, 
practically,  in  twenty-three  States  favorable 
legislation  was  enacted  asking  the  govern- 
ment to  encourage  railroad  construction. 

In  1881  he  was  urged  by  the  workingmen 
of  California  to  allow  his  name  to  be  used  by 
the  Democratic  party  as  a candidate  for  the 
Forty-eighth  Congress,  and  on  his  consent 
thereto  was  nominated  and  elected.  He  was 
re-elected  to  the  Forty-ninth  Congress.  Dur- 
ing each  of  his  congressional  terms  he  was 
assigned,  as  representative,  to  important 
legislative  and  political  duties.  In  June, 
1885,  he  was  appointed  by  President  Cleve- 
land to  the  position  of  Register  of  the 
United  States  Treasury,  the  duties  of  which 
office  he  is  now  performing  with  characteristic 
thoroughness  and  efficiency.  Thus  his  career 
has  been  as  useful  and  honorable  in  peace  as 
it  was  patriotic  and  glorious  in  war. 


To  the  foregoing  sketch  of  Mr.  Furay  we  add  a paragraph.  Nearly  a quarter 
of  a century  elapsed  after  the  removal  of  Hosecrans  when,  at  the  reunion  of  the 
veterans  of  the  Army  of  the  Cumberland,  at  Washington,  in  May,  1887,  he  broke 
the  long  silence,  unsealed  his  lips,  and  spoke  of  that  event  which  at  the  time 
occasioned  great  indignation  and  sorrow  throughout  Ohio.  His  splendid  services 
as  a soldier,  his  absorbing  enthusiasm  and  loyalty  to  the  Union,  his  fiery  denun- 
ciation of  those  who  plotted  a surrender  to  the  treason,  the  entire  spirit  and  elan 
of  the  man  had  given  untold  comfort  to  multitudes  in  the  early  years  of  the 
rebellion,  an  em  of  indescribable  anguish  and  heart-sinking  anxieties. 


DELAWARE  COUNTY. 


563 


It  was  a most  pathetic  scene  when  he  came  upon  the  platform,  an  old  man, 
sixty-eight  years  of  age,  and  told  his  surviving  comrades  of  the  bloody  fields  how 
his  removal  took  place.  It  is  thus  related  by  Frank  G.  Carpenter,  the  interesting 
Ohio  correspondent,  who  was  present : 

“It  was  at  night,”  said  Rosecrans,  “that 
I received  the  order,  and  I sent  for  Gen. 

Thomas.  He  came  alone  to  the  tent  and 
took  his  seat.  I handed  him  the  letter.  He 
read  it,  and  as  he  did  so  his  breast  began  to 
swell  and  he  turned  pale.  He  did  not  want 
to  accept  the  command,  but  we  agreed  on 
consideration  that  he  must  do  so,  and  I told 
him  that  I could  not  bear  to  meet  my  troops 
afterward.  ‘ I want  to  leave,’  said  I,  ‘ before 
the  announcement  is  made,  and  I will  start 
in  the  early  morning.’  I packed  up  that 
night,  and  the  next  morning  about  7 o’clock 
I rode  away  through  the  fog  which  then 

SuNBURY,  on  Walnut  creek  and  the  C.  Mt.  V.  & D.  R.  R.,  has  1 Baptist  and 
1 Methodist  church ; 1 bank : Farmers’,  O.  H.  Kimball,  president,  Emery  J. 
Smith,  cashier ; 1 newspaper : The  Sunhury  Monitor , Sprague  & Robinson, 
publishers ; and  had,  in  1880,  340  inhabitants.  School  census  1886,  192  ; W.  W. 
Long,  superintendent. 

Here  are  extensive  blue-limestone  quarries,  supplying  the  finest  quality  of 
building  stone ; and  the  new  process  rolling  mill  at  this  place  is  described  as  the 
pride  of  the  county.” 

Ashley,  on  the  C.  C.  C.  & I.  R.  R.,  has  churches : 1 Presbyterian,  1 Metho- 
dist, 1 Baptist,  1 Friends;  1 newspaper:  The  Ashley  Times,  C.  B.  Benedict,  pub- 
lisher; 1 bank : Ashley,  Sperry  & Wormstaff ; 2 regalia  and  emblems  factories,  a 
roller  flouring  mill,  and  is  noted  as  a shipping-point  for  live-stock.  In  1880  it 
had  483  inhabitants. 

The  village  of  Galena,  on  the  C.  Mt.  V.  & D.  R.  R.,  two  miles  south  of 
Sunbury,  had,  in  1880,  250  inhabitants.  School  census  1886,  152;  I.  C. 
Guinther,  principal.  Ostrander,  in  1880,  had  269  inhabitants. 


hung  over  the  camp.  The  best  of  relations 
prevailed  between  Gen.  Thomas  and  myself, 
and  as  to  the  statement  that  he  considered 
himself  my  superior  and  obeyed  orders  only 
from  a sense  of  duty,  I assure  you  it  was  not 
so.  ” 

As  Rosecrans  bowed  to  the  audience  and 
stepped  back  from  the  platform  there  was 
not  a man  present  who  did  not  feel  sorry  for 
him,  and  he  was  so  much  affected  himself 
that  his  voice  trembled  as  he  uttered  his 
closing  words.  He  talked  in  a low  tone  and 
his  accents  were  almost  pleading. 


C<. 


ERIE. 

Erie  County  was  formed  in  1838  from  Huron  and  Sandusky  counties.  The 
surface  to  the  eye  seems  nearly  level,  while  in  fact  it  forms  a gentle  slope  from  the 
south  line  of  the  county,  where  it  has  an  elevation  of  about  150  feet  above  the 
lake,  to  the  lake  level.  It  has  inexhaustible  quarries  of  limestone  and  freestone. 
The  soil  is  very  fertile.  The  principal  crops  are  wheat,  corn,  oats  and  potatoes. 
It  is  very  prominent  as  a fruit-growing  county,  productive  in  apples,  peaches  and 
especially  so  in  grapes.  Its  area  is  290  square  miles,  being  one  of  the  smallest  in 
territory  in  the  State.  In  1885  the  acres  cultivated  were  78,912;  in  pasture, 
20,638;  woodland,  11,^25;  lying  waste,  3,941;  produced  in  wheat,  247,824 
bushels;  in  oats,  294,676;  corn,  564,863;  potatoes,  301,306;  wool,  144,992 
pounds;  grapes,  1,571,045.  School  census  1886,  10,929  ; teachers,  172.  It  has 
90  miles  of  railroad. 


Townships  and  Census. 

1840. 

1880. 

Townships  and  Census. 

1840. 

1880. 

Berlin, 

1,628 

2,042 

Milan, 

1,531 

2,239 

Florence, 

1,655 

1,330 

Oxford, 

736 

1,231 

Groton, 

854 

1,038 

1,910 

Perkins, 

839 

1,878 

Huron, 

1,488 

Portland, 

1,434 

15,838 

1,944 

Kelley’s  Island, 
Margaretta, 

1,104 

888 

2,302 

Vermillion, 

1,334 

The  population  in  1840  was  12,457;  1860,  24,474;  1880,  32,640,  of  whom 
20,899  were  Ohio-born  ; 1,651  New  York  ; 534  Pennsylvania;  4,882  Germany; 
1,196  Ireland;  702  England  and  Wales;  and  287  British  America. 

The  name  of  this  county  was  originally  applied  to  the  Erie  tribe  of  Indians. 
This  nation  is  said  to  have  had  their  residence  at  the  east  end  of  the  lake,  near 
where  Buffalo  now  stands.  They  are  represented  to  have  been  the  most  powerful 
and  warlike  of  all  the  Indian  tribes,  and  to  have  been  extirpated  by  the  Five 
Nations  or  Iroquois  two  or  three  centuries  since.* 


Father  Lewis  Hennepin,  in  his  work  pub- 
lished about  1684,  in  speaking  of  certain 
Catholic  priests,  thus  alludes  to  the  Fries  : 
“These  good  fathers  were  great  friends  of 
the  Hurons,  who  told  them  that  the  Iroquois 
went  to  war  beyond  Virginia,  or  New  Sweden, 
near  a lake  which  they  called  ''Erige^'  or 
^Erie^'  which  signifies  ^tlie  cat^'  or  '‘nation  of 
the  cat and  because  these  savages  brought 
captives  from  the  nation  of  the  cat  in  return- 
ing to  their  cantons  along  this  lake,  the  Hu- 
rons named  it,  in  their  language,  '‘Erige^'  or 
'Ericke,  ’ ‘ the  lake  of  the  cat^  ’ and  which  our 


Canadians,  in  softening  the  word,  have  called 
‘ Lake  Erie.  ’ ” 

Charlevoix,  writing  in  1721,  says  respecting 
Lake  Erie  : “The  name  it  bears  is  that  of  an 
Indian  nation  of  the  Huron  [Wyandot]  lan- 
guage, which  was  formerly  seated  on  its  banks, 
and  who  have  been  entirely  destroyed  by  the 
Iroquois.  Erie^  in  that  language,  signifies 
cat,  and  in  some  accounts  this  nation  is  called 
the  cat  nation.  This  name  probably  comes 
from  the  large  number  of  that  animal  formerly 
found  in  this  country.  ’ ’ 


The  French  established  a small  trading-post  at  the  mouth  of  Huron  river,  and 
another  on  the  shore  of  the  bay  on  or  near  the  site  of  Sandusky  City,  which  were 
abandoned  before  the  war  of  the  revolution.  The  small  map  annexed  is  copied 
from  part  of  Evan’s  map  of  the  Middle  British  Colonies,  published  in  1755.  The 
reader  will  perceive  upon  the  east  bank  of  Sandusky  river,  near  the  bay,  a French 


* These  facts  are  derived  fiom  the  beautiful  “ tradition  of  the  Eries,”  published  in  the  Buffalo  Com- 
Taercialy  \n  i\\Q  summer  of  1845.  That  tradition  (says  the  editor)  “maybe  implicitly  relied  upon, 
every  detail  having  been  taken  from  the  lips  of  Blacksnake  and  other  venerable  chie^  of  the  Senecas 
and  Tonawandas,  who  still  cherish  the  traditions  of  their  fathers.” 


Bishop,  Photo.,  Sandusky,  1888. 


ERIE  COUNTY,  565 

fort,  there  described  as  ^^Fort  Junandat,  built  in  1754.”  The  words  Wandots  are 
doubtless  meant  for  Wyandot  towns. 

In  1764,  while  Pontiac  was  besieging  De- 
troit, Gen.  Bradstreet  collected  a force  of  3,000 
men,  which  embarked  at  Niagara  in  boats  and 
proceeded  up  the  lake  to  the  relief  of  that  post. 

Having  burned  the  Indian  corn-fields  and 
villages  at  Sandusky  and  along  the  rich  bot- 
toms of  the  Maumee,  and  dispersed  the  Indians 
whom  they  there  then  found,  he  reached  Detroit 
without  opposition.*  Having  dispersed  the 
Indians  beseiging  Detroit  he  passed  into  the 
Wyandot  country  by  way  of  Sandusky  bay. 

He  ascended  the  bay  and  river  as  far  as  it  was 
navigable  for  boats  and  there  made  a camp.  A 
treaty  of  peace  and  friendship  was  signed  by 
the  chiefs  and  head  men.f 

Erie,  Huron  and  a small  part  of  Ottawa 
county  comprise  that  portion  of  the  Western  Reserve  known  as  ^rthe  fire- 
lands,”  being  a tract  of  about  500,000  acres,  granted  by  the  State  of  Connecticut 
to  the  sufferers  by  fire  from  the  British  in  their  incursions  into  that  Stated  The 
history  which  follows  of  the  fire-lands  and  the  settlement  of  this  county  is  from 
the  MSS.  history  of  the  Fire-Lands,  by  C.  B.  Squier,  and  written  about  1840. 


The  largest  sufferers,  and,  consequently, 
those  who  held  the  largest  interest  in  the 
fire-lands,  purchased  the  rights  of  many  who 
held  smaller  interests.  The  proprietors  of 
the  fire-lands,  anxious  that  their  new  terri- 
tory should  be  settled,  offered  strong  induce- 
ments for  persons  to  settle  in  this  then  un- 
known region.  But,  aside  from  the  ordinary 
difficulties  attending  a new  settlement,  the 
Indian  title  to  the  western  part  of  the  re- 
serve was  not  then  extinguished ; but  by  a 
treaty  held  at  Fort  Industry,  on  the  Maumee, 
in  July,  1805,  this  object  was  accomplished, 
and  the  east  line  of  the  Indian  territory  was 
established  on  the  west  line  of  the  reserve. 

The  proprietors  of  the  fire-lands  were 
deeply  interested  in  this  treaty,  upon  the  re- 
sult of  which  depended  their  ability  to  pos- 
sess and  settle  their  lands.  Consequently, 
the  Hon.  Isaac  Mills,  secretary  of  the  com- 
pany, with  others  interested,  left  Connecticut 
to  be  present  at  these  negotiations.  Cleve- 
land was  the  point  first  designated  for  hold- 
ing the  treaty.  But,  upon  their  arrival,  it 
was  ascertained  that  the  influence  of  the 
British  agents  among  the  Indians  was  so 
great  as  to  occasion  them  to  refuse  to  treat 
with  the  agents  of  the  United  States,  unless 
they  would  come  into  their  own  territory,  on 
the  Miami  of  the  Lakes,  as  the  Maumee  was 
then  termed.  Having  arrived  at  the  Mau- 
mee, they  found  several  agents  of  the  British 
government  among  the  Indians,  using  every 
possible  effort  to  prevent  any  negotiation 


whatever,  and  it  was  fifteen  or  twenty  days 
before  they  could  bring  them  to  any  reason- 
able terms.  Soon  after  the  conclusion  of  the 
treaty,  the  settlements  commenced  upon  the 
fire-lands. 

It  is  quite  difficult  to  ascertain  who  the 
first  settlers  were  upon  the  fire-lands.  As 
early,  if  not  prior  to  the  organization  of  the 
State,  several  persons  had  squatted  upon  the 
lands,  at  the  mouth  of  the  streams  and  near 
the  shore  of  the  lake,  led  a hunter’s  life  and 
trafficked  with  the  Indians.  But  they  were 
a race  of  wanderers  and  gradually  disappeared 
before  the  regular  progress  of  the  settle- 
ments. Those  devoted  missionaries,  the  Mo- 
ravians, made  a settlement,  which  they  called 
New  Salem,  as  early  as  1790,  on  Huron  river, 
about  two  miles  below  Milan,  on  the  Hath- 
away farm.  They  afterwards  settled  at 
Milan. 

The  first  regular  settlers  upon  the  fire-lands 
were  Col.  Jerard  Ward,  who  came  in  the 
spring  of  1808,^  and  Almon  Buggies  and 
Jabez  Wright,  in  the  autumn  succeeding. 
Ere  the  close  of  the  next  year,  quite  a num- 
ber of  families  had  settled  in  the  townships 
of  Huron,  Florence,  Berlin,  Oxford,  Marga- 
retta,  Portland  and  Vermillion.  These  early 
settlers  generally  erected  the  ordinary  log- 
cabin,  but  others  of  a wandering  character 
built  bark  huts,  which  were  made  by  driving 
a post  at  each  of  the  four  corners  and  one 
higher  between  each  of  the  two  end  corners, 
in  the  middle,  to  support  the  roof,  which 


^Lanman’s  Michigan. 

t Whittlesey’s  address  on  Bouquet’s  expedition. 

i For  some  facts  connected  with  the  history  of  the  fire-lands,  see  sketch  of  the  Western  Eeserve,  to 
be  found  elsewhere  in  this  work. 


566 


ERIE  COUNTY. 


were  connected  together  by  a ridge-pole. 
Layers  of  bark  were  wound  around  the  side 
of  the  posts,  each  upper  layer  lapping  the 
one  beneath  to  shed  rain.  The  roof  was 
barked  over,  strips  being  bent  across  from 
one  eave  over  the  ridge-pole  to  the  other  and 
secured  by  poles  on  them.  The  occupants 
of  these  bark  huts  were  squatters,  and  lived 
principally  by  hunting.  They  were  the  semi- 
civilized  race  that  usually  precedes  the  more 
substantial  pioneer  in  the  western  wilderness. 

For  two  or  three  years '^previous  to  the  late 
war,  the  inhabitants  were  so  isolated  from 
other  settlements  that  no  supplies  could  be 
had,  and  there  was  much  suffering  for  want 
of  food  and  clothing ; at  times,  whole  fami- 
lies subsisted  for  weeks  together  on  nothing 
but  parched  and  pounded  corn,  with  a very 
scanty  supply  of  wild  meat.  Indeed,  there 
was  not  a family  in  the  fire-lands,  between 
1809  and  ’15,  who  did  not  keenly  feel  the 
want  of  both  food  and  clothing.  Wild  meat, 
it  is  true,  could  usually  be  procured ; but 
living  on  this  alone  would  much  enfeeble  and 
disease  any  one  but  an  Indian  or  a hunter 
accustomed  to  it  for  years. 

For  even  several  years  after  the  war  rac- 
coon caps,  with  the  fur  outside,  and  deerskin 
jackets  and  pantaloons,  were  almost  univer- 
sally worn.  The  deerskin  pantaloons  could 
not  be  very  well  tanned,  and  when  dried, 
after  being  wet,  were  hard  and  inflexible : 
when  thrown  upon  the  floor  they  bounded 
and  rattled  like  tin  kettles.  A man,  in  a 
cold  winter’s  morning,  drawing  on  a pair, 
was  in  about  as  comfortable  a position  as  if 
thrusting  his  limbs  into  a couple  of  frosty 
stove-pipes. 

To  add  to  the  trials  and  hardships  of  the 
early  settlers,  it  soon  became  very  sickly,  and 
remained  so  for  several  years.  The  follow- 
ing is  but  one  of  the  many  touching  scenes 
of  privation  and  distress  that  might  be  re- 
lated : 

A young  man  with  his  family  settled  not 
far  from  the  Huron  river,  building  his  cabin 
in  the  thick  woods,  distant  from  any  other 
settlement.  During  the  summer  he  cleared 
a small  patch,  and  in  the  fall  became  sick  and 
died.  Soon  after,  a hunter  on  his  way  home, 
passing  by  the  clearing,  saw  everything  still 
about  the  cabin,  mistrusted  all  was  not  right, 
and  knocked  at  the  door  to  inquire.  A fee- 
ble voice  bade  him  enter.  Opening  the  door 
he  was  startled  by  the  appearance  of  the 
woman,  sitting  by  the  fire,  pale,  emaciated, 
and  holding  a puny,  sickly  babe  ! He  imme- 
diately inquired  their  health.  She  burst 
into  tears  and  was  unable  to  answer.  The 
hunter  stood  for  a moment  aghast  at  the 
scene.  The  woman,  recovering  from  her 
gush  of  sorrow,  at  length  raised  her  head 
and  pointed  towards  the  bed,  saying,  “There 
is  my  little  Edward — I expect  he  is  dying — 
and  here  is  my  babe,  so  sick  I cannot  lay  it 
down  ; I am  so  feeble  I can  scarcely  remain 
in  my  chair,  and  my  poor  husband  lies  buried 
beside  the  cabin  ! ” and  then,  as  if  frantic  by 
the  fearful  recital,  she  exclaimed  in  a tone  of 
the  deepest  anguish,  “ Oh  ! that  I was  back 


to  my  own  country,  where  I could  fall  into 
the  arms  of  my  mother!”  Tears  of  sym- 
pathy rolled  down  the  weather-beaten  cheeks 
of  the  iron-framed  hunter  as  he  rapidly 
walked  away  for  assistance.  It  was  a touch- 
ing scene. 

^ A majority  of  the  inhabitants  of  this  pe- 
riod were  of  upright  characters  ; bold,  daring 
and  somewhat  restless,  but  generous-minded. 
Although  enduring  great  privations,  much 
happiness  fell  to  the  kind  of  life  they  were 
leading.  One  of  them  says  : “When  I look 
back  upon  the  first  few  years  of  our  residence 
here,  I am  led  to  exclaim,  0 1 happy  days 
of  primitive  simplicity  1 What  little  aristo- 
cratic feeling  any  one  might  have  brought 
with  him  was  soon  quelled,  for  we  soon  found 
ourselves  equally  dependent  on  one  another  * 
and  we  enjoyed  our  winter  evenings  around 
our  blazing  hearths  in  our  log-huts  cracking 
nuts  full  as  well,  aye  ! much  better  than  has 
fallen  to  our  lots  since  the  distinctions  and 
animosities  consequent  upon  the  acquisition 
of  wealth  have  crept  in  among  us.” 

Another  pioneer  says  : “In  illustration  of 
that  old  saw, 

‘A  man  wants  but  little  here  below, 

Nor  wants  that  little  long,’ 

I relate  the  following.  A year  or  two  after 
we  arrived,  a.  visit  was  got  up  by  the  ladies, 
in  order  to  call  on  a neighboring  family  who 
lived  a little  out  of  the  common  way.  The 
hostess  was  very  much  pleased  to  see  them, 
and  immediately  commenced  preparing  the 
usual  treat  on  such  occasions — a cup  of  tea 
and  its  accompaniments.  As  she  had  but 
one  fire-proof  vessel  in  the  house,  an  old 
broken  bake  kettle,  it,  of  course,  must  take 
some  time.  In  the  first  place,  some  pork  was 
tried  up  in  the  kettle  to  get  lard — secondly, 
some  cakes  were  made  and  fried  in  it — 
thirdly,  some  shortcakes  were  made  in  it — 
fourthly,  it  was  used  as  a bucket  to  draw 
wditer— fifthly,  the  water  was  heated  jn  it ; 
and  sixthly  and  lastly,  the  tea  was  put  in  and 
a very  sociable  dish  of  tea  they  had.  In 
those  good  old  times,  perfectly  fresh  to  my 
recollection,  the  young  men  asked  nothing 
better  than  buckskin  pantaloons  to  go  a 
courting  in,  and  the  young  ladies  were  not 
too  proud  to  go  to  meeting  barefoot.” 

The  following  little  anecdote  illustrates  tlu- 
intrepidity  of  a lady  in  indulging  her  socia> 
feelings.  A gentleman  settled  with  his  fam- 
ily about  two  miles  west  of  the  Vermillion 
river  without  a neighbor  near  him.  Soon 
after  a man  and  wife  settled  on  the  opposite 
side  of  the  river,  three  miles  distant ; the 
lady  on  the  west  side  was  very  anxious  to 
visit  her  stranger  neighbor  on  the  east,  and 
sent  her  a message  setting  a day  when  she 
should  make  her  visit,  and  at  the  time  ap- 
pointed went  down  to  cross  the  river  with  her 
husband,  but  found  it  so  swollen  with  recent 
rains  as  to  render  it  impossible  to  cross  on 
foot.  There  was  no  canoe  or  horse  in  that 
part  of  the  country.  The  obstacle  was  appa- 
rently insurmountable.  Fortunately  the  man 
on  the  other  side  w^as  fertile  in  expedients ; 


ERIE  COUNTY, 


567 


he  yoked  up  his  oxen,  anticipating  the  event, 
and  arrived  at  the  river  just  as  the  others 
were  about  to  leave.  Springing  upon  the  back 
of  one  of  the  oxen  he  rode  him  across  the 
river,  and  when  he  had  reached  the  west 
bank,  the  lady,  Europa-like,  as  fearlessly 
sprang  on  the  back  of  the  other  ox,  and  they 
were  both  borne  across  the  raging  waters,  and 
safely  landed  upon  the  opposite  bank  ; and 
when  she  had  concluded  her  visit,  she  returned 
in  the  same  manner.  The  lady  still  lives  on 
the  same  spot,  and  is  noted  for  her  goodness 
of  heart  and  cultivated  manners. 

Early  in  the  settlement  of  the  fire-lands 
the  landholders  injudiciously  raised  the  price 
of  land  to  $5  per  acre.  The  lands  belonging 
to  the  general  government  on  the  west  were 
opened  for  sale  at  $2  per  acre  ; immigration 
ceased,  and  as  most  of  the  settlers  had 
bought  their  land  on  a credit,  the  hard  times 
which  followed  the  last  war  pressed  severely 
upon  them,  and  the  settlements  languished. 

Money  was  so  scarce  in  1820  and  1822,  that 
even  those  who  had  their  farms  paid  for  were 
in  the  practice  of  laying  up  sixpences  and 
shillings  for  many  months  to  meet  their 
taxes.  All  kinds  of  trade  were  carried  on  by 
barter.  Many  settlers  left  their  improve- 
ments and  removed  farther  west,  finding 
themselves  unable  to  pay  for  their  lands. 

The  first  exports  of  produce  of  any  conse- 
quence commenced  in  1817 ; in  1818  the 
article  of  salt  was  $8  per  barrel ; flour  was 
then  $10,  and  a poor  article  at  that. 

There  was  no  market  for  several  years  be- 
yond the  wants  of  the  settlers,  which  was 
sufficient  to  swallow  up  all  the  surplus  prod- 
ucts of  the  farmer ; but  when  such  an  outlet 
was  wanted,  it  was  found  at  Detroit,  Monroe 
and  the  other  settlements  in  the  upper  regions 
of  Lake  Erie.  As  to  the  commercial  advan- 
tages, there  was  a sufficient  number  of  vessels 
on  the  lake  to  do  the  business  of  the  country, 
which  was  done  at  the  price  of  $2. 50  per  bar- 
rel bulk,  from  Buffalo  to  this  place,  a dis- 

Sandusky  in  1846. — Sandusky,  the  county-seat,  is  situated  on  Sandusky  bay, 
105  miles  north  of  Columbus,  and  60  from  Cleveland  and  Detroit.  Its  situation 
is  pleasant,  rising  gradually  from  the  lake,  and  commanding  a fine  view  of  it. 
The  town  is  based  upon  an  inexhaustible  quarry  of  the  finest  limestone,  which  is 
not  only  used  in  building  elegant  and  substantial  edifices  in  the  town,  but  is  an 
extensive  article  of  export.  A few  hundred  yards  back  from  the  lake  is  a large 
and  handsome  public  square  on  which,  fronting  the  lake,  are  the  principal  churches 
and  public  buildings.  The  first  permanent  settlement  at  Sandusky  City  was  made 
in  June,  1817,  at  which  time  the  locality  was  called  Ogontz  place,  from  an  Indian 
chief  who  resided  here  previous  to  the  war  of  1812.  The  town  was  laid  out 
under  the  name  of  Portland,  in  1817,  by  its  proprietors,  Hon.  Zalmon  Wildman, 
of  Danbury,  Ct.,  and  Hon.  Isaac  Mills,  of  New  Haven,  in  the  same  State.  On 
the  first  of  July  of  that  year,  a small  store  of  goods  was  opened  -by  Moores  Far- 
well,  in  the  employment  of  Mr.  Wildman.  The  same  building  is  now  standing 
on  the  bay  shore,  and  is  occupied  by  Mr.  West.  There  were  at  this  time  but  two 
log-huts  in  the  place  besides  the  store,  which  was  a frame,  and  had  been  erected 
the  year  previous.  One  of  the  huts  stood  on  the  site  of  the  Verandah  hotel,  and 
the  other  some  sixty  rods  east.  The  first  frame  dwelling  was  erected  by  Wm.  B. 
Smith  in  the  fall  of  1817,  the  second  soon  after  by  Cyrus  W.  Marsh,  and  a third 


tance  of  250  miles.  Now  goods  are  trans- 
ported from  New  York  to  Sandusky  City  as 
low  as  forty-seven  cents  per  hundred,  or  $9 
per  ton.  Most  kinds  of  merchandise  sold  at 
a sale  corresponding  to  the  prices  of  freight. 
Domestic  shirtings  from  fifty  to  sixty-two 
cents  and  satinets  $2. 50  to  $3. 50  per  yard ; 
green  teas  $1.50  to  $2.50  per  pound  ; brown 
sugar  from  twenty-five  to  thirty  cents  per 
pound ; loaf  from  forty  to  fifty  per  pound, 
etc. , etc.  Butter  was  worth  twenty-five  cents, 
and  corn  $1.00  per  bushel.  As  to  wheat 
there  was  scarcely  a price  known  for  some  of 
the  first  years ; the  inhabitants  mostly  de- 
pended on  buying  flour  by  the  barrel  on  ac- 
count of  the  want  of  mills. 

The  Indians  murdered  several  of  the  in- 
habitants in  the  fire-lands.  One  of  the  most 
barbarous  murders  was  committed  in  the 
spring  of  1812,  upon  Michael  Gibbs  and  one 
Buel,  who  lived  together  in  a cabin  about  a 
mile  southeast  of  the  present  town  of  San- 
dusky. The  murderers  were  two  Indians 
named  Semo  and  Omic.  The  whites  went  in 
pursuit  of  them  ; Omic  was  taken  to  Cleve- 
land, tried,  found  guilty  and  executed. 
Semo  was  afterwards  demanded  of  his  tribe, 
and  they  were  about  to  give  him  up,  when, 
anticipating  his  fate,  he  gave  the  war-whoop, 
and  shot  himself  through  the  heart. 

In  the  late  war,  previous  to  Perry’s  victory, 
the  inhabitants  were  in  much  dread  of  the 
Indians.  Some  people  upon  Huron  river 
were  captured  by  them,  and  also  at  the  head 
of  Cold  creek,  where  a Mrs.  Putnam  and  a 
whole  family  by  the  name  of  Snow  (the  man 
excepted)  were  attacked.  Mrs.  Snow  and 
one  little  child  were  cruelly  butchered,  and 
the  rest  taken  captive,  together  with  a Mrs. 
Butler  and  a girl  named  Page,  and  carried  to 
Canada.  They  were,  however,  released  or 
purchased  by  the  whites  a few  months  after. 
Other  depredations  and  murders  were  com- 
mitted by  the  savages. 


568 


ERIE  COUNTY. 


in  the  succeeding  spring  by  Moores  Farwell.  The  Methodist  Episcopal  church,  a 
small  frame  building,  and  the  first  built,  was  erected  in  1830  ; the  Episcopal  and 
Presbyterian  churches  in  1835;  the  Wesleyan  chapel  in  1836,  and  the  rest  since. 
Sandusky  contains  1 Episcopal,  1 Methodist,  1 Congregational,  1 Peformed  Meth- 
odist, 1 Catholic  and  1 German  Lutheran  church,  1 high  school,  a large  number 
of  dry-goods  and  grocery  stores,  several  forwarding  and  commission  houses,  2 
furnaces,  1 oil  mill,  2 'extensive  machine  shops  for  the  manufacture  of  the  iron  for 
railroad  cars,  2 printing  offices,  2 banks,  and  a population  estimated  at  3,000. 
This  town  is  now  very  thriving,  and  promises  to  be,  ere  many  years,  a large  city. 
A great  impetus  has  been  given  to  its  prosperity  by  the  construction  of  two  rail- 
roads which  terminate  here ; the  first,  the  Mad  River  and  Little  Miami  railroad, 
connects  it  with  Cincinnati ; the  other  connects  it  with  Mansfield,  from  which  place 
it  is  constructing  through  Mount  Vernon  and  Newark  to  Columbus:  a branch 
will  diverge  from  Newark  to  Zanesville.  This  last  is  one  of  the  best  built  rail- 
roads in  the  country,  and  is  doing  a very  heavy  transportation  business.  The 
commerce  of  Sandusky  City  is  heavy,  and  constantly  increasing.  The  arrivals  at 
this  port  in  1846  were  447,  clearances  441 ; and  843,746  bushels  of  wheat  were 
among  the  articles  exported.  On  the  farm  of  Isaac  A.  Mills,  west  of  the  town,  are 
some  ancient  works  and  mounds.  In  the  late  Canadian  patriot  war,^’  this  city 
was  a rendezvous  for  patriots  ; they  had  an  action  on  the  ice  near  Point-au- 
Pelee  island  with  British  cavalry  in  the  winter  of  1838.  They  were  under  Capt. 
Bradley,  of  this  city,  who  has  since  commanded  a company  of  volunteers  in  the 
war  with  Mexico.  In  this  action  the  patriots  ’’  behaved  with  cool  bravery,  and 
although  attacked  by  a superior  force,  delivered  their  fire  Avith  steadiness,  and  re- 
pelled their  enemy  with  considerable  loss. — Old  Edition. 

Sandusky  City,  on  Sandusky  bay,  an  inlet  of  Lake  Erie,  is  100  miles  north 
of  Columbus  and  midway  between  Cleveland  and  Toledo.  It  is  on  the  line  of 
the  L.  S.  & M.  S.  ; I.  B.  & W. ; L.  .E.  A.  & S. ; and  S.  M.  & N.  railroads.  County 
Officers  in  1888  : Probate  Judge,  Albert  E.  Merrill ; Clerk  of  Court,  Silas  E. 
Bander;  Sheriff,  Thos.  A.  Hughes ; Prosecuting  Attorney,  Cyrus  B.  Winters ; 
Auditor,  Win.  J.  Bonn;  Treasurer,  Jas.  Alder ; Recorder,  John  Strickland  ; Sur- 
veyor, Albert  W.  Judson ; Coroner,  Louis  S.  Szendery  ; Commissioners,  William 
Zimmerman,  Jas.  Douglass,  John  L.  Hull.  Newspapers : Register,  Republican, 
J.  F.  Mack  & Bro.,  editors  and  proprietors ; Journcd,  Democratic,  C.  C.  Bittur, 
editor  and  publisher ; Democrat,  German,  Democratic.  Churches : 1 Congrega- 
tional, 4 Episcopal,  3 Catholic,  1 Baptist,  1 Colored  Baptist,  1 Presbyterian,  1 Friends, 
1 Methodist  Episcopal,  1 Colored  Methodist,  4 German  Evangelical,  1 German  Lu- 
theran and  1 German  Methodist.  Banks  : Citizens’  National,  A.  E.  Merrill,  pres- 
ident, Henry  Graefe,  cashier ; Moss  National,  A.  H.  Moss,  president,  Horace  O. 
Moss,  cashier ; Second  National,  R.  B.  Hubbard,  president,  A.  W.  Prout,  cashier ; 
Third  National,  LaAvrence  Cable,  president,  E.  P.  Zollinger,  cashier. 

Principal  Industries  and  Employees. — D.  J.  BroAvn  & Co.,  hoops,  etc.,  35  hands ; 
Germania  Basket  Company,  baskets,  31  ; George  W.  Icsman,  saAV  mills ; Sandusky 
Tool  Company,  edge  tools,  230 ; Ohlemacher  Lime  Company,  lime,  34 ; J.  B. 
Johnston  & Co.,  lime,  14  ; Kilbourne  & Co.,  cooperage,  20  ; J.  T.  Johnson,  plan- 
ing mill,  31 ; B.  & O.  R.  R.  Shops,  railroad  repairs,  130  ; B.  & O.  Grain  EleA^ator ; 
J.  M.  Soncrant,  cooperage,  20  ; Johnson,  Kunz  & Co.,  lime ; Schoeffie  & Sloane, 
doors,  sash,  etc.,  45  ; Woolsey  Wheel  Company,  carriage  Avheels,  etc.,  143;  B.  B. 
Hubbard  & Son,  planing-mill ; August  Kunzman,  carriages,  etc.,  10 ; Lea,  Her- 
bert & Co.,  planing-mill,  22  ; Sandusky  Machine  and  Agricultural  Works,  en- 
gines, reapers,  etc.,  45  ; Barney  & Kilby,  engines,  etc.,  206  ; J.  C.  Butler  & Co., 
doors,  sash,  etc.,  142  ; Eureka  Lumber  Company,  planing-mill,  etc.,  44  ; I.  B.  & 
W.  R.  R.  Shops,  railroad  repairs,  164  ; The  Sandusky  Wheel  Company,  carriage 
Avheels,  etc.,  260  ; Anthony  Ilg  & Co.,  lager  beer,  12  ; Albert  ScliAAHir,  cigar  boxes, 
37  ; Portland  Boiler  Company ; Frank  Slang,  lager  beer,  15  ; J.  Kuebler  & Co., 
lager  beer,  22 ; Hinde,  Hansen  & Co.,  paper,  18  ; J.  S.  CoAvdery,  crayons,  chalk. 


ERIE  COUNTY, 


569 


etc.,  42  ; G.  B.  Hodgeman  Manufacturing  Company,  cooperage,  112. — State  Report 
for  1887,  Population  in  1880,  15,838.  School  census  in  1886,  5,861  ; Alston 
Ellis,  superintendent, 

Sandusky  has  the  largest  and  best  harbor  on  the  great  chain  of  lakes,  having 
the  advantage  of  a large  and  land-locked  bay,  while  the  other  lake  ports  are 
mostly  but  the  mouths  of  rivers.  This  bay  is  eighteen  miles  in  length,  furnishing 
ample  room  for  all  the  water  craft  that  ever  could  be  required. 


Drawn  by  Henry  Howe  in  1846. 

The  Harbor  of  Sandusky. 


It  is  claimed  for  Sandusky  that  in  the  manufacture  of  wheels  and  other  wood 
implements  that  it  exceeds  any  other  city  of  the  Union  ; that  of  the  1,800  hands 
in  its  shops  and  factories  an  unusual  per  cent,  are  skilled  mechanics,  and  married 
men,  and  very  largely  own  the  houses  in  which  they  live. 

Ohio  Soldiers’  and  Sailors’  Home. — In  the  latter  part  of  the  year  1885  P.  R. 
Brown,  Commander  of  the  Department  of  Ohio,  G.  A.  R.,  learned  that  some  old 
soldiers,  survivors  of  the  civil  war,  were  living  in  county  infirmaries.  He  imme- 
diately set  inquiries  on  foot  and  learned  by  the  end  of  the  year  that  there  were  300 
sueh ; and  that  many  others,  equally  destitute,  were  supported  by  private  benevolence. 
Soon  after  Gov.  ForakePs  inauguration,  in  January,  1886,  Commander  Brown 
conferred  with  him,  and  found  his  sympathies  warmly  enlisted. 


A bill  was  introduced  in  the  legislature  and 
met  with  such  general  favor,  that  on  the  30th 
of  January  an  act  was  passed  to  establish 
“The  Ohio  Soldiers’  and  Sailors’  Home,” 
for  all  honorably  discharged  soldiers,  sailors, 
and  marines  who  have  served  the  United 
States  government  in  any  of  its  wars,  and 
who  are  citizens  of  Ohio  at  the  date  of  the 
passage  of  this  act,  and  are  not  able  to  sup- 
port themselves,  ete.,  etc.,  and  who  cannot 
gain  admission  to  the  national  military  homes. 

The  Governor  appointed  I.  F.  Mack,  of 
Sandusky ; R.  B.  Brown,  of  Zanesville  ; Bur- 
bin  Ward,  of  Lebanon  ; W.  P.  Orr,  of  Piqua; 
and  Thomas  T.  Bill,  of  Mansfield,  trustees. 
Burbin  Ward  dying,  Thomas  R.  Paxton,  of 
Cincinnati,  was  appointed  in  his  place,  and  I. 
F.  Mack  was  elected  president,  and  R.  B. 
Brown,  secretary. 

The  board,  on  the  31st  of  July,  having  pre- 
viously examined  many  titles  in  various  parts 
of  the  State,  resolved  to  establish  the  Home 
near  Sandusky . _ On  the  1 9th  of  August,  they 
selected  as  the  site  ninety  acres  of  breezy  land, 
partly  wooded,  a mile  outside  the  corporate 
limits  of  the  city  ; the  land  being  donated  to 
the  State,  and  guarantees  being  given  for  the 
construction  of  a large  stone  sewer  from  the 
grounds  to  the  lake,  of  mains  for  water,  gas, 
electricity,  a railway  switch  to  the  grounds 


and  two  fine  avenues  100  feet  in  width  as  out- 
lets. The  grounds  will  be  beautifully  orna- 
mented, the  attractive  features  including  a 
chain  of  lakes  and  shelter  house. 

The  terms  have  been  fulfilled  by  the  county, 
the  city,  and  by  citizens.  The  legislature  has 
been  liberal  in  making  appropriations  from 
time  to  time  ; the  trustees  have  been  earnest 
in  the  work  and  have  enjoyed  the  hearty  co- 
operation of  the  governor. 

Plans  have  been  adopted  for  buildings  tc 
accommodate  about  1,000  inmates,  and  arc 
now  in  course  of  construction  ; they  consist 
of  thirteen  cottages  of  four  different  designs, 
dining  and  kitchen  building,  power-house, 
laundry  and  bath-rooms,  hospital,  chapel, 
conservatory,  and  the  administration  building, 
in  which  are  located  the  offices  of  the  com- 
mandant and  his  assistants  and  of  the  Board 
of  Trustees.  The  buildings  are  of  the  best 
Ohio  limestone  and  sandstone,  and  from  an 
architectural  point  of  view  present  a hand- 
some appearance. 

The  land  lies  between  forty  and  fifty  feet 
above  the  level  of  the  lake,  and  no  higher 
land  is  near.  The  buildings  are  admirably 
designed,  and  are  thoroughly  built,  with  ex- 
terior walls  of  stone  and  partitions  of  brick. 
No  building  is  more  than  two  stories  high. 
They  will  be  comfortable  and  healthful,  and 


570 


ERIE  COUNTY. 


the  architectural  effect  jof  the  mass  will  be 
handsome  and  imposing. 

The  board  is  to  be  congratulated  on  its 
choice  of  Gen.  M.  F.  Force,  of  Cincinnati, 
for  commandant,  a gentleman  of  rare  ability, 
singular  modesty  and  worth,  under  whose 
management  the  Home  will  assuredly  meet 
the  best  purposes  for  which  it  is  designed. 

When  the  Civil  war  of  1861  was  fairly  in- 
augumted  Gen.  Force  was  a practicing  attor- 
ney in  Cincinnati.  He  joined  a military 
company,  and  was  soon  after  promoted  to  the 
lieutenant-colonelcy  of  the  Twentieth  Ohio, 
apd  at  Camp  Chase  proved  to  be  an  excellent 
drill  officer.  The  history  of  the  Twentieth 
shows  what  efficiency  he  developed  as  a com- 
manding officer  of  the  regiment,  the  brigade, 
and  eventually  of  the  division.  Stooping  over 
his  wounded  friend.  Adjutant  Walker,  in  the 
terrible  conflict  at  Atlanta,  he  received  a bul- 
let through  his  face  just  below  the  eye,  and 
he  now  bears  upon  his  frontlet  the  honored 


scar  of  battle  for  his  country.  When  the 
army  disbanded  Gen.  Force  returned  to  civil 
life,  and  was  elected  a judge  of  the  Superior 
Court  of  Hamilton  county,  which  office  he 
held  until  his  resignation  in  1887. 

The  late  Col.  Charles  Whittlesey  wrote  of 
him  : “ From  his  father,  the  late  Peter  Force, 
of  Washington,  he  inherits  a taste  for  litera- 
ture, especially  for  history  and  ethnology. 
His  publications,  especially  those  upon  the 
theory  of  evolution,  devised  by  Darwin,  and 
upon  the  character  of  the  Mound  Builders, 
also  upon  his  war  memoranda,  filling  one 
volume  of  the  Scribner  Series,  display  calm 
and  faithful  investigation  with  a clear  and 
facile  mode  of  expression.  His  address 
delivered  at  the  first  reunion  of  the  Twentieth 
Regiment,  on  the  anniversary  of  the  battle 
of  Shiloh  Church,  April  6,  1876,  shows  the 
finish  of  his  style  and  the  close  personal  rela- 
tions that  existed  with  his  men.  ’ ’ 


Ohio  State  Fish  Hatchery. — On  the  eastern  margin  of  Sandusky,  by  the  water- 
side, in  a small,  one-story,  frame  building  of  two  rooms,  is  located  the  Ohio 
State  Fish  Hatchery.  Small  and  unpretentious  as  the  quarters  are,  neverthe- 
less a work  of  great  importance  goes  on  within  their  limits,  and  it  is  to  be  hoped 
that  our  State  government  will  take  measures  for  the  greater  development  of 
this  useful  institution.  With  great  increase  in  the  needs  of  its  people,  a wise 
government  makes  provision  for  keeping  its  food  supplies  unimpoverished. 
The  Ohio  State  Fish  Hatchery  was  founded  some  twelve  years  ago  at  Toledo. 
Some  years  later  the  Sandusky  branch  was  started,  and  then,  owing  to  a cut- 
ting down  of  funds,  that  at  Toledo  was  closed. 

The  establishment  at  Sandusky  is  under  the  charge  of  Superintendent  Henry 
Douglass,  assisted  by  George  W.  Littleton  and  six  or  seven  extra  assistants  en- 
gaged during  the  hatching  seasons.  But  two  kinds  of  fish  have  as  yet  been 
hatched,  pickerel  and  white  fish;  of  these,  65,000,000  pickerel  and  100,000,000 
white  fish  were  hatched  during  the  past  season,  1887-1888. 


About  April  1st  the  pickerel  eggs  are  taken 
and  about  October  1st  the  white  fish  eggs. 
These  are  procured  from  fish  caught  in  nets 
on  Lake  Erie.  From  the  females  (which  can 
be  distinguished  by  their  unusual  size)  the 
eggs  are  squeezed  in  three-gallon  pans  (eggs 
from  three  females  to  each  pan).  Next  six 
male  fish  are  picked  out  and  the  impregnating 
fluid  squeezed  from  them  into  the  pan. 
Males  and  females  are  then  thrown  back  into 
the  lake,  and  the  pans  containing  the  impreg- 
nated eggs  are  taken  to  the  hatchery. 

In  the  larger  of  the  two  rooms  of  the 
hatchery  are  ranged  on  each  side  and  in  the 
centre  a series  of  wooden  troughs,  and  below 
each  trough  a row  of  glass  jars  about  two  feet 
high  and  six  or  seven  inches  in  diameter. 
Above  each  jar  is  a wooden  faucet  connected 
by  a rubber  hose  a few  inches  long  to  a thick 
glass  tube  in  the  centre  of  the  jar  and  of  the 
same  length  as  the  jar.  Four  small  “feet” 
at  the  bottom  of  the  tube  permit  the  water 
to  flow  from  it  up  through  the  jar  to  its  top 
where  it  is  discharged  into  another,^  thence 
through  other  jars  and  so  on.  The  impreg- 
nated eggs  are  placed  in  these  jars  and  the 


water  turned  on.  The  water  is  lake  Water 
supplied  from  the  city  water  works.  It  is 
kept  cold,  sometimes  freezing,  as  the  eggs  and 
the  fish  have  to  be  kept  cold  until  placed  in 
the  streams. 

After  the  eggs  are  placed  in  the  jars  they 
must  be  kept  constantly  moving,  and  are 
watched  night  and  day,  that  they  may  not 
adhere  to  each  other  or  the  sides  of  the  jars 
as  soon  as  an  egg  spoils  (which  is  discovered 
by  its  failure  to  change  color)  it  must  be  re- 
moved ; this  is  done  with  a feather. 

At  the  first  the  eggs  have  a kind  of  cream 
color,  from  which  they  change  in  a month  to 
a much  darker  color,  then  in  six  weeks  back 
to  their  original  hue,  and  alternate  colors  in 
that  manner  until  hatched,  which  is  about  two 
to  four  weeks  for  pickerel  and  five  months  for 
white  fish.  When  hatched  the  pickerel  are 
about  one-quarter  of  an  inch  long  and  the 
white  fish  half  an  inch.  Each  fi^  is  found 
to  have  a food  sack  containing  a viscid  color- 
less substance  which  sustains  its  life  from 
three  to  four  weeks,  but  what  they  live  on 
after  that  is  unknown.  In  about  a year  they 
grow  to  weigh  a pound  and  increase  in  weight 


ERIE  COUNTY, 


571 


each  succeeding  year,  until  the  pickerel  attains 
a weight  of  fifteen  to  eighteen  pounds  and  the 
white  fish  a weight  of  twenty  pounds. 

The  freshly  hatched  fish  are  given  away  to 
any  one  making  application  for  them,  the 
only  requirement  being  that  they  be  placed  in 
some  inland  stream  or  lake.  They  are  put 
up  in  cans  similar  to  milk  cans  and  are  dis- 
tributed according  to  order  by  the  agents  of 
the  hatchery  who  travel  through  all  parts  of 
the  State.  Pickerel  only  are  placed  in  streams- 
as  the  white  fish  will  not  live  in  streams,  but 
large  numbers  of  the  young  white  fish  have 
been  placed  in  Lake  Erie,  resulting  in  an  ap- 
parent increase  in  the  supply. 

After  years  of  effort  it  has  been  found  im- 
possible to  hatch  bass  or  perch.  ^ The  difficulty 
lies  in  obtaining  the  impregnating  fluid  from 


the  males,  who  at  the  season  of  impregnation 
go  into  deep  water  and  defy  all  efforts  to  cap- 
ture them.  Experiments  have  been  made  by 
keeping  them  in  captivity,  but  without  avail. 

The  only  way  that  lakes  can  be  stocked  with 
bass  is  to  catch  the  young  fish  with  nets  and 
transport  them  to  where  they  are  wanted. 

This  is  often  done.  A year  ago  a lot  of 
herring  were  hatched  and  placed  in  some 
lakes  east  of  Cleveland,  and  if  they  thrive 
the  hatching  of  herring  will  be  made  one  of 
the  features  of  the  hatchery.  Lake  Erie 
abounds  with  them..  They  are  a small  fish, 
weighing  but  a pound  when  full  grown,  but 
are  very  good^  eating.  Some  experiments  in 
the  propagation  of  cat-fish  are  also  to  be 
undertaken  shortly. 


When  the  first  settlers  under  the  Fire-Lands  Company  arrived  at  Sandusky 
they  found  on  the  present  site  of  the  town  a village  of  Ottawa  Indians^  and  on  the 
peninsula  some  French-Canadian  settlers. 


THE  STORY  OF  OGONTZ. 

The  whole  settlement  was  under  the  con- 
trol of  an  Indian  chief  named  Ogontz.  He 
was  in  many  respects  a remarkable  man. 
Having  been  found  when  a babe  in  an  Indian 
village  in  the  far  Northwest,  whose  inhabi- 
tants had  all  either  died  off  or  fled  from 
smallpox,  he  was  taken  charge  of  by  French 
Catholic  priests  near  Quebec,  and  educated 
for  a missionary  among  the  Indians,  and  about 
the  time  of  the  outbreak  of  the  Revolution 
went  among  the  Ottawas  to  preach  Chris- 
tianity. 

He  had  a strong  dislike  of  the  British  pro- 
vincial government,  and  having  gained  great 
influence  among  the  Ottawas,  he  induced  two 
tribes  and  some  French  people  in  the  neigh- 
borhood to  locate  at  Sandusky,  he  going  with 
them  as  priest  or  father ; at  his  direction  the 
French  settled  on  the  peninsula  and  the 
Indians  on  the  other  side  of  the  bay. 

Finding  he  could  be  more  useful  to  these 
people  as  chief  than  priest,  he  gave  up  his 
holy  office,  was  adopted  into  one  of  the  tribes, 
and  became  its  chief. 

In  an  account  of  his  life  which  he  related 
to  his  friend  and  neighbor,  Mr.  Benajah 
Wolcott,  who,  in  1809,  had  settled  on  the 
peninsula,  he  said : 

“In  my  heart  I had  never  been  a good 
Catholic,  though  I had  tried  to  be  a good 
Christian.  I found  it,  however,  much  easier 
to  make  Catholics  than  Christians  of  other 
Indians.  What  I mean  is,  that  they  were 
much  more  willing  to  observe  the  forms  than 
to  obey  the  laws  of  Christianity,  and  that 
they  grew  no  better  under  my  preaching.  I 
became  discouraged,  and  feared  that  my 
preaching  was  an  imposition  and  I an  im- 
postor.” 

As  priest  the  chief  of  the  other  tribe  had 
been  guided  by  him  and  profited  by  his  coun- 
sels, but  when  Ogontz  became  a chief  his 
jealousy  was  arouseff  and  during  a drunken 
orgie  he  approached  Ogontz  from  behind  and 


tried  to  stab  him,  but  Ogontz  was  on  his 
guard,  and  instead  of  slaying  him  he  was  him' 
self  slain  by  Ogontz. 

Although  Ogontz  had  slain  his  rival  in  self- 
defence  a council  was  held  to  decide  his  fate. 
The  Indian  law  is  “blood  for  blood,”  and  it 
was  very  rarely  that  this  law  was  departed 
from,  and  as  Ogontz  sat  on  a log  facing  the 
lake,  a few  rods  off,  the  council  debated  the 
question  of  life  and  death ; and,  having  de- 
cided, the  messengers  of  the  council  ap- 
proached him.  If  the  decision  had  been 
death  they  would  have  gone  up  behind  and 
tomahawked  him  as  he  sat.  As  they  neared 
him  the  solemn  chief  sat  motionless,  looking 
out  upon  the  expanse  of  water  before  him, 
when  the  messengers  made  a slight  detour 
and  approached  him  face  to  face.  The  coun- 
cil had  spared  his  life. 

Ogontz  adopted  the  son  of  the  chief,  and 
brought  him  up  as  hie  own,  knowing  that 
some  day  that  son  would  kill  him  to  avenge 
his  father’s  death. 

Ogontz  was  ever  for  peace.  Foreseeing  the 
war  of  1812,  he  led  his  people  back  to  Canada, 
as  they  could  not  stay  at  Sandusky  and  remain 
neutral.  He  said  : 

“I  have  done  these  people  (Indians  and 
French)  all  the  good  I could  and  have  kept 
them  at  peace  with  each  other,  and,  so  far  as 
I could,  with  all  the  world  ; but  trouble  wilF 
come  on  us  all  very  soon.  I had  hoped  to 
spend  all  my  days  near  this  bay.  Your  peo- 
ple will  take  our  present  corn-fields  for  them- 
selves, but  we  could  find  others  near  enough 
if  we  could  be  at  peace.  A war  between  your 
people  and  the  British  is  close  at  hand,  and 
when  that  comes  we  must  fly  from  here — all 
of  us.  Indians  are  great  fools  for  taking  part 
in  the  wars  of  the  white  people,  but  they  will 
do  so.  Ottawas  will  join  the  British  and 
Wyandots  will  join  your  people.  ^ I will  not 
fight  in  such  a war.  I wish  your  side  success, 
but  I must  go  with  my  people.” 

When  peace  was  declared  between  the 


572 


ERIE  COUNTY. 


United  States  and  Great  Britain  he  and  his 
tribe  went  from  Canada  to  Maumee  river, 
and  at  a pow-wow  held  there  he  was  mur- 
dered by  his  adopted  son,  meeting  the  death 
he  knew  was  in  store  for  him  when  he 
adopted  the  son  of  the  chief  he  had  slain  in 
self-defence. 

^ The  lodge  of  Ogontz  was  on  the  site  occu- 
pied by  the  national  bank  on  Columbus 
avenue,  between  Market  and  Water  streets. 
The  bank  building  was  originally  the  residence 
of  Eleutheros  Cooke,  and  built  by  him.  His 
son,  the  celebrated  banl^er.  Jay  Cooke,  was 
born  here  in  1821.  The  family  knew  Ogontz 
very  well.  When  a child,  Ogontz  at  times 


carried  the  boy  Jay  on  his  shoulders.  Out 
of  respect  to  his  memory,  Mr.  Cooke  in  after 
years,  when  fame  and  fortune  were  his,  built 
a magnificent  country-seat  at  Ghelton  Hills, 
near  Philadelphia,  which  he  named  Ogontz. 
The  name  of  Ogontz  is  perpetuated  at  San- 
dusky by  a street,  flouring  mills,  a Knight 
Templars’  lodge,  a fire  company,  etc.  When 
making  investigations  years  since  for  a rail- 
road in  the  Lake  Superior  country  Mr.  Cooke 
found  the  name  Ogontz  still  perpetuated 
among  the  Indians,  and  in  the  person  of  a 
boy  whose  acquaintance  he  made,  and  who 
proved  to  be  a grandson  of  the  chief. 


Three  miles  north  of  Sandusky,  in  her  land-locked  bay,  lies  Johnson’s  Island. 
Its  area  is  about  300  acres ; nearly  a mile  long  and  half  that  in  breadth,  gradually 
rising  in  the  centre  to  a height  of  fifty  feet.  It  was  originally  covered  with  heavy 
timber,  and  a favorite  resort  of  the  Indians,  who  came  here  in  the  fishing  season, 
engaged  in  festivities,  and  brought  their  captives  for  torture. 

Its  first  owner  was  E.  W.  Bull,  and  it  was  called  Bull’s  Island,  until  1852, 
when  it  was  purchased  by  L.  B.  Johnson  and  its  name  changed  to  Johnson’s 
Island. 

In  1811  an  effort  was  made  to  found  a town  on  the  island,  and  steps  taken  to 
lay  out  village  lots ; the  custom  house  of  the  port  was  located  here,  but  the  attempt 
was  unsuccessful  and  abandoned. 

In  1861  the  property  was  leased  by  the  government  as  a depot  for  rebel  prison- 
ers. The  necessary  buildings  having  been  erected,  the  first  prisoners  were  installed 
in  their  quarters  in  April,  1862,  under  the  charge  of  Company  A,  Hoffman  Bat- 
talion, which  was  subsequently  increased  to  a full  regiment,  the  128th  O.  V.  I. 

The  number  of  prisoners  was  constantly  varying,  the  largest  number  at  any  one 
time  being  over  3,000 ; but,  from  the  period  of  its  establishment  until  the  close  of 
the  war,  over  15,000  rebels  were  confined  here,  and  owing  to  its  supposed  security, 
the  prisoners  were  largely  composed  of  rebel  officers. 

As  the  war  progressed  floating  rumors  of  an  intended  rescue  by  rebel  sympa- 
thizers in  Canada  came  to  the  ears  of  the  Federal  authorities,  and  the  steamer 
Michigan,”  the  only  United  States  war  vessel  on  Lake  Erie,  was  stationed  here. 
In  September,  1864,  a conspiracy  was  concocted  to  release  the  prisoners,  at  that 
time  numbering  a?  -out  2,400,  arm  -them,  burn  Sandusky,  Cleveland  and  other 
defenseless  lake  cities,  secure  horses,  ride  through  Ohio,  raiding  the  country  on  the 
route,  and  join  the  rebel  army  in  Virginia;  at  the  same  time  the  Michigan” 
was  to  be  captured  and  co-operate  with  the  released  prisoners  on  land.  The  nar- 
rative of  the  occurrences  which  follows  is  abridged  from  that  in  the  Lake  Shore 
Magazine: 

John  Yates  Beall,  a Yirginiaii  of  great 
wealth  and  a graduate  of  Virginia  Univer- 
sity, called  “The  Pirate  of  Lake  Erie,”  was 
the  prime  mover  in  this  conspiracy,  and  was 
aided  in  the  enterprise  by  that  arch  traitor 
and  fiend  Jacob  Thompson,  the  agent  of  the 
Confederate  government. 

September  19,  1864,  the  steamer  “Philo 
Parsons,”  plying  between  Detroit,  Sandusky 
and  the  adjacent  islands,  was  boarded  at 
Sandwich  on  the  Canadian  shore  by  four 
men,  and  at  Malden  by  twenty  more,  who 
brought  an  old  trunk  with  them.  No  sus- 
picions were  aroused,  as  large  numbers  of 
fugitives  were  constantly  travelling  to  and 
from  Canada  at  that  time.  After  leaving 


Kelley’s  Island,  the  clerk,  who  was  in  com- 
mand  of  the  boat,  was  suddenly  confronted 
by  four  men  with  revolvers  pointed  at  his 
head,  the  old  trunk  was  opened,  the  whole 
party  armed  themselves,  and  with  Beall  at 
their  head  took  possession  of  the  boat.  Her 
course  was  altered  and  turned  back  to  Middle 
Bass  Island.  Here  the  “Island  Queen,”  a 
boat  plying  among  the  islands,  came  along- 
side; she  was  immediately  boarded,  and  d- 
though  her  captain  (G.  W.  Orr)  made  a de- 
termined resistance,  she  was  soon  at  the 
mercy  of  the  conspirators,  together  with  a 
large  number  of  passengers.  The  engineer 
of  the  “Queen,”  refusing  to  do  the  bidding 
of  the  captors,  was  shot  through  the  cheek. 


ERIE  COUNTY. 


573 


But  no  discourtesy  was  offered  to  any  one  of 
us  beyond  the  absolute  necessity  of  the  case, 
the  conspirators  being  laigely  educated  men 
from  the  best  families  of  the  South. 

An  oath  of  secrecy  for  twenty-four  hours 
was  extorted  from  the  passengers,  and  they 
were  then  put  ashore,  the  captain  of  the 
“Queen”  being  retained  as  pilot,  a capacity 
in  which  he  refused  to  act.  The  two  steamers 
were  then  lashed  together  and  put  off  toward 
Sandusky ; but  after  proceeding  a few  miles 
the  “Island  Queen”  was  scuttled  and  the 
“Parsons”  continued  alone;  she  did  not  en- 
ter, but  cruised  around  the  mouth  of  San- 
dusky Bay,  waiting  for  the  signal  from  the 
conspirators  on  land.  That  part  of  the  plot 
had,  however,  failed. 

A Confederate  officer  named  Cole,  to  whom 
the  operations  at  Sandusky  had  been  en- 
trusted, had,  as  a Titusville  oil  man,  been 
figuring  very  largely  in  social  circles,  a liberal 
entertainer,  giving  wine  suppers  and  spend- 
ing money  very  freely.  He  had  formed  the 
acquaintance  of  the  officers  of  the  “Michi- 
gan ’ ’ and  had  invited  them  to  a wine  supper 
on  the  evening  of  September  19th.  The 
wine  was  drugged,  and  when  the  officers  had 
succumbed  to  it  a signal  was  to  notify  Beall, 
who  was  then  to  make  the  attack  on  the 
‘Michigan.”  But  Cole  had  performed  his 
part  of  the  plan  in  such  a bungling  manner 
that  the  suspicions  of  the  officers  were 
aroused  and  the  commanding  officer  of  the 
“Michigan,”  Capt.  Carter,  arrested  him  on 
suspicion  at  the  very  moment  when  success 
seemed  assured. 

In  the  meanwhile  Beall  and  his  comrades 
waited  outside  the  bay  for  the  signal ; but,  as 
the  time  for  it  passed  by  and  it  was  not 
given,  they  realized  that  the  plot  had  failed, 
and  made  for  the  Canadian  shore,  passing 
Middle  Bass  Island,  where  he  had  left  the 
“Island  Queen”  and  “Parsons”  passengers, 
who  saw  the  “Parsons”  pass  “with  fire 
pouring  out  of  her  smoke-stacks,  and  mak- 
ing for  Detroit  like  a scared  pickerel.  ’ ’ The 
captain  and  others  who  had  been  kept  to 
manage  the  “Parsons,”  were  put  off  on 
an  uninhabited  island,  and  when  the  Cana- 
dian shore  was  reached,  she  was  scuttled 
and  the  conspirators  disbanded. 

This  daring  venture  excited  great  conster- 
nation among  the  lake  cities  and  served  to 
call  attention  to  their  defenseless  condition. 

Beall  was  captured  a few  months  later, 
near  Suspension  Bridge,  charged  with  being 
a spy  both  in  Ohio  and  New  York,  also  with 
an  attempt  to  throw  an  express  train  from 
the  track  between  Dunkirk  and  Buffalo.  He 
confessed  to  much  of  the  evidence  brought 
against  him,  was  found  guilty  and  hung  on 
Governor’s  Island,  February  24.  1865. 

Cole  after  being  arrested  managed  to  warn 
his  accomplices  in  Sandusky,  of  whom  he 
had  a great  number,  and  who,  thus  warned, 
escaped  arrest.  He  himself  was  confined  for 
some  time  on  board  the  “Michigan,”  after- 
ward transferred  to  the  island,  then  to  Fort 
Lafayette  in  September,  1865,  and  was  ulti- 
mately released  after  the  close  of  the  war. 


The  treatment  of  the  rebel  prisoners  on 
Johnson’s  Island  was  considerate  even  to  the 
verge  of  indulgence ; their  wants  were  said 
to  have  been  better  filled  than  those  of  the 
soldiers  guarding  them  ; this  was  owing  to 
their  being  supplied  plentifully  with  money 
by  their  friends  ; they  were  well  fed,  clothed 
and  housed  and  were  allowed  every  privilege 
consistent  with  security. 

The  prisoners  were  all  confined  within  an 
enclosure  of  about  eighteen  acres  surrounded 
by  a stockade  eighteen  feet  high,  made  of 
plank,  with  a platform  near  the  top,  about 
four  feet  wide,  where  the  sentinels  walked. 
This  is  shown  in  the  engraving.  At  the  east 
and  west  corner  was  a block -house  with  small 
brass  cannon.  The  soldiers’  and  officers’ 
quarters  of  the  guard  were  at  the  left  of 
the  enclosure.  The  open  space  shown  by  the 
flag  was  the  parade  ground.  On  the  left  of 
the  road  was  a line  of  small  buildings,  huck- 
sters’ shops,  etc.  Beyond  appears  Fort  Hill. 
It  was  an  earthwork  and  mounted  a few 
guns.  The  graveyard  was  in  the  grove  on 
the  extreme  right,  where  to  this  day  are 
relics. 

TRAVELLING  NOTES. 

Sandusky  impresses  one  with  the  extreme 
solid  appearance  of  its  business  and  public 
buildings.  It  is  because  the  whole  city  lies 
upon  an  inexhaustible  quarry  of  the  finest 
limestone,  and  all  the  people  have  to  do  for 
structures  is  to  blast  and  rear.  The  outlook 
upon  its  harbor  is  extremely  pleasant ; it  is  so 
expanded  and  well  defended.  In  the  very 
heats  of  summer  the  breezes  come  from  the 
lake  with  a refreshing  coolness,  while  the 
thought  that  steamers  are  continually  plying 
to  the  beautiful  cluster  of  islands  beyond  the 
bay  to  give  the  visitor  any  needed  change  he 
may  require  of  scene,  adds  to  the  attractions 
of  the  city  as  he  may  walk  its  solidly  lined 
streets. 

Four  things  come  in  mind  in  connection 
with  Sandusky,  viz.,  lumber,  fish,  lime,  and 
grapes.  It  is  a great  lumber  mart,  the  lum- 
ber coming  mainly  from  Michigan,  and  it  is 
the  greatest  fish  market  on  the  globe.  Vast 
quantities  of  lime  are  burnt,  especially  over 
on  the  peninsula,  that  body  of  land  forming 
the  western  boundary  of  the  bay,  and  put  on 
the  map  as  Ottawa  county  ; and  as  to  grapes, 
there  seems  to  be  no  end.  In  this  county 
alone  the  vineyards  aggregate  nearly  five 
square  miles,  viz.,  3,082  acres.  In  1885  the 
amount  of  wine  manufactured  amounted  to 
71,170  gallons.  One  gentleman  in  Sandusky, 
Gen.  Mills,  an  octogenarian,  has  in  a single 
body  a vineyard  of  eighty  acres,  the  largest,  I 
believe,  in  Ohio.  From  this  he  makes  a 
superior  article  of  sparkling  Catawba  wine — 
“Mills’  Brand” — that,  having  once  tasted 
for  “medicinal  purposes  only,”  a Rechabite 
in  temperance  in  a season  of  despondency 
would  be  sorely  tempted  for  a revivification 
merely  to  yield  his  willing  lips.  The  general 
tells  me  there  is  no  money  in  the  manufacture 
of  this,  a pure,  honest  article.  The  public 
demand  is  for  cheap  wines.  The  consequence 


574 


ERIE  COUNTY. 


is  they  largely  get  adulterations,  with  which 
any  vineyard  has  but  slight  connection,  and 
as  a return  for  their  parsimony,  the  imbib- 
ants  suffer  from  disordered  stomachs  and 
splitting  headaches. 

Looking  on  the  map  again  one  will  see 
forming  the  east  boundary  of  the  bay  a strip 
of  land  about  three  miles  long  and  a quarter 
of  a mile  wide,  terminating  in  a point,  called 
Cedar  Point,  on  or  near  which  is  a lighthouse. 
In  the  summer  season  a steamer,  the  “ R.  B. 
Hayes,”  continually  passes  to  and  from  the 
city,  carrying  parties  thither  for  picnics  in  the 
groves  and  bathing.  The  beach  there  on  the 
lake  side  is  safe  and  beautiful  for  bathing, 
and  so  expansive  the  view  that  one  standing 
there  is  affected  by  the  same  emotion  as  if 
gazing  upon  the  ocean. 

Johnson  s Islmi  J at  the  mouth  of  the  har- 
bor, is  in  plain  sight  from  the  dock  at  San- 
dusky. It  will  always  be  an  object  of  interest 
to  travellers  as  the  spot  where  the  officers  of 
the  Confederate  army  were  confined.  Mr. 
Leonard  Johnson,  son  of  the  owner  of  the 
island,  has  given  me  some  interesting  items. 
He  was  then  a boy  of  about  eight  years,  and 
often  went  into  the  prison  with  his  elder 
brother. 

The  prisoners  were  always  glad  to  see  chil- 
dren, welcomed,  and  petted  them.  For 
amusement  they  had  athletic  games  and 
theatricals.  In  summer,  he  told  me,  they 
were  allowed  to  bathe  in  the  lake,  about  100 
at  a time,  under  guard.  One  of  their  amuse- 
ments was  whittling  and  carving  finger-rings, 
watch-charms,  etc.,  from  gutta-percha  but- 
tons, their  work  being  sometimes  very  in- 
genious and  beautiful. 

The  guard  were  principally  men  recruited 
for  this  purpose  in  the  lake  neighborhood, 
and  many  had  their  families  on  the  island. 

Two  men  were  drummed  off  the  island — 
one  for  stealing  blankets,  and  the  other  a 
teamster,  for  an  offence  of  a different  charac- 
ter. The  latter  had  a placard  in  front  and 
one  in  the  rear  proclaiming  his  malfeasance 
thus : 


I Sold  Whiskey  to  the  Rebels. 


His  hands  were  tied  behind,  and  he  was 
marched  in  the  middle  of  a squad  of  soldiers, 
with  their  bayonets  pointed  toward  him,  those 
in  front  having  their  guns  reversed.  To 
the  music  of  drums  and  fifes  he  was  conducted 
to  the  boat,  thence  through  the  streets  of 
Sandusky  to  the  depot.  It  was  an  occasion 
of  great  fun  and  frolic,  and  the  derisive  shouts 
of  the  following  crowd  added  to  the  mortifi- 
cation of  the  teamster,  who  was  employed  to 
cart  away  offal,  but  “Sold  whiskey  to  the 
rebels.” 

Prominent  among  the  public  men  in  San- 
dusky at  the  time  of  my  original  visit  was 


Eleutheros  Cooke,  born  in  Granville,  N. 
Y.,  in  1787,  died  in  Sandusky  in  1864:  a 
large,  fine-looking,  enthusiastic  gentleman, 
social,  pleasing  to  meet,  and  universally  re- 
spected. He  was  by  profession  a lawyer, 
was  in  the  State  Legislature  and  in  Congress, 
and  a pioneer  in  railroad  enterprises,  having 
been  the  projector  of  the  Mad  River  railroad. 
He  had  a wonderful  command  of  language, 
was  an  orator  very  flowery  and  imaginative, 
and  indulged  largely  in  poetical  similes.  On 
an  occasion  in  Congress,  when  Mr.  Stanberry, 
of  Ohio,  was  assaulted  on  Pennsylvania  avenue 
by  Felix  Houston,  of  Texas,  for  words  spoken 
in  debate,  he  declared,  in  a speech,  that  if 
freedom  of  discussion  was  denied  them  he 
would  “flee  to  the  bosom  of  his  constitu- 
ents,” an  expression  that  his  political  oppo- 
nents ran  the  changes  upon  for  a long  time 
after. 

He  could  talk  for  hours  upon  any  given 
topic,  and  on  an  occasion  when  it  was  neces- 
sary to  get  a new  writ  from  Norwalk  to  detain 
for  debt  an  arrested  steamboat  man  with  his 
vessel,  he  talked  to  the  court  sixteen  hours 
continuously  to  stave  off*  a decision  upon  the 
defective  writ  by  which  he  was  held.  In 
order  to  illustrate  the  legal  question  before 
the  court,  he  had  gone  into  a review  of  the 
history  of  the  human  race,  and  got  from  the 
Creation  down  to  the  destruction  of  J erusalem 
by  Titus  when  the  necessary  papers  arrived  ; 
then  he  stopped  the  harangue,  allowed  the 
old  writ  to  be  squelched,  the  new  writ  was 
then  served,  when  the  defendant  paid  his 
debt,  and  sailed  away  in  his  steamer. 

Mr.  Cooke  had  one  trouble — it  was  life- 
long— stuck  to  him  closer  than  a brother.  It 
was  in  his  name,  Eleutheros.  He  was  born 
in  1787,  the  year  of  the  framing  of  the  Fed- 
eral Constitution,  and  the  name  was  given  in 
commemoration  : it  was  from  a Greek  term 
signifying  to  set  free.  It  showed  his  parents 
must  have  been  fanciful  and  so  he  got  his  name 
alike  with  poetical  tendencies  from  them. 
But  the  name  liked  to  have  been  his  ruin,  that 
is  political  ruin.  He  lost  one  election  by  its 
misspelling,  more  particularly  by  the  German 
voters.  They  spelt  it  in  various  ways,  taking 
with  it  most  unwarrantable  liberties — spelling 
it  “Luther,”  “Lutheros,”  “ Eilutheros,’^ 
“Eilros,”  etc.  When  he  had  boys  of  his 
own,  taking  warning  from  experience,  he 
started  them  with  names  after  great  states- 
men. The  first  was  Pitt  Cooke,  the  second 
was  Jay  Cooke,  and  the  third  was  to  have 
been,  perhaps.  Fox  Cooke,  or  something  like 
it,  when  the  mother  rebelled  and  the  child 
was  given  the  good  old-fashioned  name  of 
Henry  D.  Cooke.  Pitt  died  at  fifty  ; he  was  a 
partner  with  his  brothers  in  the  banking  busi- 
ness. Henry  D.  became  an  eminent  journalist, 
had  an  interesting  and  valuable  life  ; was  the 
first  Governor  of  the  District  of  Columbia,  ap- 
pointed by  Gra.it,  and  died  in  1881.  The 
history  of  Jay  Cooke,  the  great  financier  of 
our  civil  war,  is  dwelt  upon  under  the  head  of 
Ottawa  county,  where  lies  Gibraltar,  his  beau- 
tiful summer  island  home  in  the  lake,  where 
he  entertains  his  friends  with  abounding  hos- 


(575) 


JT,  A,  Bishop,  Photo.,  Sandusky  City. 

Inscription  Eock,  Kelley’s  Island. 


ERIE  COUNTY. 


577 


pitality  and  recreates  with  much  fishing  in 
prolific  waters. 

In  my  original  visit  to  Sandusky  there  was 
also  residing  here  Ebenezer  Lane,  whose 
acquaintance  I had  the  privilege  of  making. 
He  was  among  the  most  eminent  legal  men 
of  Ohio  of  that  day : profound  in  scholarship 
and  frank  and  cordial  in  his  ways.  In  five 
minutes  I felt  as  though  we  had  been  lifelong 
friends.  His  brothers  in  the  profession  idol- 
ized him.  He  was  born  in  Northampton  in 
1793,  graduated  at  Harvard  in  1811,  studied 
law  under  his  uncle,  Matthew  Griswold,  of 
Lyme,  Conn.  ; early  came  to  Ohio,  was  soon 
judge  of  Common  Pleas,  and  from  1843  until 
1845  judge  of  the  Supreme  Court,  when  he 
retired  from  the  bench  to  give  his  attention 
to  the  railroad  development  of  this  region. 

Sandusky  never  dreamed  but  what  she 
would  be  the  terminus  of  the  Ohio  canal. 
It  was  the  shortest  and  direct  distance  across 
the  State  from  the  mouth  of  the  Scioto  on 
the  Ohio  to  the  lake,  and  its  harbor  expansive 
and  safe.  Instead  of  that,  mainly  through 
the  efforts  of  Alfred  Kelly,  who  then  resided 
there  and  was  one  of  the  canal  commissioners, 
Cleveland  was  made  its  terminus ; thus  in- 
creasing the  distance  by  a winding  tortuous 
course  of  perhaps  thirty  or  more  miles,  yet 
bringing  the  canal  nearer  the  big  wheat  fields 
and  coal  beds,  and  accommodating  a larger 
farming  population,  a more  densely  settled 
older  country. 

The  canal  was  a prime  factor  in  making 


Cleveland  the  great  lake  city  of  the  State. 
The  people  of  Sandusky  felt  keenly  its  loss 
as  a cruel  wrong,  and  with  the  hope  of  re- 
trieving the  disaster  started  the  earliest  in  rail- 
road construction  ; so  Judge  Lane,  prompted 
by  public  spirit,  left  the  bench  to  exert  his 
powers  in  that  direction,  in  the  course  of  which 
he  became  President  of  the  Lake  Erie  and 
Mad  River  Railroad,  a link  in  the  first  con- 
tinuous railroad  line  across  the  State. 

Cleveland  was  also  on  the  alert  in  railroad 
construction,  but  a little  behind  Sandusky, 
and  tapping  the  great  coal-fields  of  south- 
eastern Ohio  and  bringing  down  the  iron  of 
Lake  Superior  got  a power  for  the  lead  that 
was  irresistible.  The  diversion  of  Judge 
Lane  from  his  profession  was  a loss  to  his 
fame,  as  otherwise  his  reputation  would  have 
become  national,  from  his  unquestionably 
great  powers. 

On  the  publication  of  my  original  edition, 
I got  four  of  those  whom  I regarded  as  the 
most  influential  men  of  the  Ohio  of  that  day 
to  unite  in  a joint  recommendation,  two  Demo- 
crats and  two  Whigs.  Those  four  were  Sam- 
uel Medary,  of  Columbus,  editor  of  the  Ohio 
Statesman.,  called  the  “ Old  Wheel  Horse  of 
the  Democracy,”  Governor  Reuben  Wood, 
of  Cleveland,  the  “Tall  Chief  of  the  Cuya- 
hogas,”  Thomas  Corwin,  of  Lebanon,  “The 
Wagon  Boy,”  and  Ebenezer  Lane,  of  San- 
dusky, and  there  I rested,  fortified  as  the  book 
was  by  a “Wheel  Horse,”  a “Cuyahoga 
Chief,”  a “Wagon  Boy,”  and  a “Judge.” 


Milan  in  1846. — Twelve  miles  from  Sandusky  City,  and  eight  from  Lake 
Erie  is  the  flourishing  town  of  Milan,  in  the  township  of  the  same  name.  It 
stands  upon  a commanding  blufl‘  on  the  bank  of  Huron  river.  The  engraving  on 
next  page  shows  its  appearance  from  a hill  near  the  road  to  Sandusky  City,  and  a few 
rods  back  of  Kneeland  Townsend’s  old  distillery  building,  which  appears  in  front. 
In  the  middle  ground  is  shown  the  Huron  river  and  the  canal ; on  the  right  the 
bridge  across  the  river ; on  the  hill,  part  of  the  town  appears,  Avith  the  tower  of 
the  Methodist  and  spire  of  the  Presbyterian  church.  Population  about  100. — - 
Old  Edition. 

Milan  is  8 miles  south  of  Lake  Erie,  on  the  Huron  river,  55  miles  west  of 
Cleveland,  on  the  line  of  the  N.  & H.  and  N.  Y.  St.  L.  and  C.  Railroads.  It  Avas 
before  the  days  of  railroads  a great  grain  depot,  the  grain  product  of  several  neigh- 
boring counties  being  brought  in  wagons  here  for  shipment  by  river  and  canal. 
Some  of  the  Avagons  had  in  them  loads  of  a hundred  bushels  of  grain  and  Avere 
drawn  by  four  or  six  horses.  Six  hundred  Avagons  have  arrived  in  a day.  As 
many  as  tAventy  sail  vessels  have  been  loaded  in  a single  day,  and  35,000  bushels 
of  grain  put  on  board. 

NeAvspapers  : Advertiser , Wickham  &,  Gibbs,  publishers.  Churches  : 1 Presby- 
terian, 1 Methodist  Episcopal,  1 Episcopal,  and  1 Catholic.  Bank  : Milan  Bank- 
ing Company,  James  C.  LockAvood,  president ; L.  L.  Stoddard,  cashier.  Indus- 
tries : 2 flouring  mills,  1 tile  factory,  1 spoke  factory,  and  Stoakes’  Automatic  Pen 
Factory. 

The  Western  Reserve  Normal  School,  75  pupils,  B.  B.  Hall,  principal,  is  lo- 
cated here. 

Population  in  1880,  797.  School  census  in  1886,  225  ; John  R.  Sherman,  super« 
intendent. 

Appended  is  a historical  and  descriptive  sketch  of  the  village  and  township  given 
to  the  old  edition  by  Rev.  E.  Judson,  of  Milan. 


578 


ERIE  COUNTY. 


On  the  spot  where  the  town  of  Milan  now 
stands,  there  was,  at  the  time  of  the  survey 
of  the  fire-lands,  in  1807,  an  Indian  village, 
containing  within  it  a Christian  community, 
under  the  superintendence  of  Kev.  Christian 
Frederic  Dencke,  a Moravian  missionary. 
The  Indian  name  of  the  town  was  Petquot- 
ting.  The  mission  was  established  here  in 
1804.  Mr.  Dencke  brought  with  him  several 
families  of  Christian  Indians,  from  the  vicin- 
ity of  the  Thames  river,  in  Upper  Canada. 
They  had  a chapel  and  a mission  house,,  and 
were  making  good  progress  in  the  cultivation 
©f  Christian  principles,  when  the  commence- 
snent  of  the  white  settlements  induced  them. 


in  1809,  to  emigrate  with  their  missionary  to 
Canada.  There  was  a Moravian  mission  at- 
tempted as  early  as  1787.  A considerable 
party  of  Christian  Indians  had  been  driven 
from  their  settlement  at  Gnadenhutten,  on 
the  Tuscarawas  river,  by  the  inhuman  butch- 
ery of  a large  number  of  the  inhabitants  by 
the  white  settlers.  After  years  of  wandering, 
with  Zeisberger  for  their  spiritual  guide,  they 
at  length  formed  a home  on  the  banks  of  the 
Cuyahoga  river,  near  Cleveland,  which  they 
named  Pilgerruh  ( ‘ ‘ Pilgrim’ s rest.  ’ ’ ) They 
were  soon  driven  from  this  post,  whence  they 
came  to  the  Huron,  and  commenced  a settle- 
ment on  its  east  bank,  and  near  the  north 


Dnuva  by  Henry  Hone,  IS-IG 

Milan  from  near  the  Sandusky  City  Road. 


line  of  the  township.  To  this  village  they 
gave  the  name  of  New  Salem.  Here  the 
labors  of  their  indefatigable  missionary  were 
crowned  with  very  considerable  success.  They 
were  soon  compelled  to  leave,  however,  by 
the  persecutions  of  the  pagan  Indians.  It 
seems  to  have  been  a portion  of  these  exiles 
who  returned,  in  1804,  to  commence  the  new 
mission. 

The  ground  on  both  sides  of  the  Huron 
river,  through  the  entire  length  of  the  town- 
ship, is  distinctly  marked  at  short  intervals 
by  the  remains  of  a former  race.  Mounds 
and  enclosures,  both  circular  and  angular, 
some  of  which  have  strongly  marked  features, 
occur  at  different  points  along  the  river. 

The  land  in  the  township  of  Milan  was 
brought  into  market  in  1 808.  In  the  sum- 
mer of  the  following  year  David  Abbott  pur- 
chased 1800  acres,  in  the  northeast  section 
of  the  township,  and  lying  on  both  sides  of 
the  Huron,  for  the  purpose  of  commencing 
a settlement.  He  removed  here  with  his 
family  in  1810.  Jared  AVard  purchased  a 
art  of  Mr.  Abbott’s  tract,  and  removed 
ere  in  1809.  He  was  the  first  “actual 
white  settler,”  who  had  an  interest  in  the 
soil.  The  progress  of  the  settlement  ^vas  at 
first  rapid.  When  hostilities  with  Great 
Britain  commenced,  in  1812,  there  were  within 


the  township  twenty-three  families  and  about 
forty  persons  capable  of  bearing  arms.  The 
progress  of  the  settlement  was  interrupted 
by  the  war,  and  few  or  no  emigrants  arrived 
between  1812  and  1816.  This  interruption 
was  not  the  only  evil  experienced  by  the  in- 
habitants. The  British,  in  the  early  part  of 
the  war,  commanded  Lake  Erie,  and  could  at 
any  moment  make  a descent  upon  the  place. 
Many  of  the  Indians  were  hostile,  and  were 
supposed  to  be  instigated  to  acts  of  cruelty 
by  the  willingness  of  the  British  commander 
at  Fort  Malden  to  purchase  the  scalps  of 
American  citizens.  Occasional  outrages  were 
perpetrated  ; houses  were  burned,  and  in  a 
few  instances  individuals  were  murdered  in 
cold  blood,  while  others  were  taken  prisoners. 
Near  the  southwestern  corner  of  the  town- 
ship, at  a place  known  as  the  l^irker  farm — 
from  its  having  been  first  purcha.sed  and 
occupied  b}"  Charles  Parker — there  was  a 
block-house,  used  as  a ifiace  of  resort  during 
the  war.  A military  guard  was  kept  here. 
Two  young  men,  apprehensive  of  no  imme- 
diate danger,  on  a pleasant  morning  in  the 
fall  of  1812,  left  the  block-house  and  wan- 
dered to  the  distance  of  a mile  for  the  pur- 
])o.se  of  collecting  honey  from  a “bee-tree.” 
While  in  the  act  of  cutting  down  the  tree 
they  wei’c  surjirised  by  the  Indians,  who,  it 


ERIE  COUNTY. 


579 


seems,  had  been  for  some  time  watching  for 
their  prey ; one  of  them,  named  Seymour, 
was  killed  on  the  spot ; the  other  was  recog- 
nized by  one  of  the  Indians,  made  a captive 
' and  treated  kindly.  The  Indian  who  cap- 
tured him  had  been  a frequent  guest  in  the 
family  where  the  young  man  had  resided. 

Some  time  previous  two  men,  Buell  and 
Gibbs,  had  been  murdered  by  the  Indians 
near  Sandusky,  Thirteen  persons,  women 
and  children,  had  been^  captured  near  the 
present  village  of  Castalia,  some  six  miles  to 
the  westward  of  Sandusky.  Of  these,  five, 
most  of  whom  belonged  to  the  family  of 
D.  P.  Snow,  were  massacred.  All  the  men 
belonging  to  the  settlement  were  absent  at 
the  time  of  the  massacre.  These  repeated 
butcheries,  supposed  at  the  time  to  be  insti- 
gated by  the  British  commander  at  Fort 
Malden,  whither  the  scalps  of  all  who  were 
murdered  were  carried,  kept  the  people  of 
Milan  in  a constant  state  of  alarm.  In  August 
Gen.  Hull  surrendered  Detroit  to  the  British, 
and  from  this  time  to  the  achievement  of 
Perry’s  victory,  in  September  of  the  follow- 
ing year,  the  inhabitants  were  in  constant 
apprehension  for  their  personal  safety.  The 
sighing  of  the  breeze  and  the  discharge  of 
the  hunter’s  rifle  alike  startled  the  wife  and 
the  mother,  as  she  trembled  for  her  absent 
husband  or  her  still  more  defenceless  ‘‘little 
one.”  During  this  interval.  General  Simon 
Perkins,  of  Warren,  with  a regiment  of 
militia,  had  been  stationed  at  “Fort  Avery,” 
a fortification  hastily  thrown  up  on  the  east 
bank  of  the  Huron  river,  about  a mile  and  a 
half  north  of  the  present  town  of  Milan ; 
but  the  inexperience  of  the  militia,  and  the 
constant  presence  in  the  neighborhood  of 
scouting  parties  of  Indians,  whom  no  vigilance 
could  detect  and  no  valor  defeat,  rendered 
the  feeling  of  insecurity  scarcely  less  than 
before.  Some  left  the  settlements,  not  to 
return  till  peace  was  restored.  Those  who 
remained  were  compelled,  at  frequent  inter- 
vals, to  collect  in  the  fort  for  safety,  or  made 
sudden  flights  to  the  interior  of  the  State,  or 
to  the  more  populous  districts  in  the  vicinity 
of  Cleveland,  where  a few  days  of  quiet 
would  so  far  quell  their  fears  as  to  lead  them 
to  return  to  their  homes,  to  be  driven  olf 
again  by  fresh  alarms.  With  the  return  of 
peace,  in  1815,  prosperity  was  restored  to  the 
settlements,  and  the  emigration  was  very 
considerable.  The  emigrants  were  almost 
exclusively  of  the  New  England  stock  and 
the  establishment  of  common  schools  and  the 
organization  of  Christian  churches  were  among 
the  earliest  fruits  of  their  enterprising  spirit. 
The  town  of  Milan  was  “laid  out”  in  1816 
by  Ebenezer  Merry,  who  had  two  years  pre- 
viously removed  to  its  township.  Mr.  Merry 
was  a native  of  West  Hartford,  in  Connecti- 
cut, and  by  his  example  contributed  much, 
as  the  proprietor  of  the  town,  to  promote 

food  morals  among  the  early  inhabitants. 

le  took  measures  immediately  for  the  erec- 
tion of  a flouring-mill  and  saw-mill,  which 
contributed  materially  to  the  improvement 
of  the  town,  and  were  of  great  service  to 


the  infant  settlements  in  the  vicinity.  In 
the  first  settlement  of  the  place,  grain  was 
carried  more  than  fifty  miles  down  the  lake 
in  open  boats,  to  be  ground  ; and  sometimes 
from  points  more  in  the  interior,  on  the 
shoulders  of  a father,  whose  power  of  endur- 
ance was  greatly  heightened  by  the  anticipated 
smiles  of  a group  of  little  ones,  whose  sub- 
sistence for  weeks  together  had  been  venison 
and  hominy. 

Mr.  Merry  was  a man  of  acute  observation, 
practical  benevolence  and  unbounded  hospi- 
tality. He  repeatedly  represented  the  county 
in  the  legislature  of  the  State,  was  twice 
elected  to  a seat  on  the  bench  of  the  common 
pleas,  an  honor  in  both  instances  declined. 
He  died  January  1,  1846,  at  the  age  of  73, 
greatly  beloved. 

David  Abbott,  as  the  first  purchaser  of 
land  in  the  township,  with  a view  to  its  occu^ 
pancy  as  a permanent  “settler,”  deserves 
some  notice  in  this  brief  sketch.  Mr.  Abbott 
was  a native  of  Brookfield,  Mass.  He  was 
educated  at  Yale  College.  His  health  failed, 
and  he  was  obliged  to  forego  a diploma  by 
leaving  college  in  the  earlier  part  of  his 
senior  year.  He  soon  after  entered  upon  the 
study  of  the  law,  and  located  himself  at 
Borne,  Oneida  county,  N.  Y.,  whence  he 
came  to  Ohio,  in  1798,  and  spent  a few  years 
at  Willoughby,  whence  he  removed  to  Milan 
in  1809.  He  was  sheriff  of  Trumbull  county 
when  the  whole  Western  Deserve  was  em- 
braced within  its  limits;  was  a member  .of 
the  convention  for  the  formation  of  the  Con- 
stitution of  the  State,  previous  to  its  admis- 
sion to  the  Union,  in  1802  ; was  .one  of  the 
electors  of  President  and  Vice-President  in 
1812 ; clerk  of  the  supreme  court  for  the 
county,  and  repeatedly  a member  of  both 
houses  of  the  State  legislature.  He  was  a 
man  of  eccentric  habits,  and  his  life  was 
filled  up  with  the  stirring  incidents  peculiar 
to  a pioneer  in  the  new  settlements  of  the 
West.  He  several  times  traversed  the  entire 
length  of  Lake  Erie,  in  an  open  boat,  of 
which  he  was  both  helmsman  and  commander, 
and  in  one  instance  was  driven  before  a tem- 
pest diagonally  across  the  lake,  a distance  of 
more  than  a hundred  miles,  and  thrown  upon 
the  Canada  shore.  There  was  but  one  per- 
son with  him  in  the  boat,  and  he  was  em- 
ployed most  of  the  time  in  bailing  out  the 
water  with  his  hat,  the  only  thing  on  board 
capable  of  being  appropriated  to  such  use. 
AVhen  the  storm  had  subsided  and  the  wind 
veered  about,  they  retraced  their  course  in 
the  frail  craft  that  had  endured  the  tempest 
unscathed,  and  after  a week’s  absence  were 
hailed  by  their  friends  with  great  satisfaction, 
having  been  given  up  as  lost.  Mr.  Abbott 
died  in  1822  at  the  age  of  57.  Of  the  other 
citizens  who  have  deceased,  and  whose  names 
deserve  honorable  mention  as  having  contrib- 
uted in  various  ways  to  the  prosperity  of  the 
town,  are  Ralph  Lockwood,  Dr.  A.  B.  Har- 
ris and  Hon.  G.  W.  Choate. 

The  religious  societies  of  the  place  are^  a 
Presbyterian,  Methodist  and  Protestant  Epis- 
copal church,  each  of  which  enjoys  the  stated 


58o 


ERIE  COUNTY. 


preaching  of  the  gospel,  and  is  in  a flourish- 
ing state.  The  two  former  have  substantial 
and  valuable  church  edifices.  The  latter  soci- 
ety has  one  in  process  of  erection. 

In  1832  a substantial  and  commodious 
brick  edifice  was  erected  as  an  academy,  fur- 
nishing, beside  two  public  school-rooms  and 
suitable  apartments  for  a library  and  appa- 
ratus, ten  rooms  for  the  accommodation  of 
students.  The  annual  catalogue  for  the  last 
ten  years  has  exhibited  an  average  number 
of  about  150  pupils. 

In  1833  a company  of  citizens,  who  had 
been  previously  incorporated  for  the  purpose, 
entered  vigorously  upon  the  work  of  extend- 
ing the  navigation  of  Lake  Erie  to  this  place 
by  improving  the  navigation  of  the  river 
some  five  miles  from  its  mouth  and  excavat- 
ing a ship  canal  for  the  remaining  distance 
of  three  miles.  After  much  delay,  occasioned 
by  want  of  funds,  and  an  outlay  of  about 
$75,000,  the  work  was  completed,  and  the 
first  vessel,  a schooner  of  100  tons,  floated  in 
the  basin  July  4,  1839.  The  canal  is  capable 
of  being  navigated  by  vessels  of  from  200  to 
250  tons  burden.  The  chief  exports  of  the 
place  are  wheat,  flour,  pork,  staves,  ashes, 
wool  and  grass  seeds.  The  surrounding 
country  is  rapidly  undergoing  the  improve- 
ments incident  to  the  removal  of  the  primi- 
tive forests,  and  with  the  increased  product- 
iveness the  business  of  the  town  has  rapidly 
increased. 

The  value  of  exports  for  the  year  1844  was 
$825,098  ; of  this,  more  than  three-fourths 
consisted  of  wheat  and  flour.  The  importa- 
tion of  merchandise,  salt,  plaster,  etc.,  for 
the  same  period,  was  in  value  $634,711. 

TRAVELLING!  NOTES. 

Ohio  is  the  native  State  of  those  two  emi- 
nent electricians,  Chas.  Francis  Brush,  born 
in  Euclid,  near  Cleveland,  in  1849,  and 
Thomas  Alva  Edison,  born  in  Milan  in  1847. 
At  noon,  July  20th,  I left  the  train  at  Milan 
to  visit  the  birthplace  of  the  latter.  The 
station  is  down  in  the  valley,  and  ascending 
the  hill  I gained  the  plain  on  which  the  vil- 
lage stands.  In  the  centre  is  a neat  square 
of  an  acre  covered  with  maples  and'  ever- 
greens. On  this  stands  a soldiers’  monument 
surmounted  by  an  eagle  and  inscribed  with 
the  names  of  Milan’s  dead  heroes.  No  spot 
could  be  more  quiet.  Scarcely  a soul  was  in 
sight;  the  spirit  of  repose  seemed  to  rest 
there  in  undisturbed  slumber. 

Two  old  men,  octogenarians,  gazed  upon 
me  as  I neared  them,  and  pausing  in  their 
presence  I made  known  my  errand,  where- 
upon one  of  them,  Mr.  Darling,  took  me  to 
Edison’s  birthplace.  It  is  on  Choate  avenue, 
and  now  the  residence  of  Mrs.  Sarah  Talcott. 
It  is  a neat  brick  cottage  on  the  edge  of  a 
hill  which  overlooks  the  valley  of  the  Huron, 
with  a fine  view,  sixty  or  eighty  feet  below, 
of  river,  bridge,  canal,  railroad  and  rich 
farming  country  beyond.  My  venerable  con- 
ductoi  could  give  me  but  a single  reminis- 
cence of  the  inventor,  and  that  was  as  a child 
in  frocks,  too  young  to  read  or  spell,  when  he 


saw  him  seated  on  the  ground  on  the  little 
village  green,  grasping  a piece  of  chalk  and 


THOMAS  ALVA  EDISON. 


copying  on  a board  the  letters  of  a store  sign 
near  by.  It  was  a bright  beginning  ; an  ordi- 
nary child  would  not  have  done  such  a thing. 

In  the  evening  Mr.  Ashley,  an  elderly  gen- 
tleman, the  village  jeweler,  gave  me  some 
items.  The  father  of  Mr.  Edison  was  from 
Canada ; the  mother,  originally  a Miss  Elliott, 
an  American.  He  became  a resident  of  Mi- 
lan about  1842.  He  was  a man  of  magnifi- 
cent physique  and  so  athletic  that  when  at 
the  war  period,  although  about  sixty  years 
of  age,  not  a single  man  in  an  entire  Michi- 
gan regiment  could  equal  him  in  length  of 
running  leap.  His  occupation  in  Milan  was 
the  making  of  shingles  by  hand  from  wood 
imported  from  Canada.  He  had  a number 
of  men  under  him,  and  it  was  quite  an  in- 
dustry. The  wood  was  brought  here  in  what 
are  called  bolts ; a bolt  was  three  feet  long 
and  made  two  shingles,  was  sawn  in  two  b}' 
hand  and  then  split  and  shaved.  None  but 
first-class  timber  could  be  used,  and  such 
shingles  far  outlasted  those  now  made  by 
machinery  with  their  cross-grain  cut.  Mr. 
Ashley  said  he  shingled  his  house  in  1 844, 
and  now,  after  a lapse  of  forty-two  years,  it 
is  in  good  condition. 

The  Edison  family  removed  to  Michigan, 
and  they  being  in  humble  circumstances, 
young  Edison  at  the  age  of  twelve  took  the 
position  of  newsboy  on  the  Grand  Trunk  line 
mnning  into  Detroit.  The  little  schooling  he 
received  was  from  his  mother,  who  had  been 
a teacher,  but  he  acquired  the  habit  of  read- 
ing, studied  chemistry  and  made  experiments 
wlien  on  the  train. 

Later  he  became  interested  in  the  opera- 
tions of  the  telegraph,  which  he  witnessed 
in  the  railroad  stations,  and  improvised  rude 
means  of  transmitting  messages  from  his 
father’s  house  in  Port  Huron  to  that  of  a 
neighbor.  Finally  a station  master,  whoso 
child  he  had  rescued  in  front  of  an  incoming 


ERIE  COUNTY. 


581 


train,  taught  him  telegraph  operating,  when 
he  followed  that  profession  and  experimented 
in  electric  science,  with  results  so  surprising 
and  useful  as  to  gain  for  him  undying  fame. 

The  original  owner  of  the  land  on  which 
Milan  stands  was  John  Beatty,  a native  of 
the  north  of  Ireland.  He  was  the  largest 
landowner  in  the  Fire-Lands  and  the  grand- 
father of  General  John  Beatty,  who  has 
favored  us  with  this  sketch  of  him,  accom- 
panied with  some  racy  anecdotes : 


Among  the  more  prominent  of  the  early 
settlers  of  Erie  county  was  John  Beatty,  for- 
merly of  New  London,  Connecticut.  His 
first  visit  to  Ohio  was  made  in  1810,  at 
which  time  he  bought  some  40,000  acres 
within  the  present  limits  of  Erie  and  Huron, 
of  what  were  then  known  as  the  “Fire- 
Lands.”  In  1815  he  removed  with  his 
family  to  this  wilderness  and  built  his  first 
residence  five  miles  south  of  Sandusky,  on 
what  is  still  known  to  the  older  residents  of 


Geo.  W.  Edmondson,  Photo  , Norwalk,  1886. 


Birthplace  of  Thomas  A.  Edison,  Milan. 


that  section  as  the  “stone-house  place.” 
When  the  township  of  Perkins  was  organized 
Mr.  Beatty  was  made  its  first  clerk.  Subse- 
quently he  was  appointed  postmaster,  and 
for  many  years  thereafter  he  served  the  pio- 
neers as  justice  of  the  peace.  About  1828 
he  removed  to  Sandusky,  and  in  1833  was 
elected  mayor  of  that  city.  He  died  in  1845, 
and  is  still  remembered  as  an  upright,  intelli- 
gent, warm-hearted,  hospitable  gentleman. 
The  church  edifice  now  standing  on  the  pub- 
lic square  of  Sandusky,  and  occupied  at  this 
date  by  the  Lutherans,  was  built  at  his  cost 
and  donated  by  him  to  the  Wesleyan  Method- 
ist Society. 

John  Beatty  was  a local  preacher  of  the 
Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  and  from  1815 
to  1819  on  almost  every  Sabbath  met  the 
ioneers  in  their  log  school-houses  or  at  their 
omes  and  addressed  them  very  acceptably 
on  religious  subjects. _ He  was,  however,  a 
hot-tempered,  impulsive,  generous,  obstinate 
Irishman,  who  never  succeeded  in  reaching 
that  degree  of  perfection  which  enabled  him 
to  love  his  enemies  and  offer  the  left  cheek 
to  an  adversary  who  had  smitten  him  on  the 
right. 

An  Accommodating  Postmaster. — In  1816, 
or  thereabouts,  a post-office  was  established 
and  Beatty  appointed  postmaster.  The  era 
of  cheap  transportation  and  of  cheap  postage 
had  not  arrived.  The  settlers  were  poor ; few 
of  them  could  raise  the  shilling  with  which 
to  pay  the  postage  on  a letter,  but  it  was 
hard  to  have  it  withheld  simply  because  they 


were  poor  and  had  no  money.  The  new  post- 
master proved  equal  to  the  occasion ; he  gave 
them  their  letters  and  never  made  returns  to 
the  department.  When  called  upon  to  do  so, 
he  replied  that  he  had  received  no  money 
from  the  office,  and  therefore  had  none  to 
return,  and  instead  of  being  indebted  to  the 
government,  the  latter  was  in  fact  indebted 
to  him.  This  sort  of  logic,  however  satisfac- 
tory to  the  settlers,  was  by  no  means  pleasing 
to  the  Post-Office  Department,  and  so  the 
government  in  1819  discontinued  the  office, 
and  thus  afforded  Mr.  Beatty  greater  leisure 
to  look  after  the  spiritual  welfare  of  his 
neighbors. 

He  was  the  original  proprietor  of  the  land 
on  which  the  town  of  Milan  now  stands  ; the 
site  on  the  banks  of  the  Huron  river  was 
naturally  a very  pretty  one.  Frederick  Chris- 
tian Deucke,  a Moravian  missionary,  had,  in 
1804,  established  a mission  there  and  called 
the  place  Petquoting — a very  handsome  name 
by  the  way  and  one  which  the  people  should 
never  have  abandoned.  In  1814  Mr,  Ebene- 
zer  Merry,  having  bought  the  place,  laid  out 
a village,  and  in  honor  of  the  first  owner 
called  it  Beatty. 

An  Audacious  Seizure.— Among  the  first, 
if  not  the  first  vessel  built  in  what  is  now 
Erie  county,  was  one  built  by  Abijah  Hewitt, 
Eleazer  Bell  and  a man  named  Montgomery 
on  the  bay  shore  a few  miles  southeast  of 
Sandusky.  In  one  of  its  first  voyages  it 
brought  to  Sandusky  a cargo  comprising  a 
stock  of  general  mercbandise  for  Mr.  Beatty, 


582 


ERIE  COUNTY. 


and  among  other  things  a cask  of  brandy 
which  had  not  been  entered  at  the  custom 
house.  The  vessel  was  consequently  seized 
and  subsequently  confiscated.  Mr.  Beatty’s 
merchandise  was  put  under  lock  and  guard 
and  the  case  reported  to  the  department. 
The  mails  moved  slowly  in  those  days ; time 
passed,  and  conscious  of  no  fault  on  his  part 
respecting  the  matter,  Beatty  grew  impa- 
tient, and  finally  called  his  friends  about  him, 
drove  his  teams  onto  the  wharf,  put  revenue 
officers  and  their  employes. aside,  broke  open 
the  doors  of  the  warehouse,  and  carried  off 
his  merchandise.  All  this  was  not  difficult  to 
do  ; the  troublesome  part  of  the  affair  came 
afterward,  and  resulted  not  from  the  cask  of 
smuggled  brandy,  but  from  the  violent  and 
unwarrantable  manner  in  which  he  had  re- 
gained possession  of  his  goods.  The  United 
States  government  was  a big  thing,  even 
then,  and  no  single  citizen  could  affi)rd  to 
defy  it,  as  Mr.  Beatty  discovered  some  years 
afterward  when  compelled  to  pay  the  costs 
and  penalties  growing  out  of  this  unfortunate 
transaction. 

I'he  Candle  Story. — While  a resident  of 
New  London,  Connecticut,  a boy  stole  from 
Mr.  Beatty  a box  of  candles ; the  thief  was 
promptly  arrested  and  arraigned  before  a 
magistrate ; a witness  appeared  who  testified 
that  the  ^ boy  was  guilty  as  charged,  and 
Beatty  being  called  to  prove  the  value  of  the 
property,  swore  that  ‘‘the  candles  were  worth 
four  dollars,  every  penny  of  it.”  Under  the 
law  respecting  petty  offence  at  that  time  in 
force  in  Connecticut,,  when  the  property  sto- 
len was  worth  from  four  dollars  and  upward, 
the  penalty  was  whipping  at  the  post ! The 
magistrate  was  about  to  pass  sentence,  when 
Beatty  realized  for  the  first  time  the  terrible 
nature  of  the  punishment ; his  anger  had  by 
this  time  cooled,  and  a feeling  of  pity  for  the 
boy  supplanting  every  other  emotion,  he  took 
the  witness  stand  again  and  said:  “If  it 
please  your  honor  I desire  to  correct  my  testi- 


mony. I swore  that  the  candles  were  worth 
four  dollars,  but  I omitted  to  add  that  that 
was  the  retail  price ; as  the  boy  took  a whole 
box  I’ll  put  them  to  him  at  three  dollars 
and  thirty-three  cents.”  The  boy  was  not 
whipped. 

Jay  Cooke's  StaH. — Mr.  Pitt  Cooke  once 
told  me  how  his  brother  Jay  happened  to  get 
into  the  banking  business,  and  as  nearly  as  I 
can  recollect  it  was  as  follows  : The  Cookes 
were  living  in  a house  on  Columbus  avenue 
(Sandusky),  near  the  present  site  of  tho 
Second  National  Bank.  One  day,  when  th( 
family  were  seated  at  the  dinner  table,  Eleu- 
theros  Cooke,  the  father,  said  in  a spirit  of 
pleasantry : “Well,  boys,  you  must  look  oul 
for  yourselves.  I have  sold  this  house  to 
‘ Squire  ’ Beatty,  and  we  have  no  home  now.  ’' 
Jay  was  the  only  one  who  took  the  mattei 
seriously.  He  obtained  a situation  in  a store 
that  afternoon,  subsequently  accompanied  his 
employer  to  Philadelphia,  and  this  opened 
the  way  for  him  to  the  position  of  clerk  in  a 
banking  house,  and  from  this  humble  start 
in  life  he  became  the  financial  agent  of  the 
United  States. 

The  Bev.  Alvan  Coe,  a very  worthy  and 
devout  man,  at  an  early  day  established  a 
school  for  Indian  boys,  on  the  Fire-Lands  in 
the  vicinity  of  Milan,  where  he  sought  to 
instruct  them  in  the  mysteries  of  religion 
and  teach  them  to  read  and  write.  The 
father  of  one  of  the  Indian  boys  came  over 
from  the  Sandusky  river  to  visit  his  son,  and 
while  lingering  in  the  vicinity  wandered  into 
a distillery.  As  was  the  custom  in  those 
days,  the  proprietor  offered  him  a cup  of 
whiskey.  The  Indian  shook  his  head,  and 
with  much  dignity  said : “My  boy  tell  me, 
Mr.  Coe  say.  Ingin  no  drink,  good  man : go 
up  much  happy.  Ingin  drink,  bad  man  : go 
down  hum  much."  Then  looking  wistfully 
at  the  whiskey  he  picked  it  up,  and  raising  it 
slowly  to  his  lips  said : ‘ ‘ Maybe  Mr.  Coe  tell 
d — n lie.,  ’ ’ and  drank  it  down. 


Berlin  Heights  is  a village  on  the  line  of  the  N.  Y.  St.  L.  & C.  R.  R.,  which 
has  three  churches  and  about  5CK)  inhabitants.  Census  of  1880  was  424.  School 
census  1886,  208  ; Hugh  A.  Myers,  superintendent.  It  is  the  largest  of  the  three 
villages  of  Berlin  township,  the  other  two  being  Ceylon  and  Berlinville.  The 
township  of  Berlin  from  a small  beginning  has  become  noted  for  the  perfection  of 
its  various  fruits  and  the  skill  of  its  horticulturists.  The  proximity  to  the  lake 
prevents  damaging  frosts,  and  the  soil  is  well  adapted  to  the  apple,  pear,  peach, 
and  grape.  The  pioneers  at  an  early  day  w^ere  determined  to  have  orchards,  and 
began  to  plant  trees  before  the  ground  was  clear  of  the  forests.  Canada  was  the 
nearest  place  from  whence  fruit-trees  could  be  obtained,  and  in  1812  John  Hoak 
and  Mr.  Fleming,  of  Huron,  crossed  the  lake,  and  returned  Avith  a boat-load  of 
trees,  apple  and  pear.  Some  of  these  old  trees  are  now  standing,  vigorous,  and  of 
enormous  size  and  productiveness.  One  of  the  pear  trees  is  seventy  feet  in  height, 
with  a girth  of  eight  feet  nine  inches  eighteen  inches  from  the  ground ; an  apple 
tree  is  over  nine  feet  in  girth. 

A quarter  of  a century  ago  Berlin  Heights  Avidely  attracted  attention  from  the 
orgaihzarion  therein  of  a Socialistic  or  Free  LoA^e  society;  only  a single  citizen  of 
the  toAvnship  Avas  identified  Avith  the  movement,  its  supporters  being  dmwn  from 
various  States.  Three  successive  communities  were  established  and  each  failed. 


ERIE  COUNTY. 


583 

The  last  was  the  Berlin  Community,  or  Christian  Republic ; it  commenced  in  1865, 
and  had  twelve  adult  members  and  six  children,  and  lived  about  one  year.  The 
Socialists  started  journals,  which  had  in  succession  brief  careers,  but  striking 
names,  as  Social  Revolutionist,  Age  of  Freedom,  Good,  Time  Coming,  The  New 
Republic,  The  Optimist  and  Kingdom  of  Heaven,  etc.  One  of  the  papers.  The  Age 
of  Freedom,  issued  in  1858,  was  so  obnoxious  that  twenty  Berlin  women  seized 
the  mail-sack  which  Frank  Barry,  the  editor,  had  brought  on  his  shoulders  to 
the  post-office,  loaded  with  copies,  and  made  a bonfire  of  them  in  the  street. 

The  author  of  the  historical  sketch  of  Berlin  Heights,  from  which  the  foregoing 
items  are  derived,  says  : The  drifting  to  this  section  of  so  many  individuals  who, 
to  use  their  own  phrase,  were  ^ intensely  individualized,’  and  who  remained  after 
the  complete  failure  of  their  schemes,  has  had  an  influence  on  the  character  of  the 
town.  They  engaged  in  fruit-growing,  have  multiplied  the  small  farms,  and  added 
to  the  prosperity  and  intellectual  life  of  the  people.  From  the  beginning  their 
honesty  was  never  questioned,  however  mistaken  their  ideas.”  This  author,  Hud- 
son Tuttle,  was  born  here  in  1836,  in  a log-cabin,  on  the  spot  where  he  now 
has  a productive  fruit-farm  of  between  200  and  300  acres  of  orchards  and  vine- 
yards. He  is  known  to  the  outside  world  by  his  spiritualistic  and  other  works, 
and  his  wife,  Mrs.  Emma  Tuttle,  by  her  two  volumes  o.t*  poems : Blossoms  of 
Our  Spring  ” and  songs  which  have  been  set  to  music,  I's  My  Lost  Darling,” 
The  Unseen  City,”  and  Beautiful  Claribel.” 


Hon.  Almon  Ruggles,  the  original  sur- 
veyor of  the  “Fire-Lands,”  was  a resident  of 
Berlin  and  died  in  1840  in  the  sixty-ninth 
ear  of  his  age.  He  came  in  1805  from  Dan- 
ury,  Conn. , to  survey  the  ‘ ‘ Sufferers’  Lands,  ’ ’ 
as  the  Fire-Lands  were  sometimes  termed. 
In  addition  to  his  salary  he  was  permitted  to 
select  one  mile  square  anywhere  on  the  lake 
shore  within  the  limits  of  his  survey  at  one 


dollar  per  acre.  He  selected  the  land  in  the 
township  of  Berlin.  His  early  life  was  a strug- 
gle with  adversity,  and  he  had  but  six  months 
schooling.  He  obtained  his  first  book  by 
catching  wood-chucks,  tanning  the  skins  and 
braiding  them  i-nto  whip  lashes  for  market ; 
and  later  he  became  a school-teacher.  He 


was  a man  of  great  kindness  of  heart — had 
a store  of  general  merchandise  and  trusted  all 
those  who  could  not  pay.  It  was  said  of  him 
that  he  might  have  been  very  rich  had  he 
been  disposed  to  grind  the  face  of  poverty. 
He  preferred  to  live  more  unselfishly  and 
merit  the  confidence  and  respect  of  his 
fellows.  He  not  only  encouraged  the  early 
settlers  with  material  aid,  but  with  cheerful 
looks  and  kind_ words.  He  represented  this 
senatorial  district  in  the  State  legislature  in 
1816-17-19,  when  the  district  consisted  of  the 
counties  of  Ashtabula,  Greauga,  Portage, 
Cuyahoga  and  Huron.  He  was  associate 
judge  for  several  years  under  the  old  con- 
stitution. His  ability,  his  integrity,  his 
knowledge  of  the  country  and  the  people 
eminently  qualified  him  for  the  places  he 
filled.  He  was  an  earnest  worker  in  the 
Whig  party,  and  a personal  friend  of  Gen. 
Harrison. 

Mr.  Tuttle,  from  whose  township  history 
the  notice  of  Almon  Ruggles  is  derived,  draws 
a refreshing  picture  of  virtue  in  his  sketch 
of  Rev.  Phineas  Barker  Barber  of  Berlin. 
He  was  a Methodist  preacher  who  died  in 
1877  at  the  age  of  eighty-four. 

His  ministry  commenced  in  Ohio  in  1830, 
when  he  could  stand  in  his  own  door  and 
shoot  deer  and  other  game,  which  he  fre- 
quently did.  During  the  fifty-eight  yeai-s 
of  his  ministy  he  never  received  a dollar  for 
preaching,  but  supported  his  family  by  hard 
labor  on  his  farm.  His  endurance  was  won- 
derful. He  preached  every  Sunday  and  his 
appointments  were  from  five  to  twenty  miles 
apart ; in  the  early  times  he  went  through 
the  wilderness  on  foot.  He  also  attended  on 
an  average  three  funerals  a week,  and  invaria- 
bly suffered  with  a sick  headache  after 
preaching.  His  long  and  useful  life  was 
filled  with  labor  and  adorned  with  love. 


584 


' ERIE  COUNTY.  , 


Huron,  on  Lake  Erie,  at  the  mouth  of  the  Huron  river,  is  nine  miles  east  of 
Sandusky  and  fifty-six  miles  west  of  Cleveland,  on  the  L.  S.  & M.  S.  and  N.  & 
H.  Railroad.  Newspaper  ; Erie  County  Reporter,  Independent,  D.  H.  Clock,  pub- 
lisher. Churches ; 1 Presbyterian,  1 Methodist  and  1 German  Evangelical. 
Bank  : Huron  Banking  Co.,  V.  Fries,  president ; H.  W.  Rand,  cashier. 

Manufactures  and  Industries. — One  of  the  largest  fishing  industries  on  the  lakes 
is  located  here,  employing  150  men.  About  500  tons  are  annually  frozen  during 
the  winter  months  and  2,000  tons  salted  during  the  fall  and  spring.  Its  man- 
ufactures are  tackle  blocks,  mast  hoops  and  a patent  shifting  seat  for  top  buggies. 

Population  in  1880.  1.038.  School  census  in  1886,  371  ; C.  K.  Smoyer,  super- 
intendent. 


Huron  has  one  of  the  best  harbors  on  the 
lake,  with  about  fifteen  feet  of  water  in  the 
channel  and  room  enough  for  all  the  ship- 
ping on  the  lake.  The  French  had  a trading- 
post  at  the  mouth  of  the  Huron  river  about 
the  year  1749.  The  Moravian  niissionaries, 
consisting  of  a few  white  settlers  and  Indians, 
located  on  a part  of  the  southeast  corner  of 
Huron  and  the  northeast  corner  of  Milan 


townships,  which  they  abandoned  previous  to 
the  Revolutionary  war. 

In  the  latter  part  of  the  last  century  or  be- 
ginning of  this,  John  Baptiste  Flemond  or 
Fleming  from  Montreal  opened  a trading 
station  and  dealt  with  the  Indians  on  the 
east  bank  of  the  Huron  about  two  miles  from 
its  mouth.  He  at  one  time  assisted  the  sur- 
veyors in  surveying  the  Fire-Lands. 


Castalia  is  a ueat  village  on  the  line  of  the  I.  B.  & W.  and  L.  E.  & W. 
Railroads  at  the  head  of  Coal  creek,  five  miles  southwest  of  Sandusky  City.  It 
borders  on  a beautiful  prairie  of  about  3,000  acres;  was  laid  out  in  1836  by  Mar- 
shall Burton  and  named  from  the  Grecian  fount. 


The  phenomena  presented  by  the  Castalia 
Springs  has  excited  considerable  curiosity 
and  interest.  At  Castalia  a volume  of  water 
called  Cold  creek,  which  forms  quite  a river, 
fiows  up  from  several  deep  orifices  in  the 
limestone  rock  and  supplies  in  its  descent  of 
fifty-seven  feet  to  Sandusky  bay,  three  miles 
distant,  the  motive  power  for  several  mills. 
Being  fed  by  subterranean  fountains  it  is  not 
much  aff’ected  by  fioods  and  drouths.^  In  its 
natural  channel  this  creek  ran  through  a 
piece  of  prairie  covering  several  hundred 
acres  into  a quagmire  and  ‘ ‘ muskrat  garden.  ’ ’ 
It  now  runs  nearly  its  whole  length  through 
an  artificial  channel  or  mill-race. 

In  1810  a grist  mill  was  built  near  the  head 
of  Cold  creek  which  ground  corn  until  the 
settlers  were  driven  away  by  the  news  of 
Hull’s  surrender.  This  was  probably  the 
first  grist  mill  on  the  Fire-Lands. 

Similar  springs  to  the  Castalia  are  found 
in  all  limestone  countries.  The  water  is  so 
pure  that  the  smallest  i)article  can  be  seen  at 


the  bottom,  and  when  the  sun  is  at  the 
meridian  all  the  objects  at  the  bottom,  logs, 
stumps,  etc.,  refiect  the  hues  of  the  rainbow, 
forming  a view  of  great  beauty.  The  con- 
stituents of  the  water  are  lime,  soda,  mag- 
nesia and  iron,  and  it  petrifies  all  objects,  as 
grass,  stumps,  moss,  etc.,  which  come  in 
contact  with  it.  The  water  wheels  of  the 
mills  upon  it  are  imperishable  from  decay  in 
consequence  of  their  being  incrusted  by  petri- 
faction. The  water  is  very  cold  but  never 
freezes,  and  at  its  point  of  entrance  to  the  lake 
prevents  the  formation  there  of  ice  ; it  main- 
tains nearly  the  same  temperature  summer 
and  winter. 

In  1870  Mr.  John  Hoyt  procured  a couple 
of  thousand  of  eggs  of  the  brook  or  speckled 
trout,  made  hatching  troughs  and  was  suc- 
cessful in  raising  trout  on  Cold  creek.  The 
stream  is  now  well  stocked  with  trout  and  is 
leased  to  two  clubs  of  gentlemen  for  sporting 
purposes,  ‘'The  Castalia  Spring  Club”  and 
the  ” Cold  Creek  Trout  Club.” 


The  village  of  Venice  is  on  Sandusky  bay,  near  the  mouth  of  Cold  creek,  and 
on  the  L.  S.  & M.  S.  R.  R.  In  the  summer  of  1817  the  village  w’as  founded  and 
the  mill-race  was  begun  to  bring  Cold  creek  to  the  present  site  of  the  Venice  mills. 
The  flouring  mills  here  have  performed  a very  important  part  in  the  development 
of  the  country.  The  A^enice  flouring  mills,  completed  in  1833,  established  the 
first  permanent  cash  market'  for  wheat  in  the  Fire-Lands.’’  The  first  100  barrels 
of  flour  in  the  merchant  work  was  sent  to  New  York.  On  its  arrival  hundreds 
of  people  went  to  see  it,  for  it  w^as  the  first  shipment  of  extra  flour  from  Ohio,  and 
some  even  predicted  that  in  time  Ohio  might  furnish  them  with  several  thousand 
barrels  of  flour  a year. 

Much  of  the  flour  made  in  Ohio  before  1840  Avas  sent  AVest  for  market.  In 


ERIE  COUNTY. 


5^5 


1836  Oliver  Newberry  purchased  500  barrels  of  flour,  at  $8  per  barrel,  and  took 
it  to  Chicago,  then  a struggling  frontier  village,  and  sold  it  for  $20  a barrel,  citi- 
zens holding  a public  meeting  thanking  him  for  not  asking  $50.  It  was  all  the 
flour  the  people  of  Chicago  had  for  the  winter.  Board  in  Chicago  wai  at  that 
early  day  enormously  high,  owing  to  the  scarcity  of  food,  the  country  around  being 
then  an  unproductive  wilderness. 

Before  the  starting  of  the  flouring-mills  in 
the  fire-lands,  the  earliest  settlers  in  some  cases 
took  their  wheat  in  boats  over  the  lake  to  the 
French  mills,  near  Detroit.  A touching  in- 
cident is  told  of  a party  of  men  who  started 
with  their  year’s  wheat  in  a boat  and  landed 
near  the  close  of  the  day  on  one  of  the  islands 
and  then  went  inland  a short  distance  to  select 
a place  to  camp  over  night.  On  their  return 
to  the  shore,  lo  and  behold  their  boat  was  no- 
where to  be  seen.  A sudden  gust  of  wind 
had  freed  it  from  its  mooring  and  it  had 
floated  off  with  its  precious  load  upon  the 
broad  expanse  of  Lake  Erie.  What  situa- 
tion could  be  more  deplorable ! They  were 

Kelley^s  Island  is  a township  of  Erie  county ; lies  in  the  lake,  thirteen  miles 
from  Sandusky,  and  contains  a little  over  four  square  miles.  It  was  originally 
called  Cunninghamks  Island,  from  a Frenchman,  Avho  came  here  about  1803.  He 
was  an  Indian  trader,  and  built  a cabin  or  trading  shanty.  In  1810  came  two  other 
Frenchmen,  Poschile  and  Bebo;  all  three  left  the  island  in  the  war  period,  at  which 
time  Gen.  Harrison,  in  command  of  the  ^^Army  of  the  Northwest,’^  stationed  a 
guard  on  the  Avest  point  of  the  island  to  watch  the  movements  of  the  British  and 
Indians  on  the  lake.  In  1818  a man  named  Killam  came  Avith  his  family  and  one 
or  tAvo  men.  The  steamboat  Walk-in-the-AVater,’’  the  first  built  upon  the  lakes, 
came  out  this  year,  and  Killam  furnished  her  Avith  fuel — all  red  cedar.  In  1820 
the  Walk-in-the- Water  Avas  Avrecked  at  Point  Albino.  In  1833  Datus  Kelley, 
of  Kockport,  in  connection  Avith  his  brother,  Irad  Kelley,  of  Cleveland,  bought  the 
island,  Avith  a view  of  bringing  into  the  market  the  red  cedar  Avith  which  much 
of  the  island  Avas  then  covered.  At  this  time  there  Avere  only  three  or  four  families, 
and  those  squatters,  on  the  island,  and  only  six  acres  of  cleared  land.  In  1836 
Mr.  Datus  Kelley  moved  his  family  to  his  island  home,  and  remained  until  his 
death,  in  1866,  in  his  seventy-eighth  year.  He  Avas  a man  of  great  force  of  char- 
acter, and  careful  not  to  sell  land  to  any  settlers  except  to  people  of  thrift  and 
general  good  habits ; the  result  of  this  is  apparent  in  the  fine  moral  status  of  its 
present  population.  The  census  of  1840  gave  it  a population  of  68  ; that  of 
1880,  888. 

The  sales  of  Avood,  cedar,  and  stone  soon  repaid  many  times  the  entire  purchase, 
and  the  tillable  land,  a strong  limestone  soil,  proved  to  be  of  superior  quality. 
The  stone  trade  greAv  into  great  proportions.  I^arge  quantities  of  limestone  Avere 
then  quarried  for  building  and  other  purposes.  Some  of  the  most  elegant  structures 
of  our  cities  are  built  Avith  the  Kelley  Island  limestone. 

Another  element  came  in  to  effect  a revolution  in  the  pursuits  of  the  people. 
About  the  year  1 842,  Mr.  Datus  Kelley  noticing  that  the  Avild  grapes  upon  the 
island  Avere  remarkably  thrifty,  brought  from  his  former  residence  at  Rockport  the 
CataAvba  and  Isabella  grape  vines,  and  found  the  soil  and  climate  surprisingly  Avell 
adapted  to  tlie  culture  of  the  grape.  Mr.  Charles  Carpenter,  son-in-laAV  of  Mr. 
Kelley — born  in  Norwich,  Conn.,  in  1810 — planted  the  first  acre  of  grapes  as  a 
field  crop,  and  the  demonstration  Avas  such  that  in  a few  years  there  Avere  nearly 
1,000  acres  set  to  vines,  about  one-third  of  the  entire  area  of  the  island.  Large 
profits  for  a time  resulted  from  the  sale  of  the  fruit  packed  for  table  use,  and  as  a 
consequence  the  price  of  land  advanced  several  hundred  per  cent.  The  excess  of 


on  a lone  island  and  no  way  of  escape.  There 
were  no  passing  vessels  to  rescue  them.  The 
lake  was  at  that  time  but  a solitude  of  water. 
Thoughts  of  their  families,  starvation  for 
them  and  starvation  for  themselves  seemed 
inevitable.  Poor  men ! they  broke  down, 
shed  tears,  and  passed  a night  of  woe. 
Morning  came.  Heartbroken,  they  Avan- 
dered  down  to  the  shore  and  gazed  upon  the 
wild  waste  of  waters.  Then  all  at  once  in  a 
little  nook,  safe  and  close  in  shore,  they  dis- 
covered their  boat.  A change  of  wind  in  the 
night  had  floated  it  back  as  silently  as  it  had 
floated  away. 


586 


ERIE  COUNTY. 


supply  over  demand  for  table  use,  and  also  the  quality  of  the  crop  for  that  pur- 
pose, led  to  the  manufacture  of  wine,  and  there  were  in  course  of  time  erected  on 
the  island  cellars  which,  including  those  of  the  Kelley  Island  Wine  Com23any,  had 
a capacity  of  storing  half  a million  gallons  of  wine.  The  average  crop  of  grapes 
by  1880  had  grown  to  700  tons,  all  of  which  was  manufactured  into  wine.  Mr. 
Carpenter,  mentioned  above,  was  not  only  prominent  as  a horticulturist,  but  he 
took  a deep  interest  in  the  artificial  propagation  of  fish ; was  active  and  prominent 
in  inducing  the  State  to  experiment  in  the  propagation  of  white-fish,  and  was  put 
in  charge  of  a branch  of  the  State  Fish  Hatchery  on  Kelley’s  Island. 

Antiquities. — Kelley’s  Island  Avas  a favorite  place  of  resort  of  the  aborigines, 
which  is  shown  by  the  remains  of  mounds,  burial-places,  and  implements.  Here 
is  the  famous  Inscription  Kock,”  Avhich  archaeologists  have  regarded  as  the  work 
of  the  Fries,  or  Cat  nation,  which  Avas  annih’lated  in  a Avholesale  slaughter  by  the 
Iroquois  in  1655.  The  following  brief  description  is  from  the  pen  of  Mr.  Addison 
Kelley : 


This  Inscription  Fock  lies  on  the  south 
shore  of  Kelley’s  Island,  in  Lake  Erie,  about 
60  rods  east  of  the  steamboat  landing.  The 
rock  is  32  feet  greatest  length,  and  21  feet 
greatest  breadth,  and  11  feet  high  above  the 
Avater  in  Avhich  it  sets.  It  is  a part  of  the 
same  stratification  as  the  island,  from  which 
it  has  been  separated  by  lake  action.  The 
top  presents  a smooth  and  polished  surface, 
like  all  the  limestone  of  this  section  of  coun- 
try when  the  soil  is  removed,  suggesting  the 
idea  of  glacial  action  ; upon  this  the  inscrip- 
tions are  cut;  the  figures  and  devices  are 
deeply  sunk  in  the  rock. 

Schoolcraft’s  “Indian  Antiquities”  says 
of  it ; “It  is  by  far  the  most  extensive  and 
well  sculptured  and  best  preserved  inscription 
of  the  antiquarian  period  ever  found  in 
America.  ’ ’ It  is  in  the  pictographic  charac- 
ter of  the  natives ; its  leading  symbols  are 
readily  interpreted.  The  human  figures,  the 
pipe,  smoking  groups,  and  other  figures  de- 
note tribes,  negotiations,  crimes,  and  tur- 
moils, which  tell  a story  of  thrilling  interest, 
connected  with  the  occupation  of  this  section 
by  the  Eries — of  the  coming  of  the  Wyandots 
— of  the  final  triumph  of  the  Iroquois,  and 
flight  of  the  people  who  have  left  their  name 
on  the  lake. 

In  the  year  1851  drawings  of  these  inscrip- 
tions Avere  made  by  Ool.  Eastman,  of  the 
United  States  army,  who  was  detailed  by  the 
government  at  Washington  to  examine  them 
on  the  representation  of  Gen.  Meigs,  who  had 
examined  them.  Copies  of  the  inscriptions 


were  made  and  submitted  to  Shingvauk,  an 
Indian  learned  in  Indian  pictography,  and 
who  had  interpreted  prior  inscriptions  sub- 
mitted to  him. 

We  copy  a few  lines  from  Schoolcraft’s 
“American  Antiquities,”  page  85  to  87  in- 
clusive : “No.  6,  is  a chief  and  warrior  of 
distinction ; 7,  his  pipe,  he  is  smoking  after 
a fast ; 15-16,  are  ornaments  of  leather  worn 
by  distinguished  warriors  and  chiefs  ; No.  14, 
ornaments  of  feathers  ; 33,  is  a symbol  for  the 
No.  10,  and  denotes  ten  days,  the  length  of 
his  fast ; 34,  is  a mark  for  the  No.  2,  and  de- 
signates two  days,  and  that  he  fasted  the  whole 
time,  except  a morsel  at  sunset. 

“Nos.  1,  2,  3,  4,  5,  8,  9,  10,  11,  12, 13, 17, 
18,  19,  20,  22,  23,  24,  25,  26,  and  43  represent 
different  objects  relied  upon  by  the  chief  in 
the  exhibition  of  his  magical  and  political 
powers,  denoting  in  him  the  sources  of  long 
ife  and  potent  influences  ; figures  30,  19,  41, 
denote  a journey  in  snow  shoes  ; 31-40,  war 
clubs ; 78,  a road ; 122,  serpents  who  beset 
his  path,  etc.,  etc.” 

These  inscriptions  were  first  brought  to  the 
knowledge  of  “the  white  man,”  about  the 
year  1833-4,  soon  after  the  purchase  of  the 
island  by  Datus  and  Irad  Kelley,  being  dis- 
covered by  Mr.  Charles  Olmstead,  of  Connec- 
ticut, while  tracing,  and  studying  the  glacial 
rooves.  Since  then  the  rock  has  been  visited 
y thousands  of  persons,  and  has  become 
much  worn,  and  some  of  it  is  so  much  oblit- 
erated as  to  prevent  a full  photograph  being 
taken  of  it,  as  it  was  when  first  discovered. 


Prior  to  photographing  the  vieAV  shoAvn  of  Inscription  Rock  Mr.  Bishop  and 
Mr.  Addison  Kelley,  the  latter  shoAvn  on  its  summit,  passed  half  a day  in  going 
over  the  partly  obliterated  lines  in  red  chalk  because  red  photographs  black. 

The  most  celebrated  locality  perhaps  in  the  Avorld  to  shoAV  the  marks  of  the  re- 
ceding glaciers  is  in  this  island  region,  and  especially  are  they  strong  on  Kelley’s 
Island,  as  described  on  the  third  page  of  the  article  in  this  Avork,  Glacial  Man  in 
Ohio.”  Col.  Chas.  Wliittlesey,  in  a })aper  read  before  the  ^^Americ^n  Association 
for  the  Advancement  of  Science,”  August,  1878,  entitled  ‘Ancient  Glacial  Action, 
Kelley’s  Island,  Lake  Erie,”  says  : “ These  islands  originally  formed  a part  of  the 
main  land  on  the  south  and  of  the  Ioav  coast  to  the  Avest.  Probably  all  of  the 
lake  Avest  of*  Point  Pellee,  in  the  pre-glacial  period,  Avas  more  land  than  water. 


ERIE  COUNTY. 


5S7 


Instead  of  a lake  with  islands  it  must  have  been  a country  with  lakes,  rivers  and 
swamps.”  Some  of  the  furrows  on  this  island  worn  by  the  ice  are  two  feet  deep. 

In  this  region  whenever  the  rocks  are  laid  bare  the  evidences  of  ice  action  are 
very  marked.  In  Sandusky  City  many  of  the  cellar  bottoms  show  polished, 
grooved  and  striated  surfaces. 

Vermillion  is  on  the  L.  S.  <&  M.  S.  and  N.  Y.  C.  and  St.  L.  R.  R.,  at  the 
mouth  of  Vermillion  river,  which  was  so  named  by  the  Indians  on  account  of  a 
paint  they  found  along  its  banks.  Census  of  Vermillion  in  1880,  1,069.  School 
census,  1886,  329  ; J.  Q.  Versoy,  principal.  The  first  settlers  in  this  vicinity 
came  between  the  years  1808  and  1810  and  were  Wm.  Haddy,  William  Austin, 
George  and  John  Sherarts,  Enoch  Smith,  Horatio  Perry,  Solomon  Parsons,  Ben- 
jamin Brooks,  Barlow  Sturges,  Deacon  John  Beardsley,  James  Cuddeback  and 
Almon  Ruggles,  surveyor  of  the  Fire-Lands  and  land  agent  for  tli^  company. 
One  of  these,  Capt.  Wm.  Austin,  said  he  often  held  Commodore  O.  H.  Perry  on 
his  knees  when  a baby.  About  1842  the  harbor  here  was  dredged  to  a depth  of 
fourteen  feet,  a light-house  built  and  ship-building  extensively  prosecuted. 


FAIRPIELD 

Fairfield  County  was  formed  December  9,  1800,  by  proclamation  of  Gov. 
St.  Clair  and  so  named  from  the  beauty  of  iU  fair  fields.  It  contains  every  variety 
of  soil,  from  the  richest  to  the  most  sterile.  In  the  north  and  west  it  is  generally 
level  and  the  soil  fertile.  The  southern  part  is  hilly  and  broken,  the  soil  thin  and 
in  many  places  composed  of  sand  and  gravel.  A great  and  permanent  source  of 
wealth  to  the  county  is  its  vast  sandstone  quarries,  the  stone  from  which  is  largely 
sent  to  other  parts  of  the  State  for  building  purposes.  Area  470  square  miles. 
In  1885  the  acres  cultivated  were  130,721 ; in  pasture,  93,071 ; woodland,  42,005; 
lying  waste,  5,258  ; produced  in  wheat  160,756  bushels;  corn,  2,649,925  ; butter, 
713,868  pounds;  wool,  146,192;  cattle  owned,  23,448;  sheep,  30,391;  hogs, 
32,538.  School  census,  1886, 10,663  ; teachers,  205.  It  has  95  miles  of  railroad. 


Townships  and  Census. 

1840. 

1880. 

Townships  and  Census. 

1840. 

1880. 

Amanda, 

1,937 

1,840 

Madison, 

1,085 

,•  1,387 

Berne, 

Bloom, 

2,431 

2,288 

2,625 

Pleasant, 

2,025 

2,281 

2,179 

Richland, 

1,960 

1,520 

Clear  Creek, 

1,716 

2,080 

Rush  Creek, 

2,426 

8,605 

Greenfield, 

2,148 

2,120 

2,778 

2,036 

Violet, 

2,400 

2,197 

Hocking, 

Liberty, 

2,412 

3,070 

Walnut, 

2,098 

2,070 

Tlie  population  in  1820  was  16,508  ; 1840,  31,858  ; 1860,  30,538  ; 1880,  34,- 
284,  of  whom  29,963  were  Ohio-born;  Pennsylvania,  1,058;  Germany,  1,C18; 
Ireland,  230;  Virginia,  623;  New  York,  135;  Indiana,  143. 

From  the  lecture  delivered  before  tlie  Ivancaster  Tjiterary  Institute,  in  March, 
1844,  by  George  Sanderson,  Esq.,  we  derive  the  following  sketch  of  the  history 
of  this  region  : 

The  lands  watered  by  the  sources  of  the  within  the  limits  of  Fairfield  county,  when 
Hockhocking  river,  and  now  comprehended  first  discovered  by  the  early  settlers  at  Mari- 


588 


FAIRFIELD  COUNTY. 


etta,  were  owned  and  occupied  by  the  Wy- 
andot tribe  of  Indians.  The  principal  town 
of  the  nation  stood  along  the  margin  of  the 
prairie,  between  the  south  end  of  Broad 
street  and  T.  Ewing’s  canal  basin,  and  the 
resent  town  of  Lancaster,  and  extending 
ack  to  the  base  of  the  hill,  south  of  the 
Methodist  Episcopal  church.  It  is  said  that 
the  town  contained,  in  1790,  about  100  wig- 
wams and  a population  of  500  souls.  It  was 
called  Tarhe,  or  in  English  the  Crane-town., 
and  derived  its  name  from  that  of  the  prin- 
cipal chief  of  the  tribe.  Another  portion  of 
the  tribe  then  lived  at  Tohey-town.,  nine  miles 
west  of  Tarhetown  (now  Boyalton),  and  was 
governed  by  an  inferior  chief  called  Tohey. 
The  chief’s  wigwam,  in  Tarhe,  stood  upon 
the  bank  of  the  prairie,  near  where  the  fourth 
lock  is  built  on  the  Hocking  canal,  and  near 
where  a beautiful  spring  of  water  flowed  into 
the  Hockhocking  river.  The  wigwams  were 
built  of  the  bark  of  trees,  set  on  poles  in  the 


form  of  a sugar  camp,  with  one  square  open, 
fronting  a fire,  and  about  the  height  of 
man.  .The  Wyandot  tribe  numbered  at  that 

day  about  500  warriors By  the  treaty 

of  Greenville,  in  1795,  the  Wyandots  ceded 
all  their  territory  on  the  Hockhocking  river 
to  the  United  States. 

The  Crane  chief,  soon  after  the  treaty,  with 
many  of  the  tribe,  removed  and  settled  at 
Upper  Sandusky ; others  remained  behind  for 
four  or  flve  years  after  the  settlement  of  the 
country,  as  if  unable  or  unwilling  to  tear  them- 
selves away  from  the  graves  of  their  fore- 
fathers and  their  hunting-grounds.  They 
were,  however,  so  peaceably  disposed  towards 
the  settlers,  that  no  one  felt  willing  to  drive 
them  away.  In  process  of  time,  the  game 
and  fur  became  scarce,  and  the  lingering  In- 
dian, unwilling  to  labor  for  a living,  was 
forced  by  stern  necessity  to  quit  the  country, 
and  take  up  his  abode  with  those  of  his  tribe 
who  had  preceded  him,  at  Upper  Sandusky. 


In  1797  Ebenezer  Zane  opened  the  road  known  as  ^^Zane’s  Trace/’  from 
Wheeling  to  Limestone  (now  Maysville).  It  passed  through  the  site  of  Lancas- 
ter, at  a fording  about  300  yards  below  the  present  turnpike  bridge,  west  of  the 
town,  and  then  called  the  crossings  of  the  Hockhocking.”  He  located  one  of 


his  three  tracts  of  land,  given , by  Cong] 
the  Hockhocking,  at  Lancaster. 

In  1797,  Zane’s  trace  having  opened  a com- 
munication between  the  Eastern  States  and 
Kentucky,  many  individuals  in  both  direc- 
tions, wishing  to  better  their  condition  in  life 
by  emigrating  and  settling  in  the  “back- 
woods,”  so  called,  visited  the  Hockhocking 
valley  for  that  purpose.  Finding  the  country 
surpassingly  fertile,  abounding  in  fine  springs 
of  the  purest  water,  they  determined  to  make 
it  their  new  homes. 

In  April,  1798,  Capt.  Joseph  Hunter,  a 
bold  and  enterprising  man,  with  his  family, 
emigrated  from  Kentucky  and  settled  on 
Zane’s  trace,  upon  the  bank  of  the  prairie, 
west  of  the  crossings,  and  about  150  yards 
northwest  of  the  present  turnpike  road,  and 
which  place  was  called  “ Hunter’s  settle- 
ment.” Here  he  cleared  off  the  underbrush, 
felled  the  forest  trees  and  erected  a cabin,  at 
a time  when  he  had  not  a neighbor  nearer 
than  the  Muskingum  or  Scioto  rivers.  This 
was  the  commencement  of  the  first  settlement 
in  the  Upper  Hockhocking  valley,  and  Capt. 
Hunter^  is  regarded  as  the  founder  of  the 
flourishing  and  populous  county  of  Fairfield. 
He  lived  to  see  the  county  densely  settled  and 
in  a high  state  of  improvement,  and  died 
about  the  year  1829.  His  wife  was  the  first 
white  woman  that  settled  in  the  valley,  and 
shared  with  her  husband  all  the  toils,  suffer- 
ings, hpdships  and  privations  incident  to  the 
formation  of  the  new  settlement.  During  the 
spring  of  the  same  3"ear  (1798)  Nathaniel 
Wilson,  the  elder,  John  and  Allen  Green, 
John  and  Joseph  M’lMullen,  Bobert  Cooi)er, 
Isaac  Shaeffer  and  a few  others,  reached  the 
valley,  erected  cabins  and  put  out  a crop  of 
corn . 

In  1799  the  tide  of  emigration  set  in  with 


for  the  performance  of  this  task,  of* 


great  force.  In  the  spring  of  this  year  two 
settlements  were  made  in  the  present  town- 
ship of  Greenfield.  Each  settlement  con- 
tained twenty  or  thirty  families.  One  was 
called  the  Forks  of  the  Hockhocking,  and  the 
other  Yankeetown,  Settlements  were  also 
made  along  the  river  below  Hunter’s,  on 
Bush  creek,  Baccoon  and  Indian  creeks. 
Pleasant  run.  Fetter’s  run,  at  TobejTown, 
Muddy  Prairie,  and  on  Clear  creek.  In  the 
fall  of  1799  Joseph  Loveland  and  Hezekiah 
Smith  erected  a log  grist-mill  at  the  upper 
falls  of  the  Hockhocking,  now  called  the 
Bock  mill.  This  was  the  first  grist-mill  built 
on  the  Hockhocking. 

In  April,  1799,  Samuel  Coates,  Sen.,  and 
Samuel  Coates,  Jr.,  from  England,  built  a 
cabin  in  the  prairie  at  the  “ Crossings  of  the 
Hockhocking,”  kept  bachelors’  hall,  and 
raised  a crop  of  corn.  In  the  latter  part  of 
the  year  a mail  route  was  established  along 
Zane’s  trace,  from  Wheeling  to  Limestone. 
The  mail  was  carried  through  on  horseback, 
and,  at  first,  only  once  a week.  Samuel 
Coates,  Sen.,  was  the  postmaster,  and  kept 
his  office  at  the  Crossings.  This  was  the  first 
established  mail  route  through  the  interior 
of  the  territory,  and  Samuel  Coates  was  the 
first  postmaster  at  the  new  settlements. 

The  settlers  subsisted  principally  on  corn- 
bread,  potatoes,  milk  and  butter,  and  wild 
meats.  Flour,  tea  and  coffee  were  scarcely  to 
be  had  ; and  when  brought  to  the  country, 
such  prices  were  asked  as  to  put  it  out  of  the 
reach  of  many  to  purchase.  Salt  was  an  in- 
disi)ensable  article,  and  cost  at  the  Scioto  salt 
works  $5  per  fifty  pounds.  Flour  brought 
$16  per  barrel;  tea,  $2.50;  coffee,  $1,50  5 
spice  and  pepper,  $1  per  pound. 


FAIRFIELD  COUNTY. 


53g 


In  the  fall  of  1800  Ebeneier  Zane  laid  out  Lancaster,  and  by  way  of  compli' 
ment  to  a number  of  emigrants  from  Lancaster  county,  Pa.,  called  it  New  Lan- 
caster. It  retained  that  name  until  1805,  when,  by  an  act  of  the  Legislature,  the 
word  New  was  dropped.  A sale  of  lots  took  place  soon  after  the  town  was 
laid  oif  and  sold  to  purchasers  at  prices  ranging  from  five  to  fifty  dollars  each. 
The  greater  portion  of  the  purchasers  were  mechanics,  and  they  immediately  set 
about  putting  up  log-buildings.  Much  of  the  material  needed  for  that  purpose 
was  found  upon  their  lots  and  in  the  streets,  and  so  rapidly  did  the  work  of  im- 
provement progress  during  the  fall  of  1800  and  following  winter  that  in  the  spring 
of  1801  the  principal  streets  and  alleys  assumed  their  present  shapes  and  gave  as- 
surance that  New  Lancaster  would,  at  no  distant  day,  become  a town  of  some 
importance. 


About  this  time  merchants  and  professional 
men  made  their  appearance.  The  Rev.  John 
Wright,  of  the  Presbyterian  church,  settled 
in  Lancaster  in  1801,  and  the  Rev.  Asa  Shinn 
and  Rev.  James  Quinn,  of  the  Methodist 
church,  travelled  on  the  Fairfield  circuit. 

Shortly  after  the  settlement,  and  while  the 
stumps  yet  remained  in  the  streets,  a small 
portion  of  the  settlers  occasionally  indulged 
in  drinking  frolics,  ending  frequently  in  fights. 
In  the  absence  of  law,  the  better  disposed  part 
of  the  population  determined  to  stop  the 
growing  evil.  They  accordingly  met  and  re- 
solved, that  any  person  of  the  town  found  in- 
toxicated, should,  for  every  such  offence,  dig 


a stump  out  of  the  street,  or  suffer  personal 
chastisement.  The  result  was,  that  after  sev- 
eral offenders  had  expiated  their  crimes,  dram 
drinking  ceased,  and  for  a time  all  became  a 
sober,  temperate  ^ nd  happy  people. 

On  the  9th  day  of  December,  1800,  the 
governor  and  council  of  the  Northwest  Terri- 
tory organized  the  county  of  Fairfield,  and 
designated  New  Lancaster  as  the  seat  of  jus- 
tice. The  county  then  contained  within  its 
limits  all,  or  nearly  all,  of  the  present  counties 
of  Licking  and  Knox ; a large  portion  of 
Perry,  and  small  parts  of  Pickaway  and  Hock- 
ing counties. 


The  first  white  male  child  bom  in  Fairfield  was  the  son  of  Mrs.  Huhama 
Greene.  This  lady  emigrated  to  this  region  in  1798  and  settled  three  miles  west 
of  Lancaster,  where  her  child  was  born.  The  sketch  appended  of  her  is  from 


Col.  J ohn  McDonald,  of  Ross  county. 

Mrs.  Ruhama  Greene  was  born  and  raised 
in  Jefferson  county,  Virginia.  In  1785  she 
married  a Mr.  Charles  Builderback,  and  with 
him  crossed  the  mountains  and  settled  at  the 
mouth  of  Short  creek,  on  the  east  bank  of 
the  Ohio,  a few  miles  above  \^^heeling.  Her 
husband,  a brave  man,  had  on  many  occa- 
sions distinguished  himself  in  repelling  the 
Indians,  who  had  often  felt  the  sure  aim  of 
his  unerring  rifie.  They  therefore  deter- 
mined at  all  hazards  to  kill  him. 

On  a beautiful  summer  morning  in  June, 
1789,  at  a time  when  it  was  thought  the 
enemy  had  abandoned  the  western  shores  of 
the  Ohio,  Capt.  Charles  Builderback,  his  wife 
and  brother,  Jacob  Builderback,  crossed  the 
Ohio  to  look  after  some. cattle.  On  reaching 
the  shore,  a party  of  fifteen  or  twenty  Indi- 
ans rushed  out  from  an  anibush,  and  firing 
upon  them,  wounded  Jacob  in  the  shoulder. 
Charles  was  taken  while  he  was  running  to 
escape.  Jacob  returned  to  the  canoe  and  got 
away.  In  the  meantime,  Mrs.  Builderback 
secreted  herself  in  some  drift-wood,  near  the 
bank  of  the  river.  As  soon  as  the  Indians 
liad  secured  and  tied  her  husband,  and  not 
being  enabled  to  discover  her  hiding-place, 
they  compelled  him,  with  threats  of  imme- 
diate death,  to  call  her  to  him.  With  a hope 
of  appeasing  their  fury,  he  did  so.  She 
heard  him,  but  made  no  answer.  “ Here,” 


to  use  her  words,  ‘ ‘ a struggle  took  place  in 
my  breast,  which  I cannot  describe.  Shall  I 
go  to  him  and  become  a prisoner,  or  shall  I 
remain,  return  to  our  cabin  and  provide  for 
and  take  care  of  our  children  ? ’ ' He  shouted 
to  her  a second  time  to  come  to  him,  saying, 
“that  if  she  obeyed,  perhaps  it  would  be  the 
means  of  saving  his  life.”  She  no  longer 
liesitated,  left  her  place  of  safety,  and  sur- 
rendered herself  to  his  savage  captors.  All 
this  took  place  in  full  view  of  their  cabin,  on 
the  opposite  shore,  and  where  they  had  left 
their  two  children,  one  a son  about  three  years 
of  age,  and  an  infant  daughter.  The  Indians, 
knowing  that  they  would  be  pursued  as  soon 
as  the  news  of  their  visit  reached  the  stockade, 
at  Wheeling,  commenced  their  retreat.  Mrs. 
Builderback  and  her  husband  travelled  to- 
gether that  day  and  the  following  night.  The 
next  morning  the  Indians  separated  into  two 
bands,  one  taking  Builderback,  and  the  other 
his  wife,  and  continued  a westward  course  by 
different  routes. 

In  a few  days  the  band  having  Mrs.  Builder- 
back in  custody  reached  the  Tuscarawas  river, 
where  they  encamj)ed,  and  were  soon  rejoined 
by  the  band  that  had  had  her  husband  in 
charge.  Here  the  murderers  exhibited  his 
scalp  on  the  top  of  a pole,  and  to  convince 
her  that  they  had  killed  him,  pulled  it  dowp 
and  threw  it  into  her  lap.  She  recognized  it 


590 


FAIRFIELD  COUNTY. 


at  once  by  the  redness  of  his  hair.  She  said 
nothing,  and  uttered  no  complaint.  It  was 
evening  ; her  ears  pained  with  the  terrific 
yells  of  the  savages,  and  wearied  by  constant 
travelling,  she  reclined  against  a tree  and  fell 
into  a profound  sleep,  and  forgot  all  her  suf- 
ferings until  morning.  When  she  awoke,  the 
scalp  of  her  murdered  husband  was  gone, 
and  she  never  learned  what  became  of  it. 

As  soon  as  the  capture  of  Builderback  was 
known  at  Wheeling,  a party  of  scouts  set  off 
in  pursuit,  and  taking  the  trail  of  one  of  the 
bands, ^ followed  it  until  they  found  the  body 
of  Builderback.  He  had  been  tomahawked 
and  scalped,  and  apparently  suffered  a lin- 
gering death. 

The  Indians,  on  reaching  their  towns  on 
the  Big  Miami,  adopted  Mrs.  Builderback 
into  a family,  with  whom  she  resided  until 
released  from  captivity.  She  remained  a 
prisoner  about  nine  months,  performing  the 
labor  and  drudgery  of  squ.  ws,  such  as  carry- 
ing in  meat  from  the  hunting-grounds,  pre- 
paring and  drying  it,  making  moccasins,  leg- 
gings and  other  clothing  for  the  family  in 
which  she  was  raised.  After  her  adoption, 
she  suffered  much  from  the  rough  and  filthy 
manner  of  Indian  living,  but  had  no  cause  to 
complain  of  ill-treatment  otherwise. 

In  a few  months  after  her  capture,  some 
friendly  Indians  informed  the  commandant  at 


Fort  Washington  that  there  was  a white 
woman  in  captivity  at  the  Miami  towns.  She 
was  ransomed  and  brought  into  the  fort,  and 
in  a few  weeks  was  sent  up  the  river  to  her 
lonely  cabin,  and  to  the  embrace  of  her  two 
orphan  children.  She  then  recrossed  the 
mountains,  and  settled  in  her  native  county. 

In  1791  Mrs.  Builderback  married  Mr. 
John  Greene,  and  in  1798  they  emigrated  to 
the  Hockhocking  valley,  and  settled  about 
three  miles  west  of  Lancaster,  where  she 
continued  to  reside  until  the  time  of  her 
death,  about  the  year  1842.  She  survived 
her  last  husband  about  ten  years. 

Her  first  husband,  Builderback,  commanded 
a company  at  Crawford’s  defeat.  He  was  a 
large,  noble-looking  man,  and  a bold  and 
intrepid  warrior.  He  was  in  the  bloody  Mo- 
ravian campaign,  and  took  his  share  in  the 
tragedy  by  shedding  the  first  blood  on  that 
occasion,  when  he  shot,  tomahawked  and 
scalped  Shebosh,  a Moravian  chief.  But 
retributive  justice  was  meted  to  him.  After 
being  taken  prisoner,  the  Indians  inquired 
his  name.  “Charles  Builderback,”  replied 
he,  after  some  little  pause.  At  this  revela- 
tion, the  Indians  stared  at  each  other  with  a 
malignant  triumph.  ‘ ‘ Ha ! ' ’ said  they,  ‘ ‘ you 
kill  many  Indians — ^jmu  big  captain — you  kill 
Moravians.”  From  that  moment,  probably, 
his  death  was  decreed. 


Near  the  town  of  Lancaster  stands  a bold  and  romantic  eminence,  about  two 


Drawn  by  Henry  Howe  in  18 IG. 


Mount  Pleasant. 

hundred  feet  high,  known  as  Alt.  Pleasant,  which  was  called  by  the  Indians  ^Ghe 
Standing  Stone.^’  A writer  on  geology  says  in  reference  to  this  rock  : What  is 
properly  called  the  sandstone  formation  terminates  near  Lancaster  in  immense  de- 
tached mural  precipices,  like  the  remains  of  ancient  islands.  One  of  these,  called 
Alt.  Pleasant,  seated  on  the  borders  of  a large  jdain,  affords  from  its  top  a fine 
view  of  the  adjacent  country.  The  base  is  a mile  and  a half  in  circumference, 
while  the  apex  is  only  about  thirty  by  one  hundred  yards,  resembling,  at  a dis- 
tance, a huge  pyramid.  These  lofty  towers  of  sandstone  are  like  so  many  monu- 
ments to  point  out  the  boundaries  of  that  ancient  western  Alediterranean  which 
once  covered  the  present  rich  prairies  of  Ohio/^ 


FAIRFIELD  COUNTY. 


591 


It  is  a place  much  resorted  to  by  parties  of  pleasure.  The  Duke  of  Saxc- 
Weimar,  when  in  this  country  in  1825,  visited  this  mount  and  carved  his  name 
upon  the  rocks.  The  lecture  delivered  before  the  Literary  Institute  gives  a thrill- 


Vrawn  by  Henry  Howe  in  1846. 

View  in  Main  Street,  Lancaster. 

ing  narrative  of  the  visit  of  two  scouts  to  this  spot  (the  famed  Wetzel  brothers) 
at  an  early  day,  their  successful  fight  with  the  Indians,  the  recapture  of  a female 
prisoner  and  their  perilous  escape  from  the  enemy.  The  incident  was  the  founda- 
tion of  a novel  by  Emerson  Bennett,  issued  about  1848.  The  name  of  his  heroine 
was  Forest  Kose. 


J.  J.  Wolfe,  Photo. , Lancaster,  1886. 

View  in  Main  Street,  Lancaster. 

[Near  the  top  of  the  hill  on  the  left  is  the  Sherman  homestead,  where  in  a then  log-house  were  born 
Senator  and  General  Sherman.  The  lowing  mansion  and  new  court-house  are  near  them  on  the  sum* 
mit  of  the  hill.] 

Lancaster  in  1846. — Lancaster,  the  county-seat,  is  situated  on  the  Hockhock- 
ing  river  and  canal,  on  the  Zanesville  and  Chillicothe  turnpike,  28-  miles  southeast 
Df  Columbus,  37  from  Zanesville^  18  from  Somerset,  19  from  Logan,  35  from. 


592 


FAIRFIELD  COUNTY. 


Chillicothe,  20  from  Circleville  and  27  from  Newark.  It  stands  in  a beautiful 
and  fertile  valley,  and  is  a flourishing,  well-built  town.  It  contains  1 Presby- 
terian, 1 Methodist,  1 Catholic,  1 Lutheran,  1 Protestant  Methodist,  1 Baptist  and 
1 German  Reformed  church,  about  20  mercantile  stores,  2 newspaper  offices,  and 
had,  in  1840,  2,120  inhabitants.  It  has  since  much  increased.  The  engraving 
shows  the  appearance  of  the  principal  street  in  the  town.  It  was  taken  near  the 
court-house  and  represents  the  western  part  of  the  street.  The  court-house  is 
shown  on  the  right  and  the  market  on  the  left  of  the  vie^^. — Old  Edition. 

Lancaster,  at  the  intersection  of  the  C.  H.  V.  & T.  and  C.  &■  M.  V.  Rail- 
roads, 32  miles  southeast  of  Columbus.  It  has  natural  gas  and  a fine  surrounding 
agricultural  district.  Its  fair  ground  is  one  of  the  finest  in  the  State  and  its  fairs 
highly  successful.  County  officers  in  1888  : Auditor,  Benjamin  Deem ; Clerks, 
M^m.  H.  AYolfe,  Wm.  B.  Henry;  Coroner,  MTn.  L.  Jeflries;  Prosecuting  Attor- 
ney, Wm.  H.  Daugherty;  Probate  Judge,  John  Theodore  Busby;  Recorder, 
Robert  A.  Bell ; Sheriff,  Benj.  F.  Price ; Surveyor,  Chas.  W.  Borland ; Treasurer, 
Solomon  Bader,  Michael  C.  Miller ; Commissioners,  Allen  D.  Friesner,  Henry  W. 
Gerrett,  John  Hozey.  Newspapers  : Ohio  Eagle,  Dem.,  Thos.  ^yetzler,  editor  and 
publisher ; Gazette,  Rep.,  S.  A.  Griswold,  editor ; Fairfield  County  Republican, 
Rep.,  A.  R.  Eversole,  editor  and  publisher.  Churches : 1 Methodist  Episcopal, 
1 Presbyterian,  1 Catholic,  3 Lutheran,  1 Reformed,  1 Episcopal  and  1 Evan- 
gelical. Banks : Fairfield  County,  Philip  Rising,  president,  H.  B.  Peters, 
cashier;  Hocldng  Valley  National,  Theo.  Mithoff,  president,  Thomas  Mithoff, 
cashier ; Lancaster,  S.  J.  Wright,  president,  George  W.  Beck,  cashier. 

Industries  and  Employees. — E.  Becker  & Co.,  lager  beer,  14  hands ; McAnespie 
& Co.,  cloth,  yarns,  etc.,  10 ; J.  B.  Orman  Bros.,  doors,  sash,  etc.,  10 ; Peter  Mil- 
ler & Co.,  clothing,  70;  Beery  & Beck,  clothing,  74;  Temple  of  Fashion,  cloth- 
ing, 92 ; Sifford  & Schultz,  doors,  sash,  etc. ; Peet  & Dennis,  flour,  etc. ; J.  R. 
]\Iumaugh,  flour,  etc.  ; Hocking  Valley  IManufacturing  Co.,  agricultural  imple- 
ments, 93 ; Hocking  Valley  Bridge  Co.,  bridges,  14 ; C.  & M.  V.  R.  R.  Shops, 
railroad  repairs,  40;  A.  Bauman,  crackers,  etc.,  13. — State  Report  for  1887. 

Population  in  1880,  6,803.  School  census  in  1886,  2,023 ; Geo.  W.  AYalsli, 
superintendent. 

On  the  1st  of  February,  1887,  natural  gas  was  discovered,  after  prospecting 
about  fifteen  months,  in  the  city  of  Lancaster,  on  the  grounds  in  the  south  part  of 
the  city  belonging  to  Dr.  E.  L.  Slocum,  who  was  the  first  to  advocate  the  organ- 
ization of  a stock  company  to  bore  for  gas.  At  the  depth  of  1,957  feet  a flow  of 
gas  of  100,000  cubic  feet  a day  was  discovered  in  the  Clinton  or  limestone  rock. 
This  was  named  the  Wyandot  well,  or  Well  No.  1.  Since  the  discovery  at  the 
AVyandot  well  two  other  wells  have  been  put  down  : the  one  is  named  Mt.  Pleasant, 
or  AVell  No.  2,  and  the  other  East  End  Avell,  or  Well  No.  3.  MTll  No.  2 has  a 
flow  of  900,000  cubic  feet  per  day,  and  Well  No.  3 over  1,000,000  cubic  feet  per 
day. 

The  pressure  is  700  pounds  to  the  cubic  inch,  being  much  higher  than  any  in 
the  State.  Well  No.  2 is  1,989  feet  deep,  and  AWll  No.  3 is  2,023  feet  deep.  In 
all  of  those  wells  the  gas  was  found  in  the  Clinton  shale  or  limestone  rock.  At 
the  de])th  of  about  1,900  feet  a large  flo^v^  of  salt-water  was  found  in  each  of  the 
wells  in  the  Niagara  shale,  which  had  to  be  cased  off  before  boring  could  proceed. 
The  Clinton  rock  at  Lancaster  is  a highly  crystalline  limestone,  included  between 
two  beds  of  rock,  the  uj^j^er  one  being  a deposit  of  the  famous  fossil  ore  of  the 
Clinton  formation.  The  gas  is  regarded  as  being  equal  to  any  in  the  State.  Two 
additional  wells  are  now  being  put  down  : one  at  the  Eagle  Machine  Works,  and 
the  other  at  the  Becker  brewery.  Pipes  are  now  being  laid  along  the  principal 
streets  in  the  city,  and  all  tlie  manulactories,  and  some  of  the  offices,  hotels,  and 
residences  are  already  using  it. 

Lancaster  has  an  unusual  record  in  the  line  of  illustrious  men.  First  for  our 
notice  comes  Thomas  E'WIXG,  who  passeil  most  of  his  youth  in  Athens  county,  under 


594 


FAIRFIELD  COUNTY. 


which  head  will  be  found  details  of  his  early  life  from  his  own  pen.  From  1816  to 
1831  he  practised  law  in  Lancaster.  He  first  entered  political  life  in  1830,  and 
served  two  terms  in  the  United  States  Senate,  viz.,  having  been  elected  by  the  Whigs 
from  1831  to  1837,  again  in  1850-51  in  the  place  of  Thomas  Corwin  on  the  appoint- 
ment of  the  latter  to  the  office  of  Secretary  of  the  Treasury. 

hand  and  send  it  sailing  five  feet  or  more 
above  the  steeple  and  then  passed  on. 

In  oratory  he  was  not  eloquent,  but  he  ^ 
could  say  more  in  feyrer  words  than  any  one, 
and  in  that  lay  his  great  success.  By  some 
he  was  considered  unsocial,  as  he  seemed 
when  his  mind  was  at  work ; but  when  once 
reached,  his  social  qualities  were  warm,  cor- 
dial and  sincere.  His  mind  worked  on  an  ele- 
vated plane,  leaving  the  impression  that  he 
knew  little  of  the  small  affairs  of  life,  but  at 
the  same  time  he  could  tell  a 'farmer  more 
about  plows  than  he  could  tell  himself.  Dur- 
ing the  latter  part  of  his  professional  life  his 
business  was  chiefly  before^  the  Suprerne 
Court  at  Washington.  Daniel  Webster  in 
his  last  years  largely  sought  his  aid  in 
weighty  cases.  Among  the  anecdotes  related 
of  him  it  is  said  that  after  two  eminent  law- 
yers had  argued  a case  before  the  Supreme 
Court  for  two  days,  he  took  but  a little  over 
an  hour  for  reply  and  won  his  suit. 

Mr.  Ewing  in  1861  was  a member  of  the 
Peace  Congress,  and  during  the  civil  war  he 
gave  through  the  press  and  by  correspond- 
ence and  personal  interviews  his  countenance 
and  influence  to  the  support  of  the  national 
authorities.  He  died  in  Lancaster  and  was 
buried  in  the  Catholic  cemetery  by  the  side 
of  his  wife  Maria,  eldest  daughter  of  Hugh 
Boyle.  Her  death  was  in  1 864.  On  the  lid 
of  Mr.  Ewing’s  burial  casket  was  engraved 
the  following ; 


The  Ewing  mansion  stands  on  the  summit  of  the  hill  on  the  corner  to  the  left 
shown  in  the  street  view,  and  which  until  recently  was  the  home  of  Mr.  Ewing’s 
daughter,  Mrs.  Col.  Steele.  It  is  of  brick  : a solid,  substantial  edifice,  com- 
porting with  the  memory  of  the  giant  among  men  who  once  made  it  his  home ; 
of  the  memory  of  one  of  whom  James  G.  Blaine,  who  in  his  youth  was  a visitor 
here,  wrote  on  the  occasion  of  his  death  to  his  daughter,  Mrs.  Ellen  Ewing 
Sherman  : He  was  a grand  and  massive  man,  almost  without  peerc.  With  no 
little  familiarity  and  association  with  the  leading  men  of  the  day,  I can  truly 
say  I never  met  with  one  who  impressed  me  so  ])rofoundly.”  In  an  interesting 
article  upon  Mr.  Ewing,  Mr.  Frank  B.  Loomis,  late  State  Librarian,  appends  this 
sketch  of  his  also  eminent  family  : 

“Thomas  Ewing  transmitted  to  his  sons  Philemon,  Thomas  and  Charles,  have  all 
some  of  the  fine  and  rare  qualities  that  made  distinguished  themselves  in  various  useful 
him  a great  man.  His  four  sons,  Hugh,  ways. 


THOMAS  EWINC, 

Born  December  28,  1789. 
Died  October  26,  1871^ 


In  the  Senate  Mr.  Ewing  wielded  great 
power  and  introduced  several  important  bills. 
In  his  last  term  he  opposed  the  fugitive  slave 
law.  Clay’s  compromise  bill,  and  advocated 
the  abolition  of  slavery  in  the  District  of 
Columbia.  In  1841  he  became  Secretary  of 
the  Treasury  under  Harrison.  Upon  the 
death  of  the  President,  Vice-President  Tyler 
invited  the  Cabinet  in  a body  to  remain. 
Upon  the  meeting  of  the  extra  session  of 
Congress^  having  evidence  that  Mr.  Tyler 
designed  to  betray  the  trusts  and  disappoint 
the  hopes  of  the  Whig  party  that  had  ele- 
vated him  • to  power,  Mr.  Ewing  indignantly 
resigned.  He  retired  from  public  life  in  1851 
and  resumed  the  law  practice.  He  early  won 
and  maintained  throughout  life  unquestioned 
supremacy  at  the  bar  of  Ohio,  and  ranked  in 
the  Supreme  Court  of  the  United  States  with 
the  foremost  lawyers  of  the  nation.  t 

In  strength  and  massiveness  of  intellect  he 
was  then  and  is  to-day  by  many  regarded  as 
not  having  had  an  equal  in  the  history  of  the 
State.  In  physical  strength  also  he  had  but 
few  equals,  being  a man  of  large  frame  and 
ponderous  in  body.  We  take  the  following 
items  from  the  county  history  : 

At  one  time,  when  Mr.  Ewing  was  chop- 
ping wood  in  the  forest,  a pioneer  Methodist 
preacher  came  along.  By  a recent  rain  the 
stream  to  be  crossed  was  swollen.  The  mis- 
sionary was  afraid  to  attempt  to  ford  it.  Mr. 
Ewing,  being  a young  man,  strong  and  tall, 
took  the  preacher  on  his  shoulders,  the  horse 
by  the  bridle,  and  landed  them  safely  on  the 
other  side  of  the  stream,  and  then  returned 
to  his  axe. 

At  another  time,  as  he  was  passing  the  old 
court-house  in  Lancaster,  shown  in  the  view, 
a number  of  stout  men  were  trying  to_  throw 
a chopping-axe  over  it ; they  had  all  in  vain 
tried  their  power.  Mr.  Ewing  halted  just 
long  enough  to  take  the  axe-hand  e vi  his 


FAIRFIELD  COUNTY.  ^ 


595 


Hugh,  Charles  and  Thomas  Ewing  were 
brave  and  successful  soldiers  in  the  war  of 
the  rebellion. 

General  Thomas  Ewing  has  achieved  po- 
litical prominence,  and  is  now  a lawyer  of 
note  in  New  York  ; has  been  President  of  the 
Ohio  Society  there  from  its  beginning. 

General  Charles  Ewing,  who  was  a man  of 
much  prominence,  is  dead. 


Major-General  Hugh  Ewing  was  engaged 
in  the  practice  of  law  at  the  outbreak  of  the 
civil  war.  In  May,  1861,  he  was  appointed 
by  Gov.  Dennison  Brigade-Inspector  of  the 
Third  Brigade,  Ohio  militia,  with  the  rank 
of  Major,  and  was  stationed  at  Camp  Denni- 
son until  the  21st  of  June  in  the  same  year, 
when  he  enlisted  in  the  three-years  service 
and  joined  McClellan’s  army  at  Buckhannon, 


The  Ewing  Mansion. 


W.  Va.  He  participated  in  a number  of 
important  battles.  At  Antietam  he  com- 
manded a brigade  at  the  extreme  left  which, 
according  to  Gen.  Burnside’s  report,  saved 
that  wing  from  disaster. 

Gen.  Ewing  'commanded  the  Thirtieth, 
Thirty-second  and  Forty-seventh  Ohio  and 
the  Fourth  Virginia  Infantry  before  Vicks- 
burg, and  with  this  brigade  led  a gallant  but 
unsuccessful  movement  on  the  city.  The 
colors  that  were  borne  in  that  memorable 
charge  are  furled  in  the  general’s  reception- 
room  at  his  home.  They  are  riddled  with 
bullet  holes  and  the  battered  staff  bears  many 
a scar. 

In  1886  Gen.  Ewing  was  appointed  Minis- 
ter of  The  Hague.  He  i§  now  living  in 
pleasant  retirement  at  Lancaster. 

General  Thomas  Ewing,  the  third  son  of 
Thomas  Ewing,  was  born  in  Lancaster,  Au- 
gust 11,  1829.  He  was  liberally  educated, 
and  is  an  alumnus  of  Brown  University  and 
of  the  Cincinnati  Law  School.  In  1856  he 
removed  to  Leavenworth,  Kan.,  and  com- 
menced the  practice  of  law.  He  soon  be- 
came prominent,  and  for  two  years  held  the 
position  of  Chief  Justice  of  the  Supreme 
Court  of  the  State. 


In  1862  he  organized  the  Eleventh  Regi- 
ment of  Kansas  Infantry,  of  which  he  was 
appointed  colonel.  At  Pilot  Knob  he  was 
engaged  against  several  times  his  force  in  one 
of  the  most  stubborn,  and,  in  proportion  to 
the  number  engaged,  one  of  the  most  fatal 
conflicts  of  the  war.  He  lost  one-fourth  of 
his  available  force,  and,  having  to  retreat, 
kept  up  a running  fight  for  twenty  miles. 
The  campaign  of  a week  was  a remarkable 
one. 

The  enemy  lost  more  than  1,500,  while 
Gen.  Ewing’s  entire  force  was  but  1,060,  and 
these  largely  raw  troops.  The  result  of  Ew- 
ing’s brave  stand  was  to  put  an  end  to  all 
attempts  upon  St.  Louis  by  the  rebels. 

Thomas  Ewing’s  oldest  daughter,  Ellen 
Ewing,  was  married  to  Gen.  W.  T.  Sherman 
in  1850.  Mrs.  Sherman  has  inherited  some 
of  her  father’s  mental  vigor  and  has  mani- 
fested it  in  a literary,  social  and  religious 
way.  The  Ewings  are  zealous  members  of 
the  Catholic  church,  and  Senator  Ewing  em- 
braced that  faith  a short  time  before  he  died. 
So  the  influence  of  this  remarkable  family 
has  always  been  cast  upon  the  side  of  effect- 
ive Christianity.  ’ ’ 


It  is  rare  that  so  small  a place  as  Lancaster  has  in  its  history  two  such  famous 
families  as  the  Ewings  and  the  Shermans.  The  founder  of  the  Sherman  family, 
Judge  Charles  Sherman,  was  born  in  Norwalk,  Conn.,  May  26,  1788.  In 
1810  he  was  admitted  to  the  bar,  the  same  year  marrying  Mary  Hoyt,  of  Nor- 
walk. In  the  following  year  he  came  to  Lancaster  with  his  wife  and  infant  child, 
and  commenced  the  practice  of  the  law.  Their  journey  from  their  New  England 
home  was  weary  and  beset  with  hardships,  exposure,  and  danger,  being  obliged  to 


596 


. FAIRFIELD  COUNTY. 


journey  the  greater  part  of  the  distance  on  horseback,  carrying  the  baby  on  a 
pillow  before  them.  The  little  boy  carried  thus  was  the  late  Hon.  Charles  Taylor 
Sherman,  United  States  District  Judge  of  the  northern  district  of  Ohio. 

Charles  Sherman,  the  father,  was  elected  by  the  Legislature  to  the  bench  of  the 
Supreme  Court  in  1823 ; here  he  remained  over  six  years,  when  he  died  suddenly 
at  Lebanon,  Ohio,  from  cholera,  while  attending  court,  June  24,  1829.  He  was  but 
forty-one  years  of  age,  and  a man  of  fine  legal  capabilities.  Mary  Hoyt  Sherman 
survived  him  many  years.  Their  tombs  are  in  the  cemetery  east  of  Lancaster. 

Judge  Sherman  was  the  father  of  Hon.  John  Sherman,  born  in  1823,  now  of  the 
United  States  Senate,  and  Gen.  William  Tecumseh  Sherman,  born  February  8, 1820 ; 
also,  Mrs.  W.  J.  Reece,  of  Lancaster,  and  Frances,  wife  of  the  late  Col.  Charles 
Wc  Moulton,  of  New  York,  and  other  children — eleven  in  all.  A sketch  of 
Senator  Sherman  is  given  under  the  head  of  Mansfield,  Richland  county,  whxch 
has  been  his  home  from  early  manhood.  We  here  give  a few  paragraphs  to 
W iLLiAM  Tecumseh  Sherman  : 


General  Sherman,  we  believe,  is  the  only 
eminent  American  named  from  an  Indian 
chief  His  father  had  seen  and  greatly  ad- 
mired Tecumseh  from  his  nobility  of  charac- 
ter and  his  humanity  to  prisoners,  and  he 
wanted  one  boy  trained  for  the  army.  The 
name,  considering  the  brilliant  history  of  its 
recipient,  is  peculiarly  appropriate,  as  in  the 
Indian  tongue  it  signifies  the  Shooting  Star. 

A few  months  after  his  father’s  death  he 
was  taken  to  the  church  to  be  baptized.  The 
preacher,  a Presbyterian,  objected  to  baptizing 
him  by  the  name  of  a heathen,  Tecumseh. 
He  wanted  to  call  the  lad  simply  William. 
He  at  once  rebelled,  saying,  “ My  father  called 
me  Tecumseh,  and  Tecumseh  I will  be  called. 
If  you  won’t.  I’ll  not  have  any  of  your  bap- 
tism. ’ ’ The  preacher  yielded. 

Judge  Sherman’s  widow  being  left  with  a 
large  family  and  her  means  of  support  slight, 
Hon.  Thomas  Ewing  offered  to  adopt  one  of 
the  boys  and  educate  him.  He  consulted 
with  the  mother,  and  “ Cump,”  as  the  gen- 
eral was  then  called,  a sandy-haired  youth, 
was  selected.  At  the  moment  the  future  war- 
rior was  playing  with  other  lads  in  a neigh- 
boring sand-bank.  The  new  home  was  only 
a stone’s  throw  from  his  mother’s,  so  the  lad 
was  in  no  danger  from  attacks  of  nostalgia. 
Beside  he  found  in  Mr.  Ewing’s  little  daugh- 
ter Ellen  a pleasant  playmate  to  vary  the 
monotony  of  excursions  to  sand -banks,  and 
who  from  the  very  happy  intimacy  thus  be- 
gan eventually  became  the  queen  of  his  heart 
and  home. 

Mr.  Ewing  educated  the  lad  and  sent  him 
when  16  years  of  age  to  West  Point,  where 
he  graduated  the  sixth  in  his  class.  He  was 
commissioned  second  lieutenant  in  the  Third 
Artillery,  and  sent  to  Fort  Moultrie,  Charles- 
ton, thence  in  1846  to  California,  where  he 
rose  to  the  rank  of  captain.  In  1 850  he  went 
to  Washington,  and  then  married  the  eldest 
daughter  of  his  friend  and  benefactor.  Three 
years  later,  tired  of  the  monotony  of  military 
life,  he  resigned,  and  from  1 853  to  1 857  had 
charge  of  a banking-house  in  California,  and 
-again  for  a short  time  in  New  York,  but  with 
small  success.  Having  studied  law  in  the 
leisure  of  his  army  life,  he  united  with  his 


brother-in-law,  Thomas  H.  Ewing  and  Gen.  I). 
McCook,  who  were  establishing  themselves  in 
the  law  in  Leavenworth,  Kansas.  The  prac- 
tice of  the  profession  not  agreeing  with  his 
tastes,  he  was  offered  and  accepted  the  posi- 
tion in  1859  of  President  of  the  Louisiana 
State  Military  Academy  at  a salary  of  $5,000 
per  annum. 

He  remained  in  that  position  until  he  saw 
that  civil  war  was  inevitable  and  then  sent  in 
his  resignation,  with  a letter  which  clearly 
showed  that  he  read  correctly  the  signs  of 
the  hour.  This  is  the  closing  paragraph  of 
the  letter:  “I  beg  you  to  take  immediate 
steps  to  remove  me  as  Superintendent  the 
moment  the  State  resolves  to  secede,  for  on  no 
earthly  account  will  I do  any  act  or  think  any 
thoughts  hostile  to  the  defence  of  the  old 
Government  of  the  United  States.”  It  will 
be  seen  by  the  foregoing  sketch  that  Sher- 
man’s experience  had  been  a wide  one.  He 
was  acquainted  with  many  people  in  many 
parts  of  the  country  ; he  was  impressed  with 
the  notion  (gained  from  his  life  among  the 
people  of  the  South)  that  the  war  was  to  be 
a long,  bitter,  and  costly  one;  he  went  to 
Washington  and  had  an  interview  with  the 
President  and  Secretary  of  War.  He  laid  his 
views  before  them,  but  they  laughed  him  aside 
and  thought  him  a crusty  and  excitable  man. 
He  failed  to  convince  the  Government  that 
the  struggle  was  to  be  something  more  than 
a temporary  storm.  Seventy-five  thousand 
troops  were  called  for,  and  Sherman  ex- 
claimed, “You  might  as  well  undertake  to 
extinguish  the  flames  of  a building  with  a 
squirt-gun  as  to  put  down  this  rebellion  with 
three  months’  troops.  We  ought,”  said  he, 

‘ ‘ to  organize  at  once  for  a gigantic  war,  call 
out  the  whole  military  power  of  the  country, 
and  with  its  forces  strangle  the  rebellion  in  its 
very  birth.  ” 

The  five  years  of  bloody  contest  which  en- 
sued demonstrated  the  truth  and  power  of 
Sherman’s  prophecy.  In  the  first  battle  of 
Bull  Bun  Sherman  was  commander  of  a bri- 
gade in  the  regular  army.  He  fought  bravely 
and  desperately.  Two-thirds  of  tlie  loss  fell 
on  his  brigade.  He  was  shortly  made  briga- 
dier-general of  the  volunteers  which  were  sta- 


FAIRFIELD  COUNTY. 


597 


tioned  at  Louisville.  He  had  some  trouble 
with  newspaper  correspondents,  and  the  rumor 
that  he  was  insane  was  set  afloat,  Sherman 
next  distinguished  himself  at  Shiloh.  Kous- 
seau,  in  speaking  of  his  conduct  on  that  field, 
said,  “No  man  living  could  surpass  him,” 
and  Gen.  Nelson  remarked  a few  hours 
before  his  death,  “During  eight  hours  the 
fate  of  the  army,  on  the  field  of  Shiloh,  de- 
pended on  the  life  of  one  man.  If  Gen. 
Sherman  had  fallen  the  army  would  have  been 
captured  or  destroyed.  ’ ’ Gen.  Grant  added, 
‘ ‘ To  h’s  individual  efforts  I am  indebted  for 
the  success  of  that  battle,”  Sherman’s  ser- 
vices before  Vicksburg  are  well  known. 

He  was  next  heard  of  thundering  along  the 
heights  of  Mission  llidge  and  Lookout  Moun- 
tain, Here  he  added  to  his  reputation  and 
to  his  services  to  the  country.  In  the  spring 
of  i863  he  began  to  prepare  for  his  movement 
upon  Atlanta ; it  was  a remarkable  campaign, 
and  again  demonstrated  his  wonderful  fore- 
sight and  genius.  It  was  followed  by  a still 
more  important  military  movement,  the 
Georgia  campaign  and  the  march  to  the  sea. 
He  cut  loose  from  all  that  was  behind  him, 
burned  his  bridges,  threw  aside  superfluous 
baggage,  and  marched  without  provisions  into 
the  heart  of  the  enemy’s  country.  He  set  at 
defiance  many  of  the  old  and  established 
maxims  of  warfare,  and  when  his  daring 
project  was  first  made  public  the  world  was 
astonished. 

_ “Military  critics  and  warriors  in  this  coun- 
try and  in  Europe  predicted  the  destruction 
of  his  army.  They  said  : ‘ The  people  of 
the  South  and  on  the  line  of  his  proposed 
march  would  hang  about  his  army  as  light- 
ning plays  along  the  thunder  clouds.  ’ These 
same  critics  declared  that  people  would  re- 
move all  provisions  be3^ond  his  reach,  so  that 
his  soldiers  must  perish  by  starvation.  ’ The 
British  Army  and  Navy  Gazette  said  : ‘ He 


has  done  either  one  of  the  most  brilliant  or 
most  foolish  things  ever  performed  by  a mil- 
itary leader.’  Sherman,  however,  trusting 
in  Thomas  and  Grant,  his  own  armj’’,  his  own 
genius,  and  a favoring  Providence,  set  duly 
out  on  his  march.  He  drove  before  him  the 
troops  of  the  enemy,  and  in  a short  time  es- 
tablished his  headquarters  in  the  Executive 
Mansion  at  Macon,  The  soldiers  fared  sump- 
tuously on  the  fat  of  the  land.  No  army 
was  ever  more  contented  or  in  better  condi- 
tion. The  great  column  swept  splendidly  on 
through  cities,  villages  and  forests.  It  was 
a triumphal  march.  All  opposition  melted 
before  them.  Savannah  was  the  next  point 
to  be  gained,  and  Sherman  was  soon  able  to 
send  the  following  despatch  to  the  President 
of  the  United  States ‘I  beg  to  present  to 
you  as  a Christmas  gift  th^  city  of  Savan- 
nah with  150  guns  and  plenty  of  ammunition 
and  about  25, WO  bales  of  cotton.’ 

“So  ended  one  of  the  most  remarkable 
campaigns  in  the  world’s  military  history. 
To  the  prestige  of  his  Georgia  achievements 
Sherman  soon  added  the  glory  of  a successful 
campaign  in  the  Carolinas.  He  swept  on  in 
his  resistless  way  and  practically  received  the 
surrender  of  Johnston  at  Raleigh,  though 
the  War  Department  fell  out  with  him  about 
his  terms  with  the  rebel  commander,  and 
finally  sent  Gen.  Grant  to  arrange  for  the 
surrender  of  Johnston’s  army.  _ 

“Sherman  was  appointed  lieutenant-gen- 
eral in  1866,  and  in  1869  became  commander- 
in-chief  He  has  had  ample  justice  done  to 
the  daring  originality  of  design,  the  fertility 
of  resource,  the  brilliant  strategy  and  untir- 
ing energy,  that  made  Gen.  Grant  pronounce 
him  ‘ the  best  field  officer  the  war  had  pro- 
duced.’ He  retired  frossi  the  command  of 
the  army  of  the  United  States  November  1, 
1883.” 


Of  the  many  interesting  characters  that  adorned  our  military  annals  not  one 
occupies  a warmer  place  in  the  affections  of  his  countrymen ; and,  moreover,  he 
has  the  singular  distinction  of  refusing  to  become  Chief  Magistrate  when  it  was 
freely  offered.  In  the  progress  of  the  nation  but  a little  time  will  elapse  when  the 
names  of  most  of  those  on  the  long  roll  of  its  Presidents  will  be  forgotten,  but 
never  that  of  the  bold,  gallant  leader  of  the  famous  March  to  the  Sea.^^ 

It  is  in  place  here  to  give  the  famous  army  song  which  Sherman’s  veterans 
chanted  on  their  victorious  marcho  It  was  written  by  Adj.  Byers,  of  the  Fifth 
Iowa,  while  in  the  prison  at  Columbia,  S.  C.,  and  being  set  to  music,  was  frequently 
sung  by  the  captives  as  a relief  to  the  monotony  of  their  prison  life.  After  Wil- 
mington was  taken  it  was  sung  in  the  theatre,  producing  immense  enthusiasm. 

THE  MARCHING  SONG  OF  SHERMAN’S  ARMY  ON  THE  WAY  TO  THE  SEA. 

Our  camp  fires  shone  bright  on  the  mountains 
That  frowned  on  the  river  below. 

While  we  stood  by  our  guns  in  the  morning 
And  eagerly  watched  for  the  foe— 

When  a rider  came  out  from  the  darkness 
That  hung  over  mountain  and  tree. 

And  shouted,  “Boys,  up  and  be  ready. 

For  Sherman  will  march  for  the  sea.” 


FAIRFIELD  COUNTY, 


':;o8 


When  cheer  upon  cheer  for  hold  Sherman 
Went  up  from  each  valley  and  glen, 

And  the  bugles  re-echoed  the  music 
That  came  from  the  lips  of  the  men. 

For  we  knew  that  the  stars  in  our  banner 
More  bright  in  their  splendor  would  be, 

And  that  blessings  from  Northland  would  greet  us. 

When  Sherman  marched  down  to  the  sea. 

Then  forward,  boys,  forward  to  battle. 

We  marched  on  our  wearisome  way. 

And  we  stormed  the  wild  hills  of  Resaca — 

God  bless  those  who  fell  on  that  day. 

Then  Kenesaw  frowned  in  its  glory, 

Frowned  down  on  the  flag  of  the  free. 

But  the  East  and  the  West  bore  our  standards, 

And  Sherman  marched  on  to  the  sea. 

• Still  onward  we  pressed,  till  our  banners 
Swept  out  from  Atlanta’s  grim  walls. 

And  the  blood  of  the  patriot  dampened 
The  soil  where  the  traitor  flag  falls. 

But  we  paused  not  to  weep  for  the  fallen, 

Who  slept  by  each  river  and  tree. 

Yet  we  twined  them  a wreath  of  the  laurel 
As  Sherman  marched  down  to  the  sea. 

O,  proud  was  our  army  that  morning. 

That  stood  where  the  pine  darkly  towers. 

When  Sherman  said,  ‘‘Boys,  you  are  weary; 

But  to-day  fair  Savannah  is  ours.” 

Then  sang  we  a song  for  our  chieftain. 

That  echoed  o’er  river  and  lea. 

And  the  stars  in  our  banners  shone  brighter 
When  Sherman  marched  down  to  the  sea. 

The  bar  of  Fairfield  county  has  from  early  times  been  pre-eminent.  We  here 
notice  some  of  the  more  prominent.  Hocking  H.  Hunter  was  among  them, 
and  alike  valued  professionally  and  as  a mark  He  was  the  son  of  Joseph  Hunter, 
the  first  white  man  to  build  a cabin  in  the  Hocking  valley.  He  named  his  son 
from  the  river.  The  latter  died  in  1872.  William  J.  Reese,  a lawyer,  who 
came,  in  1827,  from  Philadelphia  to  Lancaster,  was  a prominent  Mason,  and  is 
said  to  have  been  the  first  Scottish-rite  Mason  in  Ohio.  He  was  a man  of  rare 
culture  and  refinement.  He  died  in  1883,  and  his  widow,  a sister  of  Gen.  Sher- 
man, still  survives  him. 

Philemon  Beecher  was  one  of  the  Connecticut  Beechers ; was  born  in  Kent, 
Litchfield  county,  in  1775,  came  out  here  early,  represented  this  district  in  Con- 
gress from  1817  to  1827,  and  died  about  1840.  Was  in  politics  a Whig,  and  a 
man  of  fine  address  and  presence.  He  it  was  who  gave  Thomas  Ewing  his  first 
law  business  of  any  moment.  The  very  elegant  Henry  Stanbery,  who  began 
his  law  practice  in  Lancaster,  and  lived  here  for  many  years,  married  for  his  first 
wife  a daughter  of  Mr.  Beecher.  He  later  lived  in  Columbus  and  in  the  vicinity 
of  Cincinnati,  and  ended  his  professional  career  as  Attorney-General  of  the  United 
States  under  President  Johnson. 

AVilliam  Medill  was  the  eleventh  governor  of  the  State,  and  the  first  under 
the  new  Constitution,  which  he  had  done  so  much  to  mould.  He  came  from  the 
State  of  Delaware,  and  opened  a law  office  in  Lancaster  in  1832.  He  early  acquired 
the  public  confidence,  and  arose  to  distinction ; was  a Democrat,  and  ambitious 
politically;  was  three  times  elected  to  the  Ohio  Legislature.  In  1838—41  he  was 
a member  of  Congress,  serving  four  years.  He  occupied  the  position  of  Indian 
agent  at  Washington,  and,  in  1860,  held  the  office  of  First  Comptroller  of  the 
Treasury  under  Buchanan.  In  the  fall  of  1852  he  was  elected  lieutenant-governor 
of  Ohio,  and  acted  as  governor  the  latter  part  of  the  term.  In  1854  he  was  chosen 


FAIRFIELD  COUNTY. 


599 


governor.  He  was  never  married,  and  at  his  death,  in  Lancaster,  in  1865,  left  a 
large  estate.  He  was  a man  of  superior  ability  and  character.  In  his  adminis- 
tration of  the  Indian  Department  he  inaugurated  many  needed  reforms,  and  won 
the  regard  of  the  Indians  by  his  just,  kind  treatment. 

The  Ohio  Boys’  Industrial  School  was  founded  in  1858  by  the  Legislature,  who 
appointed  three  commissioners,  and  they  purchased  a farm  site  of  1,170  acres  six 
miles  a little  south  or  southwest  of  Lancaster,  high  up  on  the  hills  and  500  feet 
above  the  town.  The  following  description  is  from  the  County  History  : ” 


Cheap  log-buildings  were  first  erected,  and 
to  these  ten  boys  were  brought  from  the 
House  of  Refuge  of  Cincinnati,  and  a begin- 
ning made.  George  E.  Howe  was  constituted 
acting  commissioner,  and  with  his  family 


resided  on  the  farm,  and  had  general  super- 
intendence until  1878,  with  Mrs.  Howe  as 
matron.  He  was  then  superseded  by  John 
C.  Hite,  of  Lancaster,  with  Mrs.  Hite  as 
matron.  Mr.  Howe  was  then  called  to  the 


The  Ohio  Boys’  Industrial  School. 


charge  of  the  State  Reform  School  of  Con- 
necticut, at  Meriden,  which  he  still  retains. 
From  an  humble  beginning  the  farm  has  grown 
into  gigantic  proportions  and  beauty.  The 
soil  for  the  most  part  is  thin,  but  it  seems 
well  adapted  to  fruits — as  apples,  pears, 
peaches,  berries,  grapes,  etc. — of  which  large 
quantities  as  well  as  garden  vegetables  are 
produced  and  consumed  in  the  institution, 
numbering  usually  about  600  inmates. 

The  institution  became  popular  from  the 
start;  the  log  structures  soon  disappeared 
and  fine  brick  buildings  took  their  place.  The 
present  value  of  the  farm  with  all  its  build- 
ings and  improvements  is  over  half  a million 
dollars.  The  total  number  of  pupils  who 
have  passed  through  the  school  is  over  4,000, 
of  whom  it  is  estimated  eighty  per  cent,  have 
become  good  citizens. 

The  main  building  is  161  feet  in  length, 
with  projections.  It  contains  offices,  recep- 
tion-rooms, parlors,  dining-rooms,  residence, 
guest-rooms,  storage-rooms,  council-chamber, 
and  telegraph-offices.  The  kitchen,  culinary 
department,  and  boys’  dining-rooms  are  all 
in  projections  of  the  main  building. 


What  are  denominated  fiimily  buildings 
are  two-story  bricks,  with  basement.  The 
basement  is  the  wash-room  and  play-place 
for  the  boys  ; the  second  story  is  the  school- 
room and  apartments  of  the  elder  brother  and 
his  family ; the  third  story  is  the  sleeping 
apartment  for  boys.  There  are  nine  of  these 
family  buildings,  besides  union  family  build- 
ings. The  other  buildings  of  the  farm  are 
the  chapel,  shops,  laundry  and  wash-houses, 
water-tower,  bake-house,  engine-house,  sta- 
bles, hot-houses,  coal-houses,  hospital,  “cham- 
ber of  reflection,”  besides  many  other  out- 
buildings. The  buildings  are  disposed  in 
squares,  more  or  less  spaced,  and  altogether 
occupy  an  area  of  about  twenty  acres.  The 
Ohio  building,  which  is  the  home  of  the 
small  boys,  is  isolated  from  the  others,  and 
stands  off  a third  of  a mile  to  the  east,  and  is 
connected  with  the  chapel  and  main  grounds 
by  a plank  walk.  A telegraph  line  connects 
it  with  the  main  buildings  shown  in  the  en- 
graving. The  grounds  are  laid  off  with 
gravel  drives  and  plank  walks,  and  are  beau- 
tifully decorated  with  evergreen  trees,  arbors, 
flower-houses,  and  grass-lawns.  The  family 


6oo 


FAIRFIELD  COUNTY. 


buildings  are  named  after  rivers  in  Ohio,  thus : 
Muskingum,  Ohio,  Hocking,  Scioto,  Cuya- 
hoga, Huron,  Maumee,  Miami,  and  Erie. 
“The  family  of  boys  of  each  building  take  the 
family  name  after  the  building,  as  the  Mau- 
mee family.  Hocking  family,  etc. 

In  the  incipient  state  of  the  school  some 
discrepancy  of  opinion  existed  in  regard  to 
modes  of  discipline.  By  some  it  was  pro- 
posed to  adopt  the  House  of  Refuge  plan,  in 
part,  in  connection  with  the  “open  system.” 
The  latter  was  adopted.  The  term  “open 
system  ’ ’ signifies  that  an  establishment  is  not 
walled  in  like  a prison,  but  is  all  open  to  the 
surrounding  country,  the  same  as  it  would  be 
were  it  not  a place  of  confinement. 

The  time  of  the  boys  is  divided  between 
work  of  some  kind,  school,  and  recreation. 
Every  boy  is  half  the  day  in  school  and  the 
other  half  at  work.  There  is  an  hour  for 
dinner.  Recreations  in  the  form  of  playing 
ball  and  other  athletic  plays  are  taken  after 
supper,  on  Saturday  afternoons,  and  holi- 
days. Each  family  is  under  the  manage- 
ment of  an  officer  denominated  the  elder 
brother,  whose  wife,  with  few  exceptions,  is 
the  teacher.  The  branches  taught  are  those 
of  a common-school  education.  The  boys  are 
held  to  close  and  rigid  discipline,  but  treated 
with  uniform  kindness  and  trust.  One  of  the 
leading  features  of  the  discipline  is  to  inspire 
the  inmates  with  the  ambition  of  earning  a 
good  reputation  for  trustworthiness.  Cor- 
poral punishment  is  only  resorted  to  in  extreme 
cases,  and  is  always  with  the  rod.  A lockup 
is  provided  for  the  most  incorrigible,  and  is 
denominated  the  “chamber  of  reflection.” 

In  addition  to  school  education  and  manual 
labor  on  the  farm  mechanical  branches  are 
also  taught.  The  institution  has  a shoe  and 
boot  manufacturing  establishment,  a brush 
factory,  a tailor-shop,  a cane-seat  making  de- 
partment, a telegraph-office,  and  a printing- 
office,  from  which  is  issued  a weekly  news- 
paper, edited  and  printed  by  the  boys. 

()ther  mechanical  trades  have  been  learned 
there  that  have  been  highly  creditable  to  the 
institution,  and  greatly  advantageous  to  the 
inmates.  The  management  find  homes  for 
them  on  their  discharge.  The  time  of  com- 
mitment depends  upon  conduct,  as  no  time  is 
specified,  this  matter  being  optional  with  the 
superintendent.  Boys  under  sixteen  years 
of  age  who  commit  penitentiary  crimes  are 
usually  sent  to  the  Reform  Farm,  and  some 
who  have  been  sentenced  to  the  State  prison 
have  been  commuted  to  the  farm. 

Religious  instruction  is  given  in  the  chapel 
and  Sunday-school,  and  presided  over  by  alter- 
nation of  clergymen  of  different  denomina- 
tions. I'here  is  also  a library  provided  by  the 
State,  and  from  which  they  draw  books  under 
regulations. 

TRAVELLING  NOTES. 

My  experience  has  been  peculiar — a Sun- 
day passed  at  the  Industrial  School  of  Ohio, 
high  on  the  hills  six  miles  south  of  Lancaster. 
I went  out  Satui’day  afternoon  in  a carriage 


belonging  to  the  institution.  The  ride  out 
was  invigorating ; all  the  way  up  hill,  with 
eeps  down  into  side  valleys  where,  in  little 
impling^  spots,  farmhouses  were  snugly 
nestled  with  orchards  and  vineyards. 

It  is  an  interesting  spot.  I felt  while  there 
as  if  I was  lifted  above  the  world,  the  location 
is  so  sightly  and  so  secluded.  It  seemed  as 
if  one  could  see  over  everything.  To  the 
west,  points  thirty  miles  away  in  Pickaway 
county,  and  to  the  east,  in  Perry  county, 
about  as  far,  are  in  view.  With  a glass,  I am 
told,  one  can  discern  the  spire  of  St.  Joseph, 
near  Somerset,  a place  associated  with  the 
boy  days  of  Phil.  Sheridan. 

The  institution  is  under  the  charge  of  Mr. 
J.  C.  Hite,  a tall,  venerable-looking  gentle- 
man, who  gave  me  a cordial  welcome.  He 
was  born  on  a farm,  and  has  had  a varied  ex- 
perience as  farmer,  teacher,  bookseller,  county 
auditor,  and  now  superintendent.  The  boys 
address  him  as  ‘ ‘ Brother,  ’ ’ as  they  do  all  of 
the  officers.  In  the  evening  Mr.  Hite  took 
me  over  to  the  buildings,  a quarter  of  a mile 
away,  where  dwell  the  smaller  boys  from  ten 
to  twelve  years  of  age.  About  200  were  in 
the  school-room  seated  on  benches,  and  in 
the  centre  was  a black  boy  cutting  the  hair  of 
his  mates.  It  was  Saturday  night,  and  they 
were  preparing  for  Sunday.  Presently  they 
marched  around  the  room  in  single  file  pre- 
paratory to  retiring— marched  to  music  ; and 
then  I witnessed  a sight  that  surprised  me. 
A boy  passed  me  completely  transformed  ; he 
marched  stiff,  head  thrown  back,  arms  stiff 
by  his  side,  his  face  transfused,  expression 
intense,  and  he  seemed  completely  as  if  under 
the  influence  of  melody  and^  rhythm.  In  a 
moment  another  went  by  in  like  manner 
affected,  and  then  another,  and  so  in  that 
long  string  of  marchers  about  one  in  five  were 
thus  possessed.  Mysterious  power,  this  of 
music,  to  lift  the  soul  into  the  far-away 
realms  of  what  we  fancy  without  a particle  of 
knowledge  must  be  akin  to  the  spirit-world. 
And  what  a lever  this  emotional  faculty  is  to 
work  upon  in  this  checkered  life  of  ours  for 
good  or  evil ! 

The  scene  on  the  lawn  the  next  morning, 
the  first  Sunday  in  May,  was  charming.  It 
was  alive  with  birds.  Birds  are  social,  seek 
the  company  of  man,  and  here  are  none  to 
molest  or  make  afraid.  The  variety  is  great, 
and  at  times  the  lawn  is  fairly  studded  with 
robins.  Here,  too,  fly  the  blue-birds,  the 
yellow-birds,  scarlet-tanagers,  mocking-birds, 
the  modest  little  chip-bird,  who  says,  “Is 
there  room  for  me  in  the  world?”  and  the 
saucy  little  sparrow,  who  asks  no  odds  of  any- 
body, and  tries  to  fight  its  way  into  the  boxes 
of  the  martens,  but  can’t  quite  make  it; 
woodpeckers  from  the  adjacent  woods  beat 
their  rataplan,  and  whip-poor-wills  in  the 
shadows  of  night  send  forth  their  sad,  re- 
proachful cries. 

Ten  o’clock  came,  and  then  opened  a beau- 
tiful sight.  IMy  ears  were  arrested  by  a slow, 
measured  tramp,  tramp,  on  the  planks,  like 
that  of  soldiers.  And  then  I saw  what  it 
was ; the  boys,  in  companies  of  about  fifty. 


FAIRFIELD  COUNTY. 


6oi 


one  company  from  each  cottage,  were  march- 
ing to  church,  neatly  attired  in  blue  blouses 
and  blue  caps  and  gray  pantaloons.  Some  of 
these  companies  were  composed  of  lads  from 
sixteen  to  eighteen  years  of  age,  in  stature 
men. 

Everything  was  so  orderly  and  neat,  that  I 
instinctively  felt  a respect  for  them  ; and  well 
I might.  Most  of  those  who  live  here  become 
so  well  grounded  in  the  principles  of  morality 
that  they  become  good  citizens.  Very  many 
of  the  boys  never  had  virtuous  homes,  and 
their  coming  here  where  the  law  of  kindness 
is  the  prevailing  rule  has  been  a great  bless- 
ing. Prominent  engineers,  builders,  lawyers, 
farmers,  and  merchants  have  gone  from  this 
institution,  and  I expect  the  time  will  come 
when  some  of  them  will  rise  to  be  among  the 
highest  in  the  land.  They  have  among  them 
a literary  and  debating  society,  issue  a news- 
paper, and  have  a Christian  association  of 
200  or  more  members. 

The  entire  village,  as  I may  call  it,  gath- 
ered into  the  chapel — in  all  about  700  souls. 
A huge  platform  filled  one  side  of  the  audi- 
tory. Being  an  expected  visitor,  Mr.  Hite 
introduced  me  to  the  boys,  telling  them  who 
T was  and  what  I had  done  in  the  past  for 
the  State  and  was  now  doing,  and  how  my 
book  had  blessed  his  youthful  days,  so  that 
when  I alighted  from  the  carriage  the  even- 
ing before  and  made  myself  known  a thrill 
passed  over  him.  I had  brought  back  the 
memories  of  youth  ; he  had  never  expected 
to  meet  me.  The  boys  wanted  me  to  talk  to 
them  ; and  I did,  the  sum  of  it  about  this, 
which  I repeat  here  for  the  benefit  of  the 
jmung  people,  for  whose  use  I give  these 
Travelling  Notes : 

“ Happiness  is  what  we  all  desire ; but  it  won’t 
come  by  a grab  for  it.  This  is  where  those  silly 
ones,  the  pleasure-seekers  and  self-indulgent,  fail ; 
it  only  comes  by  indirection,  the  following  of  the 
path  of  duty.  Many  live  in  their  imaginings  and 
not  in  their  facts,  and  hence  are  largely  miserable. 
The  wise  Thomas  JelFerson  once  truly  said,  man- 


kind suffered  more  from  imagining  evil  that  never 
ensued  than  all  the  real  evils  of  life.  Once  I saw 
this  sentence  in  a newspaper:  ‘If  you  would  be 
happy,  perform  the  disagreeable  duty  first.’ 
There  was  a world  of  wisdom  in  this;  for,  if 
shrunk  from,  there  is  misery  in  the  sense  of  duty 
unperformed,  and  when  met  is  never  so  disagree- 
able as  imagined;  in  fact,  generally  proves-  a 
positive  pleasure,  and  when  finished  lifts  the 
spirits  in  the  emotion  of  triumph  that  is  inevitable. 
It  is  as  a successful  charge  of  the  bayonet;  after 
it  one  is  ready  for  the  next  fight  with  a stronger 
heart  and  more  cheery  spirit.  This  as  a contin- 
uous rule  of  life  results  in  victory  all  along  the 
line.” 

Mr.  Hite  being  bred  a farmer,  is  very  en- 
thusiastic upon  the  agricultural  capacities  of 
these  hills.  Immense  quantities  of  fruit  are 
raised  here,  as  apples,  pears,  peaches,  grapes, 
and  berries  of  all  sorts,  for  which  last  the  soil 
seems  peculiarly  well  adapted.  The  success 
is  such  that  it  is  bringing  in  a better  class  of 
farmers,  and  pushing  out  the  rude  population 
yet  dwelling  in  cabins,  and  called  by  the  boys 
‘ ‘ hillikens.  ’ ’ The  ‘ ‘ hillikens  ’ ’ are  the  police 
of  the  institution,  and  ever  ready  to  “nab” 
a runaway  for  the  standing  reward  ot  $5. 
Land  on  the  hills  is  cheap,  and  can  now  be 
bought  for  from  $10  to  $15  per  acre.  The 
autumnal  scenery  here  is  said  to  be  grand, 
from  the  mixture  of  the  green  of  the  pines 
with  the  scarlet  and  gold  of  the  oaks  and 
other  deciduous  trees.  In  summer  these 
hills  are  cooler  and  in  winter  warmer  than  the 
valleys.  And  what  homes  there  will  be  among 
them  and  all  the  hill  country  of  Southeastern 
Ohio,  on  their  summits  and  slopes,  in  the 
riper,  richer  future  of  the  coming  decades. 
This  is  one  of  the  most  healthy  spots  of  the 
globe.  From  1858  to  1885,  a period  of  twenty- 
seven  years,  out  of  4,530  boys  who  have  been 
here  there  have  been  but  twenty-three  deaths, 
four  of  these  by  accident.  From  this,  it  would 
seem  as  though  this  was  one  of  those  peculiar 
places  where  people  neglect  trying  to  get 
sick,  and  when,  perchance  they  do,  refuse 
to  die. 


Lithopolis,  about  eighteen  miles  southeast  of  Columbus,  is  on  a high  eleva- 
tion, surrounded  by  a fine  farming  district.  Newspaper  : LithopoUtan  Home  Neivs, 
Independent,  Miss  O.  E.  D.  Baughn,  editor  and  proprietor.  Churches : 1 Lu- 
theran, 1 Methodist,  and  I Presbyterian.  Industries:  Hunter  Buggy  Works, 
Lithopolis  free-stone  and  William  Long  quarries.  Stone  City  Creamery,  etc. 
Population  in  1880,  404.  School  census  in  1886,  156  ; H.  C.  Bailey,  superin- 
tendent. 

Rushville,  thirty-seven  miles  southeast  of  Columbus,  on  the  T.  & O.  C.  R.  R. 
Newspaper : Item,  Independent,  W.  J.  Mortal,  editor  and  publisher.  Churches  : 
I Methodist  Episcopal,  1 German  Reformed.  Population  in  1880,  227. 

AmaNDA,  on  the  railroad,  about  eight  miles  southwest  of  Lancaster,  has  1 
Presbyterian,  1 Methodist,  and  1 Lutheran  church,  and,  in  1880,  375  inhabitants; 
is  in  a fine  farming  country,  and  is  a large  grain  market. 

Baltimore,  twenty-nine  miles  east  of  Columbus,  on  the  T.  & O.  C.  R.  R.,  is 
situated  in  a fine  farming  country.  Newspaper:  Messenger,  Independent,  Miller 
& Evans,  publishers.  Churches : 1 Methodist  Episcopal,  1 Baptist,  1 German 
Reformed,  and  1 Evangelical.  Population  in  1880.  489.  School  census  in  1886. 
217, 


6o2 


FAYETTE  COUNTY. 


FAYETTE. 


Fayette  County  was  formed  in  March,  1810,  from  Ross  and  Highland. 
The  surface  is  flat ; about  half  the  soil  is  a dark  vegetable  loam  on  a clayey  sub- 
soil, mixed  with  limestone  gravel,  the  rest  is  a yellow,  clayey  loam.  The  growth 
of  the  county  when  first  settled  was  retarded  by  much  of  the  land  being  owned  by 
non-residents,  and  also  from  the  wet  lands,  which,  when  drained,  proved  highly 
productive.  The  county  is  noted  for  stock-raising,  its  fine  horses  and  cattle.  Its 
area  is  420  square  miles.  In  1885  the  acres  cultivated  were  95,549  ; in  pasture, 
78,938;  woodland,  26,167;  lying  waste,  1,841;  produced  in  wheat,  111,318 
bushels;  corn,  2,594,944;  wool,  142,852  pounds;  hogs,  33,958.  School  census 
1886,  6,733  ; teachers,  136.  It  has  97  miles  of  railroad. 


Townships  and  Census.  1840. 
Concord,  1,074 

Greene,  1,616 

Jasper, 

Jefierson,  1,948 

Madison,  765 


1880. 

Townships  and  Census. 

1840. 

1880. 

908 

Marion, 

879 

971 

916 

Paint, 

1,212 

2,045 

2,072 

Perry, 

1,320 

2,925 

Union, 

1,945 

6,175 

1,405 

Wayne, 

1,540 

1,627 

Population  in  1820  was  6,336;  1840,  10,979;  1860,  15,935;  1880,  20,364, 
of  whom  17,363  Avere  Ohio-born  ; Virginia,  1,052 ; Kentucky,  298 ; Pennsyl- 
vania, 291 ; Ireland,  256  ; Germany,  136. 

A gentleman  of  the  county  at  the  time  of  the  issue  of  the  first  edition  gave  the 
annexed  list  of  some  of  the  more  prominent  characters  in  the  early  history  of 
Fayette.  This  gentleman  was  the  late  Hon.  Alfred  S.  Hickey,  Avhom  Justice 
Chase  described  as  an  eminent  judge  in  Ohio,  and  worthy  of  the  great  esteem  in 
which  he  is  held.’^  He  died  in  1873,  aged  sixty-two  years.  He  Avas  the  father 
of  Hon.  H.  L.  Hickey,  of  the  Forty-fifth  and  Forty-sixth  Congress : 

The  folloAAung  are  the  names  of  some  of  the  first  settlers  of  this  county,  viz. : 
Col.  James  SteAvart,  Jesse  Milliken,  Wade  Loofborough,  Thomas  McDonald,  Hr. 
Thomas  M’Gara,  John  Popejoy,  Gen.  B.  Harrison,  Jesse  Rowe,  John  HeAvitt, 
Hamilton  and  Benjamin  Rogers,  William  Harper,  James  Hays,  Michael  Carr, 
Peter  Eyeman,  William  Snider,  Judge  Jacob  Jamison,  Samuel  Waddle,  James 
Sanderson,  and  Smith  and  William  Rankin. 

Col.  SteAvart,  at  an  early  date,  settled  near  the  site  of  Bloomingburg,  about  five 
miles  northerly  from  Washington.  His  untiring  industry  in  improving  the 
country  in  his  vicinity  and  the  moral  influence  Avhich  he  had  in  the  community 
Avill  be  long  remembered.  Jesse  Milliken  Avas  one  of  the  first  settlers  of  Wash- 
ington, Avas  the  first  postmaster,  and  the  first  clerk  of  both  the  supreme  and  com- 
mon pleas  courts  of  the  county,  in  all  of  Avhich  offices  he  continued  until  his  deatli 
in  August,  1835.  He  Avas  also  an  excellent  surveyor,  performed  much  of  the  first 
surveying  done  in  the  county,  and  erected  some  of  the  first  houses  built  in  the 
toAvn.  Wade  Loofborough,  Esq.,  AA^as  one  of  the  first  citizens  and  lawyers  in  the 
county.  Thomas  M^Honald  Avas  one  of  the  first  settlers  in  this  part  of  Ohio,  built 
the  first  cabin  in  Scioto  county,  Av^as  engaged  Avith  Gen.  IMassie  and  othei’S  in  laying- 
off  the  county  into  surveys.  He  rendered  A^aluable  services  in  Wayne’s  campaign, 
in  Avhich  he  acted  as  a spy,  and  Avas  also  in  the  AA^ar  of  1812. 

Hr.  Thomas  M’Gara  AA^as  one  of  the  first  settlers  and  first  ])hysician  of  the  toAvn 
of  Washington,  AAffiere  he  practised  his  profession  for  a number  of  years.  He 
represented  the  county  in  the  Legislature,  and  Avas  associate  judge.  John  Popejoy, 
Esq.,  AA^as  one  of  the  first  justices  in  the  county;  he  built  the  one-story  "house  on 
Court  street,  on  the  lot  No.  5.  It  is  said  that  he  kept  his  docket  on  detached  scraps 
of  ])aper  in  the  most  convenient  cracks  of  his  cabin,  and  that  his  ink  AAas  made  of 


FAYETTE  COUNTY. 


603 


walnut  bark.  Although  many  amusing  anecdotes  are  related  of  him  yet  he  was  a 
good  man,  sincerely  desirous  of  promoting  peace  and  good-will  in  the  community. 
When  a lawsuit  was  brought  before  him  his  universal  practice  was,  if  possible,  to  pre- 
vail upon  the  parties  to  settle  the  dispute  amicably.  He  always  either  charged  no 
costs,  or  took  it  in  beer,  cider,  or  some  other  innocent  beverage,  of  which  the  wit- 
nesses, parties,  and  spectators  partook  at  his  request,  and  the  parties  generally  left 
the  court  in  better  humor  and  better  satisfied  than  when  they  entered. 

The  first  court  of  common  pleas  in  the  county  was  held  by  Judge  Thompson, 
at  the  cabin  of  John  Devault,  a little  north  of  where  Bloomingburg  now  stands. 
The  judge  received  a severe  lecture  from  old  Mrs.  Devault  for  sitting  upon  and 
rumpling  her  bed.  The  grand  jury  held  their  deliberations  in  the  stable  and  in 
the  hazel-brush.  Judge  Thompson  was  a man  of  strict  and  Puritan-like  morality, 
and  distinguished  for  the  long  (and  in  some  instances  tedious)  moral  lectures  given 
in  open  court  to  the  culprits  brought  before  him. 


The,  Fighting  Funks. — The  pioneers  of 
Fayette  county  were  principal^  from  Vir- 
ginia and  Kentucky,  and  were  generally  hale 
and  robust,  brave  and  generous.  Among  the 
Kentuckians  was  a family  of  great  notoriety, 
by  the  name  of  Funk,  The  men,  from  old 
Adam  down  to  Absalom,  were  of  uncom- 
monly large  size,  and  distinguished  for  their 
boldness,  activity,  and  fighting  propensities. 
Jake  Funk,  the  most  notorious,  having  been 
arrested  in  Kentucky  for  passing  counterfeit 
money,  or  some  other  crime,  was  bailed  by  a 
friend,  a Kentuckian  by  the  name  of  Trumbo. 
Having  failed  to  appear  at  court,  Trumbo, 
with  about  a dozen  of  his  friends,  well  armed, 
proceeded  to  the  house  of  the  Funks  for  the 
purpose  of  taking  Jake,  running  him  off  to 
Kentucky  and  delivering  him  up  to  the  proper 
authorities,  to  free  himself  from  paying  bail. 
The  Funks,  having  notice  of  the  contem- 
plated a'ttack,  prepared  themselves  for  the 
conflict.  Old  Adam,  the  father,  took  his 
seat  in  the  middle  of  the  floor  to  give  com- 
mand to  his  sons,  who  were  armed  with  pis- 
tols, knives,  etc.  When  Trumbo  and  his 
party  appeared,  they  were  warned  to  desist ; 
instead  of  which,  they  made  a rush  at  Jake, 
who  was  on  the  porch.  A Mr.  Wilson,  of 
the  attacking  party,  grappled  with  Jake,  at 
which  the  firing  commenced  on  both  sides. 
Wilson  was  shot  dead.  Ab.  Funk  was  also 


shot  down.  Trumbo  having  clinched  J ake, 
the  latter  drew  him  to  the  door,  and  was  about 
to  cut  his  throat  with  a large  knife,  when  old 
Adam  cried  out,  “ Spare  him  ! — don’t  kill 
him  ! — his  father  once  saved  me  from  being 
murdered  by  the  Indians  ! ’ ’ — at  which  he  was 
let  off,  after  being  severely  wounded,  and  his 
companions  were  glad  to  escape  with  their 
lives.  The  old  house  at  which  this  fight  oc- 
curred is  still  standing  (1846),  on  the  east  fork, 
about  eight  miles  north  of  Washington,  with 
the  bullet-holes  in  the  logs  as  a memento  of 
the  conflict. 

The  Funk  family  were  no  enemies  to  whis 
key.  Old  Adam,  with  some  of  his  comrades, 
being  one  day  at  Roebuck’s  grocery — the  first 
opened  in  the  county,  about  a mile  below 
Funk’s  house — became  merry  by  drinking. 
Old  Adam,  wishing  to  carry  a gallon  of  whis- 
key home,  in  vain  endeavored  even  to  procure 
a wash-tub  for  the  purpose.  Observing  one 
of  Roebuck’s  pigs  running  about  the  yard,  he 
purchased  it  for  a dollar  and  skinned  it  whole, 
taking  out  the  bone  about  two  inches  from 
the  root  of  the  tail,  which  served  as  a neck 
for  the  bottle.  Tying  up  the  other  holes  that 
Would,  of  necessity,  be  in  the  skin,  he  poured 
in  the  liquor  and  started  for  home  with  his 
companions,  where  they  all  got  drunk  from 
the  contents  of  the  hog-skin. 


Captain  John  was  a Shawanee  chief,  well  known  to  the  early  settlers  of  the 
Scioto  valley.  He  was  over  six  feet  in  height,  strong  and  active,  full  of  spirit  and 
fond  of  frolic.  In  the  late  war  he  joined  the  American  army,  and  was  with  Logan 
at  the  time  the  latter  received  his  death-Avonnd.  We  extract  two  anecdotes  respect- 
ing him  from  the  notice  by  Col.  John  McDonald.  The  scene  of  the  first  was  in 
Pickaway,  and  the  last  in  this  county. 

When  Chillicothe  was  first  settled  by  the 
whites,  an  Indian  named  John  Cushen,  a half- 
blood,  made  his  principal  home  with  the 
McCoy  family,  and  said  it  was  his  intention 
to  live  with  the  white  people.  He  would 
sometimes  _ engage  in  chopping  wood,  and 
making  rails  and  working  in  the  corn-fields. 

He  was  a large,  muscular  man,  good  humored 
and  pleasant  in  his  interviews  with  the  whites. 

In  the  fall  season,  he  would  leave  the  white 


settlement  to  take  a hunt  in  the  lonely  forest. 
In  the  autumn  of  1779,  he  went  up  Darby 
creek  to  make  his  annual  hunt.  There  was 
an  Indian  trader  by  the  name  of  Fallenash, 
who  traversed  the  country  from  one  Indian 
camp  to  another  with  pack-horses,  laden  with 
whiskey  and  other  articles.  Captain  John’s 
hunting  camp  was  near  Darby  creek,  and 
John  Cushen  arrived  at  his  camp  while  Fal- 
lenash, the  Indian  trader,  was  there  with  his 


6o4 


FAYETTE  COUNTY. 


goods  and  whiskey.  The  Indians  set  to  for  a 
real  drunken  frolic.  During  the  night,  Cap- 
tain John  and  John  Cushen  had  a quarrel, 
which  ended  in  a fight : they  were  separated 
by  Fallenash  and  the  other  Indians,  but  both 
were  enraged  to  the  highest  pitch  of  fury. 
They  made  an  arrangement  to  fight  the  next 
morning,  with  tomahawks  and  knives.  They 
stuck  a post  on  the  south  side  of  a log,  made 
a notch  in  the  log,  and  agreed  that  when  the 
shadow  of  the  post  came  into  the  notch  the 
fight  should  commence.  When  the  shadow 
of  the  post  drew  near  the  spot,  they  deliber- 
ately, and  in  gloomy  silence,  took  their  stations 
on  the  log.  At  length  the  shadow  of  the  post 
came  into  the  notch,  and  these  two  despera- 
does, thirsting  for  each  other’s  blood,  simul- 
taneously sprang  to  their  feet,  with  each  a 
tomahawk  in  his  right  hand  and  a scalping- 
knife  in  the  left,  and  flew  at  each  other  with 
the  fury  of  tigers,  swinging  their  tomahawks 
around  their  heads  and  yelling  in  the  most 
terrific  manner.  Language  fails  to  describe 
the  horrible  scene.  After  several  passes  and 
some  wounds,  Captain  John’s  tomahawk  fell 


on  Cushen’ s head  and  left  him  lifeless  on  the 
ground.  Thus  ended  this  affair  of  honor ^ and 
the  guilty  one  escaped. 

About  the  year  1800,  Captain  John,  with  a 
party  of  Indians,  went  to  Wnt  on  the  waters 
of  what  is  called  the  Rattlesnake  fork  of  Paint 
creek,  a branch  of  the  Scioto  river.  After 
they  had  been  some  time  at  camp.  Captain 
John  and  his  wife  had  a quarrel  and  mutually 
agreed  to  separate  ; which  of  them  was  to  leave 
the  camp  is  not  now  recollected.  After  they 
had  divided  their  property,  the  wife  insisted 
upon  keeping  the  child  ; they  had  but  one,  a 
little  boy  of  two  or  three  years  of  age.  The 
wife  laid  hold  of  the  child,  and  John  at- 
tempted to  wrest  it  from  her ; at  length 
John’s  passion  was  roused  to  a furjq  he  drew 
his  fist,  knocked  down  his  wife,  seized  the 
child  and  carrying  it  to  a log  cut  it  into  two 
arts,  and  then,  throwing  one-half  to  his  wife, 
ade  her  take  it,  but  never  again  show  her 
face,  or  he  would  treat  her  in  the  same  man- 
ner. Thus  ended  this  cruel  and  brutal  scene 
of  savage  tragedy. 


Washington  Court-House  in  1846. — Washington  Court-House,  the  county- 
seat,  is  on  a fork  of  Paint  creek,  43  miles  south-southwest  of  Columbus.  It  contains 
1 Presbyterian,  1 Methodist  church,  1 academy,  8 mercantile  stores,  2 newspaper 
printing  offices,  2 woollen  factories,  1 saw  and  2 grist  mills,  and  97  dwellings.  It 
was  laid  out  in  1810  as  the  county-seat,  on  land  given  for  that  purpose  by  Benjamin 
Temple,  of  Kentucky,  out  of  his  survey. — Old  Edition. 

AVashington  Court-House,  county-seat,  is  on  the  C.  & C.  M.,  D.  Ft.  AT.  & 
C.,  P.  C.  & St.  L.,  and  I.  B.  & W.  railroads,  thirty-eight  miles  from  Columbus  and 
seventy-seven  miles  from  Cincinnati.  County  officers  in  1888  : Probate  Judge, 
Thomas  N.  Craig;  Clerk  of  Court,  E.  AY.  AYelsheimer;  Sheriff,  A.  B.  Rankin; 
Prosecuting  Attorney,  Robert  C.  Miller;  Auditor,  T.  J.  Lindsey;  Treasurer, 
James  F.  Cook ; Recorder,  John  R.  Sutherland  ; Surveyor,  Frank  M.  Kennedy ; 
Coroner,  L.  F.  House  ; Commissioners,  Lewis  C.  Mallow,  Henry  Mark,  Thomas 
F.  Parrett.  Newspapers  : Herald,  Republican,  AVilliam  Millikan  & Son,  editors; 
Fayette  Republican,  Republican,  Thomas  F.  Gardner  and  AA^ill  R.  Dalbey,  editors  ; 
Ohio  State  Register,  Democratic,  AA^illiam  Campbell,  editor.  Banks  : Commercial, 
Alorris  Sharp,  manager ; Alerchants’  and  Farmers’,  M.  Pavey,  president,  J.  AY. 
Faringer,  cashier ; People’s  and  Drovers’,  Daniel  McLean,  president,  Robert  A. 
Robinson,  cashier.  Churches : 1 Presbyterian,  1 Catholic,  1 Christian,  1 Metho- 
dist, 1 Colored  JMethodist,  1 Baptist,  and  3 Colored  Baptist.  Principal  industries : 
Janney  & Manning’s  machine  shop;  Fayette  Creamery  Company  ; AA^hite  & Bal- 
lard’s shoe  factory ; A.  CofPman  & Co.,  doors,  sash,  and  blinds ; the  Ludlow  Soap 
Factory;  J.  D.  Stucky  and  Parks  Bros.,  milling.  Population  in  1880,  3,798. 
School  census  1886,  1,398  ; Charles  F.  Dean,  superintendent. 

AYashington  is  a leading  stock  centre.  The  last  Tuesday  of  every  month  is 
stock-sales  day,  when  the  streets  are  often  filled  ^vith  cattle.  As  many  as  6,400 
head  of  cattle  have  been  sold  in  a single  day. 

Tliere  is  yet  a pensioner  of  the  American  Revolution  alive  and  residing  in 
AYashington  Court-House — Mrs.  Alary  Casey,  a war  widow,”  who  when  young 
married  an  old  soldier  of  the  “ times  that  tried  men’s  souls.” 

On  the  8th  of  September,  1885,  A\Ashington  Court-House  was  partially  de- 
stroyed by  one  of  the  most  disastrous  of  (cyclones.  The  loss  of  life  was  surpnsingly 
small  considering  the  fearful  di.sturbance  of  the  elements,  there  being  but  six  per- 
sons kilh'd  and  a (comparatively  small  number  injured.  The  loss  of  property  Avas 
estimat(*d  to  be  nearly  §500,000. 


FAYEri'E  COUNTY. 


605 

The  cyclone  had  its  origin  in  Greene  county,  and  moving  southeasterly  struck 
Fayette  county  in  Jasper  township,  increasing  in  power  and  destructiveness  until 
it  reached  Washington  Court-House,  about  eight  o'clock  in  the  evening,  leaving 
almost  total  devastation  along  its  course  of  twelve  miles.  An  hour  before  the 
cyclone  struck  Washington  a huge  black  cloud  slowly  crept  up  the  western  horizon. 


Brawn  by  Henry  Hoire  in  1846. 


View  in  Washington  C.  H. 

which  was  followed  by  a strange  phosphorescent  cloud  filled  with  lightning  shoot- 
ing from  heaven  to  earth  in  a constant  chain.  Some  described  the  cloud  as  re- 
sembling a huge  elephant's  trunk,  the  lower  end  of  which  dipped  down  first  on  the 
right  hand  and  then  on  the  left.  Others  say  it  resembled  a great  and  luminous 
hornef  s-nest,  whirling  in  the  heavens  in  frantic  fury.  As  the  clouds  approached 


Willett,  Photo.,  Watihiixjloti , 1886. 


A Stock  Sales  Day  in  Washington  C.  H. 

the  darkness  became  intense ; the  roar  of  the  angry  elements  could  be  heara  grad- 
ually increasing  in  power.  About  five  minutes  past  eight  the  rain  commenced 
falling  in  torrents,  and  the  storm  burst  upon  the  town  with  a terrible  roar,  amidst 
which  could  be  hoard  the  falling  of  walls,  crashing  of  timbers,  and  smashing  of 


6o6 


FAYETTE  COUNTY. 


glass,  while  the  earth  seemed  to  sway  and  reel  under  the  force  of  the  discordant 
elements.  This  lasted  about  a minute,  when  the  storm  passed  over,  but  the  rain 
continued  falling  in  torrents. 

The  entire  western,  southern,  and  central  parts  of  the  town  were  swept  by  th(? 
storm,  and  within  that  territory  which  includes  the  business  portion  very  few 
houses  escaped  injury,  while  many  were  totally  destroyed,  and  the  majority  more  or 
less  seriously  damaged. 

Along  the  course  of  the  storm  in  the  country  whole  farms  Avere  totally  destroyed, 
buildings  blown  down,  and  fields  mowed  clean  of  vegetation ; corn  not  only  blown 
from  the  stalks,  but  in  some  instances  completely  husked ; patches  of  timber  liter- 
ally mowed  down,  and  barns,  straw-stacks,  etc.,  blown  to  atoms.  On  the  farm 
of  Mr.  Jesse  Bush,  three  miles  from  Washington,  blades  of  straw  Avere  found 
bloAvn  endAvise  into  trees  to  the  depth  of  half  an  inch ; in  another  place  a piece  of 
pine  fence-board  was  found  with  a piece  of  tarred-])aper  roofing  driven  into  it  to  a 
depth  Df  three-quarters  of  an  inch  and  firmly  imbedded.  A train  of  nine  cars  and 
caboose  standing  on  a bridge  on  the  Ohio  Southern  railroad  was  blown  olf.  An 
/apple-tree  in  the  yard  of  Mrs.  Lou  Harris,  the  milliner,  on  Fayette  street,  Avas 
driven  from  tAvo  to  three  feet  into  the  ground  without  breaking  a bough.  A car- 
load of  tin  roofing,  cornices,  etc.,  from  Washington,  was  gathered  on  a farm 
eighteen  miles  distant. 

Besides  these  curious  freaks  of  the  great  storm  illustrating  its  poAver,  and  AAfi\ich 
are  vouched  for  by  thoroughly  trustworthy  parties,  many  instances  of  heroism 
transpired,  one  of  Avhich  is  particularly  noteworthy.  Miss  Lucy  Pine,  a school- 
teacher, A'^as  left  in  charge  of  her  sister’s  children,  tAVO  boys,  aged  respectiA^ely  one 
and  a half  and  three  years.  The  babies  had  been  put  to  bed  ; Avhen  the  storm  came 
up  Miss  Pine  rushed  to  them,  and,  as  the  roof  Avas  torn  off^  she  leaned  OA^er  the 
bed,  receiving  the  Aveight  of  a falling  joist  upon  her  back,  and  thus  saA'^ed  their 
lives.  By  pressing  down  the  springs  of  the  bed  she  Avas  enabled  to  extricate  them 
and  herself  from  their  perilous  position.  From  the  Fayette  Republican  we  quote  : 


“The  residence  of  Mr.  Henry  C.  Shoop,  on 
the  corner  of  Oak  LaAvn  avenue  and  the 
Washington  pike,  Avas  considerably  shaken 
up.  Mr.  Shoop  tells  the  following  story  : 
‘ My  wife  and  myself,  with  our  three  small 
children,  were  in  the  house  when  the  cyclone 
struck  it.  The  house  shook  and  the  glass 
door  crashed  in.  Fearing  the  house  would 
be  demolished  and  we  all  crushed  beneath 
the  ruins,  my  wife  and  children  rushed  out 
of  the  door,  and  were  carried  by  the  wind 
fully  fifty  feet.  I,  anxious  about  my  wife  and 
little  ones,  leaped  out  of  the  house,  and  was 
instantly  carried  ten  feet  high  into  the  air. 
The  whole  family  were  blown  against  the 
fence  in  front  of  the  house.  A large  tree 
was  blown  up  by  the  roots  and  fell  across  the 
street,  the  top  of  it  almost  reaching  us  as  we 
clung  with  a death-grip  to  the  fence,  which, 
fortunately,  Avas  not  blown  away  by  the  ter- 
rific gale.  A large  limb  of  the  tree  was 
hurled  over  the  fence,  and  struck  on  the 
ground  just  a few  feet  aAvay.  The  screams 
and  moans  of  those  who  were  buried  beneath 
the  debiis  were  heartrending.  Many  of  my 
neighbors’  houses  were  blown  entirely  away, 
and  the  inmates  pinned  to  the  ground  by 
heavy  timbers.  As  my  house  was  the  only 
place  in  the  neighborhood  where  the  lights 
were  not  extinguished  my  neighbors,  after 
extricating  themselves  from  the  rubbish,  con- 
gregated there  for  shelter.  My  house  was 
fuU  of  unfortunate  victims ; mothers  and 


children  crazed  with  fright,  Avith  blood  stream- 
ing from  their  wounds  and  chilled  by  expo- 
sure to  the  heavy  rains.  Those  who  could 
not  help  themsePes  from  the  ruins  cried  most 
pitifully  for  help.  The  house  of  Mr.  James 
Bench  was  in  the  same  locality  as  mine,  and 
it  was  utterly  demolished.  His  wife,  who 
was  lying  upon  the  bed,  holding  in  her  arms 
an  infant  but  three  days  old,  and  her  two 
little  children  standing  at  her  bedside,  were 
in  an  instant  carried  quite  a distance  with 
their  house,  which  was  picked  up  by  the 
whirling  monster  and  dashed  to  pieces  upon 
the  ground.  Mr.  Bench  was  knocked  sense- 
less. After  he  began  to  realize  the  situation 
he  heard  screams  from  his  children,  and 
hearing  his  wife’s  voice,  he  was  overjoyed  to 
think  that  they  were  still  alive.  Mrs.  Bench 
received  several  bi’uises,  which  Avere  not 
serious,  and  the  infant  was  unharmed.  Mr. 
Bench  is  a A^erj^  industrious  young  man,  and 
by  economy  and  frugality  had  just  finished 
paying  for  his  little  house.  But  the  cyclone 
scattered  it  to  the  four  Avinds,  and  to-day  he 
and  his  estimable  family  are  homeless.  The 
house  of  Mr.  George  BjFee,  Sr.,  moA^ed  on 
its  foundation,  and  it  Avas  feared  it  Avas  going, 
but  Mr.  Bj’bee,  Avho  has  been  prostrated 
upon  a bed  of  affliction  for  years,  remained  in 
the  house  AA'ith  his  family  unharmed,  A\diile 
the  huge  trees  in  the  yard  Avere  torn  ^u|>  by 
the  roots  and  thrown  all  around  them.’  ’ 


FAYE2TE  COUNTY. 


607 


One  of  the  narrow  escapes  was  that  of  the  Rev.  John  B.  Steptoe,  pastor  of  the 
Second  Baptist  (colored)  church,  who  had  sought  shelter  from  the  storm  in  the 
tower  of  the  Catholic  church,  and  was  there  engaged  in  prayer  at  the  moment  of 
its  destruction.  The  reverend  gentleman  has  favored  us  with  the  following  unique 
iccount : 


I was  going  home  from  prayer  meeting  at 
the  Second  Baptist  church  (colored),  of  which 
I was  pastor,  and  the  skies  above  me  seemed 
angry  and  threatening.  As  the  lightning 
above  me  would  flash  every  moment  I noticed 
clouds  of  diflerent  kinds  and  colors,  dark  and 
angry,  red,  pale  and  an  inky  blue. 

Then  a kind  of  warm  something  passed  by 
me.  At  this  time  I was  a few  rods  from  the 
Catholic  church  when  balls  of  hail  commenced 
to  fall  around  me,  and  way  above  my  head  in 
the  air  it  appeared  that  something  like  large 
whips  and  guns  were  firing  and  cracking.  I 
turned  back  in  search  of  a place  of  refuge, 
but  I could  not  get  any  farther  than  the 
Catholic  church.  There  I stood  in  the  tower, 
and  in  a quiet  manner  I thought  I was  pray- 
ing my  last  prayer.  I did  not  make  a noise, 
but  I prayed  secret. 

Just  across  the  street  stood  the  First  Bap- 
tist church,  when  something  like  a big  slap 
struck  it  and  it  fell ; then  with  two  crashes 
the  Catholic  church  fell,  all  except  the  tower, 
in  which  I was  standing  and  praying ; but 
the  Catholic  church  went  down  so  easy,  as  it 
appeared  to  me,  that  I thought  it  was  only  a 
breach  or  two  in  the  wall,  for  where  I was 
standing  I could  not  see  the  main  building. 
I had  my  umbrella  in  my  hand  and  the  top 
part  of  the  stick  was  broken  off  and  carried 
away ; my  hat  was  also  taken  off  my  head. 
I have  never  found  it.  My  lantern  was  burn- 
ing in  my  right  hand  and  did  not  go  out.  I 
don’t  suppose  the  cyclone  lasted  oyer  two  or 
three  minutes,  but  it  was  a long  time  to  me. 
I passed  the  same  by  myself,  for  nobody 
knew  where  I was,  and  as  soon  as  the  storm 
was  over,  instead  of  going  home  as  I had 
started  to,  I turned  back  bare-headed  to  tell 
the  people  what  had  happened,  for  I was  not 
aware  at  that  time  the  destruction  was  nearly 
general,  and  I tell  you,  my  dear  reader,  I 
never  felt  so  thankful  in  my  life  as  I did  that 
night  when  God  heard  and  answered^  my 
prayer.  It  is  a truth,  and  my  very  legs  felt 
glad  in  a way  they  had  never  felt  before. 
But  afterward,  when  I had  surveyed  the  re- 
mains of  the  church,  and  saw  what  a narrow 
escape  I had  made,  my  legs  then  reversed 
their  feeling,  for  they  trembled,  and  I could 
not  avoid  it.  “Though  Thou  slay  me,  yet 
will  I trust  in  Thee  ! ’ ’ 

TRAVELLING  NOTES. 

Some  places  we  can  never  forget.  In  my 
experience  Washington  Court-House  is  one 
such.  First,  because  it  is  the  only  town  in 
Ohio  which,  when  named,  it  seems  necessary 
to  convey  the  idea  tfiat  there  justice  is  done, 
so  it  is  written  with  “ Court-House  ” against 
it.  Second,  because  there,  on  my  original 
tour,  I made  the  acquaintance  of  the  man 


who  had  committed  one  of  the  most  auda- 
cious, if  not  the  most  audacious,  act  known 
in  American  history — the  man  who  had  com- 
mitted a personal  assault  on  a President  of 
the  United  States,  and  that  President  Gen. 
Jackson  ! He  had  tried  to  pull  his  nose,  and, 
as  he  claimed,  succeeded ; but  this  was  de- 
nied. 

This  man  was  Lieut.  Robert  B.  Randolph, 


Willct,  Photo. 

The  Catholic  Church  after  the  Cyclone 


of  Virginia,  who  had  been  dismissed  in  dis* 
grace  from  the  navy  by  President  J ackson. 

Assault  on  General  Jackson. — The  circum- 
stances of  the  assault  were  these.  ^ In  the 
summer  of  1 833,  in  company  with  Vice-Pres- 
ident Martin  Van  Buren  and  the  members  of 
his  cabinet,  the  President,  or  “Old  Hickory,” 
as  the  people  often  called  him,  made  his 
rand  tour  through  the  principal  cities.  J ust 
efore  starting  he  went  down  to  Fredericks- 
burg, Virginia,  to  attend  the  ceremony  of 
laying  the  corner  stone  of  the  monument  to 
the  memory  of  the  mother  of  Washington. 
On  the  way  thither  the  steamboat  in  which 
he  was  stopped  at  the  wharf  at  Alexandria. 

At  the  moment  the  general  was  almost 
alone  in  the  cabin,  reading  a newspaper,  when 
Randolph,  smarting  under  a sense  of  wrong, 
hurried  aboard,  and  finding  him  thus  ab- 
sorbed, rushed  upon  him,  and  haying  fully 
accomplished,  as  he  claimed,  this  indignity, 
quickly  made  good  his  escape  before  the  by- 
standers could  fairly  comprehend  it.  Taken 
by  surprise,  the  aged  warrior,  in  a torrent  of 
passion,  sprang  from  his  seat,  his  spectacles, 
it  was  said,  going  one  way  and  his  newspaper 
another,  and  called  out,  “ Give  me  my  cane  ! 
Give  me  my  cane  ! By  the  Eternal,  I’ll 
chastise  the  rascal.  ’ ’ 

A Pen  Portrait  of  Gen.  Jaclzson. — The 
wrath  of  Gen.  J ackson  was  something  terri- 
ble to  behold.  I saw  him  on  his  tour  aud  I 


6o8 


FAYETTE  COUNTY. 


can  imagine  it ; a six-foot  tall,  wiry  old  man, 
visage  long,  thin,  melancholy,  solemn  as  that 
of  the  Knight  of  the  Rueful  Countenance. 
His  face  was  red  from  the  sunburn  of  recent 
travel,  having  bowed  bareheaded,  riding  in 
his  carriage,  to  enthusiastic,  shouting  multi- 
tudes in  many  cities  through  which  he  had 
lately  passed.  In  striking  contrast,  his  hair, 
snowy  white,  stood  upright,  bristling  from 
every  part  of  his  head.  It  was  a common 
saying  in  that  day,  “Yes  ; his  hair  stands  up 
bristling  all  over  his  head  just  like  General 
Jackson’s.”  He  wore  a tall  white  hat,  the 
lower  half  buried  in  crape  in  mourning  for 
his  deceased  wife,  upon  whom  he  had  doted, 
and  in  defence  of  whose  good  name  he  once 
fought  a duel  and  killed  his  man.  This 
assault  created  a great  sensation  at  the  time. 
Jackson  was  a man  implacable  in  his  enmities 
and  warm  in  his  friendships.  He  was  idol- 
ized by  the  people  at  large  because  he  had 
defeated  the  British  at  New  Orleans,  the 
feeling  at  that  era  being  very  bitter  against 
England,  and  for  the  effective  manner  in 
which  he  had  stamped  out  nullification  in 
South  Carolina. 

Lieut  Randolph. — At  the  time  of  my  visit 
to  Washington  I met  Randolph,  who  was 
boarding  at  the  Wilson  tavern  shown  in  the 
old  view,  where  I was  stopping.  He  was 
indeed  a pitiable  object,  old,  poor  and  seedy ; 
a disgraced  and  fallen  man  living  in  bitter 
memories,  existence  joyless,  without  hope. 
But,  withal,  his  air  was  of  one  born  to  com- 
mand, and  I saw  in  that  tall,  imperious  pres- 
ence a gentleman  from  one  of  the  proudest, 
most  honored  families  of  old  Virginia. 

On  making  his  acquaintance  he  greeted  me 
with  great  warmth.  I had  but  a short  time 

{)reviously  made  an  historical  tour  of  his  be- 
oved  Virginia  and  published  a book  on  it, 
and  this  warmly  commended  me  to  his  re- 
gards. He  had  that  indescribable  air  char- 
acteristic of  the  old  style  gentlemen  of  Vir- 
ginia in  their  social  intercourse,  a mingling 
of  dignity  with  great  suavity  and  deference 
of  manner  and  a simplicity  and  frankness  of 
speech  that  was  charming.  Like  children,  it 
seemed  often  in  talking  with  such  as  though 
they  were  laying  their  hearts  open  bare  to 


one’s  gaze.  A highly  emotional  people, 
largely  planters,  knowing  nothing  of  the 
great  business  world,  when  the  finer  chords 
of  their  nature  were  played  upon,  nothing 
could  be  more  winning  than  their  society. 

Randolph's  Eccentricities. — On  this  present 
visit  I found  Richard  Millikan,  an  elderly 
gentleman,  here,  one  who  knew  Randolph 
well.  He  gave  me  some  items.  Having 
been  at  sea  in  early  life,  Millikan  and  Ran- 
dolph met  on  congenial  grounds ; and  they 
were  quite  intimate,  often  took  their  Sunday 
dinners  together.  Randolph  came  here  to 
have  the  oversight-of  some  wild  land  which 
belonged  to  the  family.  He  was,  when  not 
antagonized,  a pleasant  man,  delighted  in 
children,  had  a fancy  for  the  young  men  of 
the  town,  whom  he  was  wont  to  gather  in  his 
room  and  play  chess  and  entertain  with  nau- 
tical stories  of  his  experience  while  in  the 
navy.  As  was  common  with  the  old-style  of 
seafaring  men,  he  was  exceedingly  profane, 
but  was  never  known  to  utter  an  oath  in  the 
presence  of  ladies  or  of  clergymen.  Al- 
though very  poor  he  seemed.  Old  Virginia 
like,  to  have  no  idea  of  the  value  of  money. 
He  shipped  a barrel  of  hickory  nuts  to  his 
wife  in  Richmond.  This  was  before  railroads 
and  the  freight  was  $10.00.  He  was  in  con- 
tinued litigation  with  his  double  cousin,  Rich- 
ard Randolph.  He  had  quarrels  with  him 
and  Judge  Jacob  Jamieson  ; with  the  latter 
in  regard  to  a boundary  line.  One  night  he 
displayed  his  wrath ; hung  them  both  in 
efiigy  here  in  Washington  on  the  Court-House 
Square,  the  bodies  being  duly  labeled  with 
their  names. 

He  finally  sold  his  land  for  a trifle,  owing 
to  an  imperfection  in  the  title,  which,  how- 
ever, proved  good,  and  then  returned  to  Vir- 
ginia. In  Buchanan’s  administration  he  for 
a time  held  a petty  office  in  the  navy  depart- 
ment at  Washington,  but  was  not  allowed  to 
hold  it  long.  Some  member  of  Congress 
from  Jackson’s  State,  Tennessee,  made  a raid 
upon  him  and  had  him  turned  out.  The 
poor  old  fellow  long  ere  this  must  have  been 
gathered  to  his  fathers,  the  Randolphs  of 
Virginia. 


Jeffersonville,  about  35  miles  southwest  of  Columbus,  is  in  the  centre  of 
a fine  stock-raising  and  grain  district.  It  is  on  the  O.  S.  and  C.  C.  & H.  V. 
Railroads.  Newspapers  : Ohio  Citizen^  Independent,  L.  A.  Elster,  M.  D.,  editor; 
Chronide,  Independent,  Adolphe  V^oight,  editor  and  publisher.  Churches  : 1 Con- 
gregational, 1 Methodist  Episcopal,  I Universalist.  Jeffersonville  Bank,  E.  A. 
Lewis,  president,  S.  M.  Taggart,  cashier.  Industries:  Jeffersonville  is  the  ship- 
ping point  for  fine  specimens  of  Poland-China  hogs  and  Short-horn  cattle  for 
breeding.  Population  in  1880,  374. 

Bloomingburg,  on  the  C.  & C.  M.  R.  R.  and  on  the  east  fork  of  Paint,  5 
miles  easterly  from  Washington  Court-House,  has  several  churches  and,  in  1880, 
526  inhabitants. 


FRANKLIN  COUNTY, 


609 


FKANKLIK 

Franklin  County  was  formed  from  Ross,  April  30,  1803,  and  named  from 
Benjamin.  Franklin,  who  died  April  17,  1790,  aged  eighty-four  years,  who  was 
at  once  philosopher,  diplomatist,  scientific  discoverer,  moralist,  statesman,  writer 
and  wit,  and  in  many  respects  the  greatest  of  Americans,  and  one  of  the  greatest 
men  whose  names  are  recorded  in  history.’’  The  prevailing  character  of  the 
soil  of  the  county  is  clay,  and  the  surface  is  generally  level.  It  contains 
naturally  much  low  wet  land,  and  is  best  adapted  to  grain ; but  it  has  many 
finely  cultivated  farms,  especially  along  the  water  courses.  In  1885  the  acres 
cultivated  were  151,102;  in  pasture,  55,100 ; woodland,  32,799;  lying  waste, 
6,521 ; bushels  wheat,  145,240 ; corn,  3,590,968  (being  next  to  Pickaway  the 
greatest  amount  of  any  county  in  the  State);  oats,  221,319;  apples,  145,651. 
School  census  33,223 ; teachers,  520 ; area,  540  square  miles.  It  has  228  miles 
of  railroad. 


Toavnships  and  Census. 

1840. 

1880. 

Toavnships  and  Census. 

1840. 

1880. 

Blendon, 

972 

2,185 

Montgomery, 

7,497 

51,647 

BroAvn, 

425 

982 

NorAvich, 

740 

1,690 

Clinton^ 

965 

1,700 

Perry,  - 

1,039 

1,489 

Franklin, 

1,345 

3,810 

Plain, 

1,263 

1,270 

Hamilton, 

1,238 

1,485 

Pleasant, 

811 

2,291 

Jackson, 

787 

2,092 

Prairie, 

603 

1,926 

Jefferson, 

1,040 

1,288 

Sharon, 

1,168 

1,621 

Madison, 

1,815 

3,853 

Truro, 

1,418 

1,955 

Marion, 

Mifflin, 

832 

2,342 

1,845 

Washington, 

842 

1,326 

The  population  of  Franklin  in  1820  Avas  10,300 ; in  1830,  14,756 ; in  1840, 
24,880;  1860,  50,361;  1880,  86,882,  of  whom  63,224  Avere  Ohio-born;  2,91C 
Pennsylvania;  1,920  Virginia;  1,699  Ncav  York  ; 601  Kentucky;  521  Indiana, 
6,098  Germany  ; 2,742  Ireland  ; England  and  Wales,  1,598 ; British  America, 
396  ; France,  266  ; Scotland,  156. 

The  tract  comprised  within  the  limits  of  the  county  Avas  once  the  residence  of 
the  Wyandot  Indians.  They  had  a large  toAvn  on  the  site  of  the  city  of  Colum- 
bus, and  cultivated  extensive  fields  of  corn  on  the  river  bottoms  opposite  their 
toAvn.  Mr.  Jeremiah  Armstrong,  who  early  kept  a hotel  at  Columbus,  AA^as  taken 
prisoner  Avhen  a boy  from  the  frontier  of  Pennsylvania,  and  brought  captive  to 
this  place : after  residing  Avith  them  a number  of  years  he  Avas  ransomed  and 
I’eturned  to  his  friends.  Mr.  Robert  Armstrong,  also  a native  of  Pennsylvania, 
being  an  orphan  boy  Avas  bound  to  a trader,  and  Avhile  trapping  and  trading  on 
the  Alleghany,  himself  and  employer  were  surprised  by  some  Wyandots  and 
Senecas.  The  master  Avas  killed  and  Armstrong  brought  to  their  toAvn  at  Frank- 
linton.  He  Avas  raised  by  the  Indians,  became  a great  favorite,  lived,  married 
and  died  among  them.  He  Avas  oeeasionally  an  interj^reter  for  the  United  States. 
He  left  tAvo  sons  avIio  Avent  with  tlie  Wyandots  to  the  far  Avest ; both  of  them 
Avere  educated,  and  one  of  them  Avas  admitted  to  the  Ohio  bar. 

In  the  year  1780  a party  of  Avhites  folloAved  a band  of  Indians  from  the 
mouth  of  the  KanaAvha,  overtook  them  on  or  near  the  site  of  Columbus  and  gave 
them  battle  and  defeated  them.  During  the  fight,  one  of  the  AAfiiites  saw  tAvo 
squaAvs  secrete  themselves  in  a large  holloAV  tree,  and  when  the  action  Avas  over 
they  dreAV  them  out  and  carried  them  captive  to  Virginia.  This  tree  was  alive 
and  standing,  on  the  Avest  bank  of  the  Scioto,  as  late  as  1 845. 


Frank  Ileanj  Jlowe,  Amateur  Photo.,  1888. 

The  State  Capitol  at  Columbus. 


FRANKLIN  COUNTY. 


6n 


The  annexed  anecdote,  derived  from  J.  W.  Van  Cleve,  of  Dayton,  shows  a 
pleasing  feature  in  the  character  of  the  Indian. 


A party,  surveying  on  the  Scioto,  above 
the  site  of  Columbus,  in  ’97,  had  been  re- 
duced to  three  scanty  meals  for  four  days. 
They  came  to  the  camp  of  a Wyandot  Indian 
with  his  family,  and  he  gave  them  all  the 
provisions  he  had,  which  comprised  only  two 
rabbits  and  a small  piece  of  venison.  This 


Wyandot’s  father  had  been  murdered  by  the 
whites  in  time  of  peace  : the  father  of  one 
of  the  surveyors  had  been  killed  by  the  In- 
dians in  time  of  war.  He  concluded  that 
the  Indian  had  more  reason  to  cherish 
hostility  towards  the  white  man  than  he  to- 
ward the  Indian. 


In  June,  1810,  there  was  an  old  Wyandot  chief,  named  Leatherlips,  executed 
in  this  county,  and  it  is  claimed  for  the  sole  reason  that  he  was  a friend  of  the 
white  man  and  opposed  to  taking  up  armies  against  the  whites.  We  take  the 
account  of  this  event  from  Drake’s  Life  of  Tecumseh,”  where  it  is  abridged  from 
an  article  by  Otway  Curry,  in  the  Hesperian.” 


Gen.  Harrison  entertained  the  opinion 
that  his  death  was  the  result  of  the  prophet’s 
command,  and  that  the  party  who  acted  as 
executioners  went  directly  from  Tippecanoe 
to  the  banks  of  the  Scioto,  where  the  tragedy 
was  enacted.  Leatherlips  was  found  en- 
camped upon  that  stream,  twelve  miles  above 
Columbus.  The  six  Wyandots  who  put  him 
to  death  were  headed,  it  is  supposed,  by  the 
chief  Roundhead.  An  effort  was  made  by 
some  white  men,  who  were  present,  to  save 
the  life  of  the  accused,  but  without  success. 
A council  of  two  or  three  hours  took  place  : 
the  accusing  party  spoke  with  warmth  and 
bitterness  of  feeling : Leatherlips  was  calm 
and  dispassionate  in  his  replies.  The  sen- 
tence of  death,  which  had  been  previously 
passed  upon  him,  was  reaffirmed.^  “The 
prisoner  then  walked  slowly  to  his  camp, 
partook  of  a dinner  of  jerked  venison,  washed 
and  arrayed  himself  in  his  best  apparel,  and 
afterwards  painted  his  face.  His  dress  was 
very  rich — his  hair  gray,  and  his  whole  ap- 
pearance graceful  and  commanding.”  When 
the  hour  for  the  execution  had  arrived, 
Leatherlips  shook  hands  in  silence  with  the 
spectators.  “He  then  turned  from  his 
wigwam,  and  with  a voice  of  surpassing 
strength  and  melody  commenced  the  chant 
of  the  death  song.  He  was  followed  closely 
by  the  Wyandot  warriors,  all  timing  with 
their  slow  and  measured  march  the  music 
of  his  wild  and  melancholy  dirge.  The 
white  men  were  likewise  all  silent  followers 
in  that  strange  procession.  At  the  distance 
of  seventy  or  eighty  yards  from  the  camp, 
they  came  to  a shallow  grave,  which,  un- 
known to  the  white  men,  had  been  previously 
repared  by  the  Indians.  Here  the  old  man 
nelt  down,  and  in  an  elevated  but  solemn 
tone  of  voice,  addressed  his  prayer  to  the 
Great  Spirit.  As  soon  as  he  had  finished, 
the  captain  of  the  Indians  knelt  beside  him 
and  prayed  in  a similar  manner.  Their 
prayers,  of  course,  were  spoken  in  the 


Wyandot  tongue.  . . . After  a few  moments’ 
delay,  the  prisoner  again  sank  down  upon 
his  knees  and  prayed,  as  he  had  done  before. 
When  he  had  ceased,  he  still  continued  in  a 
kneeling  position.  All  the  rifles  belonging 
to  the  party  had  been  left  at  the  wigwam. 
There  was  not  a weapon  of  any  kind  to  be 
seen  at  the  place  of  execution,  and  the  spec- 
tators were  consequently  unable  to  form  any 
conjecture  as  to  the  mode  of  procedure  which 
the  executioners  had  determined  on  for  the 
fulfilment  of  their  purpose.  Suddenly  one 
of  the  warriors  drew  from  beneath  the  skirts 
of  his  capote  a keen,  bright  tomahawk — 
walked  rapidly  up  behind  the  chieftain — 
brandished  the  weapon  on  high  for  a single 
moment,  and  then  struck  with  his  whole 
strength.  The  blow  descended  directly  upon 
the  crown  of  the  head,  and  the  victim  im- 
mediately fell  prostrate.  After  he  had  lain 
awhile  in  the  agonies  of  death,  the  Indian 
captain  directed  the  attention  of  the  white 
men  to  the  drops  of  sweat  which  were  gath- 
ering upon  his  neck  and  face ; remarked 
with  much  apparent  exultation,  that  it  was 
conclusive  proof  of  the  sufferer’s  guilt. 
Again  the  executioner  advanced,  and  with 
the  same  weapon  inflicted  two  or  three  ad- 
ditional and  heavy  blows.  As  soon  as  life 
was  entirely  extinct,  the  body  was  hastily 
buried,  with  all  its  apparel  and  decorations, 
and  the  assemblage  dispersed.  ’ ’ 

One  of  Mr.  Heckewelder’s  correspondents, 
as  quoted  in  his  historical  account  of  the  In- 
dian nations,  makes  Tarhe,  better  known  by 
the  name  of  Crane,  the  leader  of  this  party. 
This  has  been  denied  ; and  the  letter  of  Gen. 
Harrison  on  the  subject  proves  quite  conclu- 
sively that. this  celebrated  chief  had  nothing 
to  do  with  the  execution  of  Leatherlips. 
]Mr.  Heckewelder’s  correspondent  concurs  in 
the  opinion  that  the  original  order  for  the 
death  of  this  old  man  was  issued  from  the 
head-quarters  of  the  prophet  and  his  brother 
Tecumseh. 


In  Columbus  is  a social  organization  called  the  Wyandot  Club.”  Its  officers 
are,  President,  William  Taylor;  Vice-Pres.  A.  McNinch;  Secretary,  E.  L. 
Taylor ; Treasurer,  (L  W.  Willard.  Among  their  intentions  is  to  perpetuate  the 


6l2 


FRANKLIN  COUNTY. 


memory  of  Leatherlips,  by  the  erection  of  a monument  on  the  place  of  his  ex- 
ecution and  burial,  which  is  about  fourteen  miles  north  of  Columbus  near  the 
Delaware  county  line. 

Steps  were  taken  for  this  purpose  at  their  annual  reunion,  September  18, 1887. 
This  took  place  in  a noble  forest  named  Wyandot  Grove  ’’  on  the  west  bank  of 
the  Scioto  about  eight  miles  northwest  of  the  city,  with  about  150  invited  guests, 
where  under  a spreading  tent  they  sat  down  to  a sumptuous  repast  gathered  from 
the  farm,  garden,  river,  and  tropics,  amid  which  the  florist  made  a gorgeous  display. 

This  feast  had  been  preceded  by  a speech  by  Col.  Samuel  Thompson,  in  Avhich 
he  gave  a sketch  of  the  noble  Wyandot  tribe,  the  most  humane  of  all  the  Indian 
tribes,  and  largely  opposed  to  the  torture  of  prisoners.  He  paid  a tribute  to  one 
of  their  great  chiefs,  Tarhe,  or  Chief  Crane,  so  wise  in  council,  and  so  renowned 
in  war,  and  who  had  interposed  in  vain  to  save  the  ill-fated  Col.  Crawford  from 
the  stake.  I learned,^^  said  he,  from  our  venerable  friend,  the  late  Abraham 
Sells,  former  proprietor  of  this  beautiful  grove,  rightly  named  by  him  Wyandot 
Grove,  near  yon  crystal  spring  once  stood  the  cabin  of  this  noted  chief.  It  was 
here  that  the  Wyandots  halted  to  rest  and  refresh  themselves  when  on  their  way  to 
the  white  settlements  at  Chillicothe  and  subsequently  at  Franklinton,  this  county.’' 

The  Colonel  then  told  the  story  of  Leatherlips,  who  was  executed  for  polit 
ical  reasons,”  substantially  as  already  giverio  He  was  followed  by  Capt.  E.  L. 
Taylor,  who  spoke  in  a very  interesting  manner,  after  which  a committee  was 
appointed  to  take  measures  for  the  erection  of  the  monument. 

The  first  settlement  of  this  county  was  commenced  in  1797o  Some  of  the  early 
settlers  were  Robert  Armstrong,  George  Skidmore,  Lucas  Sullivant,  Wm. 
Domigan,  the  Deardorfs,  the  M’Elvains,  the  Sellses,  James  Marshall,  John  Dili, 
Jacob  Grubb,  Jacob  Overdier,  Arthur  O’Harra,  Colonel  Culbertson  and  John 
Brickell.  This  last-named  gentleman  was  taken  prisoner  when  a boy,  in  Penn- 
sylvania, brought  into  Ohio  and  held  captive  four  and  a half  years  among  the 
Delawares.  He  was  liberated  at  Fort  Defiance,  shortly  after  the  treaty  of  Green- 
ville, the  details  of  which  will  be  found  under  the  head  of  Defiance  county. 

In  the  month  of  August,  1797,  Franklinton  was  laid  out  by  Lucas  Sullivant. 
The  settlement  at  that  place  was  the  first  in  the  county.  Mr.  Sullivant  was  a 
self-made  man  and  noted  as  a surveyor.  He  had  often  encountered  great  peril 
from  the  attacks  of  Indians  while  making  his  surveys. 

The  following  items  of  local  history  are  from  a A Brief  History  and  Descrip- 
tion of  Franklin  County”  which  accompanied  Wheeler’s  map. 


Next  after  the  settlement  of  Franklinton, 
a Mr.  Springer  and  his  son-in-law,  Osborn, 
settled  on  Darby  ; then  next  was  a scattering 
settlement  along  Alum  creek,  which  last  was 
probably  about  the  summer  of  1798.  Among 
the  first  settlers  here  were  Messrs.  White, 
Nelson,  Shaw,  Agler,  and  Reed.  About  the 
same  time,  some  improvements  were  made 
near  the  mouth  of  Grahannah  (formerly  called 
Big  belly),  and  the  settlements  thus  gradually 
extended  along  the  principal  water  courses. 
In  the  mean  time,  Franklinton  was  the  point 
to  which  emigrants  first  repaired,  to  spend 
some  months,  or  probably  years,  prior  to  their 
permanent  location.  For  several  years  there 
was  no  mill  nor  considerable  settlement  nearer 
than  the  vicinity  of  Chillicothe.  In  Franklin- 
ton, the  neighbors  constructed  a kind  of  hand- 
mill,  upon  which  they  generallj'^  ground  their 
corn..  Some  pounded  it,  and  occasionally  a 
trip  was  made  with  a canoe  or  periogue,  by 
way  of  the  river,  to  the  Chillicothe  mill 
About  the  year  1799,  a Mr.  Jolin  D.  Rush 
erected  an  inferior  mill  on  the  Scioto,  a short 


distance  above  Franklinton  ; it  was,  however, 
a poor  concern,  and  soon  fell  to  ruin.  A horse* 
mill  was  then  resorted  to,  and  kept  up  for  some 
time ; but  the  first  mill  of  any  considerable 
advantage  to  the  country  was  erected  by  Col. 
Kilbourne,  near  Worthington,  about  the  year 
1 805.  About  the  same  time.  Carpenter’s  mill, 
near  Delaware,  and  Dyer’s,  on  Darby,  were 
erected.  About  one  year,  probably,  after  thu 
first  settlement  of  Franklinton,  a Mr.  Jame* 
Scott  opened  the  first  small  store  in  the  place, 
which  added  much  to  the  convenience  of  the 
settlers.  For  probably  seven  or  eight  years, 
there  was  no  post-office  nearer  than  Chilli- 
cothe, and  when  other  opportunities  did  not 
offer,  the  men  would  occasionally  raise  by  con- 
tribution the  means,  and  employ  a man  to  go 
the  moderate  distance  of  forty-five  miles  to 
the  post-office  to  inquire  for  letters  and  news- 
papers. During  the  first  years  of  the  settle- 
ment, it  was  extremely  sickly — perhaps  as 
much  so  as  any  part  of  the  State.  Although 
sickness  was  so  general  in  the  fall  season  a3to 
almost  entirely,  discourage  th.i  inhabitants. 


FRANKLIN  COUNTY. 


613 

yet,  on  the  return  of  health,  the  prospective  of  the  country  generally,  induced  them  to  re- 
advantages  of  the  country,  the  luxuriant  crops,  main.  The  principal  disease  of  the  country 
and  abundance  of  game  of  all  kinds,  together  being  fever  and  ague,  deaths  were  compara- 
with  the  gradual  improvement  in  the  health  lively  seldom. 


Franklinton  iw  1846. — Franklinton  lies  on  the  west  side  of  the  Scioto,  op- 
posite  Columbus.  It  was  the  first  town  laid  off  in  the  Scioto  valley  north  of 
Chillicothe.  From  the  formation  of  the  county,  in  1803,  it  remained  its  seat  of 
justice  until  1824,  when  it  was  removed  to  Columbus.  During  the  late  war,  it 
was  a place  of  general  rendezvous  for  the  northwestern  army,  and  sometimes  from 
one  to  three  thousand  troops  were  stationed  there.  In  those  days,  it  was  a place 
of  considerable  note ; it  is  now  a small  village,  containing,  by  the  census  of  1840, 
394  inhabitants. — Old  Edition. 

Franklinton  now  is  included  in  the  city  of  Columbus.  It  has  changed  less  than 
any  part  of  the  city  so  near  the  centre,  and  preserves  to  this  day  many  of  its  old 
style  village  features.  It  is  a quiet  spot,  but  cannot  much  long:er  so  remain  in  the 
rapid  progress  of  improvements. 

Worthington  in  1846. — Worthington  is  a neat  town,  9 miles  north  of  Co- 
lumbus, containing  3 churches,  and  by  the  census  of  1840,  440  inhabitants.  Al 

this  place  is  a classical  academy,  in  the  old  bo- 
tanic college  building,  in  fine  repute,  under  the 
charge  of  the  Eev.  R.  K.  Nash ; also  a flourish- 
ing female  seminary,  under  the  patronage  of  the 
Ohio  Methodist  Conference,  of  \ k^ch  the  Eev. 
Alexander  Nelson  is  the  principal.  The  build- 
ing is  of  brick,  and  stands  in  a pleasant  green. — 
Old  Edition. 

Since  1840  to  1880  Worthington  has  increased 
from  440  to  459  inhabitants.  It  is  now  on  the 
line  of  the  C.  C.  C.  and  I.  railway.  It  has  long  been  known  as  an  educational 
point,  and  it  was  the  attractions  of  this  spot  that  first  drew  Bishop  Philander 
Chase  to  Ohio.  He  came  out  and  settled  here  in  1817,  bought  five  village  lots, 
and  a farm  of  150  acres  just  south  of  the  place.  About  60  acres  were  cleared, 
and  the  total  cost  was  two  thousand  and  fifty  dollars.  He  was  appointed  princi- 
pal of  the  academy  and  conducted  services  in  the  Episcopal  church.  While  re- 
siding here  he  was  made  in  1818  the  first  Bishop  of  Ohio.  Worthington  was  also 
honored  by  the  early  residence  of  Salmon  P.  Chase.  Williams  Bros.’  combined 
history  of  Franklin  and  Pickaway  counties  gives  the  following  amusing  items : 


Worthington  Female  Seminary 
IN  1846. 


Boyhood  Pranks  of  Salmon  P.  Chase.^ — 
Salmon  P.  Chase  came  to  Ohio  to  live  with 
his  uncle,  Bishop  Chase,  in  1820,  when  but 
twelve  years  of  age.  He  did  chores  about  the 
farm,  drove  the  cows  to  pasture  and  home 
again,  took  grain  to  the  mill,  and  was  kept 
busy  when  not  at  school.  He  once  received 
instructions  from  his  uncle  to  kill  and  dress  a 
little  young  pig  which  was  to  be  roasted  for 
dinner.  He  knew  how  to  kill  and  scald  him, 
but  either  the  water  was  too  hot,  or  he  left 
the  pig  in  too  long,  for  when  he  expected  to 
remove  the  bristles  easijy,  he  could  hardly 
pull  out  even  a single  bristle  at  a time.  He 
was  aware  that  the  pig  must  be  ready 
promptly  for  dinner,  and  bethought  himself 
of  his  pousin  Philander’ s razor  which  he  got 
and  with  which  he  neatly  shaved  the  pig. 
The  job  was  well  done  and  reflected  credit  on 
the  barber,  but  about  ruined  the  razor. 


Salmon  was  also  accustomed  to  ride  a horse 
belonging  to  Squire  Charles  E.  Burr,  the 
same  animal  being  a favorite  with  the  college 
professors  and  others.  He  found  that  by 
sticking  his  heels  in  the  sides  of  the  horse 
that  he  resented  the  indignity  by  kicking. 
He  enjoyed  the  fun  and  continued  it  until  the 
horse  was  completely  ruined  for  the  ordinary 
uses  of  a horse  ; it  could  not  be  used  for  any 
purpose  whatsoever  except  to  kick  eyerw 
thing  within  the  swing  of  his  heels,  which  it 
ever  after  did,  and  with  a gusto. 

Salmon  lived  with  his  uncle  about  a yeai 
and  a half.  Mr.  Elias  Lewis,  of  Worthing 
ton,  now  in  his  eighty-third  year,  when  i 
bricklayer  had  Salmon  P.  Chase  for  a mortar 
carrier  and  speaks  with  pride  of  the|^fa(t  that 
a man  who  afterward  became  a governor  ol 
Ohio  and  chief  justice  of  the  United  States 
should  have  carried  the  hod  for  him. 


The  township  of  Sharon,  in  which  Worthington  is,  was  very  early  settled  by 


6i4 


FRANKLIN  COUNTY. 


“The  Scioto  Company/’  formed  in  Granby,  Conn.,  in  the  winter  of  1801-2,  and 
consisting  at  first  of  eight  associates.  They  drew  np  articles  of  association,  among 
which  was  one  limiting  their  number  to  forty,  each  of  whom  must  be  imanimonsly 
chosen  by  ballot,  a single  negative  being  sufficient  to  prevent  an  election.  Col. 
James  Kilbourne  was  sent  out  the  succeeding  spring  to  explore  the  country,  select 
and  purchase  a township  for  settlement.  He  returned  in  the  fall  without  making 
a purchase,  through  fear  that  the  State  Constitution,  then  about  to  be  formed, 
should  tolerate  slavery,  in  which  case  the  project  would  have  been  abandoned. 

It  is  here  worthy  of  notice  that  Col.  Kilbourne  on  this  visit  constructed  the 
FIRST  MAP  OF  OHIO,  which  he  compiled  from  maps  of  its  different  sections  in  the 
office  of  Col.  Worthington  (afterwards  governor),  then  register  of  the  United  States 
land  office  at  Chilficothe.  The  part  delineating  the  Indian  territory  was  from  a 
map  made  by  John  Fitch,  of  steamboat  memory,  who  had  been  a prisoner  among 
the  Indians,  which,  although  in  a measure  conjectural,  was  the  most  accurate  of 
that  part  of  the  Northwest  Territory. 

Immediately  upon  receiving  information  that  the  Constitution  of  Ohio  prohibited 
slavery  Col.  Kilbourne  purchased  this  township,  lying  Avithin  the  United  States 
military  land  district,  and  in  the  spring  of  1803  returned  to  Ohio  and  commenced 
improvements.  By  the  succeeding  December  100  settlers,  mainly  from  Hartford 
county,  Conn.,  and  Hampshire  county.  Mass.,  arrived  at  their  new  home.  Obey’ 
ing  to  the  letter  the  articles  of  association,  the  first  cabin  erected  Avas  used  for  a 
school-house  and  church  of  the  Protestant  Episcopal  denomination ; the  first  Sab- 
bath after  the  arrival  of  the  third  family  divine  Avorship  Avas  held  therein,  and  on 
the  arrival  of  the  eleventh  family  a school  Avas  commenced.  This  early  attention 
to  religion  and  education  has  left  its  favorable  impress  upon  the  character  of  the 
people  to  the  present  day.  The  succeeding  4th  of  July  Avas  appropriately  celebrated. 
Seventeen  gigantic  trees,  emblematical  of  the  seventeen  States  forming  the  federal 
union,  AA^ere  cut  so  that  a fcAV  bloAvs  of  the  axe,  at  sunrise  on  the  Fourth,  prostrated 
each  successively  with  a tremendous  crash,  forming  a national  salute  novel  in  the 
Avorld’s  history. 

^ James  (sometimes  called  Colonel  and  some- 
times Reverend,  for  he  Avas  both)  Kilbourne 
laid  out  the  village  of  Worthington  in  May, 

1804,  into  162  lots,  one  of  which  was  reserved 
for  church  and  another  for  school  purposes. 

This  eminent  pioneer  was  born  in  New  Britain, 

Conn.,- in  1770,  and  nmned  the  village  from 
the  parish  of  Worthington,  which  is  near 
that  of  New  Britain.  He  was  first  appren- 
ticed to  a farmer,  and  learned  mathematics 
and  the  classics  from  the  farmer’s  son.  He 
became  a mechanic,  subsequently  acquired  a 
competence  as  a merchant  and  manufacturer, 
and  about  the  year  1 800  took  orders  in  the 
Episcopal  church.  He  organized  the  Epis- 
copal church  in  Worthington,  the  first  organ- 
ized in  Ohio.  In  1804  he  retired  from  the 
ministry,  and  in  1805  Avas  appointed  by  Con- 
gress surveyor  of  public  lands.  In  1812  he 
was  on  the  commission  to  settle  the  boundary 
between  the  public  lands  and  the  Virginia 
reservation,  and  was  a colonel  of  a frontier 
regiment.  He  was  from  1813  to  1817  a 


member  of  Congress  (sent  by  the  Democrats), 
and  had  the  distinguished  merit  of  originating 
the  measure  to  grant  the  public  lands  of  the 
Northwest  Territory  to  actual  settlers,  and 
was  chairman  of  the  select  committee  that 
drew  up  the  bill  for  that  purpose.  He  died 
in  Worthington  in  1850.  A useful  and  most 
worthy  citizen,  he  was  of  a strong  social 
nature,  and  sometimes  indulged  in  poetry,  as 
will  be  seen  in  his  “Song  of  Bucyrus,”  two 
verses  of  which  are  under  the  head  of  Craw- 
ford county. 

The  grave  of  Col.  Kilbourne  in  the  Worth- 
ington cemetery  is  marked  by  a stone,  on 
which  he  had  cut  prior  to  his  death  the  names 
of  his  fiimily,  including  that  of  his  second 
Avife.  She  took  exception  to  the  cutting  of 
her  name  upon  a tombstone  before  her  death, 
and  directed  that  her  remains  should  not  be 
interred  there.  Her  Avish  Avas  observed,  and 
her  body  now  lies  in  Green  Lawn  cemetery, 
Columbus. 


Columbus  in  1846. — Columbus,  the  capital  of  Ohio,  and  scat  of  justice  for 
Franklin  county,  “is  106  miles  southerly  from  Sandusky  City,  139  miles  south- 
Avest  from  Cleveland,  148  south Avestwardly  from  Steubenville,  184  in  the  same 
direction  from  Pittsburg,  Pa.,  126  miles  AA'Cst  from  Wheeling,  Va.,  about  100  ^ 
northwest  from  Marietta,  105  north Avest  from  Gallipolis,  45  north  from  Chilli- 


This  view,  photographed  by  Frank  Henry  Howe  in  1887,  is  looking  South  on  High  Street.  On  the  right  is  shown  the  present  Neil 
House,  on  the  site  of  that  burnt,  and  on  the  left  the  present  Capitol  of  Ohio. 


This  view,  di'awn  by  Henry  Howe  in  1846,  is  looking  south  on  High  Street,  Columbus.  On  the  right  is  shown  the  old  Neil  Hoiwe, 

later  burnt,  and  on  the  left  the  old  Ohio  State  Capitol  and  buildings. 


FRANKLIN  COUNTY. 


617 


eotkfi,*  90  in  the  same  direction  from  Portsmouth,  at  the  month  of  the  Scioto  river, 
J18  northwardly  from  Maysville,  Ky.,  110  northeast  from  Cincinnati,  68  easterly 
from  Dayton,  104  soutliwardly  from  Lower  Sandusky,  and  175  due  south  from 
Detroit,  MicL ; N.  lat.  39°  57',  W.  long.  6°  from  A¥ashington  city,  or  83°  from 
London.  It  is  situated  exactly  on  the  same  parallel  of  latitude  with  Zanesville 
and  Philadelphia,  from  which  latter  place  it  is  450  miles  distant ; and  on  the  same 
meridian  with  Detroit,  Mich.,  and  Milledgeville,  Ga.  The  National  road  passed 
through  it  east  and  west,  and  the  Columbus  and  Sandusky  turnpike  extends  from 
this  point  north  to  Lake  Erie.  In  all  other  directions  roads  are  laid  out,  and 
many  of  them  in  good  repair.  By  the  Columbus  feeder  water  communication  is 
opened  with  the  Ohio  canal,  and  thence  to  Lake  Erie  and  the  Ohio  river.'’ 
Columbus  is  beautifully  situated  on  the  east  bank  of  the  Scioto,  about  half  a mile 
below  its  junction  with  the  Olentangy.  The  streets  are  spacious,  the  site  level, 
and  it  has  many  elegant  private  dwellings.  Columbus  has  a few  manufactories 
only ; it  does,  however,  a heavy  mercantile  business,  there  being  many  stores  of 
various  kinds.  It  contains  17  churches,  viz.,  2 Methodist  Episcopal,  1 German 
Methodist,  2 Presbyterian,  1 Baptist,  1 German  Lutheran,  1 German  Evangelical 
Protestant,  1 German  Reformed,  2 Episcopal,  1 Catholic,  1 Welsh  Presbyterian, 
1 United  Brethren,  1 Universalist,  and  1 Bethel,  and  1 Baptist  for  colored  persons. 
The  principal  literary  institutions  in  this  city  are  the  Columbus  Institute,  a 
flourishing  classical  institution  for  males,  rlr.  and  MrSo  Schenck's  female  seminary, 
and  the  German  Theological  Lutheran  Seminary,  which  last  has  been  established 
about  seventeen  years.  Rev.  William  Lehmann,  professor  of  theology.  There  are 
in  Columbus  6 weekly,  2 tri-weekly,  and  1 semi-monthly  newspaper  and  several 
banks.  The  great  State  institutions  located  at  Columbus  do  honor  to  Ohio,  give 
great  interest  to  the  city,  and  present  strong  attractions  to  strangers.  They  are 
the  Asylum  for  Lunatics,  the  Asylum  for  the  Blind,  the  Asylum  for  the  Deaf  and 
Dumb,  and  the  Penitentiary,  which  last  is  the  most  imposing  edifice  in  Columbus, 
and  is  situated  on  the  east  bank  of  the  Scioto,  about  half  a mile  north  of  the  State- 
house.  Its  population  in  1815  was  about  700;  in  1820,  about  1,400;  in  1830, 
2,437 ; in  1840,  6,048,  and  in  1846,  10,016. — Old  Edition. 

Columbus,  the  capital  of  Ohio,  is  a great  railroad  centre,  and  on  the  line  of 
thirteen  different  railroads,  viz.,  B.  & O. ; C.  St.  L.  & P. ; C.  A.  & C. ; C.  C.  C. 
& 1.  ; C.  & E. ; C.  & C.  M.;  C.  H.  Y.  & T. ; K.  & O. ; S.  Y.  R. ; C.  & X. ; 
C.  O. ; T.  & O.  C. ; Po  C.  & St.  L.  County  officers  in  1888  : Probate  Judge, 
Charles  G.  Saffin  ; Clerk,  John  J.  Joyce ; Sheriff*,  B.  Wo  Custer ; Auditor,  Frank 
J.  Reinhard ; Treasurer,  A.  D.  Heffner ; Surveyor,  Josiah  Kinnear ; Recorder, 
M.  A.  Lilley ; Prosecuting  Attorney,  Cyrus  Huling ; Commissioners,  Richard  Z. 
Dawson,  William  Wall,  M.  Morehead.  Columbus  has  30  newspapers  and  maga- 
zines, dailies,  weeklies,  and  monthlies.  The  dailies  and  weeklies  are  : Ohio  State 
Journal,  daily  and  weekly ; Daily  Times,  daily  and  weekly ; Evening  Dispatch, 
daily  and  weekly ; Catholic  Columbian,  weekly ; Record  and  Market  Reporter, 
weekly ; Sunday  Herald,  weekly ; Gospel  Expositor,  weekly  ; Irish  Times,  weekly ; 
Ohio  Law  Journal,  weekly ; Sunday  Capitol,  weekly ; Sunday  Morning  News, 
weekly ; The  Saturday  Toiler,  weekly ; Der  Ohio  Sonntagsgast,  weekly ; De)' 
Westbote,  weekly  and  semi- weekly ; Dutherische  Kirchenzeitung,  semi-monthly. 
Churches : Baptist,  5 ; Catholic,  6 ; Congregational,  6 ; Disciples,  1 ; Evangelical 
Association,  1 ; Friends,  1 ; Jewish,  1 ; German  Independent  Protestant,  1 ; 
Lutheran,  8 ; Methodist  Episcopal,  11  ; African  Methodist  Episcopal,  1 ; Presby- 
terian, 6 ; Welsh  Presbyterian,  1 ; Protestant  Episcopal,  3 ; United  Brethren,  1 ; 
Universalist,  1 ; total,  54.  Banks  : Capital  City,  S.  S.  Rickly,  president,  R.  R. 
Rickly,  cashier;  Citizens'  Savings,  John  Beatty,  president,  Frank  R.  Shinn, 
cashier ; Clinton  National,  M.  M.  Greene,  president,  F.  W.  Prentiss,  cashier ; 
Columbus  Savings,  E.  L.  Hinman,  president,  C.  G.  Henderson,  cashier ; Com- 
mercial National,  F.  C.  Sessions,  president,  W.  H.  Albery,  cashier ; Deshler  Bank, 
Geo.  W.  Sinks,  president,  John  G.  Deshler,  cashier;  First  National,  William 


6t8 


FRANKLIN  COUNTY. 


Monypeny,  president,  Theo.  P.  Qordon,  eashier;  Fourth  National,  AY.  S.  Ide, 
president,  AY.  Stewart,  eashier;  Alerchants’  and  Alannfactnrers’,  G.  Al.  Peters, 
president,  AAhlliam  D.  Park,  cashier ; National  Exchange,  AY.  G.  Deshler,  presi- 
dent, Charles  J.  Hardy,  cashier  ; South  End,  H.  Alithoff,  president ; Brooks,  But- 
ler & Co.,  David  AY.  Brooks,  president,  Herbert  Brooks,  cashier ; P.  Hayden  & 
Co.,  E.  K.  Stewart,  eashier ; P.  AA^.  Huntington  & Co. ; Aliller,  Donaldson  & 
Co. ; Reinhard  & Co. ; Columbus  Clearing  House  Association,  T.  P.  Gordon, 
president,  John  Field,  manager.  Ohio  State  University,  AYilliam  H.  Scott,  pres- 
ident; 154  students.  Capital  University,  AI.  Loy,  president;  43  students. 

3Ianufacturers  and  Employees. — The  State  Report  of  Inspector  of  AYorkshops 
and  Factories  for  1887  gave  a list  of  194  establishments,  of  which  the  following — 
in  all  58 — employed  40  hands  and  over : Columbus  Sewer  Pipe  Company,  80 
liands ; B.  B.  Anderson,  cigars,  etc.,  45  ; U.  S.  Carriage  Company,  109 ; Scioto 
Buggy  Company,  103  ; Hildreth  & Alartin,  doors,  sash,  etc.,  40 ; Columbus  Cab- 
inet Company,  furniture,  72;  C.  Emrich,  stoves,  60;  Halm,  Bellows  & Co.,  fur- 
niture, 127  ; Ohio  Furniture  Company,  65;  Butler,  Crawford  & Co.,  coffee  and 
spices,  80  ; Franklin  Furnace,  pig-iron,  75  ; R.  C.  Schmertz  & Co.,  window  glass, 
60 ; P.  Hayden  & Co.,  iron  and  hames,  178  ; F.  R.  AA^inget,  cigars,  120 ; Colum- 
bus Cigar  Alanufacturing  Company,  95;  Kilbourne  & Jacobs  Afanufacturing 
Company,  wheelbarrows,  road  scrapers,  etc.,  430;  Ohio  Tool  Company,  70  ; N. 
Schlee,  beer  and  malt,  45 ; Born  & Co.,  beer  and  malt,  40 ; L.  Hoster  Brewing 
Company,  beer  and  malt,  95  ; John  Immel  & Son,  carriages,  etc.,  45 ; Columbus 
Bolt  AYorks,  125;  Reed,  Jones  & Co.,  shoes,  75;  Case  Alanufacturing  Company, 
mill  machinery",  150  ; J.  AA^.  Dann  Alanufacturing  Company,  bent  wood- work,  50; 
Columbus  Dash  and  AYagon  Company,  78;  AI.  T.  Gleason,  brass  foundry,  40; 
Scheuweker  Bros.,  leather,  50 ; Ohio  Pipe  Company,  iron  pipes,  175 ; Steel  Skein 
AA^orks,  wagon  skeins,  45 ; Buckeye  Buggy  Company,  139 ; AAAssall  Fire-Clay 
Company,  fire-brick,  sewer  pipe,  etc.,  40 ; C.  H.  V.  & T.  R.  R.  Shops,  railroad 
supplies,  400 ; Lechner  Alanufacturing  Company,  mining  machinery,  50 ; Door, 
Sash,  and  Lumber  Company,  133;  E.  D.  & J.  C.  Howard,  brooms,  55  ; Newark 
Alachine  Company,  clover  Imllers,  etc.,  312 ; Columbus  Alachine  Company, 
engines  and  castings,  80  ; Capital  City  Carriage  Company,  75  ; Westbote  Printing 
Company,  48  ; AYilliam  Armbruster,  hosiery,  etc.,  46  ; S.  R.  Klotts,  stogies,  106; 
James  Ohlen,  saws,  75  ; Slade  & Kelton,  sash,  60;  Inter-State  Cigar  Company, 
44;  Columbus  Coffin  Company,  52;  A^ulcan  Iron  AA^orks,  founders  and  machin-  ' 
ists,  70;  J.  J.  AA^ood  Starch  Company,  starch,  150;  Columbus  AAAtch  Company, 
220 ; AA^illiam  Fish  & Son,  building  stone,  40 ; E.  AA^ood  & Co.,  malleable  iron, 
65 ; AY.  D.  Brickell  & Co.,  newspaper,  60 ; Snyder,  Chaffee  & Co.,  candies,  73 ; 
Alunson  & Hayden,  malleable  iron,  120 ; H.  C.  Godman,  shoes,  46  ; AIcAIorrow  & 
Aliller,  shoes,  40;  P.  Hayden  & Co.,  foundry  and  machine  shop,  47 ; P.  Hayden  S. 
H.  Company,  ehains,  90 ; Senter  & Lerch,  boxes,  43 ; The  AI.  C.  Lilley  & Co., 
regalia  for  Alasons,  Odd  Fellows,  etc.,  420  employees,  and  said  to  be  the  largest 
establishment  of  the  kind  in  the  world. — State  Report  for  1887.  Population  in 
1880,  51,647;  in  1888,  estimated,  106,000.  School  census  in  1886,  22,404; 
Robert  AY.  Stevenson,  superintendent. 

The  following  article,  “ Columbus,  Its  Past  and  Peesent,’^  was  contributed 
for  this  work  by  Air.  E.  O.  Randall,  ex-President  of  the  Columbus  Board  of 
Trade. 

The  site  of  Columbus  was  originally  occupied  by  the  AAAandots  and  other 
tribes  Avho  had  settlements  of  a straggling,  transitory  character  in  the  forests  upon 
the  banks  of  the  ereeks  now  known  as  the  Darby,  Alum,  AA^alnut  and  Black  Lick, 
and  the  rivers  Scioto  and  Olentangy.  Among  other  interesting  items  is  the  fact, 
shown  by  the  former  existence  of  mounds,  that  the  AYyandots  had  a flourishing 
village  within  the  limits  of  Franklinton — now  AATst  Columbus — and  cultivated 
corn  on  the  low,  flat  lands  of  tlie  Scioto.  Franklinton  was  laid  out  in  1797  by 
Lucas  Sullivan,  a young  man  from  Kentucky  engagcxl  in  surveying  lands  and 


FRANKLIN  COUNTY.  619 

locating  land  warrants  in  the  Virginia  military  district  west  of  the  Scioto ; its 
settlement  immediately  ensued,  and  it  became  a white  man’s  village. 

The  county  of  Franklin,  one  of  the  first  to  be  created  by  the  new  State  legis- 
lature, was  formed  in  1803  with  Franklinton  as  the  seat  of  justice.  The  first 
official  building  created  was  a log-cabin  jail.  The  first  court-house  was  built  in 
1807,  of  brick  pressed  from  tl>e  clay  of  a mound  that  had  entombed  the  bones 
and  beads  of  chiefs,  squaws  and  pappooses. 

The  Ohio  legislature  first  convened  in  1803,  and  until  1816  it  had  no  local 
habitation,  but  sojourned  temporarily  at  Chillicothe,  where  it  met  until  1810, 
^\Fen  it  wandered  to  Zanesville  for  two  sessions,  thence  returning  to  Chillicothe 
and  there  abiding  until  1816.  In  the  winter  of  1810,  while  the  legislature  was 
in  Zanesville,  four  citizens  of  Franklinton  (viz.,  Lyne  Starling,  James  Johnson, 
Alex.  McLaughlin  and  John  Kerr,  formed  a company  to  establish  the  State 
Capitol  ^^on  the  high  bank  of  the  Scioto  river  opposite  Franklinton.”  The  vil- 
lages of  Dublin,  Worthington  and  Delaware  were  competitors,  but  the  geograph- 
ical advantages  of  the  Columbus  site  and  the  terms  offered  by  them  prevailed. 
Their  proposal  was  to  give  to  the  State  two  separate  batches  of  land  of  ten  acres 
each — one  lot  for  the  State  House  and  one  lot  for  the  Penitentiary — the  foresighted 
and  impartial  founders  of  the  capitol  realizing  that  equal  and  immediate  quarters 
should  be  provided  alike  for  the  laAV  makers  and  the  law  breakers.  In  addition 
they  agreed  to  build  (at  their  expense)  the  capitol  and  penitentiary  and  such 
other  buildings  as  should  be  directed  by  the  legislature  to  be  built,  not  to  exceed 
a total  cost  of  $50,000.” 

On  St.  Valentine’s  Day,  1812,  the  legislature,  then  at  Zanesville,  accepted  the 
proposition  and  passed  a law  establishing  the  capital  of  Ohio  at  Columbus.  On 
th^l8th  of  June  following,  1812,  the  same  day  Congress  declared  war  on  Great 
Britain,  Columbus,  the  site  of  which  was  then  an  unbroken  forest,  was  laid  out, 
and  the  primeval  wilderness  and  native  untrodden  soil  aAvoke  to  its  initial  real 
estate  boom. 

The  town  was  platted  with  streets  running  at  right  angles  and  nearly  due  north 
and  south,  or  east  and  west.  High  street  was  made  100  feet  wide;  Broad,  120, 
all  others  82 J,  and  all  alleys  33.  The  town  lots  were  62 J feet  by  187J  feet  deep. 
At  the  time  of  the  first  sale  of  lots  there  was  but  one  cleared  spot,  that  on  the 
corner  of  Front  and  State.  Naturally  after  the  platting  of  the  toAvn  and  its  es- 
tablishment as  the  capital,  improvements  and  growth  advanced  rapidly ; immi- 
grants came  and  business  began  to  bustle.  Among  the  first  settlers,  or  as  early  as 
1813,  were  George  M’Cormick,  Geo.  B.  Harvey,  Jno.  Shields,  Michael  Patton, 
Alex.  Patton,  Wm.  Altman,  John  Collett,  Wm.  M’Elwain,  Daniel  Kooser,  Peter 
Putnam,  Jacob  Hare,  Christian  Keyl,  Jarvis,  Geo.  and  Benj.  Pike,  Wm.  Long 
and  Dr.  John  M.  Edmiston. 

The  association,  or  as  we  should  now  term  it  the  syndicate,”  more  than  ful- 
filled their  obligations.  In  1813  a penitentiary  was  erected,  and  the  north  grave- 
yard, for  whicli  one  and  a half  acres  Avere  set  apart,  began  to  receive  tenants. 
The  folloAving  year,  1814,  the  first  church  AA^as  built,  the  first  school  opened  and 
the  first  neAvspaper  Avas  issued.  The  first  church  AA^as  a cabin,  on  Spring  street,  on 
a lot  of  Dr.  Hoge’s,  Avhich  Avas  used  by  the  Presbyterians.  Rev.  Dr.  Hoge  Avas 
its  pastor.  It  Avas  not  long  occupied  for  that  purpose ; that  denomination  then 
Avorshipped  in  the  Franklinton  meeting-house  until  1818,  Avhen  the  first  Presby- 
terian church  AA-as  organized  in  Columbus,  and  a frame  meeting-house  erected  on 
Front  street,  where  Dr.  Hoge  preached  until  the  erection  of  ^Ghe  1st  Presbyterian 
church,”  about  1825.  In  1814  the  Methodist  church  of  Columbus  Avas  organized  ; 
and  the  same  year  they  erected  a small,  hewed  log-house,  Avhich  served  the  double 
purpose  of  school-house  and  church  until  about  1824,  Avhen  a permanent  building 
Avas  erected  on  the  same  site. 

Tlie  first  neAVS})aper'  is  historic,  and  AA^orthy  a passing  notice.  It  originated  in 
Worthington  as  the  Western  Intelligencer , AA^as  transplanted  to  Columbus,  when  it 


620 


FRANKLIN  COUNTY. 


became  known  as  the  Western  Intelligencer  & Columbus  Gazette.  From  it  sprung 
the  present  widely  known  and  influential  Ohio  State  Journal.  It  continued  to  be 
published  weekly,  however,  as  the  Columbus  Gazette  until  1884,  when  its  ftiture 
fell  into  the  hands  of  the  writer  of  these  lines,  who  after  a praiseworthy  eflbrt  to 
revive  its  pristine  glory  and  power,  transferred  it  to  the  party  led  by  the  apostles 
of  temperance ; it  then  soon  disappeared  entirely. 

The  State-house  was  erected  in  1814  ; the  brick  of  this  edifice  was  partly  made 
from  a beautiful  mound  near  l^y,  which  has  given  the  name  to  a street.  It  stood 
until  destroyed  by  fire  on  Sunday  morning,  April  1,  1852.  On  the  10th  of  Feb- 
ruary, 1816,  the  town  was  incorporated  as  ^Hhe  borough  of  Columbus.’^  The 
first  board  of  councilmen  elected  Avere  Henry  Brown,  Michael  Patton,  Jarvis 
Pike,  Robt.  and  Jeremiah  Armstrong,  John  Kerr,  John  Cutler,  Caleb  Houston 
and  Pobt.  MK^oy.  About  the  year  1819  the  United  States  or  old  court-house 
was  erected. 

In  1815  was  taken  the  first  census,  enumerating  the  population  at  700,  with  6 
stores,  1 printing  office  and  4 lawyers.  In  1816  a subscription  of  $200  was 
raised  to  remove  the  stumps  from  High  Street,  and  the  town  was  incorporated  as 
the  borough  of  Columbus  with  nine  prominent  citizens  as  the  first  board  of  coun- 
cilmen. On?  of  the  first  acts  of  the  council  Avas  to  authorize  the  corporation  to 
issue  money  in  the  shape  of  small  bills  to  the  amount  of  $555.75  in  the  folloAving 
quantities  and  denominations  : 120  bills  of  75  cents,  464  of  50  cents,  464  of  25 
cents,  836  of  12 J cents,  212  of  6J  cents.  In  December,  1816,  the  legislature  ar- 
rived in  Columbus  and  took  up  its  quarters  in  the  old,  red  brick  State-house  and 
began  that  continuous  and  monotonous  grind  of  passing  laAvs  one  Avinter  and 
remodeling  and  repealing  them  the  next.  In  tAvo  respects  Columbus  doth  re- 
semble Pome.  The  Scioto  is  as  muddy  and  majestic  as  the  time-honored  Tiber, 
and  Ohio^s  capital  Avas  not  built  in  a day.’’  But  the  little  city  grcAV  apr^ce  until 
1819,  Avhen  the  enterprise  and  energy  that  had  founded  it  and  made  it  flourish 
succumbed  to  the  check  of  business  reaction.  A year  or  two  of  depression  and 
failure  set  in.  Peal  estate  shrunk  and  fell,  and  full  city  lots  Avere  forced  on  the 
market  as  Ioav  as  eight  and  ten  dollars.  In  1824  Columbus  Avas  made  the  county- 
seat  of  Franklin  county,  and  ten  years  later,  in  1834,  it  Avas  incorporated  as  a 
city,  having  at  that  time  4,000  inhabitants,  Avho  elected  the  first  mayor,  one  John 
Brooks,  there  being  five  candidates  and  449  voters.  From  this  time  on  Columbus 
rapidly  advanced  and  the  era  of  public  improvements  began.  The  canal  and 
national  turn-pikes  and  State  plank-roads  came  along,  opening  Columbus  to  the 
leading  cities  of  this  and  other  States. 

On  July  4,  1825,  was  commenced  the  Ohio  canal,  307  miles  long,  from  CleA^e- 
land  to  Portsmouth,  connecting  the  Lake  Erie  Avith  the  Ohio  riA^er.  It  Avas  fin- 
ished in  1838.  The  Columbus  outlet  knoAvn  as  the  ^Heeder,”  leading  from  Co- 
lumbus to  Lockbourne,  a distance  of  eleven  miles,  Avas  opened  in  September,  1831, 
when  the  first  canal  boat.  Gov.  BroAvn,  arrived  from  Circleville  and  AA’as  received 
with  peals  of  artillery,  martial  music  and  the  huzzas  of  the  delighted  citizens. 

In  1836  the  famous  National  Poad — the  Via  A})j)ia  of  our  capital — a mag- 
nificent piece  of  engineering  and  construction,  a graded  surface,  Avith  a stone  bed, 
reaching  from  Wheeling,  AV.  Va.,  to  Indianapolis,  Ind.,  passed  in  its  construction 
through  Columbus.  In  1840  the  population  Avas  6,000,  Avith  five  ministers  to 
prepare  the  good  people  for  the  finishing  touches  of  tAA^elve  distinctive  doctors. 
Then  came  the  age  of  raipA^ays  and  telegraphs,  the  latter  opening  an  office  in 
August,  1846.  The  first  railroad  begun  in  Ohio  AA^as  in  1841,  and  on  February 
20,  1850,  the  first  passenger  train  steamed  into  Columbus  on  the  Columbus  & 
Xenia.  True  to  its  immutable  instincts,  the  legislature  Avithout  delay  got  passes 
and  took  an  excursion. 

Aside  from  A\4iat  Ave  have  recorded,  little  of  conspicuousness  occurred  except 
perhaps  an  occasional  invasion  of  the  cholera  and  periodic  amusement  epidemic 
among  the  people,  Avhich  usnallv  took  the  nature  of  a balloon  ascension.  Ik 


FRANKLIN  COUNTY. 


621 


January,  1857,  was  celebrated  the  opening  of  the  present  capitol  building,  repre- 
senting fifteen  years  work,  and  a cost  of  $1,359,121.  It  was  a stupendous 
festival,  in  which  every  inch  of  interior  was  packed  with  a seething,  panicky,  per- 
spiring mass  of  humanity  squeezed  almost  to  speechlessness.  The  music  could  not 
be  heard,  and  the  elaborate  menu  invariably  spilled  upon  the  dress  suits  of  the 
beaux  and  the  decollete  shoulders  of  the  belles.  However,  it  was  the  greatest  ball 
of  the  season,  inaugurating  the  greatest  State  capitol  building  then  in  the  United 
States.  It  occupies  just  two  acres,  and  is  the  centre  of  an  area  of  ten  acres.  Il 
was  built  of  limestone  from  Sullivant  hill  by  convict  labor. 

Thus  much  in  the  way  of  a retrospect  of  the  past.  Of  Columbus  at  this 
writing  we  speak  with  pardonable  pride.  The  population  in  1850  was  18,000; 


Frank  Henry  Howe,  Photo.,  1888. 


The  Ohio  State  University. 

in  1870,  31,000  ; in  1880,  52,000  ; and  the  centennial  year,  1888,  from  90,000  to 
100,000.  It  is  now  increasing  at  the  rate  of  5,000  a year.  For  some  years  an 
average  of  1,000  buildings  per  year  have  been  erected.  The  city  to-day  has  an 
area  of  7,040  acres,  or  11  square  miles,  and  a corporated  circumference  of  18 
miles.  It  extends  north  and  south  6 miles,  east  and  west  3J  miles.  It  has  165 
miles  of  streets ; 109  miles  of  these  are  either  graveled,  bouldered,  macadamized 
or  surfaced  in  asphalt,  stone-block  or  fire-brick.  It  has  30  miles  of  street  railway, 
70  miles  of  water  mains,  75  miles  of  main  and  75  miles  of  distributing  gas  pipes. 
It  has  195  acres  of  parks  and  public  grounds,  not  including  the  State  fair  grounds 
of  some  125  acres.  This  is  the  city’s  size  by  measurement,  but  these  figures  con- 
vey no  idea  of  its  beauty,  industry,  wealth  and  influence.  That  Columbus  owes 
its  importance,  as  it  does  its  existence,  to  the  fact  that  it  is  the  capital  of  the  third 
State  in  the  Union,  is  an  erroneous  and  exploded  notion ; and  though  not  in  a 
particularly  picturesque  locality,  Columbus  is  admirably  placed  near  the  geo- 
graphical centre  of  the  State,  in  the  midst  of  a magnificent  agricultural  country, 
and  within  two  or  three  hours  ride  by  rail  of  the  inexhaustible  coal  and  iron  re- 
gion of  Southeastern  Ohio.  Its  railway  and  shipping  facilities  are  unsurpassed, 
for  it  is  the  radiating  centre  of  fifteen  railroads,  thus  making  it  a most  advanta- 
geous point  for  jobbing  and  manufacturing.  For  financial  solidity  and  com- 
mercial importance  it  is  conspicuous  throughout  the  country.  It  has  seventeen 
sound  and  well-managed  banks,  and  its  clearing-house  transactions  the  past  year 
(1887)  amounted  to  $112,543,461. 


622 


FRANKLIN  COUNTY, 


It  is  now  rated  as  the  wealthiest  city  in  the  Union,  per  capita  of  population. 
The  tax  duplicate  lor  this  year  (1888)  will  show  about  $30,000,000  in  realty  and 
some  $12,000,000  in  personalty.  This  return  indicates  an  actual  city  wealth  up- 
wards of  $100,000,000.  The  amount  of  business  done  in  1887  aggregated  $60,- 
000,000.  Its  location,  as  before  indicated,  makes  Columbus  a great  lumber,  coal 
and  iron  market.  In  the  year  1887  2,000,000  tons  of  the  9,000,000  mined  in 
Ohio  were  consumed  in  the  city. 

It  is  estimated  that  the  capital  invested  in  business  and  in  manufacturing  in 
Columbus  is  near  two  hundred  millions  of  dollars.  The  three  greatest  interests 
are  coal,  iron  and  the  building  of  buggies.  The  greatest  is  coal ; the  capital  in- 
vested in  the  business  is  $20,000,000,  and  that  in  iron  $18,000,000.  Twenty-one 
firms  and  corporations  are  in  the  city  engaged  as  miners  and  shippers  of  coal  and 
acting  as  wholesale  dealers,  which  give  employment  to  at  least  10,000  men.  It  is 
claimed  that  coal,  iron  and  lumber  can  nowhere  else  be  obtained  more  cheaply  than 
in  this  city.  In  the  manufacture  of  buggies  and  carriages  are  18  establishments, 
employing  about  2,500  men  and  300  women,  and  the  number  sold  in  the  past  year 
amounted  to  over  20,000,  or  one  for  every  nine  minutes,  counting  the  working 
hours  daily  ten  in  number.  But  tempering  the  enterprise,  energy  and  magnitude 
of  the  business  interests  of  Columbus  is  a sort  of  old-time  conservatism.  In  no 
city  is  capital  so  cautious  and  so  steady.  The  speculative  element  is  almost  en- 
tirely eliminated  from  all  transactions.  There  are  no  gamblings  on  margins 
and  no  bubble  real  estate  booms  with  subsequent  shrinkages ; and  the  city  har> 
from  foundation  to  the  last  finishing  touches  pursued  the  even  tenor  of  a moderate 
way.  But  it  has  always  progressed,  and  has  safely  survived  the  storm  of  panics 
and  shocks  of  depiessions  better  than  any  city  of  its  magnitude.  It  is  a pleasant 
reflection  that  the  working  people  of  the  city  are  thrifty  and  largely  own  their 
homes,  which  are  mostly  cottages  built  of  brick  made  from  Columbus  clay. 

Columbus  in  a marked  degree  represents  the  commercial  push  of  the  pro- 
gressive West  and  the  culture  and  refinement  of  the  East.  Its  public  schools  are 
second  to  none ; indeed,  it  is  a school  city.  The  census  of  1887  gave  23,440 
children  within  the  school  age  of  six  to  twenty-one ; 11,000  of  these  are  registered 
in  the  public  schools,  for  which  twenty-two  spacious  and  modern-equipped  build- 
ings, representing  $1,260,550  in  value,  are  provided.  The  Boman  Catholics,  who 
are  numerous,  aggressive,  influential,  and  indeed  liberal  and  public-spirited,  support 
a number  of  parochial  schools,  colleges,  and  seminaries,  in  which  they  educate 
their  own  children.  Among  their  institutions  is  the  Academy  f f*  St.  Mary’s  of 
the  Springs”  for  the  education  of  young  ladies.  It  was  incorporated  in  1868,  and 
is  in  the  midst  of  pleasant  surroundings,  about  two  miles  east  of  the  city  limits ; 
it  is  under  the  direction  of  the  Dominican  Sisters. 

St.  Joseph’s  Cathedral,  on  Broad  street,  in  its  vastness  and  splendor  reflects 
great  credit  upon  the  enterprise  and  devotion  of  the  Catholic  population.  In  a 
vault  beneath  rests  the  remains  of  its  founder.  Bishop  Bosecrans. 

The  State  University,  two  and  one-half  miles  north  of  the  State-house,  with 
its  handsome  grounds  of  325  acres  and  commodious  buildings,  and  excellent 
equipment  and  efficient  faculty,  affords  the  best  opportunity  for  higher  academic 
and  scientific  education.  The  Lutherans  maintain  a flourishing  college — Capital 
University— with  theological  annex.  Two  medical  colleges — the  Starling 
and  the  Columbus — mould  medical  proficients,  and  eacli  year  send  at  large  some 
fifty  each  of  the  devotees  of  iEsculapius.  In  connection  with  these  institutions 
are  two  well-conducted  hospitals.  Tlien  there  is  the  usual  quota  of  commercial 
colleges,  kindergartens,  private  schools,  etc. 

Literature  and  the  arts  are  neither  primitive  nor  obscure  in  the  cajiital  city. 
The  good  citizens  slake  their  insatiate  intellectual  thirst  at  the  Pierian  founts  of 
the  State  Library  with  52,000  volumes,  or  the  City  and  School  Library  with 
22,000,  and  the  Law  Library  with  10,000.  The  sort  of  mental  pabulum  that  the 
Columbusters  delight  to  devour  should  grouse  the  admiration  and  envy  of  brain*' 


FRANKLIN  COUNTY. 


623 


crammed  Boston.  The  interesting  and  instructive  reports  of  the  city  librarian 
reveal  that  of  the  books  drawn  and  read,  over  sixty  per  cent,  are  biography,  science, 
and  history,  while  only  thirty-four  per  cento  are  novels  and  fiction.  This  is  the 
best  intellectual  average  reported  by  any  miscellaneous  circulating  library  in  the 
country.  In  Boston,  where  the  cranial  gray  matter  is  claimed  to  be  at  tlie  highest 
state  of  cultivation,  the  issue  of  the  library  shows  seventy-four  per  cent,  of 
fiction. 

Columbus  is  afflicted  with  the  great  American  contagion  and  nuisance — the 
base-ball  nine ; but  the  muses  nine  circulate  freely  in  the  best  society. Art 
and  music  flourish  in  no  mediocre  manner.  The  work  accomplished  in  the  art 
department  of  the  public  schools  in  two  late  annual  national  exhibits  was  accorded 
a rank  second  only  to  the  incomparable  modern  Athens.  The  Art  School,  with 
its  ten  years  of  age  and  experience  and  success,  and  its  200  pupils,  is  one  of  the 
best  in  the  West.  Professional  art  is  not  enormously  profitable  as  yet,  but  a 
goodly  number  of  painters  haunt  the  halls  of  the  public  buildings,  and  at  times 
frighten  or  delight  the  passer-by  with  the  display  in  the  shop  windows  of  their 
glowing  colors  upon  the  canvas  backs.  Music,  too,  indulges  copiously  in  its 
voluptuous  swells,’^  and  has  its  clubs  and  societies  and  concerts  to  make  the 
welkin  ring,  and  soothe  with  its  charms  the  unstrung  nerves  of  the  busy  bur- 
gesses. 

As  cities  go,  Columbus,  though  owing  to  the  character  of  its  population,  which 
is  one-third  foreign,  can  hardly  be  set  down  as  Puritanic,  is  nevertheless  peaceful 
and  religious.  It  numbers  some  fifty  churches  having  buildings  of  their  own, 
embracing  a total  membership  of  35,000,  including  Catholics,  who  reckon  by 
families.  The  aggregate  property  owned  by  these  church  organizations  reaches 
easily  a value  of  $2,000,000.  To  offset  the  religious  influences,  the  world,  the 
flesh,  and  the  devil  offer  some  600  saloons  and  places  where  internal  fires  and 
eternal  damnation  are  dispensed. 

In  the  matter  of  public  charity  the  city  makes  a noble  showing.  It  has  a 
numerous  category  of  benevolent  associations,  missions,  homes,  and  asylums.  In 
no  city  is  this  kind  of  work  better  organized,  better  equipped  or  executed. 

Washington  City  alone  takes  precedence  of  Columbus  in  the  size  and  number  of 
public  institutions,  all  of  which  present  architecturally  attractive  buildings  that 
make  the  State  capital  the  Mecca  of  thousands  of  sight-seeing  visitors.  The  State 
Asylums  for  the  Deaf  and  Dumb,  the  Feeble-Minded,  the  Blind,  and  the  Insane 
are  all  vast  edifices,  palatial  in  appearance,  and  models  of  the  best  forms  of  con- 
struction for  the  purposes  to  which  they  are  devoted. 

The  Insane  Asyi.um,  the  largest  in  the  world,  cost  $2,000,000,  and  accom- 
modates 1,300  patients.  The  Asylum  for  Feeble-Minded  Youth  employs 
150  persons,  cares  for  800  inmates,  at  an  annual  cost  to  the  State  of  $125,000. 
Tiie  Blind  Asylum  was  erected  at  a cost  of  $600,000,  and  shelters  some  300 
pupils,  who  require  the  care  of  about  70  attendants.  It  costs  $50,000  a year  to 
maintain  this  institution.  The  Deaf  and  Dumb  Asylum  cost  $800,000,  cares 
for  500  pupils,  and  expends  $80,000  a year.  The  Ohio  Penitentiary,  built  by 
convict  labor,  at  a cost  of  $800,000,  entertains  about  1,400  persons,  at  an  annual 
expense  of  $250,000.  Most  of  these  buildings  have  picturesque  grounds,  that 
add  beauty  and  fresh  air  to  the  localities  in  which  they  are  situated. 

In  addition  to  the  State  institutions,  Columbus  is  embellished  by  a number  of 
buildings  pertaining  to  the  national,  county,  and  municipal  government.  The 
Government  Building,  opposite  the  State  Capitol,  recently  erected  at  a cost  of 
$500,000,  contains  the  Post-Office,  Unite<l  States  Court-Boom,  and  Pension  Office. 
The  United  States  War  Department  maintains  within  the  city  limits  a military 
post  and  recruiting  station.  It  is  nothing  short  of  an  attractive  park  of  eighty 
acres,  artistically  laid  out,  and  adorned  with  shrubbery,  shade-trees,  grass-lawns, 
walks,  miniature  lake,  and  ample  parade-grounds,  about  which  are  grouped  the 
barracks,  arsenal,  hospital,  grand-house,  and  officers’  quarters. 


624 


FRANKLIN  COUNTY. 


The  Bakracks/’  as  the  place  is  called,  is  the  favorite  resort  of  the  citizens, 
who,  of  evenings,  drive  or  walk  thither  to  listen  to  the  military  music  and  witness 
the  evolutions  of  the  soldiers,  who  are  mostly  beardless  recruits  in  their  teens  and 
newly  donned  trappings. 

The  other  grateful  breathing  spots  of  the  city  are  the  Franklin  Park  of 
ninety  acres,  the  Good  ale  of  forty-four,  and  the  City  of  twenty-three,  all  well 
cared  for  and  much  enjoyed  by  the  nature-loving  people.  The  County  Court- 
House,  completed  in  1887,  at  a cost  of  $400,000,  is  one  of  the  most  magnificent 
buildings  of  its  kind  in  any  State.  In  architecture,  elegance  of  finish,  and 


The  Franklin  County  Court-House,  Columbus. 


spaciousness,  in  convenience  and  perfection  for  the  admission  of  light  and  ventila- 
tion it  would  be  difficult  to  find  its  superior.  It  is  justly  the  pride  of  the  city  and 
county.  It  was  dedicated  July  13,  1887,  the  dedicatory  address  being  by  Hon. 
Henry  C.  Noble,  President  of  the  Court-House  Commission.  The  City-Hall 
Building,  in  which  the  municipal  offices  are  quartered,  is  a massive,  striking 
structure,  to  say  the  least.  The  City  Jail,  a lately  built  and  a large,  Bastile- 
appcaring  structure,  with  all  the  modern  conveniences,  is  highly  spoken  of  by 
those  who  have  stopped  there.  The  rooms  are  airy,  the  bill-of-fare,  if  not  contain- 
ing all  the  delicacies  of  the  season,  is  wholesome  and  inexpensive  to  the  guests. 
The  hotel  is  complete  ; for  though  there  are  no  liquors  allowed  on  tlie  premises, 
there  are  excellent  bar  attachments.’’  The  Union  Depot  is  one  of  the  largest 
and  best  arranged  in  the  West,  and  100  passenger  trains  come  and  go  each  day. 
The  railroads,  of  course,  run  their  tracks  where  they  please — across  streets  and 
thoroughfares,  without  regard  to  the  comfort  or  cost  to  the  city ; but,  as  railroads 
go,  they  are  considerate,  and  when  they  run  over  a street-car,  a cab,  or  a citizen 
they  usually  express  regret.  The  new  Board  of  Trade  Building,  now  in 
process  of  erection,  will  be  one  of  the  architectural  features  of  the  city,  and  one  of 
the  chief  adornments  of  the  Capitol  Square.  It  is  built  by  the  leading  organiza- 
tion of  the  city — the  Board  of  Trade,  organized  a few  years  ago,  and  comprising 
in  its  membershi]!  over  500  of  its  leading  business-men  of  the  city.  It  is  the 
avowed  mission  of  the  Board  of  Trade  to  stimulate  the  motive  and  suggest  the 
means  for  the  development  and  improvement  of  Columbus ; and  much  of  the 
progress  and  growth  made  by  the  city  in  the  past  few  years  is  due  to  the  weight 
and  wisdom  of  this  organization.  This  Board  of  Trade  does  not  deal  in  wheat 
and  corn  that  never  grew,  nor  in  stocks  that  are  floated  in  water. 

Finally,  Columbus  is  not  merely  wealthy  and  wise,  as  we  have  indicated,  but 
she  is  healthy.  Her  climate  is  what  the  geograjihers  call  salubrious.”  She  is 
admirably  located  for  good  drainage,  as  the  land  slopes  on  the  east  and  on  the  west 
to  streams  of  water,  thus  giving  her  sewage  very  easy  outlet.  The  city  is  clean ; 
good  water  is  supplied  by  a reservoir  at  the  junction  of  the  Scioto  and  the  Whet- 


FRANKLIN  COUNTY. 


6?5 


stone.  The  death-rate  is  phenomenally  low,  being  but  10  53-100  to  the  1,000  ; 
twice  this  ratio — 20  to  the  1,000 — -is  not  regarded  as  excessive  in  our  cities. 
These  are  the  facts,  figures,  and  features  that  pertain  to  the  mind,  body,  and  estate 
of  the  good  capital  of  Ohio — an  honor  to  the  State  and  the  pride  of  her  people. 

TILE  DRAINAGE  IN  OHIO. 

Drainage  is  all  important  to  the  welfare  of  an  agricultural  region,  alike  vital 
to  the  fertility  of  its  soil  and  the  health  of  its  inhabitants. 

A large  tract  of  the  Northwestern  Ohio  long  known  as  the  Black  Swamp  Re- 


The  Apple  Dale  Tile  Works. 

[The  Apple  Dale  Tile  Works,  the  property  of  Mr.  S,  J.  Woolley,  is  one  of  the  pioneer  tile  factories 
of  Ohio.  It  is  near  the  village  of  Hilliards,  about  thirteen  miles  northwest  of  Columbus,  in  Franklin 
county.] 

gion,’^  covering  the  area  of  several  counties,  has  been  reclaimed  by  a system  of 
open  ditches  and  converted  into  an  area  of  surprising  fertility  ; of  this  we  give  de- 
tails elsewhere.  We  here  present  an  article  from  Frank  Henry  Howe  upon 
the  Tile  Drainage  of  the  State.  The  magnitude  of  this  industry  and  its  value  to 
the  commonwealth  is  such  that  by  so  doing  we  think  we  do  a public  service  and 
enhance  the  value  of  this  work. 

Although  drain  tile  was  made  by  hand  in  Rome,  and  in  France  some  two  centuries 
since,  Ohio  was  one  of  the  first  States  in  the  Union  to  develop  to  any  extent  this 
valuable  industry. 

About  the  year  1810  drain  tile  was  made  at  Netherby,  in  Northumberland, 
England.  It  was  called  horseshoe  tile,  being  shaped  like  a horseshoe,  instead 
of  cylindrical,  and  was  Lid  with  the  opening  at  the  bottom.  This  was  then  con- 
sidered the  nc  plus  ultra  of  drain  tile,  and  for  thirty  years  there  was  no  improve- 
ment on  this  pattern. 

At  a very  early  date  Mr.  Johnston,  in  New  York  State,  did  much  to  call  the 
attention  of  the  farmers  to  the  value  of  tile  draining,  by  his  published  writings. 


626 


FRANKLIN  COUNTY. 


and  experiments  on  his  own  farm.  He  is  frequently  called  The  Father  of 
Tile  Drainage  in  America.^’ 

Some  time  previous  to  Mr.  Johnston’s  efforts  Dr.  N.  S.  Townshend,  then  a 
youth  in  his  teens,  who  had  seen  during  his  boyhood  days  spent  in  England  the 
benefits  derived  from  drainage,  succeeded  in  introducing  it  in  Lorain  county. 

In  1832  horseshoe  tile  were  made  by  hand  at  Avon,  Lorain  county,  Ohio. 

In  1843  a machine  for  the  manufacture  of  pipe  tile  was  invented  by  John 
Head  and  exhibited  by  him  at  the  county  fair  of  Derbyshire,  England. 

About  1857  Mr.  Canfield,  who  made  the  best  horseshoe  tile  in  Connecticut, 
removed  to  Milford  Center,  Union  county,  Ohio,  and  there  manufactured  horse- 
shoe tile  until  his  decease  about  1869.  A Mr.  Miner  also  operated  a small  tile 
factory  at  Columbus. 

The  only  tile  machines  made  at  this  date  were  those  manufactured  by  A. 
La  Tourette,  of  Waterloo,  New  York,  and  Mattice  & Penfield,  of  Willoughby, 
Ohio,  who  also  manufactured  tile.  These  men  did  not  meet  with  any  great 
success  financially,  but  they  were  the  pioneers  in  educating  the  people. 

At  the  close  of  the  rebellion  W.  S.  Postle,  of  Prairie,  and  S.  J.  Woolley,  of 
Brown  township,  Franklin  county,  Ohio,  were  the  first  to  establish  tile  factories, 
which  have  been  run  successfully  ever  since,  and  are  now  large  establishments. 

Since  their  establishment  many  others  have  been  started  in  different  parts  of 
the  State  until  at  the  present  time  there  are  over  five  hundred  factories  in  success- 
ful operation  in  Ohio. 

The  first  improvement  over  the  horseshoe  pattern  was  made  by  adding  a 
bottom  piece,  called  the  sole  tile,  to  the  opening  in  the  horseshoe.  These  im- 
proved tile  were  extensively  used  until  superseded  by  the  cylindrical  pattern, 
which  is  the  only  kind  of  drain  tile  now  manufactured.  Improvements  in 
machinery,, kilns  and  manipulation  have  brought  these  to  a high  degree  of 
perfection  and  at  a very  low  cost.  / 

The  output  of  €iese  five  hundred  factories  per  annum  is  six  and  a half  million 
rods,  worth  at  the  present  low  prices  about  two  million  dollars. 

In  1880  J.  J.  W.  Billingsley,  of  Indianapolis,  commenced  the  publication  of 
the  Drainage  Journal,  and  distributed  a large  amount  of  literature  on  drainage, 
which  has  had  a very  great  influence  in  extending  the  use  of  tile,  educating  the 
people  on  this  important  subject  of  drainage. 

It  is  someAvhat  singular  that  with  the  material  developments  which  have  taken 
place  within  the  last  half  century  that  the  remarkable  value  of  drainage  from  an 
economical  as  well  as  sanitary  standpoint  has  not  sooner  attracted  the  attention  of 
the  people.  Its  first  disciples  met  with  opposition  and  ridicule,  but  they  soon  turned 
the  laugh  on  their  tormentors,  as  its  value  was  so  apparent  in  the  results  that  the 
unbelievers  hastened  to  benefit  by  the  example.  Nevertheless,  although  the 
developments  of  drainage  Avithin  the  past  decade  have  been  remarkable,  it  is  but 
in  its  infancy  as  yet.  Mr.  J.  M.  Harrison,  of  Scio,  Ohio,  in  an  able  article  on  tlm 
Past,  Present  and  Future  of  Tile  Drainage  in  Ohio,”  read  before  the  Ohio 
Tile  and  Drainage  Association,  and  published  in  the  Drainage  Journal,  says. 
No  accurate  estimate  of  the  number  of  tile  used  in  Ohio  has  ever  been  made. 
We  estimate  that  between  two  hundred  and  fifty  and  three  hundred  millions  of  tiL 
have  been  used.  This  seems  like  a vast  sum,  yet  it  is  only  large  enough  to  drain 
a little  over  three  hundred  thousand  acres  of  land,  or  about  one-eightieth  of  the 
entire  State.  It  would  seem  then  that  tile  drainage  Avas  only  in  its  infancy,  for 
these  figures  shoAV  that  all  the  drainage  that  has  been  done  Avould  only  be  equal 
to  about  one  county,  leaving  the  other  eiglity-seven  counties  to  be  drained.  Wc 
must  bear  in  mind,  hoAvever,  that  a considerable  portion  of  our  State  is  naturally 
iinderdrained.  Then  the  Avoodland  and  other  portions  Avhich  it  is  safe  to  assume 
will  never  be  drained  reduce  the  above  figures  to  about  one-half  If  Ave  assume 
that  cue-fortieth  of  the  draining  is  done  and  thatAA^e  haA^e  been  thirty  years  in 
doing  it,  the  figures  Avould  indi(!ate  tliat  Ave  Avould  be  twelve  hundred  years  in 


FRANKLIISf  COUNTY. 


62; 

completing  the  work  in  Ohio.  The  fact  is,  however,  that  nearly  all  the  draining  in 
the  State  has  been  done  since  1 880.  The  Drainage  Journal  estimates  that  there  was 
as  much  draining  in  1882  as  had  been  done  in  all  the  years  prior  to  1880.  The 
most  reasonable  conclusion  is  that  there  will  be  plenty  of  work  for  a few  tile 
factories  in  every  county  in  the  State  for  the  next  fifty  years. 

Much  of  the  draining  is  so  poorly  done  that  it  will  be  necessary  to  do  it  over  again 
in  the  future.  It  is  evident  from  a study  of  the  agricultural  reports  of  this 
State  that  tile  drainage  has  been  in  progress  in  a few  counties  for  quite  a number 
of  years,  and  we  also  find  in  a great  many  X30unties  tile  drainage  has  only  been  very 
recently  introduced,  and  that  there  are  a few  counties  that  have  no  tile  factories 
at  all.^^ 

While  it  is  generally  supposed  that  only  wet  and  swampy  lands  are  benefited 
by  drainage  it  has  been  clearly  demonstrated  tliat  the  productiveness  of  almost  all 
land  is  so  increased  as  to  more  than  pay  williin  a few  seasons  for  the  cost.  Land 
with  a gravelly  subsoil  has  more  or  less  natural  drainage  and  is  not  benefited  to 
the  same  extent  as  land  with  a clayey  subsoil. 

, The  remarkable  fertility  of  the  soil  of  England,  the  garden  spot  of  the  world,’^ 
is  largely  due  to  the  extensive  system  of  drainage  there  in  use. 

Ditching  is  a primitive  method  of  draining,  which  in  its  results  falls  far  short 
of  the  efficiency  of  tile,  and  in  itself  prevents  its  extended  use  by  preventing  the 
cultivation  of  a considerable  part  of  the  land  intended  to  be  benefited ; therefore  all 
reference  to  drainage  in  this  article  relates  to  the  use  of  tiles. 

Upon  the  invitation  of  its  proprietor  we  visited  the  tile  factory  of  S.  J.  Woolley 
near  Hilliards,  to  learn  something  of  the  methods  of  manufacture.  The  material 
used  is  a slate-colored  fire-clay,  of  which  abundant  quantities  are  found  through- 
out the  State  of  Ohio  adapted  to  the  manufacture  of  drain  tile,  although  differing 
somewhat  in  quality.  When  taken  from  the  bank  it  contains  more  or  less 
moisture  according  to  the  location  of  the  bank  and  the  humidity  of  the  season. 
The  clay  used  at  Mr.  Woolley’s  factory  when  taken  from  the  bank  has  about  the 
consistency  of  putty  and  requires  neither  drying  out  nor  moisture,  excepting  in 
very  dry  seasons,  when  it  is  sometimes  necessary  to  make  it  sufficiently  pliable 
for  working.  The  clay  is  taken  from  the  bank  to  the  factory  near  by,  and  fed 
into  the  hoppers  of  the  large  tile  machines,  which  are  run  by  steam-power.  From 
the  hopper  it  passes  into  a large  iron  cylinder  in  which  revolve  a series  of  blades 
which  cut  and  knead  the  clay,  forcing  it  out  at  the  base  in  the  shape  of  a con- 
tinuous clay  cylinder,  varying  in  diameter  according  to  the  size  of  the  die  then  in 
use  in  the  machine.  These  dies  range  in  size  from  three  to  eighteen  inches. 
The  cylinder  of  clay  as  it  is  forced  from  the  machine  comes  out  horizontally, 
and  is  cut  off  with  a wire  in  lengths  of  from  twelve  to  fifteen  inches. 

One  of  Mr.  Woolley’s  tile  machines,  however,  forces  out  the  clay  cylinder 
perpendicularly  ; this  is  a recent  improvement  and  prevents  the  collapsing  of  the 
soft  clay  tile  as  sometimes  occurs  with  large  sizes  by  reason  of  their  owui  weight. 
After  the  tile  come  from  the  machine  they  are  placed  on  a tram  car  and  run  into 
long  wooden  buildings ; here  they  are  placed  on  a series  of  slatted  shelves,  which 
are  so  arranged  as  to  allow  a free  circulation  of  air,  as  from  one  to  two  weeks 
drying  out  is  necessary,  depending  upon  the  weather,  before  they  can  be  burned 
in  the  kilns.  The  smaller  c r three-inch  tile  are  placed  horizontally,  but  the  larger 
sizes  all  stand  on  end. 

When  the  tile  have  dried  out  sufficiently  they  are  conveyed  by  tram  car  to  the 
kiln  preparatory  to  burning  or,  more  properly,  firing.  These  kilns  are  huge  bee- 
hive-likc  structures,  built  of  fire-brick  and  similar  to  those  used  in  pottery  establish- 
ments. Projecting  from  the  base  at  regular  intervals  are  four  stubs,  as  they  are 
called ; these  stubs  consist  of  a fire-place,  grate  and  ash-pit,  and  are  the  furnaces 
from  which  the  heat  passes  into  the  kiln.  About  five  feet  from  the  base  of  the 
kiln  is  an  opening  large  enough  for  the  easy  entrance  of  a man,  through  which 
Access  is  had  to  the  interior  of  the  kiln.  The  tram  car  loaded  with  the  unbaked 


628 


FRANKLIN  COUNTY. 


tile  is  run  up  to  this  entrance  and  the  tile  passed  in  for  packing.  The  floor  of  the 
interior  is  made  of  fire-brick  and  constructed  like  a grate,  so  that  the  flame,  heat 
and  smoke  pass  upward  through  the  kiln.  The  tile  are  packed  closely  together, 
standing  on  end  and  nested  ; that  is,  the  small  tile  are  placed  within  those  of 
larger  diameter.  Layer  after  layer  of  tile  are  placed  on  top  of  each  other  until 
the  kiln  is  filled,  when  the  entrance  is  built  up  with  brick  and  plaster  and  the 
fires  started.  The  fires,  which  are  fed  with  either  wood  or  coal,  are  kept  low  and 
allowed  to  smoke  and  smoulder  until  such  moisture  as  remains  in  the  tile  after 
the  atmospheric  drying  has  been  driven  out;  when  this  has  been  •accomplished 
they  are  freely  plied  with  fuel,  and  when  a white  heat  has  been  reached,  usually 
in  about  forty-eight  hours,  and  discernible  by  means  of  small  apertures  in  the 
sides  of  the  kiln,  the  firing  is  complete  and  the  fires  are  allowed  to  burn  out. 

The  smoke,  flame  and  heat  pass  up  through  the  kiln,  come  into  direct 
contact  with  the  tile,  and  are  then  conducted  by  means  of  flues  down  to  the 
base  and  into  a smoke  stack  some  thirty  or  forty  feet  high  and  built  a few  feet 
apart  from  the  kiln.  This  arrangement  allows  of  a more  perfect  combustion 
of  fuel  and  more  equal  distribution  of  heat.  After  the  fires  have  died  out 
several  days  elapse  before  the  kiln  is  opened,  that  the  contents  may  cool  grad- 
ually, as  a sudden  cooling  would  crack  the  tile.  When  taken  from  the  kiln 
the  tile  are  a bright  red  in  color,  with  a metallic  ring  when  struck,  and  almost 
as  durable  as  time  itself,  inasmuch  as  there  has  been  no  product  of  man  which 
has  stood  the  test  of  time  as  fire-baked  clay. 

The  farm  of  Mr.  Woolley,  on  which  his  factory  is  situated,  is  a fine  example 
of  the  efficacy  of  tile  drainage.  Originally  a wooded  swamp,  upon  a large 
part  of  which  water  stood  the  whole  year  round,  it  is  now  one  of  the  most 
productive  farms  in  Franklin  county.  When  Mr.  Woollej"  first  purchased  this 
farm  his  friends  doubted  his  sanity,  others  pitied  his  folly,  but  now  none  doubt 
his  wisdom,  and  the  tile  factory,  originally  built  for  his  own  private  uses,  sup- 
plies the  country  for  miles  around  and  has  converted  what  was  formerly  looked 
upon  as  waste  laud  into  about  the  most  fertile  in  the  county.  “He  who 
makes  two  blades  of  grass  to  grow  where  but  one  grew  before  is  a benefactor 
to  his  race.”  How  much  more  must  one  be  “ who  makes  two  blades  of  grass 
to  grow  where  none  grew  before.” 

That  drainage  is  a benefit  to  low  marshy  lands  is  evident  to  the  commonest 
understanding,  but  that  it  should  be  of  any  great  value  to  land  already  surface 
dry  is  not  very  comprehensive  to  a very  large  proportion  of  our  population. 

The  soil  is  the  medium  for  the  growth  of  plants,  but  does  not  in  itself  fur- 
nish all  of  the  elements  which  develop  their  growth.  Carbonic  acid  and  am- 
monia, which  are  diffused  in  small  quantities  through  the  atmosphere,  are 
brought  down  to  the  soil  by  rain.  Upon  undrained  land  these  plant  foods  pass 
off  with  the  surface  water ; on  drained  and  porous  soils  they  are  abosrbed. 
Drain  the  land  and  give  these  elements  free  access  to  the  plants.  When  rain 
falls  on  elevated  land  it  packs  the  surface  of  the  soil,  finds  its  way  to  its  lowest 
level  and,  unless  it  can  penetrate  through  the  soil,  runs  off  in  streams  and 
rivulets ; the  sun  comes  out,  dries,  then  bakes  and  hardens  the  surface  of  the 
soil  which  the  water  has  not  penetrated  because  it  could  find  no  outlet  beneath  it. 

To  a certain  degree  we  overcome  this  with  the  plow  and  harrow ; but,  in  rais- 
ing a crop  on  this  land,  the  roots  of  the  plants  only  penetrate  to  about  the  depth 
the  plow  has  furrowed  and  only  draw  sustenance  from  that  part  of  the  soil.  Let 
us  drain  this  land.  Now  the  rain  falls,  percolates  through  the  soil  and  finds  an  out- 
let through  the  drain,  the  soil  becomes  porous  like  sponge  and  like  a sponge  holds 
a large  part  of  the  moisture,  the  sun  shines  again  and,  when  the  surface  moisture 
has  been  absorbed,  a fresh  supply  is  drawn  from  the  porous  soil  by  capillary 
attraction,  so  that,  instead  of  baking  the  surface,  the  soil  is  kept  moist,  is  lifted 
by  the  capillary  forces  set  into  action  by  the  sun  and  becomes  mellow  and  easily 
worked.  Less  water  has  flowed  from  this  land  during  the  rain  since  it  was 


Geo.  L.  Graham,  Amateur  Photo.,  Columbus. 

Hayden  Falls. 

[These  Falls  are  some  twelve  miles  northwest  of  Columbus,  about  a mile  below  Dublin,  on  a littm 
stream  that  empties  into  the  Scioto.  It  is  a wild,  picturesque  spot  in  the  heart  of  the  State  which  is 
enhanced  by  contrast  with  tne  prairie-like  country  around  it.] 


LIBRARY 

Uf^lVERSITY  OF  ILLINOIS 
■ / URBANA 


FRANKLIN  COUNTY. 


631 


drained  than  before ; a larger  part  of  it  remains  m tfie  soil,  which  has  now 
become  a reservoir  from  which  to  draw  as  the  plants  require.  Tliat  this  is  the 
effect  of  drainage  has  been  proven  in  every  case  where  drainage  has  been  tried. 

In  a valuable  article  on  the  Philosophy  of  Tile  Drainage  read  by  Mr.  W. 
J.  Chamberlin  before  the  Ohio  Tile  Convention  held  at  Columbus,  Feb.  8,  1881, 
he  thus  summarizes  the  benefits  of  tile  drainage  : 

1.  Tile  drainage  deepens  the  soil,  and  gives  the  roots  more  feeding  ground. 

2.  It  helps  pulverize  the  ground  and  thus  to  unlock  its  fertility  so  that  the 

minute  roots  may  drink  it  in.  | 

3.  It  prevents  surface  wash  and  consequent  and  often  great  waste  of  fertility. 

. 4.  It  dispenses  with  open  ditches,  which  are  not  so  good  and  are  a great  hin- 
drance in  cultivating  and  harvesting  crops. 

5.  It  lengthens  the  season  of  tillage  and  matures  the  crop  before  frost.  It 
largely  prevents  winter-killing  of  wheat  and  the  heaving  of  clover  and  other 
roots  by  frost. 

‘6.  It  saves  labor  by  making  tillage  and  pulverization  easier. 

7.  It  supplies  air  to  tlie  roots  and  promotes  the  absorption  of  vapor  and  of 
fertilizing  matters  from  the  air  and  the  rains  and  the  snows. 

8.  It  prevents  the  chilling  eff'ects  from  the  thawing  of  ice  and  the  evaporation 
of  water,  and  in  this  and  other  ways  w^arms  the  soiL  Water  warms  rapidly 
when  heat  is  applied  from  beneath,  but  very  slowly  when  it  is  applied  from 
above.  Hence  it  is  impossible  for  the  sun  from  above  to  warm  a saturated  soil. 
(It  has  been  ascertained  by  experiment  in  England  that  soil  tile-drained  is  ten 
degrees  warmer  seven  inches  below  the  surface  than  the  same  kind  of  soil  without 
drains.) 

9.  Drainage  improves  the  quality  as  well  as  quantity  of  crops.  Especially  is 
this  true  of  apples  and  of  root  crops  like  potatoes. 

10.  It  is  a great  help  in  the  harvest  of  corn,  and  especially  of  root  crops  in  a 
wet  fall.  Without  tile  drainage,  indeed,  it  is  almost  impossible  on  clayey  soil. 

11.  It  improves  the  health  of  crops  and  even  prevents  potato  rot,  which  may 
occur  on  undrained  soil. 

12.  It  greatly  improves  the  health  of  man  and  beast  in  many  localities. 

13.  It  greatly  increases  the  crops,  other  thipgs  being  equal. 

14.  But  it  should  not  be  forgotten  that  tile-drainage  is  not  needed  on  lands  that 
have  a gravel  or  porous  sub-soil,  and  that  even  on  soils  that  do  need  it  drainage 
is  only  the  basis  for  good  farming,  and  will  not  pay  unless  followed  by  good 
farming.^’ 


THE  STATE  INSTITUTIONS  AT  COLUMBUS. 

Asylum  for  the  Insane — Institution  for  the  Education  of  the  Deaf  and  Dumb— 
Institution  for  the  Education  of  the  Blind — Institution  for  the  Education  of 
Eeehle- Minded  Youth — The  Ohio  Penitentiary, 


By  the  Constitution  of  the  State  the  Legislature  is  authorized  to  provide  at  the 
j)ublic  expense  for  the  entire  support  of  these  varied  benevolent  institutions,  and 
does  not  take  cognizance  of  the  pecuniary  position  of  any  of  the  inmates  who  are 
alike  supported  by  the  Commonwealth.  Herein  the  insane  or  blind  millionaire 
and  the  insane  or  blind  pauper  are  on  the  same  footing.  It  is  on  the  same  princi- 
ple as  with  the  Public  Scliools  where  education  is  universal  and  free  to  all  alike, 
and  because  it  tends  to  the  moral  and  material  progress  of  the  whole  body  of  the 
people. 

The  following  historical  and  descriptive  sketches  were  written  for  this  work  by 
Mr.  Charles  T.  Howe,  after  a visit  to  each  institution  for  this  object.  They 
embody  a large  amount  and  variety  of  valuable  information. 


632 


FRANKLIN  COUNTY. 


The  Insane  Asylum. 

In  response  to  a memorial  adopted  and  sent 
to  the  Legislature  by  the  State  Medical  Con- 
vention, held  in  Columbus,  January,  1835, 
an  act  was  passed  the  same  year  to  establish 
a lunatic  asylum  for  the  State  of  Ohio. 

The  First  Asylum. — In  July,  1835,  thirty 
acres  of  land  in  the  northeastern  part  of  Co- 
lumbus were  purchased  and  foundations  laid 
for  a building  to  accommodate  one  hundred 
and  twenty  patients,  which  was  completed  in 
November,  1839.  Then  twenty -seven  acres 
were  added  to  the  original  tract  of  land  and 
in  1845  about  seven  more,  making  a total  of 
sixty-four  acres.  ^ In  1 845-46-47  respectively, 
three  further  additions  were  made  to  the  orig- 
inal main  building. 

Destruction  hy  Fire. — On  the  evening  of 
November  18,  1868,  the  entire  structure  was 
destroyed  by  a fire,  which  originated  in  the 
east  wing,  presumably  through  the  mischiev- 
ousness of  one  of  the  patients.  Through  the 
efiicient  eftbrts  of  the  officers  and  employees 
all  the  patients  were  rescued  excepting  six 
females  who  perished  from  suffocation.  The 
rescued  patients  were  temporarily  quartered 
in  the  deaf  and  dumb  asylum  and  in  the 
hospital,  which  escaped  destruction,  standing 
apart  from  the  main  building.  The  patients 
were  eventually  cared  for  in  different  asylums 
throughout  the  State. 

The  Present  Asylum  Emit.  — It  was  deter- 
mined not  to  rebuild  on  the  old  site,  and  that 
property  was  sold  in  May,  1870,  and  the 
present  location  decided  upon  for  the  erection 
of  a new  building.  On  July  4,  1870,  the 
corner-stone  of  the  present  immense  struc- 
ture was  laid  with  Governor  Hayes  presiding, 
the  officers  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Ohio  and 
other  Masonic  bodies  taking  a prominent 
part 

Vast  Size  of  the  Structure. — The  site  se- 
lected lies  some  two  miles  west  of  the  State 
house,  and  consists  of  three  hundred  acres  of 
elevated  land,  commanding  a fine  view  of  the 
city.  The  grounds  have  been  beautifully  laid 
out  with  walks,  drives,  and  shrubbery.  In 
fact,  so  extensive  and  charming  are  the  sur- 
roundings to  this  institution  that  it  is  but  a 
short  flight  of  fancy  for  the  visitor  to  imagine 
himself  in  one  of  the  grand  old  parks  of  the 
nobility  of  England.  An  idea  of  the  enor- 
mous dimensions  of  the  asylum  can  be  formed 
when  it  is  stated  that  the  building  was  seven 
years  in  the  course  of  erection,  and  at  a cost 
of  one  and  a half  million  dollars,  and  the  dis- 
tance around  the  outside  wall  is  a mile  and  a 
quarter.  That  this  is  the  largest  institution 
of  its  kind  in  the  world  is  well  known,  but 
the  beauty  and  grandeur  of  the  building  and 
its  surroundings,  its  perfect  system  of  man- 
agement and  the  work  accomplished  in  be- 
half of  this  unforturiote  class  can  only  be 
fully  appreciated  b the  intelligent  and  ob- 
serving visitor. 

Modern  Medxtas  of  Treatmen  t.  — M any  well  - 
informed  pe  ie  know  comparatively  little  of 
the  modern  methods  employed  in  the  care  and 
treatment  of  those  bereft  of  reason  and  har- 
bor the  groundless  belief  that  hospitals  for 


the  insane  partake  largely  of  the  character 
of  prisons,  with  raving  maniacs  confined  in 
cells,  the  corridors  resounding  with  cries  and 
yells. 

“Thoughtless  he  raves  his  sleeping  hours 
away, 

In  chains  all  night,  in  darkness  all  the 
day.” 

These  ideas,  however,  are  the  result  of  the 
treatment  of  the  insane  in  times  long  past, 
and  it  is  gratifying  to  be  able  to  say  that  the 
management  of  the  insane  at  the  present  time 
stands  in  happy  contrast  to  that  of  the  past, 
the  result  of  great  scientific  discoveries  and 
the  accumulated  experience  of  years. 

Employments  of  the  Insane. — JMechanical 
restraint  beyond  occasional  confinement  of 
violent  patients  in  the  strong  room  is  now 
entirely  dispensed  with.  In  addition  to  med- 
ical treatment  various  plmis  are  adopted  to 
divert  the  mind  and  lead  it  as  far  as  possible 
away  from  self,  and  especially  from  the  crush- 
ing forebodings  common  to  the  insane.  Every 
effort  is  made  to  promote  the  happiness  of 
the  patients ; a high  moral  discipline  is  ex- 
ercised with  pure  beneficial  influences,  that 
seldom  fail  to  tranquilize  and  lighten  the 
burden  of  their  affliction.  In  addition  to 
providing  for  their  comfort  a systematic  effort 
is  made  to  furnish  bodily  and  mental  recrea- 
tion. To  accomplish  this  there  is  maintained 
a system  of  daily  outdoor  exercises,  such  as 
walking,  riding,  playing,  and  marching  when 
the  weather  permits.  Carriage  riding  for  the 
feeble  has  been  a leading  feature  and  is  prac- 
ticed daily.  A large  number  have  been  en- 
couraged to  perform  different  kinds  of  manual 
labor.  Men  are  employed  on  the  farm,  gar- 
den, barn,  boiler-room.  They  are  not  coerced, 
but  left  free  to  do  so  or  not ; and  it  being  a 
matter  of  choice  their  work  is  done  cheerfully 
and  to  their  profit. 

Benefit  of  Labor. — While  on  a visit  to  this 
Central  Insane  Asylum  we  were  shown  a 
patient  in  the  clothes  drying-room  who  was 
busily  engaged  hanging  w'et  sheets  on  a 
clothes  horse.  He  took  great  pride  and 
pleasure  in  his  work  and  would  brook  no  ad- 
vice or  interference.  The  official  who  con- 
ducted us  through  the  institution  informed 
us  that  he  silently  and  faithfully  performed 
his  daily  task  and  w^ould  not  hesitate  to  do 
bodily  injury  to  any  one  who  dared  to  assist 
or  interfere  with  him.  Each  person  em- 
ployed works  on  an  average  about  four  hours 
a day.  The  benefit  of  daily  labor  as  a cura- 
tive agent  has  long  been  acknowledged  by  the 
best  experts.  Being  employed  in  light  labor 
the  mind  is  occupied,  which  with  the  fresh 
air  and  healthful  exercise  do  much  to  pro- 
mote happiness,  good  temper,  and  content- 
ment. 

Their  Liberties. — Those  persons  who  are 
under  the  impression  that  in  the  worst  cases 
of  insanity  the  i)atients  are  in  constant 
confinement  and  are  dangerous  to  them- 
selves and  those  around  them  would  find 
their  ideas  on  the  subject  greatly  exaggerated 


Drawn  by  Henry  Howe. 

The  Peisoners  Marching  in  the  Ohio  Penitentiary,  1846. 


Asylum  for  the  Deaf  and  Dumb,  1846 


Asylum  for  the  Insane,  1846. 


Asylum  for  the  Blind,  1846. 


The  Asylum  for  the  Insane,  1888. 


Asylum  for  the  Blind,  1888. 


FRANKLIN  COUNTY,  635 


if  they  could  have  accompanied  us  through 
the  wards  occupied  by  this  class  of  patients. 
We  found  them  promenading  up  and  down 
engaged  in  conversation  with  each  other  and 
occupied  in  various  ways.  Many  of  them 
seemed  quite  happy  and  contented.  When 
their  periodical  fits  of  violence  come  on  it 
becomes  necessary  to  confine  them  in  the 
strong  room  until  the  fit  wears  off,  usually  in 
a short  time.  They  are  liberated  as  soon  as 
their  condition  permits  and  allowed  to  mingle 
with  the  others  in  their  ward ; and  every 
effort  consistent  with  safety  is  made  to  have 
them  feel  that  they  are  under  no  restraint. 
This,  combined  with  kind  treatment,  the  best 
medical  skill  and  attention  to  comfort,  health 
and  happiness,  improves  the  condition  of  all 
and  in  many  cases  results  in  an  entire  cure. 

Interesting  Anecdotes. — The  prejudices  and 
notions  that  take  root  in  a diseased  brain  are 
manifested  in  many  ways.  While  we  were 
being  conducted  through  one  of  the  wards 
one  of  the  inmates,  a short  stout  man  about 
fifty  years  of  age  with  slightly  stooping 
shoulders,  long  gray  beard,  a large  hooked 
nose  and  most  repulsive  cast  of  countenance, 
followed  close  behind  the  oflScial  who  accom- 
panied us,  imitating  our  gait,  muttering  in  a 
low  tone  of  voice,  and  steadfastly  gazing  at 
our  attendant  with  expression  so  threatening 
and  sinister  as  to  fill  a timid  person  with 
terror.  Whenever  we  stopped  he  did  like- 
wise, always  keeping  the  same  distance  from 
us,  and  we  were  not  rid  of  his  unwelcome 
presence  until  the  outer  door  of  his  ward  was 
shut  and  locked  between  us.  Our  attendant 
said  that  the  man  imagined  him  an  enemy 
and  invariably  went  through  the  same  pro- 
gramme whenever  the  official  had  occasion  to 
enter  his  ward.  The  man  is  waiting  for  a 
favorable  opportunity  to  attack  his  supposed 
enemy,  but  the  official  told  us  he  was  not  at 
all  alarmed  for  his  safety,  for  when  attacked 
it  is  only  necessary  to  place  the  hand  over  the 
mouth  and  nose  of  the  patient  when  suffoca- 
tion ensues  and  subdues  them.  In  resisting 
the  most  violent  patients  it  is  never  necessary 
to  resort  to  blows.  So  skillful  do  the  attend- 
ants become  in  the  management  of  the  vio- 
lently insane  that  two  attendants  can  easily 
manage  an  insane  person  when  four  inexpe- 
rienced persons  would  find  it  a difficult  task. 

W e had  a practical  illustration  of  this  dur- 
ing our  visit.  A new  patient  who  was  suf- 
fering from  acute  mania  was  being  brought 
in  by  two  robust-looking  men,  evidently  inex- 
perienced, as  w iS  shown  by  the  great  diffi- 
culty they  had  in  managing  their  charge, 
when  they  were  met  by  two  of  the  attend- 
ants, who,  placing  themselves  one  on  each 
side  of  the  patient,  grasped  with  one  hand 
each  shoulder  and  with  the  other  each  wrist, 
and  with  the  patient’s  arms  stretched  out  at 
full  length,  marched  him  through  the  corri- 
dor with  seeming  ease. 

Use  of  Narcotics. — What  is  known  as 
chemical  restraint,  or  the  use  of  powerful 
narcotic  drugs  in  order  to  reduce  a violent 
patient  to  a state  of  quiescence  is  never  re- 
sorted to  except  in  cases  where  the  health  of 


the  patients  would  not  admit  of  any  other 
treatment. 

Suicidal  Tendencies. — The  officers  and  at- 
tendants are  made  familiar  with  the  history 
of  every  new  patient  where  i)ossible,  and  in 
that  way  learn  their  special  hobbies  and  pe- 
culiarities, and  are  governed  accordingly  in 
theL  treatment  of  them.  We  were  informed 
that  those  patients  of  suicidal  intent  would 
never  attempt  self-destruction  in  the  presence 
of  others,  and  for  that  reason  four  or  five  of 
them  would  be  placed  in  the  same  apartments, 
and  effectually  guarded  each  other.  This 
class  of  insane  persons  consume  much  time 
in  making  preparations  for  suicide,  so  that 
they  are  always  prevented  from  accomplish- 
ing their  purpose  before  their  preparations 
are  completed  by  the  vigilant  watchfulness 
of  the  attendants.  Never  having  any  weapon, 
every  precaution  being  taken,  they  are  ren- 
dered harmless. 

An  Amusing  Incident  is  related  of  two  fe- 
males who  had  agreed  to  kill  each  other,  and 
had  managed  to  detach  the  iron  grating 
from  the  register,  which  was  to  be  the  weapon 
used.  It  was  agreed  between  them  that  one 
was  to  strike  the  other  a blow  on  the  head, 
but  not  so  hard  as  to  kill  instantly,  so  that 
the  one  struck  would  have  sufficient  strength 
left  to  strike  the  uninjured  one  in  return. 
They  then  entered  into  an  animated  discus- 
sion as  to  which  one  should  strike  first,  when 
the  arrival  of  the  attendant  put  a stop  to  the 
proceedings. 

The  Evidences  of  Insanity  are  not  discern- 
ible in  the  personal  appearance  of  many  of 
the  patients,  but  a few  moments  conversation 
is  all  that  is  necessary  to  convince  the  most 
skeptical  that  the  mind  is  diseased.  A case 
of  this  kind  was  that  of  a large,  benevolent- 
looking  old  lady  who  politely  invited  us  into 
her  room  with  an  apology  for  the  smallness 
of  her  quarters.  She  gave  intelligent  an- 
swers to  our  questions,  but  upon  her  trying 
to  convince  us  that  she  was  2,882  years  of  age 
and  was  the  mother  of  400  children,  we  came 
to  the  conclusion  that  she  had  an  original 
method  of  computation  or  was  where  she 
properly  belonged.  And  we  had  no  doubt 
remaining  as  to  the  correctness  of  the  latter 
conclusion  when  we  were  informed  that  she 
was  passionately  fond  of  smoking  dried  onions 
and  garlic. 

The  Ball  Room  Recreation. — Every  Thurs- 
day evening  a ball  is  given  in  the  handsome 
entertainment  hall  in  the  asylum  which  is 
attended  by  about  400  of  the  patients.  They 
all  look  forward  to  the  evening  with  bright 
anticipations  of  pleasure  and  seem  to  fully 
realize  them.  The  beneficial  results  of  this 
recreation  are  apparent.  The  excitable  are 
entertained  and  the  melancholy  cheered, 
while  the  excellent  deportment  of  all  excites 
the  wonder  of  visitors.  Concerts,  dramatic 
entertainments  and  lantern  exhibitions  are 
also  given  and  are  greatly  enjoyed.  Every- 
thing in  fact  is  done  to  divert  the  patients’ 
minds  from  their  condition  and  inspire  them 
with  that  greatest  cordial  of  the  mind,  hope. 

The  Great  Secret  of  Success  in  the  treat- 


FRANKLIN  COUNTY. 


636 

ment  of  the  insane  lies  in  taking  advantage 
of  lucid  intervals  and  at  such  times  endeav- 
oring by  every  means  at  command  to  prolong 
their  duration.  Hence  the  employment  of 
frequent  and  varied  amusements,  the  object 
being  to  beget  freshness,  vividness  and  sane 
consciousness.  The  result  is  a full  realiza- 
tion of  the  morbid  fantasies  of  the  past  and 
firm  resolves  to  keep  in  subjection  outbreaks 
of  temper,  anxious  and  perverted  thoughts, 
bewildering  illusions  and  free  the  mind  of 

“A  whirling  gulf  of  phantasy  and  flame.” 

The  Asylum  Life  not  Gloomy. — A visit  to 
the  Central  Ohio  Insane  Asylum  would  at 
once  correct  the  erroneous  idea  that  asylum 
life  is  of  necessity  one  of  gloom  and  depres- 
sion. While  there  is  much  that  is  saddening 
and  pitiful  indeed,  the  many  cures  effected, 
the  improvement  in  the  majority,  and  the 
kindly  care  and  constant  efforts  that”  are 
made  for  the  physical  and  mental  welfare  of 
the  inmates  cheers  instead  of  depressing  the 
spirits  of  the  visitor. 

The  Religious  Welfare  of  the  patients  is 
not  neglected.  Chapel  services  are  held  reg- 
ularly on  Sabbath  evenings  and  to  congrega- 
tions which  are  an  interesting  study.  All 
degrees  of  mental  departure  are  represented, 
yet  their  behavior  and  attention  would  set  a 
good  example  for  many  who  boast  superior 
intelligence.  ^ The  congregation,  with  books 
in  hand,  join  in  singing,  and  the  whole  effect 
of  the  services  is  to  greatly  improve  the 
mental  condition  of  the  patients. 

The  Statistics  of  the  institution  show  that 
those  persons  engaged  in  occupations  requir- 
ing heavy  bodily  labor,  such  as  farmers, 
laborers,  housewives,  housekeepers  and  do- 
mestics, furnish  a large  proportion  of  the 
inmates.  Farmers  and  farmers’  wives  abound 
more  than  any  other  single  class  in  these  in- 
stitutions. This  is  owing  to  the  monotonous 
lives  led  by  them  and  consequent  inactivity 
of  the  brain,  which,  becoming  weakened 
from  lack  of  proper  exercise  of  its  functions, 
is  the  first  organ  to  succumb  when  disease 
attacks  the  system.  This  showing  is  in  di- 
rect opposition  to  the  general  impression  that 
insanity  is  usually  the  result  of  excessive 
mental  activity.  The  statistics  give  further 
proof  that  the  general  impression  is  errone- 
ous in  this  regard,  by  showing  that  the  pro- 
portion of  insane  among  the  educated  class 
of  people  is  very  small.  This  also  proves 
that  the  laws  of  health  require  proper  exer- 
cise for  the  brain  as  well  as  the  bodj^ 

The  statistics  of  this  asylum  for  the  year 
1887  show  that  140  males  were  admitted,  of 
whom  60  were  farmers,  25  laborers,  and  the 
rest  were  scattering,  the  highest  being  car- 
penters, 4 in  number.  Of  females  144  were 
admitted,  of  whom  85  were  housewives,  28 
housekeepers  and  15  domestics,  the  next 
highest  being  farmers’  daughters,  3 in  num- 
ber. 

The  report  also  states  that  the  daily  aver- 
age number  of  inmates  was  863,  of  whom 
410  were  males  and  453  females.  The  report 
also  says  ; “ Special  attention  is  called  to  the 


number  of  recoveries,  being  90  males  and  52 
females,  total  142,  and  also  to  the  low  death 
rate,  which  was  30  males,  23  females,  total 
53.  This  will  compare  very  favorably  with 
any  institution  in  the  country.  The  per- 
centage of  recoveries,  based  upon  the  admis- 
sions, is,  for  males,  64.28  per  cent.,  and  for 
females,  36.11  percent.,  and  for  both  55.69 
per  cent.  The  percentage  of  deaths,  based 
upon  the  whole  number  treated,  is,  for 
males,  5.36  per  cent.,  and  for  females  3.89 
per  cent.,  and  for  both,  4.71  per  cent.” 

Trustees.  — Henry  Plimpton,  Columbus  ; 
Aaron  B.  Robinson,  Marysville  ; George  W. 
Morgan,  Mt.  Vernon;  Joseph  P.  Smith, 
Circleville ; William  Waddle,  Chillicothe; 
Superintendent,  C.  M.  Finch,  M.  D.  ; Stew- 
ard. George  L.  Currier. 

The  Ohio  Central  Insane  Asylum  is  not 
the  only  State  institution  providing  for 
the  insane ; others  are  located  at  Athens, 
Cleveland,  Carthage  and  Dayton.  There  is 
also  under  the  patronage  of  the  State  the 
Northwestern  Asylum,  which,  containing  a 
yearly  average  of  about  100  patients  under  a 
contract  with  the  State,  is  a county  institu- 
tion under  control  and  direction  of  county 
commissioners. 

The  total  number  of  persons  in  Ohio  State 
Hospitals  for  Insane  on  Nov.  15,  1887,  was 
3,687,  of  whom  1,775  were  males  and  1,912 
females. 

The  Institution  for  the  Education  of 
THE  Deaf  and  Dumb. 

Rev.  Dr.  Hoge,  of  Columbus,  was  a man 
of  great  force  in  Ohio,  shown  by  his  successful 
elForts  at  an  early  date  in  influencing  its  Legis- 
lature to  found  beneficent  institutions.  Largely 
through  him  it  was  that  an  institution  for  the 
education  of  the  deaf  and  dumb  was  founded 
during  the  legislative  session  of  1826-27. 
Gov.  Morrow  in  his  annual  message  recom^ 
mended  the  measure,  and  the  result  was  the 
passage  of  an  act  in  accordance  with  the 
recommendation. 

The  school  ^vas  opened  October  16,  1829,  in 
a small  building  on  the  corner  of  High  and 
Broad  streets.  Only  three  pupils  were  pres- 
ent, but  the  number  steadily  increased,  and 
larger  quarters  became  necessary.  In  Febru- 
ary, 1829,  ten  acres  of  land,  lying  half  a mile 
east  of  the  State-House,  were  purchased,  at 
a cost  of  $300.  On  this  site  the  first  build- 
ing for  the  use  of  the  school  was  erected,  and 
ready  for  occupancy  at  the  opening  of  the 
fall  term  of  1834.  A wing  was  added  in 
1845-46  to  the  south  end  of  the  original 
building.  The  continued  increase  of  appli- 
cants in  time  rendered  a larger  building 
necessary,  and  in  pursuance  of  an  act  of  the 
Legislature  passed  March,  1864,  in  October 
of  the  same  year  the  corner-stone  for  the 
)resent  large  and  commodious  structure  was 
aid  with  approi)riate  exercises. 

The  Original  Ideas  of  the  Mute. — When 
we  compare  the  average  graduate  from  such 
an  institution  properly  conducted  with  the 
candidate  for  admission  its  great  usefulness 
is  apparent.  The  mute  presents  himself 


FRANKLIN  COUNTY. 


637 


before  bis  teacher  as  nature  formed  and  left 
him ; his  mental  faculties  undeveloped,  and 
with  vague  and  undefined  notions  of  what  is 
oing  to  be  done  for  him.  The  world  is  to 
im  a blank  ; his  pleasures  are  mere  animal 
leasures,  nor  does  hope,  as  it  does  for  others, 
old  up  a brilliant  future  for  him.  He  looks 
at  the  stars  as  mere  openings  in  the  azure 
canopy  of  night,  or  as  a few  moons  broken 
up  and  in  disorder  upon  its  surface.  He 
supposes  the  sun  a small  ball  of  fire  at  a little 
distance  from  the  earth,  and  a new  one 
formed  for  daily  use,  or  the  old  one  by  stealth 
finds  its  way  to  the  east  while  people  are 
asleep,  ready  on  each  successive  morning  to 
commence  again  its  daily  course. 

These  and  similar  ideas  are  the  struggling 
efforts  of  an  imprisoned  mind  unaided  and 
thrown  back  upon  its  own  native  resources 
attempting  to  account  for  some  of  the  usual 
phenomena  of  nature.  He  finds  himself  a 
foreigner  at  home,  a stranger  at  his  father’s 
fireside  ; though  in  the  midst  of  society,  he 
is  isolated  from  his  fellow-men,  entirely  igno- 
rant of  the  past  history  of  the  world,  of  the 
rise  and  fall  of  nations,  of  the  wars  which 
have  deluged  the  earth  in  blood,  or  of  the 
great  principles  of  the  world  ; nor  has  he  the 
least  conception  of  the  crimes  and  virtues  of 
men,  or  knows  that  he  is  a social  and  intel- 
lectual being ; and  does  not  dream  of  the 
immortality  oip  the  soul,  or  of  the  existence 
of  a Supreme  Being,  until  the  effects  of  edu- 
cation begin  to  show  upon  his  darkened  in- 
tellect. 

The  object  of  the  institution  is  to  educate 
the  mute,  and  fit  him  to  occupy  a position  in 
the  world  where  he  will  be  of  use  to  himself 
and  his  fellow-men  ; give  him  the  benefit  of 
education  and  moral  cultivation,  and  as  nearly 
as  possible  place  him  on  terms  of  equality 
with  others  more  favored  by  providential 
circumstances.  There  have  been  cases  where 
the  deaf  and  dumb  were  entirely  cured,  but 
they  are  extremely  rare,  and  only  where  the 
cause  of  the  infirmity  has  been  some  obstruc- 
tions in  the  outer  ear,  and  which  are  remov- 
able, that  there  is  much  probability  of  a 
cure. 

In  the  method  of  instruction  great  use  is 
made  of  the  countenance  ; in  fact,  the  mutes 
could  not  be  taught  without  it,  as  it  is  needed 
to  modify  and  accentuate  the  sign-language. 
The  happy  results  obtained  in  the  five  years’ 
course  of  study  are  astonishing,  from  the  first 
dawn  of  knowledge  obtained  from  the  study 
of  the  manual  alphabet  down  through  a 
_ course  of  instruction  including  those  studies 
that  are  taught  to  advanced  pupils  in  our 
high  schools  and  colleges,  as  well  as  in  teach- 
ing various  trades, 

A venf  strong  attachment  springs  up  be- 
tween the  teacher  and  deaf  and  dumb  scholar. 
An  instance  of  this  is  now  a matter  of  his- 
tory : In  France,  during  the  reign  of  terror, 
the  Abbe  Sicard,  the  celebrated  teacher, 
while  engaged  in  his  benevolent  avocation  of 
maturing  his  system  of  educating  the  deaf 
and  dumb,  was  arrested  in  his  school-room, 
and  hurried  from  -among  his  mute  pupils 


to  prison.  A mock  trial,  a mere  prelude  to 
the  guillotine,  had  been  held,  when  his 
pupils  in  a body,  of  their  own  accord,  it  is 
believed,  appeared  at  the  prison  gates,  and 
besought  the  release  of  their  more  than 
father.  So  powerful  a demonstration  of  grief 
did  they  make,  that  the  populace  was  moved 
in  their  behalf  and  Sicard  liberated.  These 
people  were  small  deaf  and  dumb  children, 
collected  by  Sicard,  and  for  whose  moral  and 
intellectual  salvation  he  had  consecrated  his 
days. 

The  industrial  department  of  this  institu- 
tion is  one  of  its  most  important  features, 
and  gives  employment  to  the  inmates  outside 
of  the  school-rooms.  This  department  in- 
cludes a carpenter-shop,  shoe-shops,  printing- 
office,  where  a weekly  paper  is  printed,  and  a 
large  bookbindery,  where  regular  contract- 
work  gives  employment  to  many  of  the  mutes. 
The  females  are  also  taught  to  sew,  and  make 
many  necessary  articles  of  wearing  apparel, 
as  well  as  do  all  of  the  mending  of  the  clothes 
of  the  inmates. 

The  institution,  which  now  has  accommo- 
dations for  425  pupils,  is  located  in  the  midst 
of  spacious  grounds,  handsomely  laid  out  with 
walks,  shrubbery,  and  flowers,  to  give  the 
inmates  the  benefit  of  pleasing  surroundings. 

Trustees. — J.  M,  Kirby,  Upper  Sandusky  ; 
Rufus  R.  Dawes,  Marietta ; Janidfe  Scott, 
Lebanon  ; Jacob  Cherryholmes,  Millersburg; 
Frederick  W.  Herbst,  Columbus.  Superin- 
tendent, Amasa  Pratt ; Steward,  J.  S.  Ellis. 

The  Institution  for  the  Education  of 
THE  Blind. 

The  Institution  at  Columbus  is  the  only 
State  institution  of  the  kind,  excepting  the 
Working  Home  for  the  Blind  at  Iberia,  Mor- 
row county,  which  differs  somewhat  in  its 
aims  and  purposes. 

It  is  somewhat  doubtful  as  to  the  real 
character  of  the  Working  Home  of  the 
Blind,  as  it  sustains  a peculiar  relationship  in 
the  list  of  the  organized  charities  of  the 
State.  It  was  organized  under  State  law, 
money  was  appropriated  for  its  proper  equip- 
ment, with  a view  to  establishing  a home 
where  the  blind  capable  of  performing  skilled 
work  could  find  a home  and  employment, 
and  be  assured  of  a competence  for  their 
support  from  the  results  of  their  labor. 

It  was  the  understanding  with  those  who 
conceived  the  plan  and  urged  the  considera- 
tion of  the  General  Assembly  to  the  project, 
that  after  the  institution  would  be  fairly 
started  no  further  aid  would  be  asked  from 
the  State. 

The  opening  exercises  of  the  Ohio  Institute 
for  the  Blind  were  held  in  the  Presbyterian 
church  in  Columbus,  on  July  4,  1837,  in  the 
presence  of  the  teachers  and  scholars  of  the 
city  Sunday-schools,  who,  to  the  number  of 
900,  had  assembled  to  celebrate  Independence 
day.  The  teacher  and  five  pupils  were 
present,  which  number  was  increased  to 
eleven  by  November. 

The  first  building  was  erected  in  1838,  upon 
beautiful  grounds  on  the  north  side  of  the 


638 


FRANKLfN  COUNTY. 


National  road  near  the  city,  and  the  pupils 
removed  there  in  October.  So  rapid  was  the 
{progress  of  the  pupils  in  one  year’s  instruc- 
tion at  the  institute  that  during  the  last 
vacation  they  were  able  to  give  interesting 
exhibitions,  in  company  with  their  instructors, 
in  several  cities  of  the  State. 

The  Present  Building. — The  demands  for 
larger  quarters  becoming  apparent,  a law 
authorizing  the  erection  of  a new  building 
was  passed  May  6,  1869,  but  owing  to  the 
scarcity  of  labor  the  building  was  not  com- 
pleted and  occupied  until  May  21,  1874. 
This  imposing  structure  is  in  the  old  English 
or  the  later  period  of  Elizabethan  style  of 
architecture,  and  has  accommodations  for  250 
pupils  and  about  65  additional  persons,  in- 
cluding officers,  teachers,  secants,  etc.  The 
building  is  fireproof,  and  is  arranged  with 
the  strictest  regard  for  the  health,  conven- 
ience, and  happiness  of  the  inmates. 

Devices  for  Instruction. — One  cannot  fully 
appreciate  or  understand  the  wonderful  re- 
sults obtained  from  a course  of  instruction  at 
the  institute  until  he  has  paid  it  a visit. 
There  are  to  be  seen  specimens  of  the  most 
beautiful  handiwork  in  embroidery,  etc. , by 
the  female  pupils,  and  a library  of  books  with 
raised  letters,  from  which  the  blind  can  while 
away  many  a pleasant  hour,  deriving  pleasure 
and  instruction  from  reading  by  the  sense  of 
feeling.  Maps  and  charts  are  also  used,  with 
the  rivers,  countries,  mountains,  cities,  etc., 
marked  out  by  raised  lines  and  by  indenta- 
tions, by  which  the  pupils  are  enabled  to  ob- 
tain a most  accurate  knowledge  of  geography. 

The  Happy  Device  of  Valentine  Hauu. — 
Previous  to^  the  year  1774  the  method  of 
instruction  in  all  blind  institutions  was  en- 
tirely oral,  when  owing  to  an  incident, 
trivial  in  itself,  a discovery  which  has  been 
most  wonderful  in  its  results,  and  opened  a 
new  world  to  the  blind,  was  made  by  Valen- 
tine Hauy,  a Frenchman  and  brother  to  the 
celebrated  Abbe  Hauy,  by  which  the  blind 
were  enabled  to  read.  In  an  evening  walk 
M.  Hauy’s  attention  was  attracted  by  the 
sound  of  music  proceeding  from  one  of  those 
houses  of  refreshment  so  common  in  Europe 
along  the  public  promenades.  Approaching 
the  spot  he  discovered  eight  or  ten  blind 
persons,  “spectacles  au  nez''  seated  behind 
a long  desk,  which  was  covered^  with  music 
books,  executing  in  concert  various  airs  on 
diff'erent  musical  instruments,  much  to  the 
amusement  of  the  bystanders.  The  parade 
of  music-books  was  of  course  a mere  farce  ; 
but  the  active  and  benevolent  mind  of  Hauy 
converted  this  otherwise  ridiculous  circum- 
stance into  an  event  most  important  in  its 
results. 

The  blind,  thought  he,  readily  distinguish 
objects  by  the  diversity  of  their  forms  ; why 
then  may  they  not  distinguish  fa  from  sol,  or 
an  A from  an  F,  if  these  characters  should 
be  rendered  palpable  ? The  result  of  this  ran- 
dom thought  was  the  invention  of  books, 
music,  charts,  etc.,  with  raised  characters. 
This  method  of  instruction  invented  and 
adopted  by  M.  Hauy  has  undergone  but  few 


alterations  since  his  day,  and  though  his 
system  is  undoulDtedly  susceptible  of  large 
improvement,  it  is  yet  a matter  of  astonish- 
ment that  so  much  has  actually  been  accom- 
plished. 

The  Blind  Leading  the  Seeing. — The 
ability  of  the  blind  to  become  even  more 
familiar  with  their  surroundings  and  the 
location  of  different  objects  is  shown  in  many 
instances.  Visitors  to  the  institution  are 
shown  through  the  building  by  a blind  young 
lady,  who  rather  reverses  the  order  of  things 
by  leading  those  who  can  see  up  and  down 
stairs,  through  long  corridors  and  different 
apartments  with  perfect  ease  and  familiarity, 
explaining  to  them  the  uses  of  the  various 
departments  and  objects  with  never  failing 
accuracy. 

Entertainment  Hall. — Perhaps  not  the 
least  interesting  apartment  is  the  entertain- 
ment hall,  which  is  beautifully  frescoed  and 
decorated,  and  is  fitted  up  with  a fine  church 
organ,  grand  piano  and  stage,  where  exhibi- 
tions, concerts,  etc.,  are  given,  showing  the 
proficiency  of  the  pupils  in  literature,  science 
and  the  arts  to  audiences  who  are  filled  with 
astonishment  and  delight  at  the  wonderful 
results  obtained  by  an  education  at  the  insti- 
tute. Music  has  always  been  an  essential 
branch  in  the  system  of  instruction  because 
of  their  peculiar  aptitude  for  it.  The  sus- 
ceptibility of  the  ear  and  the  powers  of  the 
voice  seem  augmented  by  the  deprivation  of 
sight,  though  it  is  physiologically  certain  that 
this  apparent  improvement  of  the  auditory 
and  vocal  organs  is  owing  merely  to  increased 
exercise.  Another  strong  reason  why  the 
blind  have  so  much  talent  for  music  is  their 
great  love  for  an  art  which  their  infirmity 
does  not  prevent  them  from  deriving  as  much 
enjoyment  from  as  those  who  see.  By  the 
cultivation  of  music  the  blind  are  furnished 
with  means  always  at  command  not  onlj^  of 
innocent  and  beneficial  recreation,  but  also 
of  a pleasant  and  respectable  livelihood. 
They  are  in  general  remarkable  for  facility 
both  in  the  acquisition  and  communication 
of  ideas.  The  object  of  the  institution  in 
educating  a class  of  people  who  have  been 
poor,  unhappy  creatures,  almost  helpless  and 
in  the  majority  of  cases  dependent  upon 
charity  for  their  daily  sustenance,  is  indeed 
most  successfully  accomplished.  Although 
deprived  of  sight  the  deficiency  is  supplied 
to  a certain  extent  by  the  natural  acuteness 
of  intellect  and  powers  of  memory  which,  com- 
bined with  the  educational  advantages 
derived  from  the  institution,  develop  them 
into  useful,  intelligent  citizens,  not  only 
capable  of  self-support  but  in  many  cases 
they  have  risen  to  prominence  in  literary, 
mechanical  and  art  circles. 

The  Blind  Philosopher. — Genius  sur- 
mounts all  obstacles  and  we  have  many  such 
examples  among  the  blind,  proving  the 
practicability  of  communicating  instruction  to 
these  people.  A striking  instance  of  this  is 
shown  in  the  account  of  Nicholas  Saunderson, 
a distinguished  philosopher  at  the  Unive.*^ 
sity  of  Cambridge,  England,  in  the  last 


FRANKLIN  COUNTY. 


•539 


century.  Saunderson  lost  his  sight  at  a very 
early  age,  from  small-pox.  This  man  be- 
came one  of  the  professors  at  the  university, 
and  lectured  most  admirably  upon  mathe- 
matics and  every  subject  connected  there- 
with. He  was  a man  of  most  extensive 
erudition,  and  a great  philosopher  ; but  what 
most  astonished  those  who  knew  him^  was 
the  perfection  to  which  he  brought  his  re- 
maining senses  ; his  hearing  was  so  acute  that 
he  could  detect  the  minutest  intonations  of 
the  voice,  and  judge  very  shrewdly  of  the 
character  of  any  one  with  whom  he  conversed 
ten  minutes ; on  coming  into  his  room  he 
could  tell  by  the  sound  of  his  cane  on  the 
floor,  or  by  the  echo  of  his  voice,  whether 
any  of  the  large  furniture  of  the  room  had 
been  removed,  or  changed  from  one  side  of 
the  room  to  the  other.  The  perfection  of  his 
touch  was  often  tested  in  the  examination 
of  ancient  coins;  for  he  could  run  over  a 
cabinet  of  Roman  medals  with  his  fingers, 
and  distinguish  the  genuine  from  the  counter- 
feit, when  the  difference  was  so  slight  as  to 
puzzle  connoisseurs  with  both  eyes  to  find  it 
out.  Saunderson  enjoyed  the  friendship  of 
Sir  Isaac  Newton.  The  Royal  Society  of 
London  elected  him  a member  of  that  body, 
and  after  his  death  the  University  of  Cam- 
bridge published  his  mathematical  works. 

The  inmates  of  the  Ohio  institution  are  an 
apt  illustration  of  the  maxim  that  work  and 
occupation  is  the  soother  of  all  sorrows, 
for  they  are  evidently  very  happy.  They 
have  the  continued  consciousness  that  they 
are  fitting  themselves  for  lives  of  usefulness 
and  independence,  and  when  the  community 
at  large  see  and  realize  the  beneficial  effects 
of  the  education  derived  from  this  and  other 
institutions  they  should  no  longer  say 
“Helpless  are  the  blind,”  but  rather  “ Help- 
less are  the  ignorant.  ’ ’ 

Trustees. — John  L.  Atwood,  Ripley;  H. 
C.  JDrinkle,  Lancaster  ; John  H.  Hudson, 
Sandusky;  David  L.  Wadsworth,  Welling- 
ton ; Edward  Pagels,  Columbus.  Superin- 
tendent, C.  H.  Miller.  Steward,  R.  W.  Bell. 

The  Institution  for  the  Education  op 
Feeble-Minded  Youth. 

In  March,  1850,  the  Hon.  Pinckney  Lewis, 
of  the  Ohio  Senate,  secured  the  passage  of  a 
resolution  directing  Dr.  Hanbury  Smith, 
superintendent  of  the  Ohio  Lunatic  Asylum, 
to  report  to  the  next  general  assembly  the 
number  of  imbecile  youth  in  the  State,  and 
the  propriety  of  making  provision  for  their 
support  and  education.  No  such  report  was 
presented. 

Its  Origin. — In  1853  Dr.  N.  S.  Townshend, 
then  a senator  elect,  who  had  previously  stud- 
ied medicine  in  Paris,  and  learned  what  had 
been  done  there  for  imbeciles,  meeting  Oov. 
xMedill  on  the  street  approached  him  with 
the  remark,  “Governor,  have  you  any- 
thing in  your  forthcoming  message  on  the 
education  of  imbeciles?”  “What!”  was 
the  reply,  fools  I why  you  can’t  teach  fools 
anything,  can  you  ? ” “ Oh,  yes,”  he  replied, 
and  then  went  on  to  explain  what  had  been 


accomplished  elsewhere.  As  a result  of  the 
conversation  Gov.  Medill  in  his  next  mes- 
sage brought  the  ^ subject  before  the  gen- 
eral assembly.  This  portion  of  the  message 
being  referred  to  a select  committee  of  which 
Dr,  Townshend  was  chairman  he  presented  a 
report  detailing  what  had  been  done  for  this 
unfortunate  class  in  Europe  and  in  our  coun- 
try. A bill  for  the  establishment  of  an  in- 
stitution for  imbeciles  was  introduced,  but 
failed  to  pass. 

The  Institution  Established. — In  the  win- 
ter of  1856  Dr.  Wilbur,  superintendent  of 
the  New  York  Imbecile  Asylum,  passed 
through  Columbus,  gave  a lecture,  and  ex- 
hibited two  pupils  before  the  general  assem- 
bly. In  1857  Hon.  Heman  Canfield,  of  the 
senate,  introduced  a bill  to  establish  an  Ohio 
Asylum  for  Idiots,  which  passed  both  branches 
of  the  Legislature,  and  became  a law  April 
17,  1857.  A board  of  trustees  wa^  promptly 
appointed  by  Gov.  Chase,  consisting  of  Wil- 
liam Dennison,  Asher  Cook,  and  N.  S. 
Townshend.  Upon  the  organization  of  the 
board,  Mr.  Dennison  was  ^osen  chairman ; 
N.  S.  Townshend,  secretary ; and  Pr.  R.  J. 
Patterson,  superintendent.  At  the  time  of 
making  the  first  report  in  November,  1857, 
the  building  on  E.  Main  street,  now  used  for 
the  home  of  the  friendless,  had  been  secured 
and  fifteen  pupils  received,  a number  soon 
afterward  increased  to  40.  In  1859  the  office 
of  assistant  superintendent  was  created,  and 
Dr.  G.  A.  Doren  chosen  to  fill  that  position. 
In  1860  the  office  of  superintendent  becom- 
ing vacant.  Dr.  Doren  was  elected  superin- 
tendent pro  tern,  by  the  board  of  trustees. 
So  faithful  and  efficient  was  this  gentleman  in 
the  discharge  of  his  duties  that  he  was  unani- 
mously re-elected  at  the  close  of  the  year,  and 
has  been  continued  from  that  period  to  this, 
in  all  twenty-eight  years.  The  old  quarters 
were  occupied  for  ten  years,  with  a yearly 
average  of  between  forty  and  fifty  pupils, 
which  was  the  largest  number  the  building 
could  accommodate.  ^ The  increasing  number 
cf  applicants  becoming  greater  each  year,  in 
accordance  with  an  act  of  the  Legislature  ap- 
propriating the  necessary  amount,  the  pres- 
ent site  was  purchased,  and  in  1864  a suitable 
building  for  the  accommodation  of  300  pupils 
and  the  necessary  officers,  teachers,  etc.,  was 
commenced.  In  July,  1868,  the  new  build- 
ing was  completed  and  occupied^  Before  the 
end  of  the  first  school  year  the  number  of 
inmates  in  the  new  building  had  increased  to 
nearly  300.  The  practicability  and  value  of  the 
institution  having  been  satisfactorily  demon- 
strated, additions  were  constantly  being  made 
to  the  original  building  to  accommodate  the 
increasing  number  of  applicants  for  admit- 
tence  until  in  the  year  1881  there  were  614 
inmates  and  every  available  space  in  use. 

Destruction  by  Fire. — Upon  the  morning 
of  November  18,  1881,  fire  w^^s  discovered 
in  the  cellar  of  the  main  building.  Its  loca- 
tion was  so  dangerous  that  an  order  was  given 
that  the  children  be  removed  at  once,  which 
was  safely  accomplished.  So  rapid  was  the 
proijress  of  the  flames  that  in  spite  of  the 


640 


FRANKLIN  COUNTY, 


most  praiseworthy  efforts  of  the  officers  and 
employees,  the  main  building  was  totally 
destroyed.,  and  several  of  the  side  wings 
greatly  damaged.  One  hundred  of  the  614 
inmates  were  sent  home  owing  to  this  calam- 
ity, and  the  remainder  were  crowded  into  the 
buildings  which  had  escaped  destruction, 
where  the  good  work  of  the  institution  was 
carried  on,  notwithstanding  the  inconvenience 
of  insufficient  room,  for  three  years  before 
the  work  of  rebuilding  had  been  completed. 
Profiting  by  the  experience  of  this  disaster, 
fire  proof  materials  were  used  in  the  con- 
struction of  the  new  building  ; ^ and  additional 
security  for  the  safety  of  the  inmates  in  case 
of  fire,  provided  by  iron  stairways  erected  on 
the  outside  walls  of  the  building  leading  from 
each  story  and  extending  several  feet  away 
from  the  outside  walls  of  the  lower  windows 
to  the  ground.  Electric  bells  also  communi- 
cate with  the  main  office  from  every  quarter 
of  the  building,  so  that  a fire  alarm  can  be 
instantly  given  and  the  fire  located. 

Objects  of  the  Institution. — At  the  close  of 
the  last  school  year,  July,  1888,  the  institu- 
tion contained  725  inmates,  and  it  is  a sad 
fact  to  record  that  only  125  had  homes  to 
visit  during  tho  vacation  season,  leaving  600 
idiots  without  any  home  except  that  provided 
by  the  State. 

“The  important  objects  of  the  institution 
are  the  amelioration  of  the  condition  of  the 
imbecile,  the  accompanying  relief  of  the 
family  of  the  burden  of  care  and  anxiety  for 
them  and  their  future,  by  so  training  them 
that  they  may  attain  the  greatest  possible  de- 
gree of  self-helpfulness  and  even  usefulness ; 
the  obtaining  of  such  information  as  will  re- 
duce as  far  as  possible  the  hereditary  and 
accidental  cases  of  idiocy  and  imbecility  by  so 
informing  the  world  in  regard  to  tho  condi- 
tions liable  to  their  production  that  they  may 
be  avoided.  The  first  is  accomplished  by  the 
careful  training  and  development  of  the  child, 
surrounding  it  with  the  most  efficient  influ- 
ence for  the  unfolding  of  a capacity  for  use- 
fulness in  its  station.  The  second,  by  the 
careful  study  of  the  cases  individually,  as  near 
as  possible,  to  the  events  that  have  reduced 
them  to  the  condition,  and  which  will  offer  a 
better  opportunity  to  arrive  at  reliable  conclu- 
sions, no  matter  how  patiently  the  histories 
may  be  pursued  at  a later  age.  ’ ’ 

Fortunately,  the  rights  of  the  child  to  its 
opportunity  for  education  go  hand  in  hand 
'with  the  sympathies  of  all  in  this  case ; in- 
deed, they  have  the  double  right  as  enjoined 
by  the  people,  not  only  of  special  means  of 
education,  but  of  the  care  and  custody  of 
those  of  minds  diseased.  If  the  duty  of 
caring  for  them  at  all  is  enjoined,  then,  cer- 
tainly, the  doing  of  it  in  the  best  manner  is 
not  to  be  questioned.  There  is  no  excuse 
for  neglecting  them  as  children,  that  they 
may  be  taken  charge  of  when  of  adult  age 
and  size,  to  be  cared  for  frequently  in  all  re- 
spects as  infants  whose  infancy  has  been  pro- 
longed by  neglect.  Nor  is  there  reason  for 
the  admission  to  an  institution  of  an  adult 
imbecile  for  simple  care  and  custody,  to  the 


exclusion  of  a young  and  improvable  child 
from  a family  of  young  children,  who  may 
be  saved  from  the  depressing  influence  of  be- 
ing reared  with  such  associations,  and  from 
which  they  never  recover,  the  parents  from 
the  discouragements  and  depression  which 
frequently  causes  pauperism  of  the  whole 
family. 

The  duty  of  the  public  to  provide  for  all  is 
clear,  but  in  making  provision  for  them  it 
should  be  done  in  an  intelligent  and  efficient 
manner,  with  the  view  of  lessening  the  bur- 
den to  the  utmost  by  the  highest  possible 
development  of  them  as  children,  in  order 
that  they  may,  when  of  adult  age  and  strength, 
contribute  to  the  extent  of  their  ability  to- 
ward their  own  support.  To  the  State  it 
matters  little  whether  a helpless  case  is  in  an 
institution  or  in  the  family  ; if  there  should 
be  any  difference  it  would  be  in  favor  of  the 
institution,  even  granting  the  best  of  care 
possible  in  the  family.  In  the  institution 
their  care  is  associate  and  with  proper  facili- 
ties. In  families  they  are  single  and  do  not 
have  these  facilities,  and  are  expensive  to 
the  State  in  the  proportion  that  their  help- 
lessness withdraws  from  the  general  body  of 
workers  and  producers  to  attend  upon  them  ; 
their  condition  frequently  requiring  the  public 
to  support  a whole  family  on  account  of  one 
imbecile  member  consuming  the  energies  of 
those  who  should  give  it  support  while  sus- 
taining all  others  dependent  upon  them. 
The  object  of  the  institution  is  to  prevent 
this  condition  of  things  by  assuming  the  care 
and  development  of  the  child. 

Beauty  of  the  Location. — A ride  of  about 
two  miles  directly  west  from  the  state  house 
at  Columbus  brings  the  visitor  to  the  site  of 
the  present  institution.  Passing  through  the 
entrance  gate  one  cannot  fail  to  be  impressed 
with  the  beauty  of  the  grounds.  A broad 
avenue,  shaded  0:1  each  side  by  overhanging 
branches  of  rows  of  trees,  leads  to  the  main 
building,  which  is  upon  a rising  knoll,  about 
one-eighth  of  a mile  from  the  main  entrance. 
Immediately  in  front  of  the  buildings  is  a 
magnificent  park  of  many  acres  and  covered 
with  grand  old  trees,  under  which  the  in- 
mates pass  many  a happy  hour  deriving  the 
benefit  of  healthful  exercise  in  the  air  and 
bright  sunlight.  In  the  woodland  beyond 
the  park  are  about  thirty  Shetland  ponies, 
which  are  the  property  of  the  superintendent 
and  have  been  provided  for  the  amusement 
of  the  juveniles  of  the  establishment. 

We  were  conducted  through  the  buildings 
and  grounds  by  Miss  Harriet  F.  Purple,  who 
has  been  the  able  and  efficient  matron  of  the 
institution  for  nearly  thirty  years.  Every 
department  gave  evidence  of  a system  01 
management  which  only  years  of  experience, 
devotion  and  intelligence  on  the  part  of  those 
in  charge  could  produce. 

The  educational  department  is  under  the 
charge  of  twenty-five  teachers  and  graded 
according  to  the  capabilities  or  mental  condi- 
tion of  the  pupils.  School  hours  are  from  9 
A.  M.  to  12.30  P.  M.  and  2 to  4 P.  M.  While 
it  seems  a hopeless  task  to  attempt  to  instruct 


FRANKLIN  COUNTY, 


641 


these  unfortunates,  the  results^  obtained  by 
persistent  effort  and  great  patience  on  the 
part  of  the  teachers  is  most  beneficial  in  the 
majority  of  cases,  while  the  proficiency  ob- 
tained by  some  of  the  pupils  excites  the 
wonder  of  visitors. 

Devices  for  Instruction. — In  the  depart- 
ment containing  low-grade  pupils  the  work 
of  instruction  is  necessarily  slow  and  laborious. 
Many  on  entering  are  unable  to  talk,  and  the 
teacher  considers  that  much  has  been  ac- 
complished when  the  pupil’s  mind  and  atten- 
tion has  been  concentrated  upon  one  special 
object.  Many  ingenious  devices  have  been 
invented  for  this  purpose.^  Bright-colored 
toys,  strings  of  beads  and  similar  articles  are 
given  to  the  children,  who  finally  learn  to 
separate  and  fit  together  the  different  parts. 
When  evidence  is  thus  given  of  the  possi- 
bility of  advancement  it  is  taken  advantage 
of  and  the  especial  point  reached  opens  an 
avenue  for  further  development. 

In  the  high-grade  department  the  pupils 
are  taught  geography,  arithmetic,  history, 
penmanship,  calisthenics,  etc.,  and  while  con- 
siderable difficulty  is  experienced  owing  to 
weak  memory  the  results  accomplished  by 
patient  and  persistent  effort  are  remarkable 
when  a comparison  is  made  between  the  con- 
dition of  the  pupil  before  and  after  receiving 
the  benefits  of  the  institution.  Examples  in 
arithmetic  of  no  little  difficulty  are  solved, 
the  specimens  of  penmanship  are  remarkably 
well  done,  while  considerable  proficiency  is 
shown  in  geography  and  history. 

An  Exhibition  in  Calisthenics. — We  were 
favored  with  an  exhibition  of  calisthenics, 
which  was  most  skilfully  executed,  the  pupils 
going  through  the ' different  movements  to 
musical  accompaniment  and  without  an  error. 
Their  leader  was  a boy  about  seventeen  years 
of  age,  whose  display  of  memory  in  leading 
the  pupils  through  a long  series  of  move- 
ments was  most  remarkable.  When  the  per- 
formance was  over  the^  class  went  through 
several  intricate  marching  figures,  each  in 
turn  depositing  their  dumb-bells  in  the  space 
designed  for  them  at  the  end  of  the  hall,  and 
marched  out  of  the  door,  the  sound  of  their 
footsteps  marking  perfect  time  to  the  music 
as  it  gradually  died  away  in  the  distance. 

The  Imbeciles'  Band  of  Music. — We  were 
next  favored  with  a performance  that  ex- 
cited wonder  and  surprise  that  such  results 
could  be  obtained  in  an  art  that  requires  not 
only  many  long^  hours  of  faithful,  laborious 
study,  but  also  intelligence  and  natural  apti- 
tude. We  refer  to  the  concert  by  the  band 
of  the  institution.  ^ This  organization  is  com- 
posed of  about  thirty-five  performers  and  is 
what  is  known  as  a military  reed  band,  the 
leading  instruments  being  composed  of  wood 
or  reed  wind  instruments,  such  as  clarionets, 
flutes,  piccolos,  oboes,  bassoons  and  saxa- 
phones.  Good  performers  on  the  last  three 
named  instruments  are  very  rare  everywhere, 
owing  to  the  difficulty  in  mastering  them. 

Standard  overtures,  operatic  selections,  and 
even  classical  compositions  of  the  old  masters 
are  performed  by  this  band  and  in  a style 


that  would  do  credit  to  professional  musi- 
cians.^ Only  those  who  have  studied  the 
beautiful  art  of  music  can  fully  appreciate 
what  an  immense  amount  of  labor  and  per- 
severance it  requires  to  go  through  the  many 
intricate  steps  that  are  necessary  to  bring  a 
band  of  musicians  of  normal  intelligence  to 
a degree  of  proficiency.  That  so  much  has 
been  accomplished  by  this  band  of  feeble- 
minded musicians  is  another  evidence  of  the 
efiicient  work  that  is  being  accomplished  at 
this  institution  toward  the  improvement, 
development  and  happiness  of  this  unfor- 
tunate class  of  our  fellow-citizens. 

While  permanent  cures  of  idiocy  are  sel- 
dom effected,  yet  there  are  instances  in  the 
history  of  this  institution  where  they  have 
occurred  and  the  patients  became  useful 
citizens.  We  were  told  of  one  man  who, 
having  learned  the  carpenters’  trade  at  the 
institution,  is  now  earning  $2.50  a day  work- 
ing at  his  trade  and  has  saved  sufficient 
money  to  buy  a home.  While  cures  are  only 
possible  when  idiocy  is  caused  by  disease,  the 
improvability  of  all  is  practicable  to  a greater 
or  less  degree,  except  with  the  class  known  as 
“cretins.”  Some  of  these  latter  are  con- 
genital cases,  deformed  in  body  as  well  as  in 
mind,  and  are  generally  small  in  stature,  with 
large,  flat  heads,  thick  necks  and  short  limbs. 

Their  Gratitude.— WYAq  physically  they 
are  capable  of  improvement,  little  can  bo 
done  to  advance  their  mental  condition. 
Sometimes  they  are  taught  to  say  a few 
words,  and  they  also  understand  some  things 
that  are  said  to  them,  but  their  condition  is 
more  like  that  of  the  lower  order  of  dumb 
animals  than  of  human  beings.  The  kind- 
ness and  humanity  that  governs  all  the  offi- 
cers and  teachers  in  their  treatment  of  the 
inmates  is  fully  appreciated  by  the  “cre- 
tins,” who  show  affection  and  gratitude 
for  their  attendants  similar  to  that  of  a dog 
for  his  master.  Generally  the  inmates  are 
feeble  and’  stunted  in  body  as  well  as  under 
size.  Children  apparently  ten  ^ or  twelve 
years  of  age  we  found  to  be  on  inquiry  six- 
teen to  eighteen.  In  going  through  the  in- 
stitution it  seems  as  the  home  of  one  huge 
family. 

Consanguinity.,  or  the  inter-marriage  of 
persons  of  the  same  kin,  contrary  to  the 
general  public  impression,  is  not  a prolific 
source  of  imbecility.  The  records  of  this 
institution,  for  all  that  period  of  time  from 
its  foundation  to  the  date  of  the  fire  of  1881, , 
showed  that  comparatively  few  cases  could  be 
charged  to  consanguinity.  That  these  records 
were  destroyed  by  the  fire  is  a great  misfor- 
tune, as  much  valuable  matter,  from  which 
to  form  a basis  of  calculation  as  to  the  causes 
of  idiocy  and  its  prevention,  was  thereby 
lost. 

Employrnents. — Many  of  the  inmates  are 
employed  in  various  ways,  and  it  has  proven 
of  great  physical  as  well  as  mental  benefit  to 
them.  The  girls  are  taught  to  sew,  and  be- 
come sufficiently  skillful  to  do  all  the  mend- 
ing for  the  asylum.  The  laundry  work  is 
done  entirely  by  the  inmates,  and  many  be- 


642 


FRANKLIN  COUNTY. 


come  very  good  shoemakers,  tailors,  carpen- 
ters, and  plumbers,  and  not  only  do  all  neces- 
sary work  of  this  kind  for  the  institution,  but 
thus  obtain  a means  of  livelihood  upon  leaving 
it.  One  man  is  employed  in  the  plumbing 
department  who  has  shown  remarkable  me- 
chanical skill  in  the  building  of  a working 
miniature  engine.  Although  almost  a hope- 
less idiot,  the  constructive  faculty  has  been 
developed  when  other  faculties  of  the  mind 
were  totally  deficient. 

The  beautiful  and  extensive  surroundings.^ 
consisting  of  188  acres,  contribute  not  a little 
toward  the  mental  as  well  as  physical  im- 
provement of  the  inmates.  The  garden  sup- 
plies all  of  the  vegetables  used  here.  Milk 
is  furnished  by  a fine  herd  of  cows,  fifty  in 
number,  who  have  been  trained  to  enter  the 
barn  at  certain  hours,  walking  in  single  file, 
each  one  stepping  out  of  the  fine  into  its  own 
accustomed  feeding-place  as  it  comes  to  it. 
They  are  milked  night  and  morning  by  the 
inmates. 

Healthfidness. — That  there  is  so  little  sick- 
ness in  an  institution  filled  with  persons, 
whose  infirmities  cause  weak  and  delicate 
constitutions,  is  owing  to  the  perfection  of 
its  sanitary  regulations.  In  its  entire  history 
there  has  been  but  one  epidemic  which  was 
attended  with  serious  results : that  was  in 
November,  1882,  when  there  were  183  cases 
of  scarlet  fever.  The  death-rate  was  the 
largest  since  the  foundation  of  the  asylum. 
The  school-rooms  and  dormitories  were  con- 
verted into  hospital-rooms,  and  the  teachers 
and  attendants  became  nurses.  Every  pre- 
caution was  taken  to  prevent  the  spread  of 
the  disease,  which  finally  disappeared  after 
twelve  weeks  of  self-sacrificing  devotion, 
courage  and  fortitude  of  the  attendants, 
during  which  time  they  were  constantly  ex- 
posed to  the  dangers  of  a disease,  the  results 
of  which  are  fearful  even  when  death  does 
not  ensue. 

The  General  Residts. — The  reports  show 
that  69  per  cent,  of  its  inmates  learn  to  work, 
74  per  cent,  to  read  and  write,  43  per  cent, 
make  useful  progress  in  arithmetic,  while  all 
are  improved  in  personal  habits. 

A Public  Duty. — With  the  increase  in 
population  of  the  State,  and  consequent 
larger  number  of  this  unfortunate  class,  the 
necessity  for  making  permanent  provision, 
and  enabling  them  to  make  the  best  possible 
use  of  such  faculties  as  they  already  possess, 
together  with  the  necessity  for  placing  them 
under  such  restrictions  as  will  prevent  the 
increase  and  perpetuation  of  their  kind,  must 
be  apparent  to  every  thoughtful  citizen  ; and 
this  the  spirit  of  humanity  demands  of  the 
State. 

Except  in  very  few  cases  this  class  is  not 
fitted  to  go  out  into  the  world  ; yet  under 
proper  management  a large  proportion  could 
not  only  earn  sufficient  to  support  themselves, 
but  largely  aid  in  the  support  of  their  kind. 
There  is  at  the  present  time  a large  number 
of  adult  imbeciles  who  have  arrived  at  ma- 
turity since  entering  this  institution,  and  this 
number  is  constantly  increasing.  They  have 


no  place  to  go  except  to  the  county  infirma- 
ries, or  to  wander  at  large  through  the  com- 
munity, dependent  upon  the  charity  of  the 
public  for  support ; no  longer  under  improv- 
ing infiuences,  but  relapsing  into  their  former 
helpless  condition,  to  become  criminals  or 
paupers.  The  institution  is  at  present  crowded 
far  beyond  its  capacity,  and  between  300  and 
400  applications  for  admission  were  refused 
last  year  owing  to  this  fact. 

An  Outlook  for  the  Future. — For  the  per- 
manent provision  of  this  class  it  has  been 
suggested  that  an  appropriation  should  be 
made  by  the  General  Assembly  to  purchase  a 
large  tract  of  land  at  a convenient  distance 
from  the  institution,  on  which  should  be 
erected  plain  and  substantial  farm -buildings, 
with  all  needful  appliances  for  the  various 
industries^  of  the  farm  and  workshop.  As 
there  are  in  the  asylum  at  the  present  time  a 
sufficient  number  of  unemployed  inmates  to 
work  1,000  acres  of  land,  the  value  of  such 
an  arrangement  needs  no  argument.  The 
sale  of  the  products  of  the  farm  and  work- 
shops would  realize  enough  to  pay  all  its 
expenses,  thereby  utilizing  what  has  been 
heretofore  a public  expense  and  burden,  and 
permitting  the  asylum  to  carry  out  the  ob- 
jects of  its  foundation. 

The  education  of  the  feeble-minded  youth 
in  Ohio  has  been  unusually  successful,  and  it 
is  the  largest  institution  of  the  kind  on  the 
globe.  Its  success  is  largely  owing  to  the 
ability  and  efficiency  of  both  past  and  present 
trustees  and  officers,  and  the  untiring  energy 
and  zeal  of  its  superintendent.  Dr.  G.  A. 
Doren,  who,  having  held  this  position  since 
1859,  has  made  the  bettering  of  the  condition 
of  this  class  his  life-work. 

The  officers  and  trustees  in  1888  are : 
Trustees — Silas  A.  Conrad,  Massillon ; Rob- 
ert Mehaffey,  Herring;  Benjamin  B.  Wood- 
bury, Chardon  ; Edward  Squire,  Defiance  ; 
Ross  J.  Alexander,  Bridgeport ; superin- 
tendent, G.  A.  Doren ; steward,  George 
Evans. 

The  Ohio  Penitentiary. 

The  penitentiary  system  was  introduced 
into  Ohio  in  1815.  Previous  to  that  date 
certain  crimes,  afterward  punishable  by  im- 
prisonment in  tl:e  penitentiary,  were  pun- 
ished by  whipping.  For  instance,  upon  con- 
viction of  larceny  the  offender  was  sentence^' 
to  be  whipped  ; not  exceeding  thirty  striped 
on  the  naked  back  for  the  first  ofFence,  anO 
not  exceeding  fifty  stripes  upon  a second  con 
viction  for  a like  offence. 

In  1815  was  enacted  the  first  Ohio  statuU 
for  the  punishment  of  larceny  by  imprison- 
ment in  the  State  prison.  It  provided  that 
conviction  of  larceny  of  the  value  of  ten  dol- 
lars and  upward  should  be  punishable  by  im- 
prisonment at  hard  labor  for  not  less  than 
one  nor  more  than  seven  years.  In  1821  the 
amount  of  larceny  to  constitute  a State-prison 
offence  was  increased  to  fifty  dollars,  but,  in 
1835,  was  reduced  to  the  present  amount* — 
thirty-five  dollars. 

The  first  penitentianj  in  Ohio  was  built  in 


FRANKLIN  COUNTY. 


643 


1813,  on  a ten-acre  lot  in  the  southwest  corner 
of  Columbus,  which  was  conveyed  to  the 
State  for  that  purpose  by  the  original  pro- 
prietors of  the  town.  It  was  a brick  building 
fronting  on  Scioto  street ; the  dimensions 
were  sixty  by  thirty  feet  and  three  stories  in 
height,  which  included  the  basement  partly 
below  ground.  The  basement  contained  the 
living-rooms  of  the  prisoners,  and  could  only 
be  entered  from  the  prison-yard.  The  second 
story  A/^as  the  keeper's  residence.  The  third 
or  upper  story  contained  the  prisoners’  cells, 
thirteen  in  number,  nine  of  which  were  light 
and  four  dark  cells. 

The  prison-yard,  about  100  feet  square, 
was  enclosed  by  a stone  wall  from  fifteen  to 
eighteen  feet  high. 

In  1818  a new  brick  building  was  erected, 
and  the  prison-yard  enlarged  to  about  400  by 
160  feet,  enclosed  by  stone  walls  twenty  feet 
high  and  three  feet  thick,  with  a plank  floor 
and  hand-railing  on  the  top.  Workshops 
were  arranged  within  the  yard.  The  new 
building  was  150  by  34  feet,  two  stories  high, 
and  formed  a connecting-line  with  the  old 
building,  which  was  remodelled  as  a residence 
for  the  keeper. 

The  dining-room,  kitchen,  and  fifty-four 
cells  occupied  the  ground  floor  of  the  new 
building  ; below  ground,  accessible  only  by  a 
trap-door  in  the  hall,  were  five  dark  and  soli- 
tary cells,  and  on  the  second  floor  two  adjoin- 
ing rooms  served  for  a hospital. 

Until  1819  the  keeper  or  warden  was  ap- 
pointed by  five  inspectors  chosen  by  the  Leg- 
islature. That  year,  however,  the  office  of 
State  agent  was  created,  and  both  agent  and 
keeper  elected  by  the  Legislature  for  a term 
of  three  years.  It  was  the  State  agent’s  duty 
to  receive  from  the  keeper  all  manufactured 
articles,  make  sales,  collect  debts,  and  pay 
over  to  the  State  treasurer  all  cash  receipts. 
The  office  of  State  agent  was  abolished  in 
1822. 

TJie  first  warden  or  keeper  of  the  peniten- 
tiary was  James  Kooken.  At  that  time  the 
prison  contained  but  few  convicts,  the  keeper 
was  kind-hearted  and  as  lenient  as  was  con- 
sistent with  official  duty,  and,  there  being  at 
times  but  little  work  for  the  prisoners,  they 
were  permitted  to  indulge  in  various  amuse- 
ments, one  of  which  was  ball-playing ; and 
when,  as  sometimes  happened,  the  ball  was 
knocked  over  the  prison  walls,  a dog  they  had 
trained  for  the  purpose  would  run  to  the 
main  entrance,  summon  the  guard,  pass  out, 
get  the  ball,  and  return  with  it  to  the 
players. 

The  labor  of  the  prisoners  was  employed  in 
blacksmithing,  cabinetmaking,  giinsmithing, 
wagon-making,  shoemaking,  coopering,  weav- 
ing, and  tailoring,  the  manufactured  articles 
being  sold  or  exchanged  for  provisid  ns  or  raw 
materials. 

Attempts  at  Escape.- — There  were  more  or 
less  individual  attempts  to  escape,  but  only 
one  outbreak  at  all  general  in  its  character. 
One  day,  during  the  year  1 830,  about  a dozen 
prisoners,  under  the  leadership  of  daring 
fellow.  Smith  Maythe  by  name,  secreted 


themselves  near  the  outer  door  of  the  prison, 
and,  when  the  turnkey  unlocked  the  door, 
Maythe  sprang  upon  him,  securing  a firm 
hold,  while  his  companions  rushed  out. 
Then,  releasing  the  turnkey  he  bounded  out, 
and  joining  his  fellow-conspirators  fled  to 
some  woods  a short  distance  southeast  of  the 
prison.  Their  liberty  was  short-lived,  how- 
ever, for  soon  they  were  all  recaptured  and 
returned  to  the  prison.  Maythe,  the  leader, 
was  eventually  hung  by  a mob  in  Kentucky 
for  an  attempt  at  robbery  and  murder. 

Liberties  to  Convicts. — Previous  to  1836 
convicts  were  frequently  taken  out  to  work  in 
different  parts  of  the  town,  and  sometimes 
without  a guard.  Among  others  who  were 
allowed  great  liberties  in  this  respect  was  one 
Scott,  a printer,  who  was  permitted  to  earn 
money,  a part  of  which  he  was  allowed  to 
keep  for  himself,  by  working  at  his  trade 
outside  the  prison.  On  one  occasion  he  got 
uproariously  drunk,  and,  meeting  Grov.  Lucas 
on  the  street,  he  besought  him  to  grant  him 
a pardon,  and,  backed  up  by  the  whisky  he 
had  imbibed,  became  very  urgent,  much  to 
the  governor’s  discomfiture.  Perhaps  it  is 
needless  to  state  that  Mr.  Scott  served  out 
his  full  term,  and  with  restricted  privileges. 

The  Asiatic  Cholera. — In  the  summer  of 
1833  the  cholera  broke  out  in  Columbus,  and 
soon  became  epidemic  within  the  penitentiary. 
Out  of  303  convicts  few  were  exempt  from 
sickness.  One  hundred  were  confined  in  the 
hospital,  forty  of  them  with  pronounced  gen- 
uine cholera,  and  there  were  eleven  deaths 
before  the  disease  disappeared. 

In  1849,  the  prison  having  been  removed 
to  its  present  quarters,  the  cholera  again 
made  its  appearance,  and  with  a fatality  that 
was  appalling ; and  notwithstanding  every 
precaution,  more  than  one-fourth  of  the 
inmates  became  its  victims. 

Heroic  Devotion. — It  broke  out  in  the 
prison  on  the  30th  day  of  June,  having  pre- 
viously prevailed  in  Columbus  and  surround- 
ing towns  for  eight  or  ten  days.  The  first 
day  there  were  two  fatal  cases,  and  the  daily 
mortality  increased  to  five  on  July  7,  eight 
the  day  following,  and  twelve  on  the  9th  of 
July.  Dr.  Lathrop,  the  regular  prison  physi- 
cian, was  attacked  by  the  disease  July_3; 
fifty  to  sixty  new  cases  were  occurring  daily, 
and,  although  Dr.  Trevitt  was  in  attendance, 
having  been  called  the  first  day  the  epidemic 
broke  out.  Dr.  Lathrop  felt  that  his  duty  was 
at  his  post ; and  although  • advised  by  his 
physicians  to  keep  his  bed,  totally  unfit  for 
any  labor,  on  ffie  6th  of  July  he  was  again  at 
work  administering  to  the  sick  and  dying. 
His  heroic  devotion  cost  him  his  life  five 
days  later. 

July  8,  nine  days  after  the  first  appearance 
of  the  disease,  396  out  of  41 3 prisoners  had 
been  attacked  by  cholera,  21  had  died,  and 
the  next  day  12  more  died.  The  condition 
and  prospect  of  affairs  was  horrible  to  con- 
template. The  directors  called  to  the  aid  of 
Drs.  Lathrop  and  Trevitt  other  physicians  in 
the  city,  as  Drs.  B.  F.  Card,  Robert  Thomp- 
son, J.  B.  Thompson,  Norman  Cay,  and  J. 


644 


FRANKLIN  COUNTY. 


Morrison.  Medical  students  and  citizens 
were  also  engaged  as  attendants  and  nurses. 

Distressing  Scenes  and  Fanic. — The  hos- 
pital being  crowded  ^ the  abandoned  work- 
shops were  divided  into  wards,  nurses  and 
attendants  assigned,  and  they  were  soon 
filled  with  the  sick  and  dying.  Just  at  this 
time,  when  their  services  were  most  needed, 
the  guards  fled,  panic-stricken.  Necessarily 
discipline  was  very  much  relaxed.  For  six- 
teen days  and  nights  the  cell  doors  remained 
unlocked  and  the  prisoners  commingled 


. freely.  Some  of  them  were  stoically  indif- 
ferent to  their  surroundings,  others  were 
manly,  heroic,  and  rendered  very  efficient 
service  in  ministering  to  the  sick,  while  an- 
other class  of  prisoners  were  filled  with  ner- 
vous fear  and  trembling,  imploring  physi- 
cians, attendants  and  nurses,  with  piteous 
cries,  to  speak  to  the  governor  and  have  them 
pardoned  out. 

Governor  Ford  acted  with  great  discretion 
in  this  emergency.  An  article  written  by 
Hon.  Charles  B.  Flood  and  published  in 


Dra%vn  by  Henry  Howe  in  1846. 


The  Ohio  Penitentiary. 


[The  above  view  was  drawn  from  the  west  bank  of  the  Scioto.  Since  then  the  front  has  been 
changed  and  the  institution  greatly  enlarged,  while  the  vicinity  has  been  made  black  and  girm  with 
iron  works  and  other  hives  of  solid  labor.] 


Cincinnati  long  after  the  incidents  occurred, 
describes  his  action  : ‘ ' When  the  cholera 
broke  out  in  the  Ohio  penitentiary  Gov.  Ford 
was  absent  from  Columbus.  To  be  used  in 
extraordinary  cases,  he  had  left  a small  num- 
ber of  blank  pardons  with  Mr.  Samuel  Gal- 
loway, the  secretary  of  state.  ^ The  scene  in 
the  penitentiary  and  in  the  city  was  fearful. 
Galloway  could  not  withstand  the  piteous 
appeals  for  liberty,  and  he  soon  exhausted 
die  pardons  and  wrote  to  Ford  at  his  home 
in  Burton,  Geauga  county,  for  more.  This 
the  governor  refused,  but  wrote  Mr.  Gallo- 
way that  he  would  come  down  to  Columbus 
immediately.  He  did  so  ; went  to  the  prison, 
examined  the  hospital  and  patients,  assem- 
bled the  convicts  and  told  them  that  no  par- 
dons would  be  issued  while  the  cholera  was 
in  the  prison ; that  to  those  who  behaved 
well,  nursed  the  sick  and  aided  in  cleaning 
the  prison,  pardons  on  the  recommendations 
of  the  officers  would  be  freely  granted  when 
the  danger  was  passed  ; even  those  who  had 
homes  to  go  to  could  not  be  half  as  well 
nursed  or  attended  to  as  in  the  prison  hospi- 
tal, and  that  the  appearance  of  a single  man 
in  the  neighborhood  who  was  known  to  have 
been  in  prison  and  pardoned  because  of  the 
cholera  would  create  alarm  and  perhaps  pro- 
duce the  much-dreaded  disease.  The  men 
were  satisfied.  The  effect  in  the  city  was 
good,  and  the  heroism  and  good  sense  of 
Gov.  Ford  were  much  commended.  At  the 
risk  of  his  life  he  personally  went  among  the 
sick  and  personally  attended  to  their  wants. 


July  10th  the  epidemic  reached  its  height, 
the  number  of  deaths  being  twenty-two,  a 
reater  mortality  than  on  any  other  single 
ay.  On  that  day  Hr.  Gard  was  attacked 
and  Dr.  Lathrop  again  stricken  down  by  the 
disepe.  The  two  heroes  both  died  noble 
sacrifices  on  the  altar  of  professional  zeal  and 
large-hearted  humanity.  On  July  11th  Dr. 
G.  W.  Maris  filled  the  vacancy  caused  by  Dr. 
Gard’s  fatal  sickness,  and  from  this  date  the 
virulence  of  the  epidemic  gradually  declined 
until  July  30th,  when  the  last  death  from 
cholera  occurred. 

Number  of  Deaths. — During  the  thirty 
days  of  the  epidemic  116  prisoners  had  died 
from  cholera,  and  out  of  413  convicts,  the 
number  had  be*n  reduced  by  deaths  and  par- 
dons to  273.  With  the  subsidence  of  the 
disease  the  prison  discipline  was  gradually 
resumed. 

When  the  cholera  prevailed  in  Co^lmbus 
between  August  30th  and  November  29th  of 
the  year  1850  there  were  twenty-two  deaths 
attributed  to  dysentery  and  other  disease  by 
the  regular  prison  physician,  but  since  then 
the  prison  has  been  exempt  from  epidemic 
diseases. 

The  Present  Peniteiitiari/. — In  October, 
1832,  the  legislature  passed  an  act  for  the 
selection  of  a site  and  the  erection  of  a new 
penitentiary,  and  a site  in  the  western  part 
of  Columbus,  on  the  banks  of  the  Scioto, 
selected  ; but  there  being  some  complications 
with  regard  to  a perfect  title,  five  public- 
spirited  citizens  of  Columbus — Joseph  Ridg- 


FRANKLIN  COUNTY.  645 


way,  Jr.,  Otis  Crosby,  Samuel  Crosby  and 
D.  W.  Deshler — succeeded  in  securing  the 
property  for  the  State  and  guaranteed  a per- 
fect title.  The  property  consisted  of  fifteen 
acres  of  land,  to  which  was  added  a small 
strip  purchased  of  John  Brick  ell  for  $50 
by  the  directors  of  the  penitentiary.  The 
whole  site  cost  the  State  but  $800. 

Work  was  started  on  the  building  in  1832 
by  the  preparation  of  much  of  the  material, 
but  the  structure  itself  was  not  commenced 
until  the  following  spring,  and  operations  were 
suspended  during  the  summer  owing  to  the 
cholera  epidemic.  Convicts  were  employed 
in  the  work.  When  the  building  of  the  new 
penitentiary  was  begun,  convicts  whose  time 
would  not  expire  before  its  completion  were 
romised  a pardon  when  the  building  was 
nished  if  they  would  faithfully  perform  the 
tasks  assigned  them  and  make  no  attempt  to 
escape.  Those  making  this  promise  were 
employed  accordingly,  and  in  no  case  was 
there  a violation  of  the  terms. 

New  Rules  and  Regulations. — In  1834  the 
new  building  was  occupied  ; and  in  1835,  with 
a new  building,  new  ofiicers,  new  rules  and 
regulations,  the  old  system  of  barter  was 
abandoned  and  the  present  system  of  hiring 
the  convicts  by  the  day  to  contractors  and 
manufacturers,  who  employed  them  in  the 
prison  workshops,  was  inaugurated.  Rules 
of  great  severity  were  rigidly  enforced  which 
have  been  relaxed  of  late  years  and  kindness 
and  humane  treatment  substituted,  with  the 
object  of  reformation  as  well  as  punishment 
of  the  offender.  Solitary  confinement  in- 
stead of  the  “shower  bath”  and  the  “cat” 
is  now  used  ^ to  bring  the  refractory  convict 
into  subjection. 

In  1837,  at  the  east  end  of  the  main  build- 
ing, an  addition  was  constructed  which  con- 
tained eleven  cells,  with  capacity  for  twice 
that  number.  This  addition  was  used  as  a 
separate  apartment  for  female  prisoners. 

The  cost  of  the  new  penitentiary,  when 
completed,  was  $93,370,  besides  1,113,462 
days  of  convict  labor  expended  upon  it.  The 
buildings  and  prison  walls  formed  a hollow 
square  containing  about  six  acres  of  land, 
which  was  increased  in  1868  by  the  addition 
and  enclosure  of  ten  acres  of  land  lying  north 
of  the  prison.  These  ten  acres  of  land  were 

Eurchased  from  the  representatives  of  Dr. 
lincoln  Goodale  at  a cost  of  $20,000. 

New  Humanizing  Features. — Many  im- 
provements have  been  made  in  the  labor  sys- 
tem since  the  adoption  of  the  contract  plan  ; 
a recent  one  is  that  of  having  piece-work 
given  out  to  the  convicts,  who  are  thus  stim- 
ulated to  greater  industry,  and  many  of  them, 
by  increased  application  to  their  labors,  often 
leave  the  prison  upon  the  expiration  of  their 
sentences  with  sufficient  money  saved  by 
working  extra  time  to  start  them  in  useful 
callings.  During  our  visit  mention  was  made 
of  one  prisoner  who  will  shortly  leave  with 
$540  earned  in  that  way.  The  habits  of  in- 
dustry thus  acquired,  with  the  consciousness 
of  possessing  the  reward  of  faithful  efforts, 
cannot  fail  to  have  a beneficial  effect  upon 


criminals  and  do  much  toward  making  them 
honest  and  industrious  citizens. 

All  prisoners  who  are  physically  able  are 
employed  in  the  different  labor  departments. 
Those  who  are  experienced  in  any  particular 
trade  upon  entering  the  prison  are  given 
work  in  their  specialty  ; but  the  majority  of 
the  convicts  have  never  learned  trades  when 
first  imprisoned. 

In  the  female  department  a number  of  the 
inmates  are  employed  making  stogies,  and  we 
were  informed  during  a recent  visit  to  the 
institution  that  in  every  instance  the  trade 
was  learned  in  the  prison.  The  cooking  and 
laundry  work  in  this  department  is  all 
done  by  the  female  prisoners.  At  the  present 
time  there  are  only  about  thirty-five  feuialcs 
in  the  department,  who  are  entirely  separated 
from  the  rest  of  the  prisoners.  It  has  two 
dark  cells  or  dungeons,  which  are  seldon> 
used,  as  the  women  generally  are  well  be- 
haved. 

The  Reformatory  Principle. — Every  effort 
is  made  to  improve  the  moral  and  religious 
condition  of  the  convicts,  and  to  carry  out 
the  reformatory  principle  as  far  as  possible. 
Religious  exercises  are  held  every  Sunday,  in 
which  the  prisoners  take  an  active  part.  The 
prison  Sunday-school  is  divided  into  classes 
that  are  taught  by  different  teachers  from  the 
city.  Convicts  who  are  members  of  the  Catho- 
lic denomination  have  a large  chapel  devoted 
to  their  special  use.  The  uneducated  are 
obliged  to  attend  night-school  for  a few 
hours  every  evening,  with  the  exception  of  a 
few  vacation  months  in  the  summer.  The 
prison  library,  which  contains  over  2,000  vol- 
umes, besides  a large  number  of  monthly 
magazines,  furnishes  another  means  for  in- 
tellectual improvement,  and  is  a great  aid  to 
moral  reformation.  Humanity  and  kindness 
is  shown  in  every  possible  way  in  the  treat- 
ment of  the  prisoners,  every  incitement  to 
good  behavior  given  them.  As  a result  of 
the  influences,  out  of  over  1,200  convicts 
there  are  not  over  six  or  seven  daily  infrac- 
tions of  the  rules. 

The  Suit  of  Honor. — The  prisoners  are 
graded  by  different-colored  clothing.  The 
wearing  of  a suit  of  clothes  striped  gray  and 
white  instead  of  striped  black  and  white  is  a 
badge  of  good  behavior.  The  plan  was  sug- 
gested by  the  prisoners  themselves,  originated 
here,  and  works  so  well  that  this  ‘ ‘ Ohio 
idea”  is  being  copied  in  other  States.  To 
entitle  the  prisoner  to  don  the  gray  he  must 
sign  a special  agreement  to  implicitly  obey  all 
the  rules  and  regulations  in  spirit  as  well  as 
in  letter,  and  must  for  six  months  receive  the 
highest  possible  rating  for  good  behavior. 
With  these  conditions  fully  met,  the  convict 
becomes  entitled  to  his  mark  of  honor — the 
suit  of  gray.  The  plan  works  well  as  a re- 
formatory measure. 

A mail  department  has  been  established 
within  the  prison,  where  convicts  are  allowed 
to  receive  letters  or  papers  from  their  rela- 
tives or  friends.  One  day  of  each  month  a 
prisoner  is  allowed  to  receive  visits  from 
friends  and  relatives. 


646 


FRANKLIN  COUNTY. 


In  the  insane  department  of  the  peniten- 
tiary there  are  at  present  about  twenty-five 
inmates,  who  are  given  the  best  medical  treat- 
ment, and  owing  to  their  unfortunate  condi- 
tion of  mind  are  allowed  many  privileges. 
Being  incapacitated  from  work  of  any  kind 
they  exercise  in  the  yard  adjoining,  and  are 
only  locked  in  their  cells  at  night.  Many  of 
the  convicts  feign  insanity  with  the  hope  of 
being  sent  to  this  department  to  enjoy  its 
freedom  and  idleness ; but  such  attempts  at 
imposition  are  soon  discovered.  There  are 
also  numerous  applications  for  admittance  to 
the  hospital  by  those  who  are  perfectly  well 
and  under  the  plea  of  sickness  hope  to  escape 
work. 

Hopefulness  of  Life  Convicts. — At  present 
about  125  convicts  are  serving  life  sentences, 
and  we  were  surprised  to  learn  that  this  class 
of  prisoners,  instead  of  giving  way  to  the 
hopelessness  of  their  position,  are  generally 
in  a cheerful  frame  of  mind,  and  seldom 
realize  that  the  remainder  of  their  lives  are 
to  be  spent  in  prison  ; they  invariably  expect 
that  through  some  unforeseen  good  fortune 
or  a pardon  they  will  regain  the  liberty  of 
which  their  crimes  have  deprived  them. 

The  cells  are  built  of  stone  and  have  iron 
barred  doors ; they  are  about  4x7  feet  in 
size,  and  are  not  occupied  by  the  prisoners 
during  the  day,  as  they  are  then  engaged  in 
the  workshops.  Each  cell  contains  a bed  or 
cot,  which  can  be  turned  up  against  the  side 
wall,  and  the  furniture  is  of  the  simplest 
kind,  although  they  are  permitted  to  furnish 
them  more  expensively  if  they  or  their 
friends  have  the  means  to  do  so.  There  are 
two  stories  or  tiers  of  cells  in  each  section  of 
the  prison  ; they  face  the  outside  walls  of 
the  buildings  in  which  they  are  located,  hav- 
ing wide  corridors  between  them  and  ^ the 
walls.  Dampness  in  the  lower  cells  is  avoided 
by  an  air-duct,  which  runs  under  the  stone 
fiooring. 

When  Gen.  Morgan  escaped  from  the  Ohio 
penitentiary,  during  the  war,  he  discovered 
the  existence  of  this  air-passage  by  sounding 
the  floor  of  the  cell ; and  having  secretly  ob- 
tained a case-knife,  he  cut  through  the  stone 
flooring  until  this  passage  was  reached  and 
the  hole  made  large  enough  to  admit  his 
body  to  the  space  below,  when  he  crawled 
through  the  passage  to  the  outside  of  the 
prison,  and  thus  gained  his  freedom.  The 
cell  occupied  by  this  famous  rebel  raider  still 
shows  the  marks  of  his  work,  but  the  air- 
passage  now  opens  inside  instead  of  outside 
of  the  prison-walls. 

The  Condemned  Murderers'  Quarters. — In 
the  east  end  of  the  penitentiary  is  located  the 
annex  which  has  recently  been  constructed 
for  the  accommodation  of  criminals  con- 
demned to  death.  It  consists  of  three  rooms, 
one  of  which  is  called  the  cage,  because  one 
side  of  it  is  protected  by  an  iron  lattice-work 
partition.  It  is  the  place  of  confinement  for 
the  condemned  criminal,  who  for  several  days 
previous  to  his  execution  has  what  is  called 
the  death-watch  set  upon  him  ; this  vigil  is 
kept  by  guards  on  the  outer  side  of  the  lat- 


ticed partition ; here  also  is  a large  alarm- 
clock,  which  rings  a bell  every  half  hour  of 
the  night,  so  as  to  insure  wakefulness  on  the 
part  of  the  guard  on  duty. 

The  Execution  Room. — On  the  south  side 
of  the  cage  and  guard-room  is  built  a stair- 
way, which  the  prisoner  ascends  when  going 
to  execution.  A door  at  the  top  of  this 
stairway  opens  on  a balcony  built  in  the  ad- 
joining execution  room.  On  this  balcony, 
which  is  about  seven  feet  above  the  floor  of 
the  execution  room,  is  the  death-trap.  The 
doomed  prisoner  stands  upon  the  trap,  a cap 
is  drawn  over  his  head,  the  rope  adjusted, 
and  at  a given  signal  a spring  is  touched, 
which  opens  the  trap,  and  the  prisoner  falls 
about  six  feet,  when  the  rope  tautens  with  a 
jerk  and  the  neck  is  broken  by  the  force  of 
the  fall.  Most  criminals  condemned  to  death 
declare  their  innocence  to  the  last,  but  they 
rarely  meet  death  with  calm  demeanor. 

So  superior  is  the  management  of  the  Ohio 
penitentiary,  that  convicts  are  sent  here  both 
by  the  United  States  and  also  by  some  of  the 
Territories,  their  expenses  being  paid  by  the 
government  sending  them.  At  present  there 
are  ten  Apache  Indians  f»ent  here  by  the 
United  States  authorities  to  serve  sentences 
of  from  ten  to  thirty  years  for  manslaughter. 
These  prisoners  have  been  employed  in 
weaving  chair-seats,  no  difficulty  having  been 
experienced  in  making  these  representatives 
of  a wild  and  savage  race  maintain  the  best 
behavior.  W e were  informed  that  they  had 
killed  a number  of  their  own  race,  members 
of  a hostile  tribe,  in  revenge  for  some  injury 
done. 

The  Parole  System. — In  1885  a parole 
system  was  inaugurated  at  the  Ohio  peniten- 
tiary, in  pursuance  of  an  act  passed  by  the 
Legislature  on  May  4th  of  that  year.  Sec- 
tion 8 of  that  act  is  as  follows  : 

That  said  Board  of  Managers  shall  have  power 
to  establish  rules  and  regulations  under  which 
any  prisoner  who  is  now,  or  hereafter  may  be, 
imprisoned  under  a sentence  other  than  for  mur- 
der in  the  first  or  second  degree,  who  may  have 
served  the  minimum  term  provided  by  law  for  the 
crime  for  which  he  was  convicted,  and  who  has 
not  previously  been  convicted  of  a felony,  and 
served  a term  in  a penal  institution,  may  be  al- 
lowed to  go  upon  parole  outside  the  buildings  and 
enclosures,  but  to  remain,  while  on  parole,  in  legal 
custody  and  under  the  control  of  the  board,  and 
subject  at  any  time  to  be  taken  back  within  the 
enclosure  of  said  institution;  and  full  power  to 
enforce  such  rules  and  regulations,  and  to  retake 
and  reimprison  any  convict  so  u])on  parole,  is 
hereby  conferred  upon  said  board,  whose  written 
order,  certified  by  its  secretary,  shall  be  a suffi- 
cietit  warrant  for  all  officers  named  therein,  to 
authorize  such  officer  to  return  to  actual  custody 
any  conditionally  released  or  paroled  prisoner, 
and  it  is  hereby  made  the  duty  of  all  officers  to 
execute  said  order  the  same  as  ordinary  criminal 
process. 

This  system  of  parole  has  proven  to  be  a 
wise  measure.  Of  the  254  prisoners  paroled 
since  the  passage  of  the  law,  but  sixteen 
have  violated  their  parole  and  but  ten  have 
been  returned  for  its  violation. 


FRANKLIN  COUNTY. 


Bertillori  s Method  for  Identification. — In 
1887  the  penitentiary  management  adopted 
what  is  known  as  the  Alphonse  Bertillon’s 
new  method  for  the  identification  of  criminals 
by  anthropometic  descriptions.  This  system 
looks  more  directly  to  the  detection  of  re- 
cidivists— a term  applied  to  confirmed  crimi- 
nals— and,  when  carefully  applied,  renders 
their  identification  as  certain  as  can  be  made. 

It  consists  of  certain  measurements  and  “ nota- 
tion of  various  bone  dimensions  which  remain 
unchangeable  on  the  same  subject,  and  which  are 
recorded  in  a uniform  way.  These  are  principally 
the  stature  or  height  of  the  figure,  the  length  and 
width  of  the  head,  the  length  of  the  foot,  middle 
finger,  etc.” 

The  measurements  are  by  the  metric  system 
and  has,  with  its  corresponding  classification, 
been  carried  on  in  France  for  the  past  four  years, 
during  whieh  time,  from  1882  till  April,  1886, 
eight  hundred  and  seventy-three  (873)  criminals 
under  assumed  names  were  recognized. 

Warden  R.  W.  McClaughry,  of  the  Joliet,  Illi- 
nois, State  Penitentiary,  who  presented  this  sub- 
ject in  a thoroughly  comprehensive  paper,  with 
practical  illustrations  of  methods  employed,  at 
the  late  Prison  Congress,  held  at  Toronto,  Canada, 
quotes  Mr.  Bertillon  as  saying,  that,  in  respect  to 
the  “identification  of  a criminal  under  an  as- 
sumed name  is,  as  far  as  the  general  welfare  is 
concerned,  equivalent  to  his  direct  arrest  on  the 
public  highway  for  some  other  crime.”  Under 
the  existing  law  of  our  State  relating  to  “ habitual 
criminals,”  the  system  of  identification  of  recidi- 
vists— a second  or  third  termer — who  appears  un- 
der an  assumed  name,  becomes  a matter  of  the 
first  importance.  The  method  of  taking  measure- 
ments is  entirely  simple  and  expeditious — “ an 
operation  requiring  two  or  three  minlites  of  time, 
and  within  the  range  of  the  intelligence  of  an 
ordinary  man.”  This  system  is  now  employed  in 
our  State  Penitentiary,  and  has  the  approbation 
of  the  entire  management,  and  will  be  carefully 
applied,  and  will,  no  doubt,  in  time  yield  satis- 
factory results. 

The  State  Board  of  Pardons  was  created  ; 
in  1 888.  Section  2 of  the  act  providing  for 
this  board  reads  as  follows  : 

Sec.  2.  Every  applicant  for  the  granting  of  a 
pardon,  commutation  of  sentence,  or  reprieve,  of 
a person  duly  convicted  of  crime,  shall  be  made 
directly  to  said  board,  which  shall  carefully  con- 
sider the  same,  and  shall  thereupon  recommend 
in  writing  to  the  governor,  the  advisability  of 
granting  or  rejecting  said  application.  They 
shall  also  transit  to  the  governor,  with  their 
recommendation,  a full  and  concise  statement  of 
the  facts  in  each  case,  together  with  all  papers 
and  documents  pertaining  thereto. 

This  board  consists  of  Lorenzo  D.  Hagerty, 
President,  Henry  Kahlo,  Thomas  T.  Thomp- 


647 

son,  Nathan  Drucker  and  Charles  E.  Prior, 
Secretary,  ex-officio. 

The  statistics  of  the  penitentiary  furnish 
some  very  interesting  facts.  For  the  year 
ending  Oct.  31,  1887,  the  number  of  convicts 
enrolled  was  649,  of  whom  636  were  males, 
13  females;  579  of  these  were  whites  and 
70  colored.  Seventeen  were  under  17 
years  of  age,  296  were  between  21  ana  30, 
and  18  between  60  and  76  years  of  age. 
One  hundred  and  five  cannot  read,  275  have 
a common  school  education,  17  have  a high- 
school  education,  and  8 a collegiate  education. 
Four  hundred  and  five  confess  to  intemperate 
habits.  Number  of  first  convictions  567 ; 
second  convictions,  69  ; and  third  convictions, 
10. 

The  present  management  of  the  institution 
is  most  efficient.  Dr.  A.  G-.  Byers,  Secretary 
of  the  Board  of  Stqte  Charities,  in  his  twelfth 
annual  report  to  the  General  Assembly,  says  : 

The  Management.— '"‘llsiYmg  been  familiar 
for  nearly  a quarter  of  a century  with  the 
management  of  the  penitentiary,  I feel  it  due 
to  the  present  Board  of  Managers,  without 
any  reflection  upon  preceding  boards,  to  say 
that  in  the  selection  of  officers,  in  the  super- 
vision of  prison  labor,  in  patient  investigation 
of  disciplinary  measures,  and  in  the  exercise 
of  official  and  personal  interest  in  individual 
prisoners,  the  board  has  manifested  an 
unusual  interest  and  a wise  discrimination  in 
the  discharge  of  its  duty,  that  has  brought 
the  institution  to  a higher  standard  of  prison 
management  than  was  ever  attained  before. 

The  warden  (E.  G.  Coffin)  has  developed 
more  than  ordinary  qualifications  for  his 
position,  attributing  the  success  of  his  ad- 
ministration to  the  wise  counsel  and  gener- 
ous support  of  the  Board  of  Managers  and 
to  the  efficient  co-operation  of  his  deputy, 
W.  B.  Cherrington,  and  subordinate  officers. 
This  rnodest  appreciation  of  his  own  service 
is  possibly  the  best  indication  of  a capacity 
to  command  the  service  of  others. 

^ Earnings. — Just  what  the  financial  opera- 
tions of  the  year  have  been  cannot  now  be 
stated,  but  it  is  probable  that  the  earnings  of 
the  year  have  fully  equalled  the  expenditures. 
If  this  end  has  been  attained  there  can  be  no 
just  grounds  of  complaint. 

No  public  interest  demands  a revenue  to 
the  State  from  prison  labor.  ’ ’ 

Board  of  Managers. — Jacob  J.  Johnson, 
New  Lexington ; Isaac  D.  Smead,  Toledo ; 
Thomas  Murphy,  Zanesville ; Bobert  M. 
Rownd,  Columbus ; William  B.  Phipps, 
Cincinnati ; J.  W.  Clements,  Secretary, 
Hamilton. 


BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES. 

In  Eranklinton  is  now  standing  the  birthplace  of  Gen.  Irvin  McDowell,  who 
in  the  period  of  the  war  of  the  rebellion,  as  Whitelaw  Reid  says,  was  one  of  the 
best  military  scholars  of  the  army  and  one  of  the  most  unsuccessful  of  its  officers. 
. . . . His  place  in  the  sure  judgment  of  coming  times  is  secure.  He  will  not  be 
reckoned  brilliant  or  great ; but  his  ability  and  devotion  will  be  recognized.  His 


FRANKLIN  COUNTY, 


648 

manifold  misfortunes,  the  amiability  with  which  he  encountered  personal  reverses, 
the  fortitude  with  which  he  endured  cahimny  will  be  recounted.  Men  will  do 
justice  to  the  services  he  rendered  us  in  our  darkest  hours,  and  he  will  leave  an 
enduring  and  an  honorable  fame.’^ 

Irvin  McDowell  was  of  Scotch-Irish  descent,  and  the  branch  from  whence  he 
sprang  were  early  emigrants  to  Ken- 
tucky. He  was  born  in  1818,  was 
educated  at  West  Point,  served  in  the 
Mexican  war,  and  died  in  San  Fran- 
cisco in  1885,  having  been  retired  in 
1882  from  the  army  and  the  position 
of  major-general,  in  command  of  the 
Division  of  the  Pacific. 

The  great  misfortune  of  his  career 
was,  that  it  fell  to  his  lot  to  command 
the  Union  troops  at  ,the  first  great 
battle  of  the  war — that  of  Bull  Pun 
— and  he  was  made  the  scapegoat  of 
that  mortifying  disaster.  Of  his  gen- 
eralship there  Mr.  Peid  says : His 
plan  was  excellent,  and  though  there 
were  innumerable  faults  of  execution, 
they  arose  more  because  of  the  materials  with  which  he  had  to  work  than  from 
his  own  inexperience  or  lack  of  judgment.  After  all  the  display  of  ability 
which  the  war  has  called  out,  we  would  be  puzzled  to-day  if  called  upon  to 
name  any  officer  who,  if  then  put  in  McDowelPs  place,  would  have  done  better. 
We  may  doubt,  indeed,  if  there  are  any  who  would  have  done  so  well.^^ 

The  long  and  full  narrative  of  his  career,  as  given  by  Mr.  Peid,  is  a pitiful  tale 
of  cruel  wrong  against  a high-minded  and  patriotic  soldier  made  the  victim  of 
calumny.  It  is  one  of  the  peculiarities  of  war  that  while  it  often  develops  the 
most  noble  and  heroic  qualities  of  patriotism  and  self-sacrifice  the  diabolical  and 
atrocious  has  its  fullest  scope.  No  jealousies,’’  wrote  the  late  Col.  Charles 
Whittlesey,  are  equal  to  those  between  military  men,”  and  history  records  innu- 
merable instances  of  multitudes  slain  through  the  exercise  of  this  passion  against 
a brother  officer. 


Lucas  Sullivant,  the  leading  pioneer  in 
Franklin  county,  was  born  in  Mecklenbur^h 
county,  Va.,  in  1765.  Losing  his  parents  in 
youth,  he  learned  surveying,  and  first  went  to 
practise  his  art  in  the  new  lands  of  Kentucky, 
then  an  outlying  county  of  Virginia.  Col. 
Richard  C.  Anderson,  surveyor-general  of  the 
Virginia  military  land  district  of  Ohio,  ap- 
pointed him  as  deputy.  With  a party  of 
twenty  men  he  advanced  into  the  wilderness 
of  Ohio,  and  in  the  summer  and  fall  of  1797 
laid  out  the  town  of  Franklinton  ; there  he 
resided  the  remainder  of  his  life.  He  died 
in  1823,  in  his  fifty-eighth  year.  He  was  a 
man  of  high  character ; kind,  courteous, 
eminently  _ public-spirited,  benevolent  and 
helping,  with  strong  natural  powers,  and  left 
a large  fortune,  the  just  fruits  of  a spirit  of 
daring,  useful  enterprise.  He  left  three  sons 
— William  Starling,  Michael  L. , and  Joseph. 

William  S.  Sullivant,  his  oldest  son, 
was  born  at  Franklinton  in  1803,  graduated 
at  Yale  CoUege,  returned  home,  and  although 
immersed  in  the  active  business  of  life  while 
yet  in  early  manhood,  he  found  time  to 
acquaint  himself  with  the  flora  of  Central 


Ohio,  discovering  in  his  researches  several 
species  hitherto  unknown,  to  one  of  which  by 
his  Eastern  botanical  associates  was  given  the 
name  “Sullivantia  Ohioensis.” 

The  distinguished  botanist,  Dr.  Asa  Gray, 
said  of  him  : “As  soon  as  the  flowering 
plants  of  his  district  ceased  to  afford  him 
novelty  he  turned  to  the  mosses,  in  which  he 
found  abundant  scientific  occupation  of  a 
kind  well  suited  to  the  bent  of  his  close, 
patient  observation,  scrupulous  accuracy,  and 

nice  discrimination His  works  have 

laid  such  a broad  and  complete  foundation 
for  the  study  of  bryology  in  this  country,  and 
are  of  such  recognized  importance  everywhere 
that  they  must  always  be  of  classic  authority. 
Wherever  mosses  are  studied  his  name  will 
always  be  honorably  remembered.  In  this 
country  it  should  long  be  remembered  with 
peculiar  gratitude.”  On  noticing  his  death, 
which  occurred  in  1873,  the  annual  report  of 
the  Council  of  the  American  Academy  of 
Arts  and  Sciences  said  : “ In  him  we  lose  the 
most  accomplished  bryologist  which  this 
country  has  ever  produced.  ’ 


FRANKLIN  COUNTY. 


64a 


Michael  L.  Sullivant,  the  second  son, 
was  born  in  1807,  was  educated  at  Athens 
and  Centre  College,  Ky.,  and,  inheriting  a 
large  body  of  land,  became  on  an  immense 
scale  a grazier  and  stock  feeder.  At  an  early 
day,  owing  to  a want  of  market,  the  grain 
was  largely  fed  to  stock  driven  to  the  Scioto 
valley  from  various  quarters — even  as  far  as 
from  the  prairies  of  Illinois — in  the  fall  and 
winter  months,  where  they  were  what  is 
termed  “stall-fed,”  i.  c.,  fattened  and  driven 
over  the  mountains  and  sold  on  the  seaboard. 
To  purchase  and  feed  cattle  for  sale  East  was 
extensively  practised  in  the  valley.  Mr.  Sul- 
livant was  one  of  the  originators  of  the  Ohio 
Stock  Importing  Company  and  of  the  Ohio 
State  Board  of  Agriculture,  of  which  he  was 
twice  the  president.  In  1854  he  sold  out  his 
Ohio  possessions,  and  moving  to  Illinois, 
bought  two  immense  tracts  at  government 
prices,  called  respectively  “Broadlands”  and 
‘ ‘ Burr  Oak.  ’ ’ The  first  named  was  in  Cham- 
paign county,  and  each  comprised  tens  of 
thousands  of  acres.  On  these  he  commenced 
farming  on  an  immense  scale.  The  news- 
papers of  the  time  were  full  of  notices  of  his 
stupendous  experiment,  which  involved  a 
small  army  of  retainers  as  laborers.  The  ex- 
periment, however,  failed,  and  proved  a great 
financial  loss.  He  died  in  1879. 

Joseph  Sullivant,  the  youngest  son,  was 
born  in  1809,  received  a collegiate  education, 
and  lived  an  honored  life.  He  interested 
himself  in  varied  public  matters,  literary, 
scientific,  and  material  education,  agriculture, 
and  projects  for  the  general  welfare.  He 
wrote  a pamphlet  on  “A  Water  Supply  for 
Columbus,”  and  projected  “Greenlawn” 
cemetery,  etc.,  etc.  His  bust  is  in  the  hall 
of  the  “Sullivant  School,”  a contribution 
from  the  teachers  and  scholars,  as  evidence 
of  their  high  regard  for  his  useful  services. 
He  died  in  1882. 

Dr.  Lincoln  Good  ale  was  born  in  Wor- 
cester, Mass.,  and,  in  1788,  when  a child  of 
six  years,  came  with  his  father  to  Marietta. 
In  the  war  of  1812,  while  acting  as  assistant 
surgeon,  he  was  taken  prisoner  at  Hull’s 
surrendei\  In  1814  he  came  to  Columbus, 
engaged  in  merchandising,  acquired  great 
wealth,  and  died  in  1868,  aged  eighty-seven 
years.  He  gave  the  beautiful  Goodale  Park 
to  the  city,  wherein  was  placed,  in  1888,  his 
bust  in  bronze,  a fine  piece  of  work  by  J. 
Quincy  A.  Ward. 

The  most  prominent  of  the  four  men  who 
founded  Columbus  was  Lyne  Starling,  and 
it  was  by  a mere  ruse  that  they  succeeded. 
Col.  James  Kilbourne  was  actively  at  work 
for  his  town,  Worthington,  and  had  a major- 
ity of  o?ie  pledged  in  the  Legislature  in  his 
favor.  As  Worthington  was  almost  the  exact 
geographical  centre  of  the  State,  and  his  pro- 
posals liberal,  success  seemed  assured.  When 
the  time  came  for  voting  two  of  Kil bourne’s 
supporters  could  not  be  found,  and  so  the 
colonel  lost  by  one  majority.  Those  two 
missing  members  had  been  su  ^cessfully  hived 
in  a secure  retreat  with  cards  nd  wine. 

Mr.  Starling  was  born  in  Mecklenburgh 


county,  Va.,  in  1784,  and  died  at  his  lodgings 
in  the  American  Hotel  in  1848.  In  1806  he 
came  from  Kentucky  to  Franklinton,  and 
assisted  his  brother-in-law,  Lucas  Sullivant, 
who  was  clerk  of  court  for  Franklin  county. 
Later  he  held  the  office,  and  for  many  years ; 
was  also  a successful  merchant  and  trader. 
“He  was  a warm-hearted,  eccentric,  honored, 
and  useful  citizen,  and  to-day  ‘ Starling  Med- 
ical College,’  founded  through  his  munifi- 
cence, perpetuates  his  name.” 

It  was  fortunate  for  the  beginning  of 
Columbus  that  it  had  for  its  first  clergyman 
a man  of  such  marked  character  for  useful- 
ness as  Bev.  Dr.  James  Hoge.  He  was 
born  in  Moorfield,  Va.,  in  1784,  of  Scotch- 
Presbyterian  stock,  and  was  the  son  of  a 
famous  Presbyterian  divine,  Bev.  Dr.  Moses 
Hoge.  The  father  was  president  of  Hamp- 
den Sidney  College,  author  of  “Christian 
Panoply,”  an  answer  to  Paine’s  “Age  of 
Beason,”  and  noted  for  his  pulpit  oratory. 
John  Bandolph  said  of  him,  he  was  the  most 
eloquent  preacher  he  had  ever  heard. 

James  Hoge  being  licensed  to  preach  by 
the  Presbytery  of  Lexington,  Va.,  in  1805, 
when  just  twenty-one  years  of  age,  came  out 
as  itinerant  missionary  to  Ohio.  In  1806  a 
Presbyterian  church  was  organized  in  Frank- 
linton, and  he  was  soon  called  to  be  its  pastor. 
In  1812  a brick  building  was  erected  there 
for  a church.  It  was  destroyed  by  a tornado. 
In  1814  a church  built  of  logs  was  erected  in 
Columbus  on  land  belonging  to  him.  He 
continued  in  this  charge  until  1858,  when, 
after  a pastorate  of  over  half  a century,  age 
and  infirmity  compelled  his  resignation. 

Dr.  Hoge  was  the  pioneer  of  the  tem- 
perance movement  in  Ohio,  and,  although 
born  in  a slave  State,  was  an  ardent  abolition- 
ist. He  was  instrumental  in  establishing  the 
State  Deaf  and  Dumb  and  Insane  Asylums, 
was  a trustee  of  two  educational  institutions, 
and  a founder  of  the  Ohio  Bible  Society. 

Hon.  Alfred  Kelly,  son  of  Daniel  Kelly, 


ALFRED  KELLY. 


was  born  in  Middletown,  Conn.,  November 
7,  1789.  When  nine  years  of  age  his  father 
removed  with  his  family  to  Lowville,  N.  Y 
Alfred  was  educated  at  Fairfield  Academy, 
N.  Y.,  and  studied  law  with  Jonas  Platt,  a 
judge  of  the  Supreme  Court  of  that  State. 

In  1810  he  removed  to  Cleveland,  was  ad 


650 


FRANKLIN  COUNTY. 


mitted  to  the  bar  and  appointed  prosecuting 
attorney  on  his  twenty -first  birthday,  to  which 
office  he  was  continuously  appointed  until 
1821.  In  1814  Mr.  Kelly  was  elected  to  the 
Ohio  House  of  Representatives  ; and  was  the 
youngest  member  of  that  body,  which  met  at 
Chillicothe,  then  the  capital  of  the  State. 

From  a very  valuable  and  interesting  sketch 
of  “Reminiscences  of  Alfred  _ Kelly, ” by 
Judge  Alfred  Yaple,  who  was  his  friend  and 
a member  of  the  last  Legislature  in  which  he 
served,  we  have  made  copious  extracts 
throughout  this  article. 

‘ ‘ At  an  early  day  during  one  of  the  ses- 
sions, he  prepared  and  introduced  a proposi- 
tion to  reform  the  practice  in  our  courts.  His 
proposition  looked  to  the  lopping  off  of  all 
the  fo'  malities  and  verbiage  of  the  old  system 
of  pleading  and  to  simplify  it.  This  propo- 
sition was  the  forerunner  of  our  code,  which 
came  some  thirty  years  later.  ^ It  also  pro- 
vided for  the  abolishment  of  imprisonment 
for  debt,  except  in  cases  of  fraud.  This  was 
the  first  time,  as  I have  heard  him  say,  such 
a measure  was  ever  seriously  urged  in  any 
legislative  body  in  the  civilized  world. 

‘ ‘ Dickens’  flaming  pen  had  not  then  flashed 
light  into  the  gloomy  recesses  and  revealed 
the  sufferings  and  wretchedness  within  the 
walls  of  the  ‘ Old  Marshalsea,  ’ and  aroused 
the  English  people  to  apply  the  plowshare  to 
turning  over  the  ground  upon  which  its  foun- 
dations had  stood.  Three  years  after  he  in- 
troduced it  in  Ohio,  Kelly’s  bill  was  passed 
by  the  Legislature  of  one  of  the  States,  New 
York, — I think — but  not  in  Ohio  until  about 
1837  or  1839.  At  the  time  he  introduced  it, 
it  was  considered  so  impracticable  and  radical 
that  it  defeated  his  entire  plan  of  judicial  re- 
form. He  introduced  it,  as  he  said,  because 
he  held  that  property  should  be  the  basis  of 
credit,  and  property  alone  taken  for  debt; 
that  to  discharge  debt,  the  person  could  not 
be  sold,  and  for  debt  personal  liberty  should 
not  be  restrained.  This  principle  is  now,  I 
believe,  incorporated  in  the  Constitution  of 
every  State,  and  is  uj^on  the  Federal  statute- 
book  of  the  United  States,  and  has  been  en- 
acted by  the  Parliament  of  England. 

“ He  was  the  master  spirit,  whether  in  or 
out  of  the  legislature,  of  our  canal  policy. 
He  urged  it  as  a necessary  means  of  develop- 
ing the  resources  of  the  State,  and  to  the  ex- 
tent that  he  advocated  and  aided  it,  it  was 
eminently  a success.  ^ Instead  of  three  bushels 
of  wheat  being  required  to  purchase  a bushel 
of  salt,  one  bushel  of  the  former  would  pur- 
chase three  of  the  latter.  The  same  thing 
happened  in  the  prices  of  iron  and  all  other 
imported  heavy  articles.  We  got  them  no 
longer  by  pack-saddle. 

“When  the  system  was  finally  decided 
upon,  it  was  generally  supposed  that  the  con- 
templated works  could  not  be  completed 
within  the  lives  of  any  then  living,  and  cer- 
tainly not  within  the  limits  of  the  estimated 
cost.  He,  having  been  the  prime  mover  in 
the  undertaking,  having  framed  the  statutes 
Authorizing  and  governing  these  works,  was 
made  an  active  canal  commissioner,  the  Leg- 


islature thus,  in  effect,  saying:  ‘You  claim 
that  this  work  can  be  done  with  a given 
amount  of  money ; now  do  it.  ’ He  accepted 
the  trust,  abandoned  his  profession,  sacrificed 
his  health  by  exposure  to  the  wet  and  malaria 
of  the  valleys,  and  accomplished  the  work. 
And  the  work  was  well  done.” 

To  make  sure  that  everything  was  honestly 
done  he  personally  inspected  the  work,  living 
at  one  time  in  a cabin  on  the  line  of  the  canal 
with  his  family.  He  used  a long  iron  rod 
with  which  he  was  accustomed  to  probe  the 
embankments  to  discover  the  tricks  of  con- 
tractors who  were  apt  to  fell  huge  tree  bodies, 
cover  them  with  earth,  and  then  draw  pa; 
therefor  at  so  much  a cubic  yard. 

Mr.  Kelly  had  that  peculiar  quality  oi 
mind  which  could  not  only  grasp  large  enter- 

rises  in  their  entirety  but  at  the  same  time 

irect  the  perfecting  of  every  detail  wither 
losing  hold  on  the  main  purpose. 

Once  having  undertaken  any  matter,  he 
assumed  entire  responsibility,  and  with  in- 
domitable will  and  perseverance  exacted  im- 
plicit obedience  to  orders  from  all  under  him. 
His  was  the  mind  that  projected  the  methods, 
his  subordinates’  duties  were  to  execute  orders. 
His  opinions  and  plans  were  formed  after 
careful  thought,  and  when  formed  he  was 
sure  he  was  right,  would  brook  no  opposition, 
and  was  therefore  impatient  of  criticism. 
This  sometimes  caused  him  to  be  considered 
despotic  toward  those  in  his  employ,  but  as 
long  as  his  orders  were  strictly  obeyed  he  was 
an  easy  taskmaster.  An  illustration  of  this 
is  given  in  the  following  anecdote  : A gentle- 
man, Mr.  John  J.  Janney,  an  old  citizen  of 
Columbus,  as  he  informs  us,  calling  at  his 
house,  saw  two  men,  one  on  the  roof  appa- 
rently making  some  change  in  a chimney  top, 
the  other  sitting  on  a stone  on  the  ground. 
Inquiring  if  Mr.  Kelly  was  in  the  house,  Mr. 
Janney  was  told  that  he  might  be  found  at  a 
certain  designated  point  with  some  men  who 
were  at  work  in  a ditch.  Upon  reaching  it, 
Mr.  Kelly  was  found  at  the  bottom  of  the 
ditch  laying  drain  tile,  not  the  modern  tile  for 
they  had  not  yet  come  into  use,  but  the  flat 
paving  tile  ; two  hired  men  were  standing  by 
looking  on.  Mr.  Kelly  would  not  trust  them 
to  do  the  work  even  under  his  own  personal 
supervision,  but  was  as  much  besmeared  with 
dirt  and  mud  as  either  of  his  hired  laborers. 

Upon  returning  to  the  house  Mr.  Janney 
found  that  the  two  men  who  had  been  en- 
gaged on  the  chimney  were  quietly  resting  on 
the  ground.  Being  accosted  with  the  saluta- 
tion that  they  seemed  to  be  earning  two  dol- 
lars and  a half  a day  very  easily,  one  of  them 
replied,  “That  is  so,  but  we  have  gone  just 
as  far  as  Mr.  Kelly  told  us  how  to  go,  and 
while  we  think  we  know  exactly  what  we 
ought  to  do  next,  when  you  have  worked  for 
Mr.  Kelly  as  long  as  we  have  you  will  know 
better  than  to  do  anything  which  he  has  not 
told  you  how  to  do.  He  will  be  perfectly 
satisfied  to  have  us  sit  here  all  the  afternoon 
and  do  nothing,  if  he  does  not  come  back  and 
tell  us  what  to  do  next.  He  is  a capital  man 
to  work  for  if  you  know  how  to  obey  his 


FRANKLIN  COUNTY, 


651 


directions  exactly,  but  if  you  don’t  do  that 
he  will  not  want  you.  ’ ’ 

Another  anecdote  illustrates  Mr.  Kelly’s 
character,  and  shows  how  great  an  interest  he 
took  in  the  property  and  business  interests 
of  the  State  : While  on  a tour  of  inspection, 
the  boat  he  was  on  came  to  a lock  ; Mr. 
Kelly  got  otf  the  boat  and  while  examining 
the  lock  discovered  a lot  of  brush  lodged 
against  one  of  the  gates ; he  called  up  the 
division  inspector — a recent  appointee  who 
did  not  know  Mr.  Kelly  by  sight — and  point- 
ing to  the  brush,  said,  “ Wh^y  don’t  you  re- 
move that  brush  ? it  is  liable  to  cause  damage 
if  not  removed.”  The  inspector  replied, 
“Well,  I’ve  been  trying  to  get  a man  to  go 
in  there  and  take  it  out,  but  have  not  found 
one  as  yet.”  Without  another  word  Mr. 
Kelly,  clothes  and  all,  plunged  into  the  canal 
and  cleared  out  the  brush.  Then,  dripping 
with  muddy  water,  he  went  up  to  the  aston- 
ished inspector  and  said,  “ My  name  is  Al- 
fred Kelly  ; some  political  influence  secured 
your  appointment  to  this  position,  but  we 
shall  have  no  further  use  for  your  services.  I 
will  send  another  man  to  All  your  place  imme- 
diately.” 

The  Ohio  canal  was  the  great  life-work  of 
Mr.  Kelly,  and  although  a public  work,  Mr. 
Kelly  gave  so  much  of  himself  both  to  its 
origin  and  construction,  was  so  devoted  and 
untiring  in  its  behalf,  surmounting^  all  difii- 
culties,  and  was  with  all  so  economical  in  its 
management  that  when  in  1835  the  Ohio 
canal,  connecting  the  Ohio  river  with  Lake 
Erie,  was  completed,  the  actual  cost  did  not 
exceed  the  estimate. 

During  the  memorable  financial  crash  from 
1837  to  1841  he,  then  living  at  Columbus, 
where  he  resided  until  his  death,  was  ap- 
pointed fund  commissioner.  _ While  holding 
this  responsible  position  during  that  critical 
eriod  the  State  of  Mississippi  repudiated 
er  debt.  Pennsylvania,  Indiana,  Illinois, 
and  perhaps  other  States,  had  failed  to  pay 
the  interest  on  their  bonds.  The  State  of 
New  York  and  the  government  of  the  United 
States  were  in  the  New  York  market  seeking 
in  vain  to  raise  money.  The  Ohio  treasury 
had  not  enough  money  to  pay  her  January 
interest.  He  was  in  New  York  endeavoring 
to  raise  money  for  that  purpose  by  the  sale 
of  bonds  and  prevent  the  disgrace  of  bank- 
ruptcy. In  the  midst  of  it,  resolutions  were 
introduced  and  backed  by  certain  Solons  in 
our  legislature,  to  follow  the  example  of 
Mississippi  and  repudiate  our  debt ; and  in 
Illinois  the  same  disgrace  was  being  urged 
for  adoption.  Communication  was  slow,  the 
mails  being  carried  by  stage  coach. 

Capitalists  in  New  York,  in  view  of  these 
resolutions  and  the  character  of  the  times, 
refused  to  lend  the  State  of  Ohio  a single 
dollar  on  its  credit.  But  at  last  and  just  in 
time  to  save  the  State,  Kelly  backed  Ohio  by 
giving  his  own  individual  notes  for  it,  to  an 
amount  more  than  twice  what  he  was  then 
worth,  risking  the  impoverishment  of  him- 
self and  his  family  ; but  he  raised  the  money 
and  paid  the  interest.  Some  of  these  notes 


are  now  in  possession  of  his  family,  or  were 
at  his  death,  which  occurred  at  the  beginning 
of  our  late  war. 

Tlirough  his  financiering,  his  system  by 
this  time  having  become  known  and  appreci- 
ated, Ohio’s  bonds  went  up  from  fifty  cents 
on  the  dollar  to  much  above  par,  and  have 
ever  since  remained  there.  Those  who 
bought  them  at  a low  figure  became,  and 
justly  and  fairly  so,  enriched  by  the  invest- 
ment. 

After  saving  the  State’s  credit  in  New 
York  by  pledging  more  than  twice  the  aggre- 
gate of  his  own  life-accumulations,  and  before 
the  marked  advance  in  Ohio  bonds,  he  made 
an  expose  of  the  State  finances,  and  fore- 
shadowed the  necessity  for  the  adoption  of  a 
new  system  of  taxation.  These  considera- 
tions led  to  his  being^  sent  again  to  the  State 
Senate.  There  he  introduced  and  carried 
through  the  tax  law  of  1846,  the  principle  of 
which  was — saving  a blunder,  which  the  Su- 
preme Court  has  held  prevents  the  deduction 
of  debts  from  credits — incorporated  into  our 
present  constitution,  and  which,  by  letting 
the  ‘ ‘ blunder  ’ ’ part  of  the  constitution 
“slide,”  is  our  present  tax  law,  passed  in 
1859. 

Through  the  influence  of  ex-Governor  Den- 
nison, the  Kelly  system  has  been  adopted  for 
the  District  of  Columbia,  and  the  fierce  op- 
position against  its  introduction  there  enables 
us  to  realize  the  difiiculties  with  which  Kelly, 
on  its  first  introduction,  had  to  contend  in 
Ohio.  Men  who  invest  $100,000  in  one  kind 
of  business,  and  are  free  from  taxation,  will 
look  with  complacency  upon  the  $100,000  of 
their  neighbors,  invested  in  real  estate,  taxed 
to  bear  all  the  expenses  of  government  to 
rotect  both  ; and  will  strenuously  object  to 
eing  compelled  to  pay  an  equal  share.  But 
after  one  year  no  one  will  attempt  or  desire 
to  return  to  the  former  partial  and  unjust 
system. 

At  the  same  session  of  1846  the  currency 
of  the  State  was  worthless.  The  people  were 
suffering  from  losses  entailed  by  the  Bank  of 
Gallipolis,  the  new  Bank  of  Circleville,  etc. 
Kelly  then  introduced  and  procured  the  pas- 
sage of  the  State  Bank  and  Independent 
Bank  Laws,  requiring  them  to  redeem  their 
issues,  dollar  for  dollar,  in  gold,  at  the  will  of 
the  holder,  without  loss ; and  made  each 
branch  of  the  State  Bank  liable  for  the 
issues  of  every  other  branch.  This  was  the 
banking  system  in  force  at  the  beginning  of 
the  late  war,  and  which  was  superseded  by 
our  present  national  banking  system ; the 
federal  statutes  governing  which  were  copied 
from  Kelly’s  law.  Kelly’s  system  was  the 
best  the  State  ever  had,  and  as  good  as  that 
ever  possessed  by  any  State  in  the  Union. 
This  is  proved  by  the  fact  that  it  was  taken 
as  the  model  to  frame  the  national  system. 

Any  enterprise  in  which  Mr.  Kelly  became 
interested  was  considered  almost  certain  of 
success ; so  great  was  the  confidence  he  in- 
spired, that  when  in  1847  the  prospects  of 
the  Cleveland,  Columbus  and  Cincinnati 
Railroad  became  so  dark  that  it  was  almost 


652  FRANKLIN  COUNTY, 


determined  to  abandon  the  attempt  to  con- 
struct the  road,  its  friends  made  a last  des- 
perate rally,  and  Mr.  Richard  Hilliaid,  of 
Cleveland,  came  to  Columbus  to  induce  Mr. 
Kelly  to  take  charge  of  its  affairs.  Mr. 
Hilliard  represented  the  almost  hopeless  con- 
dition of  the  enterprise  and  that  unless  he 
came  to  their  rescue  the  venture  would  be 
likely  to  fail.  Although  the  interview  was 
prolonged  until  late  in  the  night  he  was  com- 
pelled to  retire  with  a negative  answer.  But 
next  morning  Mr.  Kelly  went  to  him  and  told 
him  that  he  had  reconsidered  the  matter, 
that  it  was  of  such  great  importance  to  the 
interests  and  welfare  of  the  State  that  he  felt 
it  his  duty  to  accede  to  his  propositions.  He 
accepted  the  presidency  of  the  road,  and 
from  that  moment  its  success  was  assured. 
He  entered  upon  the  work  with  an  energy 
and  vim  only  exceeded  by  his  exertions  in 
behalf  of  the  Ohio  canal.  With  his  own 
hands  he  dug  the  first  spadeful  of  dirt  and 
laid  the  last  rail. 

In  stature  Mr.  Kelly  was  between  five  feet 
seven  and  eight  inches  ; he  was  compactly 
built,  neither  broad  nor  slender;  his  head 
was  set  firmly,  his  appearance  being  that  of 
a man  carved  out  of  a block  of  marble.  He 
neither  affected  popular  manners  nor  sought 
popularity.  He  possessed,  emphatically,  the 
fortiter  in  re,  with  but  little  or  none  of  the 
suaviter  in  modo.^  His  mind  worked  with  the 
accuracy  of  the  geometric  lathe,  and  his 
action  and  conduct  adhered  strictly  to  the 
line  of  his  ideas.  This  made  him  unpopular 
with  all  who  sought,  from  personal  interest 
or  supposed  better  information,  to  induce 
him  to  depart  from  or  vary  plans  or  purposes 
he  had  formed  ; to  such  he  listened  with  im- 
patience, and  showed  them  but  little  respect, 
but  adhered  firmly  to  his  purpose  and  moved 
straight  toward  the  object  he  had  in  view. 
This  enabled  him  to  construct  the^  canals 
within  the  time  and  for  the  sums  estimated. 
He  would  not  vary  the  proper  line  of  the 
work  to  accommodate  any  local  interests,  and 
this  caused  many  people  to  feel  hardly  toward 
him  ; but  feeling  that  he  was  right,  he  was 
heedless  of  their  clamor  and  oppositior., 

“ He  despised  cant  and  hypocrisy.  An 
incident  related  to  me,  and  occurring  before 
I knew  him,  but  which  I am  certain  oc- 
curred, well  illustrates  this.  One  session, 
when  he  was  urging  some  measure  in  caucus, 
a member,  who  was  opposed  to  it,  but  who 
could  not  answer  Kelly’s  arguments,  began 
(o  talk  of  obeying  the  dictates  of  his  con- 
science, and  all  that.  Kelly  settled  his  neck 
and  head  stiffly  on  his  shoulders,  buttoned 
his  coat  up  to  the  throat,  and  arose  almost 
choking  with  wrath.  Said  he  : ‘ Mr.  Chair- 
man, when  a mere  politician  comes  here,  and 
in  place  of  good  sense  and  sound  argument 
begins,  by  a formal  parade,  to  set  up  his 
conscientious  scruples  and  tender  piety,  I set 
him  down  for  a rascal  right  from  the  start — 
right  from  the  start.  ’ The  scrupulous  mem- 
ber subsided.^ 

“ Kelly  tried  in  every  way  to  get  the 
Legislature  to  adopt  his  plan  for  the  semi- 


annual collection  of  taxes — finally  tacking  it  on 
the  general  appropriation  bill ; but  he  failed, 
because  the  House  voted  it  down.  When 
that  vote  was  taken,  the  end  of  the  session 
and  the  time  for  adjournment  was  at  hand. 
It  was  after  midnight — a night  dark,  bluster- 
ing, and  stormy  ; snow  and  rain  commingled, 
and  falling  thick  and  fast.  Kelly  listened 
with  stern  anxiety  to  the  roll-call  and  the 
responses  of  the  members.  The  ‘No,’  as 
uttered  by  many,  was  not  only  emphatic,  but 
delivered  in  a tone  and  manner  as  if  intended 
for  him  to  hear  and  see  that  he  was  aimed  at, 
and  indicated  intentional  insult  to  him.  The 
result  was  announced,  the  measure  declared 
lost,  and  Kelly  buttoned  his  coat  up  to  his 
throat,  drew  tightly  around  his  neck  his  fur 
collar,  adjusted  his  head  squarely  and  firmly 
upon  his  shoulder,  and  started  for  the  door. 
Feeling  mortified  at^  the  disrespect  shown 
him  I sought  his  side  and  expressed  my 
regret  for  what  had  transpired.  ‘Oh,’  said 
he,  ‘ I am  used  to  it.  It  don’t  trouble  me. 
These  are  honest,  well-meaning  men  enough  ; 
but  I do  wonder  how  many  of  them  were 
ever  able  to  find  their  way  from  home  to 
Columbus.  I hope  they  will  find  their  way 
back  in  safety,  and  turn  their  attention  to 
something  they  know  more  about  than  legis- 
lation. Sir,’  said  he,  ‘remember  this:  I'^ 
would  rather  deal  with  fifty  scoundrels  than 
one  fool ; the  rascal  knows  when  you  have 
him,  but  the  fool  knows  nothing.’  And 
then,  with  a manner  that  spoke  his  assur- 
ance of  the  adoption  of  the  law  for  the  semi- 
annual collection  of  taxes  at  no  distant  day, 
in  spite  of  the  action  of  that  Legislature,  the 
old  man  disappeared  in  the  darkness  of  the 
street,  in  that  midnight  storm,  his  living 
voice  to  be  heard  no  more  forever  in  the 
councils  of  the  State.  ’ ’ 

After  retiring  from  public  life  he  gradually 
declined  in  vitality  and  strength,  broken  in 
health  by  his  arduous  labors  in  behalf  of  the 
people  of  the  State.  On  December  2,  1859, 
he  passed  away,  after  having  lived  a life  of  as 
great  if  not  greater  usefulness  to  his  fellow- 
citizens  of  Ohio  than  that  of  any  other  one 
man  the  State  has  had. 

One  of  the  most  elegantly  courtly  men 
known  to  the  legal  profession  in  Ohio  was 
Henry  Stanbery.  He  was  in  stature 
about  six  feet,  erect,  with  dignified  bearing 
and  a very  pleasant  face.  His  features  were 
large  and  strongly  marked,  and  when  suf- 
fused with  the  light  of  his  genial  spirit 
nothing  could  be  more  captivating.  Indeed 
he  was  grace  itself  and  seemed  as  a prince 
among  men.  The  memory  of  his  fine  pres- 
ence is  to  many  living  a valued  lifetime 
possession.  And  he  was  deserving  of  the 
regard  which  his  presence  inspired,  for  he 
was  the  soul  of  honor  and  integrity ; scorned 
to  mislead  a court  or  jury,  or  to  deceive  an 
opponent  by  any  misstatement  of  law  oi 
fact. 

He  was  kindness  itself,  never  lost  his  con 
trol  nor  indulged  in  petulance  nor  passion. 
He  was  one  oi  the  first  lawyers  in  the  United 
States  and  entitled  to  the  highest  veneration 


FRANKLIN  COUNTY, 


and  regard.  He  was  a member  of  the  Epis- 
copal communion  and  in  all  his  deportment 
and  career  showed  his  love  for  justice,  truth 
and  beauty. 

Henry  Stanbery  was  born  in  New  York 


HON.  HENRY  STANBERY. 


city,  and  in  1814,  when  a lad  of  eleven  years, 
came  with  his  father,  a physician,  to  Zanes- 
ville. He  was  educated^  at  Washington 
College,  Pennsylvania,  studied  law  at  Zanes- 
ville, and  was  admitted  to  the  bar  in  1821, 
when  he  was  invited  by  Hon.  Thomas  Ewing 
to  begin  the  practice  at  Lancaster  and  ride 
the  circuit  with  him,  which  offer  he  accepted 
and  for  many  years  resided  there. 

When,  in  1846,  the  office  of  attorney-general 
of  Ohio  was  created  he  was  elected  by  the 
General  Assembly  to  be  its  first  occupant. 
He  then  removed  to  Columbus,  where  he 
resided  during  his  entire  term  of  five  years 
In  1850  he  was  a member  of  the  Constitu- 
tional Convention  from  Franklin  county,  and 
was  conspicuous  in  its  debates. 

On  leaving  Columbus  he  for  several  years 
practised  law  in  Cincinnati.  In  1866  he  was 
appointed  Attorney-General  of  the  United 
States  by  President  Johnson,  which  ofi&ce  he 
accepted  from  a desire  to  assist  in  carrying 
the  government  safely  through  the  perilous 
times  following  the  war.  He  resigned  this 
ofiice  to  become  one  of  the  counsel  of  the 
President  upon  his  impeachment.  His 
health  at  that  time  was  so  delicate  that  most 
of  his  arguments  on  that  trial  were  sub- 
mitted on  paper.  He  died  in  New  York  in 
1883,  aged  80  years. 

Hon.  Henry  C.  Noble,  now  of  Columbus, 
who  in  his  boy-days  knew  him  at  Lancaster, 
Noble’s  birthplace,  and  later  was  his  pupil  in 
the  law,  gave  in  a personal  sketch  this 
synopsis  of  his  professional  qualities  ; 

‘ ‘ He  was  from  the  first  a most  accurate 
lawyer,  fond  of  technicalities  and  ready  in 
applying  every  refinement  of  pleading  and 
all  the  nice  rules  of  evidence  and  practice. 


653 

It  was,  however,  in  the  discussion  of  the 
general  principles  of  the  law  which  arose  in 
his  cases  in  which  he  generally  delighted. 
Upon  all  young  men  who  studied  the  law 
he  would  urge  the  essential  importance  of 
mastering  general  principles  in  order  to  attain 
the  highest  success.  He  was  especially  fond 
of  the  Latin  maxims,  which  he  regarded  as 
the  very  embodiment  of  terse  wisdom. 

In  his  manner  as  a practitioner  Mr.  Stan- 
bery was  a model.  Always  courteous  and 
dignified,  he  was  nevertheless  as  alert  and 
ready  as  a soldier  on  guard.  , He  was  quick 
to  perceive  the  slightest  weakness  of  an  op- 
ponent’s cause,  and  on  it  dealt  his  blow  with 
overwhelming  suddenness. 

His  manner  in  the  examination  of  witnesses 
was  admirable.  He  never  bullied  nor  at- 
tempted to  mislead  them,  but  with  sincere 
frankness  and  winning  address  would  secure 
from  the  reluctant  or  the  unfair  witness 
often  full  and  true  answers  to  his  questions. 

His  language  was  of  the  purest  English 
and  his  style  free  from  all  the  glitter  of  mere 
words.  To  court  and  jury  alike  his  speeches 
were  clear.  His  arguments  on  the  law  were 
models  of  orderly  arrangement  and  logical 
force,  often  eloquent  from  these  very  qualities. 
His  addresses  to  the  jury  were  masterly  dis- 
cussions of  the  facts,  ingeniously  mustered  to 
sustain  his  views,  and  were  exceedingly  at- 
tractive. 

In  writing  he  was  a marvel  of  accuracy. 
Often  his  manuscripts  were  printed  from  the 
original  draft,  with  scarcely  a correction. 
He  was  systematic  and  thorough  as  a worker, 
never  putting  ofi"  anything  for  a more  con- 
venient season,  but  at  the  earliest  moment 
analyzing  his  case  and  settling  the  law  and 
the  facts  which  would  control  it.  ’ ’ 

William -Dennison,  the  first  of  Ohio’s 
trio  of  war  governors,  was  born  at  Cincinnati, 
Nov.  23,  1815.  His  father  was  the  pro- 
rietor  of  the  highly  popular  and^  widely 
nown  “Dennison  House  ” in  that  city,  and 
a grand  specimen  of  the  old  style  of  Western 
landlords.  He  graduated  from  Miami  uni- 
versity, and  entered  upon  the  study  of  law  in 
Cincinnati  in  the  office  of  Nathaniel  G.  Pen- 
dleton and  Stephen  Fales.  In  1840  he  was 
admitted  to  the  bar ; shortly  afterward  he 
married  a daughter  of  William  Neil,  of 
Columbus,  the  famous  stage  proprietor  in  the 
days  of  stages,  and  removed  to  that  city. 

He  practised  law  until  1 848,  when  he  was 
elected  to  the  Ohio  Senate  by  the  Whig 
party.  About  this  time  he  became  interested 
in  banking  and  railroads,  was  made  president 
of  the  Exchange  Bank  and  also  of  the 
Columbus  and  Xenia  Railroad  Company.  In 
1856  he  was  a delegate  to  the  convention 
which  inaugurated  the  Republican  party, 
and  the  same  year  took  a prominent  part  in 
the  convention  which  nominated  John  C. 
Fremont  for  the  Presidency.  In  1860  he 
was  elected  governor  of  Ohio  by  the  Repub- 
licans. He  was  elected  chairman  of  the  Re- 
publican convention  at  Baltimore  which  in 
1864  renominated  President  Lincoln,  and  was 
by  him  appointed  Postmaster-General,  hold- 


654 


FRANKLIN  COUNTY. 


ing  that  position  until  1866,  when  President 
Johnson  began  to  assail  the  Union  party  and 
he  resigned  his  portfolio.  In  1880  he  was 
a leader  of  the  friends  of  Senator  John  Sher- 
man in  the  effort  to  secure  his  nonzination  in 
the  National  Republican  Convention  of  that 
year.  Governor  Dennison  accumulated  a hand- 
some fortune  in  his  private  business  and  con- 
tributed largely  to  Dennison  College  at  Gran- 
ville, Ohio.  He  died  at  his  home  in  Colum- 
bus, June  15,  1882. 

Governor  Dennison  was  a man  of  fine 
social  connections,  tall,  courtly  and  elegant  in 
manner,  with  a foresight  and  ability  unsus- 
pected by  those  not  intimately  associated 
\7ith  him,  but  which  was  fully  demonstrated 
during  his  administration  as  Governor  of 
Ohio,  during  which  the  true,  pure  metal  of  the 
man  rang  out  with  a resonance  that  should 
have  left  no  doubt  as  to  its  composition. 
.Notwithstanding  that  in  his  political  debates 
he  had  given  evidence  of  ability  and  unex- 
pected reserve  power,  the  general  public 
with  singular  pertinacity  held  to  the  opinion 
that  he  was  superficial  and  of  mediocre 
ability,  and  even  after  he  had  clearly  shown 
by  the  valuable  results  of  his  measures  that 
he  had  been  misunderstood  and  his  ability 
underestimated  the  Ohio  public  were  slow  to 
acknowledge  his  merits  and  give  him  due 
credit  for  his  valuable  services  to  the  State 
and  nation. 

In  the  confusion  and  excitement  at  the  out- 
break of  the  war  almost  every  citizen  felt 
that  he  knew  just  what  ought  to  be  done. 
Troops  should  be  raised  and  sent  to  the  front 
at  once.  Such  matters  as  equipment,  or- 
ganization, etc. , did  not  enter  into  their  cal- 
culations, and  because  this  was  not  done  by 
the  saying  of  it  the  governor  must  be  in- 
efiicient.  The  critics  having  prejudged  Gov- 
ernor Dennison  ^ said  so,  and  it  seemed  as 
though  each  citizen  had  received  a special 
commission  to  join  the  critics  and  malign 
him.  Every  step  he  took  brought  down 
senseless  abuse  from  every  quarter.  Denni- 
son bore  it  nobly,  not  a word  of  reproach  es- 
caped him,  and  when  for  some  months  the 
newspapers  of  the  State  were  abusing  him 
for  mismanagement  at  Camp  Dennison  he  ut- 
tered no  complaint,  but  generously  kept  si- 
lence, when  in  truth  he  had  at  that  time  no 
more  to  do  with  the  management  of  Camp 
Dennison  than  any  private  citizen  of  the 
State,  it  being  under  the  control  of  the  na- 
tional government.  A word  from  the  ofiicer 
in  command  at  Camp  Dennison  would  have 
shown  the  injustice  of  this  abuse.  White- 
law  Reid,  in  his  comprehensive  and  valuable 
work  on  “ Ohio  in  the  War,”  says  in  refer- 
ence to  this  unjust  criticism  : “ To  a man  of 
his  sensitive  temper  and  desire  for  the  good 
opinion  of  others  the  unjust  and  measureless 
abuse  to  which  his  earnest  efforts  had  sub- 
jected him  was  agonizing.  But  he  suffered 
no  sign  to  escape  him,  and  with  a single- 
hearted  devotion  and  an  ability  for  which  the 
State  had  not  credited  him  he  proceeded  to 
the  measures  most  necessary  in  tne  crisis.” 

He  succeeded  in  favorably  placing  the  loan 


authorized  by  the  Million  War  bill.  Having 
secured  money,  the  “sinews  of  war,”  he 
then  looked  around  for  arms,  of  which  Ohio 
had  a very  meagre  supply,  and  learning  that 
Illinois  had  a considerable  number,  he  se- 
cured five  thousand  muskets  from  thence  and 
proposed  a measure  for  uniting  all  the  troops 
of  the  Mississippi  valley  under  one  major- 
general. 

It  was  through  Gov.  Dennison  that  West 
Virginia  was  saved  to  the  Union.  He  as- 
sured the  Unionists  of  that  State  that  if  they 
would  break  off  from  old  Virginia  and  ad- 
here to  the  Union,  Ohio  would  send  the  ne- 
cessary military  force  to  protect  them.  And 
when  afterward  it  became  necessary  to  redeem 
this  pledge  Gov.  Dennison  sent  Ohio  militia 
(not  mustered  into  the  United  States  service 
at  all),  who,  uniting  with  the  loyal  citizens, 
drove  the  rebels  out  of  West  Virginia. 

His  course  in  dealing  with  Kentucky  at  the 
commencement  of  the  war,  although  after- 
ward proven  to  be  a mistaken  one,  was  the 
same  as  that  adopted  by  the  general  govern- 
ment. 

One  action  of  Gov.  Dennison’s  during  his 
administration  as  governor  shows  him  to 
have  been  a man  courageous  enough  to  meet 
almost  any  emergency.  When  the  general 
government  was  about  to  refund  to  Ohio 
money  used  for  military  purposes  the  State 
auditor  and  the  attorney-general  decided 
that  this  money  could  not  legally  be  used 
again  for  military  purposes.  Dennison  there- 
fore, by  means  of  his  personal  agents,  caused 
it  to  be  collected  from  the  United  States  gov- 
ernment and  used  it  for  military  purposes  in- 
stead of  turning  it  into  the  Ohio  State  Treas- 
ury. It  was  again  refunded  to  Ohio,  his 
agents  again  collected  it,  and  it  was  thus  used 
over  and  over  again,  so  that  he  intercepted  in 
all  $1,077,600.  The  measure  was  a high- 
handed one,  but  thoroughly  justifiable  upon 
the  ground  of  public  necessity.  For  every 
dollar  he  presented  satisfactory  accounts  and 
vouchers  to  the  Legislature,  and  not  a shadow 
was  ever  cast  upon  the  integrity  of  the  gov- 
ernor or  his  ofiicers  through  whom  it  was  dis- 
bursed. 

Reid’s  “Ohio  in  the  War”  sums  up  his 
administration  as  follows:  “Without  prac- 
tical knowledge  of  war,  without  arms  for  a 
regiment,  or  rations  for  a company,  or  uni- 
forms for  a corporal’s  guard  at  the  outset, 
and  without  the  means  or  the  needful  prep- 
arations for  purchase  or  manufacture,  the 
administration  had,  in  less  than  a month, 
raised,  organized  and  sent  to  the  field  or  to 
the  camps  of  the  government  an  army  larger 
than  that  of  the  whole  United  States  three 
months  before.  Within  the  State  this  won- 
derful achievement  was  saluted  with  com- 
plaints about  extravagance  in  rations,^  defects 
in  uniforms,  about  everything  which  the 
authorities  did,  and  about  everything  which 
they  left  undone.  Without  the  State  the 
noise  of  this  clamor  was  not  heard,  and  men 
saw  only  the  splendid  results.  The  general 
government  was  therefore  lavish  in  its 
praise.  The  governor  under  whom  these 


FRANKLIN  COUNTY.  655 


things  were  done  grew  to  be  the  most  influ- 
ential of  all  the  State  executives  at  Wash- 
ington at  the  Very  time  when  at  home  he  was 
the  most  unpopular  of  all  who  had  within 
the  memory  of  a generation  been  elevated  to 
that  office. 

It  was  his  misfortune  that  the  flrst  rush  of 
the  war’s  responsibilities  fell  upon  him. 
Those  who  came  after  were  enabled  to  walk 
by  the  light  of  his  painful  experience.  If  he 
had  been  as  well  known  to  the  State  and  as 
highly  esteemed  two  years  before  the  out- 
break of  the  war  as  he  was  two  years  after- 
ward, his  burdens  would  have  been  greatly 
lightened.  But  he  was  not  credited  with  the 
ability  he  really  possessed,  and  in  their 
distrust  men  found  it  very  easy  to  assure 
themselves  that  he  was  to  blame  for  every- 
thing. 

....  He  met  the  flrst  shock  of  the  con- 
test, and  in  the  midst  of  difficulties  which 
now  seem  scarcely  credible  organized  twenty- 
three  regiments  for  the  three  months’  ser- 
vice and  eighty-two  for  three  years,^  nearly 
one-half  the  entire  number  of  organizations 
sent  to  the  field  by  the  State  during  the  war. 
He  left  the  State  credited  with  20,751  soldiers 
above  and  beyond  all  calls  made  by  the  Presi- 
dent upon  her.  He  handled  large  sums  of 
money  beyond  the  authority  of  law  and  with- 
out the  safeguard  of  bonded  agents,  and  his 
accounts  were  honorably  closed. 

His  fate  was  indeed  a singular  one.  The 
honest,  patriotic  discharge  of  his  duty  made 
him  odious  to  an  intensely  patriotic  people. 
With  the  end  of  his  service  he  began  to  be 
appreciated.  He  was  the  most  trusted  coun- 
sellor and  efficient  aid  to^  his  successor. 
Though  no  more  than  a private  citizen,  he 
came  to  be  recognized  in  and  out  of  the  State 
as  her  best  spokesman  in  the  departments  at 
Washington.  Those  who^  followed  him  on 
the  public  stage,  though  with  the  light  of  his 
experience  to  guide  them,  did  not  (as  in  the 
case  of  most  military  men  similarly  situated) 
leave  him  in  obscurity.  (Gradually  he  even 
became  popular.  The  State  began  to  reckon 
him  among  her  leading  public  men,  the  party 
selected  him  as  President  of  the  great  Na- 
tional Convention  at  Baltimore  and  Mr.  Lin- 
coln called  him  to  his  Cabinet.  ’ ’ 

Joseph  R.  Swan,  jurist,  was  born  in 
Westernville,  Oneida  county,  N.  iT.,  in  1802, 
and  in  1824,  after  studying  law  with  his 
uncle,  Oustavus  Swan,  in  Columbus,  he  was 
admitted  to  the  bar.  In  1854  the  opponents 
of  the  repeal  of  the  Missouri  Compromise 
elected  him  Supreme  Judge  by  over  77,000 
majority,  and  he  eventually  became  Chief- 
Justice.  His  prominent  characteristic  on 
the  bench  was  great  conscientiousness,  so  that 
neither  personal  interest  nor  sympathy  could 
in  any  manner  influence  his  judgment  of 
right  or  law.  He  prepared  a number  of  ele- 
mentary law  books  which  stand  very  high 
with  the  profession  and  have  been  of  wide- 
spread utility,  as  “Swan’s  Treatise,”  an  in- 
dispensable companion  for  every  justice  of 
the  peace  ; ‘ ‘ Guide  for  Executors  and  Ad- 
ministrators, ” “Swan’s  Revised  Statutes,” 


“Pleading  and  Practice,”  etc.  He  died  De- 
cember 18,  1884. 

The  late  Noah  H.  Swayne,  Judge  of 
the  Supreme  Court  of  the  United  States, 
was  born  in  Culpeper  county,  Virginia,  in 
1804,  of  Quaker  parentage.  When  nineteen 
years  of  age  he  was  admitted  to  the  bar  and, 
disliking  slavery,  came  to  Ohio.  At  the  age 


of  twenty-six  he  was  appointed  by  Gen. 
Jackson  United  States  Attorney  for  Ohio, 
when  he  removed  from  Coshocton,  where  he 
was  settled,  to  Columbus.  In  1839  President 
Van  Buren  appointed  him  United  States 
District  Attorney.  He  soon  acquired  high 
reputation  as  a jury  lawyer,  his  peculiar 
forte  being  the  examination  of  witnesses  and 
in  skilful  analysis  of  testimony.  On  retiring 
from  this  office  he  took  no  part  in  politics 
until  1856,  when  in  the  Fremont  campaign  he 
made  speeches  against  the  extension  of 
slavery. 

In  February,  1862,  after  the  decease  of 
Justice  McLean,  of  the  Supreme  Court,  he 
was  appointed  by  President  Lincoln  his  suc- 
cessor. This  was  by  the  unanimous  recom- 
mendation of  the  Ohio  delegation  in  Con- 
gress and  in  accordance  with  the  oft-repeated 
expressed  desire  of  Justice  McLean,  in  his 
lifetime,  that  in  the  event  of  his  decease  he 
would  be  the  best  person  for  his  successor. 
This  opinion  of  Judge  McLean  was  coin- 
cided in  by  the  leading  members  of  the  bar 
in  Washington  City,  who  had  witnessed  his 
display  of  eminent  ability  in  some  cases  which 
he  had  argued  before  the  Supreme  Court 
and  which  also  had  a like  effect  upon  the 
judges  before  whom  he  had  appeared.  Ho 
left  several  sons,  the  oldest  of  whom  is  the 
eminent  Gen.  Wager  Swayne,  now  of  New 
York  city,  whose  first  nanie  was  the  family 
name  of  his  mother,  a Virginia  lady.  Wager 
Swayne  was  at  one  time  a partner  with  his 
father  in  the  practice  of  the  law.  Another 
son,  F.  B.  Swayne,  is  now  a law  partner  with 
a son  of  ex-President  Hayes  in  Toledo. 


FRANKLIN  COUNTY. 


656 

Allen  G.  Thurman  was  born  the  son  of 
a clergyman,  Rev.  P.  Thurman,  in  Lynch- 
burgh,  Va.,  November  13,  1813.  The  next 
year  the  family  removed  to  Chillicothe.  He 
was  educated  at  the  Chillicothe  Academy,  and 
studied  law  with  his  uncle,  William  Allen, 
later  governor,  and  Noah  H.  Swayne,  after- 
ward judge  of  the  United  States  Supreme 
Court.  In  1835  he  began  the  practice  at 
Chillicothe.  In  1844  he  was  married  to 
Mary  Dun,  of  Kentucky,  and  also  elected  to 
Congress.  In  1851  he  was  elected  a judge  of 
the  superior  court  of  Ohio,  and  from  1854  to 
1856,  the  date  of  the  expiration  of  his  term, 
was  chief-justice.  The  “ Ohio  Reports  ” 
containing  his  decisions  gave  him  a wide 
reputation  as  a lawyer  and  jurist.  In  1853 
he  removed  to  Columbus,  and  on  leaving  the 
bench  resumed  his  law  practice.  “ His  opin- 
ions on  important  legal  questions  were  much 
sought  after  and  relied  upon  by  the  bar  all 
over  the  State,  and  he  was  retained  as  coun- 
sel in  the  supreme  court  in  many  of  the  most 
important  cases.  He  has  always  been  a 
laborious  student ; indefatigable  in  the  prepa- 
ration of  his  cases,  and  a forcible  and  direct 
speaker,  who  wastes  no  time  on  immaterial 
points.  ’ ’ 

In  1868  he  was  first  elected  to  the  United 
States  Senate,  and  was  a leading  member  for 
many  years,  where^  he  became  chairman  of 
the  judiciary  committee. 

“ In  the  session  of  1877-78  he  reported  the 
bill  commonly  called  the  ‘Thurman  Bill,’  to 
compel  the  Pacific  railroads  to  secure  their 
indebtedness  of  nearly  seventy  millions  to  the 
government,  and  supported  it  by  a written 
report  sustaining  its  constitutionality  and 
propriety,  and  also  by  elaborate  and  able 
arguments  in  the  debate  that  followed.  The 
constitutionality  of  the  bill  was  relentlessly 
assailed  by  its  opponents,  but  the  law  has 
been  sustained  by  the  Supreme  Court. 

Judge  Thurman  has  always  been  a Demo- 
crat of  the  strictest  sect,  and  not  inclined^  to 
run  after  temporary  expedients  in  politics. 
He  firmly  believes  that  the  welfare  of  the 
country  depends  upon  the  preservation  of  the 
Democratic  party,  ’ ’ and  to  a singular  degree 
he  has  the  respect  of  the  public,  irrespective 
of  parties,  for  integrity  and  uprightness.  In 
selecting  him  as  their  candidate  in  the  can- 
vass of  1888  for  the  high  ofiice  of  Vice- 
President  the  Democratic  party  is  widely 
judged  to  have  especially  honored  them- 
selves. 

, Prof  Leo  Lesquereux,  palaeo-botanist, 
was  born  in  1806,  in  Fleurier,  canton  of  Neu- 
chatel,  Switzerland.  His  ancestors  were  Hu- 
guenots, fugitives  from  France  after  the 
Edict  of  Nantes.  He  was  destined  for  the 
church,  but,  at  nineteen  years  of  age,  when 
he  entered  the  Academy  of  Neuchatel,  he 
met  Arnold  Guyot,  and  together  they  became 
much  interested  in  natural  science,  toward 
which  Lesquereux’ s tastes  and  disposition  h^ 
always  inclined.  Completing  his  course  in 
the  Academy  of  Neuchatm,  he  went  to 
Eisenach,  and  taught  the  French  language 
while  perfecting  himself  in  the  German  lan- 


guage, preparatory  to  entering  the  University 
of  Berlin. 

^ In  1829  he  returned  to  Switzerland  as  prin- 
cipal of  the  College  of  La  Chaux-de-Fonds, 
canton  of  Neuchatel,  but,  becoming  deaf,  he 
gave  up  this  position,  and  for  twelve  years 
supported  himself  by  engraving  watch-cases 
and  manufacturing  watch-springs ; in  the 
meanwhile,  however,  he  continued  his  studies 
and  researches  in  natural  science,  devoting 
his  attention  particularly  to  mosses  and  fossil 
botany.  In  1832  he  married  Baroness  Sophia 
von  WollFskeel,  daughter  of  Gen.  von  Wolfif- 
skeel,  of  Eisenach,  Saxe-Weimer._ 

His  researches  on  peat-formations  led  to 
his  being  commissioned  in  1845  by  the  Prus- 
sian government  to  make  explorations  on  the 
peat-bogs  of  Europe.  In  1848  he  removed 
to  the  United  States,  first  locating  at  Cam- 
bridge, Mass. , and  later  at  Columbus,  Ohio, 
where  he  now  resides.  Appleton’s  “Bio- 
graphical Cyclopaedia  ’ ’ says  of  his  career  in 
the  United  States  : ^ 

“He  became  associated  with  William  S. 
Sullivant  in  the  study  of  American  bryology. 
Together  they  published  ‘Musci  Americana 
Exsiccati  ’ (1856;  2d  ed.,  1865),  and  subse- 
quently he  assisted  Mr.  Sullivant  in  the  ex- 
amination of  the  mosses  that  had  been  col- 
lected by  Capt.  Charles  Wilkes  on  the  South 
Pacific  exploring  expedition  and  by  Lieut. 
Amiel  W.  Whipple  on  the  Pacific  railroad 
exploration,  and  finally  in  his  ‘ leones  Mus- 
corum’  (Cambridge,  1864).^  His  own  most 
valuable  researches,  beginning  in  1850,  were 
studies  of  the  coal  formations  of  Ohio,  Penn- 
sylvania, Illinois,  Kentucky,  and  Arkansas, 
on  which  he  contributed  memoirs  to  the  re- 
ports of  the  State  surveys.  His  investiga- 
tions on  the  coal  flora  of  Pennsylvania  are  of 
special  value.  He  prepared  a ‘ Catalogue 
of  the  Fossil  Plants  which  have  been  Named 
or  Described  from  the  Coal  Measures  of  North 
America  ’ for  the  reports  of  Henry  D.  Rogers 
in  1858.  and  in  1884  furnished  ‘The  Coal 
Flora  ’ (3  vols.  of  text,  with  an  atlas)  for  the 
second  geological  survey  of  Pennsylvania, 
which  is  regarded  as  the  most  important  work 
on  carboniferous  plants  that  has  thus  far  ap- 
peared in  the  United^  States.  Since  1868 
arts  of  the  material  in  fossil  botany  have 
een  referred  to  him  by  the  various  national 
surveys  in  the  field,  and  he  has  contributed 
to  their  reports  the  results  of  his  investiga- 
tions. ^ He  is  a member  of  more  than  twenty 
scientific  societies  in  the  United  States  and 
Europe,  and  in  1864  was  the  first  member 
that  was  elected  to  the  National  Academy  of 
Sciences.  The  titles  of  his  publications  are 
niore  than  fifty  in  number,  and  include  twelve 
important  volumes  on  the  natural  history  of 
the  United  States,  besides  which  he  has  pub- 
lished ‘Letters  Written  on  Germany’  (Neu- 
chatel, 1846)  and  ‘Letters  Written  on  Amer- 
ica’ (1847-55).  He  has  also  published  with 
Thomas  P.  James,  ‘Manual  of  the  Mosses 
of  North  America  ’ (Boston,  1884).” 

A few  years  since  a leading  New  York 
journal  made  the  statement  that  it  was  some- 
what remarkable  that  a city  like  Columbus 


FRANKLIN  COUNTY. 


657 


should  be  the  home  of  three  such  eminent 
scientists  as  Prof.  Leo  Lesquereux,  William 
S.  Sullivant,  and  J)r.  T.  Gr.  Wormley.  Of 
the  first  two  sketches  have  already  been 
given ; the  latter,  now  of  the  University  of 
Pennsylvania,  but  formerly  professor  of 
chemistry  and  toxicology  in  the  Starling  Med- 


ical College  at  Columbus,  is  the  author  of 
“ the  most  valuable  contribution  to  toxicology 
and  medical  jurisprudence  that  America  has 
ever  made  to  medical  science,  and  in  many 
of  its  features  is  unsurpassed  by  any  contri- 
bution to  these  departments  from  European 
science.’’ 


Mrs.  T.  6.  WormUy  ad  nat,  del.  et  sculp. 

Forms  of  Poison  Crystals. 

[The  above  are  copies  of  two  of  the  seventy-eight  engravings  in  the  “Micro-Chemistry  of  Poisons,” 
which  show  the  exact  appearance  of  the  Poison  Crystals  after  doing  their  work  of  death  upon  cats  and 
dogs  with  different  poisons,  and  were  obtained  by  analysing  their  blood  and  the  contents  of  their 
stomachs.] 


This  work  is  an  elaborate  chemical  and 
microscopical  analysis  of  the  nature  and 
operation  of  many  different  poisons  in  their 
relation  to  animal  life.^  It  is  the  result  of 
years  of  patient  experimenting,  and  at  the 
cost  of  the  lives  of  some  2,000  cats  and  dogs 
of  the  city  of  Columbus,  whose  blood  and 
contents  of  whose  stomachs  were  analyzed  to 
determine  the  exact  appearance  of  the  poison- 
crystals  after  producing  death. 

That  the  exact  appearance  of  these  poison- 
crystals  should  be  reproduced  with  the  utmost 
accuracy  was  absolutely  necessary  to  give  to 
the  world  the  benefits  of  Dr.  Wormley’ s re- 
searches. 

Throughout  the  course  of  his  experiments 
he  had  been  assisted  by  his  wife,  who,  with 
remarkable  accuracy  and  delicacy,  had  made 
drawings  of  the  crystalline  forms.  This  was 
a work  requiring  the  most  patient  and  perse- 
vering labor,  the  difiiculty  of  which  was  im- 
measurably increased  by  the  volatile  character 
of  the  forms  to  be  represented,  which  could 
only  be  seen  under  the  microscope,  and  then 
but  for  a few  seconds  at  a time,  necessitating 
their  reproduction  again  and  again  until  the 
drawings  were  completed. 

When  the  work  was  ready  for  publication 
the  most  distinguished  engravers  in  the  coun- 
try were  consulted  as  to  the  engraving  of  the 
drawings.  They  all  agreed  that  it  would  take 


years  of  labor,  almost  a fortune  of  money, 
and  that  there  were  but  one  or  two  engravers 
in  America  possessed  of  the  skill  necessary 
to  do  the  work  properly.  One  of  them  en- 
graved a plate  but  it  was  not  acceptable. 

Among  other  engravers  consulted  was  Mr. 
F.  E.  Jones,  of  Cincinnati,  long  connected 
with  the  Methodist  Book  Concern.  Im- 

ings,  he  said  to  Dr.'  Wormley,  “Whoever 
made  the  drawings  must  engrave  the  plates.” 
“Impossible,”  replied  the  doctor,  “for  the 
person  who  drew  the  figures  knows  nothing 
of  engraving.”  “Whoever  can  draw  like 
that  on  paper,”  said  Mr.  Jones,  “can  etch 
on  steel. ” “It  was  my  wife, ’ ’ said  the  doc- 
tor, beginning  almost  to  despair  of  having 
his  plates  engraved,  “ and  she  knows  nothing 
of  etching  or  any  other  part  of  engraving.  ” 

From  an  article  published  in  the  Ladies^ 
Repository  for  January,  1868,  we  quote  the 
following:  “The  doctor  was  at  length  per- 
suaded to  procure  a steel  plate  and  points. 
The  artist  prepared  the  plate,  gave  a few 
items  of  instruction  and  explanation  to  the 
doctor  who  was  to  carry  his  message  and  in- 
structions home  to  his  wife. 

The  indefatigable  wife  accepted  the  respon- 
sibility and  went  to  work,  and  in  a few  weeks 
came  to  the  artist’s  office  with  her  etched 
plate,  the  product  of  her  own  hand,  being  the 


658 


FRANKLIN  COUNTY. 


first  she  had  ever  seen.  She  had  no  knowl- 
edge how  to  take  an  impression  from  the  plate, 
nor  an  engraver’s  press  with  which  to  do  it  if 
she  had.  She  was  delighted  and  encouraged 
when  she  saw  a proof  of  her  first  effort  which 
was  then  taken  for  her  by  Mr.  Jones.  It  was 
so  good  that  with  a little  correction  it  might 
have  been  used  ; but  she  felt  that  she  could 
do  better,  and  the  plate  was  cancelled.  The 
number  of  steel  plates  necessary  for  the  whole 
work  was  then  ordered.  Mrs.  Wormley  be- 
gan the  labor  and  in  less  than  a year  finished 
the  etching  of  thirteen  plates,  containing  in 
all  seventy-eight  figures. 

Encouraged  by  her  success  in  the  use  of 
the  point,  Mrs.  Wormley  thought  she  would 
try  the  graver,  a tool  she  had  not  yet  used, 
and  necessary  in  the  finishing  of  the  plates. 
Her  success  in  that  was  equal  to  her  etching. 
She  then  requested  permission  to  use  the 
ruling  machine,  of  which  she  knew  as  little 
as  she  had  known  of  the  point  or  graver.  In 
a little  while  she  was  mistress  of  the  ruler, 
and  presented  to  her  husband  the  whole  series 
of  plates,  the  delicate  touches  of  which  defy 
criticism,  even  under  the  scrutiny  of  a micro- 
scope ! Indeed,  the  details  of  many  of  the 
figures  can  only  be  obtained  by  means  of  the 
lens.  They  have  been  pronounced  by  com- 
petent judges  the  finest  set  of  microscopic 
plates  ever  produced  in  Europe  or  America. 
W e look  upon  the  result  as  one  of  the  most 
wonderful  achievements  of  womanly  patience, 
skill,  and  perseverance,  the  full  greatness  of 
which  it  is  impossible  to  make  apparent 
to  those  who  are  unacquainted  with  the 
difficulties  and  mysteries  of  the  engraver’s 
art.” 

Dr.  Wormley,  although  born  at  Carlisle, 
Pa. , was  a resident  of  Ohio  for  about  a quar- 
ter of  a century.  He  has  been  elected  to 
honorary  membership  in  many  of  the  most 
prominent  scientific  societies  of  Europe  and 
America.  His  wife  is  a native  of  Ohio,  a 
daughter  of  Mr.  John  L.  Grill,  one  of  the 
oldest  residents  of  Columbus,  and  first  presi- 
dent of  the  Columbus  board  of  trade,  and  to 
whom  the  city  is  more  indebted  than  to  any 
other  citizen  for  the  development  of  its 
manufacturing  interests. 

Phineas  Bacon  Wilcox  was  born  in 
1798  on  “ Forty  Rod  Hill,”  his  father’s 
farm  near  Middletown,  Conn.,  and  died  at 
Columbus  in  1863.  He  was  educated  at 
Yale,  came  to  Columbus  in  1824,  and  became 
eminent  as  a land  and  also  as  a chancery  law- 


yer. He  was  by  turns  prosecuting  attorney, 
reporter  for  the  Supreme  Court  and  United 
States  commissioner,  which  last  office  he 
resigned  rather  than  be  made  instrument  in 
remanding  a fugitive  slave  to  bondage.  He 
was  a fine  classical  scholar,  and  had  one  of 
the  finest  law  libraries  in  the  West.  He  had 
deep  religious  convictions  and  was  said  by  a 
friend  to  have  lived  upon  Coke  and  the  Bible. 
He  prepared  various  law  works,  as  “Ohio 
Forms  and  Practice,”,  “Practical  Forms 
Under  the  Code  of  Civil  Procedure,”  etc. 
With  politics  he  would  have  nothing  to  do, 
other  than  voting,  although  a staunch  Re- 
publican. He  never  douffied  but  that  the 
rebellion  would  be  squelched,  but  the  great 
peril  would  come  after  the  war  from  want 
of  loyalty  of  the  South  to  the  General 
Government. 

Samuel  Galloway  was  born  of  Scotch- 
Irish  stock  in  1811  at  Gettysburg,  Pa.,  and 
died  at  Columbus  in  1872.  He  graduated 
with  distinguished  honor  at  Miami  univer- 
sity in  1833  ; was  for  a time  a professor  there 
and  at  South  Hanover,  Indiana ; later  was 
admitted  to  the  bar  at  Chillicothe,  where  he 
became  a partner  of  Nathaniel  Massie.  In 
1843,  being  chosen  secretary  of  state,  he  re- 
moved to  Columbus.  In  the  session  of 
1854-5  he  represented  the  Colum'bus  district 
in  Congress,  being  elected  by  the  Repub- 
licans. His  speech  there  on  the  Kansas  bill 
was  a theme  for  widespread  eulogy,  alike  in 
this  country  and  in  Europe.  During  the 
war  he  was  judge  advocate  for  the  examina- 
tion of  the  prisoners  at  Camp  Chase,  and 
was  in  constant  private  correspondence  with 
Mr.  Lincoln,  who  set  a high  value  upon  his 
advice  and  statesmanlike  qualities.  He  was 
the  trustee  for  several  of  the  State  benevolent 
institutions  and  took  a prominent  part  in  the 
councils  of  the  Old-school  Presbyterian 
church.  As  a lawyer  he  had  great  power 
with  a jury,  and  in  wit  and  humor  on  the 
political  arena  he  had  scarcely  an  equal 
anywhere.  His  reputation  in  this  respect 
was  late  in  life  a source  of  regret  to  him,  as 
the  same  was  with  Thomas  Corwin.  Both 
gentlemen  found  that  the  gathering  crowds 
when  they  spake  came  to  be  amused  rather 
than  instructed,  which  each  in  turn  experi- 
enced was  an  injury  to  his  reputation  for  the 
possession  of  the  solid  qualities  of  mind  and 
character  which  along  can  bring  respect  and 
confidence. 


We  here  insert  a curiosity  from  the  Columbus  Gazette  of  Aug.  20,  1822.  At 
au  early  day  there  was  a law  offering  a bounty  for  the  scalps  of  squirrels. 
Whether  in  force  at  that  time  we  do  not  know  ; if  so,  it  must  have  made  quite  a 
draft  upon  the  public  treasury. 


Grand  Squirrel  Hunt ! — The  squirrels  are 
becoming  so  numerous  in  the  county  as  to 
threaten  serious  injury,  if  not  destruction,  to 
the  hopes  of  the  farmer  during  the  ensuing 
fall.  Much  good  might  be  done  by  a gen- 
eral turnout  of  all  citizens  whose  convenience 


will  permit,  for  two  or  three  days,  in  order 
to  prevent  the  alarming  ravages  of  these  mis- 
chievous neighbors.  It  is  therefore  respect- 
fully submitted  to  the  different  townships 
each  to  meet  and  choose  two  or  three  of  their 
citizens  to  meet  in  a hunting  caucus,  at  the 


FRANKLIN  COUNTY. 


house  of  Christian  Heyl,  on  Saturday,  the 
31st  inst.,  at  2 o’clock  p.  M.  Should  the 
time  above  stated  prove  too  short  for  the 
townships  to  hold  meetings,  as  above  recom- 
mended, the  following  persons  are  respect- 
fully nominated  and  invited  to  attend  the 
meeting  at  Columbus  : 

Montgomery,  Jeremiah  McLene  and  Ed- 
ward Livingston.  Hamilton,  George  W. 
Williams  and  Andrew  Hill.  Madison,  Nicho- 
las Goetschius  and  W.  H.  Richardson. 
Truro,  Abiathar  V.  Taylor  and  John  Han- 
son. Jetferson,  John  Edgar  and  Elias  Og- 
den. Plain,  Thomas  B.  Patterson  and  Jona- 
than Whitehead.  Harrison,  F.  C.  Olmstead 
and  Capt.  Bishop.  Sharon,  Matthew  Matth- 
ews and  Bulkley  Comstock.  Perry,  Griffith 
Thomas  and  William  Mickey.  Washington, 
Peter  Sells  and  Uriah  Clark.  Norwich, 
Robert  Elliott  and  Alanson  Perry.  Clinton, 
Col.  Cook  and  Samuel  Henderson.  Franklin, 


659 

John  Mcllvain  and  Lewis  Williams.  Prairie, 
John  Hunter  and  Jacob  Neff.  Pleasant, 
James  Gardiner  and  Reuben  Golliday,  Jack- 
son,  Woollery  Coonrod  and  Nicholas  Hoover. 
Mifflin,  Adam  Reed  and  William  Dalzell. 

In  case  any  township  should  be  unrepre- 
sented in  the  meeting  those  present  will  take 
the  liberty  of  nominating  suitable  persons 
for  said  absent  township. 

Ralph  Osborn,  Lucas  Sullivant, 
Gustavus  Swan,  Samuel  G.  Flenniken, 
Christian  Heyl,  John  A..  McDowell. 

A subsequent  paper  says  : “ The  hunt  was 
conducted  agreeably  to  the  instructions  in 
our  last  paper.  On  counting  the  scalps  it 
appeared  that  19,660  scalps  were  produced. 
It  is  impossible  to  say  what  number  in  all 
were  killed,  as  a great  many  of  the  hunters 
did  not  come  in.  We  think  we  can  safely 
challenge  any  other  county  in  the  State  to 
kill  squirrels  with  us.” 


Franklin  county  at  the  period  of  this  squirrel-hunt  must  have  been  in  the 
course  of  an  army  of  * emigrating  squirrels.  The  exodus  of  squirrels  was  an  oc- 
casional sight  in  the  early  part  of  this  century  in  ^rthe  new  country/’  as  the  West 
was  generally  termed.  A personal  experience  is  in  place  here.  Early  on  a No- 
vember morning  of  1844,  after  a night’s  rest  in  the  cabin  of  a mountaineer,  while 
on  a pedestrian  tour  through  Western  Virginia,  passing  through  an  open  forest, 
we  suddenly  found  ourselves  in  the  midst  of  an  immense  multitude  of  squirrels. 
The  woods  were  fairly  alive  with  them.  Thousands  must  have  been  under  our 
view  without  turning  our  head.  Their  tameness  was  surprising — close,  thick 
around  us,  almost  under  our  feet  were  the  graceful,  nimble,  little  creatures,  hop- 
ping around  and  evidently  enjoying  themselves. 

They  were  of  various  colors,  gray,  red  and  black.  The  gray  was  the  pre- 
dominant color,  and  those  were  the  largest  and  most  plump.  Only  about  one  in 
twenty  was  black,  and  he  was  black  as  ink.  Later  we  were  told  they  had  been 
for  a day  or  two  previously  swimming  the  Kanawha,  and  therein  multitudes  in  the 
high  wind  that  had  prevailed  had  perished. 

The  theory  of  their  emigration  was  that  in  their  old  homes  the  mast,”  as 
beech  nnts,  walnuts,  chestnuts,  etc.,  were  termed,  had  given  out,  and  they  were 
moving  north  to  find  a more  prolific  region  for  their  sustenance  during  the  cold  of 
the  approaching  winter.  They  were  evidently  under  some  leadership  and  knew 
where  to  go  ; perhaps  might  have  sent  out  advance  couriers  on  tours  of  explora-^ 
tion  and,  guided  by  their  reports,  had  gathered  as  a mighty  host  with  banners  and 
under  some  chosen  Moses  among  them  were  moving  toward  the  promised  land. 

Hayden  Falls  are  situated  some  12  miles  northwest  of  Columbus,  on  a small 
creek  which  empties  into  the  Scioto  river,  about  100  rods  from  the  falls.  The 
rock  formation  thereabouts  is  of  limestone,  and  the  water  coming  over  the  rocky 
ledge  has  a fall  of  about  sixty  feet ; the  amount  of  water  is  not  large  and,  like  all 
western  streams,  the  quantity  varies  according  to  the  season  of  the  year.  Owing 
to  the  remoteness  of  the  falls  from  any  of  the  public  highways  and  railways,  it 
has  not  been  much  visited  by  the  people,  who  have  little  idea  of  the  wild,  pictur- 
esque beauty  of  the  spot,  which  is  enhanced  by  contrast  with  the  general  prairie 
formation  of  this  part  of  the  State. 

Westerville,  14  miles  north  of  Columbus,  on  the  C.  A.  & C.  H.  H.,  in  the 
centre  of  a fine  agricultural  country,  is  the  seat  of  Otterbein  University.  News- 
paper : Public  Opinion,  A.  H.  Keller,  editor  and  publisher.  Churches  : 1 United 
Brethren,  1 Methodist,  1 Presbyterian,  1 Evangelical,  and  1 African  Methodist 
Episcopal.  Bank  of  Westerville,  O.  H.  Kimball,  president,  Emery  J.  Smith, 
cashier. 


66q 


FRANKLIN . COUNTY. 


Industries. — People’s  Mutual  Benefit  Life  Association,  Farmers’  and  Stock- 
Breeders’  Live  Stock  Insurance  Association.  Population  in  1880,  1,148.  School 
census  in  1886,  393;  Thos.  M.  Foutz,  superintendent. 

Canal  Winchester  is  16  miles  southeast  of  Columbus  on  the  C.  H.  V.  & T.  R. 
B.  and  Ohio  canal,  and  is  a substantial  and  thrifty  village.  Newspapers  : Winchester 
Times,  Independent,  B.  F.  & O.  P.  Cayman,  editors  and  publishers.  Churches : 
Reformed,  Metliodist  Episcopal,  United  Brethren  and  Lvitheran. 

Industries. — C.  B.  & D.  H.  Cowan,  flour  and  feed ; N.  C.  Whitehurst,  flour  and 
feed  ; Geo.  Barries,  doors,  sash,  etc. ; Geo.  Powell,  drain  tile,  also  mannfacturer  of 
force  pumps  and  wood  and  wire  fences.  Population  in  1880,  850.  School  census 
in  1886,  288 ; W.  H.  Hartsough,  superintendent. 

Franklin  County  Indian  Story. — An  interesting  anecdote,  illustrating  the  pecu- 
liar characteristics  of  the  Indians  as  our  first  settlers  of  Columbus  found  them,  is 
related  of  Keziah,  the  youngest  daughter  of  John  and  Mary  Hamlin. 

In  1804  Mr.  Hamlin  built  the  first  cabin  east  of  the  Scioto  river,  on  the  spot 
where  Hoster’s  brewery  now  stands,  and  here,  Oct.  16,  1804,  his  daughter  Keziah, 
the  first  white  child  in  Columbus,  was  born. 

At  this  time  a tribe  of  Wyandot  Indians  were  located  near  a bend  in  the  river 
just  below  the  present  Harrisburgh  bridge.  They  were  very  friendly  to  the 
Hamlins,  and  were  specially  fond  of  Mrs.  Hamlin’s  freshly  baked  bread.  On 
bread-baking  days  they  would  come  to  the  cabin,  and  lifting  aside  the  curtain 
which  served  for  a door,  enter  and  help  themselves  to  the  contents  of  the  larder 
without  asking  permission  or  saying  a word  to  the  occupants.  Upon  leaving  they 
would  throw  a hunk  of  venison  or  whatever  game  they  had  upon  the  floor  as 
compensation,  and  then  silently  take  their  departure. 

One  day  when  Mrs.  Hamlin  was  attending  to  her  household  duties  with  nobody 
present  save  her  infant  daughter,  who  was  calmly  sleeping  in  her  crib,  several  of 
the  Indians  entered  the  cabin,  and  without  saying  a word  deliberately  took  up  the 
sleeping  infant  and  carried  her  away  with  them  to  their  village,  leaving  Mrs. 
Hamlin  trembling  with  fear  and  anxiety  for  the  safety  of  her  child.  As  the  hours 
passed  by  and  the  child  was  not  returned,  she  suffered  the  greatest  mental  anguish 
and  suspense,  until,  toward  the  close  of  day,  her  sufferings  were  relieved  by  the 
reappearance  of  the  Indians  bringing  with  them  the  child,  which  wore  a beautiful 
pair  of  beaded  moccasins  upon  her  little  feet,  and  which  the  Indians  had  been  in- 
dustriously working  upon  all  day,  and  had  felt  the  necessity  of  having  the  child 
with  them  so  as  to  insure  a perfect  fit.  This  token  of  the  appreciation  of  a savage 
race  for  the  kindness  and  hospitality  shown  them  by  early  pioneers  was  preserved 
until  a few  years  ago,  when  the  scion  of  a younger  generation  of  the  same  house 
unfortunately  destroyed  them  when  too  young  to  appreciate  their  value. 

Miss  Keziah  Hamlin,  the  heroine  of  this  pleasing  anecdote,  married  Dec.  19, 
1822,  David  Brooks,  of  Princeton,  Mass.,  and  died  Feb.  4, 1875,  leaving  a family 
of  three  sons  and  two  daughters,  one  of  whom,  Mr.  David  W.  Brooks,  of  the 
banking  firm  of  Brooks,  Butler  & Co.,  kindly  furnished  us  with  the  facts  given 
herein. 


FULTON  COUNTY, 


66f 


FULTOlSr. 

Fulton  County  was  formed  February  28,  1850,  from  Lucas,  Henry,  and 
Williams  counties.  Its  surface  is  pleasantly  undulating,  and  it  is  drained  by 
tributaries  of  the  Maumee.  Its  soil  is  fertile.  Being  originally  heavily  wooded, 
its  early  settlement  was  slow.  Its  area  is  400  square  miles.  In  1885  the  acres 
cultivated  were  124,300  ; pasture,  25,032 ; woodland,  53,834  ; lying  waste,  2,632; 
produced  in  wheat,  375,532  bushels;  oats,  362,327  ; rye,  12,132;  corn,  680,014; 
butter,  531,773  pounds;  cheese,  452,240;  wool,  188,294;  sheep  owned,  40,992. 


School  census  1886,  6,696  ; teachers,  142.  It  has  33  miles  of  railroad. 

Townships  and  Census.  1850.  1880.  Townships 'and  Census.  1850. 

1880. 

Amboy, 

460 

1,291 

German, 

982 

2,989 

Chesterfield, 

538 

1,011 

Gorham, 

906 

2,027 

Clinton, 

708 

3,725 

Pike, 

Royalton, 

485 

990 

Dover, 

381 

1,058 

570 

1,096 

Franklin, 

720 

1,207 

Swan  Creek, 

621 

1,528 

Fulton, 

625 

1,559 

York, 

784 

2,572 

Population  in  1850 

was  7,780 

; in  1860, 

14,043;  1870,  17,789; 

1880,  21,053, 

of  whom  14,907  were  Ohio-born;  1,485,  New  York;  902,  Pennsylvania;  185, 
Indiana;  569,  British  Empire ; 731,  German  Empire. 

Wauseon,  named  from  an  Indian  chief,  is  thirty-two  miles  west  of  Toledo,  on 
the  L.  S.  & M.  S.  R.  B.,  in  the  centre  of  a fine  agricultural  region.  County 
officers  in  1888  : Probate  Judge,  Levi  W.  Brown ; Clerks  of  Court,  Albert  D. 
Smith,  James  C.  King ; Sheriff,  Daniel  Dowling ; Prosecuting  Attorney,  Mazzini 
Slusser;  Auditor,  Abram  W.  McConnell;  Treasurer,  John  B.  Schuetzler;  Re- 
corder, Harrison  E.  Randall ; Surveyor,  Lucius  B.  Fraker ; Coroner,  Levi  E. 
Miley ; Commissioners,  James  C.  Vaughn,  Daniel  T.  Biddle,  Sylvester  W.  Baum. 
Newspapers  : Northwestern  Republican,  Sherwood  & Williams,  editors ; Democratic 
^Expositor,  J.  C.  Bollmeyer,  editor  ; Fulton  County  Tribune,  Republican,  Smith  & 
Knoft,  editors  and  publishers.  Churches  : 1 Methodist,  1 Congregational,  1 Bap- 
tist, 1 Disciples,  1 United  Brethren,  and  1 Catholic.  Bank  of  Wauseon,  Barber 
& Callender,  E.  S.  Callender,  cashier. 

Workshops  cmd  Employees. — Philip  Schletz,  jacks  and  cider-mill  screws ; H.  H. 
Williams  & Co.,  butter  tubs  and  lumber,  18  hands;  Meeks  & Cornell,  saw  mill ; 
W.  J.  Harper,  Rugg  machine;  Wauseon  Roller  Mills,  flour  and  feed,  18. — State 
Report  for  1887.  Population  in  1880,  1,905.  School  census  1886,  576;  W.  S. 
Kennedy,  superintendent. 

Wauseon  was  platted  in  1854.  The  first  building  was  ereeted  by  E.  L.  Hayes 
as  a store  and  dwelling  in  April  of  that  year.  In  1870  it  became  the  county-seat. 

Col.  D.  W.  Howard,  of  this  county,  has  given  us  the  following  valuable  and 
interesting  reminiscences  of  early  experiences  among  the  Indians  and  pioneers  of 
Fulton  and  adjoining  counties  : 

My  grandfather,  Thomas  Howard,  with 
my  father  Edward,  an  uncle  Richard  Howard, 
with  their  wives  and  a sister,  Mrs.  Sidney 
Howard  Nelson,  left  Yates  county,  N.  Y., 
early  in  May,  1821 , with  two  emigrant  wagons. 

Arrived  at  Buffalo,  grandfather,  my  mother 
and  two  Hunts,  with  a girl  cousin  and  my- 
self, the  only  children,  shipped  on  board  a 
thirty-two  ton  schooner,  commanded  by  Capt. 

Anson  Reed,  for  Fort  Meigs ; the  men  driving 
the  teams  (with  three  or  four  cows  and  a few 


sheep)  along  the  shore  of  Lake  Erie ; a trip 
of  many  weeks’  duration  and  of  much  hard- 
ship, as  there  were  scarcely  any  roads  much  of 
the  way. 

The  little  vessel  arrived  safely  after  a very 
rough  voyage  of  more  than  a week,  entered 
the  dark  waters  of  the  Maumee  on  the  morn- 
ing of  June  17,  and  in  the  dusk  of  the  same 
evening  anchored  in  the  bay  under  the  walls 
and  frowning  pickets  of  Fort  Meigs. 

The  next  morning  the  sight  of  the  Indian 


662 


FULTON  COUNTY. 


villages  which  lined  either  bank  of  the  river, 
with  the  yells  and  boisterous  revelry  of  the 
inhabitants  at  their  sports,  filled  us  with  dis- 
may who  had  never  before  beheld  the  face  or 
heard  the  hideous  yells  of  the  native  redman. 

The  principal  settlement  on  the  river  at 
this  time  was  “Orleanes,”  on  the  river  flats, 
immediately  under  the  fort,  on  the  northwest 
bank,  and  was  largely  composed  of  Canadian 
French.  Business  was  almost  entirely  con- 
fined to  the  Indian  fur  trade,  which  was 


carried  on  by  J ohn  and  Frank  Holister,  Gen. 
John  E.  Hunt,  Bobert  A.  Forsyth  and  Judge 
Wolcott,  whose  wife  was  the  daughter  of  the 
Indian  chief  Little  Turtle. 

^ The  agriculture  of  the  country  was  at  this 
time  so  limited,  that  it  scarcely  produced 
sufiicient  for  the  support  of  the  inhabitants  ; 
but  the  wild  game  of  the  country  (such  as 
wild  turkey,  venison  and  bear  meat),  which 
was  abundant,  made  up  for  the  deficiency. 
A little  settlement  was  started  at  Waterville, 


F.  C.  Blackman^  Photo  , Wauseon. 

Central  View  in  Wauseon. 


six  miles  above  Maumee  City,  in  1818,  by 
John  Pray,  Deacon  Cross,  Whitcomb  Haskins 
and  a few  others ; a few  families,  Elisha, 
Elijah,  and  Bichard  Gunn,  Mr.  Bucklin 
Scribner  and  Samuel  Vance,  settled  at  Prairie 
Damascus,  on  the  north  bank  of  the  river, 
six  miles  above  the  head  of  the  Grand  Bapids 
(twenty-five  miles  above  Fort  Meigs),  about 
1818,  and  Pierce  Evans,  the  Indian  trader,  at 
old  Fort  Defiance,  at  the  mouth  of  the  Aug- 
laize river.  The  Indian  mission  was  estab- 
lished ten  miles  above  Fort  Meigs  on  the 
right  (south-  bank)  of  the  river  in  1821, 
and  my  father,  Edward  Howard,  with  two 
brothers,  built  their  cabins  at  the  head  of  the 
Bapids,  during  the  winter  of  1822-23,  and 
were  the  first  settlers  above  the  mission 
(eight  miles)  on  the  south  bank,  with  Uncle 
Pete  Menard  (Menor),  a French  trader,  on 
the  Indian  reservation,  on  the  south  bank. 

The  first  settlers  within  the  present  limits 
of  Fulton  county  were  Valentine  Winslow 
(whose  wife  was  Celia  Howard,  a cousin  of 
mine).  Col.  Eli  Phillips  and  David  Hobart, 
who  came  in  the  summer  of  1833,  all  of 
whom  have  long  since  passed  to  the  other 
shore  except  Col.  Phillips,  who  is  still  Jiving, 
hale  and  hearty,  on  the  farm  on  which  he 
built  the  first  cabin.  The  old  pioneer  was 
active  at  the  rearing  of  our  Pioneer  Cabin, 
several  years  ago,  to  commemorate  ^he  events 
of  the  early  pioneers. 


The  Old  Maumee  Mvision. — The  Presbyte- 
rian Mission  was  established  on  the  south 
bank  of  the  Maumee,  ten  miles  above  Fort 
Meigs  and  eight  below  the  head  of  the 
Bapids,  in  the  year  1821  or  1822,  about  the 
time  that  my  father  and  his  two  brothers 
moved  to  their  lands  at  the  head  of  the 
Bapids  of  the  Maumee. 

At  the  time  of  its  establishment  there  was 
no  settlement  on  the  south  side  of  the  river 
above  what  is  now  the  village  of  Waterville, 
and  my  father  and  his  two  brothers  with  the 
aid  of  the  mission  people  cut  the  first  wagon 
track,  from  opposite  Waterville  to  the  head 
of  the  Grand  Bapids,  winding  up  and  over 
deep  gullies,  and  across  several  considerable 
streams,  such  as  the  Tone-tog-a-nee  (named 
from  the  great  chief  of  the  name,  whose 
village  was  at  its  mouth).  Kettle  creek  and 
Beaver  creek,  which  had  to  be  crossed  by 
fording  in  order  to  reach  their  destination. 

There  were  several  large  villages  in  this 
vicinity.  Tone-tog-a-nee  (at  the  mouth  of  tbo 
creek),  Na-wash  village  on  the  Indian  island 
immediately  opposite  the  mission,  and  on  the 
opposite  side  of  the  river  Awp-a-to-wa-jo- 
win,  or  Kin-jo-a-no’s  Town,  on  the  Indian 
reservation  (opposite  my  father’s  at  the 
head  of  the  Bapids),  San-wa-co-sack,  on 
the  Auglaize  above  Fort  Defiance,  and  a large 
village  at  the  mouth  of  the  river  and  along 
the  bay,  with  numerous  smaller  towns  of  less 


FULTON  COUNTY. 


note  located  on  the  banks  of  all  the  streams 
in  the  country. 

Rev.  Isaac  V an  Tassel  was  the  principal 
of  the  mission ; Mr.  Sackett  and  Rev.  Mr. 
Coe,  assistants,  with  their  wives  and  several 
maiden  ladies  as  teachers,  and  together  with 
a few  mechanics  and  laborers  forming  the 
community  of  white  people  that  established 
and  carried  forward  the  enterprise  success- 
fully for  many  years ; in  fact  sustained  it  in 
its  work  of  Christianizing  and  civilizing  the 
Indians  until  the  tribes  were  by  degrees 
moved  to  their  far-off  homes  in  the  West  and 
Northwest,  on  the  Missouri,  the  Kansas^  and 
the  Osage  rivers  and  on  the  bays  and  rivers 
of  the  Straits  of  Mackinack. 

Mission  Schools. — I had  a long  acquain- 
tance with  these  good  missionary  people  and 
have  no  words  but  kindness  for  them.  ^ While 
they  may  have  accomplished  but  little  in 
Christianizing  the  Indians,  they  did  the  best 
they  could  for  them  and  with  the  best  inten- 
tions. Their  work  was  one  of  great  difficulty: 
white  men  and  half  breeds  sold  whiskey  to 
the  Indians,  used  all  efforts  against  their 
patronizing  the  institution,  and  hired  the 
Indians  to  keep  their  children  from  school. 
It  is  easy  for  any  one  to  appreciate  the  diffi- 
culty of  establishing  a school  among  these 
wild,  fierce  people — boys  and  girls  who  had 
never  been  restrained,  or  their  freedom 
abridged  in  the  least.  To  gather  together 
one  or  two  hundred  boys  and  girls  of  all  ages, 
from  six  or  seven  to  twenty  years,  was  no 
easy  task  ; to  ask  them  to  come  in  out  of  the 
free  woods,  to  close  their  Indian  sports  of 
fishing  and  hunting  and  paddling  in  their 
canoes,  of  riding  on  horseback,  running  races 
and  other  pastimes,  was  of  course  requiring 
great  effort  on  the  part  of  these  young 
savages,  and  after  a few  days’  experience  in 
the  school-room,  with  all  its  attendant  re- 
straints, it  cannot  be  wondered  that  many  of 
them  took  the  trail  back  to  their  villages, 
having  had  enough  of  civilization. 

I appreciate  the  situation,  as  I had  the 
same  experience  and  have  not  forgotten  it  to 
this  day. 

After  the  Indians  became  acquainted  with 
the  mission  people,  and  knew  that  they  were 
true  friends,  their  children  were  sent  to  the 
school  and  most  of  the  time  they  had  from 
eighty  to  one  hundred  and  fifty  in  attendance. 

The  society  bought  a large  and  valuable 
tract  of  land,  including  an  island  of  about 
three  hundred  acres,  upon  which  they  opened 
a farm,  built  a large  mission  house,  and  a 
commodious  school-room  ; where  the  teachers 
held  forth  to  us  for  six  long  hours  every  day 
except  Sunday,  when  we  had  two  good  long 
old-fashioned  Presbyterian  sermons. 

I have  said  we,  and  I do  so  for  the  reason 
that  I had  (what  I then  thought)  a sad  ex- 
erience  at  the  old  mission.  When  I was 
etween  seven  and  eight  years  old  my  father 
placed  me  in  the  care  of  the  Rev.  Van  Tassel, 
at  the  mission  school.  I was  taken  like  the 
Indian  boys  from  the  woods,  away  from  my 
sports  and  associates  at  the  Indian  village  op' 
posite  my  father’s,  where  I had  spent  most 


663 

of  my  time,  as  free  as  the  Indian  boys  and, 
like  them,  as  wild  as  a partridge  or  wild 
turkey. 

We  spent  the  time  at  the  village  in  sum- 
mer, shooting  bow  and  arrows,  fishing  or 
swimming  in  the  river,  and  in  many  other 
plays  and  sports  peculiar  to  young  Indian 
boys,  and  you  can  imagine  that  it  was  almosf 
death  to  shut  us  away  from  all  these  pas 
times ; and  shut  up  to  in  a school-room 
(where  the  presiding  genius  was  a sanctimo- 
nious old  maid  of  the  hard-shell,  stiff-backed 
Yankee  Presbyterian  persuasion),  where  long 
prayers  were  said  morning  and  evening,  and 
not  a smile  or  whisper  allowed. 

Many  of  the  Indian  boys  brought  to  the 
school  after  a few  days  experience  left  between 
two  days,  and  forever  after  kept  at  such  a 
distance  that  they  could  never  be  caught  or 
tempted  back.  I would  have  gladly  followed 
their  example  and  hid  in  the  Indian  villages, 
among  which  I had  many  friends,  but  Indians 
were  too  honest  and  would  not  have  kept  me 
hid  from  my  father  and  mother. 

Every  effort  was  made  by  these  earnest 
missionaries,  and  always  with  the  kindest 
manner,  to  induce  these  wild  and  untutored 
people  to  believe  in  the  Bible  and  its  teach- 
ings, but  with  limited  success ; they  took 
education  readily,  but  religion  sparingly  and 
doubtingly.  Although  the  great  end  origin- 
ally anticipated  was  not  gained  the  mission 
did  a good  work  ; it  educated  many  hundreds 
of  the  youths  of  these  tribes,  of  whom  many 
in  after  years  in  their  new  homes  west  of  the 
Mississippi  became  good  farmers  and  me- 
chanics and  some  of  them  are  still  living  in 
Kansas  and  Indian  Territory. 

Sports  of  Indian  Children. — We  enjoyed 
our  Saturday  half  holiday.  In  the  winter 
season,  when  the  river  was  frozen  over,  we 
skated  on  the  ice,  both  boys  and  girls,  and 
when  there  was  snow  we  enjoyed  ourselves 
sliding  down  the  long  hill  on  the  bank  of  the 
river. 

The  sled  was  made  of  a strip  of  white  elm 
bark  about  one  foot  wide  and  six  or  seven  feet 
long,  with  a bark  rope  or  string  fastened  to 
the  forward  end,  in  order  to  raise  it  above  the 
uneven  surface  and  guide  it  down  the  steep 
and  slippery  path.  This  was  placed  smooth 
side  down,  giving  us  the  rough  outside  bark 
for  a foothold.  We  would  start  this  Indian 
shute  at  the  top  of  the  hill  with  as  many  boys 
and  girls  as  could  stand  upright  on  the  bark 
and  a leader  on  the  front  holding  the  string 
to  guide  it  down  the  slippery  track.  With 
lightning  speed  it  would  fairly  fiy  down  the 
hill  and  far  out  on  the  ice  on  the  river  if  suc- 
cessfully guided  ; if  not,  you  might  be  able  to 
see  a load  of  boys  and  girls  piled  up  in  the 
snow,  or  scattered  along  the  hill.  It  took  a 
brave  boy  with  a steady  hand  to  ride  this  In- 
dian sled  down  those  steep  hills,  for  after  the 
snow  was  packed  and  the  path  beaten  it  be- 
came as  slippery  as  glass. 

Another  Indian  game  was  to  take  two 
pieces  of  freshly  peeled  bark,  a foot  wide  and 
three  or  four  feet  long,  place  the  two  insides 
together  and  then  place  them  on  the  ground. 


664 


FULTON  COUNTY. 


Now  the  game  was  to  run  and  jump  on  the 
bark,  the  feet  striking  the  rough  bark  of  the 
upper  piece,  and  unless  well  practised  in  the 
art,  the  upper  bark  would  fly  from  under  the 
moment  the  feet  struck  it.  I have  seen  many 
a novice  in  the  art  fly  off  when  his  feet  struck 
the  bark  as  if  he  had  taken  his  departure  for 
some  other  planet.  It  took  long  and  careful 
practise  to  be  able  to  strike  the  slippery  bark 
and  not  go  down.  This  exercise  created  a 
great  deal  of  amusement  in  our  summer 
sports. 

Nut  Gatliemng. — But  the  great  enjoyable 
seasons  were  the  maple  sugar  making  in  the 
spring,  and  gathering  hickory  nuts  in  the  fall 
of  the  year.  The  latter  always  commenced 
in  the  Indian  summer  days  in  the  fall,  usually 
in  November.  After  the  frosts  had  loosened 
the  nuts,  they  were  showered  down  by  every 
wind,  and  the  ground  would  be  white  with 
them,  all  free  from  the  shell,  lying  ready  to 
be  gathered  by  the  Indian  children  or  the  coon 
and  bears,  that  were  very  fond  of  these  rich 
thin  shelled  nuts.  These  animals  grew  very 
fat  on  them,  as  there  was  always  an  abundance, 
it  being  a great  hickory  country. 

The  abundance  of  the  ‘ ‘ shellbark  ’ ’ hick- 
ory in  the  woods  at  that  day  (a  very  few  of 
which  still  remain)  was  a source  of  proflt  as 
well  as  pleasure.  Many  thousands  of  bushels 
were  annually  gathered  by  the  Indians,  pur- 
chased by  the  traders  and  shipped  to  eastern 
markets. 

Rev.  Isaac  Van  Thsse?,  the  head  of  the 
mission,  was  one  of  the  kindest  and  purest  of 
men,  always  just  and  generous.  His  wife,  the 
daughter  of  Rev.  Badger  (one  of  the  earliest 
missionaries  of  the  West),  was  equally  well 
fitted  by  her  universal  kindness  of  heart  and 
manner  to  aid  her  husband  in  this  noble 
work.  Elder  Coe  was  one  of  the  active 
workers  and  became  a great  friend  of  the  In- 
dians ; they  in  return  gave  him  their  full 
confidence  and  from  his  exceeding  kindness 
called  him  the  ‘ ' Tender  Heart.  ” Mr.  Thomas 
Mackelrath,  one  of  the  teachers,  was  always 
kind  to  us;  Miss  Riggs,  one  of  the  “old 
maid”  teachers,  was  as  kind  to  us  as  any 
mother  could  be,  too  good  and  noble  a woman 
to  remain  an  “old  maid,”  which  I believe 
she  did. 

Mr.  Van  Tassel  removed  to  a farm  near 
Bowling  Green,  where  he  died  about  1850. 
Mrs.  Van  Tassel  survived  her  husband  many 
years,  dying  in  Maumee  City  a few  years  ago, 
the  last  survivor  of  the  niission  teachers. 
The  kind-hearted  old  man,  “"Uncle  Coe,”  as 
my  father  called  him,  died  many  years  before 
Mr.  Van  Tassel.  When  the  mission  broke 
up,  in  1835  or  1836,  many  of  those  still  living 
returned  to  their  homes  in  the  East. 

Dayton  Riley. — Prominent  in  my  memory 
of  the  characters  of  that  time  was  Dayton 
Riley,  a brother  of  the  well-known  William 
Riley,  who  was  taken  in  Algiers  and  was  a 
slave  of  the  Arabs  for  a number  of  years. 
This  man  Dayton  Riley  wandered  into  this 
wilderness  country  about  the  time  of  the 
founding  of  the  mission,  and  being  a carpen- 
ter and  handy  at  all  work,  was  employed  and 


made  his  home  at  the  mission  until  it  broke 
up.  He  followed  the  life  of  a trapper  and 
hunter,  and  after  a hard  and  weary  season  of 
trapping  would  find  his  way  back  to  the  mis- 
sion to  rest  and  recruit  his  failing  strength 
during  his  declining  years.  He  became 
somewhat  dissipated,  as  most  of  his  occupa- 
tion do  sooner  or  later,  but  lived  to  quite  an 
advanced  age. 

Waseon  and  Ottohee  were  noble  red  men. 
Finer  or  more  perfect  specimens  of  the  hu- 
man physique,  or  of  natural  mental  ability, 
are  seldom  found  anywhere.  Gttokee,  the 
older  of  the  two  brothers  (or  half  brothers, 
as  they  really  were),  was  a man  six  feet  high, 
weighing  about  two  hundred  pounds,  and 
when  speaking  on  the  floor  of  the  Council 
Lodge  was  as  dignified  and  as  noble  in  de- 
meanor as  a Clay  or  Webster,  and  had  as  much 
force  and  eloquence  as  their  limited  language 
would  permit. 

Wa-se-on  (which  signifies  far  05")  was  not 
so  fleshy,  but  had  a heavy  frame  and  was 
quite  as  large  a man  as  his  older  brother 
Gttokee,  yet  not  so  great  an  orator,  but  a 
very  intelligent  man  and  a good  speaker. 

There  were  two  other  brothers  of  this  fam- 
ily named  No-tin-no  (or  the  calm)  and  Wa- 
sa-on-quet.  The  latter  was  at  one  time  the 
head  chief  of  the  Ottowas  of  the  Maumee 
valley,  but  through  dissi|3ation  and  debauch- 
ery, consequent  upon  his  intercourse  with  the 
white  traders,  he  was  ‘ ‘ broken  ’ ’ of  his  office 
and  reduced  to  a private  member  of  the 
tribe.  He  was  one  of  the  most  eloquent 
speakers  I ever  heard.  He  died  from  the 
effects  of  whiskey  soon  after  being  removed 
west  of  the  Mississippi. 

No-tin-no,  the  oldest  of  the  four  brothers, 
was  living  the  last  I knew  of  him.  He  was 
a good  speaker,  but  not  as  eloquent  as  either 
of  his  brothers.  These  men  were  the  sons 
of  the  noted  Ottawa  chief,  0-to-sah,  if  I re- 
member correctly,  by  different  mothers.  No 
two  of  them,  I think,  were  full  brothers, 
polygamy  being  a legalized  institution  among 
all  the  Indian  tribes  with  which  I have  been 
personally  acquainted. 

Aw-pa-to-wa-jo-win,  or  “half  way,”  was 
about  half  way  from  the  mouth  of  the  river 
to  Fort  Defiance,  and  also  half  way  from  De- 
troit to  Fort  Wayne,  the  then  two  principal 
trading  points  of  the  country.  The  presid- 
ing chief  of  this  village  was  an  old  man 
whose  active  life  had  long  since  passed  but 
who  was  always  received  in  the  councils  of  the 
tribe  with  great  respect.  His  name  was 
Kin-jo-a-no.  This  chief  had  but  one  son,  a 
very  intelligent  young  man,  whose  name  was 
Muc-cut-a-mong.  He  was  killed,  however, 
while  yet  a young  man,  by  the  hand  of  his 
own  cousin  (Pe-way)  at  one  of  the  corn- 
dances  held  by  this  tribe. 

There  were  many  other  noted  chiefs  of 
these  tribes  inhabiting  at  this  time  the  val- 
leys of  the  Maumee,  Auglaize,  St.  Maries 
and  St.  Joseph.  Among  them  were  Char- 
low,  Shaw-wun-no,  Pe-ton-i-quet,  Nac-i-che- 
wa,  Oc-que-nox-ie,  the  latter  chief  having 
his  village  on  the  Auglaize.  This  man  was 


FULTON  COUNTY, 


665 


a Datural-born  savage,  and  really  the  only 
Indian  I was  ever  much  afraid  of  when  a 
boy,  for  he  was  ugly  either  drunk  or  sober, 
and  always  manifested  a desire  or  disposition 
to  take  somebody’s  scalp.  He  had  great 
influence  with  the  tribe,  especially  in  their 
councils  of  war.  All  the  other  chiefs  and 
head  men  that  I came  in  contact  with,  with- 
out a single  exception  (when  not  crazed  and 
maddened  by  whiskey,  or  “fire-water),  were 
kind-hearted,  generous  and  always  honor- 
able. 

The  very  last  speech  made  by  an  Indian  in 
the  country  in  council  was  made  by  Ottokee 
at  a treaty  or  council  with  the  United  States 
government  agents,  for  the  purpose  of  their 
removal  West.  Many  did  not  come  into  the 
council  and  consent  to  be  removed,  but  re- 
mained in^  the  deep  forests  of  the  Maumee 
and  Auglaize  valleys  for  a few  years,  wander- 
ing from  place  to  place  and  camping  wher- 
ever they  found  a white  man  who  was  kind 
enough  to  allow  them  to  do  so. 

Ottokee  and  Waseon  were  among  the  last 
to  remove  from^  this  county,  having  gone 
west  in  the  spring  of  1838.  These  chiefs 
lived  but  a few  years  in  their  new  homes  and 
died  comparatively  young,  Waseon  being  not 
over  forty-five  years  old. 

The  lands  which  were  assigned  to  these 
Indians,  and  to  which  they  were  removed,  lie 
upon  the  Osage  river  in  Kansas,  about  sixty 
miles  south  of  Kansas  City  and  not  far  from 
the  flourishing  village  of  Ottawa. 

The  old  block-house  is  gone  ! It  took  fire 
from  the  chimney  on  Monday,  May  20,  1879, 
and  was  burned  down.  One  by  one  the  relics 
of  a past  generation  pass  away,  and^  this  was 
almost  the  last  one  of  any  note  in  north- 
western Ohio. 

The  land  was  purchased  of  the  United 
States  government,  and  the  post  established 
in  the  year  1831  or  ’32.  It  was  put  up  as  an 
Indian  trading  house,  used  as  a magazine,  or 
in  the  French  trader’s  parlance  a store  and 
fort,  for  the  safety  of  the  trader  and  the  pro- 
tection of  his  furs  and  goods.  They  were 
usually  built  of  hewn  logs  of  great  size,  as 
this  one  was,  and  when  completed  with  heavy 
split  puncheons  for  roof,  made  a building  that 
was  a perfect  protection  against  the  assault 
of  any  ordinary  band  of  drunken  Indians  or 
their  more  vicious  associates,  renegade  white 
men  and  half-breed  Indians,  who  were  often 
ugly  from  a too  free  use  of  the  white  man’s 
Schoo-ta-ne-be  or  fire-water,  which  was  al- 
ways furnished  them  by  the  less  sensitive  or 
unscrupulous  trader. 

Indian  Trading  House. — In  the  spring  of 
1832  my  father  engaged  two  white  men, 
whose  names  I have  forgotten,  to  build  an 
“Indian  Trading  House,”  as  such  buildings 
were  called  at  that  day  on  the  frontier.  ^ The 
house  was  located  near  the  site  of  the  village 
of  the  chief  Winameg,  furnished  a stock  of 
Indian  goods  early  in  the  winter,  and  a regu- 
lar Indian  trading  establishment  opened. 

A young  man  by  the  name  of  Wilkinson, 
nephew  of  old  Capt.  Have  Wilkinson,  the 
veteran  captain  of  the  Lakes,  was  put  in 


charge,  as  the  French  frontiersman  would 
say,  the  Boorzwa  of  the  concern,  my  father 
judging  that  I was  a little  too  wild  to  be  at 
the  head,  and  might  shut  up  the  block-house, 
mount  my  pony  and  ride  away  to  some  Indian 
village  where  a big  dance  was  going  on,  and 
say,  as  my  old  friend  Frank  Holister  said  on 
such  occasions,  that  it  was  a poor  store  that 
couldn’t  tend  itself  sometimes. 

Indian  Goods. — The  stock  of  Indian  goods 
mainly  consisted  of  red  and  green  blankets, 
with  the  pure  white  marked  with  broad  black 
stripes  across  the  end,  and  always  of  British 
manufacture,  Turkey  red  calicoes  and  Merri- 
mac  blue,  with  a few  light  patterns,  blue  and 
green  English  broadcloths,  large  cotton  hand- 
kerchiefs and  shawls  (used  almost  entirely 
for  the  head  as  turbans),  guns,  tomahawks, 
butcher-knives,  powder,  lead  shot  and  lead 
balls,  brass  trinkets,  rings,  beads,  wamj)um, 
small  bells  to  ornament  the  sides  of  leggings, 
silver  brooches,  rings  for  the  nose  and  ears, 
with  Turkish  vermilion  to  paint  the  face. 
Fine  saddles  and  highly  ornamented  bridles, 
trimmed  with  silver-plated  bits,  tinsel  and 
colored  leathers,  were  great  articles  of  trade. 

The  Fur  Trade. — Many  of  the  roving 
traders  sold  whiskey  to  the  Indians;  but  as  a 
rule  the  principal  traders  did  not  sell  it  to 
them,  for  it  destroyed  the  ability  of  the  In- 
dian to  make  much  of  a hunt,  and  of  course 
was  not  in  the  interest  of  the  trader  whose 
aim  was  the  procuring  of  furs  and  skins, 
which  mainly  constituted  the  trade. 

Bear,  wolf,  otter,  mink,  muskrat,  raccoon, 
fisher,  the  red  cross  and  silver-gray  fox  were 
the  principal  furs  taken,  the  beaver  having 
nearly  all  disappeared.  The  last  beaver  caught 
in  the  county  was  taken  on  the  Little  St.  Jo- 
seph, near  the  present  village  of  Pioneer,  in 
1837,  by  a Pottawatomie  chief  named  Me- 
te-ah,  for  which  I paid  in  goods  twenty  dol- 
lars, it  being  a very  large  one,  and  the  last 
that  had  been  taken  for  many  years. 

The  prices  of  these  furs  at  that  time  were 
$3  to  $4  for  bear,  the  same  for  otter,  40  cents 
for  rat,  30  cents  for  mink,  50  cents  for  fox, 
$2  for  fisher,  coon  25  cents,  deer-skins  75 
cents  to  $1.25,  wolf  25  cents,  silver-gray  fox 
from  $25  to  $75.  In  exchange  for  these  we 
sold  blankets  (according  to  size)  from  $2  to 
$6,  Turkey  calicoes  75  cents  to  $1  per  yard, 
blue  50  cents  to  75  cents,  and  all  other  goods 
at  about  the  same  rates.  Lead  was  50  cents 
and  powder  $1  per  pound. 

We  had  a very  good  trade  for  a year  of 
two  at  this  post,  and  then  the  general  govern- 
ment began  to  agitate  the  removal  of  the 
Indians.  The  business  of  the  old  house  was 
changed  to  a country  tavern,  and  was  patron- 
ized solely  by  the  white  man.  The  dusky 
form  of  the  Indian  was  seen  no  more  about 
the  spring  and  the  camping  ground,  and  his 
familiar  whoop  and  drunken  song  were  no 
more  heard  passing  the  old  post,  for  he  had 
taken  up  his  line  of  march  toward  the  setting 
sun. 

The  Old  Council  Elm. — This  noble  old 
tree,  a monarch  of  the  forest,  has  a history 
connected  with  the  incidents  of  the  Maumee 


666 


FULTON  COUNTY. 


valley.  The-  tree  was  a white  elm,  standing 
on  a beautiful  spot  on  the  north  bank  of  the 
river,  being  four  or  five  feet  in  diameter,  and 
fifty  feet  to  the  first  limb.  It  was  crowned 
with  an  immense  top  that  covered  with  its 
shade  a number  of  square  rods  of  beautiful 
green  sward.  The  spot  where  it  stood  being 
at  a point  very  near  and  overlooking  the- 
‘ ‘ Grand  Rapids  ’ ’ (the  grandest  of  the  entire 
succession  of  rapids  from  Fort  Meigs),  and 
within  sound  of  its  never  ceasing  murmur,  it 
was  selected  long  ago  by  the  Indians  as  a 
favorite  council  ground,^  and  consequently 
this  tree  became  known  in  the  early  days  by 
the  traders  and  settlers  as  the  “Council 
Elm.” 

It  was  destroyed  by  a severe  storm  in  July, 
1879.  While  the  canal  basin  and  dam  were 
being  constructed  at  Grand  Rapids,  young 
Jackson,  at  that  time  a very  young  man, 
was  the  Assistant  Engineer  of  the  Public 
Works  of  Ohio,  in  charge  of  this  part  of 
the  public  work.  He  was  somewhat  ac- 
quainted with  the  tradition  and  more  recent 
history  and  was  a great  admirer  of  the  noble 
jld  tree,  and  loved  to  sit  under  its  cooling 
shade  and  enjoy  the  cool  breeze  during  his 
leisure  hours.  On  one  occasion  one  of  the 
workmen  kindled  a fire  on  the  roots  of  the 
old  tree ; the  young  engineer,  highly  incensed, 
first  put  out  the  fire,  and  then  calling  up  the 
man  who  had  built  it,  gave  him  to  under- 
stand that  any  future  aggressions  upon  the 
old  elm  would  cause  the  perpetrator  such 
chastisement  as  he  would  not  readily  forget. 
This  Jackson  was  well  able  and  ready  to  give, 
for  he  had  without  doubt  some  of  the  “ Old 
Hero’s”  blood  in  his  veins,  as  I have  often 
heard  him  express  himself  in  strong  language, 
using  “By  the  Eternal”  with  the  variations, 
and  woe  be  to  him  Avho  fell  under  his  dis- 
pleasure, for  cause. 

The  once  large  and  populous  village  of  Kin- 
jo-a-no,  or  Ap-a-to-wa-jo-win,  was  situated 
at  the  foot  of  the  Grand  Rapids,  nearly  a 
mile  below  the  old  elm,  and  as  the  tree  was 
isolated  from  the  noise  and  turmoil  of  an  In- 
dian village,  it  was  frequently  selected  as  the 
council-ground  for  many  important  gatherings 
of  the  chiefs  and  head  men  of  the  Ottawas 
and  Pottawatomies. 

The  great  council  which  impressed  me 
most  was  the  last  council  of  any  importance 
ever  held  under  its  spreading  branches. 

Bad  White  Men. — It  was  some  time  after 
the  lands  had  been  ceded  to  the  general  gov- 
ernment, the  Indians  still  retaining  posses- 
sion of  the  lands. 

After  the  treaties  had  been  made  the  val- 
’ey  renegade  white  hunters  and  trappers, 
vhiskey-sellers,  and  bee-hunters  (for  the  hol- 
low trees  were  filled  with  wild  hone}^  de- 
stroyed the  Indians’  traps,  often  stole  their 
horses,  and  run  them  far  out  of  the  reach  of 
their  owners. 

I was  then  a mere  boy,  but  all  my  sympa- 
thies were  with  the  much  abused  Indians,  and 
I was  rather  in  hopes  that  some  dark  night 
these  intruders  and  renegades  would  be  wiped 
out.  But  the  better  and  wiser  counsels  of 


Wa-se-on,  Ottokee,  Pe-ton-i-quet,  Nac  i-che- 
wa,  and  other  noted  chiefs  prevailed,  and  the 
Indians  bore  their  wrongs  with  a grace  and 
patience  unparalleled  among  civilized  people. 

Uncle  Peter  Menard,  my  father,  and  Col. 
George  Knaggs,  being  great  friends  of  the 
Indians,  were  importuned  to  intercede  for 
them  with  the  government  agent,  that  these 
abuses  might  be  stopped  and  redress  made 
for  losses  already  infiicted. 

^ The  Indian  Council. — Col.  Jackson,  the 
kind-hearted  agent,  was  ready  to  co-operate 
with  his  friends  in  giving  the  redress  asked 
for,  promised  that  the  matter  should  be  laid 
before  the  authorities  at  Washington,  and 
called  a council  to  be  held  under  the  big 
elm. 

Some  days  previous  to  the  day  set  for  the 
council  the  Indians  began  to  arrive ; by  the 
morning  of  the  council-day  the  chiefs  and 
head  men  were  nearly  all  present  in  the  vil- 
lage, and  at  ten  o’clock  the  assembled  braves 
were  ready  for  the  grand  smoke  and  talk  with 
the  white  chief,  0-ke-maw-wa-bush-ke.  It 
was  a warm  day,  and  all  enjoyed  the  shade 
of  the  old  tree.  Seated  upon  a log  sat  the 
dignified  Col.  Jackson,  and  on  his  left  Uncle 
Peter  Menard  and  my  father.  The  Indians 
composing  the  council  sat  on  the  ground  in  a 
semicircle  in  front  of  the  white  men,  and  the 
younger  warriors  and  hunters  not  admitted 
to  the  charmed  circle  sat  in  groups  under  the 
shade  of  the  old  elm,  silent  but  interested 
spectators.  Although  a boy,  I had  been 
chosen  by  Col.  J ackson  to  act  as  interpreter. 

Speech  of  Ottohee. — At  a signal  from  the 
agent  that  the  council  was  convened  the  head 
chief,  Ottokee,  lit  the  pipe  of  kinnekanick ; 
it  was  passed  from  mouth  to  mouth,  the 
white  men  participating  in  the  ceremony,  and 
it  was  not  until  several  pipesful  of  the  fra- 
grant weed  bad  been  exhausted  that  the 
council  was  ready  to  proceed  with  the  “big 
talk.”  Coi.  Jackson  then  said  that  “his 
ears  were  open,  and  he  would  listen  to  the 
words  of  the  chiefs.”  After  a few  minutes 
of  perfect  silence  Ottokee  rose  to  his  feet — a 
noble  specimen  of  a'  native  orator — and,  with 
the  dignity  of  a prince,  his  arms  folded  across 
his  breast,  he  commenced  the  delivery  of  the 
great  speech  of  the  occasion.  He  portrayed 
in  glowing  colors  the  situation  of  his  people, 
the  faith  they  had  kept  with  their  white 
brothers  and  with  their  great  fatlier,  the 
President  of  the  United  States ; that  they 
believed  his  words  when  he  said  he  would 
protect  them  in  their  rights  while  remaining 
in  their  old  homes  from  the  intrusions  of 
white  men  until  he  should  be  ready  to  move 
them  to  their  new  homes  west  of  the  great 
river  (Mississippi),  but  he  was  so  far  away 
that  he  could  not  see  or  hear  his  red  children 
when  they  called  to  him  in  their  distress. 
They  had  called  many  times  to  have  him 
drive  away  the  bad  white  men,  but  he  did 
not  hear  them. 

The  Great  Father  is  good,  but  the  white 
men  fill  his  ears,  and  he  cannot  hear  the  red 
men  call.  My  white  brother  sitting  before 
me  is  the  half-brother  of  the  Great  (jhief  at 


FULTON  COUNTY, 


66y 


the  Big  House,  and  he  has  heard  us  and  now 
listens  to  what  we  say.  The  bad  white  men 
have  killed  our  deer,  trapped  our  otter  and 
mink,  have  stolen  our  horses  and  abused  our 
women,  have  camped  on  our  land  and  call  it 
their  own,  and  when  we  tell  them  to  go  they 
hold  up  their  rifles  and  say  they  will  shoot. 
What  must  we  do?  We  have  waited  many, 
many  moons,  very  long,  for  our  Great  Father 
to  drive  these  bad  men  from  our  land,  but  he 
has  not  done  it,  and  if  we  drive  them  he  will 
be  angry  with  us.  He  has  women,  he  has 
children  ; will  he  let  bad  men  abuse  them  ? 
No!  he  will  not  I Our  Great  Father  is  a 
great  chief ; he  was  at  the  great  river  when 
oiir  British  brothers  from  across  the  big  water 
tried  to  take  the  country  away  from  him,  but 
lie  would  not  let  them  land.  Our  Father  is 
a great  chief ; he  is  brave  ; will  he  protect 
his  red  children?  I have  spoken,”  he  con- 
cluded; “ my  brother  will  speak.” 

Col.  Jackson  answered  this  speech  by  say- 
ing that  his  heart  was  good  and  his  ears  were 
open,  and  he  would  let  the  President  hear  all 
the  words  of  the  great  chief,  Ottokee.  “Let 
the  other  chiefs  speak,”  he  said.  “I  will 
listen.  ’ ’ 

Speech  of  Nach-izche-waji. — One  after  an- 
other the  chiefs  rose  in  their  places  and  spoke 
much  in  the  same  spirit  as  Ottokee,  some 
more  vehement  than  others,  some  with  mod- 
eration ; all,  with  one  exception,  counselling 
peace.  ^ Nack-i-che-wah,  the  most  active  of 
the  chiefs,  and  the  greatest  orator  of  his 
tribe,  or  his  nation,  or  in  fact  of  the  neigh- 
boring tribes,  was  more  bold  and  outspoken. 
He  said  they  had  listened  to  the  sweet  words 
of  the  Great  Father  and  believed  them,  but 
they  were  like  the  singing  bird  : sweet  while 
you  listened,  but  it  flew  away ; it  did  not 
come  ^ck,  and  you  heard  its  voice  no  more, 
and  did  not  answer  when  you  called  it  to 
come  back.  Our  Great  Father  had  sent  his 
chief  to  tell  us  his  words  of  honey ; our 
ears  were  open,  we  heard  what  he  said,  and 
we  believed  them,  but  our  Father  has  for 
gotten  his  words,  and  his  red  children  are 
sorrowful.  Shall  we,  too,  forget  that  we 
signed  the  paper,  ton-ga-nun-me-gwan,,  and 
draw  the  tomahawk  and  drive  these  dogs  of 
pale-faces  from  our  hunting-grounds  ? 

^ We  have  called  to  the  Great  Father  many 
times  and  he  does  not  hear  us.  Are  his  ears 
closed  to  the  complaints  of  his  red  children  ? 
I have  done. 


So  earnest  the  manner  of  speaking  and  so 
deep  the  interest  that  all  felt  on  this  momen- 
tous occasion,  no  one  had  taken  notice  of 
time,  and  it  was  late  in  the  afternoon  when 
the  last  speaker  took  his  seat  amid  the  mo- 
notonous guttural  sounds  of  acquiescence  in 
the  arguments  presented  by  the  chiefs  in  their 
defence  of  the  rights  of  their  usually  quiet 
people. 

Col.  Jadcson.,  the  agent.,  then  arose  to  his 
feet  and  in  a very  dignified  manner  spoke  to 
the  Indians.  He  said  the  President,  the' 
Great  Father,  had  a big  heart  and  he  loved 
his  red  children,  that  his  ears  were  open  and 
he  heard  the  complaints  of  his  peojile,  but 
the  pale  faces  were  as  many  as  leaves  upon 
the  trees,  and  he  must  listen  to  all,  and  he 
could  not  answer  all  at  the  same  time.  He 
had  many,  many  more  red  children  to  listen  to, 
who  must  be  heard,  his  ears  were  open  and 
all  should  be  heard  in  their  time. 

“ My  white  brother,”  he  said,  referring  to 
my  father,  who  was  acting  secretary  for  the 
council,  ‘ ‘ has  taken  the  words  of  the  Great 
Chiefs  and  put  them  on  the  paper ; they  will 
be  sent  to  the  Great  Father  and  he  will  read 
them  ; his  heart  is  good  and  he  will  answer 
his  red  childreU.  He  will  pay  them  for  the 
losses  of  their  horses  and  their  traps  and  the 
killing  of  their  game.  I will  call  the  chiefs 
together  when  his  word  comes  back  and  tell 
them  what  he  says.  Have  my  brothers  any- 
thing more  to  say  ? ” 

A murmuring  sound  of  satisfaction,  “Wa- 
ho,”  went  through  the  council,  and  Ottokee 
answered  that  his  people  were  satisfied  with 
their  brother’s  words  and  that  they  were  done. 
Col.  Jackson  took  his  seat,  the  tomahawk 
pipe  of  kinnekanick  was  again  lighted  and 
passed  around,  and  after  all,  both  white  men 
and  Indians,  had  participated  the  council 
broke  up  and  the  Indians  repaired  to  the  ad- 
joining village  where  they  partook  of  a boun- 
tiful feast  of  beef,  pork,  and  corn  prepared 
for  them  by  the  order  of  the  agent,  a custom 
always  adopted  by  the  government,  when 
holding  treaties  or  councils  with  the  Indians. 

The  council  broke  up  with  perfect  under- 
standing and  good  feeling  among  all  the  In- 
dians present,  with  a perfect  reliance  that 
government  would  remunerate  them  for  the 
losses  they  had  sustained  and  drive  the  in- 
truders from  their  lands,  and  for  once  the 
government  kept  its  word  with  the  Indians. 


Fayette,  near  the  border  line  of  Ohio  and  Michigan,  is  surrounded  by  a 
fine  farming  section.  It  is  on  the  W.  St.  L.  & P.  and  L.  S.  & M.  S.  Railroads. 
Newspaper : Record,  Independent,  Lewis  & Griffin,  publishers.  Churches : 1 
Methodist  Episcopal,  1 Disciple,  and  1 Christian  Union.  Bank  of  Fayette,  C. 
L.  Allen,  cashier.  Industries : 2 saw,  1 planing,  and  1 grist  mill,  1 creamery, 
and  2 novelty  manufacturing  establishments.  • Population  in  1880,  579.  Is  the 
seat  of  the  Fayette  Normal  Music  and  Business  College,  a growing  institu- 
tion. 

Delta,  on  L.  S.  & M.  S.,  35  miles  west  of  Toledo,  surrounded  by  a fine  agri- 
cultural country.  Newspapers : Atlas,  Independent,  E.  L.  Waltz,  editor ; Ava- 
lanche.  Republican,  J.  H.  Fluhart,  editor.  Churches ; 1 Presbyterian,  1 Meth- 


FULTON  COUNTY. 


odist  Episcopal,  1 United  Brethren,  1 Free  Methodist.  Bank  of  Delta,  William 
E.  Ramsey,  cashier.  Industries:  Delta  Oval  Wood  Dish  Company,  1 grist, 
2 saw,  and  1 planing  mill,  brick  and  tile  works,  3 wagon  and  carriage  shops, 
large  pearlash  factory,  1 cheese,  1 washing  machine,  and  1 broom  factory.  Popu- 
lation in  1880,  859. 

Archbold  is  8 miles  west  of  Wauseon,  on  the  L.  S.  & M.  S.  Railroad.  It  has 
newspaper  : Herald,  Non-partisan,  W.  O.  Taylor,  editor.  Churches  : 1 Catholic, 
1 German  Reformed,  1 German  Lutheran,  and  1 Methodist  Episcopal.  Popula- 
tion in  1880,  635.  School  census  1886,  260. 


GALLIA. 

Gallia  CouirrY  was  formed  from  Washington,  April  30,  1803.  The  word 
Gallia  is  the  ancient  name  of  France,  from  whence  it  was  originally  settled.  The 
surface  is  generally  broken,  excepting  in  the  eastern  part,  and  on  the  Ohio  river 
and  Kiger  creek,  where  it  is  more  level  and  the  soil  fertile.  Much  of  the  county 
is  well  adapted  to  wheat,  and  a great  part  covered  with  a sandy  loam.  Area,  430 
square  miles.  In  1885  the  acres  cultivated  were  69,775;  in  pasture,  86,973; 
woodland,  48,880  ; lying  waste,  6,298  ; produced  in  wheat,  bushels,  44,552  ; oats, 
84,035;  corn,  654,383;  tobacco,  pounds,  153,325;  butter,  pounds,  461,471. 

School  census  1886 — pupils,  5,359  ; teachers,  260.  It  has  41  miles  of  railroad. 


Townships  and  Census. 

1840. 

1880. 

Townships  and  Census. 

1840. 

1880. 

Addison, 

692 

1,440 

Huntington, 

972 

1,758 

Cheshire, 

791 

2,030 

Morgan, 

744 

1,465 

Clay, 

745 

1,507 

Ohio, 

Perry, 

626 

1,429 

Gallipolis, 

1,413 

5,227 

973 

1,329 

Green, 

1,047 

1,532 

Raccoon, 

1,610 

1,821 

Greenfield, 

639 

1,209 

Springfield, 

991 

1,782 

^uyan. 

342 

2,277 

Walnut, 

423 

1,892 

Harrison, 

688 

1,426 

Wilkes  ville. 

738 

The  population  of  the  county  was,  in  1820,  7,098;  in  1830,  9,733;  in  1840, 
13,445;  in  1860,  20,453;  in  1870,  22,743;  in  1880,  25,178,  of  whom  22,763 
were  Ohio-born  ; 2,470  Virginia ; 505  Pennsylvania;  323  German  Empire ; 398 
England  and  Wales ; 92  Ireland  ; 27  France. 

The  first  settlement  in  Gallia  county  was  at  Gallipolis.  It  was  settled  in  1791, 
by  a French  colony  sent  out  under  the  auspices  of  the  ‘^Scioto  Company.”  This 
was  an  association  formed  in  Paris,  the  project  of  Col.  William  Duer,  of  New 
York,  Secretary  of  the  United  States  Board  of  Treasury,  a large  operator  and  a 
man  of  speculative  turn.  He  was  of  English  birth  and  had  been  a member  of 
the  Continental  Congress.  While  Dr.  Manasseh  Cutler  was  negotiating  for  the 
passage  of  the  ordinance  of  the  Ohio  Company’s  Purchase  Mr.  Duer  went  to  him 
and  proposed  to  connect  with  it  an  outside  land  speculation  and  colonization 
scheme.  The  passage  of  the  ordinance  seemed  hopeless  without  Duer’s  influence 


GALLIA  COUNTY. 


669 


and  as  he  offered  generous  conditions  Cutler  acceded.  With  his  influence  its  suc- 
cess was  certain.  The  matter,  however,  was  to  be  kept  a profound  secret.  The 
generous  conditions  on  the  part  of  Duer  to  the  Ohio  Company  for  permitting  the 
contract  to  be  made  under  cover  of  its  petition  was  a loan  of  $143,000  in  securi- 
ties, to  enable  it  to  complete  the  first  payment  to  the  Board  of  Treasury,  many 
shareholders  of  the  Ohio  Company  having  failed  to  respond  promptly  to  the  call. 


In  October,  1787,  Dr.  Cutler  and  Sargent 
closed  two  contracts  with  the  Board  of  Trea- 
sury. One  with  Manasseh  Cutler  and  Win- 
throp  Sargent,  as  agents  for  the  directors  of 
the  “Ohio  Company  of  Associates,  so  called,  ’ ’ 
was  an  absolute  purchase  of  1,500,000  acres, 
lying  between  the  Ohio  river,  the  7th  and  17th 
ranges  of  townships,  ^ and  extending  north 
from  the  river  till  a line  due  west  from  the 
7th  to  the  17th  range  should,  with  the  reser- 
vations stated  in  the  contract,  include  the 
whole  amount.  The  other  with  Manasseh 
Cutler  and  Winthrop  Sargent,  “ for  them- 
sekes  and  associates,”  was  an  option  to  pur- 


chase all  the  lands  lying  between  the  Ohio  and 
Scioto  rivers  and  the  17th  Range,  extending 
north  to  the  line  of  the  10th  Township,  and 
also  all  the  land  east  of  this  tract,  west  of  the 
7th  Range,  south  of  the  10th  Township,  and 
north  of  the  Ohio  Company’s  purchase. 
The  whole  tract  of  land  included  in  the  last 
contract  was  estimated  to  be  from  3,000,000 
to  3,500,000  acres.  In  each  contract  the 
line  of  the  17th  range  is  recognized  as  yet  to 
be  determined.  The  price  of  the  land  was 
one  dollar  per  acre,  subject  to  a reduction  of 
one-third  for  bad  land,  to  be  paid  in  gold, 
silver,  or  securities  of  the  United  States. 


From  the  above  it  is  seen  that  Dr.  Cutler  and  Major  Sargent  made  an  absolute 
purchase  from  the  Board  of  Treasury  for  the  direct  use  of  the  Ohio  Company,  and 
a contract  for  the  right  of  purchase  or  pre-emption  right  of  the  three  millions  and 
a half  or  thereabouts  wanted  by  Duer  and  associates.  Having  done  this  they 
ceded  to  the  latter  the  pre-emption  right.  Cutler  and  Sargent,  members  of  the 
Ohio  Company,  were  included  as  associates  with  Duer. 

What  we  may  term  the  Scioto  tract  was  divided  into  thirty  shares,  of  which 
Duer  took  13,  Cutler  and  Sargent  jointly  13,  and  the  remaining  four  were  to  be 
sold  in  Europe.  Cutler  and  Sargent  assigned  interests  to  Generals  Benjamin 
Tupper,  Rufus  Putnam,  S.  H.  Parsons,  and  Royal  Flint.  Joel  Barlow  was  also 
given  an  interest  by  Duer  of  one-sixtieth  of  the  tract,  he  being  selected  as  agent 
to  go  to  Paris  and  sell  the  four  shares.  He  arrived  there  the  last  of  June,  1788. 
He  could,  however,  sell  only  the  right  of  pre-emption.’^  Barlow  took  with  him 
a copy  of  a pamphlet  by  Dr.  Cutler  entitled  An  explanation  of  the  Map  which 
delineates  that  part  of  the  Federal  lands  comprehended  between  Pennsylvania, 
the  Rivers  Ohio,  Scioto,  and  Lake  Erie.”  This  pamphlet  was  reprinted  in  Paris, 
in  1789,  with  the  endorsement  of  Capt.  Thomas  Hutchins,  the  geographer  of  the 
United  States,  as  to  its  accuracy. 

At  first  Barlow  met  with  indifferent  success,  but  early  in  1789  he  got  acquainted 
with  William  Playfair,  whom  he  describes  as  an  Englishman  of  a bold  and  en- 
terprising spirit  and  a good  imagination.” 

In  July  of  that  year  the  Bastile  was  taken  and  all  France  was  in  an  uproar. 
The  times  were  propitious  for  schemes  of  emigration.  Barlow  and  Playfair  issued 
Prospectus  for  an  Estfblishment  on  the  Rivers  Ohio  and  Scioto.”  In  preparing 
this  they  used  the  pamphlet  of  Dr.  Cutler  and  Capt.  Hutchins  descriptive  of  the 
Ohio  country,  with  additions  and  embellishments  wherein  Playfair’s  good  imag- 
ination ” was  displayed,  as  is  shown  by  the  annexed  extract : 


A climate  wholesome  and  delightful,  frost 
even  in  winter  almost  entirely  unknown,  and 
a river  called,  by  way  of  eminence,  the  heau- 
tiful^  and  abounding  in  excellent  fish  of  a vast 
size.  Noble  forests,  consisting  of  trees  that 
spontaneously  produce  sugar  {the  sugar  maple) 
and  a plant  that  yields  ready-made  candles 


{myrica  cerifera).  Venison  in  plenty,  the 
pursuit  of  which  is  uninterrupted  by  wolves. 
Foxes,  lions  or  tigers.  A couple  of  swine  will 
multiply  themselves  a hundredfold  in  two  or 
three  years,  without  taking  any  care  of  them. 
No  taxes  to  pay,  no  military  services  to  be 
performed. 


Yolney,  who  came  to  America  in  1795,  in  his  View,”  where  we  find  the 
above,  says : 


670 


GALLIA  COUNTY. 


These  munificent  promisers  forgot  to  say 
that  these  forests  must  be  cut  down  before 
corn  could  be  raised  ; that  for  a year,  at  least, 
they  must  bring  their  daily  bread  from  a 
great  distance  ; that  hunting  and  fishing  are 
agreeable  amusements,  when  pursued  for  the 
sake  of  amusement,  but  are  widely  different 
when  followed  for  the  sake  of  subsistence. 
And  they  quite  forgot  to  mention  that,  though 
(there  be  no  bears  or  tigers  in  the  neighbor- 
^hood,  there  are  wild  beasts  infinitely  more 
cunning  and  ferocious,  in  the  shape  of  men, 
who  were  at  that  time  at  open  and  cruel  war 
with  the  whites. 

In  France,  in  Paris,  the  imagination  was 
too  heated  to  admit  of  doubt  or  suspicion. 


and  people  were  too  ignorant  and  uninformed 
to  perceive  where  the  picture  was  defective 
and  its  colors  too  glaring.  The  example,  too, 
of  the  wealthy  and  reputedly  wise  confirmed 
the_  popular  delusion.  Nothing  was  talked 
of,  in  every  social  circle,  but  the  paradise  that 
was  opened  for  Frenchmen  in  the  western 
wilderness,  the  free  and  happy  life  to  be  led 
on  the  blissful  banks  of  the  Scioto.  At 
length  Brissot  published  his  travels  and  com- 
pleted the  flattering  delusion.  Buyers  became 
numerous  and  importunate,  chiefly  among 
the  better  sort  of  the  middle  class.  Single 
persons  and  whole  families  disposed  of  their 
all,  flattering  themselves  with  having  made 
excellent  bargains. 


Volney  here  refers  to  the  travels  of  Brissot  de  Warville.  Brissot  published 
several  volumes  relating  to  America,  as  we  infer  from  his  preface  to  his  New 
Travels  in  America/’  a work  issued  in  the  spring  of  1791,  and  consisting  in  part 
of  a series  of  letters  written  from  this  country  in  1788.  In  his  preface  to  the 
last,  he  says  : The  third  volume  was  published  in  1787  by  Mr.  Claviere  and  me.” 
In  the  last,  he  refers  to  the  charges  against  the  Scioto  Company  in  this  wise : 
^^This  company  has  been  much  calumniated.  It  has  been  accused  of  selling 
lands  which  it  does  not  possess,  of  giving  exaggerated  accounts  of  its  fertility,  of 
deceiving  the  emigrants,  of  robbing  France  of  her  inhabitants,  and  of  sending 
them  to  be  butchered  by  the  savages.  But  the  title  of  this  association  is  incon- 
testable ; the  proprietors  are  reputable  men ; the  description  which  they  have 
given  of  the  lands  is  taken  from  the  public  and  authentic  reports  of  Mr. 
Hutchins,  geographer  of  Congress.  No  person  can  dispute  their  prodigious  fer- 
tility.” He  elsewhere  speaks,  in  this  volume,  in  high  terms  of  the  company. 

With  the  proposals  they  issued  a map  copied  from  that  of  Capt.  Hutchins,  but 
with  a fraudulent  addition  in  the  statement  that  the  country  east  of  the  Scioto 
tract  was  cleared  and  settled  when,  indeed,  it  was  a wilderness,  the  first  settlement 
within  it,  that  at  Marietta,  having  been  made  only  the  year  before. 

The  engraved  map  annexed  was  inserted  in  the  first  edition  of  this  work.  It 
was  copied  by  us  in  1846  from  the  map  of  Barlow  and  Playfair  in  the  possession 
of  Monsieur  J.  P.  R.  Bureau,  one  of  the  settlers  who  was  then  living  in  Gallipolis, 
and  who  came  out  in  1799  from  Paris.  The  original  was  sixteen  inches  long  and 
twelve  wide. 

It  was  in  French,  handsomely  engraved  and  colored,  with  the  lands  of  the  two 
companies  and  the  tract  east  of  them,  all  divided  into  townships  of  six  miles 
square.  It  represents  the  Scioto  Company’s  tract  as  extending  about  100  miles 
north  of  the  mouth  of  the  Kanawha,  and  including  more  or  less  of  the  present 
counties  of  Meigs,  Athens,  Muskingum,  Licking,  Franklin,  Pickaway,  Ross,  Pike, 
Scioto,  Gallia,  Lawrence,  Perry,  Jackson,  Hocking  and  Fairfield.  This  tract,  on 
the  map,  is  divided  into  142  townships  and  thirty-two  fractions.  The  north  line 
of  the  Ohio  Land  Company’s  tract  is  eighteen  miles  south  of  the  other,  and  included 
the  present  county  of  Morgan  and  parts  of  Washington,  Meigs,  Athens,  Mus- 
kingum, Guernsey  and  Monroe,  there  divided  into  ninety-one  townships  and  six- 
teen fractions.  The  tract  east  of  that  of  the  Ohio  Company  extends  forty-eight 
miles  farther  north.  Upon  the  original  are  the  words,  ‘‘  Sept  rangs  de  munici- 
palite  acquis  par  des  individues  et  occupes  depuis,  1786;”  i.  e.,  Seven  ranges 
of  townships  acquired  by  individuals  and  occupied  since  1786.” 

It  was  in  November,  1789,  that  Barlow,  as  agent,  concluded  the  sale  to  a com- 
pany formed  in  Paris  under  the  firm-name  of  the  Company  of  the  Scioto,”  the 
principal  members  of  which  were  M.  Gouy  de  Arsy,  M.  Barond,  St.  Didier, 
Maheas,  Guibert,  the  Chevalier  de  Coquelon,  William  Playfair  and  Joel  Barlow. 
He  used  no  deception  with  the  company,  showing  them  the  exact  terms  of  the 
grant  to  his  principals. 


GALLIA  COUNTY. 


671 


The  Society  of  the  Scioto  Company  sold  their  lands  rapidly,  but  the  deeds  did 
not  give  a perfect  title  nor  claim  to  do  so.  They  conveyed  all  the  right,  title, 
interest  and  claim  of  said  society,’’  but  many  persons  accepted  the  deeds  as  con- 
veying and  warranting  a perfect  title.  The  warranty  clause  in  the  deeds  guar- 
anteed against  every  kind  of  eviction  or  attack.” 

Barlow  exceeded  his  powers  in  allowing  the  Scioto  Company  to  give  deeds. 
He,  however,  expected  that  from  the  proceeds  of  sales  they  would  be  enabled  to 


perfect  the  title.  His  associate,  Playfair,  withheld  the  funds,  and  Barlow,  i\ 
seems,  was  duped  by  him. 

The  upshot  of  the  matter  was  that  the  Scioto  Company  and  Col.  Duer  failed, 
and  the  failure  of  the  latter  was  so  great  that  it  was  said  to  have  been  the  very  first 
financial  shock  of  any  moment  from  speculation  New, York  city  ever  received. 

A full  history  of  the  Scioto  Company  is  given  in  thirty  pages  of  the  “ Life  of 
Manasseh  Cutler,”  published  by  Eobert  Clarke  & Co.,  to  which  the  reader  is 
referred. 


6/2 


GALLIA  COUNTY. 


The  result  of  the  operations  of  the  Scioto  Company  was  to  colonize  a spot  in 
Ohio  with  French  people  in  1790,  who  thus  made  the  third  permanent  regular 
settlement  within  its  limits  at  Gallipolis,  the  others  preceding  being  Marietta  and 
Cincinnati.  The  first  party  of  French  emigrants  arrived  at  Alexandria  on  May 
1,  1790;  about  500  in  all  left  their  native  country  for  the  promised  land,  and 
about  October  20th  the  first  boat-load  arrived  at  Gallipolis. 

The  terms  to  induce  immigration  were  as  follows  : the  company  agreed  to  take 
the  colonists  to  their  lands  and  pay  the  cost,  and  the  latter  bound  himself  to  work 
three  years  for  the  company,  for  which  he  was  to  receive  fifty  acres,  a house  and  a 
cow.  Not  all  came  on  these  terms,  for  among  them  were  men  of  wealth  and  title 


Gallipolis,  i.  e.,  City  of  the  French,  in  1790. 


who  paid  their  own  passage  and  bought  land  on  their  own  account.  They  were 
persons  ill  fitted  for  such  an  enterprise.  Among  them  were  not  a few  carvers  and 
gilders  to  his  majesty,  coach  and  peruke  makers,,  friseurs  and  other  artistes,  about 
equally  well  fitted  for  a backwoods  life,  with  only  ten  or  twelve  farmers  and 
laborers. 

On  the  map  is  shown  the  first  town,’^  i.  e.,  Premiere  VilleJ^  opposite  the 

mouth  of  the  Kanawha.  It  was  laid  out  by  the  Ohio  Company,  under  the  name 
of  Fair  Haven ; but  as  the  ground  there  is  low  and  liable  to  overflow,  Gallipolis 
was  located  four  miles  below,  upon  a high  bank,  ten  feet  above  the  flood  of  1832. 

The  location  was  made  a few  months  before  the  arrival  of  the  French.  Rufus 
Putnam  sent  for  that  purpose  Major  Burnham,  with  forty  men,  who  arriv^ed  here 
on  the  8th  of  June  by  river  from  Marietta.  They  made  a clearing  and  erected 
block -houses  and  cabins.  Col.  Robert  Safford,  who  died  here  June  26,  1863,  a 
very  aged  man,  was  of  this  party  and  was  the  first  to  spring  ashore  from  the  boat 
and  signalize  his  landing  by  cutting  down  a sapling,  which  he  did  with  a camp 
hatchet,  which  was  the  first  blow  towards  making  a settlement. 

On  the  public  square  Burnham  erected  eighty  log-cabins,  twenty  in  each  row. 
At  each  of  the  corners  were  block-houses,  two  stories  in  height.  In  front  of  the 
cabins,  close  by  the  river  bank,  was  a small,  log-breastwork,  erected  for  a defence 
while  building  the  cabins.  Above  the  cabins,  on  the  square,  Avere  two  other  par- 
allel rows  of  cabins,  which,  with  a high  stockade  fence  and  block-houses  at  each 
of  the  upper  corners,  formed  a sufficient  fortification  in  times  of  danger.  These 
upper  cabins  were  a story  and  a half  in  height,  built  of  hewed  logs,  and  finislied 
in  better  style  than  those  beloAV,  being  intended  for  the  richer  class.  In  the  upper 
cabins  was  a room  used  for  a council  chamber  and  a ball  room. 

The  Scioto  Company  contracted  with  Putnam  to  erect  these  buildings  and  furnish 


GALLIA  COUNTY, 


^73 

the  settlers  with  provisions,  but  failed  of  payment,  by  which  he  lost  a large  amount. 
It  was  a dense  little  village,  the  cabins  close  together,  and  in  its  personelle  a 
piece  of  Paris  dropped  down  on  the  banks  of  the  Ohio.  According  to  well- 
authenticated  tradition  one  of  the  cabins  had  out  the  sign,  Bakeey  & Mid- 
wifery. 

We  continue  the  history  of  Gallipolis  in  the  annexed  extract  from  a communi- 
cation in  the  American  Pioneer y made  about  the  year  1843  by  Waldeurard  Meu- 
lette,  one  of  the  colonists. 


At  an  early  meeting  of  the  colonists,  the 
town  was  named  Gallipolis  (town  of  the 
French).  I did  not  arrive  till  nearly  all  the 
colonists  were  there.  I descended  the  river 
in  1791 , in  flat  boats,  loaded  with  troops,  com- 
manded by  Gen.  St.  Clair,  destined  for  an 
expedition  against  the  Indians.  Some  of  my 
countrymen  j^oined  that  expedition  ; among 
others  was  Count  Malartie,  a captain  in  the 
French  guard  of  Louis  XYI.  General  St. 
Clair  made  him  one  of  his  aide-de-camps  in 
the  battle,  in  which  he  was  severely  wounded. 
He  went  back  to  Philadelphia,  from  whence 
he  returned  to  France.  The  Indians  were 
encouraged  to  greater  depredations  and  mur- 
ders, by  their  success  in  this  expedition,  but 
most  especially  against  the  American  settle- 
ments. From  their  intercourse  with  the 
French  in  Canada,  or  some  other  cause,  they 
seemed  less  disposed  to  trouble  us.  Imme- 
diately after  St.  Clair’s  defeat.  Col.  Sproat, 
commandant  at  Marietta,  appointed  four  spies 
for  Gallipolis — two  Americans  and  two  French, 
of  which  I was  one,  and  it  was  not  until  after 
the  treaty  at  Greenville,  in  1795,  that  we  were 
released. 

Notwithstanding  the  great  difiiculties,  the 
diflbrence  of  tempers,  education  and  profes- 
sions, the  inhabitants  lived  in  harmony,  and 
having  little  or  nothing  to  do,  made  themselves 
agreeable  and  useful  to  each  other.  The 
Americans  and  hunters,  employed  by  the  com- 
pany, performed  the  first  labors  of  clearing 
the  township,  which  was  divided  into  lots. 

Although  the  French  were  willing  to  work, 
yet  the  clearing  of  an  American  wilderness 
and  its  heavy  timber,  was  far  more  than  they 
could  perform.  To  migrate  from  the  Eastern 
States  to  the  “far  west”  is  painful  enough 
now-a-days,  but  how  much  more  so  it  must  be 
for  a citizen  of  a large  European  town  ! even 
a farmer  of  the  old  countries  would  find  it 
very  hard,  if  not  impossible,  to  clear  land  in 
the  wilderness.  Those  hunters  were  paid  by 
the  colonists  to  prepare  their  garden  ground, 
which  was  to  receive  the  seeds  brought  from 
France ; few  of  the  colonists  knew  how  to 
make  a garden,  but  they  were  guided  by  a few 
books  on  that  subject,  which  they  had  brought 
likewise  from  France. 

The  colony  then  began  to  improve  in  its 
appearance  and  comfort.  The  fresh  provisions 
were  supplied  by  the  company’s  hunters,  the 
others  came  from  their  magazines.  When 
on  the  expeditions  of  Generals  St.  Clair  and 
Wayne  many  of  the  troops  stopped  at  Galli- 
poiis  to  take  provisions,  which  had  been  de- 
posited there  for  that  purpose  by  government ; 


the  Indians,  who  no  doubt  often  came  there 
in  the  night,  at  last  saw  the  regulars  going 
morning  and  evening  round  the  town  in  order 
to  ascertoin  if  there  were  any  Indian  traces, 
and  attacked  them,  killing  and  wounding  sev- 
eral— a soldier,  besides  other  wounds,  was 
tomahawked,  but  recovered.  A French  col- 
onist, who  had  tried  to  raise  corn  at  some  dis- 
tance from  the  town,  seeing  an  Indian  rising 
from  behind  some  brushwood  against  a tree, 
shot  him  in  the  shoulder ; the  Indian  hearing 
an  American  patrole,  must  have  thought  that 
the  Frenchman  made  a part  of  it ; and  some- 
time afterward  a Frenchman  was  killed,  and 
a man  and  woman  made  prisoners,  as  they 
were  going  to  collect  ashes  to  make  soap,  at 
some  distance  from  town. 

After  this,  although  the  Indians  committed 
depredations  on  the  Americans  on  both  sides 
of  the  river,  the  French  had  suffered  only  by 
the  loss  of  some  cattle  carried  away,  until  the 
murder  of  the  man  above  related.  The  Scioto 
Company,  in  the  mean  time,  had  nearly  ful- 
filled all  their  engagements  during  six  months, 
after  which  time  they  ceased  their  supply  of 
provisions  to  the  colonists,  and  one  of  their 
agents  gave  as  a reason  for  it,  that  the  com- 
pany had  been  cheated  by  one  or  two  of  their 
agents  in  France,  who,  having  received  the 
funds  in  France  for  the  purchased  lands,  had 
kept  the  money  for  themselves  and  run  off 
with  it  to  England,  without  having  purchased 
or  possessing  any  of  the  tract  which  they  had 
sold  to  the  deceived  colonists.  This  intelli- 
gence exasperated  them,  and  was  the  more 
sensibly  felt  as  a scarcity  of  provisions  added 
to  their  disappointment.  The  winter  was 
uncommonly  severe  ; the  creek  and  the  Ohio 
were  frozen  ; the  hunters  had  no  longer  any 
meat  to  sell ; flat  boats  could  not  come  down 
with  flour  to  furnish  as  they  had  done  before. 
This  produced  almost  a famine  in  the  settle- 
ment, and  a family  of  eight  persons,  father, 
mother,  and  children,  was  obliged  to  subsist 
for  eight  or  ten  days  on  dry  beans,  boiled  in 
water,  without  either  salt,  grease  or  bread, 
and  those  had  never  known,  before  that  time, 
what  it  was  to  want  for  anything.  On  the 
Other  hand,  the  dangers  from  the  Indians 
seemed  to  augment  every  day. 

The  colonists  were  by  this  time  weary  of 
being  confined  to  a few  acres  of  land ; the 
result  of  their  industry  was  lost ; the  money 
and  clothes  which  they  had  brought  were 
nearly  gone.  They  knew  not  to  whom  they 
were  to  apply  to  get  their  lands  ; they  hoped 
that  if  Wayne’s  campaign  forced  the  Indians 
to  make  a lasting  peace,  the  Scioto  Company 


674 


GALLIA  COUNTY. 


would  send  immediately,  either  to  recover  or 
to  purchase  those  promised  lands ; but  they 
soon  found  out  their  mistake.  After  the 
treaty  of  Greenville,  many  Indians  passing 
through  Gallipolis,  on  their  way  to  the  seat 
of  government,  and  several  travellers,  revealed 
the  whole  transaction,  from  which  it  was  as- 
certained that  the  pretended  Scioto  Company 
was  composed  of  New  Englanders,  the  names 
of  very  few  only  being  known  to  the  French, 
who,  being  themselves  ignorant  of  the  English 
language,  and  at  such  a distance  from  the 
place  of  residence  of  their  defrauders,  and 
without  means  for  prosecuting  them,  could 
get  no  redress.  . 

Lonely  Condition  of  the  Colonists. — Far  in 
a distant  land,  separated  forever  from  their 
friends  and  relations — with  exhausted  means, 
was  it  surprising  that  they  were  disheartened, 
and  that  every  social  tie  should  have  been 
loosened,  nearly  broken,  and  a great  portion 
of  the  deceived  colonists  should  have  become 
reckless  ? May  the  happy  of  this  day  never 
feel  as  they  did,  when  all  hope  was  blasted, 
and  they  were  left  so  destitute  ! Many  of  the 
colonists  went  off  and  settled  elsewhere  with 
the  means  that  remained  to  them,  and  re- 
sumed their  trades  in  more  populous  parts  of 
the  country  ; others  led  a half-savage  life,  as 
hunters  for  skins  : the  greater  part,  however, 
resolved,  in  a general  assembly,  to  make  a 
memorial  of  their  grievances,  and  send  it  to 
Congress.  The  memorial  claimed  no  rights 
from  that  body,  but  it  was  a detail  of  their 
wrongs  and  sufferings,  together  with  an  ap- 
peal to  the  generosity  and  feelings  of  Con- 
gress ; and  they  did  not  appeal  in  vain.  One 
of  the  colonists  proposed  to  carry  the  peti- 
tion ; he  only  stipulated  that  his  expenses 
should  be  paid  by  a contribution  of  the  col- 
onists, whether  he  succeeded  or  not  in  their 
object ; but  he  added  that  if  he  obtained  for 
himself  the  quantity  of  land  which  he  had 


paid  for,  and  the  rest  had  none,  he  should  be 
repaid  by  their  gratitude  for  his  efforts. 

The  French  Grant. — At  Philadelphia  he 
met  with  a French  lawyer,  M.  Duponceau, 
and  through  his  means  he  obtained  from  Con- 
gress a grant  of  24,000  acres  of  land,  known 
by  the  name  of  the  French  grant,  opposite  to 
Little  Sandy,  for  the  French,  who  were  still 
resident  at  Gallipolis.  The  act  annexed  the 
condition  of  settling  on  the  lands  three  years 
before  receiving  the  deed  of  gift.  The  bearer 
of  the  petition  had  his  4,000  acres  ; the  rest 
was  divided  among  the  remaining  French, 
amounting  to  ninety-two  persons,  married  and 
single. 

Each  inhabitant  had  thus  a lot  of  2171 
acres  of  land ; but  before  the  surveys  and 
other  arrangements  could  be  made,  some  time 
was  necessary,  during  which,  those  who  had 
reclaimed  the  wilderness  and  improved  Galli- 
polis being  reluctant  to  lose  all  their  labor,  and 
finding  that  a company,  owning  the  lands  of 
Marietta,  and  where  there  was  a settlement 
previous  to  that  of  the  French  colony,  had 
mej.  to  divide  lands  which  they  had  purchased 
in  a common  stock,  the  colonists  sent  a depu- 
tation for  the  purpose  of  proposing  to  the 
company  to  sell  them  the  spot  where  Galli- 
polis was  and  is  situated,  and  to  be  paid  in 
proportion  to  what  was  improved,  which  was 
accepted.  When  at  last  the  distribution  of 
the  lots  of  the  French  grant  was  achieved, 
some  sold  their  share,  others  went  to  settle  on 
it,  or  put  tenants,  and  either  remained  at  Gal- 
lipolis, or  went  elsewhere ; but  how  few  en- 
tered again  heartily  into  a new  kind  of  life, 
many  having  lost  their  lives  and  others 
their  health,  amid  hardships,  excess  of 
labor,  or  the  indolence  which  follows  discour- 
agement and  hopeless  efforts  ! Few  of  the 
original  settlers  remain  at  Gallipolis : not 
many  at  the  French  grant. 


Breckenridge,  in  his  Becollections/^  gives  some  remini.scences  of  Gallipolis, 
related  in  a style  of  charming  simplicity  and  humor.  He  was  at  Gallipolis  in 
1795,  at  which  time  he  was  a boy  of  nine  years  of  age. 


The  Little  French  Doctor. — Behold  me 
once  more  in  port,  and  domiciliated  at  the 
house,  or  the  inn,  of  Monsieur,  or  rather. 
Dr.  Saugrain,  a cheerful,  sprightly  little 
Frenchman,  four  feet  six,  English  measure, 
and  a chemist,  natural  philosopher,  and  phy- 
sician, both  in  the  English  and  French  signi- 
fication of  the  word This  singular 

village  was  settled  by  people  from  Paris  and 
Lyons,  chiefly  artisans  and  artists,  peculiarly 
unfitted  to  sit  down  in  the  wilderness  and 
clear  away  forests.  I have  seen  half  a dozen 
at  work  in  taking  down  a tree,  some  pulling 
ropes  fastened  to  the  branches,  while  others 
were  cutting  around  it  like  beavers.  Some- 
times serious  accidents  occurred  in  conse- 
quence of  their  awkwardness.  Their  former 
employment  had  been  only  calculated  to  ad- 
minister to  the  luxury  of  highly  polished 
and  wealthy  societies.  There  were  carvers 


and  gilders  to  the  king,  coach-makers,  friseurs 
and  peruke-makers,  and  a variety  of  others 
who  might  have  found  some  emplojmient  in 
our  larger  towns,  but  who  were  entirely  out 
of  their  place  in  the  wilds  of  Ohio.  Their 
means  by  this  time  had  been  exhausted,  and 
they  were  beginning  to  suffer  from  the  want 
of  the  comforts  and  even  the  necessaries  of 
life. 

The  country  back  from  the  river  was  still  a 
wilderness,  and  the  Gallipotians  did  not  pre- 
tend to  cultivate  anything  more  than  small 
garden  spots,  depending  for  their  supply  of 
provisions  on  the  boats  which  now  began  to 
descend  the  river ; but  they  had  to  pay  in 
cash  and  that  was  become  scarce.  They  still 
assembled  at  the  ball-room  twice  a week  ; it 
was  evident,  however,  that  they  felt  disap- 
pointment, and  were  no  longer  happy.  The 
predilections  of  the  best  among  them  being 


GALLIA  COUNTY, 


075 


on  the  side  of  the  Bourbons,  the  horrors  of 
the  French  revolution,  even  in  their  remote 
situation,  mingled  with  their  private  misfor- 
tunes, which  had  at  this  time  nearly  reached 
their  acme  in  consequence  of  the  discovery 
that  they  had  no  title  to  their  lands,  having 
been  cruelly  deceived  by  those  from  whom 
they  had  purchased.  It  is  well  known  that 
Congress  generously  made  them  a grant  of 
20,000  acres,  from  which,  however,  but  few 
of  them  ever  derived  any  advantage. 

As  the  Ohio  was  now  more  frequented,  the 
house  was  occasionally  resorted  to,  and  espe- 
cially by  persons  looking  out  for  land  to  pur- 
chase. The  doctor  had  a small  apartment 
which  contained  his  chemical  apparatus,  and 
I used  to  sit  by  him  as  often  as  I could, 
watching  the  curious  operation  of  his  blow- 


pipe and  crucible.  I loved  the  cheerful  little 
man,  and  he  became  very  fond  of  me  in  re- 
turn. Many  of  my  countrymen  used  to 
come  and  stare  at  his  doings,  which,  they 
were  half  inclined  to  think,  had  a too  near 
resemblance  to  the  black  art.  The  doctor’s 
little  phosphoric  matches,  igniting  sponta- 
neously when  the  little  glass  tube  was  broken, 
and  from  which  he  derived  some  emolument, 
were  thought  by  some  to  be  rather  beyond 
mere  human  power.  His  barometer  and 
thermometer,  with  the  scale  neatly  painted 
with  the  pen,  and  the  frames  richly  carved, 
were  objects  of  wonder,  and  probably  some 
of  them  are  yet  extant  in  the  west.  But 
what  most  astonished  some  of  our  visitors 
was  a large  peach  in  a glass  bottle,  th-^  neck 
of  which  would  only  admit  a common  cork  • 


The  French  Settlers  at  Gallipolis,  lirect  from  Paris,  Cutting  Down  Trees. 


this  was  accomplished  by  tying  the  bottle  to 
the  limb  of  a tree,  with  the  peach  when 
young  inserted  into  it.  His  swans  which 
swam  around  basins  of  water  amused  me 
more  than  any  wonders  exhibited  by  the  won- 
derful man. 

The  French  Philosophers  and  the  Savages. 
— The  doctor  was  a great  favorite  with  the 
Americans,  as  well  for  his  vivacity  and  sweet- 
ness of  temper,  which  nothing  could  sour,  as 
on  account  of  a circumstance  which  gave  him 
high  claim  to  the  esteem  of  the  backwoods- 
men. ^ He  had  shown  himself,  notwithstand- 
ing his  small  stature  and  great  good  nature, 
a very  hero  in  combat  with  the  Indians.  He 
had  descended  the  Ohio  in  company  with 
two  French  philosophers  who  were  believers 
in  the  primitive  innocence  and  goodness  of 


the  children  of  the  forest.  They  could  not 
be  persuaded  that  any  danger  was  to  be  ap- 
prehended from  the  Indians.  As  they  had 
no  intentions  to  injure  that  people,  they  sup- 
posed no  harm  could  be  meditated  on  their 
part.  Dr.  Saugrain  was  not  altogether  so 
well  convinced  of  their  good  intentions,  and 
accordingly  kept  his  pistols  loaded.  Near 
the  mouth  of  the  Sandy  a canoe  with  a party 
of  warriors  approached  the  boat ; the  philos- 
ophers invited  them  on  board  by  signs,  when 
they  came  rather  too  willingly.  The  first 
thing  they  did  on  coming  on  board  of  the 
boat  was  to  salute  the  two  philosophers  with 
the  tomahawk,  and  they  would  have  treated 
the  doctor  in  the  same  way  but  that  he  used 
his  pistols  with  good  effect — killed  two  of  t.he 
savages  and  then  leaped  into  the  water,  div- 


6/6 


GALLIA  COUNTY. 


ing  like  a dipper  at  the  flash  of  the  guns  of 
the  others,  and  succeeded  in  s^Timming  to  the 
shore  with  several  severe  wounds  whose  scars 
were  conspicuous. 

Madame  Saugrain. — The  doctor  was  mar- 
ried to  an  amiable  young  woman,  but  not 
possessing  as  much  vivacity  as  himself.  As 
Madame  Saugrain  had  no  maid  to  assist  her, 
her  brother,  a boy  of  my  age,  and  myself. 
Were  her  principal  helps  in  the  kitchen.  We 
brought  water  and  wood  and  washed  the 
dishes.  I used  to  go  in  the  morning  about 
two  miles  for  a little  milk,  sometimes  on  the 
frozen  ground,  barefooted.  I tried  a pair  of 
sabots,  or  wooden  shoes,  but  was  unable  to 
make  any  use  of  them,  although  they  had 
been  made  by  the  carver  to  the  king.  Little 
perquisites,  too,  sometimes  fell  to  our  share 
n-om  blacking  boots  and  shoes.  My  com- 
panion generally  saved  his,  while  mine  would 
have  burned  a hole  in  my  pocket  if  it  had 
remained  there.  In  the  spring  and  summer 
a good  deal  of  my  time  was  passed  in  the 
garden,  weeding  the  beds.  While  thus  en- 
gaged I formed  an  acquaintance  with  a young 
lady  of  eighteen  or  twenty  on  the  other  side 
of  the  palings,  who  was  often  similarly  occu- 
pied. Our  friendship,  which  was  purely 
Platonic,  commenced  with  the  story  of  Blue 
Beard,  recounted  by  her,  and  with  the  nov- 
elty and  pathos  of  which  I was  much  inter- 
ested. This  incident  may  perhaps  remind 
the  reader  of  the  story  of  Pyramus  and 
Thisbe,  or  perhaps  of  the  hortical  ecologue 
of  Bean  Swift,  “Bermot  and  Shela.” 

Connected  with  this  lady  is  an  incident 
which  I feel  a pleasure  in  relating.  One 
da}^,  while  standing  alone  on  the  bank  of  the 
river,  I saw  a man  who  had  gone  in  to  bathe 
and  who  had  got  beyond  his  depth  without 
being  able  to  swim.  He  had  begun  to  strug- 
gle for  life,  and  in  a few  seconds  would  have 
sunk  to  rise  no  more.  I shot  down  the  bank 
like  an  arrow,  leaped  into  a canoe  which  for- 
tunately happened  to  be  close  by,  pushed  the 
end  to  iiim,  and,  as  he  rose,  perhaps  for  the 
last  time,  he  seized  it  with  a deadly,  convul- 
sive grasp  and  held  so  firmly  that  the  skin 
afterward  came  off  the  parts  of  his  arms 
which  pressed  against  the  wood.  I screamed 
for  help.  Several  persons  came  and  took 
him  out,  perfectly  insensible.  He  afterwards 
married  the  young  lady  and  raised  a numerous 
and  respectable  family.  One  of  his  daugh- 
ters married  a young  lawyer  who  now  repre- 
sents that  district  in  Congress. 

Sufferings  of  the  Settlers. — Toward  the 
latter  part  of  summer  the  inhabitants  suffered 
severely  from  sickness  and  want  of  provisions. 
Their  situation  was  truly  wretched.  The 
swamp  in  the  rear,  now  exposed  by  the  clear- 
ing between  it  and  the  river,  became  the 
cause  of  a frightful  epidemic,  from  which 
few  escaped,  and  many  became  its  victims. 
I had  recovered  from  the  ague,  and  was 
among  the  few  exempted  from  the  disease ; 
but  our  family,  as  well  as  the  rest,  suffered 
much  from  absolute  hunger,  a most  painful 
sensation,  as  I had  before  experienced.  To 
show  the  extremity  of  our  distress,  on  one 


occasion  the  brother  of  Madame  Saugrain  and 
myself  pushed  a light  canoe  to  an  island 
above  town,  where  we  pulled  some  corn,  took 
it  to  mill,  and,  excepting  some  of  the  raw 
grains,  had  nothing  to  eat  from  the  day  be- 
fore until  we  carried  home  the  flour  and 
made  some  bread,  but  had  neither  milk  nor 
meat.  I have  learned  to  be  thankful  when  I 
had  a sufficiency  of  wholesome  food,  how- 
ever plain,  and  was  blessed  with  health  ; and 
I could  put  up  with  humble  fare  without  a 
murmur,  although  accustomed  to  luxuries, 
when  I have  seen  those  who  have  never  ex- 
perienced absolute  starvation  turn  up  their 
noses  at  that  which  was  a very  little  worse 

than  the  best  they  had  ever  known 

General  Willdnsonand  Suite. — I had  been 
nearly  a year  at  Gallipolis,  when  Capt.  Smith, 
of  the  United  States  army,  came  along  in 
advance  of  the  barge  of  Gen.  Wilkinson, 
and,  according  to  the  request  of  my  father, 
took  me  into  his  custody  for  the  purpose  of 
bringing  me  once  more  to  my  native  place. 
He  remained  two  or  three  days  waiting  for 
the  general,  and  in  the  meanwhile  procured 
me  hat,  shoes  and  clothes  befitting  a gentle- 
man’s son,  and  then  took  me  on  board  his 
boat.  Shortly  after  the  general  overtook  us 
I was  transferred  on  board  his  barge  as  a 
playmate  for  his  son  Biddle,  a boy  of  my 
own  age.  The  general’s  lady  and  several 
ladies  and  gentlemen  were  on  board  his  boat, 
which  was  fitted  up  in  a style  of  convenience 
and  even  magnificence  scarcely  surpassed 
even  by  the  present  steamboats.  It  was 
propelled  against  the  stream  by  twenty-five 
or  thirty  men,  sometimes  by  the  pole,  the 
cordelle,  and  often  by  the  oar.  There  was 
also  a band  of  musicians  on  board,  and  the 
whole  had  the  appearance  of  a mere  party 
of  pleasure.  My  senses  were  overpowered — 
it  seemed  an  elysium  ! The  splendor  of  the 
furniture — the  elegance  of  the  dresses — and 
then,  the  luxuries  of  the  table,  to  a half- 
starved  creature  like  me,  produced  an  effect 
which  can  scarce  be  easily  described.  Every 
repast  was  a royal  banquet,  and  such  deli- 
cacies were  placed  before  me  as  I had  never 
seen  before,  and  in  sufficient  abundance  to 
satiate  my  insatiable  appetite.  I was  no 
more  like  what  I had  been  than  the  cast-off 
skin  of  the  blacksnake  resembles  the  new 
dress  in  which  he  glistens  in  the  sunbeam. 
The  general’s  countenance  was  continually 
lighted  up  with  smiles,  and  he  seemed  faire 
le  bonheur  of  all  around  him  ; it  seemed  his 
business  to  make  every  one  happy  about 
him.  His  countenance  and  manners  were 
such  as  I have  rarely  seen,  and  now  that  I 
can  form  a more  just  estimate  of  them,  were 
such  as  better  fitted  him  for  a court  than  a 
republic.  His  lad}’^  was  truly  an  estimable 
person,  of  the  mildest  and  softest  manners. 
8he  gave  her  son  and  myself  a reproof  one 
day  which  I never  forgot.  She  saw  us  catch- 
ing minnows  with  pin-hooks,  made  us  desist, 
and  then  explained  in  the  sweetest  manner 
the  cruelty  of  taking  away  life  wantonly  from 
the  humblest  thing  in  creationL 


GALLIA  COUNTY, 


677 


In  1807  Breckenridge  again  saw  Galllpolis. 


As  we  passed  Point  Pleasant  and  tlie  island 
below  it,  Gallipolis,  which  I looked  for  with 
anxious  feelings,  hove  in  sight.  I thought 
of  the  French  inhabitants — I thought  of  my 
friend  Saugrain  ; and  I recalled,  in  the  live- 
liest colors,  the  incidents  of  that  portion  of 
my  life  which  was  passed  here.  A year  is  a 
long  time  at  that  period — every  day  is  crowded 
with  new  and  great  and  striking  events. 
When  the  boat  landed,  I ran  up  the  bank  and 
looked  around ; but  alas ! how  changed ! The 
Americans  had  taken  the  town  in  hand,  and 
no  trace  of  antiquity^  that  is,  of  twelve  years 
ago,  remained.  I hastened  to  the  spot  where 
I expected  to  find  the  abode,  the  little  log- 
house,  tavern,  and  laboratory  of  the  doctor, 
but  they  had  vanished  like  the  palace  of  Alad- 
din. After  some  inquiry  I found  a little 
Frenchman,  who,  like  the  old  woman  of  Gold- 
smith’s village,  was  “ the  sad  historian  of  the 
deserted  plain,” — that  is,  deserted  by  one 


race,  to  be  peopled  by  another.  He  led  me 
to  where  a few  logs  might  be  seen,  as  the  only 
remains  of  the  once  happy  tenement  which 
had  sheltered  me — but  all  around  it  was  a 
coinmon  ; the  town  had  taken  a different  di- 
rection. My  heart  sickened ; the  picture 
which  my  imagination  had  drawn — the  scenes 
which  my  memory  loved  to  cherish,  were 
blotted  out  and  obliterated.  A volume  of  re- 
miniscences  seemed  to  be  annihilated  in  an 
instant ! I took  a hasty  glance  at  the  new 
town,  as  I returned  to  the  boat.  I saw  brick 
houses,  painted  frames,  fanciful  enclosures, 
ornamental  trees  ! Even  the  pond,  which  had 
carried  off  a third  of  the  French  population 
by  its  malaria,  had  disappeared,  and  a pretty 
green  had  usurped  its  place,  with  a neat  brick 
court-house  in  the  midst  of  it.  This  was  too 
much  ; I hastened  my  pace,  and  with  sorrow 
once  more  pushed  into  the  stream. 


Gallipolis  in  1846. — Gallipolis,  the  county-seat,  is  pleasantly  situated  on  the 
Ohio  river,  102  miles  southeasterly  from  Columbus.  It  contains  1 Presbyterian, 
1 Episcopal,  and  1 Methodist  church,  12  or  14  stores,  2 newspaper  printing  offices, 
and  by  the  census  of  1840  had  1,221  inhabitants,  and  now  has  about  1,700.  A 
part  of  the  population  is  of  F"rench  descent,  but  they  have  in  a great  measure  lost 
their  national  characteristics.  Some  few  of  the  original  French  settlers  are  yet 
living.  The  engraving  of  the  public  square  shows  the  market  and  court-house 
near  the  centre  of  the  view,  with  a glimpse  of  the  Ohio  river  on  the  left. — Old 
Edition. 

Gallipolis  is  on  the  Ohio,  4 miles  below  the  mouth  of  the  Kanawha,  102  south* 
east  of  Columbus,  and  on  the  C.  H.  V.  & T.  R.  R.  County  officers  in  1888  : 
Auditor,  Anthony  W.  Kerns;  Clerk,  Robert  D.  Keal ; Coroner,  Fred.  A.  Crom- 
ley ; Prosecuting  Attorney,  T>.  Warren  Jones;  Probate  Judge,  John  J.  Thomas; 
Recorder,  James  K.  Williams;  Sheriff,  Valentine  H.  Switzer;  Surveyor,  Ira  W. 
Jacobs ; Treasurer,  D.  S.  Trowbridge,  I.  Floyd  Chapman ; Commissioners,  S.  F. 
Coughenour,  Daniel  J.  Davies,  William  H.  Clark.  Newspapers : Bulletin,  Demo- 
cratic ; Gallia  Tribune,  Republican  ; Jom^nal,  Republican.  Churches  : 3 Episco- 
pal Methodist,  1 Colored  Methodist,  1 Baptist,  1 Colored  Baptist,  1 Catholic,  1 
German  Lutheran,  1 Universalist,  1 Presbyterian,  1 Episcopalian.  Banks : First 
National,  R.  Deletombe,  president,  J.  S.  Blackaller,  cashier;  Ohio  Valley,  A. 
Henking,  president,  C.  W.  Henking,  cashier.  Industries  and  Enployees:  Gal- 
lipolis Steam  Tannery,  14  hands;  Morrison  & Betz,  lumber;  James  Mullineaux, 
doors,  sash,  etc.,  24;  Vanden  & Son,  A.  A.  Lyon,  carriages;  Martin  McHale, 
brooms,  19;  Fuller  & Hutsinpiller,  furniture,  75;  The  Fuller  and  Hutsinpiller 
Company,  finishing  furniture,  64;  Treasure  Stove  Works,  stoves,  etc.,  21 ; Kling 
& Co.,  stoves,  etc.,  24;  T.  S.  Ford  & Co.,  flooring,  etc.,  12;  Enos,  Hill  & Co., 
machinery,  etc.,  25  ; Gatewood  Lumber  Company,  furniture,  etc.,  22. — State  Report 
for  1887.  ' 

Population  in  1880,  4,400.  School  census  in  1886,  1,868;  Miron  E.  Hard, 
superintendent. 


TRAVELLING  NOTES. 

In  my  original  visit  to  Gallipolis  I failed  of 
learning  that  the  extraordinary  specimen  of 
humanity  known  as  Mad  Ann  Bailey  passed 
the  latter  part  of  her  days  in  its  vicinity.  In 
my  travels  over  Virginia  in  the  years  1843- 


44  taking  pencil  sketches  and  collecting  mate- 
rials for  my  work  upon  that  State,  I learned 
of  her  and  inserted  therein  this  account. 

“There  was  an  eccentric  female,  who  lived 
in  the  Kanawha  region  towards  the  latter 
part  of  the  last  century.  Her  name  was  Ann 


6y8 


GALLIA  COUNTY. 


Bailey.  She  was  born  in  Liverpool,  and  had 
been  the  wife  of  an  English  soldier.  She 

fenerally  went  by  the  cognomen  of  Mad  Ann. 

)uring  the  wars  with  the  Indians,  she  very 
often  acted  as  a messenger,  and  conveyed  let- 
ters from  the  fort,  at  Covington,  to  Point 


Pleasant.  On  these  occasions  she  was 
mounted  on  a favorite  horse  of  great  saga- 
city, and  rode  like  a man,  with  a rifle  over 
her  shoulder,  and  a tomahawk  and  a butch- 
er’s-knife  in  her  belt.  At  night  she  slept  in 
the  woods.  Her  custom  was  to  let  her  horse 


Drawn  by  Henry  lloive  in  184(5. 


Public  Squake,  Gallipolis. 


go  free,  and  then  walk  some  distance  back  on 
his  trail,  to  escape  being  discovered  by  the 
Indians.  After  the  Indian  wars  she  spent 
some  time  in  hunting.  She  pursued  and  shot 
deer  and  bears  with  the  skill  of  a backwoods- 
man. She  was  a short,  stout  woman,  very 
masculine  and  coarse  in  her  appearance,  and 


seldom  or  never  wore  a gown,  but  usually  had 
on  a petticoat,  with  a man’s  coat  over  it,  and 
buckskin  breeches.  The  services  she  ren- 
dered in  the  wars  with  the  Indians  endeared 
her  to  the  people.  Mad  Ann,  and  her  black 
pony  Liverpool,  were  always  welcome  at  every 
house.  Often,  she  gathered  the  honest,  sim- 


Fenner,  Photo.,  1883. 

On  the  Public  Square,  Gallipolis. 


pie-hearted  mountaineers  around,  and  related 
her  adventures  and  trials,  while  the  sym])a- 
thetic  tear  would  course  down  their  cheeks. 
She  was  profane,  often  became  intoxicated, 
and  could  box  with  the  skill  of  one  of  the 
fancy.  IMad  Ann  po.ssessed  considerable  in- 
telligence, and  could  read  and  write.  She 
died  in  Ohio  many  years  since.” 


I have  this  notice  of  her  death  which  is 
kindly  copied  for  me  by  Mr.  James  Harper, 
from  the  Gallia  Free  Press,  of  December  3, 
1 825,  published  by  his  father.  In  a note  with 
it  he  wrote  to  me  : “I  saw  Ann  Bailey  a short 
time  before  she  died — the  first  and  only  time 
— and  she  made  a lasting  impression  upon  my 
six-year-old  mind.  She  wore  a hat,  and  her 


GALLIA  COUNTY. 


670 


accoutrements  were  tomahawk  and  scalping- 
knife.”  The  account  was  published  under 
the  caption  ” Longevity.  ” 

“Died,  in  Harrison  township,  Galliacounty, 
Ohio,  on  Tuesday,  November  22,  1825,  the 
celebrated  Ann  Bailey.  From  the  best  ac- 
count we  have  had  she  must  have  been  at 
least  125  years  of  age.  According  to  her  own 
story  her  father  was  a soldier  in  Queen  Anne’s 
wars  ; that  on  getting  a furlough  to  go  home, 
he  found  his  wife  with  a fine  daughter  in  her 
arms,  whom  he  called  Ann,  after  the  Queen, 
as  a token  of  respect.  In  1714  she  went 
from  Liverpool  to  London  with  her  mother 
on  a visit  to  her  brother — while  there,  she 
saw  Lord  Lovett  beheaded. 


She  came  to  the  United  States  the  year 
after  Braddock’s  defeat,  aged  then  forty-six 
years.  Her  husband  was  killed  at  the  battle 
of  Point  Pleasant  in  1774  ; after  that,  to 
avenge  his  death,  she  joined  the  garrison, 
under  the  command  of  Ool.  A¥m.  Clendenin, 
where  she  remained  until  the  final  departure 
of  the  Indians  from  the  country.  She  has 
always  been  noted  for  intrepid  bravery.  Col. 
Win.  Clendenin  says,  while  he  was  com- 
mander  of  the  garrison  where  Charleston, 
Kanawha,  is  now  located,  an  attack  by  In- 
dians was  hourly  expected.  On  examination 
it  was  believed  that  the  ammunition  on  hand 
was  insufi&cient  to  hold  out  a siege  of  any 
length  ; to  send  even  two,  three  or  four  men 


ANN  BAILEY,  the  Heroine  of  Point  Pleasant. 


to  Lewisburg,  the  nearest  place  it  could  be 
had,  a distance  of  100  miles,  was  like  sending 
men  to  be  slaughtered  ; and  to  send  a larger 
force  was  weakening  the  garrison.  While  in 
this  state  Ann  Bailey  volunteered  to  leave 
the  fort  in  the  night  and  go  to  Lewisburg. 
She  did  so — and  travelled  the  wilderness, 
where  uot  the  vestige  of  a house  was  to  be 
seen — arrived  safe  at  Lewisburg,  delivered 
her  orders,  received  the  ammunition,  and  re- 
turned safe  to  her  post,  amidst  the  plaudits 
of  a grateful  people.  ’ ’ 

In  the  April  number,  1885,  of  the  Magazine 
of  Western  History  is  a sketch  of  Mad  Ann 
by  Wm.  P.  Buell.  It  states  she  was  born  in 
the  year  1700,  in  Liverpool,  England,  and 
named  in  honor  of  Queen  Anne,  and  was 
present  with  her  parents  at  her  coronation  in 
1705.  She  was  of  good  family;  the  name 
Sargent.  At  the  age  of  nineteen,  while  on 
her  way  to  school  with  books  on  her  arm,  she 
was  kidnapped,  as  was  common  in  those  days, 
and  brought  to  America  and  landed  in  Vir- 
ginia, on  James  river,  when  she  was  sold  to 
defray  her  expenses.  At  the  age  of  thirty 
she  married  John  Trotter,  who  was  killed  at 
the  battle  of  Point  Pleasant  in  1774.  The 
loss  of  her  husband  filled  her  with  rage  and, 


swearing  vengeance  upon  the  entire  savage 
race,  she  entered  upon  a career  as  a scout  and 
spy.  She  hun'^'d,  rode  and  fought  like  a 
man.  She  had  a fine  black  horse  called  Liv- 
erpool, in  honor  of  her  birthplace,  an  animal 
of  great  beauty  and  intelligence.  On  _ one 
occasion,  when  she  was  pursued  by  Indians, 
she  came  to  an  impenetrable  thicket  where 
she  was  obliged  to  dismount  and  leave  him 
for  their  capture.  She  then  crawled  into  a 
hollow  sycamore  log.  The  Indians  came  and 
rested  on  the  log,  but  without  suspecting  her 
concealment  within.  After  they  had  gone 
she  followed  their  trail,  and  in  the  darkness 
of  night  recaptured  the  animal,  and,  mount- 
ing him,  when  at  a safe  distance  from  being 
shot  or  taken  gave  a shout  of  defiance  and 
bounded  away.  The  Indians  eventually  be- 
came afraid  of  her,  regarding  her  as  insane 
and  therefore  under  the  special  protection  of 
the  Great  Spirit. 

^ After  sixteen  years  of  widowhood  she  mar- 
ried John  Bailey,  a soldier,  and  went  with 
him  to  Fort  Clendenin,  on  the  site  of  Charles- 
ton, Kanawha  river.  This  was  in  1790,  and 
when  she  had  attained  to  the  ripe,  mellow 
age  of  ninety  years.  Her  second  husband 
was  murdered,  when  she  went  to  live  with 


68o 


GALLIA  COUNTY, 


her  son,  William  Trotter.  In  1818  Trotter 
moved  into  Grallia  county,  became  a large 
landowner  and  was  justice  of  the  peace  for 
twenty-one  years,  and  a highly  respected  man. 

A Chat  with  James  L.  Newsom  about  Mad 
Ann  Bailey  and  others  was  a wholesome  enter- 
tainment for  me  while  in  Gallipolis.  Mr. 
Newsom  lived  in  a little  cottage  a stone’s 
throw  from  the  Ohio.  He  was  rather  tall, 
cheeks  rosy,  and  life  appeared  to  have  gone 
well  with  him  ; and  was  a boy  of  fourteen 
when  Mad  Ann  Bailey  died.  He  told  me 
that  he  had  eleven  children,  eight  boys  and 
three  girls  ; that  not  one  of  the  eleven  had 
ever  tasted  ardent  spirits,  and  the  eight  boys 
always  voted  the  Bepublican  ticket,  which  I 


concluded  was  a good  thing  for  that  ticket, 
but  bad  for  the  distilling  business. 

“ I knew  Ann  Bailey  well,”  he  said,  “ and 
heard  her  say  she  was  five  years  old  when,  in 
1705,  Queen  Anne  was  crowned,  and  her 
mother  took  her  up  to  London  to  see  the 
event.  She  was  a low-set,  heavy  woman,^  not 
over  five  feet  two  inches  high,  dressed  in  a 
etticoat  with  a man’s  coat  over  it,  wore  a 
at,  and  loved  whiskey  in  her  old  age  ; often 
saw  her  come  to  town  with  a gun  and  a shot- 
pouch  over  her  shoulder.  She  would  not 
live  with  her  son  and  grandchildren — was  too 
wild.  Her  home  was  a cabin,  or  rather  pen, 
four  miles  below  town,  high  on  the  Ohio  river 
hills.  She  built  it  of  fence  rails,  whick 


Cabin  of  Ann  Bailey. 

It  was  on  the  Ohio  Eiver  Hills,  below  Gallipolis,  and  built  by  her  of  fence  rails. 


lapped  at  the  corners.  It  was  made  like  a 
shed,  had  one  door  and  a single  window,  a 
small,  four-pane  affair.  The  roof  was  without 
nails,  of  black  oak  clapboards  say  four  feet 
long,  held  to  their  places  by  weight  poles. 
The  chimney  was  merely  an  excuse  for  a 
chimney  ; was,  outside,  about  four  feet  high  ; 
the  fireplace  would  take  in  sticks  four  or  five 
feet  long.  The  interstices  of  the  cabin  were 
stuffed  with  straw  and  old  rags  and  daubed 
with  mud.  The  only  floor  was  the  earth  ; 
she  had  no  furniture,  not  even  a bedstead. 
Mad  Ann  was  passionate,  high  spirited,  had 
excellent  sense,  Avould  allow  no  trifling  with 
her,  and  hated  Indians. 

She  was  veiy  particular  in  the  observance 
of  the  Sabbath  ; gathered  in  the  children  and 
taught  them  Sunday  lessons.  Her  voice  was 
coarse,  like  the  growl^  of  a lion,  and  she 
chewed  tobacco  like  a pig,  the  saliva  coming 
down  the  corners  of  h^r  mouth.  I often  saAV 
her  in  town  ; she  sometimes  walked  and  some- 
times paddled  up  in  a canoe,  and  always  with 
a gun  and  shot-pouch  over  her  shoulder  in 
hunter  fiishion. 

Although  spoken  of  as  Mad  Ann,  no  one 
ever  had  the  temerity  to  so  address  her  ; the 
people  fairly  idolized  her,  treated  her  with 
great  kindness,  loaded  her  with  presents  and 


plied  her  well  with  whiskey.  She  died  from 
old  age,  never  was  sick — only  gave  out. 

She  looked  tough  as  a mule  and  seemed 
about  as  strong.  I was  a stout  boy  of  four- 
teen, and  one  day  she  laid  down  her  bundle 
of  things  which  people  gave  her.  We  boys 
were  afraid  of  her,  as  she  was  disposed  to  be 
a little  cross,  but  as  her  back  was  turned  1 
tried  to  lift  it,  but  was  unable.  She  lifted  it 
with  ease,  and  walked  all  the  way  to  hei' 
home  with  it,  four  miles  awaj’’.” 

Mr.  Newsom  brought  out  a picture,  which 
he  gave  me,  saying  he  had  kept  it  for  years 
because  it  was  an  excellent  likeness  of  Mad 
Ann,  although  not  taken  for  her,  and  this  is 
reproduced  in  these  pages.  That  of  the  cabin 
is  from  the  imagination  of  an  artist,  who 
being  a city  man  has  made  it  altogether  too 
palatial ; Mad  Ann  would  have  scorned  to 
have  lived  in  so  pretentious  a mansion. 

Gen.  Edward  W.  Tupper,  an  officer  of 
the  war  of  1812,  lived  in  a house  now  stand- 
ing, which  faces  the  public  square  in  Gal- 
lipolis. In  181 2 he  raised,  mainly  from  Gallia, 
Jackson  and  Lawrence  counties,  1,000  men, 
marched  to  the  northwest  and  had  a skirmish 
with  the  enemy  at  the  foot  of  the  jMaumee 
Bapids.  He  was  a large,  fine-looking  man, 
continued  Mr.  Newsom,  and  when  our  people 


GALLIA  COUNTY. 


68i 


attempted  to  establish  a ferry  to  Point  Pleas- 
ant, the  inhabitants  there  arose  in  opposition. 
The  jurisdiction  of  Virginia  extended  over 
the  Ohio,  and  they  threatened  to  kill  the  first 
assenger  who  crossed.  Hearing  this,  Tupper 
uckled  on  his  sword  and  pistols  and  mounting 
his  old  war  horse  ordered  the  ferryman  to  take 
him  over.  He  landed  and  galloped  to  and 
fro  through  the  village.  No  one  ventured  to 
molest  him,  and  thus  was  the  ferry  estab- 
lished. 

Mr.  Newsom  also  related  this  anecdote  of 
Col.  Kobert  Salford,  who,  as  stated,  cut  the 
first  tree  on  the  site  of  Grallipolis.  “One 
time,  said  Salford  to  me,  after  the  defeat  of 
St.  Clair,  I was  in  the  neighborhood  of  Rac- 
coon creek  with  a brother  scout,  one  Hart, 
when  we  discovered  an  Indian  seated  on  a 
hillock  mending  his  moccasins.  I told  Hart 
we  must  shoot  together  and  I would  give  the 
word  by  counting  one,  two,  three,  four.  When 
I said  ‘ four  ’ he  must  answer  ‘ four,  ’ then  we 
would  shoot  together.  I did  so,  but  Hart  not 
responding  I looked  behind  me  where  Hart 
was  and  saw  him  running  away.  I again 
looked  at  the  hillock  and  saw  not  one,  but 
four  Indians  ; so  I followed  suit.” 

Gallipolis  was  the  life-home  of  Simeon 
Nash,  one  of  the  learned  jurists  of  Ohio  ; he 
died  in  1 87 9.  He  aided  me  on  the  first  edition 
by  a valuable  contribution.  He  was  one  of 
those  plain,  sensible,  industrious  men  who 
generally  go  direct  for  their  facts  and  get 
them.  He  was  born  in  Massachusetts  in 
1801,  educated  at  Amherst ; was  a member 
of  the  Constitutional  Convention  of  1850,  and 
for  many  years  Judge  of  the  Seventh  Dis- 
trict. Judge  Nash  was  author  of  various  law 
works,  as:  “Digest  of  Ohio  Reports,”  in 
twenty  volumes ; “ Morality  and  the  State,” 
“ Crime  and  the  Family,”  etc. 


Joseph  Drouillard,;  now  living,  at  the 
age  of  ninety-two  years,  with  his  son-in-law, 
Mr.  James  Harper,  editor  of  the  Gallipolis 
Journal^  is  a son  of  the  ‘ ‘ Peter  Druyer  ’ ’ (as 
the  name  has  been  wrongly  spelled)  who  res- 
cued Simon  Kenton  from  being  burnt  at  the 
stake  by  the  Indians.  He  was  clerk  of  the 
court  here  for  twenty-three  years  and  is  a 
highly  respected  citizen. 

The  cemetery  at  Gallipolis  is  unique  from 
having  so  many  monuments  to  French  people. 
One  of  these  is  to  the  memory  of  John 
Peter  Romaine  Bureau.  I met  him  here 
on  my  first  visit ; a little,  vivacious,  old  gen- 
tleman, very  urbane,  graceful  and  smiling; 
evidently  wanting  everybody  to  feel  as  joyous 
as  himself.  A daughter  of  his,  Romaine 
Madelaine,  married  Hon.  Samuel  F.  V inton, 
one  of  Ohio’s  most  distinguished  statesmen. 
(See  Vinton  county. ) Their  daughter,  Made- 
laine Vinton  Dahlgren,  for  her  second 
husband  married  Admiral  Dahlgren.  As 
early  as  1859  she  published  “ Sketches  and 
Poems,”  under  the  pen-name  of  Corinne. 
Her  reputation  as  an  authoress  and  a lady  of 
the  highest  culture,  wealth  of  information 
and  efiiciency  in  the  circles  of  W ashington  is 
too  well  known  for  other  than  our  allusion. 
The  Chapel  of  “St.  Joseph’s  of  the  Sacred 
Heart  of  Jesus,”  at  South  Mountain,  Md., 
her  summer  home,  was  built  through  her 
munificence.  One  of  her  works  received  the 
compliment  of  a preface  from  James  A. 
Garfield,  and  another  the  thanks  of  Pius  IX., 
and  still  another  the  thanks  of  the  illustrious 
Montalembert.  Her  summer  home  overlooks 
the  famous  battlefield,  and  resembles  a castle 
of  the  Middle  Ages.  Mrs.  Dahlgren  has 
published  various  works  on  various  subjects ; 
essays,  poems,  biography,  magazine  and  news- 
paper articles,  and  nearly  a dozen  novels. 


Chambersburg,  Crown  City  and  Patriot  are  small  villages  in  this  county, 
neither  of  which  have  over  sixty  families. 


682 


GEAUGA  COUNTS. 


GEAUGA. 


Geauga  County  was  formed  in  1805  from  Trumbull,  since  which  its  original 
limits  have  been  much  reduced.  It  was  the  second  county  formed  on  the 
Reserve.  The  name  Geauga,  or  Sheauga,  signifies  in  the  Indian  language  Rac- 
coon. It  was  originally  applied  to  Grand  river,  thus : Sheauga  sepe,’^  i.  e.. 
Raccoon  river.  The  surface  is  rolling  and  the  soil  generally  clay.  Its  area  is 
400  square  miles.  In  1885  the  acres  cultivated  were  62^,698  ; in  pasture,  103,077  ; 
woodland,  45,541;  lying  waste,  2,703;  produced  in  bushels,  wheat,  148,178: 
oats,  383,891;  corn,  253,691  ; potatoes,  171,760;  hay,  tons,  41,393;  butter, 
460,807  pounds;  cheese,  1,550,382.  School  census,  1886,  3,984;  teachers,  240. 
It  has  25  miles  of  railroad. 


Townships  and  Census. 

1840. 

18-80. 

Townships  and  Census. 

1840. 

1880. 

Auburn, 

Bainbridge, 

1,198 

786 

Middlefield, 

835 

988 

683 

Montville, 

567 

824 

Batavia, 

771 

Munson, 

Newburg, 

1,263 

774 

. Burton, 

1,022 

1,130 

1,209 

889 

Chardon, 

1,910 

1,702 

Parkman, 

1,181 

961 

Chester, 

962 

748 

Russell, 

742 

713 

Claridon, 

Hampden, 

879 

808* 

Thompson, 

1,038 

1,021 

840 

666 

Troy, 

1,208 

901 

Huntsburg, 

911 

810 

The  population  in  1820  was  7,791;  in  1840,  16,299;  in  1860,  15,817;  in 
1880,  14,251,  of  whom  10,380  were  Ohio-born;  1,241,  New  York;  372,  Penn- 
sylvania; 719,  foreign-born. 

This  county,  being  at  the  head-waters  of  Chagrin,  Cuyahoga  and  part  of  Grand 
rivers,  is  high  ground,  and  more  subject  to  deep  snows  than  any  other  part  of  the 
Reserve.  In  its  early  settlement  it  was  visited  by  some  high  sweeping  winds  or 
tornadoes,  but  perhaps  no  more  than  other  counties  around  them.  In  August, 
1804,  John  Miner  was  killed  at  Chester.  He  had  lately  moved  from  Burton, 
with  part  of  his  family,  into  a log-house  which  he  had  built  at  that  place.  A 
furious  storm  suddenly  arose,  and  the  timber  commenced  falling  on  all  sides, 
when  he  directed  his  two  children  to  go  under  the  floor,  and  stepped  to  the  door 
to  see  the  falling  timber.  At  that  instant  three  trees  fell  across  the  house  and 
killed  him  instantly.  The  children  remained  in  the  house  until  the  next  morn- 
ing, when  the  oldest  made  her  way  to  a neighbor,  about  two  miles  distant,  and 
related  the  sad  tidings. 

The  first  settlement  in  Geauga  was  at  Burton,  in  the  year  1798,  when  three 
families  settled  there  from  Connecticut.  This  settlement  was  in  the  interior  of 
the  country,  at  a considerable  distance  from  any  other.  The  hardships  and  pri- 
vations of  the  early  settlers  of  the  Reserve  are  well  described  in  the  annexed 
article  from  the  pen  of  one  who  was  familiar  with  them. 


The  settlement  of  the  Reserve  commenced 
in  a manner  somewhat  peculiar.  Instead  of 
beginning  on  one  side  of  a county,  and  pro- 
gressing gradually  into  the  interior,  as  had 
Usually  been  done  in  similar  cases,  the  pro- 
prietors of  the  Reserve,  being  governed  by 
different  and  separate  views,  began  their  im- 
provements wherever  their  individual  inter- 
ests led  them.  Hence  we  find  many  of  the 
first  settlers  immured  in  a dense  forest,  fifteen 


or  twenty  miles  or  more  from  the  abode  of 
any  white  inhabitants.  In  consequence  of 
their  scattered  situation,  journeys  were  some- 
times to  be  performed  of  twenty  or  fifty 
miles,  for  the  sole  purpose  of  having  the  sta- 
ple of  an  ox-yoke  mended,  or  some  other 
mechanical  job,  in  itself  trifling,  but  abso- 
lutely essential  for  the  successful  prosecution 
of  business.  These  journeys  had  to  be  per- 
formed through  the  wilderness,  at  a great 


GEAUGA  COUNTY. 


683 


expense  of  time,  and,  in  many  cases,  the  only 
safe  guide  to  direct  their  course  were  the 
township  lines  made  by  the  surveyors. 

The  want  of  mills  to  grind  the  first  har- 
vests was  in  itself  a great  evil.  Prior  to  the 
year  1800  many  families  used  a small  hand- 
mill,  properly  called  a sweat-mill^  which  took 
the  hard  labor  of  two  hours  to  supply  flour 
enough  for  one  person  a single  day.  About 
the  year  1800  one  or  two  grist-mills,  operat- 
ing by  water  power,  were  erected.  One  of 
these  was  at  Newburg,  now  in  Cuyahoga 
county.  But  the  distance  of  many  of  the 
settlements  from  the  mills,  and  the  want  of 
roads,  often  rendered  the  expense  of  grinding 
a single  bushel  equal  the  value  of  two  or 
three. 

The  difficulties  of  procuring  subsistence  for 
a family,  in  such  circumstances,  must  be  ob- 
vious. Often  would  a man  leave  his  family 
in  the  wilderness  with  a stinted  supply  of 
food,  and  with  his  team  or  pack-horse  go 
perhaps  some  twenty  or  thirty  miles  for  pro- 
visions. The  necessary  appendages  of  his 


journey  would  be  an  axe,  a pocket  compass, 
fireworks,  and  blanket  and  bells.  He  cut  and 
beat  his  way  through  the  woods  with  his  axe, 
and  forded  almost  impassable  streams.  When 
the  day  was  spent  he  stopped  where  he  was, 
fastened  his  bells  to  his  beasts,  and  set  them 
at  liberty  to  provide  for  themselves.  Then  he 
would  strike  a fire,  not  only  to  dissipate,  in 
some  degree,  the  gloom  and  damps  of  night, 
but  to  annoy  the  gnats  and  mosquitos,  and 
prevent  the  approach  of  wolves,  bears  and 
panthers.  Thus  the  night -passed,  with  the 
trees  for  his  shelter.  At  early  dawn,  or  per- 
haps long  before,  he  is  listening  to  catch  the 
sound  of  bells,  to  him  sweet  music,  for  often 
many  hours  of  tedious  wanderings  were  con- 
sumed ere  he  could  find  his  team  and  resume 
his  journey.  If  prospered,  on  reaching  his 
place  of  destination,  in  obtaining  his  expected 
supply,  he  follows  his  lonely  way  back  to  his 
anxious  and  secluded  family,  and  perhaps  has 
scarce  time  to  refresh  and  rest  himself  ere 
the  same  journey  and  errand  had  to  be  re- 
peated. 


Geauga  suffered  much  from  the  Great  Drouth’’  in  the  summer  of  1845,  the 
following  brief  description  of  which  was  communicated  to  Dr.  S.  P.  Hildreth,  by 
Gov.  Seabury  Ford,  and  published  in  Silliman’s  Journal.” 


The  district  of  country  which  suffered  the 
most  was  about  one  hundred  miles  in  length, 
and  fifty  or  sixty  in  width,  extending  nearly 
east  and  west  parallel  with  the  lake,  and  in 
some  places  directly  bordering  on  the  shore 
of  this  great  inland  sea.  There  was  no  rain 
from  the  last  of  March,  or  the  1st  of  April, 
until  the  10th  of  June,  when  there  fell  a lit- 
tle rain  for  one  day,  but  no  more  until  the  2d 
of  July,  when  there  probably  fell  half  an 
inch,  as  it  made  the  roads  a little  muddy. 
From  this  time  no  more  rain  fell  until  early 
in  September.  This  long-continued  drouth 
reduced  the  streams  of  water  to  mere  rills, 
and  many  springs  and  wells  heretofore  unfail- 
ing became  dry,  or  nearly  so.  The  grass  crop 
entirely  failed,  and  through  several  counties 
the  pasture  grounds  in  places  were  so  dry, 
that  in  walking  across  them  the  dust  would 
rise  under  the  feet,  as  in  highways.  So  dry 
was  the  grass  in  meadows,  that  fires,  when 
accidentally  kindled,  would  run  over  them  as 
over  a stubble-field,  and  great  caution  was 
required  to  prevent  damage  from  them.  The 
crop  of  oats  and  corn  was  nearly  destroyed. 
Many  fields  of  wheat  so  perished  that  no  at- 
tempt was  made  to  harvest  them.  Scions  set 
in  the  nursery  dried  up  for  lack  of  sap  in  the 
stocks,  and  many  of  the  forest  trees  with- 
ered, and  all  shed  their  leaves  much  earlier 
than  usual.  The  health  of  the  inhabitants 
was  not  materially  affected,  although  much 
sickness  was  anticipated.  Grasshoppers  were 
multiplied  exceedingly  in  many  places,  and 
destroyed  every  green  thing  that  the  drouth 
had  spared,  even  to  the  thistles  and  elder- 
tops  by  the  roadside. 

The  late  frosts  and  cold  drying  winds  of 
the  spring  months  cut  off  nearly  all  the  fruit, 
and  what  few  apples  remained  were  defective 


at  the  core,  and  decayed  soon  after  being 
gathered  in  the  fall.  Many  of  the  farmers 
sowed  fields  of  turnips  in  August  and  Sep- 
tember, hoping  to  raise  winter  food  for  their 
cattle,  but  the  seed  generally  failed  to  vege- 
tate for  lack  of  moisture.  So  great  was  the 
scarcity  of  food  for  the  domestic  animals, 
that  early  in  the  autumn  large  droves  of  cat- 
tle were  sent  into  the  valley  of  the  Scioto, 
where  the  crops  were  more  abundant,  to  pass 
the  winter,  while  others  were  sent  eastward 
into  the  borders  of  Pennsylvania.  This  re- 
gion of  country  abounds  in  grasses,  and  one 
of  the  staple  commodities  is  the  produce  of 
the  dairy.  Many  stocks  of  dairy  cows  were 
broken  up  and  dispersed,  selling  for  only  four 
or  five  dollars  a head,  as  the  cost  of  wintering 
would  be  more  than  their  worth  in  the  spring. 

Such  great  losses  and  suffering  from  the 
effects  of  drouth  have  not  been  experienced 
in  Ohio  for  many  years,  if  at  all  since  the 
settlement  of  the  country.  As  the  lands  be- 
come more  completely  cleared  of  the  forest 
trees,  dry  summers  will  doubtless  be  more 
frequent.  In  a region  so  near  a large  body 
of  water  we  should  expect  more  rain  than  in 
one  at  a distance.  The  sky  in  that  district 
is,  nevertheless,  much  oftener  covered  with 
clouds  than  in  the  southern  portion  of  the 
State,  where  rains  are  more  abundant ; but 
the  dividing  ridge,  or  height  of  land  between 
Lake  Erie  and  the  waters  of  the  Ohio,  lacks 
a range  of  high  hills  to  attract  the  moisture 
from  the  clouds  and  cause  it  to  descend  in 
showers  of  rain. 

TRAVELLING  NOTES. 

An  Amusing  Old  Lady.  — On  leaving 
Painesville  on  this  the  last  morning  of  Sep- 
tember, my  attention  was  arrested  at  a little 


6S4 


GEAUGA  COUNTY, 


depot  on  the  outskirts  by  an  old  lady,  evi- 
dently a character.  She  was  seated  on  a box  ; 
an  eight-year-old  boy  was  by  her  side,  and 
she  was  smoking  a pipe.  Changes  were  be- 
ing made  in  the  gauge  of  the  track,  with 
consequent  confusion  at  the  depot,  with  scant 
accommodation  for  waiting  passengers.  She 
was  virtuously  indignant.  ‘ ‘All  the  railroad 
men  care  for  is  to  get  our  money,  ’ ’ she  said  ; 
then  putfed  away.  After  a little  the  locomo- 
tive came  up  drawing  a single  car;  in  a 
twinkling  it  was  filled  with  a merry  lot  of 
rural  people,  laughing  and  chatting,  exhila- 
rated by  the  air  of  a perfect  September 
morning,  sunny  and  bracing. 

I object.  — While  waiting  for  the  start 
something  was  said  about  smoking  in  the 
car,  whereupon  a gentleman  exclaimed  : “If 
any  person  objects  we  must  not  smoke.” 
Instantly  came  from  a distant  corner,  in  the 
shrill,  screaming  tones  of  some  ancient 
woman:  “/  ohjecC^  The  announcement 
was  received  with  a shout  of  laughter,  in 
which  everybody  seemed  to  join.  It  was 
evident  that  every  soul  in  that  car  felt  that 
“/  object' ' had  such  an  abhorrence  of  to- 
bacco smoke,  that  if  the  man  in  the  moon 
got  out  his  pipe  she  would  know  it  after  a 
few  puffs  ; that  is,  if  the  wind  was  right. 

My  sympathy  was  excited  for  the  old  lady 
at  the  deprivation  of  her  pipe-smoke,  and  so 
tried,  as  we  started,  to  relieve  her  mind  by 
conversation.  As  is  not  unusual  with  hu- 
manity, herself  was  an  interesting  topic. 
She  was,  she  told  me,  fifty-five  years  old ; 
her  parents  born  in  Connecticut,  she  in 
“York  State,”  but  from  five  years  old  had 
lived  in  Greauga  county.  In  turn  I told  her 
what  I was  doing,  travelling  over  the  State  to 
make  a book.  “Make  money  out  of  it?” 
inquired  she.  “Hope  so.”  As  I said  this 
she  dropped  into  a brown  study,  evidently 
thinking  what  a grand  thing,  making  money ! 
That  thought  having  time  to  soak  in,  she 
broke  the  silence  with  : “My  husband  died 
twelve  years  ago  ; ’ ’ then  putting  her  hand  on 
the  shoulder  of  the  boy,  as  if  joyed  at  the 
thought,  added  : ‘ ‘ This  is  rny  man ; took 
him  at  five  months^ first  time  seen  the 
hears. ' ' 

As  we  were  passing  some  sheep,  I in- 
quired: “Sheep  plenty  in  this  country, 
madam?”  “Yes.  I’ve  got  some,  but  no 
such  poor  scrawny  things  as  those,”  she 
said,  smirking  her  nostrils  and  pointing  so 
contemptuously  at  the  humble  nibbling  crea- 
tures, scattered  over  a field  below  us,  that  I 
elt  sorry  for  them.  Soon  after  crossing  a 
country  road  whereon  was  a fiock  of  turkeys, 
it  came  my  turn  to  point,  as  I said  : “How 
bad  those  turkeys  would  feel  if  they  knew 
Christmas  was  coming.”  “What?”  said 
she.  She  had  got  a new  idea : Turkeys 
dreading  Christmas  when  everybody  else  was 
so  glad. 

Burton. — The  ride  over  from  the  depot  to 
Burton  is  a little  over  two  miles  westerly. 
Burton  stands  on  a hill,  and  it  loomed  up 
pleasantly  as  I neared  it,  reminding  me  of 
the  old-time  New  England  villages.  It  was 


largely  settled  from  Cheshire,  Connecticut, 
which  also  stands  on  a hill.  The  prospect 
from  the  village  is  beautiful  and  commanding 
in  every  direction,  takes  in  a circuit  of  sixty 
or  seventy  miles,  including  points  in  Trum- 
bull and  Portage  counties  ; north  I discerned 
over  a leafy  expanse  spires  in  Chardon,  eight 
miles  distant ; and  south  the  belfry  of  Hiram 
College  at  Garretsville,  fourteen  miles  away. 
As  I look  the  one  makes  me  think  of  Peter 
Chardon  Brookes,  its  founder  ; and  the  other 
of  James  Garfield,  for  there  he  went  to 
school.  The  county  is  charmingly  diversified 
with  hills  and  valleys.  About  ten  miles  from 
the  shore  of  Lake  Erie  and  nearly  parallel  to 
it  is  the  dividing  ridge,  on  which  are  points 
nearly  800  feet  above  the  lake,  as  Little 
Mountain  and  Thompson  Ledge ; the  mean 
surface  of  the  county  is  about  500  feet  above 
the  lake. 

The  New  Connecticut  People.  — General 
Garfield  in  a speech  at  Burton,  September 
16,  1873,  before  the  Historical  Society  of 
Geauga  County,  drew  a pleasant  picture  de- 
scriptive of  the  character  of  the  people,  a 
large  majority  of  whom  are  descendants  of 
emigrants  from  Connecticut.  He  said  : “On 
this  Western  Eeserve  are  townships  more 
thoroughly  New  England  in  character  and 
spirit  than  most  of  the  towns  of  New  Eng- 
land to-day.  Cut  off  from  the  metropolitan 
life  that  has  been  molding  and  changing  the 
spirit  of  New  England,  they  have  preserved 
here  in  the  wilderness  the  characteristics  of 
New  England  as  it  was  when  they  left  it  in 
the  beginning  of  the  century.  This  has  given 
to  the  people  of  the  Western  Reserve  those 
strongly  marked  qualities  which  have  always 
distinguished  them.  ’ ’ 

When  the  Reserve  was  surveyed  in  1796 
by  Gen.  Cleveland  there  were  but  two  white 
families  of  settlers  on  the  entire  lake  shore 
region  of  Northern  Ohio.  One  of  these  was 
at  Cleveland  and  the  other  at  Sandusky.  By 
the  close  of  the  year  1800  there  were  thirty- 
two  settlements  on  the  Reserve,  though  no 
organization  of  government  had  been  estab- 
lished. But  the  pioneers  were  a people  who 
had  been  trained  in  the  principles  and  prac- 
tices of  civil  order,  and  these  were  trans- 
planted to  their  new  homes.  In  New  Con- 
necticut there  was  little  of  that  lawlessness 
which  so  often  characterizes  the  people  of  a 
new  country.  In  many  instances  a township 
organization  was  completed  and  a minister 
chosen  before  the  pioneers  left  home.  Thus 
they  planted  the  institutions  of  old  Connec- 
ticut in  their  new  wilderness  homes. 

The  pioneers  who  first  broke  ground  here 
accomplished  a work  unlike  that  which  will 
fall  to  the  lot  of  any  succeeding  generation. 
The  hardships  they  endured,  the  obstacles 
they  encountered,  the  life  they  led,  the  pecu- 
liar qualities  they  needed  in  their  undertak- 
ings, and  the  traits  of  character  developed 
by  their  work,  stand  alone  in  our  history. 

These  pioneers  knew  well  that  the  three 
great  forces  which  constitute  the  strength  and 
glory  of  a free  government  are — the  family, 
the  school  and  the  church.  These  three  they 


GEAUGA  COUNTY. 


685 


planted  here,  and  they  nourished  and  cher-  world.  The  glory  of  our  country  can  never 
ished  them  with  an  energy  and  devotion  be  dimmed  while  these  three  lights  are  kept 
scarcely  equalled  in  any  other  quarter  of  the  shining  with  an  undimmed  lustre. 

Burton  is  about  30  miles  east  of  Cleveland,  8 south  of  Chardon,  about  20 
miles  from  Lake  Erie,  and  miles  westerly  from  the  P.  & Y.  E.  K.  It  is  a 
finely  located  village,  and  the  seat  of  the  county  fair  grounds.  Newspaper.* 


OLD-TIME  Way  of  Making  Maple  Sugar. 


Geauga  Leader,  A.  R.  Woolsey,  editor  and  proprietor.  Churches : 1 Methodist 
Episcopal  and  1 Congregational.  Bank:  Houghton,  Ford  & Co.  Population 
in  1880,  480. 

THE  MAPLE  SUGAR  INDUSTRY. 

The  peculiar  industry  of  Geauga  county  is  the  making  of  maple  sugar.  Forty- 
five  counties  in  the  State  make  maple  sugar,  but  Geauga,  one  of  the  smallest, 
yields  nearly  a third  of  the  entire  product,  beside  very  large  amounts  of  syrup  of 
excellent  quality ; but  no  other  county  in  the  Union  equals  its  amount  of  maple 
sugar.  The  entire  amount  for  the  year  1885  was  a trifle  less  than  2,000,000 
pounds,  of  which  Geauga  produced  631,000  pounds,  and  Ashtabula  county,  the 
next  largest,  253,000  pounds.  Improvements  in  this  have  taken  place  as  in  other 
manufactures,  and  the  quality  here  made  is  of  the  very  best.  Where  poorly 
made  its  peculiarly  fine  flavor  is  lost.  Our  cut,  showing  the  old-time  way,  is 


686 


GEAUGA  COUNTY. 


copied  from  that  in  Peter  Parley’s  “ Recollections  of  a Lifetime.”  The  article 
which  here  follows  is  by  Henry  C.  Tuttle,  of  Burton,  who  wrote  it  for  these 
pages : 

“The  undulating  and  somewhat  hilly  character  of  Geauga  county  seems  espe- 
cially adapted  to  the  growth  of  the  sugar  maple  and  productive  of  a large  supply 
of  sap.  Not  only  does  it  make  the  largest  quantity,  but  also  the  best  quality  of 
maple  sweet.  From  using  troughs  hollowed  out  of  split  logs  in  which  to  catch  the 
sap  and  boiling  it  in  big  iron  kettles  in  the  open  air  to  a thick,  black,  sticky  com- 
pound of  sugar,  ashes  and  miscellaneous  dirt,  which  had  some  place  in  the  house- 
hold economy,  but  no  market  value,  sugar-makers  to-day  use  buckets  with  covers 
to  keep  out  the  rain  and  dirt,  the  latest  improved  evaporators,  metal  storage  tanks, 
and  have  good  sugar-houses  in  which  the  sap  is  quickly  reduced  to  syrup.  All 
this  has  been  done  at  a large  outlay  of  money,  but  the  result  proves*  it  to  have 
been  a good  investment,  as  the  superior  article  made  finds  a ready  market  and 
brings  annually  from  $80,000  to  $100,000. 

The  season  usually  opens  early  in  March,  when  the  trees  are  tapped  and  a 
metal  spout  inserted,  from  which  is  suspended  the  bucket.  When  the  flow  of  sap 
begins  it  is  collected  in  galvanized  iron  gathering  tanks,  hauled  to  the  sugar- 
house  and  emptied  into  the  storage  vats,  from  which  it  is  fed  by  a pipe  to  the 
evaporator.  The  syrup  taken  from  the  evaporator  is  strained,  and  if  sugar  is  to 
be  made,  goes  at  once  into  the  sugar-pan,  where  it  is  boiled  to  the  proper  degree, 
and  caked  in  pound  and  one-half  cakes.  If  syrup  is  to  be  made,  it  is  alloAvcd  to 
cool,  and  is  then  reheated  and  cooled  again,  to  precipitate  the  silica.  It  is  then 
drawn  off  into  cans  and  is  ready  for  market. 

The  greatest  care  and  cleanliness  is  required  to  make  the  highest  grade  of  sugar 
and  syrup,  and  the  fragrant  maple  flavor  is  only  preserved  by  converting  the  sap 
into  sugar  or  syrup  as  fast  as  possible.  If  the  sap  stands  long  in  the  vats  or  is 
boiled  a long  time  the  flavor  is  lost  and  the  color  becomes  dark. 

The  groves  or  “ bushes  ” vary  from  300  to  3,000  trees  each,  the  total  num- 
ber of  trees  tapped  in  1886  being  375,000.  The  industry  is  still  groAving,  and 
there  are  probably  enough  groves  not  yet  worked  to  make  a total  of  475,000, 
which,  if  tapped,  would  increase  the  output  about  one-third.  The  sugar  and 
syrup  is  mostly  sold  at  home.  The  principal  market  is  Burton,  centrally  located, 
and  from  there  it  is  shipped  to  consumers  in  all  parts  of  the  country,  the  larger 
proportion  going  to  the  Western  States.” 


TRAVELLING  NOTES. 

Burton  is  a pleasant  place  for  a feAV  days’ 
rest.  It  has  a ten-acre  square  with  homes, 
churches  and  academy  grouped  around  it, 
and  on  it  is  a hand-stand  where,  on  evenings, 
the  village  band  gives  excellent  music.  The 
place  has  had  some  noted  characters.  Here 
lived,^  at  the  time  of  my  original  visit,  two 
especially  such.  Gov.  Seabury  Ford,  bom 
in  Cheshire,  Connecticut,  in  1801,  and  Juage 
Peter  Hitchcock,  born  in  the  same  place 
in  1781.  Mr.  Ford  came  here  when  a child 
He  was  educated  for  the  law,  was  Lng  in 
olitical  life,  serving  as  speaker  of  both 
ranches  of  the  State  Legislature,  and  was 
governor  of  the  State  in  1849-51,  and  died 
soon  after  from  paralysis.  He  was  an  ardent 
Whig  and  greatly  instrumental  in  carrying 
the  State  for  Henry  Clay. 

In  1820,  with  a companion,  Mr.  I).  Witter, 
he  travelled  through  an  almost  unbroken 
wilderness  to  New  Haven,  Conn.,  fora  four 
years’  absence  to  obtain  an  education  at  Yale 
College.  They  both  graduated,  and  were  the 


very  first  to  do  so  from  the  young  State  of 
Ohio.  While  there  he  was  elected  the  col- 
lege ‘ ‘ bully.  ’ ’ This  was  an  office  for  which 
the  physically  strongest  man  was  generally 
chosen,  to  preside  at  class  meetings  and  to 
lead  in  fights  against  the  ‘ ‘ town  boys,  ’ ’ so 
called,  the  rougher  elements  of  the  city,  with 
whom  there  were  sometimes  conflicts.  On 
one  dark  night,  the  latter,  a mob  of  town 
boj"S,  went  so  far  as  to  draw  up  a cannon 
loaded  to  its  mouth  with  missiles,  in  front  of 
the  college  and  applied  the  torch.  It  simply 
flashed,  having  been  secretly  spiked  on  the 
way  thither.  The  office  of  ‘ ‘ college  bully  ’ ’ 
has  long  since  become  obsolete  from  the  ab- 
sence of  a low-down  class  of  people  to  cher- 
ish enmity  against  students. 

Seabury  Ford  was  one  of  the  most  efficient 
men  known  to  tl  o legislative  history  of  the 
State.  He  gave  an  excellent  piece  of  advice 
in  a letter  to  his  son  Seabury,  so  characteristic 
of  the  man  and  so  likely  to  be  of  use  to  some 
reader,  that  I know  nothing  more  fitting  for 
a close  here  than  its  quotation  : ‘ Avoid  pol- 


GEAUGA  COUNTY. 


6Z7 


itics  and  public  life  until,  by  a careful  and 
industrious  attention  to  a legitimate  and  hon- 
orable calling,  you  have  accumulated  a for- 
tune sufficiently  large  to  entitle  you  to  the 
respect  and  confidence  of  your  fellowmien  as 
a business  man  and  a man  of  integrity,  and 
sufficiently  large  to  render  you  thoroughly 
and  entirely  independent  of  any  official  sal- 
ary. ’ ’ 

I walked  about  a mile  from  the  village  on 
the  Chardon  road  to  visit  the  old  home  of 
Peter  Hitchcock,  who  has  been  defined  as 
“Father  of  the  Constitution  of  Ohio,”  so 
largely  was  his  advice  followed  in  framing* it. 
I wished  to  see  how  this  man  of  mark  had 
lived,  and  was  greatly  pleased  to  find  it  was 
with  full  republican  simplicity.  It  seemed 
like  an  old-time  Connecticut  farmhouse  set 
down  here  in  Ohio.  Vines  nestled  over  the 
attached  kitchen  building,  and  a huge  milk- 
can,  tall  as  a five-year-old  urchin,  was  perched 
on  the  fence  drying  in  the  sun  preparatory  to 
being  filled  against  to-morrow  morning’s  visit 
of  the  man  from  the  cheese  factory.  Both 
are  shown  in  the  engraving. 

Peter  Hitchcock,  in  1801,  graduated  at 
Yale  at  the  age  of  20,  was  admitted  to  the 
bar,  and  in  1806  moved  to  Ohio  and  took 
a farm  here  and  divided  his  time  between 
clearing  the  wilderness,  teaching  and  the  law 

Practice.  Four  years  later  he  went  to  the 
legislature ; in  1814  was  speaker  of  the 
Senate;  in  1817  a member  of  Congress;  in 
1819  was  a Judge  of  the  Supreme  Court,  and 
with  slight  intermissions  held  that  position 
until  1852,  part  of  the  time  being  Chief 
Justice.  He  was  a leading  member  of  the 
Constitutional  Convention  of  1850.  _ In  1852, 
at  the  age  of  70  years,  after  a public  service 
of  over  forty  years,  like  Cincinnatus,  he  re- 
tired to  his  farm  and  died  in  1854. 

He  is  described  as  having  been  finely  pro- 
ortioned,  erect,  strong-chested,  with  a large 
ead  full  of  solid  sense ; his  expression  se- 
date and  Puritanic.  He  was  profound  in 
law,  his  judgment  almost  unerring,  in  words 
few  but  exact  to  the  point.  He  was  revered 
by  the  bar  and  beloved  by  the  people,  and 
his  decisions  considered  as  models  of  sound 
logic.  Unconscious  of  it  himself,  he  was 
great  as  a man  and  a judge. 

The  history  of  Mortimer  D.  Leggett, 
one  of  Ohio’s  efficient  generals  in  the  rebel- 
lion, is  identified  with  this  county.  He  was 
born  in  Ithaca,  New  York,  in  1821,  and  in 
1836  came  with  his  father’s  family  on  to  a 
farm  at  Montville.  He  worked  on  the  farm 
and  studied  at  intervals,  then  went  to  the 
Teachers’  Seminary  at  Kirtland,  later  studied 
law  and  was  admitted  to  the  bar  in  1844,  but 
did  not  until  six  years  after  begin  the  prac- 
tice, for  he  became  deeply  interested  in  the 
subject  of  common  schools  and  labored  ardu- 
ously with  Dr.  A.  D.  Lord,  Lorin  Andrews 
and  M.  F.  Cowdry  for  the  establishment  of 
Ohio’s  present  system  of  public  instruction. 
These  three  gentlemen,  with  young  Leggett, 
stumped  the  entire  State  at  their  own  ex- 
pense in  favor  of  free  schools. 

Those  two  warm  friends  of  education, 


Judge  Worcester,  of  Norwalk,  and  Harvey 
Bice,  of  Cleveland,  fortunately  were  in  the 
Legislature,  and  uniting  their  efforts  in  the 
fall  of  1846,  accomplished  the  passage  of  a 
special  school  law  for  the  village  of  Akron, 
whereupon  young  Leggett,  then  but  25 


Peter  Hitchcock  Homestead. 

years  of  age,  went  thither  and  organized  the' 
first  system  of  free  graded  schools  west  of  the 
Alleghenies,  under  what  is  known  as  the 
“Akron  School  Law.”  The  good  Judge 
Worcester,  whom  I well  knew — and  who,  by 
the  way,  was  the  brother  of  the  scholar  who 
made  the  dictionary — passed  away  many 
ears  since.  Harvey  Bice  I found  at  his 
ome  in  Cleveland  in  1886,  and  although 
born  in  the  last  year  of  the  last  century,  he 
was  then  erect,  his  hearing  perfect,  and  his 
vision  so  good  as  to  enable  him  to  read  with- 
out glasses.  Moreover,  he  was  active  in 
instituting  measures  for  the  erection  of  a 
monument  to  the  memory  of  the  city’s 
founder,  now  accomplished.  Gen.  Leggett  is 
to-day  a practising  lawyer  in  Cleveland.  His 
example  of  what  a young  man  without  expe- 
rience, but  enthused  with  a beneficent  idea, 
can  do  for  the  public  welfare,  is  too  valuable 
not  to  have  a permanent  record. 

In  Burton  I made  the  acquaintance  of  an 
ex-soldier  of  the  Union  army,  Mr.  E.  P. 
Latham,  whose  history  is  a wonderful  ex- 
ample of  pluck  and  will  power.  He  was 
early  in  the  war  in  the  Cumberland  moun- 
tains, under  the  command  of  Gen.  Morgan, 
where,  while  assisting  in  firing  a salute  from 
a cannon,  both  of  his  arms  were  blown  off 
above  the  elbow.  Yet  Mr.  Latham  feeds 
himself,  drives  a fast-going  horse  in  a buggy 
around  Burton,  keeps  the  accounts  of  a cheese 
fiictory,  writes  letters,  manages  a farm,  and 
superintends  a Sabbath-school. 

At  table  his  food  is  prepared  for  him,  and 
he  feeds  himself  with  a fork  or  spoon  strapped 
to  his  left  stump,  his  right  stump  being  par- 
alyzed ; he  drives  with  the  reins  oyer  his 
shoulder  and  back  of  his  neck,  guiding  his 
horse,  turning  corners,  etc.,  by  movements 
of  his  body  ; and  writes  with  his  mouth. 

As  he  wrote  the  specimen  annexed  in  my 
presence  I describe  it.  1.  He  placed  himself 
at  the  table,  and  with  his  stump  moved  paper 
and  pen  to  the  right  position.  2.  Picked  up 
the  pen  with  his  mouth  and  held  it  in  his 
teeth,  pointing  to  the  left.  3.  Dipped  it  in 


688 


GEAUGA  COUNTY. 


the  ink.  4.  Brought  his  face  close  to  the 
table  and  wrote,  dragging  the  pen  across  the 


^\\\ 


E.  P.  LATHAM,  Ex-Soldier,  O.  V. 

paper  from  left  to  right.  He  had  such  con- 
trol of  it  that  by  the  combined  use  of  his  lips 
and  teeth  he  turned  the  point  so  as  to  bring 


the  slit  to  its  proper  bearing  for  the  free  flow 
of  the  ink.  In  the  engraving  it  is  reduced 
one-third  in  size  from  the  original. 

His  right  stump  is  useless,  being  without 
sensation  ; he  cannot  feel  a pin  prick.  It  is, 
indeed,  an  inconvenience.  “ In  winter,”  said 
he,  ‘‘before  retiring  I am  obliged  to  heat  it 
by  the  fire,  otherwise  it  feels  in  bed  like  a 
clog  of  ice— chills  me.  I have  not  been  free 
from  pain  since  my  loss  ; I don’t  know  what 
it  is  not  to  suffer  ; but  I won’t  allow  my  mind 
to  rest  upon  it — what  is  the  use  ? I have  now 
lived  longer  without  my  hands  than  with 
them,  yet  to-day  I feel  all  my  fingers.  ’ ’ Then 
he  bared  his  left  stump  and  showed  me  the 
varied  movements  necessary  for  picking  up  - 
and  grasping  things  in  case  the  remainder  of 
his  arm  and  hand  had  been  there. 

I persuaded  him  to  give  me  a specimen 
of  his  handwriting,  saying  that  he  ought  not 
to  withhold  the  lesson  of  his  life  from  the 
public  ; that  it  would  be  of  untold  benefit  to 
the  young  people  as  an  illustration  of  the 
principle  never  to  despair,  but  to  accept  the 
inevitable  and  work  with  what  was  left ; that 
these  seeming  disasters  were  often  of  the 
greatest  benefit.  “Yes,”  said  he,  “I  know 


ad  OCny'2^^^ 


Specimen  of  Writing  with  a Pen  Held  in  the  Mouth,  by  E.  P.  Latham,  an  Armless 

EX-SOLDIER  OF  THE  UNION  ARMY,  NOW  OF  BURTON,  OhIO. 


it ; but  for  this,  I might  to-day  be  in  the 
penitentiary.” 

Mr.  Latham  is  rather  tall,  erect,  slender, 
with  an  intellectual  and  somewhat  sad  expres- 
sion, the  result  I presume  of  never  ceaseing 
pain.  I once  met  while  travelling  a young 
man,  a stranger,  whose  every  breath  was  in 
ain,  one  of  his  lungs  having  when  diseased 
ecome  attached  to  his  ribs ; his  expression 
was  like  that  of  Mr.  Latham’s. 

Mr.  Latham  has  a family  and  enjoys  life  be- 
cause his  mind  is  fully  occupied  with  pleasant 
duties.  A French  author,  in  writing  a book 


entitled  “The  Art  of  Being  Happy,”  finally 
summed  it  in  three  words,  “An  absorbing 
pursuit;”  and  this  Mr.  Latham  has.  Then 
he  can  pride  himself  on  being  original ; does 
things  differently  from  anybody  else.  A lady 
said  to  me,  “I  was  one  day  walking  behind 
Mr.  Latham,  when  a sudden  gust  of  wind 
blew  off  his  hat ; with  his  foot  he  turned  it 
over,  bent  down  and  thrust  in  his  head,  arose 
and  then  walked  away  independent,  as  though 
he  felt  that  was  the  proper  way  to  put  on  a 
hat.  ’ ’ And  it  was  for  Mr.  Latham. 


GEAUGA  COUNTY. 


689 


Chardon  in  1846. — Chardon  is  the  county-seat,  170  miles  northeast  of  Co- 
lumbus, and  twenty-eight  from  Cleveland.  It  was  laid  out  about  the  year  1808, 
for  the  county-seat,  and  named  from  Peter  Chardon  Brookes,  of  Boston,  then  pro- 
prietor of  the  soil.  There  are  but  few  villages  in  Ohio  that  stand  upon  such  an 
elevated,  commanding  ridge  as  this,  and  it  can  be  seen  in  some  directions  for  several 


Drawn  by  Henry  Howe  in  1846. 

View  on  Public  Square  in  Chardon. 


miles  : although  but  fourteen  miles  from  Lake  Erie,  it  is  computed  to  be  600  feet 
above  it.  The  village  is  scattered  and  small.  In  the  centre  is  a handsome  green, 
of  about  eleven  acres,  on  which  stands  the  public  buildings,  two  of  which,  the 
court-house  and  Methodist  church,  are  shown  in  the  engraving.  The  Baptist 
church  and  a classical  academy,  which  are  on  or  face  the  public  square,  are  not 


E.  D.  King,  Photo.,  Chardon,  1887. 

Business  Block  on  Public  Square,  Chardon. 

shown  in  this  view.  Chardon  has  six  stores,  a newspaper  printing  office,  and  in 
1840  had  446  inhabitants. — Old  Edition. 

Chardon,  county-seat  of  Geauga  county,  is  on  the  P.  & Y.  B.  R.  It  is  beau- 
tifully situated  on  a hill,  and  together  with  Bass  Lake,  three  miles,  and  Little 
Mountain,  seven  miles  distant,  is  somewhat  of  a summer  resort.  County  officers 


600 


GEAUGA  COUNTY. 


in  1888  : Auditor,  Sylvester  D.  Hollenbeck  ; Clerk,  Brainard  D.  Ames ; Coroner, 
Will  J.  Layman;  Prosecuting  Attorney,  Leonard  P.  Barrows;  Probate  Judge, 
Henry  K.  Smith;  Kecorder,  Charles  A.  Mills;  Sheriff,  Wm.  Martin;  Surveyor, 
Milton  L.  Maynard ; Treasurer,  Charles  J.  Scott ; Commissioners,  David  A.  Gates, 
Lester  D.  Taylor,  Joseph  N.  Strong.  Newspapers  : Repuhliaan^  Republican,  J.  O. 
Converse,  editor  and  proprietor ; Democratic  Record,  Denton  Bros.  & King,  editors 
and  proprietors.  Churches  : 1 Methodist  Episcopal,  1 Congregationalist,  1 Baptist, 
and  1 Disciple.  Bank  : Geauga  Saving  & Loan  Association,  B.  B.  Woodbury, 
president,  S.  S.  Smith,  cashier. 


Population  in 
superintendent. 


1880, 


1,081. 


School  census  in  1886,  321  ; Chas.  W.  Carroll, 


E.  D.  Eingy  Photo. 

View  in  King’s  Cheese  Factory,  Chardon. 


The  term  Cheesedom,’’  as  applied  to 
the  Western  Reserve,  has  led  strangers 
to  suppose  that  the  dairy  was  the  great 
source  relied  upon  for  the  support  of  the 
farmers.  This  is  an  error,  for  in  no 
part  of  the  Union  is  mixed  husbandry 
more  prevalent,  and  when  grass  fails 
the  farmers  fall  back  upon  their  culti- 
vated crops  and  great  variety  and 
abundance  of  fruits.  It  is  true  cheese 
and  butter  making  are  the  most  im- 
portant industries. 

The  pioneer  women  were  skilled  in 
cheese-making  in  their  Eastern  homes, 
and  when  the  settlers  had  enclosed  and 
seeded  their  pastures,  cheese-making  increased.  In  the  Centennial  year  1876, 
the  dairy  productions  of  the  county  were,  butter,  672,641  pounds;  cheese,  4,136,- 
231.  Only  three  counties  in  Ohio  made  more,  but  those  Avere  much  larger  in 
territory.  In  1885,  in  this  county  Avas  made,  butter,  686,207  pounds,  and  cheese, 
1,550,832  pounds.  Ashtabula,  Lorain,  Portage  and  Trumbull  uoav  exceed  it  in 
cheese-making,  though  none  of  them  come  up  to  Avithin  three-quarters  of  Geauga’s 
figures  for  1876. 

In  1862  began  the  great  revolution  in  the  manufacture  of  cheese,  dairymen 
sending  their  milk  to  factories  to  be  worked  up  by  the  co-operative  system.  In  a 
feAv  years  every  tOAvnship  had  its  one  or  more  cheese  factories,  until  they  summed 
up  about  sixty  in  the  county — a Avonderful  relief  to  the  domestic  labor  of  the 
women.  Butter  and  cheese  is  noAV  shipped  direct  from  this  county  to  Liverpool. 

Process  of  Cheese  Manufacture. — The  milk  is  brought  to  the  factory  at  morn- 
ing and  evening  of  each  day.  Here  it  is  Aveighed  and  strained  into  large  vats 
surrounded  by  running  spring  water.  It  is  cooled  to  about  60°  F.  and  a suffi- 
cient quantity  of  rennet  added  to  set  the  curd.  The  curd  is  then  cut  AAuth  kniA^es 
made  for  the  pur]3ose,  into  small  cubes  and  heated  by  steam  to  90°  F.  Then  the 
Avhey  is  draAvn  off  and  the  curd  salted,  tAVo  and  a half  to  three  pounds  of  salt  to 
100  pounds  of  milk.  The  curd  is  then  put  into  hoops  and  pressed  for  two  hours, 
then  the  bandages  of  cheese  cloth  are  put  on  and  the  cheese  again  goes  to  press 
for  tAA^enty-four  hours,  Avhen  it  is  taken  out  and  goes  to  the  curing-honse,  AA'herc  it 
is  rubbed  and  turned  every  day  for  thirty  to  forty  days,  Avhen  it  is  ready  for 
market. 

TRAVELLING  NOTES. 


Oct.  5. — I came  with  a load  of  passengers 
early  this  morning  in  a public  hack  from 
Chardon  to  Painesville,  distance  ten  miles. 
Chardon  being  on  high  table  land,  the  clouds 
are  apt  to  gather  there,  and  so  we  started  in 
mists  which  the  sun  dispelled  and  warmed  us 
up  and  we  went  through  a rich  country  of 
gentle  hills  and  valleys.  We  passed  orchards 


and  had  the  pleasant  sight  of  men  and  boys 
in  the  trees  gathering  the  many-colored  ap- 
ples and  stowing  them  away  in  bags  hanging 
from  the  branches.  I observed  some  noble 
hickories,  and  was  pointed  to  a tree  from 
which  at  a single  season  four  and  a half 
bushels  had  been  gathered.  The  maples 
were  but  just  beginning  to  blush.  Geaug# 


GEAUGA  COUNTY. 


691 


Is  the  favorite  home  of  the  maple  and  its 
maple  sugar  industry  the  greatest  in  the 
Union,  and  the  sugar  excelling  in  qual- 
ity. 

Trout  Streams. — Geauga  has,  with  Erie, 
the  distinction  of  being  the  only  one  of  two 
counties  that  I know  of  in  Ohio  that  has  a 
stream  of  water  so  pure  and  cold  as  to  be  the 
native  home  of  the  speckled  brook  trout.  In 
Erie  the  source  is  a cold  spring  at  Castalia 
gushing  forth  from  a prairie.  In  Geauga  it 
is  in  the  vicinity  of  where  we  are  passing 
to-day,  below  the  conglomerate  rock,  at  the 
base  of  which  the  filtered  pure  water  gushes 
forth  in  streams,  forming  the  head-waters  of 
Chagrin  river. 

Fast  and  Present  on  the  Reserve. — Travelers 
by  rail  see  comparatively  little.  My  ride  by 
hack  was  a refreshing  change,  an  eye  feast. 
In  my  original  journey  on  horseback  through 
the  Reserve^  I was  continually  reminded  of 
the  Connecticut  of  that  time  by  the  large 
number  of  red  houses,  red  barns  and  little 
district  school-houses  by  the  roadside,  also 
red.  Gone  are  these  red  things,  and  gone 
mostly  are  the  people,  and  gone  the  country 
taverns  with  their  barroom  shelves  filled  with 
liquor  bottles.  The  boys  and  girls  of  that 
time  now  living  are  largely  grand-parents. 
Now  the  farmhouses  are  white  or  a neutral 
tint,  many  of  them  ornate,  the  creations  of 
skilled  architects ; all  of  those  hereabouts 
have  porches  either  upon  the  main  building 
or  upon  the  addition.  Labor-saving  machines 
and  implements  and  conveniences,  both  on 
the  farm  and  in  the  dwelling,  have  saved 
much  untold  back-aching  drudgery  and  given 
leisure  for  the  more  delicate  things.  Farm- 
ers’ wives  can  any  time  pick  up  Harper's 
Weekly  or  Monthly  and  read  an  article  on 
entomology,  maybe  an  instructive  one  on  the 
habits  of  the  bumble-bee,  and  not  feel  as 
though  they  were  committing  a sin — en- 
croaching on  valuable  time  that  ought  to  be 
given  to  melting  snow  in  a huge  kettle  hang- 
ing over  backlogs,  whereby  to  get  water  and 
worry  through  the  week’s  washing. 

The  dreadful  isolation  and  loneliness  of 
farm-life  is  a thing  of  the  past.  Good  roads 
have  overcome  this  and  brought  town  and 
country  together  shaking  hands.  Most  fam- 
ilies have  representatives  in  some  neighbor- 
ing city  or  on  farms  farther  west,  and  they 
often  visit  the  old  homestead,  bringing  their 
children,  and  renew  the  old  ties.  The  cricket 
still  sings  somewhere  around  the  premises, 
the  doves  still  coo  from  the  eaves  ; the  clover, 
fragrant  as  ever,  finds  them  out  and  steals 
into  their  noses.  Books,  magazines  are  in 
every  dwelling  and  education  general ; and 
social  intercourse  has  changed  and  broadened 
their  lives.  Noah  Webster  lies  alongside  the 
Family  Bible  with  the  photographic  album, 
wherein  are  absent  friends  and  the  latest 
arrival  by  the  “limited  express” — limited 
by  the  capacities  of  maternity.  “Was  there 
ever  such  a pretty  baby?”  The  genus 
gawkey  is  no  more  and  no  longer  one  hears 
uncouth  speech  and  expressions,  such  as  : 
“I  want  ter  kneow ! ” “Dew  tell,”  “I 


kinder  reckon,”  “Stun  wall!”  “Pale  the 
keow  ! ’ ’ etc. 

Stage-Coach  Talk. — Nearing  Painesville, 
our  way  over  the  height  of  land  was  through 
winding  ravines  with  their  running  streams, 
and  one  spot  was  pointed  out  to  me  by  a 
gentleman  by  my  side,  where  was  nestled  in 
a nook  a homestead  that  seemed  as  a sort  of 
paradise.  “I  had  rather  live  there,”  he 
said,  “as  those  people  live  in  these  sur- 
roundings than  on  Euclid  avenue.”  He  was 
of  the  law,  a large  man  from  Chardon  ; re- 
minded me  of  Tom  Corwin,  whom  I knew, 
and  like  him  had  a dark  complexion  and  run 
to  adipose  ; and,  as  Corwin  would  have  done, 
beguiled  the  way  with  amusing  stories,  and 
his  budget  was  running  over. 

As  we  started  out  of  the  village,  he  said  : 
“Some  of  us  have  been  making  a sort  of 
social  census  of  Chardon ; the  result  is : 
three  bachelors,  four  old  maids  (that  is,  count' 
ing  girls  over  35  as  such),  five  widowers  and 
seventy  widows.”  Thought  I,  if  that  is  a 
quiz,  I admire  your  ingenuity.  If  a fact,  it 
is  astounding  as  an  earthquake.  My  cour- 
tesy led  me  to  apparently  take  the  shock,  and 
so  I put  in  ‘ ‘ Why  does  Chardon  so  run  to 
widows  ? W as  the  town  gotten  up  for  them  ? ’ ’ 
“No,”  said  he,  “not  exactly  that ; they  al) 
have  children  and  come  from  the  country 
around  to  educate  them,  the  schools  and 
na orals  of  the  people  are  so  excellent,  and  it 
is  such  a healthy  pretty  spot,  with  such 
abundance  of  everything  and  living  so  cheap.  ’ ’ 

Dropping  the  widows,  we  launched  on  to 
other  subjects ; one  was  the  false  idea  that 
young  and  inexperienced  people  have  of  men 
of  high  station  and  reputation.  “I  was,” 
he  said,  “bred  on  a farm  and  knew  nothing 
of  the  world.  When  a young  man  I jour- 
neyed to  Columbus  and  called  upon  the  Gov- 
ernor in  his  audience  chamber  in  the  State 
House.  Ushered  into  his  presence,  I trem- 
bled as  an  aspen.  He  invited  me  to  a seat, 
and  I was  in  the  act  of  sitting  down  in  a 
chair,  when  a leg  slipped  out  of  its  socket. 
“Hold  on,”  said  he,  “let  me  fix  that.” 
Then  he  stooped  to  his  knees  and  slipped  the 
chair  leg  in  its  place.  In  a twinkling  my  awe 
vanished.  I saw  the  Governor  of  Ohio,  kneel- 
ing before  me,  was  as  other  men ; so  when 
he  arose  I was  as  calm  as  a May  morning. 
The  governor  was  B.  B.  Hayes.  ’ ’ 

The  timid,  sensitive  boy  is  of  all  others 
to  be  admired,  for  he  has  the  first  requisition 
of  genius  and  heroism — imjyressihility.  The 
old  Athenians,  that  lovable  people,  had  it  to 
a superlative  degree ; and  how  heroic  and 
intellectual  were  they  and  how  exquisite  their 
art,  their  architecture  and  statuary.  Those 
creations  of  their  genius  seen  under  the  ten- 
der blue  skies  of  that  soft,  delicious  climate, 
amid  the  moving  figures  of  the  beautiful 
Athenians  arrayed  in  their  simple  loose  gar- 
ments of  white  that  swayed  in  graceful  folds 
around  their  pei'sons,  must  have  completed  a 
landscape  that  touched  the  rude  Scythian 
brought  into  their  presence  with  a sense  akin 
to  the  celestial.  ^ The  greatest,  no  matter  how 
high  their  station,  at  times  may  be  timid. 


692 


GEAUGA  COUNTY. 


Nothing  is  so  dreadful  to  man  as  man.  It  is 
the  world  of  intellect  that  at  times  awes  the 
strongest.  Intellect  is  of  God,  and  its  pos- 
session makes  man  godlike.  One  who  had 
been  a cabinet  minister,  a governor  of  a great 
State,  and  a soldier  of  national  reputation, 
recently  to  a question  of  mine  replied  : “,Yes, 
to  this  day  I at  times  suffer  from  sensitive- 
ness, even  just  before  I begin  such  a simple 
duty  as  questioning  a witness  in  court.”  As 
he  thus  spake,  my  regard  for  him,  which  was 
high  before,  increased. 

If  the  young  nervous  boy,  who  shrinks  on 
hearing  his  name  called  in  school,  could  real- 


ize the  grand  truth,  that  when  a sense  of 
duty  impels,  that  with  action  timidity  van- 
ishes, and  that  he  of  all  others  will  prove  the 
most  capable  of  heroic  things,  a great  point 
would  be  gained  for  the  world  into  which  he 
has  arrived  for  the  express  purpose  of  devel- 
oping himself  and  helping  to  make  it  better. 
‘‘  Why  do  you  tremble  so  ? ” said  an  old  offi- 
cer to  a young  lieutenant  of  Wellington’s 
army  just  at  the  opening  of  a battle.  “Do 
you  feel  bad?”  “Yes,  sir,  I do,”  he  re- 
joined ; “ and  if  you  felt  as  bad  as  I do  you 
would  run  away.” 


Middlefield  is  about  30  miles  east  of  Cleveland  and  about  25  miles  south 
of  Lake  Erie,  on  the  P.  & Yo  E,  R.  Newspaper  : Messenger,  Independent,  C.  B, 
Murdock,  editor.  Churches  r 1 Methodist  Episcopal  and  1 Wesleyan  Methodist. 
Industries : 1 grist,  2 saw  and  woodworking  mills,  brick  and  tile,  cheese  factories, 
etc.  Population  in  1880,  325.  The  vicinity  abounds  in  mineral  springs.  Geauga 
has  several  other  small  villages,  as  Parkman,  16  miles  S.  E.  of  Chardon;  Hunts- 
burg,  6 miles  east,  and  Chester  Cross  Roads,  in  the  northwestern  corner  of  the 
county. 


GREENE. 


Greene  County  was  formed  from  Hamilton  and  Ross,  May  1,  1803,  and 
named  from  Gen.  Nathaniel  Greene,  of  the  revolution.  The  soil  is  generally 
clayey ; the  surface  on  the  east  is  flat  and  well  adapted  to  grazing,  the  rest  of  the 
iX)unty  is  rolling  and  productive  in  wheat  and  corn.  Considerable  water-power 
is  furnished  by  the  streams.  It  has  some  fine  limestone  quarries,  and  near  Xenia, 
on  Cgesar’s  creek,  is  a quarry  of  beautifully  variegated  marble.  The  principal 
productions  are  wheat,  corn,  rye,  grass,  grass  seed,  oats,  barley,  sheep  and  swine. 
Area,  430  square  mileso  In  1885  the  acres  cultivated  were  131,197 ; in  pas- 
toe,  35,693 ; woodland,  34,544 ; lying  waste,  6,668  i produced  in  wheat,  362,749 
bushels;  oatrf,  183,639;  corn,  2,560,852;  flax,  72,50C  pounds;  wool,  129,355; 
horses  owned,  10,703 ; cattle,  18,986  ; sheep,  33,411 ; hogs,  30,191.  School  census, 
1886,  9,027  ; teachers,  183.  Tt  has  87  miles  of  railroad. 


Townships  and  Censls,  1840.  1880. 

Bath,  1,717  2,593 

Beaver  Creek,  1,762  2,470 

Caesar  Creek,  1,730  1,174 

Cedar  ville,  2,702 

Jefferson,  1,643 

Miami,  1,230  2,733 


Townships  and  Census.  1840.  1880. 

New  Jasper,  1,013 

Ross,  i,310  1,335 

Silver  Creek,  2,435  2,155 

Spring  Valley,  1,562 

Sugar  Creek,  2,379  1,588 

Xenia,  5,190  10,381 


Population  in  1820  was  10,509;  1840,  17,753;  1860,  26,197;  1880,  31,549, 
of  whom  23,747  were  Ohio-born;  Kentucky,  1,645;  Virginia,  1,377 ; Pennsyl- 
vania, 854  ; Indiana,  340 ; New  York,  230 ; Ireland,  729 ; and  Germany,  384. 

The  Shawnee  town,  ^^Old  ChiUicotlie,^’  was  on  the  I./ittle  Miami,  in  this  county, 
about  three  and  a half  miles  north  of  the  site  of  Xenia : it  was  a place  of  note. 


GREENE  COUNTY, 


693 


and  is  frequently  mentioned  in  the  annals  of  the  early  explorations  and  settlements 
of  the  West.  It  was  sometimes  called  the  Old  Town. 

In  the  year  1773  Capt.  Thomas  Bullit,  of  Virginia^  one  of  the  first  settlers  of 
Kentucky,  was  proceeding  down  the  Ohio  river,  with  a party,  to  make  surveys 
and  a settlement  there,  when  he  stopped  and  left  his  companions  on  the  river,  and 
passed  through  the  wilderness  to  Old  Chillicothe-  to  obtain  the  consent  of  the 
Indians  to  his  intended  settlement.  He  entered  the  town  alone,  with  a flag  of 
truce,  before  he  was  discoveredo  The  Indians,  astcfiished  at  his  boldness,  flocked 
around  him,  when  the  following  dialogue  ensued  between  him  and  a principal 
chief,  which  we  derive  from  Butler’s  Notes  on  Kentucky:” 


Indian  Chief.  What  news  do  you  bring? 
are  you  from  the  Iiong  Knife?  If  you  are  an 
ambassador,  why  did  you  not  send  a runner? 

Bullit.  I have  no  bad  news.  The  Long 
Knife  and  the  Bed  men  are  at  peace,  and  I 
have  come  among  my  brothers  to  have  a 
friendly  talk  with  them  about  settling  on  the 
other  side  of  the  Ohio. 

Indian  Chief.  Why  did  you  not  send  a 
runner? 

Bullit  I had  no  runner  swifter  than  my- 
self, and  as  I was  in  haste,  I could  not  wait 
the  return  of  a runner.  If  you  were  hungry 
and  had  killed  a deer,  would  you  send  your 
squaw  to  town  to  tell  the  news,  and  wait  her 
return  betbro  you  would  eat? 

This  reply  of  Bullit  put  the  bystanders  in 
high  humor ; they  relaxed  from  their  native 
gravity  and  laughed  heartily.  The  Indians 
conducted  Bullit  into  the  principal  wigwam 
of  the  town,  and  regaled  him  with  venison, 
after  which  he  addressed  the  chief  as  fol- 
lows : 

Brothers: — I am  sent  with  my  people, 
whom  I left  on  the  Ohio,  to  settle  the  country 


on  the  other  side  of  that  river,  as  low  down 
as  the  falls.  We  came  from.  V^irginia.  I only 
want  the  country  to  settle  and  to  cultivate  the 
soil.  There  will  be  no  objection  to  your 
hunting  and  trapping  in  it;  as  heretofore.  I 
hope  you  will  live  with  us  in  friendship. 

To  this  address  the  principal  chief  made 
the  following  reply. 

Brother: — You  have  come  a hard  journey 
through  the  woods  and  the  grass.  W e are 
pleased  to  find  that  j^our  people  in  settling 
our  country  are  not  to  disturb  us  in  our  hunt- 
ing ; for  we  must  hunt  to  kill  meat  for  our 
women  and  children,  and  to  have  something 
to  buy  powder  and  lead,  and  procure  blankets 
and  other  necessaries.  We  desire  you  will 
be  strong  in  discharging  your  promises  to- 
wards us,  as  we  are  determined  to  be  strong 
in  advising  our  young  men  to  be  kind,  friendly 
and  peaceable  towards  you.  Having  finished 
his  mission,  Capt.  Bullit  returned  to  his  men, 
and  with  them  descended  the  river  to  tho 
falls. 

Some  of  this  party  of  Bullit’ s shortly  after 
laid  oiit  the  town  of  Louisville,  Kentucky. 


The  celebrated  Daniel  Boone  was  taken  prisoner,  with  twenty-seven  others,  in 
Kentucky,  in  February,  1778,  in  the  war  of  the  revolution,  and  brought  to  Old 
Chillicotlie.  Through  the  influence  of  the  British  governor  Hamilton,  Boone, 
with  ten  others,  was  taken  from  thence  to  Detroit. 


The  governor  took  an  especial  fancy  to 
Boone,  and  offered  considerable  sums  for  his 
release,  but  to  no  purpose,  for  thj  Indians 
also  had  taken  their  fancy,  and  S'  great  was 
it  that  they  took  him  back  to  Old  hillicothe, 
adopted  him  into  a family,  and  fondly  ca- 
ressed him.  He  mingled  with  their  sports, 
shot,  fished,  hunted  and  swam  with  them,  and 
had  become  deeply  ingratiated  in  their  favor, 
when  on  the  1st  of  June,  they  took  him  to 
assist  them  in  making  salt  in  the  Scioto  val- 
ley, at  the  old  salt  wells,  near,  or  at,  we  be- 
lieve, the  present  town  of  Jackson,  Jackson 
county.  They  remained  a few  days,  and 
when  returned  to  Old  Chiliicothe,  his  heart 
was  agonized  by  the  sight  of  450  warriors, 
armed,  painted  and  equipped  in  all  the  para- 
phernalia of  savage  splendor,  ready  to  start 
cn  an  expedition  against  Boonesborough.  To 
avert  the  cruel  blow  that  was  about  to  fall 
upon  his  friends,  he  alone,  on  the  morning 
of  the  16th  of  June,  escaped  from  his  In- 
dian companions,  and  arrived  in  time  to  foil 
the  plans  of  the  enemy,  and  not  only  saved 


the  borough,  which  he  himself  had  founded, 
but  probably  all  the  frontier  parts  of  Ken- 
tucky, from  devastation. 

Boone  told  an  aged  pioneer  that  when 
taken  prisoner  on  this  occasion,  the  Indians 
got  out  of  food,  and  after  having  killed  and 
eaten  their  dogs,  were  ten  days  without  any 
other  sustenance  than  that  of  a decoction 
made  from  the  oozings  of  the  inner-bark  of 
the  white-oak,  v/hich  after  drinking,  Boone 
could  travel  with  the  best  of  them.  At 
length  the  Indians  shot  a deer  and  boiled  its 
entrails  to  a jelly  of  which  they  all  drank, 
and  it  soon  acted  freely  on  their  bowels.  They 
gave  some  to  Boone,  Wt  his  stomach  refused 
it.  After  repeated  efforts,^  they  forced  him 
to  swallow  about  half  a pint,  which  he  did 
with  wry  face  and  disagreeable  retchings, 
much  to  the  amusement  of  the  simple  sav- 
ages, who  laughed  heartily.  After  this  medi- 
cine had  well  operated,  the  Indians  told 
Boone  that  he  might  eat ; but  if  he  had  done 
so  before  it  would  have  killed  him.  They 
then  all  fell  to,  and  soon  made  amends  foi 


694 


GREENE  COUNTY. 


tlieir  long  fast.  At  Detroit,  he  astonished  ing  been  shut  up  in  a room  with  all  the 
the  governor  by  making  gunpowder,  he  hav-  materials. 

Col.  John  Johnston,  who  knew  Boone  well,  says  in  a commnnication  to  us : 


It  is  now  (1847)  fifty-four  years  since  I first 
saw  Daniel  Boone.  He  was  then  about  60 
years  old,  of  a medium  size,  say  five_  feet  ten 
inches,  not  given  to  corpulency,  retired,  un- 
obtrusive, and  a man  of  few  words.  My  ac- 
quaintance was  made  with  him  in  the  winter 
season,  and  I well  remember  his  dress  was 
of  tow  cloth,  and  not  a woollen  garment  on 
his  body,  unless  his  stockings  were  of  that 
material.  Home-made  was  the  common  wear 


of  the  people  of  Kentucky,  at  that  time: 
sheep  were  not  yet  introduced  into  the 
country.  I slept  four  nights  in  the  house  of 
one  West,  with  Boone : there  were  a number 
of  strangers,  and  he  was  constantly  occupied 
in  answering  questions.  He  had  nothing  re- 
markable in  his  personal  appearance.  His 
son,  Capt.  N.  Boone,  now  an  old  man,  is 
serving  in  the  1st  regiment  United  States 
Dragoons. 


In  July,  1779,  the  year  after  Boone  escaped  from  Old  Chillicothe,  Col.  John 
Bowman,  with  160  Kentuckians,  marched  against  the  town.  The  narrative  of 
this  expedition  is  derived  from  Butler’s  Motes. 


The  party  rendezvoused  at  the  mouth  of 
the  Licking,  and  at  the  end  of  the  second 
night  got  in  sight  of  the  town  undiscovered. 
It  was  determined  to  await  until  daylight  in 
the  morning  before  they  would  make  the 
attack ; but  by  the  imprudence  of  some  of 
the  men,  whose  curiosity  exceeded  their  judg- 
ment, the  party  was  discovered  by  the  Indi- 
ans before  the  officers  and  men  had  arrived 
at  the  several  positions  assigned  to  them.  As 
soon  as  the  alarm  was  given,  a fire  com- 
menced on  both  sides,  and  was  kept  up, 
while  the  women  and  children  were  seen 
running  from  cabin  to  cabin,  in  the  greatest 
confusion,  and  collecting  in  the  most  central 
and  strongest.  At  clear  day-light  it  was  dis- 
covered that  Bowman’s  men  were  from 
seventy  to  one  hundred  yards  from  the  cab- 
ins, in  which  the  Indians  had  collected,  and 
which  they  appeared  determined  to  defend. 
Having  no  other  arms  than  tomahawks  and 
rifles,  it  was  thought  imprudent  to  attempt 
to  storm  strong  cabins,  well  defended  by  ex- 
pert warriors.  In  consequence  of  the  war- 
riors collecting  in  a few  cabins  contiguous  to 
each  other,  the  remainder  of  the  town  was 
left  unprotected,  therefore,  while  a fire  was 
kept  up  at  the  port-holes,^  which  engaged  the 
attention  of  those  within,  fire  was  set  to 
thirty  or  forty  cabins,  which  ^ were  con- 
sumed, and  a considerable  quantity  of  prop- 
erty, consisting  of  kettles  and  blankets, 
were  taken  from  those  cabins.  In  searching 
the  woods  near  the  town,  133  horses  were 
collected. 

About  10  o’clock  Bowman  and  his  party 
commenced  their  march  homeward,  after 


having  nine  men  killed.  What  loss  the  In- 
dians sustained  was  never  known,  except 
Blackfish,  their  principal  chief,  who  was 
wounded  through  the  knee.  After  receiving 
the  wound,  Blackfish  proposed  to  surrender, 
being  confident  that  his  wound  was  danger- 
ous, and  believing  that  there  were  among 
the  white  people  surgeons  that  could  cure 
him,  but  that  none  among  his  own  people 
could  do  it. 

The  party  had  not  marched  more  than 
eight  or  ten  miles  on  their  return  home,  be- 
fore the  Indians  appeared  in  considerable 
force  on  their  rear,  and  began  to  press  hard 
upon  that  quarter.  Bowman  selected  his 
ground,  and  formed  his  men  in  a square  ; but 
the  Indians  declined  a close  engagement,  only 
keeping  up  a scattering  fire.  It  was  soon  dis- 
covered that  their  object  was  to  retard  their 
march  until  they  could  procure  reinforce- 
ments from  the  neighboring  villages. 

As  soon  as  a strong  position  was  taken  by 
Col.  Bowman,  the  Indians  retired,  and  he 
resumed  the  line  of  march,  when  he  was 
again  attacked  in  the  rear.  He  again  formed 
for  battle,  and  again  the  Indians  retired,  and 
the  scene  was  acted  over  several  times.  At 
length,  John  Bulger,  James  Harrod  and 
George  Michael  Bedinger,  with  about  100 
more  mounted  on  horseback,  rushed  on  the 
Indian  ranks  and  dispersed  them  in  every 
direction ; after  which  the  Indians  aban- 
doned their  pursuit.  Bowman  crossed  the 
Ohio  at  the  mouth  of  the  Little  Miami,  and 
after  crossing,  the  men  dispersed  to  their 
several  homes. 


In  the  summer  after  this  expedition  Gen.  Clark  invaded  the  Indian  country, 
an  account  of  which  is  related  under  the  head  of  Clark  County.  On  his  approach 
the  Indians  burnt  Old  Chillicothe. 

The  article  relating  to  early  times  in  Greene  county  is  slightly  abridged  from  a 
communication  by  Thomas  C.  Wright,  Escp,  the  county  auditor. 

After  Abdolonymus  had  been  taken  from  Sidonea,  it  is  said  he  kept  a i)air  of  wooden 

his  humble  station  in  life,  and  made  king  of  shoes  near  his  throne,  to  remind  him  of  his 


GREENE  COUNTY. 


695 


former  obscurity,  and  check  the  pride  which 
power  is  so  apt  to  engender  in  the  heart  of 
man . The  annexed  drawing  is  deemed  worthy 
of  preservation,  not  only  as  a memento  of 
early  times,  and  serving  as  a contrast  to  the 
presmt  advanced  state  of  improvement,  but 
on  account  of  the  historical  associations  it 
raises  in  the  memory  of  the  first  judicial  pro- 
ceedings and  organization  of  Greene  county. 

The  house,  of  which  the  engraving  is  a 
correct  representation,  is  yet  (184G)  standing, 
five  and  a half  miles  west  of  Xenia,  near 
the  Dayton  road.  It  was  built  by  Gen.  Benj. 
Whiteman,  a short  distance  south  of  the  log 
cabin  mill  of  Owen  Davis,  on  Beaver  creek. 
This  mill,  the  first  erected  in  Greene,  was 
finished  in  1798.  A short  distance  east  were 
erected  two  block-houses,  and  it  was  intended, 
should  danger  render  it  necessary,  to  connect 
them  by  a line  of  pickets,  and  include  the 
mill  within  the  stockade.  This  mill  was  used 
by  the  settlers  of  “the  Dutch  Station,”  some 
thirty  miles  distant,  in  the  centre  of  Miami 
county. 


On  the  10th  of  May,  1803,  the  first  court 
for  organizing  Greene  county  was  held  in 
^ this  house,  then  the  residence  of  Peter 
Borders.  Wm.  Maxwell,  Benj.  Whiteman 
and  James  Barret  were  the  associate  Judges, 
and  John  Paul,  clerk.  The  first  business  of 
the  court  was  to  lay  otf  the  county  into  town- 
ships, and  after  transacting  some  other  busi- 
ness, they  adjourned  “ until  court  in  course,” 
having  been  in  session  one  day. 

The  First  Court  for  the  trial  of  causes  was 
held  in  the  same  house,  on  Tuesday,  Aug.  2, 
1803,  with  the  same  associate  judges,  and 
Francis  Dunlavy,  presiding  judge,  and  Daniel 
Simms,  prosecuting  attorney.  “And  there 
came  a grand  jury,  to  wit : Wm.  J.  Stewart, 
foreman,  John  Wilson,  Wm.  Buckles, 
Abrm.  Van  Eaton,  James  Snodgrass,  John 
Judy,  Evan  Morgan,  Bobt.  Marshall,  Alex. 
C.  Armstrong,  Joseph  C.  Vance,  Joseph 
Wilson,  John  Buckhannon,  Martin  Menden- 
hall and  Harry  Martin,  who  were  sworn  a 
grand  jury  of  inquest,  for  the  body  of  Greene 
county.”  After  receiving  the  charge  “they 


First  Court-House  in  Gri^kne. 


retired  out  of  court ; ” a circumstance  not  to 
be  wondered  at,  as  there  was  but  one  room 
in  the  house.  Their  place  of  retirement,  or 
jury  room,  was  a little  squat-shaped  pole 
iiut,  shown  on  the  right  of  the  view. 

And  now,  while  their  honors,  with  becom- 
ing gravity,  are  sitting  behind  a table  ready 
for  business,  and  the  grand  jury  making 
solemn  inquest  of  crimes  committed,  the 
contrast  between  the  state  of  the  county  then 
and  at  present,  naturally  presents  itself  to 
the  mind.  Since  then,  forty-four  years  ago 
— a period  within  the  recollection  of  many 
of  our  citizens — and  what  a change  ! Then 
it  was  almost  an  entire  wilderness-*^a 
primeval  forest,  planted  by  the  hand  of  na- 
ture. The  first  house  in  Greene  county  was 
built  by  Daniel  Wilson,  who  is  now  living 
near  Centerville,  Montgomery  county.  It 
was  raised  on  the  7th  day  of  April,  1796, 
about  four  miles  from  where  Bellbrook  has 
long  since  been  laid  out,  in  Sugarcreek  town- 


ship. In  1798  Thomas  Tounsley  settled  near 
the  falls  of  Massie’s  creek,  some  eight  miles 
from  Xenia.  The  same  year  James  (Gallo- 
way, Sr.,  settled  on  the  Little  Miami,  two 
miles  north  of  Oldtown.  Isaiah  and  Wm. 
Garner  Sutton  erected  the  first  house  in 
Caesar’s  Creek  township,  in  1799,  about  five 
miles  south  of  Xenia,  near  where  the  Bullskin 
road  crosses  Caesar’s  creek.  Caesarsville  was 
laid  out  by  T.  Carneal,  in  1 800,  and  the  first 
house  in  it  was  built  the  year  following.  It 
was  expected  to  become  the  county-seat,  but 
was  finally  rejected  in  favor  of  Xenia. 
Caesarsville,  at  the  time  of  this  court,  con- 
tained a few  log-cabins,  and  so  scattered 
about,  miles  apart,  the  traveller  might  find 
one  of  these  primitive  dwellings  sending  up 
its  smoke  from  a mud  and  stick  chimney 
among  the  giants  of  the  forest,  each  cabin 
with  a little  i)atch  of  a corn-field,  thickly 
dotted  over  with  girdled  trees.  A bridle- 
path, or  blazed  trees,  led  the  traveller  from 


696 


GREENE  COUNTY. 


one  to  the  other.  But  they  were  the  abodes 
of  contentment,  simplicity  of  manners, 
whole-hearted  hospitality  and  generosity  of 
soul,  which  does  honor  to  human  nature  and 
gives  a charm  to  existence. 

But  to  return  to  the  court.  From  a careful 
examination  of  the  records  and  other  sources 
of  information  I cannot  learn  there  was  any 
business  for  the  grand  jury  when  they  re- 
tired. But  they  were  not  permitted  to  re- 
main idle  long  : the  spectators  in  attendance 
promptly  took  the  matter  into  consideration. 
They,  doubtless,  thought  it  a great  pity  to 
have  a learned  court  and  nothing  for  it  to  do  ; 
so  they  set  to  and  cut  out  employment  for 
their  honors  by  engaging  in  divers  hard  fights 
at  fisticulfs,  right  on  the  ground.  So  it 
seems  our  pioneers  fought  for  the  benefit  of 
the  court.  At  all  events,  while  their  honors 
were  waiting  to  settle  differences  according  to 
law,  they  were  making  up  issues  and  settling 
them  by  trial  ''''hy  combat” — a process  by 
which  they  avoided  the  much  complained  of 
‘ ‘ law’s  delay,  ’ ’ and  incurred  no  other  damages 
than  black  eyes  and  bloody  noses,  which  were 
regarded  as  mere  trifies,  of  course.  ^ Among 
the  incidents  of  the  day,  characteristic  of  the 

times,  was  this  : A Mr. , from  Warren 

county,  was  in  attendance.  Owen  Davis,  the 
owner  of  the  mill,  who,  by  the  way,  was  a 
brave  Indian  fighter,  as  well  as  a kind-hearted, 
obliging  man,  charged  this  Warren  county 
man  with  speculating  in  pork,  alias  stealing 
his  neighbor’s  hogs.  The  insult  was  resented 
— a combat  tobk  place  forthwith,  in  which 
Davis  proved  victorious.  He  then  went  into 
court,  and  planting  himself  in  front  of  the 
judges,  he  observed,  addressing  himself 
articularly  to  one  of  them,  “Well,  Ben, 
’ve  whipped  that  d — d hog-thief — what’s 
the  damage — what’s  to  pay  ? ’ ’ and  thereupon, 
suiting  the  action  to  the  word,  he  drew  out 
his  buckskin  purse,  containing  eight  or  ten 
dollars,  and  slammed  it  down  on  tlie  table — 
then  shaking  his  fist  at  the  judge,  whom  he 
addressed,  he  continued,  “Yes,  Ben,  and  if 
youM  steal  a hog,  d — n you,  I’d  whip  you, 
too.”  He  had,  doubtless,  come  to  the  con- 
clusion, that,  as  there  was  a court,  the  luxury 
of  fighting  could  not  be  indulged  in  gratis, 
and  he  was  for  paying  up  as  he  went. 
Seventeen  witnesses  were  sworn  and  sent  be- 
fore the  grand  jury,  and  nine  bills  of  in- 
dictment were  found  the  same  day — all  for 
affrays  and  assaults  and  batteries  committed 
after  the  court  was  organized.  To  these  in- 
dictments the  parties  all  pleaded  guilty,  and 
were  fined — Davis  among  the  rest,  who  was 
fined  eight  dollars  for  his  share  in  the  trans- 
actions of  the  day. 

The  following  is  the  first  entry  made  on 
the  record  after  the  grand  jury  retired : 
“ The  court  then  proceeded  to  examine  the 
sev^al  candidates  for  the  surveyor’s  office, 
and  James  Galloway,  Jr.,  being  well  quali- 
fied, was  appointed  surveyor  of  said  county.” 
On  the  second  day  of  the  term  Joseph  C. 
Vance  (father  of  ex-Gov.  Vance,  of  Cham- 
paign county)  was  appointed  to  make  the 
necessary  arrangements  for  establishing  the 


seat  of  justice,  who,  with  David  Huston  and 
Joseph  Wilson,  his  securities,  entered  into  a 
bond,  with  a penalty  of  $1500  for  the  faith- 
ful performance  of  his  duties.  He  surveyed 
and  laid  out  the  town  of  Xenia  (which, 
by  the  way,  is  an  old  French  word,  signi- 
fying a new-year’s  gift)  the  same  season,  for 
at  the  next  December  term  he  was  allowed 
“$49.25  for  laying  off  the  town  of  Xenia, 
finding  chainmen,  making  plots  and  selling 
lots.  ’ ’ On  the  third  day  of  the  term  Daniel 
Sy mines  was  allowed  twenty  dollars  for  prose- 
cuting in  behalf  of  the  State.  The  presiding 
judge  then  left  the  court,  but  it  was  con- 
tinued by  the  associate  judges  for  the  trans- 
action of  county  business.  In  addition  to 
the  duties  now  pertaining  to  associate  judges, 
they  discharged  the  duties  now  performed  by 
the  board  of  county  commissioners.  Archi- 
bald Lowry  and  Griffith  Foos  were  each 
licensed  to  keep  a tavern  in  the  town  of 
Springfield,  on  the  payment  of  eight  dollars 
for  each  license.  A license  was  also  granted 
to  Peter  Borders  to  keep  a tavern  at  his 
house,  on  the  payment  of  four  dollars,  “to- 
other with  all  legal  fees.  ’ ’ So  our  old  log- 
ouse  has  the  honor  of  having  the  first 
learned  court  held  within  its  rough  walls  ; 
and,  in  addition  to  that,  it  was,  in  fact,  the 
first  hotel  ever  licensed  in  the  county  in  which 
hog  and  hominy  and  new  corn  whisk ej’’ 
could  be  had  in  abundance.  Perhaps  the 
court  was  a little  interested  in  granting  the 
license.  Like  old  Jack  Falstaff,  they  might 
like  “ to  take  their  own  ease  in  their  own 
inn.”  James  Galloway,  Sr.,  was  appointed 
county  treasurer.  The  court  then  adjourned, 
having  been  in  session  three  days. 

On  the  19th  day  of  the  same  month 
(August),  the  associate  judges  held  another 
court  for  the  transaction  of  county  business. 
They  continued  to  meet  and  adjourn  from 
day  to  day,  waiting  for  the  lister  of  taxable 
property  to  return  his  book,  until  the  22d, 
when  they  made  an  order,  that  fifty  cents 
should  be  paid  for  each  wolf  killed  within 
the  bounds  of  the  county,  and  “that  the 
largest  block-house  should  be  appropriated 
to  the  use  of  a jail ; ” and  Benjamin  White- 
man,  Esq.,  was  appointed,  in  behalf  of  the 
county,  to  contract  for  repairing  it — a de- 
cisive mark  of  civilization.  Among  the 
allowances,  at  this  term,  there  was  one  of 
six  dollars  to  Joseph  C.  Vance,  for  carrying 
the  election  returns  of  Sugar  Creek  township 
to  Cincinnati ; and  a like  sum  to  David 
Huston,  for  returning  the  poll-book  of 
Beaver  Creek.  He  afterwards  held  the  office 
of  associate  judge  tweifiy-one  years,  and 
twice  represented  Greene  county  in  the  State 
legislature.  He  lived  the  life  of  an  honest 
man — was  beloved  and  respected  by  all  who 
knew  him.  He  died  in  1843.  The  clerk 
and  sheriff  were  allowed  twenty  dollars  each 
for  ex-officio  fees,  and  Jacob  Shingledecker, 
nine  dollars  and  fifty  cent,  for  preparing  the 
block-house  to  serve  as  a jail — a great  per- 
version from  the  original  design  of  the  build- 
ing, as  it  was  intended  at  first  to  keep  un- 
welcome visitors  out,  and  ended  in  keeping 


GREENE  COUNTY. 


697 


unwilling  visitors  in.  It  was  ordered  by  the 
court,  that  the  inhabitants  of  Mad  River 
township  should  be  exempted  from  the  pay- 
ment of  taxes,  or  rather,  their  taxes  were 
reduced  two  cents  on  each  horse  and  one  cent 
on  each  cow.  The  reason  assigned  for  this 
favor  was  “/or  erecting  public  buildings.''' 
As  we  have  seen  no  public  buildings  yet  but 
the  two  block-houses,  and  the  one  which 
figures  at  the  head  of  this  communication, 
the  reader  would,  doubtless,  be  much  sur- 
prised that  the  erection  of  these  should  be 
deemed  sufficiently  meritorious  as,  in  part,  to 
exempt  the  inhabitants  from  the  payment  of 
taxes.  But  these  public  buildings  were 
situated  in  Cincinnati.  We  apprehend  that 
but  few  of  our  citizens  are  aware  of  the  fact, 
that  the  first  settlers  in  this  county  con- 
tributed to  the  erection  of  public  buildings  in 
Cincinnati — the  old  stone  court-house,  we 
suppose,  which  was  burnt  down  while  used 
as  barracks  in  time  of  the  last  war,  and  the 
hewed  log  jail  which  stood  on  the  north  side 
of  the  public  square. 

The  first  supreme  court  was  held  in  the 
same  house,  on  the  25th  day  of  October, 
1803,  by  their  honors  Samuel  Huntingdon 
and  Wm.  Spriggs,  judges;  William  Max- 
well, sheriff,  John  Paul,  clerk,  and  Arthur 
St.  Clair,  Esq.,  of  Cincinnati,  prosecuting 
attorney.  Richard  Thomas  was  admitted  an 
attorney  and  counsellor  at  law.  Nothing 
more  was  done,  and  the  court  adjourned  the 
same  day. 

At  the  November  term  of  the  court  of 
common  pleas,  the  first  thing  was  to  arraign 
Thomas  Davis,  a justice  of  the  peace,  for 
misconduct  in  office.  He  pleaded  guilty,  was 
fined  one  dollar,  and  ordered,  in  the  language 
of  the  record,  “ to  stand  committed  mitix 
performance.' But  what  the  misconduct 
was  for  which  he  was  fined,  the  record  sayeth 
not ; neither  is  it  known  whether  he  raised 
the  dollar,  or  was  made  familiar  with  the  in- 
side of  the  block-house.  On  the  first  day  of 
this  term,  the  Rev.  Robert  Armstrong  re- 
ceived a license  to  solemnize  the  rites  of 
matrimony.  He  and  the  Rev.  Andrew 
Fulton  were  sent,  by  the  general  associate 
synod  of  Scotland,  as  missionaries  to 
Kentucky,  and  arrived  at  Maysville,  in  1798  ; 
but,  not  liking  the  institution  of  slavery,  Mr. 
Fulton  went  to  the  neighborhood  where 
South  Hanover  now  is,  Indiana,  and  Mr. 
Armstrong  came  to  Greene  county,  Ohio. 
This  was  the  commencement  of  the  Seceder 
denomination  in  this  county.  From  this 
small  beginning  it  has  become  the  most 
numerous,  perhaps,  of  any  other  in  the 
county.  They  form  a large  portion  of  an 
orderly,  law-abiding  and  industrious  popu- 
lation— strict  in  observing  the  Sabbath  and 
in  discharge  of  their  religious  duties,  and 
correct  in  moral  conduct.  They  are  mostly 
farmers,  in  independent  circumstances.  Mr. 
Armstrong  was  a small  man,  of  vast  learning, 
with  the  simplicity,  in  some  things,  of  a 
child.  An  anecdote  is  told  of  his  being  at  a 
log-rolling,  assisting  to  carry  a log,  and  hav- 
ing but  a few  inches  of  handspike,  the  weight 


of  it  resting  mostly  on  him.  The  person 
with  whom  he  was  lifting,  seeing  his  situa- 
tion, said,  “Stop,  Mr.  Armstrong — let  me 
give  you  more  handspike.”  “No,”  said 
the  Rev.  gentleman,  “ no  more  stick  for  me  ; 
I have  already  as  much  as  I can  carry.”  He 
was  universally  esteemed  and  respected.  He 
died  in  1818.  He  brought  a very  large 
library  of  books  with  him,  and  was  very 
liberal  in  lending  them.  To  this  circum- 
stance, perhaps,  may  be  attributed  the  fact, 
that  more  books  have  been  sold  and  read  in 
this  county  than  in  any  other  of  the  same 
population  in  the  State. 

At  this  term,  in  the  case  of  Wm.  Orr  vs. 
Peter  Borders,  leave  was  given  to  amend  the 
declaration,  on  payment  of  costs — an  indica- 
tion that  some  attention  began  to  be  paid  to 
special  pleading.  The  first  civil  case  that  was 
tried  by  a jury  was  that  of  Wallingsford  vs. 
Vandolah.  A verdict  was  rendered  for  the 
plaintiff  of  twenty-four  cents,  upon  which 
“ he  paid  the  jury  and  constable  fees.” 

At  the  December  term  of  the  common 
pleas  four  cases  of  assault  and  battery  were 
tried  by  jury,  which  took  up  the  first  day. 
The  day  following,  this  entry  was  made  : Wil- 
liam Chipman  vs.  Henry  Storm,  “judgment 
confessed  for  one  cent  damages  and  costs.” 
But  such  is  the  imperfect  manner  in  which 
the  records  were  kept,  that  it  is  impossible  to 
ascertain  what  the  subject  matter  of  the  con- 
troversy was  in  which  such  heavy  damages 
were  admitted.  The  court  decided  that  the 
fee  paid  to  the  State’s  attorney,  at  the  August 
term,  was  illegal,  and  should  be  refunded. 
This  was  the  result  of  “sober  second 
thoughts  ’ ’ of  the  court  about  that  twenty 
dollar  fee^  for  which  the  attorney  came  from 
Cincinnati,  mote  tlian  fifty  miles,  through  the 
woods,  and  drew  nine  bills  c.f  indictment  and 
attended  to  the  cases.  At  this  tci’m  Andrew 
Read,  an  early  settler  near  where  the  beautiful 
village  of  Fairfield  now  is,  took  his  seat  on 
the  bench  as  associate  judge,  to  fill  the  va‘ 
cancy  occasioned  by  the  election  of  William 
Maxwell  to  the  office  of  sheriff.  The  first 
view  and  survey  of  a new  road  route  was 
granted  at  this  term.  It  was  to  commence  at 
Springfield,  pass  the  Yellow  spring  and  inter- 
sect the  Pinkney  road  near  Isaac  Morgan’s. 
Wm.  Maxwell,  Lewis  Davis  and  Thomas 
Tounsley  were  appointed  viewers,  and  James 
Galloway,  Jun.,  surveyor.  So  our  fellow- 
citizen,  Maj.  Galloway,  was  the  first  county 
surveyor,  surveyed  the  first  road  by  order  of 
the  court  and  afterwards  made  a map  of  the 
county,  in  its  present  metes  and  bounds, 
showing  all  the  surveys  and  sections  of  the 
land,  with  their  divisions  and  subdivisions 
into  tracts.  Tavern  licenses  were  granted  to 
Thomas  Fream,  William  Moore,  and  James 
M’Pherson  to  keep  taverns  in  their  houses 
for  one  year,  and  so  ended  the  term. 

The  June  term  of  1804  was  the  last  court 
ever  held  in  the  old  log-house.  It  was  com- 
posed of  the  same  judges,  clerk  and  sheriff, 
with  Arthur  St.  Clair,  Esq.,  of  Cincinnati, 
prosecuting  attorney.  The  writer  of  this  has 
been  informed  he  wore  a cocked  hat  and  a 


698 


GREENE  COUNTY. 


sword.  William  M’Farland  was  foreman  of 
the  grand  jury.  A singular  incident  took 
place  at  the  opening  of  this  court.  There 
was  a shelf  in  one  corner,  consisting  of  a 
board  on  two  pins  inserted  in  the  wall,  con- 
taining a few  books,  among  which  counsellor 
St.  Clair  searched  for  a Bible,  on  which  to 
swear  the  jury.  At  length  he  took  down  a 
volume,  and  observed,  with  his  peculiar  lisp, 
“Well,  gentlemen,  here  is  a book  which  looks 
tlikt  like  a testament.  ’ ’ The  foreman  of  the 
rand  jury  was  accordingly  sworn  upon  it — 
ut  the  book,  which  so  much  resembled  a 
testament  in  external  appearance,  turned  out 
in  fact  to  be  an  old  volume  of  The  Arabian 
Nights  Entertainment ! From  this  mistake, 
or  some  unknown  cause,  the  practice  of  swear- 
ing on  the  Evangelists,  has  gone  entirely  out 
of  use  in  this  county,  being  substituted  by 
swearing  with  the  uplifted  hand,  or  affirming. 
The  grand  jury  found  several  bills  of  indict- 
ment, and  were  discharged  the  same  day. 

In  proportion  as  cases  of  assault  and  bat- 
tery begin  to  decrease,  a sprinkling  of  civil 
suits  make  their  appearance  on  the  docket. 
Fourteen  cases  were  called  the  first  day,  and 
all  continued,  except  one  in  which  judgment 
was  confessed  and  stay  of  execution  granted 
until  next  term.  The  entry  of  continuance 
was  in  this  form  : A.  B.  vs.  C.  B.  E.  F.  and 
G.  H.  pledges  for  the  defendant  in  the  sum 

$ . This  form  was  observed  in  all  cases, 

the  amount  being  more  or  less,  according  to 
the  subject  matter  in  controversy.  On 
Wednesday  of  this  term  Joseph  Tatman  pro- 
duced his  commission  as  associate  judge,  and 
took  the  oath  of  office.  He  afterwards,  in 
1816,  in  company  with  Samuel  and  William 
Casad,  laid  out  the  town  of  Fairfield,  not  far 
from  the  site  of  an  old  Indian  town,  named 
Piqua,  at  which  Gen.  George  B.  Clark  de- 
feated the  Indians  in  1780.  On  this  day  22 
cases  were  called  : 11  continued,  2 settled,  1 
judgment,  5 ruled  for  plea  in  40  days,  1 in 
10  days,  1 discontinued  and  1 abated  by  death. 
This  was  certainly  a pretty  fair  beginning,  and 
quite  encouraging  to  the  learned  profession. 

The  total  amount  of  taxable  property  re- 
turned by  the  “listers  ” was  $393.04,  and  this 
levy  included  houses  and  mills,  if  any.  As 
to  houses,  there  was  but  one  returned,  and 
that  was  valued  for  taxation  at  one  dollar ! 
Considering  the  sparseness  of  population  and 
small  amount  of  property  in  the  county,  the 
proportion  of  litigation  was  greater  then  than 
at  this  time,  1847,  when  the  total  amount  of 
taxable  property  is  $6,583,673.  So  much  of 
a change  in  forty-three  years.  They  fought 
less  and  lawed  more.  In  newly  settled  coun- 
ties, there  appears  to  be  a peculiar  fondness 
among  the  people  for  lawsuits.  After  a court 
has  been  organized  in  a new  county,  they  still 
continue  to  settle  their  difficulties  by  combat. 


until  fines  become  troublesome.  The  court 
then  becomes  the  arena  in  which  their  con- 
tentions and  quarrels  are  carried  and  finally 
disposed  of.  If  one  cannot  afford  the  fine  or 
imprisonment  which  would  be  incurred,  by 
taking  personal  satisfaction,  he  can  bring  a 
suit,  if  any  cause  of  action  can  be  found,  and 
no  matter  how  small  the  amount  claimed,  or 
frivolous  the  matter,  if  he  can  only  cast  his 
adversary  and  throw  him  in  the  costs,  he  is  as 
much  gratified  as  if  he  had  made  him  halloa 
“enough — take  him  off.”  It  is  this  spirit 
which  gives  rise  to  so  many  trifling  and  vex- 
atious lawsuits. 

And  now  we  take  leave  of  our  primitive 
dwelling-house,  court-house  and  tavern..  It 
is  still  standing,  and  occupied  as  a residence. 
While  our  drawing  was  being  taken,  an  old- 
fashioned  long-handled  frying-pan  was  over 
the  fire — its  spacious  bottom  well  paved  with 
rashers  of  ham,  sending  forth  a savory  odor, 
enough  to  make  a hungry  person’s  mouth 
water.  _ What  scenes  it  has  witnessed — what 
memories  it  recalls!  It  has  witnessed  the 
organization  of  the  county,  the  .first  adminis- 
tration of  law  and  justice,  the  first  exercise 
of  the  right  of  suffrage  through  the  ballot- 
box,  and  the  first  legal  punishment  of  crimi- 
nals. Near  it  the  first  corn  was  ground  into 
meal  for  the  use  of  the  settlers,  and  here  they 
rallied  to  build  block-houses  to  protect  them 
from  the  hostile  attacks  of  the  Indians.  As 
a tavern  many  a weary  traveller,  through  the 
tall  and  lonely  forest,  has  been  sheltered  and 
refreshed  beneath  its  humble  roof.  How 
many  buckeye  lads  and  lasses  have  been 
reared  within  its  walls — for 

“ Buirdly  chiels  and  clever  hizzies 
Are  bred  in  sic  a way  as  this  is  I ” 

How  many  jovial  dances  have  been  had  on 
its  puncheon  floor  1 While  we  may  suppose 
some  lame  or  lazy  fellow  seated  on  a stool  in  a 
corner,  prepared  with  an  awl  or  Barlow  knife, 
to  extract  splinters  from  the  heels  of  the 
dancers,  as  fast  as  the  sets  were  over.  How 
many  courtships  have  been  carried  on  during 
the  long  winter  nights — the  old  folks  asleep, 
and  the  young  lovers  comfortably  toasting 
their  shins  over  the  decaying  embers — happy 
in  present  love,  and  indulging  in  bright  an- 
ticipations of  housekeeping  in  a cabin. 

Long  mayest  thou  stand,  old  relic,  as  a 
memento  of  pioneer  life,  primitive  simplicity 
and  good  old-fashioned  honesty,  to  remind 
the  rising  generation  of  the  hardships  and 
privations  our  pioneer  fathers  encountered 
in  first  settling  the  county,  and  to  show  by 
this  humble  beginning,  compared  with  the 
present  state  of  improvement,  how  much 
honest  labor,  painstaking  industry  and  thrifty 
management  can  accomplish. 


JOSIAH  HUNT,  THE  INDIAN  FIGHTER. 


JosiAH  Hunt  resided  in  this  county  in  the  time  of  the  last  war  with  Great 
Britain.  He  was  a stout,  well-formed,  heavy-set  man,  capable  of  enduring  great 


GREENE  COUNTY. 


599 

hardships  and  privations,  and  was  then  a member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal 
church.  There  was  a tone  of  candor  and  sincerity,  as  well  as  modesty,  in  his 
manner  of  relating  the  thrilling  scenes  in  which  he  had  been  an  actor,  which  left 
no  doubt  of  their  truth  in  the  minds  of  those  who  heard  him.  He  was  one  of 


Wayne’s  legion,  and  was  in  the  battle 
August,  1794. 

At  the  commencement  of  the  onset,  just 
after  entering  the  fallen  timber,  Hunt  was 
rushing  on  and  about  to  spring  over  a fallen 
tree,  when  he  was  fired  at  by  an  Indian  con- 
cealed behind  it.  The  latter  was  compelled 
to  fire  in  such  haste  that  he  missed  his  aim. 
It  was,  however,  a close  shave,  for  the  bullet 
whizzed  through  the  lock  of  his  right  temple, 
causing  that  ear  to  ring  for  an  hour  after. 
The  Indian’s  body  was  entirely  naked  from 
the  waist  up,  with  a red  stripe  painted  up  and 
down  his  back.  As  soon  as  he  fired  he  took 
to  his  heels.  Hunt  aimed  at  the  centre  of  the 
red  stripe,  the  Indian  running  zig-zag  “like 
the  worm  of  a fence.  ’ ’ When  he  fired,  the 
Indian  bounded  up  and  fell  forward.  He 
had  fought  his  last  battle. 

He  was  an  excellent  hunter.  In  the  winter 
of  1793,  while  the  army  lay  at  Greenville,  he 
was  employed  to  supply  the  officers  with 
game,  and  in  consequence  was  exempted 
from  garrison  duty.  The  sentinels  had  orders 
to  permit  him  to  leave  and  enter  the  fort 
whenever  he  chose.  The  Indians  made  a 
practice  of  climbing  trees  in  the  vicinity  of 
the  fort,  the  better  to  watch  the  garrison.  If 
a person  was  seen  to  go  out,  notice  was  taken 
of  the  direction  he  went,  his  path  ambushed 
and  his  scalp  secured.  To  avoid  this  danger. 
Hunt  always  left  the  fort  in  the  darkness  of 
night,  for  said  he,  “when  once  I had  got 
into  the  woods  without  their  knowledge,  I 
had  as  good  a chance  as  they.”  He  was  ac- 
customed, on  leaving  the  fort,  to  proceed 
some  distance  in  the  direction  he  intended  to 
hunt  the  next  day,  and  bivouac  for  the  night. 
To  keep  from  freezing  to  death,  it  was  neces- 
sary to  have  a fire  ; but  to  show  a light  in  the 
enemy’s  country  was  to  invite  certain  de- 
struction. To  avoid  this  danger  he  dug  a hole 
in  the  ground  with  his  tomahawk,  about  the 
size  and  depth  of  a hat  crown.  Having  pre- 
pared it  properly,  he  procured  some  roth, 
meaning  thick  white-oak  bark,  from  a dead 
tree,  which  will  retain  a strong  heat  when 
covered  with  its  ashes.  Kindling  a fire  from 
fiint  and  steel  at  the  bottom  of  his  “coal 
pit,”  as  he  termed  it,  the  bark  was  severed 
into  strips  and  placed  in  layers  crosswise,  until 
the  pit  was  full.  After  it  was  sufficiently 
ignited  it  was  covered  over  with  dirt,  with  the 
exception  of  two  air  holes  in  the  margin, 
which  could  be  opened  or  closed  at  pleasure. 
Spreading  down  a layer  of  bark  or  brush  to 
keep  him  off  the  cold  ground,  he  sat  down 
with  the  “coal  pit”  between  his  legs,  en- 
veloped himself  in  his  blanket,  and  slept  cat- 
dozes  in  an  upright  position.  If  his  fire  be- 
came too  much  smothered,  he  would  freshen 
it  up  by  blowing  into  one  of  the  air  holes. 
He  declared  he  could  make  himself  sweat 


of  the  Fallen  Timber,  on  the  20th  of 


whenever  he  chose.  The  snapping  of  a dry 
twig  was  sufficient  to  awaken  him,  when,  un- 
covering his  head,  he  keenly  scrutinized  in 
the  darkness  and  gloom  around — his  right 
hand  on  his  trusty  rifle  “ready  for  the  mis- 
chance of  the  hour.”  A person  now,  in  full 
security  from  danger,  enjoying  the  comforts 
and  refinements  of  civilized  life,  can  scarcely 
bring  his  mind  to  realize  his  situation,  or  do 
’ustice  to  the  powers  of  bodily  endurance, 
rmness  of  nerve,  self-reliance  and  courage, 
manifested  by  him  that  winter.  A lone  man 
in  a dreary,  interminable  forest  swarming 
with  enemies,  bloodthirsty,  crafty  and  of 
horrid  barbarity,  without  a friend  or  human 
being  to  afford  him  the  least  aid,  in  the 
depth  of  winter,  the  freezing  winds  moaning 
through  ’the  bare  and  leafless  branches  of  the 
tall  trees,  while  the  dismal  howling  of  a 
pack  of  wolves — 

“ Cruel  as  death,  and  hungry  as  the  grave  ; 
Burning  for  blood,  bony,  gaunt  and  grim,” 

might  be  heard  in  the  distance,  mingled  with 
the  bowlings  of  the  wintry  winds,  were  well 
calculated  to  create  a lonely  sensation  about 
the  heart  and  appall  any  common  spirit. 
There  would  he  sit,  nooding  in  his  blanket, 
undistinguishable  in  the  darkness  from  an  old 
stump,  enduring  the  rigor  of  winter,  keeping 
himself  from  freezing,  yet  showing  no  fire, 
— calm,  ready  and  prompt  to  engage  in 
mortal  combat,  with  whatever  enemy  might 
assail,  whether  Indian,  bear  or  panther.  At 
day-light  he  commenced  hunting,  proceeding 
slowly  and  with  extreme  caution,  looking  for 
game  and  watching  for  Indians  at  the  same 
time.  ^ When  he  found  a deer,  previously  to 
shooting  it,  he  put  a bullet  in  his  mouth, 
ready  for  reloading  his  gun  with  all  possible 
dispatch,  which  he  did  before  moving  from 
the  spot,  casting  searching  glances  in  every 
direction  for  Indians.  Cautiously  approach- 
ing the  deer,  after  he  had  shot  it,  he  dragged 
it  to  a tree  and  commenced  the  process  of 
skinning  with  his  back  toward  the  tree,  and 
his  rifle  leaning  against  it,  in  reach  of  his 
right  hand.  And  so  with  his  rear  protected 
by  the  tree,  he  would  skin  a short  time,  then 
straighten  up  and  scan  in  every  direction,  to 
see  if  the  report  of  his  rifle  had  brought  an 
Indian  in  his  vicinity,  then  apply  himself  to 
skinning  again.  If  he  hepd  a stick  break, 
or  any,  the  slightest  noise  indicating  the 
proximity  of  animal  life,  he  clutched  his  rifle 
instantly,  and  was  on  the  alert  prepared  for 
any  emergency.  Having  skinned  and  cut  up 
the  animal,  the  four-quarters  were  packed  in 
the  hide,  which  was  so  arranged  as  to  be 
slung  on  his  back  like  a knapsack,  with  which 


700 


GREENE  COUNTY. 


he  wended  his  way  to  the  fort.  If  the  deer 
was  killed  far  from  the  garrison,  he  only 
brought  in  the  four-quarters.  One  day  he 
got  within  gun-shot  of  three  Indians  un- 
perceived by  them.  He  was  on  a ridge  and 
they  in  a hollow.  He  took  aim  at  the  fore- 
most one,  and  waited  some  time  for  a chance 
for  two  to  range  against  each  other,  intend- 
ing, if  they  got  in  that  position,  to  shoot  two 
and  take  his  chance  with  the  other  in  single 
combat.  But  they  continued  marching  in 
Indian  file,  and  though  he  could  have  killed 
either  of  them,  the  other  two  would  have 
made  the  odds  against  him  too  great,  so  he 
let  them  pass  unmolested.  Amidst  all  the 
danger  to  which  he  was  constantly  exposed, 
he  passed  unharmed. 

Owing  to  the  constant  and  powerful  ex- 
ercise of  the  faculties,  his  ability  to  hear  and 
discriminate  sounds  was  wonderfully  in- 
creased, and  the  perceptive  faculties  much 
enlarged.  He  made  $70  that  winter  by 
hunting,  over  and  above  his  pay  as  a soldier. 

At  the  treaty  at  Greenville,  in  1795,  the 
Indians  seemed  to  consider  Hunt  as  the  next 

Mr.  T.  C.  Wright,  who  supplied  the  foregoing  sketch  of  Josiah  Hunt  for  our 
first  edition,  also  gave  the  annexed  historical  sketch  of  Xenia,  which  name  is  said 
to  be  from  a Greek  word  signifying  friendship. 

Xenia  was  laid  olf  in  the  forest,  in  the  autumn  of  1803,  by  Joseph  C.  Vance, 
on  the  land  of  John  Paul,  who  gave  the  ground  bounded  by  Main,  Market,  De- 
troit and  Greene  streets,  for  the  public  buildings.  The  first  cabin  was  erected  in 
April,  1804,  by  John  Marshall,  in  the  southwest  corner  of  the  town.  The  first 
good  hewed  log-house  was  erected  for  the  Rev.  James  Fowler,  of  the  Methodist 
persuasion,  from  Petersburg,  Va.:  it  is  still  standing,  and  is  now  the  hattePs  shop, 
a short  distance  west  of  the  old  bank.  David  A.  Sanders  built  the  first  frame 
house,  on  the  spot  occupied  by  the  new  bank ; it  is  yet  standing  on  Main  street, 
in  Gowdy’s  addition. 

The  first  supreme  court  was  held  Oct.  3,  1804.  The  grand  jury  held  their 
deliberations  under  a sugar  tree  in  the  rear  of  the  present  residence  of  James 
Gowdy. 


greatest  man  to  Wayne  himself.  They  in* 
quired  for  him,  got  round  him,  and  were 
loud  and  earnest  in  their  praises  and  com- 
pliments ; “ Great  man,  Capt.  Hunt — great 
warrior — good  hunting  man  ; Indian  no  can 
kill!”  They  informed  him  that  some  of 
their  bravest  and  most  cunning  warriors  had 
often  set  out  expressly  to  kill  him.  They 
knew  how  he  made  his  secret  camp-fire,  the 
ingenuity  of  which  excited  their  admiration. 
The  parties  in  quest  of  him  had  often  seen 
him — could^  describe  the  dress  he  wore,  and 
his  cap,  which  was  made  of  a raccoon’s  skin 
with  the  tail  hanging  down  behind,  the  front 
turned  up  and  ornamented  with  three  brass 
rings.  The  scalp  of  such  a great  hunter 
and  warrior  they  considered  to  be  an  invalu- 
able trophy.  Y et  they  never  could  catch  him 
off  his  guard — never  get  within  shooting  dis- 
tance, without  being  discovered  and  exposed 
to  his  death-dealing  rifle. 

Many  years  age  he  went  to  Indiana,  nor 
has  the  writer  of  this  ever  heard  from  him 
since,  nor  is  it  known  among  his  old  friends 
here  whether  he  is  living. 


The  first  court  of  common  pleas  in  Xenia 
was  on  the  15th  of  November,  1804,  and  was 
held  by  the  associate  judges.  A license  was 
granted  to  “William  A.  Beatty,  to  keep  a 
tavern  in  the  town  of  Xenia  for  one  year,  on 
the  payment  of  $8.00  ! ” This  was  the  first 
tavern  ever  licensed  in  the  place.  ^ It  was  a 
double  hewed  log-house,  two  stories  high, 
and  was  in  progress  of  erection  at  the  same 
time  with  Fowler’s  house.  It  stood  on  the 
south  side  of  Main  street,  opposite  the  public 
square,  on  the  spot  where  there  now  is  a two 
story  brick  house,  occupied  as  a drug  store. 
In  the  west  room,  above  stairs,  the  court  was 
held.  The  first  election  in  the  place  was  held 
in  this  house.  It  continued  to  be  a tavern 
until  after  the  last  war  with  Great  Britain, 
and,  until  Mr.  James  Collier  built  his  brick 
tavern  on  Detroit  street,  was  the  grand  hotel 
of  the  place.  In  a corner  of  the  west  room 
there  was  an  old-fashioned  bar — the  upper 
part  enclosed  with  upright  slats  of  wood, 
with  a.  little  wicket,  through  which  the  grog 
was  handed  out  in  hall'  pint  glass  cruets.  In 


time  of  the  war  the  recruiting  ofi5cers  pu'c 
up  at  this  house ; and  here  might  be  seen 
the  recruiting  sergeant  rattling  dollps  on  a 
drum’s  head,  and  calling  for  half  pints,  ap- 
pealing to  the  patriotism  of  the  bystanders, 
tempting  them  with  jingling  dollars,  and 
adding  thereto  the  potency  of  whiskey,  to 
enlist  recruits  for  the  arm3^  Court  continued 
to  be  held  in  this  house  for  the  years  1804 
and  1805,  and  until  a new  court-house  was 
built. 

In  1804  the  building  of  the  first  jail  was 
let  to  Amos  Durough  ; it  was  received  from 
the  contractor  in  October.  It  stood  on  ground 
now  covered  by  the  new  court-house,  and  was 
constructed  of  hewed  logs.  It  was  burnt 
down  the  year  following  ; and  in  April,  1806, 
a new  jail  was  accepted  from  William  A. 
Beatty.  It  stood  on  the  site  of  the  present 
market  house  — was  a rough  log-building ; 
two  stories  high,  with  a cabin  roof,  and  was 
burnt  down  in  time  of  the  war  with  England. 
The  building  of  the  first  court-house  was  let 
on  the  8th  day  of  April,  1806,  to  Williaui 


GREENE  COUNTY. 


70! 


Kendall,  who  was  allowed  six  dollars  for 
clearing  the  timber  from  the  public  square. 
The  house  was  built  of  brick,  forty  feet 
square  and  twenty-eight  feet  high,  with  a 
cupola  in  the  centre  of  the  roof,  ten  feet  in 
diameter  and  fifteen  feet  high.  It  was  fin- 
ished, and  on  the  14th  day  of  August,  1809, 
accepted. 

On  the  6th  of  April,  1806,  “ a license  was 


granted  to  James  Gowdy,  for  retailing  mer- 
chandise,  on  his  complying  with  the  law  ! ” 
He  opened  his  goods  in  a log-house,  with  a 
mud  and  stick  chimney,  which  stood  on 
Greene  street,  at  the  north  end  of  where  Mr. 
John  Ewing’s  store  now  is.  He  was  the  first 
merchant  in  the  place. 

The  first  punishment  for  crime  was  in  1806. 
The  person  was  convicted  for  stealing  leather, 


Drawn  by  Henry  Howe  iu  1846. 


Street-view  in  Xenia. 


to  half-sole  a pair  of  shoes.  There  was  a 
sugar  tree  on  the  public  square,  which  served 
as  a whipping-post.  He  was  tied  up  to  the 
tree,  and  underwent  the  sentence  of  the 
court,  which  was  to  receive  one  stripe  on  his 
bare  back,  which  was  inflicted  by  James  Col- 
lier. The  sugar  tree  served  as  a whipping- 
post for  the  last  time  on  the  8th  of  October, 


1808.  A man  was  convicted  for  stealing  a 
shovel-plow  and  clevis,  and  the  sentence  was 
that  he  should  receive  eight  lashes  on  his 
bareback,  “and  stand  committed  until  per- 
formance.” He  drank  a pint  of  whiskey  just 
before  hugging  the  tree,  though  it  did  not 
prevent  him  from  halloaing  lustily,  while 
receiving  the  eight  stripes. 


Wm.  M.  Gatch,  Phofo.,  Xenia^  1886. 

View  in  Xenia. 

[Both  views  were  taken  near  the  same  stand-point,  but  showing  different  sides  of  the  same  street,  and 
in  time  taken  40  years  apart.  The  court-house  is  yet  standing.  A fiue  bank  building  now  seen  on  the 
right  side  of  the  new  picture  occupies  the  site  of  the  two-story  store  shown  in  the  old  view.] 


702 


GREENE  COUNTY. 


Xenia  in  1846. — Xenia,  the  county-seat,  is  on  the  Little  Miami  railroad,  64 
miles  north  of  Cincinnati,  and  61  from  Columbus.  It  is  a handsomey  flourishing 
and  well-built  town,  with  broad  streets,  and  some  fine  stores  and  elegant  dwellings. 
The  engraving  represents  a part  of  the  principal  street:  the  court-house,  shown 
on  the  left,  is  the  most  elegant,  as  yet  built,  in  Ohio. 

Xenia  contains  1 German  Lutheran,  1 Methodist  Episcopal,  1 Methodist  Prot- 
estant, 1 Seceder,  1 Associate  Reformed  and  1 Baptist  church,  beside  2 churches 
for  colored  persons — two  church  edifices  are  erecting,  one  by  the  Presbyterian  and 
the  other  by  the  Associate  Reformed  denomination — 17  mercantile  stores,  1 
foundry,  2 newspaper  printing  offices,  1 bank,  a classical  academy  in  fine  repute, 
and  in  1840  had  1,414  inhabitants,  and  in  1847  about  2,800. — Old  Edition. 

Xenia  is  55  miles  southwest  of  Columbus  and  65  miles  north  of  Cincinnati, 
on  the  line  of  the  P.  C.  & St.  L.  and  D.  & I.  R.  R.  It  is  the  county-seat  of 
Greene  county.  County  officers  in  1888:  Probate  Judge,  John  H.  Cooper; 
Clerk  of  Court,  John  A.  Cisco;  Sheriff,  Clement  W.  Linkhart;  Prosecuting  At- 
torney, J.  N.  Dean:  Auditor,  William  R.  Baker;  Treasurer,  F.  E.  McGervey, 
James  A.  Johnston;  Recorder,  S.  N.  Adams;  Surveyor,  Levi  Riddle;  Coroner, 
Addison  S.  Dry  den ; Commissioners,  Moses  A.  Walton,  Alfred  Johnson,  Henry 
H.  Conklin. 

Xewspapers  ; Democrat-News , Democrat ; Republican^  Republican,  O.  W.  Mar- 
shall, editor ; Gazette,  Republican ; Torchlight,  Republican ; Boss  Painters*  Jour- 
nal, Trade.  Churches : 2 Methodist,  3 United  Presbyterian,  1 Reformed,  1 
Lutheran,  1 Baptist,  1 Episcopal,  1 Catholic,  1 Old  School  Presbyterian,  2 Col- 
ored Methodist,  2 Colored  Baptist,  and  1 Colored  Christian.  Banks : Citizens 
National,  J.  D.  Edwards,  president,  W.  R.  McGervey,  cashier ; Second  National, 
Thomas  P.  Townley,  president,  Robert  Lytle,  cashier;  Xenia  National,  John  B. 
Allen,  president,  A.  S.  Frazer,  cashier. 

Factories  and  Employees : J.  P.  & W.  P.  Chew,  newspaper,  14  hands ; N.  F. 
Copenhaver,  lumber,  5 ; Upham  & Clayton,  builders,  wood  work,  4 ; Leonard 
Smith  & Co.,  linseed  oil,  1 2 ; The  Xenia  Paper-Mill  Company,  brown  paper,  25 ; 
The  Field  Cordage  Company,  183  ; The  Xenia  Twine  and  Cordage  Company,  94 ; 
Hoover  & Allison  Cordage,  etc..  111. — State  Report  1887.  Population  in  1880, 
7026.  School  census  in  1886,  2107.  Edwin  B.  Cox,  superintendent.  Xenia  is 
sometimes  termed  the  Twine  City ; its  three  twine  factories  are  said  to  be  the 
largest  west  of  the  Alleghenies. 

In  Xenia  are  two  extensive  gunpowder  companies  which  do  a large  business — 
the  Miami  Powder  Company,  whose  mills  are  on  the  railroad  five  miles  north  of 
the  city,  and  King’s  Great  Western  Powder  Company,  whose  works  are  near 
Foster’s  Crossings  cn  the  Little  Miami. 

THE  POWDER  MILL  EXPLOSION. 

Notwithstanding  the  care  taken  the  history  of  all  powder  works  is  marked 
by  explosions  of  greater  or  less  frequency.  One  of  the  heaviest  of  these  occurred 
on  the  morning  of  March  1, 1886,  at  the  works  of  the  Miami  Powder  Company. 
Several  had  taken  place  at  the  same  works  in  the  intervals  of  years.  A large 
dry  house  containing  50,000  pounds  of  powder  at  this  time  exploded,  from  some 
undiscovered  cause.  It  was  completely  demolished ; the  fields  about  were  strewn 
with  debris,  none  of  it  larger  than  a man’s  hand.  A car  to  which  a horse  had 
been  harnessed  could  not  be  found  ; one  of  the  large  wheels  was  thrown  to  the  other 
side  of  the  Miami  river,  500  yards  distance.  Of  three  men  at  work  tliere  the 
largest  part  found  was  a piece  of  backbone  ; other  fragments  being  scattered 
necessitated  the  gathering  up  of  the  remains  in  bags  and  baskets.  Part  of  an  arm 
with  other  debris  was  found  at  Oldtown,  a distance  of  two  miles.  Houses  were 
injured  and  debris  scattered  for  miles  away.  The  scene  among  the  families  of 
the  employees  who  flocked  to  the  ruins  was  heartrending ; as  husbands,  fathers 


GREENE  COUNTY, 


• 703 


and  brothers  came  out  uninjured,  their  families  gathered  about  them  and  wept 
tears  of  joy.  But  to  three  women  and  their  children  the  fathers  and  husbands 
came  liot. 

At  Xenia  every  building  was  badly  shaken  and  many  windows  broken.  The 
people  rushed  out  of  their  houses  into  the  street  fearing  that  the  buildings  were 
about  to  fall ; while  north  of  the  city  could  be  seen  an  immense  white  cloud  of 
smoke  and  debris  hanging  over  the  scene  of  devastation.  The  cloud  was  photo- 
graphed from  Xenia.  Reports  of  the  explosion  were  heard  100  miles  distant. 
A house  three  miles  from  the  explosion  was  completely  demolished  and  the 
covered  bridge  on  the  Yellow  Springs  turnpike,  half  a mile  distant,  was  blown  in ; 
while  a number  of  people  in  the  vicinity  were  so  prostrated  by  the  shock  that 
they  were  confined  to  their  beds  for  several  days  after. 

THE  XENIA  FLOOD. 

In  May,  1886,  the  southern  and  western  parts  of  Ohio  were  visited  by  per- 
haps the  most  severe  storm  or  tornado  known  in  the  history  of  the  State.  The 
destruction  of  property  was  very  great  throughout  several  counties,  but  the 
greatest  damage  to  life  and  property  prevailed  in  Greene  county,  in  and  about  Xenia. 

On  the  evening  of  Friday,  May  14,  1886,  between  8 and  9 o’clock,  a violent 
storm  of  wind,  rain  and  hail  struck  Xenia  and  grew  in  violence  until  about  1 2 
o’clock.  The  wind  came  in  a continual  gale.  At  10  o’clock  the  fire-bells  rang 
an  alarm,  and  the  people  came  forth  from  their  houses  to  assist  in  the  rescue  of 
the  unfortunate.  Owing  to  the  dense  darkness  and  the  severity  of  the  storm, 
they  could  only  grope  around  and  were  not  able  to  do  much.  Above  the  roar  of 
the  elements  came  frantic  cries  for  lielp. 

It  was  found  that  Shawnee  creek  had  burst  its  banks  and  was  rising  at  the  rate  of 
one  foot  in  every  five  minutes.  The  stream  became  a torrent  and  threatened  to 
submerge  the  entire  southern  part  of  the  town,  through  which  it  passed ; houses 
on  its  banks  were  most  all  swept  from  their  foundations  or  floated  down  the  stream. 
The  house  of  Aaron  Ferguson  was  carried  away  and  lodged  against  the  Detroit 
street  bridge,  where  nine  persons  were  rescued  from  it. 

From  this  point  to  the  Second  street  bridge  the  flood  swept  everything  in  its 
way.  The  dwellings  were  mostly  occupied  by  poor  people  and  the  waters  rose 
so  rapidly  that  it  was  with  the  utmost  difficulty  that  any  were  rescued.  Screams 
and  cries  for  help  came  from  every  quarter,  and  many  acts  of  heroism  were  per- 
formed by  the  rescuers.  Ladders  and  lanterns  were  procured  to  aid  in  the  work, 
and  huge  bonfires  kindled  that  the  workers  might  see. 

Alongside  the  Springfield  Railroad,  in  Barr’s  Bottoms,  the  destruction  was  ter- 
rible ; of  twenty  houses  only  three  remained.  The  gas  works  were  flooded  and 
coal-oil  lamps  were  in  use  all  over  the  town. 

The  flood  seemed  to  start  at  a small  culvert  on  the  Little  Miami  Railroad,  where 
the  water  formed  an  immense  lake  rising  to  tlie  top  of  the  embankment,  when  it 
suddenly  broke  through  and  swept  down  upon  the  toAvn.  In  some  places  where 
the  houses  were  carried  away  the  ground  was  washed  as  smooth  as  a floor,  leaving 
not  a vestige  of  .plank  or  timber. 

It  was  prayer-meeting  night  in  Xenia,  and  many  people  had  attended  the  meet- 
ings, leaving  their  children  at  home  alone  ; the  storm  detained  them  in  the  churches, 
but  when  they  learned  its  disastrous  results  they  rushed  forth  in  an  agony  of  ap- 
prehension for  the  safety  of  their  children,  who  had,  however,  mostly  been  taken 
to  places  of  safety  by  rescuing  parties.  Their  anguish  while  searching  for  the 
missing  little  ones  was  heartrending  to  see.  Strong  men  wept  and  Avomen  Avrung 
their  hands  while  rushing  hither  and  thither,  and  were  filled  Avith  doubt,  hope  and 
dread. 

A house  containing  Orin  Morris  and  family  Avas  seen  floating  doAAm  the  stream, 
and  the  screams  of  the  family  could  be  heard  above  the  roar  of  the  relentless 


704  • 


GREENE  COUNTY. 


waters.  Then  the  house  struck  the  solid  masonry  of  a bridge,  sank,  and  all  was 
still.  Afterwards  two  of  his  children  were  saved. 

Among  many  others  whose  heroic  efforts  saved  many  lives  that  horrible  night 
were  six  young  men,  named  Watson,  Tarbox,  Byres,  Morris,  Paxton  and  Eyler. 
(The  town  of  Xenia  presented  these  young  men  with  medals  commemorative  of 
their  bravery.) 

Byres  made  three  attempts  to  swim  to  the  Ferguson  house  (which  lodged  against 
the  Detroit  street  bridge)  with  a rope  around  his  waist,  but  was  swept  away  each 
time  by  the  swift  current.  Finally  Tarbox  succeeded  in  reaching  the  house  by 
going  farther  up  stream  and  allowing  the  current  to  carry  him  against  the  house, 
from  which  the  family  was  rescued,  the  house  going  to  pieces  just  as  the  last  person 
was  taken  out. 

A colored  boy  named  Booker,  who  was  rescued  with  his  mother  from  one  of  the 
buildings,  could  have  saved  himself  but  w^ould  not  leave  his  mother,  whom  he 
placed  with  great  difficulty  on  top  of  some  furniture ; then  groping  his  way  around, 
with  the  water  up  to  his  neck,  he  found  a rope  and  after  great  effort  succeeded  in 
fastening  the  floating  house  to  a tree,  where  the  two  remained  until  rescued.  Rev. 
Mr.  Yorkey  and  Homer  Thrall  succeeded  in  rescuing  Mrs.  John  Burch  from  her 
house ; she  was  found  with  the  water  up  to  her  neck,  holding  her  baby  above  her 
head. 

The  scene  at  the  mayor’s  office  next  morning  was  a sad  one ; here  were  brought 
the  bodies  of  those  who  had  lost  their  lives ; some  were  in  night-clothes,  having 
been  swept  away  while  in  bed,  others  were  partially  dressed.  Side  by  side  lay  the 
bodies  of  the  Morris  family,  seven  in  number.  In  all  there  were  twenty-three 
bodies,  although  the  total  number  of  lives  lost  was  about  thirty,  as  other  bodies 
were  afterward  found  one  or  two  miles  below  the  town,  carried  there  by  the  pow- 
erful current.  The  dead  included  the  young  and  old,  white  and  colored. 

The  mayor  and  city  authorities  took  active  measures  for  the  relief  of  the  sur- 
viving sufferers,  and  aid  was  generously  forthcoming  from  other  cities. 

The  loss  of  lives  by  this  storm  was  confined  to  the  toAvn  of  Xenia,  but  the  loss 
of  property  extended  throughout  a large  district  of  territory  into  many  counties. 
Railroad  bridges  Avere  destroyed  and  tracks  washed  away  throughout  many  parts 
of  Southwestern  Ohio.  In  Greene  county  nearly  every  bridge  in  the  county  was 
destroyed,  while  the  pikes  were  so  washed  out  that  access  to  Xenia  Avas  almost 
entirely  cut  off.  The  day  after  the  flood  the  correspondent  of  the  Oincinnati  Com- 
mercial Gazette^  from  Avhose  communication  to  that  journal  most  of  these  facts  are 
gathered,  Avas  fiA^e  hours  going  from  Dayton  to  Xenia  (16  miles),  being  compelled 
to  AA^alk,  make  use  of  boat,  farm  Avagons,  railroads,  hand-car  and  carriage. 


TRAVELLING  NOTES. 

To  haA^e  chats  Avith  old  gentlemen  has  been 
to  me  in  my  years  of  historic  travel  a great 
source  of  amusement  and  instruction.  Such 
grow  mellow  and  sweet  under  the  revival  of 
memories  of  events  and  characters  of  their 
early  days.  I always  found  they  ran  largely 
to  anecdote,  and  the  humorous  rather  than 
the  sad  formed  the  burden  of  their  talk. 

In  Xenia  two  elderly  gentlemen  ministered 
to  my  entertainment — I)r.  Geo.  Watt  and 
James  E.  Galloway.  The  first  named  was 
born  in  the  county  in  1820,  was  surgeon  in 
the  One  hundred  and  fifty-fourth  Ohio,  and 
is  an  invalid  from  an  injury  to  the  spine,  a 
direct  result,  of  his  love  for  the  old  flag. 

Feeding  Joe  Hookers  Soldiers. — The  first 
point  of  oui  talk  Avas  the  passing  of  Joe 
Hooker’s  army  corps  of  some  30,000  men 
through  Xenia.  They  were  on  their  way 
from  the  sea-board  to  the  mountains  of 


Georgia.  It  was  a mighty  host,  and  it  was 
days  in  passing  ; and  these  boys  in  blue  had 
to  be  feJ  The  whole  town  was  alive  in  the 
good  work,  women  busy  cooking  and  all  min- 
istering to  the  blue-coated  host,  a free  offer- 
ing of  hospitality  on  the  altar  of  patriotisni. 
Such  were  the  scenes  and  the  common  sacri- 
fices of  that  period  in  Ohio  on  the  lines  of 
transportation.  It  helped  to  ennoble  the 
people,  but  is  one  of  those  minor  matters 
illustrating  the  spirit  of  the  times  that  rarely 
finds  a place  in  formal  history. 

Indian  Anecdote. — The  Doctor’s  memory 
went  back  to  the  time  “when  the  Indians 
were  about,’’  and  so  he  told  me  this.  About 
the  year  1825  Father  IMahin,  a local  preacher 
of  the  iMethodist  church  li\fing  in  the  eastern 
art  of  the  county,  having  lost  his  wife,  and 
is  children  being  properly  cared  for,  went  as 
a self-supporting  missionary  to  the  Wyandot 
Indians  near  Upper  Sandusky. 


GREENE  COUNTY. 


705 


He  had  a mechanical  turn  and  made  him- 
self especially  useful  in  giving  them,  with 
moral  and  religious  instruction,  a knowledge 
of  the  arts  of  civilized  life,  as  blacksmithing, 
shoemaking  and  the  like.  I well  remember 
a scene  occurring  when  I was  about  five  years 
of  age.  Six  Indians,  the  first  I ever  saw, 
came  to  my  father’s,  having  been  sent  to  see 
why  Father  Mahin,  who  was  at  home  on  a 
visit,  had  not  returned  to  them  at  the  ex- 
pected time,  and  if  needed  to  aid  him  in  the 
journey. 

My  mother  gave  them  their  dinner,  and 
when  they  asked  the  way  to  Father  Mahin’s 
she  replied  it  was  about  a mile  distant  in  a 
direct  line  and  two  miles  by  the  road.  “I 
advise  you,”  she  said,  “ to  go  by  the  road  as 
you  may  miss  the  way.”  “What ! ” replied 
the  leader,  “must  Indian  keep  out  of  the 
woods  ? Indian  get  lost  ? Point  to  Father’s 
wigwam  and  tell  what  it  like.”^  She  pointed 
the  direction  and  gave  instructions,  and  they 
set  out  across  the  fields,  fences  and  woods, 
going  direct,  as  she  afterward  learned. 

An  Eccentric  Character. — On  the  preced- 
ing pages  are  amusing  accounts  of  early  times, 
in  this  county,  contributed  to  our  first  edition 
by  Thomas  Coke  Wright,  at  the  time  county 
auditor.  He  was,  I think,  the  most  eccentric 
as  well  as  the  most  beloved  man  of  his  time 
in  Greene  county,  and  when  I knew  him  was 
about  sixty  years  of  age.  He  was  nearly  six 
feet  in  stature,  very  fieshy,  face  florid,  and  he 
was  excessively  deaf.  His  voice  was  light, 
pitched  upon  a high  key,  and  he  was  a com- 
plete specimen  in  his  simplicity  of  a child- 
man,  susceptible  and  quickly  responsive  to 
every  shade  of  emotion.  At  one  moment 
speaking  of  something  sad,  his  face  would 
put  on  the  most  lugubrious  aspect,  and  his 
fine  high  voice  crying  tones  : then  in  a 
twinkling,  as  something  droll  flitted  across  his 
memory  which  he  would  relate,  there  would 
come  out  a merry  laugh.  The  expression  of 
his  face  when  at  rest  was  sad,  as  is  usual  with 
very  deaf  people  of  strong  social  natures, 
being  in  this  respect  different  from  the  blind, 
who  are  generally  happy.  It  is  because  the 
first,  by  the  use  of  vision,  are  constantly  re- 
minded of  their  infirmity,  while  the  last  can 
have  no  conception  of  their  great  deprivation. 

Mr.  Wright  was  indeed  what  they  term  “ a 
character,”  one  worthy  of  the  pen  of  a 
Dickens,  and,  like  the  Cheeryble  brothers, 
superabounding  in  benevolence  and  sociality. 
He  was  a native  of  Virginia,  and  when  a 
young  man  had  been  a teacher  under  Father 
Finley,  the  missionary  to  the  Wyandots.  He 
later  studied  law,  but  becoming  too  deaf  to 
practice,  the  people  gave  him  the  position  of 
county  auditor.  He  was  a poor  accountant, 
but  he  got  along  with  an  assistant.  His  de- 
ficiencies made  no  dilference,  his  super- 
abounding  aff'ection  for  everybody  was  such 
that  the  plain  farmers,  irrespective  of  politics, 
would  have  given  him  any  office  he  wanted, 
he  was  such  a warm  friend  to  everybody  and 
so  anxious  to  do  everybody  some  good.  He 
was  a Kepublican,  loved  his  old  native  Vir- 
ginia, and  told  me  some  excellent  anecdotes 


illustrative  of  the  affection  some  of  the  old- 
time  slave-holders  had  for  their  old  servants, 
with  whom  they  had  begun  life  as  children 
playing  together. 

Dr.  Watt  related  an  amusing  incident  of 
Mr.  Wright,  who  died  shortly  after  the  war, 
at  an  advanced  age.  Said  he  : “A  few  years 
before  his  death,  the  late  Dr.  Joseph  Tem- 
pleton, of  Washington,  Pa.,  but  a former 
resident  of  Xenia,  visited  here,  and  the  late 
Dr.  S.  Martin  and  myself  were  entertaining 
him.  As  we  walked  with  him  to  the  railroad 
station  we  met  Mr-.  Wright.  The  two  men, 
equally  deaf,  ■ cordially  saluted  each  other, 
when  this  dialogue  ensued  : 

Templeton. — Xenia  has  greatly  improved 
since  I left. 

Wright. — It  is  a great  misfortune,  but  the 
best  thing  for  us  is  a short  tin  trumpet. 

Templeton. — Some  very  fine  business  blocks 
have  been  built. 

Wright. — I’d  show  you  mine,  but  a tinner 
has  it  for  a pattern  while  making  a new  one 
for  a friend. 

Templeton. — Some  of  my  old  friends  now 
reside  in  very  fine  houses. 

Wright. — I’ll  have  one  made  and  send  it 
to  you  if  you  will  give  me  your  address. 

“And  in  twenty  minutes’  conversation,” 
continued  Dr.  Watt,  “they  got  no  nearer. 
As  we  went  on.  Dr.  Templeton  cordially 
thanked  us  for  waiting  to  let  him  have  such 
a pleasant  conversation  with  his  old  friend 
Coke  Wright.  Coming  back  we  met  Mr. 
Wright,  who  still  more  cordially  thanked  us 
for  our  patient  waiting,  as  he  had  not  had 
such  a pleasant  chat  for  years.  ’ ’ 

Mr.  Galloway  I found  living  in  his  rooms 
over  some  stores  in  the  centre  of  the  town, 
alone  among  his  books  and  papers  and  old- 
time  relics.  Among  these,  over  the  door, 
were  the  horns  of  the  last  deer  killed  in 
Greene  county.  The  year  of  Mr.  Galloway’s 
birth  I know  not,  but  evidently  it  was  so 
far  back  that  he  must  have  been  born  in 
some  cabin  in  the  woods,  or  perhaps  in  one 
near  their  leafy  margins,  among  the  girdled 
trunks  of  the  skeleton  monsters  of  a once 
luxuriant  forest. 

The  Bullet  Barometer. — His  grandfather, 
James  Galloway,  Sen.,  a native  of  Pennsyl- 
vania, was  the  first  settler  in  his  part  of  the 
county.  In  1797  he  came  from  Kentucky, 
and  built  a cabin  on  the  Little  Miami,  near 
the  site  of  the  Miami  Powder  Mills.  During 
the  revolutionary  war  he  was  in  the  service 
of  the  United  States  in  the  capacity  of 
hunter,  to  procure  game  for  the  army.  “ My 
grandfather,”  said  he,  “was  in  the  Blue  Lick 
fight  in  Kentucky  and  during  the  campaign 
of  1792  he  was  shot  by  the  renegade  Simon 
Girty,  whom  he  well  knew.  He  had  met 
Girty  while  on  horseback  going  through  the 
woods  face  to  face,  who,  perceiving  that  he 
was  unarmed,  said:  “Now,  Galloway,  d — n 
you,  I have  got  you,”  and  instantly  fired 
three  small  bullets  into  his  body.  Girty  sup- 
posed he  had  killed  him.  Although  in  a 
fainting  condition,  Galloway  wheeled  his 
horse  and  made  good  his  escape.  One  bullet 


7o6 


GREENE  COUNTY. 


passed  through  his  shoulder  and  stopped  in 
the  back  of  his  neck.  He  carried  it  there  for 
many  j^ears,  and  brought  it  with  him  to  Ohio. 
It  was  a great  source  of  annoyance,  which 
varied  much  with  the  state  of  the  weather. 
It  served  one  useful  purpose — acted  as  a 
barometer ; so  much  so  that  when  anything 
important  was  to  be  done  requiring  good 
weather,  the  neighbors  would  send  to  him  to 
learn  the  prospect.  Finally  grandfather  con- 


The  Galloway  Chair. 


eluded  that  he  must  part  with  his  barometer; 
it  was  getting  altogether  too  demonstrative. 
There  was  no  surgeon  about,  so  one  day  he 
sent  for  a cobbler  and  seating  himself  in  his 
big  arm-chair  the  cobbler  extracted  it,  using 
his  shoe  knife  and  awl.” 

Having  told  me  this,  Mr.  Galloway  took 
me  into  his  attic  and  brought  out  the  identical 
old  arm-chair  in  which  his  grandfather  had 
sat  when  the  cobbler  had  turned  surgeon.  I 
found  it  the  most  comfortable  of  seats.  It 


was  hand-made,  very  strong,  the  wood  maple 
and  hickory,  and  a great  deal  of  thought  with 
faithful  workmanship  had  gone  into  its  con- 
struction. The  seat  was  very  elastic.  It  con- 
sisted of  a network  of  deer-thongs  covered 
with  buckskin,  so  that  it  yielded  gently  to 
every  varying  pressure  or  movement  of  the 
person.  The  back  slats  were  each  curved 
with  a due  regard  to  exactly  fitting  the  part 
of  the  form  leaning  against  it,  the  lowest 
having,  as  it  should,  great  curvature.  The 
chair  arms  were  a curiosity,  inasmuch  as  each 
terminated  in  a knob  in  which  were  cut 
grooves  to  admit  the  spreading  fingers  of  a 
sitter,  while  resting  in  comfort. 

Teemnseh  Smitten  with  Rebecca  Galloway. 
— Having  shown  me  the  arm-chair,  Mr.  Gal- 
loway gave  me  some  anecdotes  of  the  great 
Indian  chief.  “Tecumseh,”  said  he,  ‘‘was 
a young  man  of  about  thirty  years  when  my 
grandfather  first  moved  into  Greene  county. 
He  lived  some  fifteen  or  twenty  miles  away. 
They  became  great  friends,  Tecumseh  being 
a frequent  visitor.  Whether  the  chief  was 
attracted  by  friendship  for  grandfather  or  his 
fancy  for  his  daughter,  my  aunt  Rebecca,  was 
at  first  a matter  of  conjecture ; it  was  soon 
evident,  however,  that  he  was  smitten  with 
the  “ white  girl,”  but  according  to  the  Indian 
custom  he  made  his  advances  to  the  father, 
who  referred  him  to  his  daughter. 

Although  Tecumseh  was  brave  in  battle  he 
was  timid  in  love,  and  it  was  a long  time  before 
he  could  get  his  courage  up  to  the  sticking- 
point,  which  he  did  finally  and  proposed,  of- 
fering her  fifty  broaches  of  silver.  She  de- 
clined, telling  him  she  did  not  wish  to  be  a 
wild  woman  and  work  like  an  Indian  squaw. 
He  replied  that  she  need  not  work,  as  he 
would  make  her  a “^reat  squaw.”  Not- 
withstanding his  rejection,  he  ever  remained 
friendly  with  the  family. 

Tecumseh  on  a Spree. — The  books  speak 
of  Tecumseh  having  been  a large  man;  but 
this,  I can  assure  you,  was  not  so  ; he  was  but 
a moderate-sized  Indian.  He  was  fond  of 
“fire-water,”  and  would  go  on  a spree  some- 
times, when  he  would  become  very  trouble- 
some and  provoking.  On  one  occasion,  when 
at  the  shop  of  “Blacksmith”  James  Gal- 
loway (a  cousin  of  my  grandfather’s  who  lived 
on  the  banks  of  Mad  River),  Tecumseh,  being 
on  one  of  his  big  “ drunks,”  became  very  in- 
sulting and  annoying.  Galloway  grew  angry, 
and  being  a very  powerful  man  took  him, 
much  to  his  disgust,  and  tied  him  up  to  a 
tree  until  he  became  more  sober  and  quiet. 


THE  SOLDIERS’  AND  SAILORS’  ORPHANS’  HOME. 

This  noble  institution  of  the  State  is  loeated  at  Xenia.  The  Home  farm  con- 
sists of  275  acres,  on  a healtlifnl  site  a mile  southeasterly  from  the  centre  of  the 
town  and  about  three-quarters  from  the  depot  of  the  Little  Miami  railroad. 

The  buildings  consist  of  an  administration  building  with  large  dining-room  at- 
tached, the  two  forming  an  Egyptian  cross  ; twenty  cottages,  ten  on  each  side  of 
the  administration  building,  a school-house,  chapel,  hospital,  laundry,  industrial 
building,  engine  room,  gas  houses  and  all  necessary  farm-buildings.  The  build- 


GREENE  COUNTY.  fifi 

ings  are  substantial  brick  structures,  except  the  industrial  and  farm-buildings  and 
green  houses. 

The  administration  building  has  three  stories,  and  is  oceupied  by  the  officers 
and  teachers ; the  cottages  are  two  stories  high,  and  are  arranged  to  aceommodate 
thirty-four  ehildren  each ; the  school-house  is  three  stories  high,  and  will  accom- 
modate nearly  700  children.  The  chapel  has  a seating  capacity  of  700 ; the 
hospital  is  well  arranged  for  the  care  of  the  sick.  The  building  annexed  to  the 
administration  building,  known  as  the  Domestic  building,  is  three  stories  in  height, 
the  basement  being  occupied  by  the  kitchen  and  bakery ; the  second  story  is  tlie 
children’s  dining-room,  with  a seating  capacity  of  nearly  700  ; the  third  story  con- 
tains sleeping  apartments  for  certain  of  the  employees,  and  the  linen  and  store 
rooms.  The  children  all  sleep  in  the  cottages,  each  cottage  being  -under  the  charge 
of  a matron.  The  principal  buildings  are  heated  by  steam,  lighted  by  gas  and 
supplied  with  water  from  the  water-tower  in  the  rear.  This  water  originally 
came  from  Shawnee  creek,  which  runs  through  the  grounds. 

The  large  view  was  taken  from  a standpoint  in  the  forest  north  of  the  cottages. 
It  shows  just  half  of  them  and  the  administration  building,  the  other  half  being 
on  the  other  side  of  that  building.  They  are  about  1800  feet  from  the  road  to 
Xenia,  and  form  a continuous  line  of  1500  feet.  The  ground  in  front  is  a grassy 
lawn,  sloping  down  through  an  open  forest,  beyond  which,  on  a little  lower  ground 
near  the  road,  winds  Shawnee  creek,  a mere  rivulet  which  is  crossed  by  a bridge. 
On  the  path  side,  as  the  visitor  enters  the  ground,  he  is  greeted  by  a floral  design 
speaking  from  the  ground  itself,  a single  word  only — Welcome.” 

It  was  a morning  late  in  the  autumn  when  we  entered  the  place,  and  found  the 
children  scattered  on  the  lawn  enjoying  themselves,  playing  at  games  in  the  bright 
sunshine.  It  was  our  second  visit,  after  a lapse  of  a year  and  a half.  A little 
later,  while  adjusting  the  camera  for  the  picture,  the  music  sounded  from  the  boys’ 
band  in  the  distance  near  the  school-house,  summoning  them  to  school.  Looking 
up  we  saw  the  boys  in  their  neat  military  costumes  arranged  in  companies  in  front 
of  the  cottages  as  shown  in  the  picture.  In  one  place  was  a platoon  of  urchins 
in  zouave  costumes  : red  leggings  and  red  fez.  In  another,  one  girl  in  the  bright 
garb  of  a vivandier,  at  the  end  of  a platoon  of  boys.  It  was  indeed  a charming 
picture.  A few  minutes  elapsed ; we  were  too  busy  to  look  up.  When  we  did, 
not  a soul  Avas  to  be  seen  ; not  a sound  was  heard.  It  was  a surprise  to  us,  the 
sudden  change.  The  whole,  some  600  strong,  boys  and  girls,  had  been  hived 
in  the  school-house  seen  in  the  extreme  distance. 

It  is  the  custom  of  the  superintendent,  Maj.  Xoah  Thomas,  an  armless  ex-soldier 
who  carries  an  empty  sleeve,  to  take  a stand  on  the  steps  of  the  administration 
building  on  these  occasions,  and  as  the  companies  of  boys  march  by  they  give  him 
the  military  salute. 


Historical  Shetch. — ^The  initiatory  steps 
toward  tlie  establishment  of  a SoiiDlERs’  AND 
Sailors’  Orphans’  Home  were  taken  in 
1869  by  the  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic. 
Its  purpose  was  to  secure  necessary  funds 
through  private  beneficence,  believing  that 
having  placed  the  project  well  on  foot  the 
State  would  take  it  up  and  carry  it  to  its 
consummation.  On  June  21 , 1 869,  a meeting 
was  held  in  the  city  hall  at  Xenia  to  devise 
the  ways  and  means  for  perfecting  the  plan. 
On  July  13th  a second  meeting  was  held 
therein  and  addressed  by  Gov.  Hayes,  Con- 
gressman Winans,  Capt.  Earnshaw  and  oth- 
ers. Subscriptions  to  the  amount  of  $16,500 
were  guaranteed,  Eli  Millen,  Lester  Arnold 
and  J.  C.  McMillen  subscribing  $1,000  each. 

In  the  meantime  the  citizens  of  Xenia  and 


representatives  of  the  Grand  Army  of  the 
Republic  Avere  actively  at  work  ; a desirable 
location  in  the  vicinity  of  Xenia  was  selected, 
and  the  press  advocated  the  immediate  erec- 
tion of  buildings. 

The  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic  appointed 
a board  of  control  consisting  of  Gen.  G eo.  B. 
Wright,  Maj.  M.  S.  Gunckel,  Col.  H.  G. 
Armstrong,  Eli  Millen,  Judge  White,  Mrs. 
R.  B.  HaA^es,  Mrs.  H.  L.  Monroe  and  Mrs. 
Ann  E.  McMeans,  which  met  October  11th 
and  agreed  to  accept  the  location  ofiered  by 
the  people  of  Xenia. 

Contracts  were  made  for  the  erection  of 
four  cottages.  In  anticipation  of  the  early 
establishment  of  the  “ Home,”  a number  of 
children  had  been  gathered  at  Xenia  and 
temporary  provision  made  by  leasing  quarters 


708 


GREENE  COUNTY, 


on  Main  street.  Mrs.  A.  McMeans  was  elected 
superintendent  in  January,  1870,  but  resigned 
in  a short  time  and  Maj,  M.  S.  Gunckel  was 
appointed  acting  superintendent,  with  Mrs. 
Edington,  of  Chicago,  as  matron  and  four 
others  as  assistants  and  teachers.  January 
23,  1870,  it  was  decided  to  construct  at  once 
a large  frame  building  as  a dormitory  and 
dining-room,  and  contracts  were  made  for 
the  erection  of  five  more  cottages.  Children 
were  now  coming  in  rapidly ; there  were  about 
one  hundred  in  the  temporary  quarters  and 
numerous  applications  on  file.  Contributions 
and  donations,  principally  wearing  apparel 
and  bedding,  were  sent  in  from  all  parts  of 
the  State. 

A committee  from  the  State  Legislature 
visited  the  “Home.”  February  28th  a 
public  meeting  was  held  in  the  City  Hall, 
attended  by  the  children  in  a body,  and  one 
of  them.  Master  Howard  E.  Gilkey,  of 
Cleveland,  delivered  a touching  speech,  pre- 
senting the  claims  of  the  orphaned  children 
upon  the  State.  The  entire  audience  was 
much  affected  by  his  speech,  and  after  other 
speeches  the  committee  returned  to  Colum- 
bus, thoroughly  convinced  that  it  was  the 
duty  of  the  State  to  at  once  assume  the  care 
of  the  orphaned  children  of  its  soldiers  and 
sailors.  A bill  was  introduced  in  the  Legis- 
lature to  “establish  Ohio  Soldiers’  and  Sail- 
ors’ Orphans’  Homes.”  The  bill  provided 
that  such  institutions  should  be  under  the 
control  of  a board  of  managers,  consisting  of 
seven  citizens  appointed  by  the  Governor; 
that  there  should  be  received  into  the  Homes 
the  children  residing  in  Ohio,  not  _ beyond 
sixteen  years  of  age,  of  deceased,  indigent 
and  permanently  disabled  soldiers  and  sailors 
who  served  during  the  rebellion.  Thirteen 
thousand  dollars  was  appropriated,  and  such 
part  of  the  property  of  the  State  at  White 
Sulphur  Springs  in  Delaware  county  as  was 
not  necessary  for  the  Reform  and  Industrial 
School  for  Girls,  already  located  at  that 
place,  should  be  set  apart  for  the  establish- 
ment of  a “ Home.”  The  bill  also  provided 
that  in  case  the  orphans  could  not  be  com- 
fortably and  well  accommodated  at  White 
Sulphur  Springs  without  interfering  with  the 
efficiency  of  the  Industrial  School  for  Girls, 
that  the  Board  of  Managers  should  have  au- 
thority to  accept  by  donation  or  bequest  a 
suitable  tract  of  land  at  a convenient  point, 
with  necessary  accommodations,  buildings 
and  equipments,  for  two  hundred  and  fifty 
children.  This  bill  was  passed  April  14, 
1870,  and  the  following  gentlemen  were  ap- 
pointed a Board  of  Managers  by  the  Gov- 
ernor : R.  P.  Buckland,  Fremont ; Janies 
Barnett,  Cleveland;  J.  Warren  Keifer, 
Springfield ; Benj.  F.  Coate,  Portsmouth ; 
M.  F.  Force,  Cincinnati ; J.  S.  Jones,  Dela- 
ware ; H.  G.  Armstrong,  Cincinnati.  There 
was  much  objection  to  its  requirement  that 
the  Home  should  be  established  at  White 
Sulphur  Springs ; but,  as  that  property 
could  not  be  made  available  for  the  purpose 
of  the  law,  at  a meeting  of  the  Board  of 
Managers  held  in  Delaware,  May  13th,  they 


resolved  that  they  would  accept  a suitable 
tract  of  land  with  buildings,  etc. , at  some 
other  point,  as  provided  by  the  act  of  the 
Legislature. 

May  25th  the  Board  of  Managers  accepted 
the  proposition  of  Gen.  Geo.  B.  Wright, 
Maj.  M.  S.  Gunckel  and  Col.  H.  G.  Arm- 
strong, representing  the  Board  of  Control  of 
the  Xenia  Home,  which  was  to  complete  the 
work  already  commenced  under  their  au- 
spices, and  have  the  same  ready  for  occu- 
pancy by  June  1st.  A large  force  of  men  at 
once  resumed  work  on  the  buildings,  and  on 
August  16,  1870,  they  were  ready  for  pre- 
sentation to  the  State.  Dr.  I.  D.  Griswold 
was  elected  superintendent  and  Mrs.  Gris- 
wold matron.  During  this  month  the  chil- 
dren were  transferred  to  the  three  cottages 
and  the  large  frame  building  (now  occupied 
as  the  workshop).  The  Board  passed  upon 
application  for  more  than  two  hundred 
and  fifty  children,  including  those  already 
collected,  who  numbered  one  hundred  and 
twenty-three  at  an  average  age  of  nine  years. 
The  whole  number  of  children  in  the  State 
entitled  to  the  benefits  of  the  “Home”  was 
estimated  at  800.  Of  these  350  had  already 
made  application  for  admission,  and  another 
appropriation  was  made  in  May,  1871,  to  in- 
crease the  accommodations. 

The  plan  of  dividing  the  children  into 
families  in  cottages,  separating  the  sexes, 
was  found  to  work  excellently,  thereby  ren- 
dering government  easier  and  less  liability  to 
sickness  and  epidemic.  A main  building 
served  to  provide  a suitable  dining-hall,  cul- 
inary department,  school-rooms,  etc.  Many 
of  the  larger  children  were  required  to  work, 
the  boys  on  the  farm  and  the  girls  in  the  do- 
mestic department. 

In  1872  additional  land  was  secured  to  en- 
large the  farm,  and  many  improvements 
made  on  the  grounds  and  buildings,  and  the 
following  spring  a large  number  of  fruit  trees 
and  vines  were  planted.  In  1874  a system 
of  industrial  education  was  inaugurated. 
Shops  were  established  to  teach  printing, 
telegraphing,  tailoring,  dressmaking,  knit- 
ting, carpentering,  blacksmithing,  shoemak- 
ing and  tinning.  Gentlemen  well  versed  in 
the  different  branches  were  placed  at  the 
head  of  each  department. 

The  inmates  now  numbered  nearly  600, 
and  although  the  general  health  had  been 
good,  the  prevalence  of  sore  ejTS  was  no- 
ticeable, and  Dr.  C.  B.  Jones,  the  physician, 
ui)on  investigation  discovered  that  the  trou- 
ble arose  from  the  manner  in  which  the  in- 
mates washed  their  hands  a-nd  faces.  This 
was  done  in  tin  wash-basins,  three  to  each 
cottage,  the  drying  being  done  with  one  large 
towel.  Fixtures  were  introduced  so  that  the 
washing  was  done  in  running  water,  and  the 
drying  with  separate  towels,  and  the  epi- 
demic soon  disappeared.  The  measles  and 
scarlet  fever  had  also  appeared  simultane- 
ously with  the  coming  of  every  winter  sea- 
son. Investigation  into  the  cause  of  this 
showed  that  every  spring  the  heavier  winter 
bed  clothing  had  been  stored  away  in  closets 


GREENE  COUNTY. 


709 


without  airing  or  washing.  Washing,  air- 
ing and  drying  before  storing  in  the  spring 
prevented  a recurrence  of  these  diseases. 

Further  appropriations  by  the  Legislature 
and  a steady  improvement  in  the  system  of 
management  brought  to  the  institution  a 
high  degree  of  efficiency  in  accomplishing  the 
objects  for  which  it  was  founded. 

On  February  16,  1879,  the  destruction  of 
the  administration  and  domestic  buildings  by 
fire  involved  a loss  to  the  State  of  nearly 
$75,000,  and  to  the  employees  and  officers  of 
sums  ranging  from  $100  to  $500.  The  Leg- 
islature speedily  authorized  the  rebuilding 
of  the  destroyed  structures,  and  plans  were 
adopted  for  making  the  new  buildings  fire- 
proof 

On  the  27th  day  of  April,  1884,  the  insti- 
tution was  visited  by  a most  terrific  cyclone. 
The  storm  did  not  rage  to  exceed  one  minute, 
but  with  force  indescribable,  tearing  away  the 
roofs  of  the  laundry,  hospital  and  other 
buildings,  completely  demolishing  the  barn, 
wagon  and  tool  sheds,  carrying  away  the 
roof  of  the  hospital  a distance  of  five  hun- 


dred feet,  in  an  almost  unbroken  condition 
until  it  struck  the  earth,  driving  slates  into 
the  trees  with  such  force  as  that  it  was  im- 
possible to  remove  them  with  the  hand  ; re- 
moving a large  part  of  the  east  veranda  from 
its  foundation,  tearing  down  timber,  fences, 
and  other  structures,  and  carrying  a portion 
of  the  wreck  miles  away,  and  yet  there  was 
no  human  being  injured,  except  two  em- 
ployees slightly,  although  there  were  at  the 
time  within  the  institution  about  seven  hun- 
dred and  fifty  men,  women  and  children  ; the 
children  all  being  at  supper. 

The  damages  resulting  from  the  cyclone 
were  repaired,  at  a cost  of  $7,500,  a large 
ortion  of  the  money  used  for  that  purpose 
aving  been  procured  by  Governor  George 
Hoadly  and  Hon.  John  Little,  they  having 
given  their  joint  promissory  note  for  $5,152.- 
50,  and  Mr.  Little  his  individual  note  for 
$508.75. 

This  was  the  same  cyclone  which  visited 
Jamestown  in  this  county,  with  such  disas- 
trous results,  an  account  of  which  is  given  on 
another  page. 


In  1888  the  institution  was  under  the  superintendence  of  M^’or  Noah  Thomas, 
with  Mrs.  Alice  Thomas  matron,  Leigh  McClung  physician,  George  H.  Harlan 
financial  officer.  The  Educational  Department,  with  Horace  A.  Stokes  as  prin- 
cipal, had  sixteen  lady  teachers.  The  cottage  matrons  numbered  twenty,  also  a 
hospital  matron,  Mrs.  Ephraim  Hardesty,  and  Miss  Kosa  Bauerle  supply  ma- 
tron and  teacher  The  number  of  children  November  15,  1887,  were  668,  of 
whom  242  were  girls,  426  boys. 

The  occupations  taught  are  domestic  economy,  stenography,  shoemaking,  farm- 
ing, carpentering,  painting,  girls’  sewing,  printing,  tinning,  gardening,  engineer- 
ing, baking,  tailoring,  dressmaking,  blacksmithing,  cutting  and  fitting  dress- 
making. 

Board  of  Trustees. — Charles  H.  Grosvenor,  Athens ; Nelson  A.  Fulton,  Xenia ; 
William  C.  Lyon,  Newark;  John  S.  Jones,  Delaware;  and  Andrew  Schwarz, 
Columbus.  ' 

The  average  age  of  the  children  is  about  eleven  years,  and  were  it  double  its 
capacity  the  Home  would  speedily  be  filled  with  orphans  of  the  class  contemplated 
by  the  law.  The  annual  expense  is  for  each  orphan  about  $140.  This  is  about 
what  it  is  with  the  inmates  of  the  other  charitable  institutions,  as  the  Deaf  and 
Dumb,  Blind,  Imbecile  and  Insane. 

TRAVELLING  NOTES. 

“■  The  Soldiers'  and  Sailors'  Orphans' 

Home"  at  Xenia  is  one  of  the  bright  places  in 
the  State . It  pays  the  people  largely  to  sustain 
it.  I was  a guest  over  night  March  17,  1886, 
and  then,  passing  there  a few  hours  of  the 
next  day,  saw  much  to  admire  and  nothing 
to  condemn.  It  is  as  one  great  household 
where  system  and  order  and  a conscientious 
spirit  everywhere  prevails. 

The  Food  and  Health. — At  these  various 
State  charitable  institutions  the  inmates  all 
live  well.  The  food  is  of  the  very  best,  much 
fruit,  vegetables  and  milk ; with  no  dishes 
of  flummery  for  cloyed  appetites,  but  all 
simple,  well  cooked,  and  healthy  ; far  better 
than  in  most  private  families  or  hotels.  The 
sleeping  apartments  are  well  ventilated,  am- 


ple washing  facilities  are  supplied  and  a 
healthy  temperature  maintained  by  good  heat- 
ing facilities.  Aside  from  this  comes  the 
element  of  uniform  employment  without  the 
fret,  worry  and  hurry  and  idleness  that  often 
attend  life  elsewhere.  Hence  the  health  of 
the  inmates  generally  surpasses  that  of  any 
like  number  of  people  outside  of  such  institu- 
tions. Only  one  death  had  occurred  here  in 
the  three  years  prior  to  my  visit. 

The  Ages. — Children  are  here  of  all  ages 
from  the  infant  of  nineteen  months  to  those 
of  sixteen  years.  Beyond  the  sixteenth 
birthday  none  are  allowed  by  law  to  remain. 
Places  where  they  can  earn  their  own  living 
are  generally  found  against  the  arrival  of  the 
sixteenth  birthday,  and  by  that  time  they  have 
been  taught  some  industry  to  help  them  do 


GREENE  COUNTY. 


7TO 


so.  Some  who  have  been  bred  here  are 
among  the  teachers,  and  in  time  the  entire 
supply  may  come  from  the  institution  itself. 

I visited  the  various  shops,  among  them 
the  printing  office,  where  they  print  a weekly 
newspaper,  the  fruit  and  vegetable  store- 
house, and  the  greenhouse,  with  its  array  of 
flowers.  The  hospital  I did  not  enter  ; it  is 
not  much  used,  as  there  are  rarely  many  in- 
mates. 

Uses  of  Children. — A school-room,  es- 
pecially if  filled  with  very  small  children,  is 
always  attractive.  A world  without  children 
would  be  a stupid  spot.  Thej'^  make  things 
lively,  are  the  best  sort  of  instructoi's,  their 
ignorance,  helplessness  and  trustful  leaning 
so  developing  to  our  own  high  good,  often  so 
warming  the  heart  in  delightful  emotion, 
that,  even  before  the  Master  himself  came  to 
utter  the  words,  “Suffer  little  children  to 
come  unto  me,”  multitudes  of  our  race  must 
have  experienced  the  angelic  glow  that  comes 
from  their  appealing  presence. 

Beauty  of  the  Dawning  Intellect. — No 
flower  opens  with  more  beauty  to  sip  the 
morning  dew  as  it  glistens  upon  its  fragile 
petals,  than  the  heart  of  the  young  child  to 
the  reception  of  kindness  and  love,  while  it 
literally  hungers  and  thirsts  after  knowledge, 
finding  itself  in  this  great  storehouse  of  crea- 
tion, with  everything  around  new  and  strange, 
made  for  its  use  and  development. 

Yes,  everything : the  glory  of  the  earth 
by  day ; the  glory  of  the  vast  dome  by 
night ; time,  that  never  was,  but  ever  is ; 
space,  witli  its  immensity  that  has  no  bounds ; 
and,  moreover,  the  qualities  of  justice,  truth 
and  love,  higher  than  all  material  things, 
which  always  were,  before  anything  was, 
ready  existing  for  their  exercise  whenever 
sentient  life  could  spring  into  creation. 

And  then  a Supreme  Intelligence  and 
Supreme  Power  over  all,  that  creates,  bring- 
ing these  qualities  into  the  uses  of  the  think- 
ing life  he  has  created,  and  to  fill  it  with 
joy  and  gratitude  as  it  learns  to  discern  more 
and  more,  through  all  time,  through  all 
eternity,  the  full  perfection  and  superlative 
beauty  of  the  universe,  of  which  not  the  least 
woiider  will  be  that  he  finds  himself  a part. 
It  is  in  this  view  to  what  children  are  the 
heirs,  that  to  supply  their  highest  wants,  to 
give  to  them  the  noblest,  purest  development, 
is  among  the  highest,  most  bliss-filling  of 
duties. 

An  Exhibition  of  the  Little  People. — I 
entered  the  far  building  in  the  picture,  the 
school-house.  The  first  room  I went  in  was 
for  small  children,  about  eight  years  of  age. 
There  were  forty  boys  and  girls  under  the 
charge  of  Miss  Pix.  The  room  was  on  the 
ground  floor,  spacious,  and  lighted  on  two 
sides  by  nine  windows.  These  gave  a pleas- 
ing outlook  upon  green  fields  and  noble  trees, 
with  the  early  buds  of  a spring  morning  un- 
folding in  the  sunlight.  I now  state  what 
happened. 

1st.  School  opened  with  the  Lord’s  Prayer. 

2d.  With  folded  hands  and  bowed  heads 
the  children  repeated : 


“I  thank  thee,  Lord,  for  quiet  rest, 

And  for  Thy  care  of  me,”  etc. 

3d.  A hyinn  was  sung  by  the  children, 
“Gentle  Saviour,”  followed  by  one  entitled 
“Little  Ones,”  “Jesus,  when  He  Left  the 
Skies,”  etc. 

4th.  Recitation.  The  noted  poem  of  Alice 
Carey,  beginning  with — 

“Among  the  beautiful  pictures 
That  hang  on  memory’s  wall. 

Is  one  of  a dim  old  forest 
That  seemeth  the  best  of  all.” 

5th.  Recitation  : 

“Do  your  best,  your  very  best ; 

Do  it  every  day,”  etc. 

6th.  Recitation : 

“ One  step  and  then  another. 

And  the  longest  walk  is  ended,”  etc. 

After  these  preliminaries  they  went  through 
exercises  on  the  blackboards,  and  their  pro- 
ficiency was  surprising. 

I then  arose  to  go  into  some  of  the  other 
rooms,  when  the  teacher  called  out  a little 
one  as  a guide.  As  the  midget  came  to  me 
I lifted  him  up  under  the  arms.  He  was  as 
light  as  a kitten,  and  as  his  little  legs  dangled 
in  the  air  I kissed  him,  whereupon  the  other 
thirty-nine  midgets  burst  forth  with  a simul- 
taneous laugh,  in  which  their  teacher,  Miss 
Sarah  Belle  Dix,  joined — making  forty  laughs 
as  the  product  of  a single  kiss. 

The  Cottages. — A little  later  I went  ex- 
ploring the  twenty  cottages,  each  cottage  with 
its  family  of  thirty-four,  presided  over  by  a 
matron  or  cottage  mother,  thirteen  cottages 
occupied  by  boys  and  seven  by  girls,  and  sixteen 
cottages  in  a straight  line,  facing  the  town  of 
Xenia  a mile  away,  with  two  others  at  each 
end  facing  at  right  angles. 

"A  plank  walk  passes  in  front  of  the  cot- 
tages, over  which  is  a continuous  roof,  as 
shown  in  the  engraving.  This  is  a shelter 
from  the  rain  and  the  sun  when  the  children 
march  out  from  their  cottages  to  the  great 
dining-hall  in  the  main  building. 

The  dining-hall  has  four  long  tables,  with 
a seating  capacity  for  700  children.  They 
march  in  with  military  tread,  accompanied  by 
the  matrons.  When  seated,  they  repeat  the 
Lord’s  Prayer  in  concert.  The  matrons  wait 
on  and  serve  the  children  under  their  con- 
trol. 

When  I approached  the  doors  of  the  cot- 
tages I found  them  all  open  and  no  persons 
resent  but  the  matron  of  each,  the  children 
eing  at  school  and  some  in  the  shops  at 
work.  One  matron'after  another  invited  me 
in,  as  I came  to  their  open  doors.  None  of 
the  matrons  are  teachers  in  the  school.  Each 
matron  simply  has  charge  of  her  cottage  as  a 
mother  does  of  her  children  at  home  ; in  each 
the  children  are  of  about  the  same  age.  The 
matrons  are  fully  occupied  in  school  hours, 


GREENE  COUNTY. 


having  the  rooms  to  look  after  and  the  chil- 
dren’s clothing  to  mend.  The  older  girls 
largely  assist  them,  and  learn  housewifery 
after  the  very  best  kind  of  instruction. 

The  larger  picture  shows  the  form  of  each 
cottage,  which  are  all  on  the  same  model. 
The  general  sitting-room  is  on  the  ground 
floor.  I describe  one  of  the  several  I en- 
tered, and  they  are  mainly  all  alike.  The 


7if 

room  was  about  thirty-three  by  eighteen  feet. 
It  was  carpeted,  with  two  rows  of  chairs  run- 
ning lengthwise.  On  the  walls  hung  pictures  ; 
a table  was  in  the  centre,  with  a few  books 
upon  it.  In  front  of  this  was  a doll’s  table, 
with  play-dishes  and  dolls  sitting  around. 
One  mother  doll  was  in  a pleasure  carriage 
on  the  floor,  holding  a baby  doll  in  each  arm. 
The  toys  for  the  children  are  supplied  by 


Frank  llenrii  Howe,  Photo.,  1888. 

Sitting-Room  of  a Cottage,  Soldiers’  Orphans’  Home. 


ihe  Grand  Army.  Last  Christmas  there  was 
a great  celebration  here,  and  a deputation 
from  them  who  distributed  presents.  The 
pictures  and  ornaments  on  the  walls  are  paid 
for  by  saving  the  rags  and  old  papers  of  the 
Institution. 

In  the  small  picture  are  shown  three  doors. 
That  in  the  centre  leads  up-stairs.  That  on 
the  left  is  to  the  sitting-room  of  the  matron ; 
on  the  right  is  the  children’s  store-room, 
where  each  child’s  clothes  are  laid  away  in  a 
series  of  drawers  against  the  walls,  a drawer 
to  a child,  and  each  one  with  its  name  or 
number.  Over  these  rooms  is  the  wash-room 
and  the  matron’s  bed-room.  The  children’s 
dormitory  is  over  the  sitting-room,  and  of  the 
same  size.  The  floor  is  uncarpeted,  the  walls 
white,  the  coverlets  to  the  beds  white ; the 
bedsteads  are  of  oak,  seventeen  in  number, 
arranged  in  rows.  Two  children  occupy  a 
single  bed.  Everything  there  is  neat,  sweet 
and  clean,  as  it  indeed  is  about  everything 
connected  with  the  Home.  Many  house- 
keepers might  learn  much  in  these  regards  by 
visiting  the  various  State  Institutions.  The 
general  tone  of  the  bed-rooms  is  a snow-like 
whiteness  and  purity,  with  floods  of  light 
from  ample  windows. 

The  Matrons  welcome  visitors  and  take  a 
just  pride  in  showing  them  through  their 
cottages.  Among  them  one  sees  a variety 
of  character.  There  is  the  large,  fleshy 


woman  with  rosy  cheeks,  who  has  charge  of 
the  smallest  troop  of  boys.  Her  face  is 
redolent  with  goodness  and  smiles,  and  it  is 
pleasing  to  see  the  little  ones  clustering  around 
her  to  be  caressed  and  share  the  envied  kiss. 
Then  there  is  the  tall,  strong  woman,  some- 
what advanced  in  years.  She  has  no  especial 
call  for  the  exercise  of  the  softer  motherly 
qualities.  Her  expression  shows  determina- 
tion and  executive  capacity  : and  she  should 
have  these.  The  question  of  strong  govern- 
ment is  ever  before  her,  for  her  charge  is  a 
family  of  thirty-four  boys  from  fourteen  to 
near  sixteen  j^ears  of  age.  They  all  sleep  in 
one  room,  are  naturally  full  of  the  exuber- 
ance and  strength  of  dawning  manhood,  and 
how  she  manages  to  keep  them  from  occasion- 
ally engaging  in  a pillow  fight  and  frolic  on 
retiring,  after  the  manner  of  boys  elsewhere, 
is  a mystery. 

To  one  such  I carelessly  remarked,  “ I sup- 
pose you  have  an  easy  time  here  in  managing 
your  charge.”  The  moment  I uttered  this 
I wished  I hadn’t.  I saw  by  the  change  of 
countenance,  half  comic  and  half  anguished, 
I had  made  a mistake,  for  she  at  once  ejacu- 
lated : “ Humph  ! I should  think  so  ! — ^^Boys 
are  not  angels  ; did  you  ever  see  any  hoys  that 
were  angels  f ” 

The  Soldier  s Widow. — Then  there  is  the 
short,  small,  delicate  matron.  She  is  a 
blonde  about  forty-five  years  old,  and  her  face 


713 


GREENE  COUNTY, 


ineffably  sweet  and  gentle,  and  very  sad ; ob, 
so  sad  ! There  is  a history  of  suffering  in 
that  face.  Instinctively  you  are  drawn  toward 
her  as  to  the  face  of  the  suffering  Christ  as 
portrayed  by  the  genius  of  Raphael  or  Da 
Vinci.  You  inquire,  and  maybe  learn  she  is 
a soldier’s  widow  and  now  motherless.  Her 
husband  fell  upon  no  battle-field  in  the  heat 
and  glory  of  patriotic  conflict  to  find  a grave 
of  honor  upon  Southern  soil.  Worse  than 
that.  He  was  one  of  the  thousands  of  victims 
to  the  horrors  of  Anderson ville ; was  ex- 
changed and  came  home  to  die,  a mere  skele- 
ton, wasted  by  starvation,  his  mind  gone,  a 
hopeless  driveling  crying  idiot.  Then  her 
two  little  ones  were  taken  from  her,  and  she 
is  alone  in  the  world.  She  is  here  and  fills 
out  her  life  in  ministering  to  the  little  waifs 
of  the  departed  heroes.^ 

Religion  offers  to  her  its  cup  of  anticipatory 


bliss  in  the  expectation  of  again  meeting  her 
children  and  the  love  of  her  youth  as  he  was 
when  he  left  her  one  bright  spring  morning 
early  in  the  sixties — left  her  in  his  manly 
strength  and  beauty,  and  marched  away  under 
the  beautiful  flag.  ^ And  she  is  happy,  though 
pffering-;-happy  in  her  ministering,  happy 
in  her  faith.  “God  loves  those  whom  he 
chastens,”  and  to  such,  while  the  tears 
fall,  the  heart  of  the  bereaved  swells  with 
the  bliss  of  heavenly  love. 

“Her  faith  shows  a new  world,  and  the  eyes 
Of  saints  look  pity  on  her.  Death  will  come: 
A few  short  moments  over,  and  the  prize 
Of  peace  eternal  waits  her,  and  the  tomb 
Will  become  her  fondest  pillow:  all  its  gloom 
Be  scattered.  What  a meeting  there  will  bo 
To  her  and  those  she  loved  while  here.  ’ ’ 


FOUR  LITERARY  MEN. 

Four  literary  men  of  note  and  now  living  come  under  notice  in  connection  with 
Xenia — William  D.  Gallagher,  Coates  Kinney,  William  D.  Howells,  and  White- 
law  Reid.  William  Davis  Gallagher  was  born  in  1808,  in  Philadelphia, 
and  when  a lad  of  eight  years  came  with  his  widowed  mother  to  Mount  Pleasant, 
Hamilton  county,  Ohio,  and  was  for  forty-seven  years  a resident  of  the  State  ; his 
home  IS  now  Pee  wee  Valley,  near  Louisville,  Ky. 

He  learned  the  printing  business  in  Cincinnati,  and,  in  1830,  when  but  twenty- 
two  years  of  age,  came  to  Xenia,  and  started  a campaign  newspaper,  which  he 
entitled  the  Bach  woodsman,  giving  it  that  name  because  it  was  peculiarly  Western, 
a strong  characteristic  of  his  being  an  ardent  affection  for  the  West.  Mr. 
Gallagher  was  an  enthusiastic  Whig,  and  the  main  object  of  his  sheet  was  to 
hurrah  for  Clay  and  to  use  up  Jimmy  Gardner,  editor  of  the  Jackson  organ  of 
Xenia/^ 


After  the  lapse  of  a year  he  returned  to 
Cincinnati  and  took  the  editorship  of  the 
Cincinnati  Mirror,  which  had  a life  of  several 
years,  and  his  prose  and  poetic  writings  were 
of  so  much  merit  that  he  was  soon  regarded 
as  the  leading  imaginative  writer  of  the 
West.  Later  he  edited  two  other  literary 
journals,  was  for  a time  on  the  Ohio  State 
Journal,  of  Columbus,  and  from  1839  to  1850 
was  associate  editor  on  the  Cincinnati  Gazette, 
when  he  went  to  W ashington  with  Thomas 
Corwin  in  a confidential  capacity,  Corwin 
having  been  appointed^  Secretary  of  the 
Treasury  : again  in  the  civil  war  he  was  em- 
ployed in  the  United  States  Treasury  Depart- 
ment at  Louisville  by  Mr.  Lincoln.  In  1853 
he  was  on  the  editorial  staff  of  the  Louisville 
Courier. 

Mr.  Gallagher’s  father,  Barnard  Gallagher, 
was  an  Irish  Roman  Catholic,  a participant 
in  the  rebellion  in  1803,  that  cost  Robert 
Emmet  his  life ; and  his  mother,  Abigail 
Davis,  daughter  of  a Welsh  farmer,  who  lost 
his  life  in  the  American  Revolution.  Com- 
ing from  a liberty-loving  stock,  Mr.  Gallagher 
inherited  the  spirit  of  freedom  and  philan- 
thropy and  could  not  be  otherwise  than  an 
opposer  of  slavery.  His  biographer,  Prof. 


Venable,  in  the  Ohio  Archceological  and^  His- 
torical Quarterly  for  1888,  says  of  him  in  his 
early  days  : “ He  sang  the  dignity  of  intrinsic 
manhood,  the  nobleness  of  honest  labor  and 
the  glory  of  human  freedom.  Much  he 
wrote  was  extremely  radical.  . . . Such 
lines  as  these,  and  as  compose  the  poems 
‘Truth  and  Freedom,’  ‘Conservatism,’ 
‘The  Laborer,’  ‘The  New  Age,’  ‘All 
Things  Free,’  went  to  the  brain  and  heart 
of  many  people,  and  it  is  not  to  be  doubted 
but  that  they  exercised  a deep  and  lasting 
influence. 

“Mr.  Gallagher  first  became  known  as  a 
writer  in  1828  by  the  publication  of  ‘A  Jour- 
ney through  Kentucky  and  Mississippi  in 
the  Cincinnati  Chronicle.  His  first  poetical 
contribution  that  attracted  general  attention 
was  ‘The  Wreck  of  the  Hornet;’  this  was 
reprinted  in  a collection  of  his  poems  entitled 
‘Errato’  (3  vols.,  Cincinnati,  1835-7).  He 
edited  ‘ Selections  from  the  Poetical  Litera- 
ture of  the  West’  (Cincinnati,  1841).  In 
1849  he  delivered  the  annual  address  before 
the  Ohio  Historical  and  Philosophical  Society, 
of  which  he  was  President,  on  ‘ The  Progress 
and  Resources  of  the  Northwest.’  One  of 
the  most  elaborate  of  his  agricultural  essays 


GREENE  COUNTY. 


is  his  ‘Fruit  Culture  in  the  Ohio  Valley.’ 
His  latest  volume  is  ‘Miami  Woods:  a 
Golden  Wedding  and  Other  Poems’  (Cin- 
cinnati, 1881).  Venable  says:  ‘Gallagher’s 
verse  paints  the  forest  and  field  with  Nature’s 


in 

own  color,  and  glows  with  the  warmth  of  hu- 
man love  and  joy.  ‘ Miami  Woods  ’ is  a sort 
of  Thomson’s  ‘ Seasons  ’ adapted  to  the  Ohio 
Valley.” 


FIFTY  YEARS  AGO. 

A Song  of  the  Western  Pioneer. 

BY  WM. GALLAGHER. 

No  man  was  ever  more  thoroughly  imbued  with  a love  of  the  West  than  Mr. 
Gallagher.  The  memories  of  his  boyhood  were  rich  with  the  glow  of  enthusiasm 
for  its  free  and  manly  life,  when  everything  was  so  rapidly  expanding  and  pros- 
perity seemed  to  be  so  assured  to  the  humblest  who  would  but  exert  his  powers. 
Annexed  is  one  of  his  songs  that  was  widely  published  in  the  papers  of  the  West 


forty  years  ago  : 

A song  for  the  early  times  out  West, 
And  our  green  old  forest  home, 

Whose  pleasant  memories  freshly  yet 
Across  the  bosom  come  : 

A song  for  the  free  and  gladsome  life 
In  those  early  days  we  led. 

With  a teeming  soil  beneath  our  feet, 
And  a smiling  heaven  o’erhead  ! 

0,  the  waves  of  life  danced  merrily 
And  had  a joyous  flow. 

In  the  days  when  we  were  pioneers. 
Fifty  years  ago  ! 

The  hunt,  the  shot,  the  glorious  chase. 
The  captured  elk  or  deer ; 

The  camp,  the  big,  bright  fire,  and  then 
The  rich  and  wholesome  cheer  ; 

The  sweet,  sound  sleep  at  dead  of  night 
By  our  camp-fire  blazing  high — 
Unbroken  by  the  wolt’s  long  howl 
And  the  panther  springing  by.^ 

0,  merrily  passed  the  time,  despite 
Our  wily  Indian  foe. 

In  the  days  when  we  were  pioneers. 
Fifty  years  ago. 

We  shunn’d  not  labor  ; when  ’twas  due 
We  wrought  with  right  good  will. 

And  for  the  home  we  won  for  them 
Our  children  bless  us  still. 

We  lived  not  hermit  lives,  but  oft 
In  social  converse  met ; 

And  fires  of  love  were  kindled  then 
That  burn  on  warmly  yet. 

0,  pleasantly  the  stream  of  life 
Pursued  its  constant  flow. 

In  the  days  when  we  were  pioneers. 
Fifty  years  ago  ! 


We  felt  that  we  were  fellow-men  ; 

We  felt  we  were  a band. 

Sustain’d  here  in  the  wilderness 
By  heaven’s  upholding  hand. 

And  when  the  solemn  Sabbath  came, 

We  gather’d  in  the  wood. 

And  lifted  up  our  hearts  in  prayer 
To  God,  the  only  good. 

Our  temples  then  were  earth  and  sky ; 

None  others  did  we  know 
In  the  days  when  we  were  pioneers, 

Fifty  years  ago ! 

Our  forest  life  was  rough  and  rude. 

And  dangers  closed  us  round. 

But  here,  amid  the  green  old  trees, 
Freedom  we  sought  and  found. 

Oft  through  our  dwellings  wintry  blasts 
Would  rush  with  shriek  and  moan  ; 

We  cared  not ; though  they  were  but  frail, 
W e felt  they  were  our  own  ! 

0,  free  and  manly  lives  we  led, 

’Mid  verdure  or  ’mid  snow. 

In  the  days  when  we  were  pioneers. 

Fifty  years  ago  ! 

But  now  our  course  of  life  is  short ; 

And  as,  from  day  to  day. 

We’re  walking  on  with  halting  step, 

And  fainting  by  the  way. 

Another  land,  more  bright  than  this. 

To  our  dim  sight  appears. 

And  on  our  way  to  it  we’ll  soon 
Again  be  pioneers ! 

Yet  while  we  linger  we  may  all 
A backward  glance  still  throw 
To  the  days  when  we  were  pioneers. 

Fifty  years  ago  ! 


Many  of  his  songs  were  set  to  music  and  sung  in  theatres,  and  in  1845  was  pub- 
lished his  famous  ballad,  The  Spotted  Fawn,^^  which  became  immensely  popu- 
lar, being  sung  everywhere.  The  Spotted  Fawn  was  the  beautiful  daughter  of  an 
Indian  chief,  who  dwelt  in  the  valley  of  the  Mahketewa,  who,  with  her  bridegroom. 
White  Cloud,  was  slain  on  her  bridal  night  by  the  cruel  white  man  who  in  time 
of  peace  stole  in  upon  them  in  their  slumbering  hours.  The  Mahketewa  is  the 
Indian  name  for  a stream  that  empties  into  the  Ohio  at  Cincinnati,  commonly 
called  Mill  Creek  and  largely  at  that  point  inhabited  by  frogs.  Some  wicked  wag 


GREENE  COUNTY. 


ru 


wrote  a parody  upon  the  ballad  under  the  title  of  ‘‘  The  Spotted  Frog,”  which 
paralleled  the  fate  of  the  Indian  maiden  with  that  of  a young  frog  stoned  to 
death  by  boys.  This  ever  after  spoiled  the  ballad  for  popular  use.  A verse  from 
each  follows : 


By  Maliketewa’s  flowery  marge 
The  Spotted  Fawn  had  birth, 

And  grew  as  fair  an  Indian  girl 
As  ever  blessed  the  earth. 

She  was  the  Bed  Chiefs  only  child, 

And  sought  by  many  a brave  ; 

But  to  gallant  young  White  Cloud 
Her  plighted  troth  she  gave. 

Oh,  the  Si)otted  Fawn  ! 

Oh,  the  Spotted  Fawn  ! 

The  light  and  life  of  the  forest  shades 
With  the  Bed  Chief’s  child  is  gone. 


By  stagnant  Mill  Creek’s  muddy  marge 
The  Spotted  Frog  had  birth. 

And  grew  as  fair  and  fat  a frog 
As  ever  hopped  on  earth. 

She  was  the  Frog  Chief’s  only  child, 

And  sought  by  many  a frog ; 

But  yet  on  one  alone  she  smiled 
From  that  old  rotten  log. 

Oh,  the  Spotted  Frog  ! 

Oh,  the  Spotted  Frog  ! 

The  light  and  life  of  Mill  Creek’s  mud 
Was  the  lovely  Spotted  Frog. 


Mr.  Gallagher  is  rather  tall  in  person,  with  blue  eyes  and  rather  proudly  bear- 
ing. He  was  a delegate  to  the  National  Convention  which  nominated  Mr.  Lin- 
coln, whereupon,  on  his  return  home,  a mob  assembled  at  Beard’s  Station,  near 
by,  to  warn  him  to  leave  the  State,  and  his  position  was  a dangerous  one.  Inde- 
pendent, outspoken  and  with  the  keenest  sense  of  honor  he  had  won  the,  warm 
respect  of  his  rebel  neighbors,  some  of  whom  put  arms  into  his  hands  for  self-de- 
fence. A stalwart  young  mechanic  took  upon  himself  to  champion  the  cause  of 
free  opinion.  I hate  Gallagher’s  politics  as  much  as  any  of  you,”  said  this 
chivalrous  young  Kentuckian  to  the  crowd,  but  he  has  as  good  a right  to  his 
opinions  as  we  have  to  ours,  and  ” — with  a string  of  terrible  oaths,  added — “ who- 
ever tries  to  lay  a hand  on  him  or  to  give  him  an  order  to  leave  the  State  must 
first  pass  over  my  dead  body.”  This  put  a quietus  upon  the  mob,  the  excitement 
died  away  and  the  stars  and  stripes  floated  over  Fern  Cliff  Cottage  during  the 
five  gloomy  years  of  the  war. 

On  Tuesday,  September  4,  1888,  the  opening  day  ©f  the  Ohio  State  Centennial 

Exposition  at  Columbus,  a tall,  finely- 
formed  and  erect  gentleman,  with  flashing 
dark  eyes,  and  with  the  most  silvery  head 
in  that  multitude  of  thousands,  arose  on 
the  platform  and  delivered  the  ^^Ohio 
Centennial  Ode.”  The  Coliseum,  in 
which  it  was  given,  rises  about  100  feet  in 
the  air,  springing  from  the  ground  in 
form  a half  globe,  with  seats  for  some  10,- 
000.  Behind  him  were  1,500  children  on 
tlie  platform  in  tier  above  tier,  arrayed 
in  red,  white  and  blue,  whose  patriotic 
songs  had  just  filled  the  vast  auditorium 
and  the  simultaneous  fluttering  of  their 
hand-held  flags  had  made  for  a few  mo- 
ments a bewildering,  brilliant  scene  of 
gayety  and  beauty. 

Most  poets  have  fine,  delicate  voices, 
that  nullify  their  public-spoken  utter- 
ances, from  dwelling,  we  suppose,  so  greatly  in  the  light,  high  regions  of  an  at- 
tenuated etherealized  idealism.  Not  so  with  the  poet  of  Ohio’s  Centennial,  Col. 
Coates  Kinney,  of  Xenia,  for  his  voice  is  clear,  strong  and  sonorous,  and  the 
audience  signified  their  appreciation  of  a masterly  production  with  rounds  of  ap- 
plause. It  was  a great  topic,  the  sublime  occasion  of  an  hundred  years,  and  here 
we  gladden  and  render  more  patriotic  our  pages  by  its  presentation : 


GREENE  COUNTY. 


715 


OHIO  CENTENNIAL  ODE. 

BY  COL.  COATES  KINNEY. 


Delivered  in  the  Coliseum,  Columbus,  O.,  on  the  Opening  Day,  September  4,  1888,  of  the  State  Cele- 
bration of  the  Arrival  of  the  Centennial  Year. 


In  what  historic  thousand  years  of  man 
Has  there  been  builded  such  a State  as 
this  ? 

Yet,  since  the  clamor  of  the  axes  ran 
Along  the  great  woods,  with  the  groan  and 
hiss 

And  crash  of  trees,  to  hew  thy  groundsels 
here, 

Ohio  ! but  a century  has  gone. 

And  thy  republic’s  building  stands  the  peer 
Of  any  that  the  sun  and  stars  shine  on. 

Not  on  a fallen  empire’s  rubbish-heap, 

Not  on  old  quicksands  wet  with  blood  of 
wrong. 

Ho  the  foundations  of  thy  structure  sleep. 
But  on  a ground  of  nature,  new  and  strong. 

Men  that  had  faced  the  Old  World  seven 
years 

In  battle  on  the  Old  World  turned  their 
backs 

And,  quitting  Old-World  thoughts  and  hopes 
and  fears. 

With  only  rifle,  powder-horn  and  axe 

For  tools  of  civilization,  won  their  way 
Into  the  wilderness,  against  wild  man  and 
beast. 

And  laid  the  wood-glooms  open  to  the  day. 
And  from  the  sway  of  savagery  released 

The  land  to  nobler  uses  of  a higher  race  ; 
Where  Labor,  Kno  wledge,  Freedom,  Peace, 
and  Law 

Have  wrought  all  miracles  of  dream  in  place 
And  time — ay,  more  than  ever  dream  fore- 
saw. 

A hundred  years  of  Labor  ! Labor  free  ! 

Our  Biver  ran  between  it  and  the  curse. 

And  freemen  proved  how  toil  can  glory  be. 
The  heroes  that  Ohio  took  to  nurse 

(As  the  she-wolf  the  founders  of  old 
Rome) — 

Their  deeds  of  fame  let  history  rehearse 

And  oratory  celebrate  ; but  see 

This  paradise  their  hands  have  made  our 
home ! 

Nod,  plumes  of  wheat,  wave,  banderoles  of 
corn. 

Toss,  orchard-oriflammes,  swing,  wreaths 
of  vine. 

Shout,  happy  farms,  with  voice  of  sheep 
and  kine. 

For  the  old  victories  conquered  here  on 
these 

The  fields  of  Labor  when,  ere  we  were 
born. 

The  Fathers  fought  the  armies  of  the 
trees, 

And,  chopping  out  the  night,  chopt  in  the 
morn  ! 


A hundred  years  of  Knowledge  ! We  have 
mixt 

More  brains  with  Labor  in  the  century 
Than  man  had  done_  since  the  decree  was  fixt 
That  Labor  was  his  doom  and  dignity. 

All  honor  to  those  far-foreworking  men 
Who,  as  they  stooped  their  sickles  in  to 
fling. 

Or  took  the  wheat  upon  the  cradles’  swing. 
Thought  of  the  boy,  the  little  citizen 
There  gathering  sheaves,  and  planned  the 
school  for  him. 

Which  should  wind  up  the  clockwork  of  his 
mind 

To  cunning  moves  of  wheels  and  blades  that 
skim 

Across  the  fields  and  reap,  and  rake,  and 
bind ! 

They  planned  the  schools — the  woods  were 
full  of  schools ! 

Our  learning  has  not  soared,  but  it  has 
spread  : 

Ohio’s  intellects  are  sharpened  tools 
To  deal  with  daily  fact  and  daily  bread. 

The  starry  peaks  of  knowledge  in  thin  air 
Her  culture  has  not  climbed,  but  on  the 
plain. 

In  whatsoever  is  to  do  or  dare 

With  mind  or  matter,  there  behold  her 
reign. 

The  axemen  who  chopt  out  the  clearing  here 
Where  stands  the  Capital,  could  they  to- 
day 

Arise  and  see  our  hundred  years’  display — 
Steam-wagons  in  their  thundering  career — 
Wires  that  a friend’s  voice  waft  across  a 
State, 

And  wires  that  wink  a thought  across  the 
sea. 

And  wires  wherein  imprisoned  lightnings 
wait 

To  leap  forth  at  the  turning  of  a key — 
Could  they  these  shows  of  mind  in  matter 
note. 

Machines  that  almost  conscious  souls  con- 
fess. 

Seeming  to  will  and  think — the  printing 
press. 

Not  quite  intelligent  enough  to  vote — 

Could  they  arise  these  marvels  to  behold. 
What  would  to  them  the  past  Republic 
seem — 

The  State  historified  in  volumes  old. 

Or  prophesied  in  Grecian  Plato’s  dream  ? 

A hundred  years  of  Freedom  ! Freedom  such 
No  other  people  on  the  earth  had  known 
Till  our  America  the  world  had  shown  ^ 
What  Freedom  meant.  No  slave  might 
touch 


7t6  GREENE 

Our  earth,  no  master’s  lash  outrage  our 
heaven  : 

The  Declaration  of  the  Great  July, 

Fired  by  our  Ordinance  of  Eighty-seven, 
Flamed  from  the  Kiver  to  the  northern 
sky 

Ay,  that  flame  rose  against  the  Arctic  stars. 
And  shone  a new  aurore  across  the  land. 

A Body  scored  with  stripes  of  whip  and 
scars 

Of  branding-iron  seemed  to  understand — 

Soulless  though  reckoned  by  our  Union’s 
pact — 

That  It  was  Man,  for  whom  that  heavenly 
sign 

Lit  up  the  North ; and  while  the  bloodhounds 
tracked 

Him  footsore  through  Kentucky,  stars  be- 
nign 

Befriended  him  and  brought  him  to  our  shore, 
A stranger,  frightened,  hungry,  travel- 
worn  ; 

And  we  laid  hands  on  him  and  gave  him  o’er 
Again  to  bondage,  as  in  fealty  sworn. 

So  rich  in  Freedom,  we  had  none  to  give  ! 
While  we  might  quaff,  we  could  not  pass 
the  cup  : 

No  slave  should  touch  foot  to  our  soil  and  live 
Upon  it  slave — he  must  be  given  up  ! 

When  that  first  man  was  wrested  from  our 
State, 

Then  slavery  had  crossed  the  Bubicon  ; 

Then  Freedom  was  the  whole  Bepublic’s  fate  ; 
Then  John  Brown’s  soul  began  its  march- 
ing-on ; 

Then  the  Ohio  Idea  had  to  go 

Where’er  the  banner  of  the  Union  flew, 

From  northmost  limits  in  Alaskan  snow 
To  southmost  in  the  Mexic  waters  blue. 

A hundred  years  of  Peace  ! Yes,  less  the 
four 

(Our  little  Indian  squabbles  were  not  war). 

The  four  when  we,  in  battle’s  shock  and  roar. 
Declared  that  Freedom  was  worth  dying  for. 
Ohio  gave  to  that  great  fight  for  Man 
Her  Grant,  her  Sherman,  and  her  Sheri- 
dan, 

And  her  victorious  hundred  thousands  more. 

Victorious,  yes,  though  legions  of  them  sleep 
In  garments  rolled  in  blood  on  foughten 
fields — 

Though  still  the  mothers  and  the  widows  weep 
For  the  slain  heroes  borne  home  on  their 
shields. 


COUNTY. 

Their  glorious  victory  this  day  behold  : 

They  conquered  Peace  ; and  where  their 
manly  frays 

Across  the  land  of  bondage  stormed  and 
rolled. 

Millions  of  grateful  freed  men  hymn  their 
praise. 

Ohio  honors  them  with  happy  tears  : 

The  battles  that  they  braved  for  her. 

The  banner  that  they  waved  for  her. 

The  Freedom  that  they  saved  for  her. 

Shall  keep  their  laurels  green  a thousand 
years. 


A hundred  years  of  Law  ! The  people’s  will. 
The  might  of  the  majority, 

The  right  of  the  minority. 

The  light  hand  with  authority. 

We  promised,  with  the  purpose  to  fulfil ; 

But  the  contagion  of  the  border-taint 

Blackened  our  statues  with  its  shameful 
stain. 

And  left  the  color  of  our  conscience  faint 
Till  freshened  by  the  battle-storm’s  red 
rain. 

Ay,  war  has  legislated  ; it  has  cast 
The  “White  Man’s  Government  ” out  into 
night. 

And  Labor,  Knowledge,  Freedom,  Peace,  at 
last 

Stand  color-blind  in  Law’s  resplendent 
light. 


Now  hail,  my  State  ot  States  ! thy  justice 
wins — 

Thy  justice  and  thy  valor  now  are  one  ; 

Thou  hast  arisen,  and  thy  little  sins 

Are  spots  of  darkness  lost  upon  the  sun. 

Thy  sun  is  up — 0,  may  it  never  set ! — 

These  hundred  years  were  but  thy  morning- 
red  : 

It  shall  be  forenoon  for  thy  glory  yet 
When  all  who  this  day  look  on  thee  are 
dead. 

0,  splendor  of  the  noon  awaiting  thee  ! 

O,  rights  of  man  and  heights  of  manhood 
free  ! 

Hail,  beautiful  Ohio  that  shalt  be  ! 

Hail,  Ship  of  State  ! and  take  our  parting 
cheers  ! 

Ah,  God  ! that  we  might  gather  here  to  see 
Thy  sails  loom  in,  swoln  with  a thousand 
years. 


A hundred  years  of  Freedom  I Freedom  such 
No  other  people  on  the  earth  had  known 
Till  our  America  the  world  had  shown 
What  Freedom  meant.  No  foot  of  slave  might  touch 
Our  earth.,  no  master's  lash  outrage  our  heaven. 

Col.  Coates  Kinney  was  born  in  Yates  county,  K.  Y.,  in  1826 ; came  to  Ohio 
in  1840;  studied  law  with  Judge  Wm.  Lawrence  and  J.  W.  and  Bonn  Piatt; 
soon  adopted  journalism  as  a life  profession ; was  paymaster  in  the  army  through 
the  war  and  brevetted  Lieut.-Colonel. 

In  1881  he  was  the  leading  Republican  speaker  in  the  Ohio  Senate.  He  waa 


GREENE  COUNTY. 


717 


the  author  of  the  amendment  to  the  Constitution  on  the  subject  of  temperance, 
which  was  submitted  to  the  voters  the  following  year,  and  of  the  bill  for  the 
abolition  of  The  Official  Railroad  Pass,’^  on  which  he  made  a speech  that  was 
circulated  and  commended  throughout  the  United  States.  He  passed  the  bill 
through  the  Senate  by  his  eloquent,  masterly  array  of  facts  and  deductions,  but 
the  railroad  influence  reconsidered  it  the  next  day,  and  converted  enough  votes 
from  aye  to  no  to  defeat  it,  but  the  principles  of  the  bill  have  since  been  enacted  in 
the  Inter-State  Commerce  Law.  But  Col.  Kinney’s  record  as  editor,  speaker 
and  public  official  has  been  eclipsed  by  his  achievements  in  literature,  especially 
poetry.  His  reputation  as  a poet  was  established  in  1849,  when  he  wrote  the 
famous  lyric,  Rain  on  the  Roof.”  Since  then  he  has  written  several  poems  of 
such  merit  as  to  demonstrate  that  his  early  effort  was  not  a literary  accident,  and 
his  recent  collection,  entitled  Lyrics  of  the  Ideal  and  the  Real,”  has  greatly  ex- 
tended his  reputation. 

In  review  of  this  work  the  poet’s  friend.  Prof.  W.  H.  Venable,  says,  he  gives, 
^Un  glowing  words  and  often  splendid  dictum,  the  deepest  and  most  earnest 
thoughts  of  a well-trained  and  subtle  intellect  upon  life,  doubt,  fear,  faith,  freedom, 
immortality,  God  and  man ; and  then  to  all  his  own  restless  and  penetrating 
questions  finds  an  answer.”  This  answer  Mr.  Venable  then  quotes  in  the  thril- 
ling stanza  with  which  he  concludes  the  great  poem  of  the  book  entitled  Duty 
Here  and  Glory  There.” 


Where  ? My  soul  looked  up  and  ques- 
tioned— 

Up  to  where  the  stars  were  burning 
In  the  grand  and  awful  temple 
Of  the  midnight — up  to  where 
Vision  stops  against  the  curtain 
Of  the  infinite,  but  spirit 


Parts  aside  the  veil  and  enters  ; 

It  is  there ! Oh,  it  is  there  ! 

Thrilled  the  whisper  through  my  being, 
“ Duty  here  for  little  lifetimes, 

Griory  there  for  endless  ages — 

Duty  here  and  glory  there  ! ’ ’ 


Another  of  the  poet’s  friends,  and  he  has  many,  Mr.  Frank  D.  Mussey,  in  his 
review  says : After  reading  some  of  the  strong  poetical  efforts  of  Col.  Kinney 
in  his  recent  book,  how  softly  comes  back  into  the  thoughts  from  the  days  of  one’s 
boyhood,  the  old  lines  of  ‘ Rain  on  the  Roof,’  a poem  which  there  are  few  writers 
who  could  wish  for  anything  better  to  leave  to  the  world ; that  is  in  every  school- 
book ; sung  to  the  music  of  a dozen  composers,  and  is  in  every  man’s  memory 
and  life.” 


RAIN  ON  THE  ROOF. 


When  the  humid  shadows  hover 
Over  all  the  starry  spheres. 

And  the  melancholy  darkness 
G-ently  weeps  in  rainy  tears, 

What  a bliss  to  press  the  pillow 
Of  a cottage-chamber  bed. 

And  listen  to  the  patter 
Of  the  soft  rain  overhead. 

Every  tinkle  on  the  shingles 
Has  an  echo  in  my  heart ; 

And  a thousand  dreamy  fancies 
Into  busy  being  start. 

And  a thousand  recollections 

Weave  their  air  threads  into  woof 
As  I listen  to  the  patter 
Of  the  rain  upon  the  roof. 

Now  in  memory  comes  my  mother. 
As  she  used  in  years  agone. 

To  regard  the  darling  dreamers 
Ere  she  left  them  till  the  dawn. 


0,  I feel  her  fond  look  on  me. 

As  I list  to  this  refrain. 

Which  is  played  upon  the  shingles 
By  the  patter  of  the  rain. 

Then  my  little  seraph  sister. 

With  the  wings  and  waving  hair. 
And  her  star-eyed  cherub  brother — 
A serene,  angelic  pair — 

Glide  around  my  wakeful  pillow. 
With  their  praise  of  mild  reproof, 
As  I listen  to  the  murmur 
Of  the  soft  rain  on  the  roof 

And  another  comes  to  thrill  me 
With  her  eyes  delicious  blue  ; 

And  I mind  not  musing  on  her. 
That  her  heart  was  all  untrue  ; 

I remember  but  to  love  her 
With  a passion  kin  to  pain, 

And  my  heart’s  quick  pulses  quiver 
To  the  patter  of  the  rain. 


GREENE  COUNTY. 


r*i8 

Art  hath  naught  of  tone  or  cadence 
That  can  work  with  such  a spell 
In  the  soul’s  mysterious  fountains, 
Whence  the  tears  of  rapture  well 


As  that  melody  of  nature, 

That  subdued,  subduing  strain, 
Which  is  played  upon  the  shingles 
By  the  patter  of  the  rain. 


When  a lad  of  fourteen  William  Dean  Howells  (see  page  327)  lived  with 
his  father’s  family  in  a log-cabin  on  the  Little  Miami  river,  where  his  father  had 
a grist-mill,  near  the  road  to  Dayton,  some  two  or  three  miles  from  Xenia.  His 
home  was  rude  and  ruinous ; through  the  roof  the  stars  shone  in  and  the  snows 
sifted  down.  Says  Mr.  Howells : I should  not  like  to  step  out  of  bed  into  a 
snow-wreath  now,  but  then  I was  glad  to  do  it ; and,  so  far  from  thinking  that  or 
anything  in  our  life  a hardship,  I counted  it  all  joy.” 


There  were  barrels  of  books  in  the  loft,  and 
this  was  a treasure  to  him.  Among  them,  he 
says,  ‘ ‘ I found  also  a copy  of  the  poems  of  a 
certain  Henry  Wadsworth  Longfellow,  then 
wholly  unknown  to  me  ; and,  while  the  old 
gi^ist-mill,  whistling  and  wheezing  to  itself, 
made  a vague  music  in  my  ear,  my  soul  was 
filled  with  this  strange  new  sweetness.  I read 
' The  Spanish  Student  ’ then,  and  ‘ Copias  de 
Manrique,’  and  the  solemn  and  ever-beautiful 
‘Voices  of  the  Night.’  But  neither  those 
nor  any  other  books  1 read  made  me  discon- 
tented with  the  small  boys’  world  around  me. 
They  made  it  a little  more  populous  with 
visionary  shapes,  and  there  was  room  for 


them  all.  It  was  not  darkened  with  cares, 
and  the  duties  in  it  were  not  many.  ” 

In  the  tenderly  expressed  poem  of  his 
“Lost  Boyhood”  he  wistfully  recalls  the 
calm,  peaceful  hours  of  his  early  life  on  the 
banks  of  the  Little  Miami. 

“Were  some  bright  seraph  sent  from  bliss 
With  songs  of  heaven  to  win  my  soul 
From  simple  memories  such  as  this. 

What  could  he  tell  to  tenapt  my  ear 
From  you  ? What  high  thing  could  there  be. 
So  tenderly  and  sweetly  dear 
As  my  lost  boyhood  is  to  me.” 


It  is  a somewhat  remarkable  fact  that  Ohio,  besides  supplying  the  nation  with 
so  large  a proportion  of  statesmen  and  generals  of  eminence,  should  be  alike  pro- 
lific of  journalists.  At  this  time  three  of  the  leading  dailies  of  New  York  city, 
the*  metropolis  of  the  nation,  have  as  their  editorial  managers  Ohio  men,  viz., 
Whitelaw  Reid,  the  Tribune,  Col.  John  A.  Cockerill,  the  World,  and  Charles 
Julius  Chambers,  the  Herald;  also  William  Henry  Smith,  of  the  Associated 
Press,  Bernard  Peters,  of  the  Brooklyn  Times,  and  W.  L.  Brown,  Daily  News. 

Whitelaw  Reid  is  a direct  descendant  of  the  Scotch  Covenanters.  His  father, 
Robert  Charleton  Reid,  had  married  Marian  Whitelaw  Ronalds,  who  came  in  a 
direct  line  from  the  small  and  ancient  clan  Ronalds  ” of  the  Highlands.  His 
paternal  grandfather  emigrated  to  this  country  from  the  south  of  Scotland,  and 
settled  in  Kentucky,  but  crossed  the  Ohio  in  1800,  and  bought  several  hundred 
acres  of  land  on  the  present  site  of  Cincinnati.  He  was  a stern  old  Covenanter, 
and  found  his  conscience  uneasy  owing  to  a condition  in  the  deed  which  required 
him  to  run  a ferry  across  the  river  every  day  of  tlie  week.  Sooner  than  violate 
the  Sabbath  he  sold  out,  and,  removing  to  Greene  county,  became  one  of  the 
founders  of  Xenia. 


Whitelaw  Reid  was  born  near  Xenia, 
October  27,  1837.  He  graduated  at  Miami 
University  in  1856,  and  took  an  active  inter- 
est in  journalism  and  politics  before  attaining 
his  majority ; made  speeches  in  the  Fremont 
campaign  on  the  Republican  side,  and  soon 
became  editor  of  the  Xenia  Neios.  At  the 
opening  of  the  civil  war  he  was  sent  into  the 
field  as  correspondent  of  the  Cincinnati  Ga- 
zette., making  his  headquarters  at  Washington, 
where  his  letters  on  current  politics,  over  the 
signature  of  ‘‘Agate,”  attracted  much  atten- 
tion by  their  thought,  information,  and 
pungent  st3de.  From  that  point  he  made 
excursions  to  the  army  whenever  there  was  a 
prospect  of  active  operations. 


He  served  as  aide-de-camp  to  Cen.  William 
S.  Rosecrans  in  the  Western  Virginia  cam- 
paign of  1861,  and  was  present  at  the  battles 
of  Shiloh  and  G-eUysburg.  From  1863  to 
1866  wa-s  librarian  of  the  House  of  Repre- 
sentatives. He  engaged  in  cotton-planting  in 
the  South  after  the  war,  and  embodied  the 
results  of  his  observations  in  a book— “After 
the  War.”  He  then  gave  two  .years  in  writ- 
ing “Ohio  in  the  War”  (Cincinnati,  1868). 
This  work  is  by  far  the  most  important  of  all 
the  State  histories  of  the  ciyil  war.  It  con- 
tains elaborate  biographies  of  most  of  the 
chief  generals  of  the  army,  and  a complete 
history  of  the  State  from  1861  till  1865.  On 
the  conclusion  of  this  labor  he  came  to  New 


WIIITELAW  REID  HOMESTEAD. 
Birthplace  of  Wliitelaw  Reid. 


(779) 


liVank  Henry  Howe,  Amateur  Photo.,  1887. 

Soldiers’  and  Sailors’  Orphans’  Home,  Xenia, 


GREENE  COUNTY. 


72) 


York  at  the  invitation  of  Horace  Greeley,  and 
became  an  editorial  writer  on  the  Trilmne. 
On  the  death  of  Mr.  Greeley  he  succeeded 
him  as  editor  and  principal  owner  of  the 
paper.  In  1878  he  was  chosen  by  the  Legis- 
lature to  be  a regent  for  life  of  the  University 
of  New  York.  With  this  exception  he  has 
declined  all  public  employment.  He  was 
offered  by  President  Hayes  the  post  of  Min- 
ister to  Germany  and  a similar  appointment 
by  President  Garfield.  He  is  a director  of 


numerous  financial  and  charitable  corpora- 
tions, and  has  been  for  many  years  president 
of  the  Lotus  Club.  Besides  the  works  men- 
tioned above,  and  his  contributions  to  period- 
ical literature,  he  has  published  “ Schools  of 
Journalism”  (New  York,  1871);  ‘'The 
Scholar  in  Politics”  (1873);  “Some  News- 
paper Tendencies”  (1879) ; and  “Town-Hall 
Suggestions”  (1881). — Appleton's  Cyclope- 
dia of  American  Biography. 


The  Eeid  Homestead,  in  which  Whitelaw  was  born,  was  erected  by  his 
father,  Robert  Charleton  Heid,  in  1823,  on  land  which,  before  his  marriage,  he 
and  his  brother  bonght  at  the  Virginia  military  sales,  and  stands  to-day  as  it  was 
then,  identical  in  frame-work,  flooring,  plastering,  and  interior  finish.  It  is  situ- 
ated between  Massie’s  creek  and  Little  Miami  river,  in  what  was  then  part  of 
Xenia  township,  not  far  from  the  centre  of  the  triangle  formed  by  the  three  towns 
of  Xenia,  Yellow  Springs,  and  Cedarville. 


About  the  year  1850  this  part  of  Xenia 
township  was  set  off  to  Cedarville,  of  which 
it  is  now  a part.  The  house,  as  left  by  Rob- 
ert Charleton  Reid,  consisted  of  a two-story 
frame  building  with  a one-story  wing,  in  which 
were  sitting-room,  dining-room,  and  kitchen. 
Some  extensions  have  been  made  to  the  wing 
and  the  whole  exterior  has  been  repaired  and 
restored  by  Whitelaw  Reid.  The  interior 
finish  in  the  old  part  of  the  house  was  of 
oiled  and  polished  black  walnut,  with  hand- 
some mantels,  oak  floors,  excellent  plastering, 
and  windows  with  8x10  panes  of  glass,  which 
were  then  a costly  elegance.  Every  room  on 
the  first  floor  had  a large  fireplace  finished  in 
Xenia  limestone.  The  original  framework 
has  now  been  filled  in  with  fireproof  concrete 
blocks,  and  the  roof  and  second  story  are 
covered  entirely  with  red  Akron  tiles.  There 
are  numerous  piazzas,  a porte-cochere,  etc., 
and  the  new  rooms  in  the  extensions  of  the 
wing  are  finished  in  handsome  cabinet-work 
in  cherry,  sycamore,  ash,  walnut,  etc.  The 
house  contains  fourteen  rooms,  numerous 
bath-rooms,  dressing-rooms,  etc. 


It  is  situated  on  one  of  the  highest  points 
in  the  county,  the  ground  gently  sloping 
away,  and  giving  a view  of  many  miles  in 
every  direction.  The  farm  consists  of  about 
200  acres,  is  carried  on  by  a farmer  for  whom 
a separate  house  is  provided,  and  is  kept  in  a 
nice  state  of  cultivation. 

When  Robert  Charleton  Reid  was  married 
he  immediately  took  his  bride  to  this  house. 
There  he  died  in  the  room  in  which  his  chil- 
dren were  all  born,  and  there  his  widow  still 
lives.  His  eldest  son  also  died  there.  The 
house  was  originally  finished  in  oak,  black 
walnut,  and  poplar  ; not  because  it  was  fore- 
seen that  these  woods  would  be  fashionable 
half  a century  afterwards,  but  because  they 
stood  on  the  actual  site  of  the  dwelling,  and 
had  to  be  got  out  of  the  way  to  make  room 
for  it.  The  house  at  first  stood  in  almost 
unbroken  forest,  and  for  a number  of  years 
there  were  not  more  than  ten  acres  of  cleared 
land  in  sight.  The  lawn  surrounding  it  has 
always  remained  unbroken  by  the  plough 
since  the  Indians  rambled  over  it. 


Mr.  Eeid  is  in  person  very  tall  and  sinewy,  uniting  delicacy  with  strength. 
He  has  in  person  and  character  the  best  qualities  of  his  Scotch  ancestry.  His 
eyes  are  dark  and  forehead  broad  and  full,  and  the  intellectual  perceptions  that 
discern,  and  the  untiring  persistence  that  wins,  have  been  his  inheritance.  His 
great  work  of  Ohio  in  the  War  will  grow  with  the  years,  for  it  has  no  equal 
as  a record  of  those  troublous  times.  Therein  he  wrote  of  that  of  which  he  was 
a part.  He  was  at  the  head  sources  of' knowledge  and  a personal  witness  of  the 
events  under  which  the  Nation  trembled.  Its  spirit  of  fairness,  to  those  opinions 
with  which  he  could  have  no  personal  sympathy,  and  its  fulness  in  facts  must 
impress  every  reader.  In  character-drawing  it  is  most  admirable — every  man 
brought  in  review  stands  out  in  his  peculiarities ; and  wherein  there  are  words  of 
condemnation  which  a love  of  truth  and  a sense  of  duty  impelled  him  to  utter,  it 
seems  as  though  the  spirit  of  charity  guided  his  pen  and  flowed  with  the  ink. 

Wilberforce  University  is  the  result  of  a most  notable  effort  of  the  negro  in 
America  at  self-development.  It  began  Sept.  21,  1844,  with  the  appointment  of 
a committee  to  select  a tract  of  land  for  the  purpose  of  erecting  a seminary  of 
learning,  on  the  Manual  Labor  plan,  for  the  instruction  of  the  youth  among  us,  in 


722 


GREENE  COUNTY, 


the  various  branches  of  literature,  science,  agriculture  and  mechanic  arts ; and  also 
for  those  young  men  who  may  desire 
to  prepare  their  minds  for  the  work 
of  the  ministry/’  In  1847  Union 
Seminary,  twelve  miles  from  Col- 
umbus, began  a humble  yet  relatively 
important  career.  In  1856  the  M. 

E.  Church  laid-  the  foundations  of 
Wilberforce  University.  Students 
by  the  score  came  from  the  South 
into  the  free  State  of  Ohio.  Stu- 
dents by  the  score  returned  with  edu- 
cation from  surroundings,  as  well  as 
from  science,  for  Wilberforce  began, 
and  has  continued,  a Southern  school  on  Northern  soil.  In  1863  the  University 
passed  into  the  possession  and  under  the  control  of  colored  men.  Two  years  later 
it  lay  ill  ashes,  on  the  very  day  of  the  assassination  of  Abraham  Lincoln. 
Arrangements  for  rebuilding  were  begun  at  once ; yet  thirteen  years  of  arduous 
effort  were  required  for  its  completion. 


W I L BE KFO KC E UN  1 V EKSIT Y. 


“The  work  of  the  University  has  been, 
from  its  organization,  continuous  and  progres- 
sive. It  has  maintained  a faculty  of  from 
four  to  seven  regular  instructors,  assisted  by 
undergraduates.  It  has  enrolled  more  than 
3,000  students,  or  an  annual  average  of  about 
130.  These  have  come  from  all  parts  of  the 
United  States,  from  Canada,  the  West 
Indies,  and  India.  It  is  located  about  three 
miles  from  Xenia,  in  Xenia  township,  and 
about  one  mile  from  the  P.  C.  & St.  L.  R. 
R.  The  main  building  is  a substantial  brick 
160  X 44,  four  stories  high,  containing  seventy- 
eight  rooms.  Eight  cottages  in  the  campus 
are  used  for  resident  and  dormitory  purposes. 
There  have  been  recently  erected  by  the 
State  Normal  and  Industrial  Board  a build- 
ing for  instruction  in  domestic  arts,  and  one 
for  instruction  in  carpentry. 

The  property  is  variously  estimated  at  from 
$50,000  to  $60,000.  The  university  has  an 
endowment  fund  of  $14,033.62.  During  its 
existence  of  twenty-two  and  one-half  years 
there  have  been  collected  and  disbursed  more 
than  $200,000.  The  university  is  under  the 


management  of  a Board  of  Trustees,  com- 
posed of  the  entire  Episcopal  Bench — seven- 
teen permanent  trustees  and  210  conference 
trustees : the  latter  are  chosen  at  each  con- 
ference and  consist  of  three  ministerial  and 
two  lay  members.  Under  the  jurisdiction  of 
the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  Dr.  Fred- 
erick Merrick  and  Dr.  R.  S.  Rust  presided. 
Three  Presidents  have  executed  the  will  of 
the  Board  since  1863 — Bishop  D.  A.  Payne, 
D.  D.,  presiding  from  July  3,  1863,  to  Sep- 
tember 6,  1876  ; Rev.  B.  F.  Lee,  D.  D.,  from 
September  6,  1876,  to  June  19,  1884,  and 
Rev.  S.  T.  Mitchell,  A.  M.,  was  elected  June 
20,  1884.  Under  the  provisions  of  an  act 
of  the  Legislature  of  Ohio  passed  March  19, 
1887,  the  Normal  Department  has  been 
strengthened  and  an  Industrial  Department 
organized ; $5,000  per  annum  is  pledged  to  its 
support. 

The  Board  for  the  management  of  the  new 
department  consists  of  Bishop  D.  A.  Payne, 
Dr.  B.  W.  Arnett,  Hon.  C.  L.  Maxwell, 
Senator  John  O’Neill,  Dr.  R.  McMurdy  and 
Hon.  J.  A.  Howell. 


Yellow  Springs  is  about  forty-five  miles  west  of  Columbus,  on  the  Little 
Miami  River,  and  on  a branch  of  the  P.  C.  & St.  L.  R.  R.  Newspaper : 
view,  Independent,  A.  E.  Humphreys,  publisher.  Churches : 1 Christian,  1 
Methodist  Episcopal,  1 Presbyterian,  1 Episcopal,  1 Advent,  1 A.  Methodist 
Episcopal  and  1 Colored  Methodist  Episcopal.  Industries : 1 saw-mill,  grain 
elevator,  etc.  There  are  many  small  fruit  growers  at  this  place.  Population  in 
1880,  1,377 ; school  census  in  1886^^410,  S.  Ogan,  superintendent. 

The  village  is  a pleasant  and  interesting  spot,  the  seat  of  Antioch  College,  and 
takes  its  name  from  the  medicinal  springs  here.  Formerly  they  were  much 
visited,  and  there  were  ample  hotel  accommodations  for  invalids.  Early  in  the 
century  travellers  often  spoke  of  the  place.  The  noted  Duke  of  Saxe-Weimar, 
who  was  here  in  1824,  says  in  his  travels : 

The  spring  originates  in  a limestone  rock.  The  water  has  a little  taste  of  iron, 
and  deposits  a great  quantity  of  ochre,  from  which  it  takes  its  name.  The 
spring  is  said  to  give  110  gallons  of  water  per  minute,  which  is  received  in  a 


GREENE  COUNTY. 


723 


basin  surrounded  with  cedar  trees.  The  yellow  stream  which  comes  from  the 
basin  rims  a short  distance  over  a bed  of  limestone  and  is  afterwards  precipitated 
into  the  \ alley.  These  limestone  rocks  form  very  singular  figures  on  the  edge  of 
this  valley ; the  detached  pieces  resemble  the  Devil’s  Wall  of  the  Hartz. 

In  the  beautiful  glen  at  Yellow  Springs  is  Pompey’s  Pillar,  of  which  Prof 
Orton  has  written  for  us  this  brief  description. 


Pompey’s  Pillar,  Yellow  Springs. 


It  consists  of  a mass  of  the  native  limestone  rock,  fifteen  to  twenty  feet  in  height, 
which  has  been  left  as  we  find  it,  through  the  action  of  erosive  agencies  in  the 
past.  The  large  mass  which  makes  the  top  of  the  column  is  a part  of  the  cap- 
rock  of  the  cliffs,  and  the  column  itself  consists  of  a number  of  courses  of  the 
building  stone  of  the  same  series.  All  of  it  is  Niagara  limestone.  The  formation 
of  the  column  must  date  back  for  many  hundred  and  probably  for  many  thou- 
sand years.  It  is  now  slowly  wasting  through  the  action  of  the  atmosphere,  but 
is  likely  enough  to  remain  about  as  it  is  for  many  centuries  to  come,  unless  dis^ 
turbed  by  human  agency. 


Yellow  Springs  derives  its  principal  im- 
portance at  this  time  from  being  the  seat  of 
Antioch  College.  Connected  with  its  teach- 
ing department  have  been  quite  a number  of 
eminent  men.  In  the  college  campus  is  a 
monument  to  the  memory  of  Horace  Mann 
of  national  fame,  who  spent  the  last  seven 
years  of  his  life,  from  1852  to  1859,  here  as 
its  President.  He  was  born  in  Franklin, 
Mass.,  in  1796,  was  educated  at  Brown 
University ; the  theme  of  his  graduating 
oration,  “The  Progressive  Character  of  the 


Human  Race,”  foreshadowed  his  subsequent 
career.  He  was  educated  to  the  law,  took 
great  interest  in  the  cause  of  education,  and 
being  elected  Secretary  to  the  Massachusetts 
Board  of  Education  introduced  thorough  re- 
forms into  the  school  system  of  the  State. 
He  visited  the  schools  of  Europe,  especially 
those  of  Germany,  and  on  his  return  by  his 
lectures  and  writings  did  more  to  awaken  an 
interest  throughout  the  country  in  education 
than  any  man  in  our  history. 

From  1848  to  1853  he  served  in  Congress, 


GREENE  COUNTY. 


;24 

first  succeeding  to  the  vacancy,  as  a Whig, 
occasioned  by  the  death  of  John  Quincy 
Adams ; then  was  re-elected  by  the  anti- 
slavery party,  and  as  an  advocate  in  behalf 
of  their  principles  was  pre-eminent,  at  one 
time  engaging  in  a controversy  with  Daniel 
Webster,  in  regard  to  the  extension  of 
slavery  and  a fugitive  slave-law.  Failing 
in  his  candidacy  from  the  Free-soil  party  as 
Governor  of  the  State,  he  accepted  the  Presi- 
dency of  Antioch.  He  carried  the  institu- 
tion through  pecuniary  and  other  difficulties, 
and  satisfied  himself  of  the  practicability  of 


the  co-education  of  the  sexes,  and  his  in- 
cessant labors  hastened  his  death.  This  great 
friend  to  nian  gave  to  Ohio  his  last  ripe  years, 
and  her  soil  is  honored  by  being  the  resting 
- place  of  his  remains.  He  published  several 
annual  reports,  also  lectures  on  education, 
voluminous  controversial  writings,  “A  Few 
Thoughts  fora  Young  Man,”  “Slavery  : Let- 
ters and  Speeches,’’  “Powers  and  Duties  of 
Women,”  etc.  His  work  on  education  was 
republished  in  France,  with  a biographical 
sketch. 


Bellbrook  is  about  forty  miles  northeast  of  Cincinnati  and  half  a mile  from 
the  Miami  river.  The  Magnetic  Springs,  owned  by  Ohmer  & Co.,  of  Dayton, 
were  discovered  here  in  1884.  Newspaper  : Moon,  Independent,  Morgan  Fudge, 
editor  and  proprietor.  Churches  : 1 Methodist  Episcopal,  1 P.  M.,  1 Presby- 
terian. Population  in  1880,  425. 

Jamestown  is  an  important  village  eleven  miles  east  of  Xenia,  on  the  D.  & I. 
railroad,  which  had  in  1880  a population  of  877.  It  narrowly  escaped  destruction 
a few  years  since  by  what  has  been  termed  the  Jamestown  Cyclone.^^ 


THE  JAMESTOWN  CYXLONE. 

On  Sunday,  April  27,  1884,  at  about  five  o’clock,  a destructive  cyclone  passed 
over  the  southern  part  of  Montgomery  and  Greene  counties.  It  was  formed  near 
Dayton  by  the  meeting  of  two  light  storm  clouds  from  the  south  and  northwest 
respectively,  which  immediately  assumed  the  shape  of  a water  spout,  rising  and 
descending  like  waves  of  the  sea,  and  moved  on  with  great  fury,  destroying  every- 
thing in  its  path.  It  caused  much  damage  in  Montgomery  county,  mowing  down 
forests,  destroying  buildings,  fences,  live-stock,  etc. 

At  Bellbrook,  in  Greene  county,  at  least  fifteen  houses  were  more  or  less 
damaged ; but  the  inmates  seeing  its  approach  took  refuge  in  the  cellars,  and  thus 
escaped  serious  injury.  The  greatest  damage  inflicted  was  at  Jamestown,  where 
the  cloud  approached  along  the  pike  leading  to  Xenia,  having  first  passed  over  the 
fair  grounds  of  the  Union  Agricultural  Society,  completely  demolishing  all  the 
buildings  excepting  a few  small  stalls ; even  the  fence  posts  were  razed  to  the 
ground.  In  Jamestown  only  about  one-half  of  the  homes  of  the  entire  popula- 
tion escaped  destruction  : nearly  one  hundred  families  were  rendered  homeless, 
four  persons  killed  outright,  and  some  thirty-five  or  forty  more  or  less  seriously 
injured. 

Along  the  track  of  the  storm,  Avhich  Avas  about  one  hundred  yards  Avide,  not  a 
single  building  Avas  left  intact,  and  nine  out  cf  every  ten  Avere  razed  to  the  ground. 
The  most  prominent  buildings  in  the  toAvn  Avere  either  unroofed  or  badly  damaged. 
Every  church  Avas  more  or  less  damaged,  and  those  of  the  Methodist,  Presby- 
terian, Christian  and  Colored  Methodist  nearly  demolished.  The  loss  of  property 
amounted  to  nearly  $200,000.  The  cyclone  seemed  to  have  about  exhausted  its 
fury  on  JamestoAvn,  for  it  passed  aAvay  to  the  east  without  creating  much  more 
damage. 

Clifton  is  ten  miles  north  of  Xenia,  on  the  Little  Miami,  and  on  the  line  of 
Clark  county,  and  has  about  300  inhal)itants.  The  name  originated  from  the 
cliffs  Avhich  bound  the  river  at  this  place.  The  stream  commences  running 
through  a deep  ravine  at  the  eastern  extremity  of  the  village,  and  after  circling 
around  the  toAvn,  leaves  it  on  the  southwest.  For  more  than  tAVO  miles  it  runs 
through  a deep  and  narroAV  gorge,  bounded  by  perpendicular  and  impending  rocks. 


GREENE  COUNTY. 


725 


overhung  by  evergreens,  and  presenting  scenery  of  a and  picturesque  char- 
acter. In  this  distance  the  stream  has  sufficient  fall  to  supply  a number  of  manu- 
facturing establishments. 

Cedarville  is  forty-seven  miles  southwest  of  Columbus  on  the  P.  C.  & St. 
L.  R.  R.,  and  on  Massies^  creek,  eight  miles  northeast  from  Xenia.  Newspaper : 
Heraldy  Independent,  Robt.  H.  Young,  editor  and  publisher.  Churches  : 1 Cov- 


Drawn  by  Henry  Howe  in  1846, 

Cascade  at  Clifton. 


enanter,  1 Reformed  Presbyterian,  1 Methodist  Episcopal,  1 United  Presbyterian, 
1 African  Methodist  Episcopal  and  1 Colored  Baptist. 

Industries. — Manufacture  of  lime ; extensive  saw-mills  are  also  located  here. 
Population  in  1880,  1,181.  School  census  in  1886,  368  ; J.  V.  Stewart,  superin- 
tendent. 

Fairfield  is  twelve  miles  northwest  of  Xenia;  had  in  1880,  380  population. 
Spring  Valley,  seven  southwest  of  Xenia,  376  ; and  Osborne,  near  the  north- 
west corner  and  line  of  Clark  county,  656  population. 


736 


GUERNSEY  COUNTY. 


GUERNSEY. 


Guernsey  County  was  organized  in  March,  1810.  The  upland  is  hilly  and  of 
various  qualities,  and  the  soil  clay  or  clayey  loam.  There  is  much  excellent  land  in 
the  bottom  of  Wills  creek  and  its  branches,  which  cover  about  one-third  of  the  coimtyo 
Wool  is  a staple  product  of  the  county,  together  with  beef  cattle,  horses  and  swine. 
Its  area  is  460  square  miles.  In  1885  the  acres  cultivated  were  67,095  ; in  past- 
ure, 133,784;  woodland,  48,407  ; lying  waste,  1,134;  produced  in  wheat,  68,313 
bushels ; oats,  206,490  ; corn,  671,694  ; tobacco,  231,191  pounds  ; wool,  685,262  ; 
sorghum,  32,069  gallons;  sheep  owned,  162,640 ; coal,  433,800  tons.  School  cen- 
sus, 1886,  9,690;  teachers,  180. 

It  has  seventy-eight  miles  of  railroad. 


•WNSHIPS  AND  Census.  1840. 

1880.  Townships  and  Census.  1840. 

1880. 

Adams, 

866 

806 

Millwood, 

1,722 

1,984 

Beaver, 

1,686 

Monroe, 

1,098 

1,080 

Buffalo, 

1,025 

Oxford, 

2,133 

1,615 

Cambridge, 

2,033 

4,665 

Richland, 

1,772 

1,439 

Center, 

976 

1,233 

Seneca, 

1,356 

Jackson, 

1,155 

1,140 

Spencer, 

1,669 

1,552 

Jefferson, 

755 

931 

Valley, 

999 

Knox, 

538 

964 

Washington, 

1,008 

742 

Liberty, 

835 

1,503 

Westland, 

1,077 

925 

Londonderry, 

1,629 

1,320 

Wills, 

1,887 

1,855 

Madison, 

1,569 

1,160 

Wheeling, 

769 

1,284 

Population  in 

1820  was  9,292 

; in  1830, 

18,636;  1840, 

27,729;  1860, 

24,474 ; 

1880,  27,197,  of  whonl  23,554  were  Ohio-born,  1,499  Pennsylvania,  608  Vir- 
ginia, 47  New  York,  and  578  from  Europe. 

Previous  to  the  first  settlement  of  the  county  there  was  a party  of  whites 
attacked  by  Indians  on  Wills  creek,  near  the  site  of  Cambridge.  The  particulars 
which  follow  are  from  the  pen  of  Col.  John  McDonald,  author  of  the  ‘‘Bio- 
graphical Sketches.^^ 


In  the  year  1791  or  ’92,  the  Indians  hav- 
ing made  frequent  incursions  into  the  settle- 
ments along  the  Ohio  river,  between  Wheel- 
ing and  the  Mingo  bottom,  sometimes  killing 
or  capturing  whole  families,  at  other  times 
stealing  all  the  horses  belonging  to  a station 
or  fort,  a company  consisting  of  seven  men 
rendezvoused  at  a place  called  the  Beech 
bottom,  on  the  Ohio  river,  a few  miles  below 
where  W ellsburg  has  been  erected.  This  com- 
pany were  John  Whetzel,  William  M’ Col- 
lough,  John  Hough,  Thomas  Biggs,  Joseph 
Hedges,' Kinzie  Dickerson,  and  a Mr.  Linn. 
Their  avowed  object  was  to  go  to  the  Indian 
towns  to  steal  horses.  This  was  then  consid- 
ered a legal,  honorable  business,  as  we  were 
then  at  open  war  with  the  Indians.  It  would 
only  be  retaliating  upon  them  in  their  own 
way.  These  seven  men  were  all  trained  to 
Indian  warfare  and  a life  in  the  woods  from 
their  youth.  Perhaps  the  western  frontier 
at  no  time  could  furnish  seven  men  whose 
souls  were  better  fitted,  and  whose  nerves  and 
sinews  were  better  strung  to  perform  any  enter- 


prise which  required  resolution  and  firmness. 
They  crossed  the  Ohio,  and  proceeded  with 
cautious  steps  and  vigilant  glances  on  their 
way  through  the  cheerless,  dark  and  almost 
impervious  forest,  in  the  Indian  country,  till 
they  came  to  an  Indian  town,  near  where  the 
head  waters  of  the  Sandusky  and  Muskingum 
rivers  interlock.  Here  they  made  a fine  haul, 
and  set  off  homeward  with  fifteen  horses. 
They  travelled  rapidly,  only  making  short 
halts  to  let  their  horses  graze  and  breathe  a 
short  time  to  recruit  their  strength  and  ac- 
tivity. In  the  evening  of  the  second  day  of 
their  rapid  retreat  they  arrived  at  Wills 
creek,  not  far  from  where  the  town  of  Cam- 
bridge has  been  since  erected.  Here  Mr. 
Linn  was  taken  violently  sick,  and  they  must 
Stop  their  march  or  leave  him  alone  to  perish 
in  the  dark  and  lonely  woods.  Our  frontier 
men,  notwithstanding  their  rough  and  un- 
polished manners,  had  too  much  of  my  Un- 
cle Toby’s  “sympathy  for  suffering  human- 
ity ’ ’ to  forsake  a comrade  in  distress.  They 
halted,  and  placed  sentinels  on  their  back 


GUERNSEY  COUNTY. 


727 


trail,  who  remained  there  till  late  in  the 
night,  without  seeing  any  signs  of  being 
pursued.  The  sentinels  on  the  back  trail  re- 
turned to  the  camp,  Mr.  Linn  still  lying  in 
excruciating  pain.  All  the  simple  remedies 
in  their  power  were  administered  to  the  sick 
man,  without  producing  any  elfect.  Being 
late  in  the  night,  they  all  lay  down  to  rest, 
except  one  who  was  placed  as  guard.  Their 
camp  was  on  the  bank  of  a small  branch. 
Just  before  daybreak  the  guard  took  a small 
bucket  and  dipped  some  water  out  of  the 
stream  ; on  carrying  it  to  the  fire  he  discov- 
ered the  water  to  be  muddy.  The  muddy 
water  waked  his  suspicion  that  the  enemy 
might  be  approaching  them,  and  were  walk- 
ing down  in  the  stream,  as  their  footsteps 
would  be  noiseless  in  the  water.  He  waked 
his  companions  and  communicated  his  sus- 
picion. They  arose,  examined  the  branch  a 
little  distance,  and  listened  attentively  for 
some  time ; but  neither  saw  nor  heard  any- 
thing, and  then  concluded  it  must  have  been 
raccoons,  or  some  other  animals,  puddling  in 
the  stream.  After  this  conclusion  the  com- 
pany all  lay  down  to  rest,  except  the  sentinel, 
who  was  stationed  just  outside  of  the  light. 
Happily  for  them  the  fire  was  burned  down, 
and  only  a few  coals  afforded  a dim  light  to 
point  out  where  they  lay.  The  enemy  had 
come  silently  down  the  creek,  as  the  sentinel 
suspected,  to  within  ten  or  twelve  feet  of  the 
place  where  they  lay,  and  fired  several  guns 
over  the  bank.  Mr.  Linn,  the  sick  man,  was 
lying  with  his  side  towards  the  bank,  and  re- 
ceived nearly  all  the  balls  which  were  at  first 
fired.  The  Indians  then,  with  tremendous 
yells,  mounted  the  bank  with  loaded  rifles, 
war-clubs  and  tomahawks,  rushed  upon  our 
men,  who  fled  barefooted  and  without  arms. 
Mr.  Linn,  Thomas  Biggs  and  Joseph  Hedges 
were  killed  in  and  near  the  camp.  William 
M’Collough  had  run  but  a short  distance 
when  he  was  fired  at  by  the  enemy.  At  the 


instant  the  fire  was  given  he  jumped  into  a 
quagmire  and  fell ; the  Indians,  supposing 
that  they  killed  him,  ran  past  in  pursuit  of 
others.  He  soon  extricated  himself  out  of 
the  mire,  and  so  made  his  escape.  He  fell  in 
with  John  Hough,  and  came  into  Wheeling. 
John  Whetzel  and  Kinzie  Dickerson  met  in 
their  retreat,  and  returned  together.  Those 
who  made  thejr  escape  were  without  arms, 
without  clothing  or  provisions.  Their  suffer- 
ings were  great ; but  this  they  bore  with 
stoical  indifference,  as  it  was  the  fortune  of 
war.  Whether  the  Indians  who  defeated  our 
heroes  followed  in  pursuit  from  their  towns, 
or  were  a party  of  warriors  who  accidentally 
happened  to  fall  in  with  them,  has  never 
been  ascertained.  From  the  place  they  had 
stolen  the  horses  they  had  travelled  two 
nights  and  almost  two  entire  days,  without 
halting,  except  just  a few  minutes  at  a time, 
to  let  the  horses  graze.  From  the  circum- 
stance of  their  rapid  retreat  with  the  horses 
it  was  supposed  that  no  pursuit  could  pos- 
sibly have  overtaken  them,  but  that  fate  had 
decreed  that  this  party  of  Indians  should 
meet  and  defeat  them.  As  soon  as  the 
stragglers  arrived  at  Wheeling,  Capt.  John 
M’Collough  collected  a party  of  men,  and 
went  to  Wills  creek  and  buried  the  unfor- 
tunate men  who  fell  in  and  near  the  camp. 
The  Indians  had  mangled  the  dead  bodies  at 
a most  barbarous  rate.  Thus  was  closed  the 
horse-stealing  tragedy. 

Of  the  four  who  survived  this  tragedy 
none  are  now  living  to  tell  the  story  of  their 
suffering.  They  continued  to  hunt  and  to 
fight  as  long  as  the  war  lasted.  John  Whet- 
zel and  Dickerson  died  , in  the  country  near 
Wheeling.  John  Hough  died  a few  years 
since,  near  Columbia,  Hamilton  county,  Ohio. 
The  brave  Capt.  William  M’Collough  fell  in 
1812,  in  the  battle  of  Brownstown,  in  the 
campaign  with  Gen.  Hull. 


Hon.  William  Farrar  has  given  us  the  following  interesting  items  concern- 
ing the  early  history  of  the  county : 


The  streams  of  this  county  come  somewhat 
curiously  by  their  names,  as  Leatherwood, 
from  a bush  having  a tough  leathery  bark 
used  by  the  pioneers  for  many  useful  pur- 
poses ; Yoker,  from  the  yoker  brush  that 
grows  along  its  banks ; Wills  creek,  from 
Wills  river,  Maryland;  Crooked  creek,  from 
its  winding  course ; Little  and  Big  Skull 
Forks,  from  the  fact  that  in  early  times  the 
Indians,  having  made  one  of  their  raids  into 
the  white  settlements  east  of  the  Ohio  river, 
were  returning  with  their  prisoners,  among 
whom  were  a mother  and  infant  child  ; being 
pursued  they  first  killed  the  infant  and  left 
the  body  to  be  devoured  by  the  wolves,  who 
left  no  remains  but  the  little  skull ; farther 
on  the  mother  was  killed  and  in  like  manner 
devoured  by  the  wolves,  leaving  only  the 
skull.  These  skulls  were  found  by  the  pur- 
suing whites  on_  the  banks  of  the  streams 
which  thus  received  their  respective  names. 


Another  stream  is  named  Indian  Camp  from 
one  of  their  camping  grounds. 

The  settlement  of  the  county  was  curious 
in  that  settlers  from  so  many  different  dis- 
tricts met  here.  The  Virginians  and  Guern- 
seymen  met  at  Wills  creek ; the  Yankees 
from  Massachusetts  and  Western  Pennsylva- 
nians in  the  southwest ; Quakers  froni  North 
Carolina  and  Chester  county,  Pa.,  in  the 
southeast ; the  Irish  in  northern  and  western 
townships.  A settlement  from  New  Jersey 
extends  into  two  townships,  while  there  are 
families,  descendants  of  the  Hessians,  in  the 
southern  part  of  the  county  that  came  in 
through  Virginia  and  Maryland  settlements. 
The  youngest  daughter  of  Gen.  Stark,  of 
the  Be  volution,  died  in  this  county,  aged 
ninety-nine  years. 

The  man  who  wields  the  second  oar  in  the 
painting  of  Perry’s  Victory,  in  the  rotunda 
of  the  Ohio  State  House,  was  a Guernsey 


728 


GUERNSEY  COUNTY. 


county  man  known  as  “Fighting  Bill”  Reed. 
He  was  of  Virginia  or  Pennsylvania  stock, 
who  learned  the  blacksmith  trade  with  Wil- 
liam McCracken,  of  Cambridge.^ 

Gren.  Broadhead’s  trail  on  his  Coshocton 


campaign  in  1781  against  the  Indians  is  dis- 
tinctly marked  through  the  county.  There 
were  no  Indian  villages  in  this  region,  it  be- 
ing the  hunting  ground  of  parties  that  hunted 
and  fished  along  the  principal  streams. 


In  1798  ^^Zane^s  Trace was  cut  through  the  county.  When  Zane’s  party 
arrived  at  Wills  Creek  Crossing  they  found  the  government  surveyors  busy  sur- 
veying the  United  States  military  lands.  They  had  a camp  on  its  banks.  At 
this  time  the  only  dwelling  between  Wheeling  and  Lancaster  was  at  Zanesville. 
The  Zanes  were  from  the  South  Branch  of  the  Potomac,  near  Wills  river,  Mary- 
land, and  hence  gave  the.  name  Wills  creek  to  the  stream.  So  far  as  known, 
Ebenezer  Zane’s  party  consisted  of  himself,  his  brother  Jonathan  Zane,  John 
Mclntire,  Joseph  Worley,  Levi  Williams,  and  an  Indian  guide  named  Tomepome- 
hala. 

Wills  creek  is  a sluggish  stream  with  clay  bottom,  and  choked  up  as  it  was  at 
that  day  with  drift  wood  and  rubbish,  was  a difficidt  crossing ; and  the  Zanes,  in 
compliance  with  the  requirements  of  the  act  to  establish  and  maintain  ferries  at 
the  principal  crossings,  probably  induced  a man  of  the  name  of  Graham  to  estab- 
lish one  there.  It  was  the  first  stream  west  of  Wheeling  on  the  Trace  over 
which  they  placed  a ferry.  Who  this  first  ferryman  was  or  where  from  is  not 
known.  He  remained  about  two  years,  and  was  succeeded  by  George  Beymer, 
from  Somerset,  Pennsylvania,  a brother-in-law  of  John  Mclntire,  of  Zane’s  party. 
Mclntire  was  a brother-in-law  of  Ebenezer  Zane.  Both  of  these  persons  kept  a 
house  of  entertainment  and  a ferry  for  travellers  on  their  way  to  Kentucky  and 
other  parts  of  the  West.  Mr.  Beymer,  in  April,  1803,  gave  up  his  tavern  to  Mr. 
John  Beatty,  who  moved  in  from  Loudon  county,  Virginia.  Beatty’s  family 
consisted  of  eleven  persons.  Among  these  was  Wyatt  Hutchinson,  who  later 
kept  a tavern  in  the  town.  The  Indians  then  hunted  in  this  vicinity,  and  often 
encamped  on  the  creek.  In  June,  1806,  Cambridge  was  laid  out;  and  on  the 
day  the  lots  were  first  offered  for  sale,  several  families  from  the  British  isle  of 
Guernsey,  near  the  coast  of  France,  stopped  here  and  purchased  lands.  These 
were  followed  by  other  families,  amounting  in  all  to  some  fifteen  or  twenty,  from 
the  same  island ; all  of  whom,  settling  in  the  county,  gave  origin  to  its  present 
name.  Among  the  heads  of  these  families  were  William  Ogier,  Thomas  Naftel, 
Thomas  Lanfisty,  James  Bishard,  Charles  and  John  Marquand,  John  Robbins, 
Daniel  Ferbrache,  Peter,  Thomas  and  John  Sarchet,  and  Daniel  Hubert. 

Cambridge  in  1846. — Cambridge,  the  county-seat,  is  on  the  National  road,  77 
miles  east  of  Columbus  and  24  east  of  Zanesville.  It  is  a flourishing  village,  and 
contains  1 Presbyterian,  1 Seceder,  1 Methodist  Episcopal  and  1 Reformed  Meth- 
odist church,  an  academy,  9 mercantile  stores,  2 carding  machines,  1 flouring  and 
2 fulling  mills,  1 newspaper  printing  office  and  about  1,000  inhabitants.  The 
view  represents  the  town  as  it  appears  from  a hill  on  the  west,  about  300  yards 
north  of  the  National  road.  The  bridge  across  Wills  creek  is  shown  on  the  right 
and  the  town  on  the  hill  in  the  distance. — Old  Edition. 

The  bridge  above  spoken  of  is  shown  also  in  the  new  picture.  Although  built 
in  1828  it  still  does  good  service.  It  is  on  the  plan  of  Ithiel  Town,  a noted 
architect  who,  at  the  same  date,  was  building  the  Connecticut  State-House  after 
the  mode]  of  the  Greek  temple,  and  is  now  standing  on  the  New  Haven  Green, 
though  no  longer  used  as  a State-House,  while  the  bridge,  started  as  a bridge, 
remains  still  on  duty  as  a bridge. 

Cambridge  is  77  miles  east  of  Columbus,  at  the  intersection  of  the  C.  & M. 
and  B.  & O.  railroads.  It  is  the  centre  of  a fine  agricultural  district  and  the 
county-seat  of  G’>ernsey  county.  County  officers  in  1888  : Probate  Judge,  Lot 
P.  Hosick ; Clerks  of  Court,  James  R.  Barr,  Alfred  Weedon ; Sheriff,  Hugh  F. 
McDonald;  Prosecuting  Attorney,  Justus  H.  Mackey;  Auditor,  Thomas  Smith; 
Treasurer,  Milton  Turner;  Recorder,  John  K.  Casey;  Surveyor,  William  J.  Hes- 


GUERNSEY  COUNr\ 


729 

tor ; Coroner,  John  H.  Sarchet ; Commissioners,  John  Shipman,  James  B.  Hart- 
ley, George  Watson.  Newspapers  : Jeffersonian,  Democrat,  John  M.  Amos,  edi- 
tor and  proprietor ; Guernsey  Times,  Kepublican,  D.  D.  Taylor,  editor  and  pro- 
prietor ; Herald,  Independent,  Mehaffy  & Ogier,  editors  and  proprietors ; PeO' 


Drawn  hy  Henry  Howe  in  1846. 

Cambridge,  from  the  West. 


plds  Press,  Republican,  C.  W.  Dunnifer,  editor;  Eastern  Ohio  Teacher,  Educa- 
tional, Prof.  John  McBurney,  editor  and  proprietor.  Churches : 1 Methodist 
Episcopal,  1 Presbyterian,  1 United  Presbyterian,  1 Baptist,  1 Episcopalian,  1 
Colored  Baptist  and  1 African  Methodist  Episcopal.  Banks  : Central  National, 


J.  P.  Brown,  Photo.,  Cambridge,  1887. 

Cambridge,  from  the  West. 

A.  J.  Hutchinson,  president,  W.  E.  Boden,  cashier;  Guernsey  National,  J.  D. 
Taylor,  president,  A.  A.  Taylor,  cashier ; Old  National,  S.  J.  McMahon,  presi- 
dent, A.  R.  Murray,  cashier. 

Industries  and  Employees. — C.  & M.  R.  R.  shops,  50  hands ; Cambridge  Chair 
Factory,  75  hands;  Cambridge  Roofing  Co.,  iron  roofing,  27  hands;  Hoyle  & 


730 


GUERJSrSEY  COUNTY, 


Scott,  doors  and  sash  ; Simons  Bros.,  foundry ; E.  M.  Collum,  buggies,  City 
Mills. — Btaie  Report  for  1887.  Natural  gas  is  used  here  for  manufacturing  and 
domestic  purposes.  Population  in  1880,  2,883.  School  census  in  1886,  1,280; 
E.  Burgess,  superintendent. 

Eight  miles  east  of  Cambridge,  on  the  National  road,  is  Washington,  of  which 
we  said  in  1846  : ^^It  is  a very  thriving  village,  and  does  an  extensive  business 
with  the  surrounding  country,  which  is  very  fertile.  It  has  1 Lutheran,  1 Pres- 
byterian, 1 Methodist,  1 Union  and  1 
Catholic  church,  the  last  of  which  is 
an  elegant  and  costly  Gothic  edifice  ; 6 
mercantile  stores,  1 woollen  factory, 
a population  nearly  equal  to  Cam- 
bridge. It  was  laid  out  about  the 
year  1805  by  Simon  Beymer,  pro- 
prietor of  the  soil,  and  a native  of 
Cumberland  county,  Pennsylvania.” 

Being  away  from  railways,  it  has  lost 
its  relative  importance.  The  census  of 
1880  gave  it  exactly  600  inhabitants. 

In  the  northern  part  of  this  county, 
on  the  line  of  the  C.  & M.  railroad 
track,  a few  hundred  yards  north  of 
Guernsey  station,  stand  the  Twin 
Sycamores,  which  are  a considerable 
curiosity  in  the  way  of  trees.  These 
are  the  measurements,  as  obtained  for 
us  by  Mr.  William  M.  Farrar : 

Twelve  inches  above  ground  the 
largest  is  in  girth  14  feet  6 inches, 
and  the  smaller,  10  feet  and  4 inches.  KnowUon,  photo. 

The  arm  or  connection  is  22  feet  2 the  Twin  Sycamores. 

inches  from  the  ground,  and  its  girth 

5 feet  5 inches.  The  girth  of  the  larger  tree  above  the  arm  is  10  feet  5 inches ; 
of  the  smaller  tree,  7 feet  9 inches.  The  growing  of  a limb  of  one  tree  into  the 
body  of  another  is  occasionally  seen  in  the  forests.  This,  however,  is  an  unusual 
specimen.  Sometimes  one  limb  grows  into  another ; an  example  of  this  is  on  the 
New  Haven  Green,  where  a lower  limb  about  five  feet  in  length  has  grown  into 
the  one  above  and  serves  as  a brace  as  completely  as  any  brace  put  in  by  human 
hands. 

The  Leatpierwood  God. 


At  the  village  of  Salesville  there  was  built  by  the  early  settlers  a hewed  log- 
church  called  tlie  Temple  and  for  the  use  of  all  denominations.  In  August,  1828, 
about  two  and  a half  miles  northwest  of  the  Temple,  was  held  a camp-meeting 
under  the  auspices  of  the  United  Brethren  Church.  It  began  on  Wednesday  and 
continued  over  Sunday. 

On  Sunday  afternoon  a large  assemblage  was  addressed  by  the  Pev.  Jolin 
Crum,  P.  E.  He  was  about  half  way  through  a sermon  of  great  eloquence,  which 
had  produced  a profound  impression,  when  he  paused  that  the  truths  he  had  spo- 
ken might  sink  into  the  minds  of  his  liearers.  At  tliis  moment  the  solemn  silence 
was  broken  b3'  a tremendous  V(>ice,  bursting  forth  like  a clap  of  thunder  upon  the 
congregation,  giving  utterance  to  but  one  word,  Salvation,”  followed  by  a 
shout  and  snort,  which  filled  the  people  with  awe  and  dread ; one  of  those  present 
said:  They  carried  with  them,  right  through  you,  a thrill  like  that  felt  when 
greatly  scared  in  the  dark  and  a dread  similar  to  that  experienced  when  we  think 
of  dying  instantly.” 


GUERNSEY  COUNTY. 


731 


Men  jumped  to  their  feet,  women  screamed  aloud  and  every  cheek  blanched. 
All  eyes  were  turned  in  the  direction  from  whence  the  sounds  came,  and  there, 
seated  in  the.  midst  of  the  congregation,  was  a stranger  with  solemn  countenance, 
totally  unmoved,  dressed  in  a suit  of  broadcloth,  frock  coat,  white  cravat  and  yel- 
low beaver  hat. 

How  or  when  he  had  come  there  no  one  knew,  although  dressed  in  a garb  differ-^ 
ing  from  any  seen  in  this  community  at  that  time. 

After  several  moments  the  clergyman  proceeded  with  his  sermon,  but  the  people 
gave  no  heed  to  it,  for  every  eye  and  mind  was  centred  upon  the  mysterious 
and  solemn  stranger  in  their  midst.  His  large  black  flashing  eyes,  pale  face,  lo\\ 
broad  forehead,  from  which  the  long  black  locks  were  brushed  back,  reaching 
half  way  to  his  waist,  and  his  melancholy,  solemn  aspect  seemed  to  inspire  the 
people  with  awe. 

After  the  meeting,  he  went  about  representing  himself  to  be  God  Almighty, 
who  had  come  down  into  the  midst  of  the  assembled  people  in  his  spiritual  body 
and  then  assumed  the  corporeal  one  with  the  name  of  Joseph  C.  Dylks ; that  he 
could  appear  and  disappear  at  will,  perform  miracles,  and,  finally,  that  he  had  come 
to  establish  the  millennium,  and  that  whosoever  followed  him  should  never  die  in 
their  natural  bodieSo  He  found  many  believers  and  followers.  At  first  he  was 
very  cautious  in  his  statements,  but,  as  converts  became  more  numerous,  he  grew 
more  bold,  claimed  that  his  body  could  not  be  touched  without  his  permission  and 
that  with  a shout  and  snort  he  could  destroy  the  universe.  His  following  increased 
and  converts  were  made  throughout  parts  of  Belmont,  Guernsey  and  Noble  coun- 
ties. Three  men  from  the  vicinity  of  Salesville,  Michael  Brill,  Robert  McCormick 
and  John  Brill,  also  a young  minister  named  Davis,  who  had  come  to  Salesville 
during  his  visitation,  were  appointed  disciples.  He  preached  in  the  Temple  at 
Salesville  and  made  many  converts. 

He  addressed  them  as  follows  : I am  God  and  there  is  none  else.  I am  God 
and  the  Christ  united.  In  me  Father,  Son  and  Holy  Ghost  are  met.  There  is 
now  no  salvation  for  men  except  by  faith  in  me.  All  who  put  their  trust  in  me 
shall  never  taste  death,  but  shall  be  translated  into  the  New  Jerusalem,  which  I 
am  about  to  bring  down  from  heaven.^^  Then  the  brothers  yelled  We  shall 
never  die,^^  the  sisters  screamed,  Dylks  snorted  and  the  spectators  muttered  their 
indignation  at  the  blasphemy.  When  Dylks  descended  from  the  pulpit  McCor- 
mick exclaimed,  Behold  our  God/’  and  the  believers  fell  on  their  knees  and 
worshipped  him. 

The  indignation  of  those  who  had  not  been  drawn  into  the  delusion  of  the 
Dylksites  finally  resulted  in  organized  opposition,  and  Dylks  was  called  upon  to 
prove  his  professions  by  the  performance  of  a ihiracle.  Thereupon  he  agreed  to 
make  a seamless  garment  if  the  cloth  were  furnished  him. 

The  cloth  was  forthcoming  but  the  miracle  was  not  accomplished.  Dylks  was 
arrested  and  brought  before  a magistrate,  but  there  being  no  law  provided  for  such 
offences  he  was  discharged.  His  accusers  were  not  satisfied  with  this,  and  Dylks 
was  obliged  to  flee  to  the  woods  pursued  by  a mob.  After  this  his  conversions 
ceased,  but  those  who  had  accepted  him  still  believed  in  his  divinity,  and  among 
these  he  found  a refuge  from  the  unbelievers  who  sought  to  drive  him  from  the 
country.  He  remained  several  weeks  in  hiding,  and  then  assembled  his  converts 
and  announced  that  he  must  go  to  Philadelphia  and  set  up  his  New  Jerusalem.” 
This  was  in  the  latter  part  of  October,  and  taking  three  of  his  disciples  with  him, 
they  proceeded  on  foot  to  Philadelphia.  When  about  to  enter  the  city,  Dylks  and 
Davis  separated  from  McCormick  and  Michael  Brill,  to  meet  again,”  said  Dylks, 
where  the  light  from  heaven  shall  shine  brightest  within  the  city,  for  there  will 
New  Jerusalem  begin  to  expand  to  fill  the  earth.”  They  searched  the  city  over 
and  never  found  the  Light  ” nor  Dylks  and  Davis,  and  after  many  days  wan- 
derings, footsore  and  moneyless,  with  sorrow  and  weeping,  McCormick  and  Brill 
turned  their  steps  homeward. 


732 


GUERNSEY  COUNTY. 


Notwithstanding  that  death  removed  the  Dylksites  one  by  one,  the  survivors 
still  believed  in  the  divinity  of  the  Leatherwood  God,  and  that  he  would  some  day 
return  and  set  up  his  New  Jerusalem.  Seven  years  later  the  Rev.  Davis  reap- 
peared and  preached  a sermon  in  which  he  declared  he  had  seen  Dylks  ascend  into 
heaven,  and  that  he  would  return  and  set  up  his  kingdom.  Davis  then  left  and 
neither  he  nor  Dylks  was  ever  heard  of  again. 

The  mystery  surrounding  the  method  by  which  Dylks  reached  the  centre  of  that 
congregation  was  never  divulged.  When  it  is  considered  that  his  appearance  was 
such  a peculiar  one,  his  attire  differing  from  any  ever  seen  in  that  community  at 
that  time,  it  is  not  surprising  that  many  believed  him  to  be  a supernatural  being, 
to  have  suddenly  appeared  in  the  midst  of  that  large  body  of  people  without  obsep 
vation  from  any  one. 


A Pennyroyal  Distillery. 

The  title,  The  Leatherwood  God,’^  was  given  this  impostor  from  the  meeting 
where  he  first  appeared  having  been  held  on  the  bank  of  Leatherwood  creek. 
Leatherwood,  which  gives  name  to  the  creek,  is  a peculiarly  soft  and  pliable  wood 
with  a tough  bark  that  can  be  tied  into  knots.  It  was  used  by  the  pioneers  for 
tying  the  meat  of  wild  hogs,  venison  and  bear  upon  pack  saddles  for  conveyance 
to  market  at  Wheeling.  When  gi'een  it  is  so  soft  and  spongy  that  it  can  be  dented 
by  the  pressure  of  the  fingers. 

Pennyeoyaldom  is  the  name  of  a district  of  uncertain  boundaries  of  which 
Oxford  township  is  the  centre  and  to  which  it  is  principally  applicable.  This  is 
the  central  of  the  three  easternmost  townships  bordering  on  Belmont  county.  It 
is  so  called  from  the  peculiar  industry  of  pennyroyal  raising  and  distilling  within 
its  limits.  It  is  not  a great  industry,  because  the  demand  for  the  article  is  light, 
but  it  is  a peculiar  and  rare  industry,  and  as  such  is  worthy  of  notice.  The  fol- 
lowing is  a description  of  the  process  of  its  distillation. 

The  pennyroyal,  after  being  gathered,  is  allowed  to  wilt  until  it  will  pack  well, 
is  then  tramped  down  carefully  in  the  steam-cliest  until  it  is  full.  The  oil  is  in 
the  leaf,  and  at  times  can  be  seen  with  a magnifying  glass  in  small  globules  on  the 
under  side  of  the  leaf.  Set  free  by  the  steam  it  ])asses  into  the  condenser,  into 
whicii  a stream  of  cold  water  is  conducted  until  condensed,  and  jioured  into  an  oil 
vat  filled  with  water  u])  nearly  to  the  top.  Tlie  oil,  being  lighter  than  the  water, 
runs  into  the  vessel  and  passes  out  into  a receiver. 

The  still-houses  are  of  rude  construction,  as  shown  in  the  engraving.  Four 
forks  are  set  in  the  ground  with  connecting  jioles,  upon  which  the  roof  of  rough 


GUERNSEY  COUNTY. 


r33 


boards  is  placed,  extending  from  a ridge-pole  to  the  eaves.  The  business  is  not 
of  enough  importance  to  justify  any  large  expenditure  for  complete  works. 

The  origin  of  the  industry  is  as  follows  : 

The  first  settlers  of  Oxford  township  found  after  plowing  up  the  ground  that  a 
spontaneous  growth  of  pennyroyal  sprang  up.  Benjamin  Borton,  who  came  from 
New  Jersey  in  1804  and  settled  on  the  line  of  the  old  Wheeling  road,  having 
learned  the  art  in  his  native  State,  commenced  its  distillation,  and  the  industry  has 
since  been  continued  by  his  sons,  grandsons  and  great-grandsons  and  became  iden- 
tified with  the  history  of  this  region. 

It  is  said  that  in  the  early  days  when  all  other  resources  for  raising  ready  money 
with  which  to  pay  taxes  had  been  exhausted,  the  farmers  would  go  out  and  gather 
pennyroyal,  distil  it  and  in  this  way  raise  the  cash,  which  was  a scarce  article  in 
those  times. 

The  medicinal  qualities  of  the  American  pennyroyal  are  superior  to  that  of  for- 
eign production,  and  the  oil  found  a ready  sale  in  the  Eastern  markets. 

The  industry  has  been  productive  of  benefit  as  it  has  given  rise,  indirectly,  to 
social  reunions  among  the  people,  and  as  the  outcome  of  these  has  been  narratives 
of  pioneer  experience,  it  comes  within  our  province  to  go  into  some  little  detail 
in  regard  to  them. 


At  a banquet  given  in  Cambridge  on  the 
retirement  of  Jonathan  Bose  as  County  Com- 
missioner and  the  incoming  of  Peter  Lochary,  • 
it  was  proposed  to  hold  annual  reunions  of 
those  born  or  bred  in  Pennyroyaldom,  and 
the  proposition  acted  upon.  The  first  was 
held,  August,  1880,  at  Grardiner’s  Grove  in 
Oxford  township,  and  the  records  of  that  and 
succeeding  meetings  have  been  preserved  by 
Mr.  John  Kirkpatrick  in  pamphlet  form 
from  which  we  quote. 

Bev.  John  Abies,  of  Jackson  township, 
and  his  brother  Bethuel  (since  deceased),  the 
oldest  living  people  born  in  Oxford  township, 
were  present  at  the  first  reunion,  and  from 
the  sj^eech  of  Bethuel  (the  first  white  child 
born  in  Oxford  township),  we  extract  the 
following : 

“ I was  born  in  1806,  within  a mile  of  this 
spot,  amongst  the  wolves,  Indians  and  snakes. 
My  father  died  when  I was  six  years  old,  and 
left  me  the  oldest  of  the  family  upon  my 
mother’s  hands.  John,  who  has  just  spoken, 
was  the  next  eldest.  One  night  he  and  I,  as 
the  wolves  were  troublesome,  penned  the 
sheep  right  up  against  the  cabin.  In  the 
night  the  wolves  came  and  howled  and  pushed 
around  the  house.  The  sheep  were  killed 
and  wounded.  It  made  our  little  hearts 
quake  at  the  danger.  Once  I went  for  my 
uncle,  Beuben  Borton,  through  a wheat  patch 
for  water.  I was  terribly  afraid  of  snakes.  I 
stepped  in  my  bare  feet  on  two  copperheads 
while  going,  and  also  on  an  old  hoop  which 
flew  up  and  struck  me.  I jumped  so  high 
each  time  that  I brought  no  water  back.  My 
uncle  found  and  killed  the  snakes. 

“There  were  no  near  neighbors  ; for  miles 
around  there  was  nothing  but  paths.  One 
day  I was  riding  on  an  errand  through  the 
woods  on  ‘Kate,’  and  suddenly  a man’s 
hand  came  from  behind  a tree  on  my  thigh. 

I told  of  it  and  was  informed  that  it  was  a 
robber  looking  for  land  buyers  who  had 
money.  I escaped  because  I was  a boy.  In 


a few  days  we  heard  of  a murder  on  the 
Maginnis  farm.  The  hand  of  Providence 
was  around  us  or  we  could  not  have  lived. 
We  suffered.  I was  out  after  the  cows  one 
day,  and  in  crossing  a creek  walked  on  a 
log  out  into  the  stream  and  jumped  to  get 
over.  I lit  in  the  mud  and  went  down  and 
down,  and  could  not  get  out:  the  more  I 
stepped  the  more  I became  fastened.  Some 
chips  floated  near  me  and  little  by  little  I 
was  enabled  to  reach  a slim  branch  above 
me. 

“I  learned  the  blacksmith  business.  I 
made  the  tools  to  clear  this  country.  I 
made  the  hoes,  the  axes  and  the  mattocks 
for  the  settlers.  I was  here  when  there  were 
not  thirty  people  in  the  township.  I know 
all  of  Pennyroyal,  and  how  to  make  the  oil, 
too.  In  the  early  days  we  boiled  it  in  kettles, 
now  a four-horse  load  is  needed  to  fill  a ‘ gum.  ’ 
It  was  hard  work  to  gather  pennyroyal.  It 
grows  by  ‘ grasshopper  springs.  ’ The  springs 
near  it  are  generally  filled  with  grasshoppers, 
and  the  fields  with  weeds,  etc.  ’ ’ 

From  the  address  of  Geo.  Plattenburg 
(since  deceased)  we  give  : 

“In  1805  my  father  and  family  moved 
out.  We  did  not  have  a load  of  furniture, 
and  put  some  salt  in  the  bottom  of  the  wagon 
and  sold  it  at  Washington,  Pa.,  for  $6  a sack 
or  $30  a barrel.  It  took  one-and-a-half 
bushels  of  wheat  to  buy  a pound  of  coffee 
then.  Flour  sold  at  New  Orleans  for  $1.50 
a barrel.  It  was  plenty  and  money  scarce. 
I made  a coat  for  a man  that  cost  him  twenty- 
seven  barrels  of  flour,  or  one  hundred  and 
thirty-five  bushels  of  wheat.  Timber  sold  at 
$12  a thousand  feet,  and  whiskey  at  fifteen 
cents  a gallon,  but  where  were  the  fifteen 
cents?  ” 

From  William  Morton’s  remarks  we  quote  : 

“There  were  not  more  than  fifteen  persons 
in  the  township  when  we  came  to  the  goodly 
land  of  Ohio,  in  1814  and  1815.  The  early 
settlers  who  followed  were  from  New  Jersey, 


734 


GUERNSEY  COUNTY. 


New  York,  Delaware,  Maryland,  Pennsyl- 
vania and  Virginia.  I was  then  ten  years  old. 
The  boys  had  to  hunt  the  cows  from  ridge  to 
ridge  through  the  wood  sometimes  for  half  a 
day,  and  then  come  home  without  them. 
They  braved  dangers,  too.  The  hogs  in  the 
woods,  wild  as  they  were,  were  more  danger- 
ous than  the  bears.  When  cow-hunting  the 
dogs  would  scare  up  the  hogs,  the  hogs  would 
charge,  in  battle  array,  upon  the  dogs,  who 
would  fall  back  upon  the  boys  and  they  would 
have  to  stand  the  battle  from  great  fallen  trees 
or  from  the  saplings.  One  day  when  my 
brothers  and  myself  were  out,  we  heard 
on  a ridge  above  us  bowlings  like  those  of  a 
wolf  We  howled  similarly  in  return,  and 
the  dogs  joined  us  in  the  howling.  A boy  on 
the  ridge  took  to  flight,  thinking  a pack  of 
wolves  was  in  reality  near.  This  was  the  fun 
of  those  times.  ’ ’ 

Hon.  Joseph  Ferrell  said  that  when  Oxford 
township  was  organized  there  were  not  enough 
men  in  it  to  fill  the  offices.  It  was  soon  set- 
tled by  soldiers  from  the  war  of  1812,  two  of 
whom,  William  Bernard  and  William  Rich- 
ards, were  still  living.  The  Second  Regiment 
of  Ohio  in  the  war  of  1812  was  made  up  in 
this  region  ; the  Second  Regiment  in  the  war 
of  1846  was  filled  from  here,  and  the  Second 
Regiment  in  the  last  war  had  many  from  this 
neighborhood. 


From  Hon.  Newell  Kennon’s  reminiscences 
of  Fairview  we  extract : 

“About  1818,  in  the  woods  south  of  Fair- 
view,  was  seen  by  all  the  passers-by  a speak- 
er’s stand  with  benches  in  front  sufficient  to 
seat  a large  audience.  This  place  was  occu- 
pied for  preaching  by  the  Reformed  Associate 
Presbyterian  Church  for  five  or  six  years  by 
the  Rev.  Samuel  Findley,  their  chosen  pas- 
tor. In  fair  weather  very  large  and  appreci- 
ative audiences  would  assemble -to  hear  the 
teachings  of  the  learned  doctor.  The  churuo 
increased  rapidly,  large  numbers  of  families 
settling  in  the  neighborhood  who  were  mem- 
bers of  that  persuasion,  besides  others  joining 
who  had  never  been  members  of  any  church. 
They  then  built  what  was  called  a large  and 
comfortable  stone  church.  The  chief  archi- 
tect was  a sort  of  stone  mason — but  not  a 
Free  Mason,  or  he  would  have  used  the  plumb, 
square  and  level  more  than  he  did,  thus  pre- 
venting the  intolerant  law  of  gravitation 
from  pushing  it  down  in  the  process  of  time. 
It  was  strange  that  the  architect,  who  had 
the  entire  control  of  the  building,  would  have 
a jug  of  whiskey  placed  in  the  corner-stone 
as  a memento.  When  the  workmen  took 
down  the  building,  the  jug  and  the  whiskey 
were  found  in  a high  state  of  preservation ; 
they  drank  the  whiskey  and  I don’t  know 
what  became  of  the  jug.  ’ ’ 


In  the  early  settlement  of  the  West  the  borders  were  infested  by  desperadoes 
flying  from  justice,  suspected  or  convicted  felons  escaped  from  the  grasp  of  law, 
who  sought  safety  in  the  depths  of  the  wilderness.  The  counterfeiter  and  robber 
found  there  a secure  retreat  and  a new  theatre  for  crime. 

During  the  early  settlement  of  the  wild  hill  country  of  Southeastern  Ohio  the 
scattered,  struggling,  honest  pioneers  suffered  much  from  the  depredations  of  this 
Class  who  found  hiding-places  among  the  caves  and  rocks  and  thick  tangled  under- 
growth of  the  ravines.  Much  loss  was  inflicted  by  horse-thieves  and  counterfeit- 
ing of  coin  was  carried  on  at  times  quite  extensively.  In  some  instances  the 
early  settlers  executed  summary  justice  upon  die  depredators  and  hung  or  shot 
them  without  ceremony.  The  outside  public  learned  not  of  these  events,  as  they 
took  place  before  the  advent  of  newspapers  and  communication  with  the  older 
settled  communities  infrequent ; we  now  learn  of  them  mainly  by  tradition. 

For  several  years  prior  to  1834  a large  number  of  horses  had  been  stolen  from 
Guernsey  and  the  surrounding  counties,  and  so  completely  were  all  traces  of  the 
thieves  covered  up  that  the  settlers  were  forced  to  the  conclusion  that  an  organized 
band  of  horse  thieves  must  have  been  formed  in  their  midst.  From  the  scant  evi- 
dence at  hand,  it  appeared  that  these  marauders  had  a line  of  communication  from 
the  Muskingum  Valley  to  Lake  Erie.  So  that  horses  stolen  in  Guernsey  county 
would  be  passed  along  the  line  and  disposed  of  at  a point  far  distant  from  the 
place  of  theft.  All  efforts  toward  the  discovery  of  the  thieves  were  without  avail, 
until  finally  suspicion  fastened  upon  one  Walter  G.  Perry,  who  resided  some  five 
miles  east  of  Cumberland,  in  Guernsey  county,  near  what  is  now  called  Blue  Bell. 

On  the  night  of  October  15,  1833,  a horse  had  been  stolen  from  Wm.  Knaj)- 
penburger,  of  Tuscarawas  county,  who  offered  a reward  for  the  capture  of  the 
thief,  and  described  him  as  a short  stout-made  man,  with  black  piercing  eyes  and 
of  a rather  quiet  disposition.’^  Perry  answered  to  this  description  and  measures 
were  taken  for  his  arrest,  but  he  could  not  be  found. 

At  this  time  a school-teacher  in  the  McElroy  district,  named  Adonijah  Parrish, 
was  boarding  with  Anthony  Jones,  and  during  the  night,  January  5,  1834,  he 


GUERNSEY  COUNTY. 


735 


heard  some  one  cautiously  admitted  to  the  Jones  dwelling ; his  suspicions  were 
aroused  and  still  further  excited  when,  toward  morning,  he  heard  the  stealthy 
departure  of  the  person  admitted  during  the  night.  By  questioning  the  young 
son  of  Jones,  Parrish  learned  that  the  cautious  guest  of  the  night  was  uncle 
Perry.’^  Instead  of  attending  to  his  school  that  day  he  hastened  to  an  adjoining 
district,  now  called  Harmony,  and  securing  the  assistance  of  Robert  Marshall, 
Thomas  Rannels,  James  C.  Bay,  E.  Burt  and  Robert  Kells,  started  in  pursuit  of 
Perry.  Armed  with  rifles,  they  proceeded  to  the  dwelling  of  Jones  and  from  there 


L.  M.  Bodeclser,  Photo.,  Cumherlund. 

Perry’s  Den. 

took  up  the  trail,  which  was  easily  followed,  owing  to  a light  snow  having  fallen 
during  the  night.  After  following  it  for  some  distance,  they  perceived  that  an 
effort  had  been  made  to  cover  the  tracks  and  baffle  pursuit. 

About  a mile  and  a half  from  Jones’s  the  trail  led  into  a deep  ravine,  on  either 
side  of  which  were  high  projecting  rocks  and  deep,  dark  recesses,  causing  the  pur- 
suers some  trepidation  through  fear  that  Perry  might  have  accomplices  hid  among 
the  rocks  and  caverns  of  the  ravine,  and  that  they  might  fall  victims  to  an  am- 
bushed enemy.  They  moved  cautiously  forward,  speaking  only  in  whispers,  every 
faculty  on  the  alert.  Suddenly  one  of  the  party  called  out,  ‘‘  There  he  is,  by  the 
rocks.”  Seeing  that  he  was  discovered.  Perry  assumed  a defiant  attitude,  and  pis- 
tol in  hand,  cried  out  with  an  oath  that  he  would  shoot  the  first  one  Avho  came 
near.  His  pursuers  having  satisfied  themselves  that  he  was  alone,  began  closing 
in  on  him,  when  he  started  to  run.  Marshall  and  Rannels  threw  up  their  rifles, 
firing  simultaneously,  and  Perry  fell,  wounded  in  the  right  leg.  His  (*aptors  car- 
ried him  to  the  cabin  of  Clark  Williams,  where  his  wound  was  dressed,  and  on  the 
evening  of  the  same  day  he  was  taken  to  Cambridge. 

Perry  was  tried  and  convicted  at  the  April  term  of  court  in  Tuscarawas  county, 
and  on  the  19th  of  April  was  sentenced  to  five  years’  imprisonment  in  the  peni- 
tentiary. His  wgund  refused  to  heal  and  near  the  end  of  the  first  year’s  impris- 
onment he  was  pardoned  by  the  governor  and  set  at  liberty.  He  returned  to  his 
family,  who  still  resided  in  Guernsey  county,  but,  after  a short  time,  they  all  left 
and  were  heard  of  no  more.  Perry  had  preserved  the  rifle-ball  which  had  shat- 
tered his  leg,  swearing  he  would  be  glad  to  plant  it  in  each  of  his  captors.” 

After  Perry’s  departure  evidences  came  to  light  of  his  having  been  connected 
with  a gang  of  counterfeiters.  For  several  months  preceding  his  arrest,  numerous 


GUERNSEY  COUNTY. 


736 

spurious  notes  and  coins  were  put  in  circulation,  and  Perry  on  one  occasion  liad 
remarked  to  Martin  Robbins  that  he  had  a lot  of  coins  that  would  ^^go  just  as  well 
as  any/’  About  two  hundred  yards  east  of  his  dwelling,  in  a ravine,  was  dis- 
covered a slot  cut  in  a tree,  and  near  it  a long  lever,  which  was  used  to  make  im- 
prints of  coins  in  short  blocks  of  seasoned  wood ; from  these  primitive  molds  casts 
were  made  in  the  same  manner  that  the  early  pioneers  cast  their  rifle-balls. 

These  discoveries  furnished  an  explanation  of  the  stealthy  visits  of  strangers  to 
the  cabin  of  Perry  during  all  hours  of  the  night.  In  1883,  in  a fleld  near  this 
spot,  Newton  Hickle  plowed  up  some  130  or  more  counterfeit  coins,  evidently 
made  in  this  manner. 

The  place  of  his  capture  has  ever  since  been  called  Perry’s  Den,  and  is  a resort 
for  picnic  parties  and  lovers  of  the  romantic  in  nature.  It  is  in  Spencer  township, 
three  miles  east  of  Cumberland,  in  a deep  glen  in  the  highlands,  dividing  the  waters 
of  Wills  and  Duck  creeks. 

In  its  native  wildness  it  aflbrded  remarkable  facilities  for  secreting  stolen  prop- 
erty. Its  distance  from  roads  and  the  difficulties  of  access,  together  with  the 
dense  underbrush  and  its  peculiar  openings  in  the  rocks,  made  its  discovery 
extremely  unlikely. 

Two  waterfalls  of  from  twenty  to  thirty  feet  descent  and  about  one  hundred  yards 
apart  add  to  the  romantic  beauty  of  the  glen.  Horse  Shoe  Falls,  with  its  ledge  of 
rock  projecting  out  over  the  depths  below,  forms  a cavern  in  which  twenty  horses 
could  be  stabled  at  one  time,  undiscoverable  except  by  the  closest  inspection,  and 
early  settlers  say  that  unmistakable  evidences  that  it  had  been  put  to  such  uses 
were  plainly  discernible.  The  second  waterfall  is  a gem  of  beauty ; in  summer  it 
is  bordered  with  ferns  and  flowers,  intermingled  with  laurels  and  evergreens,  and 
in  winter,  stately  columns  of  glittering  ice  and  fantastic  shapes  and  forms  of  fila- 
gree and  frosted  work  arrest  and  please  the  eye. 


The  Guernsey  County  Meteor. 

On  the  1st  of  May,  1860,  about  half  an  hour  after  noon,  an  aerolite  exploded 
over  the  western  border  cf  this  county  a little  east  of  the  village  of  New  Concord. 
As  it  approached  the  earth  its  brilliance  was  almost  equal  to  the  sun.  A great 
number  of  distinct  detonations  were  heard  like  the  firing  of  cannon,  after  Avhich 
the  sounds  became  blended  together  and  were  compared  to  the  roar  of  a railway 
train.  This  meteor  was  one  of  the  most  remarkable  on  record  from  the  large 
quantity  of  stones  which  fell  to  the  earth.  Prof.  Elias  Loomis,  of  Yale  College, 
in  Harper’s  Magazine  for  June,  1868,  in  an  article  entitled  Shooting  Stars,  De- 
tonating Meteors  and  Aerolites,”  thus  gives  the  main  items  connected  with  this 
very  notable  aerolite. 


“Several  stones  were  seen  to  fall  to  the 
ground  and  they  penetrated  the  earth  from 
two  to  three  feet.  The  largest  weighed  103 
pounds,  and  is  preserved  in  the  cabinet  of 
Marietta  College.  Another  was  found  which 
weighed  fifty-three  pounds,  a third  fift3’'-one 
pounds,  a fourth  was  estimated  to  weigh 
forty  to  fifty  pounds  and  a fifth  weighed 
thirty-six  pounds.  A small  one,  weighing 
fifteen  pounds,  is  preserved  in  the  cabinet 
of  Yale  College.  . . . About  thirty  stones 
were  found,  and  the  entire  weight  of  all  the 
fragments  was  estimated  at  700  pounds. 

“All  these  stones  have  the  same  general  ap- 
pearance. They  are  irregular  blocks,  and 
are  covered  with  a very  thin  black  crust, 
which  looks  as  if  it  had  been  fused.  Their 


specific  gravity  was  3. 54,  and  their  composi- 
tion very  similar  to  that  of  the  Weston  me- 
teor. This  meteor  fell  in  the  southwestern 
part  of  Connecticut  on  the  morning  of  Decem- 
ber 14,  1807,  and  was  nearly  one-half  silex, 
about  one-third  oxide  of  iron,  and  one-eighth 
magnesia,  with  a little  nickel  and  sulphur, 

“ Owing  to  the  cloudy  state  of  the  atmos- 
phere, the  time  was  unfavorable  for  accurate 
observation  of  the  meteor’s  position  in  the 
heavens.  It  has  been  computed,  however, 
that  the  meteor  moved  toward  the  northwest, 
that  its  path  was  nearly  horizontal,  and  ele- 
vated about  fort}^  miles  above  the  earth’s 
surface.  ...  The  velocity  of  the  Weston 
meteor  relative  to  the  earth  was  about  fifteen 
miles  per  second.  . . . There  are  eighteen 


GUERNSEY  COUNTY. 


well-authenticated  cases  in  which  aerolites 
have  fallen  in  the  United  States  during  the 
last  sixty  years  and  their  aggregate  weight  is 
1,250  pounds. 

“While  aerolites  contain  no  elements  but 
such  as  are  found  in  terrestrial  minerals, 
their  appearance  is  quite  peculiar,  and  the 
grouping  of  the  elements,  that  is,  the 
compound  formed  by  them,  is  so  peculiar 
as  to  enable  us  by  chemical  analysis  to  dis- 
tinguish an  aerolite  from  any  terrestrial  sub- 
stance. 

“All  aerolites  without  exception  contain  a 
substance  called  Schreihersite,  though  often 
in  very  small  quantities.  This  substance  is  a 
compound  of  iron,  nickel  and  phosphorus, 
and  has  never  been  found  except  in  aero- 
lites.” 

Another  writer  upon  meteors  says  ; 

“Records  of  the  fall  of  aerolites  is  as  old 
as  history.  One  is  recorded  by  Pliny,  467 
B.  c. , which  was  the  size  of  a wagon.  Kep- 
ler affirmed  his  belief  that  there  were  more 


737 

comets  and  smaller  bodies  flying  through  space 
in  number  than  fish  in  the  ocean. 

“ In  regard  to  the  chemical  composition  of 
these  stones  it  must  be  observed  that  in  pass- 
ing through  our  atmosphere  they  undergo 
some  change,  as  they  always  take  fire  in  the 
upper  regions  by  friction  against  our  atmos- 
phere, and  arrive  at  the  ground  hot,  some- 
times making  a deep  hole.  Combustible 
substances  in  their  composition,  and  perhaps 
an  atmosphere  of  combustible  gases  surround- 
ing them,  combined  with  the  immense 
velocity  with  which  they  enter  our  atmos- 
phere, cause,  on  the  sudden  diminution  ol 
that  motion,  a most  intense  rise  in  tempera 
ture,  ignition,  and  very  often  one  or  more 
violent  explosions.  It  is  not  surprising  that 
they  all  present  the  appearance  of  having 
been  subject  to  great  heat.  Chemists  have 
proved  that  aerolites  are  not  of  volcanic 
origin,  and  astronomers  that  their  velocity  is 
far  too  great  to  be  accounted  for  by  terres- 
trial attraction.” 


Cumberland,  about  seventy  miles  east  of  Columbus,  at  the  junction  of  B.  Z. 
& C.  and  C.  W.  & N.  Y.  railroads,  is  surrounded  by  a fine  farming  country. 
Newspaper  : Ney)s,  Independent,  W.  A.  Reedle,  editor  and  publisher.  Churches : 
1 Methodist  Episcopal,  1 Cumberland  Presbyterian  and  1 Presbyterian.  Popu- 
lation in  1880,  519.  School  census  in  1886,  200;  A.  R.  McCulloch,  superintend- 
ent. 

Quaker  City,  about  ninety  miles  east  of  Columbus,  on  the  O.  C.  R.  R.,  is  in 
the  midst  of  a fine  agricultural  and  stock-raising  district.  Newspaper  : Indepen- 
dent, Independent,  J.  W.  & A.  B.  Hill.  Churches  : 1 Disciples,  1 Methodist 
Episcopal  and  1 Friends. 

Manufactures  and  Employees. — Manufacturing  builders’  materials ; sheep- 
shearers’  benches ; 1 foundry  and  machine  shop ; cigar  factories ; Quaker  City 
Window  Glass  Co.,  employing  70  hands;  2 good  gas  wells;  coal  mining,  etc. 
Bank : Quaker  City  National,  John  R.  Hall,  president,  I.  P.  Steele,  cashier. 
Population  in  1880,  594. 

Byesville,  five  miles  south  of  Cumberland,  on  the  C.  & M.  R.  R.  News- 
paper : Transcript,  Independent,  V.  D.  Browne,  editor  and  proprietor.  Popula- 
tion in  1880,  210.  The  following  are  names  of  villages,  with  their  population  in 
1880 : Seneca  viLLE,  402 ; Salesville,  266 ; Fair  view,  152. 


(By  courtesy  of  Publishers  of  the  Wev/  England  Ilagazino. 

The  Chamber  of  Commerce. 


HAMILTON  COUNTY. 


739 


HAMILTON.  • 

Hamilton  was  the  second  county  established  in  the  Northwestern  Territory. 
It  was  formed  January  2,  1790,  by  proclamation  of  Governor  St.  Clair,  and 
named  from  Gen.  Alexander  Hamilton.  Its  original  boundaries  were  thus 
defined  : ‘‘‘  Beginning  on  the  Ohio  river,  at  the  confluence  of  the  Little  Miami, 
and  down  the  said  Ohio  to  the  mouth  of  the  Big  Miami ; and  up  said  Miami  to 
the  standing  stone  forks  or  branch  of  said  river,  and  thence  with  a line  to  be 
drawn  due  east  to  the  Little  Miami,  and  down  said  Little  Miami  river  to  the 
place  of  beginning.^^  The  surface  is  generally  rolling ; soil  on  the  uplands  clay, 
and  in  the  valleys  deep  alluvion,  with  a substratum  of  sand.  Its  agriculture 
includes  a great  variety  of  fruits  and  vegetables  for  the  Cincinnati  market. 

Area  about  400  square  miles.  In  1887  the  acres  cultivated  were  68,458 ; in 
pasture,  19,468;  woodland,  10,774;  lying  waste,  5,619;  produced  in  wheat, 
163,251  bushels;  rye,  34,390;  buckwheat,  110;  oats,  116,500;  barley,  34,390; 
corn,  468,501;  broom  corn,  2,345  pounds  brush;  meadow  hay,  16,573  tons; 
clover  hay,  3,915;  potatoes,  190,398  bushels;  tobacco,  25,460  pounds;  butter, 
648,910;  cheese,  9,950;  sorghum,  15  gallons;  maple  syrup,  454;  honey, 
7,413  pounds;  eggs,  327,650  dozen;  grapes,  235,235  pounds;  wine,  3,091 
gallons;  sweet  potatoes,  11,314  bushels;  apples,  1,910;  peaches,  2,327;  pears, 
1,195;  wool,  9,405  pounds;  milch  cows  owned,  9,714;  milk,  3,779,048  gallons. 
School  census,  1888,  99,049  ; teachers,  1,031;  miles  of  railroad  track,  545. 


Townships  and  Census. 

1840. 

1880. 

Townships  and  Census.* 

1840. 

1880. 

Anderson, 

2,311 

4,154 

Miami, 

2,189 

2,317 

Colerain, 

Columbia, 

2,272 

3,722 

Mill  Creek, 

6,249 

11,286 

3,022 

5,306 

1,043 

Spencer, 

996 

Crosby, 

1,875 

Springfield, 

3,092 

7,975 

Cincinnati  (city). 

46,382 

255,139 

Storrs, 

740 

Delhi, 

1,466 

4,738 

Sycamore, 

3,207 

6,369 

Fulton, 

1,505 

Symmes, 

1,033 

1,626 

Green, 

Harrison, 

2,939 

4,851 

2,277 

AYhitewater, 

1,883 

1,575 

Population  of  Hamilton,  in  1820,  was  31,764;  1830,  52,380;  1840,  80,165; 
1860,  216,410;  1880,313,374;  of  whom  191,509  were  born  in  Ohio;  10,586, 
Kentucky;  6,468,  Indiana;  4,362,  New  York;  4,185,  Pennsylvania;  2,361, 
Virginia;  53,252,  German  Empire;  16,991,  Ireland;  4,099,  England  and  Wales; 
1,787,  France;  1,308,  British  America;  796,  Scotland.  Census,  1890,  374,573. 

Before  the  war  much  attention  was  given  to  the  cultivation  of  vineyards  upon 
the  hillsides  of  tlie  Ohio  for  the  manufacture  of  wine,  and  it  promised  to  be  a 
great  business  when  the  change  in  climate  resulted  disastrously. 


740 


HAMILTON  COUNTY. 


ANTIQUITIES. 


The  Great  Dam  at  Cincinnati  in  the  Ice  Age. 


The  country  in  the  vicinity  of  Cincinnati  owes  its  unsurpassed  beauty  to  the 
operations  of  Nature  during  the  glacial  era.  It  was  the  ice  movements  that  gave 
it  those  fine  terraces  along  the  valleys  and  graceful  contours  of  formation  on  the 
summits  of  the  hills  that  were  so  attractive  to  the  pioneers.  Here  it  was  that  the 
great  ice  movement  from  the  north  ended.  As  has  been  remarked,  those  were 
the  days  of  the  beautiful  lake  rather  than  the  beautiful  river.^’ 

No  single  cause  has  done  more  to  diversify  the  surface  of  the  country,  to  add 
to  the  attractiveness  of  the  scenery  and  to  furnish  the  key  by  Avhich  the  condition 
of  the  Ice  Age  can  be  reproduced  to  the  mind’s  eye  than  glacial  dams.  To  them 
we  owe  the  present  existence  of  nearly  all  the  waterfalls  in  North  America,  as 
well  as  nearly  all  the  lakes. 

A glacial  dam  across  the  Ohio  river  is  supposed  to  have  existed  at  the  site  of 
Cincinnati  during  the  Ice  Age,  and  the  evidence  supporting  the  theory  is  so  full 
and  conclusive  that  its  existence  can  almost  be  assumed  as  an  absolute  certainty. 

The  evidences  of  the  former  existence  of  this  dam  and  the  lake  caused  thereby 
were  first  discovered  and  the  attention  of  the  scientific  world  attracted  thereto,  in 
the  summer  of  1882,  by  Prof.  G.  Frederick  Wright,  of  Oberlin,  whose  valuable 
researches  on  glacial  phenomena  have  given  him  a world-Avide  reputation.  The 
facts  here  given  are  extracted  from  Prof.  Wright’s  recently  published  volume. 
The  Ice  Age  in  North  America,”  a Avork  scientific,  but  plain  to  the  commonest 
understanding,  intensely  interesting  and  an  inestimably  valuable  contribution  to 
the  sum  of  human  knoAvledge. 


“The  ice  came  down  through  the  trough 
of  the  Ohio,  and  meeting  with  an  obstruction, 
crossed  it  so  as  to  completely  choke  the  chan- 
nel, and  form  a glacial  dam  high  enough  to 
raise  the  le\"el  of  the  water  five  hundred  and 
fifty  feet — this  being  the  height  of  the  water 
shed  to  the  south.  The  consequences  follow- 
ing are  interesting  to  trace. 

“The  bottom  of  the  Ohio  river  at  Cincin- 
nati is  447  feet  above  the  sea-level.  A dam 
of  553  feet  would  raise  the  water  in  its  rear 
to  a height  of  1,000  feet  above  the  tide. 
This  would  produce  a long  narrow  lake,  of 
the  width  of  the  eroded  trough  of  the  Ohio, 
submerge  the  site  of  Pittsburg  to  a depth  of 
300  feet,  and  make  slack-water  up  the  Monon- 
gahela  nearly  to  Grafton,  W.  Va.,  and  up 
the  Allegheny  as  far  as  Oil  City.  All  the 
tributaries  of  the  Ohio  would  likewise  be 
filled  to  this  level  with  the  back-water.  The 
length  of  this  slack-water  lake  in  the  main 
valley,  to  its  termination  up  either  the  Alle- 
gheny or  the  Monongahela,  was  not  far  from 
one  thousand  miles.  The  conditions  were 
also  peculiar  in  this,  that  all  the  northern 
tributaries  head  within  the  southern  margin 
of  the  ice-front,  which  lay  at  varying  dis- 
tances to  the  north.  Down  these  northern 
tributaries  there  must  have  poured  during 
the  summer  months  immense  torrents  of 
water  to  strand  bowlder-laden  icebergs  on  the 
summits  of  such  high  hills  as  were  lower  than 
the  level  of  the  dam.” 

Prof.  E.  W.  Claypole,  in  an  article  read 
before  the  Geological  Society  of  Edinburgh, 
and  published  in  their  “Transactions,”  has 
given  a very  vivid  description  of  the  scenes 
connected  with  the  final  breaking  away  of 


the  ice-barrier  at  Cincinnati.  He  estimates 
that  the  body  of  water  held  in  check  by  this 
dam  occupied  20,000  square  miles,  and  that 
during  the  summer  months,  when  the  ice  was 
most  rapidly  melting  away,  it  was  supplied 
with  water  at  a rate  that  would  be  eqiuvalent 
to  a rainfall  of  160  feet  in  a year.  This  con- 
clusion he  arrives  at  by  estimating  that  ten 
feet  of  ice  would  annually  melt  from  the  por- 
tion of  the  State  which  was  glaciated,  and 
which  is  about  twice  the  extent  of  the  un- 
glaciated portion.  Ten  feet  over  the  glaciated 
portion  is  equal  to  twenty  feet  of  water  over 
the  unglaciated.  To  this  must  be  added  an 
equal  amount  from  the  area  fiirther  back 
whose  drainage  was  then  into  the  upper 
Ohio.  This  makes  forty  feet  per  year  of 
water  so  contributed  to  this  lake-basin. 
Furthermore,  this  supply  would  all  be  fur- 
nished in  the  six  months  of  warm  weather, 
and  to  a large  degree  in  the  daytime,  whicn 
gives  the  rate  above  mentioned. 

The  breaking  away  of  the  barrier  to  such  a 
body  of  water  is  no  simple  affair.  As  this 
writer  remarks  : 

“The  Ohio  of  to-day  in  flood  is  a terrible 
danger  to  the  valley,  but  the  Ohio  then  must 
have  been  a much  more  formidable  river  to 
the  dwellers  on  its  banks.  The  muddy  Avaters 
rolled  along,  fed  by  innumerable  rills  of 
glacier-milk,  and  often  charged  with  ice  and 
stones.  The  first  warm  days  of  spring  were 
the  harbinger  of  the  coming  flood,  which 
grew  swifter  and  deeper  as  the  summer 
came,  and  only  subsided  as  the  falling  tem- 
perature of  autumn  locked  up  Avith  frost  the 
glacier  fountains.  The  ancient  Ohio  river 
system  was  in  its  higher  part  a multitude  of 


From  Wright’s  Ice  Age  in  North  America;  by  courtesy  of  D.  Appleton  & Co.,  Publishers. 


74* 


HAMILTON  COUNTY. 


glacial  torrents  rushing  off  the  ice-sheet, 
carrying  all  before  them,  waxing  strong 
beneath  the  rising  sun,  till  in  the  afternoon 
the  roar  of  the  waters  and  their  stony  burden 
reached  its  maximum,  as  the  sun  slowly 
sank  again  diminished,  and  gradually  died 
away  during  the  night,  reaching  its  minimum 
at  sunrise.  ^ 

‘‘But  with  the  steady  amelioration  of  the 
climate,  more  violent  and  sudden  floods  en- 
sued. The  increasing  heat  of  summer  com- 
pelled the  retreat  of  the  ice  from  the  Ken- 
tucky shore,  where  Covington  and  Newport 
now  lie,  and  so  lowered  its  surface  that  it 
fell  below  the  previous  out-flow  point.  The 
jvaters  then  took  their  course  over  the  dam, 
instead  of  passing,  as  formerly,  up  the  Lick- 
ing and  down  the  Kentucky  river  valleys. 
The  spectacle  of  a great  ice- cascade,  or  of 
long  ice-rapids,  was  then  exhibited  at  Cin- 
cinnati. This  cataract  or  these  rapids  must 
have  been  several  hundred  feet  high.  Down 
these  cliffs  or  this  slope  the  water  dashed, 
melting  its  own  channel,  and  breaking  up  the 
foundations  of  its  own  dam.  With  the  de- 
pression of  the  dam  the  level  of  the  lake  also 
fell.  Possibly  the  change  was  gradual,  and 
the  dam  and  the  lake  went  gently  down  to- 
gether. Possibly,  but  not  probably,  this 
was  the  case.  Far  more  likely  is  it  that  the 
melting  was  rapid,  and  that  it  sapped  the 
strength  of  the  dam  faster  than  it  lowered 
the  water.  This  will  be  more  probable  if  we 
consider  the  immense  area  to  be  drained. 
The  catastrophe  was  then  inevitable — the 
dam  broke,  and  all  the  accumulated  water  of 
Lake  Ohio  was  poured  through  the  gap. 
Days  or  even  weeks  must  have  passed  before 
it  was  all  gone  ; but  at  last  its  bed  was  dry. 
The  upper  Ohio  valley  was  free  from  water, 
and  Lake  Ohio  had  passed  away. 

“But  the  whole  tale  is  not  yet  told.  Not 
once  only  did  these  tremendous  floods  occur. 
In  the  ensuing  winter  the  dam  was  repaired 
by  the  advancing  ice,  relieved  from  the 
melting  effects  of  the  sun  and  of  the  floods. 


Year  after  year  was  this  conflict  repeated. 
How  often  we  cannot  tell.  But  there  came 
at  last  a summer  when  the^  Cincinnati  dam 
was  broken  for  the  last  time  ; when  the 
winter  with  its  snow  and  ice  failed  to  renew 
it,  when  the  channel  remained  permanently 
clear,  and  Lake  Ohio  had  disappeared  for- 
ever from  the  geography  of  North  America. 

‘*  How  many  years  or  ages  this  conflict  be- 
tween the  lake  and  the  dam  continued  it  is 
quite  impossible  to  say,  but  the  quantity  of 
wreckage  found  in  the  valley  of  the  lower 
Ohio,  and  even  in  that  of  the  Mississippi, 
below  their  point  of  junction,  is  sufficient  to 
convince  us  that  it  was  no  short  time.  ‘ The 
Age  of  Oreat  Floods’  formed  a striking 
episode  in  the  story  of  the  ‘ Retreat  of  the 
Ice.  ’ Long  afterwards  must  the  valley  have 
borne  the  marks  of  these  disastrous  torrents, 
far  surpassing  in  intensity  anything  now 
known  on  earth.  The  great  flood  of  1885, 
when  the  ice-laden  water  slowly  rose  seventy- 
three  feet  above  low-water  mark,  will  long  be 
remembered  by  Cincinnati  and  her  inhabi- 
tants. But  that  flood,  terrible  as  it  was,  sinks 
into  insignificance  beside  the  furious  torrents 
caused  by  the  sudden,  even  though  partial, 
breach  of  an  ice-dam  hundreds  of  feet  in 
height,  and  the  discharge  of  a body  of  water 
held  behind  it,  and  forming  a lake  of  20,000 
square  miles  in  extent. 

“To  the  human  dwellers  in  the  Ohio 
valley — for  we  have  reason  to  believe  that  the 
valley  was  in  that  day  tenanted  by  man — 
these  floods  must  have  proved  disastrous  in 
the  extreme.  It  is  scarcely  likely  that  they 
were  often  forecast.  The  whole  population 
of  the  bottom  lands  must  have  been  re- 
eatedly  swept  away ; and  it  is  far  from 
eing  unlikely  that  in  these  and  other  similar 
catastrophes  in  different  parts  of  the  world, 
which  characterized  certain  stages  in  the 
Glacial  era,  will  be  found  the  far-off  basis 
on  which  rest  those  traditions  of  a flood  that 
are  found ^ among  almost  all  savage  nations, 
especially  in  the  north  temperate  zone.” 


Maclisonville,  eight  miles  northeast  of  Cincinnati  (in  a cross  valley  about  five 
miles  in  length,  connecting  Mill  creek  with  the  Little  Miami  back  of  Avondale, 
Walnut  Hills  and  the  observatory),  is  an  extremely  interesting  region,  as  con- 
nected with  the  glacial  period.  This  valley,  or  depression,  is  generally  level, 
from  one  to  two  miles  wide,  and  about  200  feet  above  the  low  water-mark  in  the 
Ohio,  and  from  200  to  300  feet  below  the  adjacent  hills.  It  is  occupied  by  a 
deposit  of  gravel,  sand  and  loam,  belonging  to  the  glacial-terrace  epoch.  In  the 
article,  Glacial  Man  in  Ohio,’’  by  Prof  Wright,  in  Vol.  I.,  page  93,  is  given  a 
map  of  this  region.  The  article  also  speaks  of  the  discoveries  of  Dr.  C.  L.  Metz 
of  two  palaeolithic  implements,  which  prove  that  man  lived  in  Ohio  before  the 
close  of  the  glacial  period,  say  from  8,000  to  10,000  years  ago,  before  which  there 
were  no  Niagara  Falls  and  no  Lake  Erie. 

The  first  implement  was  found  at  Madisonville  by  him,  in  1885,  while  digging 
a cistern.  “ In  making  the  excavation  for  this  he  penetrated  the  loam  eight  feet 
before  reaching  the  gravel,  and  then  near  the  surface  of  the  gravel  this  implement 
was  found.  There  is  no  chance  for  it  to  have  been  covered  by  any  slide,  for  the 
plain  is  extensive  and  level-topped,  and  there  had  evidently  been  no  previous 
disturbance  of  the  gravel.”  It  is  not  smoothed,  but  simply  a rudely  chij^ped. 


HAMILTON  COUNTY. 


743 


pointed  weapon  about  three  inches  long.”  The  other  palseolith  was  found  by 
Dr.  Metz,  in  the  spring  of  1887,  in  an  excavation  in  a similar  deposit  near  Love- 
land, some  thirty  feet  below  the  surface,  and  near  where  some  mastodon  bones 
had  previously  been  found.  It  was  an  oblong  stone  about  six  inches  long,  four 
and  a half  inches  wide,  which  had  here  been  chipped  all  around  to  an  edge.  Sim- 
ilar discoveries  have  since  been  made  in  Tuscarawas  county. 

Dr.  Metz  has  favored  us  with  the  following  article  upon  discoveries  in  the 
mounds  and  earthworks  of  the  lost  race  which  inhabited  this  region  after  the 
glacial  era.  They  are  all  upon  the  surface,  being  built  upon  the  summits  of 
the  glacial-terraces  or  upon  the  present  flood  plains. 

The  Prehistoric  Monuments  of  Hamilton  County. 


The  territory  comprising  Hamilton  county 
appears  to  have  been  one  of  the  great  centres 
of  the  aboriginal  inhabitants.  This  is  evi- 
denced by  the  great  number  of  earthworks, 
mounds  and  extensive  burial  places  found 
throughout  the  county. 

Mounds  and  Earthworks. — ^The  mounds 
and  the  earthworks  are  found  most  numerous 
in  the  valleys  of  the  Little  and  Great  Miami, 
and  in  the  region  between  the  Little  Miami 
and  Ohio  rivers.  Of  the  mounds,  437  have 
been  observed  in  the  county,  the  largest  of 
which  is  located  on  the  Levi  Martin  estate, 
about  one  mile  east  of  the  village  of  Newtown. 
The  dimensions  of  this  mound  from  actual 
measurements  are  as  follows  : Circumference 
at  base,  625  feet;  width  at  base,  150  feet; 
length  at  base,  250  feet ; perpendicular 
height,  40  feet. 

Earth  Enclosures— 0^  the  earthworks,  or 
enclosures,  fifteen  in  number  have  been 
located,  the  principal  ones  being  the  “For- 
tified Hill”  near  the  mouth  of  the  great 
Miami  river,  figured  and  described  by  Squire 
and  Davis  in  their  “Ancient  Monuments  of 
the  Mississippi  Valley”  [see  Plate  IX.,  No. 
2,  Vol.  I.,  Smithsonian  Contributions  to 
Knowledge],  and  the  very  interesting  earth- 
works located  on  the  lands  of  Mr.  Michael 
Turner,  near  the  junction  of  the  East  Fork 
and  Little  Miami  river  in  Anderson  township, 
and  which  the  writer  takes  the  liberty  to  des- 
ignate as  the  “ Whittlesey  and  Turner  group 
of  works.”  This  group  of  works  was  first 
described  by  T.  C.  Day,  Esq. , in  a paper  en- 
titled “ The  Antiquities  of  the  Miami  Val- 
ley,” Cincinnati  Chronicle^  November,  1839, 
and  subsequently,  in  1850,  were  surveyed  and 
described  by  Col.  Charles  Whittlesey  in  Vol. 
III.,  Article  7,  Smithsonian  Contributions 
to  Knowledge.  ^ Of  this  work,  Mr.  Day  says  : 
“The  site  of  this  stupendous  fortification,  if 
we  may  so  call  it,  is  a few  rods  to  the  right 
of  the  road  leading  from  Newtown  to  Milford, 
and  about  midway  between  them.  It  is  situ- 
ated on  a ridge  of  land  that  juts  out  from  the 
third  bottom  of  the  Little  Miami,  and  reaches 
within  300  yards  of  its  bed.  From  the  top 
of  the  ridge  to  low  water-mark  is  probably 
100  feet.  It  terminates  with  quite  a sharp 
point,  and  its  rides  are  very  abrupt,  bearing 
evident  marks  of  having  once  been  swept  by 
some  stream  of  water,  probably  the  Miami. 
It  forms  an  extremity  of  an  immense  bend, 


curving  into  what  is  now  called  the  third  bot- 
tom, but  which  is  evidently  of  alluvial  for- 
mation. Its  probable  height  is  forty  feet, 
and  its  length  about  a quarter  of  a mile  be- 
fore it  expands  out  and  forms  the  third  allu- 
vial bottom.  About  150  yards  from  the  ex- 
treme point  of  this  ridge,  the  ancient  workmen 
having  cut  a ditch  directly  through  it,  it  is 
thirty  feet  in  depth,  its  length,  a semi-circular 
curve,  is  500  feet,  and  its  width  at  the  top  is 
eighty  feet,  having  a level  base  of  forty  feet. 
At  the  time  of  its  formation  it  was  probably 
cut  to  the  base  of  the  ridge,  but  the  washing 
of  the  rains  has  filled  it  up  to  its  present 
height.  Forty  feet  from  the_  western  side 
of  the  ditch  is  placed  the  low  circular  wall  of 
the  fort,  which  describes  in  its  circumference 
an  area  of  about  four  acres.  The  wall  is 
probably  three  feet  in  mean  height,  and  is 
composed  of  clay  occasionally  mixed  with 
small  fiat  river  stone.  It  keeps  at  an  exact 
distance  from  the  top  of  the  ditch,  but  ap- 
proaches nearer  to  the  edge  of  the  ridge. 
The  form  of  the  fort  is  a perfect  circle,  and  is 
200  yards  in  diameter.  Its  western  side  is 
defended  with  a ditch,  cut  through  in  the 
same  manner  as  the  one  on  the  eastern  side. 
Its  width  and  depth  is  the  same,  but  its 
length  is  greater  by  200  feet,  as  the  ridge  is 
that  much  wider  than  where  the  other  is  cut 
through.  The  wall  of  this  fort  keeps  exactly 
the  same  distance  from  the  top  of  this  ditch 
as  of  the  other,  viz.  : forty  feet.  Its  curve 
is  exactly  the  opposite  of  that  of  the  other, 
so  as  to  form  two  segments  of  a circle.  ^ At 
the  southeastern  side  of  the  fort  there  is  an 
opening  in  the  wall  thirty-six  yards  wide,  and 
opposite  this  opening  is  one  of  the  most 
marked  features  of  this  wonderful  rnonument. 
A causeway  extends  out  from  the  ridge  about 
300  feet  in  length,  100  feet  in  width,  with  a 

fradual  descent  to  the  alluvial  bottom  at  its 
ase.  The  material  of  its  construction  is  evi- 
dently a portion  of  the  earth  excavated  from 
the  ditches.  . . . “To  defend  this  entrance 
they  raised  a mound  of  earth  seven  feet  high, 
forty  wide  and  seventy-five  long.  It  is  placed 
about  100  feet  from  the  mouth  of  the  cause- 
way, and  is  so  situated  that  its  garrison  could 
sweep  it  to  its  base.  ’ ’ The  mound  above  re- 
ferred to  was  explored  by  the  writer  under 
the  auspices  of  Prof.  F.  W.  Putnam,  curator 
of  the  Peabody  Museum  of  American  Arch- 
aeology and  Ethnology,  Cambridge,  Mass., 


744 


HAMILTON  COUNTY. 


and  we  quote  from  their  Sixteenth  Annual 
Report:  “The  large  mound  proved  a most 
interesting  structure,  unlike  anything  hereto- 
fore discovered.  It  contained  a small  central 
tumulus,  surrounded  by  a carefully  built 
stone-wall  and  covered  in  by  a platform  of 
stones,  over  which  was  a mass  of  clay.  On 
this  wall  were  two  depressions  in  each  of 
which  a body  had  been  laid,  and  outside  the 
wall  in  the  surrounding  clay  were  found  sev- 
eral skeletons,  one  of  them  lying  upon  a plat- 
form of  stones.  With  these  skeletons  were 
found  a copper  celt,  ornaments  made  of 
copper  and  shell,  and  two  large  sea-shells. 
With  each  of  three  of  the  skeletons  was  a 
pair  of  the  spool-shaped  ear  ornaments  of 
copper,  and  in  every  instance  these  ornaments 
were  found  one  on  either  side  near  the  skull.” 

Large  Earth  Enclosure. — From  the  base 
of  the  graded  way  heretofore  described  extend 
two  embankments  forming  the  segments  of 
an  oblong  oval,  enclosing  an  area  of  about  16 
acres.  These  embankments  extend  in  an  east- 
erly direction,  gradually  approaching  each 
other  until  an  opening  or  gateway,  150  feet 
in  width,  remains.  To  protect  this  gateway 
a mound  is  erected  just  within  the  opening, 
having  a diameter  at  base  of  125  feet  and  a 
perpendicular  height  of  seven  feet.  Within 
the  above  enclosure  are  fourteen  mounds  and 
one  large  circular  embankment,  having  a 
diameter  of  300  feet  and  a gateway  to  the 
south  sixty  feet  wide.  Near  the  northern  side 
of  this  circular  enclosure  was.  a small  mound 
covering  a stone  cist  containing  a human 
skeleton. 

Altar  Mounds. — On  the  southern  side  of 
the  oval  was  a group  of  eight  mounds. 
Several  of  these  mounds  contained  “Al- 
tars ’ ’ or  basings  of  burnt  clay,  on  two  of 
which  there  were  thousands  of  objects 
of  interest,  which  are  described  as  fol- 
lows by  Prof  Putnam  in  his  report:  “Two 
of  these  altars,  each  about  four  feet  square, 
were  cut  out  and  brought  to  the  museum. 
Among  the  objects  from  the  altars  are  nu- 
merous ornaments  and  carvings  unlike  any- 
thing we  have  had  before. 

“ One  altar  contained  about  two  bushels  of 
ornaments  made  of  stone,  copper,  mica, 
shells,  the  canine  teeth  of  bears  and  other 
animals,  and  thousands  of  pearls  (50,000  have 
been  counted  and  sorted  from  the  mass). 
Nearly  all  of  these  objects  are  perforated  in 
various  ways  for  suspension.  Several  of  the 
copper  ornaments  are  covered  with  native 
silver,  which  had  been  hammered  out  into 
thin  sheets  and  folded  over  the  copper. 
Among  these  are  a bracelet  and  a bead,  and 
several  of  the  spool-shaped  ear  ornaments. 

"'‘Gold  in  Mound. — One  small  copper  pen- 
dant seems  to  have  been  covered  with  a thin 
sheet  of  gold,  a portion  of  which  still  adheres 
to  the  copper,  while  other  bits  of  it  were 
found  in  the  mass  of  material.  This  is  the 
first  time  that  native  gold  has  been  found  in 
the  mounds,  although  hundreds  have  been 
explored.  The  ornaments  cut  out  of  copper 
and  mica  are  very  interesting,  and  embrace 
many  forms.  Among  them  is  a grotesque 
human  profile  cut  out  of  a sheet  of  mica. 


Several  ornaments  of  this  material  resemble 
the  heads  of  animals  whose  features  are  em- 
phasized by  a red  color,  while  others  are  the 
form  of  circles  and  bands.  Many  of  the 
copper  ornaments  are  large  and  of  peculiar 
shape ; others  are  scrolls,  scolloped  circles, 
oval  pendants  and  other  forms.  There  are 
about  thirty  of  the  singular  spool-shaped 
objects  or  ear-rings  made  of  copper.  Three 
large  sheets  of  mica  were  on  this  altar,  and 
several  finely-chipped  points  of  obsidian,  chal- 
cedony and  chert  were  in  the  mass  of  materials. 

“There  were  several  pendants  cut  from  a 
micaceous  schist  and  of  a unique  style  of 
work.  There  are  also  portions  of  a circular 
piece  of  bone,  over  the  surface  of  which  are 
incised  figures,  and  flat  pieces  of  shell  simi- 
larly carved.  Several  masses  of  native  copper 
were  on  the  altar. 

Meteor  ic  Iron  and  Terra-  Cotta  Figurines.  — 
But  by  far  the  most  important  things  found 
on  this  altar  were  the  several  masses  of 
meteoric  iron  and  the  ornaments  made  from 
this  metal.  One  of  these  is  half  of  a spool- 
shaped object  like  those  made  of  copper, 
with  which  it  was  associated.  Another  ear- 
ornament  of  copper  is  covered  with  a thin 
plating  of  the  iron,  in  the  same  manner  as 
others  were  covered  with  silver.  “Three  of 
the  masses  of  iron  have  been  more  or  less 
hammered  into  bars,  as  if  for  the  purpose  of 
making  some  ornament  or  implement,  another 
is  apparently  in  the  natural  shape  in  which  it 
was  found.”  “On  another  altar  in  another 
mound  of  the  group  were  several  terra-cotta 
figurines  of  a character  heretofore  unknown 
from  the  mounds. 

“Unfortunately  these  objects  as  well  as 
others  found  on  the  altars  have  been  more  or 
less  burnt,  and  many  of  them  appear  to  have 
been  purposely  broken  before  they  were 
placed  on  the  altars. 

“ Many  pieces  of  these  images  have  been 
united,  and  it  is  my  hope  that  we  shall  suc- 
ceed in  nearly  restoring  some  of  them. 

“Enough  has  already  been  made  out  to 
show  the  peculiar  method  of  wearing  the 
hair ; the  singular  head-dress  and  large  button- 
like ear-ornaments  shown  by  those  human 
figures  are  of  particular  interest.  On  the 
same  altar  with  the  figurines  were  two  re- 
markable dishes  carved  from  stone  in  the 
form  of  animals;  with  these  was  a Serpent 
cut  out  of  mica.  On  the  altar  were  several 
hundred  quartz  pebbles  from  the  river,  and 
nearly  300  astragali  of  deer  and  elk.  As  but 
two  of  these  bones  could  be  obtained  from  a 
single  animal,  and  as  there  were  but  one  or 
two  fragments  of  other  bones,  there  must 
have  been  some  special  and  important  reason 
for  collecting  so  large  a number  of  these  par- 
ticular bones. 

“A  fine-made  bracelet  made  of  copper 
and  covered  with  silver  and  several  other 
ornaments  of  copper,  a few  pearls  and  shells 
and  other  ornaments  were  also  on  this  altar.” 
Near  the  last  group  of  earth-works  are  two 
parallel  ways  or  embankments,  100  feet  apart 
and  extending  one-half  mile  in  length  north- 
westwardly across  the  lands  of  Mr.  Gano 
Martin. 


HAMILTON  COUNTY. 


745 


Small  Earth  Enclosures.— 0^  the  smaller 
earth  enclosures,  the  one  in  the  Stites  Grove, 
near  Plainville,  is  in  the  best  state  of  preser- 
vation, It  consists  of  a circular  embank- 
ment, inner  ditch,  across  which  is  a cause- 
way leading  to  an  opening  in  the  embankment 
to  the  southeast.  Numerous  ancient  burial- 
places  are  found  in  the^  county,  and  the 
mortuary  customs  are  varied,  indicating  that 
the  territory  has  been  occupied  by  various 
tribes  at  different  periods.  We  find  the 
stonecist  burials,  burials  under  flat  stones, 
burials . in  stone  circles,  burials  in  the  drift 
gravel  beds,  burials  in  pits  in  the  horizontal 
and  also  in  the  sitting  positions,  original 
mound  burials,  intrusive  mound  burials  and 
evidences  of  cremation. 

Ancient  Cemeteiy.,  Near  Madisonville.,  0. — 
The  most  extensive  and  interesting  of  the 
ancient  burial-places  is  the  one  known  as  the 
pre-historic  cemetery,  near  Madisonville, 
Ohio,  which  has  become  noted  for  its 
singular  ash-pits,  as  well  as  for  the  skeletons 
buried  in  or  at  the  bottom  of  the  leaf-mould 
covering  the  pits.  One  thousand  and  sixty- 
five  skeletons,  700  ash-pits,  upwards  of  300 
earthen  vases,  numerous  implements  of  bone, 
horn,  shell,  copper  and  stone  have  been  found. 

The  Ash-Ni^  ^»^re  discovered  after  twelve  to 
twenty-four  inches  of  the  leaf-mould  has 
been  removed  and  the  hard  pan  or  clay  is 
reached,  when  the  pit  is  discovered  by  a 
circular  discoloration  or  black  spot.  These 
ash-pits,  as  they  have  been  well  named,  are 
circular  excavations  in  the  hard  pan  of  the 
plateau,  from  three  to  four  feet  in  diameter 
and  from  four  to  seven  feet  deep.  The  con- 
tents themselves  are  of  peculiar  interest,  and 
the  purpose  for  which  they  were  made  is  still 
a mystery.  The  average  pit  may  be  said  to 
be  filled  with  ashes  in  more  or  less  defined 
layers.  Some  of  the  layers  near  the  top 
seem  to  be  mixed  with  the  surrounding 
gravel  to  a greater  ^ or  less  extent ; but 
generally,  after  removing  the  contents  of  the 
upper  third  of  the  pit,  a mass  of  fine  gray 
ashes  is  found,  which  is  from  a few  inches  to 
over  two  feet  in  thickness. 

Sometimes  this  mass  of  ashes  contains  thin 
strata  of  charcoal,  sand  or  gravel.  Through- 
out the  mass  of  ashes  and  sand,  from  the  top 
of  pit  to  the  bottom,  are  bones  of  fishes, 
reptiles,  birds  and  mammals.  With  the 
bones  are  the  shells  of  several  species  of 
unionidae.  There  are  also  found  in  these 
its  large  pieces  of  pottery,  also  a large  num- 
er  of  implements  made  of  bones  of  deer, 
and  elk  antlers  have  been  found.  Those 
made  of  elk  antlers  are  in  most  cases  adapted 
for  digging  or  agricultural  purposes,  and 
often  so  large  and  so  well  made  as  to  prove 
that  they  are  effective  implements.  Among 
other  objects  made  of  bone  are  beeds,  small 
whistles,  or  bird-calls,  made  from  hollow  bone 
of  birds,  also  flat  and  cylindrical  pieces  with 
“tally”  notches  and  marks  cut  upon  them, 
short  round  pieces  of  antler  carefully  cut  and 
polished  together,  with  arrow  points,  drills, 
scrapers  and  other  chipped  instruments  of 
stone.  A few  polished  celts  and  several  rough 
hammer  stones  have  been  found  in  the  pits. 


Com- Pit. — A number  of  objects  of  copper, 
particularly  beads,  have  been  taken  from  these 
pits,  as  have  also  several  pipes  of  various 
shapes  cut  out  of  stone.  One  pit  discovered 
August  26,  1879,  known  as  the  “corn-pit,” 
is  of  peculiar  interest.  The  depth  of  this 
pit  was  six  feet,  its  diameter  three  feet.  The 
layers  or  strata  from  above  downwards  were  : 

1st,  Leaf-mould  24  inches  ; 2d,  Gravel  and 
clay  15  inches ; 3d,  Ashes  containing  animal 
remains,  pottery  sherds,  unio  shells  10 
inches ; 4th,  Bark,  twigs  and  matting  4 
inches  ; 5th,  Carbonized  shell  corn  4 inches  ; 
6th,  Layer  of  twigs,  matting  and  corn  leaves 
2 inches ; 7th,  Carbonized  corn  in  ear  6 
inches ; 8th,  Boulders  covering  the  bottom 
of  the  pit  6 inches. 

Immediately  along-side  of  this  pit  was 
another  the  same  depth,  3 feet  7 inches  in 
diameter ; containing  leaf-mould,  24  inches ; 
ashes  with  animal  remains,  fragments  of  pot- 
tery, shells,  etc.,  4 feet. 

The  bottom  layer  of  all  the  pits  was 
invariably  ashes,  and  in  the  ashes  were  found, 
in  good  state  of  preservation,  bone  imple- 
ments, representing  fish  hooks,  fish  spears, 
bone  and  horn  digging  tools,  bone  beads, 
solid  cylinders  of  bone  two  to  three  inches 
in  length,  one-fourth  to  one-half  inch  in 
diameter,  bone  awls,  needles,  fifes,  grooved 
bones,  cut  pieces  of  antler  of  deer  and  elk, 
copper  beads,  perforated  unios,  together  with 
numerous  animal  remains ; of  these  many 
were  identified  as  belonging  to  the  deer,  elk, 
bear,  buffalo,  raccoon,  opossum,  mink,  wood- 
chuck, beaver,  various  species  of  birds  and 
water  fowls,  turkey,  fish,  together  with 
various  species  of  unio  shell. 

Pottery. — The  skeletons  were  buried  in  the 
horizontal  position,  and  are  generally  found 
at  a depth  of  from  eighteen  inches  to  three 
feet ; with  the  skeletons  have  been  found  a 
number  of  vessels  of  pottery  ; the  most  com- 
mon of  these  are  small  cooking-pots  with 
pointed  bottoms  and  four  handles.  Most  of 
the  vessels  are  simply  cord-marked,  but  some 
are  found  ornamented  within  with  incised 
lines,  or  with  circular  indentations.  Several 
have  been  obtained  on  which  were  small  and 
rudely  made  medallion  figures  representing 
the  human  face. 

Lizard  Ornamentation. — On  one  pot  a 
similarly  formed  head  is  on  the  edge  so  as  to 
face  the  inside  of  the  vessel.  One  vessel 
lent  to  the  Smithsonian  Institute  has  luted 
ornants  representing  the  human  face  on 
either  side  between  the  handles.  A half 
dozen  small  vessels  have  a very  interesting 
form  of  decoration  ; these  are  known  as  liz- 
ard or  salamander  pots.  On  some  of  these 
vessels  the  salamander,  which  is  fairly 
modeled,  is  on  the  surface  of  the  broad,  flat 
handles  on  opposite  sides,  on  others  these 
ornaments  are  placed  between  the  handles, 
and  on  one  they  form  the  handles.  In  all, 
the  head  of  the  salamander  is  on  the  edge  or 
lip  of  the  vessel,  and  in  one  or  two  is  carried 
a little  to  the  inside.  A few  other  forms  of 
vessels  are  represented  by  single  specimens. 
Such  are  an  ordinary  pot  attached  to  a hol- 
low stand  a few  inches  high,  two  vessels 


746 


HAMILTON  COUNTY. 


joined  together,  one  above  the  other,  the 
upper  without  a bottom,  the  two  having 
eight  handles  and  a flat,  long  dish  with  two 
handles  at  each  end. 

The  ’prehistoric  cemetery.,  near  Madison- 
ville,  occupies  an  area  of  about  fifteen  acres 
covered  with  vast  forest  trees.  Many  of  the 
skeletons  and  pits  are  found  beneath  the 
roots  of  large  oak,  walnut  or  maple  trees. 

Mardelles  or  Dug-outs. — In  the  county  but 
two  of  the  circular  excavations  designated  as 
“mardelles”  have  been  found.  The  best 
preserved  of  this  class  of  works  is  the  one 
situated  on  the  lands  of  the  John  Turner 
estate,  two  miles  northeast  of  the  village  of 
Newtown. 

This  pit  has  a diameter  of  sixty  feet  at  the 
top,  depth  in  the  centre  twelve  feet ; six 
feet  from  the  edge  of  the  pit  is  a well-marked 
embankment  conforming  to  the  circular  edge 
of  the  pit.  The  embankment  is  two  feet 
high,  eight  feet  wide  at  the  base,  and  is 
interrupted  by  a gate-way  or  opening  fifteen 
feet  wide  at  the  east.  There  are  many 
interesting  objects  in  the  county  that  warrant 
a detailed  description  ; we  can,  however,  but 
briefly  call  attention  to  the  terraced  hill  at 
Red  Bank  and  the  old  road-way  in  Section 
11,  Columbia  Township. 


The  hill  at  Red  Bank,  just  north  from  the 
railway  station,  has  an  elevation  of  about  300 
feet,  and  is  terraced  on  its  eastern  and 
southern  slopes.  The  terraces  are  five  in 
number,  and  are  undoubtedly  the  work  of 
human  hands.  This  hill  is  surmounted  by  a 
small  mound.  The  ancient  road-way  in 
Section  11,  Columbia  Township,  near 
Madisonville,  is  cut  along  the  face  of  a steep 
hill  extending  from  the  creek  in  a south- 
westwardly  direction  to  the  top  of  the  hill 
ending  near  the  Darling  homestead.  The 
road- way  is  upward  of  1,600  feet  in  length, 
having  an  average  width  of  twenty-five 
feet,  and  is  overgrown  with  large  forest 
trees. 

Implements  of  Preglacial  Men.  — Evidences 
of  preglacial  men  having  existed  in  Ohio 
have  been  given  by  the  finding  of  rudely 
chipped  pointed  implements  at  Madisonville 
and  at  Loveland  in  the  glacial  deposits  as 
before  stated.  The  discovery  of  the  altar 
mounds  in  the  Little  Miami  Valley  similar 
to  those  discovered  and  explored  by  Squire 
and  Davis  in  the  Scioto  Vallejq  near  Chilli- 
cothe,  would  indicate  that  the  territory  that 
is  now  known  as  Ross  and  Hamilton  counties 
was  once  the  great  centre  of  the  pre-historic 
population  of  Southern  Ohio. 


THE  FIRST  SETTLEMENTS. 

Hamilton  county  was  the  second  settled  in  Ohio.  VTashington,  the  first,  had  its 
first  settlement  at  Marietta,  April  7,  1788.  The  country  between  the  Great  and 
Little  Miamis  had  been  the  scene  of  so  many  fierce  conflicts  between  the  Ken- 
tuckians and  Indians  in  their  raids  to  and  fro  that  it  was  termed  the  Miami 
Slaughter  House.^’  In  June,  1780,  the  period  of  the  Revolutionary  war.  Captain 
Byrd,  in  command  of  600  British  and  Indians  with  artillery  from  Detroit,  came 
down  the  Big  Miami  and  ascended  the  Licking  opposite  Cincinnati  on  his  noted 
expedition  into  Kentucky,  when  he  destroyed  several  stations  and  did  great  mis- 
chief. And  in  the  August  following  Gen.  Rogers  Clark,  with  his  Kentuckians, 
took  up  his  line  of  march  from  the  site  of  Cincinnati  for  the  Shawnee  towns  on 
Little  Miami  and  Mad  rivers,  which  he  destroyed.  On  this  campaign  he  erected 
two  blockhouses  on  the  north  side  of  the  Ohio.  These  were  the  first  structures 
known  to  have  been  built  on  the  site  of  the  city. 

The  beautiful  country  between  the  Miamis  had  been  so  infested  by  the  Indians 
that  it  was  avoided  by  the  whites,  and  its  settlement  might  have  been  procrasti- 
nated for  years,  but  for  the  discovery  and  enterprise  of  Major  Benjamin  Stites,  a 
trader  from  New  Jersey.  In  the  summer  of  1786  Stites  happened  to  be  at  Wash- 
ington, just  back  of  Limestone,  now  Maysville,  where  he  headed  a party  of  Ken- 
tuckians in  pursuit  of  some  Indians  who  had  stolen  some  horses.  They  followed 
for  some  days ; the  latter  escaped,  but  Stites  gained  by  it  a view  of  the  rich  val- 
leys of  the  Great  and  Little  Miami  as  far  up  as  the  site  of  Xenia.  With  this 
knowledge,  and  charmed  by  the  beauty  of  the  country,  he  hurried  back  to  New 
Jersey,  and  revealed  his  discovery  to  Judge  John  Cleves  Symmes,  of  Trenton,  at 
that  time  a member  of  Congress  and  a man  of  great  influence.  The  result  was 
the  formation  of  a company  of  twenty-four  gentlemen  of  the  State,  similar  to  that 
of  the  Ohio  Company,  as  proprietors  of  the  proposed  purchase.  Among  these 
were  General  Jonathan  Dayton,  Elias  Boudinot  and  Dr.  Witherspoon,  as  well  as 
Symmes  and  Stites.  Symmes,  in  August  of  next  year,  1787,  petitioned  Con- 
gress for  a grant  of  the  land,  but  before  the  bargain  was  closed  he  made  arrange- 
ments with  Stites  to  sell  him  10,000  acres  of  the  best  land. 


HAMILTON  COUNTY, 


747 


Settlement  c 

Under  the  contract  with  Symmes,  Sti' 
landed  on  the  18th  of  November,  1788, 
below  the  mouth  of  the  Little  Miami ; it 
miles  east  of  Fountain  Square. 

The  settlers  were  superior  men.  Among 
them  were  Col.  Spencer,  Major  Gano,  Judge 
Goforth,  Francis  Dunlavy,  Major  Kibbey, 
Rev.  John  Smith,  Judge  Foster,  Col.  Brown, 
Mr.  Hubbell,  Capt.  Flinn,  Jacob  White  and 
John  Riley,  and  for  several  years  the  settle- 
ment was  the  most  populous  and  successful. 

Two  or  three  blockhouses  were  first  erected 
for  the  protection  of  the  women  and  chil- 
dren, and  then  log-cabins  for  the  families. 
The  boats  in  which  they  had  come  from 
Maysville,  then  Limestone,  were  broken  up 
and  used  for  the  doors,  fioors,  etc. , to  these 
rude  buildings.  They  had  at  that  time  no 
trouble  from  the  Indians,  which  arose  from 
the  fact  that  they  were  then  gathered  at  Fort 
Harmar  to  make  a treaty  with  the  whites. 
Wild  game  was  plenty,  but  their  breadstuff’s 
and  salt  soon  gave  out,  and  as  a substitute 
they  occpionally  used  various  roots,  taken 
from  native  plants,  the  bear  grass  especially. 
When  the  spring  of  1789  opened  their  pros- 
pects grew  brighter.  The  fine  bottoms  on 
the  Little  Miami  had  long  been  cultivated  by 
the  savages,  and  were  found  mellow  as  ash 

Settlement 


F Columbia. 

■es,  with  a party  of  eighteen  or  twenty, 
and  laid  out  the  village  of  Columbia 
is  now  within  the  limits  of  the  city,  five 

heaps.  The  men  worked  in  divisions,  one- 
half  keeping  guard  with  their  rifles  while  the 
others  worked,  changing  their  employments 
morning  and  afternoon. 

Turkey  Bottom,  on  the  Little  Miami,  one 
and  a half  miles  above  Columbia,  was  a 
clearing  in  area  of  a vSquare  mile,  and  had 
been  cultivated  by  the  Indians  for  a long 
while,  and  supplied  both  Columbia  and  the 
garrison  at  Fort  Washington  at  Cincinnati 
with  corn  for  that  season.  From  nine  acres 
of  Turkey  Bottom,  the  tradition  goes,  the 
enormous  crop  of  963  bushels  were  gathered 
the  very  first  season. 

Before  this  the  women  and  children  from 
Columbia  early  visited  Turkey  Bottom  to 
scr  tch  up  the  bulbous  roots  of  the  bear 
gr<  is.  These  they  boiled,  washed,  dried  on 
smooth  boards,  and  finally  pounded  into  a 
species  of  flour,  which  served  as  a tolerable 
substitute  for  making  various  baking  opera- 
tions. Many  of  the  families  subsisted  for  a 
time  entirely  on  the  roots  of  the  bear  grass  ; 
and  there  was  great  suffering  for  provisions 
until  they  could  grow  corn. 

^ Cincinnati. 


The  facts  connected  with  the  settlement  of  Cincinnati  are  these : In  the  win- 
ter of  1787-1788  Matthias  Denman,  of  Springfield,  New  Jersey,  purchased  of 
John  Cleves  Symmes,  a tract  of  land  comprising  740  acres,  now  but  a small  part 
of  the  city,  his  object  being  to  form  a station,  lay  out  a town  on  the  Ohio  side 
opposite  the  mouth  of  the  Licking  river,  and  establish  a ferry,  which  last  was 
especially  important.  The  old  Indian  war-path  from  the  British  garrison  at  De- 
troit here  crossed  the  Ohio,  and  here  was  the  usual  avenue  by  which  savages  from 
the  north  had  invaded  Kentucky.  Denman  paid  five  shillings  per  acre  in  Con- 
tinental scrip,  or  about  fifteen  pence  per  acre  in  specie,  or  less  than  $125  in  specie 
for  the  entire  plot. 

Denman  the  next  summer  associated  with  him  two  gentlemen  of  Lexington, 
Ky.,  each  having  one-third  interest.  Col.  Robert  Patterson  and  John  Filson. 
The  first  was  a gallant  soldier  of  the  Indian  wars,  and  John  Filson  a school- 
master and  surveyor,  and  author  of  various  works  upon  the  W est,  of  which  he 
had  been  an  explorer,  one  of  them  The  Discovery,  Settlement  and  Present  State 
of  Kentucky,^^  published  in  1784  ; also  a map  of  the  same.  Filson  was  to  survey 
the  site  and  lay  it  out  into  lots,  thirty  in-lots  of  half  an  acre  and  thirty  out-lots 
of  four  acres  to  be  given  thirty  settlers  on  their  paying  $1.50  for  deed  and  sur- 
vey. He  called  the  proposed  town  Losantiville,  a name  formed  by  him  from 
the  Latin  ^^os,’^  mouth,  the  Greek  ^^anti,’’  opposite,  and  the  French ‘Wille,’^ 
city,  from  its  position  opposite  the  mouth  of  the  Licking  river.  And  this  name 
it  retained  until  the  advent  of  Gov.  St.  Clair,  January  2,  1790,  who,  being  a 
member  of  the  old  Revolutionary  army  Society  of  Cincinnatus,  expressed  a desire 
the  name  should  be  changed  to  Cincinnati,  when  his  wish  was  complied  with. 

Preliminary  Exploration. — In  September,  of  Symmes.  They  landed  at  the  mouth  of 

1788,  a large  party,  embracing  Symmes,  the  Great  Miami,  and  explored  the  country 

Stites,  Denman,  Patterson,  Filson,  Ludlow,  for  some  distance  back  from  that  and  North 

with  others,  in  all  about  sixty  men,  left  Bend,  at  which  point  Symmes  then  decided 

Limestone  to  visit  the  new  Miami  Purchase  to  make  a settlement.  The  party  surveyed 


74^ 


HAMILTON  COUNTY, 


the  distance  between  the  two  Miamis,  follow- 
ing the  meanders  of  the  Ohio,  and  returned 
to  Limestone. 

On  this  trip  Filson  became  separated  from 
his  companions  while  in  the  rear  of  North 
Bend,  and  was  never  more  heard  of,  having 
doubtless  been  killed  by  the  Indians,  a fate 
of  which  he  always  seemed  to  have  a present- 
iment. Israel  Ludlow,  who  had  intended  to 
act  as  surveyor  for  Symmes,  now  accepted 
Filson ’s  interest,  and  assumed  his  duties  in 
laying  out  Losantiville. 

Landing  at  Cincinnati. — On  the  24th  of 
December,  1788,  Denman  and  Patterson, 
with  twenty-six  others,  left  Limestone  in  a 
boat  to  found  Losantiville.  After  much  dif- 
ficulty and  danger  from  floating  ice  in  the 
river,  they  arrived  at  the  spot  on  or  about 
the  28th,  the  exact  date  being  in  dispute. 
The  precise  spot  of  their  landing  was  an  inlet 
at  the  foot  of  Sycamore  street,  later  known 
as  Yeatman’s  Cove. 

Ludlow  laid  out  the  town.  On  the  7th  of 
January  ensuing  the  settlers  by  lottery  de- 
cided on  their  choice  of  donation  lots,  he 


same  being  given  to  each  in  fee  simple  on 
condition : 1.  Raising  two  crops  succes- 

sively, and  not  less  than  an  acre  for  each 
crop.  2.  Building  within  two  years  a house 
equal  to  twenty-five  feet  square,  one  and  a 
half  stories  high,  with  brick,  stone  or  clay 
chimney,  each  house  to  stand  in  front  of 
their  lots.  The  following  is  a list  of  the  set- 
tlers who  so  agreed,  thirty  in  number  ; Sam- 
uel Blackburn,  Sylvester  Y/hite,  Joseph 
Thornton,  John  Vance,  James  Dumont, 
Fulton,  Elijah  Martin,  Isaac  Van  Me- 
ter, Thomas  Gissel,  David  McCleyer, 

Davidson,  Matthew  Campbell,  James  Mon- 
son,  James  McConnell,  Noah  Badgely, 
James  Carpenter,  Samuel  Mooney,  James 
Campbell,  Isaac  Freeman,  Scott  Traverse, 
Benjamin  Dumont,  Jesse  Stewart,  Henry 
Bechtle,  Richard  Stewart,  Luther  Kitchell, 
Ephraim  Kibbey,  Henry  Lindsey,  John 
Porter,  Daniel  Shoemaker,  Joel  Williams. 

The  thirty  in-lots  in  general  terms  com- 
prised the  space  back  from  the  landing  be- 
tween Main  street  and  Broadway,  and  there 
was  the  town  began. 


The  North  Bend  settlement  was  the  third  within  the  Symmes  Purchase,  and 
was  made  under  the  immediate  care  of  Judge  Symmes.  He  called  it  North  Bend 
because  it  is  the  most  northerly  bend  on  the  Ohio  west  of  the  Kanawha.  The 
Judge  with  his  party  of  adventurers  left  Limestone  January  29, 1789,  only  about 
a month  after  that  of  Denman  at  Cincinnati,  and  two  months  after  that  of  Stites 
at  Columbia.  The  history  of  this  with  other  connecting  historical  items  we  ex- 
tract from  BurnePs  Notes  ; 


The  party,  on  their  passage  down  the 
river,  were  obstructed,  delayed  and  exposed 
to  imminent  danger  from  floating  ice,  which 
covered  the  river.  They,  however,  reached 
the  Bend,  the  place  of  their  destination,  in 
safety,  early  in  February.  The  first  object 
of  the  Judge  was  to  found  a city  at  that 
place,  which  had  received  the  name  of  North 
Bend,  from  the  fact  that  it  was  the  most 
northern  bend  in  the  Ohio  river  below  the 
mouth  of  the  Great  Kanawha. 

The  water-craft  nsQd.  in  descending  the 
Ohio,  in  those  primitive  times,  were  flat- 
boats  made  of  green  oak  plank,  fastened  by 
wooden  pins  to  a frame  of  timber,  and  caulked 
with  tow,  or  any  other  pliant  substance  that 
could  be  procured.  Boats  similarly  con- 
structed on  the  northern  waters  were  then 
called  arlcs,  but  on  the  western  rivers  they 
were  denominated  Kentuchy  boats.  The  ma- 
terials of  which  they  were  composed  were 
found  to  be  of  great  utility  in  the  construc- 
tion of  temporary  buildings  for  safety,  and  for 
protection  from  the  inclemency  of  the  weather, 
after  they  had  arrived  at  their  destination. 

At  the  earnest  solicitation  of  the  Judge, 
General  Harmar  sent  Captain  Kearsey  with 
forty-eight  rank  and  file,  to  protect  the  im- 
provements just  commencing  in  the  Miami 
country.  This  detachment  reached  Lime- 
stone in  December,  1788,  and  in  a few  days 
after.  Captain  Kearsey  sent  a part  of  his 
command  in  advance,  as  a guard  to  protect 
the  pioneers  under  Major  Stites,  at  the  Little 
Miami,  where  they  arrived  soon  after.  Mr. 


Symmes  and  his  party,  accompanied  by  Cap- 
tain Kearsey,  landed  at  Columbia,  on  their 
passage  down  the  river,  and  the  detachment 
previously  sent  to  that  place  joined  their 
company.  They  then  proceeded  to  the  Bend, 
and  landed  about  the  first  or  second  of  Feb- 
ruary. When  they  left  Limestone,  it  was 
the  purpose  of  Captain  Kearsey  to  occupy 
the  fort  built  at  the  mouth  of  the  Miami,  by 
a detachment  of  United  States  troops,  who 
afterwards  descended  the  river  to  the  flills.  ^ 

That  purpose  was  defeated  by  the  flood  in 
the  river,  which  had  spread  over  the  low 
grounds  and  rendered  it  difiicult  to  reach  the 
fort.  Captain  Kearsey,  however,  was  anx- 
ious to  make  the  attempt,  but  the  Judge 
would  not  consent  to  it ; he  was,  of  course, 
much  disappointed,  and  greatly  displeased. 
When  he  set  out  on  the  expedition,  ex]:)ecting 
to  find  a fort  ready  built  to  receive  him,  he 
did  not  provide  the  implements  necessary  to 
construct  one.  Thus  disappointed  and  dis- 
pleased, he  resolved  that  he  would  not  build 
a new  work,  but  would  leave  the  Bend  and 
join  the  garrison  at  Louisville. 

In  pursuance  of  that  resolution,  he  em- 
barked early  in  March,  and  descended  the 
river  with  his  command.  The  Judge  imme- 
diately wrote  to  Major  Willis,  commandant 
of  the  garrison  at  the  Falls,  complaining  of 
the  conduct  of  Captain  Kearsey,  representing 
the  exposed  situation  of  the  Miami  settle- 
ment, stating  the  indications  of  hostility 
manifested  by  the  Indians,  and  requesting  a 
guard  to  be  sent  to  the  Bend.  This  request 


HAMILTON  COUNTY. 


749 


was  promptly  granted,  and  before  the  close 
of  the  month,  Ensign  Luce  arrived  with 
seventeen  or  eighteen  soldiers,  which,  for  the 
time,  removed  the  apprehensions  of  the 
pioneers  at  that  place.  It  was  not  long, 
however,  before  the  Indians  made  an  attack 
on  them,  in  which  they  killed  one  soldier, 
and  wounded  four  or  five  other  persons,  in- 
cluding Major  J.  K.  Mills,  an  emigrant  from 
Elizabethtown,  New  Jersey,  who  was  a sur- 
veyor, and  an  intelligent  and  highly  respected 
citizen.  Although  he  recovered  from  his 
wounds,  he  felt  their  disabling  effects  to  the 
day  of  his  death. 

Symmes  City  Laid  Out. — The  surface  of 
the  ground  where  the  Judge  and  his  party 
had  landed  was  above  the  reach  of  the 
water,  and  sufficiently  level  to  admit  of  a 
convenient  settlement.  He  therefore  deter- 
mined, for  the  immediate  accommodation  of 
his  party,  to  lay  out  a village  at  that  place, 
and  to  suspend,  for  the  present,  the  execu- 
tion of  his  purpose,  as  to  the  city,  of  which 
he  had  given  notice,  until  satisfactory  infor- 
mation could  be  obtained  in  regard  to  the 
comparative  advantages  of  different  places  in 
the  vicinity.  The  determination,  however, 
of  laying  out  such  a city,  was  not  abandoned, 
but  was  executed  in  the  succeeding  year  on  a 
magnificent  scale.  It  included  the  village, 
and  extended  from  the  Ohio  across  the  pen- 
insula to  the  Miami  river.  This  city,  which 
was  certainly  a beautiful  one,  on  paper,  was 
called  Symmes,  and  for  a time  was  a subject 
of  conversation  and  of  criticism  ; but  it  soon 
ceased  to  be  remembered — even  its  name 
was  forgotten,  and  the  settlement  continued 
to  be  called  North  Bend.  Since  then,  that 
village  has  been  distinguished  as  the  residence 
and  the  home  of  the  soldier  and  statesman, 
William  Henry  Harrison,  whose  remains  now 
repose  in  an  humble  vault  on  one  of  its  beau- 
tiful hills. 

In  conformity  with  a stipulation  made  at 
Limestone,  every  individual  belonging  to  the 
party  received  a donation  lot,  which  he  was 
required  to  improve,  as  the  condition  of  ob- 
taining a title.  As  the  number  of  these  ad- 
venturers increased  in  consequence  of  the 
protection  afforded  by  the  military,  the  Judge 
was  induced  to  lay  out  another  village,  six  or 
seven  miles  higher  up  the  river,  which  he 
called  South  Bend,  where  he  disposed  of 
some  donation  lots ; but  that  project  failed, 
and  in  a few  years  the  village  was  deserted 
and  converted  into  a farm. 

^ Indian  Intei'views. — During  these  transac- 
tions, the  Judge  was  visited  by  a number  of 
Indians  from  a camp  in  the  neighborhood  of 
Stites’  settlement.  One  of  them,  a Shawnee 
chief,  had  many  complaints  to  make  of  frauds 
practised  on  them  by  white  traders,  who  for- 
tunately had  no  connection  with  the  pioneers. 
After  several  conversations,  and  some  small 
presents,^  he  professed  to  be  satisfied  with  the 
explanation  he  had  received,  and  gave^  assur- 
ances that  the  Indians  would  trade  with  the 
white  men  as  friends. 

In  one  of  their  interviews,  the  Judge  told 
him  be  had  been  commissioned  and  sent  out 


to  their  country,  by  the  thirteen  fires,  in  the 
spirit  of  friendship  and  kindness  ; and  that  he 
was  instructed  to  treat  them  as  friends  and 
brothers.  In  proof  of  this  he  showed  them 
the  fiag  of  the  Union,  with  its  stars  and 
stripes,  and  also  his  commission,  having  the 
great  seal  of  the  United  States  attached  to  it ; 
exhibiting  the  American  eagle,  with  the  olive 
branch  in  one  claw,  emblematical  of  peace, 
and  the  instrument  of  war  and  death  in  the 
other.  He  explained  the  meaning  of  those 
symbols  to  their  satisfaction,  though  at  first 
the  chief  seemed  to  think  they  were  not  very 
striking  emblems  either  of  peace  or  friend- 
ship ; but  before  he  departed  from  the  Bend, 
he  gave  assurances  of  the  most  friendly  char- 
acter. Yet,  when  they  left  their  camp  to 
return  to  their  towns,  they  carried  off  a num- 
. ber  of  horses  belonging  to  the  Columbia  set 
tlement,  to  compensate  for  the  injuries  done 
them  by  wandering  traders,  who  had  no  part 
or  lot  with  the  pioneers.  These  depredations 
having  been  repeated,  a party  was  sent  out 
in  pursuit,  who  followed  the  trail  of  the  In- 
dians a considerable  distance,  when  they  dis- 
covered fresh  signs,  and  sent  Captain  Flinn, 
one  of  their  party,  in  advance,  to  reconnoitre. 
He  had  not  proceeded  far  before  he  was  sur- 
prised, taken  prisoner,  and  carried  to  the 
Indian  camp.  Not  liking  the  movements  he 
saw  going  on,  which  seemed  to  indicate  per- 
sonal violence,  in  regard  to  himself,  and  hav- 
ing great  confidence  in  his  activity  and 
strength,  at  a favorable  moment  he  sprang 
from  the  camp,  made  his  escape,  and  joined 
his  party.  The  Indians,  fearing  an  ambus- 
cade, did  not  pursue.  The  party  possessed 
themselves  of  some  horses  belonging  to  the 
Indians,  and  returned  to  Columbia.  In  a 
few  days,  the  Indians  brought  in  Captain 
Flinn’ s rifle,  and  begged  Major  Stites  to  re- 
store their  horses — alleging  that  they  were 
innocent  of  the  depredations  laid  to  their 
charge.  After  some  further  explanations, 
the  matter  was  amicably  settled,  and  the 
horses  were  given  up. 

The  three  principal  settlements  of  the 
Miami  country,  although  they  had  one  gen- 
eral object,  and  were  threatened  by  one  coni- 
mon  danger,  yet  there  existed  a strong  spirit 
of  rivalry  between  them — each  feeling  a pride 
in  the  prosperity  of  the  little  colony  to  which 
he  belonged.  That  spirit  produced  a strong 
influence  on  the  feelings  of  the  pioneers 
of  the  different  villages,  and  produced  an 
esprit  du  corps.,  scarcely  to  be  expected  under 
circumstances  so  critical  and  dangerous  as 
those  which  threatened  them.  At  first  it 
was  a matter  of  doubt  which  of  the  rivals, 
Columbia,  Cincinnati  or  North  Bend,  would 
eventually  become  the  chief  seat  of  business. 

That,  however,  lasted  but  a short  time. 
The  garrison  having  been  established  at  Cin- 
cinnati, made  it  the  headquarters  and  the 
depot  of  the  army.  In  addition  to  this,  as 
soon  as  the  county  courts  of  the  territory 
were  organized,  it  was  made  the  seat  of  jus- 
tice of  Hamilton  county.  These  advantages 
convinced  everybody  that  it  was  destined  to 
become  the  emporium  of  the  Miami  country 


75° 


HAMILTON  COUNTY. 


Privations  of  the  Settlers. — A large  number 
of  the  original  adventurers  to  the  Miami  pur- 
chase had  exhausted  their  means  by  paying 
for  their  land,  and  removing  their  families  to 
the  country.  Others  were  wholly  destitute 
of  property,  and  came  out  as  volunteers,  un- 
der the  expectation  of  obtaining,  gratuitously, 
such  small  tracts  of  land  as  might  be  forfeited 
by  the  purchasers,  under  Judge  Symmes,  for 
not  making  the  improvements  required  by 
the  conditions  stipulated  in  the  terms  of  sale 
and  settlement  of  Miami  lands,  published  by 
the  Judge,  in  1787.  The  class  of  adventurers 
first  named  was  comparatively  numerous,  and 
had  come  out  under  an  expectation  of  taking 
immediate  possession  of  their  lands,  and  of 
commencing  the  cultivation  of  them  for  sub- 
sistence. Their  situation,  therefore,  was  dis- 
tressing. ^ To  go  out  into  the  wilderness  to 
till  the  soil  appeared  to  be  certain  death  ; to 
remain  in  the  settlements  threatened  them 
with  starvation.  The  best  provided  of  the 
pioneers  found  it  diflicult  to  obtain  subsist- 
ence ; and,  of  course,  the  class  now  spoken  of 
were  not  far  from  total  destitution.  They 
depended  on  game,  fish,^  and  such  products 
of  the  earth  as  could  be  raised  on  small  patches 
of  ground  in  the  immediate  vicinity  of  the 
settlements. 

Occasionally,  small  lots  of  provision  were 
brought  down  the  river  by  emigrants,  and 
sometimes  were  transported  on  pack-horses, 
from  Lexington,  at  a heavy  expense,  and  not 
without  danger.  But  supplies,  thus  procured, 
were  beyond  the  reach  of  those  destitute 
persons  now  referred  to. 

S tations  Established. — Having  endured 
these  privations  as  long  as  they  could  be 
borne,  the  more  resolute  of  them  determined 
to  brave  the  consequences  of  moving  on  to 
their  lands.  To  accomplish  the  object  with 
the  least  exposure,  those  whose  lands  were 
in  the  same  neighborhood  united  as  one 
family  ; and  on  that  principle,  a number  of 
associations  were  formed,  amounting  to  a 
dozen  or  more  who  went  out  resolved  to 
maintain  their  positions. 

Each  party  erected  a strong  block-house, 
near  to  which  their  cabins  were  put  up,  and 
the  whole  was  enclosed  by  strong  log  pickets. 
This  being  done,  they  commenced  clearing 
their  lands,  and  preparing  for  planting  their 
crops.  During  the  day,  while  they  were  at 
work,  one  person  was  placed  as  a sentinel,  to 
warn  them  of  approaching  danger.  At  sun- 
set they  retired  to  the  block-house  and  their 
cabins,  taking  everything  of  value  within  the 
pickets.  In  this  manner  they  proceeded  from 
day  to  day,  and  week  to  week,  till  their  im- 
provements were  sufficiently  extensive  to 
support  their  families.  During  this  time, 
they  depended  for  subsistence  on  wild 
game,  obtained  at  some  hazard,  more  than 
on  the  scanty  supplies  they  were  able  to 
procure  from  the  settlements  on  the  river. 

In  a short  time  these  stations  gave  pro- 
tection and  food  to  a large  number  of  destitute 
families.  After  they  were  established,  the 
Indians  became  less  annoying  to  the  settle- 
ments on  the  Ohio,  as  part  of  their  time  was 


employed  in  watching  the  stations.  The 
former,  however,  did  not  escape,  but  endured 
their  share  of  the  fruits  of  savage  hostility. 
In  fact,  no  place  or  situation  was  exempt 
from  danger.  The  safety  of  the  pioneer  de- 
pended on  his  means  of  defence,  and  on  per- 
petual vigilance. 

The  Indians  viewed  those  stations  with 
great  jealousy,  as  they  had  the  appearance  of 
permanent  military  establishments,  intended 
to  retain  possession  of  their  country.  In  that 
view  they  were  correct ; and  it  was  fortunate 
for  the  settlers  that  the  Indians  wanted 
either  the  skill  or  the  means  of  demolishing 
them 

The  truth  of  the  matter  is,  their  great 
error  consisted  in  permitting  those  works  to 
be  constructed  at  all.  They  might  have  pre- 
vented it  with  great  ease,  but  they  appeared 
not  to  be  aware  of  the  serious  consequences 
which, were  to  result,  until  it  was  too  late 
to  act  with  effect.  Several  attacks  were, 
however,  made  at  different  times,  with  an 
apparent  determination  to  destroy  them  ; but 
they  failed  in  every  instance.  The  assault 
made  on  the  station  erected  by  Captain 
Jacob  AVhite,  a pioneer  of  much  energy  and 
enterprise,  at  the  third  crossing  of  Mill  creek 
from  Cincinnati,  on  the  old  Hamilton  road, 
was  resolute  and  daring  ; but  it  was  gallantly 
met  and  successfully  repelled.  During  the 
attack,  which  was  in  the  night.  Captain 
White  shot  and  killed  a warrior,  who  fell  so 
near  the  block-house,  that  his  companions 
could  not  remove  his  body.  The  next  morn- 
ing it  was  brought  in,  and  judging  from  his 
stature,  as  reported  by  the  inmates,  he  juight 
have  claimed  descent  from  a race  of  giants. 
On  examining  the  ground  in  the  vicinity  of 
the  block-house,  the  appearances  of  blood 
indicated  that  the  assailants  had  suffered 
severely. 

Dunlap's  Station  Attacked. — In  the  winter 
of  1790-1,  an  attack  was  made,  with  a strong 
party,  amounting,  probably,  to  four  or  five 
hundred,  on  Dunlap’s  station,  at  Colerain. 
The  block-house  at  that  place  was  occupied 
by  a small  number  of  United  States  troops, 
commanded  by  Col.  Kingsbury,  then  a subal- 
tern in  the  army.  The  fort  was  furnished 
with  a piece  of  artillery,  which  was  an  object 
of  terror  to  the  Indians  ; yet  that  did  not  de- 
ter them  from  an  attempt  to  effect  their  pur- 
pose. The  attack  was  violent,  and  for  some 
time  the  station  was  in  imminent  danger. 

The  savages  were  led  by  the  notorious 
Simon  Girty,  and  outnumbered  the  garrison, 
at  least,  ten  to  one.  The  works  were  entirely 
of  wood,  and  the  only  obstacle  between  the 
assailants  and  the  assailed  was  a picket  of 
logs,  that  might  have  been  demolished,  with 
a loss  not  exceeding,  probably,  twenty  or 
thirty  lives.  The  garrison  displayed  unusual 
gallantry — they  frequently  exposed  their  per- 
sons above  the  pickets,  to  insult  and  provoke 
the  assailants;  and  judging  from  the  facts 
reported,  they  conducted  with  as  much  folly 
as  bravery. 

Col.  John  Wallace,  of  Cincinnati,  one  of 
the  earliest  and  bravest  of  the  pioneers,  and 


HAMILTON  COUNTY, 


75* 


as  amiable  as  he  was  brave,  was  in  the  fort 
when  the  attack  was  made.  Although  the 
works  were  completely  surrounded  by  the 
enemy,  the  colonel  volunteered  his  services 
to  go  to  Cincinnati  for  a reinforcement.  The 
fort  stood  on  the  east  bank  of  the  Big  Miami. 
Late  in  the  night  he  was  conveyed  across 
the  river  in  a canoe,  and  landed  on  the  op- 
posite shore.  Having  passed  down  some 
miles  below  the  fort,  he  swam  the  river,  and 
directed  his  course  for  Cincinnati.  On  his 
way  down,  the  next  day,  he  met  a body  of 
men  from  that  place  and  from  Columbia, 
proceeding  to  Colerain.  They  had  been  in- 
formed of  the  attack,  by  persons  hunting  in 
the  neighborhood,  who  were  suflSciently  near 
the  fort  to  hear  the  firing  when  it  began. 

He  joined  the  party,  and  led  them  to  the 
station  by  the  same  route  he  had  travelled 
from  it;  but  before  they  arrived,  the  Indians 
had  taken  their  departure.  It  was  afterwards 


ascertained  that  Mr.  Abner  Hunt,  a respect- 
able citizen  of  New  Jersey,  who  was  on  a 
surveying  tour  in  the  neighborhood  of  Cole- 
rain,  at  the  time  of  the  attack,  was  killed 
before  he  could  reach  the  fort.  His  body 
was  afterwards  found,  shockingly  mangled. 

_ The  Indians  tied  Hunt  to  a saijling,  within 
sight  of  the  garrison,  who  distinctly  heard 
his  screams,  and  built  a large  fire  so  near  as 
to  scorch  him,  infiicting  the  most  acute  pain  ; 
then,  as  his  flesh,  from  the  action  of  the  fire 
and  the  frequent  application  of  live  coals,  be- 
came less  sensible,  making  deep  incisions  in 
his  limbs,  as  if  to  renew  his  sensibility  of 
pain ; answering  his  cries  for  water,  to  allay 
the  extreme  thirst  caused  by  burning,  by 
fresh  tortures  ; and,  finally,  when,  exhausted 
and  fainting,  death  seemed  approaching  to 
release  the  wretched  prisoner,  terminating 
his  sufferings  by  applying  flaming  brands  to 
his  naked  bowels.” 


Early  Beginnings  of  Cincinnati. 

Soon  as  the  settlers  of  Cincinnati  landed  (December,  1788)  they  commenced 
erecting  three  or  four  cabins,  the  first  of  which  was  built  on  Front,  east  of  and 
near  Main  street.  The  lower  table  of  land  was  then  covered  with  sycamore  and 
maple  trees,  and  the  upper  with  beech  and  oak.  Through  this  dense  forest  the 
streets  were  laid  out,  their  corners  being  marked  upon  the  trees.  This  survey  ex- 
tended from  Eastern  row,  now  Broadway,  to  Western  row,  now  Central  Avenue, 
and  from  the  river  as  far  north  as  to  Northern  row,  now  Seventh  street. 

Fort  Washington  was  built  in  the  fall  of  1789  by  Major  Doughty,  the  com- 
mander of  a body  of  troops  sent  by  Gen.  Harmar  from  Fort  Harmar  with  discre- 
tionary power  to  locate  a fort  in  the  Miami  country.  The  site  selected  was, a 
little  east  of  Broadway  just  outside  of  the  village  limits,  and  where  Third  street 
now  crosses  it.  The  fort  was  a solid,  substantial  fortress  of  hewn  timber  about 
180  feet  square  with  block-houses  at  the  four  angles  and  two  stories  high. 
Fifteen  acres  were  reserved  there  by  government.  It  was  the  most  important  and 
extensive  military  work  then  in  the  Territories,  and  figured  largely  in  the  Indian 
wars  of  the  period.  Gen.  Harmar  arrived  and  took  command  late  in  December, 
its  garrison  then  comprising  seventy  men. 

In  January,  1790,  Gen.  Arthur  St.  Clair,  then  governor  of  the  Northwest 
Territory,  arrived  at  Cincinnati  to  organize  the  county  of  Hamilton.  In  the 
succeeding  fall  Gen.  Harmar  marched  from  Fort  Washington  on  his  expedition 
against  the  Indians  of  the  Northwest.  In  the  following  year  (1791)  the  unfor- 
tunate army  of  St.  Clair  marched  from  the  same  place.  On  his  return,  St.  Clair 
gave  Major  Zeigler  the  command  of  Fort  Washington  and  repaired  to  Philadelphia. 
Soon  after  the  latter  was  succeeded  by  Col.  Wilkinson.  This  year  Cincinnati  had 
little  increase  in  its  population.  About  one-half  of  the  inhabitants  were  attached 
to  the  army  of  St.  Clair,  and  many  killed  in  the  defeat. 

In  1792  about  fifty  persons  were  added  by  immigration  to  the  population  of 
Cincinnati,  and  a house  of  worship  erected.  In  the  spring  following  the  troops 
which  had  been  recruited  for  Wayne’s  army  landed  at  Cincinnati  and  encamped 
on  the  bank  of  the  river,  between  the  village  of  Cincinnati  and  Mill  creek.  To 
that  encampment  Wayne  gave  the  name  of  Hobson’s  Choice,”  it  being  the  only 
suitable  place  for  that  object.  This  was  just  west  of  Central  avenue.  Here  he 
remained  several  months,  constantly  drilling  his  troops,  and  then  moved  on  to  a 
spot  now  in  Darke  county,  where  he  erected  Fort  Greenville.  In  the  fall,  after 
the  army  had  left,  the  small-pox  broke  out  in  the  garrison  at  Fort  Washington, 
and  spread  with  so  much  malignity  that  nearly  one-third  of  the  soldiers  and 
citizens  fell  victims.  In  July,  1794,  the  army  left  Fort  Greenville,  and  on  the 


752 


HAMILTON  COUNTY. 


20th  of  August  defeated  the  enemy  at  the  battle  of  the  Fallen  Timbers/’  in 
what  is  now  Lucas  county,  a few  miles  above  Toledo.  Judge  Burnet  thus  de- 
scribes Cincinnati,  at  about  this  period. 

Prior  to  the  treaty  of  Greenville,  which  established  a permanent  peace 
between  the  United  States  and  the  Indians,  but  few  improvements  had  been 
made  of  any  description,  and  scarcely  one  of  a permanent  character.  In  Cincin- 
nati, Fort  Washington  was  the  most  remarkable  object.  That  rude  but  highly 
interesting  structure  stood  between  Third  and  Fourth  streets  produced,  east  of 
Eastern  Row,  now  Broadway,  which  was  then  a two-pole  alley,  and  was  the 
eastern  boundary  of  the  town,  as  originally  laid  out.  It  was  composed  of  a 
number  of  strongly  built,  hewed-log-cabins,  a story  and  a half  high,  calculated 
for  soldiers’  barracks.  Some  of  them,  more  conveniently  arranged  and  better 
finished,  were  intended  for  officers’  quarters.  They  were  so  placed  as  to  form  a 
hollow  square  of  about  an  acre  of  ground  with  a strong  block-house  at  each 
angle.  It  was  built  of  large  logs,  cut  from  the  ground  on  which  it  stood,  which 
was  a tract  of  fifteen  acres,  reserved  by  Congress  in  the  law  of  1792  for  the 
accommodation  of  the  garrison. 

The  artificers’  yard  was  an  appendage  to  the  fort,  and  stood  on  the  bank  of  the 
river  immediately  in  front.  It  contained  about  two  acres  of  ground,  enclosed  by 
small  contiguous  buildings,  occupied  as  work-shops  and  quarters  for  laborers. 
Within  the  enclosure  there  was  a large  two-story  frame-house,  familiarly  called 
the  yellow-house,”  built  for  the  accommodation  of  the  quartermaster-general, 
which  was  the  most  commodious  and  best  finished  edifice  in  Cincinnati. 

On  the  north  side  of  Fourth  street,  immediately  behind  the  fort.  Colonel 
Sargent,  secretary  of  the  territory,  had  a convenient  frame-house  and  a spacious 
garden,  cultivated  with  care  and  taste.  On  the  east  side  of  the  fort.  Dr.  Allison, 
the  surgeon-general  of  the  army,  had  a plain  frame  dwelling  in  the  centre  of  a 
large  lot,  cultivated  as  a garden  and  fruitery,  which  was  called  Peach  Grove. 

The  Presbyterian  church,  an  interesting  edifice,  stood  on  Main  street  in  front  of 
the  spacious  brick  building  now  occupied  by  the  first  Presbyterian  congregation. 
It  was  a substantial  frame  building  about  forty  feet  by  thirty,  enclosed  with 
clapboards,  but  neither  lathed,  plastered  nor  ceiled.  The  floor  was  of  boat  plank, 
resting  on  wooden  blocks.  In  that  humble  edifice  the  pioneers  and  their  families 
assembled  statedly  for  public  worship ; and,  during  the  continuance  of  the  war, 
they  always  attended  with  loaded  rifles  by  their  sides.  That  building  was  after- 
wards neatly  finished,  and  some  years  subsequently  [1814]  was  sold  and 
removed  to  Vine  street,  where  it  now  [1847]  remains  the  property  of  Judge 
Burke. 

On  the  north  side  of  Fourth  street,  opposite  where  St.  Paul’s  Church  now 
stands,  there  stood  a frame  school-house,  enclosed,  but  unfinished,  in  which  the 
children  of  the  village  were  instructed.  On  the  north  side  of  the  public  square 
there  was  a strong  log-building  erected  and  occupied  as  a jail.  A room  in  the 
tavern  of  George  Avery,  near  the  frog-pond,  at  the  corner  of  Main  and  Fifth 
streets,  had  been  rented  for  the  accommodation  of  the  courts ; and  as  the 
penitentiary  system  had  not  been  adopted,  and  Cincinnati  was  a seat  of  justice,  it 
was  ornamented  with  a pillory,  stocks  and  whipping-post,  and  occasionally  with  a 
gallows.  These  were  all  the  structures  of  a public  character  then  in  the  place. 
Add  to  these  the  cabins  and  other  temporary  buildings  for  the  shelter  of  the 
inhabitants,  and  it  will  complete  the  schedule  of  the  improvements  of  Cincinnati 
at  the  time  of  the  treaty  of  Greenville.  The  only  vestige  of  them  now  remain- 
ing is  the  church  of  the  pioneers.  With  that  exception,  and  probably  two  or 
three  frame  buildings  which  have  been  repaired,  improved  and  preserved,  every 
edifice  in  the  city  has  been  erected  since  the  ratification  of  that  treaty.  The  sta- 
tions of  defence  scattered  through  the  IMiami  Valley  were  all  temporary,  and 
have  long  since  gone  to  decay  or  been  demolished. 

It  may  assist  the  reader  in  forming  something  like  a correct  idea  of  the  appear- 


HAMILTON  COUNTY. 


753 


ance  of  Cincinnati,  and  of  what  it  actually  was  at  that  time,  to  know  that  at  the 
intersection  of  Main  and  Fifth  streets,  now  the  centre  of  business  and  tasteful 
improvement,  there  was  a pond  of  water,  full  of  alder  bushes,  from  which  the 
frogs  serenaded  the  neighborhood  during  the  summer  and  fall,  and  which  rendered 
it  necessary  to  construct  a causeway  of  logs  to  pass  it.  That  morass  remained  in 
its  natural  state,  with  its  alders  and  its  frogs,  several  years  after  Mr.  B.  became  a 
resident  of  the  place,  the  population  of  which,  including  the  garrison  and  fol- 
lowers of  the  army,  was  about  six  hundred.  The  fort  was  then  commanded  by 
William  H.  Harrison,  a captain  in  the  army,  but  afterwards  President  of  the 
United  States.  In  1797,  General  Wilkinson,  the  commander-in-chief  of  the 
army,  made  it  his  head-quarters  for  a few  months,  but  did  not  apparently  interfere 
with  the  command  of  Captain  Harrison,  which  continued  till  his  resignation  in 
1798. 

During  the  period  now  spoken  of,  the  settlements  of  the  territory,  including 


Drawn  by  Henry  Howe  in  Winter  of  1846-1847. 


The  First  Church  in  Cincinnati. 

[The  engraving  represents  the  first  Presbyterian  Church  as  it  appeared  in  February,  1847.  In  the 
following  spring  it  was  taken  down  and  the  materials  used  for  the  construction  of  several  dwellings  in 
the  western  part  of  Cincinnati  then  called  Texas.  The  greater  proportion  of  the  timber  was  found  to 
be  perfectly  sound.  The  site  was  on  Vine  street  just  above  where  now  is  the  Arcade.  In  1791  a num- 
ber of  the  inhabitants  formed  themselves  into  a company  to  escort  the  Rev.  James  Kemper  from 
beyond  the  Kentucky  river  to  Cincinnati ; and,  after  his  arrival,  a subscription  was  set  on  foot  to  build 
this  church,  which  was  erected  in  1792.  This  subscription  paper  is  still  in  existence,  and  bears  date 
January  16,  1792.  Among  its  signers  were  General  Wilkinson,  Captains  Ford,  Peters  and  Shaylor, 
of  the  regular  service.  Dr.  Allison,  surgeon  to  St.  Clair  and  Wayne,  Winthrop  Sargeant,  Captain  Robert 
Elliot  and  others,  principally  citizens,  to  the  number  of  106.] 


Cincinnati,  contained  but  few  individuals,  and  still  fewer  families,  who  had  been 
accustomed  to  mingle  in  the  circles  of  polished  society.  That  fact  put  it  in  the 
power  of  the  military  to  give  character  to  the  manners  and  customs  of  the  people. 
Such  a school,  it  must  be  admitted,  was  by  no  means  calculated  to  make  the  most 
favorable  impression  on  the  morals  and  sobriety  of  any  community,  as  was 
abundantly  proved  by  the  result. 

Idleness,  drinking  and  gambling  prevailed  in  the  army  to  a greater  extent  than 
it  has  done  at  any  subsequent  period.  This  may  be  attributed  to  the  fact  that 
they  had  been  several  years  in  the  wilderness,  cut  off  from  all  society  but  their 
own,  with  but  few  comforts  or  conveniences  at  hand,  and  no  amusements  but 
such  as  their  own  ingenuity  could  invent.  Libraries  were  not  to  be  found — men 
of  literary  minds  or  polished  manners  were  rarely  met  with  ; and  they  had  long 
been  deprived  of  the  advantage  of  modest,  accomplished  female  society,  which 
always  produces  a salutary  influence  on  the  feelings  and  moral  habits  of  men. 


754 


HAMILTON  COUNTY. 


Thus  situated,  the  officers  were  urged,  by  an  irresistible  impulse,  to  tax  their  wits 
for  expedients  to  fill  up  the  chasms  of  leisure  which  were  left  on  their  hands  after 
a full  discharge  of  their  military  duties ; and,  as  is  too  frequently  the  case,  in 
such  circumstances,  the  bottle,  the  dice-box  and  the  card-table  were  among  the 
expedients  resorted  to,  because  they  were  the  nearest  at  hand  and  the  most  easily 
procured. 

It  is  a distressing  fact  that  a very  large  proportion  of  the  officers  under  General 
Wayne,  and  subsequently  under  General  Wilkinson,  were  hard  drinkers.  Har- 
rison, Clark,  Shomberg,  Ford,  Strong  and  a few  others  were  the  only  exceptions. 
Such  were  the  habits  of  the  army  when  they  began  to  associate  with  the  inhabi- 
tants of  Cincinnati,  and  of  the  western  settlements  generally,  and  to  give  tone  to 
public  sentiment. 

As  a natural  consequence  the  citizens  indulged  in  the  same  practices  and  formed 
the  same  habits.  As  a proof  of  this  it  may  be  stated  that  when  Mr.  Burnet  came 
to  the  bar  there  were  nine  resident  lawyers  engaged  in  the  practice,  of  whom  he 
is  and  has  been  for  many  years  the  only  survivor.  They  all  became  confirmed 
sots,  and  descended  to  premature  graves,  excepting  his  brother,  who  was  a young 
man  of  high  promise,  but  whose  life  was  terminated  by  a rapid  consumption  in 
the  summer  of  1801.  He  expired  under  the  shade  of  a tree,  by  the  side  of  the 
road,  on  the  banks  of  Paint  creek,  a few  miles  from  Chillicothe. 

On  the  9th  of  November,  1793,  William  Maxwell  established  at  Cincinnati 
The  Centinel  of  the  Northwestern  Territory,  with  the  motto,  open  to  all  parties — 
influenced  by  none.’’  It  was  on  a half-sheet,  royal  quarto  size,  and  was  the  first 
newspaper  printed  north  of  the  Ohio  river.  In  1796  Edward  Freeman  became 
the  owner  of  the  paper,  which  he  changed  to  Freefnian’s  Journal,  which  he  con- 
tinued until  the  beginning  of  1800,  when  he  removed  to  Chillicothe.  On  the  28th 
of  May,  1799,  Joseph  Carpenter  issued  the  first  number  of  a weekly  paper 
entitled  the  Western  Spy  and  Hamilton  Gazette.  On  the  11th  of  January,  1794, 
two  keel-boats  sailed  from  Cincinnati  to  Pittsburg,  each  making  a trip  once  in 
four  weeks.  Each  boat  was  so  covered  as  to  be  protected  against  rifle-  and 
musket-balls,  and  had  port-holes  to  fire  out  at,  and  was  provided  with  six  pieces 
carrying  pound  balls,  a number  of  muskets  and  ammunition,  as  a protection 
against  the  Indians  on  the  banks  of  the  Ohio.  In  1801  the  first  sea- vessel 
equipped  for  sea — of  100  tons,  built  at  Marietta — passed  down  the  Ohio,  carrying 
produce,  and  the  banks  of  the  river  at  Cincinnati  were  crowded  with  spectators  to 
witness  this  novel  event.  December  19,  1801,  the  Territorial  Legislature  passed 
a bill  removing  the  seat  of  government  from  Chillicothe  to  Cincinnati. 

January  2, 1802,  the  Territorial  Legislature  incorporated  the  town  of  Cincinnati, 
and  the  following  officers  were  appointed : David  Ziegler,  President ; Jacob 
Burnet,  Recorder;  Wm.  Ramsay,  David  E.  Wade,  Chas.  Avery,  John  Reily, 
Wm.  Stanley,  Samuel  Dick,  and  Wm.  Ruffher,  Trustees;  Jo.  Prince,  Assessor; 
Abram  Cary,  Collector;  and  James  Smith,  Town  Marshal.  In  1795  the  town 
contained  94  cabins,  10  frame  houses,  and  about  500  inhabitants.  In  1800  the 
population  was  estimated  at  750,  and,  in  1810,  it  was  2,540. 

We  give  on  an  adjoining  page  a view  of  Cincinnati,  taken  by  J.  Cutler,  as  it 
appeared  about  the  year  1810.  It  is  from  an  engraving  in  ^Hhe  Topographical 
Description  of  Ohio,  Indiana  Territory,  and  Louisiana,  by  a late  officer  of  the 
army,”  and  published  at  Boston,  in  1812. 

That  work  states  that  Cincinnati  contains  about  400  dwellings,  an  elegant  court-house,  jail, 
3 market-houses,  a land-office  for  the  sale  of  Congress  lands,  2 printing-offices,  issuing  weekly 
gazettes,  30  mercantile  stores,  and  the  various  branches  of  mechanism  are  carried  on  with 
spirit.  Industry  of  every  kind  being  duly  encouraged  by  the  citizens,  it  is  likely  to  become 
a considerable  manufacturing  place.  It  has  a bank,  issuing  notes  under  the  authority  of  the 
State,  called  the  Miami  Exporting  Company.  . . . . A considerable  trade  is  carried  on 

between  Cincinnati  and  New  Orleans  in  keel-boats,  which  return  laden  with  foreign  goods. 
The  passage  of  a boat,  of  forty  tons,  down  to  New  Orleans,  is  computed  at  about  twenty-five, 
and  its  return  at  about  sixty-five  days. 


HAMILTON  COUNTY. 


755 


In  1819  a charter  was  obtained  from  the  State  Legislature,  by  which  Cincinnati 
was  incorporated  as  a city.  This,  since  repeatedly  amended  and  altered,  forms 
the  basis  of  its  present  municipal  authority. 

Description  of  Cincinnati  in  1847. 

[From  the  Original  Edition.] 

Cincinnati  is  116  miles  southwest  Columbus;  120  southeast  Indianapolis, 
Indiana;  90  north-northwest  Lexington,  Kentucky;  270  north-northeast  Nash- 
ville, Tennessee ; 455  below  Pittsburg,  Pennsylvania,  by  the  course  of  the  river ; 
132  above  Louisville,  Kentucky ; 49^4  above  the  mouth  of  the  Ohio  river,  and 
1,447  miles  above  NeW  Orleans  by  the  Mississippi  and  Ohio  rivers ; 518  by  post- 
route west  of  Baltimore;  617  miles  west  by  south  of  Philadelphia;  950  from 
New  York  by  Lake  Erie,  Erie  canal,  and  Hudson  river,  and  492  from  Washington 
City.  It  is  in  39  deg.  6 minutes  30  seconds  N.  lat.,  and  7 deg.  24  minutes  25 
seconds  W.  long.  It  is  the  largest  city  of  the  West  north  of  New  Orleans,  and 
the  fifth  in  population  in  the  United  States.  It  is  situated  on  the  north  bank  of 
the  Ohio  river,  opposite  the  mouth  of  Licking  river,  which  enters  the  Ohio 
between  Newport  and  Covington,  Kentucky.  The  Ohio  here  has  a gradual  bend 
towards  the  south. 

This  city  is  near  the  eastern  extremity  of  a valley  about  twelve  miles  in 
circumference,  surrounded  by  beautiful  hills,  which  rise  to  the  height  of  300  feet 
by  gentle  and  varying  slopes,  and  mostly  covered  with  native  forest  trees.  The 
summit  of  these  hills  presents  a beautiful  and  picturesque  view  of  the  city  and 
valley.  The  city  is  built  on  two  table-lands,  the  one  elevated  from  forty  to  sixty 
feet  above  the  other.  Low- water  mark  in  the  river,  which  is  108  below  the 
upper  part'of  the  city,  is  432  feet  above  tide- water  at  Albany,  and  133  feet  below 
the  level  of  Lake  Erie.  The  population  in  1800  was  750;  in  1810,  2,540;  in 
1820,  9,602;  in  1830,  24,831;  in  1840,  46,338;  and,  in  1847,  over  90,000. 
Employed  in  commerce  in  1840,  2,226  ; in  manufactures  and  trades,  10,866  ; 
navigating  rivers  and  canals,  1,748  ; in  the  learned  professions,  377.  Covington 
and  Newport,  opposite  in  Kentucky,  and  Fulton  and  the  adjacent  parts  of  Mill 
Creek  township  on  the  north  are,  in  fact,  suburbs  of  Cincinnati,  and  if  added  to 
the  above  population  would  extend  it  to  105,000.  The  shore  of  the  Ohio  at  the 
landing  is  substantially  paved  to  low-water  mark,  and  is  supplied  with  floating 
wharves,  adapted  to  the  great  rise  and  fall  of  river,  which  renders  the  landing 
and  shipping  of  goods  at  all  times  convenient. 

Cincinnati  seems  to  have  been  originally  laid  out  on  the  model  of  Philadelphia 
— with  great  regularity.  North  of  Main  street,  between  the  north  side  of  Front 
street  and  the  bank  of  the  river,  is  the  landing,  an  open  area  of  10  acres,  with 
about  1,000  feet  front.  This  area  is  of  great  importance  to  the  business  of  the 
city,  and  generally  presents  a scene  of  much  activity.  The  corporate  limits  include 
about  four  square  miles.  The  central  part  is  compactly  and  finely  built,  with 
spacious  warehouses,  large  stores,  and  handsome  dwellings ; but  in  its  outer  parts 
it  is  but  partially  built  up  and  the  houses  irregularly  scattered.  Many  of  them 
are  of  stone  or  brick,  but  an  equal  or  greater  number  are  of  wood,  and  are  gener- 
ally from  two  to  four  stories  high.  The  city  contains  over  11,000  edifices,  public 
and  private ; and  of  those  recently  erected,  the  number  of  brick  exceeds  those  of 
wood,  and  the  style  of  architecture  is  constantly  improving.  Many  of  the  streets 
are  well  paved,  extensively  shaded  with  trees,  and  the  houses  ornamented  with 
shrubbery.  The  climate  is  more  variable  than  on  the  Atlantic  coast  in  the  same 
latitude.  Snow  rarely  falls  sufficiently  deep  or  lies  long  enough  to  furnish 
sleighing.  Few  places  are  more  healthy,  the  average  annual  mortality  being  1 in 
40.  The  inhabitants  are  from  every  State  in  the  Union,  and  from  various 
countries  in  Europe.  Besides  natives  of  Ohio,  Pennsylvania  and  New  Jersey 
have  furnished  the  greatest  number ; but  many  are  from  New  York,  Virginia, 


75^ 


HAMILTON  COUNTY. 


Maryland,  and  New  England.  Nearly  one-fifth  of  the  adult  population  are 
Germans.  But  England,  Ireland,  Scotland,  France,  and  Wales  have  furnished 
considerable  numbers. 

The  Ohio  river  at  Cincinnati  is  1,800  feet,  or  about  one-third  of  a mile  wide, 
and  its  mean  annual  range  from  low  to  high  water  is  about  50  feet ; the  extreme 
range  may  be  about  10  feet  more.  The  greatest  depressions  are  generally  in 
August,  September,  and  October,  and  the  greatest  rise  in  December,  March,  May, 
and  June.  , The  upward  navigation  is  generally  suspended  by  floating  ice  for  eight 
or  ten  weeks  in  the  winter.  Its  current  at  its  mean  height  is  about  three  miles  an 
hour ; when  higher  and  rising,  it  is  more ; and,  when  very  low,  it  does  not  exceed 
two  miles.  The  quantity  of  rain  and  snow  which  falls  annually  at  Cincinnati  is 
near  3 feet  9 inches.  The  wettest  month  is  May,  and  the  driest  January.  The 
average  number  of  clear  and  fair  days  in  a year  is  146;  of  variable,  114;  of 
cloudy,  105.  There  have  been,  since  1840,  from  thirty  to  thirty-eight  steamboats 
annually  built,  with  an  average  aggregate  tonnage  of  6,500  tons. 

Among  the  public  buildings  of  Cincinnati  is  the  court-house,  on  Main  street ; 
it  is  a spacious  building.  The  edifice  of  the  Franklin  and  Lafayette  bank,  of 
Cincinnati,  on  Third  street,  has  a splendid  portico  of  Grecian  Doric  columns,  4 
feet  6 inches  in  diameter,  extending  through  the  entire  front,  was  built  after  the 
model  of  the  Parthenon,  and  is  truly  classical  and  beautiful.  The  First  and 
Second  Presbyterian  churches  are  beautiful  edifices,  and  the  Unitarian  church  is 
singularly  neat.  There  are  several  churches,  built  within  the  last  three  years, 
which  possess  great  beauty,  either  internally  or  externally.  But  the  most  impres' 
sive  building  is  the  Catholic  Cathedral,  which,  at  far  less  cost,  surpasses  in  beauty 
and  picturesque  effect  the  metropolitan  edifice  at  Baltimore.  There  are  many  fine 
blocks  of  stores  on  Front,  Walnut,  Pearl,  Main,  and  Fourth  streets,  and  the  eye 
is  arrested  by  many  beautiful*  private  habitations.  The  most  showy  quarters  are 
Main  street,  Broadway,  Pearl,  and  Fourth  street  west  of  its  intersection  with 
Main. 

There  are  76  churches  in  Cincinnati,  viz. : 7 Presbyterian  (4  Old  and  3 New 
School);  2 Congregational ; 12  Episcopal  Methodist;  2 Methodist  Protestant ; 2 
Wesleyan  Methodist;  1 Methodist  Episcopal  South;  1 Bethel;  1 Associate 
Reformed  ; 1 Reformed  Presbyterian ; 6 Baptist ; 5 Disciples ; 1 Universalist ; 1 
Restoration ist ; 1 Christian ; 8 German  Lutheran  and  Reformed ; English  Lutheran 
and  Reformed,  1 each ; 1 United  Brethren ; 1 Welsh  Calvinistic ; 1 Welsh  Con- 
gregational ; 1 Unitarian  ; 2 Friends ; 1 New  Jerusalem  ; 8 Catholic,  6 of  which 
are  for  Germans ; 2 Jewish  synagogues ; 5 Episcopal,  and  1 Second  Advent. 

There  are  5 market-houses  and  3 theatres,  of  which  1 is  German. 

Cincinnati  contains  many  literary  and  charitable  institutions.  The  Cincinnati 
College  was  founded  in  1819.  The  building  is  in  the  centre  of  the  city,  and  is 
the  most  beautiful  edifice  of  the  kind  in  the  State.  It  is  of  the  Grecian  Doric 
order,  with  pilaster  fronts  and  fa9ade  of  Dayton  marble,  and  cost  about  $35,000. 
It  has  7 professors  or  other  instructors,  about  160^pupils,  one-quarter  of  whom 
are  in  the  collegiate  department.  Woodward  College,  named  from  its  founder, 
who  gave  a valuable  block  of  ground  in  the  north  part  of  the  city,  has  a president 
and  5 professors  or  other  instructors,  and,  including  its  preparatory  department, 
near  200  students.  The  Catholics  have  a college  called  St.  Xavier’s,  which  has 
about  100  students  and  near  5,000  volumes  in  its  libraries.  Lane  Seminary,  a 
theological  institution,  is  at  Walnut  Hills,  two  miles  from  the  centre  of  the  city. 
It  went  into  operation  in  1833,  has  near  100  students,  and  over  10,000  volumes 
in  its  libraries.  There  is  no  charge  for  tuition.  Rooms  are  provided  and  fur- 
nished at  $5  per  annum,  and  the  students  boarded  at  90  and  62J  cents  per  week. 
The  Medical  College  was  chartered  and  placed  under  trustees  in  1825.  It  has  a 
large  and  commodious  building,  a library  of  over  2,000  volumes,  7 professors,  and 
about  150  students.  The  Cincinnati  Law  School  is  connected  with  Cincinnati 
College,  has  3 professors  and  about  30  students.  The  Mechanics’  Institute^ 


HAMILTON  COUNTY, 


757 


chartered  in  1828,  has  a valuable  philosophical  and  chemical  apparatus,  a library 
and  a reading-room.  The  common  free  schools  of  the  city  are  of  a high  order, 
with  fine  buildings,  teachers,  and  apparatus.  In  the  high  schools  there  are  not 
less  than  1,500  pupils;  in  the  common  and  private,  5,000;  and,  including  the 


students  in  the  collegiate  institutions,  there  are  7,000  persons  in  the  various 
departments  of  education.  In  1831  a college  of  teachers  was  established,  having 
for  its  object  the  elevation  of  the  profession,  and  the  advancement  of  the  interest 
of  schools  in  the  Mississippi  Valley,  which  holds  an  annual  meeting  in  Cin- 
cinnati in  October.  The  Young  Men’s  Mercantile  Library  Association  has  a 
fine  library  and  reading-rooms.  The  library  contains  over  3,800  volumes,  and 


Drawn  by  Henry  Howe,  1846. 

Lane  Seminary. 


the  institution  promises  to  be  an  honor  and  a blessing  to  the  commercial  com- 
munity. The  Apprentices’  Library,  founded  in  1821,  contains  2,200  volumes. 

The  charitable  institutions  of  the  city  are  highly  respectable.  The  Cincinnati 
orphan  asylum  is  in  a building  which  cost  $18,000.  Attached  is  a library  and 
well-organized  school,  with  a provision  even  for  infants ; and  it  is  surrounded  by 


HAMILTON  COUNTY. 


758 

ample  grounds.  It  has  trained  up  over  300  children  for  usefulness.  The 
Catholics  have  one  male  and  female  orphan  asylum.  The  commercial  hospital 
and  lunatic  asylum  of  Ohio  was  incorporated  in  1821.  The  edifice,  in  the  north- 
west part  of  the  city,  will  accommodate  250  persons  ; 1,100  have  been  admitted 
within  a year.  A part  of  the  building  is  used  for  a poor-house ; and  there  are 
separate  apartments  for  the  insane. 

The  city  is  supplied  by  water  raised  from  the  Ohio  river,  by  a steam-engine,  of 
forty  horse-power,  and  forced  into  two  reservoirs,  on  a hill,  700  feet  distant;  from 
whence  it  is  carried  in  pipes  to  the  intersection  of  Broadway  and  Third  streets,  and 
thence  distributed  through  the  principal  streets  in  pipes.  These  works  are  now 
owned  by  the  city. 

Cincinnati  is  an  extensive  manufacturing  place.  Its  natural  destitution  of 
water-power  is  extensively  compensated  at  present  by  steam-engines,  and  by  the 
surplus  water  of  the  Miami  canal,  which  affords  3000  cubic  feet  per  minute. 
But  the  Cincinnati  and  White  Water  canal,  which  extends  twenty-five  miles  and 
connects  with  the  White  Water  canal  of  Indiana,  half  a mile  south  of  Harrison, 
on  the  State  line,  will  furnish  a great  increase  of  water-power,  equal  to  ninety  runs 
of  millstones.  The  manufactures  of  the  city,  already  large,  may  be  expected  to 
greatly  increase.  By  a late  enumeration,  it  appears  that  the  manufactures  of 
Cincinnati  of  all  kinds  employ  10,647  persons,  a capital  of  $14,541,842,  and 
produce  articles  of  over  seventeen  millions  of  dollars  value. 

The  trade  of  Cincinnati  embraces  the  country  from  the  Ohio  to  the  lakes,  north 
and  south  ; and  from  the  Scioto  to  the  Wabash,  east  and  west.  The  Ohio  river 
line,  in  Kentucky,  for  fifty  miles  down,  and  as  far  up  as  the  Virginia  line,  make 
their  purchases  here.  Its  manufactures  are  sent  into  the  upper  and  lower  Missis- 
sippi country. 

There  are  six  incorporated  banks,  with  aggregate  capital  of  $5,800,000,  beside 
two  unincorporated  banks.  Cincinnati  is  the  greatest  pork  market  in  the  world. 
Not  far  from  three  millions  of  dollars  worth  of  pork  are  annually  exported. 

Cincinnati  enjoys  great  facilities  for  communication  with  the  surrounding 
country.  The  total  length  of  canals,  railroads  and  turnpikes  which  centre  here, 
completed  and  constructing,  is  1,125  miles.  Those  who  have  made  it  a matter  of 
investigation  predict,  that  Cincinnati  will  eventually  be  a city  of  a very  great 
population.  A writer,  J.  W.  Scott,  editor  of  the  Toledo  Blade,  in  Cist’s  Cincin- 
nati in  1841,”  in  a long  article  on  this  subject,  commences  with  the  startling 
announcement ; ^^Not  having  before  my  eyes  the  fear  of  men,  ^ who — in  the  lan- 
guage of  Governor  Morris — with  too  much  pride  to  study  and  too  much  wit  to 
think,  undervalue  what  they  do  not  understand,  and  condemn  what  they  do  not 
comprehend,’  I venture  the  prediction,  that  within  one  hundred  years  from  this 
time,  Cincinnati  will  be  the  greatest  city  in  America ; and  by  the  year  of  our 
Lord  2000  the  greatest  city  in  the  world.”  We  have  not  space  here  to  recap- 
itulate the  arguments  on  which  this  prediction  is  based.  The  prediction  itself  we 
place  on  record  for  future  reference. — Old  Edition. 

EARLY  INCIDENTS. 

The  few  following  pages  are  devoted  to  incidents  which  transpired  within  the 
city  and  county  up  to  the  time  of  issue  of  the  edition  of  1847.  They  were  derived 
mainly  from  newspapers  and  other  publications. 

Adventure  of  Jacob  Wetzel.,  the  Indian  j^ears,  and  the  building  improvements  adja- 
Hunter. — The  road  along  the  Ohio  river,  cent,  the  spot  still  possesses  many  features  of 
leading  to  Storrs  and  Delhi,  some  four  hun-  its  original  surface,  although  now  divested  of 
dred  yards  below  the  junction  of  Front  and  its  forest  character.  At  the  period  of  this 
Fifth  streets,  crosses  what,  in  early  days,  was  adventure — October  7,  1790 — besides  the 
the  outlet  of  a water-course,  and  notwith-  dense  forest  of  maple  and  beech,  its  heavy 
standing  the  changes  made  by  the  lapse  of  undergrowth  of  spice-wood  and  grape-vine 


HAMILTON  COUNTY, 


759 


made  it  an  admirable  lurking-place  for  the 
savage  beasts,  and  more  savage  still,  the  red 
men  of  the  woods, 

Wetzel  had  been  out  on  his  accustomed 
pursuit — hunting — and  was  returning  to  town, 
at  that  time  a few  cabins  and  huts  collected 
in  the  space  fronting  the  river,  and  extend- 
ing from  Main  street  to  Broadway.  He  had 
been  very  successful,  and  was  returning  to 
rocure  a horse  to  bear  a load  too  heavy  for 
is  own  shoulders,  and,  at  the  spot  alluded 
to,  had  sat  down  on  a decaying  tree-trunk  to 
rest  himself,  and  wipe  the  sweat  from  his 
brow,  which  his  forcing  his  way  through  the 
brush  had  started,  cool  as  was  the  weather, 
when  he  heard  the  rustling  of  leaves  and 
branches,  which  betokened  that  an  animal  or 
an  enemy  was  approaching.  Silencing  the 
growl  of  his  dog,  who  sat  at  his  feet,  and 
appeared  equally  conscious  of  danger,  he 
sprang  behind  a tree  and  discovered  the  dark 
form  of  an  Indian,  half  hidden  by  the  body 
of  a large  oak,  who  had  his  rifle  in  his  hands, 
ready  for  any  emergency  that  might  require 
the  use  of’  it — as  he,  too,  appeared  to  be  on 
his  guard,  having  heard  the  low  growling  of 
the  dog.  At  this  instant,  the  dog  also  spied 
the  Indian  and  barked  aloud,  which  told  the 
Indian  of  the  proximity  of  his  enemy.  To 
raise  his  rifle  was  but  the  work  of  a moment, 
and  the  distinct  cracks  of  two  weapons  were 
heard  almost  at  the  same  time.  The  Indian’ s 
fell  from  his  hands,  as  the  ball  of  the  hunter’s 
had  penetrated  and  broken  the  elbow  of  his 
left  arm,  while  the  hunter  escaped  unhurt. 
Before  the  Indian  could  possibly  reload  his 
rifle  in  his  wounded  condition,  Wetzel  had 
rushed  swiftly  upon  him  with  his  knife,  but 
not  before  the  Indian  had  drawn  his.  The 
flrst  thrust  was  parried  off  by  the  Indian  with 
the  greatest  skill,  and  the  shock  was  so  great 
in  the  effort  that  the  hunter’s  weapon  was 
thrown  some  thirty  feet  from  him.  Nothing 
daunted,  he  threw  himself  upon  the  Indian 
with  all  his  force  and  seized  him  around  the 
body  ; at  the  same  time  encircling  the  right 
arm,  in  which  the  Indian  still  grasped  his 
knife.  The  Indian,  however,  was  a very 
muscular  fellow,  and  the  conflict  now  seemed 
doubtful  indeed.  The  savage  was  striving 
with  all  his  might  to  release  his  arm,  in  order 
to  use  his  knife.  In  their  struggle,  their  feet 
became  interlocked,  and  they  both  fell  to  the 
ground,  the  Indian  uppermost,  which  extri- 
cated the  Indian’s  arm  from  the  iron  grasp 
of  the  hunter.  He  was  making  his  greatest 
endeavors  to  _ use  his  knife,  but  could  not, 
from  the  position  in  which  they  were  lying, 
as  Wetzel  soon  forced  him  over  on  his  right 
side,  and,  consequently,  he  could  have  no 
use  of  his  arm. 

Just  at  this  point  of  the  deadly  conflict, 
the  Indian  gave  an  appalling  yell,  and,  with 
renewed  strength,  placed  his  enemy  under- 
neath him  again,  and  with  a most  exulting 
cry  of  victory,  as  he  sat  upon  his  body,  raised 
his  arm  for  that  fatal  plunge.  Wetzel  saw 
death  before  his  eyes,  and  gave  himself  up 
for  lost,  when,  just  at  this  most  critical  junc- 
ture, his  faithful  dog,  who  had  not  been  an 


uninterested  observer  of  the  scene,  sprang 
forward  and  seized  the  Indian  with  such  force 
by  the  throat,  as  caused  the  weapon  to  fall 
harmless  from  his  hand.  Wetzel,  seeing  such 
a sudden  change  in  his  fate,  made  one  last 
and  desperate  effort  for  his  life,  and  threw 
the  Indian  from  him.  Before  the  prostrate 
savage  had  time  to  recover  himself,  the 
hunter  had  seized  his  knife,  and  with  re- 
doubled energy  rushed  upon  him,  and  with 
his  foot  flrmly  planted  on  the  Indian’s  breast, 
plunged  the  weapon  up  to  the  hilt  in  his 
heart.  The  savage  gave  one  convulsive 
shudder,  and  was  no  more. 

As  soon  as  Wetzel  had  possessed  himself 
of  his  rifle,  together  with  the  Indian’s 
weapons,  he  started  immediately  on  his  way. 
He  had  gone  but  a short  distance  when  his 
ears  were  assailed  by  the  startling  whoop  of 
a number  of  Indians.  He  ran  eagerly  for  the 
river,  and,  fortunately,  finding  a canoe  on 
the  beach  near  the  water,  was  soon  out  of 
reach,  and  made  his  way,  without  further 
danger,  to  the  cove  at  the  foot  of  Sycamore 
street. 

The  Indians  came  up  to  the  place  of  the 
recent  rencounter,  and  discovered  the  body  of 
a fallen  comrade.  They  gave  a most  hideous 
yell  when,  upon  examination,  they  recognized 
in  the  dead  Indian  the  features  of  one  of 
their  bravest  chiefs. 

0.  M.  Spencer  Taken  Captive. — In  July, 
1792,  two  men,  together  with  Mrs.  Coleman 
and  Oliver  M.  Spencer,  then  a lad,  were 
returning  in  a canoe  from  Cincinnati  to 
Columbia  ; they  were  fired  ^ upon  by  two 
Indians,  in  ambush  on  the  river  bank ; one 
of  the  men  was  killed,  and  the  other,  a Mr. 
Light,  wounded.  Mrs.  Coleman  jumped 
from  the  canoe  into  the  river,  and  without 
making  any  exertions  to  swim,  floated  down 
nearly  two  miles.  It  is  supposed  she  was 
borne  up  by  her  dress,  which,  according  to 
the  fashion  of  that  time,  consisted  of  a stuffed 
quilt  and  other  buoyant  robes.  Spencer  was 
taken  and  carried  captive  to  the  Maumee, 
where  he  remained  about  eight  months  and 
was  ransomed.  A narrative  of  his  captivity, 
written  by  himself,  has  been  published  by 
the  Methodists.  [For  some  further  details 
see  Defiance  County.] 

Scalping  of  Col.  Robert  Elliott. — In  1794 
Col.  Robert  Elliott,  contractor  for  supplying 
the  United  States  army,  while  travelling  with 
his  servant  from  Fort  Washington  to  Fort 
Hamilton,  was  waylaid  and  killed  by  the 
Indians,  at  the  big  hill,  south  of  where 
Thomas  Fleming  lived,  and  near  the  line  of 
Hamilton  and  Butler  counties.  When  shot, 
he  fell  from  his  horse.  The  servant  made 
his  escape  by  putting  his  horse  at  full  speed, 
followed  by  that  of  Elliott’s,  into  Fort  Hamil- 
ton. The  savage  who  shot  the  colonel,  in 
haste  to  take  his  scalp,  drew  his  knife,  and 
seized  him  by  the  wig  which  he  wore.  To 
his  astonishment,  the  scalp  came  off  at  the 
first  touch,  when  he  exclaimed,  “c?am  lie!  ” 
In  a few  minutes,  the  surprise  of  the  party 
was  over,  and  they  made  themselves  merry 
at  the  expense  of  their  comrade.  The  next 


760 


HAMILTON  COUNTY, 


day,  a party  from  the  fort,  under  the  guid- 
ance of  the  servant,  visited  the  spot,  placed 
the  body  in  a cofl&n  and  proceeded  on  their 
way  to  Fort  Washington.  About  a mile 
south  of  Springdale  they  were  fired  upon  by 
Indians,  and  the  servant,  who  was  on  the 
horse  of  his  late  master,  was  shot  at  the  first 
fire.  The  party  retreated,  leaving  the  body 
of  Elliott  with  the  savages,  who  had  broken 
open  the  coffin,  when  the  former  rallied,  re- 
took the  body  and  carried  it,  with  that  of  the 
servant,  to  Cincinnati,  and  buried  them  side 
by  side  in  the  Presbyterian  cemetery,  on 
Twelfth  street.  Several  years  after,  a neat 
monument  was  erected,  with  the  following 
inscription  : 


In  memory  of 
ROBERT  ELLIOTT, 

SLAIN  BY  A PARTY  OF  INDIANS, 
Near  this  point. 

While  in  the  service  of  his  country. 

Placed  by  his  son. 

Com.  J.  D.  Elliott,  U.  S.  Navy. 
1835. 


DAMON  AND  FIDELITY. 


A Witch  Story. — About  the  year  1814,  one 
of  our  most  wealthy  and  respectable  farmers 
of  Mill  creek,  who  had  taken  great  pains  and 
expended  much  money  in  procuring  and  pro- 
pagating a fine  breed  of  horses,  was  unfortu- 
nate in  losing  a number  of  them,  by  a dis- 
temper which  appeared  to  be  of  a novel 
character.  As  the  disease  baffled  all  his 
skill,  he  soon  became  satisfied  that  it  was  the 
result  of  witchcraft.  Under  that  impression, 
he  consulted  such  persons  as  were  reputed  to 
have  a knowledge  of  sorcery,  or  who  pre- 
tended to  be  fortune-tellers.  These  persons 
instructed  him  how  to  proceed  to  discover 
and  destroy  the  witch.  One  of  the  experi- 
ments he  was  directed  to  make  was  to  boil 
certain  ingredients,  herbs,  et  cetera,  over  a 
hot  fire,  with  pins  and  needles  in  the  caul- 
dron, which,  he  was  told,  would  produce 
great  mental  and  bodily  distress  in  the  witch 
or  wizzard.  He  tried  that  experiment,  and 
while  the  pot  was  boiling  furiously,  placed 
himself  in  his  door,  which  overlooked  the 
principal  part  of  his  farm,  including  the  field 
in  which  his  horses  were  kept.  It  so  hap- 
pened, that,  while  standing  in  the  door,  he 
saw  his  daughter-in-law,  who  lived  in  a cabin 
about  eighty  rods  from  his  own  house,  hasten- 
ing to  the  spring  for  a bucket  of  water.  His 
imagination  connected  that  hurried  movement 
with  his  incantation  so  strongly,  that  he  im- 
mediately ordered  his  son  to  move  his  family 
from  the  farm. 

From  some  cause,  he  had  formed  an 
opinion  that  a Mrs.  Grarrison,  an  aged  woman, 
in  feeble  health,  fast  sinking  to  the  grave, 
living  some  eight  or  ten  miles  from  his  farm, 


was  the  principal  agent  in  the  destruction  of 
his  horses.  He  had  frequently  expressed 
that  opinion  in  the  neighborhood.  Mrs. 
Grarrison  had  heard  of  it,  and,  as  might  be 
expected,  her  feelings  were  injured  and  her 
spirits  much  depressed  by  the  slanderous 
report.  One  of  the  charms  he  had  been 
directed  to  try  was  to  shoot  a silver  bullet  at 
a horse  while  the  witch  was  evidently  in  him. 
This  he  was  told  would  kill  the  witch  and 
cure  the  animal.  He  accordingly  prepared  a 
silver  ball,  and  shot  it  at  a very  fine  brood- 
mare which  was  affected  by  the  distemper. 
The  mare,  of  course,  was  killed  ; and  as  it  so 
happened,  that,  in  a very  short  time  after, 
poor  Mrs.  Garrison  died,  the  experiment  was 
declared  to  be  successful,  and  the  experi- 
menter _ believes  to  this  day  that  his  silver 
bullet  killed  the  poor  old  woman.  However 
that  may  be,  his  slanderous  report  had  a 
reat  effect  on  her  health,  and  no  doubt 
astened  her  death. — Burnet's  Notes. 

Explosion  of  the  Moselle. — The  new  and 
elegant  steamboat,  Moselle,  Captain  Perkin, 
left  the  wharf  in  Cincinnati,  April  26,  1838 
(full  of  passengers),  for  Louisville  and  St. 
Louis  ; and,  with  the  view  of  taking  a family 
on  board  at  Fulton,  about  a mile  and  a half 
above  the  quay,  proceeded  up  the  river  and 
made  fast  to  a lumber  raft  for  that  purpose. 
Here  the  family  was  taken  on  board  ; and, 
during  the  whole  time  of  their  detention,  the 
captain  had  |madly  held  on  to  all  the  steam 
that  he  could  create,  with  the  intention,  not 
only  of  showing  off  to  the  best  advantage  the 
great  speed  of  his  boat,  as  it  passed  down  the 
river  the  entire  length  of  the  city,  but  that 
he  might  overtake  and  pass  another  boat 
which  had  left  the  wharf  for  Louisville,  but 
a short  time  previous.  As  the  Moselle  was  a 
new  hrag  boat,  and  had  recently  made  several 
exceedingly  quick  trips  to  and  from  Cincin- 
nati, it  would  not  do  to  risk  her  popularity 
for  speed,  by  giving  to  another  boat  (even 
though  that  boat  had  the  advantage  of  time 
and  distance)  the  most  remote  chance  of  be- 
ing the  first  to  arrive  at  the  destined  port. 
This  insane  policy — this  poor  ambition  of 
proprietors  and  captains — has  almost  inevita- 
bly tended  to  the  same  melancholy  results. 
The  Moselle  had  but  just  parted  from  the 
lumber  raft  to  which  she  had  been  fast — her 
wheels  had  scarcely  made  their  first  revolu- 
tion— when  her  boilers  burst  with  an  awful 
and  astounding  noise,  equal  to  the  most 
violent  clap  of  thunder.  The  explosion  was 
destructive  and  heart-rending  in  the  ex- 
treme ; heads,  limbs  and  bodies  were  seen 
flying  through  the  air  in  every  direction, 
attended  with  the  most  horrible  shrieks  and 
groans  from  the  wounded  and  dying.  The 
boat,  at  the  time  of  the  accident,  was  about 
thirty  feet  from  the  shore,  and  was  rendered 
a perfect  wreck.  It  seemed  to  be  entirely 
shattered  as  far  back  as  the  gentlemen’s 
cabin  ; and  her  hurricane  deck,  the  whole 
length,  was  entirely  swept  away.  The  boat 
immediately  began  to  sink,  and  float  with  a 
strong  current  down  the  river,  at  the  same 
time  receding  farther  from  the  shore — while 


HAMILTON  COUNTY, 


761 


the  passengers,  who  yet  remained  unhurt  in 
the  gentlemen’s  and  ladies’  cabins,  became 
panic-struck,  and  most  of  them,  with  a fatuity 
which  seems  unaccountable,  jumped  into  the 
river.  Being  above  the  ordinary  business 
parts  of  the  city,  there  were  no  boats  at  hand, 
except  a few  large  and  unmanageable  wood- 
floats,  which  were  carried  to  the  relief  of  the 
sutferers,  as  soon  as  possible,  by  the  few 
ersons  on  the  shore.  Many  were  drowned, 
owever,  before  they  could  be  rescued,  and 
many  sunk,  who  were  never  seen  afterwards. 
There  was  one  little  boy  on  the  shore  who 
was  seen  wringing  his  hands  in  agony,  im- 
ploring those  present  to  save  his  father, 
mother  and  three  sisters — all  of  whom  were 
struggling  in  the  water  to  gain  the  shore — 
but  whom  the  little  fellow  had  the  awful 
misfortune  to  see  perish,  one  by  one,  almost 
within  his  reach  ; an  infant  child,  belonging 
to  the  family,  was  picked  up  alive,  floating 
down  the  river  on  one  of  the  fragments  of  the 
hurricane  deck. 

The  boat  sunk  about  fifteen  minutes  after 
the  explosion,  leaving  nothing  to  be  seen  but 
her  chimneys  and  a small  portion  of  her 
upper  works. 

The  “Moselle”  was  crowded  with  pas- 
sengers from  stem  to  stern,  principally  Ger- 
mans, bound  to  St.  Louis.  Nearly  all  on 
board  (with  the  exception  of  those  in  the 
ladies’  cabin)  were  killed  or  wounded.  Most 
of  the  sufferers  were  among  the  hands  of  the 
boat  and  the  steerage  passengers.  The  cap- 
tain was  thrown  by  the  explosion  into  the 
street  and  was  picked  up  dead  and  dreadfully 
mangled.  Another  man  was  forced  through 
the  roof  of  one  of  the  neighboring  houses ; 
the  pilot  was  thrown  about  a hundred  feet 
into  the  air,  whence  he  fell  and  found  his 
grave  in  the  river  ; and  many  were  the  limbs 
and  other  fragments  of  human  bodies  which 
were  found  scattered  about  upon  the  river 
and  far  along  the  shore.  The  number  de- 
stroyed by  the  explosion  was  estimated  at 
over  200  persons. 

The  Asiatic  Cholera. — This  dreaded  pesti- 
lence first  visited  the  United  States  in  1832 
and  broke  out  in  October  of  that  year.  The 
total  number  of  deaths  by  it  in  Cincinnati 
was,  as  reported,  351.  [The  most  fatal  year 
of  its  visitation  was  in  1849,  when  out  of  a 
population  of  116,000  the  total  deaths  were 
8,500.  The  deaths  among  the  Germans  and 
Irish  were  one  in  sixteen  persons  and  among 
the  Americans  one  in  fifty-six.  The  causes 
of  these  results  were  doubtless  owing  to  the 
different  modes  of  living.  The  greatest  mor- 
tality was  in  the  hot  month  of  July,  yet  great 
fires  were  made  in  some  streets,  but  the  dis- 
ease went  on  with  its  fearful  fatality  and 
“the  long  funerals  blackened  all  the  way,”] 

The  Great  Freshet  of  February.,  1832. — 
The  Ohio  river  commenced  rising  at  this 
place  about  the  9th  inst.  On  the  12th  it  be- 
gan to  swell  over  the  banks,  and  on  the  14th 
many  merchants  and  others  near  the  river 
were  compelled  to  remove  their  goods  to  the 
second  story  of  their  houses.  It  continued  to 
rise  rapidly  till  Saturday  morning,  February 


18th,  when  it  came  to  a stand,  having  risen 
sixty-three  /ee^  above  low  water  mark.  Dif- 
ferences of  opinion  exist  as  to  its  compara- 
tive height  with  the  rises  of  1792  and  1815. 
It  is  supposed  to  have  been  about  five  feet 
higher  than  in  1792  or  1815.  About  noon, 
on  the  18th,  it  commenced  falling  very  slowly, 
and  yet  continues  to  fall.  In  the.  course  of 
two  or  three  days  it  probably  will  be  confined 
within  its  banks. 

The  rise  was  of  the  most  distressing  char- 
acter. It  carried  desolation  into  all  the  lower 
parts  of  the  city.  Hundreds  of  families 
were  turned  houseless  upon  the  community. 
During  the  early  part  of  the  rise  many  in  the 
lower  part  of  the  city  were  awakened  at 
night  by  the  water  pouring  in  upon  them  and 
were  obliged  to  fly  ; others  betook  themselves 
to  the  upper  stories  and  were  brought  away 
in  boats  the  next  morning.  Many  families 
continue  to  reside  in  the  upper  part  of  their 
dwellings,  making  use  of  boats  in  going  from 
and  returning  to  their  stores  and  houses 

We  have  heard  of  the  death  of  but  two  in- 
dividuals, Mr.  John  Harding  and  Mr.  Wil- 
liam Aulsbrook  ; the  former  a man  of  family, 
the  latter  a single  man.  They  were  in  the 
employ  of  Mr.  William  Tift,  of  this  city, 
and  lost  their  lives  in  endeavoring  to  keep 
the  water  out  of  his  cellar.  While  at  work 
the  back  wall  of  the  building  gave  way  ; the 
cellar  filled  in  an  instant  and  they  were  unable 
to  get  out.  They  both  were  very  worthy 
men. 

The  water  extended  over  about  thirty-five 
squares  of  the  thickly  settled  part  of  the 
city,  from  John  street  on  the  west  to  Deer 
creek  on  the  east,  and  north  to  Lower  Market 
and  Pearl  streets.  The  distance  of  about  a 
mile  west  of  John  street  was  likewise  sub- 
merged. This  part  of  the  city,  however,  is 
but  thinly  settled. 

The  amount  of  damage  sustained  by  mer- 
chants, owners  of  improved  real  estate  and 
others  cannot  be  correctly  ascertained.  Many 
houses  have  floated  away,  a great  num- 
ber have  moved  from  their  foundations  and 
turned  over ; many  walls  have  settled  so  as 
to  injure  the  houses  materially,  and  a great 
quantity  of  lumber  and  other  property  has 
floated  off.  The  large  bridge  over  the  mouth 
of  Mill  creek  floated  away,  and  that  over 
Deer  creek  is  much  injured.  Thousands  and 
tens  of  thousands  of  dollars  worth  of  dry 
goods,  groceries,  etc. , have  been  destroyed  or 
materially  injured.  Business  of  almost  every 
description  was  stopped ; money  became 
scarce,  and  wood  and  flour  enormously 
high.  ^ 

Active  measures  were  taken  by  the  citizens 
for  the  relief  of  the  sufferers.  A town 
meeting  was  held  at  the  council  chamber 
on  the  15th  inst.  G.  W.  Jones  was  ap- 
pointed chairman  and  Samuel  H.  Goodin 
secretary.  On  motion  a committee  of  fifteen 
(three  from  a ward)  was  appointed  to  take 
up  collections  for  the  relief  of  the  sufferers, 
consisting  of  the  following  persons  ; E.  Hulse, 
N.  G.  Pendleton,  E.  C.  Smith,  J.  W.  Gazlay, 
Jno.  Wood,  G.  W.  Jones,  W.  G.  Orr,  W. 


762 


HAMILTON  COUNTY. 


Holmes,  A.  Owen,  P.  Britt,  J.  Resor,  0. 
Lovell  and  G.  C.  Miller. 

A committee  of  vigilance  was  also  ap- 
pointed, whose  duty  it  was  to  remove  per- 
sons and  goods  surrounded  with  water.  ^ The 
following  persons  composed  that  committee  : 
J.  Pierce,  Wm.  Phillips,  Sami.  Fosdick,  Wm. 
Stephenson,  Chas.  Fox,  Henry  Tatem,  I.  A. 
Butterfield,  Jas.  McIntyre,  N.  M.  Whitte- 
more,  M.  Cofiin,  Jas.  McLean,  J.  Aumuck, 
J.  D.  Garard,  A.  G.  Dodd  and  Fullom 
Perry. 

T.  D.  Carneal,  J.  M.  Mason,  J.  C.  Avery, 
Chas.  Fox  and  R.  Buchanan  were  appointed 
a committee  to  procure  shelter  for  those 
whose  houses  were  rendered  untenable.  On 
motion  it  was  resolved  that  persons  who  may 
need  assistance  be  requested  to  make  applica- 
tion to  the  council  chamber,  where  members 
of  the  committee  of  vigilance  shall  rendez- 
vous and  where  one  or  more  shall  at  all  times 
remain  for  the  purpose  of  affording  relief. 
At  a subsequent  meeting  twenty  were  added 
to  the  committee  of  vigilance. 

It  gives  us  pleasure  to  state  that  the  mem- 
bers of  the  foregoing  committees  most  faith- 
fully discharged  their  respective  duties.  A 
provision  house  was  opened  by  the  committee 
of  vigilance,  on  Fourth  street,  where  meats, 
bread,  wood,  clothes, _ etc.,  were  liberally 
given  to  all  who  applied.  The  ladies  sup- 
ported their  well-known  character  for  benevo- 
lence by  contributing  clothing  and  food  to 
the  sufferers.  The  committee  appointed  to 
collect  funds  found  the  citizens  liberal  in 
their  donations.  All  who  had  vacant  houses 
and  rooms  cheerfully  appropriated  them  to 
the  use  of  those  made  homeless.  Public 
buildings,  school-houses  and  basement  stories 
of  churches  were  appropriated  to  this  pur- 
pose. Mr.  Brown,  of  the  amphitheatre,  Mr. 
Franks,  proprietor  of  the  gallery  of  paint- 
ings, Mr.  R.  Letton,  proprietor  of  the  Mu- 
seum, appropriated  the  entire  proceeds  of 
their  houses,  the  first  on  the  night  of  the  17th  ; 
the  second  on  the  18th,  and  the  third  on  that 
of  the  20th,  for  the  relief  of  the  sufferers.  The 
Beethoven  society  of  sacred  music  also  gave 
a concert  for  the  same  purpose,  in  the  Second 
Presbyterian  church,  on  Fourth  street,  on  the 
night  of  the  24th. 

Destruction  of  the  Philanthropist  news- 
pa^cr  printing  office  hy  a mob.,  July  30,  1 836. 
— The  paper  had  then  been  published  in  Cin- 
cinnati about  three  months,  and  was  edited 
by  James  G.  Birney.  As  early  as  the  14th 
of  July,  the  press-room  was  broken  open  and 
the  press  and  materials  defaced  and  destroyed. 
J uly  23d  a meeting  of  citizens  was  convened 
at  the  lower  market-house  “to  decide 
whether  they  will  permit  the  publication  or 
distribution  of  abolition  papers  in  this  city.  ’ ’ 
This  meeting  appointed  a committee,  which 
opened  a correspondence  with  the  conductors 
of  that  print — the  executive  committee  of  the 
Ohio  Anti-slavery  Society — requesting  them 
to  discontinue  its  publication.  This  effort 
being  unsuccessful,  the  committee  of  citizens 
published  the  correspondence,  to  which  they 
appended  a resolution,  in  one  clause  of  which 


they  stated,  “That  in  discharging  their 
duties  they  have  used  all  the  measures  of 
persuasion  and  conciliation  in  their  power. 
That  their  exertions  have  not  been  successful 
the  above  correspondence  will  show.  It 
only  remains,  then,  in  pursuance  of  their 
instructions,  to  publish  their  proceedings  and 
adjourn  without  day.  But  ere  they  do  this, 
they  owe  it  to  themselves,  and  those  whom 
they  represent,  to  express  their  utmost 
abhorrence  of  everything  like  violence,  and 
earnestly  to  implore  their  fellow-citizens  to 
abstain  therefrom.  ’ ’ The  sequel  is  thus  given 
by  a city  print. 

On  Saturday  night,  July  30th,  very  soon 
after  dark,  a concourse  of  citizens  assembled 
at  the  corner  of  Main  and  Seventh  streets,  in 
this  city,  and  upon  a short  consultation,  broke 
open  the  printing  ofiice  of  the  Philanthropist., 
the  abolition  paper,  scattered  the  type  into  the 
streets,  tore  down  the  presses  and  completely 
dismantled  the  office.  It  was  owned  by  A. 
Pugh,  a peaceable  and  orderly  printer,  who 
printed  the  Philanthropist  for  the  Anti- 
slavery Society  of  Ohio.  From  the  printing 
office  the  crowd  went  to  th.e  house  of  A. 
Pugh,  where  they  supposed  there  were  other 
printing  materials,  but  found  none,  nor 
offered  any  violence.  Then  to  the  Messrs. 
Donaldson’s,  where  only  ladies  were  at  home. 
The  residence  of  Mr.  Birney,  the  editor,  was 
then  visited ; no  person  was  at  home  but  a 
youth,  upon  whose  explanations  the  house 
was  left  undisturbed. 

A shout  was  raised  for  Dr.  Colby’s,  and 
the  concourse  returned  to  Main  street,  pro- 
posed to  pile  up  the  contents  of  the  office  in 
the  street  and  make  a bonfire  of  them.  A 
gentleman  mounted  the  pile  and  advised 
against  burning  it,  lest  the  houses  near  might 
take  fire.  A portion  of  the  press  was  then 
dragged  down  Main  street,  broken  up  and 
thrown  into  the  river.  The  Exchange  was 
then  visited  and  refreshments  taken.  After 
which  the  concourse  again  went  up  Main 
street  to  about  opposite  the  Gazette  office. 
Some  suggestions  were  hinted  that  it  should 
be  demolished,  but  the  hint  was  overruled. 
An  attack  was  then  made  upon  the  residences 
of  some  blacks  in  Church  alley ; two  guns 
were  fired  upon  the  assailants  and  they 
recoiled.  It  was  supposed  that  one  man  was 
wounded,  but  that  was  not  the  case.  It  was 
some  time  before  a rally  could  again  be  made, 
several  voices  declaring  they  did  not  wish  to 
endanger  themselves.  A second  attack  was 
made,  the  houses  found  empty  and  their 
interior  contents  destroyed.  ...  On  the 
afternoon  of  August  2d,  pursuant  to  a call,  a 
very  large  and  respectable  meeting  of  citizens 
met  at  the  court-house  and  passed  a series  of 
resolutions,  the  first  of  which  was  “ that  this 
meeting  deeply  regret  the  cause  oT  the 
recent  occurrences,  and  entirely  disapprove 
of  mobs  or  other  unlawful  assemblages.” 
The  concluding  resolution  was  approbatory 
of  the  cour.se  of  the  colonization  society,  and 
expressed  an  opinion  that  it  was  “the  only 
method  of  getting  clear  of  slavery.” 

Negro  Riot  of  September.,  1841. — This  city 


HAMILTON  COUNTY, 


763 


has  been  in  a most  alarming  condition  for 
several  days,  and  from  8 o’clock  on  Friday 
evening  until  3 o’clock  yesterday  [Sunday] 
morning  almost  entirely  at  the  mercy  of  a 
lawless  mob,  ranging  in  number  from  200  to 
1500. 

On  Tuesday  evening  last,  as  we  are  in- 
formed, a quarrel  took  place  on  the  corner  of 
Sixth  street  and  Broadway,  between  a party 
of  Irishmen  and  some  negroes  ; some  two  or 
three  of  each  party  were  wounded.  On 
Wednesday  night  the  quarrel  was  renewed  in 
some  way,  and  some  time  after  midnight  a 
party  of  excited  men,  armed  with  clubs,  etc., 
attacked  a house  occupied  as  a negro  board- 
ing-house on  Macalister  street,  demanding 
the  surrender  of  a negro  whom  they  said  was 
secreted  in  the  house,  and  uttering  the  most 
violent  threats  against  the  house  and  the 
negroes  in  general.  Several  of  the  adjoining 
houses  were  occupied  by  negro  families.  The 
violence  increased  and  was  resisted  by  those 
in  or  about  the  houses — an  engagement  took 
place,  in  which  several  were  wounded  on  each 
side.  On  Thursday  night  another  rencounter 
oook  place  in  the  neighborhood  of  the  Lower 
xdarket  between  some  young  men  and  boys 
and  some  negroes,  in  which  one  or  two  boys 
were  badly  wounded,  as  was  supposed,  with 
xnives. 

On  Friday  evening  before  8 o’clock  a mob, 
the  principal  organization  of  which,  we 
understand,  took  place  in  Kentucky,  openly 
assembled  in  Fifth  street  market,  unmolested 
by  the  police  or  citizens.  They  marched 
from  their  rendezvous  towards  Broadway  and 
Sixth  street,  armed  with  clubs,  stones,  etc. 
Reaching  the  scene  of  operation  with  shouts 
and  blasphemous  imprecations  they  attacked 
a negro  confectionery  in  Broadway,  next  to 
the  synagogue,  and  demolished  the  doors  and 
windows.  This  attracted  an  immense  crowd. 

About  this  time,  before  9 o’clock,  they  were 
addressed  by  J.  W.  Piatt,  who  exhorted  them 
to  peace  and  obedience  to  the  law ; but  his 
voice  was  drowned  by  shouts  and  throwing 
of  stones.  The  mayor  also  attempted  to  ad- 
dress them.  The  savage  yell  was  instantly 
raised:  “Down  with  him!  run  him  off!” 
were  shouted  and  intermixed  with  horrid 
imprecations  and  exhortations  to  the  mob  to 
move  onward.  A large  portion  of  the  leading 
disturbers  appeared  to  be  strangers — some 
connected  with  river  navigation  and  backed 
by  boat  hands  of  the  lowest  order.  They  ad- 
vanced to  the  attack  with  stones,  etc.,  and 
were  repeatedly  fired  upon  by  the  negroes. 
The  mob  scattered,  but  immediately  rallied 
again,  and  again  were  in  like  manner  repulsed. 
Men  were  wounded  on  both  sides  and  carried 
off — and  many  reported  dead.  The  negroes 
rallied  several  times,  advanced  upon  the 
crowd,  and  most  unjustifiably  fired  down  the 
street  into  it,  causing  a great  rush  down  the 
street.  These  things  were  repeated  until 
past  1 o’clock,  when  a party  procured  an  iron 
six  pounder  from  near  the  river,  loaded  with 
boiler  punchings,  etc.,  and  hauled  it  to  the 
ground,  against  tbe  exhortations  of  the  mayor 
and  others.  It  was  posted  on  Broadway  and 


pointed  down  Sixth  street.  The  yells  con- 
tinued, but  there  was  a partial  cessation  of 
firing.  Many  of  the  negroes  had  fled  to  the 
hills.  The  attack  upon  the  houses  was  re- 
commenced with  the  firing  of  guns  upon  both 
sides,  which  continued  during  most  of  tbe 
night ; and  exaggerated  rumors  of  the  killed 
and  wounded  filled  the  streets.  The  cannon 
was  discharged  several  times.  About  2 
o’clock  a portion  of  the  military,  upon  the 
call  of  the  mayor,  proceeded  to  the  scene  of 
disorder  and  succeeded  in  keeping  tbe  mob 
at  bay.  In  the  morning  and  throughout  the 
day  several  blocks,  including  the  battle- 
ground, were  surrounded  with  sentinels  and 
kept  under  martial  law — keeping  within  the 
negroes  there,  and  adding  to  tbem  such  as 
were  brought  in  during  the  day  for  pro- 
tection. 

A meeting  of  citizens  was  held  at  the  court- 
house on  Saturday  morning,  which  was  ad- 
dressed by  the  mayor  and  others,  and  a series 
of  resolutions  passed  discountenancing  mobs 
— invoking  the  aid  of  the  civil  authorities  to 
stay  the  violence,  repudiating  the  doctrines 
of  the  abolitionists,  etc.  The  city  council 
also  held  a special  session  to  concert  measures 
to  vindicate  the  majesty  of  the  law  and  re- 
store peace  to  the  city.  Intense  excitement 
continued  during  the  day,  the  mob  and  their 
leaders  boldly  occupying  the  streets  without 
^rrest.  The  negroes  held  a meeting  in  a church 
and  respectfully  assured  the  mayor  and  citizens 
that  they  would  use  every  effort  to  conduct  as 
orderly  citizens,  to  suppress  imprudent  conduct 
among  their  own  people,  etc.  They  expressed 
their  readiness  to  conform  to  the  law  of  1807, 
and  give  bond,  or  to  leave  within  a specified 
time — and  tendered  their  thanks  to  the 
mayor,  watch,  officers  and  gentlemen  of  the 
city,  for  the  efforts  made  to  save  their  prop- 
erty, their  lives,  their  wives  and  children. 

At  3 P.  M.,  the  mayor,  sheriff,  marshal 
and  a portion  of  the  police,  proceeded  to  the 
battle-ground,  and  there,  under  the  protection 
of  the  military,  though  in  the  presence  of 
the  mob,  and  so  far  controlled  by  them  as  to 
prevent  the  taking  away  of  any  negroes  upon 
their  complying  with  the  law,  several  of  the 
negroes  gave  bond  and  obtained  permission  to 
go  away  with  their  sureties,  who  were  some 
of  our  most  respectable  citizens,  but  were 
headed  even  within  the  military  sentinels, 
and  compelled  to  return  within  the  ground. 
It  was  resolved  then  to  embody  the  male 
negroes  and  march  them  to  jail  for  security 
under  the  protection  of  the  civil  and  military 
authority.  From  250  to  300  were  accordingly 
escorted  to  that  place  with  difficulty,  sur- 
rounded by  the  military  and  officers,  and  a 
dense  mass  of  men,  women  and  boys,  con- 
founding all  distinction  between  the  orderly 
and  disorderly,  accompanied  with  deafen- 
ing yells.  They  were  safely  lodged,  and  still 
remain  in  prison  , separated  from  their  families. 
The  crowd  was  in  that  way  dispersed. 

The  succeeding  night  the  military  were 
ordered  out,  the  firemen  were  out,  clothed 
with  authority  as  a police  band.  About 
eighty  citizens  enrolled  themselves  as  assist- 


764 


HAMILTON  COUNTY. 


ants  of  the  marshal.  A troop  of  horse  and 
several  companies  of  volunteer  infantry  con- 
tinued on  duty  until  near  midnight.  Some 
were  then  permitted  to  sleep  upon  their  arms, 
others  remained  on  duty  until  morning  guard- 
ing the  jail,  etc. 

As  was  anticipated,  the  mob,^  efficiently 
organized,  early  commenced  operations,  divid- 
ing their  force  and  making  their  attacks  at 
different  points,  thus  distracting  the  attention 
of  the  police.  The  first  successful  onset  was 
made  upon  the  printing  office  of  the  Philan- 
thropist. They  succeeded  in  entering  the 
establishment,  breaking  up  the  press,  and 
running  with  it  amid  savage  yells,  down 
through  Main  street  to  the  river,  into  which 
it  was  thrown.  The  military  appeared  in  the 
alley  near  the  office,  interrupting  the  mob  for 
a short  time.  They  escaped  through  the  bye- 
ways,  and  when  the  military  retired,  returned 
to  their  work  of  destruction  in  the  office, 
which  they  completed.  Several  houses  were 
broken  open  in  different  parts  of  the  city, 
occupied  by  negroes,  and  the  windows,  doors 
and  furniture  completely  destroyed.  Among 
these  was  the  negro  church  on  Sixth  street. 
One  of  the  last  efforts  was  to  fire  or  other- 
wise destroy  the  book  establishment  of 
Messrs.  Truman  & Smith,  on  Main  street. 
From  this  they  were  driven  by  the  police,  and 
soon  after,  before  daylight,  dispersed  from 
mere  exhaustion. 

It  is  impossible  to  learn  either  the  number 
of  killed  and  wounded  on  either  side  ; prob- 
ably several  were  killed  and  twenty  or  thirty 
variously  wounded,  though  but  few  danger- 
ously. Several  of  the  citizen-police  were  hurt 
with  stones,  etc.  ; the  authorities  succeeded 
in  arresting  about  forty  of  the  mob,  who  are 
now  in  prison.  The  mob  was  in  many  cases 
encouraged  and  led  on  by  persons  from 
Kentucky.  About  11  o’clock  on  Saturday 
night  a bonfire  was  lighted  on  that  side  of  the 
river,  and  loud  shouts  sent  up  as  if  a great 
triumph  had  been  achieved.  In  some  cases 
the  motions  of  the  mob  were  directed  and 
managed  by  mere  boys,  who  suggested  the 
points  of  attack,  put  the  vote,  declared  the 
result  and  led  the  way  ! After  all  the  negro 
men  had  been  disarmed  and  committed  to 
prison  for  safe-keeping,  under  a solemn 
ledge  that  their  wives  and  children  should 
e protected,  a band  of  white  men  were  per- 
mitted to  renew  their  brutal  attacks  upon 
these  females  and  children.  The  excitement 
continiied  yesterday.  The  governor,  who 
had  arrived  in  town,  issued  his  proclamation. 
The  citizens  rallied  with  spirit  to  aid  the  city 
authorities.  Strong  patrols  of  military  and 
citizens  last  night  prevented  any  further  out- 
break. 

Bank  Mol),  Jan.  11,  1842. — Monday  even- 
ing, the  Miami  Exporting  Company  Bank 
assigned  its  effects,  and  on  Tuesday  morning 
(January  11)  the  Bank  of  Cincinnati  closed 
doors.  Early  in  the  morning,  the  crowd,  in 
consequence  of  their  failure,  began  to  collect 
around  the  doors  of  these  institutions,  and  by 
11  o’clock  had  broken  into  them,  destroying 
all  the  movable  property  and  whatever  of 


books  or  papers  could  be  laid  hold  of  About 
this  time  ten  of  the  city  guards,  headed  by 
their  brave  captain,  Mitchell,  appeared,  drove 
the  rioters  away,  and,  for  a time,  gallantly 
maintained  their  position  ; but  they  were 
called  off.  On  retiring,  they  were  assailed — 
they  fired,  and  wounded  some  one  or  two 
persons.  The  mob  had,  with  this  exception, 
undisputed  possession  of  the  city,  and  com- 
menced, first  an  attack  upon  Babes’  Ex- 
change Bank,  and  after  that,  upon  Lougee’s 
exchange  office,  both  of  which  they  destroyed, 
making  havoc  of  everything  which  was  at 
all  destructible. 

Distressing  Fire,  Feb.  28,  1843. — On  Satur- 
day morning,  about  5 o’clock,  a fire  broke 
out  in  the  smoke-house  of  Messrs.  Pugh  & 
Alvord,  at  the  corner  of  Walnut  street  and 
the  canal,  which,  in  its  consequences,  has 
been  one  of  the  most  distressing  that  ever 
occurred  in  this  city.  The  smoke-house  was 
in  the  rear,  and  somewhat  detached  from  the 
main  building,  being  connected  with  it  only 
by  a wooden  door  and  narrow  passage-way, 
through  which  the  meat  was  usually  wheeled 
It  was  thought  the  fire  could  be  confined  to 
the  former,  and  for  that  purpose  the  pork- 
house  was  closed  as  tight  as  possible,  by 
shutting  all  the  doors  and  windows,  to  ex- 
clude a rush  of  air  to  feed  the  flames. 

In  the  course  of  half  an  hour,  the  main 
building  was  filled  with  smoke,  rarefied  air 
and  inflammable  gas  from  the  smoke-house  ; 
and  when  the  flames  burst  through  the 
wooden  door  connecting  the  two  buildings, 
an  instantaneous  roar  of  flame  was  perceived, 
and  in  the  twinkling  of  an  eye,  the  whole 
of  this  spacious,  substantial  building  was  a 
mass  of  ruins.  The  whole  roof  was  lifted  in 
the  air  and  thrown  into  the  streets  in  large 
fragments — the  second  story  walls,  on  the 
north  and  south  sides,  were  thrown  down, 
and  the  whole  eastern  end  of  both  stories 
fronting  on  Walnut  street  blown  into  the 
streets  from  its  foundation  up.  The  appear- 
ance of  the  explosion  was  awfully  terrific,  and 
its  consequences  fatal  to  several  of  our  most 
estimable  citizens.  We  annex  the  names  of 
the  killed  and  severely  wounded,  as  far  as  we 
can  now  ascertain  them.  Killed — Joseph 
Bonsall,  Caleb  W.  Taylor,  H.  S.  Edmands, 
J.  S.  Chamberlain,  H.  0.  Merrill,  John 
Ohe,  a German  laborer,  with  two  or  three 
other  German  laborers.  Wounded  severely — 
George  Shillito,  H.  Thorpe,  T.  S.  Shaeffer, 
Mr.  Alvord  (of  the  firm  of  Pugh  & Alvord), 
Samuel  Schooley,  Warren  G.  Finch,  John 
Blakemore,  Lewis  Wisby,  John  M.  Vansickle, 
Joseph  Trefts,  A.  Oppenhermer,  Jas.  Tryatt, 
Bobt.  Rice,  William  II.  Goodloe. 

A few  minutes  before  the  explosion,  the 
smoke  settled  to  the  ground  around  the 
corner  of  the  building,  on  the  canal  and 
Walnut  street  fronts,  which  caused  the 
removal  of  the  masses  of  people  which  filled 
those  spaces,  unconscious  of  danger.  _ But 
for  this,  the  force  of  the  explosion  being  in 
that  direction,  the  destruction  of  life  would 
have  been  frightfully  extensive. 

On  Sunday  morning,  a special  meeting  of 


HAMILTON  COUNTY. 


7^5 


the  city  council  was  called,  and  in  obedience 
to  one  of  the  resolutions  passed,  the  mayor 
issued  a proclamation,  requesting  the  citizens 
to  suspend  their  business  on  Monday,  the 
27th  inst.,  and  attend  the  funerals  of  the 
deceased.  On  Monday,  the  court  of  common 


pleas  adjourned  for  this  purpose,  shops  were 
closed,  and  the  business  of  the  day  was  set 
aside.  The  bells  were  tolled,  and  little  was 
done  save  to  aid  in  performing  the  last  sad 
rites  of  the  dead. 


Keminiscences  of  Cincinnati  in  the  War  Time. 

Cincinnati  up  to  the  outbreak  of  the  rebellion  largely  sympathized  with  the 
slave-holders  so  far  as  to  deprecate  any  restrictions  upon  what  was  termed  ^Hheir 
rights  under  the  laws.^^  Many  of  the  leading  families  by  blood  and  kindred  were 
connected  with  the  South  : indeed  largely  came  from  there.  Through  trade  with 
the  South  its  citizens  had  been  greatly  sustained.  ‘^^The  establishment  of  an 
anti-slavery  newspaper  had  resulted  in  its  destruction  by  a mob,  in  which  were 
some  of  the  most  prominent  citizens,  and  the  driving  of  its  editor,  Mr.  Birney,  to 
a distant  city.  The  quarters  of  the  negro  population  at  times  were  subject  to 
attacks  from  the  scum  of  the  city,  aided  by  the  rabble  from  the  Kentucky  side  of 
the  Ohio.  Free  speech,  if  it  took  the  form  of  public  protests  against  the  continu- 
ance of  slavery,  was  dangerous.  Wendell  Phillips  was  driven  from  the  stage  at 
Pike’s  Opera  House,  and  waited  for  in  the  streets  to  be  hung  up  by  a howling  pro- 
slavery mob,  the  mayor  refusing  to  allow  the  police  to  suppress  it.  At  the  same 
era  Mr.  Yancey,  of  Alabama,  was  allowed  therein  to  utter  the  most  bitter  disloyal 
tirade,  with  threats  against  the  North,  without  a whisper  of  dissent  from  an  audi- 
ence of  three  thousand. 

With  the  firing  upon  Sumter,  April  12,  1861,  a spirit  of  vengeance  for  the 
insult  to  the  flag  seemed  at  once  to  take  possession  of  the  entire  population.  All 
thoughts  of  trade  and  money-getting  were  swept  completely  from  the  minds  of 
the  people  as  in  any  Northern  city.  These  incidents  illustrate  the  conciliatory 
temper  of  the  public  just  prior  to  this  event.  On  April  5th  three  cannon  from 
Baltimore  were  allowed  to  pass  through  the  city  en  route,  for  Jackson,  Mississippi, 
marked  for  the  “ Southern  Confederacy  ” and  on  the  very  day  before  a slave  was 
remanded  into  the  custody  of  his  master  by  a United  States  Commissioner  in  Cin- 
cinnati. 

The  first  authentic  despatch  of  the  bombardment  reached  Cincinnati  Friday 
evening,  the  12th,  and  was  posted  on  the  bulletin  boards.  The  fact  was  a sur- 
prise to  multitudes.  Up  to  that  very  moment  they  had  believed  the  South 
was  not  in  earnest.  It  was  all  bluster ; there  would  be  no  war.  What  is  note- 
worthy, the  large  German  population  of  the  city  believed  differently ; among 
them  were  many  old  soldiers  who  had  been  engaged  in  the  German  revolution 
of  1 848,  and  they  felt  war  in  the  air.”  And  it  was  the  same  with  the  officers 
of  our  army.  We  remember  meeting  on  the  street  a valued  acquaintance,  in  a 
Captain  of  the  Topographical  Corps  of  Engineers,  on  the  reception  of  the  news 
of  the  fall  of  Sumter.  He  greeted  us  with  sadness  and  in  tones  of  anguish 
exclaimed  : It  is  terrible — it  is  terrible ; there  is  great  suffering  in  store  for  us 
all ; it  is  to  be  a long  and  bloody  struggle.  God  only  knows  how  it  will  end.” 
With  that  he  drew  in  his  breath  between  his  closed  teeth  in  his  agony  of  emotion 
and  walked  away.  This  officer  was  a member  of  the  Cincinnati  Literary  Club, 
In  a |)aper  read  before  the  club  in  the  preceding  fall  on  the  subject  of  Forti- 
fications,” he  criticised  the  policy  of  President  Buchanan  in  unsparing  terms ; for 
this  he  was  arrested  to  be  tried  by  court-martial.  His  strong  Union  sentiments 
and  his  boldness  of  denunciation  early  made  for  him  implacable  enemies.  He 
did  excellent  service  in  the  war  and  is  known  in  history  as  General  John  Pope. 
He  was  a rather  short  man,  then  in  his  prime,  very  handsome  too,  with  full  chest, 
sparkling  black  eyes,  pearly  teeth,  dainty  hands  and  feet,  his  figure  just  beginning 
to  round  into  that  fulness  which  at  a certain  time  of  life  often  overtakes  both 
sexes,  and  when  reached  by  some  specimens  of  the  gentler  sex  is  sometimes 
happily  expressed  by  the  agreeable  sentence,  fair,  fat,  and  forty.” 


j66 


HAMILTON  COUNTY. 


At  the  Gazette  office  a man  had  a sentence  in  favor  of  the  South  squelched  by 
an  egg  striking  him  fairly  in  the  open  mouth,  when  amid  the  jeers  of  the  crowd 
this  egg  receiver  disappeared.  Before  night  the  city  was  gay  with  the  Stars  and 
Stripes.  Never  had  the  flag  seemed  so  beautiful  in  the  eyes  of  the  American 
people.  Until  that  moment  they  had  no  conception  of  the  strength  of  their 
patriotism.  Everywhere  throughout  the  land  it  fluttered  in  its  glory  and  was 
such  an  insignia  of  love  for  the  Union,  that  even  the  lukewarm  as  a defence 
against  the  stigma  of  their  more  loyal  neighbors  felt  compelled  to  display  it.  A 
comical  incident  occurred  on  the  outskirts  of  an  Ohio  city,  where  a family  of 
lukewarm  proclivities  were  alarmed  by  a cry  in  the  street,  when  the  mother 
called  out  to  her  son,  John,  they  are  calling  out  to  us  ^ Secesh,  secesh ; ’ run  quick 
and  put  out  our  flag  or  we  shall  be  mobbed.’’  John  thereupon  obeyed.  It  was 
subsequently  ascertained  the  cry  had  proceeded  from  a pedlar,  who  going  by  in  a 
wagon  was  proclaiming  his  wares,  fresh  fish.” 

The  week  that  opened  with  Monday,  the  15th,  with  the  news  of  the  fall  of 
Sumter,  and  the  call  of  Mr.  Lincoln  for  75,000  troops,  was  one  of  intense  activ- 
ity all  over  the  State.  The  legislature  appropriated  $1,000,000  to  arm  and  equip 
the  10,000  men.  These  Gov.  Dennison  telegraphed  the  President  were  subject  to 
his  orders  ; Cincinnati  also  voted  by  its  Council  $2001,000  to  aid  in  equipping  the 
troops.  These  sums  were  then  thought  to  be  sufficient  in  view  of  the  prediction 
of  Mr.  Seward  that  the  “ war  would  be  over  in  ninety  days.” 

Large  and  enthusiastic  meetings  were  held  in  the  city,  participated  in  largely 
by  leading  Democrats,  and  every  voice  rang  clear  in  support  of  the  Government. 
The  attitude  of  Kentucky  at  this  time  was  alarming,  and  the  citizens  at  one  of  these 
meetings  amid  a whirlwind  of  applause  adopted  resolutions  signifying  that  it  was  too 
late  to  draw  nice  distinctions  between  armed  neutrality  and  open  rebellion — that  both 
were  alike  rebellion — that  those  who  did  not  sustain  the  Government  in  the  present 
crisis  were  traitors.  As  Whitelaw  Reid  expresses  it,  “From  the  first  day  that 
the  war  was  open,  the  people  of  Cincinnati  were  as  vehement  in  their  determina- 
tion that  it  should  relentlessly  be  prosecuted  to  victory  as  the  city  of  Boston.” 
The  attitude  of  Kentucky  was  indeed  at  this  time  peculiarly  alarming.  Her 
Governor,  Beriah  Magoffin,  in  response  to  the  call  for  troops  had  declared — “ I say 
emphatically  Kentucky  will  furnish  no  troops  for  the  wicked  purpose  of  subduing 
her  sister  Southern  States.”  Whereupon  Governor  Dennison  telegraphed  to  Wash- 
ington, “ If  Kentucky  will  not  fill  her  quota,  Ohio  will  fill  it  for  her.”  He  more 
than  kept  his  promise.  Some  of  the  first  Kentucky  regiments,  so  called,  were 
almost  entirely  composed  of  Ohio  men  and  commanders.  Sixteen  days  after  the 
President’s  call,  Ohio  had  volunteers  offered  enough  to  fill  the  full  quota  for  the 
nation,  75,000  men. 

What  made  the  position  of  Cincinnati  at  this  trying  era  especially  interesting 
was  that  no  large  Northern  city  was  so  exposed,  so  inviting  to  attacks  from  its 
location  and  great  wealth.  If  Kentucky  should  secede  the  city  would  have  to  be 
defended  from  her  own  hills  instead  of  from  those  on  the  south  side  of  the  river. 
By  wise  management  Kentucky  was  saved,  but  multitudes  of  her  young  men  from 
her  rich  slave-holding  centres  enlisted  under  the  banner  of  Secession. 

General  Henry  M.  Cist,  in  his  article  in  the  “ Magazine  of  American  History  ” 
entitled  “ Cincinnati  with  the  War  Fever,”  says  : 

“ During  the  first  week  after  the  fall  of  Sumter,  active  work  was  done  in 
recruiting  and  drilling  companies  and  in  perfecting  regimental  organizations.  On 
Thursday,  April  18th,  the  heartstrings  of  mothers,  relatives,  and  dear  friends 
received  the  first  strain  of  war.  When  the  three  companies  of  Rover  Zouaves 
and  Lafayette  Guards  left  the  city  under  order  to  report  at  Columbus  to  take 
their  place  in  a regiment  en  route  to  the  defence  of  Washington,  these  companies 
were  escorted  to  the  depot  by  the  Guthrie  Grays  and  the  Continentals,  and  there 
amid  the  tears  and  farewells  of  friends  the  soldier  boys  started,  all  aglow  with 
martial  ardor,  for  the  fields  of  glory.  During  the  week  four  regiments  were 


HAMILTON  COUNTY. 


767 


started  in  the  city,  and  recruiting  was  so  active  that  it  became  a question  wlio  was 
not  to  go.  The  Germans  turned  out  with  a magnificent  soldierly  body  of  men, 
over  1,000  strong,  the  regiment  known  as  the  famous  9th  Ohio.’^ 

This  was  called  the  Turner  Regiment.  It  paraded  the  streets  as  we  remernber 
in  the  white  garb  of  the  Turner  Society,  of  which  its  members  were  mostly  com- 
posed. It  became  one  of  the  most  effective  of  regiments  and  had  the  distinguished 
honor  of  making  at  Mill  Springs  the  first  bayonet  charge  of  the  war.  It  proved 
an  unhappy  punching  to  the  enemy,  who,  not  relishing  that  kind  of  tickling, 
broke  and  ran.  They  were,  however,  composed  of  poor  whites  and  armed 
mainly  with  shot-guns. 

This  regiment  was  commanded  by  Col.  Robert  L.  McCook.  He  was  a large- 
hearted  man  with  a frank,  open,  laughing  manner ; a lawyer  and  a partner  with 
the  eminent  German  lawyer,  J.  B.  Stallo.  He  so  hated  pretense  and  show  of 
any  kind  that  he  most  unwillingly  submitted  to  the  requirement  of  wearing  a 
military  dress.  On  the  occasion  of  this  parade  he  was  mounted  on  horseback, 
clad  in  citizen^s  dress  with  stove-pipe  hat,  his  only  military  insignia  a sword 
buckled  to  his  side.  We  lately  met  a lady  who,  when  a child,  was  a school-mate 
with  McCook  and  she  tells  us  that  he  at  one  time  got  into  a quarrel  with  another 
boy  and  on  being  separated  and  reprimanded  by  the  school-marm,^^  he  answered, 
It  is  all  right — you  are  a woman — you  donT  know  anything  about  war.’^ 

McCook,  who  was  idolized  by  his  men,  was  murdered  in  the  summer  of  1862 
while  riding,  sick  and  recumbent,  in  a spring-wagon,  attended  by  a small 
escort  of  cavalrymen,  who  all  but  one  cowardly  galloped  off  as  the  guerillas 
appeared. 

The  Irish  element  in  Cincinnati  was  not  far  behind  the  German  in  their 
alacrity  to  spring  to  the  cause  of  the  Union,  and,  says  Cist,  The  well-known 
regiment,  the  Tenth  Ohio,  that  did  splendid  work  under  Col.  William  H.  Lytle, 
the  ^Soldier  Poet,’  was  ready  for  camp.  The  Fifth  Ohio,  Avith  Col.  J.  H. 
Patrick,  Avith  many  of  the  most  promising  young  men  of  the  city  as  members, 
formed  during  the  week ; and  the  ranks  of  the  Guthrie  Grays — the  Sixth  Ohio — 
were  Avell  filled,  OA^er  one  thousand  strong,  Avith  the  most  prominent  young  men 
in  all  branches  of  society  and  business  in  the  city,  under  W.  K.  Bosley.  The  latter 
part  of  the  week  orders  were  received  by  General  Lytle  to  establish  a camp  of 
instruction,  wRich  AA^as  done  at  the  Cincinnati  Trotting  Park,  some  six  miles  north 
of  the  city,  and  named  Camp  Harrison.  To  this  camp  these  regiments  marched 
Avith  the  music  of  bands  and  the  Avaving  of  flags  and  amid  the  applauding  cheers 
of  vast  crowds  lining  the  streets  and  bidding  them  God-speed.”  A little  later 
Camp  Dennison  was  established  sixteen  miles  out  on  the  Little  Miami  Railroad 
and  became  the  great  rendezvous  for  Ohio  in  the  Avar. 

None  of  those  early  city  regiments  at  this  time  Avere  in  Federal  uniforms.  The 
German  regiment  Avas  in  the  white  clothing  of  the  Turner  Society  with  short 
Avhite  roundabout  jackets  of  linen  ; the  Sixth  Ohio  in  the  uniform  of  the  Guthrie 
Grays ; and  the  Fifth  Ohio  in  red  flannel  shirts,  making  a gorgeous  display  as 
they  marched  doAvn  Sycamore  street  one  thousand  strong  in  platoons  stretching 
from  curb  to  curb. 

In  a very  feAv  days  more,  just  at  the  edge  of  evening,  the  First  and  Second 
Indiana  regiments  disembarked  at  the  Fifth  street  depot  and  marched  through 
the  city,  the  whole  length  of  Fourth  street,  m route  for  Western  Virginia.  Oliver 
P.  Morton,  the  Governor  of  Indiana,  a man  of  extraordinary  executive  as  Avell  as 
oratorical  ability,  had  regiments  mustered  into  service  in  a surprisingly  short 
space  of  time.  A stigma  of  cowardice  cast  upon  the  conduct  of  Indiana  troops  at 
Buena  Vista  by  Mr.  Jefferson  Davis  during  the  Mexican  war  had  rankled  in  the 
hearts  of  the  Indiana  people  and  they  were  eager  for  vengeance.  These  regiments, 
on  departing  from  Indianapolis  for  the  seat  of  Avar,  had  kneeled  before  the  State 
Capitol  and  with  bared  heads  had  taken  an  oath  to  Remember  Buena  Vista.” 
Later  they  doubtless  sang  with  unwonted  gusto,  in  the  war-song  of  the  time, 


Cincinnati  in  1802. 


Cincinnati  in  1810. 


Cincinnati  in  1846. 


Fourth  Street,  C'inctnnati,  Feb.  2,  1858. 


The  above  view  was  drawn  by  J.  W.  Barber  for  “Historical  Collections,  U.  S.,”  by  J.  W.  Barber 
and  Henry  Howe.  The  building  with  Grecian  front  was  occupied  as  Post-office  and  Custom  House, 
now  the  site  of  the  Chamber  of  Commerce.  Mitchell  & Rammelsburg’s  furniture  and  Shillito’s  dry- 
goods establishments  and  the  tower  of  the  Unitarian  Church  appear  beyond. 


770 


HAMILTON  COUNTY. 


“We’ll  hang  Jeff  Davis  on  a sour  apple-tree, 

Glory  Hallelujah.” 

These  iDdiana  regiments  were  the  first  regiments  the  Cincinnati  people  had 
seen  beside  their  own,  and  they  greeted  them  with  great  enthusiasm.  They  were 
two  thousand  strong,  a line  body  of  bright  young  men,  and  splendidly  equipped, 
with  knapsacks  slung  and  like  all  the  early  Indiana  regiments  attired  in  gray. 
Regiment  after  regiment  of  Morton’s  gray-attired  men  soon  followed  them.  One 
of  these,  the  Seventh  Indiana,  was  reviewed  a few  weeks  later  by  Major  Anderson 
of  Fort  Sumter  fame,  from  the  residence  of  his  brother,  Larz  Anderson,  on  Pike 
street.  The  major  was  a'  sedate-appearing  gentleman  and  looked  care-worn  and 
dejected,  the  result  it  was  said  of  the  excessive  mental  strain  put  upon  him  by 
his  experiences  at  Charleston. 

The  sudden  change  from  the  avocations  of  peace  to  those  of  war  made  the 
city  seem  as  another  place  and  the  people  another  people.  Under  the  excitement 
of  a great  overpowering  emotion  of  patriotism  all  classes  mingled  with  a surpris- 
ing degree  of  friendliness  and  good  feeling ; even  strangers  greeted  each  other  and 
neighbors  that  had  been  estranged  for  years  forgot  their  petty  jealousies.  Their 
fathers  and  sons  touched  elbows  as  they  marched  away  under  the  old  flag  amid 
their  tears  and  prayers.  The  spirit  of  self-sacrifice  and  generosity  largely  dis- 
played tended  to  increase  one’s  love  of  his  kind : and  it  came,  too,  often  from 
those  who  had  been  reputed  to  be  hard  and  selfish.  The  angel  in  their  natures 
came  out  smiling  but  blew  no  trumpet.  One  whom  we  knew,  still  know,  and 
never  can  get  rid  of,  neither  in  this  world  nor  in  any  other,  said  to  his  landlord, 
“ These  are  strange  times ; my  business  is  dead  and  now  I have  this  great  house 
of  yours  on  my  hands  and  no  income  to  meet  the  rent : I shall  have  to  move  out 
and  find  some  humble  shelter  for  my  family.”  “ That,”  replied  he,  “ will  do  me 
no  good.  Stay  where  you  are  and  take  care  of  my  property ; no  matter  about 
rent.  These  are  'the  times  spoken  of  in  Scripture  when  the  hand  of  the  father  is 
against  the  son  and  brother  against  brother.  We  must  help  each  other.  If  I get 
out  of  bread  and  you  have  it,  I will  call  upon  you  ; and  if  you  get  out  and  I have 
it,  come  to  me  and  I will  divide  the  last  crust.”  The  dough  for  that  last  crust 
was  never  kneaded. 

War  was  a matter  about  which  the  people  were  as  ignorant  as  babes.  The 
spirit  of  humanity,  and  not  of  ferocity  and  blood-shedding,  was  their  natural 
characteristic.  But  for  years  blood-shedding  was  the  great  business  of  the  city ; 
its  industries  were  shaped  to  that  end  and  supported  its  population.  In  those  be- 
ginning days  the  public  meetings  were  intensely  exciting.  Two  or  three  of  these 
we  distinctly  remember.  One,  about  the  very  first,  was  in  Pike’s  Opera  House. 
It  was  packed  from  pit  to  dome,  tier  above  tier.  The  venerable  Nathaniel 
Wright  attempted  to  read  some  spirit-spiriting  resolutions  and  failing  for  want 
of  voice  they  were  passed  over  to  Mr.  Rufus  King,  when  every  syllable  went  forth 
in  clear  ringing  tones  to  the  ears  and  hearts  of  that  packed,  enthusiastic  mass. 
Mr.  King  to  this  day  we  are  glad  to  say  has  that  magnificent  voice  in  sound  work- 
ing condition ; a voice  that  always  goes  out  only  for  what  is  good. 

It  was  in  that  very  hall  later  on,  on  an  October  evening,  1864,  that  James  E. 
Murdock  read  for  the  first  time  “Sheridan’s  Ride,”  that  fine  descriptive  poem  of 
Buchanan  Read,  a Cincinnati  production,  conceived  and  born  on  that  very  day 
■wherein  genius  in  song  illustrated  genius  in  war  and  the  hearts  of  the  nation  beat 
in  unison  with  the  music. 

A meeting  of  gentlemen  and  ladies  was  held  at  Smith  and  Nixon’s  Hall  to 
learn  from  O.  M.  Mitchell  what  he  knew  about  war.  He  was  an  object  of  pride 
with  the  Cincinnatians.  Through  his  exertions  they  had  the  honor  of  having 
established  the  first  observatory,  built  by  the  contributions  of  a ])eople,  on  the 
globe.  He  was  a small  and  ordinarily  silent  man,  dark  complexion,  erect  in 
figure,  his  face  strong,  keen  v>dth  its  expression  of  thought.  The  little  man 


HAMILTON  COUNTY, 


771 


seemed  the  concentration  of  nervous  energy.  He  had  often  addressed  them  on 
the  subject  of  astronomy.  His  religious  and  poetical  instincts  were  strong,  he 
was  all  alive  with  feeling ; he  possessed  great  fluency  and  command  of  language 
and  electrifled  his  audiences  with  this  sublime  elevating  topic  as  probably  no  man 
had  ever  done  before.  When  the  war  broke  out  he  said  he  was  ready  to  flght  in 
the  ranks  or  out  of  the  ranks ; and  he  only  asked  permission  from  his  country  to 
have  something  to  do.  This  sentence  was  the  key-note  of  his  character — patri- 
otism and  intense  activity.  On  this  occasion  he  spake  with  flery  energy — the  war 
was  to  be  no  child’s  play.  “We  read  in  the  newspapers  about  steel  netting  for 
our  soldiers  to  protect  the  breasts  against  bullets.  What  nonsense  ! And  they 
tell  us  of  a famous  cannon  just  invented  that  will  carry  seven  miles — seven  miles  ! 
What  ? Expect  to  put  down  this  rebellion  and  drive  the  rebels  into  the  last  ditch, 
they  talk  so  much  about,  and  get  no  nearer  than  seven  miles  ! ” At  this  sally  the 
audience  roared. 

Judge  Bellamy  Storer  was  another  of  Cincinnati’s  fiery,  enthusiastic  orators, 
and  like  Mitchell  was  overflowing  with  patriotism  united  to  the  religious  instinct. 
The  more  sublime  flights  of  oratory  can  never  be  reached  without  an  infusion  of 
the  latter. 

At  a meeting  in  Greenwood  Hall  Judge  Storer  gave  one  of  his  fervid  appeals, 
calling  upon  the  young  men  to  volunteer.  As  he  closed,  he  drew  his  tall,  impos- 
ing form  to  its  utmost  height  and  spreading  out  his  arms  exclaimed,  “ I’m  an  old 
man,  rising  of  sixty  years,”  then  with  a look  as  though  about  ready  to  spring  into 
a fight,  added,  “ and  I now  volunteer.” 

A few  days  later  our  eyes  were  greeted  with  the  sight  of  a company  of  old 
substantial  citizens  called  the  “ Storer  Rifles,”  clad  in  handsome  uniforms,  marching 
through  the  streets  to  the  sound  of  drum  and  fife — old,  mostly  wealthy,  gray- 
headed men,  some  of  them  very  obese,  with  aldermanic  protuberances ; they  were 
splendidly  equipped,  each  at  his  own  expense,  and  were  named  the  “ Storer  Rifles.” 
Among  them  was  the  Judge  himself,  bearing  his  shooting-piece  and  evidently  as 
proud  of  his  trainer  clothes  as  any  school-boy. 

This  company  was  organized  to  act  as  Home  Guards  for  the  protection  of  the 
city  and  to  stimulate  “ the  boys  ” to  enlist  for  the  war. 

After  a little  it  seemed  as  though  the  entire  force  of  able-bodied  men  were 
drilling,  and,  where  not  for  the  army,  to  act  as  Home  Guards.  Within  a week 
from  the  fall  of  Sumter  at  least  ten  thousand  men  were  drilling  in  the  city.  The 
vacant  halls  were  used  as  drill-rooms  and  the  measured  tramp  of  the  recruits  and 
the  cries  of  the  drill-sergeants,  “ left,  left,”  arose  from  all  over  the  city.  The 
town  wag  of  the  time  was  Platt  Evans,  a tailor  who  had  his  shop  on  Main  street, 
just  below  Fourth.  Numberless  were  the  stories  told  of  his  witticisms.  He  was 
a rather  short,  red-faced  man,  advanced  in  life,  with  a coarse  complexion  but  of 
artistic  tastes.  Withal  he  stammered  in  speech,  and  this  defect  often  gave  a 
peculiar  pungency  to  his  wit.  On  being  solicited  to  act  as  a captain  of  a company 

of  Home  Guards  he  blurted  out,  “ you foo-fools  ; if-if  I was  m-m-marching 

you  down  B-B-Broad-B-B-Broadway,  you  all  would  be  in  the  r-r-river  b-b-b-be- 
fore  I could  ca-call  ha-ha-halt ! ” 

The  famed  Literary  Club,  converting  their  rooms  into  a drilling  hall,  formed 
into  a military  company.  They  were  largely  young  lawyers,  their  business  for  the 
time  crushed  and  they  had  no  resource  for  occupation  but  to  turn  from  laAV  to 
war,  from  courts  to  camps.  Some  sixty  went  into  the  service,  almost  all  became 
officers  and  some  distinguished  generals,  as  R.  B.  Hayes,  M.  F.  Force,  Ed.  O. 
Noyes,  etc.  Mr.  R.  W.  Burnet  volunteered  to  drill  the  club.  He  was  a dignified, 
quiet  gentleman  of  about  fifty  years  of  age,  a son  of  Judge  Burnet,  and  had  been 
educated  at  West  Point.  On  taking  charge  he  made  a short  address,  in  which  he 
said  his  first  military  experience  on  graduating  was  as  a young  lieutenant  in  the 
nullification  times  of  1832,  when  he  was  sent  with  his  company  by  Jackson  to 
Charleston  to  throttle  its  rebellious  citizens  if  they  attempted  to  execute  their 


772 


HAMILTON  COUNTY. 


treasonable  threats.  And  now,”  said  he,  “ I can  but  reflect  that  it  is  these  same 
pestilential  people  that  have  so  wickedly  plunged  the  country  into  a cruel,  unnec- 
essary war,  and  I am  again  in  service  against  them.” 

Finding  himself,  after  the  lapse  of  thirty  years,  somewhat  rusty  in  his  tactics, 
Mr.  Burnet  resigned  and  his  place  was  supplied  by  a drill  sergeant  from  the  Newport 
Barracks.  He  was  a coarse,  rough,  ignorant  foreigner,  and  occasionally  forgetting 

himself  at  some  exhibition  of  awkwardness,  would  let  slip  an  oath,  D n you 

there,  on  the  left,  hold  up  your  heads !”  Then,  remembering  where  he  was,  he 
would  bow  himself  and  in  tones  of  great  humility  say,  I ask  your  pardon,  gen- 
tlemen.” Then,  a minute  later,  again  flying  into  a passion,  he  would  let  slip  another 
oath,  to  be  in  like  manner  followed  with  another  I ask  your  pardon,  gentlemen.” 
And  thus  it  was  the  Literary  Club  was  initiated  into  the  school  of  the  soldier  by 
oaths  alternated  with  expressions  of  humility. 

Cincinnati  was  especially  prominent  for  the  large  number  of  eminent  characters 
she  supplied  for  the  cabinet  and  the  field — Hon.  Salmon  P.  Chase,  the  great  war 
secretary,  and  two  of  Ohio’s  war  governors,  Dennison  and  Brough,  and  many  of 
the  distinguished  Union  generals,  as  Major-Generals  Bosecrans,  McClennan, 
Mitchell  and  Godfrey  Weitzell ; Brevet  Major-Generals  B.  B.  Hayes,  August 
Willich,  Henry  B.  Banning,  Manning  F.  Force,  August  V.  Kautz  and  Kenner 
Garrard ; Brigadier-Generals  Bobert  L.  McCook,  William  H.  Lytle,  A.  Sanders 
Piatt,  E.  P.  Scammon,  Nathaniel  McLean,  M.  S.  Wade  and  John  P.  Slough; 
and  Brevet  Brigadier-Generals  Andrew  Hickenlooper,  Benjamin  C.  Ludlow,  Israel 
Garrard,  William  H.  Baldwin,  Henry  V.  N.  Boynton,  Charles  E.  Brown,  Henry 
L.  Bennet,  Henry  M.  Cist,  Stephen  J.  McGroarty,  Granville  Moody,  August 
Moore,  Beuben  D.  Mussey,  George  W.  Neff,  Edward  F.  Noyes,  Augustus  C.  Parry, 
Durbin  Ward  and  Thomas  L.  Young ; also  Joshua  L.  Bates  of  the  Ohio  militia. 
A host  of  other  Cincinnatians  served  in  various  civil  and  military  capacities. 
Especially  useful  were  its  medical  men ; more  than  half  the  entire  number  of 
United  States  volunteer  surgeons”  were  from  this  city;  they  entered  the  service 
independent  of  special  commands.  Among  the  medical  men  were  William  H. 
Mussey,  George  Mendenhall,  John  Murphy,  William  Clendenin,  Bobert  Fletcher, 
George  H.  Shumard,  etc.  After  the  bloody  battles  of  Fort  Donaldson  and  Shiloh 
the  Cincinnati  surgeons  went  down  to  the  fields  in  streams,  attended  to  the  wounded 
and  their  transportation  to  hospitals  in  the  city,  a number  of  buildings  being  im- 
provised for  the  purpose.  A very  efficient  citizen  of  that  era  was  Miles  Green- 
wood, an  iron  founder,  who  cast  cannon,  rifled  muskets  and  plated  steamboats  with 
iron  for  war  purposes. 

The  Cincinnati  branch  of  the  United  States  Sanitary  Commission  was  particu- 
larly efficient ; an  outline  of  their  work  is  given  on  page  190.  Alike  efficient  was 
the  local  branch  of  the  United  States  Christian  Commission.  It  was  under  the 
management  of  A.  E.  Chamberlain,  H.  Thane  Miller,  with  Bev.  J.  F.  Marlay 
Secretary,  and  B.  AV.  Cliidlaw  general  agent.  It  distributed  stores  and  money  to 
the  amount  of  about  $300,000,  the  contributions  of  Soldiers’  Aid  Societies 
and  Ladies’  Christian  Commission,  mainly  from  the  patriotic  men  and  women  of 
Ohio. 

The  most  marked  events  in  the  war  history  of  the  city  were  what  has  been 
termed  the  Siege  of  Cincinnati”  in  1862  and  the  raid  of  John  Morgan  in  the 
following  year. 

The  Siege  of  Cincinnati. 

After  the  unfortunate  battle  of  Bichmond,  on  the  29th  of  August,  Kirby 
Smith,  with  his  15,000  rebel  veterans,  adv^ancing  into  the  heart  of  Kentucky,  took 
possession  of  Lexington,  Frankfort,  and  Maysville.  Bragg  with  his  large  army 
was  then  crossing  the  Kentucky  line ; while  Morgan,  with  his  guerilla  cavalry, 
was  already  joined  to  Smith.  Pondrous-proportioned  Humphrey  Marshall  was 


HAMILTON  COUNTY. 


773 


also  busy  swelling  the  rebel  ranks  with  recruits  from  the  fiery  young  Kentuckians. 
Affairs  looked  threateningly  on  the  border. 

General  Lewis  Wallace  was  at  once  placed  in  command  at  Cincinnati,  by  order 
of  Major-General  Wright.  Soon  as  he  arrived  in  the  city,  on  Thursday,  the  4th 
of  September,  he  put  Cincinnati  and  the  two  cities  on  the  Kentucky  side  of  the 
Ohio,  Newport  and  Covington,  under  martial  law,  and,  within  an  hour  of  his 
arrival,  he  issued  a proclamation  suspending  all  business,  stopping  the  ferry-Loats 
from  plying  the  river,  and  summoning  all  citizens  to  enrol  themselves  for  defence. 
It  was  most  effective.  It  totally  closed  business,  and  sent  every  citizen,  without 
distinction,  to  the  ranks  or  into  the  trenches.  Nor  was  it  needless,  for  the  enemy, 
within  a few  days  thereafter,  advanced  to  within  five  miles  of  the  city,  on  the 
Kentucky  side,  and  skirmished  with  our  outposts.  Buchanan  Read,  the  poet, 
painter  of  the  time,  draws  this  picture  of  the  events.  Read  was  a volunteer  aid 
to  General  Wallace. 


The  ten  days  ensuing  will  be  forever 
memorable  in  the  annals  of  the  city  of  Cin- 
cinnati. The  cheerful  alacrity  with  which 
the  people  rose  en  masse  to  swell  the  ranks 
and  crowd  into  the  trenches  was  a sight  worth 
seeing.  Of  course,  there  were  a few  timid 
creatures  who  feared  to  obey  the  summons. 
Sudden  illness  overtook  some.  Others  were 
hunted  up  by  armed  men  with  fixed  bayonets  ; 
ferreted  from  back  kitchens,  garrets  and 
cellars,  closets  and  even  under  beds  where 
they  were  hiding.  One  peacefully  excited 
individual  was  found  in  his  wife’s  clothes, 
scrubbing  at  the  wash-tub.  He  was  put  in 
one  of  the  Oerman  working  parties,  who  re- 
ceived him  with  shouts  of  laughter. 

The  citizens  thus  collected  were  the  repre- 
sentatives of  all  classes  and  many  nativities. 
The  man  of  money,  the  man  of  law,  the  mer- 
chant, the  artist,  and  the  artisan  swelled  the 
lines,  hastening  to  the  scene  of  action,  armed 
either  with  musket,  pick,  or  spade. 

But  the  pleasantest  and  most  picturesque 
sight  of  those  remarkable  days  was  the 
almost  endless  stream  of  sturdy  men  who 
rushed  to  the  rescue  from  the  rural  districts 
of  Ohio  and  Indiana.  These  were  known  as 
the  squirrel-lminters.  They  came  in  files, 
numbering  thousands  upon  thousands,  in  all 
kinds  of  costumes,  and  armed  with  all  kinds 
of  firearms,  but  chiefly  the  deadly  rifle, 
which  they  knew  so  well  how  to  use. 

Old  men,  middle-aged  men,  and  often  mere 
boys,  like  the  “minute  men”  of  the  old 
Revolution,  they  dropped  all  their  peculiar 
avocations,  and  with  their  leathern  pouches 
full  of  bullets,  and  their  ox-horns  full  of 
powder,  by  every  railroad  and  by-way,  in 
such  numbers  that  it  seemed  as  if  the  whole 
State  of  Ohio  were  peopled  only  with  hunters, 
and  that  the  spirit  of  Daniel  Boone  stood 


upon  the  hills  opposite  the  town  beckoning 
them  into  Kentucky. 

The  pontoon  bridge  over  the  Ohio,  which 
had  been  begun  and  completed  between  sun- 
down and  sundown,  groaned  day  and  night 
with  the  perpetual  stream  of  life,  all  setting 
southward.  In  three  days  there  were  ten 
miles  of  intrenchments  lining  the  Kentucky 
hills,  making  a semicircle  from  the  river 
above  the  city  to  the  banks  of  the  river 
below  ; and  these  were  thickly  manned,  from 
end  to  end,  and  made  terrible  to  the  astonished 
enemy  by  black  and  frowning  cannon. 

General  Heath,  with  his  12,000  veterans, 
flushed  with  their  late  success  at  Richmond, 
drew  up  before  these  formidable  preparations 
and  deemed  it  prudent  to  take  the  matter 
into  serious  consideration,  before  making  the 
attack. 

Our  men  were  eagerly  awaiting  their 
approach,  thousands  in  rifle  pits,  and  tens  of 
thousands  along  the  whole  line  of  fortifica- 
tions, while  our  scouts  and  pickets  were 
skirmishing  with  their  outposts  in  the  plains 
in  front.  Should  the  foe  make  a sudden 
dash  and  carry  any  point  of  our  lines,  it  was 
thought  by  some  that  nothing  would  prevent 
them  from  entering  Cincinnati. 

^ But  for  this  provision  was  also  made.  The 
city  above  and  below  was  well  protected  by  a 
flotilla  of  gunboats,  improvised  from  the 
swarm  of  steamers  which  lay  at  the  wharves. 
The  shrewd  leaders  of  the  rebel  army  were 
probably  kept  well  posted  by  traitors  within 
our  own  lines,  in  regard  to  the  reception  pre- 
pared for  them,  and  taking  advantage  of  the 
darkness  of  night  and  the  violence  of  a 
thunder  storm  made  a hasty  and  ruinous 
retreat.  Wallace  was  anxious  to  follow,  and 
was  confident  of  success,  but  was  overruled 
by  those  higher  in  authority. 


To  the  above  general  view  of  the  siege  we  contribute  our  individual  experience. 
Such  an  experience  of  the  entire  war  in  a diary,  by  a citizen  of  the  genius  of 
Defoe,  would  outlive  a hundred  common  histories  ; centuries  hence  be  preserved 
among  the  choice  collections  of  American  historic  literature.  It  would  illustrate 
as  nothing  else  could,  the  inner  life  of  our  people  in  this  momentous  period,  their 
varying  emotions  and  sentiments ; their  surprise  and  indignation  at  the  treason  to 
the  beautiful  country  of  their  love ; their  never-equalled  patriotism  and  generosity ; 


774 


HAMILTON  COUNTY. 


their  unquenchable  hope ; the  almost  despair  that  at  times  settled  upon  them, 
when  all  seemed  but  lost,  through  the  timidity  and  irresolution  of  weak  generals 
in  the  field  ; the  intrigues  and  intended  treachery  of  demagogues  at  home.  Then 
the  groping  forward,  like  children  in  the  dark,  of  millions  of  loyal  hearts  for  some 
mighty  arm  to  guide ; some  mighty  intellect  to  reveal  and  thus  relieve  the  awful 
suspense  as  to  the  future ; as  though  any  mere  man  had  an  attribute  that  alone  is 
of  God.  Finally,  through  the  agony  of  sore  adversities,  came  the  looking  upward 
to  the  only  power  that  could  help.  Thus  the  religious  instincts  became  deepened. 
Visions  of  the  higher  life  dwarfed  the  large  things  of  this : and  through  faith 
came  greater  blessings  than  the  wisest  among  the  good  had  hoped. 


On  the  morning  the  city  was  put  under 
martial  law,  I found  the  streets  full  of  armed 
police  in  army  blue,  and  all,  without  respect 
to  age,  compelled  to  report  at  the  head- 
quarters of  their  respective  districts  for  enrol- 
ment. An  unwilling  citizen,  seeing  the 
bayonet  levelled  at  him,  could  but  yield  to 
the  inexorable  logic  of  military  despotism. 
It  was  perilous  to  walk  the  streets  without  a 
pass.  At  every  corner  stood  a sentinel. 

The  colored  men  were  roughly  handled  by 
the  Irish  police.  From  hotels  and  barber 
shops,  in  the  midst  of  their  labors,  these 
helpless  people  were  pounced  upon  and  often 
bareheaded  and  in  shirtsleeves,  just  as  seized, 
driven  in  squads,  at  the  point  of  the  bayonet, 
and  gathered  in  vacant  yards  and  guarded. 
What  rendered  this  act  more  than  ordinarily 
atrocious  was,  that  they,  through  their  head 
men,  had,  at  the  first  alarm,  been  the  earliest 
to  volunteer  their  services  to  our  mayor,  for 
the  defence  of  our  common  homes.  It  was  a 
sad  sight  to  see  human  beings  treated  like 
reptiles. 

Enrolled  in  companies  we  were  daily 
drilled.  One  of  these  in  our  ward  was  com- 
posed of  old  men,  termed  ‘‘Silver  Grays.” 
Among  its^  members  were  the  venerable 
Judge  Leavitt,  of  the  United  States  Supreme 
Court,  and  other  eminent  citizens.  Grand- 
fathers were  seen  practicing  the  manual,  and 
lifting  alternate  feet  to  the  cadence  of  mark- 
time. 

At  this  stage  of  afiairs  the  idea  that  our 
colored  citizens  possessed  war-like  qualities 
was  a subject  for  scofiing ; the  scoffers  forget- 
ting that  the  race  in  ancestral  Africa,  includ- 
ing even  the  women,  had  been  in  war  since 
the  days  of  Ham  ; strangely  oblivious  also  to 
the  fact  that  our  foreign-born  city  police 
could  only  by  furious  onslaughts,  made  with 
Hibernian  love  of  the  thing,  quell  the  frequent 
pugnacious  outbreaks  of  the  crispy-haired 
denisons  of  our  own  Bucktown.  From  this 
view,  or  more  probably  a delicate  sentiment 
of  tenderness,  instead  of  being  armed  and 
sent  forth  to  the  dangers  of  battle,  they  were 
consolidated  into  a peaceful  brigade  of  workers 
in  the  trenches  back  of  Newport,  under  the 
philanthropic  guidance  of  the  Hon.  William 
M.  Dickson. 

The  daily  morning  march  of  the  corps 
down  Broadway  to  labor  was  a species  of  the 
mottled  picturesque.  At  their  head  was  the 
stalwart,  manly  form  of  the  landlord  of  the 
Dumas  house,  Colonel  Harlan.  Starting 


back  on  the  honest,  substantial,  coal-black 
foundation,  all  shades  of  color  were  exhibited, 
degenerating  out  through  successive  grada- 
tions to  an  ashy  white  ; the  index  of  Anglo  ■ 
Saxon  fatherhood  of  the  chivalrous  American 
type.  Arrayed  for  dirt-work  in  their  oldest 
clothes ; apparently  the  fags  of  every  con- 
ceivable kind  of  cast-off,  kicked-about,  and 
faded-out  garments  ; crownless  and  lop-eared 
hats,  diverse  boots  ; with  shouldered  pick, 
shovel,  and  hoe  ; this  merry,  chattering,  pie- 
bald, grotesque  body,  shuffled  along  amid 
grins  and  jeers,  reminding  us  of  the  ancient 
nursery  distich  : 

“ Hark  ! hark  ! hear  the  dogs  bark. 

The  beggars  are  coming  to  town. 
Some  in  rags,  some  in  tags. 

And  some  in  velvet  gowns.” 

Tuesday  night,  September  9,  1862,  was 
starlight ; the  air  soft  and  balmy.  With 
others  I was  on  guard  at  an  improvised 
armory,  the  old  American  Express  buildings, 
on  Third  street  near  Broadway.  Three  hours 
past  midnight  from  a signal  tower  three 
blocks  east  of  us  a rocket  suddenly  shot  high 
in  the  air  ; then  the  fire-bell  pealed  an  alarm. 
All  was  again  quiet.  Half  an  hour  passed: 
Hurrying  footsteps  neared  us.  They  were 
those  of  the  indefatigable,  public-spirited 
John  D.  Caldwell.  ‘ ; Kirby  Smith,’  ’ said  he 
quickly,  “is  advancing  on  the  city.  The 
military  are  to  muster  on  the  landing  and 
cross  the  river  at  sunrise.  ’ ’ 

Six  o’clock  struck  as  I entered  my  own 
door  to  make  preparations  for  my  departure. 
The  good  woman  was  up.  The  four  little  in- 
nocents— two  of  a kind — were  asleep  in  the 
bliss  of  ignorance,  happy  in  quiet  slumber. 
A few  moments  of  hurried  preparation  and  I 
was  ready  for  the  campaign.  The  provisions 
were  these : a heavy  blanket-shawl,  a few  good 
cigars,  a haversack  loaded  with  eatables,  and 
a black  bottle  of  medicinal  liquid — cherry 
bounce — very  choice. 

As  I stepped  out  on  the  pavement  my 
neighbor  did  the  same.  He,  too,  was  off  for 
the  war.  At  each  of  our  adjoining  chamber- 
windows  stood  a solitary  female.  Neither 
could  see  the  other  though  not  ten  feet  apart, 
a house  dividing  wall  intervening.  Sadness 
and  merriment  were  personified.  Tears  be- 
dewed and  apprehension  elongated  the  face 
of  the  one.  Laughter  dimpled  and  shortened 
the  face  of  the  other.  The  one  thought  of 


HAMILTON  COUNTY. 


775 


her  protector  as  going  forth  to  encounter  the 
terrors  of  battle ; visions  of  wounds  and 
death  were  before  her.  The  other  thought 
of  hers  with  only  a prospect  of  a little  season 
of  rural  refreshment  on  the  Kentucky  hills, 
to  return  in  safety  with  an  appetite  ravenous 
as  a wolf’s  for  freshly  dug  pink-eyes  and 
Beresford’s  choice  cuts. 

We  joined  our  regiment  at  the  landing. 
This  expanse  of  acres  was  crowded  with 
armed  citizens  in  companies  and  regiments. 
Two  or  three  of  our  frail,  egg-shell  river 
steamers,  converted  into  gun-boats,  were  re- 
ceiving from  drays  bales  of  hay  for  bulwarks. 
The  pontoon  was  a moving  panorama  of 
newly  made  warriors,  and  wagons  of  muni- 
tions hastening  southward.  Back  of  the 
plain  of  Covington  and  Newport  rose  the 
softly  rounded  hills  ; beyond  these  were  our 
bloodthirsty  foe.  Our  ofi&cers  tried  to 
manoeuvre  our  regiment.  They  were  too 
ignorant  to  manoeuvre  themselves ; it  was 
like  handling  a rope  of  sand.  But  in  my 
absence  they  had  somehow  managed  to  get 
that  long  line  of  men  arranged  into  platoons. 
Then  as  I took  my  place  the  drums  beat,  fifes 
squeaked,  and  we  crossed  the  pontoon.  The 
people  of  Covington  filled  their  doorways  and 
windows  to  gaze  at  the  passing  pageant.  To 
my  fancy  they  looked  scowlingly.  No  cheers, 
no  smiles  greeted  us.  It  was  a staring  silence. 
The  rebel  army  had  been  largely  recruited 
from  the  town. 

March  ! march  ! march  ! We  struck  the 
hills.  The  way  up  seemed  interminable. 
The  boiling  September  sun  poured  upon  us 
like  a furnace.  The  road  was  as  an  ash 
heap.  Clouds  of  limestone  dust  whitened  us 
like  millers,  filling  our  nostrils  and  throats 
with  impalpable  powder.  The  cry  went  up. 
Water ! water ! Little  or  none  was  to  be 
had.  The  unusual  excitement  and  exertion 
told  upon  me.  Years  before,  I had,  bearing 
my  knapsack,  performed  pedestrian  tours  of 
thousands  of  miles.  Had  twice  walked 
across  New  York,  once  from  the  Hudson  to 
the  lake;  in  the  hottest  of  summer  had 
footed  it  from  Bichmond  to  Lynchburg.  No 
forty  or  fifty  miles  a day  had  ever  wilted  me 
like  this  march  of  only  four.  But  my 
muscles  had  been  relaxed  by  years  of  con- 
tinuous office  labor.  I had  been  on  my  feet 
on  guard-duty  all  night. 

Near  the  top  of  the  hills,  some  500  feet 
above  the  Ohio  level,  our  regiment  halted, 
when  our  officers  galloped  ahead.  We  broke 
ranks  and  lay  down  under  the  wayside  fence. 
Five  minutes  elapsed.  Back  cantered  the 
cortege.  “Fall  into  line!  fall  into  line! 
Quidc.,  men ! ’ ’ was  the  cry.  They  rode 
among  us.  ^ Our  colonel  exclaimed,  “ You 
are  now  going  into  battle  ! The  enemy  are 
advancing  ! You  will  receive  sixty  rounds  of 
cartridges ! Bo  your  duty,  men  ! do  your 
duty  ! ” I fancied  it  a ruse  to  test  our 
courage,  and  so  experienced  a sense  of 
shame. 

I looked  upon  the  men  around  me.  Not 
a word  was  spoken ; not  one  smiled.  No 
visible  emotion  of  any  kind  appeared,  only 


weary  faces,  dirty,  sweaty,  and  blowsy  with 
the  burning  heat. 

I dropped  my  cartridges  into  my  haver- 
sack along  with  my  food.  Our  captain,  in 
his  musical,  pleasant  voice,  gave  us  instruc- 
tions, though  he  had  never  studied  war. 
'"'‘Gentlemen ! these  cartridges  are  peculiar; 
you  put  the  ball  in  first  and  the  powder  on 
top!  ’ Some  one  whispered  in  his  ear. 

'" 'Gentlemen T he  again  exclaimed,  with  a 
significant  scowl  and  shake  of  his  head,  “I 
was  mistaken ; you  must  put  the  powder  in 
first  and  the  ball  on  top  ! ” We  did  so.  We 
had  elected  Billy  captain,  for  he  was  genial 
and  of  a good  family. 

We  again  shuffled  upward.  Suddenly  as 
the  drawing  of  a curtain,  a fine,  open,  rolling 
country  with  undulating  ravines  burst  upon 
us.  Two  or  three  farm  mansions  with  half 
concealing  foliage  and  corn-fields  appeared  in 
the  distance ; beyond,  a mile  away,  the 
fringed  line  of  a forest;  above,  a cloudless 
sky  and  a noon-day  sun.  The  road  we  were 
on  penetrated  these  woods.  In  these  were 
concealed  the  unknown  thousands  of  our  war- 
experienced  foe. 

On  the  summit  of  the  hills  we  had  so 
laboriously  gained,  defending  the  approach 
by  the  road,  ran  our  line  of  earth-works. 
On  our  right  was  Fort  Mitchell ; to  our  left, 
for  hundreds  of  yards,  rifle-pits.  The  fort 
and  pits  were  filled  with  armed  citizens,  and 
a regiment  or  two  of  green  soldiers  in  their 
new  suits.  Vociferous  cheers  greeted  our 
appearing.  “How  are  you,  H.  ?”  struck 
my  attention.  It  was  the  cheerful  voice  of  a 
tall,  slender  gentleman  in  glasses,  who  did  my 
legal  business,  John  W.  Herron. 

Turning  off  to  the  left  into  the  fields  in 
front  of  these,  and  away  beyond,  we  halted  an 
hour  or  so  in  line  of  battle,  the  nearest  regi- 
ment to  the  enemy.  W e waited  in  expecta- 
tion of  an  attack,  too  exhausted  to  fight,  or, 
perhaps,  even  to  run.  Thence  we  moved 
back  into  an  orchard,  behind  a rail-fence,  on 
rather  low  ground  ; our  left,  and  the  extreme 
left  of  all  our  forces,  resting  on  a farm-house. 
Our  pioneers  went  to  work  strengthening  our 
permanent  position,  cutting  down  brush  and 
small  trees,  and  piling  them  against  the 
fence.  Here,  we  were  in  plain  view,  a mile 
in  front,  of  the  ominous  forest.  When  night 
came  on,  in  caution,  our  camp-fires  were  ex- 
tinguished. We  slept  on  hay  in  the  open 
air,  with  our  loaded  muskets  by  our  sides, 
and  our  guards  and  pickets  doubled. 

At  4 o’clock  reveille  sounded  and  we  were 
up  in  line.  I then  enjoyed  what  I had  not 
before  seen  in  years — the  first  coming  on  of 
morning  in  the  country.  Most  of  the  day 
we  were  in  line  of  battle  behind  the  fence. 
Begiments  to  the  right  of  us,  and  more  in 
the  rifle-pits  farther  on,  and  beyond,  it 
seemed  a mile  to  the  right,  the  artillerists  in 
Fort  Mitchell — all  those  on  hills  above  us 
also  stood  waiting  for  the  enemy.  Constant 
picket  firing  was  going  on  in  front.  The 
rebels  were  feeling  our  lines.  Pop  ! pop  ! 
pop  ! one — two — three,  then  half  a dozen  in 
quick  succession,  followed  by  a lull  with 


776 


HAMILTON  COUNTY. 


intervals  of  three  or  four  minutes,  broken 
perhaps  by  a solitary  pop.  Again  continuous 
pops,  like  a feu-de-joie,  with  another  lull,  and 
so  on  through  the  long  hours.  Some  of  our 
men  were  wounded,  and  others,  it  was 
reported,  killed.  With  the  naked  eye  we 
caught  occasional  glimpses  of  the  skirmishers 
in  a corn-field  near  the  woods.  With  a glass 
a man  by  my  side  said  he  saw  the  butter- 
nut-colored garments  of  the  foe. 

Toward  evening  a furious  thunder-storm 
drove  us  to  our  tents  of  blankets  and  brush- 
wood bowers.  It  wet  us  through  and  de- 
stroyed the  cartridges  in  our  cotton  haver- 
sacks. Just  as  the  storm  was  closing,  a 
tremendous  fusilade  on  our  right,  and  the 
cries  of  our  ofiicers,  ‘ ‘ The  enemy  are  upon 
us;  turnout!  turnout!'''  brought  us  to  the 
fence  again.  The  rebels,  we  thought,  had 
surprised  us  and  would  be  dashing  down  in  a 
moment  with  their  cavalry  through  the 
orchard  in  our  rear.  Several  of  our  com- 
panies fired  off*  their  muskets  in  that  direc- 
tion, and  to  the  manifest  danger  of  a line  of 
our  own  sentinels.  It  w’^as  a false  alarm,  and 
arose  in  the  110th  Ohio,  camped  on  the  hill 
to  our  right. 

You  may  ask  what  my  sensations  were  as  I 
thus  stood,  back  to  the  fence,  with  uplifted 
musket  in  expectant  attitude  ? To  be  honest, 
my  teeth  chattered  uncontrollably.  I never 
boasted  of  courage.  Drenched  to  the  marrow 
by  the  cold  rain,  I was  shivering  before  the 
alarm,  and  so  I reasoned  in  this  way — “ Our 
men  are  all  raw,  our  ofiicers  in  the  same  doughy 
condition.  We  are  armed  with  the  old,  con- 
demned Belgian  rifle.  Not  one  in  ten  can  be 
discharged.  All  my  reading  in^  history  has 
ground  the  fact  into  me,  that  militia,  situated 
like  us,  are  worthless  when  attacked  by 
veterans.  An  hundred  experienced  cavalry- 
men dashing  down  with  drawn  sabres,  revolv- 
ers and  secesh  yells  will  scatter  us  in  a 
twinkling.  When  the  others  run,  and  I 
know  they  will,  I won’t.  I’ll  drop  beside 
this  fence,  simulate  death,  and  open  an  eye 
to  the  culminating  circumstances.”  I was 
not  aching  for  a fight.  Ambitious  youths 
going  in  on  their  muscles,  alas  I are  apt  to 
come  out  on  their  backs. 

Unlike  Norvel,  I could  not  say  : 

“ I had  heard  of  battles  and  longed 
To  follow  to  the  field  some  warlike  chap.  ’ ’ 

When  at  school  I never  fought  excepting 
when  my  pugnacity  was  aroused  on  seeing 
large  boys  tyrannize  over  small  ones.  1 never 
slew  anything  larger  than  a cat,  which  had 
scratched  me,  and  at  this,  as  soon  as  done,  I 
child-like,  as  child  I was,  repenting,  sat  down 
and  cried.  I am  soft-hearted  as  my  uncle 
Toby  with  the  fly — “Go,  poor  devil!  the 
world  is  large  enough  for  both  you  and  me.” 
To  pit  my  valuable  life  against  one  of  these 
low  Southern  whites — half  animals,  fierce  as 
hyenas,  degraded  as  serfs — appeared  a mani- 
fest incongruity.  It  never  seemed  so  plain 
before.  It  was  tackling  the  beast  in  the  only 
point  where  he  was  strong. 


Some  things  were  revealed  to  me  by  this 
soldier  life.  The  alarming  rumors  current. 
The  restraints  upon  one’s  liberty,  imprisoned 
within  the  lines  of  the  regiment.  The  sensa- 
tion of  being  ordered  around  by  small  men 
in  high  places,  and  not  admirable  in  any. 
The  waste  of  war,  piles  of  bread,  water- 
soaked  by  rain  into  worthless  pulp.  The 
vacuity  of  mind  from  the  want  of  business 
for  continuous  thought.  The  picturesque 
attitudes  of  scores  of  men  sleeping  on  heaps 
of  straw ; seen  by  the  uncertain  light  of 
night.  The  importance  of  an  ofiicer’s  horse 
beyond  that  of  a common  soldier,  shown  by 
the  refusal  of  hay  on  which  to  sleep  on  the 
night  of  our  arrival,  because  the  colonel’s 
beast  wanted  it.  Didn’t  our  good  mother 
earth  furnish  a bed  ? 

In  our  company  were  three  of  us — Wil- 
liam J.  Flagg,  Samuel  Davis  and  myself,  not 
relatives  in  any  way — who,  in  a New  England 
city,  distant  nearly  a thousand  miles,  had,  over 
thirty  years  before,^  been  school-mates.  ^ It 
illustrated  a peculiar  phase  of  American 
habits.  We  had  some  odd  characters.  Our 
fifer,  a short,  spare-built,  wan-faced  man, 
had  been  in  the  British  army — had  seen  ser- 
vice in  Afghanistan,  the  other  side  of  the 
globe.  Another,  a German  lieutenant,  had 
experience  of  war  in  our  country — was  at 
Shiloh.  He  was  imaginative.  I talked  with 
him  in  the  night.  To  my  query  of  the  prob- 
ability of  a night  attack,  he  replied,  “Yes, 
the  secesh  always  attack  in  that  way.  ’ ’ Past 
midnight  as  he  was  going  the  rounds  of  the 
pickets  as  officer  of  the  guard,  he  said  he 
saw  crouching  in  the  shadow  of  a ravine  a 
large  body  of  rebels.  He  ran  to  headquarters 
and  aroused  our  colonel  and  staff ; but  when 
they  arrived  at  the  seeing  point,  lo  ! the  foe 
had  vanished.  A fat,  gray-headed  captain 
with  protuberant  abdomen  came  to  me  soon 
after  our  arrival  and  with  an  impressive 
countenance  discoursed  of  the  perils  of  our 
position.  In  this  I quite  agreed  with  him. 
Then  putting  his  hand  to  his  stomach  and 
giving  his  head  a turn  to  one  side,  after  the 
usual  manner  of  invalids  in  detailing  their 
woes,  he  uttered  in  lugubrious  tones — “ I am 
very  sick  ; the  march  over  has  been  too  much 
for  me  ; I feel  a severe  attack  of  my  old  com- 
plaint, cholera  morbus,  coming  on.”  ^ After 
this  I missed  him.  He  had  got  a permit  from 
the  surgeon  and  returned  home  to  be  nui'sed. 
Our  medical  man,  Dr.  Dandridge,  was  old 
Virginia  born  ; and  I had,  notwithstanding 
his  generous  qualities,  suspected  him  of 
secesh  sympathies.  I wish  to  be  charitable, 
but  I must  say  this  confirmed  my  suspicion  ; 
it  was  evident  he  wished  to  get  the  %hting 
men  out  of  the  way  ! 

Saturday  afternoon,  the  1 3th,  we  began  our 
return  march.  The  militia  were  no  longer 
needed,  for  the  rebels  had  fallen  back,  and 
thousands  of  regular  soldiers  had  been  pour- 
ing into  the  city  and  spreading  over  the  hills. 
Our  return  was  an  ovation.  The  landing 
was  black  with  men,  women  and  children. 
AVe  recrossed  the  pontoon  amid  cheers  and 
the  boom  of  cannon.  Here,  on  the  safe  side 


HAMILTON  COUNTY. 


777 


of  the  river,  the  sick  captain,  now  recovered, 
joined  his  regiment.  With  freshly  shaven 
face,  spotless  collar  and  bright  uniform,  he 
appeared  like  a bandbox  soldier  among  dust- 
covered  warriors.  Escaping  our  perils,  he 
shared  our  glories,  as,  with  drawn  sword,  he 
strutted  through  street  after  street  amid 
cheers  of  the  multitude,  smiles  of  admiring 
women,  and  waving  of  ’kerchiefs.  Weary 


and  dirt-begrimed,  we  were,  in  a tedious, 
circuitous  march,  duly  .shown  off  by  our  offi- 
cers to  all  their  lady  acquaintances,  until  night 
came  to  our  relief,  kindly  covered  us  with  her 
mantle,  and  stopped  the  tomfoolery.  The 
lambs  led  forth  to  slaughter  thus  returned 
safely  to  their  folds,  because  the  butcher 
hadn’t  come. 


It  is  now  known  that  Kirby  Smith  was  never  ordered  to  attack  Cincinnati,  but 
only  to  demonstrate ; and  about  this  very  time  the  advance  of  Buell  seemed  to 
Bragg  so  menacing  that  he  made  haste  to  order  Smith  back  to  his  support.  The 
force  that  approached  so  near  the  city  at  no  time  comprised  12,000  men  and  were 
under  the  immediate  command  of  General  Heath.  In  speaking  of  this  event 
after  the  war,  Kirby  Smith  said  that  at  one  time  he  could  have  very  easily 
entered  Cincinnati  with  his  troops,  but  all  h — 11  could  not  have  got  them  out 
again.’^ 


MORGAN’S  RAID. 

Morgan’s  raid  in  July  of  the  next  year  was  the  next  event  to  arouse  an  excite- 
ment in  the  city.  He  came  within  a few  miles  and  slipped  around  it  in  the  night. 
The  details  of  the  raid  are  given  elsewhere.  After  the  battle  of  Buffington 
Island  the  prisoners,  amounting  to  about  700  men,  were  brought  to  the  city  in 
steamers.  The  privates  were  sent  from  here  to  Indianapolis.  The  officers,  about 
70  in  number,  were  landed  at  the  foot  of  Main  street  from  the  steamer  Starlight, 
and  marched  up  the  street  under  a strong  guard  to  the  city  prison  on  Ninth  street. 
The  people  had  regarded  them  in  the  light  of  horse-thieves,  and  greatly  rejoicing 
at  their  capture,  as  they  passed  along,  in  places  expressed  their  contempt  by  howls 
and  cat-cries.  No  other  bodies  of  prisoners  brought  to  the  city  during  the 
war  were  otherwise  than  respectfully  received.  Indeed  the  only  word  of  disre- 
spect we  heard  towards  any  of  them  came  from  a little  boy  and  of  our  own 
family.  It  was  early  morning  when  in  our  residence  on  East  Fifth  street,  near 
Pike,  we  were  attracted  by  sounds  in  the  street.  Rushing  to  the  door  our  eyes 
were  greeted  by  the  sight  of  a body  of  say  200  unarmed  men  dressed  in  gray, 
with  about  a third  of  their  number  in  blue  on  each  side  with  muskets  in  hand, 
and  the  whole  mass  were  on  a run  in  the  middle  of  the  street  hurrying  to  the 
depot  of  the  Little  Miami  Railroad  en  route  for  Camp  Chase.  At  this  sight  the  little 
one  at  my  side  called  out,  Rebel  traitors — rebel  traitors  ! ” Curious  to  know  the 
effect  of  so  much  war  time  education  he  was  receiving  had  upon  the  same  young 
mind  we  about  then  inquired  ; Would  you  like  to  be  a soldier?”  ^^No,  sir; 
not  one  of  the  kind  that  go  to  war.”  Why  not  ? ” Because,  I should  expect 
to  get  killed.” 

Morgan  and  a number  of  his  officers  were  confined  in  the  State  Prison  at 
Columbus,  from  whence  the  great  raider  made  his  escape  on  the  night  of  the  27th 
of  November.  The  following  particulars  of  the  flight  were  detailed  in  a Rich- 
mond paper : 


“It  had  been  previously  determined  that, 
on  reaching  the  outer  walls,  the  parties 
should  separate,  Morgan  and  Hines  together, 
and  the  others  to  shape  their  course  for  them- 
selves. Thus  they  parted.  Hines  and  the 
General  proceeded  at  once  to  the  depot  to 
purchase  their  tickets  for  Cincinnati.  But, 
lo  ! where  was  the,  money  ? The  inventive 
Hines  had  only  to  touch  the  magical  wand  of 
his  ingenuity  to  be  supplied.  While  in 
prison  he  had  taken  the  precaution,  after 


planning  his  escape,  to  write  to  a lady  friend 
in  a peculiar  cypher,  which  when  handed  to 
the  authorities,  to  read  through  openly,  con- 
tained nothing  contraband,  but  which,  on  the 
young  lady  receiving,  she,  according  to  in- 
structions, sent  him  some  books,  in  the  back 
of  one  of  which  she  concealed  some  ‘ ‘ green- 
backs,” and  across  the  inside  wrote  her  name 
to  indicate  the  place  where  the  money  was 
deposited.  The  books  came  safe  to  hand, 
and  Hines  was  flush.  Going  boldly  up  to 


778 


HAMILTON  COUNTY. 


the  ticket  office,  while  Morgan  modestly 
stood  back  and  adjusted  a pair  of  green 
goggles  over  his  eyes,  which  one  of  the  men, 
having  weak  eyes,  had  worn  in  prison. 

They  took  their  seats  in  the  cars  without 
suspicion.  How  their  hearts  beat  until  the 
locomotive  whistled  to  start!  Slowly  the 
wheels  turn,  and  they  are  off.  The  cars 
were  due  in  Cincinnati  at  7 o’clock  A.  M.  At 
Xenia  they  were  detained  one  hour.  What 
keen  anguish  of  suspense  did  they  not  suf- 
fer 1 They  knew  at  5 o’clock  A.  M.  the  con- 
victs would  be  called,  and  that  their  escape 
would  then  be  discovered,  when  it  would  be 
telegraphed  in  every  direction ; consequently 
the  guards  would  be  ready  to  greet  them  on 
their  arrival.  They  were  rapidly  nearing  the 
city  of  abolition  hogdom.  It  was  a cool, 
rainy  morning.  Just  as  the  train  entered 


the  suburbs,  about  half  a mile  from  the 
depot,  the  escaped  prisoners  went  out  on  the 
platform  and  put  on  the  brakes,  checking 
the  cars  sufficiently  to  let  them  jump  off. 
Hines  jumped  off  first,  and  fell,  considerably 
stunned.  Morgan  followed,  unhurt.  They 
immediately  made  for  the  river.  Here  they 
found  a boy  with  a skiff,  who  had  just  ferried 
across  some  ladies  from  the  Kentucky  side. 
They  dared  not  turn  their  heads  for  fear  of 
seeing  the  guards  coming.  ‘"Hines,”  whis- 
pered the  General,  “look  and  see  if  any- 
body is  coming.”  The  boy  was  told  they 
wanted  to  cross,  but  he  desired  to  wait  for 
more  passengers.  The  General  told  him  he 
was  in  a hurry,  and  promised  to  pay  double 
fare.  The  skiff  shot  out  into  the  stream — 
they  soon  reached  the  Kentucky  shore,  and 
breathed — free.  ’ ’ 


The  Cincinnati  Newspapers  in  the  War  Times. 

The  press  of  the  city  sprang  into  an  importance  never  before  experienced. 
Extras  were  being  continually  issued,  and  the  newsboys  persistent  everywhere 
filled  the  air  with  their  cries,  ^^all  about  the  battle.^’  Not  only  in  the  city,  but 
the  carriers  penetrated  to  the  armies  in  front  to  sell  their  wares.  Colonel  Crafts 
Wright,  in  writing  a description  for  the  Gazette  of  the  battle  of  Fort  Donaldson, 
said  : “ Sunday  morning  we  were  ordered  to  advance  on  the  trenches  of  the  enemy. 
While  standing  there  a new  cry  was  heard — a carrier  came  along  crying,  ^ Cin- 
cinnati Commercial^  Gazette  and  Times, ^ and  as  I sat  upon  my  horse,  bought  them 
and  read  the  news  from  home,  and  this  too  within  an  hour  after  the  fort  had  sur- 
rendered.’^ 

The  colonel  had  been  a room-mate  and  class-mate  with  Jefferson  Davis,  and 
through  life  remained  a personal  friend,  though  not  agreeing  in  politics ; this  was 
not  to  be  expected  from  one  of  the  proprietors  of  the  Cincinnati  Gazette. 

The  press  had  correspondents  everywhere,  and  these  were  untiring  in  gathering 
the  news  from  the  “ front.”  In  the  early  stages  of  the  war  every  skirmish  was 
published  and  magnified,  and  little  minor  matters  detailed  that  later  on  were  not 
noticed,  as  anecdotes  of  individual  heroism,  descriptions  of  the  appearance  of  the 
dead  and  wounded,  illustrating  the  savagery  of  war. 

The  city  being  so  close  upon  the  border  found  its  business  in  diverting  its  in- 
dustries to  prosecution  of  the  war.  After  a short  period  of  stagnation  there  were 
but  few  idle  people,  and  when  it  was  seen  that  the  war  had  come  to  stay,  there 
was  no  scarcity  of  money  and  the  entire  community  were  prospering.  Among 
the  peculiar  industries  of  the  time  was  the  putting  up  of  stationery  in  large  en- 
velopes called  paper  packages.”  The  amount  of  letter-writing  between  the 
soldiers  and  their  friends  at  home  was  enormous.  These  packages  were  peddled 
everywhere,  alike  in  town,  country  and  camps,  at  a cost  of  about  a dime  each, 
and  consisted  of  envelopes,  paper,  pencil,  pens,  holder  and  ink ; most  of  the  station- 
ery was  miserable.  Soldiers’  letters  went  postage  free. 

The  city  was  often  alive  with  troops  through  the  war  period.  Regiments  came 
from  every  State.  At  first  they  were  looked  upon  with  interest  and  pride.  Fa- 
miliarity changed  this.  Then  came  sad  scenes.  One  was  the  bringing  in  of  the 
wounded  from  the  battle-fields.  After  Donaldson  and  Shiloh  the  physicians  and 
nurses,  notably  the  Sisters  of  Charity,  went  down  from  the  city  and  large  numbers 
were  brought  here  by  boat  and  taken  to  the  hospitals  in  ambulances.  Just  at  the 
edge  of  a winter’s  evening  we  saw  a line  of  ambulances  filled  with  the  sufferers. 
They  had  stopped  before  an  improvised  hospital,  that  had  been  a business  building 
on  Fourth  street,  near  Main,  and  were  being  carried  in  on  stretchers  or  in  the  arms 
of  others.  Among  them  were  some  wounded  prisoners,  who  received  equally  good 


HAMILTON  COUNTY. 


779 


treatment  with  the  others.  On  the  bloody  field  of  Moskwa,  Napoleon,  as  he 
stooped  over  the  Russian  wounded  and  ordered  relief,  said,  After  battle  we  are 
no  longer  enemies. 

We  asked  one  of  the  medical  men,  a personal  friend.  Dr.  George  Mendenhall, 
President  of  the  Sanitary  Commission,  who  had  come  up  the  river  with  them  from 
Donaldson,  if  he  had,  while  ministering  to  their  wounds,  talked  with  them. 

No,’^  said  that  good  man,  I felt  so  indignant  when  I reflected  what  a miser- 
able business  they  had  been  engaged  in  that  I had  no  stomach  for  social  inter- 
course.’^ Personally,  we  think  it  instructive  to  get  at  the  bottom  thought  of  all 
sorts  of  people  in  religion,  business,  politics  and  war — and  even  in  wedlock, 
which,  alas,  often  results  in  the  same.  It  often  teaches  charity  for  what  is  wrong- 
doing. In  a deserted  rebel  camp.  Laurel  Hill,  Western  Virginia,  was  found 
love  letter, ”in  which  was  expressed  the  bottom  thought  of  at  least  one  poor  seces- 
sionist : sa  agen,  dear  Melindy,  weer  fitin  for  our  libertis  to  do  gest  as  we  pleas, 

and  we  will  fit  for  them  so  long  as  Goddlemity  gives  us  breth.” 

The  hospitals  were  sacred  places  to  the  ladies  of  the  city  who  were  alive  in 
ministering  to  the  wants  of  the  soldier  boys ; and  to  the  latter  they  seemed 
angelic.  One  very  great  occupation  was  writing  letters  at  the  dictation  of  the 
sufi'ering  and  often  dying  soldiers  to  their  loved  ones  at  home.  A melanchol  yduty, 
but  purifying  and  ennobling,  as  they  often  found  among  the  most  humble  of  these 
men  the  choicest  of  spirits,  the  most  noble  of  natures,  and  coilld  but  feel  as  they 
saw  them  sinking  away  into  their  last  sleep,  it  would  be  to  awake  again  in 
ethereal  brightness  to  be  appreciated  in  the  higher  immortality. 


A Soldier  s Funeral  awakens  different 
emotions  from  that  of  any  other.  If  he  be  an 
officer  high  in  rank  no  pageant  can  be  so 
affecting  as  the  funeral  procession.  Cincin- 
nati had  several  such.  One  was  that  of 
General  Wm.  H.  Lytle,  the  poet  soldier  killed 
at  Chickamauga,  and  was  most  imposing. 
The  entire  city  seemed  anxious  to  pay  their 
last  tribute  to  the  illustrious  dead.  The 
houses  were  draped  in  mourning,  the  bells 
tolled,  and  the  flags  hung  at  half-mast.  The 
procession  passed  through  Fourth  street,  a 
long  line  of  military  with  reversed  arms 
moved  slowly  and  solemnly  along,  the  band 
playing  a dirge.  The  horse  of  the  General, 
according  to  military  custom,  was  led  by  a 
military  servant,  with  a pair  of  cavalry  boots 
hanging  from  the  empty  saddle.  On  each 
side  of  the  sarcophagus  marched  a guard  of 
honor,  officers  high  in  rank  and  attired  in 
their  full  parade  uniforms;  tall,  showy, 
splendid-looking  men.  It  was  evening  ere 
they  reached  Spring  Grove,  the  moon  silver- 
ing that  repository  of  the  dead  as  they  en- 
tered its  imposing  gateway. 

Regiments  Returning  from  service  in  the 
field  often  looked  war-worn  and  in  ragged 
condition.  After  the  Union  defeat  at  Kich 
mond  we  saw  two  Indiana  regiments  which 
had  surrendered  and  the  men  then  paroled, 
marching  through  Third  street,  en  route  for 
Indianapolis.  They  had  left  that  city  only  a 
few  weeks  before,  newly  formed  troops,  and 
had  passed  through  ours  for  Kentucky,  in 
high  spirits  and  excellent  condition.  On  their 
return  they  were  in  a deplorable  state,  ragged, 
lirty  with  the  dust  of  the  roads,  and  many 
of  them  bare-footed.  The  enemy  must  have 
largely  robbed  them  of  their  clothing  and 
shoes.  The  city  at  the  time  was  destitute 


of  troops  ; but  few  persons  were  on  the  street 
to  look  upon  this  sad,  forlorn,  woe-begone- 
looking  body  of  young  men.  Kirby  Smith  had 
taken  out  their  starch.  W e felt  they  ought  to 
have  been  received  with  open  arms,  but  no 
one  was  around  to  help  brighten  their  spirits. 
The  few  who  saw  them  gazed  in  staring 
silence.  Another  dilapidated-looking  body 
we  saw,  and  in  1864,  was  the  Fifth  Ohio. 
After  three  years  of  bloody  and  heroic  ser- 
vice they  had  been  reduced  to  little  more 
than  a company  and  were  drawn  up  in  line 
on  Third  street  before  the  Quarter-master’s 
department  to  draw  new  clothing.  It  was 
quite  a contrast  to  that  same  regiment  as  we 
saw  it  just  after  the  fall  of  Sumter  marching 
down  Sycamore  street  1 ,000  strong,  attired 
in  red-flannel  shirts  and  aglow  with  patriotic 
ardor.  Their  brave  Colonel,  J.  H.  Patrick, 
had  been  killed  only  a few  weeks  before 
down  in  Dalton,  Georgia,  while  gallantly  lead- 
ing a charge.  The  heroic  band  were  home 
on  furlough. 

The  Sixth,  or  Guthrie  Gray  Regiment, 
marched  away  in  gray  and  came  back  in  the 
army  blue  after  an  absence  of  three  years, 
when  they  were  mustered  out  of  service, 
about  500  strong.  They  were  received  in  a 
sort  of  ovation  by  the  citizens  as  they  marched 
through  the  city.  Their  Colonel,  N.  L. 
Anderson,  brought  back  ‘The  boys,”  largely 
from  the  elite  of  the  city,  in  splendid 
hysical  condition.  They  had  an  entirely 
ifferent  appearance  from  the  ordinary  re- 
turning regiments,  being  very  neat  and 
cleanly  in  their  appearance.  Some  thought- 
ful friends  had  supplied  them,  as  they  neared 
the  city,  with  a due  quantity  of  fresh  paper 
collars — as  we  were  told — which  were  quite 
striking  in  contrast  with  their  bronzed  war- 


HAMILTON  COUNTY. 


780 

hardened  countenances.  It  was  a proud 
moment  for  the  young  men  to  be  welcomed 
after  their  long  absence  by  their  lady  friends 
from  the  streets,  doors,  and  windows,  with 
smiles  and  the  waving  of  handkerchiefs. 
Eleven  of  their  number  subsequently  received 
commissions  in  the  regular  army. 

To  have  lived  anywhere  in  our  country 
during  the  long  four  years  of  the  rebellion 
was  to  have  had  a variety  of  experience  and 
emotion ; especially  was  this  true  of  Cincin- 
nati. They  were  grand  and  awful  times. 
jWhat  was  to  be  the  outcome  no  one  could 
divine.  Our  first  men  could  not  tell  us  any- 
thing. They  seemed  insignificant  in  view  of 
the  stupendous,  appalling  events.  At  the 
beginning  all  dissenting  voices  were  hushed 
in  one  general  outburst  of  indignation. 
Later  on,  what  were  termed  the  ‘ ‘ copper- 
heads” raised  their  hissing  _ heads.  One 
mode  of  striking  their  fangs  into  the  Union 
cause  was  by  trying  to  weaken  respect  for 
those  at  the  head  of  affairs.  Mr.  Lincoln 
seemed  an  especial  object  for  their  abuse. 
The  most  obscene  anecdotes  were  coined  and 
circulated  as  coming  from  him,  to  arouse 
disgust  and  destroy  all  respect  and  confidence 
in  him.  One  of  their  public  prints  described 
him  “ as  an  ape,  a hyena,  a grinning  satyr, 
and  the  White  House  at  Washington  but  a 
den  where  the  baboon  of  Illinois  and  his 
satellites  held  their  disgusting'  orgies.  ’ ’ 
Going  through  our  lower  market  one  morn- 
ing during  the  war,  our  ears  were  greeted 
with  an  expression  that  was  new  to  us.  W e 
turned  to  see  the  speaker  and  there  stood  be- 
fore us  an  immense,  fat,  blowsy-faced  market 
woman,  evidently  from  the  Kentucky  side 
of  the  Ohio  half  a mile  distant.  It  was 
she  that  had  just  belched  forth  in  bit- 
ter, contemptuous  tones  the  epithet,  “Old 
Link.” 

During  the  gloomy  period  when  news  of 
defeat  was  received,  the  faces  of  some  of 
those  around  us  would  light  up  with  exulta- 
tion ; then  they  would  say  : “ 0,  I told  you 
so  : they  are  better  fighters  than  our  soldiers, 
more  warlike,  and  in  earnest.  We  can 
never  conquer  them.  The  old  Union  is  dead. 
We  shall  probably  have  three  confederacies. 
The  New  England  States  and  the  East ; 
theW^sf;  the  South,  its  geographical 
situation^  in  connection  with  the  Mississippi 
making  it  a necessity.”  Such  was  the  talk 
to  which  those  who  loved  the  Union  were 
compelled  to  listen  in  those  times.  It  added 
to  their  distresses,  while  it  excited  their  in- 
dignation and  loathing.  Not  to  record  it 
would  be  a rank  injustice  to  those  who  sacri- 
ficed for  their  country  and  a falsification  of 
the  truth  of  history  by  its  concealment. 

In  such  a time  as  we  had  in  Cincinnati 
there  are  very  many  isolated  scenes  and  in- 
cidents that  each  in  itself  is  jierhaps  of  no 
especial  consequence,  but  if  itemized  and 
given  in  bulk  are  instructive,  illustrating  life 
there  in  the  time  of  the  rebellion.  We  give 
some  within  our  personal  experience. 

The  First  Funeral. — When  our  volunteers 
left  for  Western  Virginia  it  was  generally 


thought  the  trouble  would  soon  be  over. 
Never  was  there  a greater  hallucination.  In 
a few  weeks  came  tidings  of  skirmishes  and 
deaths  among  those  who  had  but  just  left  us. 
At  this  juncture  one  day  I was  brought  to  a 
realizing  sense  of  what  war  was.  By  chance 
I saw  on  Broadway,  just  above  Fifth  street, 
a group  of  servant-girls  and  children,  with 
others,  standing  before  a small  brick  house, 
evidently  the  home  of  humble  people.  A 
hearse  and  a few  carriages  were  in  front. 
The  group  looked  on  with  sad,  curious  eyes. 
On  inquiry  I learned  it  was  the  funeral  of  a 
young^  man  who  had  been  killed  in  a skir- 
mish in  Western  Virginia.  In  a little  while 
an  old  man  with  his  wife  leaning  on  his  arm, 
parents  of  the  deceased,  came  out,  bowed  and 
heart-broken,  followed  by  sorrowing  brothers 
and  sisters ; they  got  into  the  carriages, 
which  then  slowlj’’  moved  away.  And  this 
was  what  war  mer:ut.  Tears  and  heart-  breaks 
and  lives  of  sorrow  and  suffering  to  the  inno- 
cent and  helpless. 

The  Gawky  Officer. — There  was,  ordina- 
rily, very  little  pride  of  military  show  among 
those  engaged  in  so  serious  a business  as  war. 
The  officers,  when  not  on  duty,  generally  ap- 
peared in  undress.  Our  streets  at  times  were 
thick  with  such.  It  was  near  the  beginning 
when  there  passed,  walking  on  Fourth  street, 
by  Pike’s  Opera  House,  a very  tall,  gawky 
officer,  over  six  feet  in  stature.  He  was  in 
full  parade  dress,  with  spreading  epaulettes, 
and  his  stride  was  that  which  showed  he  had 
passed  his  days  in  plowed  fields  straddling 
from  furrow  to  furrow.  He  evidently  felt  he 
was  creating  a sensation  in  the  big  city — and 
he  was.  Every  one  turned  and  looked  at  this 
specimen  of  pomp,  fuss  and  feathers,  with 
comical  emotion. 

Falling  in^  Battle. — We  asked  a young 
man,  a captain  who  had  come  home  on  fur- 
lough, by  the  name  of  Emerson,  whom  we 
well  knew,  if  he  had  ever  seen  any  one  fall 
in  battle.  He  laughed  as  though  the  thought 
was  new  and  replied,  “ No,  I don’t  know  that 
lever  did,”  and  then  turning  to  a compan- 
ion said,  “Tom,  did  you?”  The  latter  re- 
plied the  same.  Being  always  in  front  they 
had  their  eyes  only  to  watch  the  enemy  be- 
fore them.  Both  had  seen  plenty  after  they 
were  down,  but  never  one  in  the  act  of  falling. 
A few  months  passed.  Emerson  had  gone 
to  the  front.  He  had  command  of  a small 
fort  down  in  Tennessee,  built  to  protect  a 
railroad  bridge.  The  enemy  made  an  attack 
and  were  repelled.  One  man  only  had  they 
killed.  It  was  its  commander,  Emerson,  his 
head  carried  away  by  a cannon  ball.  He  was 
a handsome  fellow,  black  eyes  and  rosy  cheeks. 
His  character  was  of  the  best.  His  pastor, 
Bev.  Dr.  Henry  M.  Storrs,  said  in  speaking 
of  his  sacrifice  : “So  pure  and  noble  was  he 
that  his  very  presence  on  our  streets  was  a 
continued  fragrance.  ” That  laughing,  pleas- 
ant face  is  now  before  me,  just  as  though  it 
wa^esterday  that  he  said,  “Tom,  did  you  ? ” 

Contraband  Soldiers. — Ordinarily,  men  in 
uniform  are  so  transformed  that  it  was  rarely 
that  we  could  tell,  on  seeing  a regiment 


HAMILTON  COUNTY.  7S1 


marching  through  the  streets,  whether  it  was 
Irish,  German  or  American.  In  regard  to  one 
class  of  Union  soldiers  there  could  be  no 
mistake — the  negro.  On  Fifth  street,  close  to 
Main,  on  the  large  space  in. front  of  the  pres- 
ent Government  Building,  was  reared  a huge, 
shed-like  structure,  one  story  high,  for  bar- 
racks. Late  in  the  war  it  was  occupied  briefly 
by  a regiment  or  more  of  plantation  blacks, 
clad  in  the  Union  uniform.  They  were  a 
very  different-looking  people  from  our  North- 
ern blacks,  many  of  whom  possess  bright,  in- 
teresting faces.  These  were  stolid-appearing, 
their  faces  with  but  little  more  expression 
than  those  of  animals.  When  I saw  them 
they  had  finished  their  suppers  and  were  en- 
gaged in  whiling  away  their  time  singing 
plantation  melodies  in  the  gathering  shadows 
of  the  evening.  The  voices  of  this  immense 
multitude  went  up  in  a grand  orchestra  of 
sound.  The  tunes  were  plaintive,  weirdlike, 
and  the  whole  exhibition  one  that  could  not 
but  affect  the  thoughtful  mind.  It  was  singu- 
larly appealing  to  one’s  best  instincts  to  look 
upon  these  poor,  simple  children  of  nature. 


who  were  acting  their  humble  part  in  the 
midst  of  events  so  momentous. 

At  times  our  city  was  alive  with  troops, 
and  then  it  was  that  the  theatres  and  places 
of  amusement — and  places  of  wickedness — as 
in  Paris  during  the  Reign  of  Terror,  were 
extraordinarily  prosperous.  At  other  times 
only  a few  people  were  seen  on  the  streets,  so 
many  of  the  men  having  gone  to  the  war. 
After  the  fall  of  Richmond  it  was  felt  that 
the  great  bulk  of  the  fighting  was  ovei  • but 
it  was  largely  feared  that  the  South  would 
for  years  continue  a scene  of  guerilla  warfare 
and  keep^  society  in  a state  of  chaos.  The 
assassination  of  Mr.  Lincoln  came — a terrible 
blow  in  the  midst  of  rejoicings  at  peace. 
Strong  men  could  only  speak  of  it  with  swell- 
ing throats  and  choked  utterance.  The  na- 
tion writhed  in  agony.  Then  came  the  return 
of  the  regiments  to  their  varied  homes  ; but 
everywhere,  amid  the  general  rejoicings,  were 
the  stricken  families  to  be  reminded  only  the 
more  vividly  of  the  terrible  loss  of  fathers, 
sons  and  brothers,  who  had  died  that  the  na- 
tion might  live. 


Cincinnati  in  1877. 

In  1877,  after  a residence  in  Cincinnati  of  thirty  years,  we  returned  to  our 
native  city,  Mew  Haven,  when  we  gave,  in  a publication  there,  the  annexed  de- 
scription of  Cincinnati  as  it  then  was.  The  article  is  now  historical,  and  hence 
proper  here  for  permanent  record ; beside,  we  wish  to  preserve  it  as  a heartfelt 
tribute  to  a city  where,  and  a people  among  whom,  our  children  were  born,  and 
where  we  had  so  much  enjoyment  of  life.  The  caption  of  the^article  was  Cin- 
cinnati on  the  Hills.’^ 


Recently  an  Eastern  gentleman,  a divine 
of  national  reputation,  at  one  time  like  the 
writer  a resident  of  Cincinnati — a gentleman 
of  broad  experience  of  travel  and  association 
in  this  and  other  lands — remarked  to  us : 
“Cincinnati  is  the  exceptional  city  of  the 
world,  for  the  social  character  of  its  people 
and  the  wise  generosity  and  the  public  spirit 
of  its  wealthy  men  and  citizens  generally.” 
We  had  long  felt  this,  and  were  pleased  to 
see  it  so  emphasized  by  one  with  such  oppor- 
tunities for  a correct  opinion. 

In  April,  1832,  Catherine  Beecher  first  ar- 
rived at  Walnut  Hills,  then  largely  in  the 
rimeval  forest,  and  before  her  sister  Harriet 
ad  come  to  eventually  marry  Calvin  Stowe, 
and  fill  up  forthe  writing  of  “Uncle  Tom.” 
To  her  Catherine  wrote  : “I  never  saw  a 
lace  so  capable  of  being  rendered  a paradise 
y the  improvements  of  taste  as  the  environs 
of  this  city.”  Thirty  years  later  the  improve- 
ments were  well  started  when  out  came  The- 
odore Woolsey,  president  of  Yale  College,  to 
Walnut  Hills  for  a visit,  and,  alike  enthused, 
said  ; “No  other  city  on  the  globe  has  such 
beautiful  -suburbs.  ’ ’ 

Prevalence  of  Public  Spirit — While  other 
of  our  great  cities  may  each  point  to  one  or 
two  living  citizens  who  have  contributed  in 
single  gifts  tens  of  thousands  to  objects  pro- 
motive of  the  public  welfare,  Cincinnati  can 


point  to  five  gentlemen  of  this  class  now  walk- 
ing her  streets,  pleasant  to  meet,  as  seeing 
them  recalls  their  beneficence.  They  are 
Reuben  Springer,  who  gave  $175,000  toward 
a music  hall,  and  later  regretted  that  he  had 
not  given  its  full  cost,  $300,000  ; Joseph 
Longworth,  $50,000  for  a Free  Art  School ; 
Henry  Probasco,  $105,000  for  a public  foun- 
tain David  . Sinton,  $33,000  for  a Christian 
association  building,  and  also  $100,000  for 
the  Bethel  Sunday-School,  where  every  Sab- 
bath from  2,500  to  3,000  children  of  the  poor 
are  gathered  under  one  roof ; and  William  S. 
Groesbeck,  $50,000  for  music  in  the  parks. 
Beside  these  are  scores  of  others  equally  lib- 
eral, according  to  their  means,  often  dispensing 
hundreds  and  sometimes  thousands  in  their 
gifts. 

Cincinnati  s Blessings. — The  people  are  so 
social,  come  together  so  much  for  social  ob- 
jects, that  everybody  worth  knowing  is  gen- 
erally known.  Pride  in  themselves,  in  their 
city  and  in  their  public  spirit,  is  a manifest 
and  righteous  characteristic.  They  stand  on 
tiptoe  when  their  city  is  named,  and  feel  a 
foot  taller. 

The  city  is  near  the  centre  of  population, 
in  the  very  heart  of  the  Union.  It  is  said  to 
be  more  familiarly  known  on  the  continent  of 
Europe,  more  noticed  in  the  public  prints, 
especially  in  Germany,  from  its  peculiar 


Returning  from  the  War. 


The  War  is  ended,  and  now  we  are  marching  home, 

Our  noble  girls  rejoicing  to  see  us  soldiers  come. 

They  love  the  drum-beat,  the  shrill  notes  of  the  fife ; 

They  love  our  dear  old  flag — are  Union,  too,  for  life. 

— American  Revolution  Song  Modernized. 


Squirrel  Hunters  Crossing  the  Ohio  at  Cincinnati. 

The  Squirrel  Hunters  of  Ohio  and  Indiana,  many  thousands  strong,  having  poured  into  Cincinnati 
to  defend  it  from  invasion,  are  crossing  the  Ohio  on  pontoons,  Wednesday  morning,  Sei)tember  10, 
1862,  to  meet  the  enemy,  only  five  miles  distant. 


Mt.  Aubukn  Inclined  Plane. 


Zoological  Garden. 


The  Highland  House. 


784 


HAMILTON  COUNTY. 


bright  points,  than  any  other  of  our  large 
cities.  Among  these  is  its  zoological  garden, 
established  by  an  association  of  gentlemen 
simply  as  a matter  of  public  beneficence.  It 
occupies  a half-mile  square  of  undulating, 

icturesque  ground  on  the  summit  of  the 

ills,  and  is  the  only  one  in  the  country  with 
a single  exception.  Within  the  inclosure  are 
numerous  buildings  containing  a great  variety 
of  animals,  beside  those  in  the  park  outside 
the  buildings,  where  is  a town  of  prairie  dogs 
and  dens  with  white  and  grizzly  bears. 

Within  the  city  is  a public  fountain,  a free 
gift,  the  finest  in  the  Union  ; a free  public 
library  of  over  80,000  volumes,  in  a magnifi- 
cent library  building,  where  nearly  a score  .of 
assistants  stand  ready  to  loan  out  the  choicest 
books  to  the  humblest  citizens  without  money 
and  without  price  ; a free  art  school,  where 
one  can  learn,  without  cost,  to  draw  and 
paint,  carve  and  mould,  and  listen  to  attract- 
ive lectures  from  Benn  Pitman  on  art ; and  a 
music  hall  and  organ,  both  the  largest  on  the 
continent,  and  costing  unitedly  nearly  a third 
of  a million,  also  a free  gift.  ^ The  steam  fire 
engine  is  a Cincinnati  invention,  and  the  city 
the  first  to  adopt  it,  which  it  did  through  a 
severe  conflict,  largely  through  the  indomita- 
ble pluck  and  will-power  of  Miles  Greenwood, 
one  of  the  city’s  strongest  citizens,  literally 
an  iron  man. 

Musical  Festivals. — A distinguishing  feat- 
ure of  the  city  has  been  her  musical  festivals, 
to  be  still  greater,  for  she  is  to  be  the  centre 
of  music  in  this  country,  especially  so  now 
that  she  has  secured  as  her  guiding  spirit  the 
graceful,  manly  maestro,  Theodore  Thomas, 
whom  simply  to  see  while  wielding  the  baton 
is  alone  worth  the  price  of  admission.  The 
opening  of  these  festivals  is  always  a gala 
day.  The  streets  are  gay  with  flags,  the 
hotels  and  public  buildings  resplendent  with 
artistic  adornments,  illustrative  of  music  and 
musical  celebrities,  and  at  night  illuminated. 
Multitudes  come,  some  from  hundreds  of 
miles  away,  to  attend  these  festivals ; from 
Missouri,  Illinois,  Michigan,  and  other  West- 
ern States  ; and  it  is  said  that  once  there  was 
a man  who  came  all  the  way  from  Boston  ! 
But  we  never  believed  it.  At  the  seasons  of 
these  festivals  the  streets  are  crowded  with  a 
body  of  ladies  and  gentlemen,  elegantly  at- 
tired, with  refined  and  thoughtful  expres- 
sions, perhaps  beyond  anything  seen  there  on 
any  other  public  occasions,  thus  attesting  to 
the  elevating  influence  of  music  upon  her 
votaries,  and  the  elevated  class  which  the  art 
divine  brings  within  the  circle  of  her  magic 
wand.  • 

Industrial  Expositions. — In  the  past  years 
Cincinnati  has  taken  the  lead  in  her  indus- 
trial expositions.  Her  experience  was  so 
great  that  when  Philadelphia  gave  her  Cen- 
tennial she  wisely  went  there  for  her  Director 
General.  This  she  found  in  Alfred  C.  Gos- 
horn,  the  Cincinnati  manager,  a gentleman 
of  but  few  words,  who,  by  silent  energy  and 
brain  power,  could  bring  order  from  chaos 
and  master  inharmonious  and  distracting 
elements  to  unite  and  move  together  as  in 


the  harmony  and  beauty  of  a grand  sym- 
phony. 

Inclined  Planes. — The  city  proper  is  on 
two  planes,  one  called  the  “ Bottom,”  60  feet 
and  the  other  112  feet  above  low-watermark 
in  the  river.  This,  with  the  exception  of 
New  York  and  Boston,  is  the  most  densely 
populated  area  in  the  Union.  Owing  to  the 
contracted  dimensions  of  the  plains,  popula- 
tion is  rapidly  extending  on  to  the  river  hills. 
These  are  nearly  400  feet  above  the  city,  and 
take  one  on  to  the  general  level  of  the  coun- 
try. Besides  roads  leading  to  their  summits, 
there  are  in  all  four  inclined  railway  planes — 
on  the  north,  east  and  west — where,  by  sta- 
tionary engines  at  the  top,  people  are  taken 
up,  sometimes  nearly  a hundred  in  a car, 
and  in  ninety  seconds.  They  are  hauled  up 
by  a wire  rope  large  as  one’s  wrist,  which 
winds  around  a drum  with  a monotonous 
humming  sound,  quick  resounding,  as  though 
in  a hurry  to  get  you  up.  An  extra  rope  is 
attached  to  each  car  as  a precaution  in  case 
the  one  in  use  should  break. 

Bird's-eye  Views. — The  views  from  the  hills 
are  unique.  Seemingly  within  a stone’s  throw 
one  looks  down  from  a height  of  between  300 
and  400  feet  into  a huge  basin-like  area  filled 
by  a dense,  compact  city.  Beyond  this 
wilderness  of  walls,  roofs  and  steeples,  is 
seen  the  Ohio,  with  its  magnificent  bridges, 
the  Kentucky  towns  of  Covington  and  New- 
port opposite.  Encircling  hills  everywhere 
bound  the  view,  through  which  the  Ohio 
pierces,  turning  its  broad  silvery  surface  to 
that  sun  which  shines  equally  for  us  all. 

Beer  Gardens  and  Music. — At  the  sum- 
mit of  these  planes  are  immense  beer  gardens 
with  mammoth  buildings,  where  on  stifling 
summer  nights  the  city  hive  swarms  out 
thousands  upon  thousands  of  all  classes  and 
nationalities,  who  thus  come  together  and 
alike  yield  to  the  potent  influences  of  music 
and  lager.  One,  the  Highland  House,  trav- 
elers say,  is  not  only  the  largest  in  the  world 
but  is  unequalled  in  splendor  and  appoint- 
ments. It  is  on  Mount  Adams,  east  of  the 
city  plain,  where  nearly  40  years  ago  John 
Quincy  Adams,  “the  old  man  eloquent,” 
delivered  his  oration  on  the  occasion  of  lay- 
ing the  corner  stone  of  the  Cincinnati  Ob- 
servatory, the  flrst  astronomical  building 
erected  in  human  histor}^  by  the  joint  con- 
tributions of  private  citizens.  Thus  early 
had  this  people  initiated  those  habits  of  pub- 
lic beneficence  which  bring  down  blessings 
from  the  stars.  In  the  summer  of  1877 
Theodore  Thomas  with  his  orchestra  gave 
there  three  continuous  weeks  of  music,  with 
audiences  on  some  nights  of  from  6,000  to 
8,000  people,  many  of  them  around  tables 
and  taking  in  music  with  their  beer. 

Viewed  from  the  city  the  long  lines  of 
hundred  lights,  in  places  rising  tier  above 
tier,  marking  the  spot,  made  tne  place  ap- 
])ear  as  an  illuminated  palace  in  the  skies ; 
while  the  lighted  car  in  incessant  motion  up 
and  down  the  inclined  plane  looked  like  a 
huge  fire  ball  in  transit. 

The  city  itself,  hundreds  of  feet  below, 


HAMILTON  COUNTY. 


7^5 


with  its  miles  of  street  lamps  vanishing  in 
the  distance,  and  the  broad  Ohio  with  its 
moving  steamers  lighted  up,  gave  to  those 
on  the  hill  top  an  equally  picturesque  view 
as  they  sat  there  listening  to  the  music,  their 
brows  whilom  fanned  by  the  cool  breezes 
from  the  west.  This  was  comfort,  solid  com- 
fort up  there  as  one  might  say  at  an  alight- 
ing place  between  the  basin-placed  city  and 
its  overhanging  stars. 

The  Germans. — The  prevalence  of  music 
and  lager  in  the  city  is  largely  owing  to  the 
Germans.  Of  the  300,000  inhabitants  at 
this  centre  nearly  one-third  are  Germans  or 
of  German  stock.  In  these  respects  the 
Americans  have  become  largely  Teutonized. 

The  Germans  are  notably  frugal  and  thrifty. 
The  ambition  of  each  family  is  to  own  its 
dwelling — their  great  ambition  a three-story 
brick.  They  associate  with  and  cultivate  the 
acquaintance  of  their  own  families  more 
thoroughly  than  our  people  do  theirs.  They 
resort  on  Sunday  afternoons,  with  their  wives 
and  children,  to  the  beer  gardens  on  the  hill 
tops,  where  there  is  music,  green  arbors, 
kindly  skies  and  soft  airs.  The  utmost  de- 
corum prevails.  All  classes  of  Germans 
with  their  families  to  the  toddling  infant 
thus  mingle  in  calm,  peaceful  recreation. 
They  learn  to  know  and  sympathize  with 
each  other,  a matter  seemingly  impossible 
with  a certain  class  of  our  snobbish  country- 
men who  ever  seem  dreadfully  apprehensive 
of  soiling  their  gentility. 

Love  of  Flowers. — A pleasing  characteris- 
tic of  the  Germans  is  their  passion  for  flowers. 
\Vhile  an  American  woman  of  humble  rank 
will  spend  her  money  for  an  article  of  personal 
adornment  that  perchance  may  destroy  all 
grace  of  movement  and  crucify  all  beauty,  a 
German  woman  will  purchase  a pot  of  flow- 
ers. On  passing  even  tenement  houses  occu- 
pied by  Germans,  one  will  often  see  every 
window,  may  be  thirty  or  forty  in  all,  story 
upon  story,  filled  with  pots  of  flowers.  These 
please  the  thoughtful  passer-by  as  he  thinks 
of  a people  who  thus  endeavor  to  make  fra- 
grant their  hard  work-day  lives. 

German  Peculiarities. — The  original  Ger- 
mans are  largely  of  the  working  class.  Like 
old-country  folk,  generally,  .they  are  clannish 
and  let  their  affections  go  back  to  the  father- 
land,  while  their  children  take  especial  pride 
in  being  thought  Americans ; indeed  some 
manifest  shame  at  being  overheard  by  Amer- 
icans talking  in  the  German  tongue. 

A very  common  sight  in  the  German  quar- 
ters is  to  see  old  men,  grandfathers,  on  their 
last  legs,  acting  as  nurses  for  babies,  pushing 
them  around  in  carriages  or  dangling  them 
on  their  knees,  they  meanwhile  regaling  them- 
selves with  their  everlasting  pipes. 

The  common  class  of  Germans  in  the  city 
know  next  to  nothing  of  the  inner  life  of 
Americans.  Some  of  them  stigmatize  us  as 
“ Irish.”  Their  gross  ignorance  after  a resi- 
dence on  our  soil  of  often  half  a life-time  im- 
pressed us  with  the  sheer  folly  of  people 
travelling  in  Europe,  fancying  they  receive 
anything  more  than  a surface  knowledge  of 


Europeans.  Of  the  earnest  spiritual  life  of 
our  orthodox  Christian  people  they  have  not 
the  faintest  conception.  Nothing  like  it  ex- 
ists among  them.  As  to  Sunday,  even  the 
Protestant  Germans  attach  to  it  no  especial 
sanctity,  while  with  the  Catholics  everywhere 
every  day  is  equally  “ the  Lord’s.” 

The  Crusaders  Among  the  Germans. — 
When  the  temperance  crusade  opened  the 
Germans  were  dumbfounded.  Beer  is  with 
them  as  water  is  with  us,  and  is  used  from 
infancy  to  old  age.  They  received  the  cru- 
sading bands  with  stolid  silence,  looking  at 
the  ladies  from  out  of  their  round  blue  eyes 
with  an  expression  that  showed  that  their 
sensations  must  have  been  queer,  indescrib- 
able. Not  a saloon  in  the  city  was  closed. 
The  ladies  might  as  well  have  prayed  and 
sang  before  the  Rock  of  Gibraltar. 

One  day  the  crusade  among  the  Germans 
came  to  a sudden  end.  An  entire  band  of 
ladies,  wives  and  mothers  of  the  very  best 
citizens,  were  arrested  by  the  city  police — re- 
spectfully arrested  and  escorted  to  the  police 
station,  and  charged  with  violating  the  city 
laws  in  obstructing  the  sidewalks.  As  is  usual 
with  criminals,  they  were  compelled  to  regis- 
ter their  names,  residence  and  ages  ! As  they 
were  not  put  in  “ the  lock-up,”  their  pockets 
were  saved  the  usual  emptying. 

During  these  exciting  times  the  temperance 
meetings  were  crowded,  and  men  and  women 
alike  addressed  the  multitudes,  the  exercises 
being  varied  with  prayer  and  song.  It  was 
noted  that  while  the  men  always  more  or  less 
hesitated,  the  women  never.  Their  words 
always  flowed  as  from  an  everlasting  foun- 
tain. Pathos,  poetry  and  matter  of  fact  were 
the  concomitants  in  varied  measures  of  their 
speech. 

At  some  of  these  meetings  the  narratives 
were  so  touching  that  hundreds  were  melted 
in  tears.  We  remember  one  we  attended 
when  we  were  so  affected  by  an  involuntary 
twitching  of  the  facial  muscles,  that  to  con- 
ceal anything  that  might  happen  we  bowed 
our  head  and  looked  into  the  bottom  of  our 
hat  to  study  and  see  if  we  could  not  improve 
the  lettering  of  the  hatter’s  advertisement. 
And  we  believe  we  succeeded  ! 

And  the  speaker  who  so  aroused  our  emo- 
tions by  the  plaintive  melody  of  her  voice  and 
the  heart-melting  scenes  of  her  narrative,  was 
a woman,  and  she  with  crispy  hair  and  black 
as  the  ace  of  spades  ! The  earthly  tabernacle 
is  as  nothing,  but  it  is  the  divine  spirit,  wher- 
ever it  enters,  that  gives  dignity  to  its  pos- 
sessor, lifts  and  unites  with  the  Infinite. 

In  the  interior  of  the  State,  among  an 
American  orthodox  population,  the  Crusaders 
were  for  a time  wonderfully  successful.  Peter 
the  Hermit  had  come  again— ^his  time  in  the 
form  of  Dio  Lewis.  In  some  villages  every 
saloon  was  closed.  It  seemed  for  a time  as 
though  another  age  of  miracles  had  dawned 
upon  mankind. 

Some  ladies  spent  weeks  in  the  open  air, 
often  exposed  in  cold,  inclement  weafte*. 
Two  whom  we  knew  of  caught  colds  and  died ; 
another,  from  being  lean,  dyspeptic  and  com- 


Farny  del. 

The  Transrhenane  Waiter. 


s 

Farny  del. 

The  Sausage  Man. 


Farny  del. 

The  Wiener  Worst  MaNo 


Farny  del. 

Over  the  Rhine  Saloon. 


HAMILTON  COUNTY. 


787 


plaining,  grew  fat  and  cheerful  and  has  looked 
smiling  from  that  day  to  this.  She  had  been 
to  Palestine  and  got  back. 

This  speaking  of  the  Holy  Land  carries  us 
back  by  association  to  childhood  years,  to  our 
father’s  house,  to  a pretty  picture  acted  there, 
wherein  the  maid  of  the  broom,  moving  from 
room  to  room,  rosy,  blithe  and  happy,  doing  the 
useful  things,  as  making  the  beds  and  spat- 
ting the  pillows,  was  wont,  from  the  abun- 
dance of  her  heart,  to  burst  out,  birdlike,  in 
song,  her  mind  being  upon  love  and  the  gay 
cavaliers  in  the  days  of  chivalry,  as  she  ca- 
roled forth : 

“ It  was  Hunois,  the  young  and  brave. 
Was  bound  for  Palestine.” 

The  word  “ Crusade,”  which  the  good  la- 
dies used  to  designate  their  forays  upon  the 
saloons,  we  verily  believe,  by  the  association 
of  ideas — the  romantic  word  with  the  prosaic 
fact — helped  to  lighten  their  disagreeable 
labors.  To  them  every  saloon  was  as  a Jeru- 
salem to  be  taken,  but  without  the  holy  places. 

^ The  Original ^ German  Immigrants  to  Cin- 
cinnati are  mainly  of  the  humble  classes. 
But  very  few  people  of  elegance  are  among 
them.  They  are  a highly  valued  body  of  cit- 
izens, commanding  respect  for  their  industry 
and  general  sobriety  of  deportment. 

An  excellent  and  very  wealthy  part  of  the 
German  element  is  the  Hebrew.  They,  how- 
ever, are  German  but  little  more  than  in  lan- 
guage. Everywhere  they  are  the  same  pecu- 
liar people. 

The  routine  of  their  domestic  daily  lives, 
the  preparation  of  their  food,  etc.,  is  regu- 
lated by  certain  rules  and  ceremonies  which 
form  an  essential  part  of  their  religion,  so 
that  they  never  can  socially  assimilate  with 
other  people.  There  is  but  little  visiting  be- 
tween the  families  of  Jews  and  Gentiles. 

Cincinnati  is  a sort  of  paradise  for  the  He- 
brews. They  number  about  10,000  souls. 
Among  them  are  some  very  learned  men,  as 
the  Kabbis  Wise  and  Lilierithal.  Finer  spe- 
cimens of  mercantile  honor  and  integrity  do 
not  exist  than  are  exemplified  in  some  of  their 
leading  merchants. 

These  people — we  speak  from  knowledge 
and  neighborhood — carry  out  among  them- 
selves more  closely  perhaps  than  is  common 
even  with  Christians,  the  Christly  injunction, 

‘ ‘ Love  one  another.  ’ ’ This  is  not  surprising, 
as  previous  to  the  year  A.  D.  1,  they  had  all 
the  Christianity  there  was  anywhere.  They 
allow  none  among  them  to  sink  into  pauper- 
ism, but  help  each  other  with  no  stinted  hand. 
And  when  one  returns  from  a journey  his 
friends  run  to  embrace  and  kiss  him.  Music, 
dancing,  theatricals,  gayety,  bright  colors  and 
a good  time  in  this  life  are  the  cardinal  objects 
with  them.  Originally  an  Oriental  people, 
they  naturally  take  to  bright,  sensuous  things. 
As  many  of  them  nowadays  have  serious 
doubts  of  immortality,  these  act  on  the  prin- 
ciple of  “eat,  drink  and  be  merry,  for  to- 
morrow we  die.”  This  is  pitiful  when  we 
reflect  that  the  highest  joy  and  the  loftiest 


virtue  only  can  come  to  the  soul  when  il  feels 
its  inestimable  value  through  its  conviction 
of  immortality. 

The  Cause  of  Cincinnati  s Pre-eminence.— 
It  may  be  asked,  why  has  Cincinnati  ob- 
tained its  pre-eminence  in  art,  literature  and 
public  spirit  over  other  Western  cities,  for 
instance  Chicago?  We  answer,  Cincinnati  is 
older  than  this  century.  More  than  forty 
years  ago,  when  Chicago  was  a mere  fort  and 
Indian  trading  post,  Cincinnati  was  a city  of 
25,000  people  with  a cultured  society  noted 
even  then  for  its  fostership  of  literature  and 
art.  In  those  days  Cincinnati  had  such  men 
as  Chief-Justice  McLean,  Salmon  P.  Chase, 
Jacob  Burnett,  Hr.  Daniel  Drake,  James  C. 
Hall,  Nicholas  Longworth,  Nathaniel  Wright, 
Nat.  G.  Pendleton,  Charles  Hammond,  Henry 
Starr,  Bellamy  Storer,  Larz  Anderson,  Bishop 
Mcllvain,  Lyman  Beecher,  D.  K.  Este,  John 
P.  Foote,  Nathan  Guilford,  General  William 
Lytle,  General  William  H.  Harrison,  Colonel 
Jared  Mansfield,  etc.  The  last  named  had 
been  Surveyor-General  of  the  N.  W.  Terri- 
tory and  Professor  of  Mathematics  at  West 
Point. 

Brilliant  Women. — Colonel  Mansfield,  with 
Mrs.  Mansfield,^  were  natives  of  this  city,  and 
she  it  was  who  introduced  into  Cincinnati  so- 
ciety the  custom  of  New  Year  calls.  Probably 
there  is  scarcely  a single  individual,  aside 
from  the  writer,  in  this,  the  city  of  her  birth 
and  childhood,  who  remembers  this  lady,  now 
long  since  deceased,  but  New  Haven  never 
produced,  nor  Cincinnati  never  held,  a more 
queenly  woman.  Her  son,  the  Hon.  E.  D. 
Mansfield,  the  statistician  of  Ohio  and  well- 
known  writer  of  Cincinnati,  who  graduated 
at  the  head  of  his  class  at  Princeton,  and 
then  second  at  West  Point,  is  New  Haven 
born.  Although  about  as  old  as  the  century, 
his  spirits  are  as  buoyant,  as  youthful  as  those 
of  any  school-boy  who  now  carries  a happy 
morning  face  through  the  streets  of  his  native 
city.  Among  other  ladies  who  have  figured 
in  the  old  society  of  the  city  were  Mrs.  Trol- 
lope, Fanny  Wright  Darusemont  and  Har- 
riet Beecher  Stowe. 

Cincinnati s and  Chicago's  Characteristics. 
— Cincinnati  has  ever  been  a great  manufac- 
turing and  creating  centre,  instead  of  a great 
trading,  distributing,  land  speculating  point 
like  Chicago.  The  latter  in  consequence  has 
drawn  to  itself  from  its  first  uprising  out  of 
the  bogs,  hosts  of  wild  speculators  and  ad- 
venturers of  all  sorts,  who  came  under  the 
infiuence  of  the  elixir  of  an  exhilarating 
climate,  with  their  imaginations  excited  to 
money  making  by  the  sight  of  vast  prairies 
of  wonderful  fertility  stretching  away  in  easy 
radations  from  its  site,  forming  a greater 
ody  of  rich  land  than  lies  around  any  other 
city  in  all  Christendom. 

The  growth  of  Cincinnati  having  been 
comparatively  slow,  its  best  elements  have 
had  time  to  take  root,  unite  and  strengthen 
with  the  rolling  years.  Her  population  has 
been  stable  and  not  changing.  Hence  there 
is  in  this  generation  an  aristocracy  of  “ town 
born,”  of  culture  united  to  wealth,  as  the 


HAMILTON  COUNTY. 


788 


Longworths,  Groesbecks,  Dexters,  Pendle- 
tons, Andersons,  Gosborns,  etc.,  who  take 
immense  pride  in  their  native  city,  forming 
a nucleus  around  which  gather  those  forces 
which  are  impelling  it  on  its  upward  career. 

Cincinnati  a Literani  Centre. — Cincinnati, 
more  than  any  other  Western  city,  has  been 
a literary  centre — a great  book-publishing, 
book-selling  mart.  The  bookstore  of  Kobert 
Clarke  & Co.  is  the  literary  focus  of  the  city 
and  adjoining  States.  There  one  meets  with 
the  most  eminent  characters  of  society.  Said 
a prominent  bookseller  of  Chicago  to  a mem- 
ber of  this  firm  “I  don’t  understand  how 
you  in  Cincinnati  can  sell  such  quantities  of 
the  higher  class  of  scientific  works — the  books 
of  the  great  thinkers  and  specialists ; we 
have  very  little  call  for  them  here.”  A 
partial  solution  of  this  may  be  found  in  the 
capacity  of  the  Cincinnati  bookseller!  The 
value  of  a bookseller,  genial,  book-loving  and 
book-knowing  to  any  community  that  has  his 
services,  are  they  not.  Oh ! appreciative 
reader,  beyond  your  arithmetic  ? 

The  Hills  and  Clifton. — Eventually  the 
city  plain  will  be  devoted  entirely  to  business 
and  the  homes  of  the  people  be  “ Cincinnati 
on  the  Hills.”  Now  the  finest  of  the  pala- 
tial residences  are  there  with  the  outlying 
districts  of  Mount  Auburn,  Walnut  Hills, 
Price  Hill  and  Clifton. 

Clifton  is  a collection  of  magnificent  cha- 
teaux, four  miles  from  the  city,  amid  groves 
and  grassy  lawns,  which  in  architectural  dis- 
play, combined  with  landscape  adornment 
and  picturesque  outlooks,  has  not,  says  a 
German  author,  its  equal  but  in  one  spot  in 
Europe.  Clifton  has  been  the  astonishment 
of  foreigners  who  have  accepted  the  hospital- 
ities of  its  prince-like  dwellers,  among  whom 
may  be  mentioned  the  Prince  of  Wales, 
Charles  Dickens,  Thackeray,  and  those 
Queens  of  Song,  Jenny  Lind  and  Christine 
Nilsson.  There  in  a palace  resides  Henry 
Probasco,  once  a penniless  youth,  who  gave 
the  Tyler-Davidson  fountain  to  Cincinnati. 
He  alike  proposes  the  same  with  his  magnifi- 
cent picture  gallery  valued  at  $200,000  soon 
as  the  citizens  erect  a suitable  building, 
which  they  are  certain  to  do  some  day. 
Another  resident  is  William  S.  Groesbeck, 
who  gave  $50,000  for  music  in  the  parks. 
He  it  was  who  told  liis  brother  Democrats  at 
the  close  of  the  rebellion,  that  they  must  ac- 
cept the  issue  of  the  question  of  State  Rights 
as  ended.  Said  he,  ” war  legislates,  the  trial 
of  arms  is  the  final  Court  of  Appeals.” 
George  Pendleton,  the  famous  Democratic 
leader,  is  also  there.  He  is  sometimes  called 
“ Gentleman  George,”  from  the  suave  man- 
ners and  good  fellowship  generally.  He  is 
what  is  termed  “a  handsome  man,”  com- 
pact, full  rounded,  with  dark  sparkling  eyes. 
Richard  Smith,  proprietor  of  the  Cincinnati 
Gazette,  also  dwells  in  Clifton.  He  is  a plain, 
unostentatious  citizen,  who  will  receive  in  his 
ofiice  with  more  attention  a poor  crone  of  a 
woman  who  comes  to  crave  charity  than  any 
swelling  individual  who  calls  under  circum- 
stances of  pomp  and  state. 


Beauty  of  the  Country. — The  country  on 
the  hills  is  surpassingly  beautiful.  The  forma- 
tion is  the  blue  limestone,  and  geologists  say 
peculiar.  Trilobites — petrified  marine  shells 
— are  found  in  abundance.  The  surface  is 
disposed  in  soft,  exquisitely  graceful  swells 
with  no  abrupt  transitions.  In  places  the 
beech  woods  stretch  away  over  hill  and 
through  dale  in  billowy  swells,  the  ground 
one  continuous  green  lawn  with  no  under- 
brush to  mar  the  prospect  under  the  lights 
and  shadows  of  the  leafy  canopies.  For 
height  combined  with  massiveness  and  lux- 
uriance of  foliage,  no  tree  within  our  knowl- 
edge is  equal  to  the  beech  of  the  Ohio  valley, 
as  there  is  none  in  picturesque  beauty  and 
graceful  sweep  of  branches  equal  to  the  New 
England  elm.  Where  the  beech  grows  the 
soil  is  fat  and  luxuriant  for  the  corn,  the 
wheat  and  the  good  things,  that  plumj)  out 
the  ribs,  rejoice  and  make  laugh  the  inner 
man. 

On  these  hill  sides,  amid  the  lesser  vales, 
within  easy  rides  from  the  city  are  many 
charming  suburban  homes  of  the  well-to-do 
citizens,  sweet  surprises  to  the  stranger  as 
they  suddenly  burst  upon  him  from  out  a 
wilderness  of  green  things.  These  are  often 
reached  by  some  sequestered  by-road,  wind- 
ing through  some  lesser  vale,  where  one 
might  easily  fancy  they  were  a hundred  miles 
away  from  any  city.  There  are  many  such 
places  all  unknown  to  the  masses  who  delve 
and  sweat  out  their  lives  in  the  great  hot, 
sooty  town.  ^ At  one  of  these,  on  a lofty  em- 
inence opposite  Clifton,  called  “Makatewah  ” 
from  the  Indian  name  of  the  deep,  broad 
valley  which  they  each  overlook — the  first 
from  the  east  and  the  last  from  the  west  and 
near  two  miles  apart — we  had  passed  so  many 
happy  days,  escapes  from  the  heat,  dust  and 
brain  worrying  life  of  the  hot  city,  that  al- 
though unused  to  versification,  we  could  not 
refrain  from  a tribute. 


MAKATEWAH. 

0,  Makatewah  ! peaceful  spot. 

Where  Nature’s  sweetest  charms  are  spread. 

My  weary  spirit  finds  repose. 

To  calmest  thought  is  led. 

Rright,  sparkling  morn,  mild,  tranquil  eve, 
Hope,  retrospection  there  by  turn  inspire  ; 

Imagination,  charming  fancies  weave. 

As  softly  sighs  the  leafy  lyre. 

The  mansion  strong  and  massive  stands 
Where  love  and  virtue  cheer  the  guest ; 

Where  life’s  best  gifts  with  blessings  fill 
And  earthly  scenes  bring  heavenly  rest. 

There  swelling  slopes  rise  decked  in  green. 
Mid  summer  suns  lie  cooling  shades. 

Flowers  quaff  the  morning  dews 
And  zephyrs  stir  the  tender  blades. 

Ripe  luscious  fruits  in  red  and  gold. 

Mid  emerald  settings  blush  and  glow ; 


HAMILTON  COUNTY. 


789 


While  generous  vines  the  nectar  yields 
That  lifts  sad  hearts  in  genial  flow. 

Mid  fragrance,  insects  happy  hum, 

The  wood  bird  beats  his  rataplan. 

The  peacock*  struts  with  speckled  mates 
And  stately  swings  a glittering  fan. 

When  evening’s  shadows  solemn  steal 
O’er  Clifton’s  leaf-crowned  height. 

There  sweet  to  watch  the  fading  day 
Die  in  the  arms  of  night. 

The  valley  sounds  rise  on  the  air, 

The  tinkling  bells,  the  rolling  cars. 

While  o’er  the  deep’ning  gloom  below 
Look  down  the  sad,  mysterious  stars. 

O,  Makatewah  ! peaceful  spot. 

Where  Nature’s  sweetest  charms  are  spread  ; 


My  weary  spirit  finds  repose, 
To  calmest  thought  is  led. 


This  region,  like  that  of  Athens  of  old, 
has  the  prime  requisite  for  a perfect  climate, 
being  just  in  that  latitude  where  one  can  re- 
main out  of  doors  in  comfort  the  greatest 
number  of  days  in  the  year.  The  time  is 
not  distant  when  this  centre  will  number  a 
million  of  people.  Then  “ Cincinnati  on  the 
Hills”  will  be  one  of  the  choice  spots  of 
this  earth.  This  from  the  extraordinary  re- 
sources and  beauty  of  the  country,  combined 
with  the  extraordinary  public  spirit  of  her 
citizens  : — the  latter  moving  with  an  acceler- 
ated increase  from  the  habits  already  estab- 
lished, all  combining  to  render  this  a great  art 
centre  and  focus  of  all  which  broadens  life 
and  renders  it  sweet  and  beneficent. 


Cincinnati  (Statistical)  in  1888. 

Cincinnati,  county-seat  of  Hamilton,  largest  city  in  the  State,  is  in  a direct 
line  about  100  miles  from  Columbus.  It  is  on  the  north  bank  of  the  Ohio,  op- 
posite the  mouth  of  the  Licking  river,  about  midway  between  Pittsburg  at  the 
source,  and  Cairo,  at  the  mouth  of  the  Ohio  river.  It  is  within  a few  miles  of 
the  centre  of  the  population  of  the  United  States.  Railroads  entering  the  city  are 
the  O.  & N.  W. ; C.  H.  & D. ; C.  I.,  St.  L.  & C. ; C.  L.  & N. ; C.  G.  & P. ; C.  C. 
C.  & I. ; C.  S.,  B.  & O. ; C.  W.  & B. ; N.  Y.  P.  & O. ; O.  & M. ; C.  & M.  V.; 
P.  C.  & St.  L. ; C.  & W. ; C.  H. ; K.  C. ; N.  N.  & M. ; C.  J.  & M. ; L.  & N. ; C. 
& O.,  and  C.  M.  O.  & T.  P. 

County  Officers  in  1888. — Auditor,  Frederick  Raine  ; Clerk,  Daniel  J.  Dalton, 
John  B.  Peaslee ; Commissioners,  William  Anthony,  Luke  A.  Staley, Herman 
H.  Goesling ; Coroner,  John  H.  Rendigs ; Infirmary  Directors,  Charles  S. 
Dunn,  John  H.  Penny,  Tilden  R.  French;  Probate  Judge,  Herman  P.  Goebel; 
Prosecuting  Attorney,  John  C.  Schwartz;  Recorder,  George  Hobson;  Sheriff, 
Leo  Schott ; Surveyor,  Albert  A.  Brasher  ; Treasurer,  John  Zumstein. 

City  Officers  in  1888. — Amor  Smith,  Jr.,  Mayor;  Edwin  Henderson,  Clerk; 
E.  O.  Eshelby,  Comptroller ; Albert  F.  Bohrer,  Treasurer ; Theo.  Horstman, 
Solicitor ; John  A.  Caldwell,  Judge  of  Police  Court ; Emil  Reuse,  Clerk  of 
Police  Court ; J ohn  G.  Sclnvartz,  Prosecuting  Attorney  ; Philip  Deitsch,  Super- 
tendent  of  Police. 

• Newspapers. — The  number  of  periodicals  of  all  kinds  is  133,  of  which  there 
are  14  dailies  and  46  weeklies.  The  principal  dailies  are.  Enquirer,  Democratic, 
John  R.  McLean,  Editor  and  Publisher;  Commercial  Gazette,  Republican,  Murat 
Halstead,  Editor  ; Times  Star,  Independent ; Evening  Post ; Evening  Telegram ; 
Sun,  Democratic.  German:  Abend  Prmg,  Independent ; Ereie  Presse,  Demo- 
cratic ; Volksblatt,  Democratic,  Henry  Haacke,  Editor  and  Publisher ; Volksblatt, 
Republican.  Religious  Weeklies:  American  Christian  Review,  DisAples]  Ameri- 
can Israelite;  Catholic  Telegraph;  Christliche  Apologete ; Christian  Standard, 
Christian  ; Herald  and  Presbyter,  Presbyterian  ; Journal  and  Messenger,  Baptist ; 


•=5=-The  peacock  on  the  place  in  1874  lost  its  mate.  A respectable  period  of  mourning  having  been 
passed  he  suddenly  disappeared. 

After  over  two  years  of  absence  he  as  unexpectedly  returned,  leading  in  stately  procession  on  to  the 
grounds  two  new-found  wives.  As  there  were  none  of  his  kind  in  that  vicinity,  the  distance  and  direc- 
tion of  that  matrimonial  journey  remain  a mystery.  That  he  should  bring  back  two  to  replace  the 
one  he  had  lost,  in  view  of  his  long  abstinence  from  the  companionship  of  any,  was  probably  justifiable 
to  the  neacock  iudgment  and  the  peacock  morals. 


HAMILTON  COUNTY. 


790 

Sabbath  Visitor,  Jewish;  Wahrheits  Freund,  Catholic;  Western  Christian  Advo- 
cate, Methodist. 

Churches. — Cincinnati  has  over  200  churches,  among  which  are  Roman  Catholic, 
51 ; Methodists,  37  ; Presbyterian,  24  : Congregational,  5 ; Protestant  Episcopal, 
19;  Baptist,  18;  German  Evangelical,  15;  Jewish  Synagogue,  7;  Disciples  of 
Christ,  6 ; United  Brethren,  3 ; Friends,  2 ; also  1 each  Hollandisclie  Reformed ; 
Church  of  the  New  Jerusalem,  Universalist  and  Unitarian. 

Charities. — There  are  five  hospitals,  viz.  ; the  Cincinnati,  two  Catholic,  one 
Jewish  and  one  Homoeopathic ; and  other  charitable  institutions  are  numerous,  as 
Children’s  Home,  Christian  Association’s  Home  of  the  Friendless,  Orphan 
Asylums,  the  Widows’  and  Old  Men’s  Home  on  Walnut  Hills,  the  Relief  Union, 
Board  of  Associations,  and  the  Bethel  on  the  River,  where  destitute  and  homeless 
people  are  temporarily  fed  and  sheltered.  With  it  is  a church  and  Sunday-school 
for  the  children  of  the  poor,  which  for  many  years  has  had  an  attendance  of  3,000 
and  attracts  many  visitors. 

Banks. — Cincinnati  National  Bank,  Joseph  F.  Larkin,  president,  Edgar  Stark, 
cashier;  Citizen’s  National  Bank,  B.  S.  Cunningham,  president,  George  W. 
Forbes,  cashier ; Commercial  Bank,  Charles  B.  Foote,  president,  W.  H.  Camp- 
bell, cashier ; Fidelity  Safe  Deposit  and  Trust  Company,  Briggs  Swift,  president, 
J.  G.  Brotherton,  superintendent ; First  National  Bank,  L.  B.  Harrison,  president, 
T.  Stan  wood,  cashier;  Fourth  National  Bank,  M.  M.  White,  president,  H.  P. 
Cooke,  cashier;  Franklin  Bank,  John  -Kilgour,  president,  H.  B.  Olmstead, 
cashier  ; German  National  Bank,  John  Hauck,  president.  Geo.  H.  Bohrer,  cashier ; 
Merchants’  National  Bank,  D.  J.  Fallis,  president,  W.  W.  Brown,  cashier ; 
National  Lafayette  Bank,  W.  A.  Goodman,  president,  J.  V.  Guthrie,  cashier ; 
Ohio  Valley  National  Bank,  James  Espy,  president,  Theo.  Baur,  cashier;  Queen 
City  National  Bank,  John  Cochnower,  president,  Samuel  W.  Ramp,  cashier; 
Second  National  Bank,  Charles  Davis,  president,  Wm.  S.  Rowe,  cashier;  Third 
National  Bank,  J.  D.  Hearne,  president,  Wm.  A.  Lemmon,  cashier ; Union 
National  Bank,  Edward  Weil,  president,  L.  Kleybolte,  cashier;  S.  Kuhn  & 
Sons ; Seasongood,  Sons  & Co. ; A.  Seinecke,  Jr. ; Simon  & Huseman ; A.  C. 
Conklin  & Co.,  brokers ; Geo.  lEustis  & Co.,  brokers ; H.  B.  Morehead  & Co., 
brokers ; Albert  Netter,  broker ; Cincinnati  Clearing  House  Association,  James 
Espy,  president,  W.  D.  Duble,  manager. 

Industries. — For  the  year  1887,  the  report  of  Colonel  Sidney  D.  Maxwell, 
superintendent  of  the  Chamber  of  Commerce,  gives  the  number  of  industrial  estab- 
lishments in  Cincinnati  as  amounting  to  6,774,  employing  103,325  hands,  and  pro- 
ducing in  value  $203,459,396,  viz. : Iron,  $26,966,999,  hands,  14,741 ; other 
Metals,  $7,674,160,  hands,  5,056;  Wood,  $20,440,182,  hands,  12,589;  Leather, 
$10,484,425,  hands,  6,404;  Food,  $23,526,858,  hands,  5,821;  Soap,  Candles 
and  Oils,  $11,165,200,  hands,  1,845;  Clothing,  $23,202,769,  hands,  21,951; 
Liquors,  $29,012,711,  hands,  2,242;  Cotton,  Wool,  Hemp,  etc.,  $2,258,983, 
hands,  1,968 ; Drugs,  Chemicals,  etc.,  $4,913,150,  hands,  874 ; Stone  and 
Earth,  $4,972,730,  hands,  3,384 ; Carriages,  Cars,  etc.,  $11,109,950,  hands, 
6,601 ; Paper,  $6,670,986,  hands,  2,976 ; Book  Binding  and  Blank  Books, 
$598,724,  hands,  860 ; Printing  and  Publishing,  $4,456,876,  hands,  4,138; 
Tobacco,  $3,784,868,  hands,  3,305;  Fine  Arts,  $1,046,250,  hands,  756;  Miscel- 
laneous, $11,174,375,  hands,  7,814. 

In  1860  the  annual  value  was  $46,995,062;  in  1880,  $163,351,497;  since 
which  last  date  as  above  shown  there  has  been  an  increase  of  about  one-quarter  in 
value.  The  First  Ohio  Revenue  district,  in  which  is  Cincinnati,  in  1881  paid  a 
larger  revenue  than  any  other  in  the  Union,  amounting  to  over  $12,000,000, 
having  been  mainly  from  distilled  liquors,  tobacco  and  beer. 

Population  in  1840,  46,338  ; 1850,  115,438;  1870,  216,239;  1880,  255,139; 
1890,  296,908. 


HAMILTON  COUNTY. 


79* 


LITERARY  SYMPOSIUM  ON  CINCINNATI. 

In  the  New  England  Magazine  for  September,  1888,  under  the  head  of  Illus- 
trated Literary  Symposium  on  Cincinnati/’  was  a series  of  ten  articles  by  nine 
authors  of  the  city.  They  were  ^^Prehistoric  Cincinnati,”  by  M.  F.  Force; 

Cincinnati,  Historical  and  Descriptive,”  by  W.  H.  Venable;  Education,”  by 
the  same  ; Newspapers  and  Literature,”  by  George  Mortimer  Roe ; and  The 
Art  Museum  and  the  Art  Academy,”  by  A.  T.  Goshorn ; Decorative  Art,”  by 
Benn  Pitman ; History  of  Cincinnati  Expositions,”  by  W.  H.  Chamberlain  ; 

Clubs  and  Club  Life,”  by  Chas.  Theodore  Greve,  and  Political  Reminiscences 
of  Cincinnati,”  by  Job  E.  Stevenson.  The  object  of  these  articles  was  to  present 
to  the  public  in  the  centennial  year  of  Ohio’s  settlement  a picture  of  the  progress 
of  the  great  city  from  its  beginning,  with  a view  of  its  present  characteristics. 
Nothing  can  be  so  well  adapted  for  our  purpose  to  accomplish  the  same  end  as 
their  review,  with  extracts,  abridgments,  itemized  facts.  We  begin  with 

Pkehistoric  Cincinnati. 

Before  the  advent  of  the  white  man  the  Mound  Builders  ” had  possession 
here.  When  the  whites  first  came  the  plateau  extending  from  near  the  present 
line  of  Third  street  to  the  hills  was  literally  covered  with  low  lines  of  embank- 
ments, and  an  almost  endless  variety  and  numbers  of  figures.  Among  them  were 
several  mounds,  one  large  mound  on  the  bluff  at  the  intersection  of  Third  and 
Main  streets ; the  great  mound  at  the  intersection  of  Fifth  and  Mound  streets, 
which,  if  mounds  were  really  used  for  watch-towers  and  beacons,  communicated 
by  means  of  a system  of  such,  not  only  with  the  little  valley  of  Duck  creek, 
lying  behind  the  Walnut  Hills,  but  also  with  the  valleys  of  both  the  Miami 
rivers. 

Among  the  various  articles  found  in  these  works  were  some  very  interesting, 
especially  that  from  the  great  mound  at  the  intersection  of  Fifth  and  Mound 
streets.  That  was  the  incised  stone  known  to  all  archaeologists  as  the  Cincinnati 
tablet.” 

There  were,  in  the  year  1794,  stumps  of  oak  trees  at  the  corner  of  Third  and 
Main  streets,  showing  that  mound  was  over  400  years  old.  The  site  of  Cincin- 
nati was  temporarily  occupied  by  bands  of  the  Miami  Confederacy. 

Cincinnati,  Historical  and  Descriptive. 

Dr.  Daniel  Drake,  in  his  Picture  of  Cincinnati,”  published  in  1815,  called  it  the 
metropolis  of  the  Miami  country.”  In  1824  its  importance  as  a trade-centre 
became  such  that  merchants  distinguished  it  as  the  ^^Tyre  of  the  West.”  The 
unclassic  name  of  Porkopolis  ” clung  to  the  place  for  many  years  until  Chicago 
surpassed  it  in  the  pork  industry.  The  poetical  appellation,  Queen  City,”  was 
proudly  worn  by  this  Ohio  valley  metropolis,  and  recognized  gracefully  in  Long- 
fellow’s praiseful  song — 

“To  the  Queen  of  the  West 
In  her  garlands  dressed, 

On  the  banks  of  the  beautiful  river.” 

The  latest  designation,  the  Paris  of  America,”  the  city  earned  from  its  reputation 
as  a pleasure  resort  and  a seat  of  the  polite  arts. 

A majority  of  the  early  settlers  came  from  New  Jersey,  Pennsylvania  and 
Maryland.  Their  religion  was  as  austere  as  that  of  the  Puritans,  but  not  so 
aggressive.  The  New  England  and  Virginia  forces  came  only  a little  later  with 
their  powerful  influences.  The  history  of  society  presents  no  chapter  more  inter- 
esting than  that  which  describes  the  interaction  of  ideas  in  Cincinnati  from  the 
close  of  the  war  of  1812-1815  to  the  end  of  the  civil  war.  The  three  elements 
of  population,  and  we  might  say  of  civilization,  northern,  central  and  southern, 


HAMILTON  county. 


792 

met  together  on  the  shores  of  the  Ohio,  and  Cincinnati  became  a cauldron  of 
boiling  opinions,  a crucible  of  ignited  ideas.  There  was  a time  when  Southern 
alkali  seemed  to  prevail  over  the  Northern  oxide,  and  the  aristocratic  young  city 
was  dominated  by  cavalier  sentiment;  but  the  irrepressible  Yankee  was  ever 
present  with  his  propensity  to  speak  out  in  town-meeting.  One  of  the  significant 
factors  of  culture  was  the  class  that  organized  the  New  England  Society,^^  to 
which  belonged  Bellamy  Storr,  Lyman  Beecher,  Calvin  Stowe,  Salmon  P.  Chase 
and  others. 

All  sorts  of  questions,  theological,  political,  social,  came  up  for  radical  dis- 
cussion in  early  Cincinnati.  The  foundations  were  taken  up  and  examined. 

' Every  sentiment  and  every  ism  had  its  chance  to  be  heard.  Several  new  sects 
were  differentiated.  Scepticism,  by  the  powerful  voice  of  Robert  Owen,  chal- 
lenged faith  as  held  by  Alexander  Campbell ; Protestantism  encountered  Roman- 
ism in  hot  debate.  Religious  controversies  became  involved  with  political  (for  if 
we  dig  deep  we  shall  find  the  roots  of  all  thought  entangled  together),  and  theo- 
retical differences  became  practical  issues  at  the  polls. 

When  the  tide  of  emigration  was  swollen  by  a foreign  flood  then  arose  the 

Know  Nothing  movement,  directed  by  powerful  newspapers  in  Cincinnati 
and  Louisville.  The  discussion  of  the  status  of  foreigners  was  radical,  and  dealt 
with  the  primary  rights  of  man,  and  with  the  most  essential  functions  of  govern- 
ment, education  and  society.  The  relations  of  Church  and  State  were  considered. 

The  German  population  form  a most  important  element,  enough  to  make  a large 
city — more  than  a hundred  thousand.  It  is  liberty-loving,  and  distinguished  for 
thrift  and  intelligence.  The  Germans  are  devoted  patrons  of  education  and  the 
arts,  and  especially  music.  German  is  taught  in  the  public  schools.  The  Irish 
element  is  also  large  and  powerful. 

Cincinnati,  by  the  accident  of  her  geographical  position,  became  the  focus  of 
Abolitionism,  and  also  of  the  opposite  sentiment.  In  this  city  Birney  was  mobbed  ; 
Pliillips  was  egged ; colored  men  persecuted.  In  this  city  Uncle  Tom’s  Cabin  ” 
was  planned,  and  here  the  Republican  party  was  born.  When  the  war  came  on 
Cincinnati  did  not  waver.  All  sects  and  all  parties,  foreign  and  native,  followed 
the  Union  flag.  As  soon  as  the  war  was  over  the  citizens  resumed  their  discus- 
sions. The  Queen  City  is  the  arena  of  wrestling  thoughts.  Therefore  it  has 
become  a city  of  practical  toleration.  Extreme  radicalism  lives  side  by  side 
with  extreme  conservatism.  Jew  and  Gentile  are  at  peace.  Orthodoxy  fights 
heterodoxy,  but  each  concedes  to  the  other  the  right  to  exisk  The  people  like  to 
read  Ingersoll  and  Gladstone.  The  Prohibitionists  have  a strong  party  here,  and 
the  drinkers  of  beer  have  a hundred  gardens  on  the  hills.  In  politics.  Republi- 
cans and  Democrats  are  pretty  equally  divided,  and  there  is  a lively  class  of 

scratchers  ” in  each  party.  All  things  considered,  there  seems  to  be  good  ground 
for  the  opinion  often  expressed  by  enthusiastic  Cincinnatians  that  their  city  is  the 
freest  city  on  the  globe.  This  is  a bold  claim,  but  it  would  be  difficult  to  name  a 
city  in  which  the  rights  of  the  private  individual  are  less  interfered  with  than 
they  are  in  the  Queen  City.  This  status  of  its  people  is  the  best  for  an  ultimate 
true  result.  It  is  only  by  agitation  and  experience  that  the  race  anywhere  can 
advance ; and  nothing  is  a final  settlement  until  it  is  settled  right. 

The  tract  known  as  the  Miami  Purchase,  on  the  north  shore  of  the  Ohio,  was 
first  settled  at  Cincinnati  and  Columbia  (this  last  now  in  the  city  limits)  in  1788. 
Surrounded  by  a region  of  unsurpassed  fertility,  and  located  on  a stream  which 
floated  the  principal  commerce  of  the  West,  Cincinnati  in  a few  decades  naturally 
took  the  leading  rank.  The  farm  products  of  Ohio,  Indiana  and  Kentucky, 
whether  in  the  form  of  grain  or  live-stock,  poured  into  her  markets.  The  steam- 
boat interest  was  vast  and  far-reaching,  and  until  after  the  middle  of  the  century 
Cincinnati  profited  greatly  not  only  by  river  commerce  but  by  boat-building. 
The  river  landing  was  then  a scene  of  bustle  and  business,  with  the  loading  and 
unloading  of  goods  and  the  movement  of  steamers ; its  varying  stages  and  phases 


The  Tyler  Davidson  Fountain. 


Music  Hall  and  Exposition  Building. 


HAMILTON  COUNTY, 


were  in  everybody’s  thoughts  and  talks.  How’s  the  river  to-day  ? Good  stage 
of  water,  eh?” 

In  the  period  of  its  early  life  it  was  largely  visited  by  foreign  travellers,  for  it 
was  regarded  as  the  brightest,  most  interesting  place  in  the  West — as  Volney,  Ashe, 
Basil  Hall,  the  Duke  of  Saxe- Weimar,  Capt.  Marryat,  Harriet  Martineau,  Chas. 
Dickens  and  Mrs.  Trollope,  The  latter,  with  her  four  children,  resided  here  two 
years,  from  1828  to  1830,  and  lost  thousands  in  what  she  named  ^^The  Bazaar,” 
which  came  to  be  known  as  Trollope’s  Folly.”  It  stood  on  Third  street,  just 
east  of  Broadway,  Among  its  attractions  was  a splendid  ball-room,  long  the 
pride  of  the  city. 

The  civil  war  wrought  miracles  in  the  development  of  Cincinnati.  Its  manu- 
facturing enterprises  have  developed  prodigiously,  property  values  multiplied  and 
large  individual  fortunes  accumulated.  A population  of  fully  half  a million  dwells 
within  a radius  of  ten  miles,  and  the  city  proper  has  a third  of  a million.  A wide 
and  rich  field  of  traffic  and  investment  has  of  late  years  opened  in  the  South 
by  means  of  the  Cincinnati  Southern  Railroad,  and  also  by  that  through  the 
Virginias  by  the  Chesapeake  and  Ohio, 

The  Cincinnati  Southern  Railway  was  built  at  a total  cost  of  $20,000,000,  and 
runs  to  Chattanooga,  a distance  of  336  miles,  into  the  heart  of  the  South.  It  was 
leased  in  1880  until  the  close  of  the  century  to  the  Erlanger  Syndicate.  It  was 
built  by  the  city  by  an  issue  ot  its  bonds  nearly  to  the  entire  amount,  which  being 
regarded  as  an  abuse  of  its  corporate  rights,  the  construction  being  even  outside 
of  the  State,  met  with  strong  opposition  in  the  courts.  The  act  was  sustained,  its 
prospective  immense  importance  to  tlie  well-being  of  the  city  overcoming  all  ad- 
verse arguments  of  illegality. 

Freight  by  it  consists  largely  of  live-stock,  coal,  iron,  stone,  lumber,  bark,  flour, 
whisky,  turpentine,  grain,  cotton,  hemp,  fruit,  tobacco,  salt  provisions  and  beer. 
In  1883  it  carried  six  hundred  thousand  passengers  and  earned  nearly  two  and  a 
half  millions  in  freight. 

The  river  trade  is  still  very  great,  especially  in  coal ; its  weekly  consumption  in 
the  city  is  about  a million  of  bushels.  Freight  is  largely  conveyed  up  and  down 
the  river  by  powerful  steamboats  with  fleets  of  barges.  About  one-quarter  of 
the  imports  and  exports  of  Cincinnati  are  moved  by  water. 

Cincinnati  is  a composite  city,  an  aggregation  of  towns  once  separate,  which, 
however,  retain  their  old  names,  as  Walnut  Hills,  Columbia,  Pendleton,  etc.,  and 
just  outside  lie  some  charming  villages  which  practically  enjoy  the  benefits  of  the 
city,  yet  control  their  own  local  affairs  by  a mayor  and  aldermen,  as  Clifton  and 
Avondale.  Then,  on  the  Kentucky  side  of  the  Ohio,  are  Covington  and  Newport, 
with  the  Licking  dividing  them,  and  Bellevue,  Dayton  and  Ludlow.  Several 
bridges  connect  Cincinnati  with  the  Ohio,  among  them  the  beautiful  suspension 
bridge  to  Covington,  completed  in  1 866  by  the  engineer,  Roebling,  at  a cost  of 
$1,800,000.  It  is  103  feet  above  low  water,  and  is  the  largest  single  span  of  its 
class  in  the  world.  The  towers  over  which  the  gigantic  cables  pass  are  1,057  feet 
apart,  are  230  feet  in  height,  and  thus  are  higher,  and  each  contain  more  stone, 
than  the  Bunker  Hill  Monument.  The  others  are  pier  bridges,  and  built  to  ac- 
commodate railroads,  viz. : the  Cincinnati  Southern  Railroad,  the  Louisville  Short 
Line  Railroad,  and  the  Chesapeake  and  Ohio.  This  last  cost  nearly  $5,000,000, 
and  was  opened  January  1,  1889. 

Cincinnati  now  extends  along  the  Ohio  ten  or  twelve  miles,  with  an  average 
width  of  about  three  miles.  Forty  years  ago  its  corporate  limits  were  only  about 
four  square  miles,  and  with  scarce  an  exception  was  the  most  densely  populated 
area  of  its  size  in  the  Union.  Above  the  flood  plain  it  is  built  on  a terrace,  and 
then  rise  the  hills  about  400  feet  higher.  The  canal  roughly  bounds  a quarter 
long  known  as  ^^Over  the  Rhine,”  because  of  its  great  German  population.  In 
the  Exposition  of  1888  the  canal  was  utilized  to  represent  a Venetian  street,  and 


HAMILTON  COUNTY. 


795 


was  supplied  with  gondolas.  The  great  Music  Hall,  Arbeiter  Hall  and  Turner 
Hall  are  in  that  quarter. 

Access  to  the  hill-tops  is  by  steeply  graded  roads,  cable-car  and  horse-car 
roads,  and  by  four  inclined  planes  up  which  cars  are  drawn  by  powerful  engines. 
The  principal  lines  converge  at  Fountain  Square. 

The  pavements  are  excellent,  consisting  of  granite,  asphalt  and  Ohio  river 
boulders.  The  sewerage  and  underdrainage  is  perfect,  and  few  cities  are  so 
healthy.  Within  the  city  limits  is  Eden  Park,  which  is  on  the  hills  above  the 
city  plain,  a pleasure-ground  of  240  acres,  on  which  is  the  reservoir  which  sup- 
plies the  city  with  water.  Burnet  Woods,  a tract  of  beautiful  forest  of  170 
acres,  is  also  on  the  hills  not  far  from  the  Zoological  Gardens,  which  last 
front  on  the  Carthage  pike.  They  are  the  largest  and  finest  in  America,  and 
the  buildings  are  as  costly  and  substantial  as  those  of  the  Zoological  Gardens  in 
Europe.  The  grounds,  sixty  acres  in  extent,  are  beautifully  improved.  There 
are  about  1,000  specimens  of  animals  and  birds  from  all  parts  of  the  world. 
Frequently  there  are  balls,  picnics  and  special  attractions,  and  on  Thursday 
evening  there  is  a fete.  The  gardens  were  opened  in  1875,  and  since  then  over 
$300,000  has  been  expended. 

Each  of  the  four  inclined  planes  leads  to  a famous  resort.  On  the  east  is  the 
Highland  House,  on  the  north  Lookout  and  Bellevue,  and  on  the  west  Price 
Hill,  Thousands  flock  to  these,  especially  summer  evenings  and  on  Sundays. 

Spring  Grove  Cemetery  is  six  miles  from  the  river,  in  the  valley  of  Mill 
Creek,  on  Spring  Grove  avenue.  It  comprises  600  acres,  and  has  had  therein 
about  35,000  interments.  Its  numerous  springs  and  groves  suggested  the  name. 
It  is  probably  the  most  picturesque,  as  it  is  the  largest  cemetery  in  the  world. 
It  is  on  the  plan  of  a park,  to  relieve  the  ground  of  the  heavy,  incumbered  air 
of  a churchyard,  and  to  present  the  appearance  of  a natural  park.  It  is  exqui- 
sitely laid  out,  with  far-stretching  lawns,  miniature  lakes  and  shrubbery,  and 
ornamented  with  stately  monuments,  chapels,  vaults  and  statues.  There  are 
about  7,000  lot-holders.  The  more  prominent  objects  are  the  Mortuary  Chapel, 
the  Dexter  Mausoleum  and  the  Soldiers’  Monument.  Many  eminent  historical 
characters  are  interred  here.  The  spot  is  so  enchanting  that  it  seems  as  an 
earthly  Paradise  rather  than  a home  of  the  dead. 

The  great  beauty  of  the  cemetery  is  largely  due  to  the  late  Prof.  Adolph 
Strauch,  landscape  gardener  and  arborculturist,  who  died  in  1 882,  and  who  was 
for  many  years  its  superintendent.  ^^To  him  belongs  the  credit  of  giving  to 
Cincinnati  her  renown  for  beautiful  suburbs,  with  landscapes  lovely  as  a dream.” 
He  estimated,  exclusive  of  funerals,  that  in  a single  year  (1880)  it  had  a quarter 
of  a million  of  visitors. 

The  Tyler  Davidson  Fountain  is  the  grandest  fountain  on  the  continent. 
It  stands  on  the  Esplanade  in  the  centre  of  Fountain  square,  which  is  a raised 
stone  structure  twenty-eight  inches  in  height.  This  square  is  near  the  centre  of 
the  city  and  from  which  distances  are  calculated  and  the  car  lines  mostly  start. 
The  fountain  is  a work  in  bronze  consisting  of  fifteen  large  figures,  of  which  the 
most  prominent  represents  a woman  from  whose  outstretched  prone  hands  Avater  is 
falling  in  fine  spray.  She  is  the  Spirit  of  Bain.  The  head  of  this  figure  rises 
forty-five  feet  above  the  street  level.  The  fountain  was  designed  and  cast  in 
Munich,  at  a cost  of  $200,000.  The  work  was  presented  to  Cincinnati  in  1871 
by  one  of  her  public-spirited  citizens,  Henry  Probasco,  a patron  of  arts  and 
literature,  Avhose  magnificent  residence  is  one  of  the  palaces  of  the  suburbs. 

The  Government  Building  is  on  the  same  street  near  it,  and  is  a magnifi- 
cent and  convenient  structure.  Herein  are  the  custom  house,  court  rooms 
and  post-olfice.  It  is  built  of  gray  stone,  and  cost  $5,000,000,  the  most  ex- 
pensive building  in  the  city.  Close  by  it  also  is  the  Emory  Arcade,  one  of  the 
largest  in  the  world  ; extends  between  two  streets,  a passage  Avay  of  400  feet  pro- 
tected by  a glass  roof.  It  is  lined  with  varied  shops,  and  is  decidedly  Parisian 


The  Art  Academy.  The  Art  Museum. 

Art  Buildings.  Eden  Park. 


The  Suspension  Bridge, 


HAMILTON  COUNTY. 


797 


in  character.  A few  squares  from  the  fountain,  near  the  Lincoln  Club  House,  is 
the  colossal  statue  of  Garfield,  by  Niedhaus,  a Cincinnati  artist. 

The  Broadway  of  the  city  is  Fourth  street,  the  aristocratic  East  end — where 
faces  the  once  famous  Longworth  mansion  and  garden — to  the  railroad  environed 
West  end.  Several  blocks  on  Fourth  street  are  solid,  lofty  structures.  Among 
these  is  Pikers -Opera  House  and  the  new  Chamber  of  Commerce,  dedicated 
January  30,  1889,  ex-Gov.  Edward  F.  Noyes  being  the  orator  of  the  occasion. 
Jt  is  a most  striking  work  of  art  in  Roman  Proven9al  style,  one  of  the  best 
designs  of  the  celebrated  Richardson — its  cost  was  over  |700,000.  Two  other 
remarkably  fine  structures,  both  designed  by  Hannaford,  are  now  in  the  course 
of  construction — the  New  City  Hall  and  a City  Armory. 

Two  admirable  buildings  of  stone  stand  high  upon  a hill  in  Eden  Park.  They 
are  the  Art  Museum  and  the  Art  Academy,  designed  by  McLaughlin.  The 
first  of  these  cost  nearly  $400,000,  and  the  other  is  eorrespondingly  costly.  These 
buildings  were  bestowed  upon  the  city  by  the  munificence  of  several  liberal  indi- 
viduals. Charles  W.  West  gave  $150,000,  David  Sinton  $75,000,  Joseph  Long- 
worth  $37,100.  Reuben  Cpringer  and  Julius  Dexter  then  subscribed  largely. 
Over  a million  of  dollars  have  been  given  to  the  museum  since  1880,  and  the 
art  school  is  the  best  endowed  in  the  United  States. 

The  Art  Academy  building,  completed  in  October,  1887,  was  entirely  the  gift 
of  David  Sinton.  The  Art  Academy  is  an  outgrowth  of  the  old  School  of  De- 
sign,^^  a branch  of  the  McMicken  University.  In  1887  it  had  400  students  and 
twelve  instructors,  teaching  and  lecturing.  Excepting  an  initiation  fee  of  $10, 
the  institution  is  free. 

The  greatest  pride  of  the  city  and  its  greatest  ornament  is  the  Music  Hale 
AND  Exposition  Building.  It  occupies  most  of  a block  and  faces  Washington 
jPark.  Its  architect  was  McLaughlin.  The  building  is  brick  and  in  the  modern- 
ized Gothic  style.  The  whole  front  on  Elm  street  is  402  feet ; 95  feet  being 
given  to  each  of  the  exposition  buildings,  and  178  J feet  to  the  music  hall.  The 
widest  part  of  the  building  is  316  feet.  The  buildings  are  so  arranged  that  they 
can  be  used  r^'parately  or  together,  and  the  upper  stories  so  they  can  be  connected 
by  bridges.  In  these  buildings  is  the  grand  music  hall.  It  will  hold  8,728  per- 
sons— seat  4,228,  give  standing  room  for  3,000,  while  the  stage  will  accommodate 
1,500.  The  GREAT  ORGAN  jo  One  of  the  largest  in  the  world.  It  was  built  in 
Boston,  but  the  artistic  screen  of  wild  cherry  w::s  designed  and  carved  by  residents 
of  Cincinnati.  It  has  96  iegisters,  6,237  pipes,  32  bolls,  42  pedal  movements, 
and  4 keyboards  of  61  notes  each.  Its  cash  cost  was  $32,000. 

The  College  buildings,  adjoining  the  magnificent  Music  Hall,  contain  forty  class 
and  study  rooms,  libraries,  waiting-rooms,  offices  and  a large  and  beautiful  concert 
hall,  The  Odeon,’’  seating  1,200  persons,  with  a stage  thoroughly  equipped  for 
operatic  and  dramatic  performances.  The  Cincinnati  College  of  Music  is  open 
throughout  the  year,  Peter  Rudolph  Neff,  president ; Professor  Schradieck,  mu- 
sical director. 

The  amount  of  taxable  property  in  Cincinnati  is  over  one  hundred  and  seventy- 
two  millions.  Next  to  Chicago  this  is  the  chief  pork-packing  place  in  the  world. 
The  brewing  of  lager  beer  is  an  industry  that  ranks  next  to  the  pork  business. 
Over  twenty  million  gallons  of  beer  are  produced  annually  in  its  breweries ; distil- 
ling ; heavy  capital  is  engaged  in  the  manufacture  of  iron,  stone  and  wood  ; other 
important  lines  of  manufacture  are  clothing,  and  in  food  products  it  is  the  largest 
mart  in  the  world.  For  over  half  a century  Cincinnati  has  held  a leading  rani 
as  a printing,  publishing  and  lithographing  centre.  It  has  the  largest  school-book 
house  in  the  world — that  of  Van  Antwerp,  Bragg  & Co.,  publishers  of  the  eclec- 
tic series  of  text-books. 


HAMILTON  COUNTY, 


79S 


Education  in  Cincinnati. 

The  public-school  system  embraces  schools  of  every  grade,  from  kindergarten  to 
university;  the  number  of  pupils  enrolled  in  1887  was  53,402.  The  schools  are 
celebrated  for  their  general  excellence  and  for  several  special  features  of  reform. 
They  made  a famous  exhibit  in  the  Exposition  of  1876  in  Philadelphia.  They 
set  the  example  now  so  widely  followed  of  celebrating  Arbor  Day  and  Author 
Day. 

I The  Public  Library  is  under  the  management  of  the  Board  of  Education,  and 
free  to  the  people.  It  is  in  a spacious  and  elegant  building,  has  164,000  volumes 
and  an  annual  circulation  of  about  400,000  volumes ; it  is  under  the  charge  of 
A.  W.  Whepley.  Beside  this  is  the  Mercantile  and  other  public  libraries,  and 
some  fine  private  libraries.  The  most  noteworthy  of  the  latter  is  that  of  A.  T. 
Goshorn,  in  consequence  of  its  peculiarly  honorable  history.  He  had  been  director- 
general  of  the  National  Exposition  of  1876  at  Philadelphia,  and  refusing  pecu- 
niary compensation  for  his  services,  the  citizens  presented  him  with  $10,000  in 
value  in  books  of  his  choice,  and  sent  on  a committee  to  fit  up  a room  in  his  resi- 
dence for  their  reception ; this  was  done  in  exquisite  taste.  The  library  of  Enoch 
I.  Carson,  burned  some  years  since,  was  extraordinary  as  the  most  complete  Ma- 
sonic collection  in  the  world,  beside  a fine  Shakespearian  collection. 

The  University  of  Cincinnati  is  a municipal  institution,  forming  part  of  the 
system  of  public  instruction.  It  was  founded  on  a bequest  of  Charles  McMicken  ; 
its  endowment  is  over  $750,000;  its  faculty  numbers  fifteen  professors,  Hon.  J. 
D.  Cox,  ex-governor  of  Ohio,  being  president.  Both  sexes  are  admitted  and  col- 
lege degrees  conferred.  The  Cincinnati  Observatory,  on  Mount  Lookout,  four 
miles  in  a direct  line  from  the  city,  founded  by  Gen.  O.  M.  Mitchell,  belongs  to 
the  university;  there  is  also  an  organic  connection  between  the  university  and  the 
medical  colleges — the  Miami  and  the  Ohio — and  also  with  the  College  of  Dental 
Surgery  and  that  of  Pharmacy. 

The  Medical  College  of  Ohio  was  established  in  1819,  and  has  ten  professors; 
the  Miami  Medical  College  has  twelve  professors.  The  homceopathists  have  an 
excellent  institution,  the  Pulte  College ; and  there  is  an  Eclectic  College,  a Physico- 
Medical  Institute  and  other  schools.  The  city  hospitals  are  large  and  admirably 
conducted  ; the  Cincinnati  Law  School,  founded  in  1833,  J.  D.  Cox,  dean,  is  a 
flourishing  institution,  with  many  pupils ; the  Ohio  Mechanics’  Institute,  the  Cin- 
cinnati Technical  School,  the  Society  of  Natural  History  with  its  museums  and 
lectures,  the  system  of  kindergartens  and  the  kitchen  garden  are  all  of  a high  order 
of  efficiency. 

As  a centre  of  musical  education  the  Queen  City  claims  to  be  without  a rival  on 
the  continent.  The  College  of  Music,  with  splendid  quarters  in  Music  Hall  and 
the  Odeon,  draws  students  in  all  departments  of  the  art,  from  all  parts  of  the 
United  States.  The  famous  opera  festivals  and  May  musical  festivals  of  the  city 
are  visited  annually  by  thousands  and  thousands  of  people.  Miss  Clara  Bauer’s 
conservatory  is  also  widely  known ; there  are  other  music  schools,  especially  piano 
schools.  Beside  the  Art  Academy,  the  arts  of  drawing  and  design  are  well  taught 
in  the  public  schools,  in  the  Technical  School  and  in  many  private  schools,  and 
by  special  teachers  of  art  in  their  studios. 

Lane  Theological  Seminary, on  Walnut  Hills,  went  into  operation  in  1832,  under 
the  Presidency  of  Lyman  Beecher,  D.  D.,  and  has  since  graduated  about  700 
students.  It  is  well  endowed,  and  has  a fine  library.  St.  Xavier  College,  on 
Sycamore  street,  is  the  great  Roman  Catholic  institution  of  the  Ohio  valley. 
The  Catholics  possess  a powerful  system  of  public  schools  in  connection  with  their 
many  churches,  and  have  a monastery  near  the  city  for  the  training  of  priests. 

The  Jews  are  numerous  and  influential  in  Cincinnati,  possessing  several  syna- 
gogues of  striking  architectural  beauty.  The  American  Israelite^  the  organ  of 
liberal  Judaism,  is  conducted  by  Dr.  I.  M.  Wise,  who  is  also  President  of  the 


HAMILTON  COUNTY. 


799 


Hebrew  Union  College,  a flourishing  institution  for  the  education  of  rabbis.  The 
Wesleyan  Female  College  was  founded  in  1842,  and  is  oontrolled  by  the  Method- 
ist Episcopal  Church.  Many  Cincinnati  ladies,  prominent  in  charitable  and  ed- 
ucational works,  are  alumni  of  this  college,  among  them  the  wife  of  President  Hayes, 

Business  education  is  a prominent  feature : commercial  colleges  are  numerous, 
and  there  are  schools  of  type- writing,  telegraphy  and  all  the  graphic  arts; 
among  them  the  Cincinnati  School  of  Phonography,  which  enjoys  the  hearty 
recommendation  of  Mr.  Benn  Pitman,  so  favorably  known  for  his  discriminating 
lectures  on  Art  in  the  Art  Academy.  Cincinnati  has  been  a centre  for  short-hand 
since  1849.  Benn  Pitman  came  from  England  to  America  in  1853,  and  settled 
here  to  advance  his  brother’s  system  of  short-hand,  invented  in  1837. 

Fry’s  Carving  School  is  one  of  the  unique  institutions  of  the  city.  It  is  con- 
ducted by  Henry  L.  and  Wm.  H.  Fry,  father  and  son,  and  granddaughter,  Laura 
H.  Fry.  Some  of  the  most  exquisite  wood  carving  ever  executed  in  the  country 
is  by  them.  The  Frys  did  a large  part  of  the  elaborate  carving  in  Henry 
Probasco’s  residence,  in  Clifton,  and  of  the  casement  of  the  great  organ  in  Music 
Hall.  Art  furniture  of  all  kinds  is  made  to  order,  and  many  specimens  of  their 
handiwork  are  to  be  found  in  various  parts  of  the  Union. 

Clays  for  the  manufacture  of  tiles  and  the  finer  grades  of  pottery  are  plentiful 
in  the  vicinity  of  Cincinnati.  The  artistic  ceramic  wares  made  here  have  a high 
reputation.  The  Rookwood  Pottery,  founded  by  Mrs.  Maria  Longworth  Storer, 
daughter  of  Joseph  Longworth,  was  designed  to  advance  artistic  culture  in  the 
line  of  ceramics.  The  establishment  is  an  admirable  one,  managed  wholly  by 
ladies,  and  its  products  are  chiefly  sold  at  the  East  and  in  Europe.  Its  decorators 
were  mostly  educated  at  the  Cincinnati  Art  Academy.  The  wares  are  unique, 
resembling  Limoges.  They  display  unusual  richness  and  harmony  of  coloring. 
In  style  of  decoration  they  are  peculiarly  American,  the  native  plants,  flowers 
and  other  objects  having  been  much  used  in  the  designs.  Carving  in  clay  is  a 
feature  in  the  ornamentation.  A specialty  of  this  establishment  is  that  the  color 
of  the  body  is  utilized  as  a part  of  the  decoration. 

EXPOSITIONS. 

The  Industrial  Expositions  of  the  city  had  their  origin  in  the  annual  fairs  of 
the  Ohio  Mechanics’  Institute,  the  first  of  which  was  held  in  Trollope’s  Bazaar 
building,  in  1838.  These  fairs  ceased  owing  to  the  civil  war.  In  1869  the 
Wool  Growers’  Association  of  the  Northwest  gave  a Textile  Fabric  Association 
which  lasted  four  days,  and  was  such  a great  success  as  to  lead,  through  the  exer- 
tions of  Mr.  A.  T.  Goshorn  and  his  associates,  to  uniting  the  three  great  organ- 
izations— the  Board  of  Trade,  the  Chamber  of  Commerce  and  the  Ohio  Mechanics’ 
Institute,  in  a plan  to  give  the  Cincinnati  Industrial  Exposition  of  Manufactures, 
Products  and  Arts  in  the  year  1870.” 

Each  of  these  bodies  was  represented  by  a committee  of  five  members  chosen 
for  their  zeal  and  peculiar  capacity.  They  received  no  salary  although  their 
services  involved  much  labor  and  time.  To  be  an  exposition  commissioner  was 
thought  to  be  a distinguished  honor.  An  exposition  organized  in  this  way  could 
only  be  a public  trust.  There  were  to  be  no  profits,  no  dividends  to  anybody. 
As  a financial  basis  a guarantee  fund  was  subscribed  of  $24,000.  The  form  of 
subscription  was  a note  by  the  guarantor  for  the  amount  of  his  individual  guaranty, 
payable  to  the  Exposition  Commissioners  only  in  case  the  receipts  of  the  Expo- 
sition failed  to  pay  expenses,  and  then  only  in  proportion  to  the  amount  of 
deficit.  The  city  banks  advanced  money  on  these  notes. 

The  Exposition  was  held  in  a massive  building  erected  for  the  National 
Saengerfest  of  the  same  year.  With  additions  the  exhibiting  space  covered  seven 
acres.  This  entire  space  was  filled  with  interesting  exhibits,  and  the  exposition 
was  open  from  September  21  till  October  22.  Admission  25  cents.  When  it 


8oo  HAMILTON  COUNTY. 

✓ 

closed  it  was  found  that  over  300,000  visitors  had  passed  through  its  gates; 
that  the  receipts  had  been  about  $54,000,  leaving  a small  surplus  over  all  ex- 
penses. 

Not  only  was  the  city  delighted  with  the  great  success  but  a wide  interest  was 
aroused  throughout  the  country,  whence  visitors  were  drawn  by  the  thousands  to 
the  great  exposition.  For  the  four  following  years  expositions  were  held,  and  so 
far  successful  that  no  assessments  were  made  on  the  guarantors. 

^^No  exposition  was  held  in  the  year  1876,  on  account  of  the  great  Centennial 
Exhibition  in  Philadelphia ; but  it  was  a high  compliment  to  the  Cincinnati  plan 
and  management  that,  as  early  as  the  year  1872,  the  Philadelphia  Commissioners 
visited  the  great  Cincinnati  Exposition  of  that  year,  studied  its  details  carefully, 
and  afterwards  chose  for  the  important  office  of  director-general  of  their  exhibition 
A.  T.  Goshorn,  then  the  President  of  the  Cincinnati  Board  of  Exposition  Com- 
missioners.’^ 

Meantime  Music  Hall  had  been  built  as  one  of  the  outgrowths  caused  by  the 
exposition,  all  the  people  uniting  to  this  end,  even  the  school-children  giving  con- 
certs with  their  massive  child  choruses  in  aid  of  the  enterprise. 

In  1888  was  inaugurated  ^^The  Centennial  Exposition  of  the  Ohio  Valley 
and  Central  States,”  for  the  support  of  which  a guarantee  fund  of  $1,050,000  was 
subscribed  by  the  people  of  Cincinnati.  Honorary  Commissioners  were  ap- 
pointed from  thirteen  States,  including  their  respective  governors,  thus  giving 
national  significance  to  the  event,  which  was  intended  also  to  celebrate  the  settle- 
ment of  the  Northwest  Territory.  Buildings  occupying  a large  part  of  Wash- 
ington Park  and  spanning  the  canal  were  erected,  which  in  connection  with  the 
permanent  Exposition  Buildings  furnished  a floor  area  of  about  thirty-two  acres. 

In  this  was  gathered  a magnificent  collection  of  manufactured  articles,  products 
of  the  soil  and'  works  of  art,  illustrating  the  mighty  progress  of  a century. 
Congress  a])])ropriated  $250,000  towards  a national  exhibit  of  some  of  their  rarest 
and  most  valuable  archives,  which  were  placed  in  charge  of  government  officials. 

The  Exposition  was  opened  July  4, 1888,  by  a great  daylight  procession,  much 
of  it  illustrative  of  the  early  history  of  the  country  and  its  wonderful  progress. 
The  streets  were  thronged  with  hundreds  of  thousands  of  people,  all  bearing  testi- 
mony to  the  manner  in  which  the  popular  heart  was  responding  to  the  demands 
of  the  celebration. 

The  Exposition  continued  over  100  days,  and  the  entire  enterprise  was  a 
grand  industrial  and  artistic  success,  reflecting  great  credit  and  honor  upon  the 
citizens  of  Cincinnati,  Exposition  Commissioners  and  exhibitors. 

Clubs  and  Club  Life. 

Cincinnati  abounds  in  clubs,  social,  literary  and  scientific.  It  being  largely  a 
collection  of  suburban  towns,  difficult  of  access  one  directly  with  the  other,  gathered 
around  a central  town  readily  accessible  from  each,  has  tended  to  the  establish- 
ment of  clubs.  The  Historical  and  Philosophical  Society  is  located  on  Garfield 
Place.  It  has  a Museum  of  Natural  Curiosities,  a Historical  Library  of  7,000 
volumes  and  over  40,000  pamphlets,  many  of  them  rare  and  containing  a mine 
of  information  on  the  early  history  of  this  region.  A club  of  a similar  character 
is  the  Natural  History  Society,  located  on  Broadway.  This  society  has  quite  an 
extensive  museum,  and  it  stimulates  an  interest  in  the  natural  characteristics  of 
the  surrounding  country.  Connected  with  the  club  is  a section  devoted  to  photo- 
graphic work  which  makes  excursions  to  the  various  points  of  beauty  and  interest 
about  the  neigliborhood.  These  have  resulted  in  a collection  of  beautiful  views, 
whicli,  supplemented  by  plates  obtained  by  exchange  with  similar  societies,  furnish 
che  material  for  an  annual  exhibit  of  remarkable  variety  and  excellent  workman- 
ship. Lectures  are  given  of  a popular  character  on  scientific  subjects  which  are 
free  to  the  public  at  large.  The  society  has  regular  meetings  at  which  papers  are 
read  and  discussed.  Tlie  Unity  Club  supplies  a regular  course  of  Sunday  after- 


HAMILTON  COUNTY, 


8oi 

noon  lectures,  open  to  the  public  at  a nominal  fee.  These  are  usually  given  in  the 
Grand  Opera  House,  where  are  heard  during  the  winter  some  of  the  best  lecturers 
in  the  country.  Through  the  efforts  of  Librarian  A.  W.  Whelpley,  they  are 
largely  attended,  and  have  become  a permanent  feature  in  the  life  of  the  city. 
The  Unity  Club  comprises  both  sexes  and  has  varied  objects.  Its  membership  is 
very  large  and  far  reaching.  Throughout  the  Avinter  on  Wednesday  evenings  a 
regular  course  of  exercises  is  carried  out.  One  night  it  is  a lecture  by  some 
member  on  some  literary  subject,  the  next  night  a debate,  the  folloAving  an  ama- 
teur dramatic  performance,  or  an  opera,  and  so  on  throughout  the  year.  These 
lectures  are  so  arranged  that  they  form  a connected  whole  on  some  subject,  each 
member  being  assigned  a particular  branch  of  the  topic  under  study  for  treatment. 

The  Cuvier  Club  was  organized  in  1874,  for  the  protection  of  game  and  fish 
and  for  social  purposes.  It  has  a very  fine  collection  of  3,000  specimens  of  birds 
and  fish.  The  building  of  the  Club,  on  Longworth  street,  is  excellently  de- 
signed, Avith  a large  room  for  a museum  above,  Avhere  are  trophies  of  the  chase 
and  social  rooms  Avith  a small  library  and  periodicals.  The  club  claims  to  make 
the  best  laAvs,  to  catch  the  best  fish  and  game  in  season,  and  to  have  in  its  mem- 
bership the  best  whist-players  of  this  section.  The  club  has  been  of  great  ser- 
vice in  keeping  before  the  public  and  various  legislatures  the  great  harm  that 
arose  from  the  indiscriminate  pursuit  of  game  and  fish  ; and  it  has  been  indefa- 
tigable in  its  efforts  to  procure  the  enactment  and  enforcement  of  suitable  laAvs. 

Then  there  are  the  Ladies’  Musical  Club,  a Press  Club  composed  of  journalists 
and  four  large  purely  social  clubs.  Two  of  these,  the  Allemania  and  the  Phoenix, 
are  limited  entirely  to  those  of  Jewish  extraction.  The  Queen  City  Club  has 
the  handsomest  building,  and  here  are  gathered  the  men  of  AA^ealth  of  the  city. 
It  has  attached  a ladies’  apartment,  Avhich  is  enjoyed  by  the  Avi\^es  and  daughters 
of  its  members.  Billiard  rooms  and  card  rooms  are  plenty,  and  its  table  excel- 
lent. Within  the  club  is  another  chib,  the  Thirteen  Club,  Avith  thirteen  mem- 
bers, Avhich  seats  itself  and  dines  on  the  Thirteenth  hour  of  the  Thirteenth  day 
of  each  month.  The  Ananias  Club,  devotes  itself  entirely  to  dining.  The 
object  of  this  club  is  good  fellowship  and  the  promotion  of  truth.  It  numbers 
among  its  members  neAvspaper  men,  lawyers,  doctors,  artists  and  musicians.  It  has 
no  Constitution  and  only  one  officer,  whose  business  it  is  to  attend  only  to  his  OAvn. 
At  its  dinners,  Avhich  are  only  occasional,  there  rests  in  the  centre  of  the  table 
the  original  hatchet  used  by  G.  Washington  in  his  famous  cherry  tree  difficulty, 
surmounted  by  the  skull  of  Ananias,  Avhich  is  alike  original — the  identical  skull 
Avhich  he  used  Avhen  living.  The  annual  meeting  is  ahvays  held  on  Washington’s 
birthday ; of  course,  his  first  and  only  one. 

The  Country  Club  has  a very  comfortable  place  near  Carthage,  Avith  a con- 
venient club-house  and  large  grounds,  where  can  be  had  tennis,  shooting,  or  any 
sports  that  suit  the  fancy.  It  is  sufficiently  far  from  the  city  for  a pleasant  drive 
for  the  members  and  their  friends.  The  University  Club  is  composed  entirely 
of  college  graduates,  and  about  all  the  principal  colleges  in  the  country  are  rep- 
resented. As  Avith  the  Queen  City  Club  a large  number  of  its  members  lunch 
here  regularly. 

Tavo  other  characteristic  clubs  are  the  U.  C.  D.  and  the  Literary  Club.  The 
U.  C.  D.  is  a club  organized  of  ladies  and  gentlemen  in  1866  on  Mount  Auburn, 
for  the  reading  of  essays,  music  and  theatricals. 

The  Literary  Club  is  the  oldest  of  the  kind  in  the  country.  At  the  first  meet- 
ing Avere  Judge  Stanley  Matthews  and  A.  II.  Spofford,  Lil)rarian  of  Congress. 
The  club  was  devoted  to  the  discussion  of  various  topics,  social,  literary,  theolog- 
ical and  political,  the  reading  of  essays  and  a monthly  newspaper ; also  recita- 
tions. Rutherford  B.  Hayes  Avas  elected  a member  iii  1859,  and  on  March  9th 
of  that  year,  acting  as  chairman,  he  decided  in  the  negative  on  the  merits  of  the 
question : Has  the  agitation  in  the  North  on  the  slavery  question  been  an  ad- 
vantage ? ” On  the  merits  of  the  question  the  club  also  voted  in  the  negative. 


8o2 


HAMILTON  COUNTY. 


The  same  year  the  club  discussed  and  decided  in  the  negative,  ^^Are  there  any 
causes  at  present  existing  from  which  we  have  reason  to  fear  a dissolution  of 
the  Union  ? Among  its  members  have  been  many  prominent  men  beside  those 
here  mentioned.  Buchanan  Read,  Salmon  P.  Chase,  Fred.  Hassaurek,  O.  P. 
Morton,  James  Beard,  Generals  McClellan  and  Pope,  John  W.  Herron,  John  M. 
Newton,  W.  F.  Poole,  Ainsworth  Spoiford,  Moncure  D.  Conway,  Henry  Howe, 
Chas.  Reemelin,  J.  B.  Stallo,  Donn  Piatt,  E.  F.  Noyes,  Alphonso  Taft,  etc.  At 
the  outbreak  of  the  war  the  club  organized  itself  into  the  Burnet  Rifles,  about 
60  in  number;  a larger  part  of  the  members  became  officers  in  the  Union 
army.  The  club  is  very  flourishing,  with  an  increased  membership. 

HISTORIC  MISCELLANIES. 

THE  OHIO  STATE  FORESTRY  ASSOCIATION. 

When  in  1881  the  Von  Steubens  came  to  America  to  unite  in  the  centennial 
celebration  of  the  Surrender  at  Yorktown,  in  which  their  ancestor.  General  Von 
Steuben,  had  taken  such  an  illustrious  part,  they  visited  Cincinnati.  Among 
them  was  Baron  Richard  Von  Steuben,  the  Royal  Chief  Forester  of  the  German 
Empire. 

In  conversation  with  him  some  of  the  gentlemen  of  the  city  became  so  deeply 
interested  on  the  subject  of  forestry,  that  they  met  in  conference  in  January, 
1882,  to  take  measures  to  interest  the  people  in  the  subject.  They  were  Col. 
W.  L.  De  Beck,  Rev.  Dr.  Max  Lilienthal,  the  Hebrew  rabbi ; John  B.  Peaslee, 
School  Superintendent ; Hon.  John  Simpkinson,  the  first  President  of  the  Asso- 
ciation ; Col.  A.  E.  Jones  and  Hon.  Emil  Rothe.  Through  a committee  then 
organized,  for  the  next  three  months  the  press  of  the  country  laid  before  the 
people  the  subject  of  forestry  in  its  various  important  aspects.  The  continuous 
history  of  the  subject  we  take  from  a pamphlet,  Trees  and  Tree  Planting,^^  with 
exercises  and  directions  for  the  celebration  of  Arbor  Day,  by  John  B.  Peaslee,  Supt. 
Public  Schools,  issued  by  the  Ohio  State  Forestry  Association,  Cincinnati,  1884. 

The  work  of  the  committee  culminated  in  a three  days^  meeting  at  Music 
Hall,  April  25th,  26th  and  27th,  at  which  most  of  the  distinguished  foresters 
of  this  country  and  Canada  were  present  and  read  papers  before  the  scientific 
department.  The  excellent  programme  for  this  meeting  was  principally  made 
by  Dr.  John  A.  Warder  and  Prof.  Adolph  Leu6.  Governor  Foster  made  the 
address  of  welcome. 

The  public  schools  were  dismissed  on  the  26th  and  27th,  to  enable  the  pupils 
and  teachers  to  take  part  in  the  celebration  of  tree  planting  in  the  public  parks. 
The  27th  had  been  appointed  as  Arbor  Day  by  proclamation  of  the  Governor. 
Extensive  preparations  had  been  made  for  its  appropriate  celebration  in  Eden 
Park. 

The  city  was  in  holiday  attire.  The  soldiery  and  organized  comjianies  of 
citizens  formed  an  immense  procession  under  command  of  Col.  S.  A.  Whitfield, 
and  marched  to  the  park,  where  the  command  was  turned  over  to  Col.  A.  E.  Jones, 
the  officer  in  charge.  The  school-children  Avere  under  the  charge  of  Superin- 
tendent Peaslee.  Fifty  thousand  citizens  covered  the  grassy  slopes  and  croAvning 
ridges,  those  assigned  to  the  Avork  of  transplanting  trees  taking  their  respective 
places. 

At  the  firing  of  the  signal  gun  Presidents’  Grove,”  Pioneers’  Giwe,” 
Battle  GroA^e,”  Citizens’  Memorial  Grove  ” and  ^^Authors’  Grove  ” Avere 
planted  and  dedicated  Avith  loving  hands  and  appropriate  ceremonies. 

Addresses  AA^ere  made  by  ex-Gov.  Noyes,  Dr.  Loring,  Cassius  M,  Clay  and 
Durbin  Ward,  and  others.  No  sight  more  beautiful,  no  ceremonies  more  touch- 
ing had  ever  been  Avitnessed  in  Cincinnati.  An  important  lesson  in  forestry  had 
indeed  been  brought  home  to  the  hearts  of  ^he  people,  and  a croAvn  of  success 
was  aAvarded  the  American  Forfstry  Congress.  This  Avas  the  first  Arbor 


HAMILTON  COUNTY, 


«o3 

Day  celebration  in  Ohio.  And  thus  closed  the  first  session  of  the  American 
Forestry  Congress,  which  embraces  in  its  scope  the  United  States  and  Canada. 

In  1883  the  Ohio  State  Forestry  Association,  the  outgrowth  of  the  American 
Forestry  Congress,  was  organized.  The  organizers  were  Dr.  John  A.  Warder, 
Prof.  Adolph  Leu^,  Col.  A.  E.  Jones,  Hon.  John  Simpkinson,  Supt.  John  B. 
Peaslee,  Gen.  Durbin  Ward,  Hon.  Emil  Rothe,  Hon.  Leopold  Burckhardt,  D.  D. 
Thompson,  Prof.  R.  B.  Warder,  Prof.  Adolph  Strauch,  Dr.  A.  D.  Birchard,  Hon. 
Charles  Reemelin,  Prof.  W.  H.  Venable,  Dr.  W.  W.  Dawson,  John  H.  Mc- 
Makin,  Esq.,  and  perhaps  a few  others.  A convention  was  held  in  April. 

By  authority  of  a joint  resolution  adopted  by  both  branches  of  our  State  Legis- 
lature, Governor  Foster  issued  his  proclamation,  appointing  the  fourth  Friday  in 
April  as  Arbor  Day,  which  was  the  last  day  of  the  convention.  Accordingly, 
the  association  had  made  extensive  preparations  for  its  celebration  in  Eden  Park 
by  the  citizens  and  by  the  public  schools. 

This  second  celebration  of  Arbor  Day  in  Cincinnati  was  thus  described  at  the 
time. 

The  east  ridge  of  the  park  was  thronged  with  the  associations  planting  tablets 
to  the  memories  of  the  Presidents  of  the  United  States,  the  heroes  of  Valley 
Forge,  and  the  pioneers  of  Cincinnati  in  their  respective  groves,  while  the  northern 
projecting  slope  of  the  ridge  was  occupied  by  fully  seventeen  thousand  school- 
children  in  honoring  ‘Authors’  Grove.’  Viewed  from  the  summit  of  the  ridge 
immediately  west,  the  sight  was  one  of  the  most  animating  ever  brought  before 
the  eyes  of  Cincinnatians.  The  entire  ridge,  nearly  a third  of  a mile  in  length, 
was  occupied  by  those  persons  taking  part  in  the  first-named  ceremonies,  while 
the  slope  designated  was  occupied  by  a dense  mass  of  gayly  dressed  children  in 
active  motion  over  a surface  of  about  five  acres,  and  whose  voices,  wafted  across 
the  deep  hollow  to  the  western  ridge,  sounded  like  the  chattering  from  a grove 
full  of  happy  birds.  The  eastern  slope  of  the  west  ridge  was  occupied  by  three 
thousand  or  four  thousand  spectators,  who,  reclining  on  the  green  spring  sod  of 
the  grassy  slopes,  quietly  surveyed  the  scene  from  a distance.  In  all  there  were 
over  twenty  thousand  persons  present.  Over  in  the  centre  of  the  east  ridge  was 
the  speakers’  stand,  with  a tall  staff  bearing  the  national  colors  rising  from  the 
centre,  while  smaller  flags  marked  the  trees  dedicated  to  each  author.  The  grove 
to  the  honor  of  Cincinnati  pioneers  had  been  planted  by  the  association,  and 
yesterday  the  tablet  was  laid  to  their  memory.  All  the  tablets  were  of  uniform 
size  and  construction,  each  being  of  sandstone,  twenty-four  by  thirty-six  inches 
surface,  and  eleven  inches  depth.  That  for  the  Cincinnati  pioneers  contained  at 
the  upper  centre  a figure  of  the  primitive  log-cabin,  and  the  following  inscription, 

‘ Planted  and  Dedicated  to  the  Memory  of  the  Pioneers  of  Cincinnati  by  the 
Forestry  Society.’  Below  were  cut  the  names  of  the  pioneers. 

“ ‘ Presidents’  Grove  ’ bore  a tablet  with  the  following  inscription  ; ‘ Presidents’ 
Grove,  Planted  and  Dedicated  to  the  Memory  of  the  Presidents  of  the  United 
States,  by  the  Forestry  Society,  1882,  Cincinnati,  April  27th.’  Then  followed 
the  names  of  all  the  twenty-one  Presidents,  down  to  President  Arthur. 

“‘Centennial  Grove’  was  planted  in  1876  by  Colonel  A.  E.  Jones,  from  trees 
brought  from  Valley  Forge.  The  tablet  he  had  laid  yesterday  was  dedicated  to 
the  heroes  who  served  with  Washington  at  Valley  Forge.  Following  is  the  in- 
scription : Eagle  bearing  the  scroll  ‘ Centennial  Grove.  Dedicated  to  the  memory 
of  1776,  and  the  patriots  who  suffered  with  Washington  at  Valley  Forge,  brought 
from  that  historic  ground  and  planted  by  A.  E.  Jones,  April  27,  1876.’  Then 
followed  the  names  Washington,  Knox,  Lafayette,  Greene,  Hamilton,  Gates, 
Wayne,  Putnam,  H.  Lee,  Steuben,  Weldin,  Muhlenburg,  Sullivan,  Stark, 
Warren,  McIntosh,  Potter,  Maxwell,  Woodward,  Patterson,  Allen,  De  Kalb, 
Kosciusko,  Marion,  C.  Lee,  Glover,  Poor,  Lamed,  Scott,  Pulaski,  Sumter, 
Lincoln,  Morgan,  Smallwood,  Eberhardt. 

“At  eleven  o’clock  the  school  exercises  commenced  at  ‘Authors’  Grove.’  The 


HAMILTON  COUNTY. 


trees  having  previously  been  planted,  small  granite  tablets,  about  eight  inches 
square,  bearing  the  name  of  the  author  honored  and  the  date  of  the  ceremony, 
were  sunk,  in  most  cases  uniformly  with  the  surface  of  the  sod,  in  the  immediate 
vicinity  of  the  tree.  Thus  the  exercises  were  dedicatory  only.’^ 

These  were  the  first  memorial  groves  ever  planted  in  America ; the  first  public 
planting  of  trees  in  honor  of  the  memory  of  authors,  statesmen,  soldiers,  pioneers, 
and  other  distinguished  citizens. 

The  credit  for  the  inauguration  of  Arbor  Day  anywhere  is  given  to  Hon.  J. 
Sterling  Morton,  who  suggested  the  propriety  of  the  day  and  was  instrumental  in 
effecting  the  first  observance,  while  he  was  governor  of  Nebraska,  in  1872.  Since 
that  date  it  is  stated  that  in  Nebraska  have  been  planted  six  hundred  millions  of 
trees.  ' . 

The  two  following  articles  upon  floods  and  riots  were  written  for  this  work,  by 
Mr.  Harry  M.  Millar,  of  the  editorial  corps  of  the  Commeft'cial  Gazette. 

OHIO  RIVER  FLOOD. 

By  harry  M.  MILLAR. 


The  Ohio  river,  one  of  the  greatest  national 
waterways.  950  miles  in  length,  is  formed  at 
Pittsburg  by  the  confluence  of  the  Allegheny 
and  Monogahela  rivers,  coming  from  opposite 
directions.  The  Allegheny  sources  are 
numerous  creeks  in  the  mountains  of  New 
York,  and  is  fed  by  hundreds  of  other  tribu- 
taries that  traverse  Western  Pennsylvania 
and  parts  of  Ohio,  draining  an  area  of  13,000 
square  miles.  The  sources  of  the  Mononga- 
hela  are  not  large  streams  but  they  are 
numerous,  especially  in  Maryland  and  West 
Virginia. 

The  Cheat  river,  its  largest  tributary,  drains 
much  mountainous  country,  and  its  sudden 
fluctuations  are  a wonder  to  not  only  visitors 
but  the  inhabitants  along  its  banks.  It  is  a 
frequent  thing  in  the  early  spring  or  during 
the  rainy  season  for  this  stream  to  rise  over 
thirty  feet  within  twenty-four  hours.  The 
Youghiogheny  is  also  an  important  feeder  of 
the  Manongahela.  The  estimated  drainage  of 
the  Youghiogheny  and  its  tributaries  is  2,100 
square  miles,  the  Monongahela  and  its  tribu- 
taries 4,900  square  miles,  making  the  total 
watershed  of  the  Monongahela  7,000  square 
miles,  which,  added  to  that  of  the  Allegheny, 
ives  a grand  total  area  of  20,000  square  miles 
rained  by  the  sources  of  the  Ohio  river. 
From  the  forking  of  these  rivers  in  Pennsyl- 
vania to  its  mouth  at  Cairo  there  are  tribu- 
taries innumerable,  many  of  which  are  naviga- 
ble and  at  a good  boating  stage  the  greater 
part  of  the  year. 

These  geographical  and  topographical 
situations  are  important  causes  which  lead  to 
the  frequency  of  floods  in  the  Ohio  river. 
The  month  of  February  in  the  Ohio  valley 
along  the  course  of  the  river  in  later  years 
has  been  looked  for  with  dread.  The  highest 
stages  of  the  river,  the  greatest  floods  and 
the  most  suffering,  and  great  property  losses 
within  the  past  decade  have  occurred  at  that 
time  of  the  year.  The  melting  of  snows  in 
the  mountains,  sudden  thawing  spells,  added 
to  which  are  the  early  spring  rainfalls  alter- 
nated with  sleet,  all  combine  to  bring  on 
these  freshets.  The  encroachments  upon  the 


bed  or  channel  of  the  river  have  in  a great 
measure  caused  a narrowing  of  the  widA  of 
its  bed.  So  many  large  cities,  towns  and 
villages  are  strung  out  along  its  shores  that 
the  debris  from  sawmills,  cinders  and  other 
material  by  being  “ dumped  ” over  its  banks 
have  confined  the  rush  of  the  waters  to  a 
fastly  filling-up  canal  bed.  In  fact  such  has 
the  Ohio  river  become  within  the  past  few 
years.  Great  stone  pier  bridges  have  been 
erected  in  the  river  bed,  dams  have  been 
built,  and  these  things  combined  have  had  a 
tendency  to  yearly  increase  the  danger  to  the 
lowlands  along  the  valley. 

The  greatest  floods  in  the  Ohio  river  were 
on  February  18,  1832 ; December  17,  1847 ; 
February  15,  1883;  February  14,  1884,  and 
March  26,  1890.  In  1832  the  highest  stage 
reached  was  64  feet  3 inches;  1847,  63  feet 
7 inches;  1883,  66  feet  4 inches;  1884,  71 
feet  and  f inch,  and  in  1890,  59  feet  2 
inches.  These  heights  are  measured  from 
low-water  mark,  which  is  2 feet  and  6 inches 
above  the  bed  of  the  channel. 

The  flood  of  1884  exceeded  all  the  others, 
and  at  the  present  writing  stands  on  record  as 
having  attained  the  hi^rhest  stage.  Beginning 
on  the  14th  day  of  December,  1883,  it  con- 
tinued rising  until  noon  of  February  14th,  a 
space  of  two  months,  during  which  time 
there  was  much  suffering  among  the  people, 
loss  of  life  and  property.  The  meteorolog- 
ical causes  began  at  the  date  mentioned,  when 
the  winter’s  first  snow  fell  throughout  the 
Ohio  valley — a fall  of  a fraction  less  than  an 
inch,  with  the  stage  of  water  in  the  Ohio  at 
10  feet  7 inches  at  Cincinnati,  a minimum  to 
which  it  did  not  again  decline  for  a period  of 
over  six  months. 

During  the  month  of  December  the  total 
fall  of  snow,  sleet  and  rain,  reduced  to  rain- 
fall, was  5.61  inches,  while  the  highest  stage 
of  the  river  during  the  month  was  49J  feet 
on  the  28th,  after  which  it  began  to  decline. 

The  first  two  weeks  in  January  were  cold, 
with  frequent  light  snows,  with  a heavy  two 
days’  fall  on  the  1 4th  and  1 5th.  Cold  weather 
then  set  in  and  the  river  alternately  rose  and 


HAMILTON  COUNTY, 


805 


fell,  varying  from  15  feet  9 inches  on  the  29th 
to  31  feet  3 inches  on  the  31st,  when  the 
great  flood  of  1884  properly  began. 

At  Cincinnati,  at  this  time,  the  solidifled 
snow  previously  fallen  was  from  18  inches  to 
4 feet  deep,  which  was  packed  upon  the  hills, 
mountains  and  valleys  of  the  Ohio  river  and 
its  tributaries  and  the  smaller  streams  trib- 
utary to  the  latter.  A depth  of  10  inches  of 
snow  fell  in  January,  and  the  rainfall  of  the 
month  was  1.23  inches.  From  the  30th  of 
January  to  the  13th  of  February  a general 
thaw  progressed  with  rain  day  after  day,  all 
combining  to  affect  the  river  accordingly. 

The  Ohio  river  continued  rising  steadily 
and  rapidly,  and  at  Cincinnati  on  February 
2d  had  reached  a stage  of  49  feet  11 J inches, 
having  entered  the  buildings  at  the  foot  of 
Broadway,  Main  and  Walnut  streets.  The 
same  afternoon  there  was  a heavy  fall  of  rain 
that  carried  much  of  the  solidified  snow  into 
the  river  and  local  tributaries,  and  a rise 
again  set  in  that  did  not  cease  until  noon  of 
the  14th,  when  it  culminated  in  the  highest 
stage  of  water  at  the  mouth  of  the  Licking 
river  that  had  ever  been  seen  at  that  point 
by  an  enlightened  people.  The  total  amount 
of  the  rainfall  on  the  4th  was  1.35  inches  ; a 
dense  fog  came  over  the  city  and  in  the  bot- 
toms became  so  dense  that  artificial  light  was 
necessary  in  all  buildings  south  of  Third 
street. 

The  thermometer  had  crept  up  to  62° ; 
there  was  a miasmatic  feeling  in  the  atmos- 
phere that  was  stifling,  and  the  general  dark- 
ness prevailing  cast  great  gloom  among  the 
populace.  At  all  river  points  above  there 
was  a heavy  rainfall,  while  the  Monongahela 
and  Licking  rivers  had  started  on  a second 
freshet  and  were  rising  several  inches  per 
hour. 

Daylight  the  next  day  found  all  the  build- 
ings fronting  on  the  river  between  the  Sus- 
pension Bridge  and  Main  street,  and  Ludlow 
and  Broadway,  invaded  by  the  water.  The 
Mill  creek  bottoms  of  Cincinnati,  as  well  as 
the  lowlands  in  Pendleton  and  Columbia, 
were  submerged,  and  later  in  the  day  the 
alarming  news  came  that  Lawrenceburg  and 
Aurora  were  partly  submerged,  the  river 
steadily  rising,  and  grave  apprehensions  were 
felt  for  the  security  of  the  levees  in  front  of 
those  cities. 

All  day  on  the  5th  a steady  downpour  of 
rain  fell,  measuring  1.56  inches,  and  more 
rain  had  fallen  in  eight  hours  on  the  days  of 
the  4th  and  5th  than  fell  in  four  days  pre- 
ceding the  same  stage  of  water  on  February 
8,  1883.  The  river  was  20  feet  and  i inch 
higher  than  at  the  same  time  of  the  previous 
year,  and  there  had  been  but  nine  years  in 
which  the  stage  of  the  water  exceeded  that 
at  midnis:ht  of  the  5th. 

Tlie  Kentucky  river,  when  it  pours  into 
the  Ohio,  prevents  the  water  of  the  latter 
from  passing  off  freely,  and  is  thus  a factor 
in  producing  high  water  at  Cincinnati.  At 
1 o’clock  of  the  morning  of  February  6th  the 
levee  at  Lawrenceburg  gave  way  and  her  cit- 
izens called  upon  the  people  of  Cincinnati 


to  come  to  their  relief.  The  Chamber  of 
Commerce  immediately  called  a meeting,  and 
committees  were  appointed  to  adopt  meas- 
ures of  relief. 

At  Cincinnati  the  water  extended  above 
Second  street  on  Sycamore  and  Broadway, 
and  was  two  feet  deep  at  Third  and  Wood 
streets,  while  communication  with  the  Sus- 
pension Bridge  was  cut  off  except  by  boats. 
On  the  8th  the  Cincinnati  Gas  Works  became 
submerged  at  noon,  when  the  stage  of  the 
river  had  reached  62  feet  6J  inches.  The 
next  day,  at  9 o’clock  A.  M.,  the  stage  of  wa- 
ter was  63  feet  7 inches,  the  high-water  mark 
of  December  17,  1847,  and  by  midnight  cov- 
ered the  high-water  mark  of  February  18, 
1832,  64  feet  3 inches. 

Heavy  rains  again  set  in  at  headwaters  on 
the  10th,  and  all  the  streams  again  began 
rising.  Point  Pleasant,  Va.,  was  entirely  in- 
undated, there  being  four  feet  of  water  in 
parts  of  the  town  that  had  escaped  the  flood 
of  1883,  while  the  back-water  from  the  Ohio 
extended  up  the  Kanawha  fifty  miles,  inun- 
dating farm  houses  and  villages  of  the  valley 
and  entirely  wrecking  the  track  of  the  Ohio 
Central  Railroad.  The  width  of  the  Kan- 
awha varied  from  three  to  five  miles.  Be- 
tween Ripley  and  Cincinnati,  all  houses  on 
both  banks  of  the  river,  that  remained  in 
their  places,  were  invaded  or  entirely  cov- 
ered by  water,  and  some  towns  were  nearly 
washed  out  of  existence.  The  Ohio  back- 
water extended  up  the  Little  Miami  to  Mil- 
ford, with  the  Little  Miamf  also  rising. 

On  the  night  of  the  12th  a windrStorm 
from  the  south  rocked  from  their  foundations 
many  houses  that  had  withstood  the  force 
and  buoyancy  of  the  current.  Dayton  and 
Bellevue,  Ky. , were  invaded  and  the  greater 
part  of  the  northwest  portion  of  Covington 
was  covered.  There  were  13,000  applicants 
for  relief  at  Newport — half  of  the  city  being 
under  water. 

On  the  13th  a decided  cold  wave  set  in 
throughout  the  Ohio  valley,  and  this  gave 
assurance  that  its  climax  was  near.  The 
temperature  grew  colder  and  colder  at  Cin- 
cinnati, lowering  to  20°,  and  the  great  flood 
of  1884  reached  its  maximum  at  noon  on  the 
14th  of  February,  when  the  stage  of  water 
was  71  feet  and  f of  an  inch.  The  situation 
at  Cincinnati  at  this  time  was  that  not  a 
street  in  Pendleton  was  free  from  water,  and 
the  line  extended  up  Deer  creek  valley  to 
the  foot  of  the  Highland  House  Inclined 
Plane.  Up  the  Mill  creek  valley  it  had  spread 
eastwardly  until  Lincoln  Park  was  entirely 
covered,  and  reached  Baymiller  street  or 
Clark. 

The  water  first  licked  the  streets  north  of 
Pearl  on  Race,  Vine,  Walnut,  Main  and  Syca- 
more streets,  and  the  first  floors  of  buildings 
at  the  north  side  of  Lower  Market  were  cov- 
ered with  water  to  Broadway.  The  water 
from  the  Ohio  river  on  the  south,  and  from 
the  Mill  creek  bottoms  on  the  west,  met  and 
commingled  at  the  southwest  corner  of  Fourth 
and  Mill  streets.  It  extended  above  Long- 
worth  street  on  Hoadley,  and  from  the  west 


HAMILTON  COUNTY. 


So6 


on  Sixth  covered  the  railroad  tracks  that  lead 
out  of  the  Cincinnati,  Hamilton  and  Dayton 
Railroad  passenger  depot.  On  Eighth  sfreet 
the  water  extended  eastwardly  to  Harriet. 
South  of  Third  street  and  west  of  Rose,  ex- 
tending northwestwardly  past  Clark  and  Bay- 
miller  streets,  all  avenues  were  navigated  by 
skiffs  and  small  boats.  Mill  creek  bottom 
was  one  bay  of  water  so  deep  that  the  largest 
steamboat  that  navigates  the  Ohio  river  could 
have  passed  over. 

The  Licking  and  Ohio  rivers  met  in  New- 
port at  the  corner  of  Columbia  and  Madison 
streets ; half  of  the  city  of  Newport  was 
under  water,  and  part  of  the  Newport  and 
Covington  Suspension  Bridge  that  spans  the 
Licking  river  was  covered  by  water  several 
feet  deep. 

^ The  Ohio  and  Mississippi  Railroad  estab- 
lished boat  communications,  carrying  their 
traffic  to  places  between  Cincinnati  and 
Aurora.  ^ There  was  not  a railroad  track  en- 
tering Cincinnati  which  was  npt  submerged, 
except  that  of  the  Cincinnati  Northern  or 
Toledo,  Cincinnati  and  St.  Louis  Railroad. 
Merchants  in  the  bottoms  had  at  great  labor 
and  expense  removed  their  wares  to  places 
of  safety,  the  various  stock-yards  ceased  doing 
business,  the  river  business  for  steamboats 
was  entirely  suspended,  and  the  boatmen 
royally  and  heroically  gave  their  time  and 
labor  to  the  saving  of  property  and  the  rescue 
of  people  and  live-stock.  Boats  were  char- 
tered by  the  Cincinnati  Chamber  of  Com- 
merce Relief  Committee,  and  carried  clothing 


and  provisions  to  the  destitute  and  suffering 
at  points  above  and  below  Cincinnati. 

Cincinnati  contributed  $96,680.12  for  the 
relief  of  flood  sufferers,  this  amount  being 
realized  from  private  subscription.  The  sum 
of  $97,751.22  was  contributed  by  persons  not 
citizens  of  Cincinnati;  all  this  money  was 
applied,  with  the  exception  of  $5,260.74, 
which  was  turned  over  to  the  Sinking  Fund 
Commission  of  Cincinnati. 

The  fall  of  1889  and  the  flrst  three  months 
of  1890  were  remarkable  for  the  steady  and 
heavy  rainfall.  This,  of  course,  produced 
much  water,  and  during  February,  1890,  it  was 
feared  that  Cincinnati  would  experience  an- 
other flood.  There  had  fallen  but  little  snow 
in  the  mountains,  and  that  was  favorable ; 
yet  there  were  two  good-sized  freshets,  and 
of  such  proportions  as  to  cause  much  alarm 
and  apprehension  throughout  the  Ohio  val- 
ley. The  greatest  damage,  however,  this 
section  of  the  country  escaped  ; but  the  Mis- 
souri and  Upper  Mississippi  rivers,  rising  to 
an  unprecedented  stage  at  the  same  time 
the  Ohio  and  its  tributaries  were  bank-full, 
caused  the  Lower  Mississippi  to  reach  the 
highest  stage  recorded  in  history,  causing 
great  suffering,  privation,  loss  of  life  and 
damage  to  homes  all  along  the  Mississippi 
valley  from  Cairo  to  New  Orleans.  The 
highest  stage  reached  by  the  Ohio  river 
during  the  spring  freshet  in  1890  was  on 
March  26th,  when  the  marks  at  the  city 
water  works  at  Cincinnati  indicated  59  feet  2 
inches. 


The  Court-House  Riot  of  1884. 


With  the  possible  exception  of  the  first 
bank  riot  that  occurred  in  1820  upon  the 
suspension  of  the  Miami  Exporting  Com- 
pany, and  on  the  occasion  of  the  second  sus- 
pension on  the  10th  of  January,  1842,  of 
the  same  organization,  Cincinnati  has  never 
witnessed  such  violations  of  law,  defiance  of 
authorities,  and  so  much  bloodshed  as 
attended  the  great  Hamilton  County  Court- 
House  riot  on  the  night  of  March  28,  1 884, 
and  continued  several  days,  there  being  open 
confiict  between  the  militia  and  police  on  one 
side,  and  an  excitable,  yet  determined,  law- 
less mob  upon  the  other. 

The  circumstances  that  led  to  this  most  un- 
fortunate affair  was  the  trial  for  murder  of 
Wm.  Berner,  who  killed  his  employer,  Wm. 
Kirk. 

It  was  one  of  the  most  outrageous  assaults 
upon  society,  and  a dastardly,  cold-blooded 
crime  that  unsteadied  the  nerves  of  the 
populace,  causing  excitement  to  run  high, 
and  incensed  all  law-abiding  citizens  when 
the  case  came  to  trial  by  the  methods  pursued 
by  criminal  lawyers,  who  sought  to  perjure 
witnesses,  bribe  juries,  and  resorted  to  open- 
handed  means  to  have  their  client  acquitted 
against  all  principle  of  law  or  justice. 

The  newspajDers  published  the  proceedings 
of  the  trial  in  detail.  The  court-house 
was,  during  the  examination,  crowded  to  its 
capacity.  The  methods  resorted  to  by  the 


lawyers  was  the  subject  of  general  conversa- 
tion, and  culminated  in  there  being  called  at 
the  great  Music  Hall,  on  the  evening  of 
March  28,  1884,  of  a mass-meeting  of  citizens. 
At  this  meeting  speeches  were  made  by  Dr. 
Andrew  C.  Kemper,  Judge  A.  Gr.  W.  Car- 
ter (since  deceased),  and  Greneral  ^ Andrew 
Hickenlooper,  who  each  denounced  in  strong 
terms  the  methods  pursued  in  acquiring  a 
verdict.  It  was  here  asserted  that  the  ver- 
dict was  acquired  by  the  cunning  and  adroit- 
ness of  lawyers  known  for  their  legal  talent. 
Five  hundred  and  four  people  had  been  called 
to  form  a jury  of  twelve.  It  was  a self-con- 
fessed murder,  a murder  committed  delib- 
erately for  the  sake  of  robbing  a man  of  $285, 
the  proceeds  from  the  sale  of  a horse ; and 
had  been  planned  weeks  beforehand  and  then 
coolly  consummated.  The  criminal  lawyers 
were  denounced  as  equally  culpable  of  viola- 
tion of  law  and  order  as  the  murderer.  The 
jury  had  only  returned  a verdict  of  man- 
slaughter after  hearing  Berner’s  self-con- 
fession, and  it  was  openly  alleged  in  the 
speeches  at  the  mass-meeting  that  the  crim- 
inal lawyers  were  instrumental  in  securing, 
by  bribery  and  other  nefarious  methods,  such 
a verdict. 

Resolutions  were  adopted  condemning  the 
verdict.  Excitement  ran  high ; but  while 
the  speeches  were  being  made  by  three  of 
the  most  honored  and  respected  citizens,  there 


HAMILTON  COUNTY, 


807 


was  a death  stillness.  Every  word  uttered 
was  weighed.  Every  sentiment  expressed 
seemed  to  find  endorsement  froni  every  per- 
son in  that  crowd  of  at  least  six  thousand 
souls. 

Immediately  after  the  meeting,  as  the 
masses  were  surging  out  upon  Elm  street, 
some  one  in  the  crowd  shouted,  “Fall  in! 
Let’s  to  the  jail  1 ” and  a great  mob  from  the 
meeting  proceeded  directly  to  the  county 
jail  in  the  court-house  on  the  Sycamore  street 
side,  above  Court  street. 

On  the  way  the  mob  was  increased  by  hun- 
dreds of  others.  Upon  reaching  the- jail  it 
was  surrounded  by  a howling,  angry  crowd. 
A piece  of  joist  was  procured,  and  with  it 
the  basement  doors,  at  the  foot  of  the  stone 
steps,  were  battered  down.  Bricks  and 
stones  were  hurled  by  men  in  the  streetabove 
at  the  windows.  Clubs,  huge  pieces  of  tim- 
ber, crow-bars,  and  other  weapons  were 
quickly  procured  and  passed  down  to  the  men 
who  were  at  work  upon  the  heavy  outside 
entrance  doors  of  the  jail,  and  it  at  last 
yielded,  the  work  being  done  speedily.  The 
crowd  then  poured  into  the  jail  office,  and 
there  found  other  obstructions  in  the  matter 
of  stone  walls  and  heavy  iron  grated  doors. 

Morton  L.  Hawkins,  the  county  sheriff, 
and  his  few  deputies  faced  the  mob  upon 
their  entrance  between  the  outer  and  inside 
doors.  They  were  powerless  to  stem  the 
fierce  human  tide,  and  besides  the  sheriff  had 
given  orders  to  his  officers  not  to  use  their 
weapons  on  the  mob,  believing  that  such  pro- 
ceeding would  only  make  bad  worse.  The 
mob  completely  filled  the  interior  of  the  jail, 
yelling  and  searching  for  the  murderer  they 
had  come  to  hang.  They  filled  the  corridors, 
and  a force  of  men  succeeded  in  so  forcing 
the  iron  grated  door  that  it  at  last  gave  way, 
and  the  mob  ran  up  the  winding  stone  stair- 
way to  the  cell  rooms,  peering  into  each  cell 
and  demanding  of  other  prisoners  the  where- 
abouts of  the  murderer  whom  they  sought. 

While  this  was  going  on  within  a squad  of 
fifteen  policemen  arrived  on  the  scene  and 
began  clearing  the  jail,  meeting  with  but 
little  success,  as  they  were  set  upon  by  the 
mob  and  hurled  to  one  side  as  though  they 
were  not  there.  At  9.55  p.m.  the  fire-bells 
sounded  the  riot  alarm.  This  brought  peo- 
ple to  the  scene  from  all  sections  of  the  city, 
and  they  turned  in  with  the  mob,  the  greater 
majority  being  in  sympathy.  It  called  the 
police  from^  their  posts  of  duty  and  the 
various  stations  ; and  through  good  manage- 
ment they  were  formed  above  and  below  the 
jail  in  two  sections,  and,  headed  by  the  patrol 
wagons,  advanced  upon  the  crowds  assembled 
on  Sycamore  street,  in  proximity  to  the  jail. 
The  crowd  outside  was  estimated  to  be 
between  nine  and  ten  thousand.  The  patrol 
and  police  advancing  in  two  solid  columns 
caused  a ^ stampede,  the  rioters  escaping 
through  side  streets.  Ringleaders  and  some 
of  those  who^  had  been  active  inside  the  jail 
were  taken  in  the  patrol  wagons  to  the 
station  houses.  The  patrols  were  permitted 
to  leave  amid  much  jeering  and  denunciatory 


language,  and  after  their  passage  the  gap  was 
closed  up  and  another  onslaught  made  upon 
the  jail ; the  rioters  in  the  meantime  having 
armed  themselves  with  axes,  stones  and 
bricks. 

Two  or  three  attacks  were  made  upon  the 
jail,  and  about  midnight  a hand-to-hand  con- 
flict between  the  police  and  the  rioting  mob 
occurred  inside.  The  police  had  succeeded 
in  gaining  an  entrance  to  the  jail  through  the 
court-house,  going  in  on  Main  street.  By 
the  same  means  the  militia  had  been  admitted, 
and  were  stationed  on  the  platform  at  the 
head  of  the  cell-room  stairs.  Inside  the  mob 
had  reached  the  gates  separating  the  prisoners’ 
cells  from  the  office.  These  were  broken 
down  with  sledge-hammers,  and  the  mob  had 
entered.  They  were  in  hand-to-hand  conflict 
with  the  police,  and  overpowered  them,  mak- 
ing a grand  rush  up  the  stone  stairway.  Just 
then  the  militia  stationed  on  the  platform 
fired  into  the  crowd.  Two  of  the  militia  and 
four  officers  were  shot.  None  of  the  mob 
were  injured,  but  the  latter  retreated,  giving 
the  alarm  to  those  on  the  outside.  Fires 
were  then  started  in  the  jail-yard  and  around 
the  court-house.  A barrel  of  petroleum  was 
rolled  into  a cellarway  where  burning  fire- 
brands had  been  cast.  The  mob  again 
assaulted  the  jail,  gaining  admittance  in  rein- 
forced numbers,  and  armed  with  every  con- 
ceivable kind  of  weapon  except  firearms. 

The  militia  again  fired  upon  them,  using 
blank  cartridges,  although  this  was  not  known 
to  the  mob,  and,  aided  b^y  a largely  reinforced 
police  force,  again  drove  the  mob  to  the 
street.  From  the  Court  Street  armory  the 
militia  were  reinforced,  gaining  admittance 
to  the  jail  through  the  court-house,  the  mob 
not  up  to  this  time  making  any  attempt  to 
effect  an  entrance  to  the  jail  by  way  of  the 
court-house. 

Upon  their  being  repulsed,  however,  a 
great  crowd  rushed  over  toward  Main  street 
and  down  town.  Simultaneous  attacks  were 
made  upon  the  entrances  of  several  gun 
stores,  and  the  places  completely  gutted  of 
firearms,  powder,  cartridges  and  other  ammu- 
nition. In  the  meantime  others  of  the  mob 
had  fired  the  jail  and  the  court-house,  in  a 
score  of  places,  coal  oil  and  powder  being 
liberally  used,  and  neighboring  stores  and 
groceries  being  sacked  for  the  purpose. 
Affairs  were  assuming  a serious  and  critical 
aspect.  The  light  of  the  fires  illuminated  the 
whole  city,  causing  hundreds  of  other  citizens, 
upon  the  hilltops  and  in  the  suburbs,  to  hasten 
to  the  scene. 

Immediately  after  the  sentence  had  been 
pronounced  that  afternoon  the  murderer 
Berner  had  been  hurried  to  Columbus,  going 
in  a buggy  to  Linwood,  where  the  train  was 
taken.  He  was  in  custody  of  Dominick  Devots, 
a watchman  or  deputy  sheriff,  and  through  the 
latter’s  negligence  the  prisoner  managed  to 
escape  from  him  while  the  train  was  at  Love- 
land. All  these  things  the  rioters  of  course 
were  ignorant  of.  They  had  been  told  by 
Sheriff  Hawkins  that  the  prisoner  was  not  in 
jail  upon  the  first  attack,  but  this  was  looked 


8o8 


HAMILTON  COUNTY, 


upon  as  a subterfuge  to  cause  them  to  cease 
their  violence.  The  fires  around  the  jail  and 
court-house  had  been  put  out,  and  towards 
early  morning  the  mob,  almost  worn  out  with 
their  labors,  thinned  out,  but  hundreds  re- 
mained about  the  scene  throughout  the  night, 
and  as  the  hours  approached  the  working  hour 
their  numbers  were  increased. 

All  day  long  Saturday  the  militia  and  po- 
lice were  on  duty,  and  the  court-house  and 
jail  were  surrounded  by  tired-out  but  deter- 
mined men,  and  thousands  of  others  drawn 
there  by  the  excitement  of  the  occasion. 

There  were  no  attempts  at  attack  made  dur- 
ing the  day,  but  Saturday  night  for  several 
blocks  abo  ve  and  below  to  the  east  and  the  west 
of  the  jail  and  court-house  the  streets  were 
choked  by  rioters  who  had  greatly  increased 
their  strength,  and  another  attack  on  the  jail 
was  made. 

This  proved  to  be  the  most  serious  attack 
of  all,  and  the  most  disastrous.  Admission 
was  gained  to  the  court-house.  The  militia  in 
the  streets  were  held  in  a hollow  square  formed 
under  the  masterful  leadership  of  some  of 
their  number.  Once  inside  the  court-house, 
the  work  of  demolition  began.  The  whole 
magnificent  stone  building  seemed  to  become 
ignited  at  once.  The  whole  place  was  gutted 
and  the  valuable  records  of  three-quarters  of 
a century’s  accumulation  were  destroyed. 

The  building  burned  to  the  ground.  The 
governor  of  the  State  had  called  out  the 
militia  of  the  State,  and  they  were  arriving 
by  every  train.  Their  appearance  upon  the 
scene  seemed  to  more  aggravate  and  in- 
cense the  mob,  and  being  fired  upon  a bloody 
riot  began  in  the  streets,  men  being  mowed 
down  like  grass  under  the  keen  sweep  of  a 
scythe. 

Captain  John  J.  Desmond,  of  the  militia, 
was  shot  and  killed  inside  the  burning  court- 
house, while  leading  an  attack  on  the  mob. 
Many  prominent  citizens  received  wounds 
from  stray  shots  of  the  militia.  Windows, 
doors  and  even  walls  of  houses  in  the  vicinity 
of  the  riot  to  this  day  bear  evidence  of  that 
time  of  terror  and  bloodshed. 

United  States  Secretary  of  War  Lincoln 
ordered  to  the  scene  the  United  States  troops, 
and  their  appearance  seemed  to  have  the  de- 
sired efi'ect,  as  the  rioters  gradually  dispersed. 
The  result  was,  however,  that  45  persons 
were  killed  and  125  wounded. 

Berner,  the  cause  of  all  this  terrible  loss 
and  destruction  to  life  and  property,  was 
recaptured  late  on  Saturday  afternoon  in  an 
out-of-the-way  house  in  the  woods  on  a hill- 


side near  Loveland.  When  captured  by 
Cincinnati  detectives,  aided  by  the  marshal 
of  Loveland,  he  was  coolly  enjoying  a game 
of  cards,  and  was  unaware  of  the  riot  and 
the  attack  upon  the  jail.  He  was  taken  to 
Columbus  and  lodged  in  the  State  peniten- 
tiary under  the  sentence  that  had  been  passed 
upon  him  on  the  26th  day  of  March  of  con- 
finement for  twenty  years. 

The  Jail  Riot  of  1848. — The  most  dis- 
astrous jail  riot  preceding  that  above  related 
by  Mr.  Millar,  in  the  history  of  the  city, 
occurred  in  the  summer  of  1848,  the  details 
of  which  are  given  in  the  Reminiscences  of 
Judge  Carter,  who  is  alluded  to  in  the  pre- 
ceding article.  Two  returned  volunteers 
(Grermans)  from  the  Mexican  war,  who  were 
boarding  in  a German  family  consisting  of  a 
man  and  wife  and  daughter  of  eleven  years 
of  age,  were  arrested  by  the  parents  on  the 
charge  of  having  committed  a horrible  out- 
rage upon  their  child.  At  the  examination 
at  the  old  court-house,  the  bed-clothes  and 
under-garments  of  the  little  girl  were  shown 
covered  with  blood,  which,  with  her  testimony 
and  that  of  the  parents,  so  frenzied  the  spec- 
tators that  it  was  with  difficulty  that  the 
sheriff,  Thomas  J.  Weaver,  could  lodge  them 
in  the  jail,  and  then  had  to  call  in  the  service 
of  the  Cincinnati  Grays  and  Citizens’  Guards 
to  protect  it  from  the  mob. 

That  night  the  mob  made  an  attack  upon 
the  jail.  The  sheriff  first  tried  expostulation 
but  this  was  useless.  Then  he  ordered  the 
military  to  fire  with  blank  cartridges,  which 
only  the  more  enraged  them.  Finally  he 
repeated  the  order  to  fire,  with  ball,  when 
eleven  persons  fell  dead,  some  of  them  in- 
nocent bystanders,  and  the  mob  dispersed. 

“ But,”  writes  the  judge,  “ the  sequel.  I 
was  the  prosecuting  attorney  at  the  time,  and 
know  of  what  I speak.  At  the  next  term  of 
court  a bill  of  ipdictment  against  these  poor 
volunteer  soldiers  was  unanimously  ignored 
on  the  plain  and  simple  ground  of  their 
entire  innocence.  They  had  served  their 
adopted  country,  and  were  hard-working,  in- 
dustrious, honest  men.  They  had  been  the 
victims  of  these  Germans,  who,  because  they 
could  not  induce  them  to  give  up  their  land 
warrants  entitling  them  each  for  honorable 
service  to  160  acres  of  land,  had  conspired 
with  their  little  daughter  to  get  up  and  main- 
tain this  awful  charge.  After  their  discharge 
there  was  a hunt  after  their  guilty  prosecutors 
to  lynch  them,  when  it  was  found  that  father, 
mother  and  daughter  had  disappeared  and 
were  never  heard  of  after.  ’ ’ 


The  Pioneer  Celebration  at  Columbia. 

Columbia,  included  in  the  city  limits,  and  in  its  first  ward,  since  1873,  was, 
on  the  4th  of  July,  1889,  the  scene  of  an  eventful  celebration.  This  was  the 
celebration  of  the  centennial  of  the  4th  of  July  since  the  first  boatload  of  pioneers 
landed  there  in  November,  1789.  On  this  occasion  a monument  was  dedi- 
cated to  their  memory ; and  the  first  monument  that  has  been  erected  over  the 
graves  of  pioneers  in  the  Northwest. 


HAMILTON  COUNTY. 


809 


It  stands  on  the  beautiful  knoll 
whereon  stood  the  old  Baptist 
church,  the  first  Protestant  church 
organized  in  the  Northwest. 

This  knoll  contains  two  acres  of 
ground,  deeded  in  1804,  by  Benj. 

Stites,  to  the  Baptists  of  Columbia 
township.  The  gravestone  slabs 
of  the  pioneers  whiten  the  spot,  and 
noble  old  elms  bending  over  give 
it  a pensive  charm. 

The  monument  is  just  five  miles 
from  Fountain  Square,  with  a grand 
outlook  up  and  down  the  Ohio 
valley,  and  up  that  of  the  Little 
Miami ; just  at  that  point  where 
the  railroad  trains,  whisking  around 
a curve,  bid  farewell  to  the  former 
and  go  up  the  varied  windings  of 
a stream,  whose  ever  changing 
vistas  bring  forth  admiring  exclama- 
tions from  hosts  of  travellers,  who, 
though  they  should  keep  on  to  the 
uttermost  parts  of  the  earth,  would 
never  find  a valley  more  sweet. 

The  monument  was  erected  by 
the  Columbia  Monumental  Association,  George  E.  Stevens,  President;  con- 
sisting of  fifteen  delegates  from  five  Baptist  churches  now  in  the  original 
bounds  of  Columbia  township.  The  present  title  of  this  body  is  the  Mount 
Lookout  Duck  Creek  Baptist  church. 

ing  “America,”  firing  of  cannon,  and  speak- 
ing under  a huge  tent.  Lev.  G-.  W.  Lasher, 
presiding.  Rev.  Br.  Galusha  Anderson, 
President  of  Dennison  University,  opened 
with  a history  and  eulogy  of  the  Baptist 
Church,  wherein  he  proclaimed  the  Baptists 
had  ever  been  peculiar  friends  of  religious 
liberty.  ^ But  he  did  not  allude  to  their  early 
persecutions ; did  not  speak  of  Roger  Wil- 
liams in  Puritan  New  England,  nor  to  their 
treatment  in  Episcopal  Virginia,  where,  140 
years  ago,  oyer  thirty  Baptist  ministers 
were  thrown  into  dungeons,  and  outrageous 
mobs  broke  up  their  meetings  ; in  one  case 
tossing  a snake  and  a hornets’  nest  into  their 
midst. 

Gen.  Sam’l  F.  Cary  occupied  an  hour  and 
a half  with  a rousing  good  speech,  consist- 
ing of  pioneer  reminiscences,  with  humorous 
allusions  and  anecdotes. 

After  him.  Judge  Joseph  Cox  spoke  in- 
structively upon  the  Mound  Builders  and 
their  works. 

Henry  Howe,  who  was  supposed  to  know 
something  about  Ohio,  having  been  present 
by  invitation,  was  called  upon  to  make  a few 
remarks.  He  did  not  speak  of  Ohio  at  all, 
but  alluded  to  a historical  tour  he  made  over 
New  Jersey  47  years  before,  and  of  the  ex- 
The  celebration  consisted  of  a procession  cellent  qualities  of  Jerseymen,  which  espe- 
headed  by  the  Newport  Band,  prayer,  read-  cially  fitted  them  to  make  the  best  kind  of 

ing  the  Declaration  of  Independence,  sing-  pioneers  : and  it  was  well  that  Columbia  got 


On  one  side  of  the  freestone  pedestal  is  en- 
graved, “ To  the  Pioneers  Landing  near  this 
spot  November  18,  1788.” 

On  the  obverse  side — “ To  the  first  boat-load  of 
pioneers  landing  near  this  spot — Major  Benj. 
Stites,  Mrs.  Benj.  Stites,  Ben.  Stites,  Jr.,  Rachel 
Stites,  Ann  W.  Stites,  Greenbright  Bailey,  Mrs. 
Greenbright  Bailey,  Jas.  F.  Bailey,  Reasom 
Bailey,  Abel  Cook,  Jacob  Mills,  Jonathan 
Stites,  Ephraim  Kibby,  John  S.  Gano,  Mrs. 
Mary  S.  Gano,  Thos.  C.  Wade,  Hezekiah  Stites, 
Elijah  Stites,  Edmund  Buxton,  Daniel  Shoe- 
maker,   Hempstead,  Evan  Shelby,  Allen 

Woodruff,  Hampton  Woodruff,  Joseph  Cox, 
Benjamin  Cox.” 

On  the  third  side  is — “ The  Baptists  of  Co- 
lumbia Township  in  1889  erected  this  pillar  to 
commemorate  the  heroism  and  piety  of  the 
first  Baptist  pioneers  of  1788-90.  The  first 
church  in  the  Northwest  Territory  was  the  Co- 
lumbia Baptist  Church,  organized  January  20, 
1790.  Constituent  members,  Benj.  Davis,  Mary 
Davis,  John  Ferris,  Elizabeth  Ferris,  Isaac 
Ferris  (deacon),  Joseph  Reynolds,  Amy  Rey- 
nolds, John  S.  Gano,  Thos.  C.  Wade.” 

On  the  fourth  side — “ The  Columbia  Baptist 
Church  erected  its  first  house  of  worship  on 
this  spot  in  1792.  The  lot  contains  two  acres  of 
ground  purchased  of  Benj.  Stites,  was  deeded 
to  the  Baptists  of  Columbia  Township.” 


Old  Baptist  Church  at  Columbia. 


This  church  was  taken  down  in  1835.  The  Society 
which  worshipped  in  it  was  constituted  in  1790,  by  Dr. 
Stephen  Gano.  The  engraving  shows  it  as  it  appeared 
in  1830,  when  it  was  in  ruins. 


8io 


HAMILTON  COUNTY. 


such,  and  as  was  proved  a superior  quality  of 
Jersey  men. 

The  thought  of  one  of  the  speakers  of  the 
occasion  is  a sad  memory  to  all  who  knew 
him.  That  is  Surgeon-General  A.  F.  Jones, 
of  Walnut  Hills,  whpa  few  months  later  was 
murdpred  by  his  negro  servant.  It  was  that 
old  historian  of  this  region  and  patriotic  man 
who  inaugurated  the  planting  of  trees  in 
Eden  Park  to  the  memory  of  the  pioneers, 
now  known  as  “Pioneer  Grove.'’  And  to 
him  does  this  very  monument  owe  its  origin, 


for  years  before  he  had  suggested  its  build- 
ing and  made  efforts  in  that  direction. 

The  subject  of  “Progress”  ended  the  ex- 
ercises in  the  form  of  a carefully  written 
paper  upon  that  topic  read  by  Hr.  M.  C. 
Lockwood. 

The  monument  is  a Corinthian  pillar  of 
Ohio  freestone,  with  pedestal  and  base  of 
granite  ; it  is  43  feet  in  height  and  eventually 
is  to  be  surmounted  by  the  statue  of  a 
pioneer. 


\ Oliver  M.  Spencer,  then  a boy,  was  at  Columbia  as  early  as  1790.  He  was 
In  1792  taken  prisoner  by  the  Indians.  In  his  Reminiscences  he  has  left  this 
description  of  the  life  of  the  first  settlers : 


It  is,  perhaps,  unknown  to  many,  that  the 
broad  and  extensive  plain  stretching  along  the 
Ohio  from  the  Crawfish  to  the  mouth,  and 
for  three  miles  up  the  Little  Miami,  and  now 
divided  into  farms,  highly  cultivated,  was  the 
ancient  site  of  Columbia,  a town  laid  out  by 
Major  Benjamin  Stites,  its  original  proprie- 
tor ; and  by  him  and  others  once  expected  to 
become  a large  city,  the  great  capital  of  the 
West  From  Crawfish,  the  small  creek  form- 
ing its  northwestern  boundary,  more  than 
one  mile  up  the  Ohio,  and  extending  back 
about  three-fourths  of  a mile,  and  half  way 
up  the  high  hill  which  formed  a part  of  its 
eastern  and  northern  limits,  the  ground  was 
laid  off  into  blocks,  containing  each  eight  lots 
of  half  an  acre,  bounded  by  streets  inter- 
sected at  right  angles.  The  residue  of  the 
pkin  was  divided  into  lots  of  four  and  five 
acres,  for  the  accommodation  of  the  town. 
Over  this  plain,  on  our  arrival,  we  found 
scattered  about  fifty  cabins,  flanked  by  a small 
stockade  nearly  half  a mile  below  the  mouth 
of  the  Miami,  together  with  a few  block- 
houses for  the  protection  of  the  inhabitants, 
at  suitable  distances  along  the  bank  of  the 
Ohio. 

Fresh  in  my  remembrance  is  the  rude  log- 
house,  the  flrst  humble  sanctuary  of  the  first 
settlers  of  Columbia,  standing  amidst  the  tall 
forest  trees,  on  the  beautiful  knoll,  where 
now  (1834)  is  a grave-yard,  and  the  ruins  of 
a Baptist  meeting-house  of  later  years. 
There,  on  the  holy  Sabbath,  we  were  wont  to 
assemble  to  hear  the  word  of  life  ; but  our 
fathers  met  with  their  muskets  and  rifles, 
prepared  for  action,  and  ready  to  repel  any 
attack  of  the  enemy.  And  while  the  watch- 
man on  the  walls  of  Zion  was  uttering  his 
faithful  and  pathetic  warning,  the  sentinels 
without,  at  a few  rods  distance,  with  meas- 
ured step,  were  now  pacing  their  walks,  and 
now  standing  and  with  strained  eyes  endeav- 
oring to  pierce  through  the  distance,  care- 
fully scanning  every  object  that  seemed  to 
have  life  or  motion. 

The  first  clergyman  I there  heard  preach 
was  Mr.  Gano,  father  of  the  late  Gen.  Gano, 
of  this  city,  then  a captain,  and  one  of  the 
earliest  settlers  of  Columbia.  Never  shall  I 
forget  that  holy  and  venerable  man,  with 
locks  white  with  years,  as  with  a voice  trem- 


ulous with  age,  he  ably  expounded  the  word 
of  truth. 

I well  recollect,  that  in  1791,  so  scarce  and 
dear  was  flour,  that  the  little  that  could  be 
afforded  in  families  was  laid  by  to  be  used 
only  in  sickness,  or  for  the  entertainment  of 
friends,  and  although  corn  was  then  abun- 
dant, there  was  but  one  mill  (Wickerham’s), 
a floating  mill,  on  the  Little  Miami,  near 
where  Turpin’s  now  (1834)  stands;  it  was 
built  in  a small  flat  boat  tied  to  the  bank,  its 
wheel  turning  slowly  with  the  natural  current 
running  between  the  flat  and  a small  pirogue 
anchored  in  the  stream,  and  on  which  one 
end  of  its  shaft  rested  ; and  having  only  one 
pair  of  small  stones,  it  was  at  best  barely 
sufllcient  to  supply  meal  for  the  inhabitants 
of  Columbia  and  the  neighboring  families ; 
and  sometimes,  from  low  water  and  other  un- 
favorable circumstances,  it  was  of  little  use, 
so  that  we  were  obliged  to  supply  the  defi- 
ciency from  hand-mills,  a most  laborious 
mode  of  grinding. 

Pleasant  Rural  Scenes. — The  winter  of 
1791-2  was  followed  by  an  early  and  delight- 
ful spring ; indeed,  I have  often  thought  that 
our  first  western  winters  were  much  milder, 
our  springs  earlier,  and  our  autumns  longer 
than  they  now  are.  On  the  last  of  February 
some  of  the  trees  were  putting  forth  their 
foliage  ; in  March  the  red  bud,  the  hawthorn 
and  the  dog-wood,  in  full  bloom,  checkered 
the  hills,  displaying  their  beautiful  colors  of 
rose  and  lily ; and  in  April  the  ground  was 
covered  with  May  apple,  bloodroot,  ginseng, 
violets,  and  a great  variety  of  herbs  and 
flowers.  Flocks  of  parroquets  were  seen, 
decked  in  their  rich  plumage  of  green  and 
gold.  Birds  of  various  species,  and  of  every 
hue,  were  flitting  from  tree  to  tree,  and  the 
beautiful  redbird,  and  the  untaught  songster 
of  the  west,  made  the  woods  vocal  with  their 
melody.  Now  might  be  heard  the  plaintive 
wail  of  the  dove,  and  the  rumbling  drum  of 
the  partridge,  or  the  loud  gobble  of  the 
turkey.  Here  might  be  seen  the  clumsy 
bear,  doggedly  moving  off,  or  urged  by  pur- 
suit into  a laboring  gallop,  retreating  to  his 
citadel  in  the  top  of  some  lofty  tree ; or,  ap- 
proached suddenly,  raising  hirnself  erect  in 
the  attitude  of  defence,  facing  his  enemy  and 
waiting  his  approach ; there  the  timid  deer. 


william  henry  HARRISON,  BENJAMIN  HARRISON, 

Ninth  President  of  the  United  States.  Twenty-third  President  of  the  United  States. 


8i2 


HAMILTON  COUNTY, 


watchfully  resting,  or  cautiously  feeding,  or, 
aroused  from  his  thicket,  gracefully  bounding 
oiF,  then  stopping,  erecting  his  stately  head 
and  for  a moment  gazing  around,  or  sniffing 
the  air  to  ascertain  his  enemy,  instantly 
springing  off,  clearing  Ipgs  and  bushes  at  a 
bound,  and  soon  distancing  his  pursuers.  It 
seemed  an  earthly  paradise  ; and  but  for  ap- 
prehension of  the  wily  copperhead,  who  lay 
silently  coiled  among  the  leaves,  or  beneath 
the  plants,  waiting  to  strike  his  victim  ; the 
horrid  rattle-snake,  who  more  chivalrous, 
however,  with  head  erect  amidst  its  ample 
folds,  prepared  to  dart  upon  his  foe,  gener- 
ously with  the  loud  noise  of  his  rattle,  ap- 
prised him  of  danger ; and  the  still  more 
fearful  and  insidious  savage,  who,  crawling 
upop  the  ground,  or  noiselessly  approaching 
behind  trees  and  thickets,  sped  the  deadly 
shaft  or  fatal  bullet,  you  might  have  fancied 
ou  were  in  the  confines  of  Eden  or  the 
orders  of  Eb^sium. 

Turkey  Bottom. — At  this  delightful  season, 
the  inhabitants  of  our  village  went  forth  to 
their  labor,  inclosing  the  fields,  which  the 
spring  flood  had  opened,  tilling  their  ground, 
and  planting  their  corn  for  their  next  year’s 
sustenance.  I said,  went  forth,  for  their  prin- 
cipal corn-field  was  distant  from  Columbia 


about  one  and_  a half  miles  east,  and  adjoin- 
ing the  extensive  plain  on  which  the  town 
stood.  That  large  tract  of  alluvial  ground, 
still  known  by  the  name  of  Turkey  Bottom, 
and  which,  lying  about  fifteen  feet  below  the 
adjoining  plain,  and  annually  overflowed,  is 
yet  very  fertile,  was  laid  off  into  lots  of  five 
acres  each,  and  owned  by  the  inhabitants  of 
Columbia ; some  possessing  one,  and  otherc 
two  or  more  lots  ; and  to  save  labor,  was  en- 
closed with  one  fence.  Here  the  men  gen 
erally  worked  in  companies  exchanging  labor, 
or  in  adjoining  fields,  with  their  fire-arms 
near  them,  that  in  case  of  an  attack  they 
might  be  ready  to  unite  for  their  common 
defence.  Here,  their  usual  annual  crop  of 
corn  from  ground  very  ordinarily  cultivated 
was  eighty  bushels  per  acre  ; and  some  lots, 
well  tilled,  produced  a hundred,  and  in  very 
favorable  seasons,  a hundred  and  ten  bushels 
to  the  acre.  An  inhabitant  of  New  England, 
New  Jersey,  or  some  portions  of  Maryland, 
would  scarcely  think  it  credible,  that  in  hills 
four  feet  apart,  were  four  or  five  stalks,  one 
and  a half  inches  in  diameter,  and  fifteen  feet 
in  height,  bearing  each  two  or  three  ears  of 
corn,  of  which  some  were  so  far  from  the 
ground,  that  to  pull  them  an  ordinary  man 
was  obliged  to  stand  on  tiptoe. 


BIOGHAPHY. 

Governors  of  Ohio  from  Cincinnati. 

Thirteen  of  the  Governors  of  the  State  have  been  at  some  time  citizens  of 
Cincinnati,  one  of  whom  only,  William  Dennison,  was  born  in  the  city.  They 
were  Othniel  Looker,  1814;  Ethan  Allen  Brown,  1818-1822 ; Salmon  P.  Chase, 
1856-1860  ; William  Dennison,  1860-1862  ; John  Brough,  1864,  1865  ; Charles 
Anderson,  1865,  1866  ; Jacob  D.  Cox,  1866-1868  ; Hutherford  B.  Hayes,  1868- 
1872;  also  1876,  1877;  Edward  F.  Noyes,  1872-1874;  Thomas  L.  Young, 
1887,  1888 ; Richard  M.  Bishop,  1878-1880;  George  M.  Hoadley,  1884-1886  ; 
Joseph  B.  Foraker,  1888-1890. 

We  annex  slight  sketches  of  those  not  elsewhere  noted  : 

Othniel  Looker  was  born  in  New  York,  in  1757  ; was  a private  in  the  war 
of  the  revolution  and  a man  of  humble  origin  and  calling,  and  of  whose  history 
but  little  is  known,  but,  being  Speaker  in  the  Ohio  Senate,  by  virtue  of  that  office 
became  acting  Governor  for  eight  months  when  General  Meigs  resigned  to  go  into 
Mr.  Aladisoifs  cabinet.  He  was  later  defeated  as  a candidate  for  Governor 
against  Thomas  Worthington. 

Ethan  Allen  Brown  was  born  in  Darien,  Conn.,  July  4,  1766 ; studied 
law  with  Alexander  Hamilton  ; settled  in  Cincinnati  in  1804  ; from  1810  to  1818 
was  a Supreme  Judge,  when  he  was  elected  Governor  and  began  agitating  the 
subject  of  constructing  canals.  In  1820  was  re-elected  over  Jeremiah  Morrow 
and  General  Wm.  Henry  Harrison ; in  1822  was  elected  to  the  United  States 
Senate;  from  1830  to  1834  U.  S.  Minister  to  Brazil;  later  Commissioner  of 
Public  Lands;  then  retired  to  private  life  and  died  in  1852  in  Indianapolis  after 
a long  and  useful  career. 

Thomas  L.  Young  was  born  on  the  estate  of  Lord  Dufferin,  in  North  Ireland, 
Dec.  14,  1832  ; came  to  this  country  at  fifteen  years  of  age;  served  ten  years  as 
a private  in  the  regular  army,  entering  on  tlie  last  year  of  the  Mexican  war ; in 
1859  came  to  Cincinnati  ; graduated  at  its  law  school.  When  the  rebellion  broke 
out  was  assistant  superintendent  of  the  House  of  Refuge,  Reform  School,  and  on 
the  18th  of  March  wrote  a letter  to  Gen.  Winfield  &ott,  whom  he  personally 


HAMILTON  COUNTY. 


813 

knew,  offering  his  services  for  the  coming  war,  thus  becoming  the  first  volunteer 
from  Hamilton  count}i.  He  eventually  entered  the  army,  was  commissioned 
colonel  and  for  extraordinary  gallantry  at  Resaca  was  brevetted  general.  In  1866 
he  was  elected  to  the  legislature ; in  1872  served  as  a Senator,  and  in  1876  elected 
Lieut.-Governor  and  succeeded  R.  B.  Hayes  when  he  became  President.  As 
Governor  of  Ohio  during  the  railroad  riots  he  showed  extraordinary  pluck. 
Being  asked  to  call  upon  the  general  government  for  aid  from  the  regular  troops 
he  replied  tersely  : No,  not  until  the  last  man  in  Ohio  is  whipped.’^  He 
died  July  19,  1888,  singularly  admired  for  his  thorough  manliness. 

Richard  M.  Bishop  was  born  in  Fleming  county,  Kentucky,  in  1812,  and 
at  the  age  of  thirty-six  came  to  Cincinnati,  where  for  many  years  he  was  at  the 
head  of  a wholesale  grocery  house ; in  1859  was  elected  Mayor  of  the  city  and  in 
1877  Governor  of  the  State.  He  has  ever  been  a public-spirited  and  highly 
respected  citizen  and  now,  in  advanced  life,  is  erect  as  in  youth  and  possesses  a fine 
patriarchal  presence,  wearing  a long  flowing  beard,  as  grand  we  dare  say  as  that 
Moses  had  when  on  Pisgah.  From  early  life  he  has  been  one  of  the  most  promi- 
nent men  of  the  Disciples  or  Campbellite  Baptist  Church,  the  same  as  that  with 
which  President  Garfield  was  identified. 


JOHN  CLEVES  SYMMES— Father. 


ANNA  HARRISON— Daughter. 


William  Henry  Harrison  was  born  at  Berkley,  on  James  river,  twenty-five 
miles  from  Richmond,  Virginia,  in  1773.  He 
was  the  youngest  of  three  sons  of  Benjamin  Har- 
rison, who  represented  Virginia  in  Congress  in 
1774-1776  and  was  chairman  of  the  committee 
of  the  whole  house,  when  the  declaration  of  independence  was  agreed  to,  and  was 
one  of  its  signers.  He  was  elected  Governor  of  Virginia,  and  was  one  of  the  most 
popular  officers  that  ever  filled  the  executive  chair.  He  died  in  1791. 

Wm.  Henry  Harrison  entered  Hampden  Sydney  College,  which  he  left  at 
seventeen  years  of  age.  He  then  began  the  study  of  medicine,  but  the  death  of 
his  father  checked  his  professional  aspirations ; and  the  note  of  preparation 


8i4 


HAMILTON  COUNTY. 


which  was  sounding  through  the  country,  for  a campaign  against  the  Indians  of 
the  West,  decided  his  destiny,  and  he  resolved  to  enter  into  the  service  of  his 
government. 


His  guardian,  the  celebrated  Robert  Morris, 
opposed  his  wishes  ; but  it  was  in  vain  that 
he  placed  the  enterprise  before  the  enthu- 
siastic youth  in  all  its  hardships  and  priva- 
tions. General  Washington  yielded  to  the 
importunities  of  the  youth  ; presented  him 
with  an  ensign’s  commission.  With  charac- 
teristic ardor  he  departed  for  Fort  Washing- 
ton, now  Cincinnati ; where,  however,  he 
arrived  too  late  to  participate  in  the  unfortu- 
nate campaign  of  St.  Clair.  The  fatal  4th  of 
November  had  passed,  and  he  was  only  in 
time  to  learn  the  earliest  intelligence  of  the 
death  of  Butler,  and  of  Oldham,  and  of  the 
unparalleled  massacre  of  the  army  of  St. 
Clair. 

The  return  of  the  broken  troops  had  no 
effect  in  damping  the  zeal  of  young  Harrison. 
He  devoted  himself  ardently  to  the  study  of 
the  theory  of  the  highe?  tactics  ; and  when, 
in  the  succeeding  year,  W ayne  assumed  the 
command.  Ensign  Harrison  was  selected  by 
him  for  one  of  his  aids,  and  distinguished 
himself  in  Wayne’s  victory. 

After  the  treaty  of  Greenville,  1795,  he 
was  given  command  of  Fort  Washington  ; and 
shortly  after  married  the  daughter  of  Judge 
Symmes,  the  proprietor  of  the  Miami  pur- 
chase. 

The  idleness  and  dissipation  of  a garrison 
life  comported  neither  with  the  taste  nor 
active  temper  of  Captain  Harrison.  He  re- 
signed his  commission,  and  commenced  his 
civil  career,  at  the  age  of  twenty-four  years, 
as  secretary  of  the  Northwestern  Territory. 
He  was  elected,  in  1799,  the  first  delegate  in 
Congress.  The  first  and  general  object  of 
his  attention  as  a representative  was  an 
alteration  of  the  land  system  of  the  Territory. 
He  was  appointed  chairman  of  the  committee 
on  lands,  and  though  meeting  with  much 
opposition  from  speculators,  secured  the 
passage  of  a law  for  the  subdivision  of  public 
lands  into  smaller  tracts.^  To  this  measure  is 
to  be  imputed  the  rapid  settlement  of  the 
country  northwest  of  the  Ohio. 

The  reputation  acquired  by  the  young 
delegate  from  his  legislative  success  created 
a party  in  his  favor,  who  intimated  a desire 
that  he  should  supersede  the  venerable 
governor  of  the  Territory.  But  Mr.  Harrison 
checked  the  development  of  this  feeling  as 
soon  as  it  was  made  known  to  him.  He 
cherished  too  high  a veneration  for  the  pure 
and  patriotic  St.  Clair  to  oppose  him. 
Shortly  after,  when  Indiana  was  erected  into 
a separate  Territory,  he  was  appointed  by  Mr. 
Adams  the  first  governor.  Previously,  how- 
ever, to  quitting  Congress,  he  was  present  at 
the  discussion  of  the  bill  for  the  settlement 
of  Judge  Symmes’  purchase;  and  although 
this  gentleman  was  his  father-in-law,  he  took 
an  active  part  in  favor  of  those  individuals 
who  had  purchased  from  him  before  he  had 
obtained  his  patent.  This  was  the  impulse 


of  stern  duty ; for  at  the  moment  he  felt  he 
was  jeoparding  a large  pecuniary  interest  of 
his  father-in-law. 

In  1801  Governor  Harrison  entered  upon 
the  duties  of  his  new  office,  at  the  old  military 
post  of  Vincennes.  The  powers  with  which 
he  was  vested  by  law  have  never,  since  the 
organization  of  our  government,  been  con- 
ferred upon  any  other  officer,  civil  or  military  ; 
and  the  arduous  character  of  the  duties  he 
had  to  perform  can  only  be  appreciated  by 
those  who  were  acquainted  with  the  savage 
and  cunning  temper  of  ^ the  northwestern 
Indians,  with  the  genius  of  the  early 
pioneers,  and  the  nature  of  a frontier  settle- 
ment. Among  his  duties  was  that  of  com- 
missioner to  treat  with  the  Indians.  In  this 
capacity  he  concluded  fifteen  treaties,  and 
purchased  their  title  to  upwards  of  seventy 
million  of  acres  of  land. 

The  whole  Territory  consisted  of  three 
settlements,  so  widely  separated  that  it  was 
impossible  for  them  to  contribute  to  their 
mutual  defence.  The  first  was  Clarke’s  grant 
at  the  falls  of  Ohio  ; the  second,  the  old 
French  establishment  at  Vincennes  ; and  the 
third  extended  from  Kaskaskia  to  Kahokia, 
on  the  Mississippi ; the  whole  comprising  a 
population  of  about  five  thousand  souls.  The 
Territory,  thus  defenceless,  presented  a 
frontier,  assailable  almost  at  ever}’^  point,  on 
the  northeast,  north,  and  northwest  bounda- 
ries. Numerous  tribes  of  warlike  Indians 
were  thickly  scattered  throughout  the 
northern  portion  of  the  Territory,  whose 
hostile  feelings  were  constantly  inflamed  by 
the  intrigues  of  British  agents  and  traders,  if 
not  by  the  immediate  influence  of  the  English 
government  itself,  and  not  unfrequently  by 
the  uncontrollable  outrages  of  the  American 
hunters  themselves.  Governor  Harrison 
applied  himself  with  characteristic  energy 
and  skill  to  his  duties.  Justice  tempered  by 
mildness ; conciliation  and  firmness,  accom- 
panied by  a never  slumbering  watchfulness  ; 
were  the  means  he  used.  These  enabled  him 
to  surmount  difficulties,  under  which  an  ordi- 
nary capacity  must  have  been  prostrated. 

During  the  year  1811,  however,  the 
intrigues  of  British  agents  operating  on  the 
passions  of  the  Indians,  brought  affairs  to  a 
crisis  which  rendered  hostilities  unavoidable. 
Harrison  called  upon  Colonel  Boyd,  of  the  4th 
United  States  regiment,  then  at  Pittsburg 
(who  immediately  joined  him),  and  embodied 
a militia  force  as  strong  as  the  emergency 
would  permit.  To  these  were  added  a small 
but  gallant  band  of  chivalrous  volunteers  from 
Kentucky,  consisting  of  about  sixty-five 
individuals.  With  these  he  commenced  his 
march  towards  the  prophet’s  town  at  Tippe- 
canoe. On  the  6th  of  November  he  arrived 
in  sight  of  the  Indian  village,  and  made 
several  fruitless  attempts  to  negotiate  with 
the  savages.  Finding  it  impossible  to  bring 


HAMILTON  COUNTY. 


815 


them  to  any  discussion,  he  resolved  to  encamp 
for  the  night,  under  a promise  from  the 
chiefs  to  hold  a conference  next  day.  The 
men  reposed  upon  the  spot  which  each, 
individually,  should  occupy,  in  case  of  attack. 
The  event  justified  the  anticipations  of  the 
chief.  On  the  morning  of  the  7th,  before 
daylight,  the  onset  was  made  with  the  usual 
yells  and  impetuosity.  But  the  army  was 
ready  ; Harrison  had  risen  some  time  before, 
and  had  roused  the  of&cers  near  him.  The 
Indians  fought  with  their  usual  desperation, 
and  maintained  their  ground  for  some  time 
with  extraordinary  courage.  Victory  declared 
in  favor  of  discipline,  at  the  expense,  how- 
ever, of  some  of  the  most  gallant  spirits  of 
the  age.  Among  the  slain  were  Colonels 
Daveis  and  Owen,  of  Kentucky,  and  Captain 
Spencer,  of  Indiana.  Governor  Harrison  re- 
ceived a bullet  through  his  stock,  without 
touching  his  neck.  The  legislature  of  Ken- 
tucky, at  its  next  session,  while  in  mourning 
for  her  gallant  dead,  passed  the  following 
resolution,  viz.  : 

'''‘Resolved^  That  Governor  William  H. 
Harrison  has  behaved  like  a hero,  a patriot 
and  general ; and  that  for  his  cool,  deliberate, 
skilful  and  gallant  conduct,  in  the  battle  of 
Tippecanoe,  he  well  deserves  the  thanks  of 
the  nation.” 

From  this  period,  until  after  the  declara- 
tion of  war  against  England,  Governor  Har- 
rison was  unremittingly  engaged  in  negotia- 
ting with  the  Indians,  and  preparing  to  resist 
a more  extended  attack  from  them.  In 
August,  1812,  he  received  the  brevet  of  major- 
general  in  the  Kentucky  militia,  to  enable 
him  to  command  the  forces  marching  to 
relieve  Detroit.  The  surrender  of  Hull 
changed  the  face  of  affairs  ; he  was  appointed 
a major-general  in  the  army  of  the  United 
States,  and  his  duties  embraced  a larger 
sphere.  Everything  was  in  confusion,  and 
everything  was  to  be  done  ; money,  arms  and 
men  were  to  be  raised.  It  is  under  circum- 
stances like  these  that  the  talents  of  a great 
general  are  developed  more  powerfully  than  in 
conducting  a battle.  To  do  justice  to  this 
part  of  the  biography  of  Harrison  requires  a 
volume  of  itself  Becoming  stronger  from 
reverses,  collecting  munitions  of  war,  and 
defending  Fort  Meigs,  were  the  prominent 
features  of  his  operations,  until  we  find  him 
in  pursuit  of  Proctor,  on  the  Canadian  shore. 
On  the  5th  of  October,  1813,  he  brought  the 
British  army  and  their  Indian  allies,  under 
Proctor  and  Tecum seh,  to  action,  near  the 
river  Thames.  The  victory  achieved  by 
militia  over  the  disciplined  troops  of  England, 
on  this  brilliant  day,  was  decisive  ; and  like 
the  battle  of  the  Cowpens,  in  the  war  of  the 
revolution,^  spread  joy  and  animation  over  the 
whole  Union.  For  this  important  action, 
Congress  presented  General  Harrison  with  a 
gold  medal.  The  success  of  the  day  is  mainly 
attributable  to  the  novel  expedient  of  charging 
through  the  British  lines  with  mounted  in- 
fantry. The  glory  of  originating  this  manoeu- 
vre belongs  exclusively  to  General  Harrison. 

The  northwestern  frontier  being  thus  re- 


lieved, Gen.  Harrison  left  his  troops  at  Sach- 
et’s Harbor,  under  the  command  of  Col. 
Smith,  and  departed  for  Washington  by  the 
way  of  New  York,  Philadelphia  and  Balti- 
more, and  on  the  whole  route  he  was  received 
with  enthusiasm. 

Owing  to  a misunderstanding  between  Mr. 
Secretary  Armstrong  and  himself,  Gen.  Har- 
rison resigned  his  commission  in  the  spring 
of  1814.  Mr.  Madison  sincerely  deplored 
this  step,  and  assured  Governor  Shelby,  in  a 
letter  written  immediately  after  the  resigna- 
tion, “ that  it  would  not  have  been  accepted 
had  he  been  in  Washington.”  It  was  re- 
ceived and  accepted  by  Secretary  Armstrong, 
while  the  President  was  absent  at  the  springs. 

Gen.  Harrison  retired  to  his  farm  at  North 
Bend,  in  Ohio,  from  which  he  was  success- 
ively called  by  the  people,  to  represent  them 
in  the  Congress  of  the  United  States,  and  in 
the  legislature  of  the  State.  In  1824-5  he 
was  elected  to  the  Senate  of  the  United 
States  ; and  in  1828  he  was  appointed  minis- 
ter to  Colombia,  which  station  he  held  until 
he  was  recalled  by  President  Jackson,  not  for 
any  alleged  fault,  but  in  consequence  of  some 
difference  of  views  on  the  Panama  question. 
Gen.  Harrison  again  returned  to  the  pursuits 
of  agriculture  at  North  Bend.  In  1834,  on 
the  almost  unanimous  petition  of  the  citizens 
of  the  county,  he  was  appointed  prothonotary 
of  the  Court  of  Hamilton  county. 

In  1840  Gen.  Harrison  was  called  by  the 
people  of  the  United  States  to  preside  over 
the  country  as  its  chief  magistrate.  His 
election  was  a triumphant  one  ; of  294  votes 
for  President  he  received  234.  From  the  time 
when  he  was  first  nominated  for  the  office 
until  his  death,  he  had  been  rising  in  public 
esteem  and  confidence  ; he  entered  upon  the 
duties  of  his  office  with  an  uncommon  degree 
of  popularity,  and  a high  expectation  was 
cherished  that  his  administration  would  be 
honorable  to  himself  and  advantageous  to  the 
country.  His  death,  which  took  place  April 
4th,  1841,  just  a month  after  his  inaugura- 
tion, caused  a deep  sensation  throughout  the 
country.  He  was  the  first  President  of  the 
United  States  that  had  died  in  office. 

President  Harrison  was  distinguished  by  a 
generosity  and  liberality  of  feeling  which  was 
exercised  beyond  what  strict  justice  to  him- 
self and  family  should  have  permitted.  With 
ample  opportunity  for  amassing  immense 
wealth,  he  ever  disdained  to  profit  by  his 
public  situation  for  private  emolument  His 
theory  was  too  rigidly  honest  to  permit  him 
to  engage  in  speculation,  and  his  chivalry  was 
too  sensitive  to  permit  him  to  use  the  time 
belonging  to  his  country  for  private^ benefit. 
After  nearly  fifty  years  devotion  to  his  duties 
in  the  highest  stations,  he  left  at  his  death 
but  little  more  to  his  family  than  the  inherit- 
ance of  an  unsullied  reputation. 

Benjamin  Harrison,  son  of  Senator  John 
•Scott  Harrison  and  grandson  of  Gen.  Wm. 
Henry  Harrison,  was  born  in  North  Bend, 
Ohio,  August  20,  1833  ; graduated  at  Miami 
University,  Oxford,  Ohio,  in  1852.  While  at 
college  he  formed  an  attachment  for  Caroline 


HAMILTON  COUNTY. 


Si6 


L.  Scotl,  daughter  of  John  W.  Scott,  presi- 
dent of  Oxford  Female  Seminary,  and  they 
were  married  October  20,  1853. 

He  studied  law  in  the  office  of  Storer  & 
Gwynne,  in  Cincinnati,  and  in  1854  removed 
to  Indianapolis,  Ind.  He  was  elected  re- 
porter of  the  State  Supreme  Court  in  1860, 
and  in  1862  entered  the  army  as  second  lieu- 
tenant of  the  70th  Indiana  Volunteers — a 
regiment  which  he  assisted  in  raising,  and  of 
which,  when  completed.  Governor  Morcon 
appointed  him  colonel. 

He  was  a valuable  and  efficient  officer, 
greatly  beloved  by  his  men,  to  whom  his 
many  acts  of  kindness  and  consideration 
greatly  endeared  him,  and  he  was  by  them 
called  “Little  Ben.”  His  actions  at  the 
battle  of  Peach  Tree  Creek  greatly  pleased 
Gen.  Hooker,  who  said  of  him  : “My  atten- 
tion was  first  attracted  to  this  young  officer 
by  the  superior  excellence  of  his  brigade  in 
discipline  and  instruction — the  result  of  his 
labor,  skill  and  devotion.  With  more  fore- 
sight than  I have  witnessed  in  any  officer  of 
his  experience,  he  seemed  to  act  upon  a prin- 
ciple, that  success  depended  upon  the  thor- 
ough preparation  in  discipline  and  esprit  of 
his  command  for  conflict  more  than  on  any 
influence  that  could  be  exerted  upon  the  field 
itself ; and  when  collision  came,  his  command 
vindicated  his  wisdom  as  much  as  his  valor. 
In  all  of  the  achievements  of  the  20th  Corps 
in  that  campaign  (from  Chattanooga  to  At- 
lanta), Col.  Harrison  bore  a conspicuous  part. 
AtResaca  and  Peach  Tree  Creek  the  conduct 
of  himself  and  command  was  especially  dis- 
tinguished. ’ ’ 


He  served  to  the  close  of  the  war,  and  was 
mustered  out  in  the  grand  review  in  Wash- 
ington, in  June,  1865,  with  the  rank  of  brevet 
brigadier-general. 

Gen.  Harrison  had  been  re-elected,  in  1864, 
while  still  in  the  army,  to  the  office  of  State 
Supreme  Court  reporter,  and  assumed  the 
duties  of  the  office  on  his  return  to  Indian- 
apolis. In  1879  he  was  appointed  by  Presi- 
dent Hayes  a member  of  the  Mississippi 
River  Commission.  At  the  National  Repul)- 
lican  Convention  of  1880,  held  in  Chicago, 
he  was  chairman  of  the  Indiana  delegation, 
and  his  name  was  placed  in  nomination,  but 
he  withdrew  it.  In  1880  he  was  chosen  U. 
S.  Senator,  and  held  that  seat  until  March 
3,  1887.  In  1884  he  was  a delegate  at  large 
from  Indiana  to  the  National  Republican 
Convention;  and  his  name  was  again  men- 
tioned in  connection  with  the  presidency. 

In  the  National  Republican  Convention, 
held  in  Chicago  in  June,  1888,  he  was  nomi- 
nated for  the  presidency  on  the  eighth  bal- 
lot, receiving  544  votes.  The  Democratic 
party  renominated  Grover  Cleveland,  and 
the  tarifiF  issue  became  the  main  question  of 
the  campaign.  All  through  the  campaign 
(Jen.  Harrison  made  almost  daily  speeches  to 
visiting  delegations,  giving  free  expression  to 
his  views  and  opinions  on  almost  every  ques- 
tion of  the  day ; and  his  remarkably  sound 
judgment  and  comprehension  of  all  vital 
questions  was  signally  illustrated  in  language 
of  unusual  simplicity  and  clearness.  He  re- 
ceived 233  votes  in  the  Electoral  college 
against  168  for  Grover  Cleveland. 


Let  us  go  in ; these  ladies  have 
some  conspiracy  together.’^  Such  was 
a remark  playfully  made  to  us  in  a 
garden,  near  sunset,  on  an  August  even- 
ing in  the  summer  of  1845.  Two  old 
gentlemen  and  their  wives,  two  old 
ladies,  were  present,  beside  the  writer ; 
the  ladies  were  a little  one  side,  look- 
ing at  the  flowers  glinting  in  the  de- 
clining rays,  and,  true  to  their  sex,  busy 
talking.  The  speaker  was  Henry  Clay, 
and  this  was  his  home,  Ashland,  near 
Lexington,  Ky.  He  had  invited  us 
to  tea,  and  directed  through  the  house 
but  a few  moments  before,  we  had 
found  him  in  his  garden.  The  other 
was  Jacob  Burnet,  to  whom  he  had 
introduced  us.  No  man  then  living 
had  made  such  an  impress  as  he  upon 
the  history  of  Ohio  and  the  Northwest. 
He  looked  every  inch  the  peer  of  Mr. 
Clay,  as  indeed  he  was.  They  were 
strong  friends  ; but  in  person  and  man- 
ners antipodal.  Mr.  Clay  was  all  ge; 
musical.  Judge  Burnet  was  a trifle 


JACOB  BURNET. 

liality,  his  voice  deeply  sonorous  and 
less  in  stature  than  Mr.  Clay,  but 


HAMILTON  COUNTY. 


817 


broader.  He  was  then  seventy-six  years  of  age  ; Mr.  Clay  several  years  younger. 
The  Judge  was  a thorough  gentleman  of  the  old  school,  of  Scotch  descent,  his 
complexion  very  dark,  swarthy ; eyes  black,  and  general  expression  forbidding, 
and  manner  reserved  and  dignified.  He  walked  with  a cane,  his  hair  in  a queue, 
and  we  think  he  wore  a ruffied  shirt.  His  residence  at  this  time  was  in  a large 
old-style  mansion,  square  in  shape,  with  a broad  hall  running  through  the  centre, 
on  Seventh  street,  corner  Elm,  Cincinnati,  of  which  city  he  was  its  first  citizen. 


This  eminent  man  was  the  son  of  Dr.  Wil- 
liam Burnet,  surgeon-general  of  the  Revolu- 
tionary army,  and  a member  of  the  Conti- 
nental Congress  ; was  born  at  Newark,  N.  J., 
in  1770 ; was  educated  at  Princeton,  and  in 
1796,  when  twenty-six  years  of  age,  came 
to  Cincinnati  to  practise  law,  then  a village 
of  a few  log-cabins  and  150  inhabitants.  The 
entire  territory,  now  comprising  five  States 
and  ten  millions  of  people,  was  mostly  a wil- 
derness, containing  scarcely  the  semblance  of 
a road,  bridge,  or  ferry.  This  territory  was 
divided  into  four  counties — Washington, 
Hamilton,  St.  Clair,  and  Knox.  The  seats 
of  justice  were  respectively  at  Marietta,  Cin- 
cinnati, Kaskaskia,  and  Vincennes,  in  each 
of  which  Courts  of  Common  Pleas  and  Gen- 
eral Quarter  Sessions  of  the  Peace  were  es- 
tablished. From  1796  to  1803  the  Bar  of 
Hamilton  county  occasionally  attended  the 
General  Court  at  Marietta  and  Detroit,  and 
during  the  whole  of  that  time  Mr.  St.  Clair 
(son  of  the  General),  Judge  Symmes,  and 
Judge  Burnet  never  missed  a term  in  either 
of  those  counties.  These  journeys  were  made 
with  five  or  six  in  company  and  with  pack- 
horses.  They  were  sometimes  eight  or  ten 
days  in  the  wilderness,  “and  at  all  seasons 
of  the  year  were  compelled  to  swim  every 
water-course  in  their  way  which  was  too  deep 
to  be  forded.”  They  had  some  hair-breadth 
escapes.  One  night  their  horses  refused  to 
go  any  farther,  and  they  were  obliged  to 
camp  ; the  next  morning  they  found  they 
had  halted  on  the  verge  of  a precipice. 

In  1799  Judge  Burnet  was  selected  by  the 
President  of  the  United  States  as  a member 
of  the  Legislative  Council  of  the  Territorial 
Government,  of  which  he  was  the  leading 
mind. 

“Thus,”  said  the  late  Judge Este,  “in  less 
than  four  years  he  was  at  the  head  of  the  bar 
of  the  W est,  the  popular,  intelligent  and  of- 
ficial leader  of  the  Legislature.  Almost  an 
entirely  new  system  of  laws  was  undertaken, 
and  the  labor  devolved  on  him.  He  cheer- 
fully engaged  in  it  and  was  so  clearly  convinced 
of  the  necessity  of  giving  himself  up  to  the 
business  of  legislating  for  the  Territory  that 
he  would  not  listen  to  the  friends  who  urged 
him  to  be  a delegate  to  Congress.  Thus  early 
and  permanently  did  his  mind  make  its  im- 
press upon  the  legislative  history  of  the 
country.  ’ ’ 

Judge  Burnet  was  the  author  of  the  first 
constitution  of  Ohio.  From  1812  to  1816  was 
a member  of  the  State  Legislature.  In  1821 
he  was  appointed  Judge  of  the  Supreme 
Court  of  Ohio,  serving  until  1828,  when  he 
resigned  to  accept  the  position  of  United 


States  Senator,  to  fill  the  vacancy  created  by 
the  resignation  of  General  Harrison.  As  a 
senator  he  was  the  intimate  personal  and  po- 
litical friend  of  Webster.  From  the  notes 
taken  by  Senator  Burnet  in  the  celebrated 
discussion  between  Hayne  and  Webster  the 
latter  in  part  framed  the  reply  which  stamped 
Webster  as  the  matchless  orator  of  our 
country. 

He  was  the  life-long  friend  of  General  Har- 
rison, and  as  a delegate  to  the  Harrisburg 
Convention  secured  his  nomination  for  Pres- 
ident. He  influenced  Congress  to  relieve  the 
settlers  of  the  West  and  Southwest  from 
much  of  the  indebtedness  for  their  lands, 
which  otherwise  would  have  involved  the 
great  mass  in  irretrievable  ruin.  Mr.  Burnet 
possessed  great  public  spirit  and  was  eminent 
for  solid  integrity  and  acuteness  of  intellect. 
Mansfield  says  such  was  the  construction  of 
his  mind  that  “it  was  impossible  for  Burnet 
not  to  have  been  a partisan.  ’ ’ His  likes  and 
dislikes  were  held  with  great  tenacity.  When 
Aaron  Burr  was  in  Cincinnati  he  was  peremp- 
torily refused  an  interview  by  Judge  Burnet, 
who  sent  him  word  that  he  would  never  shake 
hands  with  the  murderer  of  his  own  and  his 
father’s  friend. 

Originally  a Federalist,  he  became  a strong 
Whig,  and  in  the  United  States  Senate  came 
up  to  the  level  of  its  great  leaders,  Webster 
and  Clay.  He  died  in  1853,  a firm  believer 
in  the  inspiration  of  the  Bible,  a Presbyte- 
rian in  faith,  but  was  far  removed  from  sec- 
tarian bigotry 

Nicholas  Longworth  was  born  in  New- 
ark, N.  J.,  in  1782,  was  for  a time  a clerk 
in  his  brother’s  store  in  South  Carolina,  came 
to  Cincinnati  in  1803  and  died  in  1863,  leav- 
ing an  estate  of  many  millions  from  early  in- 
vestments in  Cincinnati  land.  He  studied 
law  and  practised  for  a while,  and  in  1828 
began  the  cultivation  of  the  Catawba  grape, 
and  from  it  manufactured  wine  of  a high 
marketable  value.  He  had  200  acres  of 
vineyards,  a large  wine-house,  and  was  favor- 
ably known  by  his  experiments  on  the  straw- 
berry. The  Catawba  grape  was  cultivated 
with  great  success  for  a number  of  years, 
producing  about  500  gallons  of  wine  per  an- 
num ; then  it  gradually  failed.  It  is  thought 
that  the  clearing  of  the  forest  has  changed 
the  climate  of  Southern  Ohio,  which  is  now 
afflicted  with  what  is  regarded  as  destructive 
to  the  grape  culture,  that  is — heavy  fogs,  wet 
atmosphere,  changes  from  warm  to  cold  with- 
out wind — a condition  from  which  the  islands 
and  shore  of  Lake  Erie  are  free,  and  where 
the  grape  culture  is  so  successful. 

Mr.  Longworth  lived  in  a huge  stone  cot- 


8i8 


HAMILTON  COUNTY. 


tage  mansion,  in  the  centre  of  a three  or  four- 
acre  lot,  at  the  east  end  of  Fourth  street, 
originally  built  by  Martin  Baum,  now  the  resi- 
dence of  David  Sinton.  Forty  years  ago  the 
spot  was  known  as  Longworth’s  Garden,  and 
was  one  of  the  chief  attractions  of  the  city 
from  its  display  of  flowers  and  fruits,  notably 
grapes.  ‘ ‘ He  was  very  shrewd,  quick  witted  ; 
with  great  common  sense  and  acquisitiveness. 
He  had  little  dignity  or  learning,  but  had  a 
quiet  good  humor  and  a readiness  at  repartee 
which  made  him  very  popular.  ” He  was  a 
friend  to  artists  and  kindly  to  the  poor,  and 
very  eccentric.  He  was  short  in  person  and 
careless  in  his  dress.  As  was  often  his  wont, 
he  had  shown  a stranger  through  his  grounds, 
when  the  latter,  mistaking  this  man  of  mil- 
lions for  a serving  man,  on  leaving  him  at 
the  gate  dropped  a dime  in  his  hand,  which 


will  help  the  devil’s  poor,  the  miserable 
drunken  dog  that  nobody  else  will  do  any- 
thing for  but  despise  and  kick.”  And  he 
did.  He  used  to  talk  of  himself  in  the  sec- 
ond person,  as  once  we  heard  him  say, 
“There’s  Lon g worth ; it  takes  $30,000  to 
pay  his  taxes,  and  it  keeps  him  poor  to  raise 
the  money.  ” This  was  true  ; he  owned  much 
earth,  but  had  little  cash.  His  son  Joseph 
and  grandson  Nicholas  were  noted  as  patrons 
of  art,  as  is  his  granddaughter,  Mrs.  Maria 
Longworth  Storer.  The  entire  family  is  un- 
usually popular  from  its  beneficence  and 
public  spirit,  especially  in  the  fostering  the 
things  of  beauty  that  give  to  life  its  efflores- 
cence and  fragrance. 

The  first  banker  west  of  the  Alleghenies, 
a successful  merchant  and  most  enterprising 
citizen,  was  J ohn  H.  Piatt.  He  did  so  much 


NICHOLAS  LONGWORTH. 

Mr.  Longworth  accepted  with  thanks  and 
put  in  his  pocket.  Every  Monday  for  a term 
of  years  he  had  at  his  house  a free  gift  dis- 
tribution to  the  poor.  At  the  appointed  hour 
strings  of  old  ladies,  German  and  Irish,  would 
be  seen,  flocking  there  with  baskets  to  re- 
ceive at  their  option  a loaf  of  bread  or  a peck 
of  corn  meal  or  a dime.  When  he  started 
out  in  the  morning  to  make  calls  upon  his 
numerous  tenants  or  otherwise,  he  would 
have  the  business  of  each  call  written  on  a 
separate  slip  of  paper  and  pinned  on  his  coat- 
sleeve.  These  would  be  pinned  on  in  the 
order  of  his  calls  and  torn  off  in  rotation. 

He  had  continuous  appeals  for  charity,  and 
he  was  wont  to  say  in  certain  cases,  “ Ha  ! a 
poor  widow,  is  she  ? Got  a struggling  family 
of  little  ones?  I won’t  give  her  a cent.  She 
is  the  Lord’s  poor — plenty  to  help  such,  I 


JOHN  H.  PIATT. 

for  Cincinnati  in  developing  its  resources  that 
President  William  H.  Harrison,  in  his  last 
speech  at  home  before  going  to  his  inaugura- 
tion, gave  most  of  it  to  an  eulogy  of  Mr. 
Piatt,  saying  among  other  things  that  a statue 
should  be  erected  on  the  river  landing  to  the 
memory  of  the  man  who  had  done  so  much 
for  the  city.  That  he  has  no  monument  and 
now  scarcely  a memory,  that  the  one  street 
named  for  him  had  its  name  changed,  does 
not  speak  well  for  Cincinnati. 

From  Mr.  Henry  B.  Teetor’s  “Past  and 
Present  of  Mill  Creek  Valley,”  we  quote; 
“Mr.  Piatt  entered  with  ^reat  energy  and 
intrepidity  indeed  upon  business  enterprises. 
He  was  among  the  foremost  in  starting  insti- 
tutions, foundries,  banks,  launching  steam- 
boats, building  houses  and  imparting  a spirit 
of  progress  to  the  young  city.  He  founded  in 


HAMILTON  COUNTY, 


819 


1817  the  first  bank  west  of  the  mountains. 
One  of  the  bills  of  this  bank  is  in  the  hands 
of  Mr.  George  H.  Schoenberger,  and  greatly 
prized  by  him.  His  prosperity  and  success 
were  un equaled — evidenced  by  the  possession 
of  a large  estate  and  a commanding  position 
as  a banker  and  a merchant.  His  name  had 
gone  out  over  the  Northwest  Territory,  He 
knew  its  leading  men  and  was  familiar  with 
its  resources  when  the  war  of  1812  came  on. 

“In  an  evil  hour  for  Mr.  Piatt  he  con- 
tracted with  the  government  to  furnish  pro- 
visions to  the  Northwest  army,  then  under 
Harrison.  Congress  adjourned  without  mak- 
ing appropriations  for  a continuance  of  the 
war.  The  consequences  to  the  country  at 
large  were  disastrous,  to  John  H.  Piatt  fatal. 
Rations  that  he  agreed  to  furnish  at  twenty 
cents  rose  through  a depreciated  currency  to 
forty-five  cents.  After  six  months  he  had 
drawn  on  the  government  for  $210,000,  the 
drafts  for  which  had  gone  to  protest  for  non- 
payment. 

“ During  this  time  about  $46,000  had  come 
into  Mr.  Piatt’s  hands  as  a commissariat  fund, 
resulting  from  the  SJ^ies  as  commissary  of  the 
army.  He  applied  this  sum  to  the  payment 
of  debts  incurred  for  supplies.  This  was 
treated  by  the  department  as  a violation  of 
law.  This  was  the  state  of  his  offending. 
This  condition  obtained  on  the  26th  of  De- 
cember, 1814,  when  Gen.  McArthur  made  a 
requisition  on  him  for  800,000  rations  to  be 
delivered  in  thirty  days  which  at  existing 
rates  would  have  cost  $360,000  more. 

“Unable  to  meet  this  requisition  and  un- 
willing that  the  public  should,  suffer  Piatt 
immediately  repaired  to  Washington  to  lay 
the  matter  before  the  Department,  accom- 
panied by  the  Hon.  Justice  McLean,  then  his 
representative  in  Congress.  They  found  the 
war  minister  of  the  United  States  sitting  in 
the  ashes  of  the  burned  capital,  in  an  agony 
of  despair  over  a bleeding  country  and  an 
empty  treasury. 

“The  Secretary  appealed  to  Mr.  Piatt’s  pa- 
triotism for  help,  and  gave  him  verbal  assur- 
ances, that  if  he  could  furnish  the  supplies 
called  for  he  should  be  remunerated  and 
allowed  the  market  price  for  the  rations  re- 
f <rdless  of  the  original  contract. 

“ Upon  these  assurances  John  H.  Piatt  re- 
urned  home,  and  put  his  entire  fortune  and 
.redit  in  the  service  of  his  country. 

“When  the  final  settlement  came  the  gov- 
ernment refused  to  allow  him  the  difference 
between  the  first  contract  price  of  rations 
and  the  market  value  of  supplies  purchased 
under  the  assurances  of  Secretary  Monroe. 

“We  have  not  the  space  to  follow  in  detail 
the  heart-breaking  struggle  of  this  great 
patriot  for  justice  at  the  hands  of  a govern- 
ment he  had  so  nobly  served.  For  years  he 
haunted  in  vain  the  ante-chamber  of  a de- 
partment that  had  onee  only  been  too  glad  to 
welcome  him.  Once  thrown  into  prison  by 
the  department  for  his  technical  violation  of 
law,  he  was  released  only  to  have  his  creditors 
imprison  him  again. 

“At  last,  heart-broken  and  bankrupt,  he 


died  a prisoner,  without  enough  money  to  give 
him  a decent  burial. 

“ Sixty  years  after  the  Supreme  Court  of 
the  United  States  adjudicated  the  claim  and 
allowed  the  principal.  But  to  this  day  the 
government  has  not  paid  the  interest.  ’ ’ 

The  PiATTS  are  all  descended  from  John 
Piatt,  a French  Huguenot,  who  settled  in 
New  Jersey  about  1740.  Four  of  his  five 
sons  were  soldiers  of  the  American  revolu- 
tion. One,  Captain  William  Piatt,  was  killed 
at  St.  Clair’s  defeat;  two  others  emigrated 
with  Judge  Symmes  to  North  Bend.  The 
family  were  numerous  and  of  high  intellectual 
reputation. 

Jacob  Wykoff  Piatt. — This  noted  citi- 
zen of  Cincinnati  was  born  in  Kentucky  in 
1801.  Brought  to  Cincinnati  when  quite 
young,  he  grew  to  man’s  estate  in  the  home 


JACOB  WYKOFF  PIATT. 

of  his  father,  Benjamin  M.  Piatt,  elder 
brother  of  the  more  famous  John  H.  Piatt. 

Jacob  Wykoff  became  a successful  lawyer, 
and  accumulated  quite  a fortune  in  his  prac- 
tice, and  successful  operations  in  real  estate. 

The  one  event  in  his  life  was  his  success  in 
establishing  a paid  fire  department,  that  is 
now  known  in  every  city  of  the  civilized 
world.  The  old  volunteer  fire  system,  once 
the  pride  of  the  citizens,  had  fallen  into  dis- 
repute. 

The  better  class  had  either  neglected  the 
companies  to  which  they  belonged,  or  had 
been  shouldered  out  by  the  worse  elements 
of  a prosperous  town.  This  evil  was  not 
confined  to  Cincinnati.  Every  city  in  the 
Union  suffered  from  the  same  cause.  The 
Mose  of  New  York,  the  brazen-cheeked, 
red-shirted  ruffian  was  duplicated  in  every 


820 


HAMILTON  COUNTY. 


municipality  that  possessed  a fire  department. 
Mr.  Piatt  returned  to  the  city  council  at  a 
lime  when  the  most  reputable  citizens  con- 
sidered it  an  honor  to  be  a councilman,  opened 
war  on  the  volunteers,  by  introducing  an  or- 
dinance providing  for  the  selection  of,  and 
paying  the  firemen  for  their  services. 

There  was  scarcely  a member  of  council 
that  did  not  privately  admit  the  necessity  for 
such  a reform,  and  yet  when  the  vote  was 
taken,  in  a chamber  crowded  by  roughs, 
whose  noisy  demonstrations  left  no  doubt  as 
to  their  opposition,  but  one  man  was  found 
brave  enough  to  vote  with  Mr.  Piatt  in  favor 
of  this  measure.  This  gentleman  was  Judge 
Timothy  Walker,  the  well-known  author  and 
jurist. 

Nothing  daunted  Mr.  Piatt  continued  his 
elForts.  At  every  assembly  of  a new  council, 
his  ordinance  was  offered  to  be  again  voted 
down.  But  the  minority  grew  slowly  in  spite 
of  the  brutal  opposition.  Mr.  Piatt  was  wont 
to  defy  the  crowd  in  the  debate  that  pre- 
ceded defeat,  and  the  feeling  got  so  intense, 
that  it  was  dangerous  for  the  bold  reformer 
to  go  to  and  from  the  chamber.  As  it  was  a 
volunteer  guard  of  Irish  constituents  accom- 
panied their  representative.  One  night  after  a 
heated  debate  a mob  assembled  in  front  of 
Mr.  Piatt’s  residence  and  amid  groans,  hisses, 
howls  and  yells,  he  was  burned  in  efiigy. 

This  contest  continued  for  years.  A happy 
event,  however,  came  to  end  it.  This  was 
the  invention  and  building  of  the  Latta  fire- 
engine.  After  being  tested  by  a commission 
of  experts,  the  engine  was  accepted.  What 
to  do  with  it  was  the  question.  ' turn  it 
over  to  the  volunteers  was  to  insure  its  imme- 
diate destruction.  It  was  resolved,  at  length, 
to  organize  a paid  company  to  use  and  pro- 
tect the  machine.  A committee  was  appointed 
having  on  it  Messrs.  Piatt,  Walker,  Kessler 
and  Loder  to  organize  a company.  To  the 
amusement  of  his  associates  Mr.  Piatt  nom- 
inated Miles  Greenwood  as  the  captain  of  the 
new  company.  J udge  Walker  remonstrated. 
It  was,  he  said,  putting  the  new  engine  in  the 
hands  of  the  enemy,  for  Miles  Greenwood  was 
the  pet  of  the  volunteers,  and  had  been  loud 
in  his  denunciation  of  what  he  called  the 
degradation  of  the  paid  system.  Mr.  Piatt 
persisted  and  asserted  that  Greenwood  was 
the  only  man  in  the  city  who  would  make 
the  new  machine  a success. 

“Well,  try  him,”  was  the  response,  “he 
wont  accept.  ’ ’ 

Greenwood  was  sent  for.  He  was  startled 
at  the  offer  but  immediately  accepted,  pro- 
vided that  he  could  select  the  men. 

“The  machine  will  be  attacked  at  the  first 
fire,  and  I want  to  know  whom  I am  to  rely  on.” 

The  first  alarm  of  fire  that  brought  out  the 
new  engine  proved  the  correctness  of  Green- 
wood’s prophecy.  The  fire  was  a serious  one 
on  Sycamore  street  above  Fourth.  The  gen- 
eral alarm  brought  all  the  engines  to  the  fire 
and  among  the  rest  the  new  steam  machine. 
Drawn  by  huge  horses  at  a gallop,  driven  by 
Miles  himself,  a noble  figure  in  his  brass  hel- 
met, red  shirt  and  speaking  trumpet  swung 


to  his  side,  the  impression  made  on  the 
swiftly  gathering  crowds  was  impressive. 
Miles  had  about  him  the  newly  made  firemen 
in  their  splendid  uniforms.  He  had  in  ad- 
dition all  the  men  of  his  great  foundry  and 
workshops ; and  hurrying  to  the  front  of  his 
first  and  only  fight  came  Jacob  Wykoff  Piatt, 
followed  by  two  hundred  and  fifty  bold  Irish- 
men from  the  old  Thirteenth. 

The  volunteers  were  prompt  to  a redemp- 
tion of  their  word.  They  attacked  the  new 
fire  company.  The  fight  was  fierce,  bloody 
and  brief  Miles  Greenwood  led  the  van. 
His  tall  figure,  bright  helmet  and  trumpet- 
toned  voice,  made  him  a leader  to  follow  and 
a man  to  fear.  The  engagement  lasted  about 
thirty  minutes.  A few  bloody  heads,  and 
damaged  countenances,  and  the  tumult  ended 
in  the  volunteer  companies  striving  to  put  the 
steam  “squirt,”  as  they  called  the  new  en- 
gine, out  of  public  favor,  through  their  own 
superior  management  and  work. 

It  was  all  in  vain.  The  new  device  won, 
and  in  less  than  a month  all  the  fire  com- 
panies were  clamoring  for  the  new  invention, 
organization  and  pay. 

We  write  with  unusual  gratification  the 
name  of  Miles  Greenwood,  who  died  in 
1885.  He  was  one  of  the  strongest,  most 
useful,  public-spirited  men  in  the  annals  of 
Ohio.  He  was  of  a large,  strong  physique, 
a great  worker,  labored  incessantly  in  his  own 
business  and  in  many  public  enterprises.  He 
was  of  Massachusetts  stock,  but  was  born  in 
Jersey  City,  March  19,  1807  ; mingling  in  his 
veins  were  English,  Huguenot  French  and 
German  blood.  In  1831  with  ten  hands  he 
started  iron  founding  in  this^  city  and  event- 
ually had  an  immense  establishment. 

In  1861  he  turned  it  into  a United  States 
Arsenal  for  the  manufacture  of  implements 
of  war.  Upward  of  700  hands  were  employed, 
and  among  the  goods  turned  out  were  over 
200  bronze  cannon,  the  first  ever  made  in  Che 
West,  hundreds  of  caissons  and  gun  carriages, 
also  a sea-going  monitor  ; and  forty  thousand 
Springfield  muskets  were  turned  into  rifies 
and  supplied  with  percussion  locks — a very 
effective  weapon  with  tremendous  “kicking 
qualities,  ’ ’ so  the  soldiers  who  used  it  laugh- 
ingly said. 

To  Mr.  Greenwood  the  Cincinnati  Fire  De- 
partment was  greatly  indebted  for  its  efficient 
organization. 

Having  been  a leading  spirit  in  the  old 
volunteer  fire  department,  he  was  induced  by 
Jacob  Wykoff  Piatt  to  assume  the  leadership 
of  the  paid  steam  fire  department.  Once 
enlisted  in  behalf  of  the  paid  system,  he 
quickly  perceived  the  possibilities  of  vastly 
increase(i  efficiency,  and  with  iron  will  and 
never  shrinking  bravery  determinedly  fought 
and  overcame  all  opposition.  At  one  time 
the  City  Council  failed  to  appropriate  money 
to  pay  the  men,  and  during  this  time  Mr. 
Greenwood  advanced  for  this  purpose  $15,- 
000,  to  keep  the  men  together  by  paying  them 
regularily. 

Night  and  day  he  was  constantly  engaged 
in  fighting  the  opposition  to  the  organization. 


HAMILTON  COUNTY. 


821 


He  had  no  time  to  attend  to  his  own  business, 
but  paid  a man  $1,500^  to  attend  to  it  for 
him.  Of  this  sum  the  city  subsequently  re- 
imbursed him  $1,000,  which  he  at  once  paid 
into  the  funds  of  the  Mechanics’  Institute. 
Eventually  every  difficulty  was  overcome,  and 
to-day  such  a thing  as  a volunteer  fire  depart- 
ment is  unknown  in  any  city  of  the  first  class 
in  Europe  or  America. 

The  first  steam  fire-engine  ever  built  that 


MILES  GREENWOOD. 

was  used  at  a fire  was  constructed  at  Green- 
wood’s establishment  by  Messrs.  Shawk  & 
Latta,  and  was  first  used  on  a Sunday  morn- 
ing in  May,  1852.  It  was  named  the  Uncle 
Joe  RosSo  It  initiated  a moral  reform,  as 
under  the  old  system  the  engine  houses  had 
been  the  nurseries  where  the  youth  of  the 
city  were  trained  in  vice,  vulgarity  and  de- 
bauchery. 

Dr.  Daniel  Drak]  : was  born  in  Plainfield, 
N.  J.,  in  1785,  and  died  in  Cincinnati  in  1852. 
He  was  a men  of  genius  and  did  more  to  ad- 
vance the  intellectual  life  of  Cincinnati  than 
any  one  who  had  lived  there..  His  family 
first  emigrated  to  Mayslick,  Ky.,  where  they 
dwelt  in  a log-cabin.  When  a lad  of  16  he 
came  to  Cincinnati  to  study  medicine,  and 
then  finished  his  course  at  the  University  of 
Pennsylvania.  He  was  at  one  time  a medical 
Professor  in  the  Transylvania  University  of 
Kentucky,  and  at  another  in  that  of  the  Uni- 
versity of  Louisville.  In  1835  he  organized 
the  medical  department  of  the  Cincinnati 
College.  In  this  city  was  past  most  of  his 
life.  An  eloquent  summary  of  the  qualities 
of  this  distinguished  man  was  given  by  Dr. 
Comegys  before  a medical  convention  in  Cin- 
cinnati, wherein  he  said  in  conclusion  : 


“Nothing  seemed  to  escape  him  for  the 
adornment  of  the  city  and  the  comfort  of  the 
people.  The^  line  of  elm  trees  on  the  south 
side  of  Washington  Park  were  planted  under 
his  own  direction  over  sixty  years  ago. 

“He  was  a voluminous  writer  on  profes- 
sional and  general  topics,  but  the  work  witli 
which  he  crowned  his  life’s  labor  was  his 
‘ Systematic  Treatise  on  the  Diseases  of  the 
Interior  Valley  of  North  America,’  to  which 
he  devoted  more  than  twenty  years  of  travel 
throughout  the  vast  Mississippi  Valley.  It 
was,  CD  to  speak,  ‘dug  out  of  the  very  ele- 
ments of  the  continent  and  society  of  Amer- 
ica.’ It  is  a great  work  of  absolutely  orig- 
inal research  in^  medical  topography,  and 
will  always  remain  a monument  to  his  fame 
that  hr.3  no  parallel  in  the  science  and  liter- 
ature of  medicine. 


DR.  DANIEL  DRAKE. 

“Though  Drake  has  long  been  dead,  yet 
all  of  his  great  undertakings  remain  and  are 
flourishing.  The  Cincinnati  College  is  the  large 
Law  School  of  the  Ohio  Valley  ; the  Medical 
College  of  Ohio,  now  a Medical  Department 
of  the  University  of  Cincinnati,  was  never  so 
prosperous ; the  Clinical  and  Pathological 
School  of  the  Hospital  is  attended  by  four 
hundred  students.  It  has  a large  and  grow- 
ing library  and  museum,  and  is  now  under- 
taking to  establish  a pathological  laboratory 
for  original  research.  The  beautiful  elm  trees 
are  now  as  verdant  as  ever. 

‘‘The  wonderful  activity  of  Drake’s  mind, 
which  led  him  to  undertake  the  most  severe 
professional  labors  and  throw  himself  besides 
into  every  struggle  for  the  advancement  of 
the  interest  of  society,  is  readily  explained 
when  we  consider  the  philosophic  spirit  which 


822 


HAMILTON  COUNTY. 


animated  his  mind  ; for  he  was  possessed  of 
that  gift  of  genius  which  sees  beyond  all  the 
apparent  disparity  of  phenomena ; that 
severe  unity,  after  which  all  true  philosophy 
is  continually  aspiring. 

“To  him  the  universe  was  not  a summa- 
tion of  material  phenomena  conveying  sen- 
suous impressions  merely,  but  a revelation. 
His  was  a reverent  and  devout  soul.  He  felt 
like  Von  Barden,  who  declares  that  ‘he  who 
seeks  in  nature  nature  only  and  not  reason  ; 
he  who  seeks  in  reason  reason  only  and  not 
God ; he  who  seeks  God  out  of  and  apart 
from  reason,  or  reason  out  of  and  apart  from 
God,  will  find  neither  nature  nor  reason  nor 
God,  but  will  assuredly  lose  them  all.’ 

“All  the  institutions  he  planted  exhibit  his 


great  powers  of  mma  and  will  always  pro 
serve  his  memory  fresh  and  venerated  in  the 
great  Western  Valley.  In  the  medical  firma- 
ment bending  over  the  world,  reaching  from 
the  past  and  stretching  indefinitely  away, 
amidst  all  the  glittering  galaxy  and  burning 
orbs  that  represent  the  immortal  dead,  the 
orb  of  Drake  will  shine  as  a star  of  light  for- 
evermore. ’ ’ 

Benjamin  Drake,  a brother  of  the  above, 
who  died  in  1841,  was  the  author  of  several 
works  of  value  on  Cincinnati,  Lives  of  Te* 
cumseh,  Gen.  Harrison,  etc.  Another  brother, 
Charles,  born  in  Cincinnati  in  1811,  repre- 
sented Missouri  in  1867  in  the  U.  S.  Senate, 
and  later  became  Chief  Justice  of  the  Court 
of  Claims  in  Washington.” 


Early  Intellectual  Life  in  Clncinnati. 

As  mentioned,  no  one  so  stimulated  the  intellectual  life  of  Cincinnati  as  Dr. 
Drake.  A great  factor  was  his  social  and  literary  reunions.  And  what 
a galaxy  of  characters  he  brought  together  under  his  roof ! Mr.  Mansfield,  in 
his  Personal  Memories,^^  has  described  them,  and  also  The  College  of 
Teachers, from  which  we  quote  in  an  abridged  form  : 


In  1833  my  friend  and  relative.  Dr.  Daniel 
Drake,  instituted  a social  and  literary  reunion 
at  his  house,  which  possessed  all  the  charms 
of  information,  wit,  and  kindness.  They 
were  really  formed  for  his  daughters,  then 
just  growing  into  womanhood.  They  were 
small  enough  to  meet  in  his  parlor  and  con- 
versational, thus  avoiding  the  rigidity  of  a 
mere  literary  party.  We  met  at  half-past 
seven,  when  the  Doctor  called  attention  by 
ringing  a little  bell,  which  brought  them  to 
the  topic  of  the  evening,  which  might  be  one 
appointed  beforehand  and  sometimes  then 
selected.  Some  evenings  essays  were  read  ; 
on  others  nothing.  Occasionally  a piece  of 
poetry  or  a story  came  in  to  relieve  the  con- 
versation. These,  however,  were  interludes 
rather  than  parts  of  the  general  plan,  whose 
main  object  was  the  discussion  of  interesting 
questions  belonging  to  society,  literature,  and 
religion. 

The  subjects  discussed  were  always  of  a 
suggestive  and  problematical  kind ; so  that 
the  ideas  were  fresh,  the  debates  animated, 
and  the  utterance  of  opinion  frank  and  spon- 
taneous. There,  in  that  little  circle  of  ladies, 
I have  heard  many  of  the  questions  which 
have  since  occupied  the  public  mind,  talked 
over  with  an  ability  and  fulness  of  informa- 
tion which  is  seldom  possessed  by  larger  and 
more  authoritative  bodies.  ^ These  were  per- 
sons of  such  minds  whose  infiuence  spreads 
over  a whole  country.  They  were  of  such 
character  and  talent  as  seldom  meet  in  one 
lace,  and  who,  going  out  into  the  world, 
ave  signalized  their  names  in  the  annals  of 
letters,  science,  and  benevolence. 

Dr.  Daniel  Drake  was  himself  the  head 
of  the  circle  and  a man  of  great  genius, 
whose  suggestive  mind  furnished  topics  for 
others,  and  was  ever  ready  to  revive  a flag- 
ging conversation.  He  studied  medicine  with 


Dr.  Goforth,  the  pioneer  physician  of  Cin- 
cinnati, and  for  thirty  years  a leader  in  medi- 
cal science  and  education. 

Gen.  Edward  King,  another  member, 
was,  in  spirit,  planners,  and  education,  a su- 
perior man.  He  was  a son  of  the  eminent 
statesman  and  senator  from  Massachusetts, 
Bufus  King,  and  father  of  Bufus  King,  to- 
day eminent  lawyer  of  Cincinnati,  and  author 
of  “ Ohio,”  in  the  American  Commonwealth 
series  of  State  Histories.  Gen.  King  mar- 
ried Sarah,  a daughter  of  Gov.  Worthington, 
at  Chillicothe,  practised  law,  became  speaker 
of  the  Ohio  legislature  and,  in  1831,  removed 
to_ Cincinnati.  He  was  both  witty  and  enter- 
taining. He  died  in  1836.  His  wife,  later 
known  as  Mrs.  Sarah  Peter  (having  eight 
years  later  married  Mr.  Peter,  the  British 
Consul  at  Philadelphia),  was  a most  instruc- 
tive member  of  the  circle.  Mr.  Peter  died 
in  1853,  and  then  again,  until  her  decease, 
Cincinnati  was  her  home. 

Her  life  has  recently  been  published  by 
Bobert  Clarke  & Co.,  and  illustrates  the 
truth  of  the  statement  made  by  Mr.  Mans- 
field, viz.,  that  “The  activity,  energy,  and 
benevolence  of  her  mind  accomplished  in  the 
next  forty  years  probably  more  of  real  work 
for  the  benefit  of  society  than  any  one  person, 
and  that  work  has  made  her  widely  known 
at  home  and  abroad.”  Not  any  Ohio-born 
woman  has  probably  done  so  much. 

She  was  one  of  the  founders  of  the  Cincin- 
nati Orphan  Asylum,  which  has  cared  for 
thousands  of  orphan  children  the  last  fifty 
years.  She  was  also  active  in  church  and 
Sunday-School  work,  in  improving  church 
music,  and  relieving  the  poor.  In  Philadel- 
phia she  was  prominent  in  founding  “The 
Bosina  Home  for  Magdalens,”  which  still 
continues  its  noble  work.  She  devoted  a 
room  in  her  house  to  a school  of  design  for 


flAMILTON  COUNTY. 


823 


women,  and  engaged  a teacner  to  conduct  it. 
From  this  germ  sprang  the  Philadelphia 
School  of  Design,  which  now  has  over  200 
pupils,  and  an  institution  of  great  utility. 
She  also  founded  an  institution  there  for  the 
protection  of  poor  sewing  women. 

Her  accounts  of  her  several  journeys  to 
Europe  and  the  Holy  Land  are  among  the 
best  books  of  travel.  When  in  Europe,  Mrs. 
Peter  urged  the  art-loving  people  of  Cincin- 
nati to  secure  good  copies  of  painting  and 
sculpture.  In  this  and  other  regards  she 
made  a broad  mark  upon  its  art-history. 

“ It  was  in  1852,  while  visiting  Jerusalem, 
that  Mrs.  Peter  found  herself  tending  toward 


MRS.  SARAH  PETER. 

the  Roman  Catholic  Church,  and  she  was 
soon  in  full  communion  with  it.  She  was  one 
of  the  most  active  and  powerful  members  it 
has  ever  had  in  America.  Her  devotion  to 
the  sisterhoods  and  the  hospitals  was  untiring 
and  most  generous.  She  was  one  of  the  good 
angels  of  the  sick  and  wounded  soldiers  dur- 
ing the  civil  war.  Her  passion  for  charity 
was  so  great  that  she  lived  herself  a simple 
convent  life.  She  went  to  the  battle-field  of 
Shiloh  with  a relief-boat,  and  her  ministra- 
tions continued  until  the  war  ended. 

“This  good  woman,  of  so  many  noble 
achievements  and  of  such  commanding  in- 
fluence, passed  to  her  rest  February  6,  1877.” 

Another  member  of  our  circle  was  Judge 
James  Hall,  then  editor  of  the  Western 
Monthly  Magazine,  whose^  name  is  known 
both  in  Europe  and  America.  He  also,  in 
the  long  time  that  elapsed  before  his  death, 
accomplished  much  and  good  work  as  a 
writer,  citizen  and  man  of  business.  The 
Western  Monthly  Magazine,  which  he  then 


edited,  was  an  excellent  periodical,  to  which 
many  of  the  literary  young  men  of  Cincinnati 
contributed.  Judge  Hall  left  the  magazine 
to  become  cashier  and  president  of  the  Coin- 
mercial  Bank,  a much  more  profitable  busi- 
ness. In  the  meanwhile  he  published 
several  stories,  novels,  and  essays  on  the 
West,  which  made  him  widely  known,  and 
deserves  the  success  they  receive,  by  their 
very  pleasant  style  and  pictures  of  Western 
life. 

Professor  Calvin  E.  Stowe,  then  a compara- 
tively young  man,  was  also  present,  and  con- 
tributed his  share  to  the  conversation.  He  is 
the  best  Biblical  scholar  I ever  knew.  His^ 
first  wife,  a New  England  lady,  quite  hand- 
some and  interesting,  also  attended  the  re- 
unions. His  present  wife,  then  Miss  Harriet 
Beecher,  was  just  beginning  to  be  known  for 
her  literary  abilities.  Two  or  three  years 
after  this  time,  I published  in  the  Cincinnati 
Chronicle  what  I believe  washer  first  printed 
story.  I had  heard  her  read  at  Miss  Pierce’s 
school,  in  Litchfield,  Conn.,  her  first  public 
composition.  It  surprised  every  one  so  much 
that  it  was  attributed  to  her  father,  but  in 
fact  was  only  the  first  exhibition  of  her 
remarkable  talents.  In  the  reunion  I speak 
of  she  was  not  distinguished  for  conversation, 
but  when  she  did  speak,  showed  something 
of  the  peculiar  strength  and  humor  of  her 
mind. 

Her  first  little  story,  published  in  the 
Chronicle,  immediately  attracted  attention, 
and  her  writings  have  always  been  popular. 
Notwithstanding  the  world-wide  renown  of 
“Uncle  Tom’s  Cabin”  her  real  genius  and 
characteristics  were  as  much  exhibited  in  her 
short  stories  as  in  her  larger  books.  Her 
sister,  Miss  Catharine  Beecher,  was  a far 
more  easy  and  fluent  conversationalist.  In- 
deed, few  people  had  more  talent  to  entertain 
a company,  or  keep  the  ball  of  conversation 
going  than  Miss  Beecher,  and  she  was  as 
willing  as  able  for  the  task. 

Conspicuous  in  our  circle,  both  in  person 
and  manners,  was  Mrs.  Caroline  Lee  Hentz, 
whom  none  saw  without  admiring.  She  was 
what  the  world  called  charming  ; and  though 
since  better  known  as  an  authoress  was  person- 
ally quite  remarkable. 

I have  thus  mentioned,  out  of  a small  circle 
gathered  in  a parlor,  names  which  have  been 
renowned  both  in  Europe  and  America,  and 
whose  public  reputation  has  contributed  to 
the  fame  of  our  country.  I have  dwelt  more 
particularly  on  these  meetingst  to  illustrate 
what  I think  I’ve  seen  in  other  cases,  and  to 
which  people  in  general  seldom  give  due 
weight.  I mean  the  influence  of  social  sym- 
pathy in  forming  and  developing  individual 
minds. 

About  the  year  1833  was  founded  what 
was  called  “The  College  of  Teachers,”  which 
continued  ten  years,  and  was  an  institution  of 
great  utility  and  wide  influence.  Its  object 
was  both  professional  and  popular ; to  unite 
and  improve  teachers,  and,  at  the  same  time, 
to  commend  the  cause  of  education  to  the 
public  mind. 


824 


HAMILTON  COUNTY. 


At  that  time  public  education  was  just  be- 
ginning, and  almost  all  in  the  Ohio  educa- 
tional system  was  created  and  developed 
after  that  period.  To  do  this  was  the  object 
in  view,  and,  accordingly,  a large  array  of 
distinguished  persons  took  part  in  these  pro- 
ceedings. I doubt  whether  in  any  one  asso- 
ciation to  promote  the  cause  of  education 
there  was  ever  in  an  equal  space  of  time  con- 
centrated in  this  country  a larger  measure  of 
talent,  information,  and  zeal. 


Among  those  who  either  spoke  or  wrote  for 
it  were  Albert  Pickett,  the  president,  and  for 
half  a century  an  able  teacher  ; Dr.  Daniel 
Drake,  the  Hon.  Thos.  Smith  Grimke,  the 
Rev.  Joshua  L.  Wilson,  Alexander  Kinmont, 
and  J ames  H.  Perkins,  Professor  Stowe,  Dr. 
Beecher,  Dr.  Alexander  Campbell,  Bishop 
Purcell,  President  McGuifey,  Dr.  Aydelotte, 
E.  D.  Mansfield,  Mrs.  Lydia  Sigourney,  and 
Mrs.  Caroline  Lee  Hentz. 


LYMAN  BEECHER.  HARRIET  BEECHER  STOWE. 


The  Beechers  lived  in  Cincinnati  (Walnut  Hills),  from  1832  to  1852,  twenty 
years,  and  were  so  closely  connected  with  the  anti-slavery  and  educational  history 
of  this  region  as  to  require  a further  notice  than  that  given  by  Mr.  Mansfield. 
Dr.  Lyman  Beecher,  the  head  of  this  remarkable  family,  was  born  in  New 
Haven,  Conn.,  in  1775,  the  son  of  a blacksmith  and  the  direct  descendant  of  the 
Widow  Beecher,  who  followed  the  profession  of  midwife  to  the  first  settlers  there 
about  1638.  Lyman  was  educated  at  Yale,  but  as  we  heard  in  our  youth  could 
not  speak  his  piece  on  graduating  day  from  the  inability  of  his  father  to 
supply  him  with  a suit  of  new  clothes  in  which  to  appear.  He  studied  theology 
under  the  famous  Timothy  Dwight,  and  was  settled  as  an  Orthodox  Congrega- 
tional minister  successively  over  churches  at  East  Hampton,  Long  Island  ; Litch- 
field, Conn. ; and  Hanover  Street  Church,  Boston.  To  fight  evil  in  whatever 
form  he  saw  it  and  help  on  the  good  was  the  love  of  his  life.  Old  men  who 
remember  him  in  his  prime  pronounce  him  the  most  eloquent,  powerful 
preacher  they  ever  heard,  surpassing  in  his  greatest  flights  of  oratory  his  highly 
gifted  son  Henry  Ward. 

In  1814,  in  New  England,  the  vice  of  in-  gross  excesses,  that  Dr.  Beecher  arose  in  his 
temperance  had  become  so  demoralizing,  even  might  and  wrote  his  wonderfully  eloquent  six 
the  clergy  at  their  meetings  often  indulging  in  sermons  against  it,  which  were  translated  into 


HAMILTON  COUNTY. 


825 


many  languages  and  had  a large  sale  even 
after  the  lapse  of  fifty  years.  The  rapid  and 
extensive  defection  of  the  Congregational 
Churches  under  the  lead  of  Dr.  Channing 
was  the  occasion  of  his  being  called  to  Boston 
to  uphold  the  doctrines  of  Puritanism  ; which 
he  did  with  such  great  power  as  to  soon  be 
regarded  as  ‘ ‘ unequalled  among  living  divines 
for  dialectic  keenness,  eloquence  of  appeal, 
sparkling  wit,  vigor  of  thought  and  concen- 
trated power  of  expression.  His  personal 
magnetism  was  intense  and  his  will  uncon- 
querable. ’ ’ 

Mansfield  in  his  Personal  Memories  writes 
that  “ Dr.  Beecher’s  spells  of  eloquence  seem 
to  come  on  by  fits.”  One  hot  day  in  sum- 
mer and  in  the  afternoon,  says  he,  I was  in 
church  and  he  was  going  on  in  a sensible  but 
rather  prosy  half  sermon  way,  when  all  at 
once  he  began  to  recollect  that  we  had  just 
heard  of  the  death  of  Lord  Byron.  He  was 
an  admirer  of  Byron’s  poetry,  as  all  who 
admire  genius  must  be.  He  raised  his 
spectacles  and  began  with  an  account  of 
Byron,  his  genius,  wonderful  gifts,  and  then 
went  on  to  his  want  of  virtue  and  want  of 
true  religion  and  finally  described  a soul 
and  the  spirit  of  Byron  going  off  and  wander- 
ing in  the  blackness  of  darkness  forever ! It 
struck  me  as  with  an  electric  shock. 

The  Lane  Theological  Seminary  having 
been  established  at  Walnut  Hills  and  the 
growing  importance  of  the  great  West  having 
filled  the  thought  of  the  religious  public  at 
the  East,  a large  sum  of  money  was  pledged 
to  its  support,  on  the  condition  of  Dr.  Beecher 
accepting  tlie  presidency,  which  he  did  in 
1832.  Then  to  eke  out  his  salary  for  ten  years 
he  ofiiciated  as  pastor  of  the  Second  Presby- 
terian Church,  in  Cincinnati.  One  of  his 
first  acts  here  was  to  startle  the  Eastern 
orthodoxy  by  a tract  upon  the  danger  of 
Boman  Catholic  supremacy  at  the  West. 

Soon  after,  in  consequence  of  a tract  issued 
by  the  abolition  convention,  at  Philadelphia, 
the  evils  of  slavery  were  discussed  by  the 
students.  “Many  of  them  were  from  the 
South ; an  effort  was  made  to  stop  the  dis- 
cussions and  the  meetings.  Slave-holders 
went  over  from  Kentucky  and  incited  mob 
violence  in  Cincinnati,  and  at  one  time  it 
seemed  as  though  the  rabble  might  destroy 
the  seminary,  and  the  houses  of  the  pro- 
fessors. In  the  absence  of  Dr.  Beecher,  a 
little  after,  the  board  of  trustees  were 
frightened  into  obeying  the  demands  of  the 
mob  by  forbidding  all  discussion  of  slavery  ; 
whereupon  the  students  withdrew  en  masse. 
A few  returned,  while  the  seceders  laid  the 
foundations  of  Oberlin  College.” 

Dr.  Beecher  in  person  was  short  and  sub- 
stantially built,  his  complexion  was  florid  and 
he  had  such  a genial,  fatherly  expression  and 
withal  was  so  very  odd  one  could  not  but 
smile  on  meeting  him.  He  was  proverbially 
absent-minded,  cared  nothing  for  the  little 
conventionalities  of  life  ; as  likely  as  anything 
else  when  out  taking  tea  with  a parishioner 
to  thrust  his  tea-spoon  into  the  general  pre- 
serve dish  and  eat  direct  therefrom  ; evidently 


unconscious  of  his  breach  of  manners.  Like 
many  not  so  great,  he  never  could  remem- 
ber where  he  put  his  hat.  Topics  of  vital 
welfare  to  humanity  seemed  to  fill  his  mind 
to  the  exclusion  of  thoughts  of  himself,  or  to 
what  people  thought  of  him,  or  where  he  had 
last  put  his  hat.  In  1846  we  made  his  ac- 
quaintance and  walking  with  him  on  Fourth 
street  one  day  he  described  the  situation  at 
the  time  of  the  mobbing  of  the  Philanthropist. 
The  seminary  was  some  three  miles  distant 
and  over  a road  most  of  the  way  up-hill, 
ankle-deep  in  clayey,  sticky  mud,  through 
which  the  mob  to  get  there  must  of  necessity 
flounder,  even  without  being  filled  as  they 
would  undoubtedly  have  been  with  Old 
Bourbon.  The  mud  was  really  what  probably 
saved  the  theologian.  ‘ ‘ I told  the  boj^s,  ’ ’ said 
he,  “ that  they  had  the  right  of  self-defence, 
that  they  could  arm  themselves  and  if  the 
mob  came  they  could  shoot,”  and  then  look- 
ing in  my  face  and  whispering  with  an  air 
that  was  irresistibly  comical,  he  added,  “ but 
I told  them  not  to  kill  ’em,  aim  low,  hit  ’em 
in  the  legs ! hit  ’em  in  the  legs  ! ” 

Those  who  knew  the  road  to  Walnut  Hills 
in  those  days  will  remember  it  was  largely  a 
mere  shelf  cut  out  of  the  mud  of  the  side  hills 
whereupon  omnibuses  and  single  vehicles 
were  often  upset.  The  old  divine  coming 
down  one  night  after  dark  was  crowded  off  by 
some  careless  teamsters,  and  went  rolling  down 
the  precipice  perhaps  some  thirty  feet,  and 
so  badly  hurt  he  could  not  preach  for  three 
weeks.^  The  stupid  teamsters,  attracted  by 
his  cries  for  help,  came  to  the  verge  and 
peering  down  in  the  darkness  hollowed, 

‘ ‘ How  can  we  get  there  ? ” “ Easy  enough,  ’ ’ 
he  answered,  ‘ ‘ come  down  as  I did  ! ’ ’ 

On  one  occasion  a young  minister  was 
lamenting  the  dreadful  increasing  wickedness 
of  mankind.  “ I don’t  know  anything  about 
that,  young  man,”  replied  he  in  his  whisper- 
ing tones.  “I’ve  not  had  anything  to  do  with 
running  the  world  the  last  twenty-five  years. 
God  Almighty  now  has  it  in  charge.  ’ ’ 

This  good  man  was  wont,  after  preaching 
a powerful  sermon,  to  relax  his  mind  from 
his  highly  wrought  state  of  nervous  excite- 
ment, sometimes  by  going  down  into  his  cel- 
lar and  shovelling  sand  from  one  spot  to  an- 
other; sometimes  by  taking  his  “fiddle,” 
playing  “Auld  Lang  Syne,”  and  dancing  a 
double  shufile  in  his  parlor.  His  very  eccen- 
tricities only  the  more  endeared  him  to  the 
public.  He  was  great  every  way.  On  a 
platform  of  a hundred  divines,  his  was  the 
intellect  that  all  felt  was  their  master.  No 
American,  except  Benjamin  Franklin,  has 
given  utterance  to  so  many  pungent,  wise 
sentences  as  Lyman  Beecher.  In  the  power 
of  concentrated  expression  he  has  been  rarely 
equalled,  and  in  his  more  sublime  solemn 
outbursts  he  was  like  a thunderbolt. 

Lyman  Beecher  was  married  thrice  and 
had  thirteen  children  ; his  seven  grown  sons 
all  became  Congregational  clergymen,  and  his 
four  daughters  mostly  gained  literary  and 
philanthropic  distinction.  Henry  Ward,  his 
most  distinguished  son,  was  educated  at  Lane 


826 


HAMILTON  COUNTY. 


Seminary  ; and  it  was  on  Walnut  Hills  that 
his  daughter,  Harriet  Beecher  Stowe,  met 
the  originals  of  the  persons  that  figure  in  her 
novel  of  “ Uncle  Tom’s  Cabin,”  and  got  filled 
up  for  that  famous  work,  which  was  pub- 
lished on  her  return  East. 

Her  maiden  sister  Catharine’s  entire  life 
was  marred  by  a tragic  event.  She  was  be- 
trothed to  Prof.  Fisher,  of  Yale  College,  who 
lost  his  life  in  1822,  by  the  wreck  of  the 
packet  ship  Albion  off  the  coast  of  Ireland, 
at  the  age  of  twenty-seven  years.  He  was  a 
young  man  of  extraordinary  genius,  thought 
to  be  akin  to  that  of  Sir  Isaac  Newton,  and 
his  loss  was  regarded  as  national.  In  the 
Yale  Library  to-day  is  an  exquisite  bust  of 
him  in  marble.  The  face  is  very  beautiful 
and  refined.  Evidence  of  his  masterly  power 
was  shown  by  the  opening  article  (an  ab- 
struse paper  on  the  science  of  music)  in  the 
first  volume  of  Silliman’s  Journal  of  Science,' 
issued  in  1818. 

In  conyersation  Miss  Beecher  was  humor- 
ous, incisive  and  self-opinionated,  but  kindly. 
While  at  the  head  of  a female  seminary  she 
became  a convert  to  the  Graham  system  of 
diet,  and  practised  it  upon  herself  and  pupils, 
whereupon  some  of  them  invited  her  to  par- 
take of  a good  generous  dinner  at  a restaur- 


ant. It  operated  to  a charm, converting  her, 
and  she  came  to  the  conclusion  that  a rich, 
juicy,  tender,  well-cooked  beefsteak,  with  its 
accompaniments,  was  no  object  for  contempt 
with  a hungry  soul. 

An  anecdote  of  her  we  heard  in  our  youth 
was  that,  on  being  introduced  at  a social 
gathering  in  Hartford  to  the  poet  Percival, 
she  went  at  him  in  an  exciting  adulatory 
strain  upon  his  poetry,  which  had  then  just 
appeared  and  was  eliciting  general  admira- 
tion. Percival,  who  was  then  a very  young 
man,  and  the  most  shrinking  of  mortals,  was 
completely  overwhelmed ; he  could  not  an- 
swer a word,  but  as  soon  as  possible  escaped 
from  her,  and  then,  in  his  low,  whispering 
tones,  inquired  of  a bystander,  ‘‘Is  not  that 
the  young  lady  who  was  engaged  to  Prof. 
Fisher?”  “Yes.”  “ Ah  i”  rejoined  he,  “ it 
is  well  he  died.  ’ ’ 

No  American  family  has  so  much  influ- 
enced American  thought  as  the  Beechers, 
and  none,  through  its  genius  and  eccentrici- 
ties, has  been  so  interesting  ; and  it  di^  Ohio 
good  that  she  had  possession  of  them  for 
twenty  years.  It  used  to  be  a common  ex- 
ression  forty  years  ago  that  the  United 
tates  possessed  two  great  things,  viz.,  the 
American  flag  and  the  Beechers. 


LEVI  COFFIN.  CATHARINE  COFFIN. 


The  reputed  President  of  the  Underground  Railroad,  Levi  Coffin,  philan- 
thropist, was  born  October  28,  1798,  near  New  Garden,  North  Carolina,  and  of 
Quaker  parentage.  His  ancestors  were  from  Nantucket,  and  he  was  a farmer 
and  teacher.  His  sympathies  were  enlisted  in  favor  of  the  slaves,  and  when  a 
a lad  of  but  fifteen  he  began  to  aid  in  their  escape.  In  1826  he  settled  in  Wayne 
county,  Indiana,  kept  a country  store,  cured  pork  and  manufactured  linseed  oiL 


HAMILTON  COUNTY, 


827 


Meanwhile  his  interest  in  the  slaves  continued,  and  he  was  active  in  the  Under- 
ground Railroad,  by  which  thousands  of  escaping  slaves  were  aided  by  him  on 
their  way  to  Canada,  including  Eliza  Harris,  the  heroine  of  Uncle  Tom’s 
Cabin.”  In  1847  he  removed  to  Cincinnati  and  opened  and  continued  for  years 
a store  where  only  were  sold  goods  produced  by  free  labor,  at  the  same  time  con- 
tinuing his  efforts  for  the  escape  of  slaves.  In  the  war  period  he  aided  in  the 
establishment  of  the  Freedmen’s  Bureau,  visited  England  and  held  meetings  in 
the  various  cities  and  collected  funds  for  the  Freedmen’s  Commission.  On  the 
adoption  of  the  Fifteenth  Amendment  he  formally  resigned  his  office  of  Presi- 
sident  of  the  Underground  Railroad,  which  he  had  held  for  more  than  thirty 
years.  He  died  in  1877.  His  ^^Reminiscences,”  published  by  Robert  Clarke  & 
Co.,  is  a highly  interesting  volume,  from  which  the  following  narratives  are  de- 
rived in  an  abridged  form. 


Eliza  Harris’s  Escape. 

Eliza  Harris,  of  ‘‘Uncle  Tom’s  Cabin,” 
the  slave  woman  who  crossed  the  Ohio  river 
on  the  drifting  ice,  with  her  child  in  her 
arms,  was  sheltered  for  several  days  and 
aided  to  escape  by  Levi  Coffin,  he  then  re- 
siding at  Newport,  Ind. 

Harriet  Beecher  Stowe’s  graphic  descrip- 
tion of  this  woman’s  experiences  is  almost 
identical  with  the  real  facts  in  the  case. 

The  originals  of  Simeon  and  Rachael  Hal- 
liday,  the  Quaker  couple  alluded  to  in  her 
remarkable  work,  were  Levi  and  Catharine 
Coffin. 

Eliza  Harris’s  master  lived  a few  miles 
back  from  the  Ohio  river,  below  Ripley, 
Ohio.  Her  treatment  from  master  and  mis- 
tress was  kind ; but  they  having  met  with 
financial  reverses,  it  was  decided  to  sell  Eliza, 
and  she,  learning  of  this  and  the  probable 
separation  of  herself  and  child,  determined 
to  escape.  That  night,  with  her  child  in  her 
arms,  she  started  on  foot  for  the  Ohio  river. 
She  reached  the  river  near  daybreak,  and  in- 
stead of  finding  it  frozen  over,  it  was  filled 
with  large  blocks  of  fioating  ice.  Thinking 
it  impossible  to  cross,  she  ventured  to  seek 
shelter  in  a house  near  by,  where  she  was 
kindly  received. 

She  hoped  to  find  some  way  of  crossing  the 
next  night,  but  during  the  day  the  ice  became 
more  broken  and  dangerous,  making  the  river 
seemingly  impassable.  Evening  came  on 
when  her  pursuers  were  seen  approaching 
the  house.  Made  desperate  through  fear, 
she  seized  her  infant  in  her  arms,  darted  out 
the  back  door  and  ran  toward  the  river,  fol- 
lowed by  her  pursuers. 

Fearing  death  less  than  separation  from 
her  babe,  she  clasped  it  to  her  bosom  and 
sprang  on  the  first  cake  of  ice,  and  from  that 
to  another,  and  then  to  another,  and  so  on. 
Sometimes  the  ice  would  sink  beneath  her ; 
then  she  would  slide  her  child  on  to  the  next 
cake,  and  pull  herself  on  with  her  hands. 
Wet  to  the  waist,  her  hands  benumbed  with 
cold,  she  approached  the  Ohio  shore  nearly 
exhausted.  A man,  who  had  been  standing 
on  the  bank  watching  her  in  amazement,  as- 
sisted her  to  the  shore.  After  recovering 
her  strength,  she  was  directed  to  a house  on 


a hill  in  the  outskirts  of  Ripley,  which  is  that 
shown  on  page  336  of  the  “Ohio  Historical 
Collection,”  this  edition.  Here  she  was 
cared  for,  and  after  being  provided  with  food 
and  dry  clothing,  was  forwarded  from  station 
to  station  on  the  Underground  Railroad  until 
she  reached  the  home  of  Levi  Coffin.  Here 
she  remained  several  days  until  she  and  her 
child,  with  other  fugitives,  were  forwarded 
via  the  Greenville  branch  of  the  Under- 
ground Railroad  to  Sandusky,  and  from 
thence  to  Chatham,  Canada  West,  where  she 
finally  settled,  and  where  years  after  Mr. 
Coffin  met  her. 

The  Margaret  Garner  Case. 

One  of  the  most  remarkable  of  the  cases 
that  occurred  under  the  Fugitive  Slave  law, 
and  one  which  aroused  deep  sympathy  and 
widespread  interest  during  the  latter  part  of 
January,  1856,  was  that  of  Margaret  Garner, 
the  slave  mother  who  killed  her  child  rather 
than  see  it  taken  back  to  slavery. 

She  was  one  of  a party  of  seventeen  who, 
though  closely  pursued,  had  escaped  to  Cin- 
cinnati. The  party  had  separated  at  this 
point  for  greater  safety,  and  Margaret  with 
her  four  children  and  husband  Robert,  to- 
gether with  Robert’s  parents,  Simon  and 
Mary,  had  sought  shelter  at  a house  below 
Mill  creek,  the  home  of  a free  colored  man 
named  Kite,  who  had  formerly  been  a slave 
in  their  neighborhood. 

Kite  did  not  consider  his  house  a safe 
place  for  the  fugitives  and  had  gone  to  con- 
sult Levi  Coffin  as  to  measures  for  their  re- 
moval along  the  Underground  Railroad  and 
was  returning,  when  he  found  the  house  sur- 
rounded by  the  masters  of  the  slaves,  with 
officers  and  a posse  of  men. 

The  doors  and  windows  were  barred,  but  a 
window  was  soon  battered  down,  and,  al- 
though the  slaves  made  a brave  resistance, 
several  shots  being  fired  and  slaves  and  offi- 
cers wounded,  the  fugitives  were  soon  over- 
come and  dragged  from  the  house.  At  this 
moment  Margaret,  seeing  that  escape  was 
hopeless,  seized  a butcher-knife  that  lay  on  a 
table  and  with  one  stroke  cut  the  throat  of 
her  little  daughter,  whom  she  probably  loved 
best.  She  then  attempted  to  kill  herself 


828 


HAMILTON  COUNTY. 


and  the  other  children,  but  was  overpowered. 
The  whole  party  was  then  arrested  and  lodged 
in  jail. 

The  trial  lasted  two  weeks,  during  which 
time  the  court-room  was  crowded.  Colonel 
Chambers,  of  Cincinnati,  and  Messrs.  Wall 
& Tinnell,  of  Covington,  appeared  for  the 
claimants ; Messrs.  Joliffe  & Getchell  for  the 
slaves.  The  counsel  for  the  defence  proved 
that  Margaret  had  been  brought  to  Cincinnati 
by  her  owners,  a number  of  years  before, 
and,  according  to  the  law  which  liberated 
slaves  who  were  brought  into  free  States  with 
the  consent  of  their  masters,  she  had  been 
free  from  that  time,  and  her  children,  all  of 
whom  had  been  born  since,  were  likewise 
free.  The  Commissioner,  however,  decided 
that  a voluntary  return  from  a free  to  a slave 
State  reattached  the  conditions  of  slavery. 

A futile  attempt  was  made  to  try  Margaret 
for  murder  and  the  others^  as  accessories,  and 
State  warrants  were  issued.  Lawyer  Jollilfe 
pressed  the  motion  to  have  them  served,  for 
said  he,  “The  fugitives  have  all  assured  me 
that  they  will  go  singing  to  the  gallows  rather 
than  be  returned  to  slavery.  ’ ’ 

They  were  finally  indicted  for  murder,  but 
owing  to  the  provisions  of  the  law  of  1850 
they  could  not  be  tried  on  that  charge  while 
in  their  owner’s  custody. 


Margaret  was  a bright-eyed,  intelligent- 
looking  mulatto,  about  twenty-two  years  of 
age.  She  had  a high  forehead,  arched  eye- 
brows, but  the  thick  lips  and  broad  nose  of 
the  African.  On  the  left  side  of  her  face 
were  two  scars.  When  asked  what  caused 
them  she  said;  “White  man  struck  me.” 
That  was  all,  but  it  betrays  a story  of  cruelty 
and  degradation  and  perhaps  gives  the  key- 
note of  her  resolve  rather  to  die  than  go 
back  to  slavery. 

During  the  trial  her  bearing  was  one  of 
extreme  sadness  and  despondency.  “The 
case  seemed  to  stir  every  heart  that  was  alive 
to  the  emotions  of  humanity.  The  interest 
manifested  by  all  classes  was  not  so  much  for 
the  legal  principles  involved  as  for  the  mute 
instincts  that  mould  every  human  heart — the 
undying  love  of  freedom  that  is  planted  in 
every  breast — the  resolve  to  die  rather  than 
to  submit  to  a life  of  degradation  and  bond- 
age.” 

After  the  trial  the  slaves  were  returned  to 
Kentucky. 

It  was  reported  that  Margaret  while  being 
transported  down  the  Ohio  river  had  jumped 
olf  the  boat  with  her  babe  in  her  arms,  that 
the  deck  hands  rescued  her,  but  the  child  was 
drowned. _ Her  subsequent  fate  is  wrapped 
in  obscurity. 


Hugh  Peters  was  born  in  Hebron,  Conn.,  in  1807,  and  being  educated  for 
the  law,  came  to  Cincinnati  to  practice,  and  was  drowned  in  the  Ohio  river  at  the 
early  age  of  twenty-four  years,  it  was  supposed  by  suicide.  He  was  a young 
man  of  high  moral  qualities,  the  finest  promise  as  a writer  of  both  prose  and 
verse,  and  was  greatly  lamented.  One  of  his  poems,  My  Native  Land,^^  is  one 
of  the  best  of  its  character.  We  annex  a few  of  its  patriotic  verses.  It  was 
written  while  sailing  from  the  shore  of  his  native  State,  Connecticut,  at  the  mo- 
ment when  it  had  shrunk  in  his  vision  to  one  ^^blue  line  between  the  sky 
and  sea.’’ 


MY  NATIVE  LAND. 

The  boat  swings  from  the  pebbled  shore, 
And  proudly  drives  her  prow  ; 

The  crested  waves  roll  up  before  : 

Yon  dark  gray  land,  I see  no  more — 

How  sweet  it  seemeth  now  ! 

Thou  dark  gray  land,  my  native  land, 
Thou  land  of  rock  and  pine, 

I’m  speeding  from  thy  golden  sand ; 

But  can  I wave  a farewell  hand 
To  such  a shore  as  thine  ? 


But  now  you’ve  shrunk  to  yon  blue  line 
Between  the  sky  and  sea, 

I feel,  sweet  home,  that  thou  art  mine, 
I feel  my  bosom  cling  to  thee. 

I see  thee  blended  with  the  wave. 

As  children  see  the  earth 
Close  up  a sainted  mother’s  grave  ; 
They  weep  for  her  they  cannot  save. 
And  feel  her  holy  worth. 

And  I have  left  thee,  home,  alone, 

A pilgrim  from  thy  shore  ; 


HAMILTON  COUNTY. 


829 


The  wind  goes  by  with  hollow  moan, 
I hear  it  sigh  a warning  tone, 

“ Ye  see  your  home  no  more.” 
I’m  cast  upon  the  world’s  wide  sea^. 

Torn  like  an  ocean  weed  ; 

I’m  cast  away,  far,  far  from  thee, 

I feel  a thing  I cannot  be, 

A bruised  and  broken  reed. 


Farewell,  my  native  land,  farewell ! 

That  wave  has  hid  thee  now — 

My  heart  is  bowed  as  with  a spell. 

This  rending  pang! — would  I could  tell 
What  ails  my  throbbing  brow  I 
One  look  upon  that  fading  streak 
Which  bounds  yon  eastern  sky  : 

One  tear  to  cool  my  burning  cheek  ; 
And  then  a word  I cannot  speak — 

” My  Native  Land — Good-bye.” 


On  April  6, 1879,  there  died  at  the  Good 
Samaritan  Hospital,  Cincinnati,  Professor 
Daniel  Vaughan.  His  friend,  the  late 
William  M.  Corry,  in  his  eulogy  said : 
” He  was  the  only  man  among  the  hundreds 
of  thousandsj)f  our  people  whose  name  will 
survive  the  n'ext  century.”  He  was  born  of 
wealthy  parents  near  Cork,  Ireland,  came  to 
America  at  the  age  of  sixteen,  became  a 
teacher  of  boys  in  Bourbon  county,  Ken- 
tucky, but  soon  moved  to  Cincinnati,  where 
he  passed  the  remainder  of  his  days.  He 
was  drawn  thither  by  his  desire  for  its  library 
privileges  — to  study  the  grand  topics  of 
science. 

For  his  support  he  lectured  on  science  and 
gave  private  lessons  in  mathematics,  as- 
tronomy and  the  languages.  He  thus  man- 
aged to  eke  out  a miserable  existence  and  in 
almost  abject  poverty.  He  lived  in  a room, 
cheap,  inaccessible  and  cheerless.  A chair, 
and  a bedstead  with  a pile  of  rags,  a worn- 
ott  stove,  and  an  old  coffee  pot,  with  a few 
musty  shelves  of  books  covered  with  soot, 
were  all  his  furniture.  An  autopsy  revealed 


the  wreck  of  his  vital  system  and  proved  that 
the  long  and  dreadful  process  of  freezing  and 
starving  the  previous  winter  had  dried  up 
the  sources  of  life* 

It  was  his  intense  absorption  in  science 
that  had  thus  made  him  a martyr.  For  that 
he  had  overlooked  the  wants  pf  his  body,  and 
suffered.  The  European  scientists  through 
his  contributions  to  scientific  journals  by  cor- 
respondence with  him  had  learned  of  his 
extraordinary  attainments  in  the  most  pro- 
found topics  of  human  thought.  And,  when- 
ever a stranger  from  Cincinnati  appeared 
among  them,  the  first  question  would  be  in 
regard  to  Professor  Vaughan,  and  to  not  a 
few  that  question  was  their  first  knowledge 
of  such  an  existence.  He  treated  with  great 
originality  such  topics  as  “The  Doctrine  of 
Gravitation,”  “The  Cause  and  Effects  of 
the  Tides,”  The  Light  and  Heat  of  the 
Sun,”  “The  Remote  Planets,”  “The  Ge- 
ography of  Disease,”  “Origin  of  Moun- 
tains,” “The  Theory  of  Probabilities  in  the 
Detection  of  Crime,”  etc. 


It  was  a bleak,  cold,  cheerless  day  on  January  13,  1808,  in  a neat  frame 
on  the  snow-clad  banks  of  the  Connecticut  river,  in  the  town  of  Cornish,  New 
Hampshire,  that  was  born  Salmon  P.  Chase.  His  father,  Ithaman  Chase,  was 
a farmer  of  English  and  his  mother  was  of  Scotch  descent.  His  father  died 
when  he  was  yet  a boy,  and  the  family  left  in  straitened  circumstances. 


Salmon  was  a studious  lad,  so  when  his 
uncle.  Rev.  Philander  Chase,  the  earliest 
Episcopal  Bishop,  came  to  Ohio,  he  sent  for 
him  to  come  and  live  with  him,  and  for  a 
couple  of  years  he  studied  with  his  uncle  at 
Worthington,  near  Columbus,  and  then  one 
year  with  him  at  Cincinnati.  Then  his  uncle 
went  to  England  on  a visit  and  Salmon  en- 
tered Dartmouth  College,  where  he  graduated 
in  1826,  paying  for  his  college  expenses  by 
school-teaching.  He  then  went  to  Washing- 
ton, where  he  taught  a classical  school  and 
studied  law  with  William  Wirt.  Having 
been  admitted  to  the  bar  in  1830,  he  settled 
in  Cincinnati  to  practise  his  profession,  his 
age  22  years. 


Finding  but  little  business  he  occupied 
about  two  years  of  his  leisure  in  compiling 
the  Statutes  of  Ohio,  preceded  by  an  outline 
history  of  the  State.  The  work,  known  as 
“Chase’s  Statutes,”  which  proved  of  great 
service  to  the  profession,  was  regarded  of  ex- 
traordinary merit.  From  his  Puritan  train- 
ing he  had  early  learned  to  view  all  questions 
in  their  moral  aspects,  and  so  from  the  very 
beginning  of  his  career  he  was  the  friend  of 
the  slave,  being  when  in  Washington  active 
in  procuring  signatures  to  a petition  to  Con- 

fress  for  the  abolition  of  slavery  in  the 
)istrict  of  Columbia. 

In  politics  he  did  not  then  identify  himselt 
with  either  of  the  parties.  When  in  1836  a mob 


HAMILTON  COUNTY. 


330 

destroyed  the  PMlanthropist,  the  anti-slavery 
newspaper,  he  was  engaged  by  Mr.  Birney, 
the  editor,  to^  bring  the  offenders  to  justice. 
About  this  time  miscreants,  in  and  about 
Cincinnati,  not  only  made  it  a business  to 
hunt  and  capture  runaway  slaves  for  the  sake 
of  reward,  but  to  kidnap  free-blacks,  carry 
them  across  the  Ohio  and  sell  them  into 
slavery.  In  1837,  in  what  was  known  as  the 
Matilda  case,  where  a master  brought  a slave 
girl  to  the  city  and  afterwards  endeavored  to 
take  her  back  into  slavery,  Mr.  Chase  ap- 
peared in  her  behalf,  as  he  frequently  did  in 
similar  cases  without  expectation  of  pecuniary 
reward.  After  the  case  had  been  closed  a 
gentleman  of  note  who  was  present  said, 
“There  goes  a promising  young  lawyer  who 
has  ruined  himself,”  he  feeling  how  un- 
popular in  those  days  was  the  defence  of 
the  enslaved  and  defenceless.  None  but  a 
man  of  the  highest  moral  courage  and 
humanity  would  have  been  willing  to  endure 
the  obloquy.  Governor  Hoadley  said  of 
him  : 

“ What  helped  him — yes,  what  made  him, 
was  this.  He  walked  with  God.  The  pre- 
dominant element  of  his  life,  that  which  gave 
tone  and  color  to  his  thoughts  and  determined 
the  direction  and  color  of  all  he  did,  was  his 
striving  after  righteousness.  . . . Behind  the 
dusky  face  of  every  black  man  he  saw  his 
Saviour,  the  divine  man  also  scourged,  also  in 
rison,  at  last  crucified.  This  is  what  made 
im  what  he  was.  To  this  habit  of  referring 
to  divine  guidance  every  act  of  his  life  we 
owe  the  closing  words  of  the  Proclamation 
of  Emancipation,  which  Mr.  Lincoln  added 
from  Mr.  Chase’s  pen  as  follows  : ‘And  upon 
this  act,  sincerely  believed  to  be  an  act  of 
justice,  warranted  by  the  Constitution,  upon 
military  necessity,  I invoke  the  favorable 
judgment  of  all  mankind,  and  the  gracious 
favor  of  Almighty  God.’^  He  had  dainty 
tastes,  disliked  the  unclean  in  word  or  person  ; 
but  he  put  his  pleasure  under  his  feet  when 
duty  led  him  to  the  rescue  of  the  lowly. 
He  had  a large  frame  and  mighty  passions, 
but  they  were  under  absolute  control.’’ 

When  the  Liberty  party  was  organized  in 
Ohio,  in  1841,  Mr.  Chase  was  foremost  and 
wrote  the  address  which  gave  the  issues 
which  were  finally  settled  only  by  a bloody 
war.  In  this  he  said  the  Constitution  found 
slavery  and  left  it  a State  institution — the 
creature  and  dependent  of  State  law — wholly 
local  in  its  existence  and  character.  It  did 
not  make  it  a national  institution.  . . . 
Why  then,  fellow-citizens,  are  we  now  appeal- 
ing to  you  ? ...  It  is  because  slavery  has 
overleaped  its  prescribed  limits  and  usurped 
the  control  of  the  national  government,  . . . 
and  that  the  honor,  the  M’^elfare,  the  safety 
of  our  country  imperiously  require  the  abso- 
lute and  unqualified  divorce  of  the  govern- 
ment from  slavery. 

Mr.  Chase  defended  so  many  blacks  who 
were  claimed  as  fugitives  from  slavery  that 
the  Kentuckians  called  him  the  “attorney- 
general  for  negroes,”  and  the  colored  people 
of  Cincinnati  presented  him  a silver  pitcher 


“ for  his  various  public  services  in  behalf  of 
the  oppressed.” 

Mr.  Chase  brought  his  great  legal  learning 
and  a powerful  mind  to  the  task  of  convincing 
men  that  the  Fugitive  Slave  law  could  and 
should  be  resisted  as  unconstitutional,  because 
though  the  Constitution  embraced  a provision 
for  the  return  of  fugitives,  it  added  no  grant 
of  legislative  power  to  Congress  over  that 
subject,  and,  therefore,  left  to  the  States 
alone  the  power  to  devise  proper  legislation. 

The  original  of  John  Van  Trompe,  in 
“Uncle  Tom’s  Cabin,”  was  John  Van 
Zandt,  who  was  prosecuted  for  harboring 
fugitive  slaves,  because  overtaking  a party  of 
fugitives  on  the  road  he  gave  them  a ride 
in  his  wagon,  and  his  defence  by  Mr.  Chase 
was  one  of  the  most  noted.  In  the  final 
hearing  in  1846  he  was  associated  with  Mr. 
Seward. 

Mr.  Chase  almost  singly  wrote  the  plat- 
form for  the  Liberty  party,  which  in  1843 
nominated  James  G.  Birney  for  the  Presi- 
dency. In  1840  this  party  cast  but  1 vote  in 
360,  in  1844  1 vote  in  40,  which  caused  the 
defeat  of  Henry  Clay.  In  1848  Mr.  Chase 
presided  over  the  Buffalo  Free  Soil  Conven- 
tion, and  the  party  cast  1 vote  in  9.  In 
1849  by  a coalition  between  the  Free  Soilers 
and  the  Democrats  in  the  Ohio  Legislature 
Mr.  Chase  was  elected  to  the  United  States 
Senate.  The  Democracy  of  Ohio  had  de- 
clared in  convention  that  slavery  was  an  evil, 
but  when  the  party  in  the  Baltimore  Conven- 
tion of  1852  approved  of  the  compromise 
acts  of  1850,  he  dissolved  his  connection  with 
it.  He  opposed  the  repeal  of  the  Missouri 
compromise,  and  made  such  strong,  persistent 
attacks  upon  it  as  to  thoroughly  arouse  the 
North  and  greatly  influence  the  subsequent 
struggle. 

In  1855  Mr.  Chase  was  elected  Governor 
of  Ohio  by  the  newly  formed  Bepublican 
party,  formed  solely  to  restrict  the  extension 
of  slavery  and  the  domination  of  the  pro- 
slavery power,  and  by  a majority  of  15,651 
over  the  Democratic  candidate.  Gov.  Medill. 
Ex-Governor  Trimble,  the  candidate  of  the 
Know  Nothing  or  Native  American  party, 
received  24,276  votes.  In  1857  he  was  re- 
elected governor  by  1503  oyer  Henry  B. 
Payne,  the  Democratic  candidate.  In  the 
Chicago  Bepublican  Convention  of  1860, 
which  nominated  Mr.  Lincoln,  the  first 
ballot  stood,  Seward,  1731;  Lincoln,  102; 
Cameron,  501 ; and  Chase,  49. 

When  Mr.  Lincoln  was  called  to  the  presi- 
dency, March  4,  1861,  he  made  Mr.  Chase 
Secretary  of  the  Treasury.  His  consummate 
management  of  the  finances  of  the  nation 
was  such  that  a conspicuous  leader  of  the 
rebellion  said,  “They  had  been  conquered  by 
our  Treasury  Department  and  not  by  our 
generalship.”  Whitelaw  Beid  said,  “Ohio 
may  be  indulged,  even  here  in  the  pardonable 
pride  of  an  allusion  to  the  part  that  in  this 
phase  of  the  war  as  well  as  in  the  others 
‘she  led  throughout  the  war.’  To  take  a 
bankrupt  treasury,  sustain  the  credit  of  the 
government,  feed,  equip,  arm  and  pay  all 


HAMILTON  COUNTY. 


83 » 


the  expenses  of  a war  of  four  years — this 
was  the  work  acconiplislied  by  Salmon  P. 
Chase.” 

On  June  30,  1864,  Mr.  Chase  resigned  his 
position  as  Secretary  of  the  Treasury,  was 
succeeded  by  Wm.  P.  Fessenden,  of  Maine, 
and  on  the  nomination  of  Mr.  Lincoln,  was 
confirmed  on  the  5th  of  December,  1864, 
Chief- Justice  of  the  United  States,  an  ofi5ce 
he  filled  until  his  decease.  He  presided  at 
the  impeachment  trial  of  President  Johnson 
in  1868.  In  his  politics  he  was  a Democrat, 
and  his  name  being  frequently  mentioned 
that  year  as  the  probable  Democratic  nominee 
for  the  Presidency,  he  wrote,  in  answer  to  a 
letter  from  the  Chairman  of  the  Democratic 
National  Committee  : 

“For.  more  than  a quarter  of  a century  I 
have  been  in  my  political  views  and  senti- 
ments a Democrat,  and  still  think  that  upon 
questions  of  finance,  commerce,  and  adminis- 
tration generally  the  old  Democratic  principles 
afford  the  best  guidance.  What  separated 
me  in  former  times  from  both  parties  was  the 
depth  and  positiveness  of  my  convictions 
upon  the  slavery  question.  ...  In  1849  I 
was  elected  to  the  Senate  by  the  united  votes 
of  the  old-line  Democrats  and  independent 
Democrats,  and  subsequently  made  earnest 
efforts  to  bring  about  a union  of  all  Demo- 
crats on  the  ground  of  the  limitation  of 
slavery  to  the  States  in  which  it  then  existed, 
and  non-intervention  in  those  States  by  act 
of  Congress.  Had  that  union  been  effected, 
it  is  my  firm  belief  that  the  country  would 
have  escaped  the  late  civil  war  and  all  its 
evils.  ’ ’ 

As  a public  speaker  Mr.  Chase  was  not 
eloquent.  His  speech  was  at  times  labored 
and  hard,  but  he  was  impressive  from  his 
earnestness  and  the  weight  of  his  thought. 
The  listener  felt  that  he  was  no  common  man. 


and  had  the  highest  good  of  all  only  in  view. 
In  every  position  he  ever  held  he  always  dis- 
played excellent  executive  capacity.  On  en- 
tering upon  the  duties  of  his  office  of  Secretary 
of  the  Treasury  he  had  by  long  and  successful 
professional  labors  accumulated  about  $100,- 
000,  and  when  he  left  it,  after  controlling  for 
years  the  vast  pecuniary  business  of  the  na- 
tion, he  was  poorer  than  when  he  went  in. 

In  appearance  he  was  the  most  imposing 
public  man  in  the  countr}^ — over  six  feet  high, 
a blonde,  with  blue  eyes  and  fresh  complexion, 
portly,  with  handsome  features  and  a mas- 
sive head.  His  manners  were  dignified,  but 
he  had  but  little  suavity,  had  none  of  the  arts 
of  the  demagogue,  and  his  great  reputation 
was  solely  due  to  his  great  services  and 
capacity,  for  he  had  but  little  personal  popu- 
larity ; the  multitude  never  shouted  for  him. 
His  great  ambition  arose  from  the  patriotic 
conviction  that  he  could  render  great  public 
service.  He  was  married  thrice,  and  died  a 
widower,  leaving,  of  six  children,  two  accom- 
plished daughters. 

Mr.  Chase  died  in  New  York,  May  7, 
1873,  of  paralysis.  He  was  buried  in  Wash- 
ington, and  on  Thursday,  October  14,  1886, 
his  remains  were  removed  to  Spring  Grove, 
Cincinnati.  On  this  occasion,  ex-GoV;  Hoad- 
ley,  his  once  partner,  gave  a masterly  oration 
upon  his  life  and  services,  in  Music  Hall,  and 
addresses  were  made  by  Congressman  Butter- 
worth,  Gov.  Foraker,  and  Justice  Matthews; 
James  K.  Murdoch  read  a poetical  tribute 
from  the  pen  of  W.  D.  Gallagher.  Conspic- 
uous in  the  crowd  who  had  assembled  to  pay 
their  last  tribute  to  the  distinguished  dead 
were  some  old  colored  men  who  had  been 
slaves,  and  who  felt  a debt  of  gratitude  to 
a man  who  had  done  so  much  for  their 
liberty. 


Chaeles  Cist  was  born  in  Philadelphia,  in  1793;  in  1827-28  came  to  Cin- 
cinnati, and  died  there  in  1868.  He  was  the  author  of  Cincinnati  in  1841 
ditto  in  1851;  ditto  in  1859;  and  ^‘The  Cincinnati  Miscellany,’’  composed 
largely  of  incidents  in  the  early  history  of  the  West.  He  wrote  the  descriptive 
article  upon  Cincinnati  in  1847  in  the  first  edition  of  this  work;  and  here 
reprinted.  He  conducted  for  a term  of  years  OisVs  Weekly  Advertiser.  His 
editorial  columns  were  largely  personal,  well  s])rinkled  with  I’s  ” — those  I’s  ” 
meaning  himself — which  enhanced  their  interest.  As  one  read,  there  appeared  to 
his  vision  Father  Cist”  looking  in  his  eyes,  smiling  and  talking.  He  was  filled 
with  a love  of  Cincinnati, *and  ministered  to  the  extraordinary  social  fraternal 
feeling  that  existed  among  its  old  people — its  pioneers.  He  would  often  print 
some  gossipy  item  like  that  u])on  Judge  Burnet,  who,  having  used  tobacco  for  a 
lifetime,  had  broken  off  in  his  old  age,  and  was  waxing  in  fiesli  under  the 
deprivation.  Another  week,  perhaps,  it  would  be  Nicholas  Longworth,  Judge 
Este,  Bellamy  Storer,  Nathaniel  Wriglit,  or  possibly  that  eccentricity,  finical, 
poetical,  and  artistical  Peyton  Symmes,  that  would  come  in  for  an  item. 


Much  he  wrote  was  tinged  with  humor, 
and  some  of  his  own  experiences  were  comi- 
cally told.  One  we  remember  was  about  in 
this  wise  : “I  got,”  said  he,  “into  the  stage- 
coach at  the  Dennison  House,  one  day  last 


week,  to  go  to  Oxford,  and  was  the  only 
passenger  until  we  neared  Hamilton,  which 
was  after  night,  when  half  a dozen  young 
college^  boys  came  aboard,  and,  without  ask- 
ing if  it  was  agreeable  to  me,  filled  the  coach 


832 


HAMILTON  COrjNTY. 


with  tobacco-smoke.  It  made  me  deadly 
sick,  but  I said  nothing.  While  we  changed 
horses  at  Hamilton  I made  a little  purchase 
in  an  ai)othecary  shop.  The  coach  started 
again  ; the  boys  continued  smoking.  In  a 
few  minutes  one  and  then  another  exclaimed  : 
‘ Whew  ! what  a horrid  smell  ! What  is  it? 
Oh  ! awful ! ’ I sat  for  a time  in  silence, 
enjoying  their  expressions  of  disgust.  Then 
I said:  ‘ Young  gentlemen,  we  have  all  our 
especial  tastes.  You  are  fond  of  tobacco- 
smoking, to  me  it  is  excessively  disagreeable  ; 
I have  just  made  a purchase,  which  I am 
rubbing  in  my  hands  as  an  antidote  to  your 
smoke,  and  I must  confess  I rather  enjoy  it. 
You  will  say  it  is  a curious  idiosyncrasy  of 
mine;  it  is  a piece  of  assafoetida. ’ For  a 
moment  the  youths  were  dumbfounded  ; next 
they  burst  into  a roar,  and  then  out  of  the 
window'  went  their  cigars,  and  my  lump  of 
assafoetida  followed  after.  ’ ’ 

Lewis  J.  Cist,  his  son,  who  died  in  1885, 
aged  sixty-seven,  had  a local  reputation  as  a 
poet  and  writer  of  music.  He  published  the 
“Souvenir,”  the  first  annual  of  the  West. 
He  was  an  enthusiastic  collector  of  auto- 
graphs and  old  portraits,  his  collection  num- 
bering 11,000  of  the  former,  and  one  of  the 
largest  and  most  famous  in  the  United  States. 
To  him  was  ascribed  the  authorship  of  “The 
Spotted  Frog,”  a parody  on  Gallagher’s  pop- 
ular ballad,  “The  Spotted  Fawn,”  spoken  of 
elsewhere  in  this  work. 

Henry  M.  Cist,  a younger  son,  born  in 
1839,  is  now  a lawyer  in  Cincinnati.  He  was 


a general  in  the  rebellion,  and  noted  for  his 
contributions  to  war  literature,  as  “Cincin- 
nati with  the  War  Fever,”  “The  Komance 
of  Shiloh,”  and  “Reports  of  the  Society  of 
the  Army  of  the  Cumberland.”  Mr.  Cist’s 
father  opened  and  superintended  the  first 
Sabbath-school  in  Cincinnati,  and  his  grand- 
father, also  named  Charles  Cist,  born  in  St. 
Petersburg,  Russia,  and  graduated  at  Halle, 
was  a printer  and  publisher  in  Philadelphia, 
and  was  the  first  person  to  introduce  anthra- 
cite coal  into  general  use  in  the  United  States. 
He  was  also  the  original  printer  of  Paine’s 
‘ ‘American  Crisis.  ’ ’ 

Bellamy  Si’ORER,  jurist,  was  born  in  Port- 
land, Maine,  March  9,  1798,  died  in  Cincin- 
nati, June  1,  1875.  He  was  educated  at  Bow- 
doin,  and,  in  1817,  began  the  practice  of  the 
law  in  Cincinnati.  He  was  in  Congress  from 
1835-1837  ; in  1844  was  a Presidential  elector 
on  the  Henry  Clay  ticket ; for  nineteen  years 
was  a judge  of  the  Superior  Court  of  the 
city.  He  was  popular  as  a speaker  at  both 
political  and  religious  meetings.  At  one  time 
in  his  early  life  Judge  Storer  was  a leading 
spirit  in  a religious  band  of  young  men,  called 
“Flying  Artillery,”  who  went  from  town  to 
town  to  promote  revivals.  When  the  Supe- 
rior Court  of  the  city  was  organized  in  1854, 
the  three  judges  were  Spencer,  Gholson,  and 
Storer,  and  they  were  thus  characterized  : 
Spencer  as  excelling  in  perception  of  law 
principles,  Gholson  for  his  knowledge  of 
precedents,  and  Storer  for  his  great  memory 
and  fervid  eloquence. 


Gen.  Ormsby  McKnight  Mitcheb  was  born  of  Virginia  stock,  in  Union 
county,  Kentucky.  When  a four-year-old  boy  he  was  taken  to  Lebanon,  W^arren 
county,  Ohio,  by  his  parents.  He  was  naturally  of  a studious  disposition,  and 
before  he  was  nine  years  of  age  he  was  reading  Virgil.  At  twelve  years  of  age, 
the  family  being  poor  in  circumstances,  he  was  placed  out  to  service  as  a boy  in  a 
store,  and  working  mornings  and  evenings  in  the  family  of  his  employer.  At  a 
little  less  than  fifteen  years  of  age  he  received  a cadet-warrant,  and,  with  knap- 
sack on  his  back,  footed  it  a large  part  of  the  way  from  Lebanon,  Ohio,  to  West 
Point,  and  arrived  there  in  June,  1825,  the  youngest  of  his  class,  and  with  only 
twenty-five  cents  in  his  pocket. 


He  resigned  from  the  army  after  four  years 
of  service,  and  began  the  practice  of  the  law 
in  Cincinnati,  in  partnership  with  E.  D. 
Mansfield,  who  wrote  of  him  in  his  “Me- 
moirs : ” “ Mitchel  was  noted  at  West  Point 
for  his  quickness  and  ingenuity.  My  father, 
who  was  professor  of  philosophy  there,  used  to 
say  : ‘Little  Mitchel  is  very  ingenious.’  He 
was  more  than  that,  for  he  was  what  j’ou  sel- 
dom .see,  a man  of  real  genius.  A great 
many  people  are  spoken  of  as  men  of  genius, 
but  I never  saw  more  than  half  a dozen  in 
my  life,  and  Ormsby  Mitchel  was  one  of 
them.  . . He  was  my  partner  in  a profes- 
sion for  which  I think  neither  of  us  was  well 
adapted  ; we  were  really  literary  men.  The 
consequence  was,  Mitchel  resorted  to  teaching 
classes,  and  I became  a public  writer.” 

Both  the  young  men  joined  l/i.  Beecher’s 


church,  where  Mitchel  became  noted  for  his 
fervid  zeal  at  pra.yer  meetings.  In  1834 
Mitchel  was  appointed  professor  of  mathe- 
matics, natural  philosophy,  and  astronomy 
in  the  “College  of  Cincinnati,”  an  office  he 
filled  admirably. 

When  the  project  was  entertained  for  build- 
ing what  is  now  known  as  the  Little  Miami 
Railroad,  he  warmly  encouraged  it,  examined 
the  route,  and  with  Mr.  Geo.  Neff  prevailed 
upon  the  city  to  loan  $200,000.  Prof.  IMitchel 
became  its  engineer.  Three  or  four  years 
of  railroad  engineering  and  attention  to  his 
college  duties  kept  him  busy. 

An  enthusiast  in  astronomy  he  felt  the  lack 
of  the  means  for  instructive  observations  for 
himself  and  students,  and  conceived  the  pro- 
ject of  raising  the  funds  for  a complete  ob- 
servatory. Neither  Boston  nor  New  York 


HAMILTON  COUNTY. 


833 


had  an  observatory.  Was  it  likely  that  the 
people  of  a raw  Western  town  would  build 
one?  Yes,  for  Mitchel  could  persuade  them 
to  do  that  great  thing.  And  he  saw  the  way. 
The  only  man  in  the  world  that  could  see  it. 

He  began  by  stirring  up  an  interest  in 
astronomy  by  delivering  a series  of  popular 
lectures  in  the  College  Hall.  The  first  night 
he  had  but  sixteen  to  hear  him.  The  next 
night  they  brought  more,  and  so  it  kept  on  in- 
creasing until  the  whole  city  had  been  so 
aroused  by  his  fervid  eloquence  that  his 
closing  lecture  had  to  be  repeated  in  a city 
church  to  an  audience  of  over  2,000.  It 
was  a theme  in  which  not  one  in  a hundred 
had  before  felt  the  slightest  interest.  He 
spoke  without  notes.  His  religious  instincts 
were  very  strong  ; he  was  all  alive  with  feel- 
ing ; he  possessed  great  fluency  and  com- 
mand of  language,  and  he  electrified  his 
audience  with  this  most  sulDlime,  elevating 
topic  as  probably  no  man  living  or  dead  had 
ever  done  before. 


GEN.  O.  M.  MITCHEL. 


At  the  close  he  stated  his  plan  for  building 
an  observatory.  It  was  by  the  organization 
of  a joint  stock  company  of  300  shares,  the 
shares  to  be  $25  each,  in  all  amounting  to 
$7,500,  the  shareholders  to  have  certain 
privileges  of  admission  to  look  upon  the 
starry  world.  ^ A few  then  subscribed,  and  he 
then  called  in  person  and  besieged  citizen 
after  citizen  until  the  300  shares  were  taken. 

Then  the  ])rofessor  visited  Europe,  to 
secure  the  instruments ; his  ambition  swell- 
ing with  his  successes,  he  now  resolved  to 
make  it  the  best  observatory  in  the  country. 
Two  resolutions  he  formed,  he  said,  contrib- 
uted to  his  success.  ‘"First,  to  work  fiiith- 
fully  for  five  years,  during  all  his  time  from 
regular  duties,  and  second,  never  to  become 
angry  under  any  provocation  while  engaged 
in  this  enterprise.”  These  show  the  quality 
of  “little  Mitchel,”  who  in  person  was  only 
about  five  and  one-half  feet  in  stature,  erect, 
slender,  wiry,  but  symmetrical,  of  a dark 


complexion,  with  a keen  visage  and  regular 
features.  He  looked  the  embodiment  of 
will  power  and  nervous  energy,  and  ordinarily 
was  silent  and  thoughtful. 

He  could  find  neither  in  London  nor  Paris 
such  an  object  glass  as  he  wanted  ; but  at 
Munich  was  one  unfinished  that  would  take 
two  years  to  complete,  the  price  to  be  $10,- 
000.  He  had  but  $7,500  to  pay  for  building 
an  apparatus.  The  people  of  Cincinnati 
must  come  further  to  his  aid  ; and  after  an 
absence  of  only  100  days  he  was  among 
them.  The  shareholders  indorsed  his  action, 
he  appealing  to  their  local  pride  by  his  state- 
ment that,  if  they  did  so,  their  telescope 
would  be  excelled  by  only  one  other  in  the 
world.  He  remitted  $3,000  to  Munich  to 
secure  the  contract. 

Mitchel  then  worked  vigorously  to  secure 
the  money  to  erect  the  building,  to  be  put 
on  a four-acre  lot  given  bj^  Mr.  Nicholas 
Longworth.  Workmen  were  set  to  work 
digging  for  foundations,  and  preparing  the 
material.  On  the  9th  of  November,  1843, 
occurred  the  memorable  event  of  laying  the 
corner-stone,  by  the  venerable  John  Quincy 
Adams,  who  was  the  orator  of  the  occasion. 
The  observatory  seemed  likely  for  want  of 
funds  to  stop  with  its  corner-stone,  they  be- 
ing exhausted  by  the  payment  for  the  tele- 
scope. Next  spring  work  was  resumed  with 
three  workmen.  But  Mitchel  kept  up  his 
courage.  It  is  the  beginning  that  costs. 
Will  power,  faith  moves  mountains.  He 
worked  with  his  own  hands ; induced  some 
of  the  laborers  to  take  part  pay  in  shares. 
By  March,  1845,  the  great  telescope  was 
mounted,  and  a sidereal  clock  and  a transit 
instrument  were  given  by  Prof.  Bache,  of 
the  coast  survey. 

He  had  promised  his  services  as  astronomer 
for  ten  years  free  of  charge,  calculating  upon 
his  salary  in  the  college  for  support.  Soon 
the  college  was  burnt,  and  he  was  out  of 
business.  Nothing  daunted,  he  resolved  to 
give  popular  lectures  as  a means  of  liveli- 
hood, and  continue  his  labors  at  the  observa- 
tory. He  began  at  Boston.  The  first  night 
the  hall  was  but  half  full.  “Never  mind,” 
said  he  to  a friend,  “ every  one  that  was  here 
to-night  will  bring  a friend  the  next  night.” 
Great  success  followed.  The  problem  of 
subsistence  was  solved.  For  years  he  devoted 
himself  to  his  astronomical  studies,  V'as  an 
admirable  observer,  and  showed  remarkable 
inventive  genius.  By  these  inventions  he 
revolutionized  the  system  of  cataloguing  the 
stars.  During  1854-9  he  made  nearly  50,- 
000  observations  of  faint  stai’s.  He  published 
the  Sidereal  Mesf^engcr,  an  astronomical  jour- 
nal. His  own  books  were  the  “ Planetary  and 
Stellar  Worlds,”  his  lectures  on  the  “As- 
tronomy of  the  Bible,”  and  in  1860  his  last, 
“ Popular  Astronomy.”  In  his  “Astronomy 
of  the  Bible  ” he  boldly  adopted  the  “Nebular 
Hypothesis”  of  La  Ifiace ; but  the  theology 
which  he  learned  from  the  stars  was  Calvin- 
istic.  In  his  final  lecture,  after  showing  that 
the  universe  was  governed  by  immutable 
law,  he  concluded  with  this  eloquent  passage  : 


834 


HAMILTON  COUNTY. 


“No,  my  friends,  the  analogies  of  nature 
applied  to  the  moral  government  of  God 
would  crush  out  all  hope  in  the  sinful  soul. 
There  for  millions  of  ages  these  stern  laws 
have  reigned  supreme.  There  is  no  devia- 
tion, no  modification,  no  yielding  to  the  re- 
fractory or  disobedient.  All  is  harmony 
because  all  is  obedient.  Close  forever  if  you 
will  this  strange  book  claiming  to  be  God’s 
revelation ; blot  out  forever  if  you  will  its 
lessons  of  God’s  creative  power,  God’s  super- 
abounding  providence,  God’s  fatherhood  and 
loving  guardianship  to  man,  his  erring  off- 
spring, and  then  unseal  the  lids  of  that 
mighty  volume  which  the  finger  of  God  has 
written  in  the  stars  of  heaven,  and  in  these 
flashing  letters  of  living  light  we  read  only 
the  dread  sentence,  ‘ The  soul  that  sinneth  it 
shall  surely  die.  ’ ’ ’ 

in  ^"'aking  of  the  power 

of  the  astronomer,  ne  said  : 

“By  the  power  of  an  analysis  created  by 
his  own  mind  the  astronomer  rolls  back  the 
tide  of  time  and  reveals  the  secrets  hidden  by 
countless  years,  or,  still  more  wonderful,  he 
predicts  with  prophetic  accuracy'^  the  future 
history  of  the  rolling  spheres.  Space  withers 
at  his  touch.  Time  past,  present  and  future 
become  one  mighty  now.” 

Up  to  the  outbreak  of  the  war  the  ob- 
servatory remained  the  best  equipped  in  the 

One  day,  just  before  the  war,  standing 
on  our  office  steps  in  Cincinnati,  there 
passed  by  a young  man  about  thirty 
years  of  age.  He  was  alone,  and  as  he 
approached  we  looked  at  him  with  un- 
usual interest.  He  was  rather  short  in 
stature,  thin  in  the  flanks,  but  broad, 
full-chested.  His  complexion  was  very 
fair,  and  beard  long,  flowing  and  silky, 
and  his  face  frank  and  genial.  He 
walked  erect  and,  as  was  his  wont,  very 
leisurely,  and  with  a side-to-side  swing. 
As  his  eye  met  ours  a slight  smile  flit 
over  his  face,  not  one  of  recognition  for 
there  was  no  acquaintance.  Probably 
his  mind  was  far  away  and  he  did  not 
see  us,  and  it  was  the  memory  of  a 
happy  incident  that  had  lighted  his 
face  with  the  momentary  joy.  Possibly 
it  was  the  earnestness  of  our  gaze,  if 
perchance  he  noticed  it,  but  that  was 
pardonable.  His  fellow-citizens  were 
proud  of  him  and  liked  to  gaze  upon 
him,  being,  as  he  was,  to  the  manor 
born  and  a man  of  poetic  genius,  AVm. 
Haines  Lytle,  the  author  of  ‘^Antony 
down  to  posterity  as  the  Soldier  Poet.’^ 
being  highly  social  and  possessed  of  w: 
chivalrous  spirit.  One  by  our  side  who 
regiment  was  marching  as  an  escort  1 


United  States,  and  the  reputation  of  Mitchel 
as  an  astronomer  was  alike  high  in  Europe 
and  America.  Then  came  the  rebellion, 
when  he  threw  himself  unreservedly  into  the 
conflict.  At  the  fall  of  Sumter,  at  the  great 
Union  meeting  in  New  York,  he  was  the  most 
effective  speaker.  When  he  closed  the  scene 
that  followed  was  indescribable.  Men  and 
women  were  moved  to  tears,  voices  from  all 
parts  of  the  vast  hall  re-echoed  the  sentiments 
of  the  speaker. 

In  August  Mitchel  was  appointed  Brig- 
adier-General of  Volunteers,  head-quarters 
Cincinnati,  where  he  at  once  plunged  into 
his  new  work  with  his  old  zeal,  put  the  city 
in  a posture  of  defence,  supervised  the  erec- 
tion of  earthworks  and  drilled  the  gathering 
troops. 

Mitchel  was  popularly  known  in  the  army 
as  “Old  Stars. ” Whitelaw Reid  says  of  him, 
“Amid  the  stumblings  of  those  early  years 
his  was  a clear  and  vigorous  head.  While 
the  struggling  nation  blindly  sought  for 
leaders  his  was  a brilliant  promise.  But  he 
never  fought  a battle,  never  confronted  a 
respectable  antagonist  and  never  commanded 
a considerable  army.  Yet  what  he  did  so 
won  the  confidence  of  the  troops  and  the 
admiration  of  the  country  that  his  death  was 
deplored  as  a public  calamity  and  ha  was 
mourned  as  a great  general.  ’ 


WM.  H.  LYTLE. 


and  Cleopatra,’^  whose  name  was  to  go 
His  reputation  at  the  time  was  that  of 
inning  politeness,  a modest  bearing  and 
was  under  him,  as  we  write,  says  : My 
;o  some  baggage  wagons  when  an  aid 


HAMILTON  COUNTY. 


835 


galloped  up  to  me  and  said,  ^ General  Lytle  sends  his  complimenU  to  Col.  Beatty 
with  the  request  to  send  a company  to  the  rear  to  guard  against  guerillas.^  ’’  To 
be  ever  courteous  seems  to  have  been  as  a sort  of  intuition  with  him,  and  showed 
the  high  refinement  of  the  man.  It  is  said  that  just  before  the  fatal  charge  at 
Chickamauga  he  drew  on  his  gloves  with  the  remark,  If  I must  die  I will  die 
as  a gentleman.’^  Whether  true  or  a myth  it  matters  not : if  a myth  its  in- 
vention shows  it  was  characteristic  and,  therefore,  spiritually  true. 


Wm.  Haines  Lytle  came  from  a Scotch- 
Irish  stock,  and  noted  for  warlike  qualities 
and  experiences.  He  was  born  in  the  old 
Lytle  mansion  on  Lawrence  street,  November 
2,  1826,  graduated  at  Cincinnati  College  at 
twenty  years  of  age,  following  his  naturally 
military  instincts  became  a Captain  in  Second 
Ohio  in  the  war  with  Mexico,  studied  and 

Practised  the  law,  was  a member  of  the  Ohio 
legislature,  in  1857  was  Major-General  of 
the  State  militia.  When  the  rebellion  broke 
out  he  was  commissioned  Colonel  of  the 
Tenth  Ohio,  the  Cincinnati  Irish  regiment, 
which  he  led  into  Western  Virginia,  and  fell 
wounded  at  Carnifex  Ferry  while  leading  a 
desperate  chpge  ; was  again  badly  wounded 
and  taken  prisoner  at  Perrysville,  where  his 
regiment  suffered  terrible  loss.  He  was  com- 
missioned General  and  commanded  the  First 
Brigade  of  Sheridan’s  division  on  the  fatal 
field  of  Chickamauga,  where  he  fell  at  the 
head  of  his  column  while  charging,  pierced 
by  three  bullets.  “ Captain  Howard  Green, 
a yolunteer  aid,  sprang  from  his  horse,  re- 
ceived the^  General  in  his  arms,  and  was 
rewarded  with  a smile  of  grateful  recognition. 
Several  officers  and  orderlies  attempted  to 
bear  him  off  the  field.  The  peril  of  this 
undertaking  may  be  imagined  since  two  of  the 
orderlies  were  killed,  and  Col.  Wm.  B.  Mc- 
Creary wounded  and  left  for  dead  on  the  field. 


“ General  Lytle  repeatedly  opened  his  eyes 
and  motioned  to  his  friends  to  leave  him  and 
save  themselves.  Finally,  upon  coming  to  a 
large  tree  upon  a green  knoll,  they  laid  him 
down.  He  then  handed  his  sword  to  one  of 
the  orderlies,  and  waving  his  hand  toward  the 
rear,  he  thus  tried  to  express  with  his  last 
breath  that  his  well-tried  blade  should  never 
fall  into  the  hands  of  the  enemy.  So  closed 
the  life  of  the  poet-soldier,  Lytle.  His 
death  found  him,  as  he  prophetically  wrote 
years  before : 


“On  some  lone  spot,  where,  far  from  home 
and  friends. 

The  way-worn  pilgrim  on  the  turf  reclining. 
His  life,  and  much  of  grief,  together  ends.” 


Lytle  had  many  friends  in  the  Southern 
army,  and  his  remains  were  treated  with  every 
mark  of  respect,  his  mourners  being  alike 
his  friends  and  foes-  His  body  was  tempo- 
rarily buried  in  a coffin  until  they  could  be 
sent  home.  Until  the  outbreak  of  the  war 
poetry  was  to  him  a frequent  occupation  and 
amusement.  That  on  which  his  fame  will 
permanently  rest,  “Antony  and  Cleopatra,” 
was  originally  published,  in  1857,  in  the 
Cincinnati  Enquirer. 


ALICE.  PHCEBE. 

The  Cary  Sisters. 

When  preparing  for  our  first  tour  over  Ohio  we  passed  a few  days  in  the  rooms 
of  Dr.  Bandall,  Secretary  of  the  Cincinnati  Historical  and  Philosophical  Society. 
The  Doctor  then  mainly  constituted  the  socn'ety.  A few  years  later  he  was  shot 
while  dodging  somewhere  in  California  behind  a counter  to  avoid  the  ire  of  a 


836 


HAMILTON*  COUNTY. 


pursuing  ruffian : but  the  society  still  survives.  He  had  as  an  office  mate  L.  A. 
Hine,  then  youthful,  large  and  handsome,  who  was  trying  to  reform  a deceptive 
and  deceiving  world  by  publishing  a magazine  called  ‘^The  Herald  of  Truth,’* 
wherein  was  duly  set  forth  a nice  project  for  Land  for  the  Landless  : ” and 
then  later  he  established  his  permanent  home  with  his  family  at  a spot  properly 
named  for  domestic  felicity;  it  being  Love  Land. 

The  rooms  were  on  East  Fifth  street,  opposite  the  old  Dennison  House,  where 
the  well-fed,  portly  form  of  Landlord  Dennison,  father  of  a then-to-be  war 
Governor,  was  a daily  object  for  pleasing  contemplation.  Alongside  was  the 
honse  market,  where  for  decades  were  daily  sales  of  horses,  sold  amid  crowds  of 
coarse-grained  men,  unearthly,  confusing  yells  and  poundings  of  auctioneers,  and 
the  seampering  to  and  fro  on  bareback  horses  of  stable  boys  through  the  street 
to  show  their  points.  On  looking  upon  the  spot,  its  vulgarity  and  coarseness,  its 
yells  and  shouting,  and  often  oaths,  it  seemed  as  though  the  gates  of  heaven  must 
be  afar : at  least  there  appeared  no  one  in  search  of  them  in  that  vicinity.  To 
enhance  the  attractions  it  was  at  a time  when  the  city  was  termed  Porkopolis,  its 
citizens  Porkopolitans,  for  swine  had  full  liberty  of  the  streets,  living  upon  their 
findings,  or  going  in  huge  droves  stretching  from  curb  to  curb  to  temporary 
boarding  plaees  in  the  suburbs  on  Deer  creek. 


One  day,  while  there  in  the  rooms  of  the 
society,  in  bounced  two  laughing,  merry 
country  girls.  Some  jokes  passed  between 
them  and  the  Doctor  and  Hine,  and  then 
they  bounced  out.  They  were  from  a rural 
spot  eight  miles  north  of  the  city,  and  well 
named  Mount  Healthy,  their  names  Alice 
and  Phoebe  Cary,  girls  then  respectively  26 
and  22  years  of  age,  and  just  rising  into 
fame. 

The  portraits  as  published  are  not  at  all  as 
they  were  then.  Phoebe  had  a round,  chubby 
face  and  seemed  especially  merry.  Alice  we 
again  saw  and  but  once  years  later  at  a con- 
cert by  Jenny  Lind  in  the  old  National  Thea- 
tre on  Sycamore,  near  Third  street.  She 
was  then  small  and  delicate  with  an  oval  face, 
expression  sedate  and  thoughtful.  She  was 
attired  in  Quaker-like  simplicity,  her  dark 
hair  parted  in  the  middle  and  combed  smooth 
over  the  brow.  No  maiden  could  look  more 
pure  and  sweet  than  she  on  that  evening. 
Her  appearance  remains  as  “a  living  picture 
on  memory’s  wall.”  By  her  sat  that  most 
superb-looking,  rosy-cheeked  old  man.  Bishop 
M’llvaine,  whose  resemblance  to  Washington 
was  of  almost  universal  remark.  Robert 
Cary,  the  father  of  the  Cary  sisters,  came  in 
1803  to  the  “Wilderness  of  Ohio”  from 
New  Hampshire,  and  in  1814  married  Eliza- 
beth Jessup  and  made  a home  upon  the  farm 
afterwards  known  as  the  “ Clovernook  ” of 
Alice  Cary’s  charming  stories. 

Their  mother,  a sweet  woman  of  literary 
tastes,  died  in  1835,  and  two  years  later  their 
father  married  again.  Alice  was  then  17 
and  Phoebe  13  years  of  age.  Their  step- 
mother was  unsympathetic  with  their  literary 
aspirations,  which  at  this  time  were  budding. 
Work  with  her  was  the  ultimatum  of  life, 
and  while  they  were  willing  and  aided  to  the 
full  extent  of  their  strength  in  household 
labor,  they  persisted  in  studying  and  writing 
when  the  day’s  work  was  done,  while  she  re- 
fusing the  use  of  candles  to  the  extent  of 


their  wishes,  they  had  recourse  to  the  device 
of  a saucer  of  lard  with  a bit  of  rag  for  a 
wick  after  the  rest  of  the  family  had  retired. 
Alice  began  to  write  verses  at  18,  and  Phoebe 
some  years  after  her.  For  years  the  Cincin- 
nati papers  formed  the  principal  medium  by 
which  they  became  known,  then  followed  the 
Ladies’  Repository  of  Boston,  Graham’s 
Magazine,  and  the  National  Era  of  Wash- 
ington. Recognition  from  high  authorities 
at  the  East  then  came  to  their  Western  home. 
John  G.  Whittier  and  others  wrote  words  of 
encouragement,  and  Edgar  Allan  Poe  pro- 
nounced Alice’s  “Pictures  of  Memory”  one 
of  the  most  musically  perfect  lyrics  in  our 
language. 

In  1849  a great  event  occurred  to  the  sisters 
— a visit  to  their  home  from  Horace  Greele3\ 
The  philosopher  had  come  to  the  city  and 
wanted  the  pleasure  of  an  acquaintance  with 
these  rural  maidens  whose  simple,  natural 
verses  of  country  life  had  touched  a sympa- 
thetic chord,  and  so  went  out  to  their  home 
and  gladdened  their  hearts.  We  presume 
after  that  visit  the  stepmother  wished  she 
had  been  less  close  with  her  candles. 

We  remember  that  time  well ; the  philoso- 
pher was  an  old  acquaintance  ; the  weather 
had  turned  intensely  cold,  and  he  said  to  us 
he  was  unprovided  with  a sufficiently  warm 
clothing  for  a return  by  stage  coach  over 
the  mountains. 

A winter  fishion  at  that  time  in  the  Ohio 
valley  was  a huge  coarse  blue  blanket  with  a 
black  border  of  about  six  inches.  These 
shawls  were  extensively  made  into  overcoats, 
whereon  their  black  zebra-like  stripes  had 
full  displa.v.  A more  uncouth  appearing  gar- 
ment could  not  be  well  imagined  either  as  a 
shawl  or  overcoat.  It  was  warm,  but  ab- 
sorbed rain  like  a sponge.  The  shawls  had 
struck  the  philosophic  eye,  they  were  so  pe- 
culiarly what  was  then  known  as  “ Western,” 
and  to  an  inquiry  we  replied  we  had  one  not 
in  use  to  which  he  was  welcome  He  grate- 


HAMILTON  COUNTY. 


837 


fully  accepted  the  gift  and  wore  it  home  as  a 
specimen  of  Cincinnati  fashions,  carrying, 
too,  in  its  meshes  a generous  quantity  of  the 
city’s  soot,  for  which  the  garment  had  an  es- 
pecial retaining  adaptability.  To  have  thus 
ministered  in  that  long  ago  to  the  comfort  of 
an  old-time  philosopher  bent  on  reforming 
mankind  and  inviting  5'Oung  men  “ to  go 
West  ” is  another  pleasing  picture  on  “ Mem- 
ory’s walls.”  Nearly  thirty  years  elapsed 
ere  we  again  saw  the  sage — he  was  on  his 
Presidential  canvass,  riding  through  Fourth 
street  in  an  open  barouche.  His  vhite, 
benevolent  face  had  broadened,  and  he  was 
bowing  and  smiling  to  the  people,  looking 
“for  all  the  world”  like  some  good  old 
grandmamma  when  bent  on  dispensing  to  the 
youngsters  some  good  warm  gingerbread  just 
out  of  the  oven. 

Having  obtained  recognition  from  the  East- 
ern literati  and  some  pecuniary  success  by  a 
volume  of  their  poems,  in  1852,  the  sisters, 
first  Alice  and  then  Phoebe  Cary,  removed  to 
New  York  to  devote  themselves  to  literature. 
They  established  themselves  in  a modest 
home,  and  by  their  habits  of  industry  and 
frugality  had  success  from  the  very  start. 

Occasionally  they  visited  their  old  home 
and  resumed  the  habits  of  their  girlhood 
days.  When  they  had  obtained  literary  emi- 
nence they  established  on  Sunday  evenings 
weekly  receptions,  when  for  a term  of  fifteen 
years  were  wont  to  gather  the  finest  intellects, 
the  most  cultured  characters  of  the  metropo- 
lis and  the  East.  Assemblies  so  comprehen- 
sive in  elements,  so  intellectually  varied  and 
harmonious,  were  never  before  seen  • in  the 
metropolis.  They  were  quite  informal  and 


not  especially  gratifying  to  the  mere  butter- 
flies of  fashion  whom  curiosity  sometimes 
prompted  to  attend. 

Alice  was  frail,  and  in  I'er  last  sickness, 
rolonged  for  years,  she  was  tenderly  nursed 
y her  stronger  sister,  bearing  her  great  suf- 
ferings with  wonderf  ul  patience  and  resigna- 
tion. She  died  February  12,  1871,  and  five 
months  later  Phoebe  followed  her.  She  was 
naturally  robust  in  health,  but  she  had  been 
weakened  by  intense  sorrow,  and  then  becom- 
ing exposed  to  malarial  influences  quickly  fol- 
lowed her  sister.  Both  were  buried  in  G reen- 
wood  cemetery. 

It  had  been  pitiful  to  see  Phoebe’s  efforts 
to  bear  upr  under  her  dreadful  loneliness  after 
her  sister’s  death.  “She  opened  the  win- 
dows to^  admit  the  sunlight,  she  filled  her 
room  with  flowers,  she  refused  to  put  on 
mourning  and  tried  to  interest  herself  in  gen- 
eral plans  for  the  advancement  of  woman. 
All  in  vain.  Her  writings  were  largely  poems, 
])arodies  and  hymns.” 

One  of  her  poems,  written  when  she  was 
only  eighteen  years  of  age,  has  a world-wide 
reputation.  Its  title  is  “Nearer  Home,” 
and  it  has  filled  a page  in  nearly  every  book 
of  sacred  song  since  its  composition  Its 
opening  verses  are : 

One  sweetly  solemn  thought 
Comes  to  me  o’er  and  o’er  : 

I am  nearer  home  to-day 
Than  I ever  have  been  before. 

Nearer  my  Father’s  house 
Where  the  mansions  be  ; 

Nearer  the  great  white  throne, 

Nearer  the  crystal  sea. 


The  Cary  Homestead,  ^Ohe  old  gray  farm-house/’  is  still  standing,  in  a thick 
grove  about  100  feet  back  from  the  road,  on  the  Hamilton  pike,  just  beyond  the 
beautiful  suburb  of  College  .Hill,  eight  miles  north  of  Fountain  Square.  The 
sisters  were  born  in  a humble  house  of  logs  and  boards  on  a site  about  a hundred 
yards  north  of  it.  It  is  of  brick,  was  built  by  their  father  about  1832,  when  the 
girls  were  respectively  eight  and  twelve  years  of  age.  It  is  a substantial,  roomy 
old-fashioned  mansion,  and  is  just  as  the  sisters  left  it  when  they  went  to  New 
York  to  seek  their  fortune.  It  has  many  visitors  attracted  by  memories  of  the 
famous  sisters,  a brother  of  whom,  Warren,  a farmer,  still  lives  there.  After 
their  decease  Whittier,  in  writing  of  their  original  visit  to  him,  thus  alluded  to  it : 


Years  since  (but  names  to  me  before) 

Two  sisters  sought  at  eve  my  door. 

Two  song-birds  wandering  from  their  nest, 
A gray  old  farm-house  in  the  West. 

Timid  and  young,  the  elder  had 
Even  then  a smile  too  sweetly  sad  ; 

The  crown  of  pain  we  all  nmst  wear 
Too  early  pressed  her  midnight  hair. 

Yet,  ere  the  summer  eve  grew  long. 

Her  modest  lips  were  sweet  with  song  ; 

A memory  haunted  all  her  words 
Of  clover-fields  and  singing  birds. 

One  of  the  attractions  of  the  region  is  the 
old  family  graveyard. 


The  most  interesting  single  object  in  this 
region  is  what  is  known  as  “the  Cary  tree.” 
It  is  the  large  and  beautiful  sycamore  tree  on 
the  road  between  College  Hill  and  Mount 
Pleasant.  The  history  of  this  tree  is  very 
interesting,  as  given  by  Dr.  John  B.  Peaslee, 
ex-superintendent  Cincinnati  public  schools. 

In  1832,  when  Alice  was  twelve  years  old 
and  Phoebe  only  eight,  on  returning  home 
from  school  one  day  they  found  a small  tree, 
which  a farmer  had  grubbed  up  and  thi-own 
into  the  road.  One  of  them  picked  it  up 
and  said  to  the  other:  “Let  us  plant  it.” 
As  soon  as  said  these  happy  children  ran  to 
the  opposite  side  of  the  road  and  with  sticks 
—for  they  had  no  other  implement — they 
dug  out  the  earth,  and  in  the  hole  thus  made 


838 


HAMILTON  COUNTY. 


Dr.  Arlliur  Le  Boutellier,  Photo. 

The  “ Gray  Old  Farm-House.” 


they  placed  the  treelet ; around  it,  with  their 
tiny  hands,  they  drew  the  loosened  mold  and 
pressed  it  down  with  their  little  feet.  With 
what  interest  they  hastened  to  it  on  their  way 
to  and  from  school  to  see  if  it  were  growing ; 
and  how  they  clapped  their  little  hands  for 
joy  when  they  saw  the  buds  start  and  the 
leaves  begin  to  form  ! With  what  delight 
did  they  watch  it  grow  through  the  sunny 
days  of  summer ! With  what  anxiety  did 
they  await  its  fate  through  the  storms  of 
winter,  and  when  at  last  the  long  looked-for 
spring  came,  with  what  feelings  of  mingled 
hope  and  fear  did  they  seek  again  their 
favorite  tree  ! 

When  these  two  sisters  had  grown  to  wo- 
manhood, and  removed  to  New  York  city, 
they  never  returned  to  their  old  home  with- 
out paying  a visit  to  the  tree  that  they  had 
planted,  and  that  was  scarcely  less  dear  to 
them  than  the  friends  of  their  childhood 
days.  They  planted  and  cared  for  it  in  youth  ; 
they  loved  it  in  age. 

Mr.  Peaslee  was  the  first  person  anywhere 
to  inaugurate  the  celebration  of  memorial 
tree-planting  by  public  schools,  which  he 
did  in  the  spring  of  1882  by  having  the  Cin- 
cinnati schools  plant  and  dedicate  with  mu- 
sical, literary  and  other  appropriate  exercises 
groups  of  trees  in  honor  and  memory  of  emi- 
nent . American  authors.  The  grove  thus 
planted  is  in  Eden  Park  and  is  known  as 
‘‘Authors’  Grove.”  At  that  time  the  above 
description  was  used  as  part  of  the  exercises 
around  the  Cary  tree,  planted  by  the  Twelfth 
district  school  of  the  city. 


The  school  celebration  of  memorial  tree- 
planting was  the  outgrowth  of  the  celebration 
of  authors’  birthdays,  which  had  been  in- 
augurated by  Mr.^  Peaslee  in  the  Cincinnati 
schools  some  years  previously.  He  had 
simply  carried  the  main  features  of  authors’ 
birthday  celebrations  into  Eden  Park  and 
united  them  with  tree-planting. 

The  planting  of  trees  and  dedicating  them 
to  authors,  statesmen,  scientists  and  other 
great  men  have  from  this  Cincinnati  example 
been  adopted  by  public  schools  in  nineteen 
States  of  the  Union,  the  Dominion  of  Canada, 
and  the  beautiful  custom  has  crossed  the  ocean 
to  England,  and  as  a consequence  millions  of 
memorial  trees  have  been  planted  by  school- 
children. 

On  our  first  coming  to  Ohio,  in  1846,  the 
praises  of  a young  Whig  orator,  then  thirty- 
two  years  old,  Gen.  Samuel  F.  Cary,  were 
in  many  mouths.  He  was  born  in  Cincin- 
nati, educated  at  Miami  University  and  the 
Cincinnati  Law  School,  and  then  became  a 
firmer.  He  served  one  term  in  Congress, 
1867-9,  as  an  Independent  Republican,  and 
was  the  onlv  Republican  that  voted  against 
the  impeachment  of  President  Johnson. 
In  1876  he  was  nominated  by  the  Greenback 
party  for  Vice-President  on  the  ticket  with 
Peter  Cooper  for  President.  He  has  been 
interested  in  the  temperance  and  labor  reform 
movements,  and  there  are  few  men  living 
who  have  made  so  many  speeches.  Hon. 
Job  E.  Stevenson,  in  his  paper  on  ‘‘  Political 
Reminiscences  of  Cincinnati,”  truly  describes 
him  as  “ a man  of  national  reputation  as  a 


HAMILTON  COUNTY. 


839 


temperance  and  political  orator,  endowed 
with  wonderful  gifts  of  eloquence,  highly  de- 
veloped by  long  and  varied  practice  in  elocu- 
tion, of  fine  presence,  and  a voice  of  great 
power  and  compass.”  To  this  we  may  say, 
one  may  live  a long  life  and  not  hear  a public 
speaker  so  well  adapted  to  please  a multi- 
tude. In  his  case  the  enjoyment  is  height- 
ened by  seeing  how  strongly  he  enjoys  it 
himself.  In  a speech  which  we  heard  him 
deliver  at  the  dedication  of  the  Pioneer 
Monument,  at  Columbia,  July  4,  1889,  we 
saw  that  at  the  age  of  seventy-five  his  power 
was  not  abated.  We,  however,  missed  the 
massive  shock  of  black  hair  that  in  the  days 
of  yore  he  was  wont  to  shake  too  and  fro,  as 
he  strode  up  and  down  the  platform,  pouring 
forth,  with  tremendous  volume  of  voice,  tor- 
rents of  indignation  upon  some  great  public 
wrong,  real  or  imaginary,  with  a power  that 
reminded  one  of  some  huge  lion  on  a ram- 

Eage,  now  and  then  relieving  the  tragic  of 
is  speech  by  sly  bits  of  humor. 

On  our  original  tour  over  Ohio  we  hap- 
pened once  in  the  office  of  the  Cleveland 
Herald^  when  there  came  in  a 3^outh  of 
scarcely  twenty  years.  We  were  at  once  in- 
terested in  him,  though  we  had  never  before 
met,  for  our  fathers  had  been  friends,  and  he, 
was  a native  of  our  native  town.  New  Haven, 
Conn.,  where  he  was  born  July  31,  1825. 
The  young  man  was  pale,  slender,  with  keen, 
dark  eyes,  nimble  in  his  movements,  quick 


GEORrxE  HOADLY. 

as  a flash  with  an  idea,  and  enthusiastic. 
This  was  George  Hoadly  ; upon  his  high 
history,  blood  and  training  have  since  asserted 
their  power.  He  is  of  the  old  Jonathan 
Edwards  stock  ; his  great-grandmother,  Mary 


Edwards,  who  married  Major  Timothy 
Dwight,  was  a daughter  of  the  great  divine. 
His  father,  George  Hoadly,  was  a graduate 
of  Yale  ; was  for  years  mayor  of  New  Haven  ; 
moved  in  1830  with  his  family  to  Cleveland, 
where  he  was  elected  five  times  ma3W,  1832- 
1837,  during  which  time  he  decided  20,000 
suits  ; mayor  again  in  1846-1847.  He  was  a 
horticulturist,  arborist,  botanist,  and  learned 
in  New  England  family  history — ag'entleman 
of  unusual  elegance  and  accomplishments. 
His  mother  was  a sister  of  the  late  President 
Woolse3’’,  of  Yale. 

George  Hoadly  graduated  at  Western  Re- 
serve College  and  Harvard  Law  School,  and 
in  1849  became  a partner  in  the  law-firm  of 
Chase  & Ball,  Cincinnati.  In  1851,  at  the 
age  of  twenty-five,  he  was  elected  a judge  of 
the  Superior  Court  of  Cincinnati,  and  was 
city  solicitor  in  1855.  “ In  1858  he  succeeded 
Judge  Gholson  on  the  bench  of  the  new 
Superior  Court.  His  friend  and  partner, 
Gov.  Salmon  P.  Chase,  offered  him  a seat 
upon  the  Supreme  Court  bench,  which  he 
declined,  as  he  did  also,  in  1862,  a similar 
offer  made  by  Gov.  Tod.  In  1866  he  re- 
signed his  place  in  the  Superior  Court  and 
resumed  legal  practice.  He  was  an  active 
member  of  the  Constitutional  Convention  of 
1873-74,  and  in  October,  1883,  was  elected 
governor  of  Ohio,  defeating  Joseph  B.  For- 
aker,  by  whom  he  was  in  turn  defeated  in 
1885.  During  the  civil  war  he  became  a Re- 
publican, but  in  1876  his  opposition  to  a pro- 
tective tariff  led  him  again  to  affiliate  with 
the  Democratic  party.  He  was  one  of  the 
counsel  that  successfully  opposed  the  project 
of  a compulsory  reading  of  the  Bible  in  the 
public  schools,  and  was  'leading  counsel  for 
the  assignee  and  creditors  in  the  case  of  Arch- 
bishop Purcell.  He  was  a professor  in  the 
Cincinnati  Law  School  in  1864-1887,  and  for 
many  years  a trustee  in  the  University.  In 
March,  1887,  he  removed  to  New  York  and 
became  the  head  of  a law-firm.” 

George  Ellis  Pugh  was  born  in  Cincin- 
nati, Nov.  28,  1822,  and  died  July  19,  1876. 
He  was  educated  at  Miami  University ; be- 
came a captain  in  the  4th  Ohio  in  the  Mexi- 
can war;  attorney-general  of  Ohio  in  1851  ; 
and  from  1855  until  1861  served  the  Demo- 
cratic party  in  the  United  States  Senate.  In 
the  National  Democratic  Convention,  in 
Charleston,  S.  C.,  in  1860,  he  made  a most 
memorable  speech  of  indignation,  in  reply  to 
William  L.  Yancey,  in  the  course  of  which, 
alluding  to  the  demands  of  the  ultra  pro- 
slavery partisans  upon  the  Northern  Democ- 
racy, he  said  (we  write  from  memory) : You 
would  humiliate  us  to  your  behests  to  the 
verge  of  degradation,  with  our  hands  on  our 
mouths,  and  our  mouths  in  the  dust.”  His 
plea  in  behalf  of  Clement  L.  Yallandigham 
was  regarded  as  one  of  his  ablest  efforts. 
This  was  in  the  habeas  corpus  proceeding 
before  Judge  Leavitt,  involving  the  question 
as  to  the  power  and  the  duty  of  the  judge  to 
relieve  Mr.  Yallandigham  from  military  con- 
finement. Mr.  Pugh  was  gifted  with  a very 
strong  voice,  a power  of  vehement,  earnest 


840 


HAMILTON  COUNTY. 


utterance,  and  with  a marvellous  memory 
that  was  of  great  advantage  over  all  oppo- 
nents, enabling  him,  as  it  did,  to  cite  author- 
ity after  authority,  even  to  the  very  pages,  so 
that  he  could  at  any  time,  when  prepared,  go 
into  court  without  any  yellow-arrayed  breast- 
works, in  the  form  of  piled-up  law  books. 
His  last  years  were  greatly  marred  by  exces- 
sive deafness. 

At  the  age  of  seventy-one,  on  July  14, 
1883,  on  his  beautiful  place  at  North  Bend, 
there  died  Dr.  John  Aston  Warder,  a 


DR.  JOHN  A.  WARDER. 

most  beneficent  character.  He  was  born  in 
Philadelphia  of  Quaker  parentage,  and  in 
early  life  saw  at  his  father’s  house  and  asso- 
ciated with  those  eminent  naturalists,  Audu- 
bon, Michaux,  Nuttal,  Bartram,  and  Dar- 
lington, from  whom  he  acquired  great  fond- 
ness for  nature,  and  how  to  woo  her  sweet 
delights.  He  studied  medicine  in  Philadel- 
phia, practised  eighteen  years  in  Cincinnati, 
and  then  moved  to  North  Bend  to  give  his 
entire  attention  to  horticulture.  Meanwhile 
he  did  everything  in  his  power  to  advance 
education  and  science,  and  was  a leader 
through  his  capacity  and  love.  The  public 
schools,  the  Astronomical  Society,  Western 
Ackdemy  of  Natural  Sciences,  Horticultural 
Society,  Ohio  Medical  College,  and  Natural 
History  Society  all  felt  his  guiding  power. 

Warren  Higley,  President  of  Ohio  State 
Forestry  Association,  wrote  of  him:  “ Plis 
early  surroundings  and  associations  were 
powerful  allies  in  his  education  as  a natural- 
ist. He  read  and  studied  and  mastered  the 
book  of  Nature  in  its  varied  teachings  as  but 
few  have  mastered  it.  A seed,  a bud,  a leaf, 
a plant,  a branch,  a tree,  a shell,  a rock,  at- 


tracted his  notice  and  elicited  investigation. 
He  was  a veritable  student  of  Nature,  and 
his  love  among  men  was  as  lovingly  beautiful 
as  it  was  among  his  plants  and  trees.  . . . 
He  is  justly  called  the  Father  of  American 
Forestry.” 

Associated  for  a time,  about  the  year  1 854, 
with  Dr.  Warder,  in  the  publication  of  the 
“ Botanical  Magazine  and  Horticultural  Re- 
view,” was  James  W.  Ward,  a gentleman 
highly  accomplished  by  varied  attainments  in 
science,  literature,  art,  and  both  a poet  and 
the  nephew  of  a poet.  The  best  remembered 
of  his  verses  by  the  older  citizens  is  a parody 
of  Henry  W.  Longfellow’s  “Hiawatha,”  en- 
titled “Higher  Water,”  descriptive  of  a 
freshet  on  the  Ohio  river  • other  of  his  pieces 
were  characterized  by  delicate  fancy  and  re- 
fined instincts. 

Robert  Clarke  was  born  in  Annam, 
Dumfrieshire,  Scotland,  May  1,  1829.  He 
removed  with  his  parents  to  Cincinnati,  Ohio, 
in  1840,  was  educated  at  Woodward  Col- 
lege, and  became  a bookseller  and  publisher 
in  that  city.  He  edited  George  Rogers 
Clarke’s  “Campaign  in  the  ‘Illinois’  in 
1778-9”  (Cincinnati,  1869),  James  McBride’s 
“Pioneer  Biographies”  (1869),  Capt.  James 
Smith’s  “Captivities  with  the  Indians” 
(1870),  and  is  the  author  of  a pamphlet 
entitled  “The  Prehistoric  Remains  which 
were  Found  on  the  Site  of  the  City  of  Cin- 
cinnati, with  a Vindication  of  the  Clincinnati 
Tablet,”  printed  privately,  1876. — Appleton's 
Cyclopedia  of  American  Biography. 

The  mystery  of  the  fate  of  Sir  John 
Franklin  for  a long  term  of  years  aroused 
the  sympathy  of  the  civilized  world.  He 
had  sailed  from  England  in  May,  1845,  in 
two  British  ships,  the  Erebus  and  Terror,  on 
a voyage  of  discovery  of  the  northwest  pas- 
sage across  our  continent,  and  never  re- 
turned. Several  expeditions  were  sent  in 
search,  two  from  our  country,  De  Haven’s 
and  Griffith’s  in  1850,  and  the  last  under  Dr. 
E.  K.  Kane  in  1853.  The  last  under  Mc- 
Clintock  sailed  from  England  in  1857  in  the 
little  steam -yacht  Fox,  purchased  by  Lady 
Franklin,  and  brought  back  from  the  Es- 
kimos intelligence  of  the  sad  fate  of  the  ex- 
pedition, with  many  relics. 

All  further  search  for  them  in  England 
was  then  considered  as  ended.  Not  so  in  this 
country.  There  was  one  individual — then  a 
citizen  of  Cincinnati,  and  personally  known 
to  us  as  a singularly  modest  and  worthy 
man,  doing  business  as  a seal  engraver  at  No. 
1 2 West  Fourth  street — Charles  Francis 
Hall,  a native  of  Rochester,  New  Hamp- 
shire, born  there  in  1821,  where  he  began 
life  as  a blacksmith.  For  years  he  had  been 
an  enthusiastic  student  of  Arctic  exploration, 
and  when  the  mystery  over  the  fate  of  Sir 
John  Franklin  had  aroused  universal  sym- 
pathy he  was  intensely  excited.  He  pondered 
over  the  subject  by  day  and  dreamed  of  it  by 
night,  and  felt  as  though  there  might  be  some 
poor  souls  j’^et  surviving  of  the  lost  mariners 
among  the  Eskimos,  whom  to  relieve  from 
their  savage,  dreary,  deathlike  existence  he 


HAMILTON  COUNTY. 


84 


was  personally  called  upon  to  attempt  by 
every  attribute  of  huinanit}^ 

Some  of  his  townsmen,  when  they  finally 
learned  of  his  preparing  to  start  off  on  a 
self-constituted  expedition  in  search  of  the 
survivors  of  the  Franklin  Expedition,  and, 
moreover,  heard  that  he  designed  making 
scientific  observations  of  natural  phenomena, 
replied,  with  supercilious  smiles  : ‘‘Pshaw  ! 
what  in  the  way  of  Arctic  explorations  and 
scientific  investigations  can  this  fellow  do  ? 
Why  he  is  nothing  but  a common  seal  en- 
graver,” they  said,  “who  has  received  but 
the  common  schooling,  and  perhaps  only  from 
a common  Yankee  school-marm  at  that,  and 
who  in  all  his  life  has^  accomplished  no 
greater  feat  than  engraving  the  initials  of 
sundry  nobodies  upon  wedding-rings,  ’ With 
this  do  I thee  wed !’ ” 

Such  commentators,  with  any  amount  of 


scholarly  drill,  prove  incapable  of  a fresh 
thought,  or  else  it  would  flash  upon  them,  as 
it  would  upon  any  bright,  well-read  lad  of 
fifteen,  that  the  great  names  that  come  down 
to  us  from  Moses  to  Socrates,  from  Shakes- 
peare to  one  Ben  Franklin,  and  almost  the 
entire  line  of  original  inventors,  Edison  in- 
clusive, are  largely  those  of  individuals  who 
were  powerless  to  display  parchments  of 
graduation.  They  seem  dead  to  the  fact  that 
upon  the  basis  of  a common  school  education, 
with  the  abundant  printed  aids  of  our  time — 
advantages  which  “ Moses  and  the  prophets,” 
Socrates  and  the  popes,  had  not — for  the  in- 
vestigation of  almost  any  single  topic,  that 
the  naturally  clear  brain  when  will  and  en- 
thusiasm absorb  its  entire  power  is  capable 
of  the  most  subtle  fingerings,  of  giant  grasps 
and  far-reaching  conquests.  His  townsmen 
little  realized  that  in  the  person  of  this 


modest,  quiet  seal  engraver  was  to  be  demon- 
strated from  the  days  of  the  Norse  111  en  to 
our  days  no  greater  hero  in  all  Arctic  histoiy, 
and  moreover  that  he  was  to  win  the  singular 
distinction  of  penetrating  nearer  to  the  North 
Pole  than  any  human  being  before  him,  and 
then  filling  the  northernmost  grave  on  the 
globe. 

When  Hall  returned  from  his  first  expedi- 
tion he  brought  two  natives,  the  Eskimos 
Joe  and  Hannah,  afterwards  of  the  Polaris 
Expedition,  and  came  to  Cincinnati  with 
them.  About  that  time  Lady  Franklin,  who 
had  come  to  this  country  to  meet  Hall,  was 
also  in  Cincinnati,  and  gave  a reception  to 
such  of  the  citizens  as  desired  to  call  upon 
her  in  the  ladies’  parlor  of  the  Burnet 
House,  when  John  D.  Caldwell,  Ohio’s 
“Universal  Secretary,”  acted  as  cJmperon. 

This  was  in  the  war  time,  the  winter  of 
1863-4.  One  evening  at  that  period  we  saw 
Hall  and  Joe  together  in  the  Gazette  office. 
The  Eskimo,  or  more  properly  Innuits,  are  a 
small  race,  the  men  under  five  feet  in  stature. 
Joe  looked  alongside  of  Hall  as  a pigmy  be- 
side a giant.  Hall  was  a tall,  fleshy  man, 
with  rather  a small  head,  the  last  man  one 
would  pick  out  for  a hero,  possessing  very 
little  self-assertion  or  fluency  of  speech. 
What  may  seem  strange,  bis  Eskimo  com- 
panions Joe  and  Hannali  on  their  arrival  in 
this  country,  consequent  upon  the  inhospital- 
ity of  our  climate,  had  caught  severe  colds. 
As  we  looked  upon  Joe  that  winter  evening 
in  the  Gazette  office,  we  felt  we  would  like  to 
know  his  emotions  on  a first  introduction  to 
civilized  life.  Buskin  said:  “What  a 
thought  that  was  when  Grod  first  thought  of 
a tree.”  We  felt  we  would  like  to  know 
Joe’s  emotions  when  he  first  saw  a tree.  He 
was  of  a race  of  our  fellow-creatures  who 
never  see  a tree  nor  a shrub  their  entire  lives 
through,  but  dwell  in  seeming  utter  desola- 
tion and  solitude,  where  the  whole  earth  lies 
dead  under  an  eternal  snowy  shroud. 

Edward  Follensbee  Noyes  was  born  in 
Haverhill,  Mass.,  October  3,  1832,  and  be- 
coming an  orphan  served  five  years  appren- 
ticeship in  the  office  of  the  Mornmg  Star,  a 
religious  newspaper  published  at  Dover,  N, 
H.  He  then  prepared  and  “went  through 
Dartmouth  College,  graduating  near  the  head 
of  his  class,  moved  to  Cincinnati  and  gradu- 
ated in  the  Cincinnati  Law  School  in  1858. 
When  the  civil  war  broke  out  he  was  one  of 
the  members  of  the  Literary  Club  who  en- 
listed. He  changed  his  law  office  into  re- 
cruiting headquarters  and  was  commissioned 
July  27,  1861,  Major  of  the  39th  Ohio  In- 
fantry, and  later  its  Colonel.  He  was  with 
his  regiment  in  every  march  and  in  every 
battle  and  skirmish  in  which  the  command 
was  engaged,  until  he  lost  a leg  in  an  assault 
on  the  enemy’s  works  at  Ruff’s  Mills  in  the 
Atlanta  campaign.  While  yet  on  crutches 
he  reported  for  duty  to  Gen.  Hooker,  and 
was  assigned  to  the  command  of  Camp  Den- 
nison, and  later  was  commissioned  Brigadier- 
General.  In  1871  he  was  chosen  Governor 
of  Ohio  ; at  the  next  election  was  defeated  ; 


842 


HAMILTON  COUNTY. 


in  1877  he  was  appointed  by  his  old  friend 
and  club  mate,  President  Hayes,  Minister  to 
France.  During  his  service  there  he  was 
sent  on  an  especial  mission  to  the  East,  visit- 
ing all  the  countries  that  border  on  the 
Mediterranean.  He  resigned  in  1881  and 
resumed  liis  law  practice  in  Cincinnati.  He 
possesses  hue  oratorical  powers,  and  is  re- 


GEN.  E.  F.  NOYES. 

markable  for  his  enthusiastic,  cheery  disposi- 
tion and  kindly  manners.  He  was  so  beloved 
by  the  soldiers  that  he  induced  a larger  num- 
ber of  veterans  to  re-enlist  in  his  regiment 
than  was  secured  to  any  other  in  the  National 
array  from  Ohio.  He  died  Sept.  4,  1890. 

In  our  boy  days  we  often  saw  in  our  fa- 
ther’s bookstore  in  New  Haven,  Alphonso 
Taft,  then  a Yale  student.  He  was  tall, 
broad — even  as  a youth — heavy  and  strong, 
and  then  noted  for  his  strong  common  sense 
and  masculine  grasp  of  intellect.  He  was  a 
warm  admirer  of  Daniel  Webster,  whom  in 
some  important  aspects  he  resembled,  and 
of  the  many  eulogies  pronounced  upon  that 
great  man  his  tribute  to  his  life  and  services 
is  regarded  by  the  family  and  friends  of  Mr. 
Webster  as  the  most  truthful  and  masterly. 
He  once  made  a remark  that  is  worth  any 
printer’s  ink  : “It  is  a pretty  bad  case  that 
has  not  to  it  two  sides.” 

Judge  Taft  was  born  in  Townsend,  Ver- 
mont, November  5,  1810  ; graduated  at  Yale 
in  1833  ; tutor  there,  1835-1837  ; in  1838  ad- 
mitted to  the  bar  and  after  1 840  practised 
in  Cincinnati,  where  he  won  high  reputation. 
In  1856  he  was  a delegate  to  the  National 
Republican  Convention,  and  in  the  samej^ear 
was  defeated  for  Congress  by  George  H. 
Pendleton  ; from  1866  to  1872  was  Judge  of 
the  Superior  Court  of  Cincinnati,  when  he 
resigned  to  associate  himself  in  practice  with 
two  of  his  sons.  “In  1875  he  was  a candi- 


date for  the  Republican  nomination  for  the 
governorship  ; but  a dissenting  opinion  that 
he  had  delivered  on  the  question  of  the  Bible 
in  the  public  schools  was  the  cause  of  much 
opposition  to  him.  The  opinion  that  defeated 
his  nomination  was  unanimously  affirmed  by 
the  Supreme  Court  of  Ohio,  and  is  now  the 
law  of  the  State.  Pie  became  Secretary  of 
War  M.ych  8,  1876,  on  the  resignation  of 
Gen.  William  W.  Belknap,  and  on  22d  May 
following  was  transferred  to  the  attorney- 
generalship,  serving  until  the  close  of  Gen. 
Grant’s  administration.  Judge  Taft  was  ap- 
pointed United  States  minister  to  Austria 
April  26,  1882,  and  in  1884  was  transferred 
to  Russia,  where  he  served  till  August  1, 
1885.  He  has  been  a trustee  of  the  Univer- 


ALPHONSO  TAFT. 

sity  of  Cincinnati  since  its  foundation,  and 
in  1872-82  served  on  the  corporation  of 
Yale,  which  gave  him  the  degree  of  LL.D.  in 
1867.”  PYur  of  his  sons  have  graduated  at 
that  institution.  He  died  May,  21  1891. 

Aaron  F.  Perry,  like  Jud^e  Taft,  is 
from  the  Green  Mountain  State,  born  at  Lei- 
cester, Vermont,  January  1,  1815 — like  him 
was  educated  at  Yale,  and  cast  his  fortunes 
in  Ohio,  first  settling  in  Columbus,  where  he 
had  as  successive  law  partners  Gov.  Dennison 
and  Gen.  Carrington.  In  1854  he  removed 
to  Cincinnati  and  became  a law  partner  with 
Judge  Taft  and  Col.  Thomas  M.  Ke5^  As 
a lawyer  he  has  made  enduring  marks  upon 
the  history  of  his  country — notably  in  the 
case  of  Vallandigham  against  Burnside,  in- 
volving the  legal  right  to  arrest  a private  cit- 
izen for  indulgence  in  the  freedom  of  speech 
in  opposition  to  the  measures  of  a govern- 
ment struggling  for  its  life  against  citizens  in 
armed  rebellion.  Mr.  Perry  in  his  politics 
was  originally  a Whig,  then  a Republican, 


HAMILTON  COUNTY. 


S43 


and  in  1870  was  elected  to  Congress  by  the 
Republicans,  where  he  took  a leading  part. 
During  the  war  era  no  man,  in  our  judgment, 
in  the  Cincinnati  region,  was  so  effective  as 
he  in  upholding  the  hands  of  government  by 
public  addresses,  irresistible  from  their  grasp 
and  clearness  of  statement,  beauty  of  diction 
with  keenness  of  wit,  and  delivered  with  a 
grace  and  ease  of  manner  and  a power  that 
so  captivated  the  multitudes  that  ever  assem- 
bled to  hear  him,  that  they  were  always  sorry 
when  he  closed.  So  important  were  his  ser- 
vices to  Ohio  at  this  period,  that  Gov.  Den- 
nison thanked  him  in  his  annual  message. 
Although  suffering  from  a malady,  deafness, 
that  warps  the  disposition  of  many  sensitive 
natures,  Mr.  Perry  seems  not  at  all  affected 
by  it,  but  everywhere  and  to  every  one  ap- 
pears with  an  overflow  of  good  feeling  that 
renders  his_  presence,  and  after  thoughts  of 
him,  to  a high  degree  pleasant. 


REUBEN  RUNYAN  SPRINGER. 

Reuben  Runyan  Springer,  philanthro- 
pist, was  a descendant  of  the  early  Swedes 
who  settled  in  Delaware  in  the  seventeenth 
century.  His  father  was  a soldier  under 
Gen.  Wayne  in  the  Indian  war,  and  later 
became  the  postmaster  in  Frankfort,  Ky., 
where  Reuben  was  born,  November  16,  1800. 
He  in  turn  became  postmaster,  a clerk  on  a 
river  steamboat  running  between  Cincinnati 
and  New  Orleans,  and  then  acquired  an  in- 
terest. Later  he  became  a partner  in  a 
wholesale  grocery  house  in  Cincinnati,  and 
retired  in  1840  from  ill  health,  and  never  re- 
sumed active  business. 

“ He  went  abroad  repeatedly,  buying  many 
works  of  fine  art,  which  are  now  mostly  the 
property  of  the  Art  Museum.  He  gave  to 
the  Music  Hall,  the  Exposition  Building,  the 
Odeon  Theatre  and  the  Art  Museum,  in  all. 


$420,000  ; to  private  charities  of  the  Roman 
Catholic  church — of  which  he  was  a member 
— more  than  $100,000,  and  at  least  $30,000 
annually  in  the  way  of  benevolence,  beside 
contributing  liberally  and  regularly  to  various 
charities  and  public  enterprises.  He  died  in 
1884,  left  by  will  about  $3,000,000  to  nearest 
of  kin — having  no  children  ; also  annuities  to 
the  College  of  JMusic,  the  Music  Hall  and 
the  Art  Museum,  and  nearly  $400,000  to 
various  Roman  Catholic  charitable  institu- 
tions, among  these  $40,000  to  the  Cathedral 
School,  $30,000  to  St.  Peter’s  Benevolent 
Society,  and  $100,000  for  the  education  of 
priests.”  A fine  statue  to  his  memory ’s  in 
the  Music  Hall,  the  work  of  Clarence  Powers. 
Mr.  Springer  was  in  person  tail  and  erect, 
with  dark  eyes,  and  dignified  and  quiet  in 
manner,  and  impressed  the  casual  observer 
as  one  of  the  highest  type  of  gentlemen. 

Calvin  Washburn  Starbuck,  printer, 
born  in  Cincinnati  in  1822;  died  there  in 
1870  ; was  the  fastest  type-setter  in  Ohio  ; 
established  the  Times,  the  progenitor  of  the 
Star- Times ; was  remarkable  for  his  phi- 
lanthropy to  various  charitable  institutions  of 
the  city  both  by  cash  and  personal  labor. 
During  the  civil  war  he  strove  by  voice  and 
pen  to  establish  the  National  credit.  To  the 
families  of  his  employes  who  enlisted  he 
continued  their  full  wages  while  they  were  in 
the  service,  and  in  1864  volunteered  and 
bore  his  musket  as  one  of  the  one  hundred- 
day  men. 

David  Sinton,  so  widely  known  for  his 
benefactions,  was  born  in  County  Armagh, 
Ireland,  early  in  the  century,  of  mingled 
Scotch  and  Anglo-Saxon  blood ; the  family 
name  was  originally  Swinton.  His  father’s 
family  came  to  this  country  and  settled  at 
Pittsburg  when  he  was  three  years  of  age. 
His  life  business  has  mainly  been  the  manu- 
facture of  iron,  the  location  of  his  furnaces, 
Lawrence  _ county.  His  residence  has  been 
mainly  Cincinnati.  He  is  entirely  a self- 
made  man  ; has  a large,  strong  person  with 
strong  common  sense,  and  therefore  moves 
solely  on  the  solid  foundation  of  facts.  His 
residence  is  the  old  Longworth  mansion  on 
Pike  street,  built  by  Martin  Baum  early  in 
the  century.  Mr.  Sinton’s  only  living  child 
is  the  wife  of  Chas.  P.  Taft,  editor  ot  the 
Times- Star. 

To  be  a public  man  of  note  renders  such  an 
one  an  object  of  interest  to  the  public,  to  say 
nothing  of  the  gratification  in  that  fact  to  the 
public  man  himself  One  such,  a fellow-towns- 
man in’ Cincinnati,  we  seldom  failed  to  look 
upon  as  we  passed  him  on  the  street  from  his 
personal  attractions  and  general  reputation  as 
a man.  He  was  rather  short  in  stature  but  a 
full-chested,  erect,  plumply-built  and  very 
handsome  man,  with  dark  smiling  eyes,  a 
noble,  massive  head  adorned  with  a wealth  of 
dark  luxuriant  hair : life  seemed  to  go  pleasant 
with  him.  We  never  heard  the  sound  of  his 
voice ; but  once,  just  before  the  civil  war, 
we  were  simultaneously  in  each  other’s  eyes. 
We  had  met  and  passed  on  a side  street, 
each  of  us  alone ; then  we  turned  to  gaze  upon 


544 


HAMILTON  COUNTY, 


him  at  the  same  moment  he  had  turned  to 
gaze  on  us.  The  reader  has  had  a like  ex- 
perience and  appreciates  the  mutual  morti- 
fication of  the  moment.  Which  of  us  felt 
the  meanest  is  an  unsolved  problem.  When 
on  our  late  tour  over  Ohio  we  were  in  the 
Tom  Corwin  mansion^  at  Lebanon,  Judge 
Sage,  whose  home  it  is  and  who  was  with 
US,  said  with  pride,  as  enhancing  the  attrac- 


DAVID  SINTON. 

tions  of  the  mansion,  “In  the  room  over  us 
George  H.  Pendleton  passed  several  days 
when  he  was  an  infant.”  This  was  the  full- 
rounded  man  we  met  as  above  described. 
His  fellow-townsmen  called  him  “ Gentleman 
George  ” from  his  suave  manners  and  courtly 
ways.  Then  he  was  “well  fixed”  for  pleas- 
ant contemplation,  possessing,  as  reputed, 
ample  means,  the  best  social  relations,  the 
best  Virginia  blood  of  the  revolutionary  war 
coursing  through  his  veins,  and  as  the  mother 
of  his  children  one  of  the  most  beautiful, 
sweetly-mannered  of  women,  and  of  the 
blonde  order,  a daughter  of  Francis  Scott 
Key,  author  of  the  never-to-be-forgotten  ode, 
“The  Star-Spangled  Banner.”  Her  tragic 
death  in  Central  Park  a few  years  ago, 
thrown  from  her  carriage,  is  remembered 
with  a pang. 

George  Hunt  Pendleton  was  born  in 
Cincinnati  25th  July,  1825,  and  educated  to 
the  law.  He  was  elected  as  a Democrat  to 
Congress  in  1856,  serving  till  1865,  where  he 
was  on  the  Committees  on  Military  Affairs 
and  Ways  and  Means. 

“In  1860,  at  the  time  of  the  division  of 
the  Democratic  party  at  the  Charleston  Con- 
vention, Mr.  Pendleton  warmly  supported 
Mr.  Douglas.  On  sectional  questions  he  was 
moderate  and  conservative.  If  dissolution 
was  inevitable,  he  preferred  it  should  be  a 


peaceful  one ; if  war  was  to  be  waged,  he 
warned  Congress  to  ‘ prepare  to  wage  it  to 
the  last  extremity  and  accordingly  voted  for 
all  measures  required  to  enable  the  govern- 
ment to  maintain  its  honor  and  dignity.” 

He  was  on  the  ticket  for  the  Vice-Presi- 
dency, with  George  B.  McClellan  for  Presi- 
dent, in  1864;  was  unsuccessful  on  the 
Democratic  ticket  for  Governor  of  Ohio  in 
1869  against  R.  B.  Hayes.  In  1878  was 
elected  U.  S.  Senator,  and  became  Chairman 
of  the  Committee  on  Civil  Service  Reform. 
In  1885  he  was  appointed  by  President  Cleve- 
land U.  S.  Minister  to  Germany. 

He  died  of  apoplexy  in  Brussels,  Nov.  24, 
1889.  His  remains  lie  buried  in  Spring 
Grove.  He  was  regarded  as  “the  very  pink 
of  honor  ; performed  many  generous  deeds  ; 
had  antagonists,  but  no  enemies.” 

Col.  George  Ward  Nichols,  small  in 
person  but  great  in  will,  was  born  in  Fre- 
mont, Mt.  Desert,  on  the  coast  of  Maine,  in 
1837.  and  died  in  Cincinnati  in  1885.  He 
was  a school-boy  in  Boston  ; then  travelled 
in  Europe,  making  his  headquarters  in  Paris. 
His  tastes  were  for  the  fine  arts,  and  he 
learned  to  draw  and  paint.  In  the  war  pe- 
riod he  was  aid  both  to  Fremont  and  to 
Sherman,  on  his  march  to  the  sea.  Then  he 


GEORGE  H.  PENDLETON. 

came  to  Cincinnati,  where  he  was  for  a time 
engaged  in  drawing  and  painting.  His  life 
there  is  a part  of  the  history  of  the  city.  His 
father’s  house  had  been  a musical  home,  and 
love  of  music  was  his  master  passion.  He 
became  the  originator  and  organizer  of  the 
May  Musical  Festivals,  the  Opera  Festivals, 
and  the  College  of  Music,  founded  in  1879, 
and  “was  its  president,  and  placed  the  col- 


HAMILTON  COUNTY. 


845 


lege  where  envy  could  not  reach  it.”  The 
important  educational  influences  of  such  work 
and  the  honorable  reputation  it  has  given  the 
city,  is  not  to  be  lightly  measured.  He  was 
author  of  “The  Story  of  the  Great  March  to 
the  Sea;”  “Art  Education  Applied  to  In- 
dustry,” and  “Pottery  ; How  it  is  Made.” 

Charles  W.  W est,  whose  great  benefac- 
tion for  an  Art  Museum  in  Cincinnati  is  a 
lasting  memorial  of  beauty  and  pleasure,  was 
born  in  Montgomery  county.  Pa.  In  1810 
worked  on  a farm,  until ^ he  was  twenty-one 
years  of  age,  and  at  thirty-one  established 
himself  in  Cincinnati  as  a merchant  and  had 
great  success. 

In  September,  1880,  he  oflPered  to  contrib- 
ute $150,000  toward  the  erection  of  an  art 
museum  building,  provided  that  an  equal 
amount  was  raised  by  subscription  : on  the 
condition  being  fulfilled  he  gave  twice  as 
much  as  he  had  promised.  The  building  was 
begun  in  1882  and  finished  in  1885  ; but  Mr. 
West  did  not  live  to  see  it  finished,  he  dying 
the  year  before  aged  seventy- four  years.  His 
portrait  in  the  museum  is  in  seeming  that  of 
a genial  gentleman,  full  of  sociality  and  good 
fellowship,  which  indeed  were  his  character- 
istics. His  offer  came  as  a grand  surprise. 
On  the  opening  of  the  Exposition  of  1880, 
its  President,  Hon.  Melville  PI.  Ingalls,  the 
famed  railroad  manager,  read  a letter,  later 
termed  the  “ famous  letter,”  from  Mr.  West, 
making  his  magnificent  offer.  MGien  the 
Exposition  closed  “in  glory,”  having  been  a 
great  success  financially  and  artistically,  Mr. 
Ingalls  gave  a public  dinner  to  its  friends, 
whereupon  fifty-three  gentlemen  obligated 
themselves  to  increase  the  fund  for  the  Art 
Museum  $1,000  each,  in  all  $53,000.  This 
assured  success. 

After  the  death  of  Mr.  Joseph  Longworth, 
the  first  President  of  the  Museum,  Mr.  In- 
galls was  elected  its  president,  and  has  since 
held  the  ofiice  by  continuous  elections,  he 
managing  things  with  the  same  vim  as  he 
has  the  “Big  Four.”  Like  Col.  George  W. 
Nichols,  already  sketched  in  these  pages,  Mr. 
Ingalls  is  a native  of  Maine,  born  at  Harri- 
son, Sept.  6,  1842.  As  a matter  of  honoring 
recor  J we  annex  the  names  of  the  fifty-three 
who  each  gave  one  thousand  dollars  for  the 
Art  Museum  ; and  in  this  connection  inquire 
what  other  city  can  produce  such  a fifty- 
three  ? 

F.  Eckstein,  M.  M.  White  and  wife,  Richard  B. 
Hopple,  Morehead  & Norton,  C.  H.  and  D.  R.  R., 
by  John  Carlisle,  V.  P.,  Peter  Rudolph  Neff, 
Alex.  McDonald  & Co.,  J.  M.  Nash,  T.  T.  Gaff, 
for  estate  of  J.  W.  Gaff,  E.  L.  Harper  & Co., 
Charles  Fleischniann,  Windisch  Muhlhauser 
Bros.  & Co.,  W.  F.  Thorne,  Briggs  Swift,  Henry 
Lewis,  Cincinnati  Gas  Light  & Coke  Co.,  Mrs. 
Larz  Anderson,  Cin.  Street  Ry.  Co.,  by  J.  N. 
Kinney,  A.  S.  Winslow,  G.  Y.  Roots  and  wife, 
George  Wilshire,  Geo.  Hoadly,  Rev.  Thomas  H. 
Skinner,  A.  Gunnison,  (k  1.  St.  L.  & C.  R.  R.,  by 
M.  E.  Ingalls,  George  W.  McAlpin,  E.  W.  Cun- 
ningham and  wife,  A.  J.  Mullane,  Mrs.  George 
Carlisle,  Robert  Mitchell,  Chatfield  & Woods,  S. 
J.  Broadwell,  Wm.  P.  Hulbert,  John  Shillito, 
Walsh  & Kellogg,  Elliott  H.  Pendleton,  Oliver 


Perin,  B.  S.  Cunningham  and  wife,  J.  H.  Rogers, 
George  Hofer,  Joseph  Kinsey,  J.  N.  Kinney,  B. 
F.  Evans,  A.  H.  Hinkle,  George  H.  Hill,  Robert 
Clarke  & Co.,  C.  W.  Short,  George  H.  Pendleton, 
M.  E.  Ingalls. 

Stanley  Matthews  was  born  in  Cincin- 
nati, July  /21,  1824,  the  son  of  a college 
professor.  He  graduated  at  Kenyon,  where 
he  was  a classmate  of  R.  B.  Hayes,  and  life- 
long friend.  He  adopted  the  profession  of 
the  law  and  at  one  time  edited  an  anti-slavery 
newspaper,  the  Cincinnati  Herald.  He  be- 


STANLEY  MATTHEWS. 

came  judge  of  the  Court  of  Common  Pleas, 
held  other  offices,  entered  the  army  as  Lieut. 
Col.  of  the  23d  Ohio,  W.  S.  Rosecrans  being 
its  Colonel,  and  R.  B.  Hayes,  Major ; re- 
mained in  the  army  until  April,  1 863,  when 
he  was  elected  by  the  Republicans  judge  of 
the  Superior  Court  of  Cincinnati ; soon  re- 
signed and  engaged  in  a large  and  lucrative 
law  practice.  On  the  Electoral  Commission 
he  rendered  efficient  service  to  the  claims  of 
Mr.  Hayes.  In  1877  he  succeeded  John 
Sherman  in  the  Senate.  In  1881  he  was 
appointed  associate  justice  of  the  United 
States  Supreme  Court.  He  died  March  21 , 
1889,  leaving  the  reputation  of  being  a great 
lawyer  and  a most  lovable  man.  In  person 
he  was  tall,  manly  and  approachable  to 
everybody.  “If  he  had  lived,”  said  Senator 
Payne,  “he  would  have  been  the^  foremost 
jurist  in  the  land.”  Another  said,  “Few 
stronger  men  have  been  born:  he  embodied 
extraordinary  powers,”  and  with  him  “Re- 
ligion was  a worship  and  not  a show.” 

William  S.  Groesbeck  was  born  July 
24,  1815,  in  New  York  city  ; wa,s  educated 
to  the  law  and  came  to  Cincinnati.  In  1851 
was  a member  of  the  State  Constitutional 
Convention;  in  1852  one  of  the  commission 


HAMILTON 

to  codify  the  State  laws  ; in  Congress  1857- 
1859,  serving  on  the  committee  on  foreign 
affairs ; a member  of  the  peace  congress  in 
1861,  and  in  1862  of  the  Ohio  Senate;  a 
delegate  to  the  National  Union  Convention 
in  1866  ; one  of  President  Johnson’s  counsel 
on  his  impeachment  trial,  1868;  was  in  1872 
the  Presidential  candidate  of  the  Liberal 
Republicans  in  opposition  to  Horace  Greeley 
and  received  one  electoral  vote  for  Vice- 
President,  for  which  office  he  had  not  been 
nominated.  In  1878  was  delegate  to  the 
International  Monetary  Congress,  held  in 
Paris.  His  reputation  for  capacity  is  of  the 
highest.  And  by  his  endowment  of  $50,000 
for  free  open  air  concerts  in  Burnet  Woods 
Park,  strains  of  sweet  music  are  to  soothe 
the  cares  of  multitudes  long  after  he  shall 
have  passed  away. 

Alfred  Traber  Goshorn  was  born  in 
Cincinnati,  July  15,  1833  ; graduated  at  Mari- 
etta, and  also  at  the  Cincinnati  law  school. 

In  the  war  period  he  was  commissioned 
Major  of  the  137th  0.  V.  I.,  and  served  until 
its  close.  He  passed  four  memorable  years 
in  Philadelphia  as  Director  General  of  the 
first  National  exhibition  observed  by  the  peo- 
ple of  the  United  States,  in  commemoration 
of  the  Declaration  of  American  Independ- 
ence, a position  to  which  he  had  been  called 
by  his  extraordinary  genius  for  organizing, 
illustrated  by  his  experience  in  the  Cincinnati 
expositions.  He  retired  from  that  high  place 
covered  with  honors,  thanks,  titles  and  dec- 
orations from  the  leading  governments  of 
Europe  in  recognition  of  his  services  and 
courtesies  to  their  representatives  while  occu- 
pied on  this  great  occasion  of  peace  and  good 
will.  The  citizens  of  Philadelphia  also  ex- 


COUNTY.  847 

pressed  their  gratitude  by  the  present  of  an 
elegant  library,  while  his  own  citizens  on  his 
return  gave  him  a banquet.  Naturally  as  a 
Cincinnati  production  they  felt  proud  of  him. 


ALFKED  TRABER  GOSHORN. 

and  now  having  become  known  of  all  men 
and  to  many  nations  he  is  giving  its  Art 
Museum  the  benefit  of  his  great  experience, 
while  snowing  up  for  his  patriarchal  years. 


The  German  Element  in  Cincinnati. 

The  German  element  comprises  one-third  of  the  population  of  Cincinnati.  It  has  had  a 
surprising  influence  upon  its  art  development-;-as  music,  painting  and  sculpture — also  upon 
its  politics  and  business.  It  has  given  some  highly  prominent  men  to  the  community. 

The  first  mayor  of  Cincinnati  was  Major  David  Ziegler,  a German  from  Heidelburg, 
elsewhere  noticed.  Another  eminent  man  was  Martin  Baum.  He  was  of  high  Dutch 
parentage  ; his  father  was  from  Strasburg,  his  mother  of  the  Kershner  family,  but  he  was 
born  at  Hagerstown,  Md.,  June  14,  1765.  In  1795,  at  the  age  of  thirty,  he  came  to  Cincin- 
nati, engaged  in  merchandising,  and  became  its  most  wealthy  and  influential  business  citizen. 
In  1804  he  married  Miss  Anna  Somerville  Wallace.  In  1803  he  founded  the  first  bank  in 
the  West,  the  Miami  Exporting  Company.  This  company  at  the  same  time  carried  on  a great 
transportation  business,  and  became  one  of  the  most  important  promoters  and  improvers  of 
the  navigation  of  the  West.  He  called  into  life  the  first  sugar-refinery,  the  first  iron-foundry, 
the  first  steam  flouring-mill,  and  started  into  the  West  the  first  stream  of  influential  German 
emigrants  from  the  ships  at  Philadelphia — as  Zachariah  Ernest,  the  Stablers,  Schnetz,  Simon 
Oehler,  Schenebergers,  Hoffner,  etc.  Moreover,  had  the  first  ornamental  garden,  the  first 
vineyard,  and  was  active  in  founding  the  first  public  library  (1802) ; of  the  Western  Museum 
(1817) ; of  the  literary  society  (1817) ; the  first  agricultural  society  (1818),  etc.,  etc.  ^ He  was 
a leader  in  establishing  schools,  markets  and  churches  ; personally  was  one  of  the  main  pillars 
of  the  first  Presbyterian  church.  He  eventually  purchased  that  extensive  tract  from  Pike 
street  to  the  top  of  Mount  Adams  and  bounded  by  Congress  and  Fifth  streets.  ^ Here  he 
built  the  elegant  residence,  later  occupied  by  Nicholas  Longworth,  and  now  by  David  Sinton. 
His  hospitable  home  was  open  to  all  intellectually  great  men  who  visited  Cincinnati,  and 
German  literary  men  were  especially  welcome.  This  great  and  useful  man  died  December 
14,  1831,  of  epidemic  influenza,  now  known  as  ‘'La  Grippe.” 


Christian  Burk  halter,  formerly  secre-  German  Whig  newspaper,  the  Westlicher 
tary  to  Prince  Blucher,  in  1837  founded  a Merkur.  In  1836  he  had  joined  James  G. 


848 


HAMILTON  COUNTY. 


Birney  in  the  publication  of  the  Philanthro- 
pist., an  Abolition  newspaper,  which  was  de- 
stroyed by  a mob.  Albert  Von  Stein  came 
to  Cincinnati  in  1817,  and  gained  eminence 
as  a civil  engineer.  He  was  builder  of  the 
Cincinnati  water-works,  the  first  in  the  coun- 
try to  be  worked  by  pumps  ; made  drawings 
for  “Wilson’s  Ornithology;”  built  the  Ap- 
pomatox  canal,  and  water-wmrks  for  Rich- 
mond, Lynchburg,  Petersburg,  New  Orleans, 
Nashville  and  Mobile.  He  died  in  1876, 
aged  84  years.  Dr.  Friedrich  Reese,  a 
very  learned  man  (in  1825),  was  the  first 
Cerman  Catholic  priest  in  Cincinnati,  later 
was  bishop  of  Detroit ; he  was  the  founder 
of  the  Scientific  School  and  of  the  Athe- 
naeum— the  nucleus  from  which  sprang  St. 
Xavier  College.  Dr,  Wilhelm  Nast,  born 
in  1807,  studied  theology  and  philosophy 
with  David  Strauss  in  the  celebrated  Turbln- 
gen  Institute;  emigrated  in  1828;  in  1831 
and  1 832  went  over  to  the  Methodist  church, 
and  is  considered  as  the  father  of  German 
Methodism  in  America.  He  founded  here 
two  German  Methodist  newspapers.  His 
theological  works  are  very  numerous,  and  he 
“ has  persuaded  many  to  study  in  German 
universities,  although  he  must  have  been 
aware  that  they  would  change  their  narrow 
religious  views  for  wider  and  riper  ones.”  In 
1826  appeared  the  first  German  newspaper. 
Die  Ohio  Chronik.  In  1834  the  Germans 
formed  a (German  society,  that  they  might 
aid  each  other  to  assure  a better  future,  and 
to  secure  generally  those  charitable  aims 
which  are  “ impossible  to  the  single  individ- 
ual.” Among  those  who  formed  this  was 
Heinrich  Rodter,  journalist  and  lawyer. 
He  was  editor  of  the  Volkshlatt,  founded  in 
1836  as  the  organ  of  the  Democrats.  In 
1847-48,  as  a member  of  the  Ohio  Legisla- 
ture, he  had  passed  the  law  which  secures 
workingmen  a lien  on  houses  built  by  them, 
and  also  a law  reducing  the  cost  of  natural- 
ization to  foreigners.  Although  a Democrat, 
he  voted  against  the  black  laws  and  -was  anti- 
slavery in  his  sentiments  ; at  one  time  was  a 
law  partner  with  the  eminent  J.  B.  Stallo.  He 
died  in  1 857.  Karl  Gustave  Reemelin  was 
born  in  Wurtemburg  in  1814,  and  at  the  age 
of'  18  years  arrived  in  this  country.  This 
was  on  the  eve  of  the  election  of  Andrew 
Jackson,  when  he  became  attached  to  the 
Democratic  party,  to  which  he  has  alwaj^s 
adhered.  “His  studies  and  experience  at 
home  had  already  given  him  an  enthusiasm 
for  free  trade  and  a prejudice  against  paper 
money  and  a banking  system  ; and  he  thought 
he  saw  in  the  Whig  party  an  inclination  to- 
ward Puritanism  which  was  naturally  repug- 
nant to  the  genuine  German  nature.  The 
name  Democracy  had  a certain  charm  for  the 
Germans  ; and  as  the  wealthy  classes  mostly 
belonged  to  the  Whig  party  they  classed 
them  with  the  European  aristocracy.  Reem- 
elin became  one  of  the  founders  of  the  Volks- 
hlatt,  studied  law  but  never  practised,  and 
entered  into  politics.  As  a member  of  the 
Ohio  Legislature  he  criticised  very  sharply 
the  then  defective  method  of  taxation,  and 


evinced  a thorough  study  of  political  econ- 
omy,” He  was  a leading  member  of  the 
Constitutional  Convention  in  1850-51  ; the 
article  in  the  constitution  is  due  to  his  exer- 
tions which  prevents  the  legislature  from 
making  arbitrary  divisions  in  the  electoral 
districts.  ^ Through  this  great  abuses  had 
arisen,  minorities  at  times  having  gained  a 
majority  in  the  legislature.  He  visited  the 
ret'orm  schools  in  Europe,  and  guided  by  his 
report  the  legislature  established  the  Reform 
School  at  Lancaster.  Becoming  tired  of  pol- 
itics he  eventually  retired  to  his  beautiful 
farm  and  vineyard  near  Cincinnati,  where  he 
has  written  much  for  agricultuial  journals — 
one  upon  “The  Climate  of  Ohio.”  He  has 
published  “The  Vine  Dresser’s  Manual,” 
“ The  Wine  Maker’s  Manual,”  and  “Politics 
as  a Science.  ” 

The  fact  that  Cincinnati  owns  the  finest 
zoological  garden  in  the  country  is  due  to 
another  German  gentleman,  Mr.  Andrew 
Erkenbrecher,  lately  deceased.  It  was  his 
original  conception  and  was  pushed  to  con- 
summation with  characteristic  energy.  He 
was  born  in  Bavaria  in  1822,  and  came  to 
this  country  in  his  fourteenth  year. 

Emil  Klauprecht,  born  at  Mainz,  in 
1815,  first  carried  on  lithography  in  Cincin- 
nati and  then  turned  to  journalism.  In  1843 
he  published  the  first  belles-lettres  periodical, 
the  Fliegende  Blatter,  with  lithographic 
illustrations,  the  first  German  illustrated 
paper  in  the  United  States.  He  was  at  one 
time  United  States  consul  for  Stuttgart. 
He  edited  a Whig  paper,  the  Repnhlicaner, 
which  for  ten  years  was  the  principal  organ 
of  his  party  in  the  Western  States.  He 
wrote  several  novels  and  an  historical  work, 
“Deutsche  Chronik  in  der  Geschichte  des 
Ohio  Thales.”  The  Germans  have  supplied 
to  Cincinnati  other  literary  men  of  marked 
ability,  as  Heinrick  Von  Martels,  Dr.  Joseph 
H.  Pulte,  founder  of  the  Pulte  Homoeopathic 
College  ; Heinrich  A.  Rattermann,  founder 
of  the  (xerman  Mutual  Insurance  Company. 
“ Mr.  Rattermann  has  written  poetry  in  both 
the  German  and  English  ; has  worked  with 
especial  industry  in  the  history  of  civilization, 
and  has  taken  upon  himself  to  vindicate  a 
just  estimate  of  German  emigration,  and 
showing  therein  a sharp  and  critical  judg- 
ment.” The  names  of  others  connected 
with  editorship  or  education  can  be  men- 
tioned, but  we  have  no  room  for  details,  as 
Dr.  Friedrich  Roelker,  August  Renz,  Joseph 
Anton  Hemann,  Stephen  Molitor,  Nikolaus 
Hofer,  Rev.  Geo.  Walker,  Ludwig  Rehfuss, 
founder  of  the  Lafayette  (xuard  in  1836,  the 
first  German  military  company.  Pastor 
August  Kroll,  etc. 

In  art  the  Germans  have  been  especially 
prominent,  as  the  names  of  many  Cincinnati 
artists  testify.  As  early  as  1826  Gottfried 
Schadow  founded  here  an  Academy  of  Fine 
Arts,  and  had  for  a pupil  Hiram  Powers. 
He  died  of  cholera  and  with  him  perished 
his  academy.  He  made  busts  of  Governor 
JMorrow  and  President  Harrison,  the  first  of 
which  is  now  in  the  State  library. 


HAMILTON  COUNTY. 


849 


Even  away  back  to  1823  existed  here  a 
G-erman  musical  society.  ^ In  1849  the  first 
great  German  musical  festival  of  the  United 
States  was  held  in  this  city.  Then  was 
founded  the  first  German  Saengerbund  of 
North  America,  whose  musical  festivals  have 
now  gained  a world-wide  reputation,  and 
prepared  the  way  for  the  foundation  of  the 
Grand  Music  Hall  and  College  of  Music. 

The  great  lithographic  business  of  the 
city  is  almost  entirely  the  work  of  Germans, 
and  the  largest  furniture  factory  of  the  world 
employing  1500  hands,  that  of  Mitchell  & 
Rammelsburg,  owes  its  foundation  mainly  to 
Freidrich  Rammelsburg,  a Hanoverian,  who 
died  in  1863.  In  1831  Mathias  Schwab 
started  here  the  first  organ  factory  in  the 
west,  if  not  in  the  Union. 

The  most  remarkable  man  among  the 
German  lawyers  of  Ohio,  “a  man  of  whom 
all  the  Germans  in  the  United  States  should 
be  especially  proud  is  Johann  Rernhard 
Stallo.  ” He  came  from  a race  of  school- 
masters, and  was  born  in  1823,  in  the  Grand 
Dukedom  of  Oldenburg,  and  came  to  Cin- 
cinnati in  1839,  where  he  was  first  a teacher 
in  a private  school  when  he  compiled  a 
German  A,  R,  C,  spelling-book,  a great  want, 
the  superior  merits  of  which  led  the  directors 
of  the  newly  founded  Catholic  St.  Xavier’s 
College  to  appointed  him  a teacher  in  that 
institut'on.  The  study  of  the  higher  math- 
ematics led  him  to  German  philosophy,  and 
in  1848  appeared  his  “General  Princijfies 
of  the  Philosophy  of  Nature,”  and  in  1882 
his  “Concepts  and  Theories  of  Modern 
Physics.”  Mr.  Stallo  adopted  the  profession 
of  law,  and  from  1853  to  1855  was  Judge 
of  the  Court  of  Common  Pleas.  Returning 
to  practice  he  gained  a most  brilliant  repu- 
tation by  an  argument  before  the  Superior 
Court  of  Cincinnati  against  the  retention  of 
Rible  reading  and  religious  instruction  in 
public  schools-  His  argument  lasted  for 
several  hours.  Although  the  Cincinnati 
Court  decided  adversely,  the  Supreme  Court 
of  Ohio  reversed  their  decision  and  sustained 
the  views  of  Stallo  and  the  liberals.  It  was  on 
the  ground  that  religion  is  wholly  a matter  of 
individual  freedom,  over  which  the  State  by  its 
Constitution  has  no  power.  This  celebrated 
speech  was  regarded  as  a wonderful  illustra- 
tion of  striking  logic,  wealth  of  philosophical 
truth  and  historical  illustration.  He  was 
appointed  minister  to  Italy  in  1885.  Mr. 
Stallo  possesses  a strikingly  refined,  scholarly 
presence,  and  is  of  the  light  hair,  blue- 
eyed German  type. 

Samuel  N.  Pike,  the  builder  of  the 
magnificent  opera  houses  in  Cincinnati  and 
New  York,  was  of  Jewish  parentage.  The 
fiimily  name  was  Hecht,  the  German  for 
Pike.  He  was  born  near  Heidelberg,  and  in 
1827,  when  five  years  of  age,  came  to  Amer- 
ica, and  in  1844  to  Cincinnati.  He  gained 
colossal  wealth  in  the  liquor  business,  and 
having  been  a great  admirer  of  Jenny  Lind, 
he  built  for  the  Muse  of  Song  a temple  which 
he  said  should  do  honor  to  Cincinnati.  On 
February  22, 1859,  the  opera  house,  the  largest 


and  most  beautiful  in  America,  was  opened 
with  song.  It  was  burnt  in  1866,  and  later 
rebuilt.  He  was  a silent,  calm  man,  and 
while  it  was  building  none  knew  his  object, 
and  when  from  the  roof  of  the  Burnet  House 
he  saw  the  structure  of  his  pride  and  am 
bition  vanishing  in  the  flames,  he  quietly 
smoked  his  cigar  as  unruffled  as  the  most  in- 
different spectator,  and  while  thus  standing 
gazing  in  this  calm,  contemplative  attitude, 
one  of  the  light-fingered  gentry  as  calmly  re- 
lieved him  of  his  watch,  of  course,  a first-class 
time-keeper. 

The  Grand  Opera  House  in  New  York  was 
begun  at  this  time.  He  sold  it  to  James 
Fisk,  Jr.,  for  $850,000.  A gigantic  specu- 
lation in  land,  reclaiming  the  Jersey  marshes, 
near  New  York,  brought  him  immense 
profits,  so  that  at  his  death,  in  1875,  his 
fortune  was  well  up  in  the  millions.  He 
used  to  say  he  “ could  not  see  why  he  should 
make  money — he  never  fretted  himself— he 
couldn’t  help  it.” 

In  the  war  of  the  rebellion  the  Germans 
took  a very  active  part.  Familiar  with  the 
conflict  of  arms  in  the  old  country  they  saw 
sooner  than  the  native  Americans  that  war 
was  inevitable,  and  were  therefore  very  early 
in  the  field.  Three  general  officers  of  the 
Union  army  were  supplied  by  the  Germans 
of  Cincinnati.  Gen.  August  Moor,  born 
in  Leipsic  in  1814,  who  had  been  captain  in 
the  Mexican  war,  started  as  Colonel  of  the 
28th  Ohio  Volunteer  or  2d  German  regiment ; 
the  1st  German  regiment  or  9th  Ohio  was 
under  Robert  McCook.  Moor  gained  a high 
reputation.  Gen.  August  V.  Kautz,  born 
in  Baden  in  1828,  was  a private  in  the  Mexi- 
can war,  later  a lieutenant  in  the  regular 
army.  He  is  the  author  of  several  small 
military  treatises.  Gen.  Gottfried  Weit- 
ZEL,  born  at  Winzlen  in  1835,  came  to  this 
country  in  early  childhood,  graduated  high 
in  his  class  at  West  Point,  and  was  assigned 
to  the  engineer  corps.  While  in  command 
of  a division  in  the  operations  against  Peters- 
burg, he  greatly  distinguished  himself,  the 
taking  of  which  led  to  the  fall  of  Richmond. 
“He  was  the  first  one  who,  at  the  head  of 
his  command,  entered  Richmond  by  the  side 
of  President  Lincoln.  Strange  coincidence  ! 
The  German  General  Schimmelpfenning  was 
the  first  to  lead  a brigade  into  Charleston, 
and  another  German  general  was  the  first  to 
carry  the  flag  of  the  Union  into  Vicksburg.” 
The  first  bayonet  charge  of  the  war  was  made 
in  the  Union  victory  at  Mill  Spring  by  the 
1st  German  regiment  (9th  Ohio),  composed 
mainly  of  the  Cincinnati  Turner  Society,  and 
commanded  by  Col.  Robert  McCook,  later 
murdered  by  guerillas.  A portrait  and 
sketch  of  him  is  in  Vol.  i.,  page  367. 

Leopold  Markbreit,  a native  of  Vienna, 
came  to  Cincinnati  with  his  parents  in  1848, 
when  six  years  of  age.  He  studied  law  with 
his  half-brother,  the  talented  Fred.  Has- 
saurek  ; became  a law  partner  with  Ruther- 
ford B.  Ha3'es ; then  went  into  the  Union 
army,  where  he  eventually  attained  the  rank 
of  colonel;  from  1869  to  1873  was  U.  S. 


850 


HAMILTON  COUNTY. 


Minister  to  Bolivia  and  now  edits  the  Volks- 
hlatt. 

In  the  war  period  he  was  taken  prisoner, 
and  sent  to  Libby  Prison  in  Richmond. 
Through  the  story  of  his  sufferings  there  he 
attained  a sad  celebrity. 

“After  five  montlis  of  ordinary  imprison- 
ment, he  and  three  other  victims  were  select- 
ed as  hostages  and  placed  in  close  confine- 
ment, to  prevent  the  execution  of  four  rebels, 
who  were  charged  with  recruiting  within  the 
Union  lines  in  Kentucky  (which  charge  was 
of  a rather  doubtful  nature,  as  that  part  of 
Kentucky  would  be  considered  as  disputed 
ground),  and  had  been  sentenced  to  death  as 
spies  by  a military  court  convened  by  Gren. 
Burnside.  The  four  hostages  were  placed 
in  a subterranean  dungeon  of  the  Libby, 
where  they  had  hardly  room  enough  to  lie 
down  at  night.  For  months  they  were  lying 
buried  in  this  hole;  and  received  only  one 
meal  a day.  Even  this  meal  was  insufficient 
to  appease  their  hungor,  for  it  consisted  gen- 
erally only  of  a handful  of  corn  meal  (into 
which  the  cobs  had  been  ground),  a little 
piece  of  rotten  bacon  and  some  rice  or  beans. 
This  food  was  not  enough  for  life,  and  too 
much  for  absolute  starvation.  The  unfortu- 
nate men  were  soon  reduced  to  skeletons,  and 
would,  doubtless,  have  died,  if  the  negroes 
employed  in  the  Libby  prison  had  not,  from 
time  to  time,  smuggled  in  some  food  to  them. 
The  rats,  which  the  prisoners  killed  with 
pieces  of  wood  in  their  dungeon,  were  cooked 
for  them  by  the  kind-hearted  negroes,  and 


taken  back  to  their  cells.  The  sufferings  the 
poor  prisoners  had  to  endure  were  beyond  all 
comprehension  ; and  only  when  they  were 
transported  to  Salisbury,  N.  C. , a change  for 
the  better  took  place.  From  Salisbury  Col. 
Markbreit  was  taken  to  Danville,  Va.,  and 
from  there  back  to  Libby,  till  at  last,  m 
‘February,  1865,  his  half-brother,  F.  Has- 
saurek,  succeeded  in  having  him  liberated. 
He  had  been  imprisoned  for  more  than  thir- 
teen months.  His  health  had  been  so  in- 
jured by  these  sufferings  that  he  never  fully 
recovered.”  Mr.  Markbreit  is  tall  in  per- 
son, and  dignified  and  courteous  in  manner. 
In  his  South  American  experience  he  was  an 
eye-witness  to  several  bloody  revolutions,  and 
at  the  risk  of  his  own  life  often  protected  the 
lives  of  the  members  of  overthrown  govern- 
ments who  sought  refuge  with  the  United 
States  legation. 

Allusion  has  been  made  in  the  foregoing 
to  Mr.  Hassaurek.  Appleton’s  “Cyclo- 
pedia of  American  Biography”  gives  this 
outline  of  his  career  ; ‘ ‘ Friedrich  Hassau- 
rek, journalist,  was  born  in  Vienna,  Austria, 
9th  October,  1832  ; died  in  Paris,  France,  1st 
October,  1885.  He  served  in  the  German 
revolution  of  1848,  and  was  twice  wounded. 
He  came  to  the  United  States  in  1848,  set- 
tled in  Cincinnati,  Ohio,  and  engaged  in  jour- 
nalism, politics,  and  the  practice  of  law.  He 
was  U.  S.  minister  to  Ecuador  in  1861-5. 
and  during  the  latter  year  became  editor  of 
the  Volkshlatt  He  published  “Four  Years 
among  the  Spanish  Americans.” 


John  Cleves  Sy^mmes  was  born  on  Long  Island  in  1742.  Removed  to  New 
Jersey,  and  was  prominent  during  the  Revolution  as  colonel  of  a militia  regiment 
in  active  field  service.  He  was  one  year  Lieutenant-Governor  of  New  Jersey ; six 
years  a member  of  the  Council ; two  years  a member  of  the  Continental  Congress, 
and  twelve  years  a judge  of  the  Supreme  Court  of  New  Jersey.  In  August, 
1787,  Judge  Symmes,  encouraged  by  tlie  success  of  the  Ohio  Company,  obtained 
from  Congress  a grant  for  a purchase  of  a tract  of  land  fronting  on  the  Ohio  river 
between  the  two  Miarnis,  and  extending  north  to  the  tenth  township.  Having 
been  unable  to  pay  for  the  whole,  after  much  negotiation,  he  closed  a contract,  in 
1792,  for  1,000,000  acres.  The  continued  rise  in  government  securities  made  it 
impossible  to  pay  for  this,  and  in  1794  a patent  was  granted  him  for  between 
300,000  and  400,000  acres,  including  the  front  on  the  Ohio  river  and  extending 
back  to  the  third  township.  He  was  apjiointed  one  of  the  judges  of  the  North- 
west Territory,  1788.  He  died,  Cincinnati,  Ohio,  1814.  Judge  Symmes  was 
three  times  married.  He  left  two  daughters — one,  jMaria,  married  Major  Peyton 
Short;  one,  Anna,  became  the  wife  of  William  Henry  Harrison,  afterward  Pres- 
ident of  the  United  States.  (See  IMcBride’s  Pioneer  Biography.’^) 

The  name  T Buchanan  Read  is  identified  witli  the  war  period  at  Cincinnati. 
He  was  born  in  Chester  county.  Pa.,  March  12,  1822.  His  mother,  then  a widow, 
apprenticed  him  to  a tailor,  but  he  ran  away  to  Philadelphia,  learned  to  make 
cigars,  and  at  fifteen  years  of  age  came  to  Cincinnati,  found  here  a home  with  the 
sculptor  Clevenger,  jiainted  signs,  and  at  intervals  went  to  school.  Through  the 
liberality  of  Nicliolas  Longwortli  he  was  enabled  to  open  a studio  and  painted 
portraits.  Not  finding  many  sitters,  after,  a little  he  led  a wandering  life,  by 
turns  painting  ])ortraits,  painting  signs  and  making  cigars.  At  nineteen  he  went 
East  to  New  York  and  Boston,  and  at  the  age  of  twenty-one  published  several 


HAMILTON  COUNTY. 


85 » 


lyric  poems.  In  1843  he  first  visited  Europe  and  again  in  1853,  where  he  ])assed 
five  years  as  a painter  in  Florence.  He  afterwards  passed  much  time  in  Phila- 
delphia and  Cincinnati,  but  in  the  last  years  of  his  life  made  Rome  his  principal 
residence ; but  fie  regarded  Cincinnati  as  more  especially  his  home,  where  he  is 
pleasantly  remembered  as  a gentleman, 
small  in  person,  delicate  and  refined  in 
aspect.  During  the  civil  war  he  gave 
public  readings  for  the  benefit  of  the 
soldiers,  and  recited  his  war  songs. 

The  most  famous  of  these  was  Sheri- 
dan’s Ride,”  which  was  written  in  Cin- 
cinnati : the  details  of  its  production  are 
given  under  the  head  of  Perry  county. 

He  died  in  New  York  city.  May  11, 

1872,  aged  fifty  years.  His  Com- 
plete Poetical  Works”  were  published 
in  Boston  in  1860.  Later  he  wrote  his 

Wagoner  of  the  Alleghenies,”  and  in 
1865-1867  were  issued  at  Philadelphia 
a quite  full  edition  of  his  poetical  works 
in  three  volumes. 

^^His  paintings,  most  of  which  deal 
with  allegorical  and  mythological  sub- 
jects, are  full  of  poetic  and  graceful  fan- 
cies, but  the  technical  treatment  betrays 
his  lack  of  early  training.  He  possessed 
a much  more  thorough  mastery  in  the 
art  of  poetry  than  in  painting.  His 
poems  express  fervent  patriotism  and  artistic  power,  with  a delicate  fancy  for  the 
scenes  of  nature.”  Nothing  can  be  more  pathetically  sweet  than  these  lines ; 


THE  WAYSIDE  SPRINR. 


Fair  dweller  by  the  dusty  way, 

Bright  saint  within  a mossy  shrine, 

The  tribute  of  a heart  to-day, 

Weary  and  worn,  is  thine. 

The  earliest  blossoms  of  the  year, 

The  sweetbrier  and  the  violet. 

The  pious  hand  of  spring  has  here 
Upon  thy  altar  set. 

And  not  to  thee  alone  is  given 
The  homage  of  the  pilgrim’s  knee  ; 

But  oft  the  sweetest  birds  of  heaven 
Glide  down  and  sing  to  thee. 

Here  daily  from  his  beechen  cell 
The  hermit  squirrel  steals  to  drink  ; 

And  flocks,  which  cluster  to  their  bell, 
Beeline  along  thy  brink. 


And  here  the  wagoner  blocks  his  wheels. 
To  quaff  the  cool  and  generous  boon  : 

Here,  from  the  sultry  harvest  fields, 

The  reapers  rest  at  noon. 

And  oft  the  beggar  masked  with  tan. 

In  rusty  garments  gray  with  dust. 

Here  sips  and  dips  his  little  can. 

And  breaks  his  scanty  crust. 

And  lulled  beside  thy  whispering  stream, 
Oft  drops  to  slumber  unawares, 

And  sees  the  angels  of  his  dream 
Upon  celestial  stairs. 

Dear  dweller  by  the  dusty  way, 

Thou  saint  within  a mossy  shrine, 

The  tribute  of  a heart  to-day, 

Weary  and  worn,  is  thine. 


A prominent  and  most  useful  man  to  Cincinnati  and  the  State  in  the  war-period 
was  Col.  Leonard  A.  Harris,  who  was  born  there  in  1824  and  died  there  in 
July,  1890.  He  was  a captain  at  the  first  battle  of  Bull  Run,  and  later  was 
Colonel  of  the  Second  Ohio  Infantry.  At  Perrysville  he  commanded  a division, 
and  behaved  with  singular  bravery  and  skill.  Breaking  down  from  disease  he 
was  obliged  to  resign  and  returned  to  Cincinnati.  The  year  1863  had  troublous 
times,  and  the  office  of  mayor  required  a firm  and  cool  head ; the  public  eye  was 


852 


HAMILTON  COUNTY. 


fixed  upon  Col.  Harris  as  just  the  man  ; and  he  was  elected.  In  the  fall  came  on 
the  Vallandigham  campaign,  and  there  were  several  outbreaks  of  the  riotous  ele- 
ments in  the  city,  which  he  squelched  with  an  iron  hand. 

His  great  distinguishing  work  was  in  drafting  the  famous  ^Muindred  day-men’’ 
law,  Governor  Brough  having  taken  him  into  his  counsel  for  that  purpose.  By 
this  law  Ohio  sent  43,000  men,  National  Guard,  into  the  field  as  her  quota ; and 
these,  uniting  with  the  avalanche  from  other  States  under  Lincoln’s  call,  led  to  the 
overwhelming  of  the  exhausted  South. 

In  1865  he  was  re-elected  mayor  by  8,000  majority,  his  personal  popularity 
having  been  great.  He  was  the  principal  founder  of  the  famed  Cuvier  Club,  and 
for  years,  by  appointment  from  Congress,  one  of  the  managers  of  the  Soldiers’ 
Homes.  His  qualities  were  kindliness,  generosity,  modesty,  courage,  power  of 
intellect  and  executiv^e  capacity.  Barely  has  any  public  man  in  the  city  been  so 
personally  popular. 

Henry  Van-Ness  Boynton — soldier,  journalist  and  author — was  born  in 
West  Stockbridge,  Mass.,  22d  July,  1835.  He  removed  with  his  father,  a dis- 
tinguished minister,  to  Ohio,  when  quite  young,  and  graduated  at  the  Woodward 
High  School,  Cincinnati,  in  June,  1855.  Wishing  to  become  a civil  engineer  he 
entered  the  Kentucky  Military  School,  and  received  through  its  training  and  in- 
struction all  that  could  have  been  given  him  at  West  Point.  When  the  late  civil 
war  broke  out  he  volunteered,  and  was  elected  and  commissioned  Major  of  the 
Thirty-fifth  Ohio  Infantry,  27th  July,  1861.  He  was  promoted  Lieut.-Colonel 
19th  July,  1863,  and  commanded  the  regiment  during  the  Tennessee  campaigns, 
and  was  bre vetted  Brigadier  for  gallant  conduct  at  the  battles  of  Chickamauga  and 
Missionary  Bidge.  At  the  last-named  fight  he  fell,  badly  wounded,  as  he  led  his 
regiment  up  that  famous  height.  General  Boynton  was  regarded  by  his  men, 
brother  and  superior  officers,  as  the  bravest  of  the  brave.  To  this  courage  he 
added  a soldierly  turn  of  mind  that  would  have  made  liimMnvaluable  in  an  indi- 
pendent  command  where  such  quality  is  called  for.  As  it  is,  his  fine  mind  and 
vast  stores  of  information  make  him  a great  critic  on  war  matters.  His  com- 
ments on  W.  T.  Slierman’s  Memoirs”  created  a wide  excitement  and  interest  in 
war  circles.  Of  like  sort  is  his  valuable  contribution  to  history  in  his  famous 
papers  on  the  Chickamauga  campaign  and  battle. 

On  leaving  the  army  at  the  end  of  the  war.  General  Boynton  entered  journalism, 
and  almost  immediately  became  the  Washington  correspondent  of  the  Cincinnati 
Gazette.  His  keen,  incisive  efforts  in  that  line  gave  his  journal  a national  reputa- 
tion. He  was  soon  put  at  the  head  of  the  Washington  Bureau,  in  which  a syndi- 
cate of  several  leading  papers  was  formed,  and  to-day  he  is  regarded  as  at  the  front 
in  his  profession  ; one  of  the  most  noted,  loved,  feared  and  respected  of  journalists. 
General  Boynton’s  great  quality  in  the  army  was  his  high  courage,  that  was  ani- 
mated by  the  purest  and  deepest  patriotism. 

His  distinguishing  characteristic  as  a journalist  is  his  sterling  integrity,  inspired 
by  a sense  of  justice,  that  can  be  appealed  to  at  all  times.  He  is  feared  by  knaves 
of  all  sorts,  for  his  singularly  incisive  style,  backed  by  his  courage,  makes  him 
terrible  in  his  assaults  on  wrong.  He  has  driven  some  of  the  worst  lobbyists  from 
Washington,  and  is  feared  as  no  other  man  ever  was  by  the  entire  lobby.  General 
Boynton’s  latest  acliievement  was  the  selection  and  dedication  of  the  Chickamauga 
battle-field  as  a public  ])ark.  He  was  greatly  assisted  in  this  by  General  Henry 
M.  Cist,  of  Cincinnati ; but  General  Cist,  with  the  frankness  of  a true  soldier, 
gives  General  Boynton  full  credit  for  this  great  work.  The  post-office  nearest  the 
battle-field  has  been  called  Boynton,  and  ere  long  a bronze  bust  will  mark  the 
place  where  he  so  gallantly  fought,  in  token  of  the  affectionate  feelings  and  admi- 
ration of  his  brother  soldiers. 


HAMILTON  COUNTY. 


S53 


Major  David  Zeigler. 

Originally  an  officer  under  Frederick  the  Great  and  then  of  the  army  of  the  American  Revolution, 
Commandant  of  Fort  Washington  and  the  first  President  or  Mayor  of  Cincinnati. — Written  for  this 
work  by  Mary  D.  Steele,  Dayton. 

the  Indian  border  warfare,  between  1788  and  1795/’  says  Rosengarten,  in 
his  ^ German  Soldier  in  the  Wars  of  the  United  States/  a leading  figure  was  that 
of  David  Zeigler,  whose  story  is  typical  of  that  of  many  of  our  early  German 
soldiers.”  He  also  won  great  praise  ” for  courage  and  military  ability  during 
the  Revolution,  and  took  much  pride  in  having  the  best  drilled  company  in  the 
regiment.  He  began  his  military  career  as  an  officer  in  Frederick  the  Great’s 
army,  and  also  served  in  the  Russian  army  in  the  reign  of  Catherine  Second,  dur- 
ing the  campaign  against  the  Turks,  which  ended  with  the  cession  of  the  Crimea 


to  Russia.  Major  Denny  states,  in  his 
at  one  time  in  the  Saxon  service. 

David  Zeigler  was  born  at  Heidelberg 
in  1748.  He  emigrated  to  America  in  1775, 
for  the  purpose  of  entering  the  Revolutionary 
army.  ^ In  June,  1775,  he  was  commissioned 
third  lieutenant  in  Captain  Ross’s  company, 
which  was  recruited  in  Lancaster  county, 
Pennsylvania,  and  immediately  sent  to  escort 
a supply  of  powder,  of  which  Washington’s 
army  was  desperately  in  need,  to  Cambridge. 
On  the  25th  of  June,  1775,  Zeigler  was  pro- 
moted first  lieutenant  and  adjutant  of  Col. 
William  Thompson’s  battalion  of  riflemen. 
This  regiment  was  more  than  half  made  up 
of  Germans,  and  was  “the  second  in  Penn- 
sylvania to  enlist  for  the  war  under  Washing- 
ton.’’ January  16,  1777,  Zeigler  was  com- 
missioned first  lieutenant  of  a company  in  the 
First  Pennsylvania  Continental  Infantry,  and 
December  8,  1778,  was  promoted  captain. 
From  his  promotion  till  the  end  of  the  Revo- 
lution he  served  as  senior  captain  in  this 
famous  regiment,  which  General  Wayne  said, 

‘ ‘ always  stepped  the  first  for  glory.  ’ ’ It  dis- 
tinguished itself  in  the  battles  of  Long  Island, 
Brandywine,  Monmouth  and  Bergen’s  Point. 
The  same  day  that  he  was  commissioned. 
Captain  Zeigler  was  ma.de  Brigade  Inspector 
of  the  Pennsylvania  Brigade  Department  of 
the  South. 

Once  during  the  Revolutionary  war  he  was 
taken  prisoner.  The  following  account  of  the 
adventure  is  given  by  the  American  Pioneer : 
General  Samuel  Findlay,  Major  Zeigler,  late 
of  Cincinnati,  the  first  marshal  of  Ohio,  and 
Major  Thomas  Martin,  were  captured  by  the 
British  and  imprisoned  in  Philadelphia. 
They  made  their  escape,  Martin  killing  the 
British  officer  in  pursuit  with  a club.  Reach- 
ing a Dutchman’s  house.  Major  Martin  passed 
Zeigler — who  was  a Prussian — for  a Dutch 
doctor,  who,  by  making  pills  of  bread  mixed 
with  a little  spittle,  cured  the  landlady  and 
escaped  a bill  of  charges.  A niece  of  the 
major  often  related  this  story,  but  she  said 
that  he  cured  the  landlady  with  hair  powder, 
shaken  from  a powder-puff  which  he  carried 
in  a box  in  his  pocket.  His  powder-puff  fig- 
ured in  many  a joke  at  a later  date.  He  was 
very  witty  and  fond  of  a good  story,  and  nu- 
merous humorous  anecdotes  about  him  used 
to  be  in  circulation  among  his  old  friends. 


Military  Journal/’  that  Zeigler  was  also 


In  1780,  just  before  the  mutiny  of  the 
troops  at  Morristown,  when  an  effort  was  at 
last  being  made  to  satisfy  their  just  demands, 
Zeigler  was  appointed  by  Pennsylvania  State 
clothier  and  issuing  commissary  of  State 
stores,  and  was  sent  to  President  Reed  with 
an  estimate  of  the  clothing  needed  for  the 
troops  by  Wayne,  who  ended  his  letter  with 
the  words  ; “ Captain  Zeigler  will  be  able  to 
inform  your  excellency  of  matters  I don’t 
choose  to  commit  to  paper.” 

After  the  mutiny  the  First  Pennsylvania, 
of  which  Harmar  was  now  colonel,  was  sent 
to  Virginia,  where  it  distinguished  itself  at 
Yorktown.  January  4,  1782,  it  joined  Greene 
in  South  Carolina,  remaining  a year  and  a 
half,  and  being  present  at  the  investment  and 
surrender  of  Charleston. 

In  June,  1783,  it  returned  by  sea  to  Phila- 
delphia. Major  Zeigler  was  a member  of  the 
Society  of  the  Cincinnati ; an  honor  which  he 
valued  highly.  In  a beautiful  miniature  in 
our  possession,  painted  on  ivory  by  Pine,  at 
Philadelphia  in  1799,  he  wears  the  Conti- 
nental uniform,  and  tlie  gold  eagle  badge  of 
the  Society,  fastened  by  its  blue  ribbon  to  the 
breast  of  his  coat. 

After  the  disbandment  of  the  Continental 
army  Congress  raised  a new  regiment,  of 
which  Harmar  was  made  colonel  and  Zeigler 
was  commissioned  captain  of  one  of  the  four 
Pennsylvania  companies,  August  12,  1784. 
In  September  the  four  companies  marched 
for  Fort  McIntosh,  twenty-nine  miles  below 
Pittsburg,  where  they  remained  till  the  fall 
of  1785,  when  the  regiment  was  reorganized 
and  Zeigler  went  to  Pennsylvania  to  recruit. 
He  returned  in  November  with  his  company 
to  McIntosh,  leaving  there  in  the  spring  for 
Fort  Finney,  at  the  mouth  of  the  Great 
Miami.  A high  flood  led  to  the  abandon- 
ment of  this  fort,  and  another  of  the  same 
name  was  built  at  the  Rapids  of  the  Ohio  in 
July,  where  Zeigler  remained  till  winter.  In 
January,  1787.  his  company  and  two  others 
were  at  Fort  Harmar — “officers  and  men  in 
close  quarters.” 

In  the  summer  of  1787  Zeigler  accompa- 
nied Harmar  on  his  Western  expedition,  for 
the  purpose  of  treating  with  Indians  and  de- 
ciding difficulties  among  settlers  about  public 


854 


HAMILTON  COUNTY, 


and  private  property.^  They  went  by  water 
from  what  is  now  Louisville  to  Port  St.  Vin- 
cent or  Vincennes,  Indiana.  Zeigler’s  com- 
pany returned  on  foot  through  the  woods  to 
Fort  Finney  near  Louisville.  Here,  October 
28,  Harujar  received  his  commission  as  brig- 
adier-general, and  the  troops  left  at  once  by 
water  for  Fort  Harmar,  where  they  spent  the 
winter.  The  regiment  was  only  enlisted  for 
a year,  and  in  the  spring  Zeigler  went  East 
to  recruit.  He  returned  to  Harmar  Septem- 
ber 9,  escorting  from  Fort  Pitt  Gen.  Butler, 
Capt.  O’Hara,  and  the  friendly  chief.  Corn- 
planter,  with  about  fifty  Seneca  Indians,  who 
came  to  negotiate  a treaty  with  the  United 
States  Government.  Major  Benny  says  that 
“Zeigler  and  his  party  were  received  with  a 
salute  of  three  rounds  of  cannon  and  the 
music;  ” and  Buel  says,  “We  saluted  them 
with  our  field-pieces,  which  they  returned 
with  a running  fire  from  their  rifies.” 

“Soon  after  we  left  the  Point,”  Br.  Cut- 
ter writes  in  his  ‘Journal,’  “saw  the  soldiers 
and  a number  of  Indians,  expected  from  Fort 
Pitt,  coming  down  on  the  other  side  of  Kerr’s 
Island.  We  crossed  the  river  and  met  them. 
Captain  Zeigler  commanded  the  company  of 
new  levies  of  fifty-five  men.  There  were 
about  fifty  Indians  in  canoes  lashed  together. 
The  soldiers  were  paraded  in  a very  large 
boat,  stood  up  on  a platform,  and  were  prop- 
erly paraded,  with  the  American  flag  in  the 
stern.  Just  as  we  got  up  to  them  they  be- 
gan to  fire  by  platoons.  After  they  had  fired, 
the  Indians  fired  from  their  canoes  singly  or 
rather  confusedly.  The  Indians  had  two 
small  flags  of  thirteen  stripes.  They  were 
answered  from  the  garrison  by  train,  who 
fired  three  field-pieces ; flag  hoisted.  ’ ’ 

Zeigler  was  noted  as  a drill-master  and  dis- 
ciplinarian, as  well  as  for  personal  bravery. 
Major  Benny  says  in  his  “ Military  Journal 
“Zeigler  is  a German,  and  has  been  in  the 
Saxon  service  previous  to  our  late  war  with 
England.  Takes  pride  in  having  the  hand- 
somest company  in  the  regiment ; to  do  him 
justice,  his  company  has  been  always  con- 
sidered the  first  in  point  of  discipline  and  ap- 
pearance. Four-fifths  of  the  company  have 
been  Germans.  Majority  of  the  present  are 
men  who  served  in  Germany.”  In  fierce 
and  cruel  engagements  with  Indians,  in  which 
half  the  army  was  killed,  he  exhibited  the 
coolness  and  courage  which  were  character- 
istic of  him.  ^ On  one  occasion,  duty  obliging 
him  to  remain  for  some  time  stationary  on  a 
spot  exposed  from  every  direction  to  the  bul- 
lets and  tomahawks  of  the  savages,  he  seated 
himself  on  the  stump  of  a tree,  took  out  his 
pipe,  filled  and  tranquilly  smoked  it,  appar- 
ently utterly  fearless  of  danger  and  obhvious 
of  the  harrowing  sights  around  liim. 

In  Becember,  1789,  General  Harmar  left 
IMarietta  for  Fort  Washington  with  three 
hundred  men,  leaving  Captain  Zeigler  at  Fort 
Harmar  with  twenty  soldiers.  Those  who 
remained  received  their  pay  the  day  before 
Christmas,  as  is  shown  by  Captain  Bavid 
Zeigler’s  receipt,  dated  Becember  24,  for  the 
$859.45  paid  oimsell  aud  his  company,  which 


is  still  preserved.  In  September,  1790,  Har* 
mar  undertook  the  expedition  against  the 
Indian  villages,  near  the  present  city  of  Fort 
Wayne,  which  ended  in  a retreat  to  Fort 
Washington.  The  real  object  of  the  cam- 
paign was  however  accomplished  by  a party 
of  600  militia,  under  Col.  Harden,  including 
fifty  regulars  commanded  by  Captain  Zeigler. 
They  burned  the  deserted  villages,  destroyed 
corn,  fruit  trees,  provisions,  and  all  the  prop- 
erty of  the  Indians.  After  disbanding  his 
army,  Harmar  resigned  his  commission  and 
demanded  a court  of  inquiry,  which  met  at 
Fort  Washington,  September  15,  1791.  Capt. 
Zeigler  was  one  of  the  principal  witnesses. 
He  attributed  the  defeat  to  the  insubordina- 
tion of  the  militia.  Harmar  and  Zeigler 
were  warm  friends  through  life. 

At  the  close  of  this  campaign  Zeigler  was 
ordered  back  to  Harmar,  where  he  remained 
in  command  till  St.  Clair’s  expedition  was 
organized.  After  his  disastrous  defeat  St. 
Clair  went  to  Philadelphia,  leaving  Major 
Zeigler,  promoted  Becember  29, 1791,  at  Fort 
Washington,  where  he  continued  in  com- 
mand of  the  United  States  army  for  about 
six  weeks.  In  January,  1792,  a Congres- 
sional Committee  was  appointed  to  inquire 
into  the  causes  of  St.  Clair’s  defeat.  Major 
Zeigler  was  summoned  as  a witness,  and  in 
his  testimony  shifted  the  blame  of  the  disas- 
ter from  St.  Clair’s  to  the  inefficient  quarter- 
master’s shoulders.  In  1792,  probably  while 
in  Philadelphia  as  a witness  for  St.  Clair, 
Zeigler  resigned  his  commission  in  the  army. 

He  settled  at  Cincinnati,  opening  a store, 
where,  according  to  a bill  that  has  been  pre- 
served, he  sold  “muslin,  hardware,  groceries, 
etc.”  He  was  a successful  merchant,  and 
made  what  at  that  day  was  considered  a for- 
tune. He  owned  two  shares  in  the  funds  of 
the  Ohio  Company  and  many  acres  of  mili- 
tary bounty  land  ; but  these  wild  lands  were 
of  little  value,  and  his  income  was  principally 
derived  from  his  Cincinnati  speculations. 
The  territorial  legislature  incorporated  the 
town  of  Cincinnati,  January  2,  1802,  and 
IMajor  Zeigler  was  appointed  president  of  the 
village.  In  1804  he  was  appointed  by  Presi- 
dent Jefferson  the  first  marshal  of  the  Ohio 
district.  From  1809-1811  he  was  surveyor 
of  the  port  of  Cincinnati.  In  politics  he  was 
a Bemocrat.  Judge  Burnet  says  in  his 
“ Notes  :”  “Only  four  individuals  in  Cincin- 
nati are  now  remembered  who  then  (1800) 
advocated  the  election  of  Mr.  Jefferson 
against  Mr.  Adams.  These  were  Major 
Bavid  Zeigler,  William  Henry  Harrison, 
William  McMillan  and  John  Smith.” 

In  the  spring  of  1 789  Captain  Zeigler,  then 
stationed  at  Fort  Harmar,  married,  at  Mari- 
etta, Lucy,  youngest  child  of  Benjamin  and 
Hannah  (joggeshall  Sheffield.  She  was  a 
native  of  Jamestown,  R.  I.,  and  came  to 
IMarietta,  Bee.  17,  1788,  with  her  mother, 
then  a widow.  Mrs.  Sheffield  owned  four 
shares  in  the  funds  of  the  Ohio  Company. 
J udging  from  tradition  and  the  printed  testi- 
mony of  friends,  few  pioneer  women  were 
more  highly  esteemed  and  influential  than 


HAMILTON  COUNTY. 


855 


Mrs.  Zeigler.  Mrs.  Ludlow  writes  from  Cin- 
cinnati: ‘‘Major  Zeigler  said  to  me,  on  his 
first  visit  (April,  1797):  ‘Our  ladies  are  not 
gay,  but  they  are  extremely  affectionate  one 
to  the  other.’  I believe  he  spoke  the  truth. 
Perfect  harmony  and  good-will  appear  to 
exist  in  all  their  intercourse.  ’ ’ Certainly  this 
could  have  been  truly  said  of  Mrs.  Zeigler. 

Visitors  to  Cincinnati,  when  it  was  a mere 
village,  were  surprised  by  the  luxurious  man- 
ner of  living,  and  the  generous  hospitality  of 
the  merchants  and  retired  army  officers  who 
lived  there.  Major  Zeigler  shared  the  pre- 
vailing tastes  and  habits,  and  loved  to  enter- 
tain both  friends  and  guests  from  abroad. 
A letter,  written  from  Cincinnati  in  the  fall 
of  1806,  says,  “The  girls  had  a variety  of 
amusements — plays,  balls  and  tea-parties.” 
A curious  old  ball  ticket,  addressed  to  one  of 
these  girls,  dated  Cincinnati,  Feb.  17,  1809, 
and  printed,  as  was  then  the  fashion,  on  the 


back  of  a playing  card  (the  queen  of  hearts) 
is  still  preserved.  The  ball  was  given  “in 
commemoration  of  Washington’s  birthday,  at 
the  Columbian  Inn,  on  Wednesday  evening, 
the  twenty-second,  at  six  o’clock.  William 
Ruffin,  E.  H.  Stall,  J.  Baymillar,  J.  W. 
Sloan,  managers.”  Mrs.  Ludlow,  describing 
Cincinnati  in  1797,  saj^s  “that  it  was  then  a 
village  of  wooden  buildings,  with  a garrison 
of  soldiers.  The  society  consisted  of  a small 
number  of  ladies,  united  by  the  most  perfect 
good-will  and  desire  for  mutual  happiness. 
The  gentlemen  were  social  and  intelligent.” 
For  several  of  the  gentlemen,  among  whom 
she  mentions  Major  Zeigler,  she  felt  “an  al- 
most fraternal  regard;”  a regard  which 
others  whom  the  kindly  major,  at  that  or  a 
later  day,  welcomed  with  cordial  and  genial 
hospitality,  shared  with  her. 

Major  Zeigler  died  at  Cincinnati,  Decern 
ber,  1811,  aged  sixty-three  years. 


PIONEER  ART  IN  CINCINNATI. 


BY  CHAS.  T.  WEBBER. 

The  beginning  of  art  in  Cincinnati  is  to  be  accredited  to  Frederick  Eckstein, 
although  possibly  John  Wesley  Jarvis  may  have  made  a halt,  so  to  speak,  here  at 
an  earlier  date ; but  as  Lexington,  Louisville  and  later  Columbus  were  his  par- 
ticular haunts,  he  is  hardly  to  be  considered  an  habitu4  of  the  Queen  City  of  the 
West.  Eckstein  founded  his  academy  here  in  1826. 

Frederick  Eckstein,  a man  of  high  education  and  culture,  man  of  business  and 
affairs,  made  art  something  more  than  a pastime,  than  an  adjunct  to  the  means  of 
getting  along,^^  as  his  pursuits  therein  were  governed  by  the  high  and  unselfish 
purpose  of  improving  the  taste  and  refinement  of  his  neighbors,  the  early  pioneers 
of  the  West,  and  of  planting  the  civilization  of  his  own  native  Germany  in  his 
chosen  American  home,  although  facilities  for  the  practice  of  that  branch  of  art, 
sculpture,  in  which  Mr.  Eckstein  chiefly  exhibited  his  superior  skill,  were  exceed- 
ingly meagre,  those  productions  which  have  been  preserved  will  compare  favorably 
with  most  of  that  which  has  followed. 

To  Mr.  Eckstein  Hiram  Powers  owed  his  first  lessons,  as  well  probably  his  first 
impulse,  in  the  direction  of  art.  Clevenger  afterwards  opened  a studio  in  this 
place,  and  the  three,  Eckstein,  Clevenger  and  Powers,  were  in  constant  contact 
and  sympathy.  Corwin,  Minor  Kellogg  and  Charles  Soule,  in  painting,  came 
later.  The  latter  was  a disciple  and  imitator  of  Jarvis,  and  executed  many  beau- 
tiful and  strongly  characteristic  portraits.  Like  Jarvis,  he  used  the  camera  lucida 
to  make  his  drawings;  hence  he  never  beeame  the  master  in  drawing  that  he  was 
in  color,  merely  from  the  want  of  practice.  He  painted  in  Cincinnati  and  after- 
wards in  Dayton.  Waldo  and  Jewett,  painting  in  partnership,  were  not  of  Cin- 
cinnati, but  rather,  in  their  Western  experience,  of  Lexington ; but  as  many 
interesting  portraits  of  pioneer  heroes  came  from  their  hands,  less  eommercial  than 
their  association  would  seem  to  indicate,  and  as  their  work  exerted  a decided  in- 
fluence upon  the  rising  art,  they  should  be  mentioned  here.  Many  of  their  heads, 
and  some  by  their  unknown  compeers,  are  worthy,  in  their  simple  and  untram- 
melled truth,  of  a place  by  the  side  of  Holbein. 

Jewett,  of  a Kentucky  family,  painted  portraits  of  such  remarkable  truth, 
beauty  of  color  and  refinement,  at  the  same  time  naturalness  of  composition,  that 
their  influence  was  felt  in  the  formation  of  a taste  here  as  well  as  elsewhere  in  the 
West.  James  H.  Beard,  still  living,  came  to  Cincinnati  about  1830  or  1832 ; 
.studied  his  art,  portrait  painting,  here  in  nature’s  school  and  at  the  National 
Academy  in  New  York.  He  made  frequent  visits  to  New  Orleans  and  the  South, 


856 


HAMILTON  COUNTY. 


painting  portraits  for  the  wealthy  planters,  entertaining  them  the  while  with  in- 
imitable stories.  He  afterwards  went  to  the  dogs ; but  his  dogs  lacking,  perhaps, 
the  refinement  and  dignity  of  those  of  Landseer,  are  so  powerful  in  expression  and 
consummate  wit,  sometimes  almost  human,  that  we  are  inclined  to  forgive  him  for 
the  transfer  of  his  artistic  affections.  His  portraits  were  very  fine ; not^ly  that 
of  Mr.  Gibson  and  also  one  of  Durbin  Ward. 

Henry  AVorrall  although,  perhaps,  more  practically  devoted  to  music  than  to 
the  art  of  design,  carried,  with  his  intense  and  genuine  love  for  the  latter,  such  a 
I genuine  helpfulness,  giving  them  his  ever-ready  tact  and  the  strength  of  his  manly 
arm  over  the  rough  ways,  especially  when  their  representative  happened  to  be  a 
talented  and  attractive  girl,  as  most  girls  are  to  whom  the  muse  of  art  is  revealed, 
that  the  history  of  our  art  cannot  be  truthfully  outlined  without  his  honored  name 
gracing  the  page.  He  was  born  in  England  and  came  to  America  when  a mere 
boy  and  soon  to  Cincinnati.  He  came  with  almost  the  first  canvass  upon  which 
some  unknown  artist  might  record  his  conceptions  of  the  beautiful.  Every 
scheme,  looking  to  the  better  condition  of  art  and  the  happier  relation  of  its  prac- 
titioners, was  sure  to  find  Worrall  at  the  helm  or  trimming  the  sails  for  the  pro- 
pitious breeze.  To  him,  among  many  other  enterprises  for  a similar  purpose,  we 
owe  the  first  institution  of  the  Cincinnati  Sketch  Club,  out  of  which  proceeded 
very  many  advantages  to  art.  It  had  its  influence  in  the  evolution  of  nearly  all 
the  Cincinnati  artists  who  have,  in  the  last  quarter  of  a century  or  more,  exhibited 
particular  excellence.  The  Sketch  Club  so  formed  numbered  among  its  members 
Beard,  Frankenstein,  McLaughlin,  Mosler,  Farny,  Read,  Quick,  Lindsay  and 
many  others,  who  gave  at  each  meeting  a sketch  in  illustration  of  a subject  pre- 
viously named,  the  sketches  belonging  to  the  member  who  on  that  occasion  hap- 
pened to  be  the  hv>st.  This  club  continued  in  excellent  harmony  until  some 
preachers  and  wealthy  merchants  were  introduced  as  honorary  members,  who,  by 
an  excess  of  goodfellowship  and  conviviality  proved  the  unsuspecting  cluFs  un- 
doing. Previously  its  habits  had  been  simple,  as  befitted  a pioneer  association  of 
the  West.  Worrall  carries  the  spontaneous  germ  of  Sketch  Club  with  him  wher- 
ever he  goes.  He  now  lives  in  Topeka,  Kansas,  and  there,  at  his  word,  a sketch 
club  comes  into  being,  with  the  additional  grace  of  a membership  composed  of 
most  beautiful  and  talented  ladies. 

The  brothers  Frankenstein,  John  and  Godfrey,  from  1832  to  1875  and  1881, 
are  only  to  be  spoken  of  in  terms  of  the  highest  praise — Godfrey  in  landscape  and 
John  in  all  branches  of  art.  They  were  both  born  in  Germany,  but  came  to  Cin- 
cinnati with  their  parents  when  small  children.  Godfrey  was  the  younger  and 
painted  many  beautiful  landscapes,  closely  and  carefully  studied  from  nature,  find- 
ing his  themes  all  the  way  from  the  White  Mountains  to  the  Knobs  of  Indiana, 
including  Niagara,  of  which  latter  place  he  painted  hundreds  of  views,  uniting 
most  of  them  in  a famous  and  very  eflective  panorama.  He  was  an  affable  and 
honorable  gentleman ; qualities  which,  together  with  his  acknowledged  talent, 
secured  for  him  many  warm  friends. 

John,  the  elder  brother,  equally  honorable  and  equally  a friend  of  his  fellow 
man,  was  not,  unfortunately,  of  so  equable  a temper,  but  more  nervous  and  some- 
what moody,  was  not  always  understood  at  his  real  personal  worth  ; no  one  know- 
ing him,  however,  could  fail  to  appreciate  his  just  impartiality  towards  other 
artists,  or  the  fearless  integrity  with  which,  regardless  of  self-interest,  he  stood  for 
the  rights  of  man. 

In  his  art  his  works  show  him  to  be  pre-eminent,  particularly  in  sculpture,  his 
landscape  studies  and  his  painting  of  the  human  head  in  his  happiest  experiments 
(for  experiment  he  often  did),  and  in  his  drawing  and  painting  of  the  human 
figure,  he  is  beyond  and  above  criticism.  A consummate  anatomist,  an  acute  ob- 
server, there  is  nothing  to  be  found  in  his  works  that  has  been  carelessly  con- 
sidered. His  portrait  of  his  brother  Godfrey  im])i esses  me,  as  I remember  it,  as 
the  grandest  work  of  art  I ever  saw  ; and  his  sculptures,  particularly  the  head  of 


The  Dexter  Mausoleum,  Spring  Grove. 


Long  worth’s  Vineyard. 

This  drawing  was  made  about  1856  of  one  of  Longworth’s  vineyards  on  the  Ohio  hill^ 
four  miles  above  the  city.  The  cultivation  of  the  grape  for  wine  has  ceased,  being  found 
by  change  of  climate  unprofitable. 


858 


HAMILTON  COUNTY. 


McLean  and  also  that  of  Dr.  Mussey,  have  not  been  surpassed,  if  they  have  been 
equalled,  in  the  last  two  thousand  years.  His  painting  led  all  that  the  later  pil- 
grims to  Munich  have  essayed,  and  his  sculpture  may  stand,  unbelittled,  by  the 
side  of  that  of  the  Greeks  in  their  best  period. 

There  were  several  artists,  now  dead,  who  came  upon  the  Cincinnati  stage  later 
than  the  Frankensteins.  Thomas  Buchanan  Read,  more  celebrated  as  a poet  than 
as  a painter,  exhibited,  according  to  John  Frankenstein,  extraordinary  genius  in 
the  commencement  of  his  artistic  career  (about  1840),  and  attained  very  consider”^ 
-able  power,  considering  that  his  direct  preparatory  studies  were  curtailed  by  his 
more  intimate  and  assiduous  attention  to  his  poetic  miise.  He  wrote  the  war- 
ballad,  Sheridan’s  Ride,”  and  afterwards  painted  a noble  and  spirited  picture  of ' 
the  subject.  His  portrait  heads  are  characterized  by  a peculiar  grace  and  refine- 
ment rather  than  by  the  exact  rendering  of  the  ordinary  physical  facts.  His 
studies  in  painting  never  enabled  him  to  embody  in  pictures  the  sublime,  the 
pathetic,  or  even  the  beautiful,  with  that  perfection  or  fullness  of  power  which  he 
has  shown  in  his  verse,  and  which,  in  many  instances,  enables  him  to  abide  in 
memory  with  the  greatest  bards  that  have  ever  lived. 

J.  O.  Eaton,  born  Feb.  8,  1829,  in  Licking  county,  Ohio,  came  to  Cincinnati 
about  1845,  and  attained  prominence  in  portrait  painting.  Many  of  his  best 
heads  have  not,  in  several  respects,  been  surpassed.  With  good  drawing,  so  far 
as  the  head  and  bust  are  concerned,  and  superb  color,  he  had  naturally,  from  the 
very  first  almost,  a certain  dexterity  of  handling  that  should  set  the  neophytes  of 
the  present  day  who*  affect  technique  crazy  with  despair.  His  female  heads  are 
particularly  lovely  in  pose,  light  and  shade,  color,  and,  more  than  all,  expression. 
Lily  Martin  Spencer,  a native  of  Ohio,  worked  in  Cincinnati  until  about  1855, 
and  her  works,  mostly  genre  subjects,  attracted  much  deserved  attention  and 
praise.  Her  later  life  has  been  passed  mostly  in  New  York,  where  she  has  been 
highly  appreciated.  Miss  Gengembre,  born  in  France  of  a talented  family,  her 
fattier  having  been  a designer  in  the  employ  of  the  French  government,  distin- 
guished herself  here  by  the  beauty  of  her  works,  showing  the  way  to  more  truth- 
ful process  of  study.  She  afterwards  married  Mr.  Anderson,  a talented  engraver, 
and  now  resides  in  London,  where  her  works  are  highly  prized. 

These  great  artists,  and  others  possibly  that  escape  my  mind  at  this  moment, 
have  rendered  a boon  to  mankind  that  will  be  more  appreciated  as  time  rolls  on, 
and  comparison  is  drawn  between  their  works  and  those  of  artists  working  close 
by  the  protecting  walls  of  the  established  schools  of  Europe. 

Duncanson’s  landscapes  were,  on  account  of  their  peculiar  poetical  conception, 
much  prized,  not  only  in  this  country  but  in  England  and  Scotland...  Among  the 
friends  of  the  colored  Americans  (for  Duncanson,  a most  genial  gentleman  as  well 
as  accomplished  artist,  was  a light  quadroon)  they  were  in  especial  demand,  find- 
ing favor  with  such  cultured  critics  and  outspoken  believers  that  negroes  have 
souls  as  Charles  Sumner  and  his  illustrious  compeers  in  Europe. 

All  of  the  present  generation  will  remember  the  versatile  Wm.  P.  Noble,  the 
talented  but  erratic  Theodore  Jones,  the  poetic  painter  and  writer,  Wm.  P.  Bran- 
nan,  who  painted  splendid  portraits  of  Lyman  Beecher  and  Eather  Collins,  anc 
was  the  author  of  the  extravaganza  known  as  The  Hai’p  of  a Thousand  Strings 
also  T.  D.  Jones,  the  sculptor,  who  executed  the  portrait  busts  of  Gen.  Taylor,  of 
Ewing,  of  Abraham  Lincoln,  and  several  other  prominent  statesmen  and  soldiers, 
all  from  life ; while  somewhat  mechanical  and  having  but  little  of  the  plastic 
qualities  of  fine  sculpture,  they  are,  nevertheless,  good  and  expressive  likenesses. 
A sculptor  of  great  promise  as  well  as  (for  one  so  young,  he  having  died  at  about 
twenty-four  or  twenty-five  years  of  age)  of  great  achievements  was  Frank  Den- 
glcr.  His  works  were  masterly  busts  and  ideal  groups.  He  studied  in  Munich, 
worked  in  Cincinnati,  and  during  the  last  year  or  so  of  his  life,  through  the 
friendly  ap})reciation  of  Prof.  IVIorse,  became  a teacher  in  the  Boston  Art  School. 

In  painting,  latterly,  we  had  the  works  of  Dennis  and  Mulvaney,  the  former 


HAMILTON  COUNTY, 


859 


born  in  Kentucky^  tho  latter’  in  Ireland,  or  at  least  of  Irish  parentage — both 
studied  in  Munich,  the  former  finding' his  themes  in  the  primitive  pioneer  life,  the 
latter  choosing,  principally,  the  wild*  frontier,  camp-life,  and  scenes  among  the 
mines  of  Colorado,  the  Custer  battle,  etc.  Both  of  these  artists*  have  left  some 
magnificent  specimens  of  their  skill  There  are  several  living  artists  who  are 
doing  splendid  work,  but  of  them  I hardly  deem  it  proper  to  speak  in  this  limited 
paper,  making  exception  in  the  case  of  James  K.  Beard  and  others  who  were 
pioneers ; for  to  do  them  justice.,  and  treat  all  with  equal  candor  and  delicacy, 
would  be  likely  to  consume  more  space  than  is  allotted  to  my  use 

An  important  factor  in  the  growth  of  art  in  our  section,  indeed  throughout  the 
country,  has  been  the  addition  of  a distinct  department  of  art  to  the.  popular  Expo- 
sitions that,  following  the  lead  of  the  first  one  here,  have  become  a feature  in  all 
of  our  principal  Western  cities.  The  first  Exposition  held  in  Cincinnati,  under 
the  auspices  jointly  of  the  Board  of  Trade,  the  Chamber  of  Commerce  and  the 
Mechanics’  Institute,  in  1870  (the  Mechanics’  Institute  had  held  previously,  up 
to  the  commencement  of  the  war,  a purely  mechanical  exhibition),  had  not  intended 
an  art  display,  and  it  was  at  the  intercession  of  the  writer  of  this  sketch  that  one 
was  agreed  upon,  and  the  artists  of  the  city  assented  to  the  proposal,  on  the  ground 
that  no  prize  should  be  awarded,  their  works  sent  for  display  only.  A prize  was, 
however,  surreptitiously  awarded ; still  the  gathering  of  the  works  of  our  artists 
(the  time  was  too  short  to  communicate  with  others)  had  the  good  effect  of  initiat- 
ing the  Exposition  Art  Gallery  at  the  West,  which  continues,  although  unwisely 
conducted  in  many  respects,  an  influence  in  art  education,  both  among  the  people 
and  the  artists,  inferior  to  no  other  in  existence.  Wealthy  citizens  have  loaned 
the  rare  gems  of  art  which  they  have  brought  from  abroad,  and  artists  generally 
ha>ve  contributed  liberally  from  their  studios.  St.  Louis,  Louisville,  Chicago, 
Denver,  Milwaukee,  and  many  other  cities  of  the  South  and  West,  have  in  this 
way  been  enabled  to  place  before  their  citizens  works  of  art  than  which  the  world 
has  seen  little  better.  The  last  Exposition  of  this  kind  in  Cincinnati  was  that  in 
celebration  of  the  Centennial  Anniversary,  in  1888,  of  the  settlement  of  Hamilton 
county  and  the  State  of  Ohio.  At  that  Exposition  there  should  have  been  a col- 
lection of  paintings  and  sculpture  showing  the  condition  and  progress  of  art  during 
our  first  century,  but.  by  some  oversight,  it  was  neglected. 

Fort  Finney. 

With  the  exception  of  the  transient  block  houses  built  by  the  war  parties  of 
Kentuckians  on  the  site  of  Cincinnati,  the  first  work  for  human  habitation  built 
by  whites  between  the  Miamis  was  Fort  Finney.  It  stood  in  the  peninsula  formed 
by  the  junction  of  the  Great  Miami  with  the  Ohio,  about  three-quarters  of  a mile 
above  the  mouth,  and  near  the  southeast  corner  of  the  once  farm  of  the  late  John 
Scott  Harrison.  As  late  as  the  winter  of  1866,  it  is  said,  some  remains  of  the  fort 
were  still  to  be  seen. 

This  fort  was  built  in  the  late  fall  and  early  winter  of  1785,  when  General 
Richard  Butler,  with  a company  comprising  Parsons,  Zane,  Finney,  Lewis  and 
others,  who  voyaged  down  from  Fort  Pitt,  built  it,  dwelt  for  some  months  therein, 
and  concluded  a treaty  with  the  Indians.  General  Butler  and  his  fellow-commis- 
sioners left  the  fort  February  8,  1786,  in  three  large  boats,  with  their  messengers 
and  attendants,  up  the  Ohio  on  their  return  to  civilization.  The  soldiers,  how- 
ever, remained  with  Major  Finney,  Ca})t.  Zeigler — the  Major  Zeigler  later  com- 
mandant at  Fort  Washington — Lieut.  Denny  and  others  in  command. 

The  place  was  evacuated  prior  to  Jan.  1,  1789,  the  troops  going  to  the  Indiana 
side  of  the  Ohio  opposite  Louisville,  where  a small  work  was  also  erected  and 
likewise  called  Fort  Finney.  The  first  was  long  referred  to  by  Judge  Symmes  as 
the  ^^Old  Fort,”  but  there  is  no  record  that  it  was  ever  garrisoned  again.  There 
is  a somewhat  famous  ancient  work  called  ^M^oi't  Hill,”  with  walls  now  about 
three  feet  high  and  enclosing  some  fifteen  acres.  It  stands  north  of  the  old  J. 


86o 


HAMILTON  COUNTY. 


Scott  Harrison  place,  and  was  described  by  Gen.  Harrison  in  1838,  in  an  address 
before  the  Historical  Society  of  Ohio.  ' 

North  Bend  in  1846. 

North  Bend  is  situated  sixteen  miles  below  Cincinnati  and  four  from  the  In- 
diana line,  at  the  northernmost  point  of  a bend  in  the  Ohio  river.  This  place, 
which  was  of  note  in  the  early  settlement  of  the  country,  has  in  later  years  derived 
its  interest  from  having  been  the  residence  of  Gen.  Wm.  H.  Harrison,  and  the 
spot  where  rest  his  mortal  remains.  The  family  mansion  stands  on  a level  plat, 
about  300  yards  back  from  the  Ohio,  amid  scenery  of  a pleasing  and  retired  char- 
acter. The  eastern  half  of  the  mansion,  that  is,  all  that  part  on  the  reader’s  right, 
from  the  door  in  the  main  building,  is  built  of  logs ; but  the  whole  of  the  build- 
ing being  clapboarded  and  painted  white  has  the  same  external  appearance.  The 
wings  were  alike : a part  of  the  southern  one  was  destroyed  by  fire  since  the 
decease  of  its  illustrious  occupant,  a memento  of  which  disaster  is  shown  by  the 
naked  chimney  that  rises  like  a monument  over  the  ruins.  The  dwelling  is  re- 
spectably though  plainly  furnished,  and  is  at  present  occupied  by  the  widow  of 
the  lamented  Harrison,  long  distinguished  for  the  virtues  which  adorn  the  female 
character. 

About  a quarter  of  a mile  south  of  the  family  mansion,  and  perhaps  half  that 
distance  from  the  river,  is  the  tomb  of  Harrison.  It  stands  upon  the  summit  of 
a small  oval-shaped  hill,  rising  about  100  feet  from  the  plain,  ornamented  by  a 
few  scattering  trees,  and  commanding  a view  of  great  beauty.  The  tomb  is  of 
brick,  and  is  entered  by  a plain  unpainted  door  on  its  western  end.  There  is  no 
inscription  upon  it,  nor  is  any  required  to  mark  the  resting-place  of  Harrison. 

About  thirty  rods,  in  a westerly  direction  from  the  tomb  of  Harrison,  on  an 
adjacent  hill,  in  a family  cemetery,  is  the  grave  of  Judge  Symmes.  It  is  covered 
by  a tablet,  laid  horizontally  upon  brick  work,  slightly  raised  from  the  ground. 
On  it  is  the  following  inscription  : 


Here  rest  the  remains  of 

JOHN  CLEVES  SYMMES, 

who,  at  the  foot  of  these  hills,  made  the 
first  settlement  between  the 
Miami  rivers. 

Born  on  Long  Island,  State  of  New  York, 
July  21,  A.D.  1742. 

Died  at  Cincinnati,  Feb.  26,  A.D.  1814. 


Mr.  Symmes  was  born  at  Riverhead,  on  Long  Island,  and  early  in  life  was 
employed  in  land  surveying  and  in  teaching  school.  He  served  in  the  war  of  the 
Revolution,  and  was  in  the  battle  of  Saratoga.  Having  removed  to  New  Jersey, 
he  became  chief  justice  of  the  State,  and  at  one  time  represented  it  in  Congress. 
As  early  as  1787,  and  at  the  same  time  with  the  agents  of  the  Ohio  Company,  he 
made  application  to  Congress,  in  the  name  of  himself  and  associates,  for  the  pur- 
cliase  of  a large  tract  of  land  lying  between  the  two  IMiamis.  The  price  was 
sixty-six  cents  per  acre,  to  be  paid  in  United  States  military  land  warrants,  and 
certificates  of  debt  due  from  the  United  States  to  individuals.  The  payments 
were  divided  into  six  annual  instalments.  His  associates  were  principally  com- 
posed of  the  officers  of  the  New  Jersey  line  who  had  served  in  the  war  of  the 
Revolution.  Among  them  were  General  Dayton  and  Elias  Boudinot,  LL.D.  His 


HAMILTON  COUNTY. 


86i 


first  contract  was  for  one  million  of  acres,  made  in  October,  1788,  but  owing  to 
the  difficulty  of  making  the  payments,  and  the  embarrassments  growing  out  of  the 
Indian  war,  the  first  contract  was  noc  fulfilled,  and  a new  one  was  made  for  two 
hundred  and  forty-eight  thousand  acres,  in  May,  1794,  and  a patent  issued  to  him 
and  his  associates  in  September  following/’  Meanwhile,  in  the  spring  of  1789, 
Judge  Sy mines  had  located  himself  at  North  Bend,  where  he  laid  out  “Symmes’ 
city,”  the  fate  of  which  has  already  been  stated.  The  residence  of  Judge  Syrnmes 
stood  about  a mile  northwest  of  his  grave.  It  was  destroyed  by  fire  in  March, 
1811,  and  all  his  valuable  papers  consumed.  It  was  supposed  to  have  been  the 
act  of  an  individual,  out  of  revenge  for  his  refusal  to  vote  for  him  as  a justice  of 
tlie  peace.  At  the  treaty  of  Greenville,  the  Indians  told  him  and  others  that  iii' 
the  war  they  had  frequently  brought  up  their  rifles  to  shoot  him,  and  tlien  recog- 
nizing him,  refrained  from  pulling  the  trigger.  This  was  in  consequence  of  his 
previous  kindness  to  them,  and  speaks  volumes  in  praise  of  his  benevolence. 

On  the  farm  of  the  late  Wm.  Henry  Harrison,  Jr.,  three  miles  below  North 
Bend,  and  two  from  the  Indiana  line,  was  a settlement  made  at  the  same  time  with 
North  Bend.  It  was  called  the  Sugar  Camp  settlement,  and  was  composed  of 
about  thirty  houses.  The  settlers  there  erected  a block-house,  near  the  Ohio  river, 
as  a protection  against  the  Indians.  It  is  now  standing,  though  in  a more  dilapi- 
dated condition  than  represented  in  the  engraving.  It  is  built  of  logs,  in  the  ordi- 
nary manner  of  block-houses,  the  distinguishing  feature  of  which  is,  that  from  the 
height  of  a man’s  shoulder,  the  building,  the  rest  of  the  way  up,  projects  a foot  or 
two  from  the  lower  part,  leaving,  at  the  point  of  junction  between  the  two  parts, 
a cavity  through  which  to  thrust  rifles  on  the  approach  of  enemies. — Old  Edition. 

Keminiscences. 

In  my  original  visit  to  North  Bend,  in  1846,  I passed  a day  or  two  with  the 
Harrison  family,  and  was  there  the  guest  of  Col.  W.  H.  H.  Taylor,  whose  wife 
was  daughter  of  Gen.  W.  H.  Harrison.  While  preparing  these  pages  for  the  ^ 
press,  I unexpectedly  got  a letter  from  him ; he  learning  I was  living  only  a few 
days  before  its  date — June  25,  1889.  As  I had  saved  no  memoranda  of  my  old- 
time  visit,  I thereupon  wrote  a request  for  his  reminiscences  of  that  visit,  together 
with  a ground  plan  of  the  Harrison  mansion  so  famed  in  history.  His  reply, 


! 

Parlor 

I 

L__ 


OiningRoom 
WHERE  THEY  DRAMK 
THE  HAROClOER. 


Ground  Plan  of  the  Old  Harrison  Mansion  at  North  Bend  as  it  was  in  184G. 
Sketched  from  Memory  in  1889  by  Col.  W.  H.  H.  Iaylor. 


together  with  an  engraving  from  his  plan,  is  annexed.  ^ This  gentleman  is  a Vir- 
ginian by  birth  ; was  in  the  civil  war  Colonel  of  the  Fifth  Ohio  Cav^alry,  and  his 
two  eldest  suns  in  the  Union  army — one  in  the  Eighteenth  U.  S.  Infantry  and  the 
other  on  the  staff  of  Gen.  AV.  T.  Sherman.  Col.  Iaylor  is  now  State  Libraiian 
for  Minnesota,  residence  St.  Paul.  When  he  wrote  me,  he  stated  that  he  was  in 
liis  seventy-ninth  year,  and  was  able  to  attend  to  business,  although  much  troubled 
with  rheumatism  contracted  in  the  army. 


Drawn  by  Henry  Hoive  in  1846. 

Residence  of  the  Late  President  Harrison,  North  Bend. 


Drau-n  by  Henry  Howe  in  1846. 

Tomb  of  President  Harrison. 


Drawn  by  Henry  Howe  in  1846. 

Block  House,  near  North  Bend. 


HAMILTON  COUNTY. 


863 


) 


Henry  Howe  at  North  Bend  in  1846. — 
When  you  visited  us  at  North  Bend  in  1846, 
Mrs.  Gen.  W.  H.  Harrison  was  living  there, 
and  you  saw  her  at  meal  times.  I was  man- 
aging the  farm  for  her.  My  first  wife,  her 
youngest  daughter,  and  seven  children  were 
there.  You  remained  two  nights  with  us. 
The  day  after  your  arrival,  you  and  I walked 
down  the  Ohio  river  bank  to  an  old  block- 
house four  miles  below  the  Bend,  of  which 
you  made  a sketch  ; then  we  went  a mile 
farther,  and  took  dinner  with  the  Hon.  John 
Scott  Harrison,  the  father  of  the  present 
President,  then  a lad  of  thirteen  years  of  age. 

After  dinner,  in  company  with  Mr.  Harri- 
son, we  visited  Fort  Hill,  which  was  on  his 
farm,  overlooking  the  three  States  of  Ohio, 
Indiana  and  Kentucky.  You  examined  the 
fort  thoroughly,  and  I think  made  a drawing 


of  it,  and  we  then  walked  back  to  North 
Bend.  The  next  day  you  viewed  the  ruins 
of  the  house  of  Judge  John  Cleves  Symmes 
on  the  Miami,  the  first  settler  in  the  Miami 
valley,  and  the  father  of  Mrs.  Harrison. 
You  then  left  us  and,  I think,  returned  to 
Cincinnati.  [Yes  ; was  carried  thither  by  a 
canal  boat.] 

I send  you  a ground-plan  of  the  noted  log 
cabin  of  1840,  which  1 occupied  when  you 
visited  us,  and  in  which  I was  living  on  the 
25th  ofJuly,  1858,  when  it  was  set  on  fire  by 
a she-devil  of  an  Irish  woman  and  burned  to 
the  ground ; myself  and  family  getting  out 
with  our  night  robes  only,  leaving  everything 
in  the  way  of  clothing,  furniture,  library  and 
all  the  relics  of  1 840,  of  which  we  had  a great 
many,  and  many  that  had  been  in  the  family 
for  two  hundred  years. 


The  widow  of  General  Harrison  is  distinct  in  my  memory.  She  was  of  rather 
slender,  delicate  figure,  with  dark  eyes  and  modest,  quiet  manners;  then  seventy 
years  of  age.  She  was  born  at  Morristown,  New  Jersey,  in  the  year  of  the  Dec- 
laration of  Independence,  and  soon  after  her  mother  died.  Her  father.  Judge 
Symmes,  then  a colonel  in  the  Continental  army,  was  so  anxious  to  place  her  with 
her  grandmother,  then  residing  at  Southold,  Long  Island,  that,  when  she  was  near 
four  years  of  age,  he  assumed  the  disguise  of  a British  officer’s  uniform,  to  enable 
him  to  pass  through  their  lines  with  her  on  his  way  thither,  a perilous  undertak- 
ing. Incidents  of  that  journey  she  remembered  to  her  last  years. 

Mrs.  Harrison  lived  to  the  advanced  age  of  eighty-nine  years,  dying  in  1864, 
and  leaving  the  sweetest  of  memories.  Rev.  Horace  Bushnell,  the  blind  preacher 
of  Cincinnati,  long  her  pastor  and  friend,  preached  her  funeral  sermon  from  a text 
she  had  selected  for  him  years  before — Be  still,  and  know  that  I am  God.”  She 
lies  buried  beside  her  husband  at  North  Bend. 


VILLAGES  AND  LOCALITIES. 

Avondale  is  on  the  hills,  three  miles  north  of  Fountain  Square,  and  was  in- 
corporated as  a municipality  in  1854.  It  is  one  of  the  most  important  and  beau- 
tiful of  the  suburbs ; practically  is  but  a continuation  of  the  city.  It  adjoins 
the  city  north  of  Walnut  Hills,  while  the  latter,  formerly  a village  with  a 
slight  population,  is  now  a part  of  the  city,  with  about  40,000  inhabitants. 

The  Hills  come  up  close  to  the  Ohio  valley  in  places  quite  abrupt  and  about 
400  feet  above  it.  In  calm  summer  nights,  standing  on  the  hill  verge,  the  voices 
of  the  people  below,  on  the  narrow  marge  between  the  foot  of  the  hill  and  river, 
often  rise  to  the  hearing.  The  views  up  the  river  are  here  very  grand,  and  from 
its  most  elevated  points  one  can  see  highlands  south  in  Kentucky,  twenty-five 
miles  away,  and  alike  far  north  in  Ohio. 

The  long-noted  Lane  Seminary  is  on  Walnut  Hills,  with  some  fine  new  build- 
ings, with  their  backs  turned  to  the  old,  which  yet  stand  humbly  behind  them. 
Walnut  Hills,  for  grandeur  of  scenery,  united  with  beauty  of  its  homes,  with 
lawns  and  gardens  more  or  less  in  undulating  dimpling  spots,  has  scarcely  an  equal 
within  our  knowledge.  It  has  such  a surprising  variety  of  domestic  architecture, 
palatial  and  especially  cottage  odd  and  ornate,  apparently  the  creations  of  archi- 
tects on  a strife  to  outdo  each  other  in  novel  blending  of  materials,  in  contrast  of 
colors,  in  proportions,  pinnacles  and  points,  that  one  might  define  it  as  a locality 
where  domestic  architecture  was  out  on  a frolic.  From  these  the  inhabitants  daily 
rapidly  go  whisking  down  in  cable  and  electric  cars  to  their  business  in  the  basin 
below,  to  provide  the  means  to  continue  to  dwell  in  their  beautiful  homes  above. 
One  of  these  lines — a horse-car  line  it  is — goes  through  Eden  Park  to  the  spot, 


864 


HAMILTON  COUNTY. 


Mouut  Adams,  where,  forty  years  ago,  astronomer  Mitchel  had  his  observatory, 
and  looked  through  his  big  telescope  at  Jupiter  and  his  family  of  moons.  Then 
the  car,  with  its  occupants,  horses  and  all  go  down  the  inclined  plane  in  about 
one  minute,  when  the  horses  draw  the  car  from  the  platform,  and  pursue  their 
journey  into  the  house-lined  streets. 

Mount  Auburn,  also  now  a part  of  the  city,  lies  west  of  Walnut  Hills,  being 
separated  from  the  last  by  the  valley  of  Deer  creek.  It  also  abounds  in  elegant 
residences. 

Clifton  lies  west  of  Avondale  and  north  of  Burnet  Woods  Park,  and  was  in- 
corporated as  a town  in  1849.  It  derives  its  name  from  the  Clifton  Farm,  com- 
prises about  1,200  acres,  is  beautifully  diversified  with  hill  and  dale,  and  has 
about  1,200  inhabitants.  In  its  precincts  it  has  neither  shop,  factory,  saloon  nor 
division  fences.  It  has  seventeen  miles  of  avenues,  lined  with  fine  shade  trees,  of 
which  thousands  have  been  planted  ; also  some  magnificent  residences.  The  town 
hall  contains  the  school-room,  and  its  main  hall  is  elegantly  frescoed.  The  ladies 
of  the  Sacred  Heart  have  alsU  a school  for  girls,  with  spacious  and  beautiful 
grounds. 

Pricers  Hill  is  west  of  the  city  plain,  some  400  feet  above  it,  and  is  in  the 
city  limits.  It  is  reached  by  an  inclined  plane  and  the  Warsaw  Pike.  It  com- 
mands extensive  views  of  river,  city  and  country,  and  has  elegant  residences,  con- 
vents and  colleges. 

CuMMiNSViLLE,  a part  of  Cincinnati  by  annexation,  is  five  miles  north  of  the 
business  centre  of  the  city.  The  place  was  named  after  David  Cummins,  owner 
of  a tannery,  whose  extensive  property  and  that  of  another  family  named  Hutchi- 
son, comprised  nearly  the  entire  site  of  the  present  town.  The  early  settlement 
was  known  as  Ludlow  Station,  established,  in  1790,  by  Israel  Ludlow,  Daniel 
Bates,  Thomas  Goudy  (said  to  have  been  the  first  Cincinnati  lawyer),  John  N. 
Cummins,  Uriah  Hardesty  and  others.  This  station  is  noted  as  being  the  place 
where  Gen.  St.  Clair  organized  his  army  in  1791.  It  was  deserted  and  reoccu- 
pied by  turns  until  peace  was  established  with  the  Indians  in  1795.  Newspaper: 
Transcript,  Independent,  A.  E.  Weatherby,  editor.  Churches : 1 Protestant 
Episcopal,  1 Presbyterian,  1 Methodist  Episcopal,  1 Christian,  2 Catholic,  and  1 
Colored  Methodist  Episcopal. 

Harrison,  on  the  Indiana  State  line,  is  twenty-five  miles  northwest  of  Cincin- 
nati, on  the  C.  I.,  St.  L.  & C.  R.  R.  Newspaper : News,  Independent,  Walter 
Hartpence,  editor  and  proprietor.  Churches : 1 Christian,  1 Presbyterian,  1 
Methodist,  1 German  Lutheran,  1 Catholic,  and  1 German  Protestant.  Indus- 
tries: Furniture  factories,  2 distilleries,  3 flouring  mills,  etc.  Banks:  Citizens’ 
(Frank  Bowles),  Frank  Bowles,  cashier;  J.  A.  Graft,  James  A.  Graft,  cashier. 
Population  in  1880,  1,850.  School  census  in  1886,  588.  R.  Maxwell  Boggs, 
superintendent. 

This  village  is  noted  as  the  point  where  John  Morgan  on  his  raid  entered  Ohio. 
It  was  a thorough  surprise.  About  one  o’clock,  in  the  afternoon  of  July  13,  1863, 
the  advance  of  the  command  was  seen  streaming  down  the  hill,  on  the  west  side 
of  the  valley,  and  the  alarm  was  at  once  given.  Citizens  hurried  to  secrete  valu- 
ables and  run  off  horses ; but  in  a very  few  minutes  the  enemy  were  swarming  all 
over  the  town.  The  raiders  generally  behaved  well ; no  woman  nor  other  person 
was  harmed,  and  no  house  robbed.  They  entered  the  stores,  and  in  the  aggregate 
a large  amount  of  goods  was  taken.  They  were  eccentric  in  their  robbing.  A 
druggist  was  despoiled  of  nothing  but  his  soap  and  perfumery.  They  stayed  a 
few  hours,  carried  ofl*  some  horses,  and  that  night,  going  east,  were  abreast  of 
Cincinnati,  and  the  next  day  out  of  the  county,  after  a tremendous  midsummer 
march  of  thirty  liours. 

Mt.  Washington  is  five  miles  east  of  Cincinnati,  on  the  C.  G.  & P.  R.  R. 
Newspaper:  Cincmnati  Public  SchoolJou?iial,  Educational.  Churches:  1 Meth- 
odist Episcopal,  1 Methodist  Protestant  and  1 Baptist.  Industries  : Colter  Pack- 


HAMILTON  COUNTY.  865 

ing  Co.,  fruit  canning,  100  employees.  Population  in  1880,  393.  School  census 
in  1886,  160.  D.  G.  Drake,  superintendent. 

Dockland  is  twelve  miles  north  of  Cincinnati,  on  the  C.  C.  C.  & I.  and  C.  H. 
& D.  P.  R.,  and  on  the  Miami  and  Erie  Canal.  It  has  four  churches  and,  in 
1880,  1,884  inhabitants.  Water-power  is  supplied  to  the  establishments  here  by 
four  locks  in  the  canal,  which  have  unitedly  forty-eight  feet  fall  and  give  name  to 
the  place. 

Industries  and  Employees. — The  Stearns  & Foster  Co.,  cotton  batting,  etc.,  98 
hands ; The  Dockland  Dumber  Co.,  builders^  wood-work,  etc.,  85  ; The  Friend  & 
Fox  Paper  Co.,  75;  George  H.  Friend  Paper  Co.,  25;  J.  H.  Tangeman,  paper- 
making, 15  ; The  Holdeman  Paper  Co.,  34  ; The  Holdeman  Paper  Co.,  30 ; The 
George  Fox  Starch  Co.,  starch,  107. — State  Repoi't,  1888. 

Reading  lies  just  east  of  Dockland  and  had,  in  1880,  a population  of  2,680. 
Diehl’s  long-noted  fireworks  are  here  manufactured ; 60  hands  are  employed. 
Wyoming  lies  west  of  Dockland,  on  the  other  side  of  the  C.  H.  & D.  R.  R. ; it 
had,  in  1880,  840  inhabitants. 

Madison viLLE  is  seven  and  a half  miles  from  Cincinnati,  on  the  C.  W.  & B. 
R.  R.,  has  churches.  Baptist,  Methodist,  Christian,  Presbyterian,  Dutheran,  Epis- 
copal and  Catholic.  Population  in  1880,  1,247.  Norwood  is  on  the  same  rail- 
road, six  miles  from  Cincinnati,  and  has  about  800  inhabitants. 

Carthage  is  on  the  C.  H.  & D.  and  C.  C.  C.  & I.  R.  R.  and  Miami  Canal, 
ten  miles  from  Cincinnati.  It  has  four  churches,  the  County  Infirmary  and  Dong- 
view  Insane  Asylum.  Population  in  1880,  1,007.  The  Erkenbecker  Starch 
Factory  is  here,  which  employs  120  hands;  the  clothing-making  industry  is  also 
carried  on  here.  Hartwei.l  lies  a little  northeast  of  Carthage,  on  the  opposite 
side  of  Mill  creek,  and  on  the  C.  H.  & D.  and  Short  Dine  Railroads.  Popula- 
tion in  1880,  892.  Elmwood  adjoins  Carthage  on  the  south. 

While  others  of  these  treesy-named  villages,  as  Maplewood  and  Woodlawn,  are 
not  afar ; also  Park  Place  and  Arlington.  Then  there  is  Addyston,  which,  in- 
creasing the  number  to  be  mentioned,  has  a suggestion  in  its  name  of  the  arith- 
metical. Outside  of  the  city  limits,  on  the  line  of  Mill  creek,  which  is  threaded 
by  the  C.  H.  and  Bee  Dine  Railroads  for  sixteen  miles  north,  there  are  nineteen 
flourishing  towns,  many  of  them  running  into  each  other. 

St.  Bernard  is  an  extensive  suburb,  just  south  of  the  Marietta  and  Cincinnati 
Railroad,  seven  miles  north  of  the  city,  and  is  largely  inhabited  by  Germans,  who 
have  here  the  St.  Clement’s  Catholic  church.  Population  in  1880,  1,073.  Bond 
Hill  is  near  it,  on  the  line  of  the  M.  & C.  R.  R. 

Glendale  is  on  the  C.  H.  & D.  Railroad,  fifteen  miles  north  of  Cincinnati, 
:md  is  one  of  the  most  beautiful  of  the  suburban  villages.  The  Glendale  Female 
College  is  located  here.  It  has  three  parks,  and  a pretty  lake  of  four  acres  from 
natural  springs.  It  was  laid  out  in  1852  for  suburban  homes  by  wealthy  Cincin- 
natians, and  has  beeirhoted  as  the  residence  of  some  eminent  characters,  as  Stan- 
ley Matthews,  Robert  Clarke,  R.  M.  Shoemaker,  Crafts  J.  Wright,  etc. ; also  for 
the  literary  tastes  of  its  population,  which  has  been  noted  for  its  quality  rather 
than  its  numbers.  Population  in  1880,  1,403. 

College  Hill  is  about  eight  miles  from  the  city  and  is  reached  by  a narrow 

fauge  railway.  It  is  especially  noted  as  the  seat  of  Farmer’s  College  and  of  a 
^emale  College.  Two  miles  north  of  it  is  Mount  Pleasant,  post-office  name 
Mount  Healthy,  which  many  years  ago  was  noted  for  holding  conventions  of  the 
Anti-Slavery  or  Diberty  Party. 

IvoRYDALE  lies  seveii  miles  north  of  Cincinnati,  on  the  C.  H.  & D.,  C.  W.  & 
B.  and  C.  C,  C.  & I.  Railroads.  Here  Proctor  & Gamble  have  about  500  em- 
ployees in  the  manufacture  of  their  famed  ivory  soap,”  who  labor  on  the  co- 
operative plan,  sharing  profits  with  the  owners.  The  Emery  Dard  and  Candle 
Manufacturing  Company  is  also  here,  post-office  Dudlow  Grove. 

The  following  are  the  names  of  villages  and  localities  in  the  county,  with  their 


866 


HAMILTON  COUNTY. 


populations  in  1880 : Home  City,  422 ; Kiverside,  1,268  (now  in  the  Cincinnati 
limits,  post-office  Sedamsvlle),  where,  in  1887,  the  Cincinnati  Cooperage  Company 
employed  565  hands;  Westwood,  852;  Cleves,  836;  North  Bend,  412;  Lin- 
wood,  723  ; and  Springdale,  284. 

In  the  northwestern  corner  of  the  county  is  the  village  of  Whitewater,  where, 
since  1824,  there  has  been  a small  settlement  of  Shakers.  The  grave  of  Adam 
Poe,  the  renowned  Indian  fighter,  who  had  the  noted  fight  with  Big  Foot,  is  in 
the  Shaker  burying-ground. 

Census  of  1890  of  Villages. 

Madison,  2,242 ; Norwood,  1,390 ; Oakley,  1,266 ; Pleasant  Eidge,  1,027  ; 
Home  City,  797  ; Riverside,  part  of,  1,171  ; Delhi,  531 ; Harrison,  part  of  in 
Ohio,  1,090 ; Avondale,  4,473 ; Bond  Hill,  1,000 ; Carthage,  2,059  ; Clifton,  1,575 ; 
College  Hill,  1,346;  Elmwood,  1,980;  Saint  Bernard,  2,158;  West  Norwood, 
612;  Linwood,  1,276;  Glendale,  1,444;  Hartwell,  1,507  ; Dockland,  2,474; 
Wyoming,  1,454;  Mount  Healthy,  1,295;  Hazelwood,  502;  Montgomery,  797; 
Reading,  3,103;  Sharon,  730;  Camp  Dennison  584. 


HANCOCK  COUNTY, 


867 


HANCOCK 


Hancock  County  was  formed  April  1st,  1820,  named  from  John  Hancock, 
first  President  of  the  Revolutionary  Congress.  The  surface  is  level ; soil  is  black 
loam,  mixed  with  sand,  and  based  on  limestone  and  very  fertile.  Its  settlers  were 
generally  of  Pennsylvania  origin.  Area,  about  540  square  miles.  In  1887  the 
acres  cultivated  were  169,013;  in  pasture,  44,809;  woodland,  77,310;  lying 
waste,  1,569  ; produced  in  wheat,  567,704  bushels ; rye,  38,264 ; buckwheat,  764 ; 
oats,  491,677  ; barley,  1,376  ; corn,  1,667,873  ; broom-corn,  2,000  pounds  brush; 
meadow  hay,  26,271  tons ; clover,  10,351  bushels  seed  ; flax,  2,839  pounds  fibre ; 
potatoes,  74,601  bushels  ; butter,  686,107  pounds ; sorghum,  3,544  gallons ; maple 
syrup,  16,598 ; honey,  14,803  pounds ; eggs,  647,165  dozen ; grapes,  11,445  pounds ; 
sweet  potatoes,  363  bushels ; apples,  10,435  bushels ; peaches,  486  bushels  ; pears, 
652  bushels;  wool,  206,987  pounds;  milch  cows  owned,  8,316.  School  census, 
1888,  11,316;  teachers,  274.  Miles  of  railroad  track,  129. 


Townships  and  Census. 
Allen, 

1840. 

1880. 

1,025 

Townships  and  Census. 
Madison, 

1840. 

1880. 

1,232 

Amanda, 

490 

1,474 

Marion, 

707 

987 

Big  Lick, 

431 

1,261 

Orange, 

314 

1,451 

Blanchard, 

629 

1,286 

Pleasant, 

252 

1,866 

Cass, 

588 

829 

Portage, 

675 

914 

Delaware, 

532 

1,455 

Richland, 

332 

Eagle, 

524 

1,284 

Ridge, 

479 

Findlay, 

r,024 

5,553 

Union, 

637 

1,876 

Jackson, 

631 

1,338 

Van  Buren, 

432 

907 

Liberty, 

592 

1,101 

AVashington, 

830 

1,945 

Population  of  Hancock  in  1830,813;  1840,  10,099;  1860,  22,886;  1880, 
27,784,  of  whom  23,102  were  born  in  Ohio,  2,209  Pennsylvania,  270  New 
York,  252  Virginia,  143  Indiana,  35  Kentucky,  882  German  Empire,  89  Ire- 
land, 76  France,  64  England  and  Wales,  47  British  America,  and  11  Scotland. 

The  central  and  southern  part  of  this  county  is  watered  by  Blanchard’s  fork  of 
the  Auglaize  and  its  branches.  The  Shawnee  name  of  this  stream  was  Sho-po- 
qua-te-sepe,  or  TailoTs  river.  We  state  on  the  authority  of  Col.  John  Johnston 
that  Blanchard,  from  whom  this  stream  was  named,  was  a tailor,  or  one  that 
sewed  garments.  He  was  a native  of  France,  and  a man  of  intelligence  ; but  no 
part  of  his  history  could  be  obtained  from  him.  He  doubtless  fled  Ids  country 
for  some  offence  against  its  laws,  intermarried  with  a Shawnee  woman,  and  after 
living  here  thirty  years,  died  in  1802,  at  or  near  the  site  of  Fort  Findlay.  When 
the  Shawnees  emigrated  to  the  West,  seven  of  his  children  were  living,  one  of 
whom  was  a chief.  In  the  war  of  1812  a road  was  cut  through  this  county,  over 
which  the  troops  for  the  Northwest  passed.  Among  these  was  the  army  of  Hull, 
which  \vas  j)iloted  by  Isaac  Zane,  M’Pherson  and  Robert  Armstrong. 

Findlay  in  18^6. — Findlay,  the  county-seat,  is  on  Blanchard’s  fork,  ninety 
miles  northeast  of  Columbus.  It  contains  one  Presbyterian  and  one  Methodist 
church,  one  academy,  two  newspaper  printing  offices,  thirteen  mercantile  stores, 
one  foundry,  one  clothing,  one  flouring  and  one  grist  mill,  and  112  families.  A 
branch  railroad  has  been  surveyed  from  Cary,  on  the  Mad  river  railroad,  to  this 
place,  a distance  of  sixteen  miles,  which  will  prol)ably  ere  long  be  constructed. 
Findlay  derives  its  name  from  Fort  Findlay,  built  in  the  late  war  by  James 
Findlay,  who  was  a citizen  of  Cincinnati,  a colonel  in  the  late  war,  and  afterwards 
a member  of  Congress.  This  fort  stood  on  the  south  bank  of  Blanchard’s  fork, 
)ust  west  of  the  present  bridge.  It  was  a stockade  of  about  fifty  yards  square, 


868 


HANCOCK  COUNTY. 


with  block-houses  at  its  corners  and  a ditch  in  front.  It  was  used  as  a depot  for 
military  stores  and  provisions. 


About  9 o’clock  one  dark  and  windy  night 
in  the  late  war,  Capt.  William  Oliver  (now 
of  Cincinnati),  in  company  with  a Kentuck- 
ian, left  Fort  Meigs  for  Fort  Findlay,  on  an 
errand  of  importance,  the  distance  being 
about  thirty-three  miles.  They  had  scarcely 
started  on  their  dreary  and  perilous  journey, 
when  they  unexpectedly  came  upon  an  In- 
dian camp,  around  the  fires  of  which  the 
Indians  were  busy  cooking  their  suppers. 
Disturbed  by  the  noise  of  their  approach, 
the  savages  sprang  up  and  ran  towards  them. 
At  this  they  reined  their  horses  into  the 
branches  of  a fallen  tree.  Fortunately  the 


horses,  as  if  conscious  of  the  danger,  stood 
perfectly  still,  and  the  Indians  passed  around 
the  tree  without  making  any  discovery  in  the 
thick  darkness.  At  this  juncture  Oliver  and 
his  companion  put  spurs  to  their  horses  and 
dashed  forward  into  the  woods,  through 
which  they  passed  all  the  way  to  their  point 
of  destination.  The}^  arrived  safely,  but 
with  their  clothes  completely  torn  off  by  the 
brambles  and  bushes,  and  their  bodies  bruised 
all  over  by  contusions  against  the  trees.  They 
had  scarcely  arrived  in  the  fort  when  the  In- 
dians in  pui-suit  made  their  appearance,  but 
too  late,  for  their  prey  had  escaped. 


The  town  of  F'indlay  was  first  laid  out  by  ex-Gov.  Joseph  Vanee  and  Elnathan 
Corry,  in  1821,  and  in  1829  relaid  out,  lots  sold,  and  a settlement  systematically 
commenced.  In  the  fall  of  1821,  however,  Wilson  Vance  (brother  of  the  above) 
moved  into  Findlay  with  his  family.  There  were  then  some  ten  or  fifteen  Wyan- 
dot families  in  the  place,  who  had  made  improvements.  They  were  a temperate, 
fine-looking  people,  and  friendly  to  the  first  settlers.  There  were  at  this  time  but 
six  other  white  families  in  the  county  besides  that  of  Mr.  Vance.  Mr.  V.  is  now 
the  oldest  settler  in  the  county.  For  the  first  two  or  three  years  all  the  grain 
which  he  used  he  brought  in  teams  from  his  brothers’  mills  in  Champaign  county, 
about  forty  miles  distant.  To  this  should  be  excepted  some  little  corn  which  he 
bought  of  the  Indians,  for  which  he  occasionally  paid  as  high  as  $1  per  bushel, 
and  ground  it  in  a hand-mill. 

There  are  some  curiosities  in  the  town  and  county  worthy  of  note.  At  the 
south  end  of  Findlay  are  two  gas- wells.  From  one  of  them  the  gas  has  been 
conducted  by  a pipe  into  a neighboring  dwelling  and  used  for  light.  A short  dis- 
tance west  of  the  bridge,  on  the  north  bank  of  Blanchard’s  fork,  at  F"indlay,  is  a 
chalybeate  spring  of  excellent  medicinal  qualities,  and  from  which  issues  inflam- 
mable gas.  In  the  eastern  part  of  the  town  is  a mineral  spring  possessing  similar 
qualities.  Three  miles  south  of  Findlay  is  a sycamore  of  great  height,  and  thirty- 
four  feet  in  circumference  at  its  base.  Ten  miles  below  Findlay,  on  the  west  bank 
of  Blanchard’s  fork,  on  the  road  to  Defiance,  are  two  sugar-maple  trees,  thirty 
feet  distant  at  their  base,  which,  about  sixty  feet  up,  unite  and  form  one  trunk, 
and  thus  continue  from  thence  up,  the  body  of  one  aetually  growing  into  the  other, 
so  that  each  lose  their  identity  and  form  one  entire  tree. — Old  Edition. 

Findlay,  county-seat  of  Hancock,  about  85  miles  northwest  of  Columbus, 
about  45  miles  south  of  Toledo,  is  on  the  L.  F.  & W. ; T.  C.  & S. ; and  I.  B.  & 
W.  railroads.  The  largest  natural-gas  wells  in  the  world  supply  manufacturers 
here  with  fuel  at  a nominal'cost ; private  consumers  pay  fifteen  cents  a month  pei' 
stove  while  in  use,  and  for  illuminating  purposes  five  cents  per  month'  per  burner. 
Oil  is  also  abundant,  is  piped  elsewhere,  and  some  refined  here. 

County  Officers  in  1888. — Auditor,  William  T.  Platt;  Clerk,  Presley  F.  Hay; 
Commissioner.‘^,  Isaac  M.  Watkins,  George  W.  Krout,  Calvin  W.  Brooks; 
Coroner,  Jesse  A.  Flowell ; Infirmary  Directors,  James  M.  Cusac,  Alexander  R. 
Morrison,  ATm.  R.  McKee;  Probate  Judge,  George  AY.  Myers;  Prosecuting 
Attorney,  James  A.  Bope;  Recorder,  John  B.  Foltz;  Sheriff,  George  L.  Cusac: 
Surveyor,  Ulys.ses  K.  Stringfellow ; ThTasurer,  Andrew  J.  Moore. 

City  Officers  in  1888. — AA4n.  L.  Carlin,  Mayor;  Jacob  H.  Boger,  Clerk;  Jacob 
Huber,  Treasurer;  J.  AY.  Bly,  Marshal;  Jas.  A.  Bo])e,  Solicitor;  Godfrey  Nus- 
ser.  Street  Commissioner. 

Newspapers. — Courier,  Democratic,  FTed.  H.  Glessner,  editor  and  publisher; 
Jeffersonian,  Independent  Republican,  A.  H.  Balsley,  editor  and  publisher;  Gas- 


GEN.  JAMES  FINDLAY. 


Brawn  b?j  Henry  Howe  in  1846. 


Findlay,  1846. 

This  shows  the  central  part,  including  tlie  Court-House,  which  occupied  the  site 
of  the  present  structure. 


870 


HANCOCK  COUNTY. 


light,  E.  D.  Ludwig,  editor ; Republican,  Republican,  E.  G.  DeWolf,  editor ; Stavy 
Independent,  Hammaker  & Beech,  editors  and  publishers ; Wochenblatt,  German 
Democratic,  Weixelbaum  & Heyn,  editors  and  publishers. 

Churches. — 1 Roman  Catholic,  1 Lutheran,  1 Methodist  Episcopal,  1 Disci- 
ples, 1 Evangelical,  1 Presbyterian,  1 Reformed,  1 Congregational,  1 United 
Brethren,  1 English  Lutheran,  and  1 Church  of  God,  sometimes  termed  tlie 
Winebrennarian  Church.  The  Church  of  God  College  is  located  here. 

Banks. — Farmers’  National,  Peter  Hosier,  president,  J.  G.  Hull,  cashier;  First 
National,  E.  P.  Jones,  president,  Charles  E.  Niles,  cashier. 

3Ianufactures  and  Employees. — The  Union  Brass  Co.,  brass  goods,  13  hands; 
Findlay  Woollen  Mills,  woollen  goods,  25  ; Bushon  & Crawford,  sasli,  doors,  etc., 
9;  Palmer  & Arnold,  flour,  etc.,  6;  Findlay  Lumber  and  Wood-working  Co., 
sash,  doors,  etc.,  12;  W.  H.  Campfield  & Son,  sash,  doors,  etc.,  12  ; Tlie  Eagle 
Machine  Works,  general  machine  works,  4 ; A.  Boehmer,  Excelsior,  5 ; E.  B. 
Hartwell,  handles,  8;  The  Columbia  Glass  Co.,  table-ware,  177;  The  Western 
Rapid  Type- Writer  Co.,  type- writing  max)hines,  12  ; Geo.  E.  Gobrccht  & Sons, 
architectural  iron  work,  4;  Findlay  Rolling  Mill  Co.,  bar-iron,  etc.,  113;  The 
Findlay  Window  Glass  Co.,  window  glass,  113  ; C.  D.  Hayward  & Co.,  planing 
mill,  15 ; Buckeye  Window  Glass  Co.,  window  glass,  50;  The  Findlay  Iron  and 
Steel  Co.,  bar-iron,  126 ; W.  P.  Dukes,  sash,  doors,  etc.,  7 ; The  Beliaire  Goblet 
Co.,  goblets,  etc.,  312;  Dalzell,  Gilmore  & Leighton  Co.,  table  glassware,  270; 
Model  Flint  Glass  Co.,  crystal  and  colored  glass,  192;  Findlay  Clay  Pot  Co., 
glass-house  pots,  12;  Findlay  Hydraulic  Pressed  Brick  Co.,  pressed  brick,  115  ; 
Findlay  Stave  & Handle  Co.,  handles  and  heading,  25  ; Findlay  Church  Furni- 
ture Co.,  church  furniture,  9 ; Findlay  Table  Manufacturing  Co.,  dining-room 
tables,  63;  Vance  & Bigelow,  sash,  doors,  etc.,  12;  Ohio  Lantern  Co.,  lanterns, 
etc.,  43 ; Vinton,  Jones  & Werner,  castings,  6 ; J.  J.  Bradner,  bee-keepers’  sup- 
plies, 3 ; David  Round  & Son,  chains,  31 ; Shull  & Parker,  sash,  doors,  etc.,  32  ; 
Funk  & Latshaw,  tanks,  etc.,  5;  Adams  Brothers,  general  machine  work,  35; 
American  Mask  Manufacturing  Co.,  masks,  45 ; Findlay  Iron  and  Boiler  Works, 
boilers,  22  ; Waltz,  Barr  & Co.,  grain  elevator,  3 ; The  Lippencott  Glass  Co., 
lamp  chimneys,  130;  John  Shull  Novelty  Works,  ironing  tables,  etc.,  8;  Mc- 
Manness  & Seymour,  rakes,  31  ; The  Ohio  Window  Glass  Co.,  window  glass,  50  ; 
McManness  & Seymour,  linseed  oil,  4 ; The  Findlay  Bottle  Co.,  bottles,  etc.,  102  ; 
David  Kirk,  flour,  etc.,  12 ; The  Wetherald  Wire  Nail  Co.,  steel-wire  nails,  136  ; 
Ireland  & McCoughroy,  oil-well  tools,  etc.,  8 ; The  Hirsch-Ely  Window  Glass 
Co.,  window  glass,  52. — Ohio  State  Reports,  1888. 

Population,  1880,  4,633.  School  census  1888,  3,404 ; J.  W.  Zeller,  superin- 
tendent. Capital  invested  in  industrial  establishments,  $329,500.  Value  of 
annual  product,  $741,000. — Ohio  Labor  Statistics,  1887.  Census,  1890,  18,674. 

Gen.  James  Findlay,  from  whom  Findlay  was  named,  was  born  in  Frank- 
lin county.  Pa.,  in  1770,  of  an  eminent  family.  “About  the  year  1795  he  re- 
moved to  Ohio,  by  way  of  Virginia  and  Kentucky,  eventually  settling  in  Cincin- 
nati. There  he  for  a number  of  years  filled  the  position  of  receiver  of  public  moneys 
in  the  Land  Office.  In  1805-6  and  in  1810-11  he  served  as  IMayor  of  Cincinnati. 
In  the  Avar  of  1812  he  served  as  colonel  of  a regiment,  and  was  present  at 
Hull’s  surrender  of  Detroit.  For  his  meritorious  conduct  in  the  war  he  was 
shortly  afterwards  promoted  to  the  rank  of  brigadier-general  of  the  Ohio  State 
militia,  in  which  capacity  he  served  for  a considerable  period.  He  erected  Fort 
Findlay,  from  which  Findlay  Avas  named.  Naturally  resei’A'ed  in  manner,  he  j)re- 
sented  to  strangers  an  air  of  austerity,  but  he  Avas  the  soul  of  kindness  and  geni- 
ality; had  great  decision  of  character  and  an  unsullied  reputation.  He  died  in 
Cincinnati  in  1835. 

There  died  at  Findlay,  May  12,  1856,  at  the  age  of  68  years,  Andrew  Cof- 
FINBERRY.  He  Avas  borii  in  Virginia  ; came  to  Mansfield  about  1808  ; after  the 
war  he  studied  law  there  Avith  John  M.  May,  and  then  for  nearly  half  a century 


HANCOCK  COUNTY. 


871 


he  practised  in  nearly  all  the  counties  of  Northwestern  Ohio,  beginning  with 
their  organization.  He  was,  says  Knapp,  conspicuous  among  the  old-time  lawyers 
of  the  Maumee  valley,  and  beloved  by  his  professional  brethren  and  by  all  with 
whom  he  came  in  contact. 


He  obtained  the  soubriquet  of  the  good 
Count  Coffinberry  by  reason  of  his  kindly 
nature,  genteel  address  and  extraordinary 
neatness  of  dress.  When  traversing  the 
circuit  from  county-seat  to  county-seat,  the 
journeys  alwa3^s  being  on  horseback,  he  car- 
ried a considerable  apparel.  From  his  re- 
semblance to  the  German  Count  or  Baron 
PufFendorf,  he  was  sometimes  called  Count 
Putfendorf  Many  comical  stories  are  told 
of  him. 

In  1842  the  count  came  before  the  public 
in  the  role  of  a poet  in  a small  volume  printed 
by  Wright  & Legg  at  Columbus.  It  was 
entitled  '‘"The  Forest  Rangers : a Poetic  Tale 
of  the  Western  Wilderness  in  1794,  connected 
with  and  comprising  the  march  and  battle  of 
General  Wayne's  army,  and  abounding  with 
interesting  incidents  of  fact  and  fiction,  in 
seven  cantos." 

The  scene  of  the  book  is  of  course  the 
“Black  Swamp  Begion,”  the  Maumee 
country,  wherein  the  words  of  the  poem  : 


“ Mustered  strong  the  Kas-Kas-Kies, 
Wy  an  dots  and  the  Miamies, 

Also  the  Potawatamies, 

The  Delawares  and  Chippewas, 

The  Kickapoos  and  Ottawas, 

The  Shawanoes  and  many  strays 
From  almost  every  Indian  Nation, 
Had  joined  the  fearless  congregation, 
Who  after  St.  Clair’s  dread  defeat 
Returned  to  this  secure  retreat.” 


The  main  subject  is  the  story  of  the  capture, 
captivity  and  final  rescue  of  the  maiden 
Julia  Gray^  and  the  wedded  Nancy  Gibbs. 
The  poem  gives  personal  narratives,  dialogues, 
Indian  speeches,  drinking-songs  of  Wajme’s 
soldiers,  death-songs  of  savages,  etc.  It  also 
describes  natural  scenery  wherein  Hog  creek 
for  the  purposes  of  euphony  appears  under 
the  name  of  “ Swinonia,”  thus  ; 

“From  Blanchard  to  Swinonia,  he 
Hied  o’er  to  see,  who  there  might  be. 

To  make  it  true  to  nature  the  illiterate  frontier 
characters  speak  their  own  vernacular  in 
doggerel  rhyme.  For  instance,  Mrs.  Nancy 
Gibbs,  who  states  her  “maiding  name  was 
Nancy  Jarred,”  in  describing  her  courtship 
by  Gibbs,  says : 

“ His  ways  was  all  so  dreffle  nice, 

What  maiding  could  reject  the  splice  ? ” 

The  book  stretches  out  for  200  pages,  and 
is  such  a curious  conglomeration  of  intensely 
realistic  jingle,_  and,  as  a whole,  is  such  a 
strange  eccentric  conception  that  any  allusion 
to  it  in  the  presence  of  those  acquainted  with 
it  seldom  fliil  to  bring  a twinkle  in  their  eyes. 
His  old  friends  on  the  bench  and  at  the  bar, 
and  they  were  a host,  at  the  time  of  its  ap- 
pearance, now  nearly  half  a century  gone, 
enjoyed  it  hugely,  for  it  brought  the  good 
count  and  his  oddities  so  vividly  before 
them. 


The  Gas  Wells  of  Findlay. 

In  our  first  edition  as  among  the  curiosities  of  this  region  we  said,  ^^At  the 
south  end  of  F^indlay  are  two  gas  wells.  From  one  of  them  the  gas  has  been 
conducted  by  a pipe  into  a neighboring  dwelling  and  used  for  light.’^  The  public 
did  not  imagine  that  the  little  obscure  town  stood  over  a great  reservoir  of  natural 
gas  and  petroleum,  which,  on  discovery,  was  to  render  it  one  of  the  most  famed 
spots  geologically  considered  on  the  globe.  The  following  history  of  its  discovery 
and  the  development  at  Findlay  up  to  May  20,  1887,  is  copied  from  carefully 
prepared  articles  by  Mr.  Frank  B.  Loomis,  published  at  the  time: 


The  tendency  of  people  to  grasp  with  fran- 
tic eagerness  every  business  or  social  sensa- 
tion that  presents  itself  is  powerfully  illus- 
trated by  the  widespread  interest  which  the 
recent  discovery  of  natural  gas  in  large 
quantities  has  attracted.  A few  years  ago  no 
geologist  or  practical  driller  would  have 
advised  a friend  or  patron  to  put  down  a well 
in  Western  Ohio.  But  conditions  change 
with  dramatic  celerity  in  this  country,  and  to- 
day Northwestern  Ohio  is  the  scene  of  an 
intense  and  contagious  excitement. 

A few  days  ago  the  largest  gas  well  in  the 
world  was  struck  near  Findlay.  Its  daily 


output  of  gas  is  20,000,000  cubic  feet.  There 
are  in  the  aggregate  forty-five  gas  wells  in 
and  about  Findlay.  Together  they  pour 
forth  100,000,000  cubic  feet  of  gas  daily, 
an  equal  amount  in  heating  capacity  to  3,000 
tons  of  coal. 

The  Ohio  natural  gas  is  said  to  be  richer 
in  heat  producing  properties  than  the  Penn- 
sylvania gas  by  fifteen  per  cent.,  according  to 
the  tests  and  estimates  of  scientific  men. 

There  is  a very  important  and  significant 
geological  fact  in  connection  with  the  Ohio 
gas  and  oil  discoveries.  Both  fluids  come 
from  the  Trenton  limestone,  a widesprea(J 


Zay^  Photo.,  Findlay. 


Findlay  in  1890. 


HANCOCK  COUNTY. 


873 


formation  of  the  lower  silurian  age.  In  order 
that  gas  or  oil  may  be  given  forth  in  valuable 
quantities  there  must  always  be  some  struc- 
tural peculiarity  in  the  Ti'entoii  limestone 
formation  so  that  an  arch  will  be  formed  to 
serve  as  a storehouse  for  the  fluids  to  accu- 
mulate in.  The  town  of  Findlay,  which  is 
the  centre  of  the  gas  region,  is  built  over 
such  a fold  or  arch  in  the  limestone.  The 
western  extremity  of  this  arch  is  coincident 
with  the  north  and  south  line  made  by  the 
Main  street  of  Findlay,  so  that  a well  may 
be  drilled  anywhere  east  of  that  street,  and 
dry  gas  will  be  found  in  abundance  at  a depth 
of  about  1,150  feet.  A person  cannot  dig  a 
cellar  or  well  without  setting  some  gas  free, 
and  it  is  said,  in  jest,  that  difiiculty  is  found 
in  setting  fence  posts  on  account  of  the  press- 
ure of  gas  from  beneath. 

The  people  of  Findlay  saw  indications  of 
gas  for  half  a century  without  suspecting  the 
remarkable  treasure  underlying  them.  One 
man  in  the  town,  a G-erman  physician  named 
Charles  Oesterlen,  read  the  signs  with  an 
intelligent  and  prophetic  eye.  Forty  years 
ago  he  became  convinced  that  an  enormous 
reservoir  of  natural  gas  lay  beneath  the  town 
of  Findlay.  He  told  his  belief  and  was 
scoffed  at — men  called  him  the  “gas  fool,” 
and  until  1884  he  was  regarded  as  a vain 
dreamer.  But  patience  and  perseverance  at 
last  prevailed,  and  three  years  ago  he  suc- 
ceeded in  organizing  a stock  company  to  drill 
for  gas.  The  well  was  a successful  one,  and 
when  the  gas  gushed  forth  with  a panting 
roar  and  shot  a column  of  flame  sixty  feet 
into  the  air,  people  were  alarmed  for  a time. 
But  the  faith  of  Hr.  Oesterlen  was  vindicated 
and  the  truth  of  his  theories  established. 

Findlay  was  a small  and  almost  unknown 
town  when  gas  was  struck.  It  took  a year 
for  the  news  of  the  wonderful  discoveries  to 
spread,  and  it  was  not  till  1886,  when  the 
great  Karg  well,  with  a capacity  of  15,000,000 
cubic  feet  daily,  was  struck,  that  the  attention 
of  the  public  was  arrested  by  the  develop- 
ments and  possibilities  at  Findlay. 

The  great  Karg  well  was  discovered  on  J an- 
uary  20,  1886,  by  a boring  of  1,144  feet.  The 
gas  was  conducted  forty-eight  feet  above  the 
ground  through  a six-inch  pipe,  and  when 
lighted  the  flame  rose  from  twenty  to  thirty 
feet  above  the  pipe ; with  a short  pipe  the 
flames  ascended  to  the  height  of  sixty  feet. 
The  gas  leaves  the  well  with  a pressure  of 
400  pounds  to  the  square  inch,  and  with 
so  much  force  that  it  has  raised  a piece  of 
iron  weighing  three  tons  more  than  100  feet 
above  the  ground. 

It  is  difficult  to  imagine  the  magnificent 
effect  of  this  burning  well  at  night.  The 
noise  of  the  escaping  gas  which,  at  the  rate 
of  forty  million  cubic  feet  per  day,  is  like  the 
roar  of  Niagara  or  like  the  thunder  of  a 
dozen  railroad  trains,  drowning  all  conversa- 
tion. On  the  nights  of  the  first  winter  it 
was  opened  the  ground  was  frozen  and  the 


people  not  being  used  to  it  within  the  radius 
of  a half  a mile  were  disturbed  in  their 
slumbers,  especially  when  there  was  a change 
of  wind.  The  sound  under  extraordinary 
conditions  of  the  atmosphere  has  been  heard 
fifteen  miles  away,  and  on  a dark  night  the 
light  reflected  on  the  clouds  discerned  for 
fifty  miles. 

Prof.  Gr.  Frederick  Wright,  who  visited 
on  an  evening  a month  after  it  was  opened, 
wrote  : “Although  the  snow  had  covered  the 
ground  to  a depth  of  several  inches,  in  every 
direction  for  a distance  of  200  yards  in  cir- 
cumference the  heat  of  the  flame  had  melted 
the  snow  from  the  ground  and  the  grass  and 
weeds  had  grown  two  or  three  inches  in  height. 
The  crickets  also  seemed  to  have  mistaken 
the  season  of  the  j^ear,  for  they  were  enliven- 
ing the  night  with  their  cheerful  song.  The 
neighborhood  of  the  well  seemed  also  a para- 
dise for  tramps.  I noticed  one  who  lay 
soundly  sleeping  with  his  head  in  a barrel, 
with  the  rest  of  his  body  lying  outside  on  the 
green  turf,  to  receive  the  genial  warmth  from 
the  flame  high  up  in  the  air.”  Cold  as  it 
was  he  slept  in  perfect  comfort,  with  no  dan- 
ger of  suffering  so  long  as  he  was  within  the 
charmed  circle. 

The  daily  amount  of  heat  from  this  single 
well  is  said  to  equal  that  from  the  burning 
of  one  thousand  tons  of  soft  coal. 

The  cost  of  drilling  a well  is  about  $1,500, 
but  gas  is  supplied  so  cheaply  to  consumers 
that  no  one  thinks  of  drilling  a well  except 
for  a factory  or  mill.  The  city  owns  a number 
of  fine  wells  and  has  pipes  under  all  the 
streets.  Gas  is  furnished  to  consumers  for 
fifteen  cents  a month  for  each  grate  or  stove, 
and  the  consumer  is  permitted  to  burn  as 
much  or  as  little  as  he  chooses. 

The  gas  has  a distinct  and  penetrating 
sulphuric  odor,  so  that  it  is  safer  for  house- 
hold use  than  manufactured  gas,  as  it  cannot 
escape  without  being  quickly  detected.  ^ G-as 
is  a great  luxury  as^  a fuel.  There  is  no 
smoke,  dirt  or  expensive  manipulation  con- 
nected with  it.  It  is  easily  managed  and 
burns  with  a beautiful  blue  flame  that  emits 
an  intense  heat  which  never  varies  in  degree. 

There  was  a great  deal  of  speculation  in 
farms  in  the  gas  belt,  and  one  agent  told  me 
he  had  sold  the  same  farm  ten  times.  Hun- 
dreds of  farmers  have  been  made  rich,  but  I 
cannot  think  they  have  gained  as  much  in  con- 
tentment as  they  have  in  wealth.  One  odd 
character  sold  his  farm  for  $75,000  and  came 
to  the  town  to  live.  He  brought  with  him 
three  strapping  daughters,  and  this  strange 
quartet,  in  garments  cut  in  styles  that  were 
popular  a quarter  of  a century  ago,  wander 
about  the  streets  in  a helpless  and  hopeless 
sort  of  a way,  wondering  what  to  do  with 
their  money  now  that  they  have  got  it.  The 
land  which  Senator  Sherman  paid  $30,000 
for  has  advanced  in  three  months  to  $150,000 
in  value.  The  po{)ulation  of  Findlay  has 
grown  from  5,000  to  15,000  in  a year. 


874 


HANCOCK  COUNTY. 


The  Great  Natural  Gas  Jubilee. 

On  the  second  week  in  June,  1887,  three  days — Wednesday,  Thursday  and 
Friday — were  given  to  celebrating  the  first  anniversary  of  the  practical  applica- 
tion of  natural  gas  to  the  mechanical  arts  in  Findlay.  It  was  on  the  9th  of 
June,  1885,  that  the  Biggs  Iron  and  Tool  Company  first  welded  iron  and  steel 
together  in  Northern  Ohio  with  natural  gas.  It  was  a novel  occasion — the  first 
jubilee  of  its  kind  in  history. 

“Forty  thousand  visitors  poured  into  the 
town  to  participate  in  the  natural  gas  jubilee. 

The  bustling  city  was  ablaze  with  light  and 
decorations,  radiant  in  all  the  glory  of  flags, 
evergreens,  bunting,  and  flowers.  The  main 
street  was  spanned  by  fifty-eight  arches,  bear- 
ing jubilant  mottoes  illuminated  by  the  flame 
of  tliousands  of  gas  jets.  Thirty  thousand 
such  jets  were  burning  all  over  the  city  and 
turning  the  night  into  day.  The  first  day 
(Wednesday)  was  devoted  chiefly  to  the  re- 
ception of  distinguished  guests.  On  Thurs- 
day morning  the  exercises  consisted  of  the 
laying  of  the  corner-stones  for  four  new  manu- 
facturing establishments,  in  addition  to  those 
which  had  been  laid  the  day  before.  Early 
in  the  day  Senator  John  Sherman  and  other 
dignitaries  arrived,  and  in  the  afternoon  Grov. 

Foraker,  accompanied  by  Adjutant-G-eneral 
Axline  and  staff,  and  the  regular  army  offi- 
cers who  were  to  act  as  judges  of  the  military 
contest,  reached  the  city,  and  were  accorded 
a most  hearty  reception.  Other  arrivals  were 
about  1,000  uniformed  members  of  the 
Knights  of  Pythias,  from  Springfield,  To- 
ledo, Dayton,  Cleveland,  Sandusky,  Bluffton, 
and  other  points,  all  accompanied  by  bands 
of  music.  The  $1,000  prize  drill,  later  in 
the  day,  attracted  5,000  spectators. 

Mt.  Blanchard  is  10  miles  southeast  of  Findlay.  It  is  on  the  line  of  the 
C.  & W.  Railroad.  It  is  in  a fine  farming  and  wool-growing  district,  and  oil 
and  gas  are  found  in  abundance.  Churches  : 1 Methodist  Episcopal,  1 Methodist 
Protestant,  and  1 Presbyterian.  Population  in  1880,  285. 

McComb  is  85  miles  northwest  of  Columbus,  40  miles  south  of  Toledo,  and 
116  miles  west  of  Cleveland,  on  the  line  of  the  N.  Y.  C.  & St.  L.  and  McC.  D. 
& T.  Railroads.  It  is  surrounded  by  fine  farming  lands.  Oil  and  natural  gas 
are  found  in  abundance.  Newspaper  : JYera/d,  S.  B.  Davis,  editor  and  publisher. 
Churches : 1 Presbyterian,  1 Methodist  Episcopal,  1 Disciples,  and  1 German 
Lutheran.  Principal  Industries:  Manufacturing  handles  of  all  kinds,  planing 
mills,  etc.  Population  in  1880,  417.  School  census,  1886,  337  ; H.  Walter 
Doty,  superintendent. 

Arcadia,  on  the  L.  E.  & W.  and  N.  Y.  C.  & St.  L.  Railroads,  is  9J  miles 
northeast  of  F'indlay.  It  has  1 Methodist,  1 Presbyterian,  and  1 Lutheran 
church.  Population  in  1880,  396. 

Vanlue,  on  the  I.  B.  & W.  Railroad,  10  miles  east  of  Findlay.  Population 
in  1880,  364.  School  census,  1888,  142. 

Van  Buren  is  on  the  T.  C.  & S.  Railroad,  7 miles  north  of  Findlay.  Popu- 
lation in  1880,  130. 

Benton  Ridge  is  8 miles  southwest  of  Findlay.  Population  in  1880.  179. 
School  census,  1888,  96. 


“All  day  long  the  burning  gas  on  the 
street  arches  flared  in  the  light  rains.  It  was 
cheaper  to  let  it  burn  than  to  employ  men  to 
put  it  out  and  light  it  again.  In  the  evening 
there  was  a grand  banquet,  at  which  appro- 
priate addresses  were  made  by  Senator  Sher- 
man, Gov.  Foraker,  Charles  Foster,  Murat 
Halstead,  Gen.  Thomas  Powell  and  others. 
The  evening’s  illumination  was  a grand  suc- 
cess. Hundreds  of  sheets  of  flame  leaped 
from  the  arches,  and  the  brilliancy  of  the 
burning  gas  flooded  the  city  in  a blaze  of 
light.  A continuous  display  of  fireworks  was 
made  from  seven  o’clock  until  midnight, 
while  70,000  people  packed  roadway,  walks, 
windows  and  roofs,  and  manifested  in  repeat- 
ed applause  their  admiration  of  the  spectacle. 
Friday,  the  last  day,  was  occupied  with  pro- 
cessions, military  parades,  prize  drills,  band 
contests  at  the  Wigwam,  the  laying  of  vaiious 
corner-stones,  and  of  the  first  rails  of  the  belt 
and  electric  railroads  ; the  festivities  conclud- 
ing in  the  evening  with  the  awarding  of  prizes 
and  a display  of  fireworks.  In  the  drill  the 
first  prize  of  $1,000  was  won  by  the  Toledo 
Cadets,  while  the  State  University  Cadets 
won  the  second  prize  of  $500,  and  the  Woos- 
ter Guards  the  third  prize  of  $250.” 


HARDIN  COUNTY. 


«75 


HAEDIlSr. 

Hardin  County  was  formed  from  old  Indian  territory,  April  1,  1820. 
Area  about  440  square  miles.  In  1887  the  acres  cultivated  \ e 132,898 ; in 
pasture,  30,697 , woodland,  47,516  ; lying  waste,  8,167 ; produced  in  wheat, 
359,060  bushels ; rye,  12,526  ; buckwheat,  635  ; oats,  340,047 ; barley,  315 ; 
corn,  1,187,035;  meadow  hay,  22,771  tons;  clover  hay,  5,243;  flax,  2,012 
lbs.  fibre;  potatoes,  114,506  bushels ; butter,  550,396  lbs. ; cheese,  574;  sorghum, 
1,488  gallons;  maple  syrup,  2,810;  honey,  25,358  lbs.;  eggs,  524,031  dozen; 
grapes,  5,085  lbs.;  sweet  potatoes,  40  bushels;  apples,  53,791  ; peaches,  255; 
pears,  403 ; wool,  209,683  lbs. ; milch  cows  owned,  5,954.  School  census,  1888, 
9,306  ; teachers,  264.  Miles  of  railroad  track,  91. 


Townships  and  Census. 

1840. 

1880. 

Townships  and  Census. 

1840. 

1880. 

Blanchard, 

241 

2,423 

Lynn, 

922 

Buck, 

1,610 

Marion, 

177 

982 

Cessna, 

259 

966 

McDonald, 

285 

1,449 

Dudley, 

349 

1,418 

Pleasant, 

569 

5,492 

Goshen, 

549 

1,030 

Koundhead, 

564 

1,035 

Hale, 

267 

1,740 

Taylor  Creek, 

400 

1,189 

Jackson, 

260 

2,176 

Washington, 

203 

1,291 

Liberty, 

170 

3,295* 

Population  of  Hardin,  1840,  4,583 ; 1860,  13,570 ; 1880,  27,023 ; of  whom 
22,328  were  born  in  Ohio;  1,047  Pennsylvania;  480  Virginia;  320  New  York; 
187  Indiana;  85  Kentucky ; 738  German  Empire ; 386  Ireland;  147  England 
and  Wales;  57  British  America;  20  Scotland;  and  18  France. 

Although  Hardin  was  formed  from  old  Indian  territory  as  early  as  1820,  it 
was  not  organized  until  January  8,  1833,  previous  to  which  it  formed  for  judicial 
purposes  a part  of  Logan  county,  and  when  Champaign  was  organized  of  that 
county.  About  half  of  the  county  is  level  and  the  remainder  undulating,  and 
all  capable  of  thorough  drainage.  The  soil  is  part  gravelly  loam  and  part  clayey 
and  based  on  limestone  and  rich.  Its  original  forests  were  very  heavy  in  timber 
and  of  the  usual  varieties. 

Originally  the  deep  woods  of  the  county  were  singularly  free  from  underbrush, 
so  that  the  pioneers  could  see  a long  distance  between  the  trees.  It  is  supposed 
that  this  arose  from  a habit  of  the  Indians  of  annually  burning  the  underbrush 
to  facilitate  the  capture  of  game.  Owing  to  the  heavy  timber  the  county  slowly 
settled,  so  that  as  late  as  1840  it  had  but  nine  inhabitants  to  the  square  mile. 
The  county,  like  Marion,  is  on  the  great  watershed  of  the  State,  the  southern 
part  being  in  the  Mississippi  valley  and  the  northern  part  in  the  Lake  Erie  basin. 
Its  principal  streams  are  the  Scioto  and  the  Blanchard,  the  waters  of  the  first 
going  into  the  Ohio  and  the  other  into  Lake  Erie.  The  Blanchard,  Hog  Creek 
and  the  north  branch  of  the  Miami  head  in  this  county,  while  the  Scioto  heads 
in  Auglaize  county,  enters  Hardin  from  the  southwest,  flows  through  the  great 
Scioto  marsh,  first  goes  northeast  and  then  southeast  by  Kenton. 


Col.  John  Hardin,  from  whom  this 
county  was  named,  was  an  officer  of  dis- 
tinction in  the  early  settlement  of  the  West. 
He  was  born  of  humble  parenta'ge,  in  Fau- 
quier county,  Virginia,  in  1753.  From  his 
very  youth,  he  was  initiated  into  the  life  of 
a woodsman,  and  acquired  uncommon  skill 
as  a marksman  and  a hunter.  In  the  spring 
of  1774  young  Hardin,^  then  not  twenty-one 
years  of  age,  was  appointed  an  ensign  in  a 


inilitia  company,  and  shortly  after,  in  an  ac- 
tion with  the  Indians,  was  wounded  in  the 
knee.  Before  he  had  fully  recovered^  from 
his  wound  he  joined  the  noted  expedition  of 
Dunmore.  In  the  war  of  the  revolution,  he 
was  a lieutenant  in  Morgan’s  celebrated  rifle 
corps.  He  was  high  in  the  esteem  of  General 
Morgan,  and  was  often  selected  for  enter- 
prises of  peril,  requiring  discretion  and  in- 
trepidity. On  one  of  these  occasions,  while 


876 


HARDIN  COUNTY. 


with  the  northern  army,  he  was  sent  out  on  a 
reconnoitring  expedition,  with  orders  to  take 
a prisoner,  for  the  purpose  of  obtaining  in- 
formation. Marching  silently  in  advance  of 
his  party,  he  ascended  to  the  top  of  an 
abrupt  hill,  where  he  met  two  or  three  British 
soldiers  and  a Mohawk  Indian.  The  moment 
was  critical.  Hardin  felt  no  hesitation — his 
rifle  was  instantly  presented,  and  they  ordered 
to  surrender.  The  soldiers  immediately 
threw  down  their  arms — the  Indian  clubbed 
his  gun.  They  stood,  while  he  continued  to 
advance  on  them  : but  none  of  his  men  hav- 
ing come  up,  and  thinking  he  might  want 
some  assistance,  he  turned  his  head  a little 
and  called  to  them  to  corne  on  ; at  this  mo- 
ment, the  Indian,  observing  his  eye  with- 
drawn from  him,  reversed  his  gun  with  a 
rapid  motion,  in  order  to  shoot  Hardin; 
when  he,  catching  in  his  vision  the  gleam  of 
light  reflected  from  the  polished  barrel,  with 
equal  rapidity  apprehended  its  meaning,  and 
was  prompt  to  prevent  the  dire  efiect.  He 
brings  his  rifle  to  a level  in  his  own  hands, 
and  fires  without  raising  it  to  his  face — he 
had  not  time,  the  attempt  would  have  given 
the  Indian  the  first  fire,  on  that  depended 
life  and  death — he  gained  it  and  gave  the 
Indian  a mortal  wound ; who,  also,  firing  in 
the  succeeding  moment,  sent  his  ball  through 
Hardin’s  hair.  The  rest  of  the  party  made 
no  resistance,  but  were  marched  to  camp. 
On  this  occasion  Hardin  received  the  thanks 
of  General  Gates.  In  1786  he  settled  in 
Washington  county,  Kentucky,  and  there 
was  no  expedition  into  the  Indian  country 
after  he  settled  in  Kentucky,  except  that  of 
General^  St.  Clair,  which  he  was  prevented 
from  joining  by  an  accidental  lameness,  in 
which  he  was  not  engaged.  In  these,  he 


generally  distinguished  himself  by  his  gal- 
lantry and  success.  In  Harmar’s  expedition, 
however,  he  was  unfortunate,  being  defeated 
by  the  Indians  when  on  detached  command, 
near  Fort  Wayne.  Colonel  Hardin  was  killed 
in  the  39th  year  of  his  age.  He  was — says 
Marshall,  in  his  history^  of  Kentucky,  from 
which  these  facts  are  derived — a man  of  un- 
assuming manners,  and  great  gentleness  of 
deportment ; yet  of  singular  firmness  and  in- 
flexibility as  to  matters  of  truth  and  justice. 
Prior  to  the  news  of  his  death,  such  was  his 
popularity  in  Kentucky,  that  he  was  ap- 
pointed general  of  the  first  brigade. 

Colonel  Hardin  was  killed  by  the  Indians 
in  1792.  He  was  sent  by  General  Washing- 
ton on  a mission  of  peace  to  them — and  was 
on  his  way  to  the  Shawnees’  town.  He  had 
reached  within  a few  miles  of  his  point  of 
destination,  and  was  within  what  is  now 
Shelby  county,  in  this  State,  when  he  was 
overtaken  by  a few  Indians,  who  proposed 
encamping  with  him,  and  to  accompany  him 
the  next  day  to  the  residence  of  their  chiefs. 
In  the  night,  they  basely  murdered  him,  as 
was  alleged,  for  his  horse  and  equipments, 
which  were  attractive  and  valuable.  His 
companion,  a white  man,  who  spoke  Indian, 
and  acted  as_  interpreter,  was  uninjured. 
When  the  chiefs  heard  of  Hardin’s  death, 
they  were  sorry,  for  they  desired  to  hear 
what  the  messenger  of  peace  had  to  com- 
municate. A town  was  laid  out  on  the  spot 
some  years  since,  on  the  State  road  from 
Piqua  through  Wapakonetta,  and  named,  at 
the  suggestion  of  Col.  John  Johnson,  Hardin, 
to  perpetuate  the  memory  and  sufferings  of 
this  brave  and  patriotic  man  : it  is  about  six 
miles  west  of  Sidney. 


Fort  M’ Arthur  was  a fortification  built  in  the  late  war,  on  the  Scioto  river, 
in  this  county,  and  on  HulPs  road.  It  was  a low,  flat  place,  in  the  far  woods, 
and  with  but  little  communication  with  the  settlements,  as  no  person  could  go 
from  one  to  the  other  but  at  the  peril  of  his  life,  the  woods  being  infested  with 
hostile  Indians. 

The  fort  was  a stockade,  enclosing  about  half  an  acre.  There  were  two  block- 
houses ; one  in  the  northwest  and  the  other  in  the  southeast  angle.  Seventy  or 
eighty  feet  of  the  enclosure  was  composed  of  a row  of  log  corn-cribs,  covered 
with  a shed  roof,  sloping  inside.  A part  of  the  pickets  were  of  split  timber,  and 
lapped  at  the  edges  : others  were  round  logs,  set  up  endways,  and  touching  each 
other.  The  rows  of  huts  for  the  garrison  were  a few  feet  from  the  walls.  It  was 
a post  of  much  danger,  liable  at  any  moment  to  be  attacked. 

The  site  of  this  fort  is  about  three  miles  southwest  of  Kenton,  and  not  a 
vestige  of  it  now  remains.  It  must  have  been  an  exceedingly  dreary  spot  and 
largely  fatal  to  the  soldiers,  as  it  is  in  the  vicinity  of  the  great  Scioto  marsh. 
The  graves  of  sixteen  of  the  garrison  are  near  by.  The  ]^rompt  building  of  this 
fort  reflects  great  credit  upon  the  foresight  of  Governor  Meigs.  On  the  11th  of 
June,  1812,  one  week  before  the  declaration  of  war,  he  despatched  Duncan 
McArthur  with  a regiment  of  soldiers  from  Urbanna,  to  open  a road  in  advance 
of  Hull’s  army  and  build  a stockade  at  the  crossing  of  the  Scioto.  On  the  19th 
Hull  arrived  with  the  residue  of  his  army.  His  trace  is  still  discernible,  after 
a lapse  now  of  seventy-seven  years,  in  various  places  through  the  northwestern 
counties  as  he  passed  on  his  way  to  Detroit.  Not  a vestige  of  the  fort  now  re- 


Dratvn  hij  Henry  Howe  in  1846, 

Kenton. 


I.  N.  Hays,  Photo.,  1890. 

CouET  House  Square,  Kenton. 


HARDIN  COUNTY. 


878 

mains,  but  remnants  of  McArthur’s  corduroy  through  the  boggy  forest  are  yet  to 
be  found. 


On  page  705  is  a sketch  of  Thomas  Coke 
Wright,  who  gave  for  our  first  edition  this 
interesting  incident.  It  was  at  one  time 
commanded  by  Captain  Robert  M’Clelland, 
who  recently  died  in  Greene  county.  He 
was  brave,  and  when  roused,  brave  to  rash- 
ness. While  he  commanded  at  Fort  M’Ar- 
thur,  one  of  his  men  had  gone  a short 
distance  from  the  walls  for  the  purpose  of 
peeling  bark.  While  he  was  engaged  on  a 
tree,  he  was  shot  twice  through  the  body,  by 
a couple  of  Indians  in  ambush,  whose  rifles 
went  off  so  near  together  that  the  reports 
were  barely  distinguishable.  He  uttered  one 
piercing  scream  of  agony,  and  ran  with  al- 
most superhuman  speed,  but  fell  before  he 
reached  the  fort.  An  instant  alarm  was 
spread  through  the  garrison,  as  no  doubt 
was  entertained  but  that  this  was  the 
commencement  of  a general  attack,  which 
had  been  long  expected.  Instead  of  shutting 
the  gates  to  keep  out  danger,  M’Clelland 
seized  his  rifle,  and  calling  on  some  of  his 
men  to  follow,  of  which  but  few  obeyed,  he 
hastened  to  the  place  of  ambush  and  made 
diligent  search  for  the  enemy,  who,  by  an 
instant  and  rapid  retreat,  had  effected  their 
escape ; nor  did  he  return  until  he  had 
scoured  the  woods  all  around  in  the  vicinity 
of  the  fort. 

The  old  M’ Arthur  road,  or  “Hull’s  trail,” 
was  for  many  years  the  principal  highway 
from  Bellefontaine  to  Detroit,  while  Fort 


M’ Arthur  remained  garrisoned  for  some  time 
after  the  close  of  the  war. 

According  to  tradition  the  first  family  to 
locate  in  the  county  was  that  of  Alfred  Male, 
who  came  to  Fort  M’Arthur  in  1817,  and  in 
1819  was  born  their  son  Jonas,  their  fourth 
child.  Hale  was  a hunter  and  squatter,  and 
remained  but  a short  time.  The  first  per- 
manent settlement  was  made  near  the  site  of 
Roundhead,  in  the  spring  of  1818,  by  Peter 
C.  M’Arthur  and  Daniel  Campbell,  where 
they  built  cabins,  and  after  planting  corn  went 
back  to  Ross  county  to  bring  their  families, 
but  from  fear  of  a sudden  outbreak  of 
Indians,  did  not  return  until  1822.  The 
nearest  settlement  was  about  Bellefontaine. 
It  is  said  that  their  fire  at  one  time  going 
out,  M’Arthur  was  compelled  to  walk  to 
that  point  to  obtain  a fresh  supply.  Upon 
his  return  he  met  a squaw,  who,  laughing  at 
his  ignorance,  showed  him  how  to  make  a fire 
with  a flint  and  a piece  of  punk.  About 
the  next  family  in  that  vicinity  was  that  of 
Samuel  Tidd,  a blacksmith,  who  at  one  time 
did  much  work  for  the  Indians.  He  came  in 
February,  1822,  and  settled  in  the  forests, 
where  was  born,  November  15  of  the  next 
year,  their  daughter  Jane,  the  first  fe- 
male child  born  in  Hardin  county.  In  the 
county  history  appears  her  portrait,  as  Mrs. 
Jane  Tidd  Rutledge,  a good,  strong,  womanly 
face. 


The  first  court  held  in  the  county  was  held  March  8,  1834,  in  a block-house, 
the  residence  of  Hon.  William  McCloud,  at  M’ Arthur,  McCloud  being  one  of 
the  associate  judges.  The  first  county  officers  were  elected  the  next  month.  The 
total  vote  was  only  sixty-three.  Little  or  no  business  Avas  done  at  the  first  term 
of  court. 


The  next  year  a trial  jury  was  required. 
The  farmers  were  busy,  the  country  sparsely 
settled,  and  the  sheriff  found  great  difficulty 
in  impanelling  a jury.  On  the  morning  of 
the  second  day,  the  judge  opened  court  and 
asked  the  sheriff’  if  the  jury  was  full.  The 
sheriff  is  said  to  have  replied  “Not  quite 
full  yet.  I have  eleven  men  in  the  jail  and 
my  dogs  and  deputies  are  after  the  twelfth 


man.”  The  jail  at  that  time  was  a log-cabin 
near  the  fort.  The  court-room  was  a shed 
constructed  from  the  side  of  the  block-house, 
with  clapboards,  with  forked  saplings  for 
uprights.  The  benches  for  jury  and  specta- 
tors were  split  clapboards,  with  auger  holes 
for  legs.  The  ‘ ‘ bench  ’ ’ were  provided  with 
a table  and  chairs.  The  jury  retired  to  the 
woods  for  their  deliberation. 


Kenton  in  184-6, — Kenton,  the  county-seat,  is  on  the  Scioto  river  and  Mad 
river  railroad,  seventy-one  miles  northwest  of  Columbus,  and  seventy-eight  from 
Sandusky  City.  The  view  shown  was  taken  southwest  of  the  town.  The  rail- 
road is  shown  in  front,  with  the  depot  on  the  left : the  Presbyterian  church 
appears  near  the  centre  of  the  view.  In  the  centre  of  the  town  is  a neat  public 
square.  From  the  facilities  furnished  by  the  railroad,  Kenton  promises  to  be  an 
inland  town  of  considerable  business  and  population.  It  now  contains  eight  dry- 
goods  and  four  grocery  stores,  one  newspaper  printing  office,  one  foundry,  one 
grist  and  one  saw  mill,  one  Presbyterian  and  one  Methodist  church,  and  had,  in 
1840,  300  inhabitants,  since  Avhicli  it  is  estimated  to  have  more  than  doubled  its 
population.  There  is  a house  in  this  town,  the  rain  flowing  from  its  north  ridge 


HARDIN  COUNTY. 


879 

fiiSids  its  way  to  Lake  Erie,  and  that  from  its  south  ridge  to  the  Gulf  of  Mexico. 

— Old  Edition. 

The  old  view,  excepting  that  of  Xenia,  is  the  only  one  that  shows  a railroad  in 
all  the  180  engravings  of  our  original  edition.  The  hut  in  the  centre  stood 
a little  southwest  of  the  site  of  Young  Brothers’  present  office.  The  church  in 
the  centre  was  the  old  Presbyterian,  now  down  ; and  the  taverns  on  the  right  were 
those  of  the  American  House,  kept  by  Judge  David  Goodin,  and  the  5lansion 
House,  built  by  William  Furney. 

The  railroad  shown  was  opened  to  Kenton,  July  4,  1846,  the  very  year  the 
view  was  taken,  and  amid  great  rejoicings,  an  excursion  train  having  come  from 
Sandusky.  Its  name  was  the  Mad  River  and  Lake  Erie,  then  running  from 
Sandusky  to  Dayton;  later,  changed  to  the  Cleveland,  Sandusky  and  Cincinnati. 
The  house  which  shed  its  rain  for  both  Lake  Erie  and  the  Ohio  was  then  the 
residence  of  John  W.  Holmes.  The  site  is  the  present  residence  of  General 
Robinson.  About  the  highest  point  in  the  county  is  Silver  Creek  Summit, 
1118  feet  above  tide.  See  page  60. 

In  the  spring  of  1833  the  State  committee  appointed  by  the  legislature 
selected  a site  for  the  county-seat,  on  the  north  bank  of  the  Scioto,  on  part 
of  sections  33  and  34  in  Pleasant  township,  George  Houser,  Jacob  Houser 
and  Lemuel  Wilmoth  giving  forty  acres  of  their  land  as  an  inducement. 
The  committee  having  decided  upon  the  site  were  unable  to  agree  upon  the 
name,  but  after  its  selection  rode  over  three  miles  west  with  William  McCloud 
to  Fort  M’ Arthur,  where  he  resided  in  a block-house,  to  get  dinner.  McCloud, 
wlio  was  a great  hunter,  and  his  good  lady,  had  provided  an  appetizing  feast 
of  wild  meat,  for  they  were  very  hungry.  The  subject  of  the  name  being 
discussed,  they  left  it  to  the  decision  of  Mrs.  McCloud,  who  declared  in  favor 
of  Kenton,  in  honor  of  the  friend  of  her  husband,  and  nobody  ever  regretted 
the  choice. 

A sketch  of  him  will  be  found  on  page  376.  Father  Finley,  in  his  own 
memoirs,  gives  these  interesting  details  of  his  conversion  in  his  mature  years 
to  the  truths  of  Christianity. 


Simon  Kenton  was  the  friend  and  bene- 
factor of  his  race.  In  the  latter  part  of  his 
life  he  embraced  religion  ; in  the  fall  of  1819 
General  Kenton  and  my  father  met  at  a camp 
meeting  on  the  waters  of  Mad  river,  after  a 
separation  of  many  years.  Their  early  ac- 
quaintance in  Kentucky  rendered  this  inter- 
view interesting  to  both  of  them.  The 
meeting  had  been  in  progress  for  several 
days  without  any  great  excitement  until  Sab- 
bath evening,  when  it  pleased  God  to  pour 
out  his  spirit  in  a remarkable  manner. 
Many  were  awakened,  and  among  the  num- 
ber were  several  of  the  General’s  relatives. 

His  heart  was  touched,  and  the  tear  was 
seen  to  kindle  the  eye  and  start  down  the 
furrow  of  his  manly  cheek.  On  Monday 
morning  he  asked  my  fatlier  to  retire  with 
him  to  the  woods.  To  this  he  readily  as- 
sented, and  as  they  were  passing  along  in 
silence,  and  the  song  of  the  worshippers  had 
died  upon  their  ears,  addressing  my  father, 
he  said,  “ Mr.  Finley,  I am  going  to  commu- 
nicate to  you  some  things  which  I want  3^ou 
to  promise  me  you  will  never  divulge.”  My 
father  replied,  “If  it  will  not  affect  any  but 
ourselves,  then  I j)ronii.se  to  keep  it  forever.” 
Sitting  down  on  a log  the  General  commenced 
to  tell  the  story  of  his  heart,  and  disclose  its 
wretchedness;  what  a great  sinner  he  had 


been,  and  how  merciful  was  God  in  preserving 
him  amid  all  the  conflicts  and  dangers  of  the 
wilderness.  While  he  thus  unburdened  his 
heart  and  told  the  anguish  of  his  sin-wounded 
spirit,  his  lip  quivered  and  the  tears  of  peni- 
tence fell  from  his  weeping  ej^es.  They  both 
fell  to  the  earth  and,  prostrate,  cried  aloud 
to  God  for  mercy  and  salvation.  The  peni- 
tent was  pointed  to  Jesus,  the  Almighty- 
Saviour  ; and  after  a long  and  agonizing 
struggle,  the  gate  of  eternal  life  was  entered, 
and 

“Hymns  of  joy  proclatuted  through  heaven 

The  triumphs  of  a soul  .f3rgiven.” 

Then  from  the  old  veteran,  who  imme- 
diately sprang  to  his  feet,  there  went  up  a 
shout  toward  heaven  which  made  the  woods 
resound  with  its  gladness.  Leaving  my 
father  he  started  for  the  camp,  like  the  man 
healed  at  the  beautiful  gate,  leaping  and 
raising  God,  so  that  the  faster  and  larther 
e went  the  louder  did  he  shout  glory  to 
God.  His  appearance  startled  the  whole  en- 
campment ; and  when  my  father  arrived  he 
found  an  immense  crowd  gathered  around 
him,  to  whom  he  was  declaring  the  goodness 
of  God,  and  his  power  to  save.  Approach- 
ing him,  my  father  said,  “ General,  I thought 


88o 


HARDIN  COUNTY. 


we  were  to  keep  this  matter  a secret.  ” He 
mstantly  replied,  “ Oh,  it  is  too  glorious  for 
that.  If  I had  all  the  world  here  I would 
tell  of  the  goodness  and  mercy  of  God.” 

At  this  time  he  joined  the  Methodist  Epis- 
copal Church,  lived  a consistent,  happy 
Christian,  and  died  in  the  open  sunshine  of 
a Saviour’s  love.  If  there  is  any  one  of  all 
the  pioneers  of  this  valley  to  whom  the 
country  owes  the  largest  debt  of  gratitude, 
that  one  is  General  Simon  Kenton.  His 


body  sleeps  on  the  waters  of  Mad  river, 
about  six  miles  north  of  Zanesville,  and 

“When  that  winding  stream  shall  cease  to 
flow. 

And  those  surrounding  hills  exist  no  more, 
His  sleeping  dust  reanimate  shall  rise. 
Bursting  to  life  at  the  last  trumpet’s  sound ; 

Shall  bear  a part  in  nature’s  grand  assize. 
When  sun,  and  time,  and  stars  no  more  are 
found.” 


Kenton,  county-seat  of  Hardin,  is  forty-eight  miles  northwest  of  Columbus, 
seventy  south  of  Toledo,  on  the  dividing  ridge  of  the  State,  the  water  running 
north  and  south.  It  is  on  the  I.  B.  & W.  and  C.  & A.  H.  R.  County  Officers,  1888  : 
Auditor,  George  W.  Rutledge ; Clerk,  James  C.  Howe ; Commissioners,  Wilber 
F.  Pierce,  Andrew  Dodds,  John  L.  Clark;  Coroner,  John  Watters;  Infirmary 
Directors,  John  Wilson,  Samuel  M.  Andrews,  Samuel  Utz ; Probate  Judge,  James 
J.  AYood ; Prosecuting  Attorney,  Charles  M.  Melhorn ; Recorder,  Dennis  W. 
Kennedy  ; Sheriff,  John  S.  Scott ; Surveyor,  Sidney  F.  Moore ; Treasurer,  Ed- 
ward Sorgen.  City  Officers : Mayor,  W.  H.  Ward  ; Clerk,  George  W.  Binckley ; 
Treasurer,  A.  B.  Charles ; Marshal,  Michael  Flanigan ; Solicitor,  Frank  C. 
Daugherty ; Street  Commissioner,  W.  H.  Miller.  Newspapers : Das  Wochen- 
hlatt,  German,  Louis  Schloenbach,  editor;  Democrat^  Democratic,  Daniel  Flan- 
agan & Co.,  editors  and  publishers ; News,  Prohibition,  Henry  Price,  editor  and 
publisher ; Republican,  Republican,  E.  L.  Miller,  editor  and  publisher ; Herald, 
Republican,  L.  I.  Demarest,  editor  and  publisher.  Churches : one  German 
Lutheran,  one  Episcopalian,  one  Presbyterian,  one  African  Methodist  Episcopal, 
one  Methodist  Episcopal,  one  Disciples,  one  Baptist,  one  Catholic.  Banks  : First 
National,  S.  L.  Hoge,  president,  H.  W.  Gramlich,  cashier;  Kenton  National, 
Asher  Letson,  president,  Curtis  Wilkin,  cashier ; Kenton  Savings,  L.  Merriman, 
president,  James  Watt,  cashier. 

Manufactures  ami  Employees. — Champion  Iron  Fence  Company,  iron  fencing, 
etc.,  125  hands;  John  Callam  & Co.,  doors,  sash,  etc.,  12;  John  Callam  & Co., 
building  material,  6 ; G.  H.  Palmer  & Co.,  chair  stock,  etc.,  52 ; Scioto  Straw 
Board  Company,  straw  boards,  33  ; Pool  Bros.,  carriages,  etc.,  6 ; Smith  & Smith, 
wood  and  iron  novelties,  10  ; Curl  & Canaan,  chair  stock,  etc.,  24 ; J.  C.  Schwenck, 
handles,  etc.,  9 ; Kenton  Milling  Company,  flour,  etc.,  7 ; Kenton  Milling  Com- 
pany, flour,  etc.,  6 ; Young  & Bro.,  lumber,  19;  William  Campbell,  staves  and 
headings,  33. — Ohio  State  Reports,  1888.  Population  in  1880,  3,940;  school 
census  1888,  1,403 ; E.  P.  Dean,  School  Superintendent.  Capital  invested  in 
industrial  establishments,  $583,130.  Value  of  annual  product,  $566,000. — Ohio 
Labor  Statistics,  1887. 

The  location  of  Kenton  is  such  that  it  can  be  seen  on  being  approached  in  any 
direction  for  five  or  six  miles.  Being  in  a fine  agricultural  region,  it  commands 
a large  trade  in  grain,  cattle  and  pork,  as  well  as  lumber,  staves,  etc.  All  the 
principal  streets  are  graded  and  gravelled.  Indeed,  but  few  counties  in  this  part 
of  Ohio  have  such  a complete  network  of  gravel  pikes  as  Hardin.  They  were 
begun  in  1869,  now  cover  about  230  miles,  costing  about  $2,500  per  mile,  or  a 
total  of  over  half  a million  of  dollars.  They  radiate  in  every  direction  from 
Kenton,  and  the  work  of  building  still  goes  on.  The  streams  are  spanned  by 
good  bridges,  and  driving  over  smooth  roads  is  a luxury  to  be  enjoyed  alike  in 
rain  and  sun. 


. HISTORIC  AND  DESCRIPTIVE  MISCELLANIES. 

The  Great  Marshes. — The  marsh  lands  of  these  is  the  “Scioto  Marsh,”  having 
of  this  county  cover  25,000  acres,  or  an  area  about  16,000  acres  inside  of  the  timber  line, 
of  about  thirty-nine  square  miles.  The  largest  It  is  in  the  southwest  part,  through  which 


HARDIN  COUNTY. 


88t 


runs  the  Scioto  river.  Next  is  the  “Hog 
Creek  Marsh”  with  about  8,000  acres  in 
the  northern  part,  and  then  also  a part  of 
Cranberry  Marsh  of  Wyandotte  county, 
of  which  about  1,000  acres  lie  in  this  county. 
These  low  prairies  attracted  large  numbers  of 
deer  and  other  wild  animals  that  often  found 
a safe  retreat  in  the  high  grass,  which  the 
Indians  would  burn  to  drive  them  away. 
Since  their  departure  an  annual  crop  of  grass 
often  ten  feet  high  has  been  added  to  the 
other  accumulations  of  these  basins.  ^ The 
bottoms  of  marshes  are  drift  clay,  which  is 
covered  from  two  to  ten  feet  with  the  vege- 
table accumulations  of  centuries  and  is  very 
rich.  The  margins,  as  with  the  banks  of 
rivers,  are  lined  with  willows. 

The  subject  of  draining  these  marshes  has 
long  agitated  the  people.  They  have  been  a 
constant  source  of  malarial  poison,  and 
retarded  settlement.  In  1859  a contract  was 
made  by  the  county  with  Mr.  John  Mc- 
GulFey  to  reclaim ^ the  waste  lands  of  the 
Scioto  Marsh  by  ditching  the  marsh  and  the 
clearing  out  the  drift  of  the  Scioto  for  three 
miles.  The  work  failed  it  is  said  from  the 
lack  of  sufficient  fall  in  the  river  below  the 
marsh.  In  1883  the  work  under  different 
plans  was  again  begun,  and  is  now  progressing 
to  a successful  completion.  The  surface  is 
peaty,  and  beneath  it  are  found  shell,  marl 
and  sandy  deposits.  The  marsh  is  in  the 
shape  of  a ham,  and  it  is  supposed  was  once 
a small  lake.  The  main  ditch  we  are  told  is 
from  45  to  60  feet  wide,  7 feet  deep  and  some 
]2J  miles  long.  In  all,  thus  far,  150  miles 
of  ditching  have  been  done  therein,  and  20 
miles  of  the  Scioto  cleared  and  straightened. 
The  work  on  Cranberry  Marsh  was  begun 
in  1865  and  finished  in  three  years  by  a main 
ditch  20  feet  wide  and  4 feet  deep  with 
two  lateral  ditches.  The  water  is  carried  into 
Blanchard  river,  and  the  soil  is  of  the  finest, 
deep,  rich  and  inexhaustible. 

Hog  Creek  Marsh,  comprising  twelve 
and  one-half  square  miles,  is  mainly  in  Wash- 
ington township.  ^ By  ditching  and  also  by 
deepening,  widening  and  straightening  the 
channel  of  Hog  creek  for  a distance  of  four 
miles,  which  took  six  years  of  labor,  from 
about  1868  to  1874,  these  marsh  lands  have 
been  reclaimed.  Thirty  years  ago  these  lands 
were  almost  worthless,  a hot-bed  of  malaria, 
the  resort  of  all  sorts  of  venomous  reptiles. 
The  lands  vill  now  average  sixty  dollars  per 
acre,  and  are  among  the  most  valuable  in  the 
Scioto  Vallei  . The  expense  of  draining  was 
about  thirtee  i dollars  per  acre. 

The  wide  c itches  are  cut  by  huge  dredges 
worked  by  sfi  am-power ; the  small  lateral 
ditches  are  cut  by  spade.  A picture  of  one 
of  the  dredges  is  before  us,  an  improved 
dredge-boat,  the  invention  of  Colonel  C.  H. 
Sage.  It  is  a scow  drawing  two  and  a half 
feet  of  water,  twenty-six  feet  wide  and  seventy- 
two  feet  long,  at  work  in  the  Scioto  marshes, 
and  the  colonel  himself  is  supposed  to  be  on 
board,  as  he  has  charge  there.  The  view  is 
from  the  rear,  and  the  scene  around  is  wild 
and  picturesque.  A clearing  wide  as  a road 


has  been  cut  through  the  original  forest, 
through  which  is  a wilderness  vista  for  miles. 
A large  area  of  the  ditch  is  in  the  foreground, 
at  the  rear  of  the  boat,  where  the  water  looks 
as  placid  and  pure  as  a mountain  lake,  and 
reflects  upon  its  surface,  in  pleasing  vividness, 
forest,  sky  and  scow. 

The  dredge  has  a roof  on  posts  some  seven 
feet  high,  but  is  open  at  the  sides  and  rear, 
into  which  we  can  gaze.  In  front  are  some 
huge  spars  coming  to  a point  about  twenty 
feet  above  the  prow  of  the  scow,  with  another 
beam,  the  pioneer  of  the  concern,  from  the 
point  of  which  hangs  a huge  bucket  or  dip- 
per, which  swings  to  alternate  sides  of  the 
ditch  and  deposits  mud  as  it  goes,  fifty-four 
feet  froiu  the  centre  of  the  turn-table. 
Evidently  it  was  notmade  for  ocean  navigation  ; 
but  it  is  a fact  that  some  years  ago  in  an 
adjoining  county,  near  the  head-waters  of  the 
St.  Mary’s  we  believe  it  was,  a scow-dredge 
was  built  in  a swamp  and  then  dug  its  way 
out  until  it  floated  into  a river  and  got  an  ex- 
perience of  river  navigation. 

The  Ditch  Lmm  of  the  State  are  admirable. 
The  system  is  very  simple.  Parties  wishing 
their  land  ditched  petition  the  county  com- 
missioners, who  first  examine,  by  sending  an 
engineer  to  run  the  necessary  levels,  and,  if 
his  report  and  plans  are  fiivorable,  they  grant 
the  request  and  assume  the  expense  and  su- 
pervision of  the  work.  To  meet  the  expense 
the  county  issues  its  bonds,  running  a term 
of  years.  The  interest  on  the  bonds,  and 
finally  the  principal,  are  met  by  increase  on 
the  tax  value  of  the  land. 

It  is  by  this  system  that  the  Black  Swamp 
and  other  low  wet  lands  of  the  Northwest  are 
becoming  the  garden  of  Ohio.  The  people 
no  longer  shake  with  the  chills  and  fever,  the 
snakes  have  wriggled  away,  and  big  crops, 
sunshine  and  gladness  have  come  over  the 
land. 

Great  Trees. 

This  county  had  some  noted  trees.  One 
termed  “Hardin’s  Great  Walnut  ” has  thus 
been  described  by  Mr.  James  Cable  : It  stood 
22  miles  east  of  Kenton,  in  the  centre  of 
the  Marion  pike.  Its  roots — large  spurs — 
extended  twenty  feet  from  the  body  each  way, 
the  body  growing  well  to  the  ground.  It 
died  in  1832,  and  w^as  cut  in  1837.  The 
diameter  is  not  known,  but  its  body  measured 
seventy-two  feet  to  the  forks,  and  large  rail- 
cuts  were  made  from  each  fork.  Large  stiles 
had  to  be  cut  in  the  body  to  notch  it  for  the 
saw.  The  tree  was  without  a blemish.  Mr. 
Cable  said  it  was  the  best  tree  he  had  ever 
seen. 

Walnut  was  abundant  in  the  vicinity.  On 
section  twelve,  near  by,  Mr.  Johnson,  an  old 
Indian  scout,  reported  that  a walnut  was  cut 
in  1789  which  measured  four  feet  and  a half 
in  diameter.  It  was  cut  for  bees  by  a white 
man.  The  stump  was  standing  late  as  1879. 
It  was  reported  that  a white  man  was  killed 
near  it  by  an  Indian.  This  was  probably  the 
first  tree  cut  in  Hardin  county. 


882 


HARDIN  COUNTY. 


Capture  and  Escape  of  Dr.  John  Knight. 

The  earliest  known  incident  of  striking  interest  occurring  within  the  limits  of 
this  county  was  the  escape  of  Dr.  John  Knight  in  June,  1782.  He  was  brother- 
in-law  of  Col.  Crawford,  and  had  been  captured  with  the  Colonel  and  two  others 
near  what  is  now  Leesville,  Crawford  county.  After  the  burning  of  Crawford, 
Knight  was  painted  black  and  next  morning  put  in  charge  of  an  Indian  named 
Tnteln,  a rough-looking  fellow,  to  be  taken  to  the  Shawnee  town  of  Wakatomika 
for  execution. 


It  is  a well-received  tradition  that  the  pre- 
cise spot  where  the  Doctor  outwitted,  over- 
powered and  escaped  from  his  Indian  guard 
was  in  Section  8,  Dudley  township,  on  the 
north  bank  of  the  Scioto,  near  the  residence 
of  the  late  Judge  Portius  Wheeler.  The 
spot  is  on  the  old  Shawnee  trail,  from  the 
Wyandot  and  Delaware  villages  on  the  San- 
dusky and  Tymochtee  to  the  Shawnee  towns 
on  the  Big  Miami  and  Mad  rivers,  passing 
through  what  is  now  known  as  the  townships 
of  Groshen,  Dudley,  Buck  Hall,  and  Taylor 
Creek.  The  details,  as  told  by  Knight,  are 
these  : 

They  started  for  the  Shawnee  towns,  which 
the  Indian  said  were  somewhat  less  than 
forty  miles  away.  Tutelu  was  on  horseback 
and  drove  Knight  before  him.  The  latter 
pretended  he  was  ignorant  of  the  death  he 
was  to  die,  though  Simon  Girty  told  him  he 
was  to  die  ; affected  as  cheerful  a countenance 
as  possible,  and  asked  the  savage  if  they  were 
not  to  live  together  as  brothers  in  one  house 
when  they  should  get  to  the  town.  Tutelu 
seemed  well  pleased  and  said,  “Yes.”  He 
then  asked  Knight  if  he  could  make  a wig- 
wam. Knight  told  him  he  could.  He  then 
seemed  more  friendly.  The  route  taken  by 
futelu  and  Knight  was  the  Indian  trace 
leading  from  the  Delaware  town  to  Waka- 
tomika, and  ran  some  six  or  eight  miles  west 
of  what  is  now  Upper  Sandusky.  Its  direc- 
tion was  southwest  from  Pipetown  to  the  Big 
Tymochtee.  They  travelled,  as  near  as 
Knight  could  judge,  the  first  day  about 
twenty-five  miles.  The  Doctor  was  then  in- 
formed that  they  would  reach  Wakatomica 
the  next  day  a little  before  noon. 

The  Doctor  often  attempted  to  untie  him- 
self during  the  night,  but  the  Indian  was 
very  watchful  and  scarcely  closed  his  eyes,  so 
that  he  did  not  succeed  in  loosening  the  tugs 
with  which  he  was  bound..  At  daybreak 
Ikitelu  got  up  and  untied  the  Doctor.  They 
had  built  a fire  near  which  they  slept.  Tu- 
telu, as  soon  as  he  had  untied  the  Doctor, 
began  to  mend  the  fire,  and  as  the  gnats  were 
troublesome,  the  Doctor  asked  him  if  he 
should  make  a smoke  behind  him.  He  said, 
“Yes.”  The  Doctor  took  the  end  of  a dog- 
wood fork,  which  had  been  burnt  down  to 
about  eighteen  inches  in  length.  It  was  the 
longest  stick  he  could  find,  yet  too  small  for 
the  purpose  he  had  in  view.  He  then  took 
up  another  small  stick,  and  taking  a coal  of 
fire  between  them,  went  behind  the  Indian, 


when,  turning  suddenly  about,  he  struck  the 
Indian  on  the  head  with  all  his  force.  This 
so  stunned  him^  that  he  fell  forward,  with 
both  his  hands  in  the  fire.  He  soon  recov- 
ered, and  springing  to  his  feet  ran  howling 
off  into  the -forest.  Knight  seized  his  gun, 
and  with  much  trepidation  followed,  trying 
to  shoot  the  Indian  ; but  using  too  much  vio- 
lence in  pulling  back  the  cock  of  the  gun, 
broke  the  main-spring.  The  Indian  continued 
his  flight,  the  Doctor  vainly  endeavoring  to 
fire  his  gun.  He  finally  returned  to  the  camp 
from  the  pursuit  of  Tutelu,  and  made  prep- 
arations for  his  homeward  flight  through  the 
wilderness.  He  took  the  blanket  of  the  Del- 
aware, a pair  of  new  moccasins,  his  “hop- 
pes,”  powder-horn,  bullet-bag,  together  with 
the  Indian’s  gun,  and  started  on  his  journey 
in  a direction  a little  north  of  east. 

About  half  an  hour  before  sunset  he  came 
to  Sandusky  Plains,  when  he  laid  down  in  a 
thicket  until  dark.  He  continued  in  a north- 
easterly direction,  passing  through  what  is 
now  Marion,  Morrow,  Bichland,  Ashland, 
Wayne,  and  so  on,  until  evening  of  the  twen- 
tieth day  after  his  escape,  he  reached  the 
mouth  of  Beaver  creek  on  the  Ohio,  in 
Beaver  county,  Pa.,  and  was  then  among 
friends.  During  the  whole  journey  he  sub- 
sisted on  roots,  a few  young  birds  that  were 
unable  to  fly  out  of  his  reach,  and  wild  ber- 
ries that  grew  in  abundance  through  the 
forest. 

The  Tornado  op  1887. 

On  the  night  of  Friday,  May  14,  1887,  the 
western  part  of  Ohio  was  visited  by  one  of 
the  most  destructive  storms  known  in  the 
history  of  the  State.  While  great  damage 
was  done  to  property  throughout  other  coun- 
ties, its  effects  in  Hardin  and  Greene  coun- 
ties were  particular^  disastrous.  The  de- 
struction in  Greene  was  largely  caused  by 
flood,  the  damage  in  Hardin  principally  by 
the  great  force  of  the  wind  ; it  partook  more 
of  the  character  of  a tornado,  the  effects 
being  similar  to  those  of  the  tornado  which 
had  visited  Fayette  county  the  preceding 
September,  nearly  destroying  the  entire  town 
of  Washington  C.  H. 

Commencing  in  the  western  part  of  Hardin 
county  the  storm  travelled  in  a northeasterly 
direction  over  a course  of  about  eight  miles, 
leaving  destruction  in  its  path.  It  passed 
out  of  Hardin  at  the  northeast  corner,  and 
did  great  damage  in  Wyandot  county. 


HARDIN  COUNTY. 


883 


\ 

TRAVELLING  NOTES. 

At  Kenton  on  this  tour  we  met  Gen.  James  S.  Robinson.  We  were  glad  to 
meet  him  again,  having  made  his  acquaintaiiee  011  our  original  tour,  but  had  not 
seen  him  since.  In  the  interim  he  had  an  unusual  career,  civil  and  military.  He 
was  born  of  English  parentage,  near  Mansfield,  October  14,  1827.  He  was  bred 
a printer  and  editor,  looks  like  the  typical  John  Bull,  but  is  every  inch  an 
American.  He  is  a tall,  somewhat  huge  man,  with  clear,  weighty  voice,  one 
with  strong  convictions  and  frank  in  their  expression.  He  was  secretary  of  the 
. first  Republican  State  Convention  ever  held  in  Ohio,  of  which  Salmon  P.  Chase 
was  })resident ; has  held  many  other  political  and  civil  offices ; is  the  only  person 
ever  elected  to  Congress  from  Hardin  county,  first  in  1880  and  then  in  1882  ; 
was  Secretary  of  State  from  1885  to  1889. 

He  enlisted  in  the  civil  war  as  a private,  and  ere  its  close  had  become  a full 
brigadier  and  brevet  major-general.  He  was  in  the  Virginia  campaign  under 
Fremont;  was  in  Sherman’s  march  to  the  sea,  and  had  some  interesting  ex- 
periences at  Gettysburg,  incidents  of  the  first  day’s  fight  and  what  he  saw  while 
he  lay  wounded  and  a prisoner  within  the  enemy’s  lines.  AVe  abridge  from  a 
published  account. 

issued  assigning  to  Robinson  the  command 
of  the  division,  but  ere  it  reached  him  he 
was  struck  in  the  left  breast  by  a minie-ball, 
which  passed  clear  through  his  body,  making 
a gaping  wound. 

This  was  just  at  the  edge  of  Gettysburg, 
and  as  he  fell  his  troops  were  forced  to  give 
way  before  the  overwhelming  forces  of  the 
enemy,  who  swept  on  and  over  the  field  on 
which  he  lay  wounded.  He  was  taken  to  the 
residence  of  a couple  of  maiden  ladies  by  the 
nauie  of  McPherson,  sisters  of  Hon.  Edward 
McPherson,  late  Clerk  of  the  House  of  Rep- 
resentatives, where  he  lay  upon  the  kitchen 
floor  during  the  night.  The  following  day 
he  was  taken  up-stairs  and  placed  in  a bed, 
looking  out  upon  the  busy  scenes  being  en- 
acted in  the  town.  In  the  meantime  he  had 
had  no  treatment  whatever.  Some  water 
was  brought  him,  which  he  poured  through 
his  wound  and  which  ran  through  his  body 
like  through  a sieve.  To  this  the  general  at- 
tributes his  recovery  from  a wound  whicli 
would  have  killed  almost  any  other  man. 

After  an  examination  of  his  wound  the 
surgeon  coolly  told  him  that  he  could  not 
possibly  recover  and  that  he  had  better  com- 
plete at  an  early  moment  whatever  arrange- 
ments he  wanted  to  make  preparatory  to  a 
voyage  across  the  dark  river.  But  the  colo- 
nel intimated  that  he  had  some  faith  in  his 
recovery  and  that  he  had  no  arrangements  to 
make  just  yet.  Another  surgeon  came  who 
succeeded  in  finding  a small  dose  of  mor- 
phine. This  gave  relief,  and  he  was  able  to 
sleep  for  a few  hours.  During  both  daj’S  of 
the  battle  he  could  hear  the  rattle  of  the 
musketry  and  the  roar  of  artillery  on  all 
parts  of  the  field. 

On  the  afternoon  of  the  third  day,  when 
the  signal-gun  was  fired  and  the  artillery 
opened  from  both  lines,  the  shock  was  ter- 
rific. It  fairly  shook  the  building  which  he 
occupied.  Then  came  a lull  and  after  that 
the  rattle  of  musketry.  Just  as  the  sound 


He  entered  the  fight  as  commander  of  the 
Eighty-second  0.  V.  I.,  two  other  colonels 
ranking  him.  But  in  five  minutes  one  was 
wounded  and  the  other  (Colonel  Musser,  of 
the  Sevent3^-fifth  Pennsylvania)  killed  while 
engaged  in  conversation  with  him,  which  de- 
volved upon  him  the  command  of  the  brig- 


GEN.  JAMES  S.  IIOBINSON. 


ade.  The  firing  was  from  the  right  flank 
and  front  and  was  very  destructive  of  human 
life.  His  regiment  went  into  action  on  the 
morning  of  the  first  day’s  fight  with  19  offi- 
cers and  236  men.  It  lost  all  but  2 officers 
and  89  men.  After  the  death  of  General 
Reyuol^®  and  other  disasters  an  order  was 


884 


HARDIN  COUNTY. 


of  musketry  died  away  an  ofl&cer  belonging 
to  General  Lee’s  staff  came  riding  through 
the  town  opposite  the  general’s  window,  evi- 
dently carrying  orders  from  General  Lee  to 
General  Johnson  on  the  left.  The  rebel  pro- 
vost marshal,  who  was  commanding  in  the 
town,  occupied  the  hotel  office  as  his  head- 
quarters. He  was  heard  asking  Lee’s  staff 
officer  for  the  news  at  the  front. 

The^  officer  replied:  “Glorious!  Long- 
street  is  driving  the  Yankees  to  h — 1.”  The 
general  says  that  that  was  an  anxious  mo- 
ment for  him.  Finally  the  roar  of  battle  en- 
tirely ceased  and  only  an  occasional  shot  was 
heard  along  the  line.  Just  then  a captain 
on  Lee’s  staff  came  riding  down  with  orders 
to  Johnson,  probably  countermanding  the 
previous  order.  The  rebel  provost  marshal 
again  asked  the  staff  officer  for  the  news  at 
the  front.  He  said  : “Bad  enough.  Long- 
street  has  been  repulsed,  with  terrible 
slaughter,  and  everything  is  going  to  the 
rear  in  utter  confusion.” 

Those  were  words  of  good  cheer  to  the  old 
soldier.  He  called  to  a soldier  who  had  re- 
mained with  him  to  come  forth  from  his 
hiding-place  and  requested  him  to  open  the 
back  shutters  of  the  house  and  raise  him 
up  and  let  him  look  over  the  battle-field. 
He  saw  great  confusion  in  Lee’s  lines.  Am- 
bulances, caissons  and  ammunition  wagons 
were  going  to  the  rear  in  great  confusion. 
The  retreat  continued  all  night  long. 

As  he  lay  there  wounded,  seeing  the  panic 
and  confusion  that  had  seized  Lee’s  troops, 
he  longed  to  get  word  to  Meade  that  he 
might  pursue.  Meade  had  16,000  fresh 
troops,  and  had  he  done  so  he  has  always 
felt  that  then  and  there  the  rebellion  would 
have  ended. 

About  daybreak,  on  the  morning  of  the 
4th,  he  heard  the  welcome  voices  of  his  own 
regiment,  as  they  came  marching  through 
the  town,  calling  upon  some  rebel  soldiers 
who  had  taken  refuge  in  a barn  to  surrender. 

We  again  visited  Kenton  Wednesday, 
September  11,  1889.  This  was  Pioneer  Day 
on  the  County  Fair  grounds,  a memorable 
occasion,  the  dedication  of  the  pioneer  cabin, 
which  had  just  been  completed,  to  comniQmo- 
rate  the  virtues  of  the  fathers  and  mothers 
who  had  laid  the  foundations  in  the  wilder- 
ness of  Hardin.  Among  the  multitude  who 
poured  in  from  the  country  were  many  who 
had  brought  the  old-time  tools  and  imple- 
ments and  placed  them  in  the  cabin,  as 
spinning-wheels,  flax-boards,  Dutch  ovens, 
tables,  chairs,  reels,  knives,  forks,  spoons, 
pewter  and  wooden  utensils,  guns,  cabin- 
lamps,  etc.,  that  had  done  grand  service  in 
the  olden  time,  even  as  far  back,  perhaps,  as 
the  days  of  Lexington,  for  there  were  some 
old  flint-lock  guns  that  must  have  flashed 
their  light  in  or  near  that  dim  remote.  In- 
deed, even  in  the  present  sense,  it  was  a dim 
remote,  as  shown  by  the  specimens  of  the 
cabin-lamps,  for  the  pioneers  must  have  had 
the  vision  of  bats  to  have  seen  much  by 
them.  They  consisted  simply  as  receptacles 
for  a lump  of  grease,  with  a rag  laid  in  for 


a wick.  These  were  either  shoved  into 
crevices  between  the  logs  of  the  cabin  or,  if 
they  were  extra  splendid,  they  were  hung  by 
a wire.  Our  engraving  is  from  one  of  this 


A Log-Cabin  Lamp. 

splendid  kind,  brought  on  to  the  ground  by 
Mr.  John  P.  Richards,  a pioneer  from  Buck 
township,  which  came  from  his  father,  who 
used  it  in  New  Hampshire  about  a century 
back.  Its  material  is  brass,  and  it  is  black 
with  age  and  use.  To  our  vision,  having 
tried  it,  we  discover  that  it  has  a decided  ad- 
vantage over  a respectable-sized  lightning- 
bug — that  is,  the  light  is  more  steady. 

The  exercises  consisted  mainly  of  speeches 
by  Gen.  Gibson,  Col.  Cessna,  Henry  Howe, 
etc.  ; singing  by  the  Old  Fogy  singers,  of 
Logan  county,  winding  up  with  grateful  reso- 
lutions by  the  committee  of  the  whole  to 
Col.  W.  T.  Cessna,  president,  and  Dr.  A.  W. 
Munson,  secretary,  of  the  Pioneer  Associa- 
tion, for  their  services  in  bringing  the  build- 
ing of  the  cabin  to  such  a happy  conclusion, 
wherein  about  every  log  was  the  gift  of  some 
one  family  who  had  hauled  it  on  to  the 
ground  as  their  especial  pet  log,  in  some 
cases  miles  away,  from  the  “dim  remote” 
of  their  tree  lands.  The  Old  Fogy  singers 
were  a most  attractive  feature,  in  the  quaint 
costumes  of  the  olden  time,  with  their  hair 
smoothly  parted  in  the  middle,  with  not 
even  a solitary  “bang’’  to  molest  the  dome 
of  thought.  Then  their  old  hymns  and  fugu- 
ing  tunes  reminded  of  one  especial  fugue  that 
was  sung  in  the  ancient  daj\s  wherein  the 
treble  and  alto  would  start  out  and  sing  : 

“ Oh  1 for  a man  ; Oh  I for  a man  ; Oh  I for 
a mansion  in  the  skies.  ’ ’ 


HARDIN  COUNTY. 


885 


And  then  the  tenors  and  basses  reply 

“ Brin^  down  sal; — bring  down  sal; — bring 
down  salvation  from  above/’ 

The  Old  Stage  Driver. — Among  the  old 
pioneers  present  at  the  dedication  was  Harvey 
Buckminster,  born  in  1800,  the  last  year  of 
the  last  century,  whose  unusual  experience  has 
thus  been  often  related,  and  should  have  this 
permanent  record.  He  was  a Vermonter, 
and  came  to  Ohio  in  1828,  when  28  years  old, 
first  settling  on  the  Sandusky  plains,  where, 
in  the  person  of  Miss  Abigail  Brown,  he  ob- 
tained a good  wife  and  made  many  friends 
among  the  Indians.  He  borrowed  money — 
three  dollars — to  pay  for  his  marriage  license, 
and  mauled  1,200  rails  at  twenty-five  cents  a 
hundred,  to  pay  it  back.  During  the  summer 
after  he  was  married  he  engaged  to  mow  the 
meadow  of  a neighbor  who  lived  five  miles 
away,  and  walked  there  and  back  daily,  re- 
ceiving as  compensation  for  each  day’s  work 
six  pounds  of  pickled  pork,  then  worth  about 
four  cents  a pound.  He  then  engaged  in 
driving  stage  on  the  deep  muddy  roads 
through  dense  forests  between  Bellefontaine 
and  Upper  Sandusky,  the  home  of  the  Wy- 
andots,  in  the  night  season,  when  it  was  often 
so  dark  that  he  could  not  see  the  wheel- 
horses,  when  he  would  be  compelled  to  carry 
a lantern,  and  with  a pole  pry  out  the  stage 
coach  from  the  deep  holes  or  over  stumps  in 


the  road.  He  followed  this  occupation  for 
six  years,  and  eventually  bought  a tract  of 
woodland  and  cleared  it  at  a place  called 
Grassy  Point,  now  in  Hale.  There  he  opened 
a house  of  entertainment  in  a primitive  style 
for  travellers  on  the  road.  The  Shawnees 
and  Wyandots  were  quite  numerous,  and  he 
was  often  visited  by  them,  and  became  on 
friendly  terms  with  their  leading  men.  For 
thirteen  winters  he  bought  furs  for  the  North- 
western Fur  Company  in  northwestern  Ohio 
and  Michigan,  paying  out  some  $5,000  annu- 
ally to  the  Indians  and  white  hunters,  by 
which  he  secured  a competency. 

He  used  to  relate  this  incident,  which  oc- 
curred under  his  observation,  in  one  of  his 
tri})s  to  Sandusky.  A young  Indian  having 
been  found  guilty  of  killing  another  Indian 
by  a council  of  the  Wyandots,  w^as  sentenced 
to  be  shot.  The  culprit  was  taken  to  his 
place  of  execution,  pinioned,  blindfolded  and 
made  to  kneel  by  his  coffin,  when  five  young 
men — Wyandots — being  supplied  with  rifles, 
four  of  which  only  were  loaded  with  balls,  at 
the  word  “fire”  simultaneously  discharged 
their  pieces,  when  four  balls  entered  close  to- 
gether the  breast  of  the  unfortunate  young 
man.  The  wife  of  the  doomed  man  was 
present  at  the  execution.  She  was  at  the 
time  with  child,  and  when  it  was  born  there 
were  four  distinct  red  marks  of  the  bullet- 
holes,  and  the  appearance  of  blood  trickling 
down  from  them  on  the  breast  of  the  child. 


Ohio  Normal  University. 


Ada  is  fourteen  miles  northwest  of  Kenton,  sixty  south  of  Toledo,  on  the  line 
of  the  P.  Ft.  Wayne  & C.  Railroad.  It  derives  its  main  interest  from  being  an 
educational  point.  It  was  laid  out  in  1853,  and  was  called  Johnstown  until  in- 
corporated in  1861.  It  is  the  seat  of  the  Ohio  Normal  University,  the  largest 
institution  of  the  kind  in  the  State,  and  which  has  been  recognized  by  the  gov- 
ernment by  its  sending  an  army  officer  and  ordnance  to  give  instruction  in  military 
tactics.  It  has  thirty  instructors,  male  and  female ; II.  S.  Lehr,  jiresident.  Its 
enrolment  of  pupils  for  1889  was  2,473,  many  for  brief  course.s.  The  town  is 
lighted  by  electricity  and  the  fuel  used  is  natural  gas.  Newspapers : Record, 
neutral,  Agnew  Welsh,  editor  and  proprietor ; University  Herald,  college.  Herald 
Company,  publishers ; One  Principle,  religions,  Rev.  J.  M.  Atwater,  publisher ; 


886 


HARDIN  COUNTY. 


Holiness  Conservator,  religious,  Revs.  Rowley  and  Rice,  publishers.  Churches ; 
one  Methodist  Episcopal,  one  Wesleyan  Methodist,  one  Presbyterian,  one  Evan- 
gelical Lutheran,  one  Baptist,  one  Catholic,  one  United  Brethren,  one  Reformed 
and  one  Disciples.  Bank  : Citizen^s,  P.  Ahlefeld,  proprietor.  Population  in 
1880,  1,760.  School  census  in  1886,  763;  Alexander  Comrie,  superintendent. 

Forest  is  twelve  miles  northeast  of  Kenton,  at  the  crossing  of  the  P.  Ft.  W. 
& C.  and  I.  B.  & W.  Railroads.  It  is  surrounded  by  a fine  grain  and  fruit  pro- 
ducing country.  Its  principal  manufactures  are  lumber,  tile,  brick  and  handles. 
City  Officers,  1888  : Matthew  Briggs,  Mayor;  Fred.  Hune,  Marshal;  W.  P. 
Bowman,  Clerk;  J.  F.  Nye,  Treasurer;  J.  L.  "Woodward,  Street  Commissioner. 

Newspapers : Revieio,  Independent ; Harvey  S.  Horn,  editor  and  jniblisher. 
Churches : 1 Presbyterian,  1 Methodist  Protestant,  1 Methodist  Episcopal. 

Bank  : Nye’s  (John  F.  Nye),  J.  F.  Nye,  cashier.  School  census  in  1886,  413; 
C.  F.  Zimmerman,  Superintendent.  Population  in  1880,  987. 

Mt.  Victory  is  in  the  southeastern  part  of  the  county,  on  the  line  of  the 
C.  C.  C.  & I.  Railroad.  It  is  surrounded  by  a fine  farming  and  grazing  country. 
It  has  one  newspaper.  Observer,  Independent,  E.  E.  Lynch,  editor.  Churches : 
1 Methodist  Episcopal,  1 United  Brethren,  and  1 Wesleyan  Methodist.  Prin- 
cipal industries  are  M.  E.  Burke  & Co.,  flouring  mill,  and  Boyd  Bros.’  handle 
factory.  Population  in  1880,  574. 

Dunkirk  is  an  incorporated  town  on  the  P.  Ft.W.  & C.  R.  R.,  twenty-six  miles 
east  of  Lima  and  ten  miles  north  of  Kenton.  Churches  : 1 Methodist  Episcopal, 
1 United  Brethren,  1 Wesleyan  Methodist,  1 Presbyterian,  1 Adventist,  1 African 
Baptist.  Newspaper  : Standard,  Independent,  O.  Owen,  editor.  Bank  : Wood- 
ruff’s, John  Woodruff,  president ; A.  B.  Woodruff,  cashier.  City  Officers:  D. 
F.  Fryer,  Mayor;  Calvin  Gum,  Marshal ; Gage  Helms,  Clerk  ; J.  M.  Hutchin- 
son, Treasurer ; Jacob  Rinehart,  Street  Commissioner.  The  surrounding  country 
is  very  productive,  and  all  kinds  of  grain  are  raised  in  abundance.  Population 
in  1880,  1,131.  School  census,  1888,  431.  H.  B.  Williams,  Superintendent  of 
Schools. 

Patterson  is  ten  miles  northeast  of  Kenton,  on  the  I.  B.  & W.  R.  R.  School 
census,  1888,  141. 

Ridgeway  is  on  the  C.  C.  C.  & I.  R.  R.,  ten  miles  south  of  Kenton.  School 
census,  1888,  83. 

Roundhead,  a hamlet  in  the  southwest  corner  of  the  county,  was  named  from 
Roundhead,  a Wyandot  chief,  who  had  a village  there.  Major  Galloway,  who 
visited  it  about  the  year  1800,  stated  that  there  were  then  quite  a number  of  apple 
trees  in  the  village,  and  that  the  Indians  raised  many  swine.  Roundhead,  whose 
Indian  name  was  Stiahta,  was  a fine-looking  man.  He  had  a bro'ther  named  John 
Battise,  of  great  size  and  personal  strength.  His  nose,  which  was  enormous,  re- 
sembled in  hue  a blue  potatoe,  was  full  of  indentations,  and  when  he  laughed  it 
shook  like  jelly.  These  Indians  joined  the  British  in  the  late  war,  and  Battise 
was  killed  at  Fort  Meigs. 


HARRISON  COUNTY. 


38; 


HARRISON. 

Haerison  County  was  formed  January  1,  1814,  from  Jefferson  and  Tuscara- . 
was,  and  named  from  Gen.  Wm.'  H.  Harrison.  It  is  generally  very  billy  ; these 
hills  are  usually  beautifully  curving  and  highly  cultivated.  The  soil  is  clayey, 
in  which  coal  and  limestone  abound.  It  is  one  of  the  greatest  wool-growing 
counties  in  the  Union,  having  in  1847,  102,971  sheep,  and  in  1887,  137,891. 

Area  about  320  square  miles.  In  1887  the  acres  cultivated  were  53,153 ; in 
pasture,  122,743 ; woodland,  34,105;  lying  waste,  489;  produced  in  wheat, 
198,991  bushels ; rye,  1,465  ; buckwheat,  346  ; oats,  196,930  ; barloy,  575  ; corn, 
517,601  ; broom  corn,  1,000 lbs.  brush;  meadow  hay,  62,708  tons  ; clover  hay, 
1,050;  potatoes,  33,324  bushels;  butter,  415,440  lbs.;  cheese,  10,000;  sorghum, 
2,645  gallons ; maple  syrup,  2,851  ; honey,  14,559  lbs.;  eggs,  414,588  dozen; 
grapes,  8,900  lbs. ; wine,  90  gallons ; sweet  potatoes,  141  bushels;  apples,  18,- 
558  ; peaches,  8,199  ; pears,  1,305  ; wool,  826,386  lbs.;  milch  cows  owned,  4,993. 
School  census,  1888,  6,529;  teachers,  181.  Miles  of  railroad  track,  55. 


•WNSHIPS  AND  Census. 

1840. 

1880. 

Townships  and  Census. 

1840. 

1880. 

Archer, 

1,009 

785 

Moorefield, 

1,344 

1,075 

Athens, 

1,435 

1,221 

North, 

1,090 

1,368 

1,410 

Cadiz, 

2,386 

3,116 

Nottingham, 

964 

Franklin, 

941 

1,216 

Pumley, 

1,027 

1,261 

Freeport, 

1,294 

1,319 

Short  Creek, 

2,023 

1,831 

German, 

1,349 

1,311 

Stock, 

826 

713 

Greene, 

Monroe, 

1,465 

896 

1,659 

1,364 

Washington, 

1,004 

1,211 

Population  in  Harrison  in  1820  was  14,345;  in  1830,  20,920;  1840,  20,099  ; 
1860,  19,110;  1880,  20,456,  of  whom  18,272  were  born  in  Ohio;  915  in  Penn- 
sylvania; 341  in  Virginia;  54  in  New  York;  46  in  Indiana;  17  in  Kentucky; 
230  in  Ireland  ; 104  in  England  and  Wales ; 30  in  German  Empire ; 10  in  Scob 
land;  8 in  British  America,  and  3 in  France. 

la  April,  1799,  Alex.  Henderson  and  family,  from  Washington  county,  Pemiv- 
sylvania,  squatted  on  the  southwest  quarter  of  the  section  on  which  Cadiz  stands ; 
at  this  time  Daniel  Peterson  resided  at  the  forks  of  Short  Creek,  with  his  family, 
the  only  one  within  the  present  limits  of  Harrison.  In  1800,  emigrants,  prin- 
cipally from  Western  Pennsylvania,  began  to  cross  the  Ohio  river;  and  in  the 
course  of  five  or  six  years  there  had  settled  within  the  county  the  following-named 
persons,  with  their  families,  viz.  : 

John  Craig,  John  Taggart,  John  Jamison,  John  MTadden,  John  Kernahan, 
John  Huff,  Jolni  Maholm,  John  Wallace,  John  Lyons,  Bev.  John  Pea,  Daniel 
Welch,  William  Moore,  Jas.  Black,  Samuel  Dunlap,  James  Arnold,  Joseph  and 
Samuel  M’Fadden,  Samuel  Gilmore,  James  Finney,  Thos.  and  Pobt.  Vincent, 
Pobert  Braden,  Jas.  Wilkin,  Samuel  and  George  Kernahan,  Thos.  Dickerson, 
Joseph  Holmes,  James  Hanna,  Joseph,  William  and  Eleazer  Huff,  Baldwin 
Parsons,  James  Haverfield,  Pobert  Cochran,  Samuel  Maholm,  Hu^i  Teas,  Jos. 
Clark,  Morris  West,  Jacob  Sheplar,  Martin  Snider,  Samuel  Osborn,  Samuel 
Smith,  and  perhaps  others,  besides  those  in  Cadiz  and  on  Short  Creek  ; Thomas 
Taylor,  John  Poss,  Thomas  Hitchcock,  Arthur  and  Thomas  Barrett,  Pobert  and 
Thomas  Maxwell,  Absalom  Kent,  John  Pugh,  Michael  Waxier,  Wm.  MUlary, 
Joseph,  Joel  and  William  Johnson,  George  I^ayport,  William  Ingles,  Thomas 
Wilson,  and  perha])s  others  on  Stillwater;  John  MUonnell,  George  Brown,  John 
Love,  William  and  Pobert  MUullough,  Brokaw  and  others,  on  Wheeling  creek. 

Pobert  Maxwell,  William  and  Joseph  Huff  and  Michael  Maxler  were  great 


888 


HARRISON  COUNTY, 


hunters,  and  the  three  former  had  been  Indian  spies,  and  had  many  perilous  ad- 
ventures with  the  Indians.  On  one  occasion,  after  peace,  an  Indian  boasted,  in 
the  presence  of  Wm.  Huff  and  others,  that  he  had  scalped  so  many  whites. 
Towards  evening,  the  Indian  left  for  his  wigwam,  but  never  reached  it.  Being, 
shortly  after,  found  killed,  some  inquiry  was  made  as  to  the  probable  cause  of 
his  death,  when  Huff  observed,  that  he  had  seen  him  the  last  time,  sitting  on  a 
log,  smoking  his  pipe ; that  he  was  looking  at  him  and  reflecting  what  he  had 
said  about  scalping  white  people,  when  suddenly  his  pipe  fell  from  his  mouth,  and 
he.  Huff,  turned  away,  and  had  not  again  seen  him  until  found  dead. 

Beside  frequent  trouble  with  the  Indians,  the  first  settlers  were  much  annoyed 
by  wild  animals.  On  one  occasion,  two  sons  of  George  Layport  having  trapped 
a wolf,  skinned  it  alive,  turned  it  loose,  and  a few  days  after  it  was  found  dead. 

One  mile  ’ west  of  the  east  boundary  line  of  Harrison  county,  there  was 
founded,  in  1805,  a Presbyterian  church,  called  Beach  Spring,^^  of  which  Bev. 
John  Ilea  was  for  more  than  forty  years  the  stated  pastor.  Their  beginning  was 
small ; a log-cabin,  of  not  more  than  20  feet  square,  was  sufficient  to  contain  all 
the  members  and  all  that  attended  with  them.  Their  log-cabin  being  burnt  down 
by  accident,  a large  house,  sufficient  to  contain  a thousand  worshippers,  was  raised 
in  its  room,  and  from  fifty  communing  members  they  increased  in  a short  time 
to  nearly  400,  and  became  at  one  period  the  largest  Presbyterian  church  in  the 
State. — Old  Edition, 

Cadiz  in  181^6. — Cadiz,  the  county-seat,  is  a remarkably  well-built  and  city- 
like town,  4 miles  southeasterly  from  the  centre  of  the  county,  115  easterly  from 
Columbus,  24  westerly  from  Steubenville,  and  24  northerly  from  Wheeling.  It 
contains  1 Presbyterian,  1 Methodist  Episcopal,  1 Associate  (Seceder),  and  I 
Associate  Reformed  Church.  It  also  contains  2 printing  presses,  12  dry-goods,  7 
grocery  and  2 drug  stores,  and  had,  in  1840,  1,028  inhabitants. 

Cadiz  was  laid  out  in  1803  or  M,  by  Messrs.  Biggs  and  Beatty.  Its  site  was 
then,  like  most  of  the  surrounding'country,  a forest,  and  its  location  was  induced 
by  the  junction  there  of  the  road  from  Pittsburg,  by  Steubenville,  with  the  road 
from  Washington,  Pa.,  by  Wellsburg,  Va.,  from  where  the  two  united,  passed  by 
Cambridge  to  Zanesville ; and  previous  to  the  construction  of  the  national  road 
through  Ohio,  was  travelled  more,  perhaps,  than  any  other  road  northwest  of  the 
Ohio  river.  In  April,  1807,  it  contained  the  following  named  persons,  with  their 
families  : Jacob  Arnold,  innkeeper  ; Andrew  M’Neeley,  hatter  and  justice  of  the 
peace;  Joseph  Harris,  merchant ; John  Jamison,  tanner;  John  M^Crea,  vvdieel- 
wright ; Bobt.  Wilkin,  brickmaker ; Connell  Abdill,  shoemaker ; Jacob  Myers, 
carpenter ; John  Pritchard,  blacksmith ; Nathan  Adams,  tailor ; James  Simpson, 
reed-maker;  Wm.  Tingley,  school-teacher,  and  old  granny  A^oung,  midwife  and 
baker,  who  was  subsequently  elected  (by  the  citizens  of  the  township,  in  a fit  of 
hilarity)  to  the  office  of  justice  of  the  peace ; but  females  not  being  eligible  to 
office  in  Ohio,  the  old  lady  was  obliged  to  forego  the  pleasure  of  serving  her 
constituents. 

The  first  celebration  of  independence  in  Cadiz  was  on  the  4th  of  July,  1806, 
when  the  people  generally,  of  the  town  and  country  for  miles  around,_attended 
and  partook  of  a fine  repast  of  venison,  wild  turkey,  bear  meat,  and  such  vege- 
tables as  the  country  afforded ; while  for  a drink,  rye  whiskey  was  used.  There 
was  much  lularity  and  good  feeling,  for  at  this  time  men  were  supported  for 
office  from  their  fitness,  rather  than  from  political  sentiments. 

About  one  and  a half  miles  west  of  Cadiz,  on  the  northern  peak  of  a high  sandy 
ridge,  arc  the  remains  of  what  is  called  the  standing  stone, from  which  a branch 
of  Stillwater  deriv^ed  its  name.  The  owner  of  the  land  lias  quarried  off  its  top 
some  eight  feet.  It  is  sandstone,  and  was  originally  from  sixteen  to  eighteen  feet 
high,  about  fifty  feet  around  its  base,  and  tapered  from  midway  up  to  a cone-like 
top,  being  only  about  twenty  feet  around  near  its  summit.  It  is  said  to  have  been 
a place  of  great  resort  by  the  Indians,  and  its  origin  has  been  a subject  of  specu- 


HARRISON  COUNTY. 


889 


lation  with  many  people.  It  is,  however,  what  geologists  term  a boulder ^ and  was 
brought  to  its  present  position  from,  perhaps,  a thousand  miles  north,  embedded 
in  a huge  mass  of  ice,  in  some  great  convulsion  of  nature,  ages  since. — Old 
Edition. 

Cadiz,  county-seat  of  Harrison,  125  miles  northeast  of  Columbus,  is  on  the 
Cadiz  branch  of  the  P.  C.  & St.  L.  Railroad.  County  Officers  in  1888  : Auditor, 
George  A.  Crew ; Clerk,  Martin  J.  McCoy ; Commissioners,  M.  B.  Frebaugh, 
Robert  B.  Moore,  Andrew  Smith ; Coroner,  Charles  McKean ; Infirmary  Direc- 
tors, John  B.  Beadle,  John  Barclay,  John  W.  McDivitt;  Probate  Judge,  Amon 
Lemmon ; Prosecuting  Attorney,  Walter  G.  Shotwell ; Recorder,  Albert  B. 
Hines ; Sheriff,  Albert  B.  Quigley ; Surveyor,  Jacob  Jarvis ; Treasurer,  Samuel 
A.  Moore.  City  Officers  in  1888  i A.  W.  Scott,  Mayor;  W.  H.  Lucas,  Clerk; 
William  McConnell,  Treasurer ; Walter  Whitmore,  Marshal ; John  C.  Bayless, 
Chief  of  Police. 

Newspapers : Flambeau,  Prohibitionist,  C.  B.  Davis,  editor  and  publisher ; 
Republican,  Republican,  W.  B.  Hearn,  editor  and  publisher ; Sentinel,  Democratic, 
W.  H.  Arnold,  editor  and  publisher.  Churches : 1 Presbyterian,  1 Methodist 
Episcopal.  Banks  : Farmers’  and  Mechanics’  National,  Melford  J.  Bro^\  n,  pres- 
ident; C.  O.  F.  Brown,  cashier;  First  National,  D.  B.  AYelch,  president;  I.  C. 
Moore,  cashier ; Harrison  National,  D.  Cunningham,  president ; John  M.  Sharon, 
cashier;  Robert  Lyons,  Richard  Lyons,  cashier.  Population,  1880,  1817.  School 
census,  1888,  592 ; O.  C.  Williams,  school  superintendent.  Capital  invested  in 
manufacturing  establishments,  ^20,000.  Value*  of  annual  product,  $28,000. — 
Ohio  Labor  Statistics,  1888. 


TRAVELLING  NOTES. 


Came  last  evening  (June  7)  from  Steuben- 
ville bj^tlie  P.^  C.  & St.  L.  R.  R.,  and  thence 
by  a short  line  of  railroad  eight  miles  to 
Cadiz,  which  I found  much  as  I left  it  in  the 
last  days  of  February,  1847.  The  old  county 
buildings  looked  as  of  yore.  They  were  the 
last  things  I had  sketched  in  Ohio  on  my 
tour  of  1846-1847,  and  two  days  later  I was 
in  a stage-coach  going  over  the  mountains  on 
my  way  home.  I am  told  Cadiz  has  a large 
proportion  of  colored  people ; on  the  cars 
were  some  finely  dressed  people  of  color. 
The  place  it  is  claimed  contains  more  wealth 
than  any  other  of  its  size  in  the  State.  The 
banking  capital  is  especially  large.  Here 
reside  families  who  having  accumulated  for- 
tunes from  prosperous  farming,  largely  wool- 
growing, and  tired  of  the  isolation  of  farm- 
life  make  it  their  pe'’manent  home.  Among 
its  good  things  is  a public  library  of  4,000 
volumes,  which  speaks  well  for  the  character 
of  its  population,  and  especially  so  for  Mrs. 
Chauncey  Dewey,  its  founder. 

Eminent  Characters. — Cadiz  is  on  a hill, 
as  it  should  be,  for  it  has  been  the  home  of 
some  eminent  characters.  Bishop  Simpson, 
whom  Abraham  Lincoln  said  was  the  most 
eloquent  orator  he  ever  heard,  was  born  here. 
Secretary  Stanton  began  his  law  practice 
in  Cadiz,  and  it  has  been  long  the  residence 
of  John  A.  Bingham,  the  silver-tongued 
orator  of  national  fame.  Prof.  David 
Christie,  author  of  “Pulpit  Politics”  and 
“Cotton  is  King,”  was  born  in  this  county, 
edited  a paper  here,  the  Standard,  and 
afterwards  was  a professor  at  Oxford.  He 
and  Simpson  in  their  younger  days  were  great 


friends,  and  vied  with  each  other  in  the  writ- 
ing of  acrostics.  I knew  Christie  in  the  anti- 
bellum  days — a somewhat  tall,  lar^e  man. 
He  had  shaved  his  beard  and  dyed  his  hair, 
and  he  told  me,  because,  in  the  eyes  of  the 
public,  a man  had  about  outlived  his  useful- 
ness if  he  showed  signs  of  getting  “snowed 
up.”  Judge  John  Welch  (see  p.  275)  is 
also  a native  of  this  county. 

Mr.  Bingham  has  recently  returned  from 
Japan,  where  he  has  been  twelve  years  our 
ambassador.  I called  upon  him  at  his  resi- 
dence early  this  morning,  a plain,  square 
brick  house  with  a hall  running  through  the 
centre.  He  personally  answered  my  ring,  and 
I made  an  appointment  to  meet  him  again  in 
the  afternoon.  But  we  stood  on  the  porch 
and  talked  some  time.  He  is  seventy-one 
years  of  age,  a rather  large  gentleman,  a 
blonde,  with  mild,  blue  eye  and  kindly  face — 
an  elegant,  easy  talker,  scattering  unpremed- 
itated poetical  similes  through  his  speech. 
To  illustrate,  I had  passed  some  compliments 
upon  the  beauty  of  the  country  around, 
whereupon  he  replied  : * 


“Mr.  Howe  : if  you  can  sketch  for  your 
hook  the  hills  which  girdle  this  village  and  the 
fields  of  green  and  primeval  forests,  all  seen 
under  your  eye  from  my  door,  you  ivill  hare 
a picture  of  quiet  beauty  scarcely  surpassed 
anywhere,  certainly  not  in  any  part  of  this 
great  country  of  ours,  so  far  as  1 have  seen, 
and  1 have  seen  much  the  greater  part,  nor  in 
that  foreign  land,  Japan,  the  '‘Land  of  thi 
Morn  ing,  ’ famed  for  its  landscapes.  ’ ’ 


<■.  ->7 


BISHOP  SIMPSON.  JOHN  A.  BINGHAM. 


Drawn  by  Henry  Howe  in  1846. 

County  Buildings,  CadiI 


HARRISON  COUNTY. 


891 


Thinking  that  this  speech  of  beauty  about 
Cadiz  from  this  eminent  man  should  be  pre- 
served for  the  gratification  of  its  people  after 
he  had  passed  away,  I wrote  it  from  memory 
and  presented  it  for  his  inspection  on  my 
second  call,  when  he  went  on  to  thus  com- 
ment : “ The  Japanese  had  called  Japan  the 
‘Land  of  the  Kising  Sun,’  but  the  expression 
‘ Land  of  the  Morning  ’ I believe  is  original 
with  me.  We  cannot  tell  from  whence 
thoughts  come.  They  drop  from  the  brain 
like  rain  from  heaven.  I used  the  expression 
in  a speech  I made  at  Yokohama  in  the  fall 
of  1873,  which  was  reported  by  an  English 
gentleman.  Mr.  Dixon,  and  printed  both  in 
Japanese  and  English.  Five  years  later  Mr. 
Dixon  published  a work  uoon  Japan  and 
entitled  it  ' The  Land  of  the  Morning.’  The 
expression  pleased  the  Japanese,  and  now  it 
stands  for  all  time.  ” 

He  thought  he  could  improve  his  little 
speech  to  me,  and  at  my  request,  after  some 
reflection,  thus  wrote  in  my  note-book  : 

“Dear  Mr.  Howe  ; 

“ The  hills  and  primeval  forest  and  green 
fields  which  girdle  this  village  make  a picture 
of  quiet  beauty  which.,  I think,  is  scarcely  sur- 
passed in  any  part  of  our  country  which  1 
have  seen,  or  in  Japan,  the  Land  of  the 
Morning. 

* “ Jno.  A.  Bingham. 
“Cadiz,  Ohio,  June  8,  1886.” 

I give  both  for  the  benefit  of  the  jmung, 
to  illustrate  the  respective  qualities  of  ampli- 
fication and  terseness  in  composition. 

Animal  Intelligence. — I now  return  to  an 
incident  in  my  morning  call.  As  we  stood  at 
the  door,  in  the  mild  rays  of  the  early  sun, 
two  house-dogs  came  up  to  welcome  me.  Jack 
and  Jake.  Jack  was  a smart  little  black-and- 
tan,  and  observing  my  evident  pleasure  in 
their  approach,  Mr.  Bingham  said:  “He 
has  made  the  half  circuit  of  the  globe.  1 
brought  him  from  Japan,  but  he  is  a native 
of  London  ; his  ancestry  known  way  back  to 
the  time  of  Queen  Anne.  The  other  dog, 
Jake,  is  a Newfoundland,  with  a cross  of  the 
St.  Bernard.  As  for  him,”  and  he  said  it 
with  evident  {)ride  at  the  thought,  “he  is  a 
native  of  this  great  State.”  Then  he  con- 
tinued : “It  was  a mystery  to  me  how  he  got 
into  the  yard  when  the  gate  was  closed,  it 
swinging  outward,  and  asking  my  little  grand- 
son, he  replied,  ‘ Why,  grandi)apa,  don’t  you 
know  there  is  a knot-hole  near  the  bottom  ; 
he  puts  his  nose  in  that  and  backs  with  it.’ 
‘Then  how  does  he  get  out?’  ‘Oh,  he 
ushes ! ’ ” I might  have  told  him,  if  I could 
ave  foreseen  the  fact,  that  one  day  I was  to 
own  a dog  that  would  open  a door  with  a 
latch  or  one  with  a knob — the  first  by  strik- 
ing, the  other  by  placing^  his  paws  on  each 
side  of  the  knob  and  rubbing.  And  he  is  yet 
living,  answering  to  the  natne  of  Black  Ear, 
but  we  do  not  consider  him  as  extra  intelli- 
gent— that  is,  for  a dog. 

The  intellects  and  passions  of  our  animals, 
as  far  as  they  go,  I believe,  are  identical  with 


our  own  ; and  it  is  certainly  enlarging  to  us  to 
study  their  qualities  and  be  pleased  with  their 
joys.  And  as  for  the  insect  world,  we  are  of 
those  who  can  stoop  down  and  watch  with 
solid  satisfaction  a procession  of  ants,  bring- 
ing up  huge  stones  from  out  their  under- 
ground habitations. 

Furthermore,  if  one  could  not  come  into 
this  world  as  a human  being  but  could  as  an 
ant,  he  should  be  advised  to  embrace  the  op- 
portunity, as  thereby  he  could  act  as  a teach- 
er, illustrating,  as  an  ant  certainly  does,  the 
good  effects  of  systematic  industry  which,  in 
the  case  of  the  ant,  seems  cheering.  For  if 
not,  after  “having  deposited  his  stone,  why 
should  he  hurry  back,  fast  as  his  little  legs 
can  carry  h-im,  for  another? 

An  Old  Contributor. — I called  to-day  upon 
Mr.  W.  H.  Arnold,  editor  of  the  Sentinel, 
who  remembered  my  former  visit ; his  age  at 
the  time  six  years.  His  father,  Mr.  William 
Arnold,  who  died  in  1874,  aged  seventy-six, 
contributed  about  all  the  historical  material 
for  iny  article  on  Harrison  county.  He  was 
a native  of  Fayette  county.  Pa.  ; came  here 
at  the  age  of  twelve ; was  justice  of  the 
peace  thirty-three  years,  during  which  time 
he  married  300  couple.  In  the  war  of  1812 
all^  his  brothers  were  in  the  army,  and  lie, 
being  too  young  for  service,  made  gunpowder 
for  the  soldiers  during  every  winter  of  the 
war.  Powder  was  then  very  scarce,  and  as 
the  government  seized  it  wherever  they  could 
find  it,  and  he  could  get  a higher  price  for  it 
in  Steubenville,  he  took  it  there  and  sold  it. 
The  hut  where  he  made  it  was  about  half  a 
mile  north  of  the  town.  He  was  a remark- 
ably fine  rifle-shot : one  moonlight  night  he 
shot  eleven  wiM  turkeys  near  his  powder-mill. 

Bishop  Simpson  s Early  Days. — On  in- 
quiry, I learn  that  the  house  in  which  Bishop 
Simpson  was  born  (June  20,  1811)  stood  on 
the  site  of  the  National  Bank.  He  derived 
his  name,  Matthew,  from  his  bachelor  uncle, 
Matthew  Simpson.  He  was  a State  Senator 
for  many  years,  and  by  profession  a school- 
teacher and  a man  of  superior  acquirements  ; 
a walking  encyclopaedia ; unprepossessing  in 
appearance  ; small  head  and  body.  He  lived 
to  a great  age,  dying  somewhere  in  the  nine- 
ties. To  eke  out  a living  he  manufactured 
reeds  for  the  old  hand-loom  for  home-made 
linen  and  jeans,  and  sold  them  to  the  coun- 
try people,  who  wore  homespun.  The  Bi- 
shop’s father  died  when  he  was  two  years  of 
age,  an-d  his  uncle  became  his  foster-father 
and  took  great  interest  in  the  lad.  To  his 
care  the  Bishop  got  his  intellectual  bent. 

An  old  citizen,  Mr.  H,  S.  McFadden,  says 
to  me:  “The  Bishop  was  an  awkward, 
gawky,  barefooted  boy,  and,  when  about 
seventeen,  so  shy  that  he  was  afraid  of  so- 
ciety, and  so  miserable  in  health  that  it  was 
supposed  he  would  soon  perish  of  consump- 
tion ; tall  of  his  age  and  round-shouldered. 
He  wrote  acrostics  for  the  Harrison  Tele- 
graph, and  was  fond  of  visiting  the  printing- 
office.  The  people  here  were  astonished  at 
his  success  in  life.” 

The  Itinerant's  Nest. — On  a corner  near  the 


892 


HARRISON  COUNTY. 


border  of  the  village  I was  pointed  out  a 
long,  low,  old  cottage,  in  which  Bishop  Simp- 
son passed  many  of  his  boyhood  days.  It 
was  then  the  home  of  William  Tingley,  his 
mother’s  brother,  a man  of  note  in  his  day. 
He  was  for  forty  years  clerk  of  court,  was 
prosperous,  had  excellent  sense,  and  some 
sheep-raising  man — it  must  have  been — told 
me  he  was  in  his  day  the  “bellwether”  of 
the  Methodist  church  here. 

The  sight  of  an  old  time  weather-beaten 
structure  like  this,  brown  as  a rat  too,  is  al- 
ways picturesque.  This  was  particularly  so, 
from  its  associations ; attached  to  it  and 
facing  the  street  was  another  cottage  of  a 
single  room  in  front,  overgrown  with  vines. 
This  the  good  man  built  solely  for  the  accom- 
modation of  travelling  Methodist  ministers, 
a nest  for  itinerants.  As  I entered  it,  I felt, 
from  its  peculiar  moral  associations,  I was 
more  blessed  than  to  have  entered  a palace. 
Here  many  a brother  in  Israel,  in  the  olden 
time,  after  ambling  for  many  a weary  mile 
through  the  wilderness  on  his  little  nag,  often 
eating  parched  corn  for  his  sustenance,  and 
preaching  the  same  old  sermon  a thousand 
times,  has  looked  forward  to  this  little  nest 
provided  for  him  by  Brother  Tingley  as  one 
of  the  choice  havens,  where  he  could  rest 
under  the  protecting  wings  of  a brother’s 
love,  and  smoke  his  pipe  in  peace. 

Comic  Anecdotes. — This  advent  of  the 
itinerants  to  the  cabins  of  the  pioneers,  in 
the  lonely  wilderness  condition  of  the  country, 
was  always  a great  blessing  aside  from  their 
especial  mission  as  spiritual  messengers. 
They  were  eminently  a social  body  of  men. 


and  were  welcomed  with  a hospitality  that 
knew  ^ no  bounds.  Of  ^ course  they  had 
bouncing  appetites.  Their  outdoor  lives  in- 
sured that,  especially  with  their  occasional 
fasts,  when  lost  or  belated  in  the  wilderness. 
To  feed  them  well  was  the  pride  of  the  log- 
cabin  dwellers  ; whenever  they  tarried  forays 
were  invariably  made  upon  the  poultry.  So 
certain  was  this  that  the  term  “chicken- 
eaters’  ’ was  often  applied  to  the  circuit  riders. 
Many  comical  anecdotes  were  told  in  this  re- 
gard,^ and  none  enjoyed  them  better  than  the 
circuit  riders  themselves. 

One  of  them,  whom  one  may  call  Brother 
Brannen,  as  the  story  goes,  who  used  to  amble 
on  his  nag  through  Eastern  Ohio,  early  in  the 
century,  was  especially  favored  with  gastro- 
nomic powers.  His  voice  and  person  were 
huge  as  his  appetite,  and  he  seemed  proud 
of  his  eating  capacity.  He  used  to  say  that 
“a  turkey  was  an"  unhandy  bird — rather  too 
much  for  one  person  and  not  quite  enough 
for  two.”  pn  an  occasion  he  stopped  at  the 
cabin  of  a widow,  who  was  of  course  all  aglee 
to  give  him  the  best  she  had.  After  a little 
the  good  brother,  going  out  to  attend  to  his 
nag,  was  attracted  by  the  sound  of  a child 
crying,  and  tracing  his  way  by  it  found  the 
widow’s  son,  and  he  perhaps  her  only  son, 
seated  behind  a corn-crib  with  a chicken 
under  his  arm.  “What’s  the  matter,  sonny?” 
said  he,  in  tender  tones.  *“  I am  crying,”  he 
replied,  “because  mother  sent  me  out  for 
this  chicken,  and  what  between  the  hawks 
and  the  circuit  riders  it  is  the  last  chicken 
left  on  the  place.” 


A WALK  AND  A SHEEP-TALK. 

Last  evening,  June  9,  near  sunset,  I took  a walk  with  Mr.  Stewart  B.  Shot- 
well,  and  ascended  Boyle’s  Hill,  half  a mile  west  of  the  town.  As  we  neared 
the  summit  a flock  of  sheep  in  their  timidity  descended  the  other  side.  We 
could  see  over  a large  part  of  Harrison  county.  Cadiz  loomed  up  pleasantly  on 
a companion  hill.  Under  our  eyes  was  the  great  dividing  ridge,  on  one  side  of 
which  the  flowing  waters  descended  and  made  their  way  into  the  Tuscarawas,  on 
the  other  into  the  Ohio.  The  view  was  a succession  of  rolling  grass-carpeted 
hills  interspersed  with  forests.  A warm  rain  had  clothed  them  in  the  richest 
green,  on  which  flocks  of  sheep  were  grazing.  Down  in  a little  modest  valley  a 
train  of  cars  was  approaching  Cadiz  on  the  short  junction  railroad.  Dwindled 
by  distance  and  our  height,  it  seemed  as  a little  toy  affair,  a child’s  plaything, 
playing  bo-peep  as  it  dodged  in  and  out  from  behind  the  hillocks  that  at  times 
hid  it  from  view.  The  sky  was  somewhat  overcast  and  the  setting  sun  was  red- 
dening a mass  of  striated  clouds  over  a scene  of  pastoral  beauty. 

Bah  ! — As  we  stood  there  on  the  very  summit  enjoying  the  scene  to  the  full, 
and  talking  largely  about  slieep,  there  was  a pause  in  our  conversation,  and  we 
were  about  to  leave,  when  I was  astonished  by  a loud  Bah ! I then  saw  what 
had  before  escaped  my  eye.  The  sheep,  which  had  fled  at  our  approach  and  got  out 
of  sight,  had  taken  courage  and  again  mustered  to  the  number  of  hundreds  in  a 
huge  triangular  mass  on  the  grassy  slope  below  us.  At  its  very  apex,  and  not 
sixty  feet  away,  was  the  bellwether  of  the  flock,  all  of  which  had  stood  in  silence 
looking  up  at  us,  and  apparently  listening  to  our  conversation;  and  I could  not 
help  thinking  that  this  startling  bah  ! from  the  bellwether  was  expressive  of  his 


HARRISON  COUNTY.  893 

contempt  ^t  our  conversation  upon  wool.  By  this  time  the  shadows  of  evening 
were  settling  upon  Cadiz,  but  I could  discover  notliing  Spanish  in  the  air. 


Sheep  Statistics. — Harrison,  by  the  statis- 
tics of  1880,  to  the  square  mile  leads  all  other 
counties  in  Ohio  in  the  number  of  sheep  and 
production  of  wool ; the  number  of  sheep 
was  209,856  and  pounds  of  wool  1,090,393, 
Licking  county,  Ohio,  which  has  nearly 
double  its  area,  exceeded  it  about  one-quarter 
in  sheep,  having  been  251,989.  Venango 
county.  Pa.,  had  461,120  sheep  and  produced 
2,416,866  pounds  of  wool.  _ This  we  believe 
is  the  largest  sheep-producing  county  in  the 
Union,  while  Harrison  ranks  the  third.  Ohio 
is  the  greatest  sheep-producing  State.  Its 
number  in  1880  was  4,902,486,  sheep  clip 
25,003,756  pounds;  next  was  California, 
4,152,349  sheep,  clip  16,798,036  pounds; 
Texas  2,411,633  sheep,  clip  6,928,019  pounds ; 
Michigan  2,189,389  sheep,  clip  11,858,497 
pounds;  New  Mexico  2,088,831  sheep,  clip 
4,019,188  pounds.  Missouri  and  Wisconsin 
next  lead  each  with  less  than  a million  and  one- 
half  of  sheep.  The  entire  number  of  sheep 
in  the  United  States  exclusive  of  spring 
lambs  was,  in  1880,  42,192,074,  or  a little  less 
than  one  sheep  to  one  person. 

“Wool,”  said  Mr.  Bingham,  “is  the 
prime  clothing  for  man.  As  sheep  increase 
civilization  advances.”  Beside  carrying  a 
blessing  in  the  way  of  warmth  and  clothing, 
there  is  a good  moral  thought  in  the  fact 
that  wool  is  the  natural  outgrowth  of  an 
animal  divinely  chosen  as  the  type  of  inno- 
cence and  amiability.  “Feed  my  lambs.” 
And  then  the  care  of  sheep  seems  to  have  a 
reflex  action  upon  the  owners  in  the  charac- 
ter of  their  visitors  and  the  things  they  see, 
as  is  illustrated  by  the  old  hymn  : 

“While  shepherds  watched  their  flocks  by 
night,  all  seated  on  the  ground, 

The  angel  of  the  Lord  came  down,  and 
glory  shone  around.  ’ ’ 

J ob,  I take  it,  is  an  especially  interesting 
character  to  this  people,  he  owned  so  many 
sheep  : in  the  early  part  of  his  life  7,000, 
and  in  the  latter  part  14,000,  and  they  tell 
me  he  ought  to  have  lived  in  Harrison 
county,  for  the  climate  is  so  healthy  that  he 
would  have  escaped  at  least  one  of  his  evils 
— boils. 

Great  as  were  Job’s  possessions,  there  are 
to-day  in  Australia  sheep  ranges,  the  prop- 
erty of  single  owners,  whereupon  are  raised 
over  1 50,000  sheep  ; 20,000  is  but  a moderate 
sized  range.  Three  acres  there  is  generally 
allowed  for  a single  animal,  sometimes  ten 
acres.  Sheep  are  not  seen  there  in  flocks, 
owing  to  the  scant  herbage  ; there  sheep  con- 
sequently are  scattered  over  vast  areas,  a 
range  for  a flock  of  200  requiring  as  much 
land  as  an  Ohio  township.  What  may  seem 
strange,  one  may  travel  over  a station  where- 
upon are  tens  of  thousand  of  sheep,  and  not 
have  over  three  or  four  of  the  animals  in 
one  view  in  any  place. 


The  great  drawback  to  Australia  has  been 
the  terrible  drouths  by  which  in  entire  dis- 
tricts the  sheep  all  perish.  Of  late  years 
this  evil  has  been  lessened  by  the  sinking  of 
artesian  wells  and  extensive  tree  planting,  by 
which  the  annual  rainfall  has  been  increased. 
The  lives  of  the  wool-growers  there  are  des- 
olate from  the  vast  size  of  their  ranges,  their 
nearest  neighbor  often  being  fil’teen  or  twenty 
miles  away._  In  1888  Australia  had  about 
eighty  millions  of  sheep,  and  the  United 
States  about  fifty  millions,  so  the  former  is 
now  the  greatest  wool-producing  country  on 
the  globe,  we  ranking  second,  South  America 
third  and  Bussia  the  fourth. 

Profits  of  Sheep-raising. — As  our  talk  upon 
the  sheep  industry  in  Harrison  county  be- 
gan on  Boyle’s  Hill,  it  was  finished  in  Mr. 
Shotwell’s  office  in  the  evening,  of  which  I 
took  notes,  and  here  repeat  verhathn.  “I 
do  not  know,”  said  he,  “a  single  farmer  who 
has  followed  for  life  the  growing  of  sheep, 
without  diversion  to  other  crops,  but  what 
has  become  wealthy.  Land  pastured  by 
sheep ^ improves  year  by  year  from  their 
droppings.  The  tendency  of  sheep  in  sum- 
mer is  to  seek  the  highest  point  of  a hill  to 
get  the  cool  breezes.  In  winter  they  also  get 
near  the  summit,  but  on  the  leeward  side  if 
there  be  any  wind  ; the  coldest  air,  being  the 
heaviest,  always  sinks  into  the  valleys.  The 
result  is  that  the  rain  distributes  their  manure 
from  the  top  to  all  the  lower  parts  of  the 
field. 

“Some  years  ago  the  late  Judge  Brinker- 
hoff,  of  Mansfield,  was  riding  with  me  in  this 
region,  and  inquired,  ' Why  is  it  that  your 
hills  are  all  so  fertile?  Our  hill-tops  are 
generally  poor  soil ; our  best  lands  are  the 
valleys.’  ‘Because,’  I replied,  ‘we  raise 
sheep.’  The  products  of  the  hill  soil — hay, 
grass,  corn,  oats,  etc. — are  of  a more  nutri- 
tive nature'  than  those  of  the  rich  bottom 
lands  of  the  Tuscarawas  and  Ohio  valleys, 
although  the  growth  is  not  so  rapid.  Our 
experienced  farmers  therefore  pay  five  cents 
more  a bushel  for  our  hill  corn  than  for  that 
raised  elsewhere.  This  hill  land  will  produce 
from  twenty  to  forty  bushels  more  to  the 
acre  than  the  alluvial  soil.  I own  valley  lands 
on  the  Tuscarawas  and  Stillwater,  and  I get 
nearly  twice  the  quantity  per  acre  of  corn, 
grass,  etc.,  from  the  hills,  and  the  richest  of 
butter  and  cheese  is  made  from  hill  grass. 

“ As  I have  spoken  of  the  profits  of  sheep- 
raising, I will  give  3^011  some  statistics.  On 
a farm  of  a quarter  of  a section,  160  acres, 
325  sheep  can  be  conveniently  pastured. 
Such  a farm  would  be  valued  at  about  $5,000. 
The  value  of  such  a flock  now  would  be  about 
$650.  With  proper  care  and  feeding  corn 
and  hay,  all  of  which  one  man  alone  could 
do,  the  annual  clipping  would  be  about  seven 
pounds  per  sheep  ; total,  2,275.  At  33^ 
cents,  the  present  price,  this  gives  $758.33 
for  the  wool.  Then  the  increase  of  sheep  is 


894 


HARRISON  COUNTY, 


double  at  the  end  of  the  year,  which,  at  $2 
each,  is  $650.  ^J’his  added  to  the  product  of 
the  wool,  gives  $1,308  as  the  annual  produc- 
tion of  the  farm.  There  is  still  another  item 
of  profit.  With  a view  to  avoid  oyer-stock- 
ing, the  farmers  select  in  the  fall  their  largest, 
strongest  sheep  of  the  older  class,  and  fatten 
them  over  winter,  and  in  the  spring,  after 
clipping,  they  are  sold  East  for  mutton  pur- 
poses. About  200,  generally  wethers.,  are 
annually  sold  on  such  a farm,  at  $5  each, 
thus  enhancing  the  total  profits  to  $2,308. 

‘‘The  more  you  feed  and  care  for  a sheep  in 
the  winter,  the  heavier  and  better  in  the  staple 
will  be  his  fleece.  Just  after  the  war  wool 
brought  as  high  as  $1.10  per  pound.  The 
very  old  ewes  are  sold  in  the  fall  at  fair  prices 
— say  $2  each — are  shipped  eastward  to  the 
neighborhood  of  the  cities,  and  then  sold  to 
a class  of  farmers  who  manage  to  have  them 
drop  their  lambs  early  in  February,  feed  the 
ewes  on  milk-producing  slops,  which  rapidly 
fattens  and  increases  the  weight  of  the  lambs. 
These  lambs  are  tender  and  delicious,  and 


often  bring  $5  each.  The  ewes  are  then 
clipped  and  slaughtered,  the  carcass  thrown 
to  the  hogs,  and  the  pelts  turned  over  to  the 
leather  men.  The  large  bank  deposits  in  our 
town  are  mostly  from  the  wool-growers  of 
Harrison  county. 

“ The  sheep,  as  his  coat  shows,  belongs  to 
a cold  climate ; hence  he  flourishes  in  the 
mountain  countries  of  Europe  north  of  the 
40°  latitude,  or  in  Australia  south  of  the  40° 
latitude,  where  it  is  alike  cold.” 

Sheep-raising  in  Texas  is  comparatively  a 
failure.  To  find  there  the  proper  climate, 
elevation  is  required,  and  then  grass  is  scant. 
On  the  warm  lowlands  his  wool  is  not  re- 
quired, and  nature  allows  him  to  grow  hair. 

The  most  certain  productive  crop  in  our 
county  is  the  corn,  which  averages  seventy- 
five  bushels  to  the  acre — have  known  120 
bushels.  The  average  wheat  is  twenty-five 
bushels — have  known  forty.  Oats  average 
from  sixty  to  100  bushels;  hay,  one  and  a 
half  to  two  tons — often  have  the  heaviest  hay 
on  the  summit  of  the  hills.* 


We  append  to  the  sheep  statistics  from  Mr.  Shotwell,  some  items  from  an  article, 
^‘The  American  Wool  Industry/’  by  E.  H.  Ammidown,  in  the  North  American 
RevietUy  August,  1888. 

The  American  wool-clip  amounts  to  about 

300.000. 000  pounds  per  annum,  and  varying 
in  value  from  $75,000,000  to  $95,000,000. 

It  stands  sixth  in  value  as  an  American  agri- 
cultural product,  being  surpassed  only  by 
corn,  hay,  wheat,  cotton  and  oats.  Our 

50.000. 000  of  sheep  are  worth  over  $2  each, 
say  in  all  $100,000,000.  If  the  annual  pro- 
duct of  mutton  for  food,  and  the  increase  of 
the  flocks,  were  added  to  this,  it  would  total- 
ize $125,000,000.  Sheep  husbandry  is  the 
only  great  farm  industry  in  which  every  sec- 
tion of  our  country  shares.  The  annual  gain 

Reminiscences  of  Edwin  M.  Stanton. 

Edwin  M.  Stanton,  the  great  war  Secretary,  had  his  beginning  in  Cadiz  as  a 
lawyer.  The  great  example  of  his  life  was  Jntensity  of  purpose.  Not  another 
member  of  Mr.  Lincoln’s  Cabinet,  not  even  Mr.  Lincoln  himself,  could  perhaps 
here  compare  with  him.  He  was  a giant  in  will,  with  mighty  passions  to  enforce 
it.  To  crush  out  the  rebellion  at  all  hazards  absorbed  his  full  powers.  Governor 
IMorton,  in  acknowledging  on  a eertain  occasion  receipt  of  money  from  Mr.  Stan- 
ton, wherein  authority  was  assumed  to  meet  a great  patriotic  end,  wrote  him : 
‘‘  If  the  cause  fails,  you  and  I will  be  covered  with  prosecutions,  and  probably 
imprisoned  or  driven  from  the  country.”  To  this  Stanton  replied  : If  the  cause 
fails,  I do  not  wish  to  live.”  Whatever  he  undertook  he  went  in  to  the  death. 
If  death  was  to  come,  it  would  be  for  him  no  more  than  for  others ; he  could  die 
but  once.  His  care  was  in  what  he  engaged,  and,  as  a lawyer,  never  undertook 
what  he  thought  was  a bad  case.  The  cause  succeeded,  but  his  intense  labors, 
under  the  might  of  an  intense  patriotism,  killed  him  as  effectually  as  ever  soldier 
was  killed  by  bullet. 

It  has  been  our  privilege  to  make  the  acquaintance  here  of  Mr.  Stewart  B. 
Shotwell,  attorney-at-law,  who  was  a student  two  years  in  the  office  with  Mr. 
Stanton.  To  us,  in  conversation,  he  made  the  following  statement : 


from  the  fertilization  of  the  soil  by  the  drop- 
pings of  the  sheep  is  estimated  to  be  fully 
$50,000,000. 

If  this  industry  was  abandoned,  the  decline 
in  value  of  the  sheep-farm  lands,  comprising 
112,000,000  of  acres — much  of  which  would 
be  then  unused  and  all  deteriorate  in  fertility 
— at  $2.50  an  acre,  would  be  $280,000,000. 
So  the  advantages  of  continuing  the  industry 
seem  imperative  to  the  well-being  of  the 
country.  We  now  supply  one-sixth  part  of 
the  wool  produced  in  the  world,  so  far  as  is 
statistically  known. 


Drawn  by  Henry  Howe  in  1886. 

Portrait  and  Birthplace  of  GENERAL  G.  A.  CUSTER. 


896 


HARR/SON  COUNTY. 


Stanton  I knew  intimately.  He  first 
studied  law  in  Steubenville  with  Daniel  L. 
Collier.  He  came  to  Cadiz  in  1 836,  and  went 
into  partnership  with  Chauncey  Dewey,  and 
remained  here  until  1840,  but  the  partnership 
existed  until  1842.  Dewey  was  an  old  law- 
yer of  the  Whig  persuasion,  and  shortly  after 
his  coming,  Stanton  was  elected  prosecuting 
attorney  on  the  Democratic  ticket — an  ofiice 
he  held  three  years. 

Dewey  was  a man  of  very  decided  ability, 
had  been  educated  at  Schenectady,  a pupil 
of  the  celebrated  Dr,  Nott,  was  a thoroughly 
read  lawyer,  and  had  especial  ability  with  a 
jury.  Stanton  was  then  but  twenty-two 
years  of  age,  with  broad  shoulders,  but  light 
in  person,  weighing  about  125  pounds,  and 
height  five  feet  eight  inches.  He  was  very 
near-sighted.  The  people  here  at  first  called 
him  “ Little  Stanton.  ” 

He  appreciated  the  ability  and  skill  of  his 
senior  partner,  at  once  placed  himself  under 
his  tutelage,  and  owed  much  of  his  early  suc- 
cess to  him.  He  would  often  say  to  us, 
“Well,  we  are  all  Dewey’s  boys.”  Often, 
in  coming  into  the  ofl&ce  in  the  morning, 
Dewey  would  say,  “Stanton,  what  do  you 
think  about  this  case  ?’  ’ After  Stanton  had 
expressed  his  ideas,  Dewey  would  take  pen 
and  put  the  points  as  he  thought  they  should 
be  presented,  and  hand  the  paper  to  Stanton, 
and  Stanton  invariably  followed  his  guidance  : 
he  was  his  mentor.  Mr.  Dewey  was  then 
forty  years  of  age ; he  died  in  1880,  aged 
eighty-four 

Stanton  was  very  methodical,  kept  his  pa- 
pers and  office  in  perfect  order,  and  his  in- 
dustry was  marvellous.  He  would  read  law 
sixteen  hours  a day  and  keep  it  up  ever.  I 
never  saw  a man  with  such  capacity  for  work. 

I have  known  him  to  work  all  day  in  court 
and  until  nine  o’clock  at  night,  trying  cases 
and  then  filing  them.  Then  he  would  get 
into  his  buggy,  ride  to  Steubenville  for  some 
aper  or  authority  bearing  on  the  case,  be 
ack  at  court-time  next  morning,  after  riding 
% distance  of  fifty  miles,  and  work  all  day 
fresh  as  ever.  He  was  physically  compact ; 
put  up  exactly  for  the  labor  a lawyer  has  to 
endure. 

Ordinarily  he  cared  nothing  for  society  of 
women,  but  he  was  exceedingly  attached  to 
his  first  wife.  When  she  died  he  shut  him- 
self in  his  room  and  spent  days  in  grief. 
Then  seeing  it  was  breaking  him  down,  he 
rallied  and  plunged  into  business. 


He  seemingly  was  of  a cold  nature  ; never 
any  gush.  He  was  thoroughly  upright ; and 
if  he  had  an  important  case  he  would  make 
full  preparation  to  win,  even  eating  in  refer- 
ence to  it,  so  as  to  have  full  possession  of  his 
powers.  He  was  temperate  ; but  sometimes, 
if  he  had  a tight  place  to  go  through,  would 
take  a little  stimulus.  He  spoke  with  ease, 
voice  on  a high  key,  and  monotonous  in  man- 
ner, but  strong  and  combative,  hanging  on 
with  a bull-dog  like  tenacity,  brow-beating 
and  ridiculing  witnesses.  He  did  not  care  if 
the  whole  public  was  against  him.  He 
would  face  them  all,  and  feel  he  was  their 
master. 

I once  heard  this  anecdote,  which  illus- 
trates how  everything  had  to  bend  to  hia 
main  purpose.  He  had  travelled  into  the 
then  wilderness  of  Illinois,  in  pursuit  of  evi- 
dence in  an  important  case,  when,  in  a cabin 
where  he  had  put  up  for  the  night,  he  found 
the  farnily  were  originally  from  Steubenville 
and  neighbors,  living  within  a square  of  him. 
They  had  known  him  in  his  child  days ; he 
had  been  playmate  with  their  son,  but  he  had 
outgrown  their  recollections.  Any  other 
man,  in  the  glow  of  feeling  consequent  upon  . 
such  a disco verjq  would  have  made  himself 
known,  but  he  refrained,  from  the  thought 
that  it  might  in  some  way  militate  against 
his  success  in  the  main  object  of  his  jour- 
ney, if  it  should  be  known  he  was  in  the 
country,  and  so  left  as  he  came — an  entire 
stranger. 

Ordinarily  men  would  wilt  under  his  de- 
nunciations ; sometimes  feel  like  retorting 
with  physical  violence.  He  knew  this,  and 
sometimes,  when  the  court  adjourned,  asked 
the  sheriff*  to  take  his  arm  and  accompany 
him  to  his  office,  as  I believed  for  protection. 
This  was  not  from  cowardice,  but  because  he 
felt  it  was  wise  to  avoid  a physical  combat. 
He  stood  in  awe  of  no  human  being.  Every 
man  was  alike  so  far  as  that  was  concerned. 
His  rnoral  courage  was  immense.  His  likes 
and  dislikes  were  very  strong,  and  with  his 
especial  friends  he  was  exceeding  social  and 
courteous.  He  was  profound  in  legal  prin- 
ciples, a safe  lawyer  in  a good  case  ; but  if  he 
thought  a case  was  desperate,  would  not  go 
into  court.  The  stories  of  his  rough  lan- 
guage to  the  people  who  came  to  the  war- 
office  are  true.  Simon  Cameron,  his  prede- 
cessor, when  he  sent  for  Gi-en.  McClellan, 
would  wait  for  hours ; when  Stanton  sum- 
moned him  there  was  no  delay. 


TRAVELLING  NOTES. 

Visit  to  the  Birthplace  of  a Hero. 

After  Cadiz,  my  next  objective  point  was  New  Hiimley,  a hamlet  high  on  the 
hills,  three  miles  northeasterly  from  Scio,  at  which  last  I arrived  by  the  cars 
about  noon.  New  Rumley  is  a spot  of  historic  interest,  for  here  was  born,  Dec. 
5,  1839,  Gen.  Geo.  A.  Custer,  the  famed  cavalry  leader  of  the  war.  I wished  to 
sketch  his  birthplace  and  learn  of  his  beginnings.  I had  scarcely  got  off  the 
cars  at  Scio,  and  was  standing  on  a narrow  platform  running  from  the  depot  on  a 
line  by  the  railroad  track,  when  a young  man  at  my  side  cried,  Look  out ! ” 


HARRISON  COUNTY. 


897 


It  was  the  Pittsburg  and  St.  Louis  express  coming  at  forty  or  fifty  miles  an  hour, 
and  close  on  to  us.  In  a twinkling  I saw  an  object  coming  for  me,  end  over  end. 
I gave  a spring  and  as  it  came  threw  my  entire  weight  on  my  right  leg,  and  as  it 
passed  it  struck  the  other  a stinging  but  glancing  blow  on  the  inner  side. 
Then  I saw  it  was  the  Scio  mail-bag. 

I limped  up  to  the  village  tavern,  dined  and  then  found  a farmer  who  was  going 
within  two  miles  of  New  Rumley,  and  would  take  me  in  his  wagon  there  for 
a consideration.  I got  in,  we  turned  round  a little  hill,  left  Scio  behind,  and 
went  up  the  valley  of  Alder  creek,  Thursday,  1 p.  m.,  June  11,  1886.  My  com- 
panion was  a little  man  with  black  hair  and  little  black  beads  of  eyes  set  back 
far  in  his  head,  his  face  thin  and  shrivelled,  and,  what  is  rare  for  a farmer,  he 
wore  glasses.  He  said  his  age  was  forty-three  years,  his  name  G.  M.  Toussaint 
and  that  he  and  Gen.  Pierre  Gusiavus  Toussaint  Beauregard,  of  the  Confederate 
army,  were  second  cousins,  their  grandfathers  having  been  brothers.  It  enhanced 
my  interest  in  him  to  thus  learn  he  was  of  French  Huguenot  stock,  for  I have  a 
sprinkling  of  the  same  blood  in  my  veins. 


A Ride  with  a Farmer. — The  wagon  we 
were  in  was  on  springs,  drawn  by  two  mares, 
each  having  a little  colt  trotting  lithe  and 
pretty  by  its  side,  so  we  counted  in  all  six, 
two  of  a kind,  two^  men,  two  mares  and  two 
colts.  He  was  anxious  to  know  my  business  ; 
thought  I had  something  to  sell.  Upon 
telling  him,  he  said  his  wife  went  to  school 
with  Custer.  He  was  quite  a dressy  young 
man,  and  when  he  came  home  on  furlough 
from  West  Point,  brought  home  among  other 
things  full  twenty  pair  of  cadet’s  white  panta- 
loons for  his  folks  to  wash.  My  companion 
was  a horse-fancier,  and  bragged  about  his 
horses ; they  were  of  an  honored  ancestry, 
and  he  went  on  to  give  their  pedigree.  On 
naming  over  their  ancestors,  he  was  astonished 
that  I had  never  heard  of  them  ; he  doubt- 
less would  have  been  more  astonished  if  I 
had  told  him  what  was  a fact,  that  in  my 
entire  life  I had  never  put  a horse  in  a car- 
riage, nor  had  buckled  on  a curry-comb.  The 
colts  as  I looked  down  upon  their  petite, 
graceful-rounded  forms,  each  trotting  by  the 
side  of  its  mother,  looked  very  sweetly.  ^ I 
asked  him  about  how  much  each  would  weigh. 
He  replied  two  hundred  pounds.  I could 
scarcely  believe  this  until  he  told  me  he  had 
failed  only  a few  days  before  in  an  effort  tc 
carry  one  of  them  into  his  barn. 

A Bit  of  Natural  History. — The  valley  we 
were  passing  up  was  perhaps  a third  of  a 
mile  wide,  with  bounding  hills  of  some  two 
hundred  feet  high.  We  passed  some  sheep 
grazing.  At  one  place  they  stood  still  and  in 
silence  in  a ring,  perhaps  fifty  of  them, 
their  heads  down  to  the  ground  and  noses 
together  ; their  bodies  ranged  like  the  spokes 
of  a wheel  from  a centre.  I inquired,  “ What 
is  that  for?”  There  had  been  a slight 
shower,  and  the  sun  had  come  out  warm. 
“The  flies  bother  them,  stinging  their  noses,” 
he  said.  In  the  fence-corners  were  other 
sheep  and  their  noses  were  also  to  the  ground. 
I subsequently  learned  it  was  an  instinct  of 
nature.  There  is  a peculiar  fly,  the  Oestrus 
ovis,  which  crawls  into  the  nostrils  of  a sheep 
and  deposits  an  egg.  This  hatches  a worm 


which  makes  its  way  into  the  brain  and  in- 
variably kills  the  sheep.  From  this  doubtless 
originated  the  expression  as  applied  to  a 
human  being,  “ He  has  got  a maggot  in  his 
head.  ’ ’ 

Everything  that  has  life,  man,  animal  or 
vegetable,  appears  to  receive  injury  from  some 
other  life.  The  innocent  sheep  are  not  the 
only  victims  to  the  winged  enemies.  Late 
in  the  summer  there  is  a large  fly,  the  Oestrus 
hovis.,  large  as  a bumble-bee,  which  annoys 
cattle,  punctures  the  skin  and  deposits  an 
egg  along  the  spine.  Under  the  spring  sun 
that  egg  develops  into  a grub  with  an  ugly 
black  head,  and  makes  his  way  out  of  the  hole 
to  the  infinite  annoyance  of  the  animal.  The 
grub  is  thus  occupied  for  weeks,  while  the 
itching  at  times  is  so  intolerable  that  the 
animal  runs  around  the  field  with  tail  out, 
perfectly  frantic.  Then  the  common  expres- 
sion among  the  farmers  is  that  it  has  “the 
warbles.  ’ ’ Often  twenty  or  thirty  grubs  will  at 
once  make  their  way  out.  When  an  animal 
has  largely  been  infected  with  the  pests,  it 
injures  the  hide  for  the  purpose  of  leather. 

Having  come  out,  the  grub  goes  into  the 
ground  and  after  a little  he  puts  on  wings— 
they  are  not  angel  wings — and  some  day  he 
starts  on  his  aerial  flight,  becomes  the  great- 
ugly  fly  we  have  described,  to  follow  the  same 
egg-hatching,  egg-depositing  business  of  his 
illustrious  ancestors.  The  fly  from  which  the 
horse  gets  into  his  greatest  trouble  is  the 
Oestrus  equi.  He  often  alights  on  the  front  of 
the  horse,  where  stinging  him  the  animal  nips 
at,  catches  and  swallows  the  fly.  That  is  just 
what  the  fly  was  after — to  be  swallowed. 
Housed  in  the  stomach  of  the  horse,  he  then 
proceeds  about  his  business,  to  lay  eggs. 
These  hatch  grubs  sometimes  to  the  num- 
ber of  a hundred  or  more,  which  attach 
themselves  to  the  coats  of  his  stomach  and 
feed  thereon  and  often  to  the  death  of  the 
horse.  This  affliction  is  called  “ the  hots." 

Friend  Toussaint  opened  upon  another  topic 
dear  to  his  heart — religion.  A neighbor  of 
his  was  far  gone  in  consumption;  notwith- 
standing, seemed  as  worldly-minded  as  ever 


898 


HARRISON  COUNTY. 


“I  told  him,”  said  he,  “ he  ought  not  to  be 
thinking  about  driving  sharp  trades— that  he 
ought  to  go  and  get  religion,  for  in  a few 
weeks  probably,  he  would  have  to  meet  his 
God.  For  ought  he  knew,  it  might  be  no 
more  than  two  weeks.”  Then  he  dwelt  upon 
the  influence  of  religion  here  on  earth,  illus- 
trating it  by  the  story  of  a travelling  man  he 
once  read  of,  who  stopped  at  a strange  house 
in  a wild,  lonely  spot,  and  he  didn’t  like  the 
looks  of  the  people,  was  on  a sort  of  tremble  ; 
was  afraid  he  might  be  robbed  and  murdered 
in  his  sleep.  ^ But  when  bed-time  came,  his 
ferocious-looking  host  opened  a little  cup- 
board, took  out  a book  and  said,  “Let  us 
pray,  ’ ’ whereupon  a load  was  lifted  from  the 
heart  of  the  travelling  man,  and  he  slept 
that  night  “like  a top,”  Thus  my  friend 
with  interesting  talk  upon  horses,  sheep, 
Custer  and  religion,  beguiled  the  way. 

New  Rumley  appears. — A mile  or  more  be- 
fore reaching  New  Rumley  I saw  in  the  far  dis- 
tance, on  the  top  of  a very  high  hill,  a cluster 
of  trees,  roof  tops,  and  a church  spire,  and 
that  my  companion  pointed  out  as  New 
Rumley.  I looked  at  it  with  intense  interest, 
the  birthplace  of  a hero  ; ached  to  be  there. 
When  we  had  ascended  nearly  to  the  top 
of  the  hill,  the  horses  rested  for  a few  mo- 
ments, while  the  colts  kneeled  down  each 
beside  its  respective  mother,  and  rested 
also,  while  I made  notes.  Another  short 
pull  up  hill,  then  a sudden  turn  to  the  right, 
and  we  were  in  New  Rumley.  The  first  ob- 
jects at  its  entrance  I found  to  be  two 
churches,  just  alike,  facing  each  other  as 
sentinels,  on  opposite  sides  of  the  road. 
They  were  freshly  painted,  and  white  as  snow. 
It  was  pleasant  thus  to  have  the  gospel  greet 
one  at  the  very  threshold  of  the  place.  _ I 
couldn’t  help  thinking  so,  but  the  huge  white 
forms,  spread  out  to  the  right  and  left  of  me 
so  broodingly,  somehow  made  me  think  of 
angels’  wings,  ready  to  bear  people  up  to 
heaven.  On  one  side  of  the  street  it  was 
done  after  the  manner  of  the  Methodist 
brethren,  and  on  the  other  of  what  they 
speak  of  abridgingly  as  the  “You  Bees,” — 
and  spell  out  “ United  Brethren.” 

New  Rumley  is  little  more  than  a name — 
a hamlet  set  on  a hill — a single  street  with  a 
single  store,  that  of  T.  H.  Cunningham,  and 
a few  scattered  dwellings,  of  which  only  three 
or  four  can  be  seen  at  one  view.  The  highest' 
part  is  where  they  put  the  angels’  wings,  and 
the  birthplace  of  him  whom  Sitting  Bull 
called  the  “Yellow  Hair.”  From  thence 
the  street  descended ; there  was  a sort  of 
hollow  spot  in  the  wavy  ground  and  then  it 
ascended  in  a lesser  wave,  and  where  its 
farther  course  was  hidden  by  trees.  Where 


it  went  then  I know  not,  only  I was  told  the 
followers  of  Martin  Luther  had  a sanctuary 
somewhere  there.  I went  into  the  store,  a 
little  room,  and  made  the  acquaintance  of 
Mr.  Cunningham,  an  elderly  person.  Some 
barefooted  boys  seeing  me,  a stranger,  go  in, 
entered  and  stood  in  silence  listening.  Where 
they  came  from  I don’t  know,  but  men  and 
women  lived  together  around  in  little,  half- 
concealed  cottages,  and  where  that  happens, 
boys  and  girls  will  spring  up  fresh  and 
healthy  as  daisies  in  an  old  cow-pasture.  I in- 
quired if  there  was  a General  Custer  growing 
up  among  them  ; got  no  reply.  The  boys 
seemed  to  think  with  the  poet 

‘ ‘ Das  Scliweigen  ist  ilir  hester  Herald.  ’ ’ 

That  is — “ Silence  is  golden.” 

Custer  s birthplace  in  the  early  part  of 
this  century,  1 820,  was  a log  tavern,  kept  by 
one  Andrew  Thompson.  It  was  clapboarded 
fifty  years  ago.  It  is  brown,  going  to  decay, 
some  clapboards  off,  and  others  hanging  by  a 
single  nail.  Locust  trees  stand  before  it ; 
their  fragile  leaves  tremble  in  the  softest 
zephyrs.  I borrowed  a backless  chair  and 
drew  the  pretty  scene  shown,  with  the  coni- 
cal spire  of  the  “You  Bees”  in  the  dis- 
tance. 

Having  *made  the  sketch,  I went  to  the 
house.  Some  women  were  sitting  in  the  front 
room,  sewing  and  chatting,  passing  away 
their  lives  in  simplicity  and  comfort  appar- 
ently, with  little  possessions  and  little  cares. 
They  were  simply  clad.  There  was  no  bric-^- 
brae  about  to  dust,  no  card  basket  for  calling 
visitors.  No  splendid  equipage  with  liveried 
footman  and  gaily  attired  visitors  had  ever 
called  to  inspire  jealousy  and  create  heart- 
aches up  to  that  door,  but  the  air  was  pure, 
and  on  June  days  it  oft  came  in  laden  with 
the  fragrance  of  new-mown  hay. 

The  place  seemed  as  the  top  of  the  world, 
and  the  eye  possessions  of  its  inhabitants 
vast.  From  it  to  the  west  I could  look  down 
the  pretty  valley  through  which  I had  come 
with  friend  Toussaint  of  pious  frame  and 
sprightly  colts,  and  then  all  around  met  my 
eye  a leafy  world  of  hills  for  miles  and  miles 
away ; and  in  one  spot  far  to  the  north,  a 
little  village  peeped  forth  in  the  vast  out- 
spread of  living  green.  A Sabbath-like  calm 
rested  upon  all  things.  This  was  the  high 
spot  of  earth,  where  the  “ Yellow  Hair” 
first  opened  his  eyes  ; where  the  wintry  winds 
have  a high  old  time,  and  silvery  toned  bells 
wake  the  echoes  on  Sabbath  day  mornings. 
A Sabbath  in  the  country.  How  beautiful  it 
is  ! Rest,  music,  prayer  and  thoughts  of  the 
heavenly  choir.  Glory  Hallelujah  ! 


The  high  places  of  earth  like  this  are  the  glory  spots  for  the  lifting  the  heart 
of  man.  Earth  and  sky  are  there  full  spread  before  his  vision  to  bring  his  spirit 
into  the  very  presence  of  the  Infinite.  At  night  the  stars  pass  over  him  in  their 
grand  procession  athwart  the  mighty  dome,  and  by  day  the  bright  sun  moves 
over  the  vast  expanse,  the  sun,  blessing  mother  of  morning,  noon  and  night,  which 
in  its  day’s  journey  typifies  the  life  of  man. 


HARRISON  COUNTY. 


899 


And  cloud  land  is  all  above  him,  ever  moving  between  earth  and  sky,  and  ever 
changing  in  its  forms,  its  lights  and  its  shadows,  which  it  runs  over  the  whole 
earth  ; often  throwing  all  around  in  gloom  while  the  far  distant  peaks  stand  out 
like  hope,  bright  in  the  light  of  a heavenly  effulgence.  Clouds  seem  as  if  from 
the  hands  of  God  while  dispensing  refreshing  showers,  and  by  their  beauty  oft 
fill  the  sensitive  heart  with  gratitude  in  its  sense  of  possessing  such  an  exquisite 
source  of  joy ; and  this  sense  will  sometimes  give  expression  as  here  in  my  verse. 


Summer  Clouds. 

The  gorgeous  Alps  of  summer  skies 
In  softest  tints  oft  mass  in  view, 

Where  seraph  forms  in  fancies’  dreams 
Recline  beneath  the  tender  blue. 

And  floating  on  their  beds  of  fleece, 

Those  spirits  of  the  azure  deep 

Look  down  upon  our  earthly  fields, 

Where  Time  his  generous  harvests  reap. 

While  we  in  Fate’s  remorseless  chains 
May  hapless  seem  in  vales  of  woe  ; 

Still  onward  float  the  beauteous  clouds, 
Still  cheer  us  with  their  genial  glow. 

O summer  clouds  ! our  hearts  like  thee 
But  take  their  beauty  from  on  high  ; 

The  light  that  gives  the  charm  to  life, 

The  love  that  soothes  us  when  we  die. 


Parting  Bay. 

By  the  patriarch’s  dying  couch 
Some  angel  hand  the  curtain  lifts  ; 

While  parting  day’s  celestial  tints 
Enchanting  spread  beyond  the  rifts. 

Then  grandly  glows  the  mighty  dome, 
While  silence  rests  on  earth  below  ; 

Save  where  the  distant  tides  of  life 
In  dying  murmurs  faintly  flow. 

Then  soft  and  sweet,  bright  isles  of  bliss 
Seem  floating  in  an  ocean  sky ; 

A spirit  realm  of  light  and  love — 

The  happy  immortality. 

In  mantling  night  the  vision  melts. 

While  worlds  afar  their  glories  spread  ; 

And  thus  alike  through  mists  and  stars 
The  soul  of  man  is  upward  led. 

The  wondrous  orb,  great  source  of  light, 
To  other  lands  glad  morning  brings  ; 

Day  never  ceases  with  his  work. 

Nor  Time  to  speed  with  aging  wings. 


Ride  with  a Doctor. — The  next  point  was 
to  get  back  to  Scio,  so  I took  the  ridge  road  ; 
thought  I could,  notwithstanding  the  lame- 
ing  blow  of  the  mail-bag,  manage  to  walk 
there.  In  a few  minutes  I was  overtaken  by 
a gentleman  in  a buggy,  with  a little  two- 
year-old  girl  on  his  lap,  and  I accepted 
his  invitation  to  a seat  beside  him.  It  was 
Dr.  George  Lyle,  a country  physician,  edu- 
cated in  Cincinnati,  and  I found  knew  some 
of  my  medical  friends  there.  He  told  me  he 
had  been  a schoolmate  of  Custer.  He  de- 
scribed him  as  an  apt  scholar,  a leader  among 
the  boys,  mischievous  and  full  of  practical 
jokes  ; withal  very  plucky. 

One  evening,  at  some  lecture  where  the 
audience  were  on  the  ground  floor,  a ragamuf- 
fin of  a boy  unable  to  get  in  flatted  his  nose 
against  the  window  pane  and  made  wry  faces 
at  George,  whereupon  the  latter  drove  his 
fist  through  the  glass  into  his  face.  The 
next  day  three  boys  accosted  him,  saying  they 
were  going  to  thrash  him.  He  replied  by 
drawing  a pocket-knife,  saying — “I  will  fight 
all  three  of  you  with  my  fists  if  you  will 
come  one  at  a time,  but  if  you  come  all  at 
once  you  shall  have  this,”  at  the  same  open- 
ing the  blade.  The  boys  pursued  the  topic 
no  farther.  Das  Schweigen  ist  ihr  hester 
HeroUr 

Presently  the  road  narrowed  to  a mere 
lane,  now  in  the  woods  and  then  in  the  open, 
when  some  flies  lit  behind  the  horse’s  ears, 
when  he  stopped  the  vehicle,  stood  upright, 
athered  the  lash  and  stock  tightly  in  his 
and,  and  with  the  tautened  curve  thus 
made  at  the  end  of  the  whip,  slowly,  care- 
fully slid  it  under  the  offending  insects. 
They  respected  the  hint  for  the  time,  but 
came  again,  when  he  stopped  the  carriage, 
got  out  and  gathering  twigs  of  leaves  from 
the  woods  put  them  as  a defence  in  the  trap- 
pings of  the  horse’s  head.  Then  the  little 
one  said  something  in  its  baby  tones,  making 
a request,  I did  not  hear  what,  when  he 
again  went  into  the  woods  and  returned  with 
flowers  in  his  hands  and  love  in  his  heart, 
and  taking  her  in  his  lap  we  soon  descended 
a hill,  made  a turn  and  then  were  in  Scio. 


A Tai.k  with  John  Giles  of  Scio. 

After  supper  in  the  tavern  at  Scio,  I was  enjoying  a quiet  smoke,  when  I heard 
a voice  at  my  side.  It  was  that  of  an  old  man  of  about  seventy  years  of  age, 
who  had  accosted  me.  He  was  in  his  shirt-sleeves,  tall,  jiatriarchal  white  beard 
and  hair,  blue  eyes,  fresh  complexion  and  expression  of  great  amiability.  It  was 
John  Giles,  of  Scio.  He  wanted  to  tell  me  what  he  knew  about  the  Custers,  and 
I let  him.  The  original  spelling  was  Kuster.  Their  first  ancestor  in  this  country 


900 


HARRISON  COUNTY. 


was  from  Hesse-Cassel,  came  over  in  the  Revolutionary  war  time  and  fought 
mit  de  Hessians.’^ 


Emanuel  Custer,  the  father  of  the  General, 
was  a blacksmith  and  justice  of  the  peace. 
“My  wife  and  Squire  Custer  are  cousins,” 
said  he,  “ and  he  married  us.”  I used  to  keep 
school,  and  taught  George  his  A,  B,  C *,  his 
father  and  myself  were  always  great  friends, 
George  was  irrepressible  as  a boy.  One  thing 
I recollect.  His  father  and  myself  were 
walking  by  a barn  yard,  when  we  heard  a 
child  screaming ; a moment  later  little 
George,  then  a boy  in  his  frock,  appeared 
Wrsting  through  a line  of  currant  bushes, 
with  a huge  gander  fastened  by  his  talons  to 
his  back.  George  had  been  attracted  by  the 
sight  of  young  goslings,  and  going  for  them 
the  gander  had  alighted  on  him  and  was 
whipping  him  with  his  wings.  ^ 

“About  this  time  we  organized  a military 
company,  ‘cornstalk  militia,’  in  New  Rum - 
ley,  and  the  child  followed  us  about  all  day. 
From  that  moment  his  passion  to  become  a 
soldier  originated  and  grew  with  his  years. 
His  family  tried  in  vain  to  dispel  this  am- 
bition. He  desired  to  go  to  West  Point,  but 
his  father  told  him  as  he  was  personally  a 
Democrat  and  Mr.  Bingham,  the  member  of 
Congress  in  whose  power  it  lay  to  obtain  a 
cadet  warrant,  a Whig,  he  would  not  give  it 
to  him.  How  he  obtained  it  Mr.  Bingham 
had  told  me  only  two  days  before  this  con- 
versation with  Mr.  Giles. 

“I  received,”  said  Mr.  Bingham,  “a  let- 
ter from  Custer,  then  at  school  at  Hopedale, 
in  Greene  township,  asking  for  the  appoint- 
ment. This  was  about  the  year  1857.  Its 
honesty  captivated  me.  It  was  written  in 
S(?hool-boy  style.  In  it  he  said  that  he  un- 
derstood it  made  no  difference  with  me 
whether  he  was  a Republican  boy  or  a Demo- 
crat boy — that  he  wanted  me  to  understand 
he  was  a Democrat  hoy.  I replied,  if  his 
parents  consented,  I would  procure  it  for 
him. 

“He  was  at  West  Point  but  three  years. 
Such  was  the  want  of  officers  at  the  begin- 
ning of  the  war,  that  his  class,  before  gradu- 
ating, were  commissioned  ; he  as  Lieutenant 
of  Cavalry  in  a company  commanded  by 
Captain  Drummond,  son  of  Rev.  Dr.  Drum- 
mond, of  this  place  (Cadiz).  He  was  in  the 
first  battle  of  Bull  Run.  The  day  after  I 
saw  a young  officer  ride  up  to  my  door  in 
Washington  and  dismount.  He  had  long, 
yellow  hair  hanging  like  Absalom’s.  He 
came  up  to  me  and  introduced  himself  as 
Lieutenant  Custer.  Up  to  that  moment  I 
had  never  seen  him.  In  the  December  be- 
fore he  had  passed  his  twenty-first  birthday. 
He  said:  “Mr.  Bingham,  I have  been  in 
my  first  battle,  and  I’ve  come  to  tell  you  I’ve 
tried  not  to  show  the  coward.  ’ ’ 


Mr.  Giles  told  me  he  was  a soldier  in  the 
Potomac  army,  and  at  one  time  was  in  camp 
near  the  command  of  Custer.  “ One  even- 
ing,” said  he,  “ I heard  footsteps  approach- 
ing my  tent ; a moment  later  in  came  General 
Custer  to  see  me.  He  inquired  why  I had 
not  called  upon  him . I replied,  I had  so 
desired,  but  I thought  it  would  not  do  ; he 
had  now  got  to  be  a great  man,  a General, 
and  I was  only  a common  soldier.  ‘ ‘ Humph,  ’ ’ 
he  rejoined,  “I  thought  you  knew  me  bet- 
ter, that  I was  above  all  such  nonsense  as 
that,  especially  with  an  old  friend,  and  the 
friend  of  my  father.”  And  then  he  play- 
fully added:  “I  expect  the  old  man  is 
the  same  darned  old  Copperhead  yet,  aint 
he  ? ” I had  to  acknowledge  I thought  he 
was. 

Mr.  Giles  took  me  to  his  cottage,  close 
by,  and  showed  me  finely  framed  and  colored 
portraits  of  the  General’s  parents.  In  his 
simplicity — stranger  as  I was — he  wanted  to 
loan  them  to  me.  It  seemed  like  sacrilege 
to  accept  his  offer — would  not  take  such  a 
responsibility  of  their  safe-keeping,  even  had 
I wanted  them. 

Custer’s  father  had  a large,  strong-look^ 
ing  face,  with  a straight,  firmly  set  mouth. 
On  seeing  that  expression  one  could  easilj 
imagine  how,  having  been  born  a Democrat, 
he  had  set  that  mouth  of  his  grim  and  de- 
fiant to  die  one.  From  him  it  was  that  his 
son  got  his  light  golden  hair,  and  the  impulse 
that  belongs  to  that  temperament.  The 
portrait  of  the  mother  was  in  profile.  She 
was  a brunette.  The  whole  air  of  the  woman 
showed  a high  degree  of  refinement,  with  a. 
tinge  of  sadness  resting  upon  her  counje  - 
nance.  “She  never  had,”  said  Giles,  “any 
especial  social  opportunities,^  but  she  was  a 
born  lady,  thoughtful,  dignified  and  alwayf! 
inspiring  high  respect.  At  the  time  of  the 
massacre,  with  Custer  was  killed  his  two 
brothers,  Thomas  and  Boston,  both  offi- 
cers, Captain  Calhoun,  her  brother-in-law — 
that  is,  her  sister’s  husband — and  Mr.  Reed, 
a civilian,  on  a visit  to  the  General ; also 
Louis  Clem,  younger  brother  of  Johnnie 
Clem,  the  drummer  boy  of  Shiloh.  The 
mother  never  rallied  from  the  terrible  blow  ; 
it  broke  her  heart,  and  she  sank  and  died. 
The  father  is  still  living  in  Michigan,  and  is 
of  a naturally  cheerful  temperament ; but 
as  long  as  I knew  him,  on  any  allusion  to  the 
death  of  his  sons,  he  would  swell  up  and 
leave  the  room. 

As  I pass  these  notes  over  to  the  printer, 
I copy  from  a note-book:  “Died  July  13, 
1889,  John  (riles,  of  Scio  : ” that  is,  three 
years  after  this  talk  with  me. 


We  annex  some  items,  mainly  from  Wliitelaw  Reid’s  ^^Sketeh  of  Custer,” 
wherein  are  given  some  of  the  brilliant  points  of  his  brilliant  military  career. 
At  the  battle  of  Williamsburg  he  accompanied  the  advance  as  aid-de-camp  >'nder 


HARRISON  COUNTY. 


901 


Gen.  Hancock,  and  captured  the  first  battle-flag  ever  captured  by  the  army  of  the 
Potomac.  . . . He  was  the  first  person  to  cross  the  Chickahomiiiy,  which  he  did 
by  wading  up  to  the  armpits  in  the  face  of  the  enemy’s  pickets.  ...  At  Gettys- 
burg he  held  the  right  of  the  Union  line,  and  utterly  routed  Hampton’s  cavalry. 
In  this  battle  he  had  two  horses  shot  under  him,  and  in  the  course  of  the  war 
eleven  horses.  . . . At  the  battle  of  Trevillian  Station  five  brigades  attacked  his 
one.  Against  such  odds  he  fought  for  three  hours.  His  color-bearer  was  shot, 
when  the  flag  was  only  saved  by  Custer  tearing  it  from  its  standard  and  conceal- 
ing it  around  his  body.  ...  At  Winchester  he  took  nine  battle-flags,  and  took 
more  prisoners  than  he  had  men  engaged.  . . . When  Sheridan  arrived  at  Cedar 
creek,  after  his  famous  ride,  he  said,  Go  in,  Custer.”  Custer  went  in,  drove 
the  enemy  for  miles,  captured  a major-general,  many  prisoners,  and  forty-five 
pieces  of  artillery.  For  this  he  was  brevetted  Major-General  of  Volunteers.  It 
would  be  beyond  our  limits  to  recapitulate  his  many  successes ; but  he  w^as  the 
first  to  receive  the  white  flag  from  Gen.  Lee,  and  Sheridan  presented  Mrs.  Custer 
the  table  on  which  Lee  signed  the  surrender.  . . . He  never  lost  a gun  or  a 
color ; he  captured  more  guns,  flags,  and  prisoners  on  the  battle-field  than  any 
other  general  not  an  army  commander,  and  his  services  throughout  were  most 


brilliant. 

Gen.  Custer  was  nearly  six  feet  in  height, 
of  great  strength  and  endurance,  broad- 
shouldered,  lithe  and  active,  with  a weight 
never  above  170  pounds.  His  eyes  were 
blue,  his  hair  long  and  golden.  At  the  age 
of  twenty-three  he  was  made  a brigadier- 
general  ; at  twenty-five  a major-general,  the 
youngest  man  of  his  rank  in  the  army.  Reid 
says  : “ For  quick  dashes  and  vigorous  spurts 
of  fighting  he  had  no  superiors  and  scarcely 
an  equal.  His  career  was  disastrously  closed 
in  an  attack,  on  the  25th  of  June,  1876,  on 
an  Indian  encampment,  on  Little  Horn  river, 
in  Montana,  when  his  command  of  277  cav- 
alrymen were  overwhelmed  by  about  1600 
Sioux  Indians,  under  Sitting  Bull,  and  mas- 
sacred to  a man — not  one  spared  to  tell  the 
tale.  The  old  chief,  a year  or  two  later,  was 
asked  at  a conference  the  particulars,  where- 
upon Sitting  Bull  replied,  “I  do  not  know 
where  the  Yellow  Hair  died.” 

Gen.  Terry,  who  commanded  the  forces  of 
the  expedition,  in  all  amounting  to  about 
1 ,400  infantry  and  cavalry,  and  against  whose 
implied  orders  the  attack  had  been  made, 
arrived  with  the  main  body  upon  the  scene  a 
day  later.  He  ordered  the  burial  of  the 
slain,  and  in  1879  it  was  made  a national 
cemetery. 

Matthew  Simpson,  H.D.,  LL.D.,  was 
born  in  Cadiz,  20th  June,  1811,  and  died  in 
Philadelphia,  Pa.,  18th  June,  1884.  His 
father  died  when  he  was  two  years  of  age. 
His  uncle,  from  whom  he  was  named,  was  a 
man  of  literary  ability  and  gave  his  mind  a 
literary  bent.  He  graduated  at  what  is  now 
Allegheny  College,  and  at  eighteen  became  a 
tutor.  He  first  began  the  practice  of  med- 
icine ; and  then,  at  the  age  of  twenty-two, 
entered  the  ministry,  the  Pittsburg  Confer- 
ence. He  preached  first  on  the  St.  Clairs- 
ville  Circuit;  in  1837  became  Vice-President 
and  Professor  of  Natural  Sciences  of  Alle- 
gheny College,  and  in  1839  was  chosen  Pres- 
ident of  Indiana  Asbury  (now  Be  Pauw) 


University,  Greencastle,  which  position  he 
held  for  nine  years  and  gained  great  popu- 
larity. 

Appleton’s  “Cyclopaedia  of  American  Bi- 
ography” says:  “His  eloquence  made  him 
in  great  demand  on  the  pulpit  and  on  the 
platform.  His  personal  qualities  gave  him 
an  extraordinary  influence  over  students,  and 
made  him  efficient  in  raising  money  for  the 
endowment  of  the  college.  In  1844  he  was 
elected  to  the  General  Conference,  and  in 
1848  he  was  re-elected.  He  appeared  in  1852 
in  the  conference  as  the  leader  of  his  delega- 
tion, and  at  this  conference  he  was  made 
bishop.  ’ ’ 

In  1857  he  was  sent  abroad  as  a delegate 
to  the  English  and  Irish  Conference  of  the 
Wesleyan  connection,  and  was  also  a delegate 
to  the  World’s  Evangelical  Alliance  which 
met  in  Berlin. 

His  preaching  and  addresses  made  upon 
this  tour  attracted  great  attention,  particu- 
larly his  sermon  before  the  alliance,  which 
extended  his  fame  as  a pulpit  orator  through- 
out the  world.  After  its  adjournment  he 
travelled  through  Turkey,  Palestine,  Egypt 
and  Greece.  In  1859  he  removed  from  Pitts- 
burg to  Evanston,  111.,  and  became  nom- 
inally President  of  Garrett  Biblical  Institute. 
Subsequently  he  removed  to  Philadelphia. 
His  powers  as  an  orator  were  displayed  dur- 
ing the  civil  war  in  a manner  that  commanded 
the  admiration  and  gratitude  of  the  people. 

President  Lincoln  regarded  him  as  the 
greatest  orator  he  ever  heard,  and  at  his 
funeral  in  Springfield  Bishop  Simpson  offi- 
ciated. He  made  many  addresses  in  behalf 
of  the  Christian  Commission,  and  delivered 
a series  of  lectures  that  had  much  to  do  with 
raising  the  spirit  of  the  people.  His  official 
duties  took  him  abroad  in  1870  and  1875.  In 
1874  he  visited  Mexico.  At  the  (Ecumenical 
Council  of  Methodists,  in  London,  he  was 
selected  by  the  representatives  of  all  branches 
to  deliver  the  opening  sermon.  After  the 


902 


//ARRIS ON  COUNTY. 


news  of  the  death  of  President  Garfield  he 
delivered  an  address  at  Exeter  Hall.  He 
was  selected  by  the  faculty  of  Y^ale  to  deliver 
a series  of  addresses  before  the  students  of 
the  theological  department,  which  were  pub- 
lished as  “Lectures  on  Preaching”  (New 
York,  1879). 

In  later  years  his  appearance  was  patri- 
archal. His  eloquence  was  simple  and  natural, 
but  increasing  in  power  from  the  beginning 
to  the  close.  It  was  peculiar  to  himself  and 
equally  attractive  to  the  ignorant  and  the 
learned.  One  of  his  natural  advantages  was 
his  remarkable  voice.  When  he  was  at  his 
best  few  could  resist  his  pathetic  appeals. 
Though  his  eloquence  is  the  principal  element 
of  his  fame,  he  was  a man  of  unusual  sound- 
ness of  judgment,  a parliamentarian  of  re- 
markable accuracy  and  promptitude,  and  one 
of  the  best  presiding  officers  and  safest  of 
counsellors.  He  was  present  in  the  General 
Conference  in  Philadelphia  in  1884.  Though 
broken  in  health,  so  as  not  to  be  able  to  sit 
through  the  sessions,  his  mind  was  clear  and 
his  farewell  address  made  a profound  impres- 
sion. Bishop  Simpson  published  “ Hundred 
Years  of  Methodism”  (New  York,  1876), 
and  “ Cyclopaedia  of  Methodism  ” (Philadel- 
phia, 1878,  5th  ed.  revised  1882).  After 
his  death  a volume  of  his  “Sermons”  was 
edited  by  Rev.  Geo.  R.  Crooks,  D.D.  (1885). 
A window  in  his  memory  is  to  be  placed  by 
American  admirers  in  City  Road  Chapel, 
London,  where  John  Wesley  preached. 

John  A.  Bingham,  late  United  States 
Minister  to  Japan,  sometimes  called  “the 
silver-tongued  orator,  ’ ’ and  so  long  and  highly 
eminent  and  useful  in  the  councils  of  the  na- 
tion, was  born  January  21,  1815,  in  Mercer, 


Pa.  In  his  childhood  he  resided  four  years 
in  Ohio  ; then  passed  two  years  and  a half 
in  learning  printing  in  Mercer  ; was  then 
educated  in  the  Mercer  Academy  and  Frank- 
lin College,  and  in  1840  came  to  Ohio  and 
followed  the  practice  of  the  law.  In  the 
Harrison  campaign  he  took  an  active  part  as 
a Whig  orator,  and  twice  held  public  discus- 
sions with  Edwin  M.  Stanton,  having  been 
challenged  by  him. 

In  the  National  Whig  Convention  of  1848 
he  proposed  a resolution  which  it  was  thought 
too  dangerous  to  adopt,  but  which  was  the 
key-note  to  his  subsequent  course,  viz.  : “ No 
more  slave  States  ; no  more  slave  Territories  ; 
the  maintenance  of  freedom  where  freedom 
is,  and  the  protection  of  American  industry.” 
He  was  first  elected  to  Congress  in  1854,  and 
served  in  all  sixteen  years  ; in  1873  he  was 
appointed  by  Grant  Minister  to  Japan,  where 
he  resided  until  the  advent  of  Mr.  Cleveland’s 
administration. 

In  the  sixteen  years  of  his  service  in  Con- 
gress he  served  on  the  most  important  com- 
mittees. For  four  years  he  was  chairman  of 
the  Judiciary  Committee.  He  was  chairman 
of  the  managers  on  behalf  of  the  House  on 
the  trial  for  the  impeachment  of  President 
Johnson.  He  was  author  of  the  first  section 
to  the  Fourteenth  Amendment  to  the  Con- 
stitution, save  the  introductory  clause  thereof 
He  was  appointed  special  judge-advocate  for 
the  trial  of  the  assassin  of  Abraham  Lincoln. 
He  was  given  other  important  official  trusts, 
spending  in  all  eighteen  years  in  Washington, 
giving  unwearying  labor  to  the  nation  in  its 
most  eventful  period.  Besides  his  many 
speeches  in  Congress,  he  has  spoken  in  half 
the  States  for  “ the  Union  and  Constitution.” 


. Freeport  is  eighteen  miles  southwest  of  Cadiz,  on  the  C.  L.  & W.  Railroad, 
and  on  a branch  of  the  Tuscarawas  river.  Newspaper  : PresSy  independent,  Mc- 
Math  & Williams,  editors  and  publishers.  Churches  : one  Methodist  Episcopal, 
one  Presbyterian,  one  Friends.  Population,  1880,  387. 

Scio  is  on  the  P.  C.  & St.  L.  Railroad,  nine  miles  north  of  Cadiz.  It  is  the 
seat  of  Scio  College,  E.  J.  Marsh,  president.  Newspapers  : Herald,  independent. 
Herald  Printing  Company,  editors  and  publishers ; Collegian,  students  of  Scio 
College,  editors  and  publishers.  Churches  : one  Presbyterian,  one  United  Pres- 
byterian, one  Methodist.  Bank  : Scio  (Hogue  & Donaldson) ; R.  S.  Hogue, 
cashier.  Population,  1880,  509. 

Bowerston  is  on  the  P.  C.  & St.  L.  Railroad,  eighteen  miles  northwest  of 
Cadiz.  Newspaper  : Gazette,  independent,  Charles  G.  Addleman,  editor  and  pub- 
lisher. Churches : one  Methodist,  one  United  Brethren,  one  Lutheran.  Popu- 
lation about  500. 

Jewett  is  on  the  P.  C.  & St.  L.  Railroad,  seven  miles  north  of  Cadiz.  First 
house  was  built  in  1803,  by  George  Dowell.  The  village  was  laid  out  in  1851, 
by  John  Stall,  and  called  Fairview.  Name  was  changed  to  Jewett  in  1881. 
Churches  : one  Presbyterian,  one  Methodist  Episcopal,  one  Lutheran  Evangelical. 
Pojmlation  about  600. 

New  Athens,  on  the  St.  Clairsville  and  Cadiz  pike,  seven  miles  south  of  Cadiz, 
is  the  seat  of  Franklin  College.  Bank : John  Dunlap,  Jr.  Churches : one 
Presbyterian,  one  United  Presbyterian,  one  Protestant  Episcopal.  School  census, 
1888,  156. 

Deersvii.le  is  twelve  miles  west  of  Cadiz.  School  census,  1 888,  99. 


HENRY  COUNTY. 


903 

Hoped  ALE  is  six  miles  northeast  of  Cadiz.  It  is  the  seat  of  Hopedale  Normal 
College;  president,  W.  G.  Garvey.  School  census,  1888,  106. 

Harkisville  is  ten  miles  soutlieast  of  Cadiz.  Churches : one  United  Pres- 
byterian, one  Methodist  Episcopal,  one  Methodist  Protestant.  School  census, 
1888,  143. 


HENEY. 

Henry  County  was  formed  April  1,  1820,  from  old  Indian  territory,  and 
named  from  Patrick  Henry,  the  celebrated  Virginia  orator  of  the  revolutionary 
era.  Area  about  430  square  miles.  In  1887  the  acres  cultivated  were  102,558  ; 
in  pasture,  5,377 ; woodland,  49,895  ; lying  waste,  1,064 ; produced  in  wheat, 
487,986  bushels  ; rye,  80,539  ; buckwheat,  1,319  ; oats,  303,186  ; barley,  14,787  ; 
corn,  938,584;  broom  corn,  275  lbs.  brush ; meadow  hay,  10,945  tons;  clover 
hay,  4,670;  potatoes,  59,647  bushels  ; butter,  435,113  lbs. ; sorghum,  6,338  gal- 
lons; maple  syrup,  1,037 ; honey,  9,131  lbs.;  eggs,  598,334  dozen;  grapes,  2,967 
lbs.;  sweet  potatoes,  17  bushels;  apples,  22,883;  peaches,  706;  pears,  456: 
wool,  40,811  lbs.;  milch  cows  owned,  5,480.  School  census,  1888,  8,337; 
teachers,  225.  Miles  of  railroad  track,  80. 


Townships  and  Census. 

1840. 

1880. 

Townships  and  Census. 

1840. 

1880. 

Adams, 

188 

Marion, 

1,202 

Bartlow, 

1,064 

Monroe, 

1,148 

Damascus, 

489 

1,415 

Napoleon, 

609 

4,504 

Flat  Rock, 

476 

1,701 

Pleasant, 

1,773 

Freedom, 

1,235 

Richfield, 

83 

857 

Eredonia, 

105 

Richland, 

542 

Harrison, 

1,372 

Ridgeville, 

1,119 

Liberty, 

1,946 

Washington, 

1,249 

Population  in  1840  was  2,492;  in  1860,  8,901;  in  1880,  20,585;  of  whom 
15,721  were  born  in  Ohio;  712  in  Pennsylvania;  457  in  New  York;  181  in 
Indiana;  145  in  Virginia;  17  in  Kentucky;  2,106  in  German  Empire;  140  in 
Ireland;  140  in  British  America ; 127  in  England  and  Wales;  116  in  France; 
and  21  in  Scotland.  Census  of  1890,  25,080. 

A greater  part  of  this  county  is  covered  by  the  famous  Black  Swamp.’^  This 
tract  reaches  over  an  extent  of  country  of  one  hundred  and  twenty  miles  in  length, 
with  an  average  breadth  of  forty  miles,  about  equalling  in  area  the  State  of  Con- 
necticut. It  is  at  present  thinly  settled,  and  has  a population  of  about  50,000 ; 
but,  probably,  in  less  than  a centOry,  when  it  shall  be  cleared  and  drained,  it  will 
be  the  garden  of  Ohio,  and  support  half  a million  of  people.  The  surface  is 
generally  high  and  level,  and  sustains  a dense  growth  of  forest  trees,  among 
which  beech,  ash,  elm,  and  oak,  cotton  wood  and  poplar,  most  abound.  The 
branches  and  foliage  of  this  magnificent  forest  are  almost  impenetrable  to  the  rays 
of  the  sun,  and  its  gloomy  silence  remained  unbroken  until  disturbed  by  the  rest- 
less emigrants  of  the  West.^’  It  is  an  interesting  country  to  travel  through.  The 
perfect  uniformity  of  the  soil,  the  level  surface  of  the  ground,  alike  retaining  and 


HENRY  COUNTY. 


904 

alike  absorbing  water,  has  given  to  the  forest  a homogeneous  character : the  tree^s 
are  all  generally  of  the  same  height,  so  that  when  viewed  at  a distance  through 
the  haze  the  forest  appears  like  an  immense  blue  wall,  stretched  across  the  horizon. 
It  is  yet  the  abode  of  wild  animals,  where  flocks  of  deer  are  occasionally  seen 
bounding  through  its  labyrinths.  Throughout  the  swamp,  a mile  or  two  apart, 
are  slight  ridges  of  limestone,  from  forty  rods  to  a mile  wide,  running  usually  in 
a westerly  direction,  and  covered  with  black  walnut,  butternut,  red  elm,  and 
maple.  The  top  soil  of  the  swamp  is  about  a foot  thick,  and  composed  of  a 
black,  decayed  vegetable  matter,  extremely  fertile.  Beneath  this,  and  extending 
several  feet,  is  a rich  yellow  clay,  having  large  quantities  of  the  fertilizing  sub- 
stances of  lime  and  silex.  Lower  still  is  a stratum  of  black  clay  of  great  depth. 
The  water  of  the  swamp  is  unpleasant  to  the  taste,  from  containing  a large  quan- 
tity of  sulphur ; it  is,  however,  healthy  and  peculiarly  beneficial  to  persons  of  a 
costive  habit,  or  having  diseases  of  the  blood.  The  soil  is  excellent  for  grain  and 
almost  all  productions — garden  vegetables  and  fruit  thrive  wonderfully.  We 
were  shown  an  orchard  of  apple  trees,  some  of  which  had  attained  the  height  of 
twenty  feet,  and  measured  at  their  base  twenty  inches,  which,  when  first  planted, 
five  years  since,  were  mere  twigs,  but  a few  feet  in  height,  and  no  larger  than 
one’s  finger. — Old  Edition. 

The  foregoing  description  is  copied  from  our  original  edition,  issued  forty-three 
years  ago.  In  the  meantime  this  entire  region — the  Maumee  valley — has  under- 
gone extraordinary  changes.  Napoleon,  the  county-seat,  was  then  so  insignificant 
that  our  entire  description  was  contained  in  three  lines  : Napoleon,  the  county- 
seat,  is  on  the  Maumee  river  and  Wabash  canal,  17  miles  below  Defiance,  40 
above  Toledo,  and  154  northwest  of  Columbus.  It  is  a small  village,  containing 
about  300  inhabitants.” 

Knapp,  ill  his  history  of  the  Maumee  valley,  published  in  1872,  has  given 
some  valuable  historical  items,  in  regard  to  both  town  and  county,  which  we  here 
copy : 

‘^Napoleon  was  platted  in  1832,  and  the  first  dwelling,  a log-cabin,  erected 
that  year.  By  the  census  of  1830,  two  years  previous,  the  entire  county  had  but 
262  inhabitants,  and  its  tax  valuation  in  1823  was  but  $262.  The  following  were 
residents  of  Napoleon  in  1837  : Judge  Alexander  Craig,  James  G.  Haley,  Gen. 
Henry  Leonard,  James  Magill,  John  Powell,  Hazell  Strong,  George  Stout,  and 
John  Glass.  There  were  three  small  frame  houses,  the  others  being  made  of  logs. 
The  first  house  erected  in  the  place  was  a log-cabin,  twelve  by  fourteen  feet,  and 
was  offered  to  the  public  by  Amos  Andrews  as  a tavern. 

On  the  usual  road,  on  the  north  side  of  the  river,  between  Maumee  city  and 
Fort  Wayne,  thirty-five  years  ago  [1836],  after  leaving  the  former  place,  the  first 
house  the  traveller  would  meet  would  be  at  Waterville,  six  miles  above  Maumee 
city,  where  he  would  find  five  or  six  dwellings.  Passing  up  seven  or  eight  miles 
farther,  he  would  reach  the  tavern  of  Mr.  Tiehean,  a half-breed  Indian.  The 
next  house,  eighteen  miles  above,  would  be  in  a group  of  three  or  four,  standing 
at  Providence;  thence  he  would  reach  the  hospitable  house  of  Samuel  Vance, 
occupying  the  site  of  a farm  which  was  found  by  Wayne’s  army  in  a high  state 
of  cultivation,  in  1794,  and  which  was  then  known  as  Prairie  du  Masque,  and 
now  as  Damascus.  This  point  would  bring  the  traveller  twenty-seven  miles 
above  Maumee  city.  The  next  house,  about  two  miles  above  Damascus,  was  a 
tavern  and  trading-post  owned  by  John  Patrick.  Three  miles  above  this  the 
traveller  would  reach  Napoleon,  where  he  would  discover  the  settlers  above 
enumerated. 

^Hn  1871  there  were  five  church  buildings  in  Napoleon:  Presbyterian,  Meth- 
odist, Catholic,  Episcopalian,  and  German  Lutheran.  The  Sweden borgians  have 
also  a church  organization.  There  are  two  well-conducted  newspapers:  The 
Northwest,  by  L.  Orwig  & Co.,  and  the  Napoleon  Signal,  by  P.  B.  Ainger ; two 


HENRY  COUNTY. 


905 

banks:  the  First  National,  organized  February,  1872,  and  that  of  Sheffield  & 
Norton,  a private  institution,  established  in  1866.’^ — Knapp’s  Maumee  Valley. 

Napoleon,  the  county-seat,  about  105  miles  northwest  of  Columbus,  thirty- 
six  miles  southwest  of  Toledo,  is  on  the  Maumee  river,  Miami  and  Erie  canal, 
and  W.  St.  L.  & P.  R.  R.  County  Officers  for  1888  : Auditor,  George  Russell ; 
Clerk,  James  Donovan  ; Commissioners,  William  N.  Zierolf,  Andrew  J.  Saygers, 
George  Daum ; Coroner,  Conrad  Bitzer ; Infirmary  Directors,  Peter  Schall,  Ed- 
ward Dittmer,  Henry  Bostleman  ; Probate  Judge,  Michael  Donnelly ; Prosecut- 
ing Attorney,  James  B.  Ragan ; Recorder,  Thomas  W.  Durbin ; Sheriff,  Elbert 
T.  Barnes ; Surveyor,  Charles  N.  Schwab ; Treasurer,  James  C.  Waltimire.  City 
Officers,  1888:  Mayor,  John  Thiesen ; Clerk,  E.  C.  Dodd;  Treasurer,  Oliver 
Higgins ; Marshal,  Oscar  Rakestraw  ; Street  Commissioner,  Daniel  Hess.  News- 
papers : Democratic  Northicest,  Democratic,  L.  L.  Orwig,  editor  and  publisher ; 
Henry  County  Democrat,  German,  C.  F.  Clement,  editor  and  publisher ; Henry 
County  Signal,  Republican,  J.  P.  Belknap,  editor  and  publisher ; Catholic  Com- 
panion, Catholic  Juvenile,  Schmil  & Brennen,  editors  and  publishers.  Churches  : 
one  Methodist,  two  Lutheran,  one  Presbyterian,  one  Catholic,  one  Evangelical. 
Bank  : Meekison’s,  W.  H.  Brownell,  cashier ; J.  C.  Sauer  & Co. 

Manufactures  and  Employees. — A.  Bruner,  hoops,  47  hands ; Thiessen  & Hil- 
dred,  doors,  sash,  etc.,  8 ; Joseph  Shaff,  carriages,  etc.,  4 ; John  Miller,  carriages, 
etc.,  4 ; T.  Ludwig,  potash,  3 ; A.  J.  Saggers,  lumber,  4 ; M.  Britton,  boat  oars, 
etc.,  12  ; Napoleon  Woolen  Mills,  flannels,  blankets,  etc.,  25  ; C.  Vock,  flour,  etc., 
4 ; F.  Roessing,  beer,  5 ; J.  Koller  & Co.,  flour,  etc.,  6 ; C.  F.  Beard,  founder 
and  machinist,  5 ; Napoleon  Foundry,  castings,  5 ; Napoleon  Elevator,  grain  ele- 
vator, 2. — Ohio  State  Reports,  1887. 

Population,  1880,  3,032.  School  census,  1888,  1,053  ; W.  W.  Weaver,  school 
superintendent.  Capital  invested  in  industrial  establishments,  $119,000;  value 
of  annual  product,  $179,500. — Ohio  Labor  Statistics,  1887. 

In  our  original  edition  we  stated,  The  notorious  Simon  Girty  once  resided  five 
miles  above  Napoleon,  at  a place  still  called  ^ Girty’s  Point.’  His  cabin  was  on 
the  bank  of  the  Maumee,  a few  rods  west  of  the  residence  of  Mr.  Elijah  Gunn. 
All  traces  of  his  habitation  have  been  destroyed  by  culture,  and  a fine  farm  now 
surrounds  the  spot.” 

Our  authority  for  this  statement,  in  the  lapse  of  time,  it  is  now  impossible  to 
trace,  but  probably  some  old  pioneer  whom  we  interviewed.  It  is  now  known 
that  it  was  George  Girty,  the  brother  of  Simon,  that  resided  there.  He  was  an 
Indian  trader,  and  alike  infamous  in  character.  Opposite  the  spot  is  a beautiful 
island  of  about  forty  acres,  called  Girty’s  Island,  with  an  extremely  dense  growth 
of  vegetation.  Girty’s  cabin  and  trading-house  were  on  the  left  bank  of  the 
river,  and  it  was  said,  When  he  was  a])prehensive'  of  a surprise  he  would  retire 
to  the  island,  as  a tiger  to  his  jungle,  with  a sense  of  almost  absolute  security  from 
his  pursuers.” 

After  making  our  original  statement,  as  above  given,  we  followed  with  an  article 
upon  the  Girtys,  wliich  we  repeat  here  verbatim : 


Simon  Girty  was  from  Pennsylvania,  to 
which  his  father  had  emigrated  from  Ireland. 
The  old  man  was  beastly  intemperate,  and 
nothing  ranked  higher  in  his  estimation  than 
a jug  of  whisk.y.  “Grog  was  his  song,  and 
grog  would  he  have.”  His  sottishness  turned 
his  wife’s  affection.  Ready  for  seduction,  she 
yielded  her  heart  to  a neighboring  rustic, 
who,  to  remove  all  obstacles  to  their  wishes, 
knocked  Girty  on  the  head  and  bore  off  the 
trophy  of  his  prowess.  Four  sons  of  this 
interesting  couple  were  left,  Thomas,  Simon, 
George  and  James.  The  three  latter  were 


taken  prisoners,  in  Braddock’s  war,  by  the 
Indians.  George  was  adopted  by  the  Dela- 
wares, became  a ferocious  savage,  and  died 
in  a drunken  fit.  James  was  adopted  by  the 
Shawnese,  and  became  as  depraved  as  his 
other  brothers.  It  is  said,  he  often  visited 
Kentucky,  at  the  time  of  its  first  settlement, 
and  inflicted  most  barbarous  tortures  upon 
all  captive  women  who  came  within  his  reach. 
Traders  who  were  acquainted  with  him  say, 
so  furious  was  he,  that  he  would  not  have 
turned  on  his  heel  to  save  a prisoner  from 
the  flames.  To  this  monster  are  to  be  at- 


Gardner  & Son,  Photo. 


Girty’s  Island. 


Gardner  dk  Son,  Photo.,  1887. 


Napoleon. 


HENRY  COUNTY. 


90^ 


tributed  many  of  tbe  cruelties  charged  upon 
his  brother  Simon ; yet  he  was  caressefd  by 
Proctor  and  Elliott. 

Simon  was  adopted  by  the  Senecas,  and 
became  an  expert  hunter.  In  Kentucky  and 
Ohio  he  sustained  the  character  of  an  unre- 
lenting barbarian.  Sixty  years  ago,  with  his 
name  was  associated  everything  cruel  and 
fiendlike.  To  the  women  and  children,  in 
particular,  nothing  was  more  terrifying  than 
the  name  of  Simon  Grirty.  At  that  time  it 
was  believed  by  many  that  he  had  fled  from 
justice  and  sought  refuge  among  the  Indians, 
determined  to  do  his  countrymen  all  the  harm 
in  his  power.  This  impression  was  an  erro- 
neous one.  Being  adopted  by  the  Indians, 
he  joined  them  in  their  wars,  and  conformed 
to  their  usages.  This  was  the  education  he 
had  received,  and  their  foes  were  his.  Al- 
though trained  in  all  his  pursuits  as  an  In- 
dian, it  is  said  to  be  a fact  susceptible  of  proof 


that,  through  his  importunities,  many  pris- 
oners were  saved  from  death.  His  influence 
was  great,  and  when  he  chose  to  be  merciful, 
it  was  generally  in  his  power  to  protect  the 
imploring  captive.  His  reputation  was  that 
of  an  honest  man,  and  he  fulfilled  his  en- 
gagements to  the  last  cent.  It  is  said,  he 
once  sold  his  horse  rather  than  to  incur  the 
odium  of  violating  his  promise.  He  was  in- 
temperate, and,  when  intoxicated,  ferocious 
and  abusive  alike  of  friends  and  foes.  Al- 
though much  disabled  the  last  ten  years  of 
his  life,  by  rheumatism,  he  rode  to  his  hunt- 
ing grounds  in  pursuit  of  game.  Suffering 
the  most  excruciating  pain,  he  often  boasted 
of  his  warlike  spirit.  It  was  his  constant 
wish,  one  that  was  gratified,  that  he  might 
die  in  battle.  He  was  at  Proctor’s  defeat, 
and  was  cut  to  pieces  by  Col.  Johnson’s 
mounted  men. 


The  above  we  derive  from  CampbelFs  sketches.  We  have,  in  addition,  some 
anecdotes  and  facts  which  throw  doubt  over  the  character  of  Simon  Girty,  as  there 
given. 

In  September,  1777,  Girty  led  the  attack  on  Fort  Henry,  on  the  site  of  Wheel- 
ing, during  which  he  appeared  at  tlie  window  of  a cabin,  with  a white  flag,  and 
demanded  the  surrender  of  the  fort  in  the  name  of  his  Britannic  Majesty.  He 
read  the  proclamation  of  Governor  Hamilton,  and  promised  the  protection  of  the 
crown  if  they  would  lay  down  their  arms  and  swear  allegiance  to  the  king.  He 
warned  them  to  submit  peaceably,  and  admitted  his  inability  to  restrain  his  war- 
riors, when  excited  in  the  strife  of  battle.  Colonel  Shepherd,  the  commandant, 
promptly  replied,  that  they  would  never  surrender  to  /lim,  and  that  he  could  only 
obtain  possession  of  the  fort  when  there  remained  no  longer  an  American  soldier 
to  defend  it.  Girty  renewed  his  proposition,  but  it  was  abruptly  ended  by  a shot 
from  a thoughtless  youth,  and  Girty  retired  and  opened  the  siege,  which  proved 
unsuccessful.  Baker’s  station,  in  that  vicinity,  was  also  attacked,  not  far  from 
this  time,  by  Girty  and  his  band,  but  without  success. 

In  August,  1782,  a powerful  body  of  Indians,  led  by  Girty,  appeared  before 
Bryan’s  station,  in  Kentucky,  about  five  miles  from  Lexington.  The  Kentuck- 
ians made  such  a gallant  resistance  that  the  Indians  became  disheartened,  and  were 
about  abandoning  the  siege ; upon  this,  Girty,  thinking  he  might  frighten  the 
garrison  into  a surrender,  mounted  a stump,  within  speaking  distance,  and  com- 
menced a parley.  He  told  them  who  he  was,  that  he  looked  hourly  for  reinforce- 
ments with  cannon,  and  that  they  had  better  surrender  at  once  ; if  they  did  so,  no 
one  should  be  hurt ; but  otherwise,  he  feared  they  would  all  fall  victims.  The 
garrison  were  intimidated  ; but  one  young  man  named  Reynolds,  seeing  the  effect 
of  this  harangue,  and  believing  his  story,  as  it  was,  to  be  false,  of  his  own  accord 
answered  him  in  this  wise : You  need  not  be  so  particular  to  tell  us  your  name; 
we  know  your  name  and  you  too.  I’ve  had  a villanous,  untrustworthy  cur  dog 
this  long  while,  named  Simon  Girty,  in  compliment  to  you ; he’s  so  like  you — 
just  as  ugly  and  just  as  wicked.  As  to  the  cannon,  let  them  come  on ; the  coun- 
try’s roused,  and  the  scalps  of  your  red  cut-throats,  and  your  own  too,  will  be 
drying  on  our  cabins  in  twenty-four  hours ; and  if,  by  chance,  you  or  your  allies 
do  get  into  the  fort,  we’ve  a big  store  of  rods  laid  in,  on  purpose  to  scourge  you 
out  again.”  This  method  of  Reynolds  was  effectual ; the  Indians  withdrew, 
and  were  pursued  a few  days  after,  the  dcf(HKlers  of  the  fort  being  reinforced,  to 
the  Blue  Licks,  where  the  Indians  lay  in  ambusli  and  defeated  the  Kentuckians 
with  great  slaughter.  Girty  was  also  at  St.  Clair’s  defeat  and  led  the  attack  on 
Colerain. 


HENRY  COUNTY. 


go8 


Dr.  Knight,  in  his  narrative  of  his  (3aptivitj,  and  burning  of  Colonel  Crawford 
(see  Wyandot  County),  speaks  of  the  cruelty  of  Simon  Girty  to  the  colonel  and 
himself.  Colonel  John  Johnson  corroborates  the  account  of  Dr.  Knight.  In  a 
communication  before  us  he  says  : He  was  notorious  for  his  cruelty  to  the  whites 
who  fell  into  the  hands  of  the  Indians.  His  cruelty  to  the  unfortunate  Colonel 
Crawford  is  well  known  to  myself,  and  although  I did  not  witness  the  tragedy,  I 
can  vouch  for  the  facts  of  the  case,  having  had  them  from  eye-witnesses.  When 
that  brave  and  unfortunate  commander  was  suffering  at  the  stake  by  a slow  fire, 
in  order  to  lengthen  his  misery  to  the  longest  possible  time,  he  besought  Girty  to 
have  him  shot,  to  end  his  torments,  when  the  monster  mocked  him  by  firing  pow- 
der without  ball  at  him.  Crawford  and  Girty  had  been  intimately  acquainted  in 
the  early  settlement  of  Pennsylvania  ; I knew  a brother  of  the  latter  at  Pittsburg 
in  1793.^^ 

When  Simon  Kenton  was  taken  prisoner,  his  life  was  saved  through  the  inter- 
position of  Girty.  (See  a sketch  of  Kenton  in  Champaign  County.) 


Mr.  Daniel  M.  Workman,  now  living  in 
Logan  county,  gave  us  orally  the  following 
respecting  the  last  years  of  Girty.  In  1813 
(1816),  said  he,  I went  to  Malden  and  put  up 
at  a hotel  kept  by  a Frenchman.  I noticed 
in  the  bar-room  a gray-headed  and  blind  old 
man.  The  landlady,  who  was  his  daughter, 
a woman  of  about  thirty  years  of  age,  in- 
quired of  me,  ‘ ‘ Do  you  know  who  that  is  ? ” 
pointing  to  the  old  man.  On  my  replying, 
“ No  ! ” she  rejoined,  ‘‘  It  is  Simon  Girty 
He  had  then  been  blind  about  four  years. 


In  1815  I returned  to  Malden  and  ascertained 
that  Girty  had  died  a short  time  previous. 
Simon  Kenton  informed  me  that  dirty  left 
the  whites,  because  he  was  not  promoted  to 
the  command  of  a company  or  a battalion. 
I was  also  so  informed  by  my  father-in-law, 
who  was  taken  prisoner  by  the  Indians. 
Girty  was  a man  of  extraordinary  strength, 
power  of  endurance,  courage  and  sagacity. 
He  was  in  height  about  5 feet  10  inches  and 
strongly  made. 


Oliver  M.  Spencer,  wdio  was  taken  prisoner  by  the  Indians  while  a youth  in 
1792,  in  his  narrative  of  his  captivity  makes  some  mention  of  the  Girtys.  While 
at  Defiance,  the  old  Indian  priestess,  Cooh-coo-Cheeli,  with  whom  he  lived,  took 
him  to  a Shawnee  village,  a short  distance  below,  on  a visit.  There  he  saw  the 
celebrated  chief,  Blue  Jacket,  and  Simon  Girty,  of  whom  he  speaks  as  follows : 


One  of  the  visitors  of  Blue  Jacket  (the 
Snake)  was  a plain,  grave  chief  of  sage  ap- 
pearance ; the  other,  Simon  Girty,  whether 
it  was  from  prejudice,  associating  with  his 
look  the  fact  that  he  was  a renegado,  the 
murderer  of  his  own  countrymen,  racking 
his  diabolic  invention  to  inflict  new  and 
more  excruciating  tortures,  or  not,  his  dark, 
shaggj’’  hair,  his  low  forehead,  his  brows  con- 
tracted, and  meeting  above  his  short  flat 
nose ; his  gray  sunken  eyes,  averting  the 
ingenious  gaze  ; his  lips  thin  and  compressed, 
and  the  dark  and  sinister  expression  of  his 
countenance,  to  me,  seemed  the  very  picture 
of  a villain.  He  wore  the  Indian  costume, 
but  without  any  ornament ; and  his  silk 
handkerchief,  while  it  supplied  the  place  of  a 
hat,  hid  an  unsightly  wound  in  his  forehead. 
On  each  side,  in  his  belt,  was  stuck  a silver- 
mounted  pistol,  and  at  his  left  hung  a short 
broad  dirk,  serving  occasionally  the  uses  of 
a knife.  He  made  of  me  many  inquiries; 
some  about  my  family,  and  the  particulars 
of  my  captivity  ; but  more  of  the  strength 
of  the  different  garrisons  ; the  number  of 


American  troops  at  Fort  Washington,  and 
whether  the  President  intended  soon  to  send 
another  army  against  the  Indians.  He  spoke 
of  the  wrongs  he  had  received  at  the  hands 
of  his  countrymen,  and  with  fiendish  exulta- 
tion of  the  revenge  he  had  taken.  He  boasted 
of  his  exploits,  of  the  number  of  his  victories, 
and  of  his  personal  prowess  ; then  raising 
his  handkerchief,  and  exhibiting  the  deep 
wound  in  his  forehead  (which  I was  after- 
wards told  was  inflicted  by  the  tomahawk  of 
the  celebrated  Indian  chief,  Brandt,  in  a 
drunken  frolic)  said  it  was  a sabre  cut,  which 
he  received  in  battle  at  St.  Clair’s  defeat; 
adding  with  an  oath,  that  he  had  “sent  the 

d d Yankee  officer”  that  gave  it  “to 

h 1.”  He  ended  by  telling  me  that  1 

would  never  see  home  : but  if  I should  turn 
out  to  be  a good  hunter  and  a brave  warrior, 
I might  one  day  be  a chief  His  presence 
and  conversation  having  rendered  my  situa- 
tion painful,  I was  not  a little  relieved  when, 
a few  hours  after  ending  our  visit,  we 
returned  to  our  quiet  lodge  on  the  bank  of 
the  Maumee. 


Just  before  Sj^encer  was  liberated  from  captivity,  he  had  an  interview  with 
James  Girty,  and  not  a very  pleasant  one  either,  judging  from  his  narration  of  it. 


HENRY  COUNTY.  . 


Elliot  ordered  Joseph  to  take  me  over  to 
James  Grirty’s,  where  he  said  our  breakfast 
would  be  provided.  Girty’s  wife  soon  fur- 
nished us  with  some  coffee,  wheat  bread,  and 
stewed  pork  and  venison,  of  which  (it  being 
so  much  better  than  the  food  to  which  I had 
been  lately  accustomed)  I ate  with  great  gout ; 
but  I had  not  more  than  half  breakfasted, 
when  Girty  came  in,  and  seating  himself  op- 
posite me,  said,  “So,  my  young  Yankee, 
you’re  about  to  start  for  home.  ’ ’ I answered, 
“Yes,  sir,  I hope  so.”  That,  he  said,  would 
depend  on  my  master,  in  whose  kitchen  he 
had  no  doubt  I should  first  serve  a few  years’ 
apprenticeship  as  a scullion.  Then,  taking 
his  knife,  said  (while  sharpening  it  on  a 

We  finished  this  notice  of  the  Girtys 
Jonathan  Alder  (then  in  my  possession), 
by  no  means  wholly  destitute  of  kind  feel 


909 

whet-stone),  “ I see  your  ears  are  whole  yet( 
but  I’m  d — n — y mistaken  if  you  leave  this 
without  the  Indian  ear  mark,  that  we  may 
know  you  when  we  catch  you  again.”  I did 
not  wait  to  prove  whether  he  was  in  jest,  or  in 
downright  earnest ; but  leaving  my  breakfast 
half  finished,  I instantly  sprang  from  the 
table,  leaped  out  of  the  door,  and  in  a few 
seconds  took  refuge  in  Mr.  Ironside’s  house. 
On  learning  the  cause  of  my  flight,  Elliot 
uttered  a sardonic  laugh,  deriding  my  un- 
founded childish  fears,  as  he  was  pleased  to 
term  them ; but  Ironside  looked  serious, 
shaking  his  head,  as  if  he  had  no  doubt  that 
if  I had  remained,  Girty  would  have  executed 
his  threat. 

by  a brief  extract  from  the  MSS.  of 
who  knew  Simon — showing  that  he  was 
ings. 


I knew  Simon  Girty  to  purchase  at  his  educated.  He  was  certainly  a friend  to  many 
own  expense  several  boys  who  were  prisoners,  prisoners, 

take  them  to  the  British  and  have  them 

This  finishes  our  original  account  of  the  three  Girtys,  viz.,  Simon,  James  and 
George.  Simon  was  dhe  leading  one  of  these  renegades.  It  was  his  name 
especially  that  during  the  Revolution  struck  terror  in  every  backwoods  cabin  in 
Pennsylvania  and  Virginia.  The  annals  of  that  period  were  so  full  of  conflict- 
ing statements  in  regard  to  them,  while  their  lives  from  boyhood  to  old  age  were 
to  a large  extent  so  tragically  romantic,  as  to  lead  the  historian,  Consul  Willshire 
Butterfield,  to  devote  his  leisure  moments  to  obtain  a full  and  correct  history  of 
them  so  far  as  it  was  possible  to  obtain  it  at  this  late  day.  The  result  is  the 
publication  of  a large  octavo  volume  of  over  400  pages,  History  of  the  Girtys  : 
A Life  Record  of  the  Three  Renegades  of  the  Revolution,’’  Cincinnati,  Robert 
Clarke  & Co.,  1890.  The  book  will  greatly  enhance  his  reputation  ^^as  a most 
industrious  gatherer  of  information  and  as  a forcible  writer  of  history.”  From 
his  work  these  statements  are  gathered  and  are  reliable. 

Simon  Girty,  Sr.,  was  an  Irishman  who  settled  on  the  borders  of  Pennsyl- 
vania, and  became  an  Indian  trader.  About  1737  he  married  Mary  Newton,  an 
English  girl,  by  whom  he  had  four  children,  all  sons,  viz. : Thomas,  born  in 
1739;  Simon,  in  1741;  James,  in  1743;  and  George,  1745.  In  1751  Simon, 
Sr.,  was  killed  in  a drunken  frolic  in  his  own  house,  by  an  Indian  named  ^^The 
Fish.”  John  Turner,  who  lived  with  Girty,  avenged  his  murder  by  killing 
^^The  Fish.” 

Two  years  later  Turner  married  Mrs.  Girty,  who  was  a reputable  woman.  In 
August,  1756,  the  year  after  Braddock’s  defeat.  Turner  with  his  family  were  in 
Fort  Granville,  a stockade,  on  the  Juniata,  which  was  taken  by  the  French  and 
Indians,  and  Turner,  wife  and  children  were  carried  into  captivity.  Turner, 
according  to  tradition,  was  recognized  as  the  slayer  of  ^‘The  Fish,”  and  his  fate 
was  sealed,  and  on  their  arrival  at  Kittaning  he  was  doomed  to  death.  They 
tied  him  to  a black  post ; danced  around  him ; made  a great  fire ; and  having 
heated  gun  barrels  red  hot,  ran  them  through  his  body ! Having  tormented  him 
for  three  hours  they  scalped  him  alive,  and  at  last  held  up  a boy  with  a hatchet 
to  give  him  the  finishing  stroke.”  Mrs.  Turner  and  her  four  children  were  com- 
pelled to  witness  the  horrid  scene. 

The  family  were  soon  separated.  Mrs.  Turner  and  an  infant  son  by  John 
Turner  were  claimed  by  the  Delawares,  and  first  taken  to  Fort  Duquesne,  the 
infant  baptized  there  by  a Recollect  priest,  Denys  Baron,  and  later  carried  into 
the  wilderness.  Thomas  Girty,  the  oldest  son,  soon  after  escaped,  and  ever  lived 


. HENRY  COUNTY. 

a useful  life.  He  raised  a family  and  died  on  Girty’s  Hun,  near  Pittsburg,  in 
1820. 

The  three  remaining  boys  were  adopted  by  the  savages — Simon,  then  fifteen 
years  old,  going  with  the  Senecas ; James,  then  thirteen  years,  by  the  Shawanese  5 
and  George,  then  eleven  years,  by  the  Delawares.  They  with  their  mother  and 
her  infant  John  Turner  remained  with  the  Indians  three  years,  until  1759,  when 
as  a result  of  a treaty  with  the  Indians  all  their  prisoners  were  brought  to  Pitts- 
burg and  surrendered. 

Simon  was  at  this  time  eighteen  years  of  age,  and  became  to  a certain  extent  a 
man  of  influence.  He  was  illiterate,  never  having  learned  to  read  or  write. 
For  about  thirteen  years  after  his  return  his  employment  to  a great  extent  was 
that  of  Indian  interpreter.  James  worked  as  a common  laborer  and  sometimes 
as  an  interpreter  for  the  traders.  George  for  a time  traded  with  the  Indians  on  his 
own  account.  While  living  with  the  Indians  the  Girtys  were  kindly  treated. 
Having  been  taken  at  a tender  age  it  was  natural  for  them  to  have  become 
attached  to  those  simple  children  of  nature,  who  had  many  virtues. 

In  the  Dunmore  expedition,  in  the  fall  of  1776,  Simon  Girty  acted  as  seout, 
and  accompanied  John  Gibson  in  his  celebrated  interview  with  the  Mingo  chief, 
Logan.  (See  Pickaway  County.)  Girty  from  recollection  translated  LogaiVs 
speech  to  Gibson,  and  ^^  the  latter  put  it  into  excellent  English,  as  he  was 
abundantly  capable  of  doing.’^ 

In  the  war  of  the  Hevolution,  up  to  February,  1778,  Simon  Girty  had  sided  with 
the  Whigs.  On  the  night  of  March  28  seven  persons  secretly  absconded  from 
Fort  Pitt  for  the  Indian  country,  on  their  way  to  Detroit,  to  join  there  Lieut.- 
Governor  Hamilton,  the  British  commandant.  Three  of  these  eventually  became 
notorious  allies  of  the  enemy.  They  were  Simon  Girty,  Matthew  Elliot,  an 
Indian  trader,  Irish  by  birth,  and  Captain  Alexander  McKee,  also  Indian  trader, 
a native  of  Pennsylvania.  On  their  way  they  stopped  first  among  the  Dela- 
wares at  Coshocton,  then  at  the  Shawnee  towns  on  the  Scioto,  near  the  site  of 
Circleville.  They  met  there  James  Girty,  who  was  engaged  in  trade  with  the 
Indians,  and  easily  persuaded  him  to  espouse  the  British  cause,  to  remain  with 
the  Shawanese,  and  to  help  those  of  the  tribe  who  were  yet  wavering  from  all 
thoughts  of  peace  with  the  United  States.  James  then  appropriated  presents 
that  had  been  intrusted  to  him  by  government  for  the  Indians.  On  their  arrival 
all  three,  Simon  Girty,  McKee  and  Elliot,  entered  the  British  Indian  Department 
under  regular  pay,  Simon  Girty  as  interpreter  for  the  Six  Nations,  at  two  dollars 
per  day.  His  brother  James  joined  him  a few  months  later,  and  both  from  that 
time  forth  were  devoted  to  the  British  interest.  They  were  sent  by  Hamilton  to 
live  with  the  savages  in  the  Ohio  wilderness,  Simon  to  the  Mingoes,  and  James 
to  the  Shawanese,  to  do  the  best  possible  service  in  interpreting  or  fighting. 

George  Girty  was  at  this  time  a Lieutenant  in  the  Continental  army  ; a year 
later.  May  4, 1779,  he  deserted*  to  the  British,  and  made  his  way  to  Detroit,  where 
he  entered  the  Indian  Department  as  interpreter,  and  was  sent  to  the  Shawanese, 
with  headquarters  at  Wapatomica.  There  is  reason  to  believe  that  the  Girtys 
when  joining  Hamilton  at  Detroit  had  no  idea  of  going  upon  the  war  path  with 
the  Indians;  but  Hamilton  eventually  required  this  of  them,  and  they  most 
ferociously  performed  that  duty. 

Simon,  a poor,  ignorant  young  man,  had  been  persuaded  to  desert  the  American 
cause  by  McKee  and  Elliot,  men  of  education  and  influence.  That  his  brothers 
should  have  joined  him  was  natural,  considering  the  attachment  they  had  formed 
to  the  Indians,  and  for  a wild,  free  life,  united  to  the  influence  in  general  of  an 
older  brother. 

The  statement  that  has  gone  into  history,  that  in  September,  1777,  Girty  led  the 
attack  on  Fort  Henry,  on  the  site  of  AVheeling,  and  demanded  the  surrender  of 
the  fort  in  the  name  of  his  British  Majesty,  is  a fiction,  for  the  Girtys  did  not 
enter  the  British  service  until  1778.  In  1782  there  was  a second  and  incon- 


HENRY  COUNTY, 


911 

sequential  attack  on  Fort  Henry.  James  Girty  was  present,  but  he  had  no  com- 
mand of  the  savages. 

The  incidents  of  the  attack  on  Bryan’s  Station,  in  Kentucky,  in  August,  1782, 
are  given  as  originally  published  about  1835,  in  McClung’s  Sketches  of  Western 
Adventure,”  but  it  was  under  the  command  of  Captain  Caldwell,  not  of  Simon 
Girty,  although  Girty  was  with  him.  There  is  strong  evidence  adduced  by 
Butterfield  to  show  that  there  was  no  cessation  of  the  attack  when  begun,  and 
that  the  bantering  scene  between  young  Reynolds  and  Girty  was  purely  fiction. 

The  remainder  of  my  account  of  the  Girty s must  be  correct,  including  the  tes- 
timony of  Col.  Johnson,  Oliver  M.  Spencer,  and  my  interview  with  Daniel  Me 
Workman,  and  the  extract  from  the  MSS.  of  Jonathan  Alder,  which  last  I had 
in  my  personal  possession  and  copied  from  just  forty-four  years  ago.  Butterfield 
states  that  it  must  have  been  in  1816  and  not  1813  that  Workman  saw  Simon 
Girty  at  Malden,  as  he  was  not  there  at  that  date,  although  there  before  and  after. 
In  1784  Simon  married  Catherine  Malott,  a white  girl,  who  had  been  captured  on 
the  Ohio  in  1780.  He  eventually  took  up  his  residence  just  below  Malden,  where 
he  died,  in  February,  1818,  and  was  buried  on  his  farm,  on  land  given  him  by 
the  British  government  for  his  loyalty.  British  soldiers  from  Malden  fired  a 
salute  over  his  grave.  Simon  was  about  five  feet  nine  inches  in  stature,  eyes  black 
and  piercing,  and  in  his  prime  very  agile. 

George  Girty  married  a Delaware  Indian  woman,  and  in  his  latter  days  was  an 
habitual  drunkard.  He  died  at  a trading-post  on  the  Maumee,  belonging  to  his 
brother  James,  about  two  miles  below  Fort  Wayne,  just  before  the  war  of  1812. 
James  married  Betsy,  an  Indian  woman  of  the  Shawnees.  Before  the  war  he 
gave  up  his  business  and  retired  to  his  land  at  Gosfield,  Canada.  He  was  tall  in 
person,  temperate  in  his  habits,  and  had  acquired  by  trading  considerable  prop- 
erty, beside  receiving  large  donations  in  land  from  the  British.  His  general  rep- 
utation for  cruelty  was  on  a par  with  that  of  his  brothers. 

Deshler  is  situated  at  the  crossing  of  the  B.  & O.,  D.  & M.  and  McC.  D.  & 
T.  Railroads,  37  miles  south  of  Toledo  and  18  miles  southeast  of  Napoleon.  It 
has  1 newspaper : Flag,,  neutral,  W.  H.  Mitchell,  editor  and  proprietor.  Three 
churches : 1 Methodist  Episcopal,  1 Catholic,  and  1 Free  Methodist.  Factories 
and  employees : A.  W.  Lee,  heading  and  staves,  90 ; J,  P.  Gates,  potash,  2 ; Ball 
& Smith,  lumber  and  pickets,  16  ; A.  A.  Luber,  machinery  and  molding,  6 ; 
Mitchell  & Widner,  lumber,  tile  and  feed,  10  ; Heidelbach  & Bros.,  tobacco  boxes, 
etc.,  8. — State  Report,  1888,  Population  in  1880,  752.  School  census,  1888, 
389  ; H.  G.  Gardner,  superintendent. 

Liberty  Centre  is  7 miles  northeast  of  Napoleon  and  29  miles  southwest  of 
Toledo  via  W.  St.  L.  & P.  Railroad,  It  has  1 newspaper : Press,  Independent, 
J.  H.  Smith  and  D.  S.  Mires,  proprietors.  Four  churches : 1 Methodist  Episco- 
pal, 1 German  Reformed,  1 Adventist,  and  1 United  Brethren.  Population  in 
1880,  504. 

Holgate  is  10  miles  south  of  Napoleon  and  42  miles  southwest  of  Toledo,  at 
the  crossing  of  the  T.  C.  & St.  L.  and  B.  & O.  Railroads,  It  has  1 newspaper : 
Times,  Independent,  W.  E.  Decker,  editor  and  publisher.  Four  churches : 1 
Methodist  Episcopal,  1 Presbyterian,  1 Lutheran,  and  1 Catholic.  Factories  and 
employees:  Chris.  E.  Whitlock,  lumber,  10;  Shelly  & Bros.,  hoops  and  staves, 
60 ; Bray  Bros.,  staves  and  heading,  40 ; G.  Laubenthal,  lumber,  etc.,  1C. — State 
Report,  1888.  Population  in  1880,  595.  School  census,  1886,  353 ; W.  E< 
Decker,  superintendent. 


912 


HIGHLAND  COUNTY. 


HIGHLAOT). 

Highland  County  was  formed  in  May,  1805,  from  Ross,  Adams  and  Cler- 
mont, and  so  named  because  on  the  highlands  between  the  Scioto  and  the  Little 
Miami.  The  surface  is  part  rolling  and  part  level,  and  the  soil  various.  As  a 
whole  it  is  a wealtliy  and  productive  county.  Area  about  470  square  miles.  In 
1887  the  acres  cultivated  were  119,588  ; in  pasture,  128,380;  woodland,  54,430; 
lying  waste,  4,728  ; produced  in  wheat,  323,884  bushels;  rye,  3,434;  buckwheat, 
47  ; oats,  134,249  ; barley,  796  ; corn,  1,192,567  ; broom  corn,  10,095  lbs.  brush  ; 
meadow  hay,  19,965  tons  ; clover  hay,  1,952;  potatoes,  24,083  bushels;  tobacco, 
25,940  lbs.;  butter,  560,802  lbs.;  cheese,  150;  sorghum,  4,044  gallons;  maple 
syrup,  6,486;  honey,  2,748  lbs.;  eggs,  598,205  dozen;  grapes,  5,100  lbs.; 
wine,  16  gallons;  sweet  potatoes,  2,464  bushels;  apples,  2,132;  peaches,  760; 
pears,  327  ; wool,  88,442  lbs.;  milch  cows  owned,  6,536.  School  census,  1888, 
9,189;  teachers,  256.  Miles  of  railroad  track,  50. 


Townships  and  Census.  1840. 

1880. 

Townships  and  Census. 

1840. 

1880. 

Brush  Creek, 

1,502 

1,651 

Marshall, 

811 

Clay, 

783 

1,449 

New  Market, 

1,302 

1,080 

Concord, 

1,014 

1,235 

Paint, 

2,560 

2,476 

Dodson, 

795 

1,871 

Penn, 

1,507 

Fairfield, 

3,544 

2,470 

Salem, 

1,004 

1,144 

Hamer, 

1,051 

Union, 

1,089 

1,453 

Jackson, 

2,352 

942 

Washington, 

944 

Liberty, 

Madison, 

3,521 

1,916 

5,381 

3,568 

White  Oak, 

887 

1,248 

Population  in 

Highland  in 

1820  was  12,308  ; in  1830,  16,347 

; 1840, 

22,269  ; 

1860,  27,773  ; 1880,  30,281,  of  whom  26,373  were  born  in  Ohio ; 1,120  in  Vir- 
ginia ; 527  in  Pennsylvania;  367  in  Kentucky;  134  in  Indiana;  123  in  New 
York  ; 382  in  Ireland  ; 214  in  German  Empire ; 156  in  France ; 64  in  England 
and  Wales;  51  in  Scotland,  and  21  in  British  America.  Census,  1890,  29,048. 

This  county  was  first  settled  about  the  year  1801  ; the  principal  part  of  the 
early  settlers  were  from  Virginia  and  North  Carolina,  many  of  whom  were 
Friends.  The  first  settlement  was  made  in  the  vicinity  of  New  Market,  by 
Oliver  Ross,  Robert  Huston,  Geo.  W.  Barrere  and  others.  Among  the  settlers 
of  the  county  was  Bernard  Weyer,  the  discoverer  of  the  noted  cave  in  Virginia, 
known  as  Weyer’s  cave,^’  who  is  yet  living  on  the  rocky  fork  of  Paint  creek. 
Tlie  celebrated  pioneer  and  hunter,  Simon  Kenton,  made  a trace  through  this 
county,  which  passed  through  or  near  the  site  of  Hillsboro' : it  is  designated  in 
various  land  titles  as  Kenton's  Trace."  The  fight  between  Simon  Kenton  with 
a party  of  whites  and  another  of  Indians  under  Tecumseh  took  place  in  what  is 
now  Dodson  township,  south  of  Lynchburg,  as  described  in  full  in  Vol.  I.,  page 
328,  of  this  work. 

Hillsborough  in  184-6. — Hillsborough,  the  county-seat,  is  on  the  dividing  ridge 
between  the  Miami  and  Scioto,  in  a remarkably  healthy  situation,  sixty-two  miles 
south  from  Columbus,  and  thirty-six  westerly  from  Chillicothe.  It  was  laid  out 
as  the  seat  of  justice  in  1807,  on  land  of  Benjamin  Ellicott,  of  Baltimore,  the 
site  being  selected  by  David  Hays,  the  commissioner  appointed  for  that  purpose. 
Prior  to  this,  the  seat  of  justice  was  at  New  Market,  although  the  greater  part  of 
the  population  of  Highland  was  north  and  east  of  Hillsborough.  The  original 
town  plat  comprised  200  acres,  100  of  which  Mr.  Ellicott  gave  to  the  county, 
and  sold  the  remainder  at  $2  per  acre.  It  contains  1 Presbyterian,  1 Methodist, 
and  1 Baptist  ehurch,  2 newspaper  printing  offices,  14  stores,  and  had  m 1840, 


HIGHLAND  COUNTY. 


9^3 


868  inhabitants.  It  is  a neat  village,  the  tone  of  society  elevated,  and  its  in- 
habitants disposed  to  foster  the  literary  institutions  situated  here. 

The  Hillsborough  academy  was  founded  in  1827  ; its  first  teacher  was  the  Rev. 
J.  McD.  Mathews.  A charter  was  obtained  shortly  after,  and  the  funds  of  the 
institution  augmented  by  two  valuable  tracts,  comprising  2,000  acres,  given  by 
Maj.  Adam  Hoops  and  the  late  Hon.  John  Brown,  of  Kentucky.  A handsome 
brick  building  has  been  purchased  by  its  trustees,  on  a beautiful  eminence  near 
the  town,  which  is  devoted  to  the  purposes  of  the  institution.  It  has  the  nucleus 
for  a fine  library,  and  ere  long  will  possess  an  excellent  philosophical  and  chemical 
apparatus.  It  isbiow  very  flourishing,  and  has  a large  number  of  pupils  ; the 
classical  and  mathematical  courses  are  as  thorough  and  extensive,  as  any  college 
in  the  West;’^  instruction  is  also  given  in  other  branches  usually  taught  in  col- 
leges. Especial  attention  is  given  to  training  young  men  as  teachers.  It  is  under 
the  charge  of  Isaac  Sams,  Esq.  The  Oakland  female  seminary,  a chartered  in- 
stitution, was  commenced  in  1839,  by  the  Rev.  J.  McD.  Mathews,  who  has  still 
charge  of  it.  It  now  has  over  100  pupils,  and  is  in  exeel  lent  repute.  Diplomas 
are  conferred  upon  its  graduates.  The  academy  is  beautifully  located  in  the  out- 
skirts of  the  village,  and  is  well  furnished  with  maps,  apparatus,  etc.,  and  has  a 
small  library. — Old  Edition. 

Hillsborough,  county-seat  of  Highland,  about  60  miles  southwest  of  Colum- 
bus, 61  miles  east  of  Cincinnati,  is  at  the  terminus  of  the  Hillsborough  branch  of 
the  C.  W.  & B.  Railroad,  and  on  the  O.  & N.  W.  Railroad. 

County  Officers,  1888  : Auditor,  George  W.  Lefevre;  Clerk,  John  H.  Keech; 
Commissioners,  John  M.  Foust,  Isaac  Larkin,  George  W.  Miller;  Coroner,  R. 
A.  Brown  ; Infirmary  Directors,  E.  V.  Grim,  Richard  Crosen,  George  W.  Smith  ; 
Probate  Judge,  Le  Roy  Kelly;  Prosecuting  Attorney,  J.  B.  Worley;  Recorder, 
Samuel  N.  Patton ; Sheriff,  M.  S.  Mackerly ; Surveyor,  Nathaniel  Massie ; 
Treasurer,  E.  O.  Hetherington.  City  Officers,  1888:  A.  Harman,  Mayor;  W. 
H.  Ayres,  Clerk ; G.  W.  Rhoades,  Marshal ; James  Reece,  Treasurer ; D.  Q. 
Morrow,  Solicitor ; Patrick  McCabe,  Superintendent  of  Public  Works. 

Newspapers  : Gazette,  Democratic,  A.  E.  Hough,  editor.  Hough  & Dittey,  pub- 
lishers ; News-Herald,  Republican,  Neivs-Herald  Publishing  Company,  editors 
and  publishers.  Churches : 1 Protestant  Episcopal,  2 Methodist  Episcopal,  1 
Presbyterian,  1 Baptist,  1 Catholic,  1 Wesleyan  Methodist  (colored),  1 Baptist 
(colored).  Banks : Citizens’  National,  C.  M.  Overman,  president ; O.  S.  Price, 
cashier.  First  National,  John  A.  Smith,  president ; L.  S.  Smith,  cashier.  Mer- 
chants’ National,  Henry  Strain,  president ; E.  L.  Ferris,  cashier. 

Manufactures  and  Employees : Carroll  & Downham,  carriages,  etc.,  20 ; J.  S. 
Ellifritz  & Co.,  blankets,  etc.,  13 ; J.  W.  Pence,  building  material,  5 ; Enterprise 
Planing  Mill,  doors,  sash,  etc.,  8 ; Evans  & McGuire,  flour,  etc.,  5 ; C.  S.  Bell  & 
Co.,  bells,  etc.,  60 ; Richards  & Ay  re,  flour,  etc.,  3 ; J.  M.  Boyd  & Co.,  flour, 
etc.,  21 ; C.  A.  Roush  & Co.,  lumber,  7. — State  Report,  1888. 

Population,  1880,  3,234.  School  census,  1888,  1080;  Samuel  Major,  school 
superintendent.  Capital  invested  in  manufacturing  establishments,  $85,500. 
Value  of  annual  product,  $90,350. — Ohio  Labor  Statistics,  1888.  Census, 
1890,  3,645. 

The  site  of  Hillsborough  is  commanding.  It  stands  like  Rome  ^^on  seven 
hills,”  753  feet  above  the  Ohio,  and  with  beautiful  surroundings.  It  has  an  ex- 
cellent public  library  of  6,000  volumes,  supported  by  town  taxation.  Its  people 
possess  a high  reputation  for  culture ; a natural  consequence  of  its  long-enjoyed 
advantages  as  an  educational  centre.  Here  are  located  the  Highland  Institute,” 
the  ‘‘  Hillsborough  Conservatory  of  Music,”  Rev.  G.  R.  Beecher,  president,  with 
nineteen  teachers  in  music,  art,  and  elocution,  and  one  hundred  and  eighty-one 
pupils;  also  the  Hillsborough  College,  which  admits  pupils  of  both  sexes.  It 
has  a faculty  of  sixteen  members,  J.  14.  McKenzie,  president ; its  entire  course 
occupying  four  years.  It  has  a gymnasium  and  a military  department,  under 


914 


HIGHLAND  COUNTY, 


Major  Wm.  E.  Arnold,  by  which  ^‘stooping  forms  become  erect,  narrow  chests 
expanded,  and  the  whole  bearing  more  manly.” 

As  is  natural  on  such  a spot  some  of  its  citizens  have  ventured  into  the  realms 
of  authorship,  viz. : Henry  S.  Doggett,  by  a biography  of  Prof.  Isaac  Sams ; 
Samuel  P.  Scott,  by  Travels  in  Spain, elegant  in  illustrations,  accurate  and 
full  in  its  facts  Ohas.  H.  Collins,  of  the  Hillsborough  bar,  by  a book  of  poetry, 
Echoes  from  the  Highland  Hills  also  by  Highland  Hills  to  an  Emperor’s 
Tomb,”  combining  travels  with  poetry ; Henry  A.  Shepherd,  a lawyer  also,  in  a 
History  of  Ohio,”  which  was  only  partially  printed  when  he  suddenly  died 
broken-hearted.  His  history  in  connection  with  that  work  is  sad ; his  materials, 
after  years  of  industry,  having  been  twice  destroyed  by  fire.  Another  author  of 
great  promise  was  Hugh  S.  McNicol,  who  died  young  of  consumption.  Otway 
Curry,  journalist  and  poet,  was  born  in  Greenfield,  this  county,  in  1804 ; and  Pev. 
Jas.  B.  Finley,  who  wrote  books,  was  one  of  the  first  settlers,  married  here,  and 
began  life  as  a liunter. 


The  Women’s  Temperance  Crusade. 

In  1873  there  was  inaugurated  at  Hillsborough,  Ohio,  the  most  remarkable 
movement  against  intemperance  in  the  history  of  the  world.  Unique  in  its 
methods,  widespread  in  its  results ; and  although  a failure,  as  regards  its  direct 
purpose,  nevertheless  it  accomplished  much  good,  and  advanced  public  sentiment 
toward  the  reformation  of  the  great  evils  of  the  vice  of  intemperance. 

It  had  its  origin  in  an  address  delivered  in  Hillsborough,  on  December  23, 
1873,  at  Music  Hall,  by  Dr.  Dio  Lewis,  before  a large  audience.  The  lecture  was 
an  eloquent  and  effective  appeal.  Dr.  Lewis  graphically  portrayed  the  misery  of 
his  childhood  home,  caused  by  an  intemperate  father.  In  the  New  York  village 
in  which  his  parents  resided,  many  of  the  fathers  were  intemperate  and  neglected 
their  families,  which  were  supported  by  the  wives  and  children,  who  worked  in 
mills  and  factories.  He  told  how  his  mother,  driven  to  desperation,  started  and 
led  a movement  in  which  most  of  the  women  of  the  village  participated. 


These  women  met  in  the  village  church, 
appealed  to  God  to  aid  them  and  crown  their 
efforts  with  success  ; and,  kneeling  before  the 
altar,  solemnly  pledged  themselves  to  perse- 
vere until  victory  was  won.  Their  plan  of 
operations  was  to  go  in  a body  to  the  liquor- 
sellers,  appeal  to  their  better  nature  to  cease 
a traffic  that  was  carrying  sorrow,  degrada; 
tion,  and  poverty  to  so  many  of  their  homes. 
The  movement  was  successful,  and  the  sale 
of  liquor  stopped  in  that  village. 

I)r.  Lewis  appealed  to  the  women  of  Hills- 
borough to  do  likewise.  He  then  asked  if 
they  were  in  favor  of  trying  the  experiment 
there,  and  received  a unanimous  affirmative 
response.  All  who  were  willing  to  act  as  a 
committee  to  visit  the  liquor-dealers  were  re- 
quested to  rise,  and  more  than  fifty  promptly 
rose. 

A committee  of  fifty  leading  citizens  was 
formed  to  aid  the  women  by  moral  and  finan- 
cial support.  More  than  $1 2,000  was  pledged. 

Next  morning  a meeting  was  held  at  the 
Presbyterian  church.  Addresses  were  made 
by  all  the  pastors  present,  and  Col.  W.  H. 
Trimble,  Hon.  S.  E.  Hibben,  and  Judge 
Matthews.  The  ladies  all  signed  a solemn 
compact,  as  follows  ; “ \yith  God’s  help,  we 
will  stand  by  each  other  in  this  work,  and 
persevere  therein  until  it  is  accomplished  ; 


and  see  to  it,  as  far  as  our  influence  goes,  that 
the  traffic  shall  never  be  revived.’’ 

On  Christmas  morning,  at  nine  o’clock, 
having  completed  the  organization,  one  hun- 
dred and  fifteen  women  filed  out  of  the 
church,  formed  a procession,  and  marched  to 
the  drug  stores.  These  were  the  first  to  re- 
ceive their  attentions,  and  on  this  first  morn- 
ing two  proprietors  of  the  four  drug  stores — 
J.  J.  Brown  and  Seybert  & Isamenn — signed 
the  pledge  ; the  third  offered  to  sell  only  on 
his  own  prescription,  but  the  fourth,  Mr.  W. 
H.  H.  Dunn,  refused  any  dictation. 

On  Friday,  December  26,  the  saloons  were 
visited ; and  Mrs.  J.  H.  Thompson,  daugh- 
ter of  the  late  Gov.  Trimble,  made  the  first 
prayer  in  a liquor  saloon.  There  were  eleven 
of  these  in  the  town,  and  they  presented  a 
defiant  front ; so  that  no  signatures  were  se- 
cured as  a result  of  this  first  day’s  work. 

The  next  morning  they  received  a com  mu 
nication  from  Mr.  Dunn,  the  druggist,  in  re 
ply  to  the  appeal  of  the  Committee  of  Visita 
ti'U].  It  was  as  follows  : 

“Ladies:  In  compliance  with  my  agree- 
ment, I give  you  this  promise  : That  I will 
carry  on  my  business  in  the  future  as  I have 
in  the  past ; that  is  to  say,  that  in  the  sale  of 
intoxicating  liquors  I will  comply  with  the 


Draivn  by  Henry  Howe  in  1846. 

Court-House,  Hillsboro. 


MRS.  RUNYAN. 


DIO  LEWIS. 


MOTHER  STEWART. 


Singing  Before  a Saloon, 


916 


HIGhtAND  COUNTY. 


law ; nor  will  I sell  to  any  person  whose  fa- 
ther, mother,  wife  or  daughter  sends  me  a 
written  request  not  to  make  such  sale.” 

Dunn  was  represented  as  a man  of  frank, 
open  disposition,  and  with  a high  sense  of 
honor,  which  rendered  the  people  unpre- 
pared for  the  strong  opposition  which  he 
manifested.  He  was  moved  by  no  prayers, 
and  would  listen  to  no  entreaties.  For  a 
while  he  made  no  objection  to  the  ladies 
coming  into  his  store  and  carrying  on  their 
devotions ; but  at  length,  one  Friday  morn- 
ing, they  found  the  door  locked  upon  them, 
and  were  thereafter  inexorably  excluded. 
This  picture  of  the  scenes  there  was  thus  de- 
scribed : ^ 

“However  bitter  the  cold  or  piercing  the 
wind,  these  women  could  be  seen,  at  almost 
any  hour  of  the  day,  kneeling  on  the  cold 
flag-stones  before  this  store.  In  the  midst, 
with  voice  raised  in  earnest  prayer,  is  the 
daughter  of  a former  governor  of  Ohio. 

‘ ‘ Surrounding  her  are  the  wives  and  daugh- 
ters of  statesmen,  lawyers,  bankers,  physi- 
cians, and  business  men — representatives 
from  nearly  all  the  households  of  the  place. 
The  pra3"er  ended,  the  women  rise  from  their 
knees,  and  begin,  in  a low  voice,  some  sweet 
and  familiar  hymn,  that  brings  back  to  the 
heart  of  the  looker-on  the  long-forgotten  in- 
fluences of  childhood.  Tears  may  b^e  seen  in 
the  eyes  of  red-nosed  and  hard-hearted  men, 
supposed  to  be  long  since  past  feeling.  Pass- 
ers by  lift  their  hats  and  pass  softly.  Con- 
versation is  in  subdued  tones,  and  a sympa- 
thetic interest  is  depicted  on  every  face. 
Then  follows  another  subdued  prayer  and  a 
song,  at  the  close  of  which  a fresh  relay  of 
women  come  up,  and  the  first  ones  retire  to 
the  residence  of  an  honored  citizen,  close  at 
hand,  where  a lunch  is  spread  for  their  re- 
freshment. Soon  it  is  their  turn  to  resume 
their  praying  and  singing ; and  so  the  siege 
is  kept  up  from  morning  till  night,  and  day 
after  day,  with  little  variation  in  method  or 
incidents.” 

Meanwhile  the  saloons  were  not  neglected. 
The  war  upon  them  made  slow  but  certain 
progress. 

By  January  30th,  five  saloons  and  three 
drug-stores  had  yielded,  and  about  the  same 
number  of  saloons  and  one  drug-store  re- 
mained. 

The  following  amusing  “inside  view”  of 
one  of  these  saloon  visits  appeared  in  a Cin- 
cinnati paper.  It  was  given  by  a young  blood 
who  was  there.  He  and  a half  dozen  others, 
who  had  been  out  of  town  and  did  not  know 
what  was  going  on,  had  ranged  themselves 
in  the  familiar  semicircle  before  the  bar,  and 
had  their  drinks  ready  and  cigars  prepared 
for  the  match,  when  the  rustle  of  women’s 
wear  attracted  their  attention,  and  looking 
up  they  saw  what  they  thought  a crowd  of  a 
thousand  women  entering.  One  youth  saw 
among  them  his  mother  and  sister ; another 
had  two  cousins  in  the  invading  host,  and  a 
still  more  unfortunate  recognized  his  intended 
mother-in-law.  Had  the  invisible  prince  of 


the  pantomime  touched  them  with  his  magic 
wand,  converting  all  to  statues,  the  tableau 
could  not  have  been  more  impressive.  For 
full  one  minute  they  stood  as  if  turned  to 
stone ; then  a slight  motion  was  evident,  and 
lager-beer  and  brandy-smash  descended  slowly 
to  the  counter,  while  segars  dropped  un- 
lighted from  nerveless  fingers.  Happily,  at 
this  juncture  the  ladies  struck  up  : 

“ Oh,  do  not  be  discouraged. 

For  Jesus  is  your  friend.” 

It  made  a diversion,  and  the  party  escaped 
to  the  street,  “ scared  out  of  a year’s  growth.” 

On  the  morning  of  January  31st  Mr.  Dunn 
had  printed  and  distributed  about  the  town 
a “Notice  to  the  Ladies  of  Hillsborough,” 
which  addressed  some  thirty  ladies  and  nearly 
the  same  number  of  men  by  name,  and 
warned  them  that  further  interference  with 
his  business  would  be  followed  by  suit  at  law 
for  damages  anc*  trespass. 

Notwithstanding  this  notice  it  was  resolved 
to  go  on  with  the  work.  The  mayor’s  con- 
sent was  given  for  the  erection  of  a tempo- 
rary structure  on  the  street  in  front  of  the 
store.  This  was  called  the  “Tabernacle.” 
It  was  constructed  of  canvas  and  plank,  and 
the  ladies  at  once  took  possession.  Dunn 
applied  to*  the  Court,  and  Judge  Salford 
issued  an  injunction,  and  the  “Tabernacle” 
was  quietly  taken  down  that  night.  Then 
came  the  trial  of  the  case.  High  legal  talent 
was  employed  on  both  sides.  It  was  a long 
and  weary  contest,  and  the  verdict  was  not 
reached  until  May,  1875,  when  a decision  in 
favor  of  Mr.  Dunn  awarded  him  five  ($5) 
dollars  damages.  From  this  judgment  an 
appeal  was  made  to  the  Supreme  Court,  but 
the  case  was  finally  compromised  and  never 
came  to  trial. 

The  day  after  inaugurating  the  “ Crusade  ” 
at  Hillsborough,  Dr.  Lewis  started  the  move- 
ment at  Washington  Court-House,  the  plan 
being  the  same  as  that  adopted  at  Hillsbo- 
rough, and  it  met  with  such  success  that  in 
eleven  days  eleven  saloons  and  three  drug- 
stores had  capitulated.  Not  a drop  of  liquor 
could  be  bought  within  the  corporate  limits  of 
Washington  Court-House  ; but  there  were  two 
obdurate  saloon-keepers  just  outside  the  cor- 
porate limits.  One  of  these,  named  Slater, 
resorted  to  several  plans  for  freezing  the  ladies 
out  of  his  establishment.  He  allowed  his 
fire  to  go  out,  opened  all  the  windows,  and 
wet  the  floor  down  with  water  until  it  stood 
in  pools.  It  was  bitter  January  weather  and. 
the  cold  was  very  severe  on  the  ladies.  But 
one  morning  Mr.  Slater  was  surprised  to  find 
before  his  door  a small  portable  building, 
hastily  constructed  of  boards,  supplied  with 
seats  and  a stove.  The  side  facing  him  was 
open.  Comfortably  seated  in  this,  the  first 
“Tabernacle”  of  the  Crusade,  the  besieging 
party  continued  praying  and  singing,  but  the 
Desieged  held  out  against  “moral  suasion” 
until  about  the  middle  of  January,  when  he 
was  brought  to  terms  by  a criminal  prosecu- 
tion under  the  Adair  law. 


HIGHLAND  COUNTY. 


From  Washington  Court-House  the  move- 
ment extended  to  Wilmington  and  other 
towns  and  villages,  until  finally  alnaost  every 
town  and  village  in  Southern  Ohio  had  its 
band  of  ‘ ‘ Crusaders.  ’ ’ The  outside  world 
began  to  grow  interested.  The  public  press 
said  it  was  destined  to  be  the  sensation  of 
the  day,  and  special  correspondents  were  de- 
tailed to  chronicle  its  history  and  incidents. 

A number  of  women  under  the  stimulus 
of  the  movement  developed  into  powerful 
public  speakers,  with  a wonderful  power  of 
expression  and  fervor.  These  were  called 
from  their  native  places  to  do  missionary 
work  in  other  localities.  Prominent  among 
these  were  Mother  Stewart,  of  Springfield ; 
Mrs.  Runyan,  wife  of  a Methodist  minister 


of  Wilmington,  and  Mrs.  Hadley,  a soft- 
spoken  Quakeress  of  Wilmington. 

The  most  refractory  individual  with  whom 
the  ladies  had  to  deal  during  this  “Crusade  ” 
was  John  Van  Pelt.  An  account  of  this  case 
is  given  in  the  Clinton  county  chapter  of  this 
work. 

About  the  1st  of  February,  1874,  the  Cin- 
cinnati Gazette  published  statistics  showing 
that,  in  twenty-five  towns,  109  saloons  had 
been  closed  and  ^ twenty -two  drug-stores 
pledged  not  to  sell  intoxicating  liquors.  An 
effort  was  made  to  start  the  movement  in 
larger  cities,  such  as  Columbus  and  Cincin- 
nati, but  without  success,  and  a few  months 
later  the  whole  movement  had  gradually  sub- 
sided and  died  out. 


Allen  Trimble  was  born  in  Augusta  county,  Va.,  November  24,  1783. 
His  parents  were  of  Scotch-Irish  stock.  His  father.  Captain  James,  removed  to 
Lexington,  Ky.,  and  shortly  after  his  death,  which  occurred  in  1804,  Allen 
settled  in  Highland  county,  where  he  was  clerk  of  the  courts  and  recorder  in 
1809-16.  In  the  war  of  1812  he  commanded  a mounted  regiment  under  Gen. 
Wm.  Henry  Harrison,  and  rendered  efficient  service.  He  was  sent  to  the  Ohio 
House  of  Representatives  in  1816;  was  elected  State  Senator  in  1817;  was  made 
Speaker  of  that  body,  and  held  the  position  until  January  7,  1822,  when  he 
became  acting  Governor  and  served  to  the  end  of  that  year.  In  1826  he  was 
elected  Governor,  and  re-elected  in  1828.  In  1846-48  was  President  of  the  first 
State  Board  of  Agriculture. 


As  governor  he  did  much  to  extend  and 
improve  the . common  school  system,  en- 
courage manufactures  and  promote  peniten- 
tiary reform.  He  was  a man  of  strong 
religious  feeling,  of  strict  integrity,  shrewd 
and  with  much  of  what  is  commonly  called 
“good  common  sense.”  These  qualities 
made  his  career  of  greater  service  to  the 
people  of  Ohio  than  if  he  had  possessed 
more  brilliant  parts  without  balance.  He 
died  at  the  age  of  eighty-seven,  at  Hillsboro, 
Ohio,  February  3,  1870. 

The  Hon.  Wm.  A.  Trimble  was  born 
in  Woodford,^  Ky.,  April  4,  1786.  His 
father.  Captain  James  Trimble,  had  emi- 
grated with  his  family  from  Augusta,  Va.,  to 
Kentucky.  In  the  year  1804,  being  deeply 
impressed  with  the  evils  of  slavery,  he  was 
about  to  remove  into  Highland,  when  he  was 
taken  unwell  and  died.  His  son  William 
graduated  at  Transylvania  University,  after 
which  he  returned  to  Ohio,  spent  some  time 
in  the  office  of  his  brother  Allen,  since  Gov. 
Trimble,  later  studied  law  at  Litchfield, 
Conn.,  and  returned  to  Highland  and  com- 
menced the  practice  of  his  profession. 

At  the  breaking  out  of  the  war  of  1812, 
he  was  chosen  major  in  the  Ohio  volunteers, 
was  at  Hull’s  surrender  and  was  liberated  on 
his  parole.  Some  time  in  the  following 
winter  he  was  regularly  exchanged,  and  in 
March  was  commissioned  major  in  the  26th 
regiment.  In  the  defence  of  and  sortie  from 
Fort  Erie,  he  acted  with  signal  bravery,  and 
received  a severe  wound,  which  was  the 
prominent  cause  of  his  death,  years  after. 


He  continued  in  the  army  until  1819,  with 
the  rank  of  brevet  lieutenant-colonel,  at 
which  time  he  was  elected  to  the  National 
senate,  to  succeed  Mr.  Morrow,  whose  time 
of  service  had  expired.  In  December,  1819, 
he  took  his  seat,  and  soon  gave  promise  of 
much  future  usefulness.  He  progressed  for 
two  sessions  of  Congress  in  advancing  the 
public  interest,  and  storing  his  mind  with 
useful  knowledge,  when  nature  yielded  to  the 
recurring  shocks  of  disease,  and  he  died, 
December  13,  1821,  aged  35  years. 

Joseph  Benson  Foraker  was  born  July 
5,  1846,  in  a log-cabin,  about  one  mile  north 
of  Rainsboro.  His  ancestors  came  to  Ohio 
from  Virginia  and  Delaware  on  account  of 
distaste  of  slavery.  Bred  on  his  father’s 
farm  he  assisted  him  on  the  farm  and  in  the 
grist  and  saw  mill  thereon.  One  day  when  a 
small  boy  he  tore  his  only  pair  of  pants. 
There  was  no  suitable  cloth  at  hand  to  make 
a new  pair  and  time  was  too  precious  to  send 
any  one  to  town  ; in  this  dilemma  his  mother 
made  him  a pair  out  of  a coffee  sack.  He 
protested  against  wearing  these  to  school, 
saying,  “All  the  boys  will  laugh  at  me.” 
“Never  heed  what  the  boys  say,”  replied 
his  mother.  “If  you  become  a useful  man 
nobody  will  ask  what  kind  of  pantaloons  you 
wore  when  a child.” 

At  the  age  of  sixteen  he  enlisted  in  the 
89th  Ohio  infantry,  and  distinguished  him 
self  wherever  duty  called  him.  He  was 
made  sergeant  in  August,  1862;  first  lieu- 
tenant in  March,  1865  ; was  brevetted  captain 
“for  efficient  services. ” He  was  at  the  bat- 


Kratzer,  Photo. 


Resident  Street,  Hillsboro,  1890. 


Kratzer,  Photo. 

Business  Street,  Hillsboro,  1890. 


HIGHLAND  COUNTY. 


919 


ties  of  Missionary  Ridge,  Ken  nesaw  Mountain, 
Lookout  Mountain,  and  was  with  Sherman 
in  his  march  to  the  sea.  Ryan’s  History  of 
Ohio  says  of  him  : “He  was  mustered  out 


JOSEPH  BENSON  FORAKER. 


of  the  army,  after  a brave  and  brilliant  ser- 
vice, when  but  nineteen  years  of  age.  After 
the  war  he  spent  two  years  at  the  Ohio  Wes- 
leyan University,  Delaware,  Ohio,  and  thence 
went  to  Cornell  University.  He  graduated 
there  July  1,  1869. 

In  1879  he  was  elected  Judge  of  the  Su- 
erior  Court  of  Cincinnati,  which  position  he 
eld  for  three  years.  In  1883  he  was  nom- 
inated for  governor,  but  was  defeated  by 
Judge  Hoadly,  the  Democratic  candidate. 
In  1885  he  was  again  nominated  and  elected. 
He  was  renominated  and  re-elected  in  1887. 
[In  1889  he  was  again  renominated,  but  was 
defeated  by  the  Democratic  candidate,  James 
E.  Campbell,  of  Butler  county.] 

His  administrations  have  been  marked  by 
a brave  and  conscientious  execution  of  all 
duties  that  are  made  his  under  the  law.  As 
an  orator,  for  fearless  and  passionate  elo- 
quence, he  has  no  superior  in  the  State.  He 
is  aggressive,  yet  attractive  in  his  public 
declarations,  and  is  recognized  by  men  of  all 
parties  as  honest  and  courageous.” 

In  his  person  Gov.  Foraker  is  remarkably 
symmetrical,  with  a well-poised  head,  and  his 
carriage  graceful.  In  his  social  intercourse 
he  is  winning  and  attractive  to  an  extraor- 
dinary degree. 

The  family  are  Methodists,  and  he  was 
named  Joseph  Benson,  the  name  of  the 
author  of  the  Methodist  Commentary  on  the 
Bible.  That  he  should  when  a lad  of  six- 
teen be  enabled  to  recruit  for  the  war  more 
\nen  for  his  company  than  any  other  person 
evinced  extraordinary  natural  persuasive  pow- 


ers. When  in  service  he  kept  a daily  journal, 
from  which  we  make  brief  extracts  to  illus- 
trate the  savagery  of  war. 

January  4,  1864. — Would  like  to  be  in  Hills- 
boro’ to-day  to  go  to  eburcb.  Many  a poor  soldier 
to-day  hovers  over  bis  smoky  fire,  while  the  cold, 
heartless  winds  come  tearing  through  his  thin 
tent,  almost  freezing  him  to  death,  and  yet  you 
hear  no  word  of  complaint.  4'liey  are  the  bravest 
men  that  ever  composed  an  army ; and  while  my 
suffering  is  equal  to  theirs,  I feel  proud  of  my 
condition — a clear  conscience  that  I am  doing  my 
duty:  and  this  affords  me  more  comfort  than  all 
the  enjoyments  of  liome.  I feel  a pride  rising  in 
my  bosom  in  realizing  that  I am  a member  of  the 
old  Fourteenth  corps  of  the  Army  of  the  Cumber- 
land  

Chattanooga,  December  4,  1863.— Reached 
the  regiment  just  in  time  to  go  into  a fight.  Don’t 
like  fighting  well  enough  to  make  a profession  of 
it.  War  is  cruel,  and  when  this  conflict  is  over 
I shall  retire  from  })ublic  life 

New  Year’s  Day. — Cold  as  Greenland.  Noth- 
ing to  eat,  scarcely  any  wood  to  burn,  and  enough 
work  for  ten  men 

Chattanooga,  Tenn.,  December  1,  1863.  . . . 
Arrived  just  in  time  to  engage  in  the  fight.  I 
found  the  regiment  under  arms.  The  army  charged 
Missionary  Ridge.  Our  brigade  charged  on 
double  quick  over  two  miles  and  up  an  awfully 
steep  mountain.  I commanded  two  companies, 
A and  B — brave  boys.  I threw  myself  in  front 


THE  OLD  MILL. 


and  told  them  to  follow.  They  kept  as  pretty  a 
line  as  1 ever  saw  them  make  on  drill.  The  rebs 
had  two  cross  fires  and  a front  one.  They  knocked 
us  around.  I reached  the  top  of  a hill  without  a 
scratch,  but  just  as  I leaped  over  their  breast- 
works a large  shell  burst  just  before  me.  A small 
fragment  put  a hole  in  my  cap,  knocking  it  off 
my  head.  As  soon  as  I got  into  the  breastworks 
and  the  rebs  began  to  fall  back,  I commenced 
rallying  my  men.  I had  the  company  about 
formed  when  Capt.  Curtis,  Gen.  Turchin’s  adju- 
tant-general, galloped  up  and  com{)limented  me. 
....  I never  wish  to  see  another  fight.  It  is  au 


HIGHLAND  COUNTY. 


920 


awful  sight  to  see  men  shot  down  all  around  you 
as  you  would  shoot  a beef.  .... 

December  2. — There  is  a hospital  in  the  rear  of 
our  camp.  You  can  hear  the  wounded  screaming 
all  through  the  day.  Legs,  arms  and  hands  lie 
before  the  door  . . . They  are  cutting  off  more  or 


less  every  day  ....  War  sickens  me  ....  I 
have  about  thirty  men  left  out  of  the  one  hundred 
and  one  we  started  with  over  a year  ago.  The 
regiment  does  not  look  the  same  ....  Come 
what  will,  I shall  stick  to  the  comj)any,  if  I die 
with  it. 


Ohio’s  Wondeeland. 

About  thirteen  miles  east  of  Hillsborough,  near  the  county  line  and  road  to 
Chillicothe,  the  Rocky  Fork  of  Paint  creek  passes  for  about  two  miles,  previous 
to  its  junction  with  the  main  stream,  through  a deep  gorge,  in  some  places  more 
than  a hundred  feet  in  depth,  and  forming  a series  of  wild,  picturesque  views,  one 
of  which,  at  a place  called  the  narrows,”  is  here  represented.  In  the  ravine  are 
numerous  caves,  which  are  much  visited.  One  or  two  of  them  have  been  ex- 
plored for  a distance  of  several  hundred  yards. 

The  above  paragraph  is  all  that  is  given  in  our  original  edition  of  what  is  now 
the  most  attractive  scenic  spot  in  all  this  region  of  country. 

A writer  in  the  Cincinnati  Commercial  Gazette,  under  the  title  of  Ohio’s 
Wonderland,”  gives  an  interesting  description,  from  which  we  abridge  the  fol- 
lowing : 


The  lover  of  the  wild,  the  rugged  and  the 
romantic  can  in  this  locality  find  something 
new  at  every  step  he  takes.  There  are  no 
high  mountains  to  climb,  but  there  are  caves 
to  explore,  and  chasms,  cascades,  terraces, 
waterfalls,  grottos,  etc.,  without  number. 
As  the  crow  flies  it  is  about  seventy-five  miles 
east  from  Cincinnati,  and  fourteen  east  of 
Hillsboro’  ; a pleasant  way  to  get  there  from 
Hillsboro’  is  by  carriage.  There  is  a well- 
kept  hotel  conveniently  located,  with  all  the 
outfits  necessary  for  boating,  fishing  and  ex- 
ploring. 

Prof.  Orton,  in  his  geological  report  for 
1870,  says  ; This  stream — the  Rocky  Fork 
— is  an  important  element  in  the  geography 
of  the  county,  and  it  also  exhibits  its  geology 
most  satisfactorily.  It  is  bedded  in  rock  from 
its  source  to  its  mouth,  and  in  its  banks  and 
bordering  cliffs  it  discloses  every  foot  of  the 
great  Niagara^ formation  of  the  county  . . . 
At  its  mouth  it  has  reached  the  very  summit 
of  the  system,  and  the  structure  of  these 
upper  beds  it  reveals  in  a gorge  whose  ver- 
tical walls  are  ninety  feet  high,  and  the  width 
of  which  is  scarcely  more  than  two  hundred 
feet.  Certain  portions  of  this  limestone 
weather  and  rain  dissolve  more  easily  than 
the  rest,  and  have  been  carried  away  in  con- 
siderable quantities,  leaving  overhanging 
cliffs  and  receding  caves  along  the  lines  of  its 
outcrop,  and  the  scenery  is  the  most  striking 
and  beautiful  of  its  kind  in  southeastern 
Ohio  ....  The  limestone  abounds  in  very 
interesting  fossils.  The  great  bivalve  shell 
Megalomus  Canadensis  is  especially  abun- 
dant, as  are  also  large  univalve  shells,  all  of 
which  can  be  obtained  to  good  advantage 
near  Ogle’s  distillery. 

The  custom  is  to  enter  the  gorge  at  the 
“Point”  near  the  hotel,  and  go  up  through 
and  along  it.  Weird  wonders  are  revealed  at 


every  step  ; one  moment  in  the  shadow  of  an 
overhanging  cliff  bedecked  with  trailing  vines, 
and  ferns  and  bright-hued  wild  flowers  nod- 
ding and  waving  in  all  their  beauty,  nature’s 
own  grand  conservatory  ; then  a placid  sheet 
of  water  comes  to  view,  and  cascades  dancing 
in  the  sunlight ; there  are  overhanging  rocks 
under  which  a score  of  people  could  find 
shelter,  and  numerous  caverns,  aside  from 
the  four  large  caves. 

The  ‘ ‘ Dry  cave  ’ ’ is  the  first  of  these.  It 
is  not  so  extensive  as  the  others,  having  a 
length  only  of  about  300  feet,  but  some  of 
the  chambers  are  so  beautifully  set  with  sta- 
lagmite and  stalactite  forinations  that  it  weh 
repays  a visit.  The  cave  is  perfectly  dry  and 
the  air  bracing. 

The  “Wet  cave,”  so  called  from  a spring 
of  cold  water  some  600  feet  from  its  mouth, 
is  a series  of  chambers  in  which  are  found 
large  quantities  of  white, ' soapy  clay.  The 
arches  of  this  cave  are  of  varied  and  peculiar 
shapes  and  formations,  the  water  that  con- 
stantly percolates  through  the  rocks  an< 
crevices  having  produced  many  queer  shapes. 
These  drops  reflecting  the  light  from  the  ex- 
plorers’ torches  give  a weird  effect,  looking, 
like  diamonds  in  the  uncertain  light  above. 

The  “ Dancing  cave  ” takes  its  name  from 
the  use  it  is  put  to  by  parties  visiting  the 
locality.  The  large  dancing  chamber  is  light 
and  nature  has  kindly  provided  stalagmite 
seats  around  it  for  the  convenience  of  her 
guests.  Near  this  cave  are  two  stone  ‘ ‘ cairns, 
but  their  origin  and  use  are  buried  in  the 
mysteries  of  the  past. 

Two  hundred  yards  farther  up  is  a glen,  the 
entrance  to  “Marble  cave,”  one  of  the  most 
beautiful  of  the  group,  being  especially  rich 
in  variety  and  formation.  There  are  quite  a 
number  of  chambers  in  the  Marble  cave,  all 
of  good  size.  And  here  across  the  glen  is 


Eocky  Gorge  of  Paint  Creek.  Port  Hill  Environs 


922 


HIGHLAND  COUNTY. 


“Profile  Rock.”  Following  a narrow  path 
you  pass  through  “Gypsy  Glen,”  then  gaze 
with  awe  at  ‘ ‘ Bracket  Rock,  ’ ’ with  an  alti- 
tude of  nearly  100  feet.  And  then  there  is  a 
halt  and  expressions  of  delight  as  ‘ ‘ Mussett 
Hole  ’ ’ breaks  upon  the  view.  A deep  little 
body  of  water  at  the  base  of  towering  rocks, 
and  on  its  margin  stands  a huge  monarch  of 
the  forest,  named  the  “Boone  Tree.”  Tra- 
dition has  it  that  this  was  a favorite  camping 
ground  of  the  Indians  when  on  their  way  to 
Sandusky  from  Kentucky,  and  that  they  al- 
ways stopped  here  to  rest  and  fish  and  hunt. 


There  is  a remarkable  little  gorge  near  the 
“ Mussett  Hole.  ” But  there  are  scores  of 
surprises  awaiting  the  visitor  at  every  turn. 

The  Creator  has  evidently  had  it  all  his 
own  way  in  preparing  these  caves  and  chasms, 
and  wise  (?)  men  have  not  attempted  to  im- 
prove upon  his  plans  with  artificial  arrange- 
ments. One  of  these  days,  perhaps,  there 
will  be  some  modern  improvements  attempted, 
but  for  the  present  this  wonderland  can  be 
viewed  in  all  its  original  majesty  and  mag- 
nificence. 


Fort  Hill. 

One  of  the  most  interesting  of  the  numerous  ancient  earthworks  in  this  part  of 
Ohio  is  Fort  Hill ; it  is  especially  interesting,  because  it  presents  more  of  the 
characteristics  of  a defensive  work  than  any  other  in  the  State.  It  is  situated  in 
Brush  Creek  township,  seventeen  miles  southeast  of  Hillsborough,  and  three  miles 
north  of  Sinking  Springs.  The  work  occupies  the  top  of  an  isolated  hill,  which 
has  an  elevation  of  five  hundred  feet  above  the  bed  of  the  East  Fork  of  Brush 
creek,  which  skirts  the  base  of  the  hill  on  the  north  and  west.  The  top  of  the 
hill  is  a nearly  level  plateau  of  thirty-five  acres,  enclosed  by  an  artificial  wall  of 
stone  and  earth,  excavated  around  the  brink  of  the  hill,  interior  to  the  fort.  The 
ditch  formed  by  the  excavation  is  nearly  fifty  feet  wide.  The  wall  or  embank- 
ment is  8,582  feet  long,  contains  about  50,000  cubic  yards  of  material,  has  a base 


averaging  twenty-five  feet,  and  an  avera^ 
are  thirty-three  gateways  or  entrances  i 
intervals,  and  ranging  in  width  from  ten 
ings  the  interior  ditch  is  filled  up. 

The  space  enclosed  is  almost  entirely  cov- 
ered with  forest,  which  extends  in  all  direc- 
tions to  the  base  of  the  hill.  Within  the 
fort  are  two  small  ponds,  which  could  be 
made  to  retain  in  rainy  weather  large  quanti- 
ties of  water.  The  hill  near  the  top  is  very 
precipitous,  and  the  fort,  as  a place  of  mili- 
tary defence,  would  be  almost  impregnable. 
It  overlooks  a wide  extent  of  country.  A 
short  distance  south  are  remains  of  earth- 
works, which  indicate  the  site  of  an  ancient 
village,  the  inhabitants  of  which  probably  re- 
lied upon  the  fort  as  a place  of  defence  and 
protection  against  an  invading  enemy. 

Negotiations  were  entered  into  for  the  pur- 
chase and  preservation  of  this  work  by  the 
Peabody  Institute,  of  Cambridge,  Mass.,  but 
the  purchase  has  not  been  made  as  yet.  This 
institution  purchased,  explored,  restored,  and 
turned  into  a public  park  the  Serpent  Mound, 
in  Adams  county,  and  the  State  has  recently 
purchased  Fort  Ancient,  with  a view  to  its 
preservation,  and  we  trust  that  some  means 
may  be  consummated  for  the  preservation  of 
this  important  work. 

Mr.  H.  W.  Overman  has  recently  made  a 
survey  of  the  fort ; the  results  of  which  are 
given  in  the  “Ohio  Archaeological  and  His- 
torical Quarterly.”  He  writes ; 

“The  vicinity  of  Fort  Hill  is  by  no  means 
void  of  natural  scenery.  The  channel  of 
Ib’ush  creek  has  cut  its  way  through  an  im- 
mense gorge  of  Niagara  limestone  for  a dis- 
tance of  two  or  three  miles,  forming  numer- 


height  of  from  six  to  ten  feet.  There 
n the  embankment,  arranged  at  irregular 
to  fifteen  feet.  At  eleven  of  these  o})en- 

ous  cliffs  and  caverns.  On  the  west  side  of 
this  gorge,  at  the  foot  of  Fisher’s  Hill,  is  a 
cave,  once  occupied  by  David  Davis,  an  in- 
genious and  eccentric  hermit,  who  made  the 
cavern  his  home  for  a number  of  years  from 
about  1847.  He  discovered  a vein  of  ore 
near  his  abode,  from  which  he  manufactured 
in  limited  quantities  a valuable  and  durable 
metallic  paint,  of  a color  approaching  a rose- 
tint,  and  of  metallic  lustre,  which  gained 
considerable  local  reputation.  ^ The  ore,  how- 
ever, so  far  as  yet  discovered,  is  not  in  paying 
quantities.  His  cave  and  surrounding  scen- 
ery, situated  as  it  is  in  one  of  the  most  ro- 
mantic regions  of  Southern  Ohio,  is  well 
worthy  of  inspection.” 

The  Hard  Year. 

The  year  1807  was  called  the  hard  year  by 
the  early  settlers  of  Highland  county.  We 
abridge  from  an  interesting  and  valuable 
series  of  papers  on  the  “History  of  the  Early 
Settlement  of  Highland  County,”  published 
by  the  Hillsborough  Gazette.  In  the  spring 
of  this  year  hordes  of  squirrels  overran  the 
southern  part  of  the  State.  They  swam  the 
Ohio  river  in  myriads,  and  the  crop  just 
planted  was  almost  entirely  taken  up.  Re- 
l)lanting  was  resorted  to,  for  corn  must  be 
raised  ; but  with  like  results.  Bread  was,  of 
course,  the  first  great  necessary,  and  could 
only  be  procured  by  clearing  off  and  cultivat- 
ing the  soil.  Wheat,  rye,  barley,  and  oats 


HIGHLAND  COUNTY. 


had  not  yet  become  articles  of  common  culti- 
vation, the  great  dependence  being  Indian 
corn.  Some  farmers  had  commenced  grow- 
ing wheat  in  the  older  settlements,  and  by 
this  time  had  become  somewhat  dependent 
upon  it,  in  part,  for  bread.  But  this  year 
the  entire  crop  was  sick  and  could  not  be 
eaten  by  man  or  beast ; and  as  if  to  enforce 
the  terrors  of  famine  in  prospective,  all  the 
new  ground  corn  that  escaped  the  ravages  of 
the  squirrels  in  the  spring  was  literally  cooked 
by  severe  frosts  early  in  September. 

I have  known,  says  one  who  witnessed  it, 
cases  where  whole  families  subsisted  entirely 
on  potatoes,  cabbage,  turnips,  etc.  Added  to 
this  was  the  almost  disgusting  and  nauseating 
bread  and  mush,  made  of  meal  ground  from 
the  frost-bitten  corn,  as  black  as  a hat. 

The  sweeping  depredations  of  the  squirrels 
that  year  resulted  in  the  passage  of  an  act  by 
the  legislature,  on  the  first  Monday  of  De- 
cember, 1807,  entitled  “An  act  to  encourage 
the  killing  of  squirrels.  ” This  act  made  it  a 

ositive  obligation  on  all  persons  within  the 

tate,  subject  to  the  payment  of  county  tax, 
to  furnish,  in  addition  thereto,  a certain  num- 
ber of  squirrel  scalps,  to  be  determined  by 
the  township  trustees.  This  was  imperative, 
and  it  was  made  the  duty  of  the  lister  to  no- 
tify each  person  of  the  number  of  scalps  he 
was  required  to  furnish  ; and  if  any  one  re- 
fused or  failed  to  furnish  the  specified  quan- 
tity, he  was  subject  to  the  same  penalties  and 
forfeitures  as  delinquent  tax- payers  ; and  any 
person  producing  a greater  number  than  was 
demanded  was  to  receive  two  cents  per  scalp 
out  of  the  county  treasury.  This  law,  how- 
ever, was  rendered  inoperative  almost  imme- 
diately afterwards  by  the  interposition  of  a 
higher  power,  for  the  severe  winter  of  1807-8 
almost  totally  annihilated  the  squirrel  race, 
the  law  was  not  enforced,  and  finally,  in  the 
winter  of  1809,  was  repealed. 

Remarkable  Fortitude  of  a Boy. 

In  the  excellent  “History  of  Highland 
County”  by  Daniel  Scott  is  related  a re- 
markable instance  of  courage  and  fortitude 
of  a boy.  We  give  herewith  an  abridged 
account  of  it. 

James  Carlisle  came  from  Virginia  to 
Highland  county  in  1805.  He  settled  on  a 
farm  and  became  a celebrated  tobacco  planter 
and  manufacturer.  He  was  probably  the 
first  one  to  make  a regular  business  of  it ; 
which  he  commenced  in  1805,  and  continued 
until  his  death  in  1832.  His  manufacture  of 
tobacco  was  about  the  only  kind  in  use 
throughout  Southern  Ohio.  It  was  put  up 
in  large  twists  of  two  or  more  pounds  in 
weight  and  was  exceedingly  strong. 

On  day  during  the  summer,  when  the 
family  were  away  from  home,  his  two  sons, 
John  and  James,  lads  of  eight  and  six  years, 
were  at  work  in  the  tobacco  field.  They 
were  engaged  in  “suckering”  the  plants, 
beginning  at  the  top  and  running  their  hands 
to  the  lower  leaves,  detecting  the  suckers  by 
their  touch,  when  James  cried  out  that  he 


was  bitten  by  a rattlesnake.  The  snake  had 
been  coiled  up  under  the  lower  leaves  of  the 
plant.  This  was  a most  alarming  condition 
for  the  boys.  They  were  well  aware  of  the 
fatal  effects  of  the  bite,  but  did  not  know 
what  to  do  and  there  were  none  near  to  ad- 
vise them. 

But  James,  with  the  courage  of  a true 
backwoods  boy,  rapidly  settled  in  his  own 
mind  the  course  to  be  pursued.  They  had 
taken  an  old  dull  tomahawk  out  with  them 
for  some  purpose  and  James  peremptorily 
ordered  his  brother  John  to  take  it  and  cut 
his  hand  off,  at  the  same  time  laying  it  on  a 
stump  and  pointing  to  the  place  where  it  was 
to  be  cut  at  the  wrist.  This  John  positively  re- 
fused to  do,  giving  as  his  reason  that  the 
tomahawk  was  too  dull.  There  was  no  time 
to  discuss  the  matter,  and  James  could  not 
cut  it  himself,  so  they  compromised  on  the 
wounded  finger,  which  John  consented  to  cut 
off.  It  had  already  turned  black  and  swollen 
very  much.  John  made  several  ineffectual 
attempts  to  cut  off  the  finger,  which  was  the 
first  finger  of  the  right  hand,  but  only  hacked 
and  bruised  it.  J ames,  however,  held  it 
steady  and  encouraged  his  brother  to  pro- 
ceed, saying  it  must  come  off  or  he  should 
soon  die.  John  finally  got  it  off,  but  in 
doing  so  badly  mutilated  the  hand.  This 
heroic  treatment,  however,  saved  the  boy's 
life.  He  grew  to_  manhood,  and  finally  re- 
moved to  Missouri. 

The  Women’s  Raid  at  Greenfield. 

On  September  3,  1864,  a young  man  of 
good  character  named  William  Blackburn 
was  shot  and  killed  while  passing  by  on  the 
sidewalk  in  front  of  Newbeck’s  saloon.  At 
the  time  a general  fight  was  going  on  within 
the  saloon,  during  which  a pistol-shot  was 
fired. 

The  public  indignation  was  very  intense, 
all  the  more  so  that  the  guilty  person  could 
not  be  discovered.  The  excitement,  how- 
ever, gradually  died  away,  but  some  ten 
months  later  it  was  again  aroused  by  several 
occurrences  of  an  evil  nature,  scenes  of 
distress  and  violence,  fights  and  wife-beatings, 
which  resulted  in  the  women  of  Greenfield 
holding  a meeting  to  determine  some  method 
of  suppressing  the  liquor  traflfc.  The  meet- 
ing was  held  July  10,  1865,  in  the' African 
M.  E.  Church,  then  used  as  a school-house 
and  place  for  public  gatherings.  The  follow- 
ing resolution  to  be  presented  to  the  liquor 
sellers  was  passed ; 

“That  the  ladies  of  Greenfield  are  deter- 
mined to  suppress  the  liquor  traffic  in  their 
midst.  We  demand  your  liquors,  and  give 
you  fifteen  minutes  to  comply  with  our  re- 
quest, or  abide  the  consequences.” 

Then  forming  by  twos  in  procession,  the 
ladies  marched  to  the  drug  store  of  William 
S.  Linn.  Here  compliance  with  their  request 
was  refused.  They  then  crossed  the  street  to 
Hern  & Newbeck’s  saloon  and  again  pre- 
sented their  demand  and  were  again  refused 
compliance  therewith,  when  ]^^rs.  Drusilla 


924 


HIGHLAND  COUNTY. 


Blackburn,  becoming  greatly  excited,  cried 
out,  “Here’s  where  the  whiskey  was  sold 
that  killed  my  son.”  Upon  this,  a passionate 
attack  was  begun  upon  the  saloon.  Mrs. 
Blackburn  followed  by  her  daughter  and  a 
score  of  other  ladies  crowded  through  the 
door ; hatchets,  axes,  mallets  and  other  im- 
plements were  drawn  from  places  of  hiding, 
and  the  work  of  demolition  begun  did  not 
end  until  everything  in  the  place  had  been 
destroyed  and  the  liquor  spilled  and  running 
in  the  gutters  of  the  street.  A crowd  of 
men  and  boys  that  had  gathered  aided  and 
abetted  the  work.  One  thirsty  individual 
tried  to  save  some  liquor  in  a broken  crock, 
but  one  of  the  women  discovered  his  attempt, 
and  pursued  him  hatchet  in  hand,  so  that  he 
was  glad  to  escape  unscathed  without  crock 
or  liquor.  The  ladies  then  returned  to  Linn’s 
drug  store,  but  finding_  it  locked,  forced  the 
door  and  spilled  the  liquors.  ^ Other  places 
were  then  visited  and  the  liquor  spilled; 
three  saloons  and  three  drug  stores.  There 
was  no  stopping  the  work  of  destruction 
until  the  passion  of  the  women  was  ex- 
hausted. 

On  July  14,  following,  William  S.  Linn 
applied  for  a warrant,  and  a large  number  of 
the  ladies  and  those  responsible  for  their  ac- 
tions arrested.  The  grand-jury,  however, 
refused  to  find  a bill  against  them  and 
criminal  action  failed.  A civil  suit  for  dam- 
ages was  resorted  to.  Eminent  legal  talent 
was  engaged  on  both  sides.  The  attorneys 
for  the  plaintiff  were  Judge  Sloane  and 
Messrs.  Briggs,  Dickey  and  Steele ; for  the 
defendants,  Hon.  Mills  Gardner,  Judge 
Stanley  Matthews  and  W.  H.  Irwin. 

A verdict  was  returned  awarding  $625 
damages.  A motion  was  then  made  for  a 
new  trial,  but  the  case  was  finally  compro- 
mised. 

Ten  years  later  the  women  of  Greenfield 
were  early  in  the  field  as  “ Crusaders,”  that 
being  the  third  town  in  the  State  to  try 
moral  suasion,  where  violence  had  failed. 


The  following  are  the  names  of  the  ladies 
published  in  The  Highland  County  News,  in 
January,  A.  p.  1874,  who  constituted  the 
band  at  that  time  ; and  among  the  names  are 
the  seventy  who  first  marched  on  the  24th  of 
December,  A.  d.  1873  : 

Mrs.  S.  Anderson,  R.  R.  Allen,  Jas.  Anderson, 
Samuel  Amen,  C.  Ayers,  N.  P.  Ayers.  Mrs.  A. 
Bennett,  J.  M.  Boyd,  J.  Brown,  J.  J.  Brown,  C. 
Brown,  J.  Bowles,  Lizzie  Brown,  Wm.  Barry,  C. 
S.  Bell,  J.  L.  Boardman,  C.  Buckner,  Theodore 
Brown,  J.  S.  Black,  W.  P.  Bernard;  Thos.  Barry, 
G.  B.  Beecher,  F.  I.  Bumgarner,  Benj.  Barrere, 
Mary  Brown,  Julia  Bentley,  M.  Bruce,  J.  Barrere, 
Mary  E.  Bowers.  Mrs.  F.  E.  Chaney,  Benj.  Co- 
nard,  Ella  Conard,  T.  S.  Cowden,  S.  *D.  Clayton, 
S.  W.  Creed,  Allen  Cooper,  C.  H.  Collins,  W.  O. 
Collins,  Col.  Cook,  Dr.  Callahan.  Mrs.  L.  Det- 
wiler,  W.  Doggett,  H.  S.  Doggett,  Jas.  W.  Dog- 
gett,  J.  Doggett,  E.  Dill,  Lavinia  Dill.  Mrs. 
Evans,  R.  F.  Evans,  J.  H.  Ely,  Ella  Fritz,  Mrs. 
Dr.  Ellis,  S.  A.  Eckly.  B.  Foraker  [mother  of 
Gov.  Foraker],  Mrs.  E.  L.  Ferris,  M.  Frost,  Wm. 
Ferguson,  D.  K.  Fenner,  N.  Foraker.  E.  L. 
Grand  Girard,  Geo.  Glascock,  J.  Glascock,  Henry 
Glascock,  R.  Griffith,  N.  B.  Gardner,  Mrs.  Gray- 
ham,  Mrs.  Col.  Glenn,  J.  C.  Gregg.  Mrs.  Dr. 
Holmes,  James  Hogshead,  John  Hogshead,  Asa 
Haynes,  T.  G.  Hoggard,  Paul  Harsha,  Wm.  Hoyt, 
A.  S.  Hinton.  Mrs.  J.  Jones,  L.  Jones,  Dr.  John- 
son, F.  B.  Jeans,  J.  W.  Jolly,  O.  Jones.  Mrs, 
Kirkpatrick,  Dr.  Kirby,  Frank  Kibber.  S.  Lyle, 
R.  A.  Linn,  J.  Langley.  Mrs.  Thos.  Miller,  J. 
Manning,  Mrs.  Mather,  Mrs.  Dr.  Matthews,  Judge 
Meek,  C.  B.  Miller,  C.  Miller,  R.  McFadden, 
Lewis  McKibben,  W.  J.  McSurely,  J.  McClure. 
Mrs.  J.  C.  Norton,  M.  T.  Nelson,  J.  F.  Nelson. 
Chas.  O’Harra.  Mrs.  J.  W.  Patterson,  S.  S.  Pang- 
burn,  C.  T.  Pope,  J.  K.  Pickering,  T.  H.  Parker, 
M.  Perkins.  Geo.  Richards,  Dr.  Russ,  J.  C.  Rit- 
tenhouse,  Joseph  Richards,  Jas.  Reece,  Thomas 
Rodgers.  Mrs.  Eli  Stafford,  Dr.  Smith,  Dr.  Sams, 
Hugh  Swearingen,  Dr.  W.  W.  Shepherd,  John  A. 
Smith,  Mary  Simpson,  Mrs.  Strain,  H.  A.  Stout, 
Miss  Maria  Stewart,  Mrs.  Dr.  Speese,  J.  B.  Shinn, 
E.  G.  Smith,  Wm.  Scott,  Mrs.  Shipp,  Jacob  Say- 
ler,  F.  Shepherd.  Mrs.  Col.  Wm.  H.  Trimble, 
Eliza  J.  Thompson,  Sarah  Tucker,  Anna  Tucker. 
Mrs.  Vanwinkle.  Mrs.  Chas.  Wilson,  John  L. 
West.  Mrs.  George  Zink. 


Greenfield,  at  the  intersection  of  the  C.  W.  & B.  and  O.  & S.  Railroads,  is 
17  miles  northeast  of  Hillsborough.  It  is  beautifully  situated  on  the  west  bank 
of  Paint  creek.  It  was  laid  out  by  Duncan  McArthur,  while  still  a part  of  Ross 
county,  in  1800  ; and  the  public  square,  on  which  stands  the  city  hall,  contain- 
ing the  post-office,  mayor’s  office,  etc.,  was  by  him  dedicated  to  the  public  use. 
The  town  was  incorporated  in  1841,  and  its  first  mayor  was  Hon.  Hugh  Smart. 

City  Officers,  1888  : W.  H.  Irwin,  Mayor;  J.  C.  Strain,  Clerk;  Scott  Powell, 
Marshal ; E.  H.  Miller,  Treasurer ; W.  H.  Logan,  Street  Commissioner ; W.  G. 
Moler,  Civil  Engineer ; J.  P.  Lowe,  Chief  Fire  Department.  Newspapers : 
Enterprise^  Independent,  R.  R.  Sprung,  editor  and  })ublisher ; Success,  Indepen- 
dent, J.  M.  Miller,  editor  and  publisher.  Churches  : 1 Presbyterian,  2 Methodist 
Episcopal,  1 Baptist.  Banks:  Commercial,  John  Fullerton,  president;  C.  AV. 
Price,  cashier ; Highland  County,  E.  H.  Miller,  president ; Fay  Baldwin,  cashier. 

Manufactures  and  Employees. — Greenfield  Enterprise,  printing,  etc.,  6 ; J.  P. 
Lowe  & Co.,  carriages,  etc.,  10 ; Greenfield  Woollen  Mills,  blankets,  etc.,  8 ; D. 
Welshimer  & Son,  flour,  etc.,  4;  Greenfield  Planing  Mill,  doors,  sash,  etc.,  5;  E. 
L.  McClain,  sweat  collars,  etc.,  168  ; John  M.  Waddel  Manufacturing  Company, 
coffee  mills,  38 ; The  Gig  Saddle  Company,  gig  saddles,  etc.,  22. — State  Report, 


HIGHLAND  CO  UNTV, 


925 

1888.  Population,  1880,  2,104.  School  census,  1888,  745  ; W.  G.  Moler,  super- 
intendent of  schools.  Capital  invested  in  manufacturing  establishments,  |65,000. 
Value  of  annual  product,  $80,000. — Ohio  Labor  Statistics,  1888. 

Leesburgh  is  10  miles  north  of  Hillsborough,  on  the  C.  W.  & B.  Bailroad. 
News])aper  : Buckeye,  Neutral,  James  H.  Depoy,  editor  and  publisher.  Churches  : 
1 Methodist  Episcopal,  1 African  Methodist  Episcopal,  1 Christian,  1 Advent. 
Bank : Leesburgh,  J.  H.  Guthrie,  president ; M.  Redkey,  cashier.  Population, 
1880,  513.  School  census,  1888,  168  ; D.  S.  Ferguson,  superintendent  of  schools. 
Capitel  invested  in  manufacturing  establishments,  $15,000.  Value  of  annual 
product,  $18,000. — Ohio  Labor  Statistics,  1888.  The  Leesburgh  Shoe  Manufac- 
turing Company  is  the  greatest  industry  here,  employing  30  hands. 

Lynchburgh  is  11  miles  northwest  of  Hillsborough,  on  the  C.  W.  & B.  Rail- 
road. Churches  : 1 Methodist  Episcopal,  and  1 Christian.  Bank  : Lynchburgh, 
Isma  Troth,  president ; H.  L.  Glenn,  cashier.  Manufactui'es  an  i Hmployees : 
Freiburg  & Workum,  whiskies,  60 ; E.  B.  Prythero,  flour,  etc.,  2. — State  Report, 
1887.  Population  in  1880,  664.  School  census,  1888,  236 ; J.  M.  Holiday, 
superintendent  of  schools. 

Sinking  Springs  is  14  miles  southeast  of  Hillsborough.  It  has  1 Methodist 
Episcopal  church.  Population,  197. 

New  Petersburgh  is  10  miles  northeast  of  Hillsborough.  It  has  1 Presby- 
terian and  1 Methodist  Episcopal  church.  Population,  227. 


HOCKING. 


Hocking  County  was  formed  March  1,  1818,  from  Ross,  Athens  and  Fair- 
field.  The  land  is  generally  hilly  and  broken,  but  along  the  main  streams  level 
and  fertile. 

Area  about  400  square  miles.  In  1887  the  acres  cultivated  were  49,087  pin 
pasture,  88,976;  woodland,  49,726;  lying  waste,  2,316;  produced  in  wheat, 
323,884  bushels;  rye,  2,667 ; buckwheat,  669;  oats,  47,195;  barley,  792;  corn, 
303,707  ; meadow  hay,  11,504  tons;  clover  hay,  848;  potatoes,  24,083  bushels; 
tobacco,  110  pounds;  butter,  293,822;  cheese,  150;  sorghum,  4,244  gallons; 
maple  syrup,  928  ; honey,  2,550  pounds ; eggs,  267,750  dozen  ; grapes,  6,865 
pounds;  wine,  55  gallons;  sweet  potatoes,  1,729  bushels;  apples,  12,027; 
peaches,  2,971  ; pears,  202  ; wool,  199,072  pounds;  milch  cows  owned,  3,487. 
Tons  of  coal  mined,  853,063,  being  exceeded  only  by  Perry,  Jackson  and  Athens 
counties.  School  census,  1888,  7,982 ; teachers,  152.  Miles  of  railroad  track, 
80. 


WNSHIPS  AND  Census. 

1840. 

1880. 

Benton, 

448 

1,628 

Falls, 

1,625 

5,195 

Good  Hope, 

469 

1,083 

Greene, 

1,189 

2,070 

Jackson, 

472 

Laurel, 

836 

1,292 

Marion, 

1,370 

1,426 

WNSHIPS  AND  Census. 

184a. 

1880. 

Perry, 

1,995 

Salt  Creek, 

821 

1,486 

Starr, 

622 

1,411 

Swan, 

759 

Ward, 

2,272 

Washington, 

1,124 

1,268 

uraivii  by  Henry  Howe  in  1846. 

Main  Street,  Logan. 


Marlin  Bros.,  Photo.,,  January,  1891. 

Main  Street,  Logan. 


HOCKING  COUNTY. 


927 

Population  of  Hocking  in  1820,2,080;  1830,  4,008;  1840,  9,735;  I860, 
17,057  ; 1880,  21,126,  of  whom  18,459  were  born  in  Ohio,  631  in  Pennsyl- 
vania, 430  Virginia,  114  Kentucky,  96  Kew  York,  59  Indiana,  423  German 
Empire,  198  Ireland,  129  England  and  Wales,  37  Scotland,  18  France  and 
13  British  America.  Census  of  1890,  22,658. 

The  name  of  this  county  is  a contraction  of  that  of  the  river  Hockhocking, 
which  flows  through  it.  Hoeh-hock-ing,  in  the  language  of  the  Delaware  Indians, 
signifies  a bottle : the  Shawnees  have  it,  Wea-tha-kagh-qua  sepe,  i.  e.,  bottle  river. 
John  White,  in  the  American  Pioneer,  says  : ^^About  six  or  seven  miles  northwest 
of  Lancaster  there  is  a fall  in  the  Hockhocking,  of  about  twenty  feet : above  the 
fall,  for  a short  distance,  the  creek  is  very  narrow  and  straight,  forming  a neck, 
while  at  the  falls  it  suddenly  widens  on  each  side  and  swells  into  the  appearance 
of  the  body  of  a bottle.  The  whole,  when  seen  from  above,  appears  exactly  in 
the  shape  of  a bottle,  and  from  this  fact  the  Indians  called  the  creek  Hock- 
hocking.’’ 

This  tract  of  country  once  belonged  to  the  Wyandots,  and  a considerable  town 
of  that  tribe,  situated  at  the  confluence  of  a small  stream  with  the  river,  one  mile 
below  Logan,  gives  the  name  Oldtown  to  the  creek.  The  abundance  of  bears, 
deer,  elks,  and  occasionally  buffaloes,  with  which  the  hills  and  valleys  were  stored, 
together  with  the  river  fishing,  must  have  made  this  a desirable  residence.  About 
five  miles  southeast  of  Logan  are  two  mounds,  of  the  usual  conical  form,  about 
sixty  feet  in  diameter  at  the  base,  erected  entirely  from  stones,  evidently  brought 
from  a great  distance  to  their  present  location. 

For  the  annexed  historical  sketch  of  the  county  we  are  indebted  to  a resident. 


Early  in  the  spring  of  1798  several  fami- 
lies from  different  places,  passing  through 
the  territory  of  the  Ohio  Company,  settled  at 
various  points  on  the  river,  some  of  whom 
remained,  while  others  again  started  in  pur- 
suit of  “the  far  west.”  The  first  actual 
settler  in  the  county  was  Christian  Westen- 
haver,  from  near  Hagerstown,  Md.,  of  Oer- 
man  extraction,  a good,  practical  farmer  and 
an  honest  man,  who  died  in  1829,  full  of 
years,  and  les’'^’’^e  a numerous  race  of  de- 
scendants. In  the  octme  spring  came  the 
Brians,  the  Pences  and  the  Franciscos,  from 
Western  Virginia,  men  renowned  for  feats  of 
daring  prowess  in  hunting  the  bear,  an  ani- 
mal at  that  time  extremely  numerous.  As 
an  example  of  the  privations  of  pioneer  life, 
when  Mr.  Westen haver  ascended  the  river 
with  his  family,  a sack  of  corn-meal  consti- 
tuted no  mean  part  of  his  treasures.  By  the 
accidental  upsetting  of  his  canoe,  this  un- 
fortunately became  wet,  and  consequently 
blue  and  mouldy.  Nevertheless  it  was  kept, 
and.  only  on  special  occasions  served  out  with 
their  bountiful  supply  of  bears’  meat,  venison 
and  turkeys,  until  the  approaching  autumn 
yielded  them  potatoes  and  roasting  ears^ 
which  they  enjoyed  with  a gusto  that  epi- 
cures might  well  envy.  And  when  fall  gave 
the  settlers  a ridh  harvest  of  Indian  corn,  in 
order  to  reduce  it  to  meal  they  had  to  choose 
between  the  hominy  mortar,  or  a toilsome 
'ourney  of  nearly  thirty  miles  over  an  Indian 


trace  to  the  mill.  Notwithstanding  these 
drawbacks,  there  is  -but  little  doubt  that  for 
many  years  there  was  more  enjoyment  of  real 
life  than  ordinarily  falls  to  a more  artificial 
state  of  ^ society.  True,  though  generally 
united,  disputes  would  sometimes  arise,  and 
when  other  modes  of  settlement  were  un- 
availing, the  last  resort,  a duel,  decided  all. 
But  in  this  no  “ Colt’s  revolver  ” was  put  in 
requisition,  but  the  pugilistic  ring  was  effect- 
ual. Here  the  victor’s  wounded  honor  was 
fully  satisfied,  and  a treat  of  “old  Mononga- 
hela”  (rye  whiskey)  by  the  vanquished  re- 
stored perfect  good  feelings  among  all  parties. 
As  to  deciding  disputes  by  law,  it  was  almost 
unthought  of.  It  is  true,  there  were  some 
few  men  ycleped  justices  of  the  peace,  gen- 
erally selected  for  strong  natural  sense,  who 
admirably  answered  all  the  purposes  of 
their  election.  One,  a very  worthy  old  gen- 
tleman, being  present  at  what  he  considered 
an  unlawful  demonstration,  commanded  the 
peace,  which  command  not  being  heeded,  he 
immediately  threw  off  his  rolled 

up  his  sleeves,  and  shouted,  “Boys!  I’ll  be 

if  you  shan’t  keep  the  peace,”  which 

awful  display  of  magisterial  power  instantly 
dispersed  the  terror-stricken  multitude.  This 
state  of  things  continued  with  slow  but  al- 
most imperceptible  alterations  until  1818, 
when  the  number  of  inhabitants,  and  their 
advance  in  civilization,  obtained  the  organi- 
zation of  the  county. 


The  warmus  above  spoken  of  was  a working  garment,  similar  in  appearance  to 
a “ roundabout,”  and  having  been  made  of  red  flannel  was  elastic  and  easy  to  the 
wearer.  It  was  not  known,  we  think,  to  any  extent  outside  of  Pennsylvania  and 


928 


HOCKING  COUNTY. 


her  emigrants,  and  we  think  originated  with  the  Germans.  In  oiir  original  tour 
over  the  State,  in  1846,  when  we  saw  a large  number  of  lobster-back  people  on 
the  farms  or  about  the  village  taverns,  we  always  knew  that  region  had  been  set- 
tled by  Pennsylvania  Germans. 

Logan  in  184-6. — Logan,  the  county-seat,  is  on  the  Hockhocking  river  and 
canal,  one  mile  below  the  great  fall  of  the  Hockhocking  river,  47  miles  southeast 
of  Columbus,  18  below  Lancaster,  and  38  miles  east  of  Chillicothe.  It  was  laid 
out  about  the  year  1816,  and  contains  4 stores,  1 Presbyterian,  and  1 Methodist 
church,  and  about  600  inhabitants.  The  view,  taken  near  the  American  hotel, 
shows  in  the  centre  the  court-house,  an  expensive  and  substantial  structure,  and 
on  the  extreme  right  the  printing-office. — Old  Edition. 

Logan  was  platted  by  Gov.  Worthington.  The  water-power  of  the  Hocking 
at  the  falls  was  utilized  by  him,  to  the  extent  of  a saw-mill  and  a couple  of  corn- 
burrs.  In  1825  Logan  claimed  a population  of  250.  The  place  did  not  get  a 
start  until  about  1840,  from  the  opening  of  the  Hocking  canal  in  1838,  which 
furnished  an  outlet  for  the  produce  of  the  valley.  In  1839  the  town  was  incor- 
porated : C.  W.  James  was  the  first  mayor. 

Logan,  the  county-seat  of  Hocking,  is  on  the  C.  H.  V.  & T.  Railroad,  and  on 
the  Hocking  river  and  canal  (a  branch  of  the  Ohio  canal),  50  miles  southeast  of 
Columbus.  It  is  located  on  the  edge  of  the  Hocking  coal  and  iron  region  on  the 
east  and  south,  and  close  to  a rich  agricultural  region  on  the  west  and  north. 

County  Officers,  1888  : Auditor,  William  M.  Bowen;  Clerk,  D.  H.  Lappen ; 
Commissioners,  Henry  Trimmer,  John  T.  Nutter,  George  Marks;  Coroner,  Geo. 
G.  Gage ; Infirmary  Directors,  Philip  Hansel,  Andrew  Wright,  Isaac  Mathias ; 
Probate  Judge,  William  T.  Acker;  Prosecuting  Attorney,  Virgil  C.  Lowry; 
Recorder,  David  M.  O’Hare;  Sheriff,  John  Gallagher;  Surveyor,  James  W. 
Davis;  Treasurers,  John  Notestone,  Benjamin  H.  Allen.  City  Officers:  A. 
Steiman,  Mayor ; George  G.  Gage,  Clerk ; W.  P.  Price,  Solicitor ; Andrew  Hall, 
Jr.,  Treasurer ; Edward  Juergensmeier,  Commissioner;  Geo.  Deishley,  Marshal. 
Newspapers : Hocking  Sentinel,  Democratic,  Lewis  Green,  editor  and  publisher ; 
Republican  Gazette,  Republican,  E.  S.  Pursell,  editor;  Ohio  Democrat,  Demo- 
cratic, A.  H.  Wilson,  editor ; G.  W.  Brehm,  proprietor.  Churches : 1 Catholic, 
2 Lutheran,  2 Methodist,  1 Presbyterian.  Banks : First  Bank  of  Logan,  John 
Walker,  president ; Chas.  E.  Bowen,  cashier ; People’s,  L.  A.  Culver,  president ; 
R.  D.  Culver,  cashier. 

Manufactures  and  Employees. — Frank  Kessler,  doors,  sash,  etc.,  6 ; Reynes  A 
Wellman,  flour,  etc.,  9 ; The  Logan  Woollen  Mills,  blankets,  etc.,  10  ; The  Logan 
Manufacturing  Co.,  furniture,  etc.,  54 ; C.  H.  V.  & T.  Railroad  Shops,  railroad 
repairs,  45  ; Motherwell  Iron  and  Steel  Co.,  bridges,  etc.,  83. — State  Report,  1888. 
Population  in  1880,  2,666.  School  census,  1888,  1,125.  Capital  invested  in  in- 
dustrial establishments,  $187,500.  Value  of  annual  product,  $323,000. — Labor 
Statistics,  1887.  U.  S.  Census,  1890,3,119. 

The  wild  scenery  in  the  western  part  of  the  county  was  first  brought  to  general 
notice,  in  ^^Silliman’s  Journal  of  Science,”  by  Dr.  S.  P.  Hildreth,  who  was  on  the 
first  geological  survey  of  Ohio  in  1837.  His  account,  as  given  in  our  first  edition, 
is  here  repeated : 


One  of  the  favorite  descents  of  the  Indians 
was  down  the  waters  of  Queer  creek,  a tribu- 
tary of  Sait  creek,  and  opened  a direct  course 
to  their  town  of  old  Chillicothe.  It  is  a wild, 
romantic  ravine,  in  which  the  stream  has  cut 
a passage,  for  several  miles  in  extent,  through 
the  solid  rock,  forming  mural  cliffs,  now  more 
than  one  hundred  and  twenty  feet  in  height. 
They  are  also  full  of  caverns  and  grottos, 
clothed  with  dark  evergreens  of  the  hemlock 
and  cedar.  Near  the  outlet  of  this  rocky  and 


narrow  valley  there  stood,  a few  years  since, 
a large  beech  tree,  on  which  was  engraven,  in 
legible  characters,  “ This  vi  the  road  to  hell, 
1782.”  These  words  were  probably  traced 
by  some  unfortunate  prisoner  then  on  his  way 
to  the  old  Indian  town  of  Chillicothe. 

This  whole  region  is  full  of  interesting 
scenery,  and  affords  some  of  the  most  wild 
and  picturesque  views  of  any  other  of  equal 
extent  in  the  State  of  Ohio. 

It  was  one  of  the  best  hunting  grounds  for 


HOCKING  COUNTY. 


the  bear ; as  its  numerous  grottos  and  cav- 
erns afforded  them  the  finest  retreats  for 
their  winter  quarters.  These  caverns  were 
also  valuable  on  another  account,  as  furnish- 
ing vast  beds  of  nitrous  earth,  from  which 
the  old  hunters,  in  time  of  peace,  extracted 
large  quantities  of  saltpetre  for  the  manufac- 
ture of  gunpowder,  at  which  art  some  of 
them  were  great  proficients.  One  of  these 
grottos,  well  known  to  the  inhabitants  of  the 
vicinity  by  the  name  of  the  ‘‘Ash  Cave,” 
contains  a large  heap  of  ashes  piled  up  by  the 
side  of  the  rock  which  forms  one  of  its  boun- 
daries. It  has  been  estimated,  by  different 
persons,  to  contain  several  thousand  bushels. 
The  writer  visited  this  grotto  in  1837,  and 
should  say  there  was  at  that  time  not  less 
than  three  or  four  hundred  bushels  of  clean 
ashes,  as  dry  and  free  from  moisture  as  they 
were  on  the  day  they  were  burned.  Whether 
they  are  the  refuse  of  the  old  saltpetre- 
makers,  or  were  piled  up  there  in  the  course 
of  ages,  by  some  of  the  aborigines  who  made 
these  caverns  their  dwelling-places,  remains 
as  yet  a subject  for  conjecture. 

These  ravines  and  grottos  have  all  been 
formed  in  the  out-cropping  edges  of  the  sand- 
stone and  conglomerate  rocks  which  underlie 
the  coal  fields  of  Ohio,  by  the  wasting  action 
of  the  weather,  and  attrition  of  running 
water.  The  process  is  yet  going  on  in  several 
streams  on  the  southwest  side  of  Hocking 


929 

county,  where  the  water  has  a descent  of 
thirty,  forty  or  even  fifty  feet  at  a single 
pitch,  and  a fall  of  eighty  or  a hundred  in  a 
few  rods.  The  falls  of  the  Cuyahoga  and 
the  Hockhocking  are  cut  in  the  same  geologi- 
cal formation.  The  water,  in  some  of  these 
branches,  is  of  sufiicient  volume  to  turn  the 
machinery  of  a grist  or  saw-mill,  and  being 
lined  and  overhung  with  the  graceful  foliage 
of  the  evergreen  hemlock,  furnishes  some  of 
the  wildest  and  most  beautiful  scenery.  This 
is  especially  so  at  the  “Cedar  Falls,”  and 
“ the  Falls  of  Black  Jack.”  The  country  is 
at  present  but  partially  settled,  but  when 
good  roads  are  opened  and  convenient  inns 
established,  no  portion  of  Ohio  can  afford  a 
richer  treat  for  the  lovers  of  wild  and  pictu- 
resque views. 

There  is  a tradition  among  the  credulous 
settlers  of  this  retired  spot,  that  lead  ore  was 
found  here  and  worked  by  the  Indians  ; and 
many  a weary  day  has  been  spent  in  its  fruit- 
less search  among  the  cliffs  and  grottos 
which  line  ail  the  streams  of  this  region. 
They  often  find  ashes  and  heaps  of  cinders  ; 
and  the  “ pot  holes  ” in  a bench  of  the  sand- 
rock  in  the  “Ash  Cave,”  evidently  worn  by 
the  water  at  a remote  period,  when  the 
stream  ran  here,  although  it  is  now  eighty  or 
one  hundred  feet  lower,  and  ten  or  twelve 
rods  farther  north,  they  imagine,  were  in 
some  way  used  for  smelting  the  lead. 


As  the  great  natural  curiosities  of  the  county  are  becoming  more  known  and 
appreciated,  we  think  it  best  to  describe  them  fully,  and  this  we  are  enabled  to  do 
by  a communication  from  the  pen  of  one  perfectly  familiar  with  them.  Dr.  O.  C. 
Farquhar,  of  Zanesville. 


Rock  House. 

Hocking  county  possesses  more  points  of 
interest  to  the  lovers  of  nature  than  can  be 
found  in  any  other  portion  of  the  State. 
Among  the  many  prominent  local  places  of 
notoriety  and  resort  that  are  to  be  found  in 
this  county,  nestled  away  behind  the  hills, 
or  in  the  valleys  of  this  seeming  wilderness, 
are  the  Ash  Cave,  Rock  House,  Dead 
Man’s  Cave,  Cedar  Falls,  Rock  Bridge, 
and  Saltpetre  Cave,  all  stand  out  in  the 
foreground,  although  it  is  impossible  for 
one  to  go  amiss  here,  who  is  in  search  of 
nature’s  most  grand  and  beautiful.  The 
Rock  House  is  located  about  twelve  miles 
southwest  of  Logan,  the  county-seat,  and  six 
miles  in  an  air  line  from  Adelphi  station, 
Ross  county,  on  a farm  of  300  acres,  owned 
by  Col.  F.  F.  Rempel,  of  Logan,  who  is 
public-spirited  and  entertaining,  and  has  re- 
cently erected  a very  simple  and  comfortable 
hotel  on  the  Rock  House  grounds,  for  the 
perfect  accommodation  of  the  throngs  of 
visitors  who  come  here  during  the  summer 
months,  from  all  parts  of  the  country. 

The  Rock  House  is  a house  within  a wall 
of  massive  sandstone  formation,  which  rises  to 
the  height  of  166  feet,  and  is  covered  here 
and  there  with  ferns  and  lichens.  From  out 


this  solid  wall  of  rock,  nature’s  means  of 
time  and  the  elements  have  perhaps  hewn 
out  this  vast  Grothic  hall  and  its  attendant 
chambers,  giving  it  windows  and  portals,  and 
great  sandstone  columns  to  bear  its  massive 
roof  This  cave  is  wonderful  for  its  peculiar 
formation.  It  is  about  350  feet  in  length, 
25  feet  high,  and  fully  25  feet  in  breadth. 
Instead  of  its  leading  into  the  bosom  of  the 
cliff  or  rocky  wall,  through  a small  aperture, 
as  is  common  with  most  subterranean  pas- 
sages, the  rocks  have  been  rifted  lengthwise, 
forming  two  Gothic  doorways  at  about  half 
the  height  of  the  precipice,  affording  the 
means  of  entrance  ; while  along  its  front  are 
arranged  five  massive  sandstone  pillars ; the 
openings  between  them  give  the  appearance 
of  Gothic  windows. 

Here  again  it  appears  marvellous  how 
much  of  human  art  and  skill  has  been  dis- 
played by  nature ; and  yet  all  is  devoid  of 
the  handiwork  of  man.  Near  the  southern 
end  of  the  cavern  is  a shelf  or  ledge  jutting 
out  beyond  the  doorway,  and  above  this  over' 
hangs  the  frowning  brow  of  the  great  preci' 
pice,  over  which  there  trickles  a little  stream 
of  water  at  both  the  east  and  west  ends  of 
this  lofty  precipice  of  rocks. 

In  taking  a position  in  the  valley  or  ravine 
at  the  base  of  this  rocky  wall  and  its  cliffs. 


930 


HOCKING  COUNTY. 


facing  the  main  entrance  which  leads  to  the 
wild,  weird-like,  mysterious  chambers  within, 
and  then  cast  the  eyes  well  up  towards  the 
top  of  the  cliff-rocks,  permitting  the  vision 
to  range  along  the  whole  frontage  for  a dis- 
tance of  500  yards,  the  view  thus  afforded  is 
sublime  and  grand  in  the  extreme. 

The  whole  face  of  this  wall  is  so  evenly 
and  beautifully  carved  by  nature’s  eroding 
rocesses,  that  the  even  regularity  and 
eauty  of  the  designs  appear  to  show  beyond 
a doubt  that  some  experienced  workman  and 
carver  of  stone  could  alone  have  shaped  these 
grotesque,  artistic  and  fancy  forms.  “Within 
this  house  not  made  with  hands  ’ ’ there  are 
doors,  dormitories,  windows,  rocky  porches, 
rooms,  halls,  stair-ways  and  chambers,  large 


enough  to  contain  more  than  a thousand  peo- 
ple. At  the  door  of  this  cavern  can  be  seen 
the  form  of  a book  cut  in  the  rock,  and  on 
the  pages  the  following  letters  appear  ; I.  T. 
F.  B.  B.  B.  A.  B I.  T.  F.  F.  A.  W.  M.  T. 
A.  W.,  which  translated  means,  “In  the  fall 
Buck  Bun  bananas  are  ripe.  In  the  frosty 
fall  a wise  man  takes  a wife.”  Buck  Bun 
bananas  is  the  neighborhood  vernacular  for 
paw-paws.  There  are  countless  unique  in- 
scriptions on  the  rocks  hereabouts.  One  can 
very  pleasantly,  and  with  profit  too,  spend  a 
month  here  delving  around  among  nature’s 
wonders,  as  only  found  in  the  howling  wilder- 
ness of  the  Hocking  hills,  whose  citizens  are 
always  proud  of  their  barefooted  Jay -bird 
orator. 


From  another  source  we  learn  the  cave  has  six  openings,  including  entrances 
and  windows.  These  openings  are  bounded  by  stone  columns,  as  expressed  to  us 
in  various  colors,  red,  yellow  and  green.  The  dimensions  are  also  thus  given  : 
Front  of  precipice  in  which  it  is  situated,  133  feet;  length  of  cavern,  200  feet; 
width  25  to  40,  and  roof  from  30  to  50  feet.  In  the  Ohio  Geological  Report  for 
1870  is  a biief  description  and  a picture.  We  now  give  our  correspondent’s  de- 
scription of  the  other  curiosities. 


Ash  Cave. 

One  of  the  most  striking  and  beautiful 
scenes  in  Hocking  county  is  so  named  from 
the  vast  quantity  of  ashes  it  contains.  It 
has  been  variously  estimated  by  different  per- 
sons to  contain  several  thousand  bushels. 
Even  as  late  as  this  year  (1 886)  there  are  evi- 
dences of  many  bushels  of  wood  ashes,  nearly 
as  pure,  dry  and  free  from  moisture  as  on  the 
day  when  they  were  burned.  The  source  of 
this  unnatural  ashy  •m3^stery  remains  unex- 
plained. It  has,  been  conjectured  that  they 
are  the  refuse  of  old  saltpetre  or  nitrate  of 
potash  makers,  or  whether  Ihey  were  piled 
up  in  this  cave  during  the  course  of  ages  by 
some  of  the  aborigines  who  made  these  cav- 
erns their  places  of  abode,  are  at  best  only 
visionary  and  speculative. 

The  cave  is  formed  by  a projecting  cliff  at 
the  source  of  a little  stream,  whose  deep 
valley  or  gulch  parts  the  bold,  rock-ribbed 
hills  whose  summits  look  down  upon  the  tops 
of  the  loftiest  pines,  which  grow  at  their 
base.  At  this  point,  which  is  the  highest 
rock-exposure  in  Hocking  county,  the  ledge  is 
not  less  than  125  feet  high,  and  reaches  or 
projects  over  from  the  base  not  less  than 
100  feet,  forming  a semicircular  cavern  nearly 
700  feet  in  length,  ninety  feet  deep,  and  about 
the  same  in  height.  At  one  side  of  this 
semicircle,  near  the  rock,  lies  the  great  pile 
of  ashes  which  gives  this  enchanting  and 
mysterious  cavern  the  name  of  Ash  Cave. 

From  the  centre  of  the  overhanging  roof  a 
streamlet  leaps  into  a pool  below,  lending  ad- 
ditional grandeur,  beauty  and  charms  to  the 
before  sublime  picture.  For  more  than  a 
quarter  of  a mile  distance  down  this  valley, 
on  either  side,  rises  to  a height  of  from  eighty 
to  100  feet,  a rocky  ledge,  which  for  diversity 
and  elegant  naturalness  forms  a scenic  view 


seldom  if  ever  surpassed.  It  simply  opens 
out  to  the  view  of  the  awe-impressed  be- 
holder a magnificent  amphitheatre,  where 
every  step  and  every  glance  unfolds  new  and 
beautiful  wonders.  Large  masses  of  sand- 
rock  are  seemingly  thrown  together  with  an 
intention  of  pure  chaotic  confusion,  many  of 
them  beautifully  lichened  with  variegated 
mosses,  rivalling  with  their  gorgeous  beauty 
the  finest  hues  of  the  most  luxuriant  Brussels 
carpets. 

From  some  points  or  positions  of  observa- 
tion, the  eye  takes  in  the  entire  length  and 
breadth  of  this  rocky  ledge,  from  base  to 
summit.  At  other  points  are  presented  the 
furrowed  erosions  of  the  rocky  faces,  partly 
hidden  by  vines  that  clamber  up  their  sides, 
and  the  topmost  branches  of  the  scraggy 
pines  that  grow  up  from  below.  This  pecu- 
liar, beautiful,  weird  and  extensive  cavern,' 
and  the  scenery  in  its  vicinity,  is  located  in 
Benton  township,  about  twenty-one  miles 
southwest  of  Logan,  the  county-seat.  Thou- 
sands of  people  visit  the  place  each  summer, 
generally  making  one  journey  take  them  to 
both  the  Bock  House,  only  six  miles  distant 
from  the  cave.  Ohio  can  furnish  no  more 
beautiful  scenery  than  is  to  be  found  in  this 
county. 

Bock  Bridge. 

This  natural  rocky  wonder  is  situated  in 
Good-Hope  township.  Hocking  county,  on  the 
Hocking  river,  and  the  line  of  the  Colum- 
bus, Hocking  Valley  and  Toledo  Bailway, 
about  midway  between  Lancaster  and  Logan. 
This  curiosity  is  a sandstone  formation,  the 
under  side  forming  an  arch  of  about  thirty 
degrees  curvature.  The  bridge  is  level  on 
the  top,  ranges  from  ten  to  twenty  feet  wide, 
and  is  entirely  detached  from  all  adjoining 
rock  for  a distance  of  nearly  100  feet.  The 


Frank  Henry  Howe,  Photo.,  1889, 


Rock  Bridge. 


Rock  House  Cave, 


932 


HOCKING  COUNTY. 


span,  measured  from  the  under  side,  is  about 
1 50  feet,  and  is  at  an  elevation  of  about  fifty 
feet  from  the  bottom  of  the  gulch  it  spans. 
The  location  and  easy  accessibility,  together 
with  the  romantic,  wild-like  place,  its  fine 


shade  and  picturesque  surroundings,  have 
made  it  a favorite  site  for  picnic  excursions 
from  all  points  along  the  line  of  the  Colum- 
bus, Hocking  Valley  and  Toledo  Railway. 


Colonel  Whittlesey’s  Reminiscences. 

In  the  Slimmer  of  1886,  a few  weeks  before  the  decease  of  Colonel  Charles 
Whittlesey  (see  page  523),  he  gave  us  orally  some  interesting  items,  gathered  when 
on  geological  surveys  of  Ohio,  about  forty-five  years  before.  Early  in  this  cen- 
tury,” said  he,  before  the  establishment  of  courts  to  try  culprits,  there  was  a rude 
system  of  justice  established  by  the  people.  The  wilderness  region — the  hill- 
country  of  Sontheastern  Ohio — at  times  suffered  from  the  crimes  of  scoundrels 
who  stole  horses  from  the  poor  settlers  and  sometimes  committed  murder.  When- 
ever they  were  caught,  and  evidence  certain,  the  people  hung  or  shot  them  with 
but  little  formality.  A considerable  number  of  desperadoes  were  thus  disposed 
of ; but  the  facts  did  not  go  out  to  the  public,  as  it  was  before  the  days  of  news- 
papers. 


In  the  north  part  of  Hocking  county  (the 
name  of  the  township  I don’t  recollect,  only 
that  it  was  on  the  south  side  of  S.  W.  } of 
section  24)  is  a cave  called  Thieves  Cave^ 
where  the  horse-thieves  gathered  their  horses 
— more  properly  a rock  shelter,  shelving  to- 
wards the  rear.  It  was  in  the  form  of  an 
ellipse,  about  130  feet  long  and  thirty  feet  to 
the  rear.  In  the  beginning  of  the  century 
horses  were  brought  here.  Here  the  horse- 
thieves  lived  and  hunted.  As  late  as  1872 
horse-manure  was  found  by  me  while  explor- 
ing it  geologically. 

At  New  Straitsville,  in  the  adjoining  county 
of  Perry,  is  a rock  shelter  on  the  south  side 
of  Sugar  Run,  about  100  feet  long  and  forty 
broad,  where  religious  meetings  and  meetings 
of  miners  have  been  held. 

AncicTitly  there  was  a hunters’  trail  on  the 
height  of  land  between  Lost  Run  and  the 
West  Fork  of  Snow  Fork.  This  was  only  a 


short  distance  from  the  cave.  Shortly  after 
the  war  yf  1812,  say  about  1816,  a man  with 
his  family,  moving  West,  was  overtaken  by 
winter  and  out  of  money,  about  a mile  and  a 
half  northeast  from  Thieves’  Cave,  on  the 
West  Fork  of  Snow  Fork,  near  where  it  is 
crossed  by  the  county  line  of  Hocking  and 
Perry.  He  found  there  a sand-stone  block, 
which,  separated  from  the  main  cliff,  fell  and 
stood  upright,  thus  forming  with  the  main 
cliff,  two  vertical  walls.  He  closed  up  the 
rear  end  and  made  a door  at  the  other.  His 
only  light  was  from  the  open  door.  He  had 
plenty  of  wood  and  water.  He  made  shoes 
all  winter  for  the  sparse  settlers,  and  in 
spring  had  money  enough  to  pursue  his 
journey. 

Lost  Run  derived  its  name  from  a hunter 
lost.  Years  after  his  skeleton  was  found  with 
gun  by  his  side.  He  had  evidently  been  sit- 
ting by  a tree  and  had  frozen  to  death. 


One  of  ^^the  Old  Guard”  an  Ohio  Pioneer. 


There  died  in  Logan  county,  in  June,  1885,  Christopher  Stahley,  aged  104 
years  and  10  months.  He  was  a last  survivor”  of  the  grand  army  of  Napoleon  ; 
a native  of  Alsace ; a typical  veteran  of  the  v^ars,  scarred  and  crippled.  He  was 
a man  of  culture,  and  grew  eloquent  when  describing  his  campaigns;  and,  like 
all  of  Napoleon’s  soldiers,  adored  his  leader  and  worshipped  his  memory.  We 
give  herewith  extracts  from  Stahley’s  story,  as  related  to  the  correspondent  of  the 
Cincinnati  Enquirer  .* 


“I  became  a soldier  at  fifteen,  and  was  one 
of  the  thirty  thousand  men  who  went  with 
Napoleon  to  Egypt,  and  was  one  of  the  first 
to  enter  the  city  of  Malta.  I was  with  my 
command  at  the  Pyramids,  and  participated 
in  the  terrible  conflict  with  the  ^Iamelukes. 
Thence  across  the  desert  and  through  the 
Isthmus  of  Suez  to  Gaza  and  Jaffa,  and  saw 
the  1,500  ])ut  to  death  for  breaking  their  pa- 
role, and  helped  to  annihilate  the  allied  army 
of  18,000  at  Aboukir. 


“It  was  in  1804  that  we  helped  to  pro- 
claim him  Emperor,  and  saw  the  prepara- 
tions made  to  invade  England.  But  England 
was  spared  and  Austria  punished  instead. 


“Three  years  of  preparation  and  we  were 
on  the  road  to  the  Capital  of  Russia  in  that 
memorable  campaign  of  1812.  There  were 
480,000  of  us  who  went  forth  to  gloiy.  Less 
than  half  that  number  returne<l,  and  the 
most  of  them  after  being  detained  as  prison- 
ers. I saw  them  fall  by  battalions  at  Smo- 


HOCKING  COUNTY. 


933 


lensk  and  Borodino,  and  perish  by  grand 
divisions  on  the  retreat  from  Moscow  to 
Smorgoni.  I personally  attended  the  Em- 
peror to  France,  when  he  bade  adieu  to  his 
soldiers  at  the  latter  city. 


“ I was  one  of  the  Old  Guard.  There  is  a 
blank  in  my  memory,  and  I do  not  know  how 
I got  back  to  Paris ; but  I found  myself 
there,  and  learned  that  my  old  commander 
was  a prisoner  at  St.  Helena.  Then  came 
the  news  of  his  death.  I had  taken  part  in 
fifty  engagements,  great  and  small,  and  had 
seen  men  die  by  the  thousand  ; but  that  death 
alfected  me  more  than  all  the  rest  put  to- 
gether. 


‘‘In  1822,  in  company  with  my  wife,  I 
emigrated  to  America.  We  reached  Pitts- 
burg by  stage.  From  there  we  floated  down 
the  Ohio  on  a flat-boat  to  the  mouth  of  the 


Muskingum,  and  ascended  that  river  to 
Zanesville  in  a canoe.  From  Zanesville  I 
trundled  all  'my  earthly  possessions  in  a 
wheelbarrow  to  St.  Joseph’s,  near  Somerset, 
where  I bought  a farm  and  settled  down. 
Then  began  my  disasters.  ^ My  oldest  son  was 
with  me  in  the  forest  hewing  logs  for  a barn, 
and  by  a false  stroke  of  the  broad  axe  cut  off 
my  thumb  and  finger.  A few  years  later  a 
vicious  horse  kicked  me  in  the  forehead  and 
left  this  scar  that  looks  like  a sabre  cut.  The 
next  year  I fell  from  a tobacco-house  I was 
helping  to  raise,  and  broke  four  ribs  and  my 
collar-bone.  Ten  j^ears  later  I slipped  and 
fell  into  a threshing-machine,  and  I had  my 
foot  torn  off.  A few  years  ago  I was  on  my 
way  to  church,  and  my  horse  ran  away,  threw 
me  out  of  the  carriage,  shattered  my  elbow, 
and  left  me  with  a stiff  arm.  I am  in  con- 
stant dread  of  meeting  a fatal  accident.  Had 
I remained  in  the  grand  army  of  the  Em- 
peror 1 would  feel  perfectly  safe.  ’ ’ 


Trip  to  the  Hocking  Valley  Coal  Mines. 

The  coal  mining  interests  of  the  Hocking  valley  have  developed  enormously 
within  the  past  ten  years.  Immense  quantities  of  this  coal  are  cai’ried  by  rail  to 
Lake  Erie,  and  thence  transported  by  water  to  points  on  the  lakes,  while  large 
quantities  of  it  are  reshipped  by  rail  at  Duluth  and  other  points,  for  consumption 
in  the  Northwestern  States. 

The  operators  of  the  Hocking  valley  have  ever  been  ready  to  take  advantage 
of  new  improvements  in  mining  machinery  and  labor-saving  devices  to  increase 
the  output  of  their  mines.  An  account  of  a recent  visit  of  the  members  of  the 
Ohio  Institute  of  Mining  Engineers,  for  purposes  of  inspection,  was  published  in 
the  Ohio  State  Journal.  We  make  extracts  therefrom  : 


The  first  stop  was  made  near  Straitsville, 
where  No.  1 1 mine,  owned  by  the  Columbus 
and  Hocking  Coal  and  Iron  Company,  was 
visited  and  the  thickness  of  the  great  vein 
was  noted.  The  next  stop  was  made  at  Sand 
Run,  where  the  box-car  loading  machine  was 
in  operation.  This  machine  is  truly  wonder- 
ful in  its  mechanism.  The  coal  runs  from  a 
chute  into  the  box-car  door,  where  the  coal 
is  received  on  a portable  platform  run  in 
through  the  opposite  door.  There  is  a steam- 
shovel  attached  to  this  platform,  which  works 
from  right  to  left,  throwing  the  coal  to  each 
end  of  the  car.  The  machine  is  worked  by 
steam  and  is  under  the  control  of  an  operator, 
who  regulates  the  speed  of  the  engine.  This 
labor-saving  device  takes  the  place  of  four 
men,  and  with  it  a box-car  can  be  loaded  as 
quickly  as  an  open  car. 

Another  interesting  machine  at  these  works 
is  the  endle.ss-rope  haulage  sj^stem.  The  en- 
gine is  made  on  the  same  plan  as  a railroad 
locomotive,  and  the  large  drums  over  which 
the  wire  rope  runs  can  be  run  backward  or 
forward  at  the  will  of  the  engineer.  Ten 
bank-cars  are  brought  out  of  the  mine  at  a 
time,  making  about  fifteen  tons  of  coal,  or 
about  the  average  amount  loaded  on  each 
railroad  coal-car.  There  is  a large  dial,  with 
a hand  attached  to  the  fly-wheel.  This  en- 


ables the  engineer  to  know  at  all  times  where 
the  train  is. 

Leaving  Sand  Run  at  9.10  A.  m.,  the  next 
stop  was  made  at  the  mines  of  the  Consoli- 
dated Coal  and  Mining  Co.,  at  Brashears, 
where  the  air-compressor  and  the  Harrison 
mining  machines  are  in  operation.  The 
Lechner  air-drills  and  wire-rope  haulage  were 
also  in  use. 

After  dinner  the  party  visited  the  mines 
of  the  Ellsworth  and  Morris  Coal  Company 
at  Brush  Fork,  which  are  the  Jargeat  mines  in 
the  United  States.  At  these  mines  there  is 
an  entry  on  each  side  of  the  valley,  tracks 
leading  in  a “ Y”  on  the  same  hoppers,  and 
the  coal  is  dumped  over  the  same  tipple. 
The  capacity  of  the  mines  at  this  i)lace  is  two 
thousand  tons  per  day.  One  cannot  imagine 
the  magnitude  of  this  great  work  without 
seeing  it.  Seven  bank-cars  are  dumped  per 
minute,  or  ten  and  a half  tons.  The  wire- 
rope  haulage  system  is  used  here  also,  but  on 
a larger  scale.  The  two  last  mines  visited 
are  fitted  out  with  the  latest  machinery. 

Leaving  Brush  Fork  at  two  o’clock  the 
next  stop  was  made  at  Buchtel,  where  some 
left  the  train  to  visit  the  large  l>lnst  furnace, 
while  others  went  to  Happy  Hollow  to  see 
the  coke-ovens  of  the  Nelsonville  Coal  and 
Coke  Company. 


934 


HOCKING  COUNTY. 


Mr.  Thomas  E.  Knauss,  of  Columbus,  was  the  wire-rope  haulage  system  in  the  Hocking 
with  the  party.  Mr.  Knauss  was  formerly  valley, 
located  at  Nelson ville,  and  is  the  pioneer  of 

The  Haydenville  Mining  and  Manufacturing  Company,  of  which  Peter  Hayden, 
of  Columbus,  was  president  and  principal  owner,  is  a large  concern;  owning 
3,000  acres  of  valuable  mineral  land,  underlaid  by  rich  deposits  of  coal  and  fire- 
clay ; large  and  substantial  building  and  factories,  employing  a large  force  of 
men,  the  company  turns  out  immense  quantities  of  sewer-pipe,  fire-proofing,  terra 
cotta,  and  paving-blocks.  The  industry  is  a valuable  one. 


Its  development  is  due  to  the  enterprise  of 
Peter  Hayden,  he  being  one  of  the  pioneer 
coal  operators  of  the  Hocking  valley,  and  one 
who  has  done  as  much  as  any  one  man  for 
the  development  of  the  vast  mineral  wealth 
of  this  region. 

Mr.  Hayden’s  death,  which  occurred  April 
6,  1888,  brought  sorrow  and  grief  to  many 
hearts  in  this  valley,  as  he  was  renowned  for 
his  patriarchal  care,  his  consideration  for  the 
comfort  and  interests,  and  benevolence  to 


those  in  his  employ.  Men  of  all  classes 
deemed  it  an  honor  to  work  for  him.  He 
employed  none  but  sober,  industrious,  and 
intelligent  men,  and  never  permitted  a good 
rnan  to  leave  his  service,  if  money  and  con- 
siderate treatment  were  an  inducement  to  re- 
main. As  a result,  his  enterprises  were  sin- 
gularly free  from  all  labor  complications  ; and 
his  career  affords  an  example  to  be  emulated 
by  all  those  employing  large  numbers  of 
men. 


Haydenville  is  six  miles  southeast  of  Logan,  on  the  Hocking  Canal  and  C. 
H.  V.  & T.  Railroad.  Population  about  600. 

Gore  is  eight  miles  northeast  of  Logan,  on  the  Straitsville  branch  of  the  C.  H. 
V.  & T.  Railroad.  Population  about  600.  School  census,  1888,  200. 

Carbon  Hill  is  eight  miles  southeast  of  Logan,  on  the  H.  V.  division  of  the 
C.  H.  V.  & T.  Railroad.  Population  about  500. 

Laurelville  is  twenty-two  miles  southwest  of  Logan.  It  has  one  Cumber- 
land Presbyterian  and  one  Baptist  Church.  Population  about  300.  School  cen- 
sus, 1888,  111. 

Millville  is  eight  miles  northwest  of  Logan,  on  the  C.  H.  V.  & T.  Railroad. 
Population  about  250.  School  census,  1888,  115. 

Murray  City  is  twelve  miles  east  of  Logan,  on  the  C.  H.  V.  & T.  Railroad. 
Population  about  500. 

South  Bloomingville  is  seventeen  miles  southwest  of  Logan.  Popula- 
tion, 350. 


HOLMES. 


Holmes  County  was  formed  January  20,  1824,  and  organized  the  next  year. 
It  was  named  from  Major  Holmes,  a gallant  young  officer  of  the  war  of  1812, 
who  was  killed  in  the  unsuccessful  attack  upon  Mackinac,  under  Col.  Croghan, 
August  4,  1814.  Fort  Holmes  at  Mackinac  was  also  named  from  him. 

Area  about  420  square  miles.  In  1887  the  acres  cultivated  were  99,862  ; in 
pasture,  111,913;  woodland,  50,474;  lying  waste,  2,919;  produced  in  wheat, 
462,252  bushels ; rye,  6,145 ; buckwheat,  1,096 ; oats,  553,489  ; barley,  898  ; 
corn,  554,491  ; broom  corn,  1,200  lbs.  brush  ; meadow  hay,  23,882  tons;  clover 
hay,  11,440;  potatoes,  56,161  bushels;  tobacco,  955  Ihs. ; butter,  499,561; 
cheese,  197,623  ; sorghum,  870  gallons;  maple  syru]),  5,017  ; honey,  5,505  lbs. ; 
eggs,  550,828  dozen  ; grapes,  19,550  lbs. ; wine,  317  gallojis ; apples,  24, 153  bush. ; 


HOLMES  COUNTY. 


935 


peaches,  24,153;  pears,  1,110;  wool,  211,529  lbs.;  milch  cows  owned,  6,868. 
School  census,  1888,  7,029  ; teachers,  171.  Miles  of  railroad  track,  47. 


Townships  and  Census. 

1840. 

1880. 

Townships  and  Census. 

1840. 

1880. 

Berlin, 

1,151 

1,378 

Paint, 

1,361 

1,381 

German, 

1,281 

1,517 

Prairie, 

1,347 

1,462 

Hardy, 

1,985 

3,230 

Richland, 

1,088 

1,463 

Killbuck, 

906 

1,375 

Ripley, 

1,279 

1,359 

Knox, 

1,178 

1,005 

Salt  Creek, 

1,730 

1,494 

Mechanic, 

1,400 

1,271 

Walnut  Creek, 

1,000 

1,371 

Monroe, 

898 

1,054 

Washington, 

1,457 

1,416 

Population  of  Holmes  in  1830  was  9,123;  1840,  18,061;  1860,  20,589; 
1880,  20,776  ; of  whom  17,436  were  born  in  Ohio,  1,345  in  Pennsylvania, 
105  in  Indiana,  96  in  Virginia,  74  in  New  York,  2 in  Kentucky,  782  in  Ger- 
man Empire,  177  in  France,  71  in  Ireland,  45  in  England  and  Wales,  9 in 
Scotland,  5 in  British  America,  and  18  in  Sweden  and  Norway.  Census,  1890, 
21,139. 

The  following  historical  and  descriptive  sketch  of  Holmes  county  and  of 
Millersburg,  the  county-seat,  was  carefully  prepared  by  one  of  its  venerable 
citizens,  Mr.  G.  F.  Newton,  of  Millersburg.  It  being  more  full  than  that  in  our 
first  edition  we  substitute  it. 

The  territory  included  within  the  county  of  Holmes  was  taken  from  the 
counties  of  Wayne,  Coshocton  and  Tuscarawas : from  Wayne,  87,440  acres, 
from  Coshocton,  162,200  acres,  and  from  Tuscarawas,  16,200  acres;  total  area, 
267,840.  A line  running  diagonally  through  the  county  from  east-northeast  to 
west-southwest,  commonly  known  as  the  Indian  Boundary  line,  separates  the 
United  States  military  district  and  the  Indian  reservation  (new  purchase). 

The  territory  north  of  this  line  was  surveyed  into  townships  of  six  miles 
square,  and  again  into  sections  of  640  acres.  That  south  of  said  line  is  surveyed 
into  townships  of  five  miles  square,  and  again  into  quarter  townships  of  4,000 
acres.  Some  of  these  quarter  townships  were  again  divided  into  100  acre  lots  for 
the  private  soldiers  of  1776.  Within  this  county  480  of  these  100  acre  lots  were 
given  to  the  soldiers  of  the  Revolutionary  war.  Six  of  the  4,000  acre  tracts  of 
land  were  set  apart  as  schools-land  for  the  Connecticut  Western  Reserve  and  sub- 
sequently sold  at  public  sale.  . The  remainder  of  this  territory  was  surveyed  into 
sections  of  640  acres  and  sold  at  private  entry  at  Zanesville. 

The  valley  of  Killbuck  river  passes  from  north  to  south  through  the  centre  of 
the  county  ; the  valley  is  deep  and  adjoining  hills  high  and  steep.  On  each  side 
of  the  river,  seven  to  nine  miles  distant,  is  a high  ridge  of  land,  separating  its 
waters  from  those  of  the  Mohican  and  Tuscarawas.  From  the  valley  to  the  hill- 
tops are  innumerable  springs  of  pure  water,  many  of  them  very  strong,  which  in 
their  rapid  descent  to  the  river  furnish  good  water-power. 

In  the  northwest  corner  of  the  county  is  OdeWs  Lake,  a beautiful  body  of  pure 
water,  in  places  thirty  feet  deep.  It  is  half  a mile  broad,  two  miles  long,  and 
abounds  in  fish.  It  furnishes  water-power  sufficient  to  run  a large  flouring  mill. 
The  P.  Ft.W.  & C.  R.  R.  has  constructed  a station  on  the  north  side  of  this  lake. 
Since  then  it  has  become  a popular  place  of  resort  for  pleasure  and  fishing 
jiarties. 

All  the  valleys  of  this  county  are  very  productive  when  properly  cultivated, 
and  those  of  Paint,  Martin’s  and  Doughty’s  creeks  are  wide  and  beautiful.  The 
chief  productions  are  wheat,  corn,  oats,  hay,  sheep,  cattle  and  horses.  Taking 
into  consideration  its  size.  Holmes  is  hardly  surpassed  by  any  county  in  the  State 
for  its  productions  of  wheat  and  fine  horses. 

The  southwest  part  of  the  county  is  quite  broken  and  hilly ; yet  its  immense 
quarrk  ^ of  brown,  white  and  blue  limestone,  coal  and  other  minerals,  make  it 


93^ 


HOLMES  COUNTY. 


equally  valuable  with  other  parts.  Coal  has  been  successfully  mined  in  every 
township  of  the  county  and  in  some  of  them  extensively. 

First  Settlement. 

In  July,  1809,  Jonathan  Grant,  of  Beaver  county,  Pa.,  and  his  son,  then  a boy, 
built  the  first  cabin  in  the  county.  They  came  on  foot  through  the  woods,  carry- 
ing a gun,  ammunition  and  tools  for  doing  their  work.  Their  cabin  was  on  Salt 
creek,  in  Prairie  township,  about  one  mile  east  of  the  Kill  buck.  They  made  a 
clearing  and  sowed  a large  patch  for  turnips.  Grant  then  fell  sick,  and  for 
twenty-eight  days  lay  on  a bed  of  bark  and  leaves,  and  subsisted  chiefly  on  roots, 
attended  only  by  his  son.  He  became  reduced  to  a skeleton,  and  the  boy  was  but 
little  better. 

An  Indian  passing  along  the  valley  discovered  the  cabin  and  stopped.  He  told 
Grant  that  ‘^Pale  Face’^  and  his  family  were  encamped  in  the  Killbuck  valley, 
at  a big  spring,  and  pointed  the  direction.  The  boy  went  and  in  a short  time 
returned  with  Jonathan  Butler,  who  had,  with  his  father-in-law,  James  Morgan, 
reached  the  valley  the  day  previous. 

Through  the  timely  assistance  of  Butler,  Grant  soon  recovered  and  became  of 
much  service  to  his  new  acquaintances.  Grant  could  speak  the  Indian  language, 
and  was  with  the  surveyors  as  their  ^Gookout’^ ’while  surveying  the  ^Giew 
purchase,’^  and  knew  all  about  the  country,  as  well  as  being  a great  hunter.  His 
patch  of  turnips  turned  out  abundantly  and  of  excellent  quality,  and  proved  of 
much  service  that  fall  and  next  spring.  Grant  did  not  return  home  to  his  family 
in  Pennsylvania  until  cold  weather. 

In  April,  1810,  Edwin  Martin,  then  John  L.  Dawson,  David  and  Robert  Kn^. 
settled  on  Martin’s  creek,  about  one  mile  south  of  GranPs^abiiL  Afew*^^s 
later  a dozen  or  more  families  settled  in  that  neighborhood.  Grant’s  among  them. 
Settlements  were  commenced  on  the  east  end  of  this  county — then  Tuscai-awas — 
along  the  valleys  of  Walnut  and  Sugar  creeks,  in  1809-10,  by  the  Troyers,  Hoch- 
tellers.  Weavers,  Millers,  Domers,  Bergers  and  others : also  on  Doughty,  the 
Carpenters  and  Morrisons.  In  1810-11  Peter  Casey  and  others  settled  on  the 
Killbuck,  near  Millersburg ; and  Abraham  Shrimlin  farther  south  on  Shrimlin 
creek.  Peter  Shimer,  Jacob  Korn,  Thomas  Edgar  and  others,  near  Berlin  ; and 
the  Finneys,  Mackey,  Hevelands  and  others,  in  what  is  now  Monroe  township, 
then  in  Coshocton  county.  In  1810-11  the  Priests,  Bonnets,  Newkirks,  Drakes 
and  Quicks  settled  in  the  valley  of  Mohican,  then  Wayne  county. 

In  1812  the  settlers  fearing  the  Indians  built  a block-house  on  the  Dawson 
land,  half  a mile  east  of  Holmesville ; but  the  Indians  not  becoming  troublesome 
it  was  used  but  a short  time.  Col.  Crawford  on  his  unfortunate  campaign  crossed 
the  Killbuck  north  of  Holmes,  and  camped  at  night  near  the  big  spring,”  May 
30,  1781 ; there  one  of  his  men  died  that  night,  and  his  burial-place  was  marked 
on  a beech-tree  near  by.  At  this  spring  Jonathan  Butler  settled,  and  February 
4, 1810,  his  daughter  Hannah  was  born.  The  spring  is  known  as  the  first  burial 
and  first  birth-place  of  white  persons  in  the  county. 

On  the  organization  of  the  county  the  associate  judges  of  the  Court  of  Com- 
mon Pleas  appointed  were  : Peter  Casey,  William  Hutchinson  and  George  Luke. 
They  met  at  Millersburg,  February  18,  1825,  and  organized  the  court.  They 
appointed  James  S.  Irvine  clerk  of  court  and  county  recorder,  and  Samuel 
*Robinson  county  surveyor.  They  also  issued  a proclamation  for  an  election  to 
ensue  April  4th,  for  the  necessary  township  and  county  officers,  whereby  Daniel 
Hutchinson  was  elected  sheriff;  Anson  Wheaton,  coroner ; Seth  Hunt,  auditor ; 
for  county  comtnissioners,  David  I.  Finney,  Griffith  Johnson  and  Frederick  Hall. 
The  commissioners  at  their  June  term  organized  the  county  into  townships,  which 
remain  unchanged. 

Millernhurg  in  1846. — Millersburg,  the  county-seat,  is  situated  on  elevated 


HOLMES  COUNTY. 


937 


ground,  surrounded  by  lofty  hills,  on  Killbuck  creek,  eighty-seven  miles  north- 
east of  Columbus,  and  about  seventy  south  of  Cleveland.  It  was  laid  out  in 
1824,  by  Charles  Miller  and  Adam  Johnson,  and  public  lots  sold  on  the  4th  of 
June  of  that  year.  There  had  been  previously,  a quarter  of  a mile  north,  a town 
of  the  same  name,  laid  out  about  the  year  1816.  The  names  recollected  of  the 
first  settlers  in  the  village  are  Seth  Hunt,  Colonel  William  Painter,  Samuel  S. 
Henry,  George  Stout,  Samuel  C.  M’Howell,  P.  K.  Enos,  Jonathan  Korn,  John 
Smurr,  John  Glasgow,  Thomas  Hoskins,  James  Withrow,  James  M’Kennan — 
the  first  lawyer  in  Holmes,  and  James  S.  Irvine,  the  first  physician  in  the  same. 
A short  time  previous  to  the  sale  three  houses  were  erected.  The  first  was  a 
frame,  on  the  northeast  corner  of  Jackson  and  Washington  streets;  the  second,  a 
frame,  on  the  northeast  corner  of  Washington  and  Adams  streets ; and  the  last., 
a log,  on  the  site  of  S.  C.  Bever’s  residence.  The  Seceder  church,  the  first  built, 
was  erected  in  1830,  and  the  Methodist  Episcopal  in  1833.  The  village  was  laid 
out  in  the  forest,  and  in  1830  the  population  reached  to  320.  About  fourteen 
years  since,  on  a Sunday  afternoon,  a fire  broke  out  in  the  frame  house  on  the 
corner  of  Washington  and  Adams  streets,  and  destroyed  a large  part  of  the  vil- 
lage. Among  the  buildings  burned  were  the  court-house  and  jail,  which  were  of 
log,  the  first  standing  on  the  northeast  corner  of  the  public  square,  and  the  other 
a few  rods  south  of  it.  Millersburg  contains  1 Presbyterian,  1 Episcopal  Meth- 
odist, 1 Lutheran  and  1 Seceder  church,  2 newspaper  j)rinting-offices,  10  dry- 
goods  and  3 grocery  stores,  1 foundry,  1 grist-mill,  and  had,  in  1846,  673  inhab- 
itants.— Old  Edition. 

Millersburg  is  eighty -three  miles  northeast  of  Columbus  and  eighty-four 
miles  south  of  Cleveland,  on  the  C.  A.  & C.  Railroad.  Newspapers : Holmes 
County  Farmer,  Democratic,  Newton  & Barton,  editors  and  proprietors ; Holmes 
County  Republican,  Republican,  White  & Cunningham,  proprietors.  Churches  : 
1 Catholic,  1 Disciples,  1 United  Presbyterian,  1 Lutheran,  1 German  Reformed, 
1 Methodist  Episcopal,  and  1 Presbyterian.  Banks : Commercial,  Robert  Long, 
president,  John  E.  Koch,  Jr.,  cashier;  L.  Mayer^s  Exchange,  C.  R.  Mayer,  cash- 
ier; J.  & G.  Adams,  A.  C.  Adams,  cashier.  County  Officers,  1888:  Auditor, 
Edwin  A.  Uhl;  Clerk,  Jacob  J.  Strome;  Commissioners,  Jacob  Schmidt,  Philip 
Petry,  Henry  Shafer;  Coroner,  John  A.  Gonser;  Infirmary  Directors,  Edward 
E.  Olmstead,  Joseph  Geisinger,  John  McClelland;  Probate  Judge,  Richard  W. 
Taneyhill ; Prosecuting  Attorney,  Samuel  N.  Schwartz ; Recorders,  Theodore  H. 
Thome,  Jacob  B.  Lepley ; Sheriff,  William  S.  Troyer ; Surveyor,  William  S. 
Hanna ; Treasurers,  A.  B.  Rudy,  Samuel  Anderson.  City  Officers,  1888  : Mayor, 
John  P.  Larimer ; Clerk,  J.  G.  Walkup  ; Treasurer,  Allen  G.  Sprankle ; Marshal, 
John  E.  Albertson. 

Manufacture7's  and.  Employees. — Gray  & Adams,  planing  mill,  4 hands  ; Henry 
Snyder,  tiles,  etc.,  12;  Maxwell,  Hecker  & Pomerene,  flour,  etc.,  10. — State  Re- 
port, 1888.  Population  in  1880,  1,814.  School  census,  1888,  590;  John  A. 
McDowell,  superintendent.  Census,  1890,  1,923. 

The  county  has  had  three  court-houses  and  three  jails.  The  first  of  these  were 
constructed  of  wood  and  burned  in  1 834 ; these  were  replaced  by  brick  struc- 
tures, since  taken  down  to  give  j)lace  to  the  present  buildings.  The  present  court- 
house, completed  in  1886,  is  all  of  stone,  in  three  colors — white,  blue  and  gray- 
taken  from  quarries  within  the  county.  Eor  beauty  and  durability  they  are  un- 
surjiassed  by  any  in  the  State.  In  the  county  are  ten  thriving  villages,  all  having 
good  schools,  churches,  stores  and  various  mechanical  shops. 

The  county  has  fifteen  school  districts,  106  well-built  school-houses,  many  of 
them  having  large  grounds  with  trees,  vines  and  flowers ; eleven  of  them  with 
two  or  more  departments,  and  sixty-one  comfortable  frame,  brick  or  stone  churches, 
and  about  as  many  more  worshipping  congregations  meet  in  soliool-houses,  which, 
if  the  entire  population  of  the  county  were  at  once  to  assemble,  would  give  an 
average  of  120  attendants  at  each  place. 


Drawn  by  Henry  Howe  in  1846. 


Millersbukg. 


Eossi  Hall,  Millersbury,  Photo.,  1886. 

;Millersburo. 

Each  of  the  views  is  taken  from  the  same  point,  forty  years  apart  in  time. 


HOLMES  COUNTY. 


939 


The  first  newspaper  published  in  the  county,  the  Millershurg  Gazette,  was  printed 
June  9,  1828.  It  Avas  Democratic  in  politics,  and  as  such  had  a continuous  pub- 
lication as  the  official  paper  of  the  county.  In  1840  its  name  was  changed  to 
Holmes  County  Farmer,  which  name  it  still  bears.  It  is  now  published  by  D.  G. 
Newton  and  L.  G.  Barton  ; the  former  has  been  connected  with  its  publication 
thirty-three  years.  In  1835  an  opposition  paper,  the  Holmes  County  Whig,  was 
started.  It  had  many  suspensions,  revivals  and  changes  of  name.  In  1870 
Messrs.  White  & Cunningham  became  proprietors  of  the  Holmes  County  Repub- 
lican. Under  their  management  it  has  been  more  prosperous,  and  has  had  a con- 
tinuous publication. 

The  foregoing  includes  all  of  Mr.  NeAvton’s  article.  M^e  here  remark  that  the 
tAvo  vieAvs  of  Millersburg  Avere  taken  from  the  same  point. 

The  neAV  court-houses,  through  Central  Ohio  more  especially,  are  elegant  struc- 
tures, in  Avhich  the  people  of  their  respective  counties  have  a just  affection  and 
pride,  for  Avith  them  cluster  the  associations  connected  Avith  the  protection  of  society 
through  the  administration  of  laA\",  the  preservation  of  titles  to  the  savings  of 
honest  industry  in  the  form  of  real  estate  and  its  proper  distribution  to  the  widow 
and  the  fatherless.  The  church,  the  court-house  and  the  school-house  are  the 
three  prime  factors  of  our  civilization. 

For  our  original  account  of  the  historical  facts  connected  with  this  place  and  its 
vicinity  Ave  Avere  indebted  to  Dr.  Robert  K.  Enos,  Avhose  acquaintance  we  made 
on  our  first  visit.  Wq  substituted  the  article  of  Mr.  NeAvton  (excepting  the  old 
description  of  Millersburg),  because  it  embodied  the  same  facts  Avith  important 
additions.  Dr.  Enos  died  here  September  13,  1884,  after  living  a long  and  highly 
useful  life.  He  Avas  born  in  HanoA^er,  Washington  county,  Pennsylvania,  Jan- 
uary 7, 1806,  and  came  to  this  county  April  24,  1824.  He  Avas  one  of  the  leading 
men  in  the  organization  of  the  county  and  toAvn  ; Avas  the  oldest  inhabitant  of 
Millersburg ; cut  doAvn  the  first  trees  Avithin  its  limits,  preparatory  to  laying  it 
out ; planted  the  first  ornamental  sliade-trees ; practised  medicine  with  the  first 
physician  of  Millersburg,  Dr.  James  S.  Irvine,  until  his  death — thirty-one  years ; 
started  Avith  him  the  first  bank,  and  Avas  its  cashier ; Avas  the  first  mayor  of  Mil- 
lersburg ; Avas  tAA^enty-one  years  clerk  of  court,  and  was  the  chief  instrument  in 
bringing  the  first  railroad  to  the  toAvn. 

In  politics  he  was  an  ardent  Republican,  and,  in  Avhat  his  friends  took  especial 
pride,  as  a delegate  to  the  Chicago  Convention  of  1860,  he  AA^as  one  of  the  memo- 
rable Ohio  four  Avho  in  that  Coin^ention  brought  about  the  nomination  of  Abraham 
Lincoln.  The  circumstances  connected  Avith  the  change  of  votes  which  gave  this 
result  were  published  the  next  morning  in  the  Chicago  Tribune,  under  the  caption  of 


The  Four  Votes. — “During  the  progress  of 
the  third  ballot  for  President,  the  steady  in- 
crease of  Lincoln’s  vote  raised  the  expecta- 
tions of  his  friends  to  fever-heat  that  he  was 
about  to  receive  the  nomination.  When  the 
roll-call  was  completed  a hasty  footing  dis- 
covered that  Lincoln  lacked  but  2?  votes  of 
election,  the  ballot  standing,  for  Lincoln, 
33H  ; Seward,  180;  scattering,  341;  neces- 
sary to  a choice  334. 

Before  the  vote  was  announced,  Mr.  R.  M. 
Corwine,  of  the  Ohio  delegation,  who  had 
voted  for  Governor  Chase  up  to  that  time, 
and  three  other  delegates,  viz.,  R.  K.  Enos, 
John  A.  Gurley  and  Isaac  Steese,  changed 
their  votes  to  Lincoln,  giving  him  a majority 
of  the  whole  convention  and  nominating  him. 
D.  H.  Carrter,  chairman  of  the  Ohio  dele- 


gation, announced  the  change  of  votes,  and 
before  the  secretaries  had  time  to  foot  up  and 
announce  the  result,  whereupon  a deafening 
roar  of  applause  arose  from  the  immense 
multitude,  such  as  had  never  been  equalled 
on  the  American  continent,  nor  since  the  day 
that  the  walls  of  Jericho  were  blown  down.” 

Mr.  Enos,  being  a quick  accountant,  had 
kept  a tally  of  the  vote,  and  discovered  be- 
fore any  one  else  that  Mr.  Lincoln  lacked  but 
21  votes  ; whereupon  he  disclosed  his  knowl- 
edge to  the  three  others,  and  at  his  request 
they  joined  him  in  the  vote  for  Mr.  Lincoln. 

Dr.  Enos  left  a wife,  three  sons  and  two 
daughters.  One  son  in  California  died  in 
1 889 ; another,  Henry,  is  of  the  prominent 
Wall  street  banking  firm  ofH.  K.  Enos  & 
Co. 


The  original  settlers  of  this  county  Avefe  mainly  from  Pennsylvania,  Maryland 
and  Virginia  j also  among  them  were  some  Swiss  Germans. 


940 


HOLMES  COUNTY. 


In  the  eastern  part  is  an  extensive  settlement  of  Dunkards,  who  originated 
from  eastern  Pennsylvania,  and  speak  the  German  language.  They  are  excellent 
farmers,  and  live  in  a good,  substantial  style.  The  men  wear  long  beards  and  shad- 
bellied  coats,  and  use  hooks  and  eyes  instead  of  buttons.  The  females  are  attired 
in  petticoats  and  short  gowns,  caps  without  frills,  and  when  doing  out-door  labor, 
instead  of  bonnets,  wear  broad-brimmed  hats.’^ — Old  Edition. 

The  Pennsylvania  emigration  to  Ohio  was  the  greatest  from  any  State  ; and 
this  particularly  applies  to  Holmes  and  all  the  central  part,  the  great  wheat  belt, 
of  the  State.  And  we  think  Washington  county.  Pa.,  more  than  from  any  other 
single  county,  anywhere,  helped  to  populate  Ohio.  As  late  as  1846-47  about 
one-quarter  of  the  members  of  the  Ohio  Legislature  were  natives  of  Pennsylvania, 
exceeding  the  members  born  in  any  other  State,  or  all  the  New  England  States 
combined,  or  were  born  in  Ohio  itself.  Pennsylvania  strongly  gave  its  impress 
upon  the  judicial  history  of  Ohio. 

On  Tuesday,  August  31,  1880,  was  held  at 
“Ingles  Sugar  Grove,”  near  Millersburg, 
what  was  termed  the  Pennsylvania  Pic- 
nic. It  consisted  of  all  persons  horn  in 
Pennsylvania  then  residents  of  the  town  and 
vicinity  ; these,  with  their  families,  attended 
to  the  number  of  about  200.  The  counties 
strongest  represented  were  Washington, 

Cumberland,  Allegheny  and  Somerset ; then 
Beaver,  Lancaster  and  Lebanon . In  all  six- 
teen counties  were  represented.  The  day 
was  given  up  to  social  pleasure  and  enjoy- 
ment. The  Normal  School  String  Band  sup- 
plied the  music.  At  noon  all  partook  of  a 
sumptuous  basket-dinner  in  “regular  old- 
fashioned  Pennsylvania  style.”  We  annex 
a list  of  the  Keystone  State  representatives, 
mostly  heads  of  families  : 

Elias  Klopp  and  wife,  Lucinda  H.  Bobin- 
son,  Mary  G.  Barton,  Mrs.  Frances  Long, 

Bobert  Long,  John  Brown,  James  Hebron, 

Mrs.  E.  A.  Hebron,  John  Patterson,  Bobert 
Justice,  Catherine  Justice,  B.  K.  Enos,  Mrs. 

T.  B.  Cunningham,  Mrs.  H.  M.  Cunningham, 


Miss  Caddie  Shattuck,  Fred.  Shattuck,  Mrs. 
W.  K.  Huer,  Mrs.  E.  J.  Duer,  Aaron  tlhler, 
Mrs.  Mary  Bowman,  J.  M.  Bowman,  Mrs. 
B.  C.  Shoup,  Wm.  C.  McDowell,  Hosack 
Beed,  Mrs.  Susan  B.  Ingles,  Mrs.  Leah 
Hites,  Andrew  Ingles,  Aaron  Devore,  E.  H. 
Hull,  Mrs.  Elizabeth  Ackamire,  A.  B.  Budy, 
John  Coffee,  James  Haines,  Thomas  J.  Ar- 
nold, James  Hull,  Mrs.  Thomas  P.  Uhl, 
Bobert  Parkinson,  John  I.  Spencer,  Bichard 
Hultz,  A.  J.  Kerr,  James  Tidball,  James  T- 
Forgey,  Mrs.  C.  E.  Voorhees,  John  F.  Hud- 
son, Mrs.  Harvey  Taylor,  Mrs.  Martha  Doug- 
las, Mrs.  David  McDonald,  Mrs.  A.  B.  Mc- 
Donald, Mrs.  Ann  Maria  Nedrow,  Harry 
Davis,  Mrs.  Eliza  Hanna,  Mrs.  Jane  McMur- 
ray,  Mrs.  Margaret  Hultz,  John  Hanna, 
George  Hanna,  Mrs.  Frank  Martin,  Mrs.  De- 
lila  Haines,  Mrs.  Elizabeth  Uhl,  Mrs.  Har- 
riet Parkinson,  Mrs.  Malvina  Wolgamot, 
IMrs.  E.  Lemmon,  Mrs.  Jane  Kirby,  Mrs. 
William  Walkup,  Mrs.  Mary  Donald,  Mrs. 
Maria  E.  Crump,  Mrs.  Bachel  Spencer,  Mrs. 
B.  K.  Enos. 


This  county  has  a good  military  record,  and  in  front  of  the  court-house  is  a 
handsome  soldiers’  monument,  shown  in  our  engraving.  Among  her  early  settlers 
were  soldiers  of  the  Revolution  and  the  war  of  1812,  and  in  the  civil  war  she 
supplied  her  full  quota.  The  good  name  of  the  county  has  suffered  by  an  occur- 
rence called  The  Holmes  County  Rebellion,”  the  theatre  of  which  was  in  Rich- 
land, the  southwest  corner  township,  a region  of  hills.  It  arose  in  June,  1863, 
from  difficulties  met  with  by  the  enrolling  officer  preparatory  to  a draft  for  the 
army.  It  was  reported  to  Governor  Tod  that  the  malcontents  were  in  large 
force,  were  in  a regular  fortified  camp,  with  pickets,  entrenchments  and  cannon. 
He  accordingly  issued  a proclamation  for  them  to  disperse,  and  sent  420  soldiers, 
mainly  from  Camp  Chase,  with  a section  of  a battery,  under  Colonel  Wallace.  On 
June  17th  they  landed  at  Lake  Station,  in  the  western  part  of  the  county,  remained  a 
few  days  and  then  returned.  A few  arrests  were  made  .and  a few  persons  in- 
dicted for  resisting  the  United  States  authorities;  but  with  a single  exception 
the  indictments  were  all  nolled.  It  was  a time  of  intense  excitement,  just  at  the 
opening  of  the  Yallandigham  campaign.  The  air  was  full  of  rumors  and  it 
w’as  nearly  impossible  even  at  .that  time  to  obtain  correct  details ; what  we  possess 
is  so  contradictory  that  we  conclude  that  any  further  investigation  would  yield  no 
satisfaction. 

Killbuck  is  six  miles  southwest  of  Millersburg,  on  the  C.  A.  & C.  R.  R.  It 
has  1 Methodist  Episcopal  and  1 Disciples’  church.  School  census,  1888,  142. 


HOLMES  COUNTY. 


941 


WiNESBURGH  is  fourteen  miles  northeast  of  Millersburg.  It  has  1 German 
Lutheran  Reformed  church.  School  census,  1888,  163. 

Holmes viLLE,  six  miles  north  of  Millersburg,  on  C.  & A.  E,.  R. 

Berlin,  seven  miles  east  of  Millersburg,  has  1 Methodist  Episcopal  and  1 
Presbyterian  church.  Population  about  250. 

Black  Creek,  on  C.  A.  & C.  R.  R.,  twelve  miles  west  of  Millersburg. 
Population  about  250. 

Nashville  is  eleven  miles  northwest  of  Millersburg.  Population  about  300. 
Lakeville  Station,  P.  O.  Plimpton,  Farmerstown,  New  Carlisle  P.  O., 
Walnut  Creek,  are  small  villages. 


HURON. 

Huron  County  was  formed  February  7,  1809,  and  organized  1815.  It 
originally  constituted  the  whole  of  ^Hhe  fire-lands.^’  The  name,  Huron,  was 
given  by  the  French  to  the  Wyandot  tribe : its  signification  is  probably  unknown. 
The  surface  is  mostly  level,  some  parts  slightly  undulating  ; soil  mostly  sandy 
mixed  with  clay,  forming  a loam.  In  the  northwest  part  are  some  prairies,  and 
in  the  northern  part  are  the  sand  ridges  which  run  on  the  southern  side  of  Lake 
Erie,  and  vary  in  width  from  a few  rods  to  more  than  a mile.  Huron  was  much 
reduced  in  1838,  in  population  and  area,  by  the  formation  of  Erie  county. 
Area  about  450  square  miles.  In  1887  the  acres  cultivated  were  139,956 ; in 
pasture,  79,944;  woodland,  36,032;  lying  waste,  2,697;  produced  in  wheat, 
495,057  bushels;  rye,  5,123;  buckwheat,  929;  oats,  1,035,918;  barley,  5,167; 
corn,  698,536 ; broom  corn,  200  lbs.  brush ; meadow  hay,  34,880  tons ; clover 
hay,  6,837;  flax,  20,300  lbs.  fibre;  potatoes,  108,166  bushels;  butter,  982,978 
lbs. ; cheese,  347,037 ; sorghum,  2,218  gallons;  maple  sugar,  23,087  lbs. ; honey, 
11,672;  eggs,  493,179  dozen ; grapes,  3,579  lbs. ; sweet  potatoes,  89  bushels; 
apples,  35,552 ; peaches,  4,052  ; pears,  923 ; wool,  539,534  lbs. ; milch  cows 
owned,  7,756.  School  census,  1888,  9,929;  teachers,  353.  Miles  of  railroad 
track,  138. 


Townships  and  Census. 

1840. 

1880. 

Townships  and  Census. 

1840. 

1880. 

Bronson, 

1,291 

1,092 

Norwich, 

676 

1,157 

Clarksfield, 

1,473 

1,042 

Norwalk, 

2,613 

7,078 

Fairfield, 

1,067 

1,359 

Peru, 

1,998 

1,194 

1,014 

Fitch  ville. 

1,294 

822 

Richmond, 

306 

Greenfield, 

1,460 

900 

Ridgefield, 

1,599 

2,359 

1,038 

Greenwich, 

Hartland, 

1,067 

925 

1,376 

954 

Ripley, 

Ruggles, 

804 

1,244 

Lyme, 

1,318 

2,575 

Sherman, 

692 

1,223 

New  Haven, 

1,270 

1,807 

Townsend, 

868 

1,405 

New  London, 

1,218 

1,764 

Wakeman, 

702 

1,450 

Population  of  Huron  in  1820  was  6,677 ; in  1830,  13,340;  in  1840,  23,934; 
1860,  29,616;  1880,  31,608,  of  whom  21,728  were  born  in  Ohio;  3,142  New 
York;  963  Pennsylvania;  124  Indiana;  76  Virginia;  54  Kentucky;  1,783 
German  Empire;  800  England  and  Wales;  684  Ireland;  201  British  America; 


942 


HURON  COUNTY, 


103  France ; 69  Scotland,  and  3 Sweden  and  Norway.  Census  of  1890  was 
31,949. 

Norwalk  ik  1846. — Norwalk,  the  county-seat,  named  from  Norwalk,  Ct.,  is 
110  miles  north  of  Columbus  and  16  from  Sandusky  City.  It  lies  principally 
on  a single  street,  extending  nearly  2 miles  and  beautifully  shaded  by  maple 
trees.  Much  taste  is  evinced  in  the  private  dwellings  and  churches,  and  in 
adorning  the  grounds  around  them  with  shrubbery.  As  a whole,  the  town  is  one 
of  the  most  neat  and  pleasant  in  Ohio.  The  view  given  represents  a small 
portion  of  the  principal  street;  on  the  right  is  shown  the  court-house  and  jail, 
with  a part  of  the  public  square,  and  in  the  distance  is  seen  the  tower  of  the 
Norwalk  institute.  Norwalk  contains  1 Presbyterian,  1 Baptist,  1 Episcopal,  1 
Methodist  and  1 Catholic  Church,  9 dry  goods,  1 book  and  4 grocery  stores,  1 
bank,  2 newspaper  printing  offices,  1 flouring  mill,  2 foundries,  and  about  1,800 
inhabitants.  The  Norwalk  institute  is  an  incorporated  academy,  under  the 
patronage  of  the  Baptists : a large  and  substantial  brick  building,  three  stories  in 
height,  is  devoted  to  its  purposes ; the  institution  is  flourishing,  and  numbers  over 
100  pupils,  including  both  sexes.  A female  seminary  has  recently  been  com- 
menced under  auspicious  circumstances,  and  a handsome  building  erected  in  the 
form  of  a Grecian  temple.  About  a mile  west  of  the  village  are  some  ancient 
fortifications. 

The  site  of  Norwalk  was  first  visited  with  a view  to  the  founding  of  a town, 
by  the  Hon.  Elisha  Whittlesey,  Platt  Benedict,  and  one  or  two  others,  in  October, 
1815.  The  place  was  then  in  the  wilderness,  and  there  were  but  a few  settlers  in 
tlie  county.  The  examination  being  satisfactory,  the  town  plat  was  laid  out  in 
the  spring  following,  by  Almon  Buggies  [see  page  583],  and  lots  offered  for 
sale  at  from  $60  to  $100  each.  In  the  fall  of  1817  Platt  Benedict  built  a log- 
house  with  the  intention  of  removing  his  family,  but  in  his  absence  it  vas 
destroyed  by  fire.  He  reconstructed  his  dwelling  shortly  after,  and  thus  com- 
menced the  foundation  of  the  village.  In  the  May  after,  Norwalk  was  made  the 
county-seat,  and  the  public  buildings  subsequently  erected.  The  year  after,  a 
census  was  taken,  and  the  population  had  reached  109.  In  the  first  few  years  of 
the  settlement,  the  different  denominations  appearing  to  have  forgotten  theiir 
peculiar  doctrines,  were  accustomed  to  meet  at  the  old  court-house  for  sacred 
worship,  at  the  second  blowing  of  the  horn.  In  1820  the  Methodists  organized  a 
class,  and  in  1821  the  Episcopal  society  was  constituted.  From  that  time  to  the 
present  the  village  has  grown  with  the  progressive  increase  of  the  county. 

In  1819  two  Indians  were  tried  and  executed  at  Norwalk  for  murder.  ‘ Their 
names  were  Ne-go-sheck  and  Ne-gon-a-ba,  the  last  of  which  is  said  to  signify 
one  who  walks  favT  The  circumstances  of  their  crime  and  execution  we  take 
from  the  MSS.  history  of  the  fire-lands,’’  by  the  late  C.  B.  Squier,  Esq. 


In  the  spring  of  1816  John  Wood,  of 
Venice,  and  George  Bishop,  of  Banbury, 
were  trapping  for  muskrats  on  the  west  side 
of  Banbury,  in  the  vicinity  of  the  “two 
harbors,  ’ ’ so  called ; and  having  collected  a 
few  skins  had  lain  down  for  the  night  in  their 
temporary  hut.^  Three  straggling  Ottawa 
Indians  came,  in  the  course  of  the  night, 
upon  their  camp  and  discovered  them  sleep- 
ing. To  obtain_  their  little  pittance  of  furs, 
etc.,  they  were  induced  to  plan  their  destruc- 
tion. After  com  pleting  their  arrangements  the 
two  eldest  armed  themselves  with  clubs,  singled 
out  their  victims,  and  each,  with  a well-directed 
blow  upon  their  heads,  despatched  them  in 
an  instant.  They  then  forced  their  youngest 
companion,  Negasow,  who  had  been  until 
then  merely  a spectator,  to  beat  the  bodies 
with  a club,  that  he  might  be  made  to  feel 


that  he  was  a participator  in  the  murder  and 
so  refrain  from  exposing  their  crime.  After 
securing  whatever  was  then  in  the  camp  that 
they  desired,  they  took  up^  their  line  of 
march  for  the  Maumee,  avoiding,  as  far  as 
possible,  the  Indian  settlements  on  their 
course. 

Wood  left  a wife  to  mourn  his  untimely 
fate,  but  Bishop  was  a single  man.  Their 
bodies  were  found  in  a day  or  two  by  the 
whites  under  such  circumstances  that  evinced 
that  they  had  been  murdered  by  Indians,  and 
a pursuit  was  forthwith  commenced.  The 
Indians  living  about  the  mouth  of  Portage 
river  had  seen  these  straggling  Indians  pass- 
ing eastward,  now  suspected  them  of  the 
crime,  and  joined  the  whites  in  the  pursuit. 
They  were  overtaken  in  the  neighborhood 
of  the  Maumee  river,  brought  back  and 


Drawn  by  Henry  Howe  in  1846. 

View  in  Main  Street,  Norwalk. 

In  front  is  shown  the  Court-House,  and  in  the  far  distance  the  tower  of  the  Academy, 


Geo.  W.  Edmondson,  Photo.,  Norwalk,  1886. 


Main  Street,  Norwalk. 

The  view  is  in  the  resident  part  of  the  street. 


944 


HURON  COUNTY. 


examined  before  a magistrate.  They  con- 
fessed their  crime  and  were  committed  to 
jail.  At  the  trial  the  two  principals  were 
sentenced  to  be  hung  in  June,  1819  : the 
younger  one  was  discharged.  The  county  of 
Huron  had  at  this  time  no  secure  jail,  and 
the^  were  closely  watched  by  an  armed  guard. 
They  nevertheless  escaped  one  dark  night. 
The  guard  fired  and  wounded  one  of  them 
severely  in  the  body,  but  he  continued  to  run 

In  this  transaction  the  various  Indiai 
ness  that  the  laws  of  the  whites  should 
the  execution,  and  only  requested  that  tl 
disturbed  in  their  graves. — Old  Edition. 


for  several  miles,  till,  tired  and  faint  with  the 
loss  of  blood,  he  laid  down,  telling  his  com- 
panion he  should  die,  and  urging  him  to 
continue  on.  The  wounded  man  was  found 
after  the  lapse  of  two  or^  three  days,  some- 
where in  Penn  township,  in  a dangerous  con- 
dition, but  he  soon  recovered.  The  other 
was  recaptured  near  the  Maumee  by  the 
Indians,  and  brought  to  Norwalk,  where  they 
were  both  hanged  according  to  sentence. 

\ tribes  evinced  a commendable  willing- 
be  carried  out.  Many  of  them  attended 
e bodies  of  their  comrades  should  not  be 


The  larger  part  of  the  Indians  that  settled 
on  the  Firelands  were  tribes  of  the  powerful 
Iroquois  nation.  Some  of  them,  considering 
their  environment,  were  noble  characters, 
and  years  after,  when  all  hostilities  had 
ceased,  and  as  the  country  began  to  fill  up, 
were  even  disposed  to  hold  not  only  peaceable 
but  friendly  relations  with  the  whites. 

The  Senecas,  who  were  in  the  habit  of 
passing  through  the  southern  part  of  Huron 
county,  on  their  way  to  eastern  hunting- 
grounds,  were  particularly  fierce  in  appear- 
ance, bedecked  in  their  barbaric  garb  of 
feathers  and  skins,  but  nevertheless  were 
specially  friendly. 

On  these  hunting  trips  they  would  trade 
baskets,  trinkets  and  game  with  the  settlers 
in  exchange  for  bread,  meal  or  flour.  Strong 
and  disinterested  friendships  sprung  up  be- 
tween some  of  them  and  the  whites.  Their 
appearance  was  so  frequent,  and  their  actions 


so  decorous  and  kindly,  that  even  the  chil- 
dren became  attached  to  them,  and  in  some 
instances  strong  affections  were  formed. 
Seneca  John,  the  famous  chief,  used  to  carry 
the  children  of  Caleb  Palmer,  the  pioneer 
settler  of  New  Haven,  upon  his  shoulders. 
So  strong  was  their  affection  for  him,  that 
when  they  saw  a band  of  Indians  coming 
they  would  rush  forward  with  cries  of  delight, 
and  when  the  tall,  stalwart  form  of  Seneca 
John  greeted  their  eyes,  they  would  run  to 
him,  climb  to  his  shoulders  and  ride  thereon 
to  and  from  school.  The  children  of  the 
whites  and  Indians  intermingled  in  their 
games,  and  each  were  on  as  friendly  terms 
with  the  others  as  they  were  with  their  own 
kind.  Mrs.  Platt  Benedict,  in  her  last  years, 
said:  “We  gained  the  friendship  of  those 
denizens  of  the  forest,  and  they  brought  us 
many,  many  presents  in  their  own  rude 
way.'” 


Norwalk,  the  county-seat  of  Huron,  is  a beautiful  city  of  the  second  class, 
fifty-six  miles  west  of  Cleveland,  about  ninety-five  miles  north  of  Columbus,  and 
fifty-seven  miles  east  of  Toledo ; is  on  the  L.  S.  & M.  S.,  W.  & L.  E.,  and  S. 
M.  & N.  Railroads.  It  is  on  what  are  known  as  the  Firelands,”  in  the  Western 
Reserve.  On  account  of  its  fine  streets  being  well  shaded  by  beautiful  trees  of 
that  species,  it  is  called  the  Maple  City.”  It  is  surrounded  by  a rich  farming 
country,  has  a fine  commercial  trade,  and  considerable  manufacturing  interests. 
County  Officers : Auditor,  Jonathan  S.  White ; Clerk,  Albert  M.  Beattie ; Com- 
missioners, Commodore  O.  H.  Perry,  James  A.  Fancher,  George  Bargus ; Coroner, 
Frank  E.  Weeks;  Infirmary  Directors,  James  D.  Easton,  Uriah  S.  Laylin,  Jon- 
athan W.  Huestis ; Probate  Judge,  Henry  L.  Kennan ; Prosecuting  Attorney, 
Theron  H.  Kellogg ; Recorder,  Robert  A.  Bloomer ; Sheriff,  Alfred  Noecker ; 
Surveyor,  Luther  B.  Mesnard;  Treasurers,  Orin  S.  Griffin,  Amos  O.  Jump. 
Newspapers  : Chronicle,  Republican,  F.  R.  Loomis,  editor  ; Germania,  German, 
George  J.  Lenz,  editor  and  publisher ; Journal,  Couch  & Beckwith,  editors  and 
publishers  ; Reflector,  Republican,  C.  Wickham  and  James  C.  Gibbs,  editors ; 
Experiment  and  Neivs,  Democratic,  H.  L.  Stewart,  editor.  Churches : one  Epis- 
copalian, three  Catholic,  one  Congregational,  two  ^lethodist  Episcopal,  one  Bap- 
tist, one  Universalist,  one  Presbyterian,  one  Lutheran.  Banks : First  National, 
Theodore  Williams,  president,  George  M.  Cleveland,  cashier;  Huron  County 
Banking  Company,  D.  H.  Fox,  })resident,  Pitt  Curtiss,  cashier;  Norwalk  Na- 
tional Bank,  John  Gardiner,  president,  Charles  \V.  Millen,  cashier. 

Manufactures  and  Employees. — G.  IVI.  Cleveland  & Co.,  flour,  etc.,  6 hands ; 
W.  B.  Lyke,  general  machinery,  5;  B.  C.  Cartwright,  fanning  mills,  idle  ; E.  S. 


HURON  COUNTY. 


945 


Tuttle,  grain  elevator,  2 ; C.  H.  Gove  & Co.,  iron  foundry,  3 ; Stewart  Dowel 
Pin  Works,  Dowel  pins,  17  ; The  A.  B.  Chase  Company,  pianos  and  organs,  160; 
L.  S.  & M.  S.  R.  R.  Shops,  railroad  repairs,  80 ; W.  & L.  E.  R.  R.  Shops,  rail- 
road repairs,  99  ; Norwalk  Machine  Works,  general  machinery,  9 ; C.  H.  Fuller, 
carriages,  9 ; N.  H.  Pebbles,  carriages,  5 ; The  Laning  Printing  -Company,  print- 
ing, 26 ; Norwalk  Electric  Light  and  Power  Company,  electric  light,  3 ; S.  E. 
Crawford,  pumps,  3 ; Theodore  Williams  & Son,  flour,  etc.,  10 ; D.  E.  More- 
house, planing  mill,  5 ; C.  W.  Smith,  planing  mill,  10 ; Smith  & Himberger, 
doors,  sash,  etc.,  8;  F.  B.  Case,  tobaccos,  23;  Sprague  & French,  advertising 
novelties,  225 ; The  Hexagon  Postal  Box  Manufacturing  Company,  post-office 
furniture,  20 ; William  Schubert,  planing  mill,  6 ; Bostwick  & Burgess  Manu- 
facturing Company,  carpet  sweepers,  etc.,  53. — State  Reports,  1888.  Population 
in  1880,  5,704.  School  census,  1888,  2,338  ; W.  R.  Comings,  school  superin- 
tendent. Capital  invested  in  industrial  establishments,  $354,250.  Value  of 
annual  product,  $575,000. — Ohio  Labor  Statistics,  1887.  U.  S.  census,  1890, 
7,195. 

Up  to  1852,  the  era  of  railroads,  Norwalk  was  an  academy  town.  It  was  the 
seat  of  the  famous  Norwalk  Academy,  having  been  the  largest  and  most  famous 
institution  of  the  kind  in  all  the  West,  and  almost  as  well  known  to  the  pioneers 
as  Yale  or  Harvard.  The  society  of  the  town  comprised  mostly  the  teachers  and 
their  families,  together  with  the  few  families  who  moved  here  while  educating 
their  children.  Charles  H.  Stewart,  Esq.,  in  an  address  delivered  March  27, 
1883,  at  the  farewell  reunion  of  the  High  School  alumni,  said : 


“ Everybody  kept  boarders;  in  fact,  that 
was  the  main  occupation  of  about  nine-tenths 
of  our  able-bodied  citizens  during  that  period. 
Board  was  very  reasonable  in  those  days,  too. 
A young  man  could  get  the  best  room  and 
nicest  board  in  town  for  from  $1  to  $1.50  per 
week.  Mutton  sold  for  two  cents  a pound, 
and  as  everybody  kept  cows  and  pigs  and 
hens,  which  all  ran  free  in  the  streets,  milk 
and  eggs  and  pork  were  almost  given  away. 
These  rooms  were  divided  up  into  a large 
number  of  smaller  ones,  where  many  young 
men  roomed. 

“Our  late  President,  R.  B.  Hayes,  and 
present  Governor,  Charles  Foster,  and  several 
of  our  Congressmen,  were  dormitory  boys,  as 
they  used  to  call  them,  who  cooked  and  ate 
and  devised  mischief  there.  The  boys  had 
their  bread  baked,  did  the  rest  of  their  cook- 


ing, and  used  to  live  here  nicely  for  forty 
cents  a week,  including  room  rent,  which  was 
$1  a term.  In  the  fall  of  the  year  (as  can  be 
guessed),  the  boys  used  to  live  on  the  fat  of 
the  land.  On  almost  any  night,  along  to- 
ward midnight’s  witching  hour,  mysterious 
figures  could  be  seen,  surreptitiously  gliding 
into  the  old  school-building,  with  large,  mys- 
terious bags  on  their  shoulders.  If  j^ou  would 
glide  up  behind  one  of  them,  you  would  see 
the  contents  of  those  bags  disgorged  in  the 
ruddy  glow  of  the  firelight  which  lit  up  the 
laughing  faces  of  half  a score  of  future  sena- 
tors, congressmen,  governors,  judges,  or — 
must  we  say  it  ? — preachers.  There  were  big 
watermelons  and  roasting-ears,  and  sweet  po- 
tatoes, apples,  now  and  then  a plump  pullet 
from  some  neighboring  roost,  and  there  was 
a banquet  for  the  gods.  ’ ’ 


BIOGRAPHY. 

Platt  Benedict,  the  founder  of  the  town,  was  born  in  Danbury,  Conn.,  in 
1775,  and  was  a four-year-old  boy  when  the  British  red-coats  came  to  his  native 
town  to  do  mischief,  having  burned  'Norwalk,  Conn.,  on  their  way.  Perhaps  it 
was  this  incident  that  indirectly  paved  the  way  to  his  founding  an  Ohio  Norwalk. 
When  he  came  out  here  in  1817,  he  was  seven  weeks  on  the  journey  coming  out, 
with  his  family  and  household  goods,  the  latter  stowed  away  in  a wagon  drawn 
by  oxen.  He  was  one  of  the  most  sturdy  of  that  strong  body  of  men — the 
Western  pioneers ; a man  of  many  virtues.  He  lived  to  the  grand  old  age  of 
91  years,  7 months  and  7 days,  which  he  reached  October  25,  1866. 

George  Kennan,  the  Siberian  traveller,  was  born  in  Norwalk,  February  16, 
1845.  His  father,  now  87  years  of  age,  is  probably  the  oldest  living  telegrapher 
in  the  United  States,  and  taught  his  son  the  profession.  He  was  educated  in  the 
public  schools  of  Norwalk,  and  at  the  Columbus  High  School  while  working  as 


946 


HURON  COUNTY, 


PLATT  BENEDICT— An  Ohio  Pioneer,  GEO.  KENNAN— The  Siberian  Traveller. 

night  operator  in  that  city.  In  1864,  while  working  as  assistant  chief  operator 
in  the  Western  Union  office  at  Cincinnati,  he  made  application  for  an  appointment 
on  the  projected  overland  line  from  America  to  Europe,  via  Alaska,  Behring’s 
Straits  and  Siberia.  One  night  a message  came  over  the  wires  from  General 
Stager,  as  follows : Can  you  get  ready  to  start  for  Alaska  in  two  weeks  ? ” 

Yes,  I can  get  ready  to  start  in  two  hours,”  was  the  reply.  You  may  go,” 
replied  General  Stager. 


As  a leader  of  one  of  the  Russo- American 
Telegraph  Company’s  exploring  parties,  he 
spent  nearly  three  years  in  constant  travel  in 
the  interior  of  northeastern  Siberia.  The 
manner  in  which,  in  the  summer  of  1867,  he 
received  the  first  notice  of  the  abandonment 
of  the  enterprise  in  which  he_  was  engaged, 
illustrates  the  complete  isolation  from  civil- 
ization of  his  party. 

One  day  he  with  some  others  boarded  a 
vessel  in  the  Okhotsk  Sea  and  approached 
the  captain  with  the  remark:  “Good  day, 
sir.  What  is  the  name  of  your  vessel  ? ” 

The  astonished  captain  of  the  bark  Sea 
Breeze,  from  New  Bedford,  Mass.,  replied  : 
“Good  Lord  ! Has  the  universal  Yankee  got 
up  here?  Where  did  you  come  from  ? How 
did  you  get  here  ? ^yhat  are  you  doing  ? ’ ’ 
Having  silenced  his  interrogation  battery, 
the  captain  gave  them  a lot  of  old  San  Fran- 
cisco newspapers,  in  which  they  learned  that 
the  enterprise  upon  which  they  were  engaged 
had  been  abandoned,  on  account  of  the  suc- 
cessful laying  of  the  second  Atlantic  cable  ; 
but  it  was  not  until  the  following  September 
that  they  received  official  notification  and  or- 
ders to  return  to  America. 

In  1870  Mr.  Kennan  again  went  to  Russia 
to  explore  the  mountains  of  the  Eastern  Cau- 
casus, returning  to  this  country  in  1871. 


In  1885  he  was  engaged  by  the  publishers 
of  the  ‘ ‘ Century  Magazine  ’ ’ to  visit  Russia  for 
the  purpose  of  investigating  the  Russian 
exile  system.  He  in  company  with  Mr. 
Frost,  the  artist,  spent  sixteen  months  on 
this  work,  during  which  they  suffered  many 
hardships.  Extreme  cold,  fatigue  and  sick- 
ness were  but  small  trials  when  compared 
with  the  constant  fear  of  discovery  of  their 
mission  by  the  Russian  government,  and 
the  heart  sickness  caused  by  sympathy  for 
the  horrible  misery  of  the  exiles.  It  required 
wonderful  tact  and  skill  to  evade  the  watch- 
fulness of  the  Russian  emissaries. 

They  travelled  1,500  ^ miles  through 
northern  Russia  and  Siberia,  visited  all  the 
convict  prisons  and  mines  between  the  Ural 
mountains  and  the  head-waters  of  the  Amur 
river,  and  explored  the  wildest  part  of  the  Rus- 
sian Altai.  The  publication  in  the  “ Century 
Magazirke”  of  the  results  of  these  investi- 
gations filled  the  whole  civilized  world  with 
horror  and  indignation  at  the  inhumanity  of 
the  Russian  government  in  its  treatment  of 
political  and  other  offenders. 

Mr.  Kennan  is  the  author  of  “Tent  Life 
in  Siberia,  and  Adventures  among  the  Koraks 
and  other  Tribes  in  Kamchatka  and  Northern 
Asia.’’  (New  York,  1870.) 

Among  the  present  citizens  of  Norwalk  is 


HURON  COUNTY. 


947 


John  Gardiner,  who  has  the  distinction  of 
being  the  oldest  banker  in  Northwest  Ohio. 
He  was  born  in  New  London  county,  Conn., 
September  15,  1816.  In  1834  he  entered  as 
a clerk  in  the  Bank  of  Norwalk,  which  was 
then  the  only  bank  in  Northwestern  Ohio, 
and  its  business  embraced  what  is  now  all  of 
twenty  counties,  extending  as  far  south  as 
Mount  Vernon  and  Bucyrus.  He  has  largely 
been  identified  with  the  railroads  of  this 
region,  and  other  great  public  interests  of  a 
developing  nature  ; has  lately  erected  a beauti- 


ful business  block  in  Norwalk.  Gideon  T. 
Stewart,  a lawyer  here,  born  in  Fulton 
county,  N.  Y.,  in  1824,  has  long  been  identi- 
fied with  journalism  and  the  temperance  re- 
form ; has  been  thrice  the  Prohibition  candi- 
date for  Governor  of  Ohio.  Throughout  the 
war  period  he  owned  and  edited  the  Dubuque 
Daily  Times.,  then  the  only  union  daily  in  the 
north  half  of  Wisconsin  ; later  was  half  owner 
of  the  Daily  Blade  and  Daily  Commercial 
of  Toledo. 


TRAVELLING  NOTES. 

Mr.  C.  E.  Newman,  the  librarian  of  the  Firelands  Historical  Society,  an  old 
gentleman,  showed  me  in  Norwalk,  among  the  society’s  possessions,  a tin  horn 
which  was  used,  he  told  me,  to  summon  the  people  up  to  church  and  court ; and 
as  he  stated  by  Mr.  Ammi  Keeler.  He  was  sexton  of  the  Episcopal  church,  the 
first  church  organized,  and  which  was  in  the  old  white  court-house,  and  being  also 
deputy-sheriff  he  brought  it  into  the  service  of  the  law  as  well  as  religion.  The 
old  white  court-house  was  removed  about  1 835,  and  now  forms  part  of  the  Maple 
City  hotel. 


Edmonson,  Photo. 

A Historic  Horn. 

A few  months  after  Mr.  Newman  had  shown  me  this  horn,  which  I had  photo- 
graphed, I was  in  Mansfield,  and  called  in  one  evening  upon  Rev.  Hr.  Sherlock  A. 
Bronson,  at  one  time  President  of  Gambier.  He  was  then  about  eighty  years 
old,  the  venerable  rector  of  the  Episcopal  church,  who  had  come  from  Waterbury, 
Conn.,  in  1807  ; age  then  six  months,  of  course  recollections  of  the  journey  not 
vivid. 

AVhile  showing  him  my  various  pictures  taken  for  this  work,  I brought  out 
this  one,  saying,  This  is  a photograph  of  a tin  horn  used  sixty  years  ago,  in  the 
town  of  Norwalk,  to  blow  the  people  up  to  church  and  to  court.”  Yes,”  he 
rejoined,  and  to  my  great  surprise  added,  I know  it,  for  I am  the  man  that 
bought  and  first  blew  that  horn.”  He  then  gave  me  its  history.  In  1827,”  he 
said,  attended  an  Episcopal  Convention  at  Mt.  Vernon,  and  on  my  way  to 
Norwalk  passed  through  this  town,  Mansfield,  and  here  bought  this  horn. 
From  1827  to  1829  I was  assistant  teacher  to  my  cousin  in  the  famous  Norwalk 
Academy.  The  Episcopal  society  met  in  the  court-house,  where  I sometimes 
read  service,  and  it  was  my  wont  to  go  out  upon  the  court-house  steps  and  blow 
the  horn.”  I had  supposed  we  were  alone  in  our  interview,  but  as  he  concluded 
I was  again  surprised — surprised  to  hear  from  a dark  part  of  the  double-room 
a female  voice  utter,  I want  to  see  that  horn.”  Thereupon  he  left  me,  taking 
the  photograph,  but  I never  saw  or  knew  who  it  was  that  had  wanted  to  see  that 
horn.  And  with  so  much,  I close  my  story  of  a horn  that  was  not  attached  to  a 
dilemma. 

The  next  day  I saw  in  Mansfield  another  venerable  gentleman,  Mr.  Hiram  R. 
Smith,  who  sixty  years  ago  was  a resident  of  Sandusky,  and  he  gave  me 
another  item  to  add  to  this  blast.  ^^At  the  starting  of  Sandusky,”  said  he,  the 
Sanduskyans  were  called  to  church  by  a horn.  It  was  on  a Sunday  morning  of 
those  times  that  Bishop  Philander  Chase,  the  founder  of  Kenyon,  landed  at  San- 
dusky with  two  Chinese  youths  he  had  brought  from. the  East  to  Ohio  for  educa- 


HURON  COUNTY. 


948 


tion.  As  the  trio  stepped  ashore  the  horn  rang  out  on  the  clear  morning  air, 
whereupon  one  of  the  lads  inquired  its  meaning.  That,’^  replied  the  bishop, 
^^is  to  summon  the  people  to  church.^^  ^^Hoo,^^  rejoined  the  lad:  ^^New  York, 
Sunday,  ring  bell  for  church — Buffalo,  Sunday,  ring  bell  for  church — Sandusky, 
Sunday,  blow  horn.^’ 

The  people  of  Norwalk  have  a natural  pride  in  the  fact  that  General  MTher- 
son  was  once  a student  at  their  old  academy.  Mr.  Newman  told  me  he  boarded 
with  him,  and  he  was  a very  studious,  gentlemanly  youth,  with  the  highest  repu- 
tation for  capacity.  He  narrowly  escaped  failing  to  get  into  the  Military  Acad- 
emy. He  had  applied  for  and  was  expecting  the  appointment  when  Eudolphus 
Dickerson,  the  member  of  Congress  through  whom  it  was  to  come,  suddenly 
sickened  and  died.  M’Pherson  was  then  in  an  agony  of  suspense.  No  one  could 
give  him  any  information  whether  the  cadet  warrant  for  admission  into  the 
academy  had* been  granted.  He  was  already  twenty  years  of  age;  if  delayed  a 
year  he  would  be  twenty-one,  and  too  old  for  admission.  At  the  last  moment  by 
bare  accident  the  warrant  was  found  among  Dickerson’s  papers.  ^ As  it  was,  he 
had  to  hurry  and  narrowly  escaped  getting  there  in  time  for  examination. 

Norwalk  owes  its  chief  attraction  to  Main  street,  its  principal  avenue.  It  is 
built  upon  for  about  two  miles.  The  centre  being  the  business  part,  with  the 
court-house,  school  buildings  and  churches ; the  ends  for  residences,  and  these 

lined  with  maples,  planted  at  the  sug- 
gestion of  Elisha  Whittlesey,  one  of  the 
original  proprietors.  But  few  streets  I 
know  of  in  the  centre  of  any  Ohio  town 
is  so  dense  with  foliage  as  the  part  of 
Main  street  shown  in  our  view. 

At  Edmondson’s  photograph  gallery 
I saw  a picture  here  copied  that  exhibited 
a singular  affection  between  a horse  and 
a dog.  They  belonged  to  the  firm  of 
Eastman  & Read,  grocers.  The  horse 
was  used  for  the  delivery  wagon,  and  it 
was  tlie  habit  of  the  dog,  on  the  return 
of  the  horse  from  a round  of  serving 
customers,  to  run  and  give  and  receive  a 
caress. 

The  thoughtful  Miss  Martineau, 
wrote  that  although  human  beings  had 
been  living  for  thousands  of  years  in 
the  companionship  of  animals,  there 
was  between  the  two  an  inseparable 
gulf,  preventing  the  mind  of  the  one. 
from  closely  communicating  with  the 
mind  of  the  other.  Wliether  it  be  sc 
between  animals  of  different  kinds  or 
of  the  same  kind  is  a question. 

Bellevue  is  peculiarly  located.  It  is  in  Huron  and  Sandusky  counties,  part 
on  and  part  off*  tlie  Western  Reserve,  and  has  a corner  also  of  Erie  and  Seneca 
counties.  The  town  is  in  tlie  midst  of  a fine  agricultural  district,  which  produces 
large  quantities  of  cereals  and  fruits,  enriching  the  people  of  the  surrounding 
country  and  making  the  town  a jirosperous  and  wealthy  centre.  It  is  sixty-five 
miles  west  of  Cleveland,  about  ninety-five  miles  north  of  Columbus  and  forty- 
five  miles  east  of  Toledo,  and  about  midway  between  Buffalo  and  Chicago  on  the 
“Nickel-plate”  Railroad,  being  the  terminus  of  two  grand  divisions  of  that  line, 
whose  company  has  here  established  round-houses  and  repair-shops.  It  has  three 


Edmondson,  Photo. 

Loving  Dog  and  Horse. 


HURON  COUNTY. 


949 


lines  of  railways,  the  L.  S.  & M.  S.,  W.  & L.  E.  and  N.  Y.  C.  & St.  L.  (or 
Nickel-plate.)  Newspapers  : Gazette,  neutral,  Stoner  & Callahan,  publishers ; 
Local  News,  neutral.  Geo.  E.  Wood,  editor  and  publisher.  Churches : 2 Con- 
gregational, 1 Methodist  Episcopal,  1 Reformed,  1 Catholic,  1 Evangelical,  1 
Lutheran  and  1 Episcopal.  Banks : Bellevue,  Bourdett  Wood,  president,  E.  J. 
Sheffield,  cashier.  City  Officers,  1888  : Mayor,  John  U.  Mayne;  Clerk,  W.  H. 
Dimick ; Marshal,  J.  P.  Kroner ; Treasurer,  Abishai  Woodward.  Population 
in  1880,  2,169.  School  census,  1888,  854;  E.  F.  Warner,  school  super- 
intendent. 

Manufactures  and  Employees. — Joseph  Erdrich, cooperage,  25  hands;  Fremont 
Cultivator  Co.,  agricultural  implements,  61  ; McLaughlin  & Co.,  flour,  etc.,  13 ; 
Gross  and  Weber,  planing  mill,  6. — Ohio  State  Report,  1888.  Capital  invested 
in  industrial  establishments,  $156,000.  Value  of  annual  product,  $538,000. 
— Ohio  Labor  Statistics,  1887.  United  States  census,  1890,  3,052. 

Geeenwich  is  eighteen  miles  southeast  of  Norwalk,  on  the  C.  C.  C.  & I.  R.  R. 
Newspaper : Enterprise,  local,  Speek  & McKee,  publishers.  Churches : 1 Con- 
gregational, 1 Methodist  and  2 Friends.  Bank  : Greenwich  Banking  Co.,  Wm. 
A.  Knapp,  president,  W.  A.  Hossler,  cashier.  Population  in  1880,  647. 
School  census,  1888,  276. 

Monroeville  is  an  incorporated  town  about  ninety-five  miles  north  from 
Columbus,  fifty-nine  miles  west  of  Cleveland  and  five  miles  west  of  Norwalk. 
Three  railroads  have  a junction  here,  viz. : L.  S.  & M.  S.,  W.  & L.  E.  and  B. 
& O.,  and  the  ‘^Nickel-plate’’  crosses  the  B.  & O.  four  miles  north  of  the  town. 
It  is  surrounded  by  rich  farming  lands,  cereals  and  fruits  being  the  principal 
products.  Its  educational  facilities  are  superior,  and  it  has  considerable  manu- 
facturing interests.  Newspaper : Spectator,  neutral,  Simmons  Bros.,  publishers. 
Churches : 1 Baptist,  1 Episcopal,  1 Lutheran,  1 Methodist  Episcopal,  1 Catholic 
and  1 Presbyterian.  Banks : First  National,  S.  D.  Fish,  president,  H.  P. 
Stentz,  cashier. 

Manufactures  and  Employees. — Boehm  & Yanquell,  flour,  etc.,  3 hands ; Hey- 
mon  & Co.,  flour,  etc.,  9 ; S.  E.  Smith,  agricultural  implements,  6 ; John 
Hosford,  fanning  mills,  2. — State  Report,  1888.  Population  in  1880,  1,221. 
School  census,  1888,  476 ; W.  H.  Mitchell,  school  superintendent.  Capital  in- 
vested in  industrial  establishments,  $30,000.  Value  of  annual  product,  $60,000. 
— Ohio  Labor  Statistics,  1887. 

New  London  is  ninety  miles  north  of  Columbus  and  forty-seven  miles  south- 
west of  Cleveland  via  C.  C.  C.  & I.  R.  R.  Its  early  settlers  were  from  New 
York  and  New  England.  It  has  one  newspaper : Record,  independent.  Geo.  W. 
Runyan,  editor  and  proprietor.  City  Officers,  1888,  D.  R.  Sackett,  mayor ; J. 
L.  Young,  clerk  ; C.  Starbird,  treasurer ; H.  K.  Day,  marshal.  Three  churches  : 
1 Baptist,  1 Methodist  Episcopal  and  1 Congregational.  Principal  industries 
are  dairying,  manufacture  of  flour,  tile,  churn  and  butter  boxes,  tables,  carriages 
and  wagons.  Bank : First  National,  Alfred  S.  Johnson,  president ; John  M. 
Sherman,  cashier.  Population  in  1880,  1,011.  School  census,  1886,  295; 
Jas.  L.  Young,  superintendent. 

Chicago  is  seventy-five  miles  north  of  Columbus  and  fifteen  southwest  of 
Norwalk.  The  first  building  was  erected  in  1874,  and  occupied  by  Samuel  L. 
Boweby  as  a grocery  and  hotel.  Chicago  is  an  evidence  of  the  rapid  growth  of  a 
town  through  the  influence  of  railroads,  three  divisions  of  the  B.  & O.  R.  R. 
terminating  here  and  causing  the  establishment  of  the  town,  which  has  grown  to 
its  present  proportions  notwithstanding  serious  drawbacks  by  fire  and  epidemic. 
It  has  one  newspaper Times,  independent,  S.  O.  Riggs,  editor  and  publisher. 
Four  churches  : 1 United  Brethren,  1 Methodist  Episcopal,  1 Free  Methodist  and 
1 Catholic.  The  B.  & O.  R.  R.  has  machine  and  repair  shops  located  here. 
Population  in  1880,  662. 


950 


HURON  COUNTY. 


Wakeman  is  ten  miles  east  of  Norwalk,  on  the  L.  S.  & M.  S.  R.  R.  News- 
paper : Independeyit  Press,  Independent,  G.  H.  Mains,  editor  and  publisher. 

Manufactures  and  Employees. — J.  J.  McMann,  wagon  felloes,  etc.,  5 hands  ; Geo. 
Humphrey,  wagon  felloes,  etc.,  6 ; S.  T.  Gibson,  flour,  etc.,  2 ; J.  R.  Griffin, 
cooperage,  4. — Ohio  State  Report,  1887.  Capital  invested  in  industrial  estab- 
lishments, $13,300.  Value  of  annual  product,  $15,200. — Ohio  Labor  Statistics, 
1887. 


JACKSON. 


Jackson  County  was  organized  in  March,  1816.  Area  about  410  square 
miles.  In  1887  the  acres  cultivated  were  43,961  ; in  pasture,  101,544 ; wood- 
land, 42,499  ; lying  waste,  5,226  ; produced  in  wheat,  96,726  bushels ; rye,  2,890 ; 
buckwheat,  137 ; oats,  66,488;  corn,  214,006 ; meadow  hay,  12,918  tons;  pota- 
toes, 15,759  bushels;  butter,  262,410  lbs.;  cheese,  100;  sorghum,  4,197  gallons; 
maple  syrup,  194;  honey,  2,833  lbs.;  eggs,  307,191  dozen;  grapes,  1,400  lbs.; 
sweet  potatoes,  293  bushels;  apples,  13,571;  peaches,  9,094;  pears,  76;  wool, 
47,491  lbs. ; milch  cows  owned,  4,125.  School  census,  1888,  10,201 ; teachers, 
167.  Miles  of  railroad  track,  125. 


Townships  and  Census. 

1840. 

1880. 

Townships  and  Census. 

1840. 

1880. 

Bloomfield, 

721 

1,557 

Liberty, 

474 

1,784 

Clinton, 

824 

Lick, 

822 

5,213 

F ranklin. 

1.055 

1,502 

Madison, 

724 

2,113 

Hamilton, 

415 

819 

Milton, 

912 

3,404 

Harrison, 

378 

Richland, 

548 

Jackson, 

410 

1,869 

Scioto, 

931 

1,579 

Jefferson, 

752 

2,443 

Washington, 

481 

1,403 

Also  Coal  township,  formed  in  1881.  Population  of  Jackson  in  1820  was 
3,842;  1830,5,941;  1840,  9,744;  1860,  17,941;  1880,  23,686,  of  whom  19,598 
were  born  in  Ohio;  1,003  Virginia,  814  Pennsylvania,  277  Kentucky,  71  In- 
diana, 55  New  York,  770  England  and  Wales,  319  German  Empire,  245  Ire- 
land, 14  British  America,  9 Scotland,  and  7 France.  U.  S.  Census,  1890,  28,408. 

In  our  original  edition  we  said : The  early  settlers  were  many  of  them  West- 
ern V irginians ; and  a considerable  portion  of  its  present  inhabitants  are  from 
Wales  and  Pennsylvania,  who  are  developing  its  agricultural  resources.  The  sur- 
face is  hilly,  but  in  many  parts  produces  excellent  wheat.  Tlie  exports  are  cattle, 
horses,  wool,  swine,  millstones,  lumber,  tobacco,  and  iron.  Tlie  county  is  rich  in 
minerals,  and  abounds  in  coal  and  iron  ore ; and  mining  will  be  extensively  pros- 
ecuted whenever  communication  is  had  with  navigable  waters  by  railroads.^^ 


JACKSON  COUNTY. 


Well,  that  prediction  is  now  fact.  Jackson  is  one  of  the  great  mining  counties 
of  Ohio ; in  coal  it  stands  second  only  to  Perry.  The  “ Ohio  Mining  Statistics 
for  1888’^  gave  these  items:  ^^Coal,  1,088,761  tons  mined,  employing  2,228 
miners,  and  332  outside  employees;  iron  ore,  42,206  tons;  fire  clay,  9,720  tons; 
limestone,  21,125  tons  burned  for  fluxing;  1,036  cubic  feet  of  dimension  stone.^^ 

Prof.  Orton,  in  his  Geological  Report  for  1884,^^  states  : Four  seams  of  coal 
are  mined  in  shipping  banks  in  Jackson  county.  They  are  as  follows  : the  Shaft 
seam,  the  Wellston  coal,  the  Cannel  coal,  the  Limestone  coal. 

The  Shaft  seam  supports  two  shipping  banks  at  Jackson,  in  addition  to  the 
several  furnace  mines.  There  are  also  several  small  shipping  mines  along  the 
railroad,  west  of  Jackson. 

The  Wellston  coal  is  the  mainspring  of  the  coal-mining  industry  of  the  coun- 
try. The  development  of  this  field  has  advanced  with  great  rapidity.  In  1878 
not  more  than  10,000  tons  of  coal  were  shipped  from  Jackson  county.  During 
that  year  two  new  lines  of  railway,  built  with  the  special  object  of  reaching  this 
coal,  entered  the  field.  The  roads  are  the  Ohio  Southern  (I.  B.  & W.)  and  the 
Toledo,  Cincinnati  and  St.  Louis  Railway  (narrow  gauge).  In  1880  the  ship- 
ments reached  nearly  300,000  tons,  and  in  1883  nearly  400,000  tons.’’  Now,  as 
above  stated,  it  exceeds  a million  of  tons. 

The  Old  Scioto  Salt-works. 

The  old  history  of  Jackson  county  is  very  interesting.  The  famous  ^^old 
Scioto  Salt-works  ” are  in  this  region,  on  the  banks  of  Salt  creek,  a tributary  of 
the  Scioto.  The  wells  were  sunk  to  the  depth  of  about  thirty  feet,  but  the  water 
was  very  weak,  requiring  ten  or  fifteen  gallons  to  make  a pound  of  salt.  It  was 
first  made  by  the  whites  about  the  year  1798,  and  transferred  from  the  kettles  to 
pack-horses  of  the  salt  purchasers,  who  carried  it  to  the  various  settlements,  and 
sold  it  to  the  inhabitants’  for  three  or  four  dollars  per  bushel,  as  late  as  1808. 
This  saline  was  thought  to  be  so  important  to  the  country  that,  when  Ohio  was 
formed  into  a State,  a tract  of  six  miles  square  was  set  apart  by  Congress,  for  the 
use  of  the  State,  embracing  this  saline.  In  1804  an  act  was  passed  by  the  legis- 
lature regulating  its  management,  and  appointing  an  agent  to  rent  out  small  lots 
on  the  borders  of  the  creek,  where  the  salt  water  was  most  abundant  to  the  manu- 
facturers. As  better  and  more  accessible  saline  springs  have  been  discovered, 
these  were  now  abandoned. 

The  expression,  verj^  common  in  this  region, 

'‘'"shooting  one  with  a pack-saddleC  is  said 
to  have  originated,  in  early  days,  in  this 
way.  A person,  who  had  come  on  horseback, 
from  some  distance,  to  the  salt-works  to  pur- 
chase salt,  had  his  pack-saddle  stolen  by  the 
boilers,  who  were  a rough,  coarse  set,  thrown 
into  the  salt  furnace,  and  destroyed.  He 
made  little  or  no  complaint,  but  determined 

These  old  salt-works  were  among  the  first  worked  by  the  whites  in  Ohio. 
They  had  long  been  known,  and  have  been  indicated  on  maps  published  as  early 
as  1755. 

The  Indians,  prior  to  the  settlement  of  the  country,  used  to  come  from  long 
distances  to  make  salt  at  this  place ; and  it  was  not  uncommon  for  them  to  be 
accompanied  by  whites,  whom  they  had  taken  captive  and  adopted.  Daniel 
Boone,  when  a prisoner,  spent  some  time  at  these  works.  Jonathan  Alder,  a 
sketch  of  whom  is  under  the  head  of  Madison  county,  Avas  taken  a prisoner,  when 
a boy,  by  the  Indians,  in  1782,  in  Virginia,  and  adopted  into  one  of  their  families, 
near  the  head-waters  of  Mad  river.  He  had  been  with  them  about  a year,  when 
they  took  him  with  them  to  the  salt-Avorks,  where  he  met  a Mrs.  Martin,  likewise 


to  have  revenge  lor  the  tricx  played  upon 
him.  On  the  next  errand  of  this  nature,  he 
partly  filled  his  pack-saddle  with  gunpowder, 
and  gave  the  boilers  another  opportunity  to 
steal  and  burn  it,  which  they  embraced — 
when,  lo  ! much  to  their  consternation,  a ter- 
rific explosion  ensued,  and  they  narrowly  es- 
caped serious  injury. 


MiUer  & Williams,  Photo.,  Jackson,  1886. 


Jackson, 


JACKSON  COUNTY. 


953 


The  meeting  between  them  was  affecting.  We  give  the  particulars 


a prisoner, 
in  his  own  simple  and  artless  language  : 

Mrs.  Martin  s Story. — It  was  now  better 
than  a year  after  I was  taken  prisoner,  when 
the  Indians  started  off  to  the  Scioto  salt- 
springs,  near  Chillicothe,  to  make  salt,  and 
took  me  along  with  them.  Here  I got  to  see 
Mrs.  Martin,  that  was  taken  prisoner  at  the 
same  time  I was,  and  this  was  the  first  time 
that  I had  seen  her  since  we  were  separated 
at  the  council-house.  When  she  saw  me,  she 
came  smiling,  and  asked  me  if  it  was  me.  I 
told  her  it  was.  She  asked  me  how  I had 
been.  I told  her  I had  been  very  unwelf  for 
I had  had  the  fever  and  ague  for  a long  time. 
So  she  took  me  off  to  a log,  and  there  we  sat 
down  ; and  she  combed  my  head,  and  asked 
me  a great  many  questions  about  how  I lived. 


and  if  I didn’t  want  to  see  my  mother  and 
little  brothers.  I told  her  that  I should  be 
glad  to  see  them,  but  never  expected  to  again. 
She  then  pulled  out  some  pieces  of  her 
daughter’s  scalp  that  she  said  were  some 
trimmings  they  had  trimmed  off  the  night 
after  she  was  killed,  and  that  she  meant  to 
keep  them  as  long  as  she  lived.  She  then 
talked  and  cried  about  her  family,  that  was 
all  destroyed  and  gone,  except  the  remaining 
bits  of  her  daughter’s  scalp.  W e stayed  here 
a considerable  time,  and,  meanwhile,  took 
many  a cry  together;  and  when  we  parted 
again,  took  our  last  and  final  farewell,  for  I 
never  saw  her  again. 


Captivity  and  Escape  of  Samuel  Davis. 

Mr.  Samuel  Davis,  who  is  now  (1846)  residing  in  Franklin  county,  near 
Columbus,  was  taken  prisoner  by  the  Indians,  and  made  his  escape  while  within 
the  present  limits  of  this  county.  He  was  born  in  New  England,  moved  to  the 
West,  and  was  employed  by  the  governor  of  Kentucky  as  a spy  against  the 
Indians  on  the  Ohio.  The  circumstances  of  his  captivity  and  escape  are  from  his 
biography,  by  Col.  John  McDonald : 


In  the  fall  of  1792,  when  the  spies  were 
discharged,  Davis  concluded  he  would  make 
a winter’s  hunt  up  the  Big  Sandy  river.  He 
and  a Mr.  William  Camphell  prepared  them- 
selves with  a light  canoe,  with  traps  and  am- 
munition, for  a fall  hunt.  They  set  off  from 
Massie’s  station  (Manchester),  up  the  Ohio ; 
thence  up  Big  Sandy  some  distance,  hunting 
and  trapping  as  they  went  along.  Their  suc- 
cess in  hunting  and  trapping  was  equal  to 
their  expectation.  Beaver  and  otter  were 
plenty.  Although  they  saw  no  Indian  sign, 
they  were  very  circumspect  in  concealing 
their  canoe,  either  by  sinking  it  in  deep 
water,  or  concealing  it  in  thick  willow  brush. 
They  generally  slept  out  in  the  hills,  without 
fire.  This  constant  vigilance  and  care  was 
habitual  to  the  frontier  men  of  that  day. 
They  hunted  and  trapped  till  the  winter 
began  to  set  in.  They  now  began  to  think 
of  returning,  oefore  the  rivers  would  freeze 
up.  They  accordingly  commenced  a retro- 
grade move  down  the  river,  trapping  as  they 
leisurely  went  down.  They  had  been  several 
days  going  down  the  river  ; they  landed  on  a 
small  island  covered  with  willows.  Here 
they  observed  signs  of  beaver.  They  set 
their  traps,  dragged  their  canoe  among  the 
willows,  and  remained  quiet  till  late  in  the 
night.  They  now  concluded  that  any  per- 
sons, white,  red,  or  black,  that  might  happen 
to  be  in  the  neighborhood,  would  be  in  their 
camp.  They  then  made  a small  fire  among 
the  willows,  cooked  and  eat  their  supper,  and 
lay  down  to  sleep  without  i)utting  out  their 
fire.  They  concluded  that  the  light  of  their 
small  fire  could  not  penetrate  through  the 
thick  willows.  They  therefore  lay  down  in 


perfect  self-security.  Some  time  before  day, 
as  they  lay  fast  asleep,  they  were  awakened 
by  some  fellows  calling  in  broken  English  : 
“Come,  come;  get  up,  get  up.”  Davis 
awoke  from  sleep,  looked  up,  and,  to  his 
astonishment  found  himself  and  companion 
surrounded  ,y  a number  of  Indians,  and  two 
standing  over  him  with  uplifted  tomahawks. 
To  resist  in  such  a case  would  be  to  throw 
away  their  lives  in  hopeless  struggle.  They 
surrendered  themselves  prisoners. 

The  party^  of  Indians,  consisting  of  up- 
wards of  thirty  warriors,  had  crossed  the 
Ohio  about  the  mouth  of  Guyandotte  river, 
and  passed  through  Virginia  to  a station  near 
the  head  of  Big  Sandy.  They  attacked  the 
station  and  were  repulsed,  after  continuing 
their  attack  two  days  and  nights.  Several 
Indians  were  killed  during  the  siege  and  sev- 
eral wounded.  They  had  taken  one  white 
man  prisoner  from  the  station,  by  the  name 
of  Daniels,  and  taken  all  the  horses  belonging 
to  the  station.  The  Indians  had  taken,  or 
made,  some  canoes,  in  which  they  placed 
their  wounded  and  baggage,  and  were  de- 
scending the  river  in  their  canoes.  As  they 
were  moving  down  in  the  night  they  discov- 
ered a glimpse  of  Davis’  fire  through  the 
willows.  They  cautiously  landed  on  the 
island,  found  Davis  and  Campbell  fast  asleep, 
and  awakened  them  in  the  manner  above 
related. 

Davis  and  Campbell  were  securely  fastened 
with  tutrs,  and  placed  in  their  own  canoe. 
Their  rifles,  traps,  and  the  proceeds  of  their 
successful  hunt,  all  fell  into  the  hands  of  the 
Indians.  The  Indians  made  no  delay,  but 
immediately  set  off  down  the  river  in  their 


954 


JACKSON  COUNTY. 


canoes  with  their  prisoners,  while  their  main 
force  went  by  land,  keeping  along  the  river 
bottoms  with  the  horses  they  had  taken  from 
the  station — keeping  near  the  canoes,  so  as 
to  be  able  to  support  each  other  in  case  of 
pursuit  or  attack.  Early  the  next  day  they 
reached  the  Ohio.  The  wounded  and  pris- 
oners were  first  taken  across  the  Ohio,  and 
placed  under  a guard.  They  returned  with 
the  canoes  (leaving  their  arms  stacked  against 
a tree),  to  assist  in  getting  the  horses  across 
the  river.  It  was  very  cold,  and  as  soon  as 
the  horses  would  find  themselves  swimming 
they  would  turn  round  and  land  on  the  same 
shore.  The  Indians  had  a great  deal  of 
trouble  before  they  got  the  horses  across  the 
Ohio.  The  guard  who  watched  Davis  and 
his  companions  were  anxious,  impatient  spec- 
tators of  the  restive  disposition  of  the  horses 
to  take  the  water.  Upon  one  occasion  the 
guard  left  the  prisoners  twenty  or  thirty  yards, 
to  have  a better  view  of  the  difficulty  with 
the  horses.  Davis  and  his  fellow-prisoners 
were  as  near  to  where  the  arms  were  stacked 
as  were  the  Indian  guard.  Davis,  who  pos- 
sessed courage  and  presence  of  mind  in  an 
eminent  degree,  urged  his  fellow-prisoners  to 
embrace  the  auspicious  moment,  seize  the 
arms,  and  kill  the  guard.  His  companions 
faltered  ; they  thought  the  attempt  too  peril- 
ous. Should  they  fail  of  success,  nothing 
but  instant  death  would  be  the  consequence. 
\\niile  the  prisoners  were  hesitating  to  adopt 
the  bold  plan  of  Davis,  their  guard  returned 
to  their  arms,  to  the  chagrin  of  Davis.  This 
opportunity  of  escape  was  permitted  to  pass 
by  without  being  used.  Davis  ever  after 
affirmed  that  if  the  opportunity  which  then 
resented  itself  for  their  escape  had  been 
oldly  seized  their  escape  was  certain. 

He  frequently  averred  to  the  writer  of  this 
narrative,  that  if  Duncan  M’ Arthur,  Nat 
Beasly,  or  Sam  M’Dowel,  had  been  with  him 
upon  this  occasion,  similarly  situated,  that  he 
had  no  doubt  they  would  not  only  have  made 
their  escape,  but  killed  the  guard  and  the 
wounded  Indians,  and  carried  off  or  destroyed, 
the  Indians’  arms.  He  said,  if  it  had  not 
been  for  the  pusillanimity  of  his  fellow- 
risoners  they  might  have  promptly  and 
oldly  snatched  themselves  from  captivity, 
and  done  something  worth  talking  about. 
The  opportunity,  once  let  slip,  could  not 
again  be  recalled.  The  Indians,  after  a great 
deal  of  exertion,  at  length  got  the  horses 
across  the  Ohio,  and  hastily  fixed  litters  to 
carry  their  wounded.  They  destroyed  their 
canoes,  and  went  ahead  for  their  own  country. 

This  body  of  Indians  was  commanded  by  a 
Shawnee  chief,  who  called  himself  Captain 
Charles  Wilkey.  After  Wayne’s  treaty,  in 
1795,  when  peace  blessed  our  frontiers,  the 
writer  of  this  sketch  became  well  acquainted 
with  this  Captain  Wilkey.  He  was  a short, 
thick,  strong,  active  man,  with  a very  agree- 
able and  intelligent  countenance.  He  was 
communicative  and  social  in  his  manners. 
The  first  three  or  four  years  after  Chillicothe 
was  settled,  this  Indian  mixed  freely  with 
the  whites,  and  upon  no  occasion  did  he  show 


a disposition  to  be  troublesome.  He  was 
admitted  by  the  other  Indians  who  spoke  of 
him  to  be  a warrior  of  the  first  order — fertile 
in  expedients,  and  bold  to  carry  his  plans  into 
execution.  Davis  always  spoke  of  him  as 
being  kind  and  humane  to  him. 

The  Indians  left  the  Ohio  and  pushed  across 
the  country  in  the  direction  of  Sandusky  ; and 
as  they  were  encumbered  with  several 
wounded  and  a good  deal  of  baggage,  with- 
out road  or  path,  they  travelled  very  slow, 
not  more  than  ten  or  twelve  miles  a day.  As 
many  of  the  prisoners,  taken  by  the  Indians, 
were  burned  with  slow  fires,  or  otherwise 
tortured  to  death,  Davis  brooded  over  his 
captivity  in  sullen  silence,  and  determined  to 
effect  his  escape  the  first  opportunity  that 
would  offer,  that  would  not  look  like  madness 
to  embrace.  At  all  events,  he  determined  to 
effect  his  escape  or  die  fighting. 

The  Indians  moved  on  till  they  came  to 
Salt  creek,  in  what  is  now  Jackson  county, 
O.,  and  there  camped  for  the  night.  Their 
manner  of  securing  their  prisoners  for  the 
night  was  as  follows  : They  took  a strong  tug 
made  from  the  raw  hide  of  the  buffalo  or  elk. 
This  tug  they  tied  tight  around  the  prisoner’s 
waist.  Each  end  of  the  tug  was  fastened 
around  an  Indian’s  waist.  Thus,  with  the 
same  tug  fastened  to  two  Indians,  he  could 
not  turn  to  the  one  side  or  the  other  with- 
out drawing  an  Indian  with  him.  In  this 
uncomfortable  manner  the  prisoner  had  to  lie 
on  his  back  till  the  Indians  thought  proper  to 
rise.  If  the  Indians  discovered  the  prisoner 
making  the  least  stir  they  would  quiet  him 
with  a few  blows.  In  this  painful  situation 
the  prisoners  must  lie  till  light  in  the  morn- 
ing, when  they  would  be  unconfined.  As  the 
company  of  Indians  was  ^ numerous,  the 
prisoners  were  unconfined  in  daylight,  but 
were  told  that  instant  death  would  be  the 
consequence  of  any  movement  to  leave  the 
line  of  march,  upon  any  occasion  whatever, 
unless  accompanied  by  an  Indian. 

One  morning,  just  before  day  began  to  ap- 
pear, as  Davis  lay  in  his  uncomfortable  situa- 
tion, he  hunched  one  of  the  Indians  to  whom 
he  was  fastened,  and  requested  to  be  untied. 
The  Indian  raised  up  his  head  and  looked 
round,  and  found  it  was  still  dark,  and  no 
Indians  up  abqut  the  fires.  He  gave  Davis  a 
severe  dig  with  his  fist  and  bid  him  lie  still. 
Davis’s  mind  was  now  in  a state  of  desperation. 
Fire  and  faggot,  sleeping  or  awake,  were  con- 
stantly floating  before  his  mind’s  eye.  This 
torturing  suspense  would  chill  his  soul  with 
horror.  After  some  time  a number  of  Indians 
rose  up  and  made  their  fires,  it  was  growing 
light,  but  not  light  enough  to  draw  a bead. 
Davis  again  jogged  one  of  the  Indians  to 
whom  he  was  fastened,  and  said  the  tug  hurt 
his  middle,  and  again  requested  the  Indian 
to  untie  him.  The  Indian  raised  up  his  head 
and  looked  round,  and  saw  it  was  getting 
light,  and  a number  of  Indians  about  the 
fires;  he  untied  him.  Davis  rose  to  his  feet, 
and  was  determined,  as  soon  as  he  could  look 
around  and  see  the  most  probable  direction 
of  making  his  escape,  to  make  the  attempt,  at 


JACKSON  COUNTY. 


955 


all  hazards.  He  “ screwed  his  courage  to  the 
sticking  point.”  It  was  a most  desperate 
undertaking.  Should  he  fail  to  effect  his 
escape,  death,  instant,  cruel  death,  was  his 
certain  doom. 

As  he  rose  up  to  his  feet,  with  this  deter- 
mined intention,  his  heart  fluttered  with 
tremors — his  sight  grew  dim  at  the  thought 
of  the  perilous  plunge  he  was  about  to  make. 
He  rose  up  to  his  feet — stood  a minute  be- 
tween the  two  Indians  to  whom  he  had  been 
fastened,  and  took  a quick  glance^  at  the 
Indians  who  were  standing  around  him.  In 
the  evening  the  Indians  had  cut  two  forks, 
which  were  stuck  into  the  ground  ; a pole  was 
laid  across  these  forks,  and  all  their  rifles  were 
leaned  against  the  pole.  If  he  made  his  start 
back  from  the  Indian  camp,  the  rifles  of  the 
Indians,  who  were  standing  round  the  fires, 
and  who,  he  knew,  would  pursue  him,  would 
be  before  them  ; and  as  they  started  after 
him  they  would  have  nothing  to  do  but  pick 
up  a rifle  as  they  ran.  On  the  contrary,  if  he 
made  his  plunge  through  the  midst  of  them, 
they  would  have  to  run  back  for  their  guns, 
and  by  that  time,  as  it  was  only  twilight  in 
the  morning,  he  could  be  so  far  from  them 
that  their  aim  would  be  very  uncertain.  All 
this  passed  through  his  mind  in  a moment. 
As  he  determined  to  make  his  dash  through 
the  midst  of  the  Indians  who  were  standing 
around  the  fires,  he  prepared  his  mind  and 
body  for  the  dreadful  attempt. 

The  success  of  his  daring  enterprise  de- 
pended on  the  swiftness  of  his  heels.  He 
knew  his  bottom  was  good.  A large,  active 
Indian  was  standing  between  Davis  and  the 
fire.  He  drew  back  his  fist  and  struck  that 
Indian  with  all  his  force,  and  dropped  him 
into  the  fire  ; and  with  the  agility  of  a buck, 
he  sprang  over  his  body,  and  took  to  the 
woods  with  all  the  speed  that  was  in  his 
power.  The  Indians  pursued,  yelling  and 
screaming  like  demons  ; but  as  Davis 
anticipated,  not  a gun  was  fired  at  him. 
Several  Indians  pursued  him  for  some  dis- 
tance, and  for  some  time  it  was  a doubtful 
race.  The  foremost  Indian  was  so  close  to 
him,  that  he  sometimes  fancied  that  he  felt 
his  clutch.  However,  at  length  Davis  began 
to  gain  ground  upon  his  pursuers — the  break- 
ing and  rustling  of  brush  was  still  farther  and 
farther  off.  He  took  up  a long,  sloping 
ridge  ; when  he  reached  the  top,  he,  for  the 
first  time,  looked  back,  and,  to  his  infinite 
pleasure,  saw  no  person  in  pursuit. 

He  now  slackened  his  pace,  and  went  a 
mile  or  two  farther,  when  he  began  to  find 
his  feet  gashed  and  bruised  by  the  sharp 
stones  over  which  he  had  run,  without  pick- 
ing his  way,  in  his  rapid  flight.  He  now 
stopped,  pulled  off  his  waistcoat,  tore  it  into 
pieces,  and  wrapped  them  around  his  feet 
instead  of  moccasons.  He  now  pushed  his 


way  for  the  Ohio.  He  crossed  the  Scioto 
river,  not  fat  from  where  Piketon,  in  Pike 
county,  now  stands.  He  then  marched  over 
the  rugged  hills  of  Sunfish,  Camp  creek, 
Scioto  Brush  creek  and  Turkey  creek, 
and  struck  the  Ohio  river  eight  or  ten 
miles  below  the  mouth  of  Scioto.  It  was 
about  the  first  of  January.  He  was  nearly 
three  days  and  two  nights  without  food, 
fire,  or  covering,  exposed  to  the  winter  storms. 
Hardy  as  he  undoubtedly  was,  these  exposures 
and  privations  were  almost  too  severe  for 
human  nature  to  sustain.  ^ But  as  Davis  was 
an  unwavering  believer  in  that  All-seeing 
eye,  whose  providence  prepares  means  to 
guard  and  protect  those  who  put  their  trust 
in  him,  his  confidence  and  courage  never  for- 
sook him  for  a moment  during  this  trying  and 
fatiguing  march. 

When  he  arrived  at  the  Ohio  he  began  to 
look  about  for  some  dry  logs  to  make  a kind 
of  raft  on  which  to  float  down  the  stream. 
Before  he  began  to  make  his  raft  he  looked 
up  the  Ohio,  and  to  his  infinite  gratification 
he  saw  a Kentucky  boat  come  floating  down 
the  stream.  He  now  thought  his  deliverance 
sure.  Our  ^ fondest  hopes  are  frequently 
blasted  in  disappointment.  As  soon  as  the 
boat  floated  opposite  to  him  he  called  to  the 
people  in  the  boat — told  them  of  his  lament- 
able captivity  and  fortunate  escape.  The 
boatmen  heard  his  tale  of  distress  with  sus- 
picion. Many  boats  about  this  time  had  been 
decoyed  to  shore  by  similar  tales  of  woe,  and 
as  soon  as  landed  their  inmates  cruelly  mas- 
sacred. The  boatmen  heard  his  story,  but 
refused  to  land.  They  said  they  had  heard 
too  much  about  such  prisoners  and  escapes  to 
be  deceived  in  his  case.  As  the  Ohio  was  low 
he  kept  pace  with  the  boat  as  it  slowly  glided 
along. 

The  more  pitiably  he  described  nis  forlorn 
situation  the  more  determined  were  the  boat 
crew  not  to  land  for  him.  He  at  length 
requested  them  to  row  the  boat  a little  nearer 
the  shore  and  he  would  swim  to  them  To 
this  proposition  the  boatmen  consented. 
They  commenced  rowing  the  boat  towards 
the  shore,  when  Davis  plunged  into  the 
freezing  water  and  swam  for  the  boat.  The 
boatmen  seeing  him  swimming  towards 
them,  their  suspicion  gave  way,  and  they 
rowed  the  boat  with  all  their  force  to  meet 
him.  He  was  at  length  lifted  into  the  boat 
almost  exhausted.  (Our  old  boatmen,  though 
they  had  rough  exteriors,  had  Samaritan 
hearts.)  The  boatmen  were  not  to  blame  for 
their  suspicion.  They  now  administered  to  his 
relief  and  comfort  everything  that  was  in  their 
power.  That  night,  or  the  next  morning,  he 
was  landed  at  Massie's  station  (Manchester), 
among  his  Ibrmer  friends  and  associates, 
where  he  soon  recovered  his  usual  health  and 
activity. 


Jackson  in  1846. — Jackson,  the  coiinty-seat,  was  laid  out  in  1817,  and  is 
seventy-three  miles  southeast  of  Columbus,  and  twenty-eight  from  Chillicothe. 
It  contains  1 Presbyterian,  1 Baptist,  1 Methodist  Episcopal,  and  1 Protestant 
Methodist  church,  6 or  8 stores,  1 newspaper  printing  office,  and.  in  1840,  had 


956 


JACKSON  COUNTY. 


297  inhabitants ; since  which  the  town  has  rapidly  improved,  and  is  now  judged 
to  contain  a population  of  500.  In  this  vicinity  are  several  valuable  mineral 
springs,  and  also  remains  of  ancient  fortifications ; and  in  this  county,  about  ten 
years  since,  was  found  the  remains  of  a mastodon,  described  in  the  public  prints 
of  the  time. — Old.  Edition. 

Jackson,  county-seat  of  Jackson,  is  seventy-five  miles  south  of  Columbus,  on 
the  Portsmouth  branch  of  the  C.  W.  & B.  Railroad ; on  the  O.  S.,  and  on  the 
D.  & I.  Railroads.  The  surrounding  country  is  rich  in  iron  ore,  and  a superior 
quality  of  coal  for  smelting  purposes  is  found  in  unlimited  quantities. 

County  Officers. — Auditor,  George  J.  Reiniger ; Clerk,  T.  J.  Williams ; Com- 
missioners, Stephen  M.  Tripp,  David  D.  Edwards,  John  E.  Jones ; Coroner,  J. 
F.  Morgan ; Infirmary  Directors,  Joseph  Hale,  Jr.,  J.  H.  Harshbarger,  Patrick 
H.  Garrett;  Probate  Judge,  Jesse  W.  Laird;  Prosecuting  Attorney,  Ambrose 
Leuch  ; Recorder,  James  J.  Bennett ; Sheriff,  Isaac  C.  Long ; Surveyor,  Evan  C. 
Jones ; Treasurer,  Lot  Davies. 

City  Officers. — T.  A.  Jones,  Mayor ; J.  S.  Johnson,  Clerk ; W.  J.  Jones, 
Treasurer;  Jared  Martin,  Marshal;  Henry  Shuter,  Street  Commissioner;  David 
Griffith,  Weighmaster. 

Neicspapers. — Jachson  iiZeraM,  Democratic,  Johnson  & Hinkle,  publishers; 
Jackson  Journal,  Republican,  Gerken  & Tripp,  publishers. 

Churches. — 1 Methodist  Episcopal,  1 Colored  Methodist  Episcopal,  1 Baptist, 
1 Colored  Baptist,  1 Catholic,  1 German  Lutheran,  1 Presbyterian,  1 Welsh 
Presbyterian. 

Manufactures  and  Employees. — Tropic  Iron  Co.,  pig-iron,  30  hands ; May 
Brothers,  cigars,  3 ; Ruf  Leather  Co.,  oak  harness-leather,  14 ; Peters  & Hunt- 
singer,  flour,  meal,  and  feed,  2;  John  Dauber,  furniture,  etc.,  4 ; Franklin  Mill 
Co.,  flour,  etc.,  6 ; Globe  Iron  Co.,  pig-iron,  30  ; Jackson  Electric  Light  Co., 
electric  light,  3 ; Star  Furnace  Co.,  pig-iron,  30;  Jackson  Mill  and  Lumber  Co., 
dodrs,  sash,  etc.,  8 ; Buckeye  Mill  and  Lumber  Co.,  doors,  sash,  etc.,  8 ; Franklin 
Mill  Co.,  blankets,  flannels,  etc.,  17. — State  Reports,  1888. 

Banks. — First  National,  T.  S.  Matthews,  president,  D.  Armstrong,  cashier; 
Iron,  Isaac  Brown,  president,  T.  P.  Sutherland,  cashier. 

Population  in  1880,  3,021.  School  census,  1888,  1,476  ; J.  E.  Kinnison, 
Bchooi  superintendent.  Census,  1890,  4,275.  Capital  invested  in  industrial  estab- 
lishments, $47,700;  value  of  annual  product,  $57,500. — Ohio  Labor  Statistics, 
1887. 

TRAVELLING  NOTES. 

On  my  original  tour  I visited  every  county  in  the  State  but  Jackson  and  three 
of  the  Black  Swamp  counties,  viz.,  Ottawa,  Paulding,  and  Williams,  where  there 
was  little  or  no  history  and  mostly  all  a wilderness,  with  few  inhabitants  other  than 
wild  animals.  When  near  the  close  of  that  tour,  the  last  of  February,  1847, 1 ar- 
rived at  Clfillicothe,  I designed  to  ride  over  to  Jackson  Court-House,  as  they  then 
called  it;  but  the  roads  were  breaking  up  with  the  oncoming  of  spring,  and  ^‘Old 
Pomp  had  acquired  such  a habit  of  stumbling  to  his  knees,  that  I felt  to  attempt 
the  journey  over  the  rough  road  then  intervening  between  the  places  would  be  at 
too  serious  a peril  to  life  and  limb.  Since  that  day  Jackson  has  been  a desire  for 
my  eyes,  and  now,  on  a March  day,  1886, 1 breathe  more  free,  for  I have  reached 
Jackson. 

When  this  county  was  formed  Gen.  Jackson  was  in  the  height  of  his  military 
glory,  and  so  it  was  named  in  his  honor.  And  thus  the  name  is  a key  to  the  date 
of  its  formation,  as  it  is  with  other  counties  around,  as  Perry,  Lawrence,  etc. 

Jackson  is  one  of  the  best  of  sites  for  a village.  It  lies  upon  the  summit  or 
backbone  of  a gentle  rolling  ridge,  about  fifty  feet  above  Salt  creek.  The  streets 
are  of  great  width.  Main  street,  the  principal  one,  on  which  are  the  county  build- 
ings and  most  of  the  business  places,  crowns  the  ridge.  From  it  the  land  falls 


yACKSON  COUNTY. 


957 


away  gently  in  all  directions,  until  the  scene  is  closed  by  a circumference  of  1on\^ 
hills  a mile  or  two  away.  Thus  a free  circulation  of  air,  perfect  drainage,  health, 
and  free  prospects  are  supplied  to  its  inhabitants.  No  gas  nor  water-works  are 
established  here  with  bills  to  send  out,  and  no  tall,  ambitious  structures  to  require 
a laborious  getting  up-stairs.  At  night  several  furnaces  send  up  from  the  out- 
skirts their  lurid  light.  The  basis  for  these  smelting  establishments  is  ^^the 
excellent  Jackson  block  coal,^’  or  “ the  shaft  coal.’’ 

The  town  has  a large  proportion  of  Welsh  people,  who  are  given  to  mining. 
The  whole  country,  north  and  east  of  Jackson,  teems  with  veins  of  coal,  while 
iron  is  found  everywhere  in  vast  quantities. 

There  is  not  enough  of  wheat,  oats  and  hay  raised  in  this  county  for  home 
consumption.  Cattle,  horses  and  sheep  are  raised  largely.  It  is  fair  for  grass 
and  excellent  for  fruit,  and  for  the  production  of  a healthy,  strong  people.  In 
this  vicinity  were  the  old  Scioto  Salt  Works,  and  near  here  once  lived  a very  val- 
uable man  to  Ohio,  a sketch  of  whom  follows : 


William  Williams  Mather,  LL.D. , was 
born  May  4,  1804,  in  Brooklyn,  Conn.,  a 
descendant  from  the  family  of  Cotton  and 
Increase  Mather.  At  an  early  age  he  showed 
great  aptitude  for  chemical  analysis  and  the 
study  of  mineralogy.  When  he  entered  West 
Point  Academy,  in  June,  1 823,  he  was  already 
proficient  in  chemical  analysis,  and  soon  went 
to  the  head  of  his  classes  in  chemistry  and 
mineralogy. 

On  graduating,  he  remained  in  the  United 
States  service  about  eight  years.  In  1829  he 
was  detailed  as  acting  professor  of  chemistry 
and  mineralogy  at  West  Point.  In  August, 
1836,  he  resigned  from  the  army  to  take  part 
in  the  geological  survey  of  New  York,  and 
in  1837  came  to  Ohio  to  superintend  the  first 
geological  survey  of  this  State.  After  the 
suspension  of  the  Ohio  survey  he  purchased 
a tract  of  several  hundred  acres,  including 
the  Pigeon  Roost,  north  of  the  court-house 
in  Jackson  county,  on  which  he  built  a house, 
cleared  a farm,  and  became  a citizen  of  Ohio. 
Professor  Mather  was  large  and  dignified  in 
person  and  an  indefatigable  worker.  He 
held  professorships  in  the  Wesleyan  Univer- 
sity, at  Middletown,  Conn.  ; Marietta  Col- 
lege and  the  Ohio  University,  at  Athens,  of 


which  he  was  vice-president  from  1850  to 
1854,  during  which  time  he  was  also  chemist 
and  secretary  of  the  Ohio  State  Board  of 
Agriculture.  He  died  February  26,  1859,  of 
paralysis  of  the  heart  while  rising  from  his 
bed.  His  first  wife,  Emily  M.  Baker,  died 
in  November,  1850.  In  August,  1851,  he 
married  Mrs.  Mary  Curtis,  of  Columbus, 
Ohio. 

A_  West  Point  classmate,  Col.  Charles 
Whittlesey,  has  given  the  following  synopsis 
of  his  character : 

“ Not  possessing  the  genius  which  dazzles, 
he  had  an  intellect  which  continually  im- 
proved by  exercise,  achieving  valuable  results 
by  patient  and  conscientious  industry.  . . . 
Not  indifferent  to  fame,  he  never  sought  it  by 
doubtful  or  devious  courses.  His  object  was 
to  enhance  his  reputation,  but  faithfully  to 
do  the  work  before  him.  ...  In  his  extensive 
knowledge  of  the  physical  world,  in  all  his 
scientific  investigations,  he  found  nothing  to 
foster  the  barren  spirit  of  scepticism  or  a 
cold  and  cheerless  infidelity.  . . . The  deep 
recesses  of  the  earth  which  he  explored  taught 
him  lessons  of  the  infinite  wisdom,  force  and 
goodness  of  the  Deity.  ’ ’ 


Wellston  is  eighty-five  miles  southeast  of  Columbus,  126  miles  east  of  Cin- 
cinnati, and  ten  miles  northeast  of  Jackson,  on  the  Portsmouth  branch  of  the  C. 
W.  & B.  Railroad,  at  the  terminus  of  the  O.  S.  Railroad,  and  on  the  D.  Ft.  W. 
& C.  Railroad.  Located  in  the  centre  of  large  and  valuable  fields  of  iron  ore, 
coal  and  limestone,  practically  inexhaustible,  it  is  more  than  likely  to  become  a 
great  manufacturing  and  mining  centre. 

Newspapers  : Argm^  Republican,  W.  E.  Bundy,  editor ; Ohio  Mining  Journal, 
Hon.  Andrew  Roy  and  W.  E.  Bundy,  editors ; Central  Free  Will  Baptist,  reli- 
gious, Rev.  T.  E.  Peden,  editor.  Churches  : one  Methodist  Episcopal,  one  Cath- 
olic, one  Presbyterian,  one  United  Brethren,  one  Baptist,  one  Welsh.  Bank  : First 
National,  H.  S.  Willard,  president,  J.  H.  Sellers,  Jr.,  cashier.  City  Officers  : 
Mayor,  Adam  Scott ; Clerk,  J.  M.  Baker ; Marshal,  J.  B.  Hutchison ; Treasurer, 
George  W.  Andrews;  Solicitor,  Thomas  Moore;  Street  Commissioner,  Henry 
Hadker. 

Manufactures  and  Employees. — Hahn,  Kruskamp  & Murphy,  flour,  etc.,  7 
hands,  A.  B.  Leach,  doors,  sash,  etc.,  10;  Wellston  Aigus,  printing,  etc.,  4; 


95^ 


yACKSON  COUNTY. 


Milton  Furnace,  pig-iron,  32;  Wellston  Foundry  and  Machine  Works,  foundry 
and  machine  work,  45. — &taie  Report,  1888.  Population  in  1880,  952.  School 
census,  1888,  1,395 ; T.  S.  Hogan,  school  superintendent.  Capital  invested  in 
industrial  establishments,  |318,000.  Value  of  annual  product,  $485,000. — Ohio 
Labor  Statistics,  1887.  U.  S.  census,  1890,  4,694. 


Mineral  AFealth. 

The  development  of  Wellston  and  surroundings,  showing,  as  it  does,  the  vast 
stores  of  undeveloped  mineral  wealth  in  Southern  Ohio,  only  awaiting  the  master 
mind  to  make  it  productive,  requires  that  something  more  than  a brief  description 
should  be  given  of  a town  which,  in  little  more  than  a decade,  developed  from  a 
farm  to  a place  of  more  than  5,000  inhabitants. 

In  1869  the  discovery  of  inexhaustible  beds, of  coal  of  a superior  quality 
attracted  the  attention  of  capitalists  to  this  region,  and  in  November,  1873,  the 
town  of  Wellston  (named  in  honor  of  its  founder,  Harvey  Wells)  was  laid  out 
on  a farm  purchased  of  Hon.  H.  S.  Bundy.  The  new  town  was  well  planned, 
no  street  being  less  than  seventy-four  feet  and  some  of  them  more  than  100  feet 
in  width.  February  2,  1874,  contracts  were  made  for  the  construction  of  the  first 
iron  furnace,  double  blast,  for  the  AYellston  Coal  and  Iron  Company.  Other 
furnaces  followed,  and  notwithstanding  the  panic  and  hard  times  prevalent  through- 
out the  country,  the  young  town  grew  and  prospered,  railroads  were  projected  and 
built,  and  new  enterprises  were  entered  into.  In  February,  1876,  the  village  was 
incorporated ; in  1880  the  United  States  Census  Reports  gave  it  a population  of 
952,  but  in  1887  a conservative  estimate  placed  its  population  at  5,000,  or  more, 
and  its  sure,  rapid  and  steady  growth  is  destined  to  make  it  a large  mining  and 
manufacturing  centre.  In  1885  an  important  experiment  in  co-operation  was 
started  here  by  Mr.  Harvey  AVells,  viz..  The  Wellston  Steel  and  Nail  Company. 
It  is  the  only  concern  of  its  kind  in  the  country ; its  prospects  are  bright,  and  its 
progress  as  a factor  in  solving  the  all-important  labor  problem  will  be  watched 
with  interest. 

We  make  some  quotations  as  to  the  resources  of  this  region  from  an  article  by 
Hon.  Andrew  Roy,  which  was  published  in  the  Wellston  Argus,  April  30, 1887: 

No  mineral  region  in  Ohio  or  in  the  United  States  can  bear  comparison  with 
Wellston  and  its  surroundings,  whether  we  consider  the  extent  and  quality  of  the 
mineral  treasures  or  the  unparalleled  development  of  the  coal  and  iron  industries. 
There  are  twelve  shafts  for  mining  coal  in  active  operation  within  a radius  of  two 
miles  of  the  town,  besides  four  blast  furnaces  and  one  rolling  or  steel  and  nail 
mill.  These  industries  give  direct  employment  to  2,000  men.  The  capacity  of 
the  mines  is  equal  to  half  a million  tons  annually,  while  the  capacity  of  the  blast 
furnaces  is  fully  300,000  tons  of  pig-iron. 

The  quality  of  the  coal  has  become  so  fully  established  in  market  that  there 
is  no  longer  cavil  or  dispute  in  regard  to  its  rank.  It  stands  at  the  head  of  the 
bituminous  coals  of  the  United  States. 

The  quality  of  the  limestone  ore  of  this  region  need  hardly  be  alluded  to  now, 
after  forty  years  of  successful  effort.  The  Wellston  coal  does  not  more  surely 
surpass  all  other  coals  in  Southern  Ohio,  than  that  the  limestone  iron  ore  sur- 
passes all  other  ores. 

The  Hanging  Rock  iron  is  known  all  over  the  United  States  for  its  superior 
quality  and  its  adaptability  for  the  finest  purposes  of  trade — for  the  manufacture 
of  car-wheels,  ordnance,  and  other  castings  which  require  to  be  made  out  of  un- 
usually tough  and  strong  iron. 

The  supply  of  siderate  iron  ore  is  practically  inexhaustible  in  Jackson  county. 

Oak  Hill  is  ten  miles  southeast  of  Jackson,  on  the  C.  AV.  & B.  Railroad. 
Population  in  1880,  646.  School  census,  1888,  283. 


JACKSON  COUNTY.  959 

CoALTON,  five  miles  north  of  Jackson,  at  the  point  where  the  O.  S.  & T.  and 
C.  & St.  L.  Railroads  meet,  is  a great  mining  centre ; another  is  Glen  Roy,  a 
few  miles  east  of  it. 


JEFFERSON. 

Jefferson  County,  named  from  President  Jefferson,  was  the  fifth  county  es- 
tablished in  Ohio.  It  was  created  by  proclamation  of  Governor  St.  Clair,  July 
29, 1797  ; its  original  limits  included  the  country  west  of  Pennsylvania  and  Ohio; 
and  east  and  north  of  a line  from  the  mouth  of  the  Cuyahoga ; southwardly  to 
the  Muskingum,  and  east  to  the  Ohio.  Within  those  boundaries  are  Cleveland, 
Canton,  Steubenville,  Warren,  and  many  other  large  towns  and  populous  counties. 
The  surface  is  hilly  and  the  soil  fertile.  It  is  one  of  the  greatest  manufacturing 
counties  in  the  State,  and  abounds  in  excellent  coal.  Area  about  440  square  miles. 
In  1887  the  acres  cultivated  were  76,976  ; in  pasture,  86,680;  woodland,  39,543 ; 
lying  waste,  3,474;  produced  in  wheat,  219,812  bushels;  rye,  1,320;  buckwheat, 
168  ; oats,  309,089  ; barley,  2,511 ; corn,  517,398  ; broom-corn,  3,800  lbs.  brush ; 
meadow  hay,  36,157  tons  ; clover  hay,  4,201 ; flaxseed,  39  bushels;  potatoes,  74,- 
795;  butter,  472,913  lbs.;  cheese,  600;  sorghum,  1,740  gallons;  maple  syrup, 
5,146;  honey,  4,938  lbs.;  eggs,  443,652  dozen;  grapes,  9,820  lbs.;  wine,  540 
gallons ; sweet  potatoes,  10  bushels;  apples,  29,121 ; peaches,  785  ; pears,  1,644  ; 
wool,  566,680  lbs.;  milch  cows  owned,  5,284,  School  census,  1888,  11,905; 
teachers,  250.  Miles  of  railroad  track,  83.  Coal  mined,  243,178  tons,  employ- 
ing 347  miners  and  80  outside  employees;  fire-clay,  144,090  tons. — Ohio  Mining 


Statistics,  1888. 

Townships  and  Census. 

1840. 

1880. 

Townships  and  Census. 

1840. 

1880. 

Brush  Creek, 

757 

623 

Saline, 

963 

1,480 

Cross  Creek, 

1,702 

1,711 

Smithfield, 

Springfield, 

2,095 

1,887 

Island  Creek, 

1,867 

2,029 

2,011 

1,077 

817 

Knox, 

1,529 

Steubenville, 

5,203 

13,150 

Mount  Pleasant, 

1,676 

1,582 

Warren, 

1,945 

1,923 

Ross, 

927 

741 

Wayne, 

1,746 

1,751 

Salem, 

2,044 

1,907 

Wells, 

1,492 

1,406 

Population  in  Jefferson  in  1820  was  18,531 ; in  1830,  22,489 ; 1840,  25,031 ; 
1860,  26,115  ; 1880,  33,018,  of  whom  24,761  were  born  in  Ohio  ; 2,578  in  Penn- 
sylvania; 930  in  Virginia  ; 158  in  New  York;  61  in  Kentucky;  40  in  Indiana; 
1,179  in  Ireland;  739  in  England  and  Wales;  592  in  German  Empire;  188  in 
Scotland;  60  in  British  America;  9 in  France,  and  29  in  Sweden  and  Norway. 
Census,  1890,  39,415. 

Early  History. 

The  old  Mingo  town,  three  miles  below  Steubenville,  now  (1846)  the  site  of 
the  farms  of  Jeremiah  H.  Hallock,  Esq.,  and  Mr.  Daniel  Potter,  was  a place  of 
note  prior  to  the  settlement  of  the  country.  It  was  the  point  where  the  troops  of 
Colonel  Williamson  rendezvoused  in  the  infamous  Moravian  campaign,  and  tliose 
of  Colonel  Crawford,  in  his  unfortunate  expedition  against  the  Sandusky  Indians. 
It  was  also  at  one  time  the  residence  of  Logan,  the  celebrated  Mingo  chief,  whose 
form  was  striking  and  manly  and  whose  magnanimity  and  eloquence  have  seldom 


960 


yEFFERSON  COUNTY, 


been  equalled.  He  was  a son  of  the  Cayuga  chief  Skikellimus,  who  dwelt  at 
Shamokin,  Pa.,  in  1742,  and  was  converted  to  Christianity  under  the  preaching 
of  the  Moravian  missionaries.  Skikellimus  highly  esteemed  James  Logan,  the 
secretary  of  the  province,  named  his  son  from  him,  and  probably  had  him  bap- 
tized by  the  missionaries. 

In  early  life,  Logan  for  a while  dwelt  in  Pennsylvania,  and  in  Day’s  Historical 
Collections  of  that  State  is  a view  in  Mifflin  county  of  Logan’s  Spring,  which 
which  will  long  remain  a memorial  of  this  distinguished  chief.  The  letter  below 
gives  an  incident  which  occurred  there  that  speaks  in  praise  of  Logan.  It  was 
written  by  the  Hon.  R.  P.  Maclay,  a member  of  the  State  Senate,  and  son  of  the 
gentleman  alluded  to  in  the  anecdote,  and  published  in  the  Pittsburg  Daily  Amer- 
ican : 

Senate  Chamber,  March  21,  1842. 

To  GtEORGE  Darsie,  Esq.,  of  the  Senate  of  Pennsylvania: 

Dear  Sir — Allow  me  to  correct  a few  inaccuracies  as  to  place  and  names,  in  the  anecdote 
of  Logan,  the  celebrated  Mingo  chief,  as  published  in  the  Pittsburg  Daily  American  of  JMarch 
17,  1842,  to  which  you  called  my  attention.  The  person  surprised  at  the  spring,  now  called 
the  Big  Spring,  and  about  six  (four)  miles  west  of  Logan’s  Spring,  was  William  Brown — the 
first  actual  settler  in  Kishacoquillas  valley,  and  one  of  the  associate  judges  in  Mifflin  county, 
from  its  organization  till  his  death,  at  the  age  of  ninety-one  or  two — and  not  Samuel  Maclay, 
as  stated  by  Dr.  Hildreth.  I will  give  you  the  anecdote  as  I heard  it  related  by  Judge  Brown 
himself,  while  on  a visit  to  my  brother,  who  then  owned  and  occupied  the  Big  Spring  farm, 
four  miles  west  of  Beedville  : 

“The  first  time  I ever  saw  that  spring,”  said  the  old  gentleman,  “ my  brother,  James 
Reed  and  myself,  had  wandered  out  of  the  valley  in  search  of  land,  and  finding  it  very  good, 
we  were  looking  about  for  springs.  About  a mile  from  this  we  started  a bear,  and  separated 
to  get  a shot  at  him.  I was  travelling  along,  looking  about  on  the  rising  ground  for  the  bear, 
when  I came  suddenly  upon  the  spring ; and  being  dry,  and  more  rejoiced  to  find  so  fine  a 
spring  than  to  have  killed  a dozen  bears,  I set  my  rifle  against  a bush  and  rushed  down  to 
the  bank  and  laid  down  to  drink.  Upon  putting  my  head  down,  I saw  reflected  in  the  water, 
on  the  opposite  side,  the  shadow  of  a tall  Indian.  I sprang  to  my  rifle,  when  the  Indian 
gave  a yell,  whether  for  peace  or  war  I was  not  just  then  sufficiently  master  of  my  faculties 
to  determine  ; but  upon  my  seizing  my  rifle,  and  facing  him,  he  knocked  up  the  pan  of  his 
gun,  threw  out  the  priming,  and  extended  his  open  palm  toward  me  in  token  of  friendship. 
After  putting  down  our  guns,  we  again  met  at  the  spring,  and  shook  hands.  This  was  Logan 
— the  best  specimen  of  humanity  I ever  met  with,  either  white  or  red.  He  could  speak  a 
little  English,  and  told  me  there  was  another  white  hunter  a little  way  down  the  stream,  and 
offered  to  guide  me  to  his  camp.  There  I first  met  your  father.  We  remained  together  in 
the  valley  a week,  looking  for  springs  and  selecting  lands,  and  laid  the  foundation  of  a friend- 
ship which  never  has  had  the  slightest  interruption. 

“We  visited  Logan  at  his  camp,  at  Logan’s  Spring,  and  your  father  and  he  shot  at  a mark 
for  a dollar  a shot.  Logan  lost  four  or  five  rounds,  and  acknowledged  himself  beaten.  \Yhen 
we  were  about  to  leave  him,  he  went  into  his  hut,  and  brought  out  as  many  deer-skins  as  he 
had  lost  dollars,  and  handed  them  to  Mr.  Maclay — who  refused  to  take  them,  alleging  that 
we  had  been  his  guests,  and  did  not  come  to  rob  him — that  the  shooting  had  been  only  a trial 
of  skill,  and  the  bet  merely  nominal.  Logan  drew  himself  up  with  great  dignity,  and  said  : 
‘ Me  bet  to  make  you  shoot  j^our  best — me  gentleman,  and  me  take  your  dollar  if  me  beat.’ 
So  he  was  obliged  to  take  the  skins,  or  affront  our  friend,  whose  nice  sense  of  honor  would 
not  permit  him  to  receive  even  a horn  of  powder  in  return. 

“The  next  year,”  said  the  old  gentleman,  “I  brought  my  wife  up  and  camped  under  a 
big  walnut  tree,  on  the  bank  of  Tea  creek,  until  I had  built  a cabin  near  where  the  mill  now 
stands,  and  have  lived  in  the  valley  ever  since.  Poor  Logan  ’ ’ (and  the  big  tears  coursed 
each  other  down  his  cheeks)  “soon  after  went  into  the  Allegheny,  and  I never  saw  him  again. 

“Yours,  R.  P.  Maclay.” 


Mrs.  Norria^  who  lives  near  the  site  of  Logan’s  spring,  is  a daughter  of  Judge 
Brown ; she  confirmed  the  above,  and  gave  Mr.  Day  the  following  additional  in- 
cidents, highly  characteristic  of  the  benevolent  chief,  which  we  take  from  that 
gentleman’s  work  : 


Logan  supported  his  family  by  killing  deer, 
dressing  the  skins,  and  selling  them  to  the 
whites.  He  had  sold  quite  a parcel  to  one 
De  Yong,  a tailor,  who  lived  in  Ferguson’s 
valley,  below  the  gap.  Tailors  in  those  days 


dealt  extensively  in  buckskin  breeches.  Logan 
received  his  pay,  according  to  stipulation,  in 
wheat.  The  wheat,  on  being  taken  to  the 
mill,  was  found  so  worthless  that  the  miller 
refused  to  grind  it.  Logan  was  much  cha- 


JEFFERSON  COUNTY. 


961 


grined,  and  attempted  in  vain  to  obtain  re- 
dress from  the  tailor.  He  then  took  the 
matter  before  his  friend  Brown,  then  a magis- 
trate ; and  on  the  judge’s  questioning  him  as 
to  the  character  of  the  wheat,  and  what  was 
in  it,  Logan  sought  in  vain  to  find  words  to 
express  the  precise  nature  of  the  article  with 
which  the  wheat  was  adulterated,  but  said 
that  it  resembled  in  appearance  the  wheat  it- 
self. “It  must  have  been  cheatR  said  the 
judge.  “Yoh!”  said  Logan,  “that  very 
good  name  for  him.  ’ ’ A decision  was  awarded 
in  Logan’s  favor,  and  a writ  given  to  Logan 
to  hand  to  the  constable,  which,  he  was  told, 
would  bring  him  the  money  for  his  skins. 
But  the  untutored  Indian — too  uncivilized  to 
be  dishonest — could  not  comprehend  by  what 
magic  this  little  paper  would  force  the  tailor, 
against  his  will,  to  pay  for  the  skins.  The 
judge  took  down  his  own  commission,  with 
the  pms  of  the  king  upon  it,  and  explained 
to  him  the  first  principles  and  operations  of 
civil  law.  “ Law  good,”  said  Logan  ; “make 
rogues  pay.”  But  how  much  more  simple 
and  efficient  was  the  law  which  the  Great 


Spirit  had  impressed  upon  his  heart — to  do 
as  he  would  he  done  by  ! 

When  a sister  of  Mrs.  Norris  (afterwards 
Mrs.  Gen.  Potter)  was  just  beginning  to  learn 
to  walk,  her  mother  happened  to  express  her 
regret  that  she  could  not  get  a pair  of  shoes 
to  give  more  firmness  to  her  little  step. 
Bogan  stood  by,  but  said  nothing.  He  soon 
after  asked  Mrs.  Brown  to  let  the  little  girl 
go  up  and  spend  the  day  at  his  cabin.  The 
cautious  heart  of  the  mother  was  alarmed  at 
such  a proposition  ; but  she  knew  the  delicacy 
of  an  Indian’s  feelings — and  she  knew  Logan, 
too — and  with  secret  reluctance,  but  apparent 
cheerfulness,  she  complied  with  his  request. 
The  hours  of  the  day  wore  very  slowly  away, 
and  it  was  nearly  night,  when  her  little  one 
had  not  returned.  But  just  as  the  sun  was 
going  down,  the  trusty  chief  was  seen  coming 
down  the  path  with  his  charge ; and  in  a 
moment  more  the  little  one  trotted  into  her 
mother’s  arms,  proudly  exhibiting  a beautiful 
pair  of  moccasons  on  her  little  feet — the  pro- 
duct of  Logan’s  skill. 


Logan  took  no  part  in  the  old  French  war,  which  ended  in  1760,  except  that 
of  a peace-maker,  and  was  always  the  friend  of  the  white  people  until  the  base 
murder  of  his  family,  to  which  has  been  attributed  the  origin  of  Dunmore’s  war. 
This  event  took  place  near  the  mouth  of  Yellow  creek,  in  this  county,  about 
seventeen  miles  above  Steubenville.  The  circumstances  have  been  variously  re- 
lated. AYe  annex  them  as  given  by  Henry  Jolly,  Esq.,  who  was  for  a number 
of  years  an  associate  judge  on  the  bench  of  AYashington  county,  in  this  State. 
The  facts  are  very  valuable,  as  coming  from  the  pen  of  one  who  saw  the  party 
the  day  after  the  murder ; was  personally  acquainted  with  some  of  the  individuals, 
and  familiar  with  that  spot  and  the  surrounding  region.*  He  says : 


I was  about  sixteen  years  of  age,  but  I very 
well  recollect  what  I then  saw,  and  the  infor- 
mation that  I have  since  obtained  was  derived 
from  (I  believe)  good  authority.  In  the 
spring  of  the  year  1774,  a party  of  Indians 
encamped  on  the  northwest  of  the  Ohio  near 
the  mouth  of  the  Yellow  creek.  A party  of 
whites,  called  “Greathouse’s  party,”  lay  on 
the  opposite  side  of  the  river.  The  Indians 
came  over  to  the  white  part3%  consisting,  I 
think,  of  five  men  and  one  woman,  with  an 
infant.  The  whites  gave  them  rum,  which 
three  of  them  drank,  and  in  a short  time 
they  became  very  drunk.  The  other  two 
men  and  the  woman  refused  to  drink.  The 
sober  Indians  were  challenged  to  shoot  at  a 
mark,  to  which  they  agreed  ; and  as  soon  as 
they  had  emptied  their  guns,  the  whites  shot 
them  down.  The  woman  attempted  to  escape 
by  flight,  but  was  also  shot  down  ; she  lived 
long  eno^h,  however,  to  beg  mercy  for  hcx 
babe,  telling  theni  that  it  was  akin  to  them- 
selves. 'The  whites  had  a man  in  the  cabin, 
prepared  with  a tomahawk,  for  the  purpose 


of  killing  the  three  drunken  Indians,  which 
was  immediately  done.  ^ The  party  of  men 
then  moved  off  for  the  interior  settlements, 
and  came  to  “Catfish  Camp”  on  the  evening 
of  the  next  day,  where  they  tarried  until  the 
day  following.  I very  well  recollect  my 
mother  feeding  and  dressing  the  babe  ; chir- 
ruping to  the  little  innocent,  and  it  smiling. 
However,  they  took  it  away,  and  talked  of 
sending  it  to  its  supposed  father.  Col.  George 
Gibson,  of  Carlisle,  Pa.,  “who  was  then, 
and  had  been  for  many  years,  a trader  among 
the  Indians.”  The  remainder  of  the  party 
at  the  mouth  of  Yellow  creek,  finding  that 
their  friends  on  the  opposite  side  of  the  river 
were  massacred,  attempted  to  escape  by  de- 
scending the  Ohio ; and  in  order  to  prevent 
being  discovered  by  the  whites,  passed  on  the 
west  side  of  Wheeling  island,  and  landed  at 
Pipe  creek,  a small  stream  that  empties  into 
the  Ohio  a few  miles  below  Grave  creek, 
where  they  were  overtaken  by  Cresap,  with  a 
party  of  men  from  Wheeling.!  They  took 
one  Indian  scalp,  and  had  one  white  man 


^ This  statement  was  written  for  Dr.  S.  P.  Hildreth,  by  Mr.  Jolly,  and  published  m Silhman’s 
Journal,  for  1836. 

t Cresap  did  not  live  at  Wheeling,  but  happened  to  be  there  at  that  time  with  a party  of  men,  who 
had,  with  himself,  just  returned  from  an  exploring  expedition  down  the  Ohio,  for  the  purpose  of  select- 
ing and  appropriating  lands  (called  in  the  West,  locating  lands)  along  the  river  in  choice  situations; 
a practice  at  that  early  day  very  common,  when  Virginia  claimed  both  sides  of  the  stream,  including 
what  IS  now  the  State  of  Ohio.— >6'.  P.  Hildreth, 


962 


yEFFERSON  COUNTY. 


(Big  Tarrener)  badly  wounded.  They,  I be- 
lieve, carried  him  in  a litter  from 
to  Redstone.  I saw  the  party  on  their  return 
from  their  victorious  campaign.  The  Indians 
had,  for  some  time  before  these  events, 
thought  themselves  intruded  upon  by  the 
“Long  Knife,”  as  they  at  that  time  called 
the  Virginians,  and  many  of  them  were  for 
war.  However,  they  called  a council,  in 
which  Logan  acted  a conspicuous  part.  He 
admitted  their  grounds  of  complaint,  but  at 
the  same  time  reminded  them  of  some  ag- 
ressions on  the  part  of  the  Indians,  and  that 
y a war  they  could  but  harass  and  distress 
the  frontier  settlements  for  a short  time ; 
that  ‘ ‘ the  Long  Knife  ’ ’ would  come  like  the 
trees  in  the  woods,  and  that  ultimately  they 
should  be  driven  from  the  good  lands  which 
they  now  possessed.  He  therefore  strongly 
recommended  peace.  To  him  they  all  agreed ; 
grounded  the  hatchet,  and  everything  wore 
a tranquil  appearance  ; when  behold,  the  fu- 
gitives arrived  from  Yellow  creek,  and  re- 
ported that  Logan’s  father,  brother,  and  sis- 
ter were  murdered  ! Three  of  the  nearest 
and  dearest  relations  of  Logan  had  been  mas- 
sacred by  white  men.  The  consequence  was, 
that  this  same  Logan,  who  a few  days  before 
was  so  pacific,  raised  the  hatchet,  with  a dec- 
laration that  he  would  not  ground  it  until  he 
had  taken  ten  for  one;  which  I believe  he 
completely  fulfilled,  by  taking  thirty  scalps 
and  prisoners  in  the  summer  of  1774.  The 
above  has  often  been  related  to  me  by  several 


persons  who  were  at  the  Indian  towns  at  the 
time  of  the  council  alluded  to,  and  also  when 
the  remains  of  the  party  came  in  from  Yel- 
low creek.  Thomas  Nicholson,  in  particular, 
has  told  me  the  above  and  much  more.  An- 
other person  (whose  name  I cannot  recollect) 
informed  me  that  he  was  at  the  towns  when 
the  Yellow  creek  Indians  came  in,  and  that 
there  was  great  lamentation  by  all  the  Indians 
of  that  place.  Some  friendly  Indian  advised 
him  to  leave  the  Indian  settlements,  which 
he  did.  Could  any  rational  person  believe 
for  a moment  that  the  Indians  came  to  Yel- 
low creek  with  hostile  intentions,  or  that  they 
had  any  suspicion  of  similar  intentions,  on 
the  part  of  the  whites,  against  them  ? W ould 
five  men  have  crossed  the  river,  three  of 
them  become  in  a short  time  dead  drunk, 
while  the  other  two  discharged  their  guns, 
and  thus  put  themselves  entirely  at  the  mercy 
of  the  whites ; or  would  they  have  brought 
over  a squaw  with  an  infant  pappoose,  if  they 
had  not  reposed  the  utmost  confidence  in  the 
friendship  of  the  whites  ? Every  person  who 
is  at  all  acquainted  with  Indians  knows  bet- 
ter ; and  it  was  the  belief  of  the  inhabitants 
who  were  capable  of  reasoning  on  the  sub- 
ject, that  all  the  depredations  committed  on 
the  frontiers,  by  Logan  and  his  party,  in 
1774,  were  as  a retaliation  for  the  murder  of 
Logan’s  friends  at  Yellow  creek.  It  was  well 
known  that  Michael  Oresap  had  no  hand  in 
the  massacre  at  Yellow  creek. 


During  the  war  which  followed,  Logan  frequently  showed  his  magnanimity 
towards  prisoners  who  fell  into  his  hands.  Among  them  was  Maj.  Wm.  Robin- 
son, of  Clarksburg,  Va.,  from  whose  declaration,  given  in  ^^Jefferson’s  Notes,” 
and  information  orally  communicated  by  his  son.  Col.  James  Robinson,  now 
living  near  Coshocton,  these  facts  are  derived. 

On  the  12th  of  July,  1774,  Major  Robinson,  then  a resident  on  the  west  fork 
of  the  Monongahela  river,  was  in  the  field  with  Mr.  Colburn  Brown  and  Mr. 
Helen,  pulling  flax,  when  they  were  surprised  and  fired  upon  by  a party  of  eight 
Indians,  led  by  Logan.  Mr.  Brown  was  killed  and  the  other  two  made  prisoners. 
On  the  first  alarm  Mr.  Robinson  started  and  ran.  When  he  had  got  about  fifty 
yards  Logan  called  out  in  English : Stop,  I won’t  hurt  you  ! ” Yes,  you 
will,”  replied  Robinson,  in  tones  of  fear.  No,  I won’t,”  rejoined  Logan,  but 
if  you  don’t  stop,  by  — I’ll  shoot  you.”  Robinson  still  continued  his  race,  but, 
stumbling  over  a log,  fell  and  was  made  captive  by  a fleet  savage  in  pursuit. 
Logan  immediately  made  himself  known  to  Mr.  Robinson  and  manifested  a 
friendly  disposition  to  him,  told  him  that  he  must  be  of  good  heart  and  go  with 
him  to  his  town,  where  he  would  probably  be  adopted  in  some  of  their  families. 
When  near  the  Indian  village,  on  the  site  of  Dresden,  Muskingum  county,  Logan 
informed  him  that  he  must  run  the  gc.  mtlet,  and  gave  him  such  directions  that 
he  reached  the  council-house  without  the  slightest  harm.  He  was  then  tied  to  a 
stake  for  the  purpose  of  being  burnt,  when  Logan  arose  and  addressed  the  as- 
sembled council  of  chiefs  in  his  behalf.  He  spoke  long  and  with  great  energy, 


* A brother  of  Capt.  Daniel  Greathouse,  said  to  have  been  present  at  the  massacre,  was  killed  by  the 
Indians  the  24th  March,  1791,  between  the  mouth  of  the  Scioto  and  Limestone,  while  emigrating  to 
Kentucky  in  a flat-boat,  with  his  family.  He  seems  to  have  made  little  or  no  resistance  to  the  Indians, 
who  attacked  him  in  canoes.  They  probably  knew  who  he  was,  and  remembered  the  slaughter  of 
Logan’s  family,  as  be  was  taken  on  shore,  tied  to  a tree,  and  whipped  to  death  with  rods. — S.  P- 
HUdreth. 


yRFFERSON  COUNTY. 


963 


until  the  saliva  foamed  from  the  sides  of  his  mouth.  This  was  followed  by  other 
diiefs  in  opposition  and  rejoinders  from  Logan.  Three  separate  times  was  he 
tied  to  the  stake  to  be  burnt,  the  counsels  of  the  hostile  chiefs  prevailing,  and  as 
often  untied  by  Logan  and  a belt  of  wampum  placed  around  him  as  a mark  of 
adoption.  His  life  appeared  to  be  hanging  on  a balance ; but  the  eloquence  of 
Logan  prevailed,  and  when  the  belt  of  wampum  was  at  last  put  on  him  by  Logan 
he  introduced  a young  Indian  to  him,  saying : This  is  your  cousin ; you  are  to 
go  home  with  him,  and  he  will  take  care  of  you.’’ 

From  this  place  Mr.  Robinson  accompanied  the  Indians  up  the  Muskingum, 
through  two  or  three  Indian  villages,  until  they  arrived  at  one  of  their  towns  on 
the  site  of  New  Comerstown,  in  Tuscarawas  county.  About  the  21st  of  July 
Logan  came  to  Robinson  and  brought  a piece  of  paper,  saying  that  he  must  write 
a letter  for  him,  which  he  meant  to  carry  and  leave  in  some  house,  which  he 
should  attack.  Mr.  Robinson  wrote  a note  with  ink  which  he  manufactured  from 
gunpowder.  He  made  three  separate  attempts  before  he  could  get  the  language, 
which  Logan  dictated,  sufficiently  strong  to  satisfy  that  chief.  This  note  was  ad- 
dressed to  Col.  Cresap,  whom  Logan  supposed  was  the  murderer  of  his  family. 
It  was  afterwards  found,  tied  to  a war  club,  in  the  cabin  of  a settler  who  lived 
on  or  near  the  north  fork  of  Holston  river.  It  was  doubtless  left  by  Logan  after 
murdering  the  family.  A copy  of  it  is  given  below,  which,  on  comparison  with 
his  celebrated  speech,  shows  a striking  similarity  of  style. 


Captain  Cresap: 

What  did  you  kill  my  people  on  Yellow  creek  for?  The  white  people  killed  my  kin,  at 
Conestoga,  a great  while  ago,  and  I thought  nothing  of  that.  But  you  killed  my  kin  again 
on  Yellow  creek  and  took  my  cousin  prisoner.  Then  I thought  I must  kill,  too.  I have 
been  three  times  to  war  since  then  ; but  the  Indians  are  not  angry  ; only  myself 

July  21,  1774.  Captain  John  Logan. 

Major  Robinson  after  remaining  with  the  Indians  about  four  months  returned 
to  his  home  in  Virginia.  In  1801  he  removed  to  Coshocton  county  and  settled 
on  a section  of  military  land,  on  the  Muskingum,  a few  miles  below  Coshocton, 
where  he  died  in  1815,  aged  seventy-two  years.  His  son  resides  on  the  same 
farm. 

Dunmore’s  war  was  of  short  duration.  It  was  terminated  in  November  of  the 
same  year,  within  the  present  limits  of  Pickaway  county,  in  this  State,  under 
which  head  will  be  found  a copy  of  the  speech  which  has  rendered  immortal  the 
name  of  Logan. 

The  heroic  adventure  of  the  two  Johnson  boys,  who  killed  two  Indians  in  this 
county,  has  often  and  erroneously  been  published.  One  of  these,  Henry,  the 
youngest,  is  yet  living  in  Monroe  county,  in  this  State,  where  we  made  his  ac- 
quaintance in  the  spring  of  1846.  He  is  a fine  specimen  of  the  fast  vanishing 
race  of  Indian  hunters,  tall  and  erect,  with  the  bearing  of  a genuine  backwoods- 
man. His  narrative  will  be  found  in  Monroe  county. 

The  last  blood  shed  in  battle  between  the  whites  and  Indians  in  this  part  of 
the  Ohio  country  was  in  Jefferson  county,  in  August,  1793.  This  action,  known 
as  Buskirk’s  battle,”  took  place  on  the  farm  of  Mr.  J ohn  Adams,  on  what  was 
then  known  as  Indian  Cross  creek,  now‘as  Battle-Ground  run.  The  incidents 
given  below  were  published  in  a Steubenville  pa})er  a few  years  since. 


A party  of  twenty-eight  Indians  having 
committed  depredations  on  this  side  of  the 
river,  a force  of  thirty-eight  Virginians,  all 
of  them  veteran  Indian  fighters,  under  Capt. 
Buskirk,  crossed  the  river  to  give  them  battle. 
And,  although  they  knew  they  were  in  the 
vicinity  of  the  enemy,  they  marched  into  an 
ambuscade,  and' but  for  a most  singular  cir- 
cumstance would  have  been  mowed  down 


like  pigeons.  The  whites  marched  in  Indian 
file  with  their  captain,  Buskirk,  at  their 
head.  The  ambush  quartered  on  their  flank, 
and  they  w-^re  totally  unsuspicious  of  it.  The 
plan  of  the  Indians  was  to  permit  the  whites 
to  advance  in  numbers  along  the  line  before 
firing  upon  them.  This  was  done,  but  in- 
stead of  each  selecting  his  man  every  gun 
was  directed  at  the  captain,  who  fell  with 


964 


JEFFERSON  COUNTY, 

thirteen  bullet  holes  in  his  body.  The  whites  the  Muskingum  with  the  loss  of  several 

and  Indians  instantly  treed,  and  the  contest  killed,  while  the  VirgiTiians,  with  the  excep- 

lasted  more  than  an  hour.  The  Indians,  tion  of  their  captain,  had  none  killed  and 

however,  were  defeated  and  retreated  towards  but  three  wounded. 

Steubenville  in  1846. — Steubenville  is  on  the  Ohio  river,  22  miles  above 
Wheeling,  36  below  Pittsburg  and  147  east  by  north  from  Columbus.  It  de- 
rives its  name  from  a fort,  called  Fort  Steuben,  erected  on  its  site  as  early  as 
1789.  It  stood  on  High  street,  near  the  site  of  the  female  seminary.  It  was 
built  of  block  houses  connected  by  palisade  fences,  and  was  dismantled  at  the 
time  of  Wayne^s  victory,  previous  to  which  it  had  been  garrisoned  by  United 
States  infantry,  under  the  command  of  Col.  Beatty,  father  of  the  Bev.  Dr. 
Beatty,  of  Steubenville.  On  the  opposite  side  of  the  river  then  stood  a block- 
house. 

The  town  was  laid  out  in  1798,  by  Bezaleel  Wells  and  the  Hon.  James  Boss, 
of  Pennsylvania,  from  whom  Boss  county,  in  this  State,  derived  its  name.  Mr. 
Boss,  who  has  attained  high  honor,  is  yet  living ; but  Mr.  Wells  died  poor,  after 
having  been  at  one  time  considered  the  most  wealthy  person  in  Eastern  Ohio.  On 
the  14th  of  February,  1805,  the  town  was  incorporated  and  the  following  officers 
appointed:  David  Hull,  president;  John  Ward,  recorder;  David  Hog,  Zacheus 
A.  Beatty,  Benj.  Hough,  Thos.  Vincents,  John  England,  Martin  Andrews  and 
Abm.  Cazier,  trustees ; Samuel  Hunter,  treasurer ; Matthew  Adams,  assessor ; 
Charles  Maxwell,  collector,  and  Anthony  Beck,  town  marshal. 

Steubenville  is  situated  upon  a handsome  and  elevated  plain,  in  the  midst  of 
beautiful  scenery.  The  country  adjacent  is  rich  and  highly  cultivated,  affording 
the  finest  soil  for  wheat  and  sheep.  Messrs.  Bezaleel  Wells  and  Dickerson  intro- 
duced the  merino  sheep  at  an  early  day,  and  established  in  the  town,  in  1814,  a 
woollen  manufactory,  which  laid  the  foundation  for  the  extensive  manufactures  of 
the  place.  Steubenville  contains  about  30  mercantile  stores,  2 printing  offices  (1 
daily  newspaper),  1 Episcopal,  2 Presbyterian,  3 Methodist,  1 Catholic,  1 Baptist, 
1 Associate  Beformed,  1 New  Jerusalem  and  1 church  for  persons  of  color,  1 
bank,  5 woollen,  1 paper,  1 cotton  and  2 glass  manufactories,  1 iron  foundry  and 
numerous  other  manufacturing  and  mechanical  establishments.  In  the  vicinity 
are  7 copperas  manufactories.  From  800  to  1^000  hands  are  employed  in  these 
various  establishments,  and  over  a million  bushels  of  coal  annually  consumed 
•which  is  obtained  from  inexhaustible  coal-beds  in  the  vicinity  at  3 cents  per 
bushel.  The  town  is  very  thriving  and  rapidly  increasing.  Its  population  in 
1810  was  800;  in  1820,  2,479;  in  1830,  2,964;  in  1840,  4,247,  and  in  1847 
about  7,000. 

Much  attention  is  given  to  the  cause  of  education  in  Steubenville.  There  are 
five  public  and  four  select  schools,  a male  academy  and  a female  seminary.  The  male 
institution,  called  Grove  academy,’^  is  flourishing.  It  is  under  the  charge  of 
the  Bev.  John  W.  Scott,  has  three  teachers  and  eighty  scholars.  The  female 
seminary  is  pleasantly  situated  on  the  bank  of  the  Ohio,  commanding  an  exten- 
sive view  of  the  river  and  the  surrounding  hills.  It  is  under  the  charge  of  the  Bev. 
Charles  C.  Beatty,  D.  D.,  superintendent,  and  Mrs.  Hetty  E.  Beatty,  principal. 
It  was  first  established  in  the  spring  of  1829,  and  now  receives  only  scholars 
over  twelve  years  of  age.  It  is  in  a very  high  degree  flourishing,  having  a 
widely  extended  reputation.  The  establishment  cost  nearly  $40,000,  employs 
from  ten  to  twelve  teachers  and  usually  has  150  pupils,  the  full  number 
which  it  can  accommodate. — Old  Edition. 

The  Steubenville  Seminary,  which  the  year  of  its  foundation  had  but  seven 
pupils,  and  at  the  time  of  the  issue  of  our  first  edition  150,  had  gone  on  increas- 
ing its  educational  facilities,  so  that  it  has  since  had  250  pupils  in  one  year,  has 
graduated  over  4,500,  and  at  a reunion,  held  in  1873,  more  than  700  alumni 
were  j)resent. 

In  1856  Dr.  and  Mrs.  A,  M.  Beid  succeeded  Dr.  and  Mrs.  Beatty,  and  in 


Drawn  by  Henry  Howe  in  "[MQ. 

Market  Street,  Steubenville. 


Davifon  Filhon,  Photo.,  Steubenville,  1886. 

Steubenville  from  West  Virginia  Shore. 


966  JEFFERSON  COUNTY. 

1863  they  in  turn  were  succeeded  by  Dr.  and  Mrs.  J.  W.  Wightman,  the  present 
principals. 

This  school  is  remarkable  for  its  age,  its  widespread  educational,  moral  and 
religious  influence.  It  has  sent  missionaries  to  all  quarters  of  the  globe,  many 
of  whom  are  still  engaged  in  the  good  work. 

The  coal  mines  at  Steubenville  are  among  the  deepest  in  the  State,  Rush  Run 
Shaft  being  261  feet ; Mingo  Shaft  250  feet,  and  the  Market  street  shaft  225 
feet. 

The  Rerih  of  the  Coal  Miner,  who  works  down  deep  in  the  bowels  of  the  earth, 
Are  such  that  those  engaged  in  coal-mining  become  imbued  with  a spirit  of 
heroism  and  self-sacrifice  that  finds  strong  expression  in  times  of  danger.  The 
greatest  peril  of  the  miner  is  that  caused  by  the  explosion  of  fire-damp,  a highly 
combustible  and  explosive  gas  generated  by  the  coal.  Notwithstanding  the  pre- 
cautions taken  to  avoid  them,  these  explosions  are  constantly  occurring  in  mining 
regions,  with  more  or  less  loss  of  life,  under  the  most  horrifying  conditions. 


Thus  it  was  at  the  rolling  mill  shaft  at 
Steubenville,  about  7 o’clock  on  the  morning 
of  June  5,  1865,  when  the  surrounding 
neighborhood  was  startled  by  a loud  rumbling 
noise,  the  rattling  of  windows  and  the  visible 
shaking  of  the  ground. 

The  miners  were  on  a strike  at  the  time, 
and  but  nine  men  were  in  the  mine  ; of  these 
Thomas  Sweeny  and  Patrick  Burke  escaped 
with  but  slight  injury ; Frederick  Hazeler  was 
seriously  injured  but  recovered.  Wm.  Cowan 
was  fatally  burned  and  a few  days  later  died 
of  his  injuries  ; John  Douglas,  James  Riley, 
James  Cowan,  Wm.  Millhizer'  and  Lynch 
were  killed. 

On  the  morning  of  the  23d  of  February, 
1868,  the  large  building  known  as  Wallace 
factory,  located  near  the  shaft  of  the  “ High 
Shaft  ’ ’ mine  at  Steubenville,  was  discovered 
on  fire.  It  became  a question  of  great 
moment  if  it  were  possible  to  save  the  build- 
ing over  the  coal-mine  from  destruction. 
There  were  at  this  time  about  one  hundred 
men  and  boys  in  the  mine  who  must  be  got 
out  ere  the  building  burned  or  be  lost. 
Some  of  them  were  not  only  225  feet  under- 
ground, but  three-quarters  of  a mile  away 
from  the  bottom  of  the  shaft.  Under  the 
direction  of  Superintendent  James  H.  Blinn, 
volunteers  fought  heroically  to  save  the 
building,  while  others  entered  the  mine  to 
warn  the  miners  of  the  danger.  Wm,  Dixon 
and  Hugh  Sudierin,  track  layers  in  the  mine, 
did  noble  service  at  imminent  risk  of  losing 
their  lives.  The  hoisting  cages  were  kept 
running  at  their  highest  speed  until  all  the 
miners  were  at  last  safe  above  ground.  An 
instance  of  filial  devotion  displayed  on  this 
occasion  is  related  by  Mr.  Wm.  Smith waite, 
from  whose  writings  this  article  is  abridged. 


A miner,  John  Stewart,  who  was  crip- 
pled by  an  accident  in  a mine  in  Scotland 
many  years  before,  was  working  with  his  son 
William  in  one  of  the  farthest  workings  of 
the  mine,  when  they  received  notice  of  the 
danger.  They  immediately  started  for  the 
shaft,  but  their  progress  was  so  slow,  that 
prospect  of  their  arriving  there  in  time  was 
very  discouraging.  The  son  assisted  the 
father’s  feeble  steps,  being  passed  on  the  way 
by  men  and  boys  hurrying  to  escape,  who 
urged  them  to  hasten,  telling  them  again  and 
again  of  their  danger.  This  increased  their 
excitement,  hindering  rather  than  assisting 
them  ; the  poor  old  crippled  father,  losing  all 
courage,  sank  down  by  the  way,  giving  up  all 
hope  and  resigning  himself  to  his  fate  urged 
his  son  to  leave  him  and  seek  his  own  safety. 
“I  am  auld  an  crippled,  Willie,  and  of  nae 
account  in  the  warl ; nae  wo  th  ony  sacrifice  ; 
gang  awa  an  save  yoursel  or  we’ll  baith 
perish.  You  are  young  and  strang  an  may 
have  mony  years  tae  live  ; gang  awa,  Willie, 
an  save  yoursel ; I canna  coom.”  “ I wanna 
le  you,  fayther.  Coom,  I’ll  help  3mu  alang, 
and  we’ll  baith  get  out,”  was  the  reply. 

After  repeated  efforts  the  old  man  was  in- 
duced to  try  again,  but  again  sank  down  in 
despair,  and  in  most  piteous  accents  in  his 
broad  Scotch  dialect  urged  his  son  to  leave 
him  and  seek  his  own  safety.  Paying  no 
attention  to  the  old  man’s  importunities, 
William  would  again  with  encouraging  words 
and  earnest  pleadings  get  the  old  man  up 
and  make  a little  more  progress  towards  the 
shaft. 

Finally,  after  much  toil  and  persistence, 
they  both  reached  the  shaft  and  were  hoisted 
out  in  safety. 


Reminiscences  of  Early  Manufactures  of  Southeastern  Ohio. 

The  following  very  valuable  article  was  written  for  this  work  by  the  venerable 
William  C.  Howells,  father  of  Wm.  Dean  Howells,  the  author.  It  was  writ- 
ten and  sent  under  the  date  of  Jefterson,  Ohio,  December,  1887,  when  he  was 
eighty  years  of  age.  In  an  accompanying  letter,  he  wrote  us  : I have  endeav- 
ored to  say  enough  to  give  the  proper  information,  and  to  avoid  saying  anything 


JEFFERSON  COUNTY. 


967 

of  which  I did  not  feel  reasonably  certain ; yet  it  is  hardly  to  be  expected  that, 
after  a lapse  of  seventy  years,  many  errors  will  not  have  occurred  : 


Quaker  Enterpiise. — My  father  emigrated 
from  Brecknockshire  in  South  Wales,  in 
1808,  landing  at  Boston.  I was  then  just 
one  year  old.  He  had  acquired  a thorough 
knowledge  of  the  manufacture  of  woollen 
goods.  In  1812  he  was  at  Waterford,  Lou- 
don county,  Va. , having  made  his  way  to 
that  point  from  Boston,  when  he  made  the 
acquaintance  of  a Quaker,  Joseph  Steer,  who 
had  a large  flouring-mill  and  water-power  on 
Short  creek,  about  eighteen  miles  from  Steu- 
benville and  four  from  Mount  Pleasant.  This 
was  a Quaker  settlement  of  considerable  im- 
portance, and  the  wealth  and  influence  of  that 
locality  were  chiefly  in  their  hands  ; and  they 
were  not  excelled  by  any  in  all  useful  enter- 
prises that  tended  to  improve  the  then  new 
and  growing  country.  Along  the  little  river 
of  Short  creek  they  had  built  flouring- mills, 
salt-works,  and  a paper-mill  of  no  mean 
capacit}?-. 

Joseph  Steer  sought  to  supply  a needed 
woollen  manufactory,  and  he  engaged  my 
father  to  put  it  in  operation. 

Passengers  Transported  by  the  Pound. — In 
the  spring  of  1813,  as  soon  as  the  roads  were 
in  proper  condition,  my  father  engaged  with 
one  of  the  ‘‘ Waggoners  of  the  Alleghenies,” 
for  our  passage  from  Waterford  to  Browns- 
ville, Pa.,  which  was  the  usual  place ^ of 
changing  shmmcnts  from  wagons  to  boats*  on 
the  way  to  Ohio.  The  wagons  used  in  the 
transportation  of  goods  on  that  route  were 
large  and  heavy,  drawn  by  teams  of  four, 
five,  or  six  horses.  They  would  hold  and 
carry  5,000  to  9,000  pounds,  and  movers  took 
passage  in  them  as  they  would  in  boats  for 
themselves  and  household  effects.  The  wagon 
in  which  we  travelled  was  one  of  the  five- 
horse  class,  owned  and  driven  by  one  Thomas, 
not  Mr.  Birchard,  who  did  not  drink  whisky 
or  swear  at  his  horses,  which  my  mother  re- 
garded as  virtues  of  high  esteem.  At  this 
time  he  had  loaded  nearly  full  at  Alexandria, 
and  took  us  on  to  complete  the  cargo.  I 
very  well  remember  that  mother,  my  sister, 
brother,  and  myself,  were  weighed  at  the 
time  our  goods  were  loaded  on,  and  all 
charged  for  at  so  much  per  pound,  though  I 
forget  at  what  price,  if  I ever  knew.  My 
father  had  a pony,  which  he  rode  in  company 
with  the  two  wagons  that  travelled  together, 
for  mutual  help  over  bad  places  and  steep 
hills,  when  they  joined  teams.  The  trip  was 
necessarily  a slow  one,  as  twenty  miles  was  a 
long  day’s  drive. 

Keel  Boat  Travel. — Arriving  at  Browns- 
ville, we  gladly  stopped  to  rest  and  wait  for  a 
boat.  We  happened  upon  a new  flat  boat, 
which  was  being  floated  to  Pittsburg,  in 
which  we  found  unbounded  room,  after  the 
cramped  journey  in  the  wagon.  At  Pitts- 
burg we  changed  to  what  was  then  called  a 
keel  boat ; a kind  of  barge  about  the  size  of 
a canal  boat.  In  it  we  soon  floated  the  eighty 
miles  to  Warrenton,  at  the  mouth  of  Short 


creek,  then  a thriving  village,  and  an  impor- 
tant point  for  building  flat  boats,  and  loading 
them  with  flour  and  other  produce  for  the 
New  Orleans  market.  Three  miles  up  the 
creek  brought  us  to  our  destination,  and  we 
took  our  position  as  Ohioans  seventy-five 
years  ago. 

Difficulties  of  Neiv  Manufacturing  Enter- 
priser.— The  destruction  of  Mr.  Steer’s  flour- 
ing-mill deranged  his  plans  as  to  manufac- 
turing ; and  the  woollen  mill  was  limited  to 
machinery  adapted,  to  country  custom,  card- 
ing and  spinning  machine,  fulling-mill,  etc., 
in  a small  way.  Though  a child,  I very  well 
remember  that  this  new  business  was  started 
under  very  great  difficulties.  Many  of  the 
parts  of  the  machines  had  to  be  made  by 
local  mechanics.  For  the  spinning  “jenny,” 
a blacksmith  forged  the  spindles,  and  finished 
them  with  grindstone  and  files ; while  a tin- 
smith, a cabinetmaker,  a turner,  and  one  or 
two  ingenious  general  workers  made  the  other 
parts.  My  father  superintended  the  job ; 
made  the  drawings,  etc.  ; and  in  due  time, 
before  winter  set  in,  the  little  factory  was  in 
operation. 

Early  Manufactures  of  Southeastern  Ohio. 
— My^  father  moved  his  family  into  Steuben- 
ville in  1816,  when  I had  just  entered  upon 
my  tenth  year.  I was  a rather  forward  boy, 
and  especially  interested  in  manufacturing 
and  mechanical  work,  of  which  I had  a good 
conception  for  one  of  my  years,  so  that  now 
I have  a good  recollection  of  what  I then  saw. 
When  recurring  to  that  time — say  August, 
1818,  and  onward  for  a few  years — I am 
rather  surprised  at  the  variety,  as  well  as  ex- 
tent, of  manufactures  in  which  the  people  of 
Southeastern  Ohio  and  the  adjacent  parts  of 
Virginia  and  Pennsylvania  were  engaged. 
The  town  of  Steubenville,  whose  inhabitants 
then  numbered  about  2,000,  was  a centre  of 
these  operations  that  was  typical  in  its  way 
of  the  whole.  The  chief  manufacture  of  the 
place  was  woollen  cloths,  carried  on  by  a 
company,  formed  about  1812,  on  a more  ex- 
tensive scale  than  any  in  the  State,  or 
west  of  the  Allegheny  mountains,  at  that 
time. 

An  Enterprising  Pioneer. — The  leading 
man  in  this  enterprise  was  Hon.  Bezaleel 
Wells,  who  was  the  original  proprietor  of  the 
town,  which  was  laid  out  in  1797,  and  who 
represented  the  county  in  the  first  Constitu- 
tional Convention  in  1802,  and  who  really 
spent  his  life  and  fortune  in  developing  that 

art  of  the  State.  Mr.  Wells  associated  with 

im  in  this  undertaking  several  men  of  cap- 
ital and  enterprise,  among  whom  were  James 
Ross,  of  Pittsburg ; William  Dickinson,  of 
Steubenville  ; and  a Mr.  Patterson,  of  whom 
tradition  said  that,  after  great  anxiety  to  see 
this  factory  in  operation,  he  died  simulta- 
neously with  the  starting  of  the  engine.  IMy 
father  having  been  engaged  as  wool-grader  in 
the  concern  till  1826,  I had  an  opportunity 


g68 


JEFFERSON  COUNTY. 


of  observing,  and  was  familiar  with  its  gen- 
eral work. 

Losses  Through  Improvements  in  Machin- 
ery.— About  1818  another  firm  was  organ- 
ized, of  which  the  late  Judge  and  Senator 
Tappan  was  a member,  that  was  known  as  B. 
Wells  & Co.,  which  continued  until  about 
1827,  when  the  business  passed  into  other 
hands.  It  was  for  a time  managed  by  Mr. 
Wolcott,  of  Akron,  the  father  of  the  late 
Judge  Wolcott,  who  changed  the  style  of  the 
product  to  a less  expensive  kind,  and  made  it 
pay  its  way  for  a time. 

It  was  successful  in  the  manufacture  of 
great  quantities  of  good  cloth,  and  cheapen- 
ing the  cost  to  consumers,  who  were  largely 
the  people  of  the  State,  and  making  a mar- 
ket for  good  wool ; besides  introducing  greatly 
improved  brands  of  sheep.  As  a profit  to 
those  who  invested  money,  it  must  have  been 
one  of  the  worst  of  failures.  The  original 
cost  was  necessarily  very  great ; while  the  in- 
troduction of  new  machinery  and  new  styles 
of  working  every  year  absorbed  a great  part 
of  the  profits.  I well  remember,  when  very 
young,  being  impressed  with  the  terrible 
losses  that  were  evident  to  me,  in  the  dis- 
carded machinery  that  filled  every  vacant 
spot  of  the  ground  and  buildings — the  result 
of  changes  that  came  in  constant  succession 
from  year  to  year.  This  was  not  the  result 
of  dishonesty  or  very  bad  management.  It 
seemed  to  have  come  of  the  crowding  growth 
of  improvements,  which  often  made  it  econ- 
omy to  cast  aside  a machine  of  real  value. 
To  this  may  be  added  successive  fires,  panics, 
and  money  depressions  following  the  war  of 
1812.  ^ This  factory  and  its  various  buildings 
occupied  about  ten  acres,  near  the  west  end 
of  Main  street,  a little  east  of  the  two  fac- 
tories afterwards  built  by  James  and  Eben- 
ezer  Wallace. 

The  establishment  of  Messrs.  Wallace, 
started  under  better  auspices  and  in  better 
times,  succeeded,  and  has  done  well.  The 
Wallaces,  availing  themselves  of  a valuable 
vein  of  coal  underlying  the  town,  some 
twenty-five  years  ago  sunk  a shaft  to  it,  which 
not  only  supplied  them  with  fuel  but  became 
a source  of  material  profit. 

Cotton  Cloth  Factories. — About  the  time 
of  the  commencement  of  the  old  woollen  fac- 
tory, another  company  put  in  operation  a 
steam  fiouring-mill  and  cotton  factory  in  a 
small  way,  both  in  adjoining  buildings  and 
propelled  by  the  same  engine,  on  the  bank 
of  the  river  at  the  foot  of  Main  street.  The 
cotton  department  was  confined  to  carding 
and  spinning  only,  producing  yarns  used  in 
home-made  linse3’^s,  carpets,  and  satinette 
warps,  etc.  It  was  discontinued  about  1821. 
Soon  after  this  date  two  cotton  mills,  on  quite 
an  extensive  scale,  were  built ; both  of  which 
prospered  permanently  in  the  manufacture 
of  3'arns  and  unbleached  cotton  cloths. 

Early  Paper  31ills. — At  an  early  day  the 
manufacture  of  paper  was  commenced  in 
many  places  in  the  State,  that  seemed  to  do 
well,  and  made  a full  suj)ply  for  the  wants  of 
the  country,  with  the  various  kinds  then  in 


use.  There  were  mills  at  or  near  Cincinnati, 
Lebanon,  Hamilton,  Chillicothe,  Columbus, 
Zanesville,  Mount  Pleasant,  and  Steuben- 
ville. Of  course,  they  all  made  paper  by  the 
old  hand-process,  that  had  been  in  use  from 
time  immemorial,  and  was  good  enough  for 
the  world  until  the  Fourdrinier  process  was 
introduced  ; and  these  Western  mills  made  a 
great  deal  of  superior,  fine  paper.  In  1816 
the  Mount  Pleasant  mill  made  the  paper  for 
the  notes  of  the  Bank  of  Mount  Pleasant. 
The  Steubenville  mill,  as  I remember,  had 
two  rag-engines  and  three  or  four  moulding- 
vats,  and  employed  forty  or  fifty  men  and 
women — many  more  than  are  now  employed 
in  the  mill  with  its  ten -times  increased  power 
of  production.  This  mill  was  propelled  by  a 
large  low-pressure  engine,  as  were  the  fiour 
and  cotton  mills  and  the  woollen  factory. 
The  business  was  carried  on  by  Je/hn  B.  Bay- 
less & Co.,  who  sold  their  paper  at  prices 
not  much  higher  than  it  was  sold  thirty  or  forty 
years  ago.  I judge  from  the  price  of  fools- 
cap, writing  paper,  that  we  used  at  school, 
which  cost  twenty-five  cents  a quire  for  a 
good  article,  not  ruled.  This  mill  was  on  the 
river  bank,  near  where  the  Pen  Handle  Bail- 
road  crosses. 

On  the  river  bank,  a short  distance  below, 
there  was  an  iron  foundry,  operated  by  Mar- 
tin Phillips.  Connected  with  this,  Adam 
Wise  had  a machine  shop,  where  much  of 
the  rnachinery  of  the  factory  and  mills  of  the 
vicinity  was  made  or  repaired.  Mr.  Wise 
also  made  the  first  plows  of  the  country  with 
iron  mould-boards. 

Extinct  Trades. — On  Main  street,  near 
Third,  James  Watt  did  a lively  business  as 
wheelwright,  which  meant  the  making  of 
hand-spinning  wheels  for  wool  and  flax,  reels, 
etc.,  which  trade  is  now  extinct,  and  the 
wheels  and  reels  that  were  to  be  found  in 
every  farmer’s  house  in  nearly  constant  use, 
are  now  retired  to  garrets  or  collections  of 
bric-a-brac. 

Another  extinct  trade  was  carried  on  by 
Daniel  Kilgour,  at  the  corner  of  Main  and 
Fourth  streets,  which  was  the  making  of  cut- 
nails  by  hand,  but  gave  way  to  nail-making 
machines  about  1825. 

Next  door  to  this  was  the  watch  and  clock- 
making shop  of  Alexander  Paxton,  where  he 
repaired  watches  and  made  brass  eight-day 
clocks  to  order. 

Measured  for  a ‘‘'"RoaranU' — At  the  time 
I speak  of,  hats  were  made  in  shops  as  shoe- 
making and  tailoring  were  done.  Then,  if  a 
man  or  boy  wanted  a hat,  it  was  bespoken, 
always  two  weeks  in  advance.  As  old  boys 
well  remember,  the  hatter  measured  his  head 
and  fitted  him  accordingly.  The  hats  were 
made  of  wool  or  fur,  or  both  mixed — the 
body  of  wool  with  the  nap  of  fur,  called  a 
“ roaram,”  a name  well  suited  to  the  appear- 
ance of  the  hat.  Fine  hats  were  made  with 
fur  bodies  and  a nap  of  beaver  or  otter. 
These  were  really  nice  hats,  and  were  worth 
the  six  to  ten  dollars  they  cost.  Wool  haU 
cost  about  a dollar,  and  a “roaram”  $2.50 
or  $3.  In  that  day  the  stiffening  of  hats 


yEFFERSON  COUNTY. 


with  gum-shellac  was  not  in  use,  glue  being 
used  instead  of  water-proof  gum  ; and  when 
overtaken  with  rain  the  hats  would  weaken 
down  and  bring  the  wearer  to  a “due  sense 
of  his  unworthiness,”  for  they  would  become 
flabby  and  the  nap  stick  to  them  till  they 
shone  like  a junk  bottle  after  they  became 
dry,  besides  “going  to  seed,”  as  it  was  called. 
This  made  the  hat  an  object  of  tender  care, 
and  led  the  wearer  to  carry  in  reserve  an  oiled 
silk  or  gingham  covering,  to  be  put  on  as  re- 
quired. There  were  three  hatters  in  town — 
Messrs.  Hull,  Odbert  and  Hoagland,  each  of 
whom  helped  me  to  a crown,  as  needed. 

Mr.  McFetridge,  whose  trade  is  now  also 
obsolete,  made  weavers’  reeds,  of  reed-cane, 
to  supply  the  many  looms  that  were  to  be 
found  in  the  farmers’  houses  all  through  the 
country. 

Of  general  trades,  there  were  the  usual  va- 
riety. I remember  one  earthenware  pottery, 
three  tanneries,  carried  on  by  Brice  Viers, 
Samuel  Williams  and  Hans  Wilson;  six  or 
seven  shoe-shops  and  a like  number  of  tailors, 
and  one  gunsmith,  James  Leaf. 

An  old  paper  that  I have  fixes  the  number 


969 

of  merchants’  stores  at  twenty-seven,  and  of 
taverns  at  sixteen. 

Early  Schools  and  Churches. — In  the  win- 
ter of  1816-17  there  were  two  schools  of  the 
same  order  as  our  common  schools,  main 
tained  by  private  subscription,  as  all  schools 
then  were,  at  $2.50  a scholar  per  quarter. 
One  of  these  schools,  at  which  I was  a pupil, 
was  taught  by  Bev.  James  B.  Finley,  and 
continued  until  it  was  overshadowed  by  the 
well-known  school  of  Bev.  Dr.  Beatty. 

At  the  beginning  of  1817  there  were  three 
places  of  religious  worship,  where  services 
were  regularly  held  every  Sunday  : one  Pres- 
byterian, with  Bev.  Mr.  Hoagland  as  pastor ; 
one  United  Presbj^terian,  Bev.  Mr.  Buchanan 
as  pastor,  and  a Methodist  Episcopal  Church, 
forming  a part  of  the  Steubenville  Circuit, 
with  Bev.  James  B.  Finley  as  presiding  elder 
for  the  quarterly  meeting  district,  the  extent 
of  which  would  astonish  many  of  his  breth- 
ren of  this  day.  He  lived  in  Steubenville, 
whence  he  made  his  four  journeys  on  horse- 
back, each  year  visiting,  as  extreme  points, 
Zanesville,  Norwalk,  Cleveland  and  Warren, 
Ohio  ; Beaver  and  Erie,  Pa.  ; and  Fredonia, 


N.  Y. 

TBAVELLINO  NOTES. 


Steubenville  was  named  in  a spirit  of  patriotism,  from  Baron  von  de  Steuben, 
the  drill  master  of  the  soldiers  of  the  Revolution.  He  taught  them  to  bring 
their  muskets  to  the  order  by  three  motions  in  the  slow  style  of  the  tactics  of  that 
day.  He  lies  buried  alone  in  the  depths  of  a forest  in  Oneida  county.  New  Y^ork, 
and  in  1840  I walked  twenty  miles  for  the  sole  purpose  of  sketching  his  grave. 

Steubenville  is  well  situated,  the  best  river  town,  steamboat  men  say,  of  any 
town  on  the  Ohio,  and  because  on  the  second  plateau,  and  thus  above  the  highest 
floods.  The  scenery  around  is  impressive.  In  its  rear  high  hills  rise  rounding 
in  majestic  curves.  Opposite,  close  up  to  the  West  Virginia  shore,  is  a steep 
wooded  bluff,  some  600  or  more  feet  in  height,  its  upper  part  an  overhanging 
precipitous  cliff.  Down  the  river  the  view  is  expansive  with  bounding  hills  and 
never-returning  waters.  One  may  well  term  this  as  the  gateway  to  the  charm- 
ing scenery  of  the  Upper  Ohio. 


A Sort  of  Luhherland. — The  city  has  an 
old-time  look — little  or  no  ornate  architecture 
— but  there  is  comfort  everywhere.  It  is 
similar  in  its  social  aspects  and  appearance 
to  Marietta  and  Chillicothe.  The  country 
around  laughs  in  its  fatness — nobody  starves. 
Going  into  a restaurant  for  dinner,  there  was 
placed  before  me  on  a side  table  some  nine- 
teen dishes — 1.  Boast  beef,  very  tender, 
Ohio  grown.  2.  Excellent  coffee.  3 and  4. 
Cucumbers  and  onions.  5.  Corn.  6.  As- 
aragus  in  milk.  7.  String  beans.  8.  Cab- 
age,  boiled.  9.  Tomatoes,  stewed  with  toast. 
10.  Bhubarb.  11.  Potatoes  warmed  in  milk. 
12.  Cold  bread,  butter.  13.  Warm  biscuit. 
14  and  15.  Bhubarb  and  cherry  pie.  16.  Ice 
cream.  17,  18  and  19.  Vanilla  and  choco- 
late, with  strawberries — and  for  all  this  but 
twenty-five  cents  charge.  On  my  tour  over 
Ohio  forty  years  ago  no  such  variety  was  any- 
where seen,  and  not  once  a napkin  at  a meal, 
and  eatable  butter  almost  never — but  no 


charge  for  smelling.  In  no  one  thing  has 
there  been  a greater  improvement  than  in 
food.  Lubberland  seems  to  be  heaving  in 
sight  for  this  people,  and  yet  they  don’t  all 
seem  happy. 

The  track  of  the  Cincinnati  & Pittsburg 
Bailroad  runs  on  the  river  bank  in  front  of 
Steubenville.  The  first  person  I met  on  my 
arrival  to  welcome  me  was  Mr.  J.  J.  Bobin- 
son,  the  station  agent,  at  whose  residence  I 
called  on  an  errand.  His  house  stands  with 
its  rear  to  the  rail  track  and  river,  near  by  the 
station.  His  home  lot  is  120  feet  broad  and 
180  deep.  The  house,  on  an  elevation  fifteen 
feet  above  the  lawn,  occupies  the  farther  end 
and  fronts  on  a street.  A line  of  Lombardy 
poplars,  120  feet  in  length  and  twelve  feet 
apart,  stands  as  sentinels  on  the  river  front 
of  the  lot.  They  were  set  out  in  1878,  being 
then  saplings  but  two  inches  in  diameter  and 
ten  feet  high  ; yet  in  1884  they  had  attained 
a height  of  sixty  feet,  which  he  cut  off 


Davison  Fillson,  Photo. 

Boyhood  Home  of  Stanton. 


Prom  the  old  edition  of  1846. 

Female  Seminary,  Steubenville. 


JEFFERSON  COUNTY. 


m 


twenty  f(^et  from  the  top.  ^ Now  (1886)  they 
are  forty-five  feet  in  height,  in  luxurious 
foliage.  On  V.I.P  321  I speak  on  the  subject 
of  the  poplar  more  fully.  Around  some  of 
the  home  lots  in  the  upper  part  of  the  town 
are  very  long  lines  of  poplars  hundreds  of 
feet  in  length,  making  a very  imposing  ap- 
pearance. I know  nothing  of  the  kind 
equalling  it.  The  easy  swaying  of  the  top 
of  the  poplars  in  the  wind  and  the  glinting 
lights  on  their  branches  are  pleasing.  But  it 
is  a solemn  tree — does  for  graveyards  and 
melancholy  blue  states  of  the  mind. 

A Lesson  in  Ornithology. — Mr.  Robinson’s 
house  has  a veranda  eighty  feet  in  length 
on  the  second  story  facing  the  river.  As  he 
took  me  from  the  sentinel  poplars  across  the 
lawn,  through  the  shrubbery,  grape  vines 
and  blooming  roses  to  the  veranda  he  said  ; 
“ Come  ; I want  you  to  see  my  birds.”  At 
that  moment  a peacock  spread  his  tail  at  my 
feet  and  gave  an  infernal  screech — “Look! 
admire  my  tail!”  “That,”  said  he,  “is 
better  than  any  watch-dog  or  policeman  that 
can  be  got.  Nothing  can  enter  my  yard  at 
night  but  he  sounds  the  alarm.  He  is  ever 
faithful.  Unlike  a watchman,  he  never  falls 
asleep  on  his  post,  and,  unlike  a dog,  can 
never  be  seduced  from  duty.  ’ ’ 

Taking  me  on  to  the  veranda,  there  in 
fifteen  cages  were  nineteen  birds  chirping 
their  joy.  Among  them  English  black-birds, 
golden  oriole,  canaries,  mocking  bird,  Irish 
lark,  Irish  thrush,  cat-bird  and  red-bird — 
nearly  all  foreign  birds.  The  Irish  lark  has 
a voice  of  a peculiar  rollicking  nature. 
“Soars  up  in  the  air,”  said  Mrs.  Robinson, 
a black-eyed  lady,  with  a merry  laugh. 

One  canary  was  sitting  on  its  nest.  It  was 
her  third  brood.  I got  within  a foot  of  the 
little  creature  as  she  was  sitting  there  so 
happy  and  comfortable.  She  cocked  up  her 
little  eye,  as  much  as  to  say : “Oh,  you  get 
out.  You  are  nothing  but  a man.  You  can 
know  nothing  of  a mother’s  joy.”  Mrs.  R. 
told  me  that  the  canary  lays  from  four  to  five 
eggs,  and  that  fourteen  days  after  the  laying 
of  the  first  egg  a bird  is  hatched,  and  then 
after  that  one  daily.  If  it  is  a male  bird  it  is 
surely  a singer  and  will  sing  fourteen  days 
from  its  birth.  Canaries  are  weaned  in  from 
fifteen  to  twenty-one  days. 

Just  at  that  moment  a train  went  thunder- 
ing by,  when  the  peacock  gave  a screech.  He 
always  does,  and  they  pass  every  half  hour ; 


yells  at  every  child’s  laugh  and  spreads  his 
tail  ad  libitum.  At  night  he  perches  on  a 
flat  board  nailed  on  top  of  a post,  close  by 
the  back  door,  and  performs  sentinel  duty,  at 
every  noise  sending  forth  a screech. 

Suffering  Bennie  Shaw. — While  here  I 
sketched  a cottage,  the  once  home  of  the 
long-suffering  but  happy  Bennie  Shaw,  who 
was  deaf  and  dumb,  very  near-sighted  and 
paralyzed.  It  stands  in  a nook  between  two 
other  buildings  on  a business  street  in  Steu- 
benville. I called  there  and  had  an  interview 
with  his  mother,  a sad-appearing  woman,  to 
learn  the  history  of  her  boy.  When  he  was 
eleven  years  of  age  he  was  taken  sick,  and, 
becoming  paralyzed,  lay  on  his  back  until  he 
died,  at  the  age  of  thirty-seven,  November  2, 
1884.  During  that  entire  period  only  his 
head  and  chest  grew,  his  body  below  remain- 
ing as  in  childhood.  The  cottage  in  which 
he  lived  and  the  room  in  which  he  was  con- 
fined were  very  small,  the  latter  with  only  one 
window  which  looked  upon  a little  garden 
wherein  grew  flowers.  He  was  very  near- 
sighted, could  use  but  one  arm,  could  not 
lift  himself  in  bed  nor  turn  his  head,  and  yet 
on  the  wall  were  numerous  pictures  in  water- 
colors  of  flowers,  birds  and  other  objects 
which  he  painted  mostly  from  copies  and 
quite  handsomely.  And  how  he  was  enabied 
to  do  them  at  all  seemed  almost  incredible. 
His  mother  thus  described  it  to  me,  first 
showing  me  a board  ten  by  twelve  inches : 
“We,”  said  she,  “tacked  the  paper  on  this 
board.  He  laid  on  his  back  in  his  cot  by  the 
window,  the  board  resting  on  his  chest.  He 
held  the  top  of  the  board  with  his  two  little 
fingers.  With  the  other  three  fingers  he 
painted.  Owing  to  his  near-sightedness  he 
was  obliged  to  bring  the  board  within  four 
inches  of  his  face.  He  could  not  paint  all 
over  the  board  except  by  turning  it  around, 
so  it  was  often  wrong  side  up.  As  he  could 
not  turn  his  head,  he  had  a mirror,  which 
magnified  and  reflected  the  flowers  in  the 
garden  which  he  studied  and  painted.  It 
was  always  a wonder  to  me  how  he  was  able 
to  paint,  and  so  beautifully,  and  when  I 
asked  him  how  he  did  it  his  answer  always 
was,  and  with  a smile,  ‘ Grod  helps  me.  He 
loves  me.’  ” His  little  room  was  a holy  spot. 
His  presence  made  it  an  atmosphere  of  love, 
and  when  any  strangers  came  in  he  always 
wanted  to  know  if  they  loved  God  and  en- 
joyed him  as  he  did. 


Several  days  passed  in  Steubenville  enabled  me  to  gather  from  some  old  gentle- 
men some  amusing  reminiscences  upon  its  historical  characters,  as  Edwin  Stanton, 
Senator  Tappan,  Thomas  Cole,  etc.  One  of  these  was  Mr.  James  Gallagher,  a 
tall,  wiry  gentleman,  with  some  hesitation  in  his  speech  but  none  in  his  brains, 
who  came  here,  in  1816,  from  Philadelphia,  when  a lad  of  ten  years.  He  said  i 
Anecdotes  of  Ben  Tappan. — I knew  Ben  Tappan  well.  He  was  very  sharp. 
He  had  a large  house-dog,  which  one  day  strolled  into  the  shop  of  one  Peters,  a 
butcher,  and  seizing  a nice  roast  of  beef  made  off  with  it.  Peters,  on  discovering 
whose  dog  it  was,  called  upon  Tappan,  and  put  the  question  to  him : ^Hf  a neigh- 
bor’s dog  enters  my  shop  and  steals  meat,  is  he  not  legally  held  in  payment  ? ” 
Certainly  he  is/’  rejoined  Tappan.  Your  do^,”  continued  Peters,”  has  this  very 


972 


JEFFERSON  COUNTY. 


morning  stolen  seventy-five  cents  worth  of  meat  from  me,  and  I have  come  for  the 
money/^  ‘^Not  so  fast,  Mr.  Peters,^^  replied  Tappan ; ^‘1  don’t  give  legal  advice 
without  compensation.  As  you  are  a neighbor,  I won’t  be  hard  upon  you.  My 
charge  to  you  in  this  case  is  $2.00.  You  must  therefore  pay  me  the  "difference, 
$1.25,  and  we  will  call  it  square.” 


Ben  Tappan  was  a most  audacious  man, 
and  I have  no  doubt  his  example  had  much 
to  do  with  the  formation  of  the  character  of 
Edwin  Stanton  when  he,  a youth,  became  his 
partner.  In  olden  times  our  Common  Pleas 
court  consisted  of  a president  judge  for  each 
judicial  district,  and  three  associate  justices 
for  each  county  in  which  the  court  was  held. 
The  presence  of  three  constituted  a quorum. 
At  a court  held  here  a Mr.  Anderson,  a very 
worthy  man,  was  one  of  the  judges.  He 
lived  three  miles  out  of  town,  and  was  wont 
to  come  to  court  on  horseback  with  his  sad- 
dle-bags, with  his  own  dinner  in  one  bag  and 
oats  for  his  horse  in  the  other.  After  a cer- 
tain noon  recess  Anderson  failed  to  appear  in 
time.  Tappan,  who  was  naturally  impatient, 
arose  to  address  the  court,  when  Judge  Hal- 
lock  interrupted  him:  '‘Brother  Tappan, 
there  is  not  a quorum  ; you  will  have  to  wait 
for  J udge  Anderson.  ’ ’ ‘ ‘Are  his  saddle-bags 
under  the  bench?”  “Yes.”  “Then,”  re- 
joined Tappan,  “I’ll  go  on  with  my  plea; 
they  will  do  just  as  well.”  And  he  did. 
Soon  Anderson  came  in,  and  heard  the  bal- 
ance of  the  plea.  It  is  to  be  inferred  its 
opening  was  in  due  time  communicated  to 
him  by  the  saddle-bags. 

The  Stanton /amz‘5/ were  from  North  Car- 
olina, and^  originally  Quakers.  They  fell 
under  the  influence  of  the  itinerating  Meth- 
odists, and  their  house  became  a favorite 
stopping-place  for  itinerants.  Edwin  was  of 
an  emotional  nature,  and,  when  a lad,  was 
converted  and  joined  them  ; eventually  he 
“backslid,”  but  always  had  a great  respect 
for  religion.  We  went  to  school  together,  he 
nine  years  younger.  He  was  somewhat  lax 
in  getting  his  lessons,  especially  in  arith- 
metic, which  he  disliked,  and  often  came  to 
me  for  assistance.  He  was  an  enterprising 
lad,  and  established  a circulating  library,  a 
nice  collection,  the  only  one  in  town,  and  it 
was  well  patronized.  I drew  from  his  library 
Plutarch’s  “Lives,”  Akenside’s  “Pleasures 
of  the  Imagination,”  Campbell’s  “Poems,” 
and  other  old-style  books  of  that  day. 

Edwin  went  as  a clerk  at  about  the  age  of 
thirteen  with  Mr.  James  Turnbull,  who  kept 
books  for  sale,  and  was  with  him  for  several 
years.  Mr.  Turnbull  is  now  living  here  at 
the  age  of  ninety-two,  and  is  the  only  sur- 
vivor of  the  war  of  1812  in  this  region  of 
Ohio.  Edwin  was  reading  so  constantly  that 
he  somewhat  neglected  his  duties  as  a sales- 
man ; he  was  a great  reader,  and  largely  self- 
taught.  Turnbull  thought  highly  of  him  as 
a boy.  ^ 

In  his  early  career  as  a lawyer  the  people, 
more  especially  us  old  Whigs,  regarded  him 
as  unscrupulous.  The  family  were  Whigs, 
and  he  was  brought  up  in  that  faith,  but  he 


joined  the  Democrats,  they  being  especially 
strong  in  this  county.  This  was  under  the 
influence,  I believe,  of  old  Ben  Tappan. 
This  change  we  thought  was  not  from  polit- 
ical ambition,  but  for  the  legal  business  the 
association  would  bring  him.  He  was  a grand 
talker;  not  as  logical  as  some,  but  his  forte 
was  his  perfect  self-poise  and  his  indomitable 
bulldog  courage  and  tenacity.  Though  the 
heavens  fell,  he  would  never  let  up ; it  was 
push  through  or  die.  His  mind  acted  as  a 
flash,  and  he  never  lost  his  balance,  never 
flinched  at  a surprise  ; but  with  a bound 
would  make  a forward  spring  with  a point  for 
the  emergency  sharp  as  a bayonet ; all  his 
knowledge  was  always  at  hand. 

On  looking  at  Stanton’s  war  record,  the 
gigantic  strength  of  character  he  exhibited, 
the  value  of  his  labors,  and  his  absorbing  de- 
votion to  his  country,  which  Anally  broke 
him  down  and  put  him  into  his  grave,  I can- 
not but  feel  a great  respect  for  his  memory. 
He  left  the  office  poor  and  broken  down. 
When  he  died,  as  a reward  for  his  herculean 
labors  and  great  services  to  his  country.  Con- 
gress voted  his  widow  a year’s  salary  as  judge. 
The  friends  of  Stanton  think,  and  justly 
think,  that  Grrant  in  his  INIemoirs  failed  to  do 
him  justice.  He  was  naturally  of  a kindly 
nature,  fond  of  children,  and  exceedingly 
generous  to  his  poor  relations  ; indeed,  to  all 
who  had  any  claim  upon  him. 

I knew  Thomas  Cole,  the  celebrated  land- 
scape painter,  well.  He  was  born  in  Eng 
land,  and  was  regarded  as  a bright,  intelligent 
young  man.  There  was  quite  a colony  of 
English  and  Germans,  who  came  here  to 
work  in  the  paper-mill  and  woollen  factory, 
which  were  established  here  in  the  war  pe- 
riod. Among  the  English  were  the  Cole 
family ; Dr.  Ackerly,  afterwards  the  noted 
New  York  surgeon ; Wm.  Watkins,  a wool 
stapler,  who  soon  returned  to  England  and 
gained  distinction  as  a miniature  painter ; 
painted  a portrait  of  Queen  Victoria  on 
ivor5^  He  had  taken  lessons  from  Cole. 
Then  there  was  old  Joe  Howells,  grandfather 
of  Howells,  the  novelist.  Cole’s  father  had 
charge  of  the  manufacture  of  the  wall-paper, 
and  Tom  worked  at  it,  stamping  the  colors 
with  diagram  blocks.  Tom  came  here  about 
1 820  ; did  not  stay  very  long,  but  went  to 
Zanesville  and  elsewhere,  iind  engaged  in 
painting  portraits.  His  skill  displayed  in 
painting  scenery  for  theatres  first  brought 
Cole  into  notice  in  New  York.  The  paper- 
mill  was  established  about  1812-1813.  It 
stood  on  the  river-bank,  on  the  site  of  the 
present  Hartje  paper-mill.  The  paper  was 
all  made  by  hand  in  the  olden  style.  The 
pulp  was  water-soaked  in  vats,  dipped  out 
with  sieves,  and  spread  out  on  blocks  on  felt, 


JEFFERSON  COUNTY, 


973 


in  alternate  sheets  of  felt  and  pulp.  The 
sheets  were  generally  foolscap  size.  The 
sheets  were  then  hung  up  dry  in  a large 
drying-house,  with  open-air  slats.  It  sold 
for  twenty-five  cents  a quire  of  twenty-four 
sheets,  but  for  a single  sheet  the  price  was 
one  cent.  A bright  boy  one  day  went  into 
Mr.  Turnbull’s  store  and  said,  “I  want 
twenty-four  sheets  of  paper,”  and  he  sup- 
plied him  at  that  rate,  whereby  the  boy  saved 
a cent. 

Copperas  Works. — About  the  year  1820 
copperas  works  were  established  here  by 
Bezaliel  Wells,  and  was  for  a time  a thriving 
industry.  The  material  was  obtained  from 
the  coal  banks,  and  manufactured  in  a rude 
way  by  a process  of  washing,  boiling,  and 
crystallizing.  The  industry,  at  first  lucrative, 
became  overdone,  from  the  abundance  of  the 
stock.  Copperas  is  now  manufactured  dif- 
ferently ; but  for  some  purposes  the  old  kind 
is  the  best.  The  works  were  on  top  of  the 
hill,  at  the  Red  House  farm,  back  of  the 
town.  Wells’  chemist  was  a North  Prus- 


sian, by  the  name  of  Kolb.  He  rigged  up  a 
huge  grindstone  for  some  purpose,  but  was  a 
better  chemist  than  mechanic  ; couldn’t  make 
things  work  ; got  mad,  and  started  the  grind- 
stone a rolling  down  hill ; and  it  didn’t  stop 
until  he  got  it  to  the  bottom.  Then  he  had 
to  pay  Christian  Rougher  a dollar  to  get  it 
back. 

Thespian  Society.  — These  Germans  and 
English  working- people  established  a Thes- 
pian Society,  and  gave  theatrical  entertain- 
ments in  an  old  brick  stable  for  a theatre, 
and  Tom  Cole  painted  the  scenery.  Kolb 
was  active,  and  so  was  another  German, 
Christian  Orth,  a blue-dyer  in  the  factory. 
One  evening,  in  the  midst  of  a play  wherein 
a thunder-storm  was  represented,  a vivid 
flash  of  lightning  lit  up  the  scene,  where- 
upon the  audience  were  convulsed  with  laugh- 
ter, by  the  voice  of  Kolb  from  behind  the 
scenes  calling  out,  in  his  rough  German  ac- 
cent, “Now,  Orth,  hurry  up  mit  yer  thun- 
der!” which,  by  the  way,  was  produced  by 
rolling  cannon  balls  on  the  floor. 


The  photographer  is  one  of  our  best  modern  acquisitions.  He  is  generally  poor 
in  his  purse,  but  then  he  is,  personally,  a rich  blessing.  We  should  thank  the 
Lord  for  him.  While  our  daily  bread  feeds  our  bodies,  his  labors  feed  the  soul; 
help  preserve  memories  of  the  precious  now  dead  or  far  away.  His  business  got 
a great  start  in  the  war  era,  when  the  soldier  boys,  in  marching  away,  proudly  clad 
in  the  panoply  of  Uncle  Sam’s  warriors,  largely  left  their  portraits  behind,  and 
carried  away  those  of  their  loves  to  the  camp  and  the  battle-field. 

Steubenville  rejoices  in  the  possession  of  one  photographer,  who  has  been  tak- 
ing the  faces  of  the  people  here  for  thirty  years,  until  he  has  grown  gray  in  the 
service.  He  has  lived  to  picture  babes  in  the  arms  of  parents,  whose  pictures  he 
had  made  when  they  themselves  began  life’s  march  in  the  ranks  of  the  light  in- 
fantry. This  gentleman  lives  in  rooms  adjoining  his  gallery,  and  his  son  and 
daughter  work  with  him ; and  there,  for  a pet,  is  Pearly,  a French  poodle,  with 
white  curly  hair,  soft  as  lamb’s  wool,  who  is  ever  ready  to  sneeze,  by  request.” 
He  has  an  honored  pedigree.  His  name  is  Davison  Filson,  a descendant  of  the 
Davison  Filson  whose  son,  John  Filson,  a surveyor,  was  the  very  man,  an  hun- 
dred years  ago,  who  laid  out  the  city  of  Cincinnati  and  named  it  Losantiville. 


This  John  was  a pedagogue,  and  author  of 
a history  of  Kentucky.  One  day,  shortly 
after  his  survey,  he  set  out  alone  to  explore 
the  solitudes  of  the  Miami  woods,  and  that 
was  the  last  ever  known  of  him.  His  fate  is 
yet  a mystery.  It  is  supposed  he  was  killed 
by  the  Indians.  One  verse  of  Venable’s 
simple  ballad,  “John  Filson,”  tells  all  that 
anybody  knows ; 

“Deep  in  the  wild  and  solemn  woods. 
Unknown  to  white  man’s  track, 

John  Filson  went  one  autumn  day. 

But  never  more  came  back.” 

The  Six  Hundred  Dead. — Upon  the  walls 
of  Mr.  Filson ’s  gallery,  in  a large  frame,  36 
X 30  inches,  is  a picture  consisting  of  600 
photographs  of  prominent  citizens  of  the 
town,  all  of  whom,  with  but  few  exceptions, 
were  taken  by  him,  and  all  of*  whom  are  now 
dead.  Tlie  sight  of*  this  vast  concourse  of 


adults — men  and  women  from  early  manhood 
and  womanhood  to  extreme  old  age,  most  of 
them  looking  upon  you  as  in  life — affects  one 
with  solemn  sensations  akin  to  those  which 
we  could  imagine  if  they  should  collectively 
rise  from  their  graves  and  appear  as  in  life. 
The  faces  are  largely  those  of  mature  and 
thoughtful  people,  upon  whom  the  cares  and 
duties  of  human  life,  with  its  solemn  respon- 
sibilities, have  left  their  weighty  impress. 
One  can  but  feel  awed  in  their  presence,  and 
the  mind  goes  instinctively  beyond  the  por- 
tals of  the  grave  to  the  unknown  world  to 
which  each  of  that  mighty  concourse  has 
vanished  from  sight  forever. 

Among  these  are  the  faces  of  people  whose 
history  is  imperishable.  The  central  head  is 
that  of  Edwin  M.  Stanton,  the  last  por- 
trait of  him,  taken  but  a few  months  before 
his  death.  It  is  a massive  head  of  great 
power,  and  the  expression  of  the  face  is  one 
of*  sadness  and  suffering.  It  shows  he  was 


974 


JEFFERSON  COUN/TY. 

/ 


worn  out  with  labors  and  anxieties.  In  a 
lower  corner  is  the  head  of  Bezaliel  Wells, 
founder  of  the  town,  and  that  of  his  wife. 
They  are  from  oil  paintings,  and  are  fine 
faces  of  marked  character.  The  head  of 
James  Hunter,  the  first  child  born  on  the 
soil,  appears  as  a very  old  man  with  a strong 
face  and  long  gray  locks,  combed  behind  his 
ears.  Near  the  portrait  of  Stanton  is  the 
beautiful  face  and  head  of  Colonel  George 
McCook  (see  Vol.  I.,  p.  365),  as  he  was  in 
his  prime  ; also  the  heads  of  Major-General 
Daniel  McCook,  killed  at  Peach  Tree  Or- 
chard, and  General  Robert  L.  McCook, 
murdered  by  guerillas.  On  the  extreme  right 
is  the  head  of  Judge  Humphrey  Howe 
Leavitt,  once  a citizen  of  this  town,  later  a 
citizen  of  Cincinnati,  where,  on  the  bench, 
in  his  capacity  of  District  Judge  of  the 
United  States  Supreme  Court,  he  sat  on  the 
case  of  Clement  L.  Vallandigham.  He  was 
long  an  honored  citizen  of  Cincinnati,  and  an 
old  neighbor  and  a personal  friend,  and  it  did 
me  good  to  look  upon  his  kindly,  benignant 
face  among  the  six  hundred.  He  was  an 
old-style  gentleman,  a Presbyterian  in  faith, 
very  modest  and  quiet,  and  simple  in  speech 
and  manner ; had  but  a few  words ; was  a 
godly,  dignified  man.  We  had  marked  time 
together  m a company  of  the  Home  Guards, 
called  the  “Silver  Grays” — because  all  the 
members  were  over  forty-five  years  of  age — 
when  Cincinnati  was  threatened  by  Kirby 
Smith.  I missed  his  presence  when  we 
crossed  the  river  to  meet  the  foe.  Like  my- 
self, I suppose,  he  did  not  ache  to  kill  any- 
body. 

Here  are  the  heads  of  Benjamin  Tappan, 
Thomas  L.  Jewett,  Rev.  C.  C.  Beatty,  Rev. 
George  Buchanan — who  here  preached  for 
forty  years  in  the  United  Presbyterian  Church 
— with  numerous  other  local  celebrities. 

^ Among  these,  on  his  couch  of  suffering,  is 
the  recumbent  form  of  little  Bennie  Shaw, 
the  only  portrait  where  more  than  the  head 
and  bust  are  shown.  Heads  of  manly  vigor 
and  womanly  virtue  look  down  upon  you  as 
when  among  these  earthly  scenes,  and  they 
all  preach  to  you — these  six  hundred  dead. 
I felt  it  with  inexpressible  awe,  for  only  a few 
hours  before,  while  in  an  abstracted  state  of 
mind,  a train  of  cars  was  slowly,  silently 
backing  through  a narrow  alley  upon  me, 
and  I only  escaped  by  the  fraction  of  a sec- 
ond from  being  crushed  under  the  remorseless 
wheels. 

From  the  grave  to  the  gay  is  the  story  of 
life.  The  sun  carries  the  morning  on  her 
wings  and  night  fiees  at  her  coming. 

An  Easy  Talker. — As  I sat  gazing  upon 
the  faces  of  those  six  hundred  dead,  im- 
pressed by  their,  as  I felt,  living  presence, 
an  old  gentleman,  large,  fieshy,  with  rotund 
visage,  rosy  cheeks  and  smiling  eyes,  came  in 
by  invitation  of  Mr.  Filson  to  tell  me  of  the 
olden  time  ; and  this  he  did  with  an  ease  and 
deliberation  of  speech  that  was  charming. 
With  him  every  sentence,  as  a printer  would 
say,  was  wide-spaced,  as  if  with  em -quadrats, 
and  every  word  the  exact  word  for  the  place 


it  was  put;  and  there  were  no  “doublets’' 
nor  “outs”  anywhere  in  his  speech.  This 
was  Francis  Asbury  Wells,  son  of  Beza- 
liel Wells,  who  laid  out  the  town.  As  his 
name  indicates,  his  parents  were  Methodists, 
and  so  named  him  after  the  renowned  Bishop 
Asbury. 

“From  an  old  book,”  said  he,  “I  find  it 
was  August  25,  1797,  that  my  father,  after 
laying  out  the  town,  sold  the  first  lots.  They 
were  60  X 180  feet,  and  sold  for  from  $60  to 
$180  per  lot.  About  the  year  1819  the  first 
steamboat  was  built  here,  and  named  from 
him  ‘Bezaliel  Wells’ — the  boys  called  it 
‘ Beelzebub.  ’ It  had  brick  chimneys,  and 
they  were  built  by  Ambrose  Shaw  ; they  were 
not  finished  when  she  started  on  her  first  trip, 
which  was  for  Pittsburg.  Mr.  Shaw  finished 
them  between  here  and  Brown’s  island,  seven 
miles  north. 

“My  father,  with  others,  in  1814  built  the 
first  woollen  factory,  I believe,  west  of  the 
mountains.  I have  here  [showing  it  to  me] 
a silver  medal  presented  in  1824  to  Wells 
& Co.  by  the  Franklin  Institute  of  Phila- 
delphia, as  a ‘ reward  of  skill  and  ingenuity.  ’ 
This  was  in  consequence  of  their  having  sent 
a piece  of  broadcloth  to  them  on  exhibition.  ’ ’ 

Memento  of  the  Harrison  Campaign. — Mr. 
Wells  showed  to  me  a memento  of  the  Har- 
rison campaign  of  1840.  It  was  a brass 
button,  with  a plough  in  front,  a log-cabin  in 
the  centre,  and  a barrel  of  hard  cider  in  one 
corner.  “During  that  campaign,”  said  he, 
“I  wore  a Kentucky  jeans  suit  buttoned 
with  these  buttons,  and  with  my  brother  and 
others  I manufactured  a kind  called  Tippe- 
canoe jeans — a sort  of  gray  mixed.  We  sent 
suits  both  to  General  Harrison  and  Henry 
Clay.” 

When  Lafayette  visited  this  country,  in 
1825,  he  came  up  the  Ohio  from  Cincinnati, 
and  it  was  expected  would  stop  here.  My 
father  got  his  woollen  factory  in  order,  in- 
tending to  show  it  to  him  and  give  him  a 
big  reception  here.  He  was  sadly  disap- 
pointed, for,  owing  to  the  low  stage  of  water, 
Lafayette  could  get  no  farther  than  Wheel- 
ing, twenty-two  miles  below,  and  so  went  by 
stage  to  Pittsburg,  where  father  went  to  see 
him. 

On  meeting  Lafayette  he  conversed  with  him 
upon  the  subject  of  raising  wool  in  Jefferson 
county,  and  the  trouble  they  had  of  raising 
sheep  owing  to  the  depredations  of  dogs. 
Lafayette  told  him  that  in  France  they  had  a 
breed  of  shepherd-dogs,  very  large,  of  great 
sagacity,  which  were  used  in  driving  and  pro- 
tecting their  flocks.  “Old  a country  as 
France  is,  and  strange  as  you  may  think  it,” 
said  Lafayette,  “ our  mountains  are  infested 
with  wolves  which  commit  depredations  upon 
our  sheep.  I will  send  you  a pair  for  breed- 
ing.” In  due  time  they  came,  and  were 
quite  prolific.  They  were  a noble  species, 
white  with  generally  golden-hued  spots  ; re- 
sembled the  English  mastiff,  and  were  found 
extremely  useful,  but  in  time  run  out  by 
mongrel  associates. 

One  of  them  one  day  followed  my  brothei 


SALMON  P.  CHASE.  EDWIN  M.  STANTON 


976 


yEFFERSON  COUNTY. 


Alexander  to  market  when  a large,  ferocious 
bull-dog,  encouraged  by  his  master,  attacked 
him.  The  butchers  formed  a ring  around 
them  expecting  the  bull- dog  to  conquer.  He 
had  seized  the  shepherd-dog  by  the  throat. 
The  skin  there  was  tough,  and  so  loose  that 
the  other  was  enabled  to  twist  his  head 
around  and  grasp  the  bull’s  head,  and  soon 


the  bones  were  heard  to  crack.  The  master 
of  the  bull  then  interfered.  “ No,”  said  the 
others,  ” we  formed  a ring  to  see  fair  play  ; 
you  set  him  on  and  now  we  will  see  it  out.” 
And  they  did.  The  shepherd-dog  had  got  his 
spunk  up,  and  they  heard  the  crunching  of 
the  bones,  and  quickly  the  bull-dog  yielded 
up  the  ghost. 


I conclude  these  notes  with  some  more  reminiscences  of  the  early  days  of 
Edwin  Stanton,  from  Mr.  John  McCracken.  Nothing  is  too  small  to  narrate 
that  illustrates  the  characteristics  of  that  great  man. 


I was  a schoolmate  with  the  Stanton  boys, 
Edwin  and  his  3^ounger  brother,  Darwin,  and 
lived  opposite.  The  boys  had  for  pets,  which 
they  kept  in  their  house,  some  black  and 
garter-snakes.  ^ They  would  bring  the  snakes 
out,  sit  on  their  doorstep  and  let  them  crawl 
over  them.  I joined  them  and  let  them 
crawl  over  me.  1 was  then  about  thirteen, 
Darwin  the  same  and  Edwin  sixteen. 

The  Stanton  homestead  was  on  the  west 
side  of  Third  street,  between  Market  and 
Washington  streets.  Opposite  their  house 
was  Isaac  Jenkinson’s  hotel,  the  principal 
hotel  of  the  town.  In  the  rear  was  a 
noble  grove.  There  under  the  trees  I have 
seen  General  J ackson  and  Henry  Clay  take 
dinner. 

I was  very  intimate  with  Stanton.  A most 
famous  case  in  which  he  was  engaged  was 


wherein  the  firm  of  Gano,  Thomas  & Talbot, 
pork  dealers,  was  sued  on  a claim  involving  an 
immense  sum.  Stanton  travelled  all  over  the 
country,  east  and  west,  for  evidence.  He 
argued  the  case  from  early  morning  until 
evening  ; looked  fairly  black  in  the  face  ; was 
so  tired.  In  the  evening  the  case  was  given 
to  the  jury.  I was  sitting  on  the  steps  when 
Stanton  came  out  and  called  to  me.  He 
wanted  me  to  walk  with  him  : said  his  mind 
was  so  excited  he  could  not  sleep,  and  I 
walked  the  streets  until  about  six  in  the 
morning.  When  the  jury  came  in  the 
verdict  was  for  Stanton.  Stanton  studied 
law  with  D.  L.  Collier.  I remember  on  the 
day  he  was  admitted  to  the  bar  hearing 
Collier  say  he  was  as  capable  of  practising  as 
he  or  any  other  member  of  the  bar.  Stanton 
was  a very  hard  student  and  very  muscular. 


Steubenville,  the  county-seat  of  Jefferson,  is  situated  ok  the  right  bank 
of  the  Ohio  river,  68  miles  below  Pittsburg  and  400  miles  above  Cincin- 
nati. The  average  altitude  of  the  city  is  a little  over  700  feet  above  tide  water, 
surrounded  by  hills  rising  several  hundred  feet  higher.  The  city  lies  well  above 
the  river  with  a general  slope  toward  it,  giving  a fine  natural  drainage.  It  is 
43 J miles  west  of  Pittsburg  and  150  miles  east  of  Columbus,  on  the  P.  C.  & 
St.  L.  H.  K.,  which  crosses  the  Ohio  river  at  this  point.  It  is  also  on  the  C.  & 
P.  R.  R.  The  surrounding  country  abounds  in  coal  and  natural  gas,  with  which 
the  city  is  supplied  for  manufacturing  and  other  purposes.  County  Officers : 
Auditor,  William  F.  Simeral ; Clerk,  Andrew  S.  Buckingham  ; Commissioners, 
John  Underwood,  David  Simpson,  Jacob  P.  Markle ; Coroner,  James  M.  Starr ; 
Infirmary  Directors,  Eli  Fetrow,  Thomas  Nixon,  Charles  Barrett;  Probate 
Judge,  John  A.  Mansfield;  Prosecuting  Attorney,  Henry  Gregg;  Recorder, 
Jacob  Hull ; Sheriff,  John  G.  Burns ; Surveyor,  Samuel  Huston ; Treasurer, 
Hugh  S.  Coble.  City  Officers : Henry  Opperman,  Mayor ; James  Reynolds, 
Clerk ; Wm.  McD.  Miller,  Solicitor ; James  Beans,  Street  Commissioner ; AVm. 
M.  Scott,  Marshal.  Newspapers : GazettCj  Democrat,  McFadden  & Hunter, 
editors  and  publishers ; Germania^  German  Independent,  Max  Gescheider,  editor 
and  publisher ; Herald,  Republican,  P.  B.  Coon,  editor  and  publisher ; Sunday 
Life,  Independent,  A.  W.  Beach,  editor  and  publisher ; Ohio  Press,  Independent 
Republican,  W.  R.  Allison,  editor;  Saturday  Nexos,  Independent,  Frank  Stokes, 
editor  and  publisher.  Churches : 1 Congregational,  1 Methodist  Protestant,  I 
Christian,  1 American  Methodist  Episcopal,  2 Methodist  Episcopal,  1 Episcopal, 
2 Catholic,  1 Baptist,  1 Presbyterian  and  2 Lutheran.  Banks : Commercial, 
Sherrard,  Mooney  & Co.  ; Miners  & Meclianics,  Jno.  H.  Hawkins,  president,  J. 
W.  Cookson,  cashier ; Steubenville  National,  R.  L.  Brownlee,  president,  Charles 
Gallagher,  cashier;  Union  Deposit,  Wm.  A.  AValden,  president,  Horatio  G. 
Garrett,  cashier. 

Manufactures  and  Employees. — Hartje  Brothers,  glazed  wrapping  paper,  25 


yEFFERSON  COUNTY. 


977 


hands;  Ohio  Valley  Clay  Co.,  glass  melting  pots,  38;  Jefferson  Iron  Works, 
iron  and  nails,  540 ; Pearl  Mills,  flour  and  feed,  6 ; Simmer  Glass  Co.,  bottles, 
140 ; Gill  Brothers  & Co.,  lamp  chimneys,  etc.,  470 ; liiverside  Iron  Works, 
pig-iron,  95  ; James  Means  & Co.,  foundry  work,  etc.,  30  ; H.  J.  Betty  & Sons, 
table  glassware,  670 ; Steubenville  Steam  Laundry,  laundrying,  10 ; Electric 
Light  and  Power  Co.,  electric  light,  4 ; Humphry  Glass  Co.,  glass  novelties,  30; 
Steubenville  Pottery  Co.,  decorated  ware,  etc.,  175;  Cyrus  Massie,  doors,  sash, 
etc.,  9 ; Caswell  & Pearce,  furniture,  35 ; W.  L.  Sharp  & Son,  stoves,  mantles, 
etc.,  55  ; Robinson,  Irwin  & Co.,  machinery,  5 ; Robert  Hyde,  doors,  sash,  etc., 
6;  L.  Anderson  & Sons,  doors,  sash,  etc.,  15 ; William  McDowell,  stairs  and 
stair  railings,  4. — Ftoie  Report^  1888.  Population  in  1880,  12,092.  School 
census,  1888,4,382;  Henry  N.  Mertz,  school  superintendent.  Capital  invested 
in  industrial  establishments,  $2,215,600.  Value  of  annual  product,  $3,007,000. 
Census,  1890,  13,363. 

BIOGRAPHY. 

Edwin  McAIasters  Stanton  was  born  in  Steubenville,  December  19,  1814. 
His  boyhood  home,  of  which  we  give  a picture,  is  yet  standing  on  Third  street. 
This  was  not  his  birthplace.  By  the  records  his  father  bought  this  house  when 
Edwin  was  three  years  old,  and  moved  into  it.  Through  Mrs.  Wolcott,  a sister 
now  living,  we  learn  he  was  born  on  Market  street,  in  a house  of  which  only  the 
rear  is  now  standing.  It  was  in  the  house  shown  that  when  a boy  he  had  a 
museum  of  butterflies,  bugs  and  other  curiosities  he  had  collected. 

His  father,  a physician,  died  in  Edwin’s  boyhood.  He  entered  Kenyon  College 
in  1831,  but  left  two  years  later  to  study  law,  and  was  admitted  to  the  bar  in  1836, 
beginning  practice  in  Cadiz.  He  returned  to  Steubenville  in  1 839,  was  Supreme 
Court  Reporter  in  1842-5,  preparing  vols.  XI.,  XII.  and  XIII.  of  the  Ohio 
Reports.  Removed  to  Pittsburg  in  1848,  and  in  1857  to  Washington.  He  was 
engaged  by  the  government  in  many  important  land  cases.  December  20,  1860, 
he  was  appointed  Attorney-General  by  President  Buchanan  to  fill  the  unexpired 
term  of  Jeremiah  S.  Black,  who  had  been  appointed  Secretary  of  State.  He  was 
called  to  the  head  of  the  War  Department  by  President  Lincoln  on  the  retire- 
ment of  Simon  Cameron,  January  15,  1862. 

Mr.  Stanton  was  originally  a Democrat  of  the  Jackson  school,  and  until  Van 
Buren’s  defeat  in  the  Baltimore  Convention  in  1844  took  an  active  part  in  political 
affairs  in  his  locality.  He  favored  the  Wilmot  proviso  to  exclude  slavery  from 
territory  acquired  by  the  war  with  Mexico,  and  sympathized  with  the  Free  Soil 
movement  headed  by  Martin  Van  Buren.  He  was  an  anti-slavery  man,  but  his 
opposition  to  that  institution  was  qualified  by  his  views  of  the  qualifications 
imposed  by  the  Federal  Constitution. 

While  a member  of  Mr.  Buchanan’s  Cab- 
inet he  took  a firm  stand  for  the  Union,  and 
at  a Cabinet  meeting,  when  John  B.  Floyd, 
then  Secretary  of  War,  demanded  the  with- 
drawal of  the  United  States  from  the  forts  in 
Charleston  harbor,  he  indignantly  declared 
that  the  surrender  of  Fort  Sumter  would, 
in  his  opinion,  be  a crime  equal  in  atrocity  to 
that  of  Arnold,  and  that  all  who  participated 
should  be  hung  like  Andre. 

After  the  assassination  of  President  Lin- 
coln Secretary  Stanton  took  sides  against  the 
new  President,  Andrew  .Johnson,  in  the  con- 
troversy between  him  and  the  Republican 
party.  Johnson  demanded  his  resignation, 
which  he  refused  ; the  President  then  sus- 
pended him,  but  he  was  restored  to  ofiice  by 
the  Senate.  The  President  then  informed  the 
Senate  that  he  had  removed  Secretary  Stan- 
ton, but  the  Senate  denied  his  authority  to 


do  this,  and  Stanton  refused  to  surrender 
the  ofl&ce. 

After  Mr.  Stanton’s  retirement  from  office 
he  resumed  the  practice  of  law.  President 
Grant  appointed  him  a Justice  of  the  Supreme 
Court  on  December  20,  1869,  and  he  was  con- 
firmed by  the  Senate,  but  died  four  da5^s  later, 
worn  out  by  his  herculean  labors  for  his  coun- 
try. Of  Stanton  it  has  been  well  said  : He 
was  the  giant  of  the  great  war,  who  more  than 
any  other  trampled  out  the  rebellion — that 
more  and  more  as  the  ages  run  will  history  de- 
velop this  fact.”  President  Lincoln  was  a 
politician,  statesman  and  philanthropist,  and 
Gen.  Grant  was  embodied  military  business, 
but  the  mighty  public  will  was  concentrated 
in  Stanton,  and  he  brushed  aside  the  failures 
and  pretenders,  and  the  speculators  and  senti- 
mentalists, and  not  only  gave  Grant,  Sher- 
man and  Sheridan,  and  those  who  came  to 


978 


JEFFERSON  COUNTY. 


the  front  when  the  deadly  work  was  done,  a 
chance,  but  thrust  into  their  hands  the  re- 
sources of  the  country,  and  more  than  or- 
ganized victory. 

He  cared  nothing  for  men,  everything  for 
the  cause  of  the  Union.  That  he  should 
have  made  swarms  of  enemies  was  of  course 
inevitable ; as  inevitable  as  that  his  full 
merits  should  be  but  slowly  recognized.  For 
Stanton  was  a patriot  of  so  firm  and  indomi- 
table a character  that  his  purity  and  single- 
mindedness  belittled  and  humiliated  the 
crowd  of  greedy  egotists  who  pushed  to  the 
doors  of  the  treasury,  and  the  same  qualities 
even  obscured  the  greatness  of  all  but  the 
greatest  of  his  contemporaries.  When  the 


names  of  Lincoln  and  Grant  have  been 
written  there  is  no  other  that  deserves  to  be 
linked  witk  that  of  Stanton.  He  was  a 
heaven-sent  minister,  if  ever  there  was  one. 
Carnot,^  the  organizer  of  battles,  was  less  to 
France  in  the  crisis  of  the  Revolution  than 
our  War  Secretary  was  to  the  salvation  of 
the  Union.  So  Just,  so  pure,  so  incorrup- 
tible, so  patriotic  was  he  that  it  seems  almost 
a work  of  supererogation  to  attempt  the 
defence  of  his  ^ memory  against  the  base 
aspersions  of  his  enemies  who  “with  his 
darkness  durst  alfront  this  light.  ’ ’ His  was 
a soul  which  could  afford  to  disregard  the 
spite  of  men,  having  taken  for  its  standard 
from  the  beginning  the  judgment  of  God.” 


Benjamin  Tappan  was  born  in 
Northampton,  Mass.,  May  25,  1773, 
and  died  in  Steubenville,  April  12, 
1857.  He  was  the  son  of  Benjamin 
Tappan,  a Congregational  pastor,  and 
Sarah  Holmes,  the  great-niece  of  Ben- 
jamin Franklin.  The  original  family 
name  was  Topham.  The  Tappans  were 
largely  clergymen  and  educated  men. 
Benjamin  Tappan  received  a public- 
school  education,  and  was  apprenticed 
to  learn  copper-plate  engraving  and 
printing.  Subsequently  he  studied  law 
and  was  admitted  to  the  bar,  and  began 
practice  in  1799  at  Steubenville;  was 
elected  to  the  Legislature  in  1803; 
aide  to  Gen.  William  Wadsworth  in 
the  war  of  1812  ; after  which  he  served 
for  seven  years  as  President  Judge  of 
the  Fifth  Ohio  Circuit.  President 
Jackson  appointed  him  Judge  for  the 
District  of  Ohio  in  1833.  From  De- 
cember, 1839,  to  March,  1845,  he  served 
in  the  United  States  Senate,  as  a Dem- 
ocrat. He  was  an  active  leader  of  hi 
Soil  movement  at  its  inception. 


BENJAMIN  TAPPAN. 


party,  but  afterward  joined  in  the  Free- 
Judge  Tappan  published  “ Cases  Decided  in  the 
Court  of  Common  Pleas,^^  with  an  appendix  (Steubenville,  1831). 

His  brother,  Arthur  Tappan,  was  the  distinguished  Abolitionist  and  philan- 
thropist, President  of  the  American  Anti-Slavery  Society,  founder  of  the  American 
Tract  Society  and  Oberlin  College.  A son  of  Benjamin,  Eli  T.  Tappan, 
LL.  D.,  was  from  1868  to  1875  President  of  Gambier.  Later  he  received  the 
appointment,  under  Gov.  Foraker,  of  School  Commissioner  for  Ohio,  and  died  in 
office  1889,  much  lamented  ; he  was  a man  of  superior  ability  and  usefulness. 

Judge  Tappan  was  widely  known  for  his  drollery  and  wit  and  anti-slavery 
sentiments. 

Humphrey  Howe  Leavitt  was  born  in  Suffield,  Conn.,  June  18,  1796,  and 
died  in  Springfield,  Ohio,  in  March,  1873.  His  father  removed  to  Ohio  in  1800. 
He  was  admitted  to  the  bar  in  1816,  and  settled  at  Cadiz,  but  later  removed  to  Steu- 
benville, where  he  was  prosecuting  attorney,  and  successively  representative  and 
senator  in  the  Ohio  Legislature  in  1825-6-7.  He  was  elected  as  a Jackson  Dem- 
ocrat to  Congress  in  1830,  and  resigned  in  1834  to  accept  the  appointment  of 
President  Jackson  as  Judge  of  the  United  States  Court  for  the  District  of  Ohio, 


JEFFERSON  COUNTY. 


979 


which  office  he  held  for  nearly  forty  years.  Before  the  war,  in  1858,  in  a charge 
to  a jury  in  a fugitive  slave  case,  he  said  : Christian  charity  was  not  the  meaning 
or  intent  of  the  fugitive  slave  law,  and  it  would  not  therefore  answer  as  a defence 
for  violating  the  law.’^  He  was  an  authority  on  patent  laws,  and  during  the  civil 
war  decided  the  Vallandigham  case,  which  Mr.  Lincoln  said  was  worth  three 
victories.  He  was  a greatly  influential  member  of  the  Presbyterian  Church,  and 
sat  as  a delegate  during  eleven  sessions  of  the  General  Assembly. 


In  his  manners  he  was  simple,  unosten- 
tatious and  with  that  quiet  dignity  and  mod- 
esty that  is  ever  weighty.  We  never  heard 
him  laugh  aloud,  but  his  smile  was  a carrying 
power.  As  our  neighbor  in  Cincinnati,  we 
felt  as  though  he  was  one  of  those  characters 
that  adorned  humanity,  a much  venerated 
person.  He  once^  told  us  that  it  was  one  of 
the  enigmas  of  his  life,  how  it  was  that  he 
was  given  for  a middle  name  the  name  of 
“Howe.”  We  were  sorry  we  could  not  aid 
him  to  its  solution,  but  glad  that  such  a man 
had  it  to  help  give  it  respect. 

James  Collier  was,  we  believe,  a native 
of  Connecticut,  born  in  1789 ; an  officer  at 
the  battle  of  Queenstown  in  the  war  of  1812, 
after  which  he  settled  in  Steubenville ; be- 
came eminent  as  a lawyer ; was,  with  Thomas 
Ewing  and  John  Brough,  of  the  High  Com- 
mission on  the  part  of  Ohio  that  settled  the 
disputed  boundary  line  between  Ohio  and 
Virginia;  in  1849  was  appointed  United 
States  Collector  for  California,  and  went 
overland,  escorted  by  a small  company  of 
dragoons,  fighting  his  way  through  hostile 
Indians.  On  his  arrival,  being  the  only  gov- 
ernment officer  there,  he  for  some  time  acted 
as  Military  Governor.  He  died  at  Steuben- 
ville, February  2,  1873,  aged  84  years.  He 
was  a contributor  of  valuable  facts  for  our 
first  edition. 

Judge  John  C.  Wright  was,  we  think, 
at  one  period  a partner  with  Collier ; at  any 
rate,  was  contemporaneous  with  him  in  the 
practice  of  law  here.  In  about  1848  he  ed- 
ited the  Cincinnati  Gazette. 

Col.  John  Miller,  an  eminent  officer  of 
the  war  of  1812,  was  from  Steubenville.  He 
commanded  the  gallant  sortie  from  Fort 
Meigs,  May  5,  1813,  driving  the  British 
from  their  batteries.  He  edited  the  Western 
Herald  at  Steubenville,  both  before  and  after 
the  war.  He  eventually  removed  to  Missouri, 
of  which  he  was  elected  Governor.  From 
1837  to  1843  he  represented  it  in  Congress. 
He  died  at  Florissant,  Mo.,  March  18,  1846. 
(“Western  Beserve  Historical  Society  Tracts,  ’ ' 
No.  19.) 

Thomas  L.  Jewett  was  born  in  Maryland 
about  1810,  and  was  a lawyer  in  Steubenville 
— at  one  time  a judge.  When  he  became  in- 
terested in  the  construction  of  the  Pan  Handle 
Railroad  was  elected  its  president,  and  even- 
tually became  a conspicuous  railroad  manager. 
As  Virginia  was  unwilling  to  grant  a charter 
for  a connecting  line  across  her  territory  for 
the  Penn.  Central  Railroad,  Judge  Jewett 
sought  the  interposition  of  the  General  Gov- 
ernment. He  died  in  1875. 

Hugh  J.  Jewett,  of  Zanesville,  the  emi- 


nent railroad  president  and  politician,  was  a 
younger  brother. 

Thomas  Cole  was  born  in  England  in 
1801.  His  father  emigrated  to  Steubenville, 
where  the  son  resided  until  1825,  when  he 
removed  to  New  York  city.  He  became 
famous  as  one  of  the  best  American  land- 
scape painters,  particularly  of  autumn  scenes. 
He  was  a warm  friend  of  the  poet  Bryant, 
who  delivered  a memorial  address  in  New 
York  city  after  his  death,  which  occurred  at 
Catskill,  N.  Y.,  February  11,  1848.  (See 
page  463.) 

James  Alexander  Wilson  McDonald 
was  born  in  Steubenville,  August  25,  1824. 
In  1844  he  removed  to  St.  Louis  and  while 
employed  in  business  during  the  day  studied 
art  at  night.  His  first  production  in  marble 
was  a bust  of  John  H.  Benton  in  1854. 
Eleven  years  later  he  settled  in  New  York  city, 
where  several  of  his  works  adorn  the  public 
parks.  He  also  paints  portraits  and  land- 
scapes in  oils,  lectures  on  art  and  science  and 
writes  criticisms  on  art  and  artists. 

Stephen  Mason  Merrill  was  born  in 
Jelferson  county,  September  16,  1825.  In 
1864  he  was  a travelling  preacher  in  the 
Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  four  years  later 
became  editor  of  the  Western  Christian  Ad- 
vocate, and  in  1872  was  consecrated  bishop. 
He  received  the  degrees  of  D.  D.  and  LL.  D. , 
and  has  published  a number  of  valuable 
religious  works. 

William  Pittenger  was  born  in  Knox- 
ville, Jefferson  county,  January  31,  1840;  is 
the  historian  and  one  of  the  participants  in 
that  daring  enterprise  of  the  civil  war 
known  as  Andrew’s  raid.  After  the  war  he 
became  a clergyman  in  the  Methodist  Epis- 
copal Church,  and  since  1878  he  has  been  a 
professor  in  the  National  School  of  Elocution 
and  Oratory  in  Philadelphia.  He  is  also  the 
author  of  “Oratory,  Sacred  and  Secular” 
(Phila.,  1881),  and  “Extempore  Speech” 
(1882). 

A few  miles  north  of  the  Jefferson  county 
line,  near  Hanoverton,  in  Columbiana  county, 
was  born,  October  4,  1841,  the  eminent  scien- 
tist, Prof.  Thomas  Corwin  Mendenhall. 
From  childhood  he  showed  a fondness  for  the 
study  of  mathematics  and  natural  philosophy 
and  acquired  by  himself  a knowledge  of  those 
branches  of  physics  in  which  he  has  since  ex- 
celled. He  has  been  twice  a Professor  in  the 
Ohio  State  University,  resided  a number  of 
years  in  Japan  as  professor  of  physics  in  the 
University  of  Tokio ; in  1884  became  Professor 
in  the  United  States  Signal  Service  ; in  1886 
President  of  Rose  Polytechnic  Institute, 
Terre  Haute,  Ind.  He  gave  the  first  public 


JEFFERSON  COUNTY, 


980 

lectures  on  science  in  Japan  to  popular 
audiences.  In  1889  was  appointed  by  Presi- 
dent Harrison  Superintendent  of  the 
United  States  Coast  and  Geodetic  Survey. 
Beside  many  scientific  papers  he  has  pub- 
lished A Century  of  Electricity. 

A Scientist's  Witticism. — We  once  heard  in 
Pike’s  Opera  House,  Cincinnati,  Proctor,  the 
famous  lecturer  on  astronomy,  to  illustrate  the 
distance  of  the  sun  from  us,  quote  this  wit- 


ticism of  Mendenhall’s,  which  naturally 
brought  down  the  house. 

Professor  Mendenhall,  of  the  Ohio  State 
University,  said  he,  has  stated  that  if  an 
infant  to-day,  attracted  by  the  brightness  of 
the  sun,  should  attempt  to  reach  it  by  thrust- 
ing forth  its  hand  and  it  should  travel  toward 
it  at  the  rate  of  a thousand  miles  an  hour 
and  thus  finally  reach  it  and  burn  its  fingers, 
that  young  one  would  then  have  been  dead 
more  than  a hundred  years  ! 


Toronto  is  on  the  Ohio  river  and  the  C.  & P.  R.  R.,  eight  miles  north  of  Steu- 
benville. It  is  located  in  the  centre  of  the  great  fire-clay  industry  of  Eastern 
Ohio,  there  being  in  this  section  a half  dozen  large  manufactories  engaged  in 
making  sewer-pipe,  a total  of  nearly  a thousand  men  being  thus  em])loyed. 
Newspaper:  Tribune,  Independent  Republican,  Frank  Stokes,  editor  and  pub- 
lisher. Churches : 1 Presbyterian,  I United  Presbyterian,  1 Methodist  Epis- 
copal, 1 Methodist  Protestant,  and  I Catholic. 

Manufactures  and  Emvployees', — P"raney’s  Sons  & Co.,  sewer  pipe,  etc.,  55; 
Great  Western  Fire  Clay  Co.,  sewer  pipe,  etc.,  75 ; Pennsylvania  Manufacturing, 
Mining  and  Supply  Co.,  sewer  pipe,  etc.,  55 ; Bowers  & Custer,  flour  and  feed, 
3 ; Myers  & McFerren,  doors,  sash,  etc.,  8 ; Med(;alf,  Cooper  & Goodlin,  doors, 
sash,  etc.,  12. — Ohio  State  Report,  1888.  Population  about  2,000.  Capital 
invested  in  manufacturing  establishments,  $98,000.  Value  of  annual  product, 
$110,000. — Ohio  Labor  Statistics,  1888. 

Richmond  is  11  miles  west  of  Steubenville,  on  the  proposed  line  of  the  Lake 
Erie,  Alliance  and  Southern  Railroad.  It  is  surrounded  by  an  agricultural  region 
and  noted  for  fruits,  especially  fine  plums.  A skirmish,  between  United  States 
forces  and  John  Morgan’s  raiders  took  place  near  Two  Ridge  Church,  three  miles 
east  of  here.  This  is  the  seat  of  Richmond  College,  Rev.  S.  C.  Paris,  president. 
Newspaper : Radiator,  Independent,  J.  B.  Sprague,  editor.  Churches  : 1 Meth- 
odist Episcopal,  1 Presbyterian  and  1 United  Presbyterian.  Poj^ulation,  1880,  491. 

Elliottsville  (P.  O.  Calumet)  is  on  the  Ohio  river  and  C.  & P.  R.  R.,  1 1 
miles  north  of  Steubenville,  where  are  situated  the  extensive  sewer-pipe  works 
of  E.  Connor  and  the  Calumet  Fire  Clay  Company. 

Mt.  Pleasant  is  20  miles  southwest  of  Steubenville.  Churches : 1 Baptist, 
1 Methodist  Protestant,  1 Friends,  1 Methodist  Episcopal,  1 Presbyterian. 
Bank : First  National,  R.  W.  Chambers,  president,  I.  K.  Ratcliff,  cashier. 
Population,  1880,  693.  School  census,  1888,  281  ; Wm.  M.  W^hite,  school 
superintendent. 

Irondale,  9 miles  southwest  of  Steubenville,  on  the  P.  C.  & St.  L.  R.  R. 
Churches  : 1 Methodist  Episcopal  and  1 Presbyterian.  Population  in  1880, 
399. 

Smithfield  is  14  miles  southwest  of  Steubenville.  Newspaper  : Times,  In- 
dependent, Herbert  Harrison,  editor  and  publisher.  Bank  : First  National,  C. 
D.  Kaminsky,  president,  Wm,  Vermillion,  cashier.  Population,  1880,  559. 
School  census,  1888,  196. 

Brilliant,  P.  O.  La  Grange,  is  7 miles  south  of  Steubenville,  on  the  C.  & P. 
R.  R.  and  Ohio  river.  Population  about  1,000. 

New  Alexandria  is  4 miles  southwest  of  Steubenville.  Population  in  1880, 
175. 

Bloomfield,  P.  O.  Bloomingdale,  is  18  miles  west  of  Steubenville,  on  the  P. 
C.  & St.  L.  R.  R.  Population,  1880,  175.  School  census,  1888,  67.  News- 
paper : Bloomfield  Correspondent,  Independent^  C.  T.  Athearn,  editor  and  pub- 
lisher. 


JEFFERSON  COUNTY. 


981 


Mingo  Junction  is  on  the  Ohio  river,  3 miles  below  Steubenville,  at  the  cross- 
ing of  the  P.  C.  & St.  L.  and  C.  & P.  R.  R.  It  is  a famed  historical  point.  It 
has  some  manufacturing  establishments  one  Methodist  church  and  a population 
of  about  700. 


KNOX. 

Knox  County  was  named  from  Gen.  Henry  Knox,  a native  of  Boston,  Gen- 
eral in  the  war  of  the  Revolution,  and  Secretary  of  War  in  Washington’s  admin- 
istration. It  was  formed  from  Fairfield,  March  1,  1808.  The  north  and  east 
parts  are  hilly ; the  central,  west  and  south  parts,  undulating  or  level.  The 
bottom  lands  of  the  streams  are  very  rich,  particularly  those  of  Vernon  river, 
which  stream  affords  abundance  of  water-power. 

Area  about  540  square  miles.  In  1887  the  acres  cultivated  were  1,141,915;  in 
pasture,  119,622;  woodland,  55,262;  lying  waste,  714;  produced  in  wheat, 
452,889  bushels;  rye,  3,736;  buckwheat,  1,397;  oats,  410,960;  barley,  263; 
corn,  1,038,560;  broom-corn,  4,425  pounds  brush;  meadow  hay,  33,228  tons; 
clover-seed,  5,291  bushels;  flax-seed,  5,321;  potatoes,  59,562;  tobacco,  475 
pounds;  butter,  503,720;  cheese,  200;  sorghum,  436  gallons;  maple  syrup, 
14,832;  honey,  3,463  pounds ; eggs,  550,061  dozen;,  grapes,  19,620  pounds ; 
wine,  57  gallons;  sweet  potatoes,  76  bushels;  apples,  9,915 ; peaches,  13,479; 
pears,  685 ; wool,  772,829  pounds;  milch  cows  owned,  5,831.  School  census, 
1888,  7,897 ; teachers,  283.  Miles  of  railroad  track,  73. 


Townships  and  Census. 

1840. 

■1880. 

Townships  and  Census. 

1840. 

1880. 

Berlin, 

1,100 

910 

Jefferson, 

994 

967 

Bloomfield, 

1,252 

Liberty, 

1,205 

1,034 

Brown, 

1,204 

1,152 

Middlebury, 

1,002 

911 

Butler, 

647  - 

’ 788 

Milford, 

1,157 

876 

Chester, 

1,297 

Miller, 

977 

826 

Clay, 

1,304 

926 

Monroe, 

1,258 

1,031 

Clinton, 

920 

6,213 

Morgan, 

912 

728 

College, 

895 

Morris, 

1,077 

833 

Franklin, 

1,343 

Pike, 

1,216 

1,307 

Harrison, 

833 

723 

Pleasant, 

888 

1,032 

Hilliar, 

1,012 

1,141 

Union, 

1,098 

1,728 

HoAvard, 

999 

983 

Wayne, 

1,621 

Jackson, 

994 

806 

Population  of  Knox  in  1820  was  8,326  ; 1830,  17,125;  1840,  19,584; 
1860,  27,735;  1880,  27,431  ; of  whom  22,437  were  born  in  Ohio,  1,581  in 
Pennsylvania,  438  in  Virginia,  404  in  New  York,  123  in  Indiana,  32  in  Ken- 
tucky, 467  in  England  and  Wales,  378  in  Ireland,  182  in  German  Empire, 
44  in  British  America,  24  in  Scotland,  and  19  in  France.  Census,  1890,  27,600. 

The  early  settlers  of  the  county  were  mainly  from  the  Middle  States,  with 
some  of  New  England  origin.  In  1805  Mount  Vernon  was  laid  out,  and  named 
by  the  ])roprietors  of  the  soil,  who  were  Joseph  Walker,  Thomas  B.  Paterson  and 
Benjamin  Butler,  from  the  seat  of  Washington.  At  this  time  the  county  was 


982 


KNOX  COUNTY. 


thinly  settled.  Two  years  after,  the  principal  settlers  were,  as  far  as  their  names 
are  recollected,  the  Rileys,  Darlings,  Shriplins,  Butlers,  Kritchfields,  Walkers, 
Dials,  Lognes,  and  De  Witts,  on  Vernon  river.  In  other  parts  of  the  county, 
the  Hurds,  Beams,  Hunts  and  Dimick,  Kerr,  Ayres,  Dalrymple,  Houck,  Hilliard, 
the  Youngs,  Mitchells,  Bryants,  Knights  and  Walkers.  In  the  spring  of  1807 
there  were  only  three  families  living  on  the  plat  of  Mount  Vernon,  viz. : Benja- 
min Butler,  tavern-keeper,  from  Pennsylvania,  Peter  Coyle  and  James  Craig. 
The  early  settlers  of  the  village  were,  beside  those  named,  Joseph  and  James 
Walker,  Michael  Click,  David  and  William  Petigrue,  Samuel  Kratzer,  Gilman 
Bryant,  and  Rev.  James  Smith,  who  came  in  1808,  and  was  the  first  Methodist 
clergyman. 

When  the  settlers  first  came,  there  were  two  wells,  only  a few  rods  apart,  on 
the  south  bank  of  Vernon  river,  on  the  edge  of  the  town,  the  origin  of  which 
remains  unknown.  They  were  built  of  neatly  hammered  stone,  laid  in  regular 
masonry,  and  had  the  appearance  of  being  overgrown  with  moss.  Near  by  was 
a salt  lick,  at  which  the  Indians  had  been  accustomed  to  encamp.  Almost  imme- 
diately after  the  first  settlement,  all  traces  of  the  wells  were  obliterated,  as  was  ^ 
supposed,  by  the  Indians.  A similar  well  was  later  brought  to  light,  a mile  and 
a half  distant,  by  the  plow  of  Philip  Cosner,  while  plowing  in  a newly  cleared 
piece  of  forest  land.  It  was  covered  with  poles  and  earth,  and  was  about  thirty 
feet  deep. 

In  the  spring  of  1807  Gilman  Bryant  opened  the  first  store  in  Mount  Vernon, 
in  a small  sycamore  cabin,  in  the  western  part  of  the  town.  A hewed-log  and 
shingle-roofed  building  stood  on  the  northeast  corner  of  Wood  and  Main  streets; 
it  was  the  first  tavern,  and  was  kept  by  Benjamin  Butler.  The  first  frame  build- 
ing was  put  up  in  1809,  and  is  now  (1846)  standing  on  lot  138  Main  street.  The 
old  court-house,  erected  about  1810,  opposite  the  present  court-house,  on  the 
public  square,  was  the  first  brick  building ; it  was  two  stories  high  and  thirty-six 
feet  square.  The  first  brick  building  was  erected  in  the  spring  of  1815,  by  Gil- 
man Bryant,  now  standing  next  to  and  south  of  his  present  residence.  The  first 
church,  the  Old-School  Presbyterian  (now  down),  was  built  about  1817.  It  was 
of  brick,  forty  feet  square,  and  one  story  high;  the  first  pastor  was  the  Rev. 
James  Scott.  The  first  licensed  preacher  in  the  county  was  the  Rev.  William 
Thrift,  a Baptist,  from  Loudon  county,  Va.,  who  came  in  1807,  and  travelled 
about  from  house  to  house.  The  first  crops  raised  in  the  county  were  corn  and 
potatoes.  They  were  grown  on  the  bottom  lands,  which  were  the  first  cleared ; 
those  lands  were  too  rich  for  wheat,  making  sick  wheat,  so  termed,  because  when 
made  into  bread,  it  had  the  effect  of  an  emetic,  and  produced  feelings  similar  to 
sea-sickness. 

At  an  early  day  the  Indians,  in  great  numbers,  came  to  Mount  Vernon  to  trade. 
They  encamped  on  the  river  bank  and  brought  large  quantities  of  furs  and  cran- 
berries to  dispose  of  for  goods.  The  whites  of  the  present  day  might  take  some 
beneficial  hints  from  their  method  of  trading  at  the  store  in  this  place.  They 
walked  in  deliberately  and  seated  themselves,  upon  which  the  merchant  presented 
each  with  a small  piece  of  tobacco.  Having  lighted  their  pipes,  they  returned 
the  residue  to  their  pouches.  These  were  made  of  a whole  mink-skin,  dressed 
with  the  hair  on,  with  a slit  cut  in  the  throat  as  an  opening.  In  it  they  kept, 
also,  some  kinnickinnick  bark,  or  sumach,  which  they  always  smoked  with  their 
tobacco,  in  the  proportion  of  about  three  of  the  former  to  one  of  the  latter.  After 
smoking  and  talking  a while  together,  one  only  at  a time  arose,  went  to  the  coun- 
ter, and  taking  up  a yardstick,  pointed  to  the  first  article  he  desired,  and  inquired 
the  price.  The  questions  were  in  this  manner : How  many  buck -skins  for  a 
shirt-pattern?’’  or  ‘‘cloth  for  leggings?”  etc.;  according  to  their  currency. 

A muskrat  skin  was  equal  to  a quarter  of  almighty  dollar.”  The  Indian,  learning  the 
a dollar,  a raccoon-skin,  a third  of  a dollar  ; a price  of  an  article,  paid  for  it  by  picking 
doe-skin,  half  a dollar,  and  a buck-skin,  “the  out  and  handing  over  the  skins,  before  pro- 


KNOX  COUNTY. 


983 


ceeding  to  purchase  the  second,  when  he 
repeated  the  process,  and  so  on  through  the 
whole,  pajdng  for  everything  as  he  went  on, 
and  never  waiting  for  that  purpose  until  he 
had  finished.  While  the  first  Indian  was 
trading,  the  others  looked  uninterrupted!}"  on, 
and  when  he  was  through,  another  took  his 
place,  and  so  on,  in  rotation,  until  all  had 
traded.  No  one  desired  to  trade  before  his 
turn,  and  all  observed  a proper  decorum,  and 
never  attempted  to  ‘‘beat  down,”  but,  if 
dissatisfied  with  the  price,  passed  on  to  the 
next  article.  ^ They  were  cautious  not  to 
trade  while  intoxicated ; but  usually  pre- 
served some  of  their  skins  to  buy  liquor,  and 
end  their  visit  with  a frolic. 

The  early  settlers  in  the  town  all  felt  as  one 
family.  If  one  got  a piece  of  fresh  meat,  he 
shared  it  with  his  neighbors,  and  when  a 
person  was  sick,  all  sympathized.  At  night, 
they  met  in  each  other’s  cabins,  to  talk, 
dance,  and  take  a social  glass.  There  was  no 
distinction  of  party,  for  it  was  a social 
democracy.  At  their  weddings,  a puncheon 
table,  formed  like  a bench,  without  a cloth, 
was  covered  with  refreshments.  These  were 
lain  and  simple  : wild  turkeys,  that  had 
een  gobbling  about  in  the  woods,  were 
stewed  and  eaten  with  a relish ; corn,  that 
had  grown  on  the  river  flats,  made  into 
pone'\  served  as  wedding  cake;  while 
metheglin  and  whiskey,  the  only  articles 
probably  not  indigenous,  were  the  beverages 
that  washed  them  down.  Their  plates  were 
either  of  wood  or  pewter,  perhaps  both,  and 
no  two  alike  ; their  knives  frequently  butcher 
knives,  and  their  forks  often  of  wood.  ^ A 
dance  was  the  finale  of  their  festivities. 
They  made  merry  on  the  puncheon  floor  to 
the  music  of  the  fiddle.  Cotillions  were 
unknown,  while  jigs,  four-handed  reels,  the 
double  shufile  and  break  down  “were  all  the 
rage.” 

After  Mount  Vernon  was  laid  out,  the 
settlers  from  the  region  roundabout  were 
accustomed  to  come  into  town  on  Saturdays, 
to  clear  the  stumps  out  of  the  streets.  Early 
in  the  afternoon  they  quitted  work,  and  grew 
jolly  over  a large  kettle  of  This 

was  made  as  follows:  First,  a huge' kettle, 
of  gallons’  capacity,  was  placed  upon  the 
ground,  resting  upon  three  stones,  and  a fire 
kindled  under  it.  In  it  was  put  two  or  three 
buckets  of  water,  a few  pounds  of  maple 
sugar,  a few  ounces  of  allspice,  which  had 
been  pounded  in  a rag,  a pound  of  butter, 
and,  finall}",  two  or  three  gallons  of  whiskey. 
When  boiled,  the  stew  was  taken  olf,  a circle 
was  formed  around,  and  the  men  helped 
themselves  liberally,  with  tin  cups,  to  the 
liquor,  told  hunting  stories,  wrestled,  ran, 
hopped  and  jumped,  engaged  in  foot  races, 
shot  at  mark  for  goods  or  tobacco  purchased 
at  the  store,  and  occasionally  enlivened  the 
scene  by  a fight. 

Upon  the  organization  of  the  county,  there 
was  a spirit  of  rivalry  as  to  which  should  be 
the  county-seat.  Mount  Vernon  or  Clinton,  a 

Mount  Vernon  in  184^6. — Mount  V 


town  laid  out  a mile  and  a half  north,  by 
Samuel  Smith — then  a place  of  the  most 
population,  now  among  the  “things  that 
were.”  The  commissioners  appointed  to 
locate  the  seat  of  justice  first  entered  Mount 
Vernon,  and  were  received  with  the  best 
cheer,  at  the  log  tavern  of  Mr.  Butler.  To 
impress  them  with  an  idea  of  the  public 
spirit  of  the  place,  the  people  were  very  busy 
at  the  moment  of  their  entrance  and  during 
their  stay,  at  work,  all  with  their  coats  off, 
grubbing  the  streets.  As  they  left  for 
Clinton,  all  quitted  their  labor,  not  “of  love;” 
and  some  rowdies,  who  dwelt  in  cabins 
scattered  round  about  in  the  woods,  away 
from  the  town,  left  “the  crowd,”  and  steal- 
ing ahead  of  the  commissioners,  arrived  at 
Clinton  first.  On  the  arrival  of  the  others  at 
that  place,  these  fellows  pretended  to  be  in  a 
state  not  conformable  to  temperance  princi- 
ples, ran  against  the  commissioners,  and  by 
their  rude  and  boisterous  conduct,  so  dis- 
gusted the  worthy  officials  as  to  the  apparent 
morals  of  the  inhabitants  of  Clinton,  that 
they  returned  and  made  known  their  deter- 
mination that  Mount  Vernon  should  be  the 
favorite  spot.  That  night  there  were  great 
rejoicings  in  town.  Bonfires  were  kindled, 
stew  made  and  drank,  and  live  trees  split 
with  gunpowder. 

The  first  settler  north  of  Mount  Vernon  was 
Nathaniel  M.  Young,  from  Pennsylvania,  who, 
in  1803,  built  a cabin  on  the  south  fork  of 
Vernon  river,  three  miles  west  of  Frederick- 
town.  Mr.  Young  and  his  neighbors  being 
much  troubled  with  wolves,  got  together  and 
made  a written  agreement  to  give  nine  bushels 
of  corn  for  every  wolf’s  scalp.  In  the  winter 
of  1805-6  Mr.  Young,  John  Lewis  and 
James  Bryant  caught  forty-one  wolves,  in 
steel  traps  and  pens.  Wolf-pens  were  about 
six  feet  long,  four  wide  and  three  high, 
formed  like  a huge  square  box,  of  small  logs, 
and  floored  with  puncheons.  The  lid,  also  of 
puncheons,  was  very  heavy,  and  moved  by 
an  axle  at  one  end,  made  of  a small,  round 
stick.  The  trap  was  set  by  a figure  four, 
with  any  kind  of  meat  except  that  of  wolf’s, 
the  animals  being  fonder  of  any  other  than 
their  own.  On  gnawing  the  meat,  the  lid 
fell  and  enclosed  the  unamiable  native. 
Often  to  have  sport  for  the  dogs,  they  pulled 
out  the  legs  of  a wolf  through  the  crevices  of 
the  logs,  hamstrung,  and  then  let  him  loose, 
upon  which  the  dogs  sprang  upon  him,  while 
he,  crippled  by  the  operation,  made  l3ut  an 
ineffectual  resistance.  In  the  adjoining 
county  of  Delaware,  a man,  somewhat  ad- 
vanced in  years,  went  into  a wolf-trap  to 
render  the  adjustment  of  the  spring  more 
delicate,  when  the  trap  sprung  upon  him, 
and,  knocking  him  flat  on  his  face,  securely 
caught  him  as  was  ever  any  of  the  wolf 
species.  He  was  unable  to  lift  up  the  lid, 
and  several  miles  from  any  house.  There 
he  lay  all  one  day  and  night,  and  would  have 
perished  had  not  a passing  hunter  heard  his 
groans  and  relieved  him  from  his  peril. 

•non,  the  county-seat,  is  forty-five  miles 


Drawn  by  Henry  Howe  in  1846. 

Public  Square,  Mount  Vernon. 


F.  S.  Orowell,  Photo.,  Mount  Vernon,  1887. 

Public  Square,  Mount  Vernon. 


KNOX  COUNTY. 


985 


northeast  of  Columbus.  It  is  beautifully  situated  on  ground  slightly  ascending 
from  Vernon  river.  The  town  is  compactly  and  substantially  built,  and  some  of 
the  dwellings  elegant.  Main,  the  priiicii)al  business  street,  is  about  a mile  in 
length,  on  which  are  many  brick  blocks,  three  stories  in  height.  The  view  was 
taken  in  this  street,  at  the  southern  extremity  of  the  public  sq.uare,  looking  north. 
On  the  left  is  shown  the  market  and  court-house ; on  the  right  the  Episcopal 
church,  an  elegant  stone  edifice,  and  in  the  centre  the  tower  of  the  Old-School 
Presbyterian  church  and  the  jail.  This  flourishing  town  contains  two  Presbyte- 
rian, two  Methodist,  one  Baptist,  one  Lutheran,  one  Catholic  and  one  Episcopal 
church;  twenty  dry-goods,  six  grocery,  two  hardware,  three  apothecary  and  two 
book-stores ; one  fulling,  four  grist  and  five  saw-mills ; three  newspaper  printing- 
offices,  and  had,  in  1840,  2,363  inhabitants,  and  has  now  over  3,000.  The  rail- 
road, constructing  from  Sandusky  City  to  Columbus,  will  connect  this  place  with 
those. — Old  Edition. 

Mount  Vernon,  county-seat  of  Knox,  is  forty  miles  northeast  of  Columbus, 
on  the  Kokosing  river,  the  C.  A.  & C.  and  S.  M.  & N.  Railroads.  The  Magnetic 
Springs,  a noted  health  resort,  is  about  two  miles  north  of  the  city.  County  Offi- 
cers : Auditor,  Curtis  W.  McKee ; Clerk,  Hugh  Neal : Commissioners,  Stephen 
Craig,  Samuel  T.  Vannatta,  W.  D.  Foote ; Coroner,  Samuel  K.  Stofer ; Infirmary 
Directors,  James  O.  McArtor,  ATilliam  H.  Wright,  John  C.  Hammond  ; Probate 
Judge,  John  M.  Critchfield ; Prosecuting  Attorney,  William  L.  McElroy ; Re- 
corder, Dwight  E.  Sapp  ; Sheriff,  John  G.  Stevenson  ; Surveyor,  John  McCrory  ; 
Treasurer,  William  H.  Ralston.  City  Officers : Mayor,  W.  B.  Brown ; Clerk, 
P.  B.  Chase;  Solicitor,  C.  A.  Merriman  ; Engineer,  D.  C.  Lewis;  Treasurer,  W. 
B.  Dunbar ; Street  Commissioner,  W.  B.  Henderson ; Marshal,  Robert  Blythe ; 
Clerk  Board  of  Health,  M.  M.  Murphy.  Newspapers : Tribune^  Republican, 
John  W.  Critchfield,  editor ; DemoeratiG  Banner y Democratic,  L.  Harper,  editor 
and  proprietor;  JRepublican,  Republican,  C.  F.  and  W.  F.  Baldwin,  editors; 
Knox  County  Democrat,  Democratic,  William  A.  Silcott,  proprietor.  Churches ; 
one  Congregational,  one  Methodist,  one  Methodist  Protestant,  one  Presbyterian, 
one  Catholic,  one  Episcopalian,  one  Methodist  Episcopal,  one  Colored  Methodist 
Episcopal,  one  Baptist  and  one  Colored  Baptist.  Banks : First  National,  C. 
Delano,  president,  Fred.  D.  Sturges,  cashier;  Knox  County  Savings,  G.  A.  Jones, 
president,  Samuel  H.  Israel,  cashier  ; Knox  National,  Henry  L.  Curtis,  president, 
John  M.  Ewalt,  cashier. 

Manufactures  and  Employees. — C.  A.  & C.  R.  R.  Shops,  railroad  repairs,  125 
hands;  E.  L.  Black,  plows  and  castings,  4 ; the  Cooper  Manufacturing  Co.,  engines 
and  saw-mills,  45;  Mount  Vernon  Bridge  Co.,  iron  bridges,  100;  Kokosing 
Mills,  flour,  etc.,  20 ; Eagle  Mills,  flour ; S.  H.  Jackson,  carriages  and  buggies  ; 
Mount  Vernon  Linseed  Oil  Co.  ; C.  & G.  Cooper,  saw-mills,  etc.,  190;  Mount 
Vernon  Steam  Laundry,  laundry ing,  10. — State  Report,  1888.  Population,  1880, 
5,249.  School  census,  1888,  1,100 ; J.  A.  Shawan,  school  superintendent  (and 
from  1883  to  1889,  when  he  was  given  the  same  position  in  Columbus).  Capital 
invested  in  industrial  establishments,  $1,009,150;  value  of  annual  product, 
$1,326,700. — Ohio  Labor  Statistics,  1887.  Census,  1890,  6,027. 

The  first  jury  trial  in  Knox  county  was  in  May,  1808  ; it  was  that  of  the  State 
of  Ohio  vs.  William  Hedrick;  William  Wilson,  of  Licking  county,  presiding. 
Judgment  was  rendered  against  the  prisoner  on  four  charges  of  theft.  Besides 
fines  and  imprisonment,  it  was  ordered  that  the  prisoner  be  whipped  on  his  naked 
back.’’  This  was  one  of  the  few  instances  in  the  history  of  Ohio  in  which  this 
barbarous  mode  of  punishment  was  legally  inflicted.  Its  degrading  and  brutal- 
izing effect,  both  on  the  victim  and  the  public,  is  apparent  in  the  following  account 
from  Norton’s _spicy  History  of  Knox  County.” 

The  judgment  of  castigation  was  executed  shortly  after  the  adjournment  of  court,  in 
upon  the  public  square  of  Mount  Vernon,  presence  of  all  the  people.  Silas  Brown  was 


986 


KNOX  COUNTY. 


the  sheriff,  and  it  fell  to  his  lot  as  such  to 
serve  the  “legal  process”  upon  the  body  of 
William  Hedrick.  There  was  a small,  lean- 
ing, hickory  tree  upon  the  east  side  of  the 
public  square,  between  the  present  Norton 
building  (now  occupied  by  Hr.  Israel  Green, 
druggist)  and  High  street,  and  a little  south 
of  where  the  jail  was  afterwards  built,  and 
this  tree  bent  in  such  a way  that  a man  could 
walk  around  under  it.  To  this  delectable  spot 
the  culprit  was  taken,  and  his  hands  stretched 
up  over  his  head  and  tied  to  the  tree,  and 
the  stripes  were  applied  by  the  sheriff  to  his 
naked  back.  He  was  struck  forty  times  with 
a heavy,  rawhide  whip. 

The  first  few  blows  with  the  rawhide  were 
across  the  kidneys.  Mr.  Bryant,  one  of  the 
bystanders,  at  once  called  out  to  the  sheriff’  to 


whip  him  elsewhere ; that  was  no  place  to 
whip  a man ; he  should  strike  higher  up ; 
and  the  rest  of  the  lashes  were  applied  across 
the  shoulders. 

The  criminal  sobbed  and  cried  piteously, 
and  when  released  went  off  weeping  and 
groaning.  In  many  places  the  skin  was  cut 
and  broken,  and  the  blood  oozed  out,  making 
a pitiable  spectacle.  And  yet,  such  was  the 
feeling  against  him,  that  few  seemed  to  sym- 
pathize with  the  scourged.  As  he  started 
off  he  said  to  the  spectators : “You  should 
not  blame  me  for  this,  for  it  was  not  my  fault.  ’ ’ 
Bob  Walker  replied:  “No,  you  wouldn’t 
have  stood  up  and  been  whipped  that  way, 
^y'you  could  have  helped  it.”  At  this  prompt 
retort  to  Hedrick’s  explanation,  or  apology, 
the  crowd  laughed  uproariously. 


Gambler  in  184^6. — Five  miles  east  of  Mount  Vernon,  on  a beautiful,  healthy, 
and  elevated  ridge,  encompassed  on  three  sides  by  the  Vernon  river,  is  the  village 
of  Gambier,  so  named  from  Lord  Gambler,  and  widely  known  as  the  seat  of 
Kenyon  College.  This  town,  exclusive  of  the  college,  contains  about  200  inhab- 
itants. It  was  laid  out  under  the  auspices  of  the  venerable  Bishop  Chase,  in  July, 
1826,  in  the  centre  of  a 4,000-acre  tract,  belonging  to  Kenyon  College.  This 
institution  was  then  founded,  with  funds  obtained  by  Bishop  Chase  in  England, 
and  named  after  Lord  Kenyon,  one  of  its  princi})al  benefactors.  It  was  first 
chartered  as  a theological  seminary.  It  is  richly  endowed,  having  8,000  acres  of 
land,  and  its  property  is  valued  at  $100,000.  The  college  proper  has  about  fifty 
students ; the  tneological  seminary  about  twenty  ; the  senior  grammar  school  about 
twenty,  and  Milnor  Hall,  an  institute  for  boys,  about  twenty-five.  In  the  various 
libraries  are  near  10,000  volumes. 


The  main  college  building  is  romantically 
situated.  You  enter  a gate  into  a large  area  : 
in  the  foreground  is  a large,  grassy,  cleared 
plat  of  several  acres,  on  the  right  of  which 
stands  Bosse  Chapel,  an  elegant  Grecian 
structure  ; on  the  left  and  below,  is  the  beau- 
tiful Vernon  valley,  bounded  by  forest-clad 
hills,  over  which  the  eye  passes  in  the  per- 
spective for  miles  and  miles,  until  the  blue 
of  distant  hills  and  sky  meet  and  blend  in 
one.  Through  the  centre  of  the  grassy  plat 
passes  a footpath,  which,  at  a distance  of  200 
yards,  continues  its  straight  line  in  a narrow 
opening  through  a forest,  and  terminates  at 
the  college,  about  one-third  of  a mile  distant, 
the  spire  of  which  rises  darkly  above  the 
green  foliage,  like  that  of  an  ancient  abbey, 
while  the  main  building  is  mostly  concealed. 
The  whole  scene,  the  graceful,  cheerful  ar- 
chitecture of  the  chapel,  on  the  right,  the 
valley  on  the  left,  the  pleasant,  grassy  green 
in  front,  the  forest  beyond,  with  the  sombre, 
half-concealed  building  in  the  distance,  give 


an  ever-enduring  impression.  Standing  at 
the  gate,  with  the  back  to  the  college,  the 
scene  changes  : a broad  avenue  terminates  at 
the  distance  of  half  a mile,  at  the  head  of 
which,  in  a commanding  position,  faces  Bex- 
ley Hall,  a building  appropriated  to  the  the- 
ological seminary.  It  is  a large,  elegant,  and 
highly-ornamented  Gothic  structure,  of  a 
light  color,  with  battlements  and  turrets, 
standing  boldly  relieved  against  the  blue  sky, 
except  its  lower  portion,  where  it  is  concealed 
by  the  shrubbery  of  a spacious  yard  in  front. 
To  the  left,  and  near  the  hall,  an  imposing 
residence,  late  occupied  by  Bishop  Mcllvaine, 
faces  the  avenue.  Away  off  to  the  right, 
among  the  trees,  is  Milnor  Hall,  and  scat- 
tered about  in  various  directions,  near  and 
far,  private  dwellings,  offices  and  various  struc- 
tures, some  plain  and  others  adorned,  some 
in  full  view  and  others  partly  hidden  by  the 
undulations  of  the  ground,  trees  and  shrub- 
bery.— Old  Edition. 


The  Career  of  Kenyon. 


Since  the  foregoing  was  published,  important  changes  have  taken  place  at 
Gambier.  Now  it  has  railroad  facilities  by  the  C.  A.  & G.  Railroad ; new  and 
beautiful  buildings  have  been  erected,  and  now  connected  with  it  are  Kenyon 
Military  Academy  and  ^^Harcourt  Place  Seminary  for  Young  Ladies  and  Girls.^’ 
Kenyon  has  many  warm  friends  among  her  distinguished  alumni.  Ex-President 


Kenyon  College. 

1846. 


KNOX  COUNTY, 


988 

Hayes  wrote  that,  with  the  exception  of  the  four  years  spent  in  the  Union  army, 
no  other  period  of  his  life,  in  cherished  recollections,  could  be  compared  with  it. 
Edwin  M.  Stanton,  the  great  War  Secretary,  was  accustomed  to  say ; If  I am 
anything,  I owe  it  to  Gambier  College.’’ 


When  Bishop  Mcllvaine  succeeded  Bishop 
Chase  ip  the  presidency  of  Kenyon  College, 
the  affairs  of  the  institution  were  in  a critical 
condition,  owing  to  the  accumulation  of  debt, 
and  his  timely  aid  and  able  government,  in 
which  he  was  assisted  by  Dr.  William  Spar- 
row, the  first  vice-president,  were  invaluable. 

Bishop  Mcllvaine’ s duties  were  divided 
between  the  college  and  his  diocese  ; but  Dr. 
Sparrow  gave  to  Kenyon  his  full  and  undi- 
vided strength.  Under  these  two  strong  men 
the  institution  flourished  and  its  educational 
influence  was  widespread. 

“The  expenses  of  living  in  Gambier  in 
early  days  were  very  small.  The  annual 
charges  were  : for  instruction,  |30  ; for  board 
at  the  college  table,  $40  ; room  rent  in  a room 
with  a stove,  $4 ; room  rent  in  a room  with 
fire-place,  $6.  For  theological  students  and 
sons  of  clergymen  the  total  charge  was  $50.” 

The  college  formed  a large  landed  estate, 
and  kept  a hotel  and  shops,  mills  and  stores. 
One  looks  curiously  to-day  at  its  inventory 
of  goods— pots,  _ pans,  pails,  tubs,  saucers, 
spoons,  white  dimity  bed-curtains,  mixed  all 
up  with  oxen,  cows  and  vinegar. 

An  early  college  publication  advertises, 
“ Cash  will  be  given  at  the  seminary  store  for 
hats  and  old  shoes  suitable  for  making  coffee.  ’ ’ 
It  also  chronicles  an  “Awful  Catastrophe. — 
Died,  very  suddenly,  on  Wednesday  last, 
seventeen  interesting  hogs,  of  sore  throat, 
endeared  to  the  students  by  their  unassuming 
manners,  gentlemanly  deportment,  and  a life 
devoted  to  the  public  service.  The  funeral 
of  each  of  them  will  be  attended  every  day 
until  the  end,  in  the  dining-hall.” 

Those  were  the  days  when  the  boys  were 
required  “to  sweep  their  own  rooms,  make 
their  own  beds  and  fires,  bring  their  own 
water,  black  their  own  boots — if  they  ever 
were  blacked — and  take  an  occasional  turn  at 
grubbing  in  the  fields  or  working  on  the 
roads.”  The  discipline  was  somewhat  strict 
and  the  toil  perhaps  severe,  but  the  few 
pleasures  that  were  allowed  were  thoroughly 
enjoyed.  We  read  of  a sophomore  who  was 
commanded  to  the  room  of  a professor,  and 
severely  beaten  with  a rod.  For  the  first 
time  in  his  life  a Mississippi  freshman  re- 
ceived bodily  chastisement,  and  even  Dr. 
Sparrow,  the  vice-president,  took  care  to  see 
that  it  was  well  laid  on. 

In  1840  Bishop  Mcllvaine  was  succeeded 
in  the  presidency  of  Kenyon  by  Major  D.  B. 
Douglass,  LL.  D.,  but  remained  at  the  head 
of  the  theological  seminary.  Succeeding 
Major  Douglass  in  the  presidency  came  Rev. 
Dr.  11.  A.  Bronson  ; later  came  Lorin  An- 
drews, LL.  D.,  the  first  Ohio  volunteer  to 
the  Union  army  (see  vol.  i.,  page  253).  His 
successors  were  Charles  Short,  LL.  D.  (1863- 
67),  James  Kent  Stone,  A.  M.  (1867-68), 


Eli  T.  Tappan,  LL.  D.  (1868-75),  William  B. 
Bodine,  D.  D. , the  present  incumbent. 

Gambier  is  greatly  indebted  to  Bishop  G. 
T.  Bedell,  ex-president  of  the  theological 
seminary,  who,  by  his  ardent  and  faithful 
endeavors,  secured  contributions  amounting 
in  all  to  nearly  $200,000. 

For  her  present  measure  of  prosperity,  if 
not,  indeed,  for  her  very  existence,  the  one 
man  to  whom — after  Bishop  Chase — Kenyon 
College  is  most  indebted  is  the  Rev.  M.  T. 
C.  Wing,  D.  D.  For  a third  of  a century, 
in  addition  to  the  duties  of  his  professorship, 
he  carried  on  his  strong  shoulders  the  finan- 
cial burdeTis  of  the  college.  He  struggled 
through  deep  waters,  but  _ he  bravely  tri- 
umphed. Bishop  Mcllvaine  testified  “to 
his  eminent  faithfulness,  wisdom,  self-devo- 
tion, patience  and  constancy  in  most  trying 
circumstances.” 

In  all  her  requisites  for  admission,  and  in 
the  course  of  study,  Kenyon  does  not  mate- 
rially differ  from  the  leading  colleges  of  the 
Eastern  States.  She  aims  to  give  a thorough 
liberal  education,  and  believes  in  the  value  of 
hard  mental  discipline.  She  also  believes  in 
right  religious  influences,  and  labors  to  afford 
them,  pursuing  steadily  “the  true,  the  beau- 
tiful, the  good.  ’ ’ 

Among  the  most  eminent  of  the  sons  of 
Kenyon  are  ex-President  R.  B.  Hayes,  Edwin 
M.  Stanton,  David  Davis,  Henry  Winter 
Davis,  Stanley  Matthews,  David  Turpie,  M. 
M.  Granger.  Frank  H.  Hurd,,R.  E.  Trow- 
bridge and  Wm.  G.  LeDuc. 

The  “Church  of  the  Holy  Spirit,”  the 
college  chapel  at  Kenyon,  is  said  to  be  “ the 
most  beautiful  church  in  this  country.”  The 
funds  for  its  erection  were  given  by  members 
of  the  Church  of  the  Ascension,  New  York, 
as  a tribute  of  appreciation  for  their  former 
rector.  Bishop  Bedell. 

Mr.  Geo.  A.  Benedict,  editor  of  the  Cleve- 
land Herald,  has  written  of  it : “The  crowning 
glory  of  the  Church  of  the  Holy  Spirit  is  its 
teachings  in  every  window,  in  all  its  carvings, 
in  its  illuminated  wall-texts,  in  its  ceilings,  and 
in  its  everything.  That  church  is  a biblical 
study.  It  is  cheerful ; there  is  nothing  the 
least  gloomy  about  it,  and  the  most  irreverent 
intuitively  would  take  off  his  hat  when  he 
entered  it,  for  it  is  the  beauty  of  holiness.” 


BIOGRAPHY. 

Philander  Chase  was  born  in  Cornish, 
N.  H.,  December  14,  1775  ; died  at  Jubilee 
College,  III,  September  20,  1852.  Graduated 
at  Dartmouth  in  1795.  Ordained  priest  in 
the  Episcopal  church,  November  10,  1799. 
Was  occupied  in  missionary  labor  in  Western 
New  York  and  later  at  New  Orleans,  being 


KNOX  COUNTY. 


989 


the  first  Protestant  minister  in  the  State  of 
Louisiana. 

In  1811  became  rector  of  Christ  Church, 
Hartford,  Conn.,  and  in  1817  went  to  Ohio, 
where  “he  began  a work  for  the  church  in 
Ohio,  and  in  truth  of  the  whole  West,  such 
as  no  other  man  then  living  would  have 
attempted,  or  probably  would  have  accom- 
plished. ” 

He  took  charge  of  the  academy  at  Worth- 
ington, organized  several  parishes,  three  of 
which  he  assumed  the  rectorship  of  himself. 
He  was  elected  bishop  and  consecrated  at 
Philadelphia,  February  11,  1819.  It  was 
about  this  time  that  Salmon  P.  Chase,  his 
nephew,  became  a member  of  his  family. 

He  began  his  work  with  rare  earnestness.  For 
several  years  it  was  necessary  for  hiui  to  gain 
his  support  as  a tiller  of  the  soil,  as  his  minis- 
trations did  not  yield  pecuniary  return  suffi- 
cient to  pay  his  postage.  The  need  of  helpers 
in  his  work,  who  should  be  Western  men  inured 
to  hardships,  turned  his  mind  toward  the 
founding  of  a college  for  the  training  of  such 
helpers.  He  went  to  England  to  raise  the 
funds  to  endow  such  an  institution.  Great 
opposition  and  many  obstacles  were  overcome 
by  him  both  in  America  and  England. 

An  anecdote  describes  his  first  experience 
in  London:  One  day  Dr.  Dow,  of  New 
Orleans,  called  on  Mr.  Butterworth,  Wilber- 
force’s  particular  friend,  when  in  the  course 
of  conversation  the  latter  said  : “So  you  are 
from  America.  Dr.  Dow?  Were  you  ac- 
quainted with  Bishop  Chase?”  “Yes;  he 
was  my  pastor  in  New  Orleans,  and  I his 
physician  and  friend.”  “Tell  me  about 
him  ; there  must  be  something  singular  in 
him  or  he  would  not  be  neglected  as  he  is  in 
England.  ” “Singular!  I never  knew  any- 
thing singular  in  him  but  his  emancipating 
his  yellow  slave,  and  that,  I should  suppose, 
would  not  injure  him  here  in  England.  ” 

This  story  made  Butterworth  Bishop 
Chase’s  friend,  and  through  him  he  became 
the  hero  of  the  hour;  subscriptions  poured 
in  upon  him  until  $30,000  were  realized. 
Lord  Gambier,  Lord  Kenyon,  Sir  Thomas 
Ackland,  Lady  Bosse.,  and  Hannah  More 
helped  him. 

Keturning  to  Ohio,  he  purchased  8000 
acres  in  Knox  county  and  founded  Kenyon 
College  and  Gambier  Theological  Seminary. 
He  was  determined  that  the  school  should  be 
located  in  the  country.  ‘ ‘ Put  your  seminary,  ’ ’ 
he  said,  “on  your  own  domain;  be  owners 
of  the  soil  on  which  you  dwell,  and  let  the 
tenure  of  every  lease  and  deed  depend  on  the 
express  condition  that  nothing  detrimental 
to  the  morals  and  studies  of  youth  be  allowed 
on  the  premises.  ” 

Bishop  Chase  occupied  the  office  of  presi- 
dent of  the  college,  per'3orming  a prodigious 
amount  of  labor,  making  every  obstacle  give 
way  before  his  indomitable  will  and  persistent 
industry.  In  all  his  labors  he  was  ably 
seconded  by  his  efficient  wife  and  heli)mate. 
“Mrs.  Chase  entered  with  her  whole  soul 
into  her  husband’s  plans.  She  was  a lady 
perfectly  at  home  in  all  the  arts  and  minutiae 


of  housewifery ; as  happy  in  darning  stock- 
ings for  the  boys  as  in  entertaining  visitors  in 
the  parlor,  in  making  a bargain  with  a farmer 
in  his  rough  boots  and  hunting  blouse  as  in 
completing  a purchase  from  an  intelligent 
and  accomplished  merchant,  and  as  perfectly 
at  home  doing  business  with  the  world  about 
her,  and  in  keeping  the  multifarious  accounts 
of  her  increasing  household  as  in  presiding  at 
her  dinner  table,  or  dispensing  courtesy  in 
her  drawing-room.  ” 

September  9,  1831,  Bishop  Chase  resigned 
the  presidency  of  the  college  and  the  episco- 
ate  of  Ohio,  on  account  of  differences  that 
ad  arisen  between  himself  and  his  clergy. 
He  entered  upon  missionary  work  in  Michigan, 
and  in  1835  was  chosen  Bishop  of  Illinois, 
when  he  again  visited  England,  raised  $10,- 
000,  and  in  1838  founded  Jubilee  College  at 
Robin’s  Nest,  111.  A friend  described  him 
as  follows  : “In  height  he  was  six  feet  and 
over ; the  span  of  his  chest  was  nearly,  if 
not  quite,  equal  to  his  height,  and  with  that 
■noble  trunk  his  limbs  were  in  full  and  admir- 
able proportion.  In  a crowd  his  giant  figure, 
in  front  or  back,  excited,  wherever  he  moved, 
universal  attention.  Large  and  heavy  in 
stature  as  he  was,  he  was  remarkably  light 
and  graceful  in  his  movements,  and,  when  not 
ruffled  with  opposition  or  displeasure,  exceed- 
ingly agreeable,  polished  and  finished  in  his 
manner.  Toward  those  who  betrayed  hauteur 
in  their  deportment  with  him,  or  whom  he 
suspected  as  actuated  by  such  a spirit,  or  who 
positively  differed  with  him  as  to  his  policy, 
and  especially  toward  those  whom  he  looked 
upon  as  his  enemies,  he  was  generally  distant 
and  overbearing,  and  sometimes,  when  of- 
fended, perhaps  morose.  In  his  bearing 
toward  them  his  noble  countenance  was  al- 
ways heavy  and  lowering,  and  his  deport- 
naent  frigid  and^  unmistakably  repulsive  ; but 
in  his  general  intercourse,  and  always  with 
his  particular  and  intimate  friends,  his  address 
and  social  qualities  were  polished,  delightful 
and  captivating  ; his  countenance  was  sun- 
light, his  manner  warm  and  genial  as  balmy 
May,  and  his  deportment  winning  to  a degree 
rare  among  even  remarkably  commanding  and 
popular  men.  ” 

His  published  works  were,  “A  Plea  for 
the  West”  (1826) ; “The  Star  in  the  West, 
or  Kenyon  College”  (1828);  “Defence  of 
Kenyon  College”  (1831);  and  “Reminis- 
cences : an  Autobiography,  comprising  a 
History  of  the  Principal  Events  in  the 
Author’s  Life  to  1847  ” (2  vols..  New  York, 
1848). 

Charles  Pettit  McIlvaine,  son  of  Joseph 
Mcllvaine,  U.  S.  Senator  from  New  Jersey, 
was  born  in  Burlington,  N.  J.,  January  18, 
1799;  graduated  at  Princeton  in  1816;  was 
made  priest  in  the  Episcopal  church,  March 
20,  1821.  He  was  five  years  rector  of  Christ 
Church,  Georgetown,  D.  C.  In  1825  was 
appointed  chaplain  and  professor  of  ethics  at 
West  Point.  Settled  over  St.  Ann’s  Church, 
Brooklyn,  in  1827 ; four  years  later  was  chosen 
professor  in  the  University  of  the  City  of 
New  York.  Was  elected  Bishop  of  Ohio 


990 


KNOX  COUNTY. 


and  consecrated  in  New  York,  October  31, 
1832.  Before  settling  in  Ohio  Bishop  Mcll- 
vaine  raised  among  his  friends  in  eastern 
cities  nearly  $30,000  for  Kenyon  College  and 
the  theological  seminary  at  Gambier,  of  which 
institutions  he  became  president. 

He  received  the  degrees  of  D.  D.  from 


CHARLES  PETTIT  McILVAINE. 

Princeton  and  Brown  in  1832,  B.  C.  L.  from 
Oxford  in  1853,  and  LL.  I),  from  Cambridge 
in  1858. 

During  the  war  he  was  a member  of  the 
Sanitary  Commission  and  on  a visit  to  Eng- 
land at  this  period  he  was  of  great  service  to 
the  United  States  government  in  creating 
favorable  sentiment  for  the  Union.  As  Bishop 
of  Ohio  and  President  of  Kenyon  College  he 
was  a great  power  in  the  development  of  re- 
ligion, morals  and  education. 

“ Born  in  the  same  year  in  which  George 
Washington  died,  he  bore  a close  resemblance 
to  the  Father  of  his  Country,  both  in  appear- 
ance and  character.  He  looked  a king  among 
men ; he  was  great,  also,  as  a thinker  and 
orator.  ” 

The  first  by-law  under  his  administration 
at  Kenyon  is  characteristic  : “It  shall  be  the 
duty  of  every  student  of  the  college  and 
grammar-school  on  meeting  or  passing  the 
president  or  vice-president,  any  professor,  or 
other  officer  of  the  institution,  to  salute  him 
by  touching  the  hat,  or  uncovering  the  head, 
and  it  is  equally  required  of  each  officer  to 
return  the  salutation.” 

Bishop  Mcllvaine  died  in  Florence,  Italy, 
March  13,  1873,  while  abroad  for  his  health. 
He  was  the  author  of  many  valuable  religious 
works.  His  “Lectures  on  the  Evidences  of 
Christianity”  (New  York,  1832)  has  had 
very  extensive  circulation. 


The  Hon.  Coltoibus  Delano  was  born  in 
Shoreham,  Vt. , June  5,  1809;  removed  to 
Mount  Vernon  in  1817  ; was  admitted  to  the 
bar  in  1831.  He  was  eminently  successful  as 
an  advocate  and  criminal  lawyer.  In  1847 
he  lacked  but  two  votes  for  nomination  for 
Governor  ; was  a delegate  to  the  Convention 
that  nominated  Lincoln  and  Hamlin  in  1860  ; 
also  chairman  of  the  Ohio  delegation  in  the 
Baltimore  Convention  that  nominated  Lin- 
coln and  Johnson  in  1864.  He  was  appointed 
State  Commissary-General  of  Ohio  in  1861, 
and  filled  the  office  with  great  acceptance. 
He  was  a member  of  the  Ohio  House  of 
Representatives  in  1863,  and  a member  of 
Congress  in  1844,  1864  and  1866.  In  March, 
1869,  he  was  appointed  by  President  Grant 
Commissioner  of  Internal  Revenue,  and  very 
greatly  improved  the  organization  of  that 
bureau.  In  1870  he  succeeded  Jacob  D.  Cox 
as  Secretary  of  the  Interior,  and  resigned  in 
1875.  The  honorary  degree  of  LL.D.  was 
conferred  on  him  by  Kenyon  College,  and  he 
was  one  of  the  trustees  of  that  institution, 


COLUMBUS  DELANO. 

in  connection  with  which  he  endowed  a 
grammar  school  called  Delano  Hall. 

He  has  been  prominently  identified  with 
the  agricultural  and  wool  interests  of  Ohio  ; 
is  President  of  the  National  Wool-Growers^ 
Association,  and  is  an  al3le  and  indefatigable 
advocate  for  the  protection  of  domestic  wool 
from  foreign  competition. 

George  Washington  Morgan  was  born 
in  Washington  county.  Pa.,  September  20, 
1820.  In  1836  he  left  college  to  enlist  in  the 
regular  Texan  army,  from  which  he  retired 
with  the  rank  of  ca])tain,  and  in  1841  entered 
the  United  States  ^Military  Academy.  In 
1843  he  removed  to  Mount  yernon,  and  be- 
gan the  practice  of  law  there  in  1845. 


KNOX  COUNTY. 


991 


He  was  colonel  in  the  Mexican  war  and 
brevetted  brigadier-general  foi  gallantry  at 
Contreras  and  Churubusco.  While  in  Mex- 
ico, several  of  his  command  were  murdered 
by  guerillas,  and  in  one  case  two  young  sol- 
diers were  killed,  and  their  hearts  and  other 
parts  of  their  person  hung  upon  bushes  by 
the  roadside.  Colonel  Morgan  thereupon 
caused  to  be  seized  and  heldf  as  hostages  a 


GEN.  G.  W.  MORGAN. 

number  of  wealthy  Mexican  citizens,  and 
gave  notice  that  for  every  American  soldier 
killed,  otherwise  than  in  fair  fight,  he  would 
hang  one  of  these  Mexicans.  No  more  mur- 
ders occurred. 

In  1856  Morgan  was  appointed  United 
States  Consul  to  Marseilles,  and  in  1858  Min- 
ister to  Portugal ; returning  to  the  United 
States  in  1861  to  enter  the  army  as  brigadier- 
general  of  volunteers,  under  Gen.  Don  Carlos 
Buell. 

In  March,  1862,  he  was  assigned  command 
of  the  Seventh  Division  of  the  Army  of  Ohio. 
He  was  afterwards  assigned  to  the  Thirteenth 
Army  Corps,  and  commanded  at  the  capture 
of  Fort  Hindman,  Ark.  He  resigned  from 
the  army  in  1863,  owing  to  failing  health. 

In  1865  he  was  the  defeated  Democratic 
candidate  for  Governor  of  Ohio  ; was  elected 
to  Congress  in  1866,  but  supplanted  in  1868 
by  Columbus  Delano,  who  contested  his  seat. 


He  was  the  Democratic  candidate  for  Speaker 
when  Blaine  was  first  elected  to  that  ofiSce. 
He  was  again  elected  to  Congress  in  1869, 
serving  till  1873 ; was  a delegate-at-large  to 
the  National  Democratic  Convention  at  St. 
Louis  in  1876. 

Lecky  Harper  was  born  in  Ireland,  1815. 
His  parents  emigrated  to  the  United  States 
in  1820,  and  settled  in  Washington,  D.  C., 
where  his  father  shortly  died,  and  the  self- 
sacrificing  mother  exerted  all  her  faculties  to 
the  rearing  and  education  of  her  four  chil- 
dren, with  whom  she  removed  to  Ohio  in 
1826. 

Mr.  Harper  early  entered  into  journalism, 
£t  Steubenville.  In  1837  he  edited  the 
American  Union.  Later  he  studied  law  and 
was  admitted  to  the  Pittsburg  bar  while  edit- 
ing the  Pittshurger.  He  removed  to  Cadiz, 
0.,  and  then  returned  to  Pittsburg,  where, 
as  editor  of  the  Post,  his  vigorous  support  of 
the  ten-hour  labor  law  brought  him  promi- 
nently into  notice  as  a supporter  of  the  rights 
of  humanity.  In  1853  he  removed  to  Mount 
Vernon  and  purchased  the  Democratic  Ban- 
ner, which  he  has  since  ably  conducted  and 
edited. 

Mr.  Harper  has  served  as  President  of  the 
Ohio  Editorial  Association,  and  was  elected 
as  a Democrat  to  the  State  Senate  in  1879. 
He  is  one  of  the  oldest  editors  in  the  State, 
still  in  the  harness,  with  force  and  vigor. 

William  Windom  was  born  in  Belmont 
county,  of  Quaker  parentage.  His  parents 
removed  to  Middlebury  township,  and  his 
boyhood  days  were  spent  on  a farm.  Ap- 
prenticed to  a tailor,  he  was  a failure  in  that 
trade,  and  then  made  a success  at  law  in  the 
office  of  Judge  B.  C.  Hurd,  of  Mount  Vernon. 
While  studying  law,  he  sometimes  lectured 
on  temperance,  and  on  one  occasion  he  was 
threatened  by  a mob  if  he  attempted  to  speak. 
He  went  to  the  hall,  laid  a pistol  on  the 
speaker’s  stand,  and  delivered  the  lecture 
without  interference.  In  1855  he  removed 
to  Winona,  Minn.,  and  from  there  was  sent 
to  the  United  States  Senate. 

Frank  Hunt  Hurd  was  born  in  Mount 
Vernon,  December  25,  1841  ; graduated  at 
Kenyon  College  in  1858.  He  studied  law, 
was  elected  Prosecuting  Attorney  in  1863,  and 
State  Senator  in  1866.  In  1867  he  removed 
to  Toledo,  and  was  elected  to  Congress  as  a 
Democrat  in  1874  ; served  one  term  and  was 
defeated  for  re-election  in  1876 ; was  re- 
elected in  1878  and  1882,  but  defeated  in 
1880  and  1886.  Mr.  Hurd  is  widely  known 
as  an  earnest  advocate  of  free-trade  doctrines. 
He  is  the  author  of  ‘‘Ohio  Criminal  Code  of 
Procedure,”  and  other  law  works. 


Fredericktown,  laid  out  in  1807  by  John  Kerr,  is  seven  miles  northwest  of 
Mount  Vernon,  on  the  B.  & O.  Railroad.  Kewspajier  : Free  Press,  independent, 
W.  E.  Edwards,  M.  D.,  editor.  Churches  : one  Presbyterian,  one  Methodist,  one 
Baptist.  Bank  : Daniel  Struble.  Industries  are  creamery,  bell-foundry,  planing- 
mill  and  sealing-wax  factory  of  Gumming  & Hosack,  and  carriage  factory  of 
Stephens  & Hagerty.  Population  in  1880,  850.  School  census,  1888,  266  ; C.  W. 
Durbin,  school  superintendent.  Capital  invested  in  industrial  establishments, 


KNOX  COUNTY. 


992 

$56,200;  value  of  annual  product,  $67,600. — Ohio  Labor  Statistics,  1888.  Ver- 
non river,  on  which  it  is  situated,  furnishes  considerable  water-power.  On  the 
middle  branch  of  that  stream,  near  the  village,  are  some  ancient  fortifications  and 
mounds. 

Centreburg  is  fourteen  miles  southwest  of  Mount  Vernon,  at  the  crossing  of 
the  C.  A.  & C.  and  T.  & O.  C.  Railroads.  Newspaper : Gazette,  independent,  E. 
N.  Gunsaulus,  editor.  Churches : one  Methodist  Episcopal,  one  Cumberland 
Presbyterian,  one  Christian,  one  Free-Will  Baptist.  Bank  : Centreburg  (Daniel 
Paul).  It  is  an  important  point  for  the  shipment  of  grain,  and  here  are  the  ex- 
tensive tile- works  of  T.  E.  Landrum  & Co.  Population,  1880,  400.  School 
census,  1888,  185.  Capital  invested  in  industrial  establishments,  $69,100;  value 
of  annual  product,  $70,800. — Ohio  Labor  Statistics,  1887. 

Martinsburg  is  eleven  miles  southeast  of  Mount  Vernon.  Churches:  one 
Presbyterian,  one  Baptist,  one  Methodist,  one  Disciples.  School  census,  1888, 
124. 

Gambier,  the  seat  of  Kenyon  College,  is  five  miles  east  of  Mount  Vernon,  on 
the  C.  A.  A C.  Railroad.  Population,  1880,  576. 

Danville  is  fifteen  miles  northeast  of  Mount  Vernon,  on  the  C.  A.  & C. 
Railroad.  Newspaper : Knox  County  Independent,  independent,  W.  M.  Kinsley, 
editor  and  publisher.  Bank  : Danville  (Wolfe  & Sons),  Albert  J.  Wolfe,  cashier. 
School  census,  1888,  210. 


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